Industrial designer Cobonpue selected as Ferrari ‘influencer’

Filipino industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue in the Ferrari Portofino.

FERRARI has started its latest social media campaign which follows three accomplished individuals from the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. In the project the personalities share how Ferrari fuels their narrative of grit, passion and affluence, with the storyline of each focusing on what inspires them and the values they live by.  The campaign, Ferrari said, aims to highlight the brand’s bespoke offerings and experiences. The Ferrari Portofino takes to the centerstage.

One of the personalities selected to serve as an “influencer” for the campaign is Kenneth Cobonpue. Ferrari said the world renowned Filipino industrial designer was chosen because the carmaker aims to put a spotlight on real-world Ferrari owners who also embody the essence of the Portofino, which are beauty, passion, excellence, tradition and innovation, and emotions.

Ferrari said that just like its cars, each of Cobonpue’s creation is “an iteration of his past experiences.” Every Ferrari is different in design and performance, and this is what makes the brand exciting and exhilarating, the carmaker said.

It noted the Portofino is a “powerful vehicle that features timeless qualities — engineering excellence and enduring aesthetic sensibilities — that are coupled with advances in technology and modern functionalities of the time.

For Cobonpue, a “classic Ferrari, like my Dino, has a raw and timeless appeal that is special. Driving it is like piloting an old F1 car. A Ferrari from the 1980s is modern but still retains that old school feeling, requiring driving skills at high speeds.”

Cobonpue drives the Portofino in his native Cebu.

He added the design of a Ferrari is a reflection of the aesthetic language of its time — from its curvy shapes to sharp wedges, and then back to a combination of both.

“My designs are inspired by nature and I am fond of bringing the feel of the natural environment in. I believe that design is a living process, forever transforming in response to the changing world,” Cobonpue said.

Cobonpue’s designs have appeared in full-length films such as “Ocean’s 13” and “CSI Miami.” Their organic forms are derived from plants and animals, featuring open weaves that allow light and air to pass through.

Ferrari said that one common thing between its designs and those of Cobonpue’s is the attention to detail required to make their respective visions come to life — and how everything culminates into elegant masterpieces.

Cobonpue got to drive the Portofino for two days with his son in Dubai, and he was impressed with the award-winning engine that is incredibly fast but docile, according to Ferrari.

Regarding his drive, Cobonpue said he “looks forward to days like these when I get to spend some time with my son and drive through the desert.

“It makes for a great first Ferrari and is great as an all-around car weaving through traffic in Manila, or as a ‘getaway’ car on weekends,” he said.