The graduating batch of Benilde Industrial Design spearheaded “Parása: A Benilde Industrial Design Virtual Thesis Exhibit" on Dec. 10, featuring their works through Facebook Live in a series of presentations, fun games, prizes, and performances.
A play on the Tagalog words “Para sa” (when translated into english, “for who”), the virtual exhibit of Benilde Industrial designers demonstrated their brilliant works wherein problems from the health, mobility, and industrial disciplines were given design-specific solutions—designing solutions for a specific market and designing from the heart.
Viewers got swept off their feet by the opening performance by the band Clubhouse with their song “Iba,” and greeted with a soulfully chilling performance from Sam Akins of his song “Stay Alive,” that perfectly encapsulated the hurdles the students had to overcome. Ending the event with a bang, the band Parasouls also performed their song “Can We, Can We,” concluding the event with a freeing feeling of adventure.
Benilde Industrial Design graduate, Meyte Chan, hopped in to share her story from being a student to her founding of capiz and mother of pearl furniture company, Senseware PH. “I owe it up to the workers. They are the backbone of the industry. I owe it to my family for doing everything they can to keep it alive,” she says, thanking the graduating students.
The different designs were presented under three categories, including health, mobility, and industrial or commercial designs.
The students who presented are the following:
Health Category:
Casey Delvo
- “ACHILLES,” a modern and accessible device that maintains corrected clubfoot of infants and children
Asia Entico
- “HUGO,” a device that aids self regulation that can improve stress resilience
Justin Garcia
- “BIZZY BEE,” a product that helps delay the progression of dementia of people living with dementia
Carlo Magsino
- “VERTE BRO,” a redesign of lumbar support for E-Sport players.
Chelsea Tiu
- “RE,” an adjustable and wearable technology that produces heat for senior citizens during cold weather
Giuliana Treñas
- “Me.Mini,” a design of a travel assistant for senior citizens traveling in airports
Mobility Category:
Karl Abulencia
- “AXIS,” a self-balancing delivery bag for the use of delivery riders that aims to reduce mishandling of orders in delivery bags.
Jonathan Go
- “SEFTI,” a 2-in-1 self-defense device for commuters against threats in public.
Francis Gopez
- “EQUIP,” a multifunctional ergonomic car lifting device used for flat tire replacement.
Luke Laureano
- “VENT,” a redesign of a face mask that protects commuters from harmful substances caused by air pollution
Katrina Poon
- “ANGON,” a pedal transport to assist in flood rescue operations
William Marquez
- “MORPHO,” a collapsible cargo bike that helps commuters and delivery riders carry baggage safely
Industrial/Commercial Category:
Isaac Cajayon
- “POLTRO,” a 3D printer plug-in that converts PET bottle waste into desktop filament
Yeong Jun Eom
- “SLITEN,” a scoop-free cat litter box for cat owners dealing with common hygienic problems with cats
Kyle Garcia
- “DATU,” an aerial monitoring system for irrigation imbalance in rural farms that provide modern farming methods to strive for sustainability
Nicky Quinao
- “KORALES,” an artificial habitat for nurturing the marine life in Mabini, Batangas
Lizzy Unas
- “LIKHA,” an anaerobic digester for coffee grounds that creates biofuel for local use that aids coffee ground disposal.
To complete the exhibit release, the event awards the best thesis award to the three best designs.
- Best Thesis Award - Asia Entico
- 1st Runner up - Giuliana Treñas
- 2nd Runner up - Kayl Garcia
Overall, the works featured in the Parasa exhibit emphasized that designing is not just making things aesthetically pleasing, it is providing solutions to specific problems through the use of design to help those who are in need to make their lives easier, better, and safer.
Catch the works of Benilde’s ingenious industrial designers by visiting the Parása virtual exhibit here.
