Kenneth Cobonpue, Ramon Orlina Works Featured in Cancer-Care Benefit Auction

An annual fundraiser brought together art, design and jewelry in support of indigent Filipino patients.

An annual Manila benefit brought together art, design, and philanthropy on September 22 in support of the Philippine Cancer Society and its programs for cancer patients and indigent Filipinos.

Held at Shangri-La The Fort in Bonifacio Global City, the evening marked the 2026 edition of the initiative founded by Angola Consul Helen Ong in 2004 through the efforts of the late Philippine Cancer Society chairman Dr. Roberto Montilla Paterno. More than two decades on, its focus remains fundraising for cancer care. Last year’s edition raised P30 million; the total for this year’s benefit has yet to be finalized.

According to the organization, 100 percent of proceeds from the annual affair go toward PCS programs and services. The partnership has also extended to infrastructure: In April, they inaugurated a patient services and multipurpose hall at PCS, which was fully funded by the initiative.

At the heart of this year’s fundraising effort was a charity auction featuring works donated by artists, designers and creative contributors. The selection spanned sculpture, painting, furniture and jewelryJewelryDecorative adornments worn on the body, from fine pieces in gold, diamonds, and pearls to fashion jewelry made of accessible materials. Jewelry completes an outfit and often holds sentimental orGo to Jewelry Glossary, bringing together collectible works in support of the evening’s cause.

Among the notable pieces were an Aero Easy Armchair and Ottoman by Filipino designer Kenneth Cobonpue, whose sculptural approach to furniture has earned international recognition, and Ramon Orlina’s “Slow Dance – 2026,” a work by the pioneering glass artist known for his fluid, translucent sculptures.

The auction also featured works by Moumen Aldaker, Philip Dizon, David Kaufman, Didi Lopa, Steven Ryan Ho Mercado, Mila Imson, Dominic Rubio, Tara Soriano, Arthur Tselishchev, Liping Zheng and Camilla Oster.

The initiative is supported by the Best Dressed Women of the Philippines board, which includes Ong, Mario Katigbak, Consul Betty Chua, Flora Chua, Bo Muralla, Sheree Chua, Marian Ong, Charlie Rufino, Elisa Mercado, Mildred Vintangcol, Froilan “Roy” Gonzales, May May Liechtenstein, and Noel Gonzales.

“What keeps us coming back every year is the knowledge that this evening can turn into something tangible for people living with cancer,” Katigbak said. “The art and design we bring together are beautiful in their own right, but their greater value is in what they can give back.”

In bringing art, design and philanthropy together, the auction gave the evening its most tangible expression of purpose: works to be collected, and proceeds directed toward those in need of care.