Cover Exploring the Fable Café + Lounge by Kenneth Cobonpue in BGC
Exploring the Fable Café + Lounge by Kenneth Cobonpue in BGC
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Learn how Kenneth Cobonpue is pushing the boundaries of design with Fable Cafe + Lounge in BGC, immersing guests in an otherworldly rainforest adventure
When one imagines a café, the image that comes to mind might be a cosy space with brick walls and warm wooden ceilings. Such spaces seek to be an extension of one’s home—a spot to work on a laptop or take a coffee break with friends. But industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue is ready to push the boundaries of café design. Renowned for his artisanal rattan furniture that elevates Filipino craftsmanship on the global stage, Cobonpue’s clientele includes Queen Sofia of Spain and Angelina Jolie, among others.
Nestled on the ground floor of Grand Hyatt Manila Residences in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is Cobonpue’s newest creation, Fable Café + Lounge. Departing from the traditional café setup, Fable invites guests to venture into an otherworldly world where elements of childhood tales merge with flora and fauna.
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Above The exterior of Kenneth Cobonpue's Fable Café + Lounge, featuring handmade paper by Wataru Sakuma
The exterior of Kenneth Cobonpue's Fable Café + Lounge, featuring handmade paper by Wataru Sakuma
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It was originally designed to be a café for showroom clients who wanted to explore how Cobonpue’s creations would fit seamlessly into their own spaces. “The more I started to think about it, I wanted it to take on a life of its own,” shares Cobonpue. “I wanted to transport people to another world.” From the moment one arrives, they are drawn into the mystery of a rainforest jungle. Handmade, forest green paper drapes the entryway, shielding it from the outside world.
Upon stepping inside, one feels as if they stepped through the looking glass into Alice’s whimsical Wonderland. The ceilings and walls are covered in giant, handmade flowers and leaves. The mood lighting is enhanced by cloud-shaped light fixtures and cages with different insects and animals, from praying mantises to undulating octopi.
Cobonpue’s favourite time to sit in Fable is when the café is transitioning to nighttime. “It transforms at night,” he says. “The creatures come out, the mood changes, the music heightens and the lights dim.”
Above Exploring the otherworldly café with distinctive handcrafted flowers on the wall and over the tables
Exploring the otherworldly café with distinctive handcrafted flowers on the wall and over the tables
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The space defies convention, a bold choice Cobonpue acknowledges. “The design is so ‘out there’ that some people said it might feel tiresome quickly, but I don’t care,” he insists. “The design is based on stories I grew up reading, and they’re still around today.”
Fable’s inspiration stems from Cobonpue’s childhood, when his mother read him bedtime stories about faraway lands and enchanted forests. “I would lie in bed imagining what they looked like. The next morning, I would recreate them with the materials around the house. That made for a fascinating childhood,” he shares. “This is a return to all of that, where I can recreate these stories all at once in a small space.”
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Above One of the tables in the café, featuring the Poppy Hanging Lamps
One of the tables in the café, featuring the Poppy Hanging Lamps
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The café features an array of Cobonpue’s signature furniture, from the chairs lining the tables to the lighting fixtures, while also allowing him to explore a new facet of his creativity. “Fable is the ultimate expression of what I couldn’t do with furniture alone,” he says. “Furniture can be limited by thinking about function and comfort. But with Fable, I’m free to do what I want: to bring you to another place.”
While Fable celebrates memories of the past, it also looks toward the future of sustainable design. “I want to make something sustainable in the sense that it lasts generations, that people treasure it and pass it on,” Cobonpue explains. Sitting at the intersection of traditional crafts and groundbreaking technology, he aims to inspire a new generation of designers.
With Fable, in particular, he wants Filipino designers to break away from expectations and try something new. “In this age of globalisation, everything is starting to look alike. But with modern design, people want to explore their cultural identity. I hope future designers can explore their identities, hopes, and beliefs. That is what people are interested in seeing.”
Above The bar area with seashell chairs beneath the Cloud Hanging Lamps
The bar area with seashell chairs beneath the Cloud Hanging Lamps
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Cobonpue’s lush and bold new venture is not limited to Fable Café + Lounge. Beside the café is a showroom for his eye-catching designs, from playful chairs to dynamic light fixtures. The Cloud Gallery will also make an exciting new addition to the space. The art gallery will feature the works of Southeast Asian artists like Ronald Ventura, whose sprawling blue sculpture adorns one of the café walls.
Like a living rainforest, Cobonpue’s vision will continue to evolve, shaped by his boundless creativity—and we eagerly await what’s next.
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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.
