The Good Design Award Philippines, a prestigious biennial event organized by the Design Center of the Philippines, has once again celebrated the exceptional achievements of Filipino designers across various creative fields. This year, the British Council proudly highlights the success of four remarkable innovators, all alumni of the Creative Innovators Programme (CIP). Their outstanding contributions have earned them top honors at the Good Design Award Philippines 2024.
Showcasing Filipino Creativity on the Global Stage
Established in 2019, the Good Design Award Philippines is a national recognition program that celebrates design excellence across the country. It honors local designers and businesses whose work exemplifies innovation, functionality, and the uniquely Filipino value of malasakit (compassion). The awards not only elevate the profiles of Filipino designers but also enhance the country’s global competitiveness through design.
With over 200 entries this year, the winners were selected based on their form, function, innovation, user experience, and malasakit, all demonstrating design excellence and significant positive impact on their communities. These awards embody Filipino creativity's true spirit and design's transformative power.
The global phase of the Good Design Award is currently ongoing, providing a platform for these exceptional Filipino designers to showcase their talents on an international stage.
The Creative Innovators Programme: Nurturing Long-Term Change
Although the Creative Innovators Programme (CIP) concluded its active phases several years ago, its influence continues to resonate and shape the Philippine creative landscape. Launched in 2018 by the British Council in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Design Center of the Philippines, the CIP was designed to empower creative hub leaders in the Philippines. Through a rigorous selection process, 15 fellows were chosen from a pool of 84 applicants, all of whom demonstrated the potential to make a significant impact on their communities and the creative industries.
The programme provided these fellows with capacity-building opportunities, access to global networks, and mentorship from industry leaders. Despite the completion of its main activities, the CIP continues to touch lives and foster long-term changes for its participants. The achievements of CIP alumni at the Good Design Award Philippines stand as a testament to the programme’s lasting impact in nurturing creativity, innovation, and leadership.
CIP Alumni: Making Waves at the Good Design Award Philippines 2024
Four CIP alumni distinguished themselves at this year’s Good Design Award Philippines, receiving recognition for their groundbreaking work:
Jodinand Aguillon, representing “First United Building and HUB: Make Lab,” won the prestigious Red and Gold Awards in the Place Making Category, as well as the Malasakit Gran Prix Award, the top honor of the event. Aguillon’s experience with CIP and exposure to innovative practices in the UK and Kuala Lumpur have significantly influenced his work in Escolta. He emphasizes that the program taught him the importance of tailoring solutions to specific needs rather than applying one-size-fits-all approaches.
Kae Batiquin, who manages HoliCow, received the Red Award in the Systems and Service Design Category for her work with artisans on HATEKA (Hanyag sa Matematika or Hablon sa Matematika). Batiquin’s work integrates the structure of mathematics with the creativity of traditional weaving in Cebu. She found the program crucial for connecting with key industry players, fostering collaborations, and enhancing skillsets through significant events and workshops.
Cham Lopez, representing Anthill Fabric Gallery, earned the Red and Gold Awards in the Image Making Category for her collaborative work on the Philippine Textile Swatch Book. This project aims to make local weaves more accessible while deepening appreciation for the stories behind each woven cloth. Lopez noted that the CIP expanded her vision of possibilities within the creative industry, inspiring her to support creatives and foster impactful collaborations.
Unyx Sta. Ana, the founder of Zapateria Hub, won the Red Award in the Object Making Category for her collaboration with Maco Custodio on Lalapatos, a project that exemplifies creativity and sustainability. Sta. Ana emphasized that founding Zapateria aimed to create a platform for co-creation within the Philippine shoe industry, fostering collaboration to preserve heritage and progress the industry. She credits the CIP with broadening her perspectives and strengthening her ties to the Philippine creative economy.
Other notable CIP alumni who have made significant contributions to the Philippine creative industries include:
- Emi Englis, who serves on the Design Advisory Council, representing Davao/Mindanao and advocating for artisanal heritage, creative enterprise, and innovation.
- Pat Mendoza, who supported Cebu City’s application as a UNESCO Creative City of Design.
- Roma Agsalud, who is instrumental in Common Room’s partnership with DTI’s Go Lokal initiative.
- Kenneth Biunas, who led change in the Philippine creative industry as former Head for Design Policy Advocacy and Creative Industries Group at the DTI-Design Center of the Philippines. He is also a current recipient of the Chevening Award and will pursue his MSc in Narrative Futures: Art, Data, Society at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Futures Institute.
Long-Term Impact of the Creative Innovators Programme
Reflecting on the five years since its launch, it is clear that the Creative Innovators Programme has had a profound and enduring impact. Despite its formal conclusion, the programme continues to touch lives and influence the creative community, providing long-term benefits to its participants. CIP alumni are winning awards and driving the development of the Philippine creative industries. They are leaders in their communities, advocates for sustainability, and champions of Filipino culture and design.
Rhea Matute, Executive Director of the DTI Design Center, emphasized the program’s success: “Our partnership has created a pipeline of creative enterprises and initiatives that address human needs in an ever-changing world. We have nurtured purpose-driven leaders who are passionate about design, creativity, sustainability, and education, and in turn have strengthened their communities, cities, and the Philippines.”
British Council Country Director, Lotus Postrado, highlighted the program’s collaborative nature: “The success of the Good Design Award Philippines winners is a testament to the impact of the CIP and the enduring value of cross-cultural collaboration. This program demonstrates what can be achieved when government and international organizations work together to support and nurture creative talent.”
Looking Ahead to More Innovations
The success of the CIP alumni at the Good Design Award Philippines is just the beginning and the future of the Philippine creative industries looks promising.
Cham Lopez envisions a future where the local creative industry becomes a beacon of the country’s progress, accessible to everyone and integral to nation-building. Jodinand Aguillon advocates for more accessible maker spaces and diverse cultural programming. Kae Batiquin hopes for a deeper integration of Filipino values in design practices, while Unyx Sta. Ana calls for stronger grassroots support and legislation to protect local creatives.
Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan, British Council’s Head of Arts, expressed his optimism: “The Creative Innovators Programme has been a cornerstone in nurturing the next generation of Filipino creatives. Seeing our alumni thrive and make significant contributions to the industry reaffirms our belief in the transformative power of creativity. The program’s impact goes beyond individual achievements – it’s about empowering communities and shaping a more vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable creative economy in the Philippines.”
These leaders are poised to continue making waves both locally and globally, proving that with the right support and opportunities, Filipino creativity can reach new heights.
(2 September 2024)
