New furniture right here, right now

MANILA, Philippines - Competitiveness in the international marketplace is the goal of the Philippine International Furniture Show-Manila Now, whose 2009 show is ongoing until tomorrow, March 8, at SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia Complex.

The Chamber of Furniture Industry in the Philippines, organizer of Manila Now 2009, welcomes international and local buyers to the show. Its goal is to produce more global stars like Kenneth Cobonpue, whose designs are featured in international magazines, and whose clients include Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie; and Clayton Tugonon, a craftsman whose work has gained rave reviews in Japan, the Slovak Republic and Singapore. Tugonon is among the talented designers taking part in the show, along with Reimon Gutierrez, Carlo Tanseco, Darwin Aviles, Marianito Alcala, Dem Bitantes, Val Padilla, Maria Victoria Rodriguez, Vito Angelo Selma and Ravi Singh.

Guests can expect the show to be a showcase of Filipino creativity and ingenuity with new designs featuring the best of imported and indigenous materials.

Manila Now exhibitors are targeting the high-end market and hospitality industry, including hotels and resorts, especially those undergoing renovations. The general managers of these resorts and hotels, and big-name interior designers have been invited to the event.

The show is a must for homeowners and builders who want to see the latest styles and trends in furniture, lighting and accessories since most of the collections on display are being shown for the very first time. Among the exhibitors are Azcor, Design Ligna, Diretso, and Las Palmas, which are launching their 2009 collections with cocktails and special events. Renowned designers are taking part in the designers’ gallery featuring this year’s theme, “Mirrors.”

Among the big names in the Philippine furniture industry taking part in Manila Now are Locsin, Lightworks, Design Ligna, Far East, Metamorfose, JB Woodcraft, Betis Craft, More Than A Chair, Vivere Lifestyle, and Maze.

Eduardo Zuluaga, chairman of Manila Now, says current furniture trends are simpler than ever as designs borrow influences from Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, and America. This year, many participants will also show eco-friendly pieces made from local materials. 

“Furniture trends today speak an international language and that’s what we want to show at Manila Now,” says Zuluaga. “This being a Philippine furniture show, local designers are showing the latest in classic cane, rattan, wood and loom designs.” He explains that Filipino pieces already stand out in the international market in terms of design, finishing and craftsmanship. “We are promoting the country to buyers as the ‘Italy of the East’ so we can be the premier buying destination for furniture in Asia.”

There is much cause for optimism, he says. “We are the only industry that actually grew last year while electronics, garments and minerals exports dropped. We don’t expect foreign buyers to buy in volume because the world economy is weak, but they will come because they can’t skip a year and have nothing new in their stores. Even at the last Maison et Objet show in Paris, I was able to convince some buyers to come a bit earlier in the direction of the Far East, and include Manila Now in their schedule instead of going only to the IFFS Singapore.”

Manila Now 2009’s major sponsors include Metrobank Foundation Inc., MADE, Furniture Shanghai, The Philippine Star, AREA, SMX Convention Center, Centrex, Uratex, Jimac, Chase Technologies Corp., Agility Fairs &Events, Coltrans, Global POS, Makati Shangri-La, Sofitel, Century Park, Heritage Hotel, and Bayview Park Hotel.

For more information, call Global-Link Exhibitions Specialist, Inc. at 750-8588, fax no. 750-8585 or e-mail info@globallinkph.com.