A curated tribute to memory, craft, and contemporary Filipino creativity
From July 26 to August 3, 2025, Katha Pilipinas presented the Gunitain Collection at ArteFino Festival 2025, hosted at Balmori Suites in Rockwell Makati. Set within one of Manila’s most anticipated celebrations of Filipino design and craftsmanship, Gunitain offered a curated reflection on memory, material, and the enduring relevance of Filipino creative practice.
Derived from the Filipino word gunita, meaning remembrance, Gunitain was conceived as a living collection rather than a static display. The presentation invited visitors to encounter objects as vessels of story, process, and lived experience—connecting heritage with contemporary expression in a setting that felt both intimate and intentional.
A Home for Memory and Making
Balmori Suites provided a residential backdrop that aligned seamlessly with the spirit of Gunitain. Rather than isolating works within a conventional retail format, the space allowed pieces to exist as part of everyday life—mirroring how memory, craft, and culture are carried forward through use and ritual.
Visitors were encouraged to slow down, engage with materials, and understand how tradition and innovation coexist within Filipino creative practice.
Artists and Brands Featured
The Gunitain Collection for ArteFino Festival 2025 featured a curated group of Filipino artists and creative brands, including Dette Arguelles Ramos, Mima De Castro of MGotHooked, Cris Roxas of Brave Story and Gypsy Heart, Art of Gold, Aaron Virata Mempin, and Dominic Rubio. Together, their works reflected diverse approaches to craft, material, and storytelling, unified by a shared respect for memory, process, and contemporary Filipino creativity.
Each contribution embodied a dialogue between past and present, where traditional techniques were reinterpreted through personal narratives and modern forms.
Beyond Display: Supporting Creative Livelihoods
True to Katha Pilipinas’ mission, Gunitain was anchored in fair market access and ethical collaboration. Artists and makers were engaged as creative partners, with an emphasis on transparency, professional support, and long-term sustainability. The presentation underscored the belief that cultural preservation is inseparable from livelihood. Craft must not only be seen, but supported.
Through Gunitain, Katha Pilipinas contributed a perspective that honors memory while actively shaping future creative pathways, demonstrating that Filipino craft is not frozen in time, but continuously evolving.
Collectors, designers, and cultural advocates alike were invited to engage with the collection as part of a larger conversation on identity, continuity, and care.
