UPD Interior Design's Pride Shines Bright at AYDA Awards 2024April 11, 2025

The College of Home Economics' Department of Clothing, Textiles and Interior Design (CTID) at UP Diliman proudly celebrates a double triumph at the AYDA Awards 2024, held last March 28, 2025.

Shane Nicole Rubio, a senior student in the BS Interior Design program, achieved a remarkable feat by winning the Gold Award. From a pool of Top Ten Finalists, Shane's extraordinary talents and innovative vision impressed a distinguished panel of judges, earning her the top prize. She will proudly represent the Philippines at the regional level of the competition, which will take place in Tokyo, Japan. IDr. Divine Buyawe-Albano, esteemed faculty member of the CTID, was honored with the Best Mentor Award, recognizing her exceptional dedication, guidance, and inspiration in shaping future design innovators.

Shane's proposed design, Project Agkat, which is rooted from agkat, a term used by the Aetas to invite people to eat, is a community hub that empowers the Yangil Tribe in San Felipe, Zambales, by ensuring their food security and environmental restoration through regenerative tourism, and strengthening their livelihood with biochar production. The design includes key features such as their production area, meeting space, rainwater harvesting system, a community kitchen, and a market space, all aimed at enhancing their self-sustaining food system and economic growth while promoting the tribe’s traditional knowledge and sustainable practices. Project Agkat zoomed into the context of the Yangil Tribe, yet it can serve as a replicable template for other impoverished communities situated in remote areas aiming to manifest the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Zero Hunger.

The CTID Department expressed immense pride in Shane’s remarkable accomplishment. Congratulations, Dr. Divine Buyawe-Albano and Shane Nicole Rubio!