Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 2015)
ASIA / PACIFIC December 7, 2015 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 3 Marcos jewelry appraised ahead of possible auction By Teresa Cerojano The Associated Press ANILA, The Philippines — The Philippine govern- ment is appraising the dazzling jewelry collection seized three decades ago from Imelda Marcos, the former first lady famous for her massive stash of shoes, as it decides what to do with the jewels one expert compared to those owned by royalty. The jewelry was seized when dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his family fled to Hawai’i in 1986 following a popular revolt that ended his two decades in power. The pieces include a barrel-shaped diamond worth at least $5 million and a Cartier diamond tiara that’s likely multiple times more valuable than the previous estimate of $30,000 to $50,000. The Marcos family allegedly amassed billions of dollars worth of ill-gotten wealth, and the dictator’s widow, now 86 and a member of congress, became known for excesses, symbolized by her huge shoe collection and staggering jewelry. The jewelry collection, comprising three sets seized in various locations, was valued at $5 million to $7 million when it was last appraised in 1988 and 1991. But it is likely to have significantly risen in value, Andrew de Castro, of the presidential commission tasked to recover the wealth, said. The collection is being appraised by Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction houses while the government decides whether to auction it, he said, calling the collection a physical manifestation of excesses during the Marcos regime while many Filipinos suffered in poverty. Putting the jewelry in a museum or an exhibit has been suggested. The jewels have been stored in a vault at M STAR POWER. Actress Angelina Jolie Pitt, left, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees special envoy and co-founder of the Pre- venting Sexual Violence Initiative, visits Jan Mai Kaung refugee camp in Myitkyina, Kachin State, Myanmar, in this July 30, 2015 file photo. A little-known Cambodia International Film Festival has received a star- powered boost from Jolie Pitt. The Hollywood star, who is currently in Cambodia filming her latest movie, is serving as president of the festival’s honorary committee, according to organizers. (AP Photo/Hkun Lat) Jolie Pitt serving in honorary post at Cambodian film festival PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — The little-known Cambodia International Film Festival has received a star-powered boost from Angelina Jolie Pitt. The Hollywood star, who is currently in Cambodia filming her latest movie, is serving as president of the festival’s honorary committee, according to organizers. The festival, which is held in the capital of Phnom Penh, runs through December 10 and features 130 films from 34 countries. “Cambodia’s rich history, long culture, and talented people mean it has a huge amount to offer the region and the world,” Jolie Pitt said in a statement issued by the festival. “I’m proud to support the Cambodia International Film Festival and Cambodia as a home for vibrant and innovative filmmaking.” Festival adviser Cedric Eloy, head of the Cambodian Film Commission, said Jolie Pitt’s role provides moral support and helps “bring attention to the rebirth of the Cambodian film industry.” Cambodia’s film industry was devastated by the murderous reign of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. The regime executed artists, writers, and filmmakers as part of its Maoist vision to eliminate the educated elite and transform the country into an agrarian utopia. More than 1.7 million people died under the regime. Jolie Pitt is currently filming an adaptation of a Khmer Rouge biography, First They Killed My Father, based on a 2000 memoir by Cambodian author and human-rights activist Luong Ung. INFAMOUS COLLECTION. Christie’s auction house appraiser David Warren examines a set of jewelry from the Roumeliotes Collection, one of three sets of the Marcos Jewelry Collection, dur- ing an appraisal at the Central Bank of the Philippines in Manila, the Philippines. The Philippine gov- ernment is having millions of dollars worth of jewelry — seized three decades ago from former first lady Imelda Marcos — appraised ahead of a possible auction of the collection. The jewelry was confiscated when the Marcos family fled to Hawai’i in 1986 following a revolt that ended her hus- band’s two decades in power. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) Pink diamonds are very rare. the Philippine central bank for nearly Warren said a 16-carat vivid pink 30 years. “If I didn’t know where the col- diamond was sold by Christie’s in lection came from, I would probably Geneva for $28.5 million. The provenance of the jewelry say it could have come from a royal person,” said David Warren, who could radically increase prices should headed a Christie’s auction house the pieces be auctioned, Warren said. Jewelry pieces held up for photo- team that inspected the jewelry. He said the extensive collection includes graphers by customs employees who removed them from plastic wrap- very rare and exceptional pieces. A 25-carat Indian pink diamond pings included various necklaces probably cut in the 18th century and with diamonds ranging from the size worth at least $5 million was newly of corn kernels to fat almonds, strung discovered to be part of the collection. together like a lei of mini chandeliers. In addition, the Philippine It was previously listed as crystal and may not have been shown to government is planning to launch a appraisers, Warren said. Marcos’ website to crowd-source tips on the briolette-cut or barrel-shaped pink whereabouts of some 200 missing art diamond is from India’s famous works, including paintings by Van Golconda region, which produced Gogh, Picasso, and Rembrandt that rare finds like the Hope Diamond and were owned by former first lady a 500-carat diamond that is part of Imelda Marcos, according to an official. the British crown jewels. ® M ANEKI NEKO LUCKY CAT M UG ® HOLIDAY FOOD & GIFT GUIDE With Silicone Lid. Keep Your Drink Hot and Fresh with These Cute Mugs! Choose from 5 Assorted Colors. 7.00 Dec ember 2- 15, 2015 DARUM A TEA CANISTER This Tin with Plastic Inner er Lid Will Keep Your Tea, Herbs or Spices Fresh! sh! Comes with Eye Stickers. . Place A Sticker on One Eye and Make a Wish! When Your Wish is Achieved, Place the Other Sticker on the Other Eye. KIM M IDOLLS Each of These Beautiful Collectable Dolls Represent Important Values Such as Kindness and Happiness. From 10.00 7.50 “Mary Chocolate” (16 pc) FUJISAN CRUNCH W E HAVE FUN & UNIQUE GIFTS! se a t t l e | bellevue | rent on | beaver t on Mt. Fuji Shaped Matcha Flavored Crunch Chocolate 15.49 SQUISHIE FOOD KEY CHAINS A Unique Stocking Stuffer or Gift! Choose from Several Designs. From 2.25 For more items visit our website www.uwajimaya.com | w w w .uw aj i may a.com
