Students Give their Best Designs for the Poor in GK and Metrobank Tilt
Future architects and interior designers have proven that quality designs are not just for the members of the society’s upper class but also for the poorest of the poor during the awarding ceremonies of the Gawad Kalinga-Metrobank Designer Village Challenge (DVC) held on September 18 at the Le Pavillon in Pasay City.
 With entries coming from all over the country, three designs emerged as Jurors’ Choice awardees. The winners of the DVC are Jeff Ian Bernaldez, Michael Earvin Germino, Manuel Hermano, Sarang Lim and Vanessa Villegas from the University of Santo Tomas (Luzon); Jan Michael Con-ui, Joseph Jakin Lee and Christian Mantala from San Carlos University (Visayas); and Harold Jay Delima, Donna Golingay, Kristopher Angelo Nasser, Angelo Raymund Uy and Dave Francis Yangyang from the Ateneo de Davao University (Mindanao).
Metrobank Group chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty led the recognition of winners. With him were Metrobank chairman Antonio S. Abacan, Jr., Metrobank president Arthur V. Ty, Metrobank Foundation vice chairman Dr. Placido L. Mapa, Jr., Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña, chairman of the board of judges Architect Francisco Mañosa and Gawad Kalinga founder and chairman Tony Meloto.
“DVC gives the future architects and interior designers the opportunity to showcase their talents and to show their love for the country,” Mr. Meloto said. “The students who joined this competition will not only become world-class designers but also become great Filipino patriots,” he continued.
With the tagline “The Best Designs for the Least of Society,” DVC is a special project undertaken by Gawad Kalinga and Metrobank Foundation which aims to raise the standards of excellence in building communities for the poor by engaging fourth year and fifth year architecture, interior design and landscape architecture students to design a GK village.
With DVC carrying the theme “Sustainable and Eco-Designed GK Village,” the students adapted sustainable architectural design solutions and sustainable development principles in their entries. Aside from these, they also looked into other aspects such as the work, the lifestyle, the financial status and the needs of the residents to ensure that their design plans would fit the community.
Mr. Sobrepeña, in his message to the winners, said that the youth’s involvement in DVC made the Challenge more special. “Undoubtedly, the Challenge has presented our architecture and interior design students with a rare opportunity to put to the test their artistic and design prowess and create a greater impact on the society by shaping the environment in which its least advantaged members could start a better and a more dignified life,” he stated.
With sites located in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the Challenge required the students to design an entire village based on GK’s community infrastructure program. Sites are located in Brgy. Prinza, Teresa, Rizal; Purok Cosmos, Brgy. Calumangan, Bago City, Negros Occidental; and Brgy. Mulig, Toril District, Davao City.
To ensure that only the best designs would be declared as winners of the Challenge, an illustrious panel of judges, headed by renowned architect Francisco Mañosa, evaluated all the entries. Members of the board of judges include architects Paulo Alcazaren and William Coscolluela, interior designer Leo Almeria, and Philippine Daily Inquirer chairman of the board Marixi Prieto.
Each team received a cash incentive from the Metrobank Foundation.
The Designer Village Challenge is a campaign that aims to empower GK communities by providing the inhabitants humane and decent dwelling places. Focusing on the young minds and talents of the students, the Challenge encourages future architects and interior designers to look beyond the technicalities and dynamics of the applied design industry and create designs that will greatly benefit the underprivileged families of the society.
The Metrobank Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group of Companies. Over the last 30 years, it has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its various programs notably the Search for Outstanding Teachers, the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence, The Outstanding Philippine Soldier, Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service, the Metrobank Math Challenge, and College Scholarship Program. The Foundation also has a grants program that assists NGOs and government in the fields of education, healthcare, and the arts. Metrobank Foundation celebrates Filipino excellence and presents wellsprings of hope in the future of our nation.
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