The tales that jewels tell

The author with popular historian Ambeth Ocampo who wrote the foreword

Maria Angelica “Gigi” Santos-Bermejo launched a milestone-setting book,  ALAHAS: Philippine Heritage Jewelry,  at  Ayala Museum recently. The product of three years of meticulous research and 38 years of her antique jewelry collecting, the elegant coffeetable book is the author’s homage to heritage preservation, a testament to the passion of a self-taught jeweler.

Coffeetable book contains Santos-Bermejo’s jewelry collection and her own contemporary design.

The author signing copy of her book for Cultural Center of the Philippines chairman Dr. Jaime C. Laya

The book launch was a veritable gathering of art enthusiasts, collectors and members of the academe. “ALAHAS ” takes readers on a fascinating journey through the evolution of Filipino jewelry, from the pre-colonial era to the modern day.

Popular historian and academic Ambeth Ocampo writes in the foreword: “What started as a mere catalog of her jewelry collection developed into a beautiful book that is both a visual feast and handy reference…”

The narrative begins with tales of the indigenous stone tools and gold ornaments of pre-colonial period and on to the unique heirloom beads of the Cordillera tribes.

From indigenous traditions, the book explores the intricate relicarios, tamborins, peinetas and alfajor necklaces of 16th-19th-century Spanish colonial jewelry, when “gold meant God and glory.”

From the turn of the century,  the glitz and glamour of Art Nouveau and Art Deco gems take centerstage in the book.

Progressing to the Modern and Contemporary eras, Bermejo highlights her design expertise, focusing  on revitalizing traditional craftsmanship and techniques to create heritage jewelry tailored to the Filipina of today.

Modern brooch and ring set in gold with pearls and diamonds designed by Bermejo

Heirloom-inspired gold and bone earrings designed by Maria Angelica Santos-Bermejo

With a mission to preserve heirloom traditions, the author believes that rediscovering national heritage through jewelry “fosters a deep and lasting love for our Inang Bayan or motherland.”

Sharing the inspiration behind her beautiful passion project, Bermejo waxes poetic, “Here I present you with this book, encapsulating my greatest hope for the future, that the Filipina continue to soar to new heights, and that her jewels, her beauty, and her victory, catch the light.”

Visit alahasbook.com to find out more and grab your copy.