Cebu is furniture haven so don't miss...
1 Kenneth Cobonpue (3-A General Maxilom Avenue, Cebu, +6332/ 233 3056, 233 4045, www.kennethcobonpue.com). Everyone knows he’s the guy who does celebrity ex-couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's homes but not a lot of people know that he’s done the sets of Oceans 13 and CSI Miami, and not to mention the so many upmarket resorts and hotels worldwide. Kenneth, the brand, is in six continents but makes its homebase in Cebu.2 Customwood (P.C. Suico St., Tingub, Mandaue City, + 6332/ 236 8603, 236 8746, wavi@pldtdsl.net). Torralba swears that Customwood is “by far, is the best custom-furniture manufacturer I've come across in the country: world-class, ISO certified; their factory is computerized. If you have a dream furniture piece in mind, just give them your ideas, your specs; and they will make it come to life. A tad costlier than your usual custom supplier but they are worth every penny. They specialize in veneering and other wood and iron techniques.” Their other world-famous company is Wicker & Vine, Inc.
3 Vito Selma (www.vitoselma.com). “This is the next name to watch in furniture design, with his mixing of wood and "sleek and swanky" design concepts. He's young, hip and bursting with promise,” Torralba gushes. You can check out his pieces at Ito Kish in LRI Plaza on Nicanor Garcia St., Makati.
4 Clayton Tugonon (www.classicalgeometry.com) & Debbie Palao (www.debbiepalao.com). “Furniture design veterans who never lose their sense of creative mischief,” says Torralba. “Clayton once won international acclaim by designing furniture made out of condoms! Debbie Palao once had a collection inspired by my designs; such an honor.” Both put a contemporary twist on indigenous and natural materials. Culled from the Seair InFlight Magazine article, "5 Days in Cebu", April 2010 Issue • Words by Andrea Pasion, art direction by Jocas A. See, photography by Oggie Ramos • Many thanks to our insider, designer Kate Torralba for her insights on her hometown of Cebu
To read part 1 of the series (Why go to Cebu), click here.
To read part 2 of the series (Historical Cebu), click here.
To read part 3 of the series (Cebu Wining and Dining), click here.
