Resilience through design

Last 2 October, the much anticipated The Grant design competition finally held its finals night at the Centro de Turismo in Intramuros. A project of Fashion Aid Philippines and DTI Malikhaing Pinoy, The Grant 2025 winner is Deya Tsyna C. Saco. 

The unanimous choice bested 19 contestants whose winning piece was the Dioleta accent chair. Inspired by the Visayas word Padayon, which means “to continue, persist and keep going on,” the masterpiece is a handwoven creation in collaboration with the basket makers of Antequera, Bohol that symbolizes resilience through its infinite form. Her outstanding creativity and uniquely authentic design stood out among the rest as it gained the ultimate mark of distinction. The grand winner won the grant from the Philippines-Australia Strategic Partnership by the Embassy of Australia, round trip  business class ticket from Philippine Airlines, P1 million and  a trophy.

There were two deliberation dates and the first round was held last 30 June at Salcedo Auctions, Makati wherein the top 20 contestants were chosen. And the final round and announcement of winners last 2 October at the Centro de Turismo, Intramuros. 

The esteemed board of judges for the finals included Erica Concepcion-Reyes, Yiouri Augousti, Patrick Coard, Archie Carrasco, Richie Lerma, Anton San Diego, Karen Santos and fashion icon Inno Sotto. 

Other winners included The Grant from Embassy of Malaysia (Limkokwing Creative University of Technology) awarded to Kim Basilio, The Grant from Embassy of Japan (JENESYS Award) awarded to Angela Maria Chavez, Lee Villanueva and Hazel Roldan. 

Lastly, The Grant from Embassy of Australia was awarded (aside from the grand winner Dea Tsyna C. Saco)  to Jorem Biadoma, Monica Castillo, Gil Salazar and Matt David.

Fashion Aid Philippines’ founder Patrick Rosas together with industry colleagues created the Grant as an initiative geared toward providing broader opportunities for emerging Filipino talents in the fields of fashion and design locally and abroad. It is a platform to elevate homegrown artist and assistance to take them future-forward.