Young entrepreneur invests P500T for workshop studio

CEBU, Philippines – Young entrepreneur Eugene Erik Lim has invested around P500 thousand to set up a studio dubbed as the Self-Esteem Learning Formation Institute (Selfi) Studios to help strengthen Cebu’s bid to develop the creative sector.

The studio, located at the second floor of Northgate Center in Banilad, aims to enhance personality development among individuals through month-long workshops in hosting, dancing, acting, modeling and make-up.

Lim partnered with TV host and model Blinky de Leon to run the 63-square meter studio.

De Leon said they opened the facility to further enhance the creativity and boost self-confidence of individuals, particularly children and teenagers, who are now influenced by technology and social media.

De Leon said summer, which used to be a time to rest and relax, is now being used by the younger generation as a time to be more productive (after academics) by enrolling in various workshops where their creative side can be showcased.

“They are eager to explore what's going out there,” said De Leon,

Selfi Studios started giving out workshops last year in Southwestern University. They had 70 graduates.

The firm is also often invited by various universities and colleges across the province to give out lectures or conduct workshops as an extension of the academe's elective subjects or school activities such as pageants.

Even with the advent of free online tutorial videos, De Leon is confident studios like theirs are still relevant in the market because of the student-mentor interaction.

“The online tutorial video sure does transfer knowledge and information but not everything. The critique, compliment, feedback and support or the physical interaction, per se, between students and their mentor are things that can't be taught or provided by these online video tutorials,” she said.

According to De Leon, the potential of Cebu as the melting pot of world-class artists should be sustained with right educational and professional avenues.