Manila FAME opens submissions for coveted KATHA Award 2026

The KATHA Award has served as a launchpad for acclaimed Filipino manufacturers and brands that have gained international recognition.

By Aly Dela Peña

In celebration of Philippine ingenuity and design excellence, the prestigious KATHA Award of the home, fashion, and lifestyle trade show Manila FAME, opens nominations for participating exhibitors. From August 11 to September 11, 2026, manufacturers and brands can submit their applications to become the next KATHA Award winner.

Since its inception in 1983, the KATHA Award has been the hallmark of Philippine product design. The award encourages creativity and innovation among local designers and manufacturers and recognizes ingenious designs. It encourages exporters to raise their standards for export products and pursue a skillful exploration of new materials and processes.

Over the decades, the KATHA Award has served as a launchpad for acclaimed Filipino manufacturers and brands that have gained international recognition. Esteemed design powerhouses such as Kenneth Cobonpue, Hacienda Crafts, Arnel Papa, Timber, That One Piece, Prizmic & Brill, Azcor, and Schema have all graced the KATHA roster of winners in 2025, elevating local craftsmanship and material manipulation onto the global stage. 

The Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), in partnership with the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP), will select exhibitors who will vie for the following categories:

Major Awards

• • Best Product Design
    • • Furniture & Furnishings
      • Lamps & Lighting
      • Home Décor, Houseware, Gifts
      • Holiday Décor  & Toys
      • Fashion

• • Best Booth Design

Special Citations

• • Eco-Design Award (integration of renewable or biodegradable materials)
  • Component Innovation Award (ingenuity in materials or manufacturing processes)

The board of judges will use the following criteria for best products: innovation and creativity, functional excellence, aesthetics, sustainability, and social impact. For the best booth, judges will consider product presentation, visual appeal, concept, and use of space.

This year’s KATHA Award winners will automatically qualify for the initial deliberation of the Good Design Award Philippines and are eligible for the final deliberation. The program, launched in 2019 by DCP, honors breakthrough designs that blend form, function, and innovation with the Filipino value of malasakit (compassion) to solve social challenges.

A PHP 450,000 package awaits the Best Product Design awardees, with the following inclusions:

• • 36 sqm raw space at Manila FAME 2027 (18sqm for Fashion)
  • 2027-2028 CITEM-Organized Overseas Trade Show package participation fee (cap of USD 2,500)
  • Airfare subsidy for 1 pax (cap of USD 1,000)
  • 4 nights of hotel accommodation (cap of USD 150/night)
  • Free 1-year subscription to FAME+

And a PHP 257,000 package will be awarded to special citation winners, with the following inclusions:

• • 18 sqm raw space at Manila FAME 2027
  • 2026 CITEM-organized Overseas Trade Show package participation fee (cap of USD 2,500)

To submit their entries, the exhibitors may fill out this form. The KATHA Award terms and conditions can be found here. Entries may be sent through self-nominations, or by co-exhibitors and/or accredited Business Support Organizations (BSOs).

The announcement of winners will be on October 14, a day before the 74th edition of the fair. For questions, contact the Manila FAME team at [email protected].

Manila FAME is set to open its doors on October 15-17, 2026, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila in Pasay City. Learn more about the biggest home, fashion, and lifestyle trade show in the Philippines at https://fameplus.com/manila_fame/.