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Lei Jorielle Soria

Her Stories Untold: Forgotten Filipinas Who Ruled Philippine Design



Men have dominated the architecture field for as long as we know. In history, it was always men who immediately comes to mind when talking about modern design. While we are already past that point and more women are making groundbreaking moments in architecture, there are still stories that are fading into gray.


In honor of Women’s Month, here are women who, at their time, were brave enough to break barriers and make their own versions of history – the women who became pioneers of Filipino design.



Dolly Perez


Behind a harmonious relationship between the environment and humanity is a professional who has an expertise in landscape architecture, and while there aren’t many landscape architects in the country even in the 21st century, Landscape Architect Dolly Perez took pride in becoming one in the 1960s. She is known as the “Mother of Landscape Architecture,” and being the first woman in this field is truly a historical moment worth remembering.


A graduate of the University of Santo Tomas, her mentor Angel Nakpil suggested that she study landscape architecture overseas and be one of the few Filipino landscape architects in the country. Dolly Perez spent her career working on hundred private gardens, parks, and plazas, and serves as the inspiration and mentor for the second and third generations of landscape architects of this nation.


One of her notable works is her design of Luneta’s transformation to Rizal Park, where she applied her modern landscape knowledge. She also worked on Libingan Ng Mga Bayani and Dambana ng Kagitingan, where she designed the latter as a family-friendly space open for the public. As she slowed down in her career, she turned to writing books about her expertise, publishing works discussing outdoor and indoor spaces. Her life journey may have come to an end, but the inspiration and her works proving of her pioneering acts will always be left behind for future generations.



Edith Oliveros


Second on this list, but never last on her expertise is Interior Designer Edith Oliveros, who was known as “La Doyene,” meaning a woman who is respected the most in her field. She is an alumna of the Philippine Women’s University in Manila, earning a bachelor’s degree in home ergonomics, and later on taking her master’s in Interior Design abroad, keeping her passion for design ablaze.


Edith Oliveros was the woman behind the Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID). She may not be the first interior designer of Filipino descent, but she is one of the pioneering acts behind developing an educational format not just for PSID, but also in other design schools. She helped her students create designs with a “Filipino look,” and helped hone their design ideas while emphasizing the importance of giving interior design a comfortable and at-home feel.


At the end of her journey, she is now known for working with the interiors of Admiral Hotel and the restoration of the Metropolitan Theater Manila. She also started her own studio where she trained some of the today’s well known interior designers, including multi-awarded IDr. Leo Lino Almeria. With her contributions to Philippine design, the title “Grand Dame of Philippine Interior Design” is just fitting for a woman passionate about her work and influence to others.



Aida Cruz-Del Rosario


While little is known and discussed about her on the internet, Architect Aria Cruz-Del Rosario from Davao City is hailed as the first Filipina architect, and University of Santo Tomas’ first female graduate from the school’s College of Architecture on 1947, and even placing 7th on the Architecture Licensure Exam. When everyone doubted a woman would even finish this course, Aria Cruz-Del Rosario opened doors for new opportunities not just for her, but also for women who share the same passion and career choice.


Together with her engineer husband, Aria Cruz-Del Rosario worked with notable designs including University of Baguio and residential places in Baguio. What makes her being an architect iconic isn’t just her works throughout her career, but also her graduating in architecture a decade after Filipinas won the suffrage movement – a movement for women’s rights to vote. True, little is known about her, but her contribution to opening doors for female architects will remain as her biggest pride.


Men have dominated the architecture field for as long as we know. However, there are women who ruled design in the nation and made history – HER story of contributing to Filipino design. All it took was one woman, her courage and passion to open up doors for future generations. These stories often untold are proof that women can, and will continuously break gender norms and stereotypes, especially in Philippine Design.

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