Design Week Philippines 2025 wraps up with a celebration of creativity, culture, and sustainability

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The final day of Design Week Philippines 2025, organized by the DTI Design Center of the Philippines, concluded successfully despite the unpredictable weather. 

Though attendees were greeted with morning rain, the afternoon brought sunshine at the Ayala Triangle Gardens on October 18, 2025, and the energy remained high as participants enjoyed a packed schedule of activities throughout the day.

Insightful talks and panel discussions

Opening the day was a panel discussion titled “Design, Kapwa, at Ginhawa: An Introduction,” which was based on Dapat Studio’s Strategy Director Karina Abola‘s work on “designing ginhawa.” The conversation centered on how ginhawa (well-being) roots design in kapwa (shared identity) and the interconnectedness of Filipino freedom, dignity, and justice. 

Karina was joined by an esteemed group of panelists, including Tayo’s Co-founder and Creative Director Natasha Tanjutco; Team Manila’s Co-founder and Creative Director Jowee Alviar; Hydra Design Group and Plus63’s Co-founder Dan Matutina; and And A Half’s Co-founder and Partner Corrine Serrano. The discussion was moderated by Dapat Studio Designer Nicole Datlangin.

Following the insightful panel, attendees received a special talk from Héctor Serrano, the 2025 National Design Award for Lifetime Achievement Recipient in Spain and Founder and Creative Director of Héctor Serrano Design Studio. Héctor shared his best works and playful experiments that have shaped his design journey.

A second panel discussion titled “Greenhawa Futures: The Green Innovator’s Pathway,” was held in collaboration with the British Council, brought together Filipino design leaders, entrepreneurs, and sustainability champions.

The panelists were Kindmind Systems Managing Partner and Co-founder Abigail Mapúa-Cabanilla; Mondae Architectural Studio Architect and Planner Joevic Mondejar; Creative Definitions Co-owner Johanna Tomboc-Claparols; and Design Center of the Philippines Supervising Industrial Design Specialist Stephanie Padilla. The session was moderated by British Council Philippines Head of Arts Andrei Pamintuan.

These panelists had recently returned from the Green Innovators Programme Design Study Mission to the United Kingdom –– an international initiative that aims to strengthen the capabilities of Filipino innovators, designers, and entrepreneurs in advancing sustainability-led design and innovation.

Later in the afternoon, a free film screening of Tumandok was held in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines and Southern Lantern Studios. The movie revolved around the Ati, a Negrito ethnic group in Western Visayas who have been fighting for their rights to reclaim ancestral lands.

It was followed by a discussion with producer/line producer Jo Andrew Torlao and producer/writer Arden Rod Condez, which was moderated by Kindmind Co-Founder and Experience Strategy Director Mark Meily.

Many activities to do throughout the day

Beyond the insightful panel discussions and keynote talks, the final day of Design Week Philippines 2025 featured a vibrant array of simultaneous activities for attendees to enjoy. 

The Makati CBD Heritage Tour, organized by the Heritage Collective, enabled participants to explore and learn more about Makati City’s cultural and design landmarks. Complementing this was “Makati in Chrome, etc.: A Novice Typewalk,” a unique tour through the Makati Central Business District that explained the evolution of the area’s typography history.

Throughout the day, attendees and passersby were also treated to the lively “Design Sari-Sari” bazaar, in collaboration with Purveyr Fair, on Paseo de Roxas Ave. The event featured a wide range of local vendors selling clothing, food, beverages, accessories, artworks, and more. 

For those who wanted a personalized touch, the “Makers’ Space” catered to attendees who wanted to craft their own stickers, jeepney signages, bracelets, and other custom items. 

Participants were also encouraged to join a Stamp Challenge, collecting stamps for every activity they attended, with a special surprise awaiting them at the end.

Capping the successful day was “Islands of Imagination,” a celebratory event featuring a DJ set and a live performance that highlighted songs from Siargao and Dinagat Islands.

This blend of deeply rooted cultural philosophy (Kapwa and Ginhawa), global perspectives on innovation and sustainability (Greenhawa), powerful social storytelling, and vibrant community engagement solidified Design Week Philippines 2025 not just as an event, but as a dynamic platform for advancing Filipino identity, creativity, and the collaborative pursuit of a more meaningful future.

adobo Magazine is an official media partner of Design Week Philippines

The post Design Week Philippines 2025 wraps up with a celebration of creativity, culture, and sustainability appeared first on adobo Magazine Online.