The Philippine School of Interior Design–Ahlen Institute (PSID-Ahlen) is giving the country’s most cherished holiday a bold new look with its 48th graduation showcase, the Designs of Christmas Exhibit (D.O.C.E.), now open at GH Tower, Greenhills.
Unveiled at a press launch, the exhibit features 12 student-designed installations that reinterpret Christmas through culture, color, character, and chronology. Moving beyond the familiar red-and-green décor, the showcase highlights how Filipino design sensibilities have evolved—balancing heritage with modern creativity and personal expression.
“Through the years, Filipinos have evolved in their design sensibilities. Gone are the days when houses were decorated with giant spoon-and-fork sets or tinikling dancers on the wall. Today, design is more curated, more personalized and more experimental, even during Christmas,” said PSID professor and interior designer Pojie Pambid.
The 12 themed booths include:
- Brutalism – a raw yet festive space of concrete textures and warm light, encouraging unplugged connection.
- Victorian – grandeur with steampunk twists, brass accents, and Arcane-inspired details.
- Art Deco – Manhattan glamour with velvet seating, green walls, and feathered trees.
- Mexican – Las Posadas-inspired, with Otomi patterns and papel picado panels.
- Brazilian – Rio Carnival vibrance fused with Filipino warmth.
- Filipino (Simoy ng Pasko) – a serene lanai inspired by Simbang Gabi.
- Velvet Frost – chocolate-plum tones with a sculptural tree lamp.
- Liloura Lush – lilac and icy blue elegance balanced with function.
- Spiced Ember – a whisky lounge palette of russet and flame.
- Noël Aurora – Icelandic hues evoking the Northern Lights.
- Urban Cosmopolitan – origami-inspired geometry with a bold red tree.
- Rustic Soirée – a French provincial hearth with a ceiling-hung tree.
“Altogether, the exhibit reminds us that Christmas is a living tradition that unites us across time, culture and imagination,” said Joel Benitez, president of the graduating batch, adding that the showcase reflects how design education can be both experimental and rooted in cultural identity.
The Designs of Christmas Exhibit runs from September 27 to October 31 at GH Tower, Greenhills, offering the public a festive and stylish new way to experience the season. (with reports from Lau Balocos)
