In the Philippines, Christmas begins in September. Streets, malls and homes light up with lanterns, belen displays and Christmas trees. Yet young Filipino designers are reimagining how the season looks and feels.
At the Philippine School of Interior Design – Ahlen Institute (PSID-Ahlen), students are transforming Christmas décor into personal and sustainable statements. Their 48th graduation showcase, the Designs of Christmas Exhibit, opens September 27 at GH Tower in Greenhills.
One standout is “Simoy ng Pasko: A Simbang Gabi–Inspired Dining Lanai.” Designed by Clare Dacanay, Katharine Garcia, Nadine Javier, Nida Lopez, Samantha Matias and Jade Uy, the space blends cultural tradition with modern design. It uses limestone walls, terrazzo floors, rattan furniture and capiz accents. Soft greens and warm golden lights echo the dawn after Simbang Gabi, evoking renewal and community.
“Christmas is no longer just red and green,” said interior designer and professor Pojie Pambid. “Design lets people experiment with colors, materials and themes that reflect who they are. It makes the season more meaningful.”
Students also highlight sustainability, encouraging the use of local and repurposed materials. “Why buy when you can create? Why spend when you can save?” Pambid noted.
For batch president Joel Benitez, Christmas design is about storytelling. “Styling for the holidays has no limits. We want people to leave inspired.”
The exhibit features 12 interiors, ranging from Brutalism and Art Deco to Filipino and Rustic. Each shows how design students bring new meaning to Christmas spaces.
