Photos by Iloilo Today
Sarabia Jewelry recently celebrated its 70 years of making fabulous
jewelry with the grand opening of its flagship store at SM City Iloilo and the unveiling
of its newest collection, the Solihiya Series. The new jewelry store is a
realization of the hard work, passion to succeed, and the love for the craft by
the three generations of Sarabia women.
“After 70 years, three generations strong, indeed the time
is now. The store is a dream come true. It took many months to plan this. We take
the brand to another level, hiring the very best designer and contractor. The
new store allows our customers to experience a journey in the world of fine
jewelry, where they are given only the best, more personalized customer service,”
said Mrs. Gina Sarabia-Espinosa, 2nd generation and president of
Sarabia Jewelry.
THREE GENERATIONS STRONG
Sarabia Jewelry opened its first jewelry store in 1945 at
the heart of the city, in Guanco Street. Seven decades later, Sarabia Jewelry’s
mother store still stands in downtown Iloilo boasting of a massive collection
of fine jewelry and most of all, an atelier with skilled artisans and craftsmen
on its upper floors.
Its founder, Amparo Divinagracia Sarabia, is a well-respected
pioneer in this industry. She credits interest and love for her work, integrity
and honesty, aside from personal service to customer as the main reason for the
brand to last. She is still the main guiding force in all creations and
business operations. Her legacy is continued
in the tradition of elegance, excellence, and ethics that has made customers
trust Sarabia Jewelry for 70 years.
Sarabia Jewelry preserves the traditions of the old, while
making way for the new and modern ways. This is evident in the way the three
generations still operate.
The success of Amparo Divinagracia Sarabia was built on by Gina
Sarabia-Espinosa. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Gina took up the
business challenge by learning jewelry design. She is a certified gemologist, a
result of her studies at the Gemological Institute of America.
Sarabia Jewelry’s expansion and reach can be credited to the
second generation. Through Gina Sarabia-Espinosa’s efforts and sharp business
acumen, she was able to offer a variety of products to answer customers’ demand
and expand the brand to more areas of Panay. She is also passionate about
heritage, culture, and the arts, and has mixed this in with the brand, bringing
it to a higher level.
On the other hand, the third generation is marked by the
passion and devotion of an artist. Regine
Sarabia Espinosa inherited the artist side of her mother and grandmother. She
is the master designer and metalsmith of the Sarabia Jewelry atelier.
She has studied and trained as Metalsmith in The Alchemia School
of Contemporary Jewelry in Florence, Italy and has brought back the idea and
operations of a jewelry guild, promoting artisanal unique and handcrafted
products that are closely linked to the culture and history of Iloilo. Her inspiration is taken from her surroundings
and the people she meets. Customers will
be witnessing more of her work to be exhibited and sold in the flagship store.
THE SOLIHIYA SERIES
Proof of Regine’s creativity and artisanal skills in
designing jewelry is the Solihiya Series. Exquisite pieces of jewelry were
launched during the grand opening of the flagship store.
Ms. Iloilo Dinagyang 2016 Vanessa Ann Ka'ihilani Caro wears one of the Solihiya Series. |
The pieces are inspired by the craftsmanship that comes from
the SOLOHIYA. It is a dying craft. Rarely do we see skills being practiced of
weaving rattan patterns on the furniture – it is a heritage craft.
In line with the mission on preservation of heritage,
Sarabia Jewelry is proud to bring this latest design from the third generation
of Sarabia women in jewelry to the public.
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