Serpentine surprise

Zambales is known not only for its big and sweet mangoes or Mt. Pinatubo or Subic beaches, but also for serpentine. Serpentine refers to the masses of metamorphic rocks believed to have been formed from oceanic crust millions of years ago. The ancient Greeks called this mineral group serpentine because of the cloudings or veins that gave it the mottled look resembling a serpent’s skin.

While serpentine is actually the name of the mineral group, serpentinite is the name for the rock group regardless of the type of dominant serpentine mineral. Abroad, massive formations of cryptocrystalline serpentine are found in the United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, England, India, China and USSR. Here in the Philippines, the largest indigenous mineral resource of serpentine is found in Zambales. Adjudged to be of the best quality, serpentine boulders have been very common there, particularly in Iba and the neighboring towns of Botolan and Cabangan. In fact, they were too common that Zambalenos in the past simply used the serpentinites for riprapping and pothole fillers.

Until 1990 when Benjamin Farin Jr., a young Tourism graduate who is managing their family business, the Sand Valley Resort in Iba, thrust serpentine into the limelight. His objective? "To help improve the economy of our community." He put up Zambrox, Inc. or "Zambales Rocks" and revealed to the public the humble rock’s intrinsic beauty and wide range of function. Now designers and architects agree that serpentine is more beautiful than the already well-known marble. It is more lustrous and fibrous; more versatile and easier to transform into ornamental items.

In 1991, Jun saw the greater potentials of serpentine through the Department of Trade and Industry’s stone craft skills, training and entrepreneurial seminar which was held at their resort. "Right then and there I bought the stone crafting machines and with four workers, I started producing small items like paper weights and pencil holders." Later on, more novelty items were produced: ash trays, candle holders, flower vases, bookends, table clocks, dinnerware, etc. The Aetas, the indigenous group in Zambales, have been very close to Jun’s heart. He therefore employed them in the factory.

Zambrox products are showcased at Sand Valley Resort and their Manila office at 16-A Timog Avenue in Quezon City. Serpentine products are now sold at all SM outlets, at Diamond Hotel on Roxas Blvd., Alabang Town Center, and at City Beds in Eastwood City in Libis, Quezon City.

Jun Farin became more passionate in crafting serpentine when he was encouraged by DTI to join trade exhibits, the first of which was held in Angeles, Pampanga. Then in 1993 at an exhibition in Manila, Zambrox products caught the attention of interior designers who later used serpentine materials for tabletops, coffee tables, consoles, as well as lamination to beautify wooden furniture. Some of these can now be seen at the Robinsons Galleria mall and hotel.

In 1994, Jun joined the CITEM fair for exporters. Out of the 180 participants, he won two awards: for the best display and for the best booth. Immediately, he got orders from Germany. For Jun, that was the beginning of the realization of his dream of making his province, and ultimately his country, widely known for serpentine. By 2004, Zambrox products are already exported to US and Japan.

But what makes serpentine mystic? According to the history of rocks and crystals, serpentine stones were used in ancient times for their healing power and the capacity to develop psychic abilities. Serpentine was known to strengthen the heart, the kidneys, and lungs, as well as the pituitary and thymus glands.

Beyond the physical, serpentine stones are also believed to have the capacity to align the astral and emotional bodies. It also alleviates general fear, even paranoia. It enables the wearer or user to handle difficult or unpleasant aspects of life.