What fuels this multimedia creative is all in the name—travel

At the heart of any wanderlust is a desire to see all the sights the world has to offer. But for Cyrus Cañares, this multimedia creative-turned-furniture designer found that creating his own brand of beauty can be just as gratifying as catching a glimpse of it outdoors.

Cañares began Travelfund by Siriusdan to simply satisfy his thirst for travel. Once sold, each pillow, couch, or ottoman he designs directly funds his overseas getaways—his “banlaw” as he describes. He values rest and an occasional distancing from work. Luckily for him, he has found an avenue that not only activates his creative mind but also allows him opportunities to further explore the world.

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“After a full day of exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the ancient city of Bhaktapur, Nepal I sat in one of its many beautiful squares and decided on two things: that I will continue to travel and explore the entire world for as long as I can and that I will create and sell beautiful things to help me fund this passion,” wrote Cañares in an Instagram post.

Years after his income-generating hobby became a full-time venture, Travelfund by Siriusdan has grown past its initial mandate. And while that entails more work on the part of Cañares, the cliché rings true, “Find a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

From photographer and soap opera writer to furniture designer

Cyrus Cañares — “It’s easy to get burnt out in the creative industry. You need lull time to do whatever you want or to do nothing at all.” | Photo by JT Fernandez

Long before he dipped his toes into the art of furniture design, Cañares finished his communication arts degree at Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Describing the course as quite broad, he was exposed to several aspects of the media industry from advertising and filmmaking to TV writing and photography—the latter two, he gravitated towards.

Soon after graduating and for the next five years, he would work as both photographer and videographer on a cruise ship.

However, while he enjoyed his maritime adventures across the globe, Cañares had a lingering feeling that what he had been doing was not his passion. “At the back of my mind, I have always been a writer.” He joined ABS-CBN in 2010 and, for 10 years, was a scriptwriter for several shows such as “Dream Dad” and “Ningning.” His excitement for the job, he says, stemmed from a childhood dream of one day writing for soap operas.

That said, any work, regardless of how much you enjoy it, has its fair share of stress. Cañares’ coping mechanism was found in his brushstrokes on pillows and bags. Having gotten used to going all over the world and sorely missing it, he was also looking for ways to finance his wanderlust. And with encouragement from his friends to sell these creations, Travelfund by Siriusdan was born.

“They say furniture is fashion for the home. I like furniture that commands attention. A good piece is memorable and I use a lot of colors and textures because I want to invite joy.”

clothes and chair — Cañares has now even ventured into designing clothing

The unique vibrance of Travelfund by Siriusdan

Inside the Travelfund by Siriusdan studio | Photo by JT Fernandez

Cañares is by no means a trained illustrator but says he’s always been drawn to creating. “I remember early on that I’ve always wanted to be an artist.”

That desire manifested as early as childhood when the young designer would be constantly reprimanded for not listening and doodling in class. While infuriating for his teachers, he would eventually get the last laugh as he was awarded “Best in Art” during his high school graduation—a moment Cañares looks back on as one that affirmed to him that he was the “best” at something.

art-filled wall — This wall just outside the Travelfund showroom contains works and doodles by Cañares that date back to high school | Photo by JT Fernandez

The Travelfund owner shared that he is often asked if he gets inspiration from his travels. “Yes, it’s true, but sometimes it’s not too literal. For example, just because I went to Japan, it doesn’t mean that there would be triangles in my designs. It’s subliminal.”

That much is true with Travelfund’s catalog, which Cañares prefaces as a mix of Filipino art and textiles joined with a range of fabrics and crafts he’s encountered throughout the years.

Nonetheless, while the exact origin or inspiration of a specific design can be up to interpretation, each of Travelfund’s pillows, couches, and ottomans possess character and vibrance to light up any space.

showroom table — A handwoven piece lies atop a table inside the Travelfund by Siriusdan showroom | Photo by JT Fernandez

This particular style goes back to what Cañares views as what makes a good furniture piece.

“They say furniture is fashion for the home. I like furniture that commands attention. A good piece is memorable and I use a lot of colors and textures because I want to invite joy.”

“These are living arts and these handcrafted materials took time and effort to make. I want them to appreciate that as they bring our pieces into their homes.”

ottoman — Travelfund makes use of both materials sourced from all over the world and fabrics from indigenous communities

Human error adds character that cannot be replicated

But part and parcel of what makes their pieces unique is the care and attention placed on every single one of them. Cañares, together with his apprentices, meticulously handpaints the various pillows and furniture they make to carve their niche in a market filled with mass-produced goods. And with each imperfection comes furniture with a flair and character that no machine can ever replicate.

At the end of the day, Cañares simply hopes for their patrons to appreciate both their craftsmanship and the fabrics they use.

“Most of the materials we use are sourced from all around the world. But within the Philippines, these include handwoven tinalak as well as fabrics and banigs from across the country. These are living arts and these handcrafted materials took time and effort to make. I want them to appreciate that as they bring our pieces into their homes.”

chair — “They say furniture is fashion for the home.”

On working to live

“It’s easy to get burnt out in the creative industry. You need lull time to do whatever you want or to do nothing at all.”

fabrics on wall — Fabrics taken from his travels fill the Travelfund studio | Photo by JT Fernandez

Travel is Cañares’ only vice. It’s his period of meditation and respite from the daily grind. However, as it stands, his brand is no longer a reserve for his next getaway but a growing label that continues to demand more and more from him.

The mounting responsibilities have surely prevented the travel bug from going about as he pleases, but the designer continues to satiate his boundless wanderlust in the name of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

pink rocking chair — Cañares, being a believer in the Japanese principle of wabi-sabi—minor imperfections are common in each piece

“It’s easy to get burnt out in the creative industry. You need lull time to do whatever you want or to do nothing at all.”

Often many fall under the trap of becoming slaves to their own jobs. Countless individuals have set aside their time, passions, and relationships for the promise of a brighter, more prosperous future that rarely ever comes true.

There’s no telling what sort of success you may encounter tomorrow. But one thing you can guarantee is your happiness and your fulfillment from what you choose to do. Take it from Cañares: find what you love, find what you can enjoy doing to attain it, and work to live—not the other way around.