Bigkis is the act of binding. In Tagalog, the word can refer to something used to bind or encircle, as well as a bundle formed by tying several separate elements together. Figuratively, it can also mean a bond, union, or unity. The meanings move from the physical act of joining things together to the connection […]
Divine Mandate: Meet Cecil Ravelas, the Newly-Elected National President of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID)
It had been barely a week since she had been elected as the new Board of Trustees of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) when IDr. Cecil Ravelas opened the doors to her city sanctuary for an exclusive shoot and sit-down interview with BluPrint. Her home, a quiet oasis of contemporary design, mirrors how she embraces the new task ahead: with clarity, calm, and consciousness.
Cecil Ravelas had less than a month to campaign. “It was Ivy (Almario) who asked me to run,” she recalls. “I said yes on October 23 and posted my candidacy six days after. By November 29, the incoming PIID Board of Trustees was announced.” It was only on December 12 that members of the Board of Trustees were officially elected to their respective designations, and Cecil was chosen as National President.
An illustrious career spanning 27 years, coupled with extensive experiences in the academe, project management, and construction, prepared her for the leadership role. It was, however, Cecil’s spiritual awakening and healing that molded and shaped her vision as the PIID’s newly elected president. “I was humbled when I found out that I had won. It was a quiet, profound confirmation of a sacred duty to serve. I knew it was time to give back to the profession that has shaped, held, challenged, and brought me to where I am today.”
A New Chapter Begins, A Legacy Continues
For Cecil Ravelas, conscious leadership and continuity serve as the foundations of a unified, progressive PIID. She honors the building blocks laid out by the previous board in saying, “The past board brought the organization to such an outstanding level. Our challenge will be to continue what they started and raise the bar even higher.”
The newly elected president holds high regard for legacy programs initiated in the past. “The MIDS (Manila Interior DesignInterior DesignThe discipline of planning and shaping interior spaces for function, comfort, safety, and beauty. It covers layout, lighting, materials, finishes, furniture, and color, and in the Philippines is a licensedGo to Interior Design Glossary Summit) is a week-long event engaging all trade partners to open up their spaces. Each participating brand prepares its own event, which then culminates with a design summit with respected international designers. The board was so effective in initiating institutional partnerships and collaborations like the one we currently have with Centro Turismo.” The goal, Cecil discloses, is to nurture the partnerships already in place while opening doors to new, innovative pairings.
Competency Not Just Compliance
She also speaks extensively of programs and workshops organized by the outgoing board to fortify the professional development of interior designers in the country. While the Philippine Regulatory Board (PRC) is responsible for the examination and licensing of practitioners, the PIID is the only accredited organization whose events and programs accumulate Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units, necessary for license renewal.
“It’s not just about compliance so that interior designers can renew their licenses anymore,” comments Cecil. “We endeavor to develop workshops that heighten the professional competence of our interior designers. The last board did such an excellent job of bringing the best resource speakers to our workso[s, and we intend to continue the work that was started–and hopefully bring it to a new level.”
As a champion of sustainable designSustainable DesignAn approach to architecture and design that minimizes environmental impact while supporting human wellbeing over the long term. It considers energy, water, materials, waste, and site across a building's entireGo to Sustainable Design Glossary, Cecil Ravelas details how technical know-how and proficiency in areas such as construction and project management have brought technical competence to her various projects. She adds, “Having these in my tool box has been helpful in advocating for sustainable solutions and actually applying them in my projects,” she explains.
This is not to say that technical know-how will immediately translate to a deep understanding of sustainable designSustainable DesignAn approach to architecture and design that minimizes environmental impact while supporting human wellbeing over the long term. It considers energy, water, materials, waste, and site across a building's entireGo to Sustainable Design Glossary. “We hope to empower designers through workshops and programs so that they can fully embrace their roles in shaping spaces and the spirit of our time,” she states.
Collaboration Drives Growth
Workshops and events are also regarded as platforms for fostering an inclusive, unified design community. “Around 75% percent of the organization are Gen Y or Gen Z,” she observes. “There is an opportunity here to cut across the generational gaps, and develop mentorship programs that draw from the experience and wisdom of seasoned designers. At the same time, open up venues for discussion and an open exchange of ideas. Collaboration drives growth.”
As someone who has also devoted her time to the academe, Cecil has a sharp sense of the teacher-student dynamic. The way she sees it, there is just as much to be learned from experienced practitioners as from younger ones. The newly elected national president is also setting her sights on developing programs that engage and strengthen collaboration with regional chapters such as Cebu, Negros, Panay, Eastern Visayas, and Mindanao.
A Global Talent Pool
The development of programs and workshops during Cecil’s term will be largely informed by her vision of promoting Filipino designers on the global stage. “We are large exporters of architects and interior designers. But we don’t hear about our very own talent working on big, global projects because they are often engaged by the bigger international firms.”
In the Asia Pacific region, Philippine designers have been slowly but steadily making their voices heard in important design conversations. “There is so much opportunity for Filipino designers to tap further into the Western markets. My goal is to go beyond and create links–even if it’s via hybrid workshops–with Milan, London, and New York,” she shares. “As Filipino designers, we are inherently resourceful, innovative, and hardworking.” These are the very same values that draw the big firms to the Philippine talent pool.
“It’s important that we understand our culture first, and tap into that as we bring our identity to the world,“ Cecil Ravelas introspects. “What makes us unique is that we have the competence as professionals. At the same time, we are able to integrate competence and values–attributes that make us authentic, soulful, and original.”
Inner Work and Conscious Leadership
Cecil has been undergoing an internal shift towards spiritual awareness and connection to intentional living for several years now. Her full awakening and deepened sense of clarity and purpose, however, unfolded in 2024.
It would soon become the bedrock for a two-year tenure defined by conscious leadership. She elaborates: “It’s integration of mind, heart, and sense of higher purpose. It’s leading with self-awareness, integrity, and intentionality so that every decision is informed by a desire for the greater good.”
As she steps into her new role, Cecil Ravelas honors both her strong points and areas for improvement. It is this self-awareness practice, cultivated from an enriching healing journey, that inspires her to show up in her wholeness. It also allows her to be more receptive to a natural flow of ideas, creativity, and solutions. “Most leadership styles focus on what you do. Conscious leadership hones in on who you are as you steer an organization.”
This type of inner work, she emphasizes, is also an often-overlooked aspect of self-development that enhances professional development and upskilling. “Many of the young designers in the organization have expressed interest in inner work and wellness. During the course of my campaign, I received a lot of inquiries on how best to manage stress, pressure, and difficult projects.”
The concept of conscious living and leadership precedes a larger vision of cultivating a design collective that shapes social impact, meaning, and authenticity. Drawing from community feedback and her very own experiences, Cecil intimates and ends, “I also believe that by adding holistic wellness into the mix, we help to shape designers who will lead in a long-term campaign for a more sustainable design community. As designers, we are called to heal, enrich, and elevate everyday living. Our purpose goes beyond beauty. We don’t design spaces. We design stories on how people live, and connect.”
Photos by Ed Simon.
Read more: PIID Celebrates 60th Anniversary, Shares Milestones, Insights, and Future Plans
Frequently Asked Questions
Conscious leadership, as defined by Ravelas, moves beyond traditional task-oriented management to focus on integration of mind, heart, and higher purpose. Technically, this involves leading with self-awareness and intentionality to ensure every organizational decision serves the greater good. This approach aims to address professional challenges—such as stress and project pressure—by integrating holistic wellness and inner work into the professional development of the design community.
While the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) handles licensing, the PIID is the sole accredited organization that provides Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units. Ravelas intends to shift the focus from mere compliance for license renewal to heightened professional competence. This involves organizing workshops led by international resource speakers on technical areas like construction management, project management, and sustainable technology to ensure Filipino designers remain globally competitive.
The Manila Interior Design Summit (MIDS) is a premier week-long institutional program that engages trade partners, international designers, and local practitioners. Ravelas emphasizes continuity by maintaining this legacy program, which opens up brand spaces for collaborative events and culminates in a high-level summit. This program is critical for fostering institutional partnerships, such as the current collaboration with Centro Turismo, to integrate design with national culture and tourism.
With approximately 75% of the organization belonging to Gen Y or Gen Z, Ravelas identifies a significant opportunity for intergenerational synergy. Her strategy involves developing mentorship programs where seasoned practitioners share wisdom and experience, while younger designers provide fresh perspectives on technology and innovative ideas. This collaborative ecosystem is designed to unite the organization across regional chapters, including Cebu, Mindanao, and the Visayas.
Ravelas aims to move Filipino designers from being “hidden” talent in large international firms to recognized global leaders. Her strategy includes:
Creating Market Links: Establishing hybrid workshops and professional connections with global design hubs like Milan, London, and New York.
Cultural Identity: Encouraging designers to tap into their unique Filipino culture to create authentic and original work that stands out in the Western market.
Exporting Competence: Leveraging the inherent resourcefulness and technical proficiency of Filipino talent to secure leadership roles in large-scale global projects.
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