"Pamana"
I had the honor of creating a unique 30 cm balisong called 'Pamana', which means 'heirloom' for the Adriano family. The piece features several engraved and inlaid symbols on both the blade and handle. Each symbol appears in a set of three to represent Chok, Che, and their daughter Chicklet. The symbols signify the values and virtues that the Adriano family holds dear.
The design of the blade was inspired by the Cordilleran spear called "Gayang". It is constructed using leaf spring steel and features symbols that are engraved along the center fuller. These symbols include "arrows," which signify the direction in life, and "hourglass/day and night/rice mortar," which represent creation, spiritual shield, fertility, and sustenance.
The blade also has three copper inlays, some legends claim that copper keeps evil spirits at bay while giving the blessing of positivity and wealth.
Another notable feature is the sculpted brass on the tang that depicts a family with the symbol of a "dog" at the base, which stands for protection, guidance, and loyalty.
The handle of the piece is constructed with a thick brass housing with stainless bolsters, and the scales are a combination of brass and narra from my century-old narra blocks that are reserved for very special projects, such as this one. The words "buhay" and "lakas" in baybayin characters made from mother of pearl are inlaid on the narra scales.
The handle also contains various symbols that are manually engraved and distributed in different parts of the handle. These symbols include the "snakeskin" pattern, which represents protection, health, and strength, as well as the "mountains" symbol, which signifies the journey of life and sturdiness, and the "ladder" symbol which stands for achievements.
The process of creating this beautiful piece involved careful planning, numerous sketches, and mock-ups to reach the final design that perfectly captures the virtues, values, memories, and love of the Adriano family.
This magnificent piece, named "Pamana," will serve as a lasting reminder of Adriano's legacy encapsulated in this majestic piece which will be passed down for generations to come.