SENATOR Imee Marcos has launched the second phase of her Young Creatives Challenge (YC2) program, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry.

“We’ve expanded and elevated YC2 Season 2, now including elementary and high school students,” Marcos said.

The senator has been a strong advocate for this creative initiative, which was initially limited to participants aged 18 to 35.

“Our creative industries have immense potential. They contributed P1.72 trillion in 2023,” the senator emphasized.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the creative industries’ contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached P1.72 trillion last year.

Marcos noted that Filipinos are naturally creative, and this talent must be nurtured.

YC2 offers seven categories for participation: songwriting, screenwriting, playwriting, graphic novels, animation, game development, and online content creation.

The newly added Elementary and High School Edition will feature categories for songwriting, short story writing, graphic novels, and online content creation.

“There’s no miracle! That’s what Nora Aunor declared in a famous 1980s film. But in reality, there is a miracle in our creative industries, resonating around the world, thanks to the exceptional talent of Filipinos,” Marcos added.