During the 2025 Taiwan International Student Design Competition (TISDC), Meryl Chan emerged as the lone Filipino awardee, bringing home the Environmental Sustainability Special Award (Animation) for her thesis film “Dive and Trek.”

TISDC is the world’s largest student design awards program, hosted by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education. This year, the competition revolved around the theme “Diversity,” echoing the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It drew over 16,000 entries from more than 1,000 schools worldwide, with Meryl being the only Filipino recognized—making her achievement even more significant.

Meryl is a 24-year-old visual storyteller and designer who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in 2D Animation from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York, one of the world’s most prestigious art and design colleges. Despite her young age, she has developed a clear and distinct voice through her visual storytelling while addressing real-world concerns, something she effectively showcased through her thesis.

“This film was made to shed light on the dangers of coral harvesting and the systemic pressures faced by coastal communities, and I’m truly honored it was chosen from over 16,000 entries,” Meryl said. “It was such a meaningful experience to be among so many talented creatives, make new friends, and spend time in Taiwan.”

“Dive and Trek” aims to spotlight the risks of coral harvesting and the systemic impacts faced by local communities. The story follows the life of a fisherman, Alon, and his young daughter, Pearl, as they navigate poverty and the conflict between survival and environmental preservation. As Alon accepts the illegal coral trade from tourists, his decision sets off a chain of social and environmental consequences, ultimately leading to his arrest and leaving Pearl behind.

Beyond its colorful animation and compelling storytelling, the film features music by Filipino composer Louie Ocampo, voice performances by Raki Diga, Sean Chan, Serj Chan, and Talisa Arezz, and background paintings by Catherine Tsui.

“Dive and Trek” serves as an urgent call for the protection of natural resources and aims to inspire young people to take part in environmental action. The film previously became a finalist at the My Hero International Film Festival due to its strong social impact and was later showcased at the ASIFA-Hollywood Animation Education Forum Student Animation, where it reached a wider audience.

As Meryl continues to create stories that bridge social issues and audiences, she hopes to encourage collective action toward building a better world. Her works serve as a wake-up call not only for the youth but for older generations as well. Through her film, she demonstrates that Filipinos are not merely seeking global recognition—they possess a powerful voice capable of advocating for and protecting their environment.