A Shared Soul: How the Italian Spirit of Bonaldo Resonates in the Philippines
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Great design rarely speaks in monologues; it thrives on dialogue. This was the palpable difference at the celebration for Bonaldo on October 22nd, hosted within the polished new space of the Modernbrands showroom. The occasion was a launch, but the true highlight was the beginning of a conversation—an evening dedicated to exploring the bridge between Italian design excellence and a deeply nuanced Filipino appreciation for contemporary living.
Hosted by Issa Litton, the event brought together the figures shaping this new dialogue: Alberto Bonaldo, the Owner and General Manager carrying his family’s legacy, and acclaimed designer Alain Gilles, one of the creative minds defining its future.
Bonaldo General Manager, Alberto Bonaldo (left) and Designer Alain Gilles (right).
Representing the Philippine context, Modernbrands’ Anne Young and BluPrint’s Apples Aberin spoke of a shared vision—one where global design doesn’t just enter a Filipino home, but connects with its soul.
Modernbrands’ Anne Young (left) and One Mega Group’s Apples Aberin (right).
The evening centered around a curated exchange of ideas about how tradition and innovation enrich each other, how quality is defined in an ever-faster world, and how the spaces we inhabit can foster deeper connections.
As the formal presentations gave way to a lively open discussion, it became clear that this partnership is poised to explore one of the most compelling questions in modern design today: How does a legacy of Italian craftsmanship find an authentic, resonant voice in the vibrant, communal Filipino home?
The Designer’s Dialectic
For a designer like Alain Gilles, who has collaborated with Bonaldo for 17 years, the relationship is a creative push and pull. While he designs singular, often iconic objects, he is acutely aware that his work serves a larger vision curated by the brand itself. His role, as he sees it, is to respectfully challenge the brand’s boundaries. “Being a designer, [I] always try to push the brand a bit further away,” Gilles explains. “You know, but try to bring something innovative and different.”
This approach manifests in his personal philosophy of “Simplexity”—a portmanteau that perfectly captures his work. It’s a concept that seeks immediate clarity while inviting deeper discovery. Gilles’ designs are sculptural and graphic, yet they are not meant to be cold or intimidating. His ultimate test for a piece is its ability to integrate into human life.
“We try to be very graphic, architectural and sculptural,” he shares. “But my threshold is making sure that the product always works as a good product, or else it won’t be a long, lasting product.”
Ultimately, Gilles believes the final design dialogue happens in the owner’s home. When a piece enters a new space, it ceases to be his and becomes a part of its owner’s identity. He sees his work not as a final statement, but as a vocabulary for personal expression. “It’s a tool for them to design themselves,” he concludes.
A Chorus of Harmony
If designers like Gilles provide the individual notes, then it is General Manager Alberto Bonaldo’s role to compose the symphony. His primary task is to protect and cultivate the brand’s identity, ensuring that every piece, regardless of its author, speaks a common language. This is no simple feat of curation.
“The most important thing to a brand is to have identity,” Bonaldo states. “To have identity means that all the items that are in the collection have to talk the same dialogue, and everyone you can mix and match with another one.”
This identity is anchored in an uncompromising commitment to quality, a standard guaranteed by their production process. “We are proud of this, because when we are able to declare that 100% of our production is made in Italy, you have also to follow this in terms of quality,” Bonaldo states.
Observing the Philippine market, Bonaldo sees a deep, immediate connection through a shared cultural value: the centrality of family. This insight goes beyond market data, touching on the social purpose of design.
“I’m quite happy that you give the same value of Italian people to the family,” he notes. “So also, in turn, for the desire for those big tables full of people to enjoy your life… I think that we have a lot in common.”
For him, the goal is to balance the “wonderful idea” of a designer with the practical need for timelessness, creating pieces that deliver emotion but are built to last a lifetime. When he tours a showroom like the new Modernbrands space, his measure of success is simple: “When I can see a showroom like this that’s full of items and full of harmony, I think we reached the goal.”
A Partnership Forged in a Shared Vision
For a global brand like Bonaldo to find a true home in the Philippines, it requires a local partner that shares its core philosophy. This is the role played by Modernbrands, a company that has, since its founding in 2012, championed the idea of authentic, well-designed furniture as a cornerstone of the modern Filipino lifestyle.
Modernbrands operates on the principle that furniture should be more than just functional—it should be an “investment in a better way of living.” This ethos is built on a foundation of passion, integrity, and a commitment to people. By curating a portfolio of esteemed global brands, they have positioned themselves as trusted advisors to discerning clients and designers, guiding them in creating spaces that are both beautiful and meaningful.
The partnership with Bonaldo, therefore, feels less like a simple business arrangement and more like a meeting of minds. Both companies share a belief in design that inspires emotion, a dedication to uncompromising quality, and a vision for homes that are built for connection. Modernbrands provides the crucial local context, understanding the aspirations and values of the Filipino market, making them the ideal stewards to introduce and nurture Bonaldo’s legacy for a new generation.
Discover the Bonaldo collection and explore more timeless pieces designed for a contemporary lifestyle at modernbrandsinc.com
Photographed by Ed Simon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Simplexity is a design philosophy—pioneered by designer Alain Gilles—that balances immediate visual clarity with hidden technical complexity. A piece following this concept appears graphic, sculptural, and simple at first glance, but reveals intricate engineering and high-quality craftsmanship upon closer inspection. The goal of simplexity is to create “long-lasting” products that are architecturally bold yet intuitive enough to integrate seamlessly into daily human life without feeling cold or intimidating.
Bonaldo maintains a cohesive brand identity by ensuring all items in its collection speak a common design dialogue. According to General Manager Alberto Bonaldo, identity is achieved when pieces from different designers can be “mixed and matched” while maintaining a shared aesthetic soul. This is anchored by a 100% Made in Italy production mandate, which standardizes quality, materials, and craftsmanship across the entire catalog, regardless of the individual designer’s unique creative push.
The resonance stems from a shared cultural emphasis on the centrality of family. Italian design often prioritizes the “big table”—a focal point for communal gatherings and long meals—which mirrors the Filipino tradition of large, family-oriented social lives. Both cultures view the home as a communal space for connection rather than just a private retreat, making Bonaldo’s focus on emotive, high-quality, and “living” furniture a natural fit for the Filipino lifestyle.
Modernbrands acts as the local steward and “curator of context” for Bonaldo. Founded on the principle that furniture is an investment in a better way of living, Modernbrands bridges the gap between Italian manufacturing and Filipino aspirations. They serve as trusted advisors to local designers and homeowners, ensuring that authentic global designs are integrated into homes in a way that is meaningful, functional, and culturally relevant to the Philippine market.
Quality is defined by the balance between emotional impact and physical durability. For a legacy brand like Bonaldo, quality is guaranteed through a controlled, 100% Italian production process that rejects fleeting trends in favor of timelessness. A high-quality piece is one that functions as a “tool for personal expression” for the owner, developing a “soul” over time and maintaining its structural integrity long enough to be passed down through generations within the family.
