Manila FAME Spotlights Innovative, Bold PH Home and Lifestyle Products through Katha Awards

The freshest and most innovative products from the Philippines’ esteemed designers and artisans took center-stage once again at the 69th edition of Manila FAME, which runs from April 25 to 27 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, Pasay City.

The recently held KATHA Awards puts a spotlight on sustainable products made by Philippine designers out of local indigenous materials for different sectors: furniture, lamps and lighting, home décor, fashion and seasonal décor.

“With plenty of talents across the country, the KATHA Awards gives distinction to fresh, original, and innovative designs that capture the spirit of Filipino creativity and ingenuity,” said CITEM Executive Director Pauline Suaco-Juan.

“This recognition inspires and encourage local companies to elevate the standards of Philippine design and craftsmanship, creating better export products through the skillful use and exploration of the country’s natural resources,” she added.

The country’s premier home and lifestyle event also gave an award for the company that has the best booth display and had a special citation for eco-design award to recognize innovative sustainable products.

According to Suaco-Juan, this edition’s Katha Award also allowed their judges as well as the buyers and visitors to pick a product through their Judges’ Pick Special Citation and People’s Choice Award.

Here are the winners of the KATHA Awards April 2019:

Best Product Design – Furniture

Product Name: Rasty Chair
Company: Coast Pacific
Designer: Florian Barrete Jr.

Best Product Design – Lamps & Lighting

Product Name: Vilo with Capiz Shade
Company: AZCOR
Designer: Eduardo Zulvaga

Best Product Design – Home Decor

Product Name: Sayawan
Company: Paperbound
Designer: Patrick Henry Chua

Best Product Design – Fashion

Product Name: Tamsi
Company: Lara by Province of Samar Designer: Governor Sharee Ann Tan

Best Product Design – Festive/Seasonal Decor

Product Name: Abaca Seda Tree
Company: PMP Social Enterprise
Designer: Jojo Sonillo

Best Booth Display
Company: Zarate Manila

Special Citation: Eco-Design Award

Product Name: Sunburst
Company: Nature’s Legacy
Designer: Chester John Lorete

Special Citation: Judges’ Pick

Product Name: Party Animal
Company: Art 24 Inc.
Designer: Pauline Co. (through Design Center of the Philippines)

People’s Choice Award

Product Name: Lara
Company: Lara by Province of Samar
Designer: Governor Sharee Ann Tan

The Best Product Design winners were chosen based on their product’s overall aesthetics (20%), function (30%), materials innovation (15), and product innovation (35%). The best booth display award is given to the exhibit with the best concept (30%), use of space (35%) and visual appeal (35%) to maximize their presence in Manila FAME. The Special Citation for Eco-Design Award is conferred based on concept (25%), manufacturing processes (30%), fitness of purpose (15%) and impact/environment benefits (30%).

Most of the awards were chosen based on the selection of the judges while the People’s Choice Award was given to the exhibitor who collected the most number of votes from the Manila FAME App.

Katha Awards judges include Miguel Rosales (Caramel, Inc.), Raymond Ang (Milk Man Marketing), Mark Jappy Gonzalez (H&F Retail Concepts), Kitty Bunag (Craftsmith Guild), Anne Arcenas-Gonzalez (Terry S.A.) and former Design Commune consultant Tony Gonzales (Kunst and Karte Corp.).

Since its inception in 1990, the Katha Awards has stood as the hallmark of Philippine product design excellence and innovation. The special distinction is awarded to Manila FAME companies and designers whose products embody the innovative design and material manipulation.

Running from April 25 to 27, Manila FAME is the Philippines’ premier design and lifestyle event organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotion arm of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

For more information about the show, visit www.manilafame.com