Two Industrial Design graduates of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) earned recognition at the 2026 Good Design Awards Philippines for works that combine practical design with sustainability and Filipino ingenuity.
Organized by the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP), an agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the biennial program recognizes designs that use form, function, innovation, and the Filipino value of malasakit (compassion). Launched in 2019, it also seeks to elevate Philippine design internationally and highlight solutions to complex problems that improve quality of life.
Among the honorees in the Object Making Category were the Kai’a Outdoor Hanging Lamp by lighting and furniture designer Chini Lichangco and Ihawi, a room divider by industrial designer Selena Placino.
Lichangco’s Kai’a Outdoor Hanging Lamp builds on the original Kai’a Lamp, which received the Best in Use (Product) Award at the 2021 London International Creative Competition. Designed with biomimicry and sustainability in mind, the outdoor version uses heat-pressed and die-cut discarded plastic waste from 3D-printed packaging for its scales. Its organic form recalls fish moving through the sea, while its warm glow draws from the resilience of nature.
“Some pieces become more than just objects; they become a part of you. The Kai’a Lamp has been one of those pieces for me,” Lichangco shared on her Instagram post. “Seeing it recognized in my own country is deeply meaningful. For me, it’s always been about the process of making. I simply hope to keep learning, growing, and refining my craft.”
Placino’s Ihawi takes a different approach, combining sound absorption with adjustable light and visual interaction. Its panels use dense, non-woven felt made from pineapple leaf waste by locally based materials maker Hiblatech. The material’s wave-like form helps moderate sound, while wooden rods allow the panels to rotate independently.
Inspired by “ihawan,” or the act of turning skewered food over a grill, the room divider lets users adjust openness, light, and shadow within a space.
“Designing responsibly with sustainable materials has always been one of my goals,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “Being able to repurpose agricultural waste that would otherwise be discarded into something meaningful and functional makes this project especially rewarding.”
The awards underscore how emerging Filipino designers are using locally available materials and responsible production approaches to create objects that respond to everyday needs while carrying distinct cultural references.
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