Workshop History

Leap, leap, hooray! The Summer 2011 Personality Empowerment Workshop
graduates during their Fashion & Talent Showcase at SM City Davao . 

It was in 2011 that the first Spotlight Personality Empowerment Workshop was conducted by Program Director JILL PALARCA, a speaker, director, writer, and consultant for media production, marketing, and organizational development

The first batch was conducted at the Royeca School of Ballet and included mostly preteen girls enrolled in the ballet school. The workshop's aim was to improve the confidence of the girls through public speaking, modeling, and TV hosting. The students had hands-on activities at The Edge Radio station and SouthSpot channel studio. The batch graduated with a runway show at SM City Davao together with the Royeca School of Ballet students.

In 2012, the number of students doubled with former students returning for Level 2. This time, Spotlight Workshops officially partnered with SouthSpot Entertainment Network to give the students maximum exposure to TV Hosting. The workshop was conducted inside the sprawling studio of the media company. That year, the very first music video starring the Spotlight Stars was aired on the cable channel. They also got to show off their hosting skills on Spotlight TV, a special program about the workshop on SouthSpot channel, and in their solo fashion and talent showcase at NCCC Mall of Davao.

In 2013, though the workshop was still in partnership with SouthSpot Entertainment Network, the activities were conducted at Xenia Dance Studio. That year, due to insistent demand, the Kids Class was opened for 5 to 10 years old, while the Preteens/Teens class admitted 11 years old and above. The same module was adapted finishing off with a music video, a runway show at SM City Davao, a fashion makeover pictorial, and of course a hosting stint on Spotlight TV.

In 2014, Spotlight Workshops celebrated its 4th season with 4 choices of summer programs to cater to other interests. Aside from Personality Empowerment, which still remains to be the flagship program, the following programs will also be introduced: Artista Workshop for Kids, Junior Filmmakers Workshop, and Earth Lovers Art Workshop. The 2014 Summer Programs were held at Zoofari Kids Adventure.

In 2015, Spotlight Workshops held its Teens program at the Fashion Institute of Design and Arts, while the Kids program was held at Zoofari Kids Adventure.

In 2016, the official venue of the Tweens/Teens was at Lounge One, North Zen Basic Spaces Hotel while the Kids program remained to be at Zoofari.

For the 2017 Summer Program check out our Facebook page for more details.

For the past years, Spotlight Workshops's signature program  has been Personality Empowerment. Students would come all the way from Manila, Cebu, Ozamis, Cotabato, Kidapawan, Sultan Kudarat, Digos, and other nearby regions in Mindanao. Davao-based students usually come from Ateneo de Davao, Stella Maris, Precious International School, Holy Child, the University of the Immaculate Conception, and Davao Christian High School. Since then, the workshop has produced winners in the following pageants – Mutya ng Davao, Miss RDL, NCCC Young Teens, Miss Solane, and other provincial competitions. The workshop has also turned former super shy students into class presidents, debaters, and student leaders.

The Workshop modules are annually modified and enhanced, based on observations made and comments received from previous seasons.

CALL/TEXT 0922-8384981 for inquiries 

or E-mail jillpalarca@live.com