From Discards to Diamonds:
The Backstory on the Langka & Durian Bowls

The Jackfruit, locally known as langka grows abundantly in the Philippines. Except for the skin, every part of the langka is edible. The peel, rind or skin of the jackfruit is used as either feed or fertilizer. So the langka is divided into food, feed or fertilizer; edible and inedible.

One day in the mid-90’s, I received two huge, whole jackfruits! This was more than my young family of three could consume, so we shared what could be eaten and I decided to mould half of the second fruit. I was on the hunt for textures in nature to mould and use in a sculptural collage, so I was excited to see how the langka spines in resin would turn out.

The day I demoulded the resin from my langka mould, my jaw dropped to the floor! In my hands were what looked like diamonds!! In the world of fine jewelry, “pavé” is a term that originates from the French word for “paved.” It describes a technique where small gemstones, most commonly diamonds, are set closely together like a paved street, to create a surface that sparkles. The stones used in pavé settings are typically very small, often referred to as melee diamonds when diamonds are used, and are arranged to create a continuous shimmering effect.

This was a pivotal moment for me! Prior events of major betrayal and rejection in my life had me feeling depressed and lost. I was going through a messy identity crisis. And thoughts of suicide were spinning in my head…

Patapon! Discard! That was a word echoing in my soul! I was ready to throw away my life like one would toss away the inedible rind of the langka! I had a birthday during this troubled time in 1994 when I actually told the Lord that I didn’t want anymore birthdays because I couldn’t handle life anymore. And yet as the cured resin in my langka mould was peeled away, a small voice in my heart surfaced as I beheld the pavé of shimmering resin diamonds saying , “Look at you! You are more precious than diamonds!! You have awesome worth; don’t throw your life away!”

The Lord has been faithful to speak life and comfort as He guides me to live out my purpose. Now at age 64, having gone through all sorts of triumphs and trials, I asked Him,”What was I born for? And what was I re-born as a Christian for?”

His answer came ON MY BIRTHDAY in 2024, in the middle of a prestigious online Arts & Entertainment Summit! God graciously provided for my 26-week scholarship through a still unknown donor. The topic that day was Focusing on One’s Best Work. For me that meant my sculpture collection at my 1996 Solo Exhibit at the Ayala Museum!! I was stunned. The Lord has been at work resurrecting my long-dead art career back to life!!

Two months earlier a major art collector saw some of my resin pieces as I had been gearing up for a relaunch of my art career. Sadly, he was looking to replace a glass heirloom piece and resin was simply not on his radar. I wasn’t aware that I had taken offense, so in my self-imposed rejection I asked, “Is this game over for us, Lord?” Almost immediately this verse arose in my spirit:

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not [resin]—to nullify the things that are [glass], so that no one may boast before him.” (1 Cor 1:27-29)

I was overjoyed to say the least!!

At the end of my 26-week course where I received equipping to be a global creative entrepreneur with a biblical perspective, I took the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Davao in Mindanao, the southernmost province of the Philippines, as my tithe for the coming season. Amazingly, while there, I met my first client / collaborator for this relaunch: a divine appointment!

The Lord also brought an old friend to our home just the other day and in the course of our exchange shared a top-notch local resource for dealing with shipping packages to clients overseas! This was the last piece of the puzzle to get my business going and even that solution came to my doorstep!

The Lord knows my needs and has been providing even before I ask!! Most consider seniors in their sunset years, but I know the Lord is just getting me to arise and shine! He’s obviously not done with me yet.

To anyone who is dealing with rejection of any sort I share my ongoing testimony and present my langka and durian bowls as reminders of how our loving Father-God sees you. He sees you as precious gems! How He loves you and desires only good for you! The actual thing to throw away is the lie that you are a throw-away!!

The Lord is a loving Father who created us for His purposes. He will complete the good work He began in us, even if we were interrupted or rerouted for the greater part of life, whether by our own poor decisions or by others’ free will. Time is not a problem with Him. Remember He is the God who turns water into wine and He’s not done with you yet either!

By His design, there is a mission you are best fit to carry out! It is therefore a privilege to co-labor with the God of the Universe. He believes in us more than we believe in ourselves!! And the real work is actually to believe this is so!

But if we choose to disobey or from unbelief rationalize our way out of obedience, there is grace to get back on track but we have allowed our own delays.

At the Cross Jesus paid the full price for us outcasts, and rejects, the marginalized and the seemingly insignificant. Jesus’ resurrection proves we have resurrection power inside us that enables us to overcome! For in Christ, we are more than conquerors!!