Dwindling Industry of the Jewelry Capital
by: Mary Mica Derutas, Deb Domingo, Jamie Karen Hernandez
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| OLD BUT GOLD. Alaheros on their daily routine inside June and Rosie Acero Jewelry Shop. Photo by: Deb Domingo |
Who would have thought that the lost goose who lays the golden egg has been
residing in the premises of Meycauayan City in the province of Bulacan since
early 16th century. Jewelries is the source of livelihood and as the time pass
luster starts to appear.
According to Bulacan government website, the Philippines is considered as one of the leading producers of gold in Asia and has been identified among the emerging profitable business in the country.
Meycauayan City-dubbed as the ‘fine jewerly capital of the Philippines’ is rich in stones and expensive metals, there are 2,000 establishments that belong in the jewerly industry and most of them are found in the streets of Brgy. Calvario.
One of them is the Jewelry shop owned by Hernanie “Aga” Adina who has been in the industry of jewelry since he was 21 years old, it was a family heirloom from his mother who has been handling the business since 1970, their family witnessed how the jewelry industry in Bulacan transformed.
Years ago, Adina said there are exporter with Chinese products and there are financers who buy finished product from other countries.
“Mayroong financer na nagtitinda, bumibili ng finished product sa ibang bansa. [Nung] nagtagal nagkaroon na ng mga mangagawa sa Meycauayan, nagagaya/nakokopya na ng mga platero yung mga gawa ng ibang bansa. Doon nagstart ang production sa alahas ang Meycauayan.”
But the jewerly industry is not always on the top for they also faced a lot of
challenges. Thus, it includes the lost of demand that caused the shifting of jobs
and raw gold begin to spike its value. According to Bulacan government website, the Philippines is considered as one of the leading producers of gold in Asia and has been identified among the emerging profitable business in the country.
Meycauayan City-dubbed as the ‘fine jewerly capital of the Philippines’ is rich in stones and expensive metals, there are 2,000 establishments that belong in the jewerly industry and most of them are found in the streets of Brgy. Calvario.
One of them is the Jewelry shop owned by Hernanie “Aga” Adina who has been in the industry of jewelry since he was 21 years old, it was a family heirloom from his mother who has been handling the business since 1970, their family witnessed how the jewelry industry in Bulacan transformed.
Years ago, Adina said there are exporter with Chinese products and there are financers who buy finished product from other countries.
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| Hernanie "Aga" Adina explaining on how he started in the industry of making jewelries. |
“Mayroong financer na nagtitinda, bumibili ng finished product sa ibang bansa. [Nung] nagtagal nagkaroon na ng mga mangagawa sa Meycauayan, nagagaya/nakokopya na ng mga platero yung mga gawa ng ibang bansa. Doon nagstart ang production sa alahas ang Meycauayan.”
Jewelries are becoming understated because people prefer to purchase gadgets and other stuff which is more convenient rather than jewelries that can only be used occasionally and as a part of fashion statement.
Adina also shared how the economy affect the business of jewelry shops in Meycauayan. Products before are less expensive that he came up to the conclusion that if the value of gold outgrow, the number of gold makers decrease because they will not reach the needed capital and will cause its downfall.
Beth Imperio, 62, has been serving June and Rosie Acero Jewelry Shop in Brgy. Calvario since 2006. She said that before that year, they earned more income because they only sell silver. Imperio also stated that the profit they acquire every day isn’t always the same.
“Hindi pare-pareho, kung pangkaraniwan mga nasa 5,000 [pesos]. Malakas na iyon ha, kahapon walang benta.” Imperio stated.
June and Rosie Acero Jewelry Shop also sells per piece jewelries that may range to 100 php to 1,000 php and price may also vary based on the demand design of the buyer.
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| OVER THE TABLE. Through the melting pot of gold to embroidery of jewelry. Photo by: Deb Domingo |
“Mahirap ang ganiyang trabaho (pag-aalahas) lalo na dito sa lugar naming na marami ang nag-aalahas, marami ang kakumpetensiya, mahirap ang kita” Lito Sta. Ana said.
Aside from the competition Lito also shared that the raw materials in making jewelries was somehow overpowered by the demand for the use of silver. Wherefore, the number of consumers patronizing gold jewelries also decreased due to new goods and services being on trends.
“Tumaas rin kasi ang presyo ng ginto, tapos yung mga tao gusto ng bilhin yug mga bagong cellphone o anumang gadgets, dati puro mga bata ang bumibili sa amin ngayon mas gusto na nila ang cellphone at pinag-iipunan” Lito affirmed.
Furthermore, there is a group of local jewelry-makers that organized Meycauayan Jewelry Industry Association (MJIA). That has been an active partner of the government in the development of the industry in Meycauayan.
But then, even if the industry of fine jewelry in the City of Meycauayan has been flickering, they are still trying to preserve their place as the center of jewelry-making in the Philippines.
Jewelry making means a lot to the people of Meycauayan for their work is as precious as the treasured pot of gold and the industry of jewelry making will continue to relive, refine, rekindle with fire and shine.
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