The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) continues to champion Filipino creativity through the Young Creatives Challenge Season 2 (YC2), which concluded in 2025, recognizing emerging talents across various disciplines, including songwriting.
Among the standout winners in the Songwriting category are Kervin Kane Estrera, also known as Kervin Kane (Grand Prize Winner); Al-rass Amarillo, also known as Pluma (2nd Placer); and songwriters Ferjun Cano and Rhode Audi Acabal (4th Placer), represented by singer Jupiter Bacuado of Isla Dinagat Creators. These artists have produced works that reflect resilience, personal storytelling, and the evolving voice of Filipino music.
Organized as part of the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) broader efforts to strengthen the country’s creative industries, the Young Creatives Challenge (YC2) is a flagship initiative under the Malikhaing Pinoy Program, implemented through the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council Secretariat (PCIDCS). YC2 serves as a dynamic platform for discovering, nurturing, and showcasing emerging Filipino talents across diverse creative disciplines, including songwriting, by providing opportunities for skills development and national recognition. Through initiatives like YC2, the DTI continues to uplift emerging creatives and create meaningful pathways for artists from diverse backgrounds to share their work on a larger stage.
This season’s winners highlight the diversity of Filipino creativity across regions—from Cebu to Zamboanga City to Dinagat Islands—demonstrating how powerful stories can emerge from different communities across the country.
Kervin Kane Estrera, also known as Kervin Kane (Grand Prize Winner), a Cebu-based singer-songwriter, captured the top honor with “Gitna ng Kalawakan,” a song that reflects his personal journey of stepping away from music and finding his way back. Originally written as a piece about long-distance relationships, the song evolved into a deeper reflection of purpose and perseverance. “When you feel like giving up, you have to go back to your ‘why’… what’s important is getting back up and continuing the journey,” Kane shared.
Al-rass Amarillo, known professionally as Pluma (2nd Placer), a singer-songwriter from Zamboanga City, earned recognition for “Pahinga,” a deeply personal composition written for his wife and family during a challenging period in his life. The song speaks about finding comfort and strength in the presence of others. “Sa mundong nakakapagod, may someone na magsisilbing ‘pahinga’ natin,” he shared, emphasizing the importance of support systems in times of struggle. For Pluma, the competition also underscored inclusivity in the creative industry, noting that “race and religion don’t matter—pure skills ang jina-judge.”
Meanwhile, 4th Placer Ferjun Cano and Rhode Audi Acabal, songwriters from Dinagat Islands, were recognized for their collaboration on “Salig Lang Ta.” The songwriters are represented by Jupiter Bacuado a.k.a. Jupiter, a singer from Isla Dinagat Creators, who helps bring their vision to life. Originally written in December 2020 during the pandemic, the song later took on a deeper meaning following the impact of Super Typhoon Odette in their community. With Cano crafting the lyrics and Acabal shaping its melody and production, the piece became a reflection of faith and resilience—“tiwala lang”—during times of crisis. The song was interpreted by vocalist Jupiter Bacuado, bringing its message to life through performance.
Despite coming from different backgrounds and creative journeys, the winners share a common thread, their authenticity. Their songs, rooted in personal experiences, cultural context, and emotional truth, highlight the richness and diversity of Filipino songwriting today.
In a continued commitment to supporting young Filipino artists, the DTI partnered with MINT College in September 2025 to mentor the Top 3 YC2 Songwriting winners. This partnership facilitates the production of their songs and music videos, as well as the strategic music promotion leading up to their official launch this April 2026.
Leading the project’s execution is Lachmi Baviera, Business Management Program Head at MINT College, who provides professional stewardship for the winners’ transition into the industry. In this role, she coordinates with specialized teams to oversee music production, music video development, digital distribution, and music promotion, ensuring each artist’s vision is polished for a global audience.
A formidable figure in the music industry, Lachmi brings a wealth of experience from her tenure as the former General Manager of Warner Music Philippines, Country Manager at The Orchard, and Territory Director of ONErpm.
Now, as Managing Director of Two Elevens Entertainment, she reflected on the caliber of the participants: “I was honestly struck by the raw talent we saw. You have these songwriters coming in from all over the country, bringing such diverse styles, but they all share this incredible sincerity in how they capture emotion. There’s something so uniquely Filipino about that—the way they can take their personal struggles and channel them into such beautiful, melodic storytelling. It was truly moving to witness.”
Beyond individual achievements, their stories underscore the importance of initiatives like the Young Creatives Challenge (YC2) in reaching artists across regions, particularly those with limited access to platforms. Through YC2, DTI continues to create opportunities where talent is recognized on merit, enabling emerging creatives to be seen and heard on a national stage.
As the Young Creatives Challenge moves forward, DTI builds on the momentum of Season 2, continuing its mission to discover and nurture the next generation of Filipino creatives. Season 3 is set to launch soon, inviting a new wave of talents to showcase their creativity and share their stories on a national stage.
