Graduates of DTI Region 7’s DREAM Mentoring Program Batch 3 pose during the Creative Portfolio Presentation and graduation ceremony held in Cebu City.

CENTRAL VISAYAS — Twelve (12) creative entrepreneurs from the region successfully completed the third batch of the Digital Services Entrepreneurs Advancement Mentorship (DREAM) Program, culminating in a Creative Portfolio Pitching and graduation ceremony held on July 31, 2025, at the DTI Region 7 Office in Cebu City. These included 7 mentees from Cebu, 3 from Bohol, 1 from Negros Oriental and 1 from Siquijor.

Spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 7, the DREAM program continues to nurture the growth of the creative sector under the creative services domain, equipping mentees with the tools to level up their brand storytelling, improve their market readiness, and boost their entrepreneurial confidence.

Throughout the program, the mentees participated in 10 structured sessions covering branding, business model refinement, and market positioning, supported by mentors from the industry and DTI. The final pitching event allowed mentees to showcase their creative portfolios to a distinguished panel of evaluators.

Graduates of DTI Region 7’s DREAM Mentoring Program Batch 3 pose during the Creative Portfolio Presentation and graduation ceremony held in Cebu City.

The final panel was composed of industry leaders including Kae Batiquin of HoliCOW Gallery, Emot Amodia of Emottoons Animation Studio, Stephanie Tudtud of White Brick Creative Studio – Cebu Making Space, Nova Mae Dela Torre of DTI-7, Elaine Nemenzo of Cebu Institute of Technology – University (CIT-U), and Mark Villarin of Red Roots Studio.

Panelists provided personalized, actionable feedback to each mentee—insights that many participants found not only technically helpful but strategically transformative.

“The feedback wasn’t just technical—it was strategic. It made me see my offer from the eyes of potential partners and clients. I feel more confident now knowing my deck tells a clear story that converts,” said mentee Belle Quirante of The Link Creatives from Siquijor.

In a motivating address, panelist Emot Amodia reminded mentees that failure is part of the creative journey, urging them to embrace it as a stepping stone to growth. His message resonated deeply with the graduates, many of whom expressed their gratitude for the encouragement, support, and mentorship provided throughout the program.

The DREAM program is a flagship initiative of DTI Region 7 in its commitment to empower creative professionals and freelancers in the digital services sector. It builds on the success of previous creative-focused programs such as Creative Konnect and Fiesta Haraya Bai.

The Batch 3 implementation was made possible in partnership with The Company Cebu, a co-working and innovation hub that continues to support the startup and creative communities.

According to Acting-Regional Director Esperanza Melgar, DTI Region 7 remains committed to nurturing local talents and fostering a dynamic creative ecosystem in Central Visayas—one that highlights Filipino ingenuity, supports business growth, and contributes to inclusive innovation.

To date, the DREAM program has produced 31 graduates since its inception in 2021 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which drastically affected freelancers and microentrepreneurs in the digital space. Originally aimed at digital service providers, the program pivoted in 2024 to focus on the creative sector, empowering artists, designers, writers, musicians, animators, and other freelancers. (DTI 7/PR) ♦

Date of Release: 04 August 2025