'Cebu Furniture' book launch

Being strong in mixed-media furniture such as rattan, wood, abaca, bamboo, aluminum and raffia, has earned for the Philippines the reputation as being the Milan of Asia.

Cebu, in particular, has made a name for itself in the furniture industry through its exquisite craftsmanship and innovative designs. It continues to be one of the country’s highest export sales earners. This can be attributed to the continued global recognition for excellence in product design as well as originality, imagination and resourcefulness in the application of materials.

To document the history of the Cebu furniture industry, which started in the ’20s, publishers Charles Streegan of Pacific Traders and Manufacturing Corp.  and ArtPostAsia  recently launched  the  much-anticipated book Cebu Furniture, a History of Inspiration and Innovation at Gilt lounge.

Guests had the opportunity to admire and try out some of the furniture displayed, which are featured in the book. These included iconic pieces from designers and manufacturers such as Bernice Montenegro for Pacific Traders; Debbie Palao, for Design Ventures Cebu; Frank Ligthart for Dedon; Marguerite Lhuillier for Infini and Paula Rodriguez for Detalia Aurora.

Also included in the book are exquisite, world-class furniture by Mehitabel,  award-winning designer Kenneth Cobonpue for Interior Crafts of the Islands; Alenter Cane, Gamallosons Traders, Maitland-Smith, Raphael Legacy Designs, Casa Cebuana and  Castilex.

Streegan, former president of the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation (CFIF), in his foreword speaks of this book project as a “tribute to the industry, an appreciation of its history, a recognition of the many remarkable and passionate people who pioneered and blazed new trails, and catapulted Cebu furniture design and manufacturing into today’s global arena.”

The 300-page book traces the Cebu furniture industry’s beginnings and evolution, following the personal and corporate journeys of those who have developed the industry to where and what it is today. It also establishes a graphic timeline and origin of over 100 classic and modern landmark pieces that placed Cebu on the global map, as a source of quality and well-designed furniture.

Given special mention in the book is US Army Major Clarence Gushurst, who took an interest in rattan while in Cebu. He partnered with Maria Montenegro Aboitiz and in 1947 they established Mehitabel Furniture Company. The following years also brought a number of expatriates to the islands’ thereby creating new businesses for themselves and their Filipino friends.

Another significant event that changed the course of the Cebu furniture industry was the initiative of John and Elinor McGuire, former residents of the Philippines, who took notice of the potential of the skilled craftsmen and  became one of the first international buyers of Cebu Rattan furniture. 

Among the very first distinctive Cebu-made furniture that made its mark abroad is the McGuire Bamboo table used at the foyer of the White House in Washington, DC, during the term of President Richard Nixon. Likewise in 1983, US President Ronald Reagan and the “Iron Lady,” Margaret Thatcher, UK Prime Minister, were photographed sitting on McGuire rattan armchairs proudly handcrafted in Cebu.