In 1998, Cobonpue started his eponymous company. At the time, furniture companies were often based abroad. However, he believed that Filipino designs were underrepresented. “I realised that I have to work harder to design something high-quality that can compete with my European counterparts,” he says. 

Under his own name, Cobonpue created his first collection entitled Yin & Yang. He wove rattan or polyethene strips on a steel frame, creating armchairs, dining tables and ottomans that balanced transparency and dynamic forms.  

In the world of furniture, designers often want the pieces to speak for themselves. Yet Cobonpue decided to release his designs under his name, intricately weaving his identity into his creations.

Nonetheless, he admits that he is an introvert who enjoys seeing people's reactions to his pieces instead of explaining their value personally. Cobonpue says he sees his life as a unique story that he explores through his creations, breathing life into each piece. He encourages young designers to do the same. "Every person has a unique story to share with the world; we all have to find it," he urges. “We do that by looking deep within us, learning as much as possible from other disciplines, studying different cultures and perfecting our craft.” 

Cobonpue values community and open-mindedness, traits he learned from being immersed in the Filipino design community for their support. In the early 2000s, he joined the Movement Eight Group with another Filipino design icon, Budji Layug, who truly expanded Cobonbue’s understanding of craftsmanship. “I still consult him today on how to put designs together,” he says. 

Being surrounded by like-minded people who are exploring the unique facets of Filipino craftsmanship and materials has encouraged Cobonpue to continue chasing his creativity, wherever it leads. Now, Cobonpue has extended beyond Manila into showrooms in the United States, Germany and Portugal. His designs, such as the distinctive Bloom chair, have appeared in movies such as Ocean’s 13 and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. 

He has designed pieces for a wide range of clients, from American celebrities like Kate Hudson and Angelina Jolie to members of the royal family, including Queen Rania of Jordan and Queen Sofía of Spain. Cobonpue’s furniture embraces colour and texture, highlighting the distinctive features that make materials like rattan dynamic and infinitely customisable. 

Cobonpue has received numerous awards, from the first Asian designer to win Maison at Objet’s Designer of the Year Award in 2014 to the Gawad sa Sining Award from the Cultural Centre of the Philippines in 2022. He also received the Pratt Legends Award in 2023, joining design icons like Tommy Hilfiger and Marc Jacobs.  

But beyond the awards, the designer has a bigger goal: “More than recognition of my work, I hope to encourage younger designers and artists to champion Filipino creativity.”

For Cobonpue, the future of design is rooted in the Philippines’ rich traditions. “Hand skills like weaving, embroidery, metalworking and carving are slowly dying out; the average age of the Filipino weaver and craftsman is 60,” he lamented. “It is up to us to make design manufacturing attractive so that younger generations of artisans can continue these traditions and develop them for the future.”

Whatever lies ahead, Cobonpue’s secret to success lies in maintaining a childlike attitude. “I’ve always leaned towards very whimsical, playful and imaginative designs. This has always been my vision and is why I picked up design in the first place.” Nurturing a deep curiosity about the world has allowed him to push the boundaries of design, constantly experimenting with different textures and colours he sees in the world around him.

He has overcome many challenges, from proving the value of Filipino works on an international scale to maintaining a high level of craftsmanship in every piece. A self-proclaimed perfectionist, Cobonpue’s attention to detail is both his greatest strength and most pressing challenge. “I feel a lot of frustration with how things are made, how things should be. But I realised that the enemy of success is perfection–you have to compromise,” he shares. “It’s important to look within yourself and find that wellspring of inspiration.” 

If there’s one thing that Cobonpue’s learned so far, it’s the value of pioneering the change you want to see in the world. His newest project, Fable Cafe + Lounge in BGC, immerses guests in a fairytale rainforest filled with handcrafted flora and fauna. 

“The design was a risk because people could get tired of it,” he admits. “But I don’t care. Fable is the ultimate expression of what I couldn't do in furniture. With that, you have to think about function and comfort. But here, I’m free to do what I've always wanted to do, which is to bring you to another realm.” 

In a world that often falls back on sleek designs and minimalistic colour schemes, Cobonpue chooses a starkly different path. “In this age of globalisation, everything’s starting to look alike,” he says. “But people are yearning to understand others’ unique cultures and identities. They’re holding onto their traditions. That’s what I want to encourage designers to do: stay true to what you enjoy doing and what you hope to see in the world.” 

Every Thursday, Science of Success takes a deep dive into the principles and practices that drive accomplishment across industries. Through compelling interviews, expert insights, and actionable advice, the series offers a window into the journeys of high achievers. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical strategies to advance your own goals, Science of Success is your guide to unlocking potential and reaching new heights.

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