Sixty young digital content creators from Southeast Asia will convene in Manila this month for the “Creators Co-Lab: YSEALI Bootcamp for Digital Creators,” a five-day regional workshop organized by the US Embassy in the Philippines.

Scheduled from 28 May to 1 June 2025, the bootcamp aims to equip emerging digital storytellers with skills in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, brand development, and intellectual property. It will include workshops, site visits, and mentoring sessions with prominent media professionals, including Filipino journalist Jacque Manabat.

“We are thrilled to support Southeast Asia’s vibrant community of content creators,” said US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson. “These digital innovators are revolutionizing how we stay informed and connected.”

Manabat, who addressed the participants during a virtual orientation on 6 April, encouraged them to see their content as a means of building bridges and connections. “You are not just creating content,” she said. “Your story and creativity matter.”

The 60 participants, including 10 from the Philippines, have a combined reach of more than 15 million followers across various social media platforms. They are also set to visit the local offices of US tech giants Microsoft and Meta as part of the program.

The workshop is part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), the U.S. government’s flagship program for developing youth leadership and regional collaboration among Southeast Asians aged 18 to 35. Launched in 2013, YSEALI has supported young leaders through exchanges, training, and funding opportunities.

Organized in partnership with the US Mission to ASEAN, the bootcamp is implemented by the Out of the Box Media Literacy Initiative, with funding from the US Embassy in the Philippines.

Upon completing the program, participants will join the YSEALI and U.S. government alumni networks, granting them access to future grants, exchange opportunities, and regional initiatives.