Tags: Entrepreneurship, Handicrafts
By Nikka Garriga
IBA CITY, ZAMBALES— What started out as a small business of making paperweights led Benjamin Farin to discover serpentinites as material for stone crafting.
Serpentinites are composed of serpentine minerals rich in magnesium and water. They become rocks when subjected to high heat or pressure and are usually green in color.
Benjamin eventually established Zambrox Corporation specializing on serpentinites. Zambrox – or a shortened term for Zambales rocks – came about after Benjamin underwent training on stone crafting conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) more than 10 years ago.
“These stones were not being used for products back then, but we saw the potential when we started creating paperweights,” he says.
Serpentenites are abundant in areas near Mount Pinatubo. Though the technology used for stone crafting originally came from Cebu, Zambrox Corporation’s supply of the rocks are from indigenous communities in the town of Botolan.
The raw materials would then be cut and carved to candle holders, decorative plates and other unique pieces in different sizes.
They began handcrafting accessories, like rosary bracelets and earrings, after learning the metaphysical properties of serpentines, which is said to help in lessening discomfort and emotional cleansing as well as an excellent stone for meditation.
Benjamin believes the success of Zambrox is perhaps due to the positive energy that emanates from the stones.
“There were times we wanted to close down because putting up a business like this takes up a lot of time and money in terms of capital. But it seems the stones have a way of ‘talking’ to us,” he says.
Get more information about Zambrox Corporation
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