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With our creativity & disability
we naturally don’t fit in, and that is ok.
We don’t want to be pressured to be “normal.”
We stand out because we’re born different.
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Latest
🇵🇭 A Brave Space to Create: The Misfits Camp’s Independence Day Campaign
by Carla Nobleza

MANILA, Philippines, June 12, 2025 — This Independence Day, we didn’t just reflect on freedom — we passed it on.

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🎬 Filmex Pay-It-Forward comes to Misfits Camp!
by Carla Nobleza

MANILA, Philippines, May 16, 2025 — The Misfits Camp hosted Filmex’s Pay-It-Forward session at Misfits Camp, led by award-winning filmmaker Direk Paolo Villaluna, who shared his passion and wisdom with our campers. 🌟

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The Labor Force Is Changing. Let’s Make Room for Neurodivergents.
by Carla Nobleza

MANILA, Philippines, May 1, 2025 — Every year on May 1, we honor the workers who keep the Philippines running. We celebrate their effort, their contribution, and their value to the economy. But for many of us in the neurodivergent community, Labor Day feels like a celebration we’re still waiting to be invited to.

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APAC Tambuli Awards Partners with The Misfits Camp to Support Neurodivergent Creatives
by Carla Nobleza

MANILA, Philippines, April 15, 2025 — The APAC Tambuli Awards has announced a groundbreaking partnership with The Misfits Camp, a non-profit organization that prepares neurodivergent individuals for careers in the creative industry. The collaboration represents a meaningful step toward greater inclusion and equal opportunities, while reinforcing Tambuli’s commitment to purpose-driven initiatives.

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WELCOME TO
A POST SCHOOL THAT BRIDGES
CREATIVES WITH DISABILITIES
TO CAREER POSSIBILITIES
About Us
Founded by Merlee C. Jayme, a globally awarded Advertising creative leader for 34 years, the camp is a haven for all creative minds with disabilities.

Dentsu Asia Pacific’s Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer 2021-2022, she firmly believes that no disability should stop creatives from achieving their dream careers in the industry.

All they need is a safe inclusive space, and specialized training.
Our Purpose
After years in special education schools, what happens now to the neurodiverse or deaf adults with creative talent?

What is their sustainable future?

Here is a safe place that aims to bridge them to jobs in the creative industry: advertising, digital, marketing, and production.

The Camp

A non-stock, non-profit corporation that embodies diversity, equity, and inclusion, giving individualized training and career possibilities to all creatives who have potential, skills, and talents regardless of their disabilities, impairment, and physical and mental challenges.

Our Vision

A corporate world where the richness of creativity brought about by diversity is fully accepted and encouraged, where the mental and physical divergent let their talents flourish and are seen as assets, rather than liabilities.
Our Mission
To create a safe space for a more inclusive and equitable work environment, believing that everyone, even the neurodiverse, has creative potential and should have equal opportunities to pursue a career in the creative field.
1
Assess
The Creative's Talent Assessment
2
Hone
Individualized Creative Programs
3
Prepare
Portfolio Building
4
Place
The Search for Creative Job Opportunities
5
Update
Post-training evaluation
Merlee C. Jayme
/ Founder and Creative Mentor
Merlee C. Jayme
Merlee is the first Filipino to be awarded: The Creative of the Year for Southeast Asia in the Campaign Asia Pacific Agency of the Year. One of only 8 women in the 100 best Chief Creative Officers in the world, based on the Drum global ranking in 2019.

She is "Chairmom" and the former Chief Creative Officer of Dentsu Creative Asia and Pacific, Global President Dentsu Mcgarrybowen, Executive sponsor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion APAC and CEO/Chief Creative Officer of Dentsu Jayme Syfu, Dentsu One Manila and the only woman in the 20 top creative directors in ASIA as reported by Campaign brief Asia.

She was recognized with the Hall of Fame Award by the 4As Creative Guild, The New York Festivals Creative Achievement Award, and the CEO of the year by the International Association of Business Communicators. She was the first to be awarded the Creative of the Year by Campaign Asia in 2013. She was Campaign Asia’s Women Leading Change Women’s Advancement Champion for her creative work for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 2022. This year, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the 4AS of the Philippines and the Creative Guild.
Sam Alapan
/ Creative Mentor
Sam Alapan
Sam has spent more than half of his career in the advertising industry; a graphic designer at Campaigns Direct & Design, a copywriter and art director at Santiago & Puno Advertising, working alongside Merlee Jayme at Ace/Saatchi & Saatchi and a few more years spent with ex-colleagues as a proprietor of a small agency so that he could spend the next decade instructing the next generation of creatives at Mint College. It is not surprising that Sam turns his focus on neurodivergent individuals who have creative potential; hopefully, his own journey might inspire the Misfits to live up to their potential.
Issel Jayme
/ Creative Mentor
Issel Jayme
Issel Jayme, a De La Salle University graduate with a BA in Literature and a highly experienced copywriter with a decade of industry experience, including seven years in Singapore, recently returned to the Philippines. She currently serves as Creative Director at The Huddle Room, bringing her expertise to the local creative landscape.

Clearly an apple that doesn't fall far from the tree, Merlee Jayme's eldest child has already made a name for herself in the creative world, with a Cannes Lions Bronze award and Gold & Silver wins at the Marketing Event Awards.

Beyond technical skills, Issel Jayme possesses a deep compassion for the neurodivergent talent at The Misfits Camp. As Creative Mentor, she provides holistic guidance, nurturing their unique talents and fostering a supportive environment where they can thrive.
j.r. ignacio
/ Technical Adviser
j.r. ignacio
J.R. is constantly amazed at being able to carry a computer in his pocket.

Currently on a well-being break. Previously led creative tech teams at AdSpark, Dentsu Jayme Syfu, Digit / DM9JaymeSyfu, Interuptive (Singapore), BBDO/Proximity (Singapore), and OgilvyOne.

For the past 19 years, he has been using computers to create delightful experiences for various brands and advocacies. His work has been recognized at various awards shows including Cannes Lions Change for Good Hackathon, Spikes Asia, AME Awards, Effie Awards, The Webby Awards, Ad Stars, NYF Awards, Davey Awards, Araw Values Awards, and Boomerangs.
Rochele Masangkay
/ Finance Adviser
Rochele Masangkay
Rochele Masangkay is an experienced finance operations professional, personal assistant, and business support admin with over two decades of experience, including several years working in Dubai. Prior to this, she has been part of the finance team of the advertising agencies: DM9 Jayme Syfu and Dentsu Philippines.
Criteria For Admission
21 years old or older
Gifted with creative skills in any of the following:
writing, illustration, animation, digital arts, film editing
can function independently on-site or in a virtual setting
has a medical diagnosis of disability
emotionally ready and enthusiastic to try new things
/ Visual Arts
/ Writing
/ Digital Arts
/ Illustration
/ Film Editing
How do I join the program?
DO I HAVE TO BE ON-SITE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM?
IS THIS A ONE-ON-ONE SESSION?
WHAT COVERS THE ASSESSMENT? DOES IT HAVE TO BE 15 DAYS?
WHAT IS DIVERSABILITY?
WHAT ARE THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES ACCEPTED FOR TRAINING?
WHAT IS AN INDIVIDUALIZED CREATIVE PROGRAM (ICP)?
ARE THE TRAINEES ASSURED OF A JOB AFTER THE TRAINING?
WILL THE CAMP ALSO CATER TO OVERSEAS STUDENTS?
Inquire Today!
/ For Assessment
a 15-day program to assess creative skills
/ For a 6-month training
a 6-month training with a customized schedule and courses that will help build each individual's portfolio
*"Please note that the duration of training may vary depending on the individual's needs and progress.
Partners
MINT
MINT
Benilde Deaf School
Supporters
Ad Standards Council
PANA
4As