Summers in Selena Placino’s childhood home were more than just continuous play. The family delved into art workshops, music lessons, swimming clinics — seasonal invitations to explore, imagine and create. The youngest of four siblings, each following their own passions, she was the quiet observer, though always inquisitive, always crafting.

“I’d say I’m an introvert,” she hesitantly offered, “but one who’s deeply curious and observant. I find inspiration in the everyday.”

It was through such a simple moment that she first discovered design. One ordinary day, flipping through Our Father by master lensman Jun de Leon — a book her dad owned — Selena came across the work of Kenneth Cobonpue.

“That was the first time I encountered the term ‘Industrial Design,’” she recalled. “I was surprised to learn that it wasn’t just about making furniture, but also designing everyday objects.”

The awakening, subtle as it was, shaped her future. She enrolled at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde for a degree in Industrial Design and graduated in 2018.

Selena’s education extended beyond the classroom. She interned at The Walt Disney Company Philippines, where she gained insights into the corporate side of creativity. “It was my first glimpse into how creativity and business came together on a large scale.”

Post-graduation, she flew to Cebu for an apprenticeship under Kenneth Cobonpue, her first design hero.

“One of my most memorable times there was seeing a few of my design projects — from conceptualization all the way to shipment,” she shared. “It reinforced within me that design isn’t just about having creative ideas. It is also about patience, adaptability, and working closely with the right people to bring those ideas to life.”

Selena continued her career growth through Offsite, an intensive online program by Advanced Design, a United States-based nonprofit. It broadened her understanding and connected her with a global network of like-minded creatives.

Mentor Gabby Lichauco, a design professor at Benilde, performed a crucial role in her journey. “Gabby, in particular, was really supportive. Through him, I got leads and opportunities which helped me at my first international show in Singapore in 2023.”

The event marked the debut of her Taho! Bench, a piece that merges playful nostalgia with practical form.

In April 2025, she was invited to exhibit under Newfolk, a group show of emerging designers handpicked by Lichauco.

Of all her achievements thus far, one project stands out. “For now, I think it would be the teether collection I designed for Chicco, an Italian baby brand,” she said. Her concept won from over 100 entries. It was launched globally, her first design to be mass-produced and used by families around the world.