Boosting ‘Made in Philippines’ through heirloom jewelry preservation

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) has granted funding to the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) to authenticate, modernize and preserve traditional Filipino fine jewelry through systematic tools and advanced digital technologies.

This was formalized through a ceremonial signing between Benilde and DOST-PCIEERD, which marked the cooperation between the government, academe and industry to foster cultural preservation, innovation and global competitiveness.

Aimed at promoting local creative industries and technology-driven heritage research, the grant awardee spearheaded the cultural mapping and digitalization of Philippine heirloom fine jewelry as part of the institution’s efforts to offer jewelry making courses and workshops.

Target outcomes for the initiative are: standardized specifications for tamborin and filigree jewelry, formulation of authentication measures for Philippine heirloom fine jewelry, training of artisans, educators and industry stakeholders, and the creation of digital archives. It likewise hopes to bolster the “Made in the Philippines” identity in fine jewelry markets.

Four representatives from the college participated in an international benchmarking in Portugal, a country known as a champion of filigree making. It strengthened the initiative’s comparative framework and paved the way for local heirloom jewelry traditions to be preserved with distinct Filipino identity, while it is contextualized within global best practices.

The contingent attended a hands-on training in Portuguese filigree jewelry. The team of Benildean educators was led by Christine Cheryl Benet, director of Slim’s Fashion and Arts School. She was accompanied by Fashion Design and Merchandising Program chairperson Ionica Abrahan Lim and FDM faculty members Roxoanne Bagano-Dizon and Brendon Ellis Bigay.

“We aim for Benilde to be one of the champions of cultural preservation by facilitating the transfer of traditional techniques, making them accessible across various industries, and contributing to the continued enrichment of Filipino identity,” Benet said.