Founded in 2001 by Jowee Alviar and Raymund Punzalan, Team Manila started as a graphic design studio that aims to represent the Philippines in the design community. Team Manila Graphic Design Studio currently works with a number of projects ranging from branding, graphic design, packaging, space and web design in collaboration with established clients. Continuing to promote graphic design in the Philippines, this led to the establishment of a retail brand TeamManila Lifestyle in 2005, opening multiple stores all over the country. Inspired by the Filipino visual culture, the retail brand produces merchandise collection with a contemporary approach. As advocates of design, Team Manila Graphic Design Studio is the proponent of Republic Act No. 10557 (Philippine Design Competitiveness Act), a bill proposed in 2011 that was passed in May 2013 mandating the state to promote and strengthen the Philippine design industry. Also, Team Manila is the founding member of CECP (Creative Industries Council of the Philippines) that serves as the authoritative channel for information regarding the creative industry in the country as well as the founder of CDAP (Communication Design Association of the Philippines) that pushes the promotion of creative industries in ASEAN.