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RP shows off its best Furniture Design

Thursday, 03/25/2004

The 8th Philippine International Furniture Show (PIFS) was held recently in Manila at the World Trade Center and the Philippine Trade and Training Center. The twin venues provided a sprawling exhibit area, which accommodated more than a hundred of the country's finest furniture manufacturers and exporters.

During the event, the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines (CFIP), the show's organizer, handed out awards to honor a few of the exhibitors for their outstanding creations. The Likhang Pilipino or Made in the Philippines award was divided into four categories namely: Best Product Design, Best Product Collection, Best in Visual Merchandising and the Bagong Sibol Award. It was, given to recognize original and innovative product designs and presentations. The criteria for selection and judging included balance and proportions, visual impact and color harmony of design, quality and workmanship, its unique feature and technology used, as well as structure, durability and versatility.

Each exhibitor came up with highly original creations, which made the show an intoxicating splendor of beauty and creativity, and which may have made the judges' work doubly difficult. The Philippine furniture industry is already known for the inventive design and meticulous craftmanship of its creations. In the end, five exhibitors were chosen for this elite distinction.

Winning the Best Product Design for furniture was The Gilded Expressions for their winsome Threesome chair. Made from metal wire and designed by Ann Pamintuan, this chair is a graceful work of art. “They are more than just pieces of furniture,” said Pamintuan, the president and designer of The Gilded Expressions, as she talked about her creations, adding that, “They are sculptures.” What is also amazing about her work is that they combine two seemingly opposite sensations; the coldness and hardness of metal and the flowing elegance of her designs. Through Pamintuan's designs, metal is no longer seen as a harsh reminder of stiffness but a malleable medium of sensual beauty.

Also copping the Best Product Design — this time for accessories — is Lightworks Resources, Inc. for their beautifully unique Button Vase. The winning form is designed by Dr. Ravi Singh and is made of fiberglass. What's remarkable about this vase is that it is an aesthetic work in itself. “So even if you are not going to use it as a vase, you can still display it for its attractive design,” said Rashmi Tolentino Singh. Aside from this, equally remarkable is the distinctive finish of Dr. Singh's creations. “They are copper leafed and then patinized,” Singh explained. She's proud to say that their finishing technique, which gives their products a multicolored and exciting coating, is a method, which they themselves developed.

Maze Manufacturing Co. Inc.'s Classical Collection, on the other hand, took the Best Product Collection trophy. This time, the award is not given to a single piece of furniture or accessory but to the entire 'look' of a furniture collection. Judith Manarang together with her designer Ariel Liwag described the said look as simple yet elegant. Manarang also takes pride in the fact that her creations, which are made of wood and wrought iron, are selling very well in the world's high-end market. She credits the commercial success of her products by being up-to-date not only with latest design trends but also with the latest marketing trends.

On this note, the CFIP is inviting furniture manufacturers to the international marketing and merchandising forum: Focus on Furniture and Furnishings, which will be held on March 29, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Manila Diamond Hotel. This event will help furniture makers discover new and innovative strategies to help them penetrate and succeed in the US market. The forum will have Paul Polding as speaker. Polding is a renowned personality in the home furnishings industry in the US, Canada and Latin America with over 30 years of executive-level furniture industry experience.

Another winner, which banked on visual appearance, was TN Philippines Inc., which took the Best in Visual Merchandising prize. Their booth was a crowd drawer for the masterful fusion of the Zen and Tropical look, which promises a luxurious but uncomplicated lifestyle. The company is steered by Al Caronan, who boasts of an extensive experience in design and product presentation having worked before for CITEM. His products are proudly made of indigenous Philippine materials like capiz and shell.

Lastly, but certainly not the least, snagging the Bagong Sibol award was Via Africa Export and Trading Company for its buffet table. Made of antiqued mirror, a technique, which Via Antica developed, the winning piece is designed by Rommel Faustino. A testament to the innovative designs of Faustino was the audible awe in the faces of those who passed by to marvel at Via Antica's mirror furniture pieces, which reflect Faustino's creativity and talent.

In the end, the awards have once again demonstrated that the dynamic Philippine furniture industry has still much to offer to the furniture world. It has also reinforced the belief that the “Milan of Asia” as what the Philippines is often referred to, is still the benchmark for innovative furniture designs and attentive craftmanship. Finally, artistry and creativity is “uncommonly common” here.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan graced the show together with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cesar Purisima. Close to 1,000 foreign trade buyers and 500 local trade buyers visited the show, which generated business totaling almost $14 million.