PH Permanent Mission Promotes Country’s Economic Diplomacy Initiatives, Philippine Culture and Tradition in Geneva
(Photo courtesy of Mr. Orvilieto Gervacio)
GENEVA 01 August 2025 – The traditional Filipino Filigree Tambourine Jewelry took the spotlight in the lecture series titled, “Business Class” organized by the Philippine Mission to the WTO, which was held on 24 July 2025 at Mabini Hall of the Philippine Missions Building in Geneva. Filigree jewelry consists of fine wires and strips of valuable metal, intricately woven and curled to form stunning patterns and designs.
In this lecture, the Philippine Mission aims to show the nexus of promoting economic diplomacy initiatives of the country, and at the same time, promoting Philippine culture and tradition. Mr. Paolo Tañada Palanca, Founder of Kaya Mana Philippines and a Guest Lecturer of the Ateneo de Manila University-Department of Sociology, as the resource speaker, illustrated to the audience composed of the Mission’s employees and diplomats how he championed the revival of the dying craft of creating traditional Filipino Filigree Tambourine Jewelry, and the empowerment of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
Mr. Palanca highlighted that Kaya Mana Philippines was based on a research project in their Sociology class at the Ateneo de Manila University, in which the group was tasked to study the declining business of creating Filipino Filigree Tambourine Jewelry in Ilocos Sur, and met Mang Nelson, who struggled to keep both the tradition and business alive. Kaya Mana Philippines emphasized that “the craft is more than just a business, but it is also something they [Filipino craftsmen] shared with one another.”
The lecture also underscored the broader significance of the creative industries in supporting inclusive economic growth. The revival of traditional crafts like filigree jewelry illustrates the untapped potential of the Philippine creative economy to contribute to exports, innovation, and sustainable livelihoods. As hubs of creativity, cultural identity, and entrepreneurship, the creative industries offer promising pathways for MSMEs to engage in both domestic and global markets, particularly through digital platforms.
In his remarks, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO stated that “Kaya Mana Philippines is a testament to the power of cultural preservation and economic empowerment. It assisted in elevating the local communities, especially in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, by empowering MSMEs. This pledge to promote MSMEs is most congruent with the Philippines’ WTO priority of promoting inclusive economic growth and international trade.” At the international level, the Philippines was at the forefront of the WTO’s MSME initiative, which seeks to create new avenues where MSMEs, including women-led companies, are able to take advantage of cross-border and digital trade. MSMEs serve as the backbone of the Philippine economy accounting for 99.5% of all registered businesses.
The Kaya Mana jewelry were also part of the exhibition during the commemoration of the 127th Philippine Independence Day in Geneva, Switzerland, the Manila Fame and Likhang HABI Market Fair.
To further raise awareness about traditional Filipino Filigree Jewelry, Kaya Mana is diversifying its crafts through the creation of charm jewelry, bracelets, cuff links among others, to appeal more to the younger generations, thus, keeping this tradition alive.
Mr. Palanca received a Certificate of Appreciation for his insightful lecture and advocacy of protecting and promoting Philippine cultural heritage. END
(Photo courtesy of Mr. Orvilieto Gervacio)
(Photo courtesy of Mr. Orvilieto Gervacio)
(Photo courtesy of Mr. Orvilieto Gervacio)
(Photo courtesy of Mr. Orvilieto Gervacio)
For more information, visit https://wtopm.dfa.gov.ph/
