BAN Toxics, PH Fashion Week unveil fashion jewelry line using ‘responsible gold’

MAKATI CITY, 23 November– Green group BAN Toxics recently introduced a line of fashion jewelry made from ‘responsible gold’ on Nov. 23, 2018 during the Philippine Fashion Week Spring-Summer Showcase 2019 in Makati.

Compassionate Gold, the ‘responsible gold’ brand is BAN Toxics brainchild which features gold mined through legal methods that are not harmful to health and the environment, mercury-free, and child labor-free. The brand prides itself of its connection to the Philippine Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) communities where the gold is sourced.

“BAN Toxics through the Compassionate Gold launch finally realized its vision of a toxics-free brand of gold that champions the welfare of our brothers and sisters in small-scale gold mining. This November, we would like the public to witness the unveiling of the first batch of the Compassionate Gold fashion jewelry line that is the embodiment of responsible gold” BAN Toxics Deputy Executive Director Mr. Reynaldo San Juan Jr. announced.

In May 2018, BAN Toxics partnered with the Philippine Fashion Week to inform the public of the emerging brand of ‘responsible gold’ which aims to uplift the ASGM sector. “We would like to thank Sir Audie Espino, his team and the Philippine Fashion Week for working with us in this advocacy. Through this collaboration, mining and fashion– two worlds of great contrast—has become one in the aim to make the world toxics-free, albeit little by little. Hopefully, the launching of the first Compassionate Gold fashion jewelry line will pave the way for more people to patronize our advocacy.” San Juan added.
The first fashion jewelry line tagged as ‘Fashion Forward’ centered on modernizing Filipino traditions. The line featured designs of artisans Mr. Sonny Escio from Camarines Norte and Mr. Manny Halasan from Bulacan. Both came from at least three generations of jewelers. Some of the notable jewelry designs from the line are Maria Clara, Pinalay, and the Pearl of the Orient sets. The Sarimanok piece by Mr. Escio, which was worn by Senator Nancy Binay on one of her engagements during President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July, was also featured during the event.

Ms. Cory Navarro models the Pinalay jewelry set. The said jewelry set was worn by Senator Binay during of her engagements at President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July.

“We in BAN Toxics cannot be happier that Compassionate Gold might be the standard of responsible gold in our country in the future. It is of utmost importance that eco-consciousness will be mainstreamed not only in mining but also in the fashion industry. We invite people to know more about the Compassionate Gold advocacy. Please visit our website compassionategold.com to read more. Likewise, the jewelry set pieces launched during the event are open for viewing at the website.” San Juan added.

BAN Toxics Deputy Executive Director Mr. Reynaldo San Juan, Jr. delivers his closing remarks during the first jewelry line launch of Compassionate Gold.