TACLOBAN CITY – At least 21 aspiring young business owners took center stage during the 3rd Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) Start-Up Camp for Young Entrepreneurs, held from August 6 to 11 in Catbalogan City—a highlight of Samar’s growing grassroots entrepreneurship movement.
Now in its third year, the YES Start-Up Camp has become a key platform for young innovators across the province to transform their ideas into viable businesses.
From ready-to-wear clothing lines and artisanal delicacies to handmade crafts, participants showcased their products in colorful stalls at Spark Samar Park, located within the provincial capitol grounds.
The initiative, one of the main events of the Samar Day celebration, served as more than just an exhibit. It was a hands-on business laboratory where participants learned branding, marketing, and customer engagement while gaining live feedback from actual customers.
Throughout the week, the young entrepreneurs refined their business strategies, developed networks, and learned from real-world experiences—turning concepts into concrete market-ready products.
Board Member Ingrid Cabarriban, Sangguniang Kabataan provincial federation president, praised the program for its long-term impact.
“The 3rd YES Start-Up Camp for Young Entrepreneurs is more than just a program. It is a beacon that casts its light upon the boundless potential of Samar’s youth, illuminating the path towards inclusive grassroots economic transformation,” she said.
She also credited Governor Sharee Ann Tan for institutionalizing the program, calling it part of her leadership legacy.
“Gov. Sharee Ann Tan’s commitment to cultivating the entrepreneurial spirit of our youth has transcended policy—it has become a legacy,” Cabarriban added. “This camp is a living laboratory where young minds become makers, dreamers become doers, and ideas are brought to life.”
The week-long event drew a diverse crowd—from students and professionals to tourists and local business advocates—underscoring Samar’s commitment to investing in youth-led innovation and future-ready entrepreneurship.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
