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Manila Bulletin devider Property and Living devider Honoring local creativity: PTTC-GMEA awards Obra Design Masterclass graduates

Honoring local creativity: PTTC-GMEA awards Obra Design Masterclass graduates

Uplifting local talent within the furniture and creative industries

Published Mar 25, 2024 03:04 am
Obra Design Masterclass mentees with DTI and PTTC-GMEA officials (1).png
Obra Design Masterclass mentees with DTI and PTTC-GMEA officials

Filipinos are inherently talented, whether it's singing, dancing, painting, or even furniture making. This was showcased during the recent graduation ceremony and award presentation of the Obra Design Masterclass on March 9, 2024, held during the 32nd Philippine International Furniture Show (PIFS) at SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

The Department of Trade and Industry's Philippine Trade Training Center – Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA) acknowledged the top designers among the 52 graduates of the inaugural Obra Design Masterclass, a program that was simultaneously conducted in Manila, Pampanga, and Cebu.

This mentorship initiative, spanning three months, focused on training and nurturing emerging designers in design and product development, with the goal of showcasing local talent within the furniture and creative industries.

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Furniture, lighting, and decor prototypes of Obra Design Masterclass mentees

The program was guided by esteemed figures from the furniture design industry, including Ronald Rommel Viloria, Josef Crisanto, Eric Paras, Stanley Ruiz, Rey Soliven, Dem Bitantes, Vito Selma, Estela Ocampo-Fernandez, and Christine Manguerra, alongside key industry partners such as the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines (CFIP), Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc. (CFIF), and Pampanga Furniture Industries Foundation, Inc. (PFIF).

Nelly Nita Dillera, executive director of PTTC-GMEA, emphasized the importance of this program in cultivating the Philippine furniture sector. “The Obra Design Masterclass enriches the Philippine furniture industry by upskilling designers and crafters capable of making a significant impact on the global stage,” said Dillera. “Scholars with design backgrounds, architects, and industrial designers, among others, were guided by seasoned mentors on key concepts such as mindset development, design thinking, material selection, and assembly techniques, which were valuable in producing prototypes worth selling to the international market."

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Obra Design Masterclass mentees scholars

The Obra Design Masterclass recognized outstanding achievers in three categories: furniture, decor, and lighting. In furniture design, Reimer Neil Bonghanoy from Cebu clinched the top spot with the Apollo coffee table. Following were Luzel Andrea Alconera from Cebu with the Heron Parasol, Dean Gabriel Lusung from the National Capital Region (NCR) with the MORF (Modular Organizer Furniture Set), Chester Gazzingan from the NCR with the Obrang Baybayin, and Basil Rico Gahi from Cebu with the Hiraya Bar, securing first to fourth runner-up positions, respectively.

For the decor design, Jay Chadly Pulan took the best decor design with the Pangolin Sauce Bowl. First runner-up goes to Reimer Neil Bonghanoy's Orbito Tray while David Paras's Kyrie Screen Divider secured the second runner-up position. All winners from this category are from Cebu.

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From left: Best in lighting design, Zephyrus by Matthew David (Pampanga); Best in furniture design, Apollo Coffee Table by Reimer Neil Bonghanoy (Cebu); and Best in decor design, Pangolin Sauce Bowl by Jay Chadly Pulan

The lighting design category saw Matthew David from Pampanga winning with the Zephyrus. This was followed by Josh Matthew Flores's Socorro from Cebu who was awarded first runner-up with Maria Catherina Agregado's Orbital Corners from Pampanga taking the second runner-up position.

These opportunities not only provide a platform for aspiring artists to learn from mentors and showcase their talents but also contribute significantly to the growth and recognition of local talent within these industries.

Related Tags

Philippine International Furniture Show Obra Design Masterclass Department of Trade and Industry's Philippine Trade Training Center – Global MSME Academy Nelly Nita Dillera MBPropertyLiving
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