Founders and Advisors
PSID was founded on the vision and leadership of its pioneers: Ms. Edith L. Oliveros, Engr. Agustin Cancio, and Mrs. Herminia Cancio-Layug. Their innovative ideas and dedication laid the groundwork for what has become the premier design school today. Through their efforts, PSID continues to thrive as a leading institution in interior design education.
ENGINEER AGUSTIN CANCIO
A visionary leader, Engr. Agustin Cancio played a pivotal role in founding the Philippine School of Interior Design and led the Philippine furniture industry through his firm, Cancio-Calma, known for its quality and craftsmanship.
With degrees in mechanical and electrical engineering from the University of the Philippines, he transformed the industry by integrating machinery with Filipino craftsmanship. In the 1960s, he saw the need for mass-produced, high-quality furniture and helped establish the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines, where he served as its first president.
Influenced by the Bauhaus Movement, Engr. Cancio envisioned a school to cultivate interior designers who could embrace modern Philippine design. In 1967, PSID was born, shaping the next generation of design leaders. His legacy continues through his sons, Gerry and Mark, who supply luxury furniture to premier hotels and businesses nationwide.
ROSARIO CANCIO-YUJUICO
The president of the Philippine School of Interior Design marks the school’s 50th year as a significant milestone, reflecting on its growth since the mid-'60s. She is the eldest daughter of founders Engr. Agustin and Imelda Cancio, along with Mrs. Herminia Cancio-Layug, Lor Calma, and Edith L. Oliveros.
She attended Ateneo Law School and has been the hands-on administrator of PSID since the early '80s. She shares, "It helps to be practical and grounded in a creative environment, where we balance each other out."
Grateful for the vision of her predecessors, she recognizes their foresight in systematizing interior design education, a field that was then gaining popularity among young socialites. Today, PSID attracts a diverse range of students, from high school graduates to those returning to study interior design after pursuing other degrees or careers
MRS. HERMINA CANCIO LAYUG
Sophisticated and elegant, Herminia’s education began in British Hong Kong before she pursued Home Economics in college. Her passion for art and design led her to establish an interior design and furniture showroom, as well as co-found the Philippine School of Interior Design, where she was immersed in the world of design luminaries.
Design runs deep in her family, spanning three generations. Her son, Budji Layug, is a renowned artist and designer, while her daughters Leila Nachtigall and Jo Loignon are experts in branding and graphic design, and painting, respectively. Jo’s daughter, Jasmine Loignon, is a creative director in Paris.
Her family remembers her as refined, cultured, and loving— a doer who got things done. Her son Budji describes her as a steadfast and gracious mother who lived life to the fullest.
EDITH L. OLIVEROS
Edith L. Oliveros, a US-educated Interior Designer with a master’s degree from Drexel Institute in Philadelphia, returned to the Philippines in the late 1960s and joined Cancio-Calma Furniture. It was here that her passion for design sparked the interest of young socialites from elite families, leading to the creation of the Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID).
Recognizing the growing demand for interior design education, she was commissioned to design a certificate course, laying the foundation for PSID’s curriculum. A staunch advocate for Filipino design, she earned the Outstanding Professional of the Year Award for Interior Design in 1994, and her notable projects include the Admiral Hotel interiors and the restoration of the Metropolitan Theater in 1978.
Edith remains an inspiration to interior design educators and practitioners, seamlessly blending tradition with modernity. Her work, both in design and teaching, reflects the warmth and distinct aura of the Filipino woman, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.
PSID BOARD ADVISERS
The Board of Advisers for PSID included National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva, Architect Lor Calma, and prominent figures such as Arturo Luz, Phyllis Harvey, and Wili Fernandez. The pioneering faculty, who laid the foundation for design education, included Arch. Rose Marie Bautista, Eli Pinto-Mansor, Dolly Perez, Evelyn Garcia, and alumnus Nardy Aquino. The administrative needs of the school were managed by its first secretary, Zenaida Manlapig.
LOR CALMA
One of the founding members of PSID’s Board of Advisers, Architect Lor Calma earned his degree in Architecture from Mapúa Institute of Technology in 1954, later focusing on sculpture, furniture, and interior design.
Described as a "Modernist architect, groundbreaking interior designer, sharp furniture designer, and original artist," Calma is known for his minimalist, clean designs. He began with furniture as part of Cancio-Calma, where they were licensed manufacturers for Walter Knoll. Influenced by Knoll, his designs remain simple yet elegant, even when using mostly wood.
Calma's accolades include the PRC's Outstanding Professional of the Year in Interior Design (1997), the Lifetime Award for Design and Architecture (1997), and the PSID Hall of Fame Award (1992).
NAPOLEON ABUEVA
A founding member of PSID’s Board of Advisers, National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva was born in 1930 and became the youngest recipient of the prestigious award at age 46. Often called the "Father of Philippine Modern Sculpture," he created over 700 works, drawing influence from Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi, whom he revered as "the sorcerer of modern sculpture."
Abueva believed his sculptures served a greater purpose, with many placed in public spaces, including at the UN Headquarters in New York. These works not only honor the heroism of past generations but also commemorate the significant moments in history.
ARTURO LUZ
Born in 1923 in Manila, he was a painter, sculptor, and designer recognized as a pioneer of Philippine modern art. Named a National Artist in 1997, he studied Fine Arts at the UST School of Fine Arts before earning a three-year scholarship at the California College of Arts and Crafts, followed by further studies at the Brooklyn Museum Art School in New York and the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris.
A member of the Neo-Realists and Thirteen Moderns, his works are known for their sophisticated simplicity, with his style described as "semi-representational" and "semi-abstracted." He also served as a member of PSID’s Board of Advisers.
WILLIE FERNANDEZ
Originally trained as an architect, he was considered one of the early nationalists of Filipino design, he was an interior designer who championed hand-rendered designs and locally sourced, handcrafted items. Edith Oliveros praised his legendary watercolor renderings, which set the standard for presentation techniques in design schools for many years, a standard that still stands even in the era of computer-aided design.
He believed that designers should create spaces that are not only functional and comfortable but also beautiful, reflecting his deep commitment to designing for real people and celebrating Filipino craftsmanship.
ROSE MARIE BAUTISTA
Rose Marie Bautista earned her Architecture degree from the University of Santo Tomas in 1959, but soon realized her true passion was teaching. After teaching at St. Louis University in Baguio City, she joined PSID in 1968, where she took on the challenge of overseeing Student Affairs when Edith Oliveros went on an educational tour.
Known for her impact on the curriculum, Arch. Bautista helped establish a consortium with the School of Design and Arts at DLSU College of Saint Benilde, eventually becoming the Chairperson of Interior Design. She values the supportive, collaborative learning environment at PSID, where students and faculty alike share knowledge and inspire each other, fostering creativity and growth.
NARDY AQUINO
Nardy Aquino, one of the first alumni of PSID, later became a pioneer teacher at the school. His passion for teaching comes from his desire to share the insights gained through his extensive design experiences.
In 1979, he supervised "Ambience," PSID's first major Interior Design exhibit, which marked the culmination of the students' studies. This exhibit set the tradition of showcasing the design expertise of each graduating class, highlighting their skills in materials, space utilization, lighting, and more.
As a respected Interior Design practitioner, Nardy Aquino has gained a reputation for his work with high-end clients in both residential and commercial spaces.