Women in design

By Carla Zaide

For generations, women have been immensely contributing to the evolution of industries that continue to shape our daily lives. In the world of design, women’s influence runs deep—they take on different roles while performing their responsibilities to their families and community. However, their names and faces are too often left out of the narratives that shape its history. Their stories remain as whispers, falling on deaf ears, and their legacy slowly fading into the background. At a time when advancing women’s rights has considerably made great strides, the paved road is still a long journey. Manila FAME, as a platform that spotlights Filipino craftsmanship and ingenuity, honors three Filipino women whose creativity, vision, and resilience have established themselves as forces to be reckoned with in a still male-dominated industry.

Myrna Bituin: The matriarch preserving the legacy of woodcarving

Myrna Bituin is the visionary co-founder of JB Woodcraft—an industry pioneer that has redefined the art of hand-carved wooden furniture. More than just a leader, she is the driving force behind the company’s success, a matriarch whose unwavering dedication has kept the craft alive.

Despite the challenges of preserving traditional techniques and classical aesthetics in a modern world, Bituin remains an unstoppable force, ensuring that the legacy of fine woodcarving endures.

Hand-carved mirror frame by JB Woodcraft, recently featured in Manila FAME 2024 and Maison&Objet

Hand-carved coffee table by JB Woodcraft, recently featured in Manila FAME 2024 and Maison&Objet

With the support of her children—now at the helm of the next-generation furniture enterprises, including Betis Crafts, More than a Chair, and South Sea Veneer—Bituin has championed initiatives that extend beyond business. Together, they have made it their mission to support the education of their workers’ children while actively collaborating with the government institutions such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and state universities to establish woodcarving programs, ensuring the craft’s continued growth and preservation.

This commitment to sustain the creative ecosystem of woodcarving stems from her belief that intricate details and meticulous finishes, when thoughtfully integrated, bring a timeless elegance to modern spaces. Beyond aesthetics, Bituin’s designs cultivate a deeper connection to nature and offer an immersive experience of artistry, tradition, and craftsmanship, especially to those who take the time to appreciate them up close.

Betty Cobonpue: The unsung visionary turned celebrated pioneer in rattan furniture

Best known for her Scultura Collection and collaborative designs with her son, renowned Filipino designer Kenneth Cobonpue, Betty Cobonpue is a pioneering force in rattan furniture, whose vision and innovations have redefined the art of material manipulation.

She pioneered a groundbreaking technique of laminating fine rattan vines, enabling her to craft sculptural forms with graceful, flowing lines and an absence of hard edges. This distinctive approach not only set her work apart but also ushered in a new era of artistry in rattan craftsmanship.

However, despite her innovations, Cobonpue’s contributions initially went unrecognized. Many of her early works bore no mention of her name, leaving her groundbreaking designs uncredited. In an interview with Manila FAME, her son, Kenneth Cobonpue, highlighted the struggles his mother, and many other Filipino designers, have faced in trying to gain the recognition they deserve. He recalled the small factory behind their home, where his mother Betty diligently crafted pieces that would go on to carry someone else’s label. Her designs, with features and aesthetics that are unmistakably hers, were sent out into the world without her name on them.

Today, Betty Cobonpue stands as a celebrated icon in furniture design, finally earning the acclaim that eluded her in her early years. Her pioneering spirit and dedication to her craft have not only shaped the rattan industry but also paved the way for future generations of Filipino designers, proving that true artistry transcends time.

Patis Tesoro: The Grand Dame of Philippine fashion

The prestigious title of “Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion” is not earned overnight. It is the culmination of years of relentless innovation, dedication, and mastery of the craft. This is precisely why Patis Tesoro is an indispensable name in any feature on Filipino women in design.

Maria Beatriz “Patis” Pamintuan Tesoro's journey in fashion began early. Learning the foundations from her mother, a dressmaker, she honed her embroidery skills in high school. After marrying into the Tesoro family, renowned purveyors of fine Filipino handicrafts, she was further immersed in the world of indigenous and traditional art, gaining invaluable knowledge from her mother-in-law.

Years of continuous learning, combined with her visionary creativity and innovative approach, cemented Tesoro’s pivotal role in reviving the piña fabric industry. Her bold reinterpretation of the baro’t saya, infusing it with flair, intricate details, and exotic aesthetics, redefined how Filipinos saw traditional wear. By modernizing heritage textiles while honoring their origins, she bridged the gap between tradition and contemporary fashion.

A yellow gold gown by Patis Tesoro at the annual fashion show fundraiser of the Philippine International Aid (PIA) in 2012 (Photo from Positively Filipino)

PatisTesoro’s modern kimona & malong with printed art piece “Tarsier”

Deemed far ahead of her time, Tesoro’s remarkable work is more than just fashion—it is a testament to cultural preservation, artistry, and sustainability. Her legacy continues to inspire new generations of designers, proving that tradition, when approached with passion and innovation, remains timeless.