Smart pilots Launchpad Showdown web series with the biggest YouTube celebrities

The grand prize winners of Smart Launchpad, the nationwide search for the most promising Pinoy content creators, return to the online video arena with Smart Launchpad Showdown.

Smart Launchpad Showdown is a five-part web show starring winners MJ Labenia and Tops Unay as they face each other in a series of fun challenges given by four veteran YouTube celebrities: Bogart the Explorer, Joyce Pring, Michelle Dy and Lloyd Cadena.  It aims to inspire viewers to follow their passion in video creation through tips and techniques presented during the show.


Each episode focuses on a certain challenge that will allow the Launchpad winners to explore different genres of content creation. The YouTube celebrities will not only serve as judges, but also as mentors and collaborators – giving specific pointers to help them create engaging, shareable videos. Viewers will learn more about key aspects of content creation such as the importance of personality, creativity and composition.

The video categories are Food Challenge with Bogart, Music video challenge with Joyce, Beauty challenge with Michelle and Viral video challenge with Lloyd.

Launchpad finalists Quinito Villarosa, Xian Tobias and Eboy Fernandez also joined MJ and Tops in trying out some viral internet challenges.

“It’s hard to pick a favorite mentor from the pool of Bogart, Michelle, Joyce and Lloyd because they had us do different challenges and they helped us broaden our experiences in different forms of content creation,” said music and pop lifestyle content creator MJ.

The first-ever Launchpad contest mined the Philippines for all kinds of online video creators. Nearly 2000 contestants qualified, 100 of these talents made it to the three-day workshop cum showdown in October 2016.

Launchpad was part of Smart’s “Own It” campaign, which encourages the youth to discover their passion, channel their creativity, and broadcast it to the world.




  All episodes of Smart Launchpad Showdown are now available on Smart Communication’s YouTube channel. While the final challenge videos can be seen on MJ’s and Tops’ YouTube channels at MJ Labenia and Topsy Holic respectively.

#OwnIt now at Smart Launchpad Upload Stations and get a chance to fly to LA!

I admit, I still go to tutorials when I do my winged eye and arch brows, and all those contouring. Its easier said than done. I still have to check those YouTube tutorials and learn over and over again. Its a trial and error session everytime I do my winged eye and eyebrows. It took me an hour to semi perfect that arches. Up to this day, I still have to practice. I am just thankful that when you google "strobing", "contouring",  "cat eyes", "arch brows", hundreds of videos pop up and you just check what site would suit you best.

Generations of today are luckier that in just a matter of googling, everything is within reach, with just the right and stable connection. You can share or upload to YouTube your original content for everyone to get their fair share of the information and learn to monetize your own content as well. Be it makeup tutorials, uboxing, or how to bake that sponge delicious cake, and basically "how to's" under the sun.

Smart unveils Smart Launchpad on July 23 at SM Megamall Atrium. This program helps budding content creators upload their own work on YouTube and broadcast it to the world via Upload Stations all over the country.

Not having a stable connection to upload videos can be a problem. So is the lack of knowledge and expertise. Aside from basic know how in video production, many aspiring online creators don't know the variety of content they can upload on YouTube.

"We understand that it may not always be easy for the young Filipino to express themselves on a digital platform there’s always the challenge of having the right equipment and of course, not having access to internet connection strong enough for video uploading." says Katrina Luna-Abelarde, Head of Wireless Consumer Operations for Smart.

Smart, recognizing the creative potential of Filipino youth as an untapped resource for new ideas and raw talent, encourages the use of YouTube and aims to break the aforementioned barriers experienced by the country’s digital generation. Smart continues to inspire change in the way the Filipino youth productively use technology and the Internet by empowering them with the tools to discover their passions, channel their creativity, and broadcast their talents to the world.

"We want to address these barriers because we have seen many of the world's digital generation get their start in content creation on the platform, showcasing their talent on video, and sharing their talent with the widest audience available on the web. We want to encourage the Filipino youth to explore this alternative medium not only for self-expression, but also as a way to secure a career for their future," she added.

Smart recently unboxed its slew of digital innovations, including “Own it" campaign, a platform that encourages everyone, especially the youth, to share their passions to the world, giving them a voice larger than themselves.

Selected malls in key areas nationwide will be chosen as the homes of Launchpad Upload Stations. During weekends, Smart subscribers can hang out, collaborate and create their own videos, and upload in real time using Smart's fast internet connection and Samsung devices. Upload Stations will also be deployed in different campuses and hotspots to bring the experience to where the Filipino youth is.

Aspiring content creators will get the chance to participate in Launchpad Workshops where they will learn from industry professionals and top YouTubers. Smart subscribers can join the workshops by creating an account on YouTube.

Upload their original videos on their account and register online.

Registration is open until September 15, 2016. In these sessions, they will learn how they can make content creation into a profession with modules available on hand.  How to monetize their YouTube channel, and create content plans.

By the end of the workshop, Smart will choose content creators to fly to Los Angeles, USA to collaborate with YouTube International Stars.

Visit www.smart.com.ph/launchpad for more information