IN TODAY’S digital age, the media landscape has evolved tremendously, from traditional platforms to the ever-changing world of social media. Furthermore, various career opportunities are evolving as a result of it.
The Philippines, for example, is renowned for its thriving online community and record-breaking social media usage, demonstrating that this movement is more than a trend—it is a cultural and economic revolution.
This spike has resulted in the emergence of a new type of profession: social media content creation. A new work ecosystem has evolved that includes vloggers and influencers, as well as digital marketers and brand managers.
In response to this thriving business, the game-changing iACADEMY has launched a timely and creative curriculum, the Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Management, on Saturday at iACADEMY Nexus in Makati.
Changing the Game
Raquel Perez-Wong, President and COO of iACADEMY, headed the launch of the institution’s newest course, promising to continue challenging innovations and digital advancements.
“We live in an era where content is currency, creativity is influence, and digital platforms redefine how we connect, communicate, and conduct our business,” Perez-Wong said during the Beyond the Likes event.
“In this fast paced digital age, waiting isn’t just a pause, it’s a missed opportunity. To thrive, we must meet the moment with bold action and purpose driven innovations that shapes a more valuable, and ethical future,” she added.
Photo Courtesy: RepublicAsia Media
Given that idea, iACADEMY’s President and COO offered a few reasons why this course was created and why it is relevant, particularly in today’s generation, during her introductory remark.
“In this unfiltered age of virality, we face an urgent crisis. Misinformation spreads faster than facts, creators chase clout over credibility, ethics are often sacrificed for engagement,” she explained.
“We are nurturing millions of users, but not enough responsible digital citizens. This is the challenge. A chance to carve a new path towards a sustainable, ethical, and future-ready digital ecosystem.”
“That is why we are proud to announce iACADEMY’s newest, pioneering business program, the Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Management. The first of its kind in the Philippines,” she added.
Era of Contentpreneurs
Furthermore, Perez-Wong used the opportunity to emphasize that this course is designed not just for students who want to participate in the digital revolution, but also for those who want to lead it.
“It bridges raw talent with refined strategy. Transforming content creators to contentpreneurs, and influencers into innovators,” Perez-Wong explained.
Given iACADEMY’s longstanding partnership with RepublicAsia, Bran Reluao, Founder and CEO of the media organization, and Richard Juan, CEO and Co-Founder of 28 Square Production, were invited to speak at the Fireside Chat session.
Photo Courtesy: RepublicAsia Media
During the session, Reluao discussed how social media has evolved from a platform for sharing photos and videos of oneself to a way to earn a lot of money by creating social media content.
“Before, I think way back 2014, 2015, you have Facebook and you just upload photos, you make albums, and put some videos. And that’s all for fun,” RepublicAsia’s CEO said.
“Now, the digital world is different. Before it’s like a hobby, now it becomes a part of the economy. Being a content creator doesn’t stop just like that now. You can now be bigger by just being a content creator.”
“And let’s face the reality, the “celebrity” status is not anymore for artists only. More and more brands are getting influencers to endorse and create organic contents,” he went on to explain how content creators can make a living.
Stay Authentic
While discussing the possibility of turning social media content creation into a full-time job in the future, given how iACADEMY is steadily professionalizing it, Juan additionally stressed the need of staying true to your audience.
“It is a very saturated market, but ultimately you will have to find your own audience. You build your own audience, you take care of audience, it’s a whole community that you built”, Juan explained.
“And you just have to honestly make sure that you talk sense. I’ll be very frank with you, there are a lot of people out there that are just creating content for the sake of creating content.”
“Just because they want to be viral, just because they want to be famous. Just because they think it’s [content creation] easy money. But honestly it’s not, it needs a lot of hard work also,” he added.
Photo Courtesy: RepublicAsia Media
Following the workshop, the significance of using social media responsibly was emphasized even more during a panel discussion with professionals from various industries.
JM Encinas, a journalist from GMA Integrated News, and Albert Camp, CapCut Philippines’ Creator Growth Operations Manager, were in attendance for the interesting panel discussion.
Charlotte Fabian-Reyes, Managing Director of Comm&Sense, and Angel Directo, Deputy General Manager of Hepmil Philippines, were also present to enlighten the event attendees.
Transformative Move
iACADEMY’s new course offering is more than just a new academic program; it is a timely reaction to a national and international phenomenon. This is how Quinn Tifanny Barcarse, an attendee, sees it.
Given that the Philippines is a digitally aware country, this course provides the tools, mindset, and platform for Filipinos to lead, create, and innovate in the digital realm.
Photo Courtesy: RepublicAsia Media
“Content creation is not just a hobby nalang talaga. It’s good with iACADEMY na they’re offering this course kasi really, you can make a business out of it,” Barcarse shared her takeaways, moments before the event ended.
“Maganda rin na maturuan ‘yung mga content creators to have ethics and also how to fact-check, kasi ‘yung influence and reach nila, ‘yung effect niya, ‘yung impact niya sa marami, hindi natin madaling mame-measure.”
“So better na ‘yung mga ma-sh-share nilang content is something that’s beneficial and kung hindi man, huwag ng makasira,” the 21-year-old student of University of the Philippines Diliman went on to explain.
As Barcarse said, it enables students to transform their creativity into careers, their interests into professions, and their digital presence into a force for positive change. This not only prepares them for success, but also helps in building a wiser, stronger, and more connected Filipino society.
