Manila FAME: The Philippines’ finest artisanal source under one roof
Ever since the design fair Manila FAME was launched in the ‘80s, I have looked forward to visiting this vast exhibit which brings to the fore the finest of Filipino design and workmanship—from furniture and furnishings to fashion, from one end of the country to the other.
Why? Whatever gloomy weather and circumstances we may be experiencing as a country, Manila FAME is a megadose of sunshine, a pure shot of happiness. I am elated, awed and inspired by our world-class designers who make me proud of being Filipino. Seeing the breadth and depth and scope of our ingenuity lifts my spirits because I see how we are world-class in that respect. Given the right breaks, we are trailblazers who can lead the way in a global marketplace.
The press preview of the 73rd edition of Manila FAME, from Oct. 16 to 18 at the World Trade Center, further bolstered my convictions. With vignettes by Kenneth Cobonpue, Tony Gonzalez, and Manila FAME 2025 curator Milo Naval, plus the unveiling of a colorful display of artisanal projects inspired by nature, we know that this year’s exhibit will continue to stun foreign buyers and local visitors alike.
DTI Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque welcomed guests with an encouraging speech where she vowed her department’s full support for the creative and design industry, as part of the agenda for ASEAN 2026 which the Philippines will be hosting. She believes that the Philippines has an edge when it comes to artisanal craftsmanship.
“We feel that if we push the creative industry, that will be a driver for trade and tourism,” said the Secretary for Trade and Industry. “Aside from fashion, arts and furniture, we are pushing design for gaming and design for anime. This will provide a better salary for our people in those fields, and they can work from home. We are propelling artisanal industries and women-led initiatives.”
“Manila FAME celebrates Filipino creativity and is the very soul of the Filipino identity,” she added, promising support for design companies looking at markets both abroad and locally. “There are 29 DTI offices around the world with 21 trade attaches, so anywhere you want to explore, just message me. Creative industry will be part of our priority discussions in the 2026 ASEAN. There are going to be 500 meetings, and 200 of those will be for this industry.”
CITEM executive Leah Pulido Ocampo is excited about CITEM’s plans for the 2026 participation in fairs abroad such as Object D’Art in Paris, Salone de Mobile in Milan and High Point Market in North Carolina, USA. I asked her about US tariffs, and she replied that since we and all other Asian countries have the same tariffs to deal with, the main focus is on how to excel.
She was happy to discuss the new emphasis on and inclusion of architectural components such as wall covers and panels, doors, handles, and other parts that can cater to luxury hotels, yachts, and stores. “This will set us above our Asian competitors,” she said, mirroring Secretary Roque’s observations that while other countries promote electric cars or polymers, our products are natural and sustainable. These products will be displayed at Manila FAME in the Philippine Components section.
There are different pavilions within Manila FAME that share this year’s theme, “Objects of Nature.” The theme celebrates the beauty of nature that abounds in the Philippines, plus the natural resources and inspiration it supplies. The Design Commune section has veteran Tony Gonzalez mentoring new generation designers Uzel Alconera, Jaime Brias, and Jim Zarate Torres. They, in turn, collaborate with 20 local manufacturers across the country in home and holiday décor.
The Artisans Village section for 2025 is centered on the skills and creativity of Bohol, Ilocos Sur, Quirino, and Tarlac. The Village this year provided international mentorship through Patti Carpenter, who is behind carpenter+company and an expert in color and trend forecasting. “Color is 85 percent of the reason a buyer walks over to a product,” she explained. “Having the right colors was very important.”
But aside from putting the Philippines on the map as the go-to for innovative, functional, sustainable, and downright gorgeous furniture, furnishings, architectural components, fashion, and more, not to mention providing jobs across a wide range of arts and crafts, can design help the country out of its present situation, mired as it is in corruption issues and other woes?
World-renowned Kenneth Cobonpue definitely thought so. “For everything, there’s a design solution,” he noted. “Design isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s really about problem-solving. There are a lot of things that you can do, real-world solutions for infrastructure that designers can help with.”
He cited the regional development council, where projects go through a clearing house, a private group that coordinates with agencies and local government. Under the law, there are no more insertions once a project is approved. He also noted that there are bridges, for example, that are designed by engineers and not architects. Those and public buildings or even ports, which are the first things that foreigners see, would benefit from the employment of a designer or architect. His designs for 2026 Salone Mobile in Milan will be previewed at Manila FAME, including a representation of the Parian meant to be hung over the dining table.
Tony Gonzalez shared that local designers have already achieved very high standards of workmanship, but should go back to focus on being manufacturers. “It’s where we started, and we should go back to that. If we focus on manufacturing, we can provide many more jobs in our towns.”
Last but not least, Manila FAME 2025 curator Milo Naval shared my view that visiting Manila FAME brings entertainment, happiness, and optimism in the darkest of times. He cited his faith in God and his positive attitude that sparked his creativity continually through the decades.
“In this show, I am presenting what I think is a modern home today,” he said of a stunning collection of home décor in black which actually looked happy and not somber. Case in point was the collaboration with Clair Concepcion Barberis of Artifeks for a black table top piece featuring feathered black birds, nests and votives perched on metal branches.
Like everything else that we previewed, this stunning black piece was something I would love to have in my home. That’s what Manila FAME’s collection of astounding designers and their creations can do—it can’t solve every problem that we have, but can bring sunshine and happiness to the gloomiest of days.
