In September, IQOS introduced a landmark collaboration with Filipino-American artist Jefrë Manuel, culminating in Curious Icons, an installation centered on the idea of curiosity as the starting point of transformation. The piece reflects on how art and design influence perception, inviting viewers to consider progress not as a fixed state but as a continuous act of exploration. The installation set the rhythm for the evening, where sound and movement extended its inquiry into new creative territory.
Held at the Bonifacio Global City, the launch reimagined the space as a site for experimentation. The night’s energy shifted from sculpture to sound through the performances of Filipino DJs whose sets captured the momentum of curiosity in motion. Each artist shaped the atmosphere through their own approach to rhythm and tone, reflecting a culture of openness that continues to define Manila’s evolving intersection of music and art.
On Art, Sound, and Curiosity
The event drew a diverse crowd, including members of the media, figures from Manila’s art and design community, and longtime supporters of Jefrë’s work. Guests gathered to mark the beginning of Curious Icons, engaging with the installation’s shifting play of light, form, and movement. After the launch, attendees moved to a private dinner before continuing to the after-party, where music shaped the rest of the evening.
On the decks, Margachi (@margaonthemic), Sky Dominique (@skydmnq), Christal (@unchristal), Gabby (@gabbyagbayani), and Butta B (@likebuttab) each explored curiosity through sound. Their sets unfolded in distinct moods, ranging from propulsive electronic beats to layered, atmospheric rhythms that echoed the reflective tone of Curious Icons. The exchange between sound and space turned the night into an open conversation, carried through movement and shared experience.
More than a launch, the event highlighted curiosity as a unifying force within Manila’s creative landscape. Through art and music, Curious Icons offered a space for connection and experimentation, expanding the ways audiences encounter culture. In cultivating these moments, IQOS continues to foster environments where curiosity evolves into collaboration and creativity finds new ground to grow.