MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The young team from Wunderman Thompson, Paul Castro and Amiel Lumbang, won the 2023 Digital Young Creators Competition, besting the best of the country’s young creators.
“I was screaming and jumping, my mascara running all over my face,” said Wunderman Thompson Copywriter Amiel Lumbang. “I honestly can’t remember what happened right after the picture-taking on stage, but I remember the feeling… It was pure happiness in my heart because finally my wish came true.
The DMAP’s Digital Young Creators Competition gathered 80 creators from creative agencies, digital agencies, content agencies, including brands. The participants went through a creator bootcamp, with learning sessions and mentoring breakouts from the country’s creative masters and digital leaders. Ogilvy Philippines Executive Creative Director Chino Jayme shared his tricks on how to crack the brief; Wunderman Thompson Group Creative Director Maan Bautista gave away the many ways to go for the wow as they craft the work; Propel Manila Executive Director Jao Bautista taught the ways to frame presentations; Young Competition winner Rica Manuel shared her personal tips on young competitions; and Google Country Creative Lead Peach Natividad inspired the teams with all the possibilities of Gen AI.
“This year’s brief was to demonstrate responsible use of Generative AI. To say it was tough to crack is a hell of an understatement,” said Wunderman Thompson Senior Art Director Paul Castro. “It wasn’t just a product to pitch, but a challenge to our own personal perspectives. Amiel and I had very strong opinions on the subject, which was initially a big stumbling block for us. So the one-on-one mentoring was a real lifesaver. By talking out our reservations and hearing perspectives from knowledgeable peers, we were able to tackle the brief with open minds.”
From over 40 entries, the esteemed jury composed of Jao Bautista, Chino Jayme, Via Villafuerte, Nikki del Gallego, Wacky Torres, Mylo de Borja, Rica Manuel, led by Jury President Maan Bautista, narrowed down the finalists to 11 teams: Sofia Carpizo & Bryan Benn Martico of Ogilvy Philippines, Chryseis Kayla Marcelo & Vehneesiah Julia Saturino of Dentsu Creative Philippines, Eduardo Cruz & Cyara Katrin Belando of MullenLowe Treyna, Paul Gilbert Castro & Amiel Lumbang of Wunderman Thompson, Colleen Cabili & Alaine Serrano of Ogilvy Philippines, Migs Quesada & Leela Fantone of TBWA\Santiago Mangada Puno Advertising, Ana Adriano & Yca Bascon of Publicis JimenezBasic, Faye Amante & Jose Bryan Nonay of Oddefy Creative, Laila Lahbati & Kimberly Salonga of Redbin Philippines, Iverson Ong & Enzo Tan of Publicis JimenezBasic, and Phoebe Baula & Danielle Bibera of MullenLowe Treyna.
The finalists then presented their cases live at Digicon with instant feedback session from the jury composed of industry leaders from creative agencies, digital agencies, marketing and tech, and content creation.
“Honing young talents is very important in our industry development,” said Raymund Sison, Chairperson of DMAP’s Digital Young Creators. “It’s been a privilege to lead this program that gathered the best young talents to compete, to learn, and to get mentored by industry’s best. Congratulations to the winners who very well deserved all the recognition.”
Team Ogilvy Philippines Colleen Cabili and Alaine Serrano won third place while Team Ogilvy Philippines’ Sofia Carpizo and Bryan Marticio won second place.
The winning team from Wunderman Thompson, Paul Gilbert Castro and Amiel Lumbang, will represent the Philippines at the Young Lotus Workshop in ADFEST 2024 in Pattaya, Thailand.
“This win gave me something that I can cherish for myself. And for that I am eternally grateful to Paul for trusting me as his partner, and to WT for giving me this opportunity,” said Amiel.
DMAP DYC is co-presented with Google.
adobo Magazine is an official media partner of DIGIMAX: IMMAP Digicon 2023.
