ESTABLISHING the Emilia’s Finest Collection along Jose Rizal Street, Davao City, three decades ago allowed madam Emilia Sorongon vda. de Sitjar to help introduce and promote precious and semi-precious jewelry to Mindanaoans from all walks of life. Naturally, the early years were challenging for her and her jewelry shop although she started at a time when the country and its citizens were quite hopeful for new changes to happen with the departure of the Marcoses and their minions.
Today’s Davao social scene is back on its track after the long Covid pandemic fright. There are events to attend, with Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. now sitting on the throne as President of R.P., and with Mindanao’s jewelry enthusiasts, collectors and fashionistas growing steadily in number. “I have a lot more to give my growing number of jewelry lovers especially since my children have joined me to help in running this jewelry business I started as a dream come true,” professes Davao’s foremost madame of fine jewelry.
“All through the years, style and sensibilities of jewelry designers and craftsmen, including those of jewelry collectors and lovers, have changed. My children and I have to expose ourselves to learn and understand what the market demands. There is a much stronger competition now in Davao when it comes to the jewelry business.
Thanks God for the creativity, energy and innovativeness of my children, Mindanaoans can expect something new from Emilia’s Jewellery all the time,” says madam Emilia who always stands out with her unique character and her age-defying beauty.
Last July 8, 2022, Emil, Eduard alias Jet, and Eileen Sitjar, the madam’s beloved children, along with the beloved grandson, Jovito Santiago, hosted a precious thanksgiving luncheon at the Entree of the Apo View Hotel for their beloved matriarch, Emilia Sorongon-Sitjar who turned 84 years old. Indeed, it was an acknowledgment and thanksgiving for God’s gift of life bestowed on the bejewelled madam Emilia staged by her loving and devoted children.
It was simply a beautiful celebration of love as witnessed by family, relatives, friends, loyal clients, and of course, the members of the Divine Mercy and Mother Butler. It was Rev. Fr. Madz Arroyo, the Spiritual Adviser of the Divine Mercy, who blessed tita Emilia on her special day.
“I am always grateful to my mom for her valuable advices. I always pray for her best of health and endless joy. I could not ask for a different mother unless she’s Imelda R. Marcos, of course,” commented the joker of a son from Thailand, Jet.
On the other hand, the more serious Eileen expressed her thoughts, “You have always been there for me and my son, Santi, no matter what. You make us feel loved; and taught us much about life. I cannot tell you enough how much we appreciate you in our lives. You’ve always been a great mom to us, an extraordinary person to others, and an excellent lola.
I wish you the strength and good health to celebrate more years with us.” The eldest son Emil wishes, ”I continuously pray that mom enjoys the fruits of her hard work; that she remains physically able to travel and go to her dream destinations; and that she continues to be sharp and remain true to her calling of being the Lay Adviser of the Divine Mercy Apostolate which is very close to her heart.
I am just grateful that I am able to spend time with her and see how she continues to grow in years with so much grace. Behind that strict and stern persona, Emilia Sorongon Sitjar is a mother with a loving and forgiving heart to her children.”
“Tita Emilia is deserving of this touching celebration after what we went through for years of the Covid pandemic. She is our beacon of light and our inspiration especially in the Divine Mercy Philippine Archdiocese of Davao. The devotion has multiplied a hundredfold under her care and stewardship. We thank the Lord of Mercy for sharing her with us; and we pray that God and the Mother of Mercy continue to fill tita Emilia with graces and boundless blessing! We love you, tita Emilia,” expresses the vivacious one, Joji Ilagan Hao-Bian, who, of course, is one of tita Emilia’s most precious client and dearest friend. Oh yes, the palangga is one blessed with an equally age-defying beauty as well.
Everyone enjoyed the celebration especially with the good food at Entrée prepared by Apo View Hotel’s latest Exec. Chef, Bea Arroyo Qua. The pretty and talented chef Bea was gracious enough to greet the birthday celebrant and her family and all the guests.
Wishing you more happy years, tita Emilia. God bless your family forever.
