UP BSID Batch 2025 Unveil "Silay Kulay": A Transformative Project for SVP Shelter for Girls

The University of the Philippines’ Interior Design students have been part of a remarkable transformation of nine selected spaces inside the Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) Shelter for Girls. Known for honor and excellence, the students embarked on a journey to embody the University’s spirit of service. Through Silay Kulay: Design Through the Lens of a Child, the renovation of the spaces aimed to make the children feel safe and loved, while also creating an avenue for them to dream.

It has been the University's long-standing tradition to give back to the community through interior design. For 22 years, each graduating batch has selected a beneficiary and helped them make their spaces more suitable to their lifestyle. Batch 2025 has set forth to create an everlasting impact on the girls of SVP. The shelter provides a nurturing environment for young girls, offering them assistance in education, health, and various aspects that contribute to their personal development.

Saint Vincent de Paul’s Magical Transformation

As this year’s beneficiary, the SVP Shelter warmly welcomed the students and their initiative. The girls were central to the entire process, inspiring the concept behind “Silay Kulay.” Silay (to glimpse) and Kulay (color), perfectly capture the batch's mission of crafting spaces that reflect the girls’ dreams and desires. The students drew inspiration from the girls’ colorful drawings, which served as the foundation for conceptualizing the design of each space.

The redesigned spaces included the Entryway, Receiving Area, Hallway, Stairs, Toilet and Bath, Stock Room, Dining Area, Kitchen, and Multipurpose Area. Turning this vision into reality was a collaborative effort involving skilled workers, mentors, sponsors, donors, and partners who all helped the creative minds behind it. Each transformation brought noticeable enhancements—not only in aesthetics but also in functionality—making the spaces more vibrant and suited to the needs of the shelter’s residents.

Dining Area

Multipurpose Area

On December 17, 2024, a heartwarming ceremony marked a milestone for the graduating class as they proudly turned over the newly designed shelter to the girls. The event celebrated the dedication and hard work that brought the project to life, uniting a community of partners, sponsors, donors, and supporters whose contributions were instrumental in its success. At the heart of the celebration were the girls, whose joy was palpable as they prepared to embrace life in their beautifully redesigned spaces after weeks of construction.

The project reflected the students' dedication and passion, delivering innovative solutions that not only enhanced the space’s beauty but also its functionality, significantly improving the experiences of the girls who inhabit it.

Interior Design for All

The UP Interior Design program has long championed the belief that interior design should be accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy. This commitment was successfully demonstrated by Silay Kulay and brought joy to the girls at the St. Vincent de Paul Shelter. The sight of their faces lighting up at the vibrant murals adorning the walls was a compelling reminder of the power interior design has in uplifting marginalized communities.

This initiative highlights the fusion of creativity and purpose, driven by a commitment to community service. Guided by the girls’ own sketches, the UP BSID Class of 2025 were able to turn the shelter into a home that inspires, empowers, and paves the way for brighter possibilities.

To learn more about Silay Kulay, visit:
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