Lilia C. de Jesus holds a degree in Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Interior Design a degree earned at the University of Santo Tomas, a Pontifical Royal University, in 1974. Also, a Masteral degree holder in Art Education from the University of the Philippines, is one interest she considers that paved the way for her to pursue a Graduate degree in Educational Psychology from the same University. These educational qualifications plus her teaching experience brought her to the Commission on Higher Education as Chair of the Technical Committee for Interior Design since 2013 to present.

Elected as President of the Council of Interior Design Educators for four terms which focused her goals on the educational development and advancement of Interior Design program both in technical and theoretical aspects. In 2015-2017 was elected Vice President of the national professional organization of Interior Designers, the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID). From here on, proceeded through election as President of PIID from 2017-2019, and ever since was very active in partnering and collaborating with the industry and professional associations local and abroad. At present, she heads the newly formed Interior Design program of Enderun Colleges under the College of Architecture and Design with established foreign partner schools. A stint she admits as a big challenge to her vision of Interior Design as a program of the future. Because teaching has always been her passion, she moved to the UST Graduate school after her retirement and presently with the Graduate School Education cluster under the program Curriculum and Instructions.

Her exposure was not only confined locally but globally as well. In 2015 she was elected as Board Member in a global Federation of Architects and Interior Designers (IFI) based in New York and ended her term in 2017. Last February 2022, she was conferred Fellow by the same Federation, and distinctly carries with her the appendage FoIFI. Also within the same period February 2022 became a recipient of the PFPA (Philippine Federation of Professional Association) for the Interior Designer Profession (under the Academe / Research Development Category) held at the U.P. Bahay ng Alumni.

In 2019 she was elected as Board member of the Asia Pacific Space Designers Association (APSDA) based in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia spanning the regions of Asia & Oceania to serve until the end of 2021. Her commitment to promote Interior Design as a discipline particularly its educational advancement was again elected As Board Member and Chair of the Educational Policy Committee for the term 2021-2023.

Ivy Almario is the co-founder and principal designer of Atelier Almario, an award-winning interior design studio specializing in luxury residential and hospitality projects. Alongside her sister, Cynthia, she honed her craft in Los Angeles, California, before establishing their Manila-based studio.

A thought leader in the design industry, Ivy has been a content contributor for leading shelter magazines and shares expert insights on interior design through Atelier Almario’s widely followed YouTube channel.

Beyond her design practice, Ivy is deeply involved in shaping the industry. She currently serves as Vice President of the Asia Pacific Space Designers Association, following her tenure as National President of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers.

Arch. Maria Nina Bailon Arce is the Senior Partner at Arce-Bailon-Arce Architects, a design firm she co-founded with her husband, Arch. Mariano Arce, Jr., in 1987. The firm has undertaken notable architectural and engineering design projects for both private entities and the national government.

She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas in 1981 and placed fifth in the PRC Board Exams in July 1983. In 2014, she was among the first 40 architects to be listed in the ASEAN Registry of Architects, and in June 2015, she was conferred as an APEC Architect. In the spirit of volunteerism, she has served as Secretary General and National Executive Vice-President of the United Architects of the Philippines, as Chancellor, and now as Jury of the College of Fellows.

A dedicated mother of three boys, two of whom are now architects collaborating with the firm, she has successfully balanced a thriving career and nurturing a family. She aims to continue this legacy by mentoring the next generation of architects through AYDA.