{"id":2536,"date":"2026-06-12T05:10:51","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T05:10:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ccad.upcebu.edu.ph\/?p=2536"},"modified":"2026-06-12T05:35:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T05:35:18","slug":"reporma-in-motion-up-cebu-design-week-2026-showcases-design-as-a-tool-for-rebuilding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ccad.upcebu.edu.ph\/index.php\/2026\/06\/12\/reporma-in-motion-up-cebu-design-week-2026-showcases-design-as-a-tool-for-rebuilding\/","title":{"rendered":"RE\u2022PORMA in Motion: UP Cebu Design Week 2026 Showcases Design as a Tool for Rebuilding"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

Conversations have unfolded, ideas took form, and possibilities for the future emerged as the UP Cebu Design Program celebrated DES\/INYO 2026: RE\u2022PORMA from June 5 to 7 at the Northwing of SM City Cebu. Carrying the theme \u201cRE\u2022PORMA: Design as Rebuilding,\u201d this year\u2019s Design Week positioned design as an ongoing and deliberate process of reimagining, reshaping, and reconstructing ideas, systems, and communities. Across three days, students, faculty members, industry practitioners, and the public gathered to witness how design extends beyond aesthetics, becoming a practice grounded in research, reflection, innovation, and social engagement.<\/span><\/p>\n

The annual celebration highlighted the breadth of UP Cebu\u2019s Design Program, showcasing projects that demonstrated how designers respond to contemporary challenges through thoughtful and purposeful creative work.<\/span><\/p>\n

T\u00e1gb\u00f4: Thesis Works Beyond the Classroom<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Among the highlights of Design Week was the display of selected works from T\u00e1gb\u00f4 , the thesis exhibition of fourth-year Product Design students. Featured alongside the main DES\/INYO exhibition at SM City Cebu, the thesis projects provided visitors with a glimpse into the culmination of years of research, experimentation, and design development.<\/span><\/p>\n

The exhibited works reflected the students\u2019 diverse interests and approaches, ranging from community-centered innovations to explorations of material culture, sustainability, and contemporary product development. Through these projects, students demonstrated how design can address real-world concerns while remaining attentive to cultural contexts and user experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n

While selected pieces were presented at SM City Cebu during Design Week, the full Tagbo Exhibition remains open to the public at the Kabilin Center until June 25, 2026, allowing audiences additional opportunities to engage with the graduating students\u2019 thesis works.<\/span><\/p>\n

Design Through Fashion: Beneath the Fabrics<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Design Week also brought design to the runway through Beneath the Fabrics, a fashion showcase featuring thirty original garments created by third-year Fine Arts major in Product Design students.<\/span><\/p>\n

Under the guidance of Instr. Edwin Ao, the collection celebrated diversity in creative expression, presenting pieces that reflected a wide range of aesthetics, materials, and design philosophies. From experimental silhouettes and contemporary streetwear influences to culturally inspired garments and concept-driven creations, each piece revealed the unique perspectives of its designer.<\/span><\/p>\n

More than a fashion presentation, Beneath the Fabrics served as an exploration of identity, craftsmanship, and material experimentation. Through different fabrics, textures, and construction techniques, students transformed personal inspirations into wearable forms, demonstrating how fashion can function as both artistic expression and design inquiry.<\/span><\/p>\n

The runway became a space where individual narratives converged, showcasing the versatility and creative potential of emerging designers from UP Cebu.<\/span><\/p>\n

Music, Performance, and Creative Exchange<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Adding energy and vibrancy to the celebration were performances from guest artists who brought together different forms of creative expression.<\/span><\/p>\n

Leyte-based singer-songwriter and indie artist Reanne Borela captivated audiences with original music and heartfelt performances, creating moments of reflection and connection throughout the event.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Cebu-based drag performer Sheng Mai energized the crowd with a dynamic performance that celebrated creativity, self-expression, and performance art. Their participation highlighted Design Week\u2019s commitment to embracing diverse artistic practices and voices, reinforcing the event\u2019s spirit of inclusivity and innovation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Together, these performances expanded the conversation beyond design objects and processes, demonstrating how creativity flourishes across disciplines and communities.<\/span><\/p>\n

PROPEL Student Design Pitches: Designing for People and Communities<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Another major component of DES\/INYO 2026 was the PROPEL Student Design Pitches, which provided students with an opportunity to publicly present and defend their academic projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Third-year students from the Social Design class showcased projects rooted in community engagement, systems thinking, and social responsibility. Their presentations explored how design can contribute to addressing societal challenges through participatory and context-sensitive approaches, emphasizing collaboration and responsiveness to community needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Second-year students from the Ergonomics class, meanwhile, presented human-centered design solutions informed by observation, research, and user experience studies. Their projects focused on accessibility, comfort, usability, and everyday interactions, demonstrating how thoughtful design can improve the quality of life of users.<\/span><\/p>\n

The pitch sessions highlighted not only the students\u2019 technical and conceptual skills but also their ability to articulate design decisions, communicate research findings, and engage in critical dialogue with audiences.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conversations that Shape Future Designers<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Throughout the three-day celebration, guided walkthroughs and discussions encouraged meaningful exchanges among students, educators, industry professionals, alumni, and visitors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rather than focusing solely on finished outputs, the exhibition emphasized the processes behind design\u2014the iterations, revisions, challenges, and discoveries that shape every project. Visitors were invited to engage directly with student designers, creating opportunities for dialogue on intention, impact, and the evolving role of design in contemporary society.<\/span><\/p>\n

These interactions reinforced the Design Program\u2019s commitment to cultivating reflective practitioners capable of responding thoughtfully to complex social, cultural, and environmental realities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Honoring Excellence Through the Mundo Design Awards<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The culmination of Design Week came through the Mundo Design Awards, which celebrated the creativity, innovation, and social commitment of student designers from UP Cebu.<\/span><\/p>\n

Named in honor of Prof. Raymund \u201cSir Munds\u201d Fernandez, the visionary founder of UP Cebu\u2019s Design Program, the awards preserve his legacy of critical thinking, interdisciplinary exploration, and socially engaged design. Rooted in the belief that design can be a powerful tool for creating a more inclusive and sustainable future, the awards recognize student works that demonstrate exceptional design sensibility, relevance, and impact.<\/span><\/p>\n

Each year, ten outstanding works and designers are recognized across various design course series, highlighting UP Cebu\u2019s commitment to nurturing designers who are not only skilled in aesthetics and technique but also grounded in ethical practice and cultural awareness.<\/span><\/p>\n

This year\u2019s awardees include:<\/span><\/p>\n

Designer of the Year<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Bronze Medal: Millicent Nina Mansueto<\/span><\/p>\n

Designer of the Year<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Silver Medal: Johanna Revalde and Cashlee Paras<\/span><\/p>\n

Future Forms: Design Visualization Award<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Fain Damsel Aloyan \u2013 for outstanding work in the areas of form, composition, and visual language.<\/span><\/p>\n

Earth Matters: Material Innovation Award<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Faye Alvinez \u2013 for inventive and responsible use of materials, processes, and sustainability in design.<\/span><\/p>\n

CraftWorks: Maker of the Year Award<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Ian Bless Gilbolingo \u2013 for excellence in handcraft, model-making, and prototyping techniques.<\/span><\/p>\n

ImageMaking: Visual Storyteller Award<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Samantha Enopia \u2013 for outstanding achievement in visual storytelling, branding, photography, and user interface design.<\/span><\/p>\n

Woven Heritage: Design in Culture Award<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Mhelbert Brazil \u2013 for research-based projects demonstrating strong inquiry into the theory and historiography of Filipino material culture and design.<\/span><\/p>\n

BrandReady: Entrepreneur of the Year Award<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Tinkers Officers 2025\u20132026 for the Ubay-Ubay Design Fair, recognized for innovative entrepreneurial projects with market-ready design thinking.<\/span><\/p>\n

SparkLives: Community Engagement Award<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Trinah Keizha Martinez \u2013 for designs emerging from meaningful community collaboration and responsiveness.<\/span><\/p>\n

DesignLead: Design Collaboration and Leadership Award<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Diana Radyn Sumalinog \u2013 for projects demonstrating strong leadership qualities and effective team coordination.<\/span><\/p>\n

Rebuilding Through Design<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Now in its fourth year, DES\/INYO continues to serve as a vital platform for showcasing the growth and achievements of UP Cebu\u2019s design students. More than an exhibition, the event demonstrates how design education cultivates critical thinkers, innovators, and socially engaged practitioners capable of contributing meaningfully to society.<\/span><\/p>\n

As embodied by this year\u2019s theme, RE\u2022PORMA, design is never a finished act. It is a continuous process of rebuilding; of questioning existing structures, imagining new possibilities, and creating pathways toward more inclusive, sustainable, and human-centered futures.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Conversations have unfolded, ideas took form, and possibilities for the future emerged as the UP Cebu Design Program celebrated DES\/INYO 2026: RE\u2022PORMA from June 5 to 7 at the Northwing of SM City Cebu. Carrying the theme \u201cRE\u2022PORMA: Design as Rebuilding,\u201d this year\u2019s Design Week positioned design as an ongoing and deliberate process of reimagining, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":2543,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15,27,28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2536","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community-work","category-fablab-up-cebu","category-matix-up-cebu"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccad.upcebu.edu.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2536","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccad.upcebu.edu.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccad.upcebu.edu.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccad.upcebu.edu.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccad.upcebu.edu.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2536"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/ccad.upcebu.edu.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2536\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2545,"href":"https:\/\/ccad.upcebu.edu.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2536\/revisions\/2545"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccad.upcebu.edu.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2543"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ccad.upcebu.edu.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2536"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccad.upcebu.edu.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2536"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ccad.upcebu.edu.ph\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}