Filipino design talent made a strong mark on the international stage after the Philippines secured two top honors at the AYDA International Awards 2025–2026, underscoring the country’s rising influence in globally competitive, socially driven design.
At the finals held in Bangkok on June 11–12, Ejhey Durias of the University of Mindanao was named Designer of the Year in the Architectural Category, while Patricia Danielle Malijan of De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde won the Nippon Paint Colour Award in Interior Design.
The competition drew more than 9,000 entries from 17 countries and territories under the theme “CONVERGE: Crafting Cultural Legacies,” making the Philippine wins a standout achievement in a highly competitive field.
Durias’ winning project, Banuas Lawod, tackles the decline of aquaculture and its impact on displaced coastal communities across Southeast Asia. Drawing inspiration from Bajau culture, the design proposes a sustainable aquaculture hub that restores livelihoods while preserving cultural identity.
Malijan’s KAMPIHAN reimagines traditional playgrounds as spaces for cultural transmission, turning childhood play areas into community hubs that preserve heritage while responding to the growing dominance of digital lifestyles among youth.
Beyond individual recognition, the wins highlight the growing strength of Philippine design education and its ability to produce globally competitive, socially conscious creators who merge heritage with innovation.
As part of his award, Durias will receive a fully funded place in the Design Discovery Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, giving him exposure to global design practices and professional networks.
The results reinforce a broader trend: Filipino designers are no longer just interpreting culture—they are actively shaping global conversations on sustainability, resilience, and inclusive community development through design.
