Philippines Shines at AYDA International Awards 2025/2026, Wins Designer of the Year and Nippon Paint Colour Award

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Filipino designers delivered a strong showing at the AYDA International Awards 2025/2026, with the Philippines securing two of the competition's top honors, including the prestigious Designer of the Year (Architectural Category) award and the Nippon Paint Colour Award (Interior Design Category).

Ejhey Durias of the University of Mindanao was named Designer of the Year (Architectural Category) for his project Banuas Lawod, while Patricia Danielle Malijan from De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde received the Nippon Paint Colour Award (Interior Design Category) for her project KAMPIHAN during the global finals held in Bangkok from June 11 to 12.

The awards were presented at the 18th edition of the AYDA International Awards, Nippon Paint’s global CSR programme for emerging architects and interior designers. This year’s competition attracted more than 9,000 entries from 17 countries and regions under the theme “CONVERGE: Crafting Cultural Legacies.”

The recognition highlights the growing presence of Filipino design talent on the international stage, with both winning projects demonstrating how cultural heritage can be integrated into contemporary design solutions.

Nippon Paint Representatives with the Judges, Finalists and Winners of the AYDA Awards 2025/2026

Philippines secures top honours in global design competition

The two Filipino designers were recognised for projects that embody this year's theme of crafting spaces where cultural legacy and contemporary vision meet.

The two Designer of the Year recipients -- Ejhey Durias of the Philippines (Architectural Category) and Jackie Jiang Haoran of China (Interior Design Category) — will each receive a fully funded place in the Design Discovery Program at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design in Boston, USA. The three-week programme is valued at up to USD 10,000 and offers advanced exposure to global design practices.

Design rooted in culture and community

Durias’ award-winning project, “Banuas Lawod”, addresses the environmental decline of aquaculture in Southeast Asia and its impact on coastal communities, forcing entire fishing communities to abandon the way of life that defines them. The design proposes to restore not just a livelihood, but also a cultural identity through a sustainable aquaculture community hub for displaced fishing communities before their heritage is lost entirely.

"This project began with a simple truth: that for the Bajau people, home was never land. It was the rhythm of the tides beneath their feet, and when that is taken away, an entire culture is left to drown on dry land,” explained Durias. “This honour truly affirms that design can be both culturally rooted and globally relevant, and to receive it among the brightest young talents in the world makes it all the more meaningful.”

Meanwhile, Malijan’s “KAMPIHAN” explores a disappearing scene: the erosion of traditional play spaces and its impact on cultural transmission among children.

Set in Kampihan — a community whose identity is rooted in that shared experience of laughter, play, and community bonding — her concept reimagines the playground as a cultural anchor that strengthens connections across generations through play and sustainable design.

“Witnessing children in Cebu crowd around screens beside a broken playground made me realise how quickly traditional play is being forgotten. By capturing the vibrant ritual where palms flip to form teams, I wanted to celebrate the rich heritage that should still shape our communities,” Malijan said. “Winning the Nippon Paint Colour Award is a true honour, and I hope it encourages deeper conversations about how design can rescue cultural memory and bring generations back together.”

Malijan was awarded USD 1,000 for the Nippon Paint Colour Award.

Celebrating excellence across Asia

Beyond the Philippine wins, the competition also celebrated design excellence across a range of specialised categories. The full list of award winners is as below:

Architectural Category:

● Designer of the Year - Ejhey Durias, University of Mindanao, Philippines

● Best Sustainable Design Award - Michelle Vun Yi Ling, University Malaya (UM), Malaysia

● Best Design Impact Award - Sinem Göl, Istanbul Technical University, Turkiye

● Nippon Paint Colour Award - Shiu Jerome Millian, National University of Singapore, Singapore

● Honorary Mention - Pavithran Thurairatnam, University Of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Interior Design Category:

● Designer of the Year - Jackie Jiang Haoran, Central Academy of Fine Arts, China

● Best Sustainable Design Award - Sasit Kitiprasert, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

● Best Design Impact Award - Jeeshnu Kalidhas, Chennai Academy of Architecture & Design, India

● Nippon Paint Colour Award - Patricia Danielle Malijan, De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde, Philippines

● Judges’ Choice - Xu Yinghai, City University, Malaysia

● Honorary Mention - Shuvro Kumar Ghosh, Khulna University Of Engineering & Technology, Bangladesh

● Honorary Mention - Hsu Lawoon, Raffles College of Higher Education, Singapore

Nippon Paint Representatives with the Judges and DOTY Winners of the AYDA Awards 2025/2026

Nippon Paint Representatives with the Judges and Winners of the AYDA Awards 2025/2026

 Ejhey Durias, Philippines (AYDA Designer of the Year 2025/2026 Winner for the Architectural Category) and Mr. Wee Siew Kim, Group CEO of NIPSEA Group\

 Patricia Danielle Malijan, “KAMPIHAN”, Philippines (AYDA Nippon Paint Colour Award 2025/2026 Winner for the Interior Design Category) and Mr. Wee Siew Kim, Group CEO of NIPSEA Group

A platform shaping the next generation of design

Formerly known as the Asia Young Designer Awards, the AYDA Awards has grown over nearly two decades since 2008 into one of the most respected platforms for emerging architectural and interior design talent and into a cornerstone of Nippon Paint’s global CSR movement, Colouring Lives.

Built on mentorship, cross-cultural exchange, and hands-on learning, the programme has received over 76,000 entries from more than 1,600 tertiary institutions across 20 countries and regions. True to Nippon Paint's Colouring Lives philosophy, AYDA Awards remains barrier-free by design — no entry fees, no prerequisites beyond talent — connecting young designers with industry leaders, design schools, and a global alumni network that continues to shape the built environment long after the awards are presented.

For Nippon Paint, the AYDA Awards has always represented something greater than a competition. It is a declaration that design and colour are inseparable forces, and that the next generation deserves a world-class stage on which to prove it. It is a belief that has only grown over time, evolving into a grander convergence of creativity spanning the full spectrum of design: from the boldness of architectural vision to the transformative power of colour in space.

Design, culture, and global exchange

The Bangkok international finale also brought together a distinguished gathering of voices shaping the future of design. Speakers included Chat Chuenrudeemol of CHAT Architects and CHAT Lab; Phuttipan Aswakool, Co-Founder of Architectural Studio of Work – Aholic (ASWA); and Arzu Uludag, Group Marketing Lead of Nippon Paint.

"The AYDA Awards has grown into a global celebration that brings together emerging design talent from diverse cultures and backgrounds. It is especially encouraging to see how many of these young designers are drawing from cultural heritage while addressing pressing environmental challenges through thoughtful, sustainable design," said Mr. Wee Siew Kim, Group CEO of NIPSEA Group and Co-President of Nippon Paint Holdings.

He added that the programme continues to evolve ahead of its 20th anniversary in 2027, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing future design leaders.

Running concurrently with the AYDA Awards finale, the Nippon Paint Creative Colour Awards (CCA) 2026 returned for its fourth edition; celebrating professional architects and designers who harness colour as a purposeful design language and recognising the profound role that hue and tone play in shaping the emotional and cultural character of a space. Together, the two platforms reflect Nippon Paint's vision of uniting the full world of design, from student ambition to professional mastery, on a single global stage.

A new generation, a new convergence

The next chapter is already being written. The AYDA Awards 2026/2027 is now open for submissions under its new theme, CONVERGE: Embracing Hyperlocal — a call to go deeper, not wider; to find universally resonant solutions rooted in the specific textures of place, culture, and community. It is a challenge for the next wave of designers to ask not just what the world needs, but what their world needs, and to design from that truth. Submission deadlines vary by country and region.

For more information on the AYDA Awards, visit their website or their Instagram and LinkedIn pages.

To watch the recently held 2025/2026 awards ceremony and the finalists’ design presentations, tune in to AYDA Awards’ YouTube channel.

Four Smartphone Problems You Won't Have to Worry About With the OPPO A6s 5G

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A smartphone can be one of the most useful tools in your daily routine, but it can also be a source of frustration when it falls short at the wrong moment. Running low on battery before the day is over, dealing with lag during a casual gaming session, worrying about rain damaging your device, or spending extra time editing photos are challenges many users know all too well.

The OPPO A6s 5G takes aim at these everyday pain points with features designed around how people actually use their smartphones. From staying powered throughout busy days to delivering smoother performance and smarter photo enhancements, here’s how the OPPO A6s 5G handles them with ease.

1. Phones That Can't Handle Everyday Mishaps

A smartphone can face plenty of hazards throughout the day. From getting caught in an unexpected downpour during your commute, to using your device with wet hands after a workout, accidents can happen when you least expect them. For users who spend time outdoors, dust and unpredictable weather can add another layer of concern.

The OPPO A6s 5G features IP69 Water and Dust Resistance, designed to help safeguard your device against the elements. Combined with Splash Touch and Glove Touch, you can stay connected and in control even with wet hands or while wearing gloves. Wherever the day takes you, the OPPO A6s 5G delivers durability you can count on.

2. Battery Life That Doesn't Last

Running out of battery before the day ends remains one of the most common frustrations among smartphone users. A typical day filled with work, school, entertainment, and social media can put a constant strain on battery life, making frequent charging part of the routine. As devices age, that challenge often becomes even more noticeable as battery performance gradually declines.

From attending online classes and managing work tasks, to scrolling through social media and catching up with friends over mobile games, the OPPO A6s 5G is equipped with a massive 7000mAh Large Battery designed to keep pace with busy days. Beyond impressive capacity, the battery is engineered for long-term durability, offering up to 5 Years Durable Battery performance to help maintain reliable power over time. Paired with 60-Month Fluency Protection, the OPPO A6s 5G is built to deliver a smooth and consistent experience year after year, making it a dependable companion designed with longevity in mind.

3. Slowdowns That Disrupt Entertainment

A great smartphone experience goes beyond performance, it should look smooth, sound immersive, and stay responsive when it matters most. The OPPO A6s 5G delivers on all fronts with a 120Hz Ultra Bright Display that provides fluid visuals and enhanced visibility even under bright outdoor conditions. Complementing the display are Dual Stereo Speakers, creating a fuller and more immersive audio experience for everyday content.

For users who demand sustained performance, the SuperCool VC System helps manage heat efficiently, while AI GameBoost 2.0 optimizes system resources to support smoother, more responsive gameplay during extended sessions. Together, these features help ensure a consistently enjoyable experience whether you're watching, browsing, or gaming.

4. Photos That Need Too Much Fixing

Advanced photo editing is no longer limited to professional software. With the OPPO A6s 5G, a range of intelligent imaging tools makes it easier to enhance photos directly on your smartphone. It includes AI Eraser 2.0 for removing unwanted elements, AI Unblur for improving image sharpness, and AI Clarity Enhancer for bringing out greater detail. Complementing these are creative tools such as AI Perfect Shot, AI Recompose, and AI Studio, which provide additional flexibility for refining and reimagining photos. Together, they help users achieve polished results quickly and intuitively.

Finding Your Everyday Companion

The OPPO A6 is ideal for users looking for dependable performance and generous storage. It comes in Sakura Pink, Sapphire Blue, and Aurora Gold, and is available in 4GB + 256GB for Php 17,999 and 8GB + 256GB for Php 20,999.

Users who want the added benefits of 5G connectivity can opt for the OPPO A6s 5G, available in Ice White and Cappuccino Brown. It comes in a 6GB + 128GB variant priced at Php 22,999 and an 8GB + 256GB variant priced at Php 25,999.

Discover more about the OPPO A6s 5G by visiting OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com.ph/ or OPPO Philippines’ official social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.

 

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Intellegal launches verifiable AI legal research assistant for Philippine legal professionals

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Makati-based Technese Legaltech Inc. introduces an AI-powered legal research and review platform for Philippine law, combining case-law analytics, law exploration, deep synthesis, source-traceable citations, visual summaries, and AI contract review.

Technese Legaltech Inc., a legal technology company based in Makati, today announced the launch of Intellegal (intellegal.ai), an AI-powered legal research and review assistant built specifically for Philippine legal professionals.

Designed for a profession where speed matters only when it is matched by accuracy and authority, Intellegal brings together Philippine case-law search, statutory exploration, deep legal synthesis, case comparison, legal-document visualization, and contract review in a single AI-assisted workflow.

The platform is built around a clear principle: legal AI should accelerate the research process, reduce repetitive work, and make complex materials easier to navigate — while keeping every answer grounded in verifiable legal sources and leaving final judgment with the lawyer.

At the center of Intellegal are three design commitments: deep legal research at speed, verifiable legal citations, and AI augmentation rather than replacement. The platform helps users move more efficiently from legal question to source, from source to analysis, and from analysis to informed professional judgment.

Intellegal’s key modules include Case-Law Analytics, Law Explorer, Deep Synthesis, Case Contrast, Visual Digest, and Contract Review, each designed to support a different stage of Philippine legal research, analysis, and document review.

Two Core Research Engines for Philippine Legal Practice

Intellegal’s primary research capabilities are anchored in two core engines: Case-Law Analytics and Deep Synthesis.

Case-Law Analytics serves as a unified Philippine case-law search and analysis tool. It brings together tasks that are often handled separately — case retrieval, statutory matching, and legal analysis — into a single integrated workflow. Instead of moving repeatedly between search results, statutes, case texts, and research notes, users can work through relevant legal materials in one connected research environment.

Deep Synthesis allows users to ask legal questions in everyday language and receive structured, in-depth legal research reports. The system is designed to draw on Philippine legal materials, including cases and regulations, to help users work from current and relevant legal sources. Each citation generated in a Deep Synthesis report supports traceback to its original source, making the platform’s outputs checkable rather than merely persuasive.

A Deep Synthesis report's case-law analysis. The text in blue indicates citations that trace back to the original source.

“In the Philippines, legal work demands both speed and precision. We want lawyers to ask questions in everyday language and, in a single workflow, see the relevant cases, the laws that govern those cases, and a clear analysis they can verify. The judgment still rests with the lawyer,” said Hazel Bascon, Co-Founder of Intellegal.

Verifiable AI for Case Comparison, Visual Summaries, and Contract Review

Beyond its two core research engines, Intellegal includes a suite of specialized tools designed for practical legal workflows.

Law Explorer helps users navigate Philippine statutes and regulations alongside related case law, allowing legal professionals to move between legal provisions, authorities, and research questions within a connected workflow.

Case Contrast enables users to compare decisions across multiple dimensions, including issues in dispute, legal facts, rulings, and reasoning. Users can upload cases or import them from saved collections, then examine how decisions align, diverge, or develop across legal questions. The tool is designed to help legal professionals identify doctrinal similarities and differences more efficiently, with source-traceable outputs.

Visual Digest turns lengthy legal documents into intelligent summaries and visual structures. By combining legal-document AI summarization with contract-summary visualization, the tool helps users quickly grasp the structure, core points, and key issues of a memo, contract, case file, or other legal document.

Contract Review examines documents clause by clause against relevant Philippine law. The tool identifies potential risks using a four-level flagging system — Must Fix, Should Fix, Optional, and Missing — and can provide redlined output with tracked changes. Each finding is tied to a legal basis, helping users review, revise, and mitigate contractual risks more efficiently.

Contract Review returns a redlined document with tracked changes, each finding tied to its legal basis.

A Secure AI Legal Tool for Students, Practitioners, and Legal Teams

Intellegal is now available to users across the Philippine legal ecosystem, including law students, bar reviewees, solo practitioners, law firms, and corporate legal teams.

For law students and bar reviewees, the platform offers a faster way to understand cases, compare doctrines, and organize legal materials. For practicing lawyers, it supports research-heavy work, case preparation, document review, and legal analysis. For corporate legal teams, it provides AI-assisted legal research and contract review tools that can help streamline routine but high-stakes legal workflows.

Intellegal also places strong emphasis on data protection. User data is protected in transit and at rest through encryption. Search histories, case analyses, uploaded documents, and personal information are kept confidential and are not shared with third parties for commercial purposes. Full details are available in the platform’s privacy policy at intellegal.ai.

As legal AI becomes increasingly relevant to professional services, Intellegal positions itself not as a substitute for legal expertise, but as a verifiable AI super-assistant for the work behind legal judgment: finding sources, comparing cases, synthesizing authorities, reviewing documents, and helping legal professionals move faster without giving up control.

Technese Legaltech Inc. said Intellegal will continue to develop around the practical realities of Philippine legal practice, with a focus on making legal research and review faster, clearer, and more verifiable.

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About Intellegal

Intellegal, developed by Technese Legaltech Inc. in Makati, Philippines, is an intelligent legal research and review platform for Philippine law. It integrates legal data with real research workflows to help legal professionals work faster, more clearly, and with verifiable sources. Learn more at intellegal.ai.

Intellegal is an AI research and review assistant and does not provide legal advice. Users should verify all outputs. Use of the platform does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) adopts GCash solutions to streamline student payments and financial assistance disbursements

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Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and GCash have formalized a partnership to bring digital payment and disbursement solutions to PUP's more than 20 campuses nationwide. With the rollout to start in School Year 2026–2027, the initiative allows students to pay school fees and receive financial assistance using GCash, enabling faster, cashless, and more accessible services to communities nationwide.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) president Dr. Manuel “Bong” Muhi and GCash head of B2B sales Cleo Celeste Santos, formalize a collaboration that will bring digital payment and disbursement solutions to PUP campuses nationwide

The collaboration was formally celebrated at a ceremonial launch held at the Mateo Conference Room of PUP's main campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila. The event was led by PUP President Dr. Manuel "Bong" Muhi, Executive Vice President for Planning and Finance Alberto C. Guillo, and Director, Funds Management Office Catherine "Cathy" Oposa, who championed the collaboration from the ground up.

Through the partnership, students will be able to use GCash for scan-to-pay transactions at all 20 campuses, online web payments for a seamless enrollment-to-payment experience, and GBills for Open University and certification fees. Five thousand GCash cards will also be distributed to scholars, athletes, and student representatives to support cashless disbursements of scholarships and financial assistance.

As the most populous state university in the Philippines, currently serving over 106,500 students, PUP has built its reputation on accessible, affordable education, offering free tuition across all its campuses nationwide. Under President Muhi, the university has made digital transformation a cornerstone of its operations, with a centralized enrollment portal that positions PUP to deploy integrated solutions at scale.

“Through this partnership, the PUP community will benefit from accessible digital financial services such as Scan-to-Pay, Bills Payment, Mobile Payment Solutions, and Fund Disbursement Services, promoting faster, safer, and more convenient transactions for the Iskolar ng Bayan,” Dr. Manuel M. Muhi, President of PUP, shared.

“Partnering with PUP is a meaningful step in helping make digital financial services more accessible to students across the country. Through this collaboration, we hope to support the university’s commitment to innovation by providing solutions that make payments and financial assistance disbursements faster, safer, and more convenient for the entire PUP community. At GCash, we believe that empowering students with accessible digital tools also helps prepare them for a more digitally connected future,” said Cleo Celeste Santos, GCash Head of B2B Sales.

Further, partnership reflects a broader push to advance financial inclusion among young Filipinos. Students no longer have to contend with long lines, time-consuming trips, or manual paperwork. With the integration of GCash digital financial tools and solutions, essential campus services are made faster and more accessible for communities across the country.

By bringing its digital finance ecosystem directly into campuses across the country, GCash continues to work with schools and organizations nationwide to expand access to digital financial solutions, creating services that are more seamless, more accessible, and more in tune with the way young Filipinos live and learn today.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

She Shapes the World in Clay: The Quiet Genius of Sheikha

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At first glance, her creations seem like simple figures: a tiny elephant with curved tusks, a bright-eyed turtle, a family of cats frozen mid-play. But a closer look reveals something more profound. Each piece carries intention, precision, and a depth of feeling that words often fail to express.

From a young age, Sheikha showed a deep fascination with animals. Whether through books, videos, or toys, she would spend hours observing their shapes, movements, and expressions. What others might see as simple curiosity soon revealed itself as something extraordinary.

Give her a piece of clay, and Sheikha begins her quiet magic.

Her fingers move with intention and precision, shaping each detail with care. A curve becomes a tail. A gentle press forms tiny ears. With patience and focus, she brings her favorite animals to life—not just as figures, but as characters with personality and emotion. Each creation feels like a story waiting to be told.

Sheikha is a child on the autism spectrum. Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at a young age, she experiences the world differently—more intensely in some ways, more quietly in others. Communication can be a challenge, and social interactions don’t always come naturally. But where words may fall short, her hands speak with remarkable clarity.

Through clay, Sheikha has found her voice. Her journey into art began as a simple activity—something to help her focus and relax.

“She sees things most of us miss,” her mother Eileen shares. “The way she observes animals, even from books or videos—it’s like she connects with them.”

This deep observation is a hallmark of many children with ASD. Their attention to detail, patterns, and textures can be heightened, allowing them to notice subtleties others overlook. For Sheikha, that sensitivity translates into her art. Working with clay also offers her something invaluable: control. In a world that can often feel overwhelming—with unpredictable sounds, social expectations, and sensory overload—clay is steady, responsive, and forgiving. It moves when she moves. It listens.

But perhaps what makes Sheikha’s story truly inspiring isn’t just her talent. It’s the reminder that ability doesn’t always present itself in conventional ways. Children with ASD are often viewed through the lens of limitation. Sheikha gently, persistently reshapes that narrative—just as she reshapes clay. With every small sculpture, she leaves behind more than art. She leaves a piece of how she sees the world—and in doing so, helps us see it differently too.

For Sheikha, clay is more than a medium. It is her language.In moments when words are difficult, her art becomes her voice.

Sheikha’s story is a gentle reminder that greatness comes in many forms. It challenges us to look beyond limitations and recognize the brilliance that exists in every child.