Jewelmer’s 40 Years of Luster

With my wife Ayen at the 40th Anniversary celebration of Jewelmer
Photo Courtesy of Jewelmer

I had the opportunity to travel to Tokyo for the launch of the first Jewelmer store in Japan in 2016. This is Team Jewelmer Japan.
Top Photo: Your author, Mr. Mori, Yvette Fernandez, Maxine Medina, Marion Branellec, Liza Ilarde and Jacques Christophe Branellec
Lower Photo: Penelope Uy, your author, Liza Ilarde, Yvette Fernandez, Maxine Medina, Marion Branellec, Paco Guerrero

Jewelmer will always have a special place in my heart. You see it is one of the first gifts I ever gave my wife when we just got married 18 years ago. I gave her a pair of golden south sea pearls. We have been loyal patrons of the brand and through the years have become friends with those from the company both past and present. So when Ayen and I got invited to their 40^thAnniversary, there was no way we would miss it.

40 Years of Luster
Photo Courtesy of Jewelmer

This year’s celebration literally blew my mind as they gave us a feast for the senses. As we entered the grand ballroom of the Shangri-La at the Fort, we were immersed in a room transformed with all things Jewelmer where their most prestigious pieces that date back to 1979 were showcased including the head piece worn by Maxine Medina at the 2016 Miss Universe pageant.

Maxine Medina wearing the Jewelmer head piece at the 2016 Miss Universe Pageant held in Manila.

Jacques Branellec & Manuel Cojuangco with Jewelmer’s muses Jo Ann Bitagcol, Jenny Rockett, Justin Gabionza, , Maxine Medina, Bianca Valerio, Angel Aquino, Ann Umali, Fatima Rabago
Photo Courtesy of Jewelmer

One of the most memorable moments of the evening was when Jewelmer founders, Mr. Manuel Cojuangco and Mr. Jacques Branellec gave their inspiring speeches. Mr. Cojuangco shared “We certainly are very grateful for the adventure that we’ve had. There are so many people that have been with us on this journey for which we are very grateful for. For 40 years, a lot of people would say we’ve been very lucky, but more than lucky, we have been very blessed. We have been recipients of a lot of grace and it is by this grace that we got to this point.” Mr Branellec added “We are a Filipino brand. Our core is Filipino even if we have some French influence. We are proud to promote the best of the Philippines.”

Jewelmer’s Jacques Branellec and Manuel Cojuangco
Photo Courtesy of Jewelmer

As they looked back on their humble beginnings, one could feel their love and passion for creating a brand that would be synonymous to excellence. I see their heart and it is as golden as the rarest golden south sea pearl they have ever harvested.

The next generation of Branellecs are making sure to continue the legacy built by Mr. Cojuangco and their father with fervor as Jewlemer forges on to an even brighter future. Executive Vice President and Deputy CEO, Jacques Christophe Branellec emphasized that “through the years, it is gratitude, humility and love that brought us where we are today. Without those, our national gem would not be on this global stage.” Jacques introduced the new Jewelmer logo and in his words shared “It is an emblem that will stand tall here and overseas, among the best jewelry brands in the world and one that is proudly Filipino.”