Welcome to our first-ever Studio Stories, where I’m thrilled to take you behind the scenes of designing The Araw Collection, inspired by the iconic Philippine Sun.

The Inspiration:

I already knew I wanted a coin-shaped pendant before I even started the process of designing this collection. Coins have been around for centuries, and I wanted our first collection to honor that timeless history.

That part was easy.

But Philippine Sun jewelry is everywhere—every Filipino brand has one at this point. I wanted this to be different, something special. That’s why I spent a lot of time in trial and error, designing the actual sun to make it my own.

The Design Process:

The journey began with countless sketches and 3D renderings back in January 2024. I worked to capture the essence of historical coins while evolving the design into something truly unique. Every step, from CAD designs to final prototypes, was a labor of love—a balance of tradition and modern elegance.

The early samples were a painful process—and very expensive. I went back and forth with our manufacturers for six months because I wanted it to be perfect.

When I first received the samples, they weren’t perfect. There were multiple errors and areas for improvement. The tiny beads were affected by the sandblasting because it was all done by hand. The 18K Gold Vermeil plating was inconsistent too, which made me worried. But when I received the final sample, it made me teary-eyed because I felt an immense sense of pride and joy. I had finally designed something that meant so much to me—something that connects me to where I came from, a love letter to the motherland.

The Heart Of The Collection

Finally, it was perfect.

At the heart of the collection is the Araw Pendant, crafted in 18K Gold Vermeil (and now also available in Sterling Silver). Its glossy, radiant sun sits proudly at the center, framed by a matte, sandblasted background. Tiny golden beads encircle the coin, echoing the intricate details of historical ornamentation.

The Araw Drop Earrings and Araw Signet Ring share the same design DNA. The ring, however, took longer to perfect due to challenges with the sandblasting process. To simplify and elevate it, I chose a fully glossy mirror finish for the entire piece—bold, striking, and full of pride.

A Testament To Staying True

This collection is a testament to staying true and proud of who we are. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I can’t wait to design more pieces that make us all feel represented, heard, and seen.