Manila Fame (March 2015)

Me with the Kenneth Cobonpue

Manila Fame tickled my fancy to the extreme! :) I was over the moon to have met some of my favorite designers and artists in the event so even though I am 8 months late in sharing this, I can still feel my excitement and happiness while recalling the moments I have had in Manila Fame March 2015!

When the Philippines International Furniture Show (PIFS) invited me to be one of their medias (blogger), I was a bit surprised to see two events held at the same time and at the same location. I mean, I wasn't prepared but it was definitely very fun!

Manila Fame was located at the second floor of the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, while PIFS was at the ground floor. And of course, just like what I did in PIFS, I also went to Manila Fame (March 2015) almost everyday. hehe.

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Manila FAME
The Design and Lifestyle Event

"Considered as the country’s premier design and lifestyle event, Manila FAME is a bi-annual showcase of craftsmanship, design innovation, and artisanship in Philippine products. It features finely selected furniture and home furnishings, holiday gifts and décor, and fashion accessories designed and crafted in the Philippines for the global market.

Since 1983, Manila FAME has nurtured and promoted Philippine manufacturers and producers in the global market; consistently featuring top-quality export products and unique Philippine craftsmanship in home and fashion."

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I have heard about Manila Fame ever since my first year in college but I have never checked them out until this year. The reason why I never visited them before is because their entrance fee was expensive (around Php 400.00 as told by my batchmate). I was just a student and I'd rather use the money for art materials. This year, it was free! PIFS has an entrance fee though but you will not regret, I tell you. :">

She sells seashells by the seashore...

The Philippines is the pearl of the orient and it will not have this sobriquet for nothing! I loved all the seashells and the products and I'm so saddened by the fact that I was still a starving, poor art student last March because I could have bought something in there! To be honest, I was eyeing the dream catchers...

It was interesting to see the process of paghahabi with my own eyes... in the middle of an air conditioned room. haha :")

Paper flowers

I actually spent a lot of time in this booth because why not? I mean, we don't have a garden at home but I wanted to take home everything because my inner fairy self was urging me to do so. And all their pieces made me smile from ear to ear.

And then this art piece was so me! Mermaid + the ocean + pink ! It's perfect for a shabby chic or country interiors. But I think that whatever design style you have, this can be incorporated. :))

I believe these pieces are for exports only. Sad isn't it? They were made in your country but if you really, really want a piece, you have to buy it elsewhere other than your own country.

I think you can still buy a piece even if you're from here but they only have limited stocks for local selling. I'm not so sure but that's what I understood from the exhibitor.

Anyway, they don't allow photo takings but I managed to capture these two shots before the exhibitor asked me to stop.

Interesting chair design. And it's comfy... perfect for reading adventures. I want a piece!

An obligatory aisle photo alongside my coupe back arms in fourth position ballet pose in the well-lit booth of fans.

On instagram, I shared that my butt is now very precious because i have sat in a kenneth cobonpue piece. :))))) huhuuu. Fangirling mode on like omg! hahaha :)

fly towards your dreams, rae. flyyyy.

Trapeze Chandelier

On the second day, I went to Manila Fame with my mom. Unfortunately, Kenneth Cobonpue wasn't there. But on the last day of the event, HE WAS THERE! HE WAS THERE! HE WAS THEEEERE!

After years of adoring his works, I finally met him!

I posted an instax photo of us on instagram and I shared, "A moment I will remember for the rest of my life. Huhu. I finally met the world renowned, multi-awarded, industrial designer Sir @kennethcobonpue at #ManilaFame 2015. I can't encapsulate my feelings. Huhu. Grabe talaga! Ang saya ko. Worth-it pag absent ko sa class. Haha ;)"

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This was the highlight of my Manila Fame experience --- meeting Sir Kenneth Cobonpue and Sir Jinggoy Buensuceso. And I did not attend one of my classes just to meet them! I know, I know. A fangirl's gotta do what a fangirl's gotta do. hahaha

On the second day of Manila Fame, I explored it with my mom. We entered a light exhibition and I noticed the quoted phrases of Jinggoy Buensuceso on the wall. And I was like (to mom), "Oh I know him. Sa kanya pala 'to... Oh my gosh, nandito po ba siya kuya?" And the exhibitor was laughing at me (he's probably laughing at my reaction when I realized that it was Sir Jinggoy's exhibition) and told me that he'll be there later in the afternoon. Apparently, mommy can no longer wait for the afternoon because she wanted us to go na to Worldbex and Obra Maestra after lunch. But I really, really wanted to meet him so I was a bit sad. Then I realized that I have his number nga pala so I texted him! I asked if he'll visit the next day because I wanted to meet him and get my picture taken with him. He said he'll be there on the last day. So I scheduled myself to visit Manila Fame once more on the last day. haha.

Jinggoy Buensuceso is an amazing visual artist and sculptor. He's also so nice. He even toured me and my best friend in his booth and somehow explained his pieces. (I felt like a VIP. lol). He also gave us tips. Anyway, the thing is, I used his doodle chair on the VIP lounge of my thesis project and he was very accommodating and super nice I swear! And I was just very grateful that he answered my inquiries during the process of my thesis study. So I am fangirling. hehe.

I dragged my best friend, Divine, to go with me again to PIFS and Manila Fame because I told her that I wanted to meet this certain visual artist that I am fangirling over. Luckily, WE ALSO MET KENNETH COBONPUE! Upon heading towards his booth, we noticed that there was a number of people on the booth and we were like, "OMG BAKA NANJAN SIYA!" And yes, he was indeed there. :)))) He was so nice and humble! My best friend and I were fangirling to the extent and we were just so happy and very inspired.

Manila Fame was incredibly amazing and I'm so glad that the Philippines International Furniture Show invited me. Definitely looking forward to both events next year. I'm so excited! :-)