Introducing LeatherLuxePH

Raymund Nino Bumatay creates high-end leather pen cases with Filipino pride.

-  NICKY PESSAROFF

The Filipino pen enthusiast community is one of the youngest and fastest-growing fountain pen communities in the world, according to journalist and longtime pen collector Jose "Butch" Dalisay, Jr. A fountain pen collector since he pursued graduate studies in the United States in the 1980s, Dalisay helped organize the online message board Fountain Pen Network-Philippines.

He says, "In 15 years, we've grown our FPN-Philippines base to over 13,000 members. Our Facebook page is extremely active. We've had three very successful Manila Pen Shows, with the next one scheduled for March 16 to 17."

Dalisay regularly writes about Filipino pen and accessories brands such as Kasama Pens and Troublemaker Ink. He recently profiled leather fountain pen case maker Raymund Nino Bumatay and his brand, LeatherLuxePH.

"Raymund was doing something distinctly different: utilizing high-quality materials with very tasteful designs and pricing his cases at a premium. I had to wonder, is this business sustainable?" Dalisay recalls.

It turns out that not only is LeatherLuxePH sustainable, it is poised for international recognition.

The 46-year-old Bumatay is a resident of Baguio City, Philippines, a husband and father of five children. As a leather craftsman, Bumatay goes by the moniker "Amon Ginoo." He explains that "Amon" is a derivation of his first name, and "Ginoo" is a Filipino word that denotes gentlemanliness: "For LeatherLuxePH, our ideal client is the distinguished individual who values the simple yet finer things in life. The same goes with the moniker 1 chose."

From the quality of the leather cases shown on these pages, one would think that Bumatay has spent a lifetime mastering his skills. Rather, Bumatay only began pursuing leather crafting in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit his industry of graphic design and marketing consultation hard.