iACADEMY

iACADEMY continues to strengthen its position as a leading force in creative education as Dean Hamill Buyco of the School of Design and the Arts (SODA) was officially elected as a Board Member of the Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI) for Fiscal Years 2026-2028.

The appointment was announced during ACPI’s General Membership Meeting and Board Election held on March 31 at Huawei Technologies Inc. in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

As one of the country’s active academic voices in digital arts and animation, Dean Hamill Buyco, MA 3D Animation is a professional multimedia artist, animator, educator, and academic leader with over a decade of industry and teaching experience. He holds a Master’s Degree in 3D Animation from Buckinghamshire New University, UK, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Multimedia Arts major in Animation from The Illinois Institute of Art-Schaumburg, USA, where he graduated with merit and honors.

His professional background spans animation production, workshops, advertising campaigns, and creative collaborations with studios and institutions in the Philippines and abroad, including Snipple Animation Studios and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). As an exhibiting artist, his works have also been featured in recognized platforms such as Modern Parenting, Art Fair Philippines 2024, and Blue Print Magazine.

As an educator, he is the former head of the Animation Program for iACADEMY Senior High School and is currently the Dean of the iACADEMY School of Design and Arts. In addition, he teaches animation and design for traditional and digital mediums, 2D and 3D animation production, and augmented and virtual reality production.

His academic research focuses on the cultural analysis of production and local audience reception of original Filipino animated films and the impact of artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and new media on the multimedia and animation industry. 

He has authored and co-authored the following research papers: 

2023 Masteral Research, A Cultural Analysis of “RPG Metanoia”: Examining the Impact of Postcolonial Factors on Production and Local Audience Reception of Original Filipino Animated Films, A critical examination of postcolonial influences in original Filipino animated cinema and its local audience reception. 

2024 Augmented and Virtual Reality Assessments in Design Courses co-author, presented at 2024 National Conference on Educational Measurement and Evaluation themed "Assessment Innovations: Initiatives for Education Reform in the Philippines", De La Salle University, PHL.

2024 Readiness among Animation Students in Artificial Intelligence Integration and Utilization in Course Offering - presented at the  12th ACAS International Conference on Asian Studies (ACAS ICAS 12) on Nov. 14-15, 2024 at the Ateneo de Manila University, Leong Hall, Loyola Campus, and co-author, presented at 2024 National Conference on Educational Measurement and Evaluation themed "Assessment Innovations: Initiatives for Education Reform in the Philippines",  De La Salle University, PHL

He brings both international studio experience and academic leadership to the organization. Before leading iACADEMY’s School of Design and the Arts, he worked as a Freelance 3D Artist at Snipple Animation Studios, contributing to globally recognized productions such as Wacky Races, Green Eggs and Ham, DuckTales, and Big Hero 6-related animated television projects.

His appointment reflects ACPI’s trust in leaders who understand both the creative demands of the industry and the responsibility of preparing future animators for global standards.

"At iACADEMY, we championed industry-based learning experiences that allow students to move beyond theory and produce portfolio-ready work aligned with professional studio expectations," said Dean Hamill Buyco.

For over four decades, ACPI has served as one of the country’s leading organizations supporting the growth of the Philippine animation sector and its global partnerships. Dean Buyco’s inclusion in its board reinforces iACADEMY’s commitment to producing game changers who not only enter the industry, but actively help lead it.

Through leaders like Dean Hamill Buyco, iACADEMY continues to go Beyond Better, proving that education can shape not just careers, but the future of an entire creative industry.