Saturday, August 06, 2005
Cebuano RP’s bet in int’l design tilt
Islands Souvenirs president Jonathan Jay Aldeguer has been chosen to represent the Philippines in the global search for the International Young Design Entrepreneur of the Year (IYDEY).
Aldeguer bested nominees for the IYDEY from the Philippines, aged 25 to 35 years old, who were established designers in their respective fields, according to a statement from the British Council.
He was chosen for his promotion of Filipino design in a commercial context, through the Islands Souvenirs T-shirts, caps, bags, shorts and bags, as well as his character, his drive and business acumen.
The judging panel in the Philippines also noted the company’s expansion to tourist destinations like Singapore, Okinawa, Macau and San Francisco.
Speaking to Sun.Star Cebu, Aldeguer said branding and design are two of the elements needed for a product to be able to compete in the global market.
“Manufacturing cost is not anymore our (the Philippines’) edge. It is already design and creativity. If you do not give emphasis on these, you will have difficulty in the global market,” he said.
The IYDEY program, which ends in United Kingdom this September as a featured event at London’s biggest architecture and interiors product fair called 100% Design, will bring Aldeguer to Glasgow and London.
At the British Council booth, he and fellow Cebuano designer Kenneth Cobonpue will exhibit the “Pigalle” armchair as an example of an innovative Filipino design that deserves to reach the global market.
Aldeguer will compete against candidates from Argentina, India, Lebanon, Lithuania, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Thailand. (JBN)
(August 6, 2005 issue)
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