Cover Industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue with his creations for Manila FAME 2025
Industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue with his creations for Manila FAME 2025
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With the theme ‘Objects of Nature’, the 2025 iteration of Manila FAME celebrates Filipino creativity through the most innovative design trends
Is design an innate talent, or can it be learned over time? Whether driven by nature or nurture, many designers are now showcasing their most creative responses to this question at Manila FAME—the second-longest-running trade show in Asia, featuring some of the most cutting-edge finds in Filipino home décor, fashion and lifestyle. From October 16 to 18, the trade show returns to the World Trade Center in Pasay City, ready to showcase the best of what the Philippines has to offer.
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Above Deputy Executive Director of the Design Center of the Philippines, Lucky Lopez; Executive Director for the Design Center of the Philippines, Rhea O. Matute; newly appointed Deputy Executive Director of the DTI-Creative Industries Development Office, Paolo Federico Ramos; Milo Naval; CITEM Executive Director, Leah Pulido Ocampo; Kenneth Cobonpue; Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque and Tony Gonzales at the media preview for Manila FAME 2025
Deputy Executive Director of the Design Center of the Philippines, Lucky Lopez; Executive Director for the Design Center of the Philippines, Rhea O. Matute; newly appointed Deputy Executive Director of the DTI-Creative Industries Development Office, Paolo Federico Ramos; Milo Naval; CITEM Executive Director, Leah Pulido Ocampo; Kenneth Cobonpue; Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque and Tony Gonzales at the media preview for Manila FAME 2025
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The theme for this year’s exhibition, ‘Objects of Nature’, encapsulates the Filipinos’ long-standing fascination with the world around them, a theme that comes naturally to Kenneth Cobonpue. The Cebu-based, internationally-renowned industrial designer has been featured in the homes of Angelina Jolie and Queen Sofia of Spain, as well as in movies such as Ocean’s Thirteen and Total Recall.
Despite his international claim to fame, Cobonpue once found himself at a crossroads: his application for industrial design in college was once denied. Instead of forfeiting his dream, he focused on learning the basics. “I went back to the drawing board,” he shared. “My passion to create great things was there—and with passion, you can do everything.”
He credits such a resilient love for design to his mother, Betty Cobonpue, a furniture designer who was an exhibitor at Manila FAME. “I remember coming here with my mother when I was a young boy,” said Cobonpue. “I saw the show grow from its first edition, and I am proud to see just how far it’s come.” After gathering his learnings from the Philippines, Cobonpue later studied at the Pratt Institute and workshops in Italy and Germany before returning to his homeland with a renewed and resilient design eye for furniture-making.
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Above Industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue's creations for Manila FAME 2025
Industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue's creations for Manila FAME 2025
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Now, Cobonpue expresses his enthusiasm at rejoining Manila FAME. For him, the yearly trade fair is a prime opportunity to take the pulse of the Philippines’ thriving design scene. “I don’t think there’s a venue as expansive as this, where you can see homegrown Philippine talent in fashion, art and furniture,” he enthused.
Anchoring each Manila FAME piece on the theme ‘Objects of Nature’ is a distinctive approach to the global trend towards sustainability. “There are no straight lines in nature,” said Cobonpue. “Everything is round, organic and soft, which are the trends we see at places like Milan Design Week. Filipino designers at Manila FAME weave that in with a tropical context through the materials and forms they use.”
Above The main installation of home and fashion goods on display at Manila FAME 2025, created by the most innovative Filipino designers
The main installation of home and fashion goods on display at Manila FAME 2025, created by the most innovative Filipino designers
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For young designers, Cobonpue encourages them to attend the awaited exhibition for themselves. “Here you will see the full spectrum of Philippine design, to see where you can push the boundaries and find a space for yourself,” he advised.
As Manila FAME returns, it proves itself to be more than a trade show. Instead, it has become a community that nurtures Filipinos’ innate talents while championing their lifelong love of the craft.
Attend Manila FAME 2025, built on the theme ‘Objects of Nature’. Register on fameplus.com and follow them on Facebook at ManilaFAMEOfficial and Instagram @manilafame.
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About
Celine first read Charlotte’s Web at the age of five–and she hasn’t stopped turning pages since. Her favourite authors are Mona Awad and Nat Cassidy. Besides writing for Tatler, she listens to BTS and spends time with her family.
Work
Celine took up secondary education with a major in English, graduating from De La Salle University in 2023. She advocates for female empowerment through creative expression by writing for Tatler Homes.
For story leads or inquiries, you may reach out to her via celine.dabao@tatlerasia.com.
