Luise Robinson wins Mugna Awards as Cebu Designers Stamp Mark on Manila fame

CEBU, Philippines - Manila’s biggest furniture and accessories show opened its doors to the world, and Cebu’s designers made sure they stood out from the madding crowd.

As the global audience made their way into the security of the world class venue that was SMX, they were greeted with fantastic samples of Cebu artistry.  Holding court inside the main furniture hall were Cebu stalwarts Pacific Traders, Metamorfose, Mehitabel, and Finali, together with Carlo Cordaro of atelier a and Kenneth Cobonpue with his special partnership with the multi-racial designers of HIVE.

Special consultants to the FAME experience were Budji Layug and global brand and household name Kenneth Cobonpue, who collaborated in the special curated exhibit entitled the Millenial Home.  Featuring notable designers and furniture manufacturers, the exhibit tried to capture what the collective vision of these artists were for homes in the coming millenia, and came up with a grandiose yet quite livable space for future earthlings.

Incorporated seamlessly into the magical scene were oustanding pieces from the ateliers of Inigo Elizalde, Cobonpue, Luisa Robinson, and Ito Kish.  Meanwhile, special settings were prepared to highlight successful collaborations between manufacturers and designers, such as Triboa Bay Living with Jinggoy Buensuceso, Tadeco, Inc. with Olivia d’Aboville, Industria Vico with Eric Paras and Peter and Paul, Inc., again with Eric Paras.

Bon Ace, a Cebu based manufacturer, showcased its collaboration with Luisa Robinson. That union won the collaborationists big time, as a piece from the collection garnered a Mugna award for Material Innovation.  The winning entry was a console table that played with stainless steel and a fractured surface reflecting myriad lights, elements that were repeated in other pieces like polished stools with cracked mirror innards, white Calla lily lamps with silvery reflective inner petals, and even piglets cobbled from gold, silver or bronze chips.

Presidential sister Kris Aquino oohed and aahed over the piglet stools, noting the little red heart that embellished each porcine figure.  Meanwhile, Josie Cruz Natori, Ces Orena Drilon and Tessa Prieto Valdez stopped by the new line launched by Luisa Robinson, Luisa Home, and gushed over the  minaret lamps and japanese rice boxes brought by Mrs. Robinson to the heights of luxury.

Hot young designer Leeroy New, already known for designing a costume for Lady Gaga, trotted out infinity inspired lamps, steel coils of endless repetitive loops.  Carlo Cordaro showed a lighter palette of colors, from bleached wood to beige cloths.

Cobonpue, on the other hand, introduced offbeat colors for his now iconic Yoda and Bloom chairs.

Over by the Cebu Bijoux side at the top floor, Cebu was ably represented by Iris Fernan Arcenas, who showcased her accessory heavyweight, Ferimar while lovely daughter Mia Arcenas proved she was already capable of standing on her own (gorgeous) legs, with the launch of her eponymous line.

Manila Wear, a new feature of the FAME show, sought to bring a fashion vibe to the show with booths of pret-a-porter and accessories from couturiers.  But this was a misnomer, as Cebu designers Oj Hofer and Junjun Escario made sure their home base was not forgotten.

After four grueling days of meeting finicky buyers, the discerning public and inquisitive media, it was time for the Cebu contingent to pack their bags and head home.  But their loads were considerably lighter, as most of the display pieces had already found their way into the homes of Manila’s elite. All in all, it was a great success, and so the next challenge for these flag bearers would be the October 2013 show.

What can we expect from them?  Only the unexpected. (FREEMAN)