April 11, 2012

I was one of the judges again for this season’s Katha Awards at Manila FAME. Unlike last year’s Manila FAME where we, the board of judges, decided that no one would be awarded, this year found the most interesting winners in all categories.

I don’t have the actual figures but from what I saw the few days I was at that expo, it felt like the energy and positive vibes were back. There seemed to have been more foreign buyers. I’d be curious to know the figures.

The Katha Board of Judges (Front row, L-R) Lino Santiago of NCIDP (secretariat), Jeannie Javelosa, Daphne Osena-Paez, and Rachy Cuna. (Back row, L-R) Rino Datuin of NCIDP (secretariat), Rey Soliven, Robert Alejandro, Tristan Jovellana, Daniel dela Cruz, Tonichi Nocom, and Maco Custodio

Here’s Vikki Rodriguez of Accesoria Inc. who won for Best Product Design in Housewares.

I was glad I was able to attend the awarding of the winners the next day, that I saw Ito Kish’s reaction when his name was called for Best Product Design in Furniture and Best Booth Design. It was a busy week for me. I had a booth at WorldBex. In fact the day of judging Manila FAME was the same opening day of WorldBex where I participated in the opening rites and was also a judge for their interior design contest (on top of manning my booth).

Best Product Design for Furniture - Gregoria by Ito Kish
Selected for its massing of balustre, a design icon of Filipino ancestral homes, combined with the woven solihiya for the seat.

Best Product Design for Holiday and Gifts - Anahaw Tree by Philippine Treasures
Selected for the use of anahaw leaves cut in well-proportioned manner, as well as for its quality finishing.

Best Product Design for Jewelry - Feather Agate by Lafina Moda by Kitsilver Jewelry.
Selected for its intricate craftsmanship of traditional gold filigree rendered in contemporary fashion.

Best Product Design for Housewares - Kinks & Curls by Accessoria, Inc.
Selected for its ingenious use of natural rattan splits.

Special Citation for Eco Award was a tie between this Necklace produced thru NuCast Process created by Floreia…
Selected for the its Nucast proccess (use of recycled paper material and process). Products promote sustainability and are biodegradable, recyclable and environmentally-friendly with no volatile organic compound.

Special Citation for Eco Award (tie). Chair produced thru Naturecast Process created by Naturecast Eximport.
Selected for its patented trademark process, Naturecast, that applies green manufacturing process. It is made up of fallen barks, twigs, dead shrubs and other agro-forest waste which are classified and shredded, and uses odorless water-based binder to produce works of applied arts.

Best Booth Design – Ito Kish.

During CITEM’s Manila FAME, I got the chance to have an exclusive interview with Brazilian design superstars, Campana Brothers. I’ll be having that video edited and uploaded this week. You’ll love them.

You might also like: