Dr. Lilia ‘Lil’ de Jesus is an esteemed educator and leader in interior design, with decades of experience shaping the academic and professional landscape. She currently heads the Interior Design programme at Enderun Colleges and is part of the Graduate School Education Cluster at the University of Santo Tomas, where she continues to mentor future educators and designers.

Dr. Lil holds advanced degrees in Art Education and Educational Psychology. She previously served as Chair of the Commission on Higher Education’s Technical Committee for Interior Design from 2013 until 2024. She is also a four-term President of the Council of Interior Design Educators and a former President of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID). Internationally, she has served on the boards of the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) and APSDA, and continues to champion design education reform through initiatives such as AYDA.

Currently, she is actively involved in the Philippine Green Building Initiatives (PGBI), a non-profit organisation established in 2010 to promote sustainable design and construction practices. PGBI aims to develop a green building rating system and encourage the adoption of green building principles across the industry. Dr. Lil cultivates this passion for sustainability by continuously educating herself on its principles and real-world impact — blending lifelong learning with advocacy to drive meaningful change.

She also serves as part of the international judging panel for AYDA, where she contributes her deep expertise to nurturing the next generation of design leaders.

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.

Michael Pizarro was a Partner and Principal Interior Designer for Mercado Mercado Amadeo Pizarro Architecture and Interior Design Consultancy Company (MMAP), until he founded his own firm, Michael Pizarro Interior Design (MPID) and its subsidiary company, Acanthus Home Furniture and Furnishing.

Currently, he is an executive board member of the International Federation of Interior Architects/ Designers and the College of Fellows (COF) to the professional interior design association, Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID).

Last but not least, Michael is a long-serving judge and recent outgoing advisory panel member at the Asia Young Designer Awards. In his commentaries, through his journey with AYDA, he exclaims: “What I find exciting for me is not how enticing the future looks like to them. What draws me is the amount of passion, commitment and enthusiasm each and every student devoted over the last months, if not a year. If that is how the future looks based on their intentions, we will be in good hands.”