Sampaguita Cuff - Phillippines
This motif has a sampaguita in the middle. The sampaguita represents our humility and strength as a people. Most of the ASEAN countries have been colonized by different countries before. We fought for our freedom and when we were finally free, we choose to be humble and create peace with the colonizer and each other. We promote peace!
The style is inspired by the tribal tattoos of the indigenous people in the pre-colonial era in the Philippines. The petals in the middle represent the country's national flower, the Sampaguita. The eight triangles that circle the flower represents the eight provinces of the Philippines that have had an important role during the Philippine revolution. The five triangles on each side of the flower represents the points of a star. The stars represent our dreams and visions for the community. They remind us of where we have come and what we can do for our future.
The meaning behind the motif is simplicity, humility, & strength.
The theme behind my bracelet/cuff is identity. Having been to numerous places, moving to different houses and encountering so many great people with varied backgrounds and cultures, I have started to question my identity. So I decided to create a design that speaks to me personally yet still relates to other people universally. The text stamped in the middle is “Pilipino” -which means ‘Filipino' in my language, Filipino being the people of the Philippines- in baybayin, which is considered to be the lost language of the Philippines. From that alone, it represents cultural identity that is alive and is yet to be revived. The hexagons at the ends of the bracelet represent the places you go, that no matter where you are, the people you encounter, you will always find yourself back to who you are, which in my case, a Filipino.
About the Youth:
Hello, My name is Agatha & I'm 16 years old. Growing up in Manila, a very polluted city, you will inevitably be exposed to the sad reality- that is, the unsustainable development that our world is heading towards. There are many great things about my country, my hometown, but the lack of care towards the environment gears it toward a completely different direction. I have had numerous encounters, both good and bad, that have shaped me into the open-minded, curious, and principled person I am now. Because of that, I get to go to UWC- a very prestigious IB school- on a scholarship where I continue living out what I believe in, peace and a sustainable future.
Hi, My name is Pauline. I live in Paranaque. Both my parents serve as full-time ministers in our church there. In the community we serve are among the low-income families. Every summer, I teach the children their values and about God. In this community, there are many out-of-school youths. I teach the children in order for them to enjoy learning and to be encouraged to go to school.
Made of Sterling Silver