The search for the next generation of Filipino design icons has officially begun. The Design Center of the Philippineshas announced the call for entries for the Good Design Award Philippines 2026, a biennial program that honors design excellence rooted in the Filipino value of malasakit (compassion).
The “G Mark” Connection: A Global Gateway to Japan
One of the most significant advantages for entrants is the award’s deep integration with the Good Design Award Japan, also known as the G Mark. Established in 1957 by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, the G Mark is a globally recognized symbol of design excellence and quality guarantee.
Through a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalized in 2020 between the Design Center of the Philippines, the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), and JDP, Filipino designers now have a direct bridge to the Japanese market:
- Fast-Tracked Evaluation: Winners of the Good Design Award Philippines are exempted from the initial screening of the Good Design Award Japan. They proceed directly to the final screening stage in Japan.
- International Recognition: Winning the G Mark empowers local businesses, particularly MSMEs, to enhance their marketability to meet the rigorous preferences of Japanese consumers.
- Trade Avenues: The partnership fosters collaborations between Filipino and Japanese companies, creating new business opportunities that drive industrial growth.
2026 Competition Categories
The awards are open to a wide array of disciplines, grouped into six major pillars:
- Object Making: Tangible everyday products including furniture, lighting, apparel, and vehicles.
- Image Making: Packaging for consumer goods and communication design (branding, apps, websites, and advertising).
- Place Making: Innovative environments, including architecture (residential and public) and interior design.
- Systems and Service Design: Processes designed for efficiency in sectors like health, transportation, and construction.
- Material Innovation: New or enhanced materials, particularly those following circular economy principles.
- Governance & Civic Design (New for 2026): Public initiatives and digital tools that transform public services and civic life.
Eligibility: Who Can Enter?
The Good Design Award Philippines is looking for fully-implemented works that have made a tangible impact. To be eligible, entries must meet the following criteria:
- Market Timeline: Works must have been launched, modified, or made available in the Philippine market starting January 2023.
- Eligible Entities:
- Individual designers or creatives from either private or public institutions.
- Philippine-registered companies or institutions.
- Non-PH-based designers/creatives who have performed commissioned work for Philippine-registered entities.
- Ownership: Entries must be fully owned by the submitter.
Meet the Jurors: The 2026 Panel of Experts
The evaluation process is led by a distinguished panel of industry leaders and design advocates:
- Jury Chair: Mylene Abiva (Co-chair, Design Advisory Council; President and CEO, FELTA Multimedia Inc.)
- Chair Emeritus: Royal Pineda (Principal Architect, Royal Pineda+ Architecture•Design)
Category Jurors:
- Image Making: Charlene Balaan (UNDP Philippines), Dan Matutina (Plus63 Design Co.), Haraya Del Rosario-Gusto (StraightArrow Corp.), Jowee Alviar (Team Manila), Matec Villanueva (Ateneo De Manila University), Melvin Mangada (TBWA/Santiago Mangada Puno), Paolo Toledo (Globe), Shunsuke Ishikawa (Kesiki Inc.).
- Object Making: Aljo Quintans (UNDP), Earl Qua (VOXP Technologies), Emi Englis (Davao Fashion Design Council), Kenneth Cobonpue (Interior Crafts of the Islands, Inc.), Kevin Dizon (DOST), Tina Periquet (Periquet Galicia), Tito de la Peña (UP Diliman).
- Place Making: Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco (Mañosa.co), Butch Carungay (Cebu UNESCO City of Design), Camille Soriano (UNDP Philippines), Dominic Galicia (Dominic Galicia Architects), Joey Yupangco (Joey Yupangco & Associates), Kath Sapungay (Sangay Architects), Louwie Gan (L.A. Gan Associates).
- Systems and Service Design: Abigail Mapua (Kindmind), Jenny Wieneke (JWien Food Corp.), Mark Colentava (Bayani Pay), Reese Fernandez-Ruiz (Rags2Riches), Rosstyn Fallorina (UNDP).
- Material Innovation: Bambi Mañosa-Tanjutco, Elmerei Cuevas (UNDP), Emi Englis, Persia Ada de Yro (DOST), Joey Yupangco, Jonathan Co (Sentinel UpCycling Technologies), Reese Fernandez-Ruiz.
Launched in 2019, the award is an initiative of the Design Center and the Design Advisory Council, in cooperation with the Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP). It seeks to elevate Philippine design on the global stage by recognizing solutions that address “wicked problems” and improve the quality of life.
The Heart of the Award: Malasakit
What distinguishes the Good Design Award Philippines from other international accolades is its emphasis on malasakit. While the pillars of form, function, and innovation remain essential, the program believes that compassion must be the heart and soul of good design. This lens focuses on the impact of design, specifically its ability to address social, economic, and environmental challenges as outlined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Why Designers and Firms Should Join
Awardees gain significant benefits beyond the symbolic value:
- The GDA Seal: A lasting symbol of excellence to boost market value.
- Protection and Support: Access to Intellectual Property (IP) protection filing through the Innovation & Technology Support Office (ITSO).
- Market Reach: Features in the biennial yearbook, professional video production, and designated exhibit spaces.
- Symbolic Value: A trophy based on the original artwork of Philippine National Artist Arturo R. Luz.
How to Submit
The submission process is streamlined and fully digital:
- Review: Visit the official website to watch the instructional video and read the mechanics.
- Prepare: Download and accomplish the editable GDA Entry Form.
- Organize: Upload required materials to a Google Drive or OneDrive folder.
- Finalize: Complete the GDA Entrant Form on the website to submit.
This is more than a design competition; it is a strategic business move for local designers, winning here, and potentially securing the G Mark in Japan, elevates your firm from a local player to an internationally recognized brand of quality and compassion.
For more information, visit the Design Center of the Philippines website.
