PIID Hails New BOTs to Boost Sustainable Design Efforts

The Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) has been elevating the professionalization and impact of interior design in the country for sixty years. Driven by its core values, it centers its endeavors on sustainable interior designs to uplift the Philippine cultural heritage and global recognition. 

With this motivation, the PIID introduced its 2024-2025 Board of Trustees (BOTs) during the oath-taking ceremony held at the Goldenberg Mansion, Manila on February 6. 

Led by the PRC Interior Design Chairperson Sonia Olivares, the ceremony began with a valedictory note from the outgoing president Maria Victoria Almario. Sheila Romero followed this with her delivery of Congressman Michael Romero’s speech. First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos was also present as the event’s guest speaker. 

The nine celebrated new BOTs were the youngest in PIID’s long years of history, namely: 

IDr. John Paolo Castro, President

IDr. Cynthia Marie Fernandez-Beltran, Vice President

IDr. Jose Enrico Santiago, Corporate Secretary

IDr. Lorenzo Valencia III, Treasurer

IDr. Rossy Anne Rojales, Exec. Director for Professional Development

IDr. Carla Mae Leonor, Exec. Director for Public Relations

IDr. Katherine Anne Correa, Exec. Director for Events

IDr. Christine Villamora, Exec. Director for Finance

IDs. Ma. Carmen Lim-Regala, Exec. Director for Practice and Ethics

Furthermore, PIID also recognized Architect and Interior Designer Ed Calma as the Outstanding Professional of the Year.  He is a key contributor to the Philippine Contemporary Architecture renowned for his luxurious home designs.

Roles Of The New PIID BOTs

With the inauguration of the new BOTs, PIID entered a new era led by a team pledged to elevate interior design in both local and international scenes. PIID believed that the BOTs will provide modern points of views and progressive initiatives to the organization. 

“We are thrilled to welcome our new Board of Trustees, whose collective vision and passion for design will guide our organization into the future,” Almario stated. 

Olivares even lauded the new PIID BOTs’ roles for their excellence, creativity, and constant growth in the interior design discipline. 

PIID In The Midst Of Climate Emergency

Being the only accredited interior design organization in the Philippines, PIID carries the task to reimagine the purpose of interior design in dealing with modern challenges. 

Despite the country’s vulnerability to climate and environmental threats, PIID ensured to remain loyal to its sustainability schemes.

“As we confront pressing global challenges such as climate change, inequality, and environmental degradation, the PIID remains steadfast in its commitment to leveraging design as a force for positive change,”Almario stressed.

Moreover, the RA 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act embedded in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 further supports PIID’s dedication to sustainability. This allows the creative sector to build collaborative partnerships across the different sectors of the society. 

Congressman Romero also shared the same ideal through his call for the passage of the New Philippine Building Act. This policy has a potential to speed up PIID’s aim to re-establish lasting buildings and facilities in the country.

“With this threat [of global challenges] at hand, it is high time that everyone be proactive in ensuring that the country’s infrastructures will be well-equipped to deal with such a scenario,” Sheila Romero furthered.

The Future Of Filipino Interior Designers 

The PIID already laid out its plans for the succeeding years. These will primarily revolve around the promotion of interior design careers in Southeast Asia, design-driven transformation of societies, and empowerment of Filipino designers to reach greater heights in the Philippines and abroad.

In line with this, Philippine Institute of Interior Designers President Paolo Castro urged interior designers to create inclusive and collaborative ties with other industries including the government. This was to put weight on the idea that aesthetics is not the sole cornerstone of interior designers.

“It is our mission to harness the boundless potential of Philippine interior design to not only captivate the world but also to inspire meaningful change and leave an enduring legacy for generations to come,” Castro asserted.

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