Material innovation, Pinoy spirit distinguish KATHA 2025 awardees
By Joshua Fidel A. Feria
For creating world-class pieces of distinct Filipino character, a new set of local designers has been given the prestigious KATHA Award for Design Excellence on Thursday, October 16, the opening day of Manila FAME 2025.
During the 73rd edition of the country’s premier home, fashion and lifestyle (HFL) trade show, the Department of Trade and Industry-Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM) and Design Center of the Philippines (DCP), the award’s two co-presenters, named winners in the following major award categories:
- Best Product Design for Furniture, Lamps and Lighting: Curio Hanging Lamps by Kenneth Cobonpue
- Best Product Design for Home/Holiday Décor, Houseware, Gifts and Toys: Celestina Rugs by Hacienda Crafts
- Best Product Design for Fashion: Necklace1 by Arnel Papa
- Best Booth Design: Kenneth Cobonpue
Kenneth Cobonpue and Hacienda Crafts earned a prize package worth PHP 430,000; Arnel Papa’s amounted to PHP 350,000. As major award-winners, they are to receive a complimentary space in Manila FAME 2026 and a year-long subscription to FAME+, CITEM’s digital sourcing platform for HFL products, as well as airfare and hotel accommodation subsidies during their participation in CITEM-organized overseas trade fairs.
Celestina Rugs by Hacienda Crafts also received the Eco-Design Award, while Overlapping Fish Scale by Timber earned the Component Innovation Award. The two companies took home a package worth PHP 257,000, earning a complimentary space in Manila FAME 2026, free participation in CITEM-organized overseas trade shows in 2026, and a free one-year subscription to FAME+.
The KATHA Award 2025 Board of Jurors also recognized Folio Arbre by That One Piece and Free Form by Schema (Furniture, Lamps and Lighting); Owl in the Forest Wall Mounted Chest Set by P & B Valises et Compagnie (Home/Holiday Décor, Houseware, Gifts and Toys); Toblerone by Azcor Lighting Systems, Inc. (Eco-design); and Schema (Booth) as this edition’s “Highly Commended” products. Worth PHP 111,000, their package consists of a complimentary space in Manila FAME 2026 and a free one-year subscription to FAME+.
Furthermore, the KATHA Award winners are automatically qualified for the final deliberation stage of the Good Design Award Philippines. Launched in 2019 by the DCP, the Good Design Award Philippines is a national, biennial design excellence recognition system, honoring innovative works that address social issues and enrich the quality of human life. Its next edition will be held in May 2026.
The KATHA Award platform was introduced alongside Manila FAME in 1983. Philippine National Artist and DCP founding director Arturo Luz designed the KATHA logo.
PH designers’ vital role
“By harnessing their artistry and dedication, this year’s awardees carried out a valuable task on behalf of our design industry,” CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo said. “These exceptional works helped establish the Philippines as an exporter with real capabilities and depth, ensuring our enterprises remain within reach of global opportunities. We hope their success inspires other enterprises to participate in future KATHA editions.”
The KATHA Award 2025 Board of Jurors–comprising accomplished practitioners from relevant industries–selected winners based on the following criteria: form, function, innovation, positive user experience, and malasakit, or the measurable impact in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). Best Booth Design was judged based on the concept, use of space, product presentation, and visual appeal.
Banner caption:
CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo (fourth from left) and DTI Assistant Secretary and Supervising Head Al Valenciano (fifth from left) pose with the KATHA Award 2025 recipients and Board of Jurors during the awarding ceremony.
