And the award goes to...

Those who have been nominated for any award would agree that the few seconds before the winner is announced is the most nerve-wracking and heart-pounding moment of any awarding event. These were exactly what several Filipino designers and manufacturers felt when the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) handed out the most coveted Katha awards at the 42nd edition of Manila FAME International last October during its buyer reception at the Embassy.

The Katha recognizes new innovations in product design, exceptional booth presentations, most creative promo collateral (although there was no winner in this category this year), and website. The October 2005 winners were chosen by a distinguished board of judges, composed of some of the country’s foremost authorities on design: top fashion designers Cesar Gaupo and Inno Sotto, bag designer Bea Valdes, architect Joey Yupangco, publicist Susan Joven, Lesty Mijares of the Foreign Buyers Association of the Philippines (FOBAP), and Luis Manalang of the Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (PDDCP).

Aside from choosing the final winners, judges were also given the gargantuan task of selecting the nominees, which meant going from booth to booth in the five venues (World Trade Center, East Pavilion, Philippine Trade Training Center, and the Forum and Reception Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center). Definitely not an easy job, (considering that there were a total of 536 companies, all with thousands of equally beautiful products and stunning booths) and could result in major visual overload for anyone without a sharp eye and, well, good taste.

"Just being nominated indicates that the company has demonstrated exceptional creativity. They obviously worked hard at innovating and upping the ante of Philippine design," says Felicitas Agoncillo-Reyes, DTI assistant secretary for International Trade and CITEM executive director.

And the winners for the Best Product Design are: Flyweight and Handmade Paper Backlight (gifts category); Woven Pillows and Cesto Planters (houseware); Sinag Lighted Shelves and Portico Floor Lamp (lumina); the Palau Chair (furniture); and Leaning Christmas Tree (holiday decor).

Flyweight is Tes Pasola’s creative take on the often ordinary paperweight. She has succeeded in making this humdrum object interesting by wrapping stones with abaca twine in eye-catching colors.

The Handmade Paper Backlight designed by Wataru Sakuma for Masa Ecological Development, Inc. is an eco-friendly paper screen that doubles as a wall decor and light diffuser.

Carlo Tanseco made snuggling more delightful with his Woven Pillows, which he designed for Formax International. Luxurious silk in different hues and the weaving pattern made this common home item an instant standout.

Milo Naval of Evolve Designs has won countless Katha awards for his revolutionary designs, and this time, he earned not one, but two. Aside from being recognized for his Cesto planters, which are oversized tilted planters made of laminated wood wrapped in wild grass, he also bagged a Katha for Best Booth. It is interesting to note that the award he received last year was also for oversized planters using handmade paper.

Designed by William Gordon for Raphael Legacy Designs, Inc., the Sinag Lighted Shelves are made of marble stone, fiberglass, and plastic mosaic.

The Portico Floor Lamp is a deviation from the normal shape of existing lighting designs. This sculptural piece, designed by Val Padilla for Locsin International, perfectly utilized handmade paper and crazy-weave nito.

Daniel Dela Cruz designed the Leaning Christmas Tree for Alriver Export Corporation, a contemporary tabletop tree made of die-cut metal sheet with crystal accent.

The Palau chair by Designs Ligna is designer Dem Bitantes’ contemporary interpretation of the classic slatback chair.

The Best Product Collection went to Domisilla, designed by Joel Enriquez for More Than A Chair, while the Best Website was awarded to Swambi Incorporated (judged by Digital Filipino.com).