31/03/2026
Benilde Industrial Design brings the into .
At this year’s Benilde Innovations Week, students from the Benilde Industrial Design program shared works shaped by experimentation, material exploration, and reflective making. Their projects were developed through a class partnership with Hiblatech, a Philippine materials innovation company transforming pineapple leaf waste into sustainable textiles and fibers(https://www.hiblatech.com/). Under the mentorship of our very own, Mr. Gabriel Lichauco, and with Hiblatech as the primary sponsor of the materials used, students were challenged to explore exciting textile properties, discover possibilities, and define innovation throughout the entire process.
For Rainlyn Liao, innovation means “going beyond what people normally expect” while leaving room for personal interpretation. Isabella Magallanes reflected on “leaving room for experimentation,” especially with materials behaving differently from what she was used to. Amanda Giudote highlighted how materials once written off can still be transformed into meaningful, sustainable outcomes. Gaby Lugue shared that working with an unfamiliar material was challenging but rewarding once it began to support her design.
For Gerard Castro, the experience reinforced that innovation is rarely linear, and meaningful results emerge through continuous exploration. Together, their reflections show how industrial design evolves through curiosity, interpretation, and a deeper understanding of material potential. Ultimately, innovation was not only in the final pieces, but in testing, learning, and reimagining what materials can become.
Organized by the Benilde Innovation Office, Benilde Innovations Week celebrates creative inquiry and emerging ideas across the College, giving students the space to present, reflect, and engage with the wider culture of innovation in the Benildean community.