Cobonpue named APEC dinner creative director

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu-based international furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue has been tapped as creative director for the welcome dinner of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting happening in Manila next week. 

The APEC leaders’ meeting is happening on November 18 and 19 in Manila. 

Cobonpue’s role included creating the set design at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, where the dinner will be held, and designing the souvenirs and special chairs for the 21 APEC economic leaders.

Cobonpue’s iconic Yoda chair, “Sama-Sama” presidential token, and rice terraces-inspired set design will be the highlights of that night.

In an email interview yesterday, Cobonpue said the World Heritage Banaue Rice Terraces inspired his vision for the set design. A grassy circular stage will be put up in the middle of the arena and an anahaw leaf-inspired design will be hung from the ceiling. 

The green-colored Yoda chairs, which are made of rattan and stainless steel, will complement the arena’s garden-like atmosphere. 

“The Yoda Presidential Chair is fitting because they look like cogon grass. When arranged in a circle they create a natural private space like an oasis surrounded by tall grass at the arena. I also chose the Yoda because it is iconic and known all over the world as an original Filipino design,” Cobonpue explained his design. 

The renowned designer said the customized chairs have armrests and swivel mechanisms so the 21 economic leaders and some spouses can follow the program at a 360-degree angle. 

The souvenirs, Cobonpue said, are called “Sama-Sama”, which means together, and depict unity, partnership and cooperation among the APEC member economies amid their cultural, social, and political diversity. 

The “Sama-Sama” sculptures are made of brass and finished in yellow gold, pale silver and warm copper symbolizing different races. They show detailed figures linked to each other as they ascend to the top.

“Each glass-covered token is housed in a hand-woven metal and buri (palm spine) carrying case with brass handles and clasp. The island formations are made from laser cut metal sheets and wood veneer,” he said. 

“It’s an honor for me to be able to show the best of our country together with all the performers and production staff at the welcome reception, and to share what being Filipino means to the world,” Cobonpue said when asked how he felt after being chosen as creative designer. 

Cobonpue, who was born and raised in Cebu, left the country at a young age to study industrial design in New York and eventually took apprenticeships and further studies in Italy and Germany. After that, he moved back to Cebu in 1996 to help manage their family business founded by his mother in 1972.   Now, the Cebuano designer has been a regular at design shows and entrepreneurial talks.  — /RHM (FREEMAN)