Baguio City, Philippines – Pilak Silver Shop, a family-owned business in Baguio City, stands as a testament to the enduring appeal and craftsmanship of handcrafted silver, a craft that has defined the city for over four decades. Rommel Marcelo, the 47-year-old manager, is at the helm of this lone surviving homegrown brand known for its unique designs and commitment to the traditional silver craft.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Pilak Silver Shop's journey began in the mid-1970s with the establishment of the Aloha Souvenir Shop by his parents, Romeo and Preciosa, at Mines View Park. In 1977, they pivoted to specializing in silver jewelry, recognizing its potential, and renamed the shop Pilak, the Filipino word for silver. This shift marked the beginning of a legacy that intertwines family tradition with artistic craftsmanship.
Preciosa Marcelo, in a 2018 interview with the Philippine News Agency, shared how former First Lady Imelda Marcos played a role in promoting Baguio's silver products internationally through the National Cottage Industry Development Authority. However, the industry faced significant challenges in recent years, particularly from cheaper, imported machine-made silver items.
Despite these challenges, Rommel Marcelo focused on the strengths of Pilak - the unmatched skills of their artisans. He emphasized that certain intricate designs created by their craftsmen could not be replicated by machines, which became a key selling point for their products. This strategy, combined with a deep commitment to their craft and workforce, enabled Pilak to weather the storm of competition from machine-made items.
The workforce at Pilak has seen a notable increase post-pandemic, growing from 15 to 40 artisans. Many of these craftsmen are home-based, contributing to the rich tapestry of handcrafted silver items that the shop offers. The oldest among them is about 80 years old, showcasing the generational span of this art form.
Visitors to Pilak can witness the handcrafting process, as five of the artisans work on-site, demonstrating the intricate art of silver crafting. Rommel Marcelo points out that the scarcity of such talent and the shift of some businesses to machine-made items make it even more crucial for Pilak to continue showcasing handcrafted silver.
Looking ahead, Rommel Marcelo, a management graduate who grew up assisting in the shop, now leads Pilak with a blend of artistic and entrepreneurial skills inherited from his parents. His collaborative approach with the artisans during product prototyping underscores the importance of teamwork in creating unique designs.
Baguio's recent recognition as a UNESCO site for Arts and Crafts, including handcrafted silver, has further bolstered Pilak's mission to sustain this traditional industry. Additionally, the integration of silver into hand-woven fabric wearables from the Cordillera region presents new opportunities for the survival and evolution of handcrafted silver.