Gems of the Philippines

Episode on June 19, 2008 Thursday night, after Saksi Just recently, 10 Filipinos bagged several trophies from an international jewelry design competition, wowing audiences from around the world with their intricate designs and proving that the Philippines is a force to reckon within the jewelry industry. This Thursday, 100 % Pinoy explores this booming business as hosts Miriam Quiambao and Joaquin Valdes showcase the Filipinos’ penchant for sparkling jewelries, trinkets and body ornaments. Miriam Quiambao interviews Fai Co, an award-winning Filipino jewelry designer who has already won 17 trophies from several international competitions for his Filipino-inspired jewelry collection. She also meets the Dayrit sisters who willingly showed their numerous jewelry collections before our cameras. The siblings have been in the jewelry design business for almost 40 years. Also, take a peek of the tribal jewelry collection of Lily Beyer-Luglug, grand daughter of Otley Bayer, the Father of Philippine Anthropology. But where do all these precious metals come from? Unknown to many, the Philippines is ranked as Asia’s third largest gold producer. There are six areas in the country where majority of jewelry manufacturing firms are located: Benguet, Metro Manila, Cebu , Davao, Caraga Region , and Bulacan. Join Miriam Quiambao as she follows the gold trail, from the mining sites of Benguet to the molding shops of Meycauayan, Bulacan, touted as the center of fine jewelry production in the Philippines. Arnel Papa, one of Meycauayan’s jewelry designers, talks about how he succeeded in exporting his designs to Europe and the United States for the last twenty years. Meanwhile, host Joaquin Valdes goes to Baguio and explores the city’s silver industry. He discovers how the country’s silver jewelry business started by visiting Ibay’s, Baguio’s famous silver shop. Joaquin also checks out the grand jewelry collection of socialite Tessa Prieto – Valdes and discovers how her collection compliments her quirky personality. Marvel at the sparkling jewels of the Philippines with Miriam and Joaquin on 100% Pinoy, airing midnight this Thursday after the late night newscast Saksi, Liga ng Katotohanan.

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Nitong nakaraang Linggo, sampung Pinoy ang nagpamangha sa mga dayuhan at humakot ng tropeo mula sa isang international design competition para sa mga alahas. Kikinang ang inyong panonood ngayong Huwebes ng hatinggabi sa 100% Pinoy sa pagpasok nila Miriam Quiambao at Joaquin Valdes sa mundo ng mga alahero’t alahera at mamangha sa kagandahan ng mga Hiyas ng Pilipinas! Makikilala ni Miriam Quiambao si Fai Co, isang award-winning na Pinoy jewelry designer na nakapag-uwi na ng labimpitong tropeo mula sa iba’t ibang international jewelry design competitions. Makikilala rin ni Miriam ang Dayrit sisters, na magpapakita ng kanilang engrandeng koleksyon ng mga alahas at magkukuwento ng kanilang apatnapung taong negosyo ng paggawa ng alahas sa bansa. Silipin din ang tribal jewelry collection ni Lily Beyer-Luglug, ang anak ni Otley Bayer, tinaguriang Ama ng Philippine Anthropology. Pero saan nga ba galing ang mga ito? Lingid sa kaalaman ng nakararami, pumapangatlo ang Pilipinas bilang pinakamalaking producer ng ginto sa buong Asya! Anim na lugar ang pinaglalagakan ng mga manufacturing firms ng ginto sa bansa: ang Benguet, Metro Manila, Cebu , Davao, Caraga Region , at Bulacan. Susundan ni Miriam Quiambao ang Gold Trail mula sa mga kabundukan ng Benguet hanggang sa mga molding shops sa Meycauayan,Bulacan, ang sinasabing sentro ng pag-aalahas sa Pilipinas. Ikukuwento ni Arnel Papa, isa sa mga jewelry designers ng Meycauayan, kay Miriam kung paano naging matagumpay ang industriyang ito sa kanilang probinsya. Samantala, pupunta naman si Joaquin Valdes sa Baguio para alamin ang pamosong silver industry ng siyudad. Bibisitahin niya ang Ibay’s at aalamin dito kung paano nagsimula ang negosyo ng pilak sa Baguio. Makikilala rin ni Joaquin ang socialite na si Tessa Prieto-Valdes, na nagmamay-ari ng napakaraming alahas, at malalaman kung paano nito napapaganda ang kakaibang personalidad ni Tessa. Mamangha sa kagandahan ng mga Hiyas ng Pilipinas kasama sina Miriam at Joaquin ngayong Huwebes ng hatinggabi sa 100% Pinoy, pagkatapos ng Saksi, Liga ng Katotohanan.