As an archipelago, the Philippines has long struggled to ensure that every community receives equal opportunities and attention. Those living on the margins are often left out of conversations about development. But many young Filipinos are beginning to challenge that reality by using their talents to bring overlooked stories into the spotlight.

For Ejhey Durias, an architecture student from the University of Mindanao, that meant designing not for skyscrapers or luxury developments, but for a community whose way of life is slowly disappearing. His project, Banuas Lawod, earned the highest global recognition at the AYDA Awards, an international design competition for students, by tackling the decline of aquaculture and the displacement of coastal communities.

The proposal was inspired by the Sama-Bajau community of Adecor in the Island Garden City of Samal. Once known as sea nomads with a deep connection to the ocean, many members of the community have been pushed inland by rapid urbanization, threatening not only their livelihood but also their culture and identity.

Instead of treating architecture as simply the creation of buildings, Ejhey designed a holistic aquaculture community hub where displaced families can reconnect with the sea. His proposal combines Lepa-inspired housing with a tide-responsive layout surrounding a communal space, while a metabolic aquaculture hub allows fish, shellfish, and seaweed to thrive in a sustainable, closed-loop system.

For the young designer, the project was driven by a desire to tell stories that often go unheard.

"One thing that truly inspired me to pursue the project, Banuas Lawod, was my desire to become a voice for the unheard, communities whose stories are often neglected and overlooked," he told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle.

As he researched the decline of aquaculture, he also learned about the struggles that forced many coastal families away from the waters that once sustained them.

"I realized these issues affect not only livelihoods but also culture and identity," he said. "Our oceans are part of our identity, and protecting them means protecting the communities that depend on them."

His approach also challenged the idea that innovation must replace tradition.

"Innovation should not reject culture and tradition. It should strengthen it," Ejhey said.

Before creating the design, he spent time studying the community's way of life, traditions, and relationship with the sea. Every architectural decision, he said, was made to respect their identity while creating opportunities for a better future.

Winning the global award came as a surprise.

"It honestly took a few minutes, even days, for it to sink in," he shared. "I felt very proud to represent not only my university but the entire Philippines on the global stage."

The recognition also earned him a fully funded fellowship at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, where he hopes to learn from designers around the world and bring those lessons back to the Philippines to create projects with meaningful impact.

For fellow young designers, Ejhey believes that creating socially relevant work begins long before the first sketch.

"It all starts with listening," he said. "When we design with empathy and purpose, architecture becomes more than just creating beautiful spaces. It becomes a way to genuinely improve people's lives."

As he looks ahead, Ejhey hopes to continue creating designs that celebrate Filipino culture while addressing the needs of vulnerable communities. For him, architecture is not only about shaping spaces, but also about helping people reconnect with the identities and traditions that make those spaces worth preserving.