Insider Spotlight
Beyond red and green
“The Filipino Christmas used to mean simply decorating in reds and greens or hanging a lighted parol,” said Pojie Pambid, professor at the Philippine School of Interior Design – Ahlen Institute (PSID-Ahlen).
“Today, interior design has opened a whole range of possibilities, letting homeowners experiment with colors and themes that reflect their personalities. It has transformed the way Filipinos experience Christmas.”
This evolution is at the core of PSID-Ahlen’s Designs of Christmas exhibit, the school’s 48th graduation showcase. Students are blending sustainability, cultural roots, and personal expression into spaces that go far beyond the mass-produced décor crowding retail shelves.
Designing with tradition in mind
One highlight is “Simoy ng Pasko: A Simbang Gabi–Inspired Dining Lanai,” designed by six graduating students. The space combines limestone, terrazzo, rattan, and capiz to evoke dawn’s calm and the warmth of the Filipino December breeze.
“Our design captures the essence of Christmas as Filipinos know it: serene, heartfelt and rooted in community,” said student designer Clare Dacanay.
Pambid underscored that resourcefulness drives Filipino creativity. “Instead of relying on ready-made items, interior design teaches us to reuse and repurpose. Why buy when you can create? Why spend when you can save?”
A new kind of inspiration
For this year’s exhibit, design themes span from Brutalism and Victorian to uniquely Filipino palettes and contemporary interpretations.
“Christmas is a celebration of variety, of cultures and of creativity,” said Joel Benitez, batch president. “Styling for the holidays has no limits. We want people to leave with inspired minds and hearts filled with joy.” —Ed: Princess Daisy Ominga
The “Designs of Christmas” exhibit opens Sept. 27 at GH Tower in Greenhills.
