Manila FAME 2025: Where Nature Meets Filipino Ingenuity

When the pandemic disrupted borders and routines, architect Jed Yabut found himself back in Manila, surrounded not by skyscrapers but by sketches of chairs, tables, and lamps.

Architect Jed Yabut, founder of Jed Yabut Furniture & Design, showcases his Beautiful Chaos collection — handcrafted pieces made from rattan, abaca, and seagrass that highlight the beauty of natural imperfections. (Photo: Jed Yabut LinkedIn)

What began as a personal passion project soon evolved into Jed Yabut Furniture & Design, a studio now known for transforming humble natural materials into globally admired art pieces.

This October 16 to 18, Yabut returns to the spotlight at Manila FAME 2025, the country’s longest-running design and sourcing event organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM).

Held at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, this year’s edition carries the theme “Objects of Nature,” a celebration of how Filipino designers draw inspiration from the land’s natural beauty to craft sustainable, world-class creations.

Yabut’s design philosophy, which he calls Beautiful Chaos, reflects the Filipino spirit itself — resilient, hopeful, and creative in the face of change.

His pieces embrace the irregularities of rattan, abaca, and seagrass, turning imperfections into features of character and authenticity.

“We celebrate the unevenness and rawness of materials,” he shared. “Each piece is unique. That’s what makes it beautiful.”

His entire production line is proudly 100 percent Filipino, from sourcing to craftsmanship.

Based in Valenzuela City, his workshop employs local artisans and supports community livelihoods. “We take pride in being Filipino-made,” Yabut said. “Every piece tells a story of our people’s skill and heart.”

According to Jameish “Ish” Soliman, Project Coordinator of CITEM Manila FAME, this is exactly what the event seeks to promote. “We don’t only help brands gain exposure,” she explained.

“We create jobs because the visibility and demand of the show brings open opportunities for many communities.”

After the pandemic, CITEM shifted from a purely physical fair to a hybrid platform that gives exhibitors round-the-clock online visibility.

Through data analytics, Filipino makers can now track global interest and reach buyers from Europe, Asia, and beyond — all year long.

“That’s the blessing in disguise,” Soliman added. “We’re now able to showcase Filipino talent twenty-four seven.”

Beyond the market access, Manila FAME offers capacity-building programs that teach exhibitors about sustainability certifications, product development, and international standards.

For Yabut, these programs nurture the next generation of creators and exporters. He hopes to pay it forward by mentoring design students who reach out to him online.

“I want to be accessible,” he said. “We need to plant those seeds early so more Filipinos can thrive in design.”

At this year’s fair, Yabut’s booth will feature new wall art, lighting fixtures, and sculptural pieces, including a Christmas parol collection inspired by Philippine flora and fauna.

These pieces embody the Objects of Nature theme and mirror his belief that beauty lives in both order and spontaneity.

For visitors, Manila FAME 2025 is more than a trade show. It is a journey through Filipino craftsmanship — an invitation to see how nature, culture, and creativity can converge to form something timeless.

For designers like Jed Yabut, it is proof that when the world looks to nature, the Philippines is ready to shine.

Manila FAME 2025 runs from October 16 to 18, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the World Trade Center Metro Manila. Admission is ₱500 for the public and ₱250 for students.

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