Out of 306 entries to the annual jewelry design competition mounted by the Guild of Philippine Jewellers, Inc., 10 finalists were selected by this year’s panel of judges, from which a winner in the traditional as well as the non-traditional component categories are now on exhibit at the Yuchengco Museum until June 17.
With this year’s theme “joy of life,” the jewelry pieces evoke the pleasures of beauty, the spirit of goodness, and the lyrical sound of music. The over-all winner in the open judging category and, at the same time, the winner in the traditional component is a bangle with the title “Sulutang Goma,” a tribute to the whimsy of a childhood game, using rubber bands and sticks made of yellow gold and diamonds, and designed by Ericson Manansala, while its prototype production is sponsored by JMA. Ericson Manansala is currently a senior student from UP College of Fine Arts.
The winner of the non-traditional component category is a necklace entitled “A Flower Brimming with Tears and Joy,” evoking the simple stories of how beautiful our natural surroundings are and the sweetest pleasures when we utter the phrase “How beautiful!” The necklace is made of mother of pearl, 18k gold, and tinalak fabric. This piece is designed by Joyce Makitalo, and the prototype is produced by Goldenas. Joyce Makitalo is a graduate of UST College of Fine Arts.
The eight finalists include the bangle entitled “Victory” by Kristine Ann Dizer, sponsored by 7 Castles and Czarina; a Necklace entitled “Safe and Sound” designed by Monaliza Fonda Domer and sponsored by 7 Castles; a bracelet entitled “Nature Eclipse” by Ferdinand Gabriel sponsored by 7 Castles; a necklace entitled “Inhabiting Growth” by Frances Jocson sponsored by Marcelles; a ring entitled “Hundred & One Flavors” by Ann Christine Marcelino sponsored by JB Diamonds, Inc.; a necklace entitled “Balloon Flight” by Ericson Manansala sponsored by Recomira-ray; a neckpiece entitled “Sunweb” by Reine Shih and sponsored by 7 Castles; and a necklace entitled “A Family Tree” designed by Mark Perry Sibug and sponsored by 7 Castles.
With this year’s number of entries exceeding that of 2007 by almost 50 pieces, GPJI project director and treasurer Jay Camus says “This only strengthens the already proven world track record of the Filipino in the field of creativity, artistry, and ingenuity.” This year’s competition is supported by Hoseki Pearl, Just Jewels Diamonds Boutique Corporation, Michelis, Inc., M. Lhuillier Jewellers, Private Enterprise Accelerated Linkages Enterprise Project (Pearl 2), Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc., Philippine Export-Import Credit Agency, St. Luke’s Medical Center, and the Yuchengco Museum.
The Yuchengco Museum is located at RCBC Plaza, Corner Ayala & Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenues, Makati. Museum hours are Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, call 889.1234 or visit www.yuchengcomuseum.org.
