EXPLAINER | Pearls of Controversy: Breaking the Shell of Injustice in Bugsuk, Palawan

Nitya Aku 

The Golden Crown Waves of Filipinos’ Legacy 

The 73rd Miss Universe 2024, held in Mexico, allowed the Philippines to create our first crown. The said crown was graced on Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig. Miss Universe unveiled the crown named “The Lumière de l’Infini Crown,” also known as “The Light of Infinity,” created by Jewelmer. 

The crown is said to be the first Filipino-crafted crown for the Miss Universe organization, embodied with the rare South Sea Pearls of the Philippines. The overall look of the Golden crown is adorned by South Sea Pearls, which are adjoined with diamonds to create wave-like elements that signify Filipino essence and craftsmanship. Adding to its uniqueness, Jewelmer has signified that the crown was created in “377 steps over the course of 5 years.” Jewelmer is a French-Filipino company established in 1979 by a French pearl farmer and Filipino entrepreneur and is an internationally renowned brand, famous for its South Sea pearls. The company is currently in the ownership of Manuel M. Cojuanco, the brother of Danding Cojuanco together with CEO Jacques Branellec. Jewelmer’s Pearl farming is done on eight farms located on the eastern side of Palawan, employing an estimated 1,500 workers. 

Behind the Pearl: Indigenous People’s Imperiled

Congratulating the current Miss Universe, the Sambilog Balik-Bugsuk Movement posted an open letter on their Facebook page. The Sambilog Balik-Bugsuk Movement, also known as SSBM, is an advocacy organization aspiring to defend the ancestral lands, cultural heritage, and environmental rights of the Indigenous People of Bugsuk Island in Palawan. Extending their wishes, they also highlighted the ongoing issue in their area, urging Miss Universe Theilvig to use her platform to raise the pleas of the Indigenous People of the Philippines.

In their post, SSBM referred to the pearls as ‘blood pearls,’ highlighting that the pearls are a fruit of ‘exploitation, displacement, and violence against the rightful stewards of these lands.’ The organization is accusing Jewelmer and San Miguel Corporation of seizing the ‘ancestral waters’ of Palawan and is holding these corporations responsible for the displacement and vulnerability faced by the Indigenous People. 

The Sambilog-Balik Bugsuk Movement (SSBM) has emphasized the alarming weakening of critical legal frameworks intended to protect Indigenous rights and facilitate land reform in Bugsuk, Palawan. The Philippine Indigenous People’s Rights Act (RA 8371), designed to safeguard ancestral domain claims, has seen minimal progress in implementation for the affected communities. Similarly, the 2014 Notice of Coverage under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER) aimed to distribute 10,821 hectares of land to rightful beneficiaries but has yet to deliver tangible outcomes. Compounding this issue is the stagnation of the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) application, which has remained unresolved for almost two decades despite covering 56,000 hectares of ancestral lands. These delays and setbacks undermine the legal protections for Indigenous Peoples and highlight the systemic barriers to justice and equity in the region.

SSBM has articulated four key demands from Miss Universe Theilvig in their pursuit of justice and the protection of Indigenous rights and environmental integrity:

1. Reinstate Land Reform Coverage: Call on the Philippine Government to restore Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER) coverage over 10,821 hectares of ancestral lands in Bugsuk Island, ensuring rightful access for displaced communities.
2. Expedite Ancestral Domain Recognition: Advocate for the swift processing of the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) application by the SAMBILOG community, formally securing their legal rights to their ancestral lands and waters.
3. End Corporate Harassment: Demand the immediate removal of armed guards deployed by San Miguel Corporation on Marihangin Island and an end to all forms of intimidation and harassment targeting Indigenous peoples and small-scale fishers.
4. Accountability for Corporations: Urge a thorough investigation into the activities of Jewelmer Corporation and San Miguel Corporation to ensure adherence to human rights standards and environmental protection laws, holding them accountable for any violations.

While the world celebrates the brilliance of the Lumière de l’Infini Crown, the pearls that adorn it tell a much darker story—one of exploitation and displacement.