From left to right, Angel Dei, Katrina Anne Johnson, Kristine Agcopra, Anna Valencia Lakrini, Samantha Bernardo, and Aira Lopez. Photographed by Kim Santos.
Joining founder Kristine Agcopra at Vogue Threads, five personalities reflect on what jewelry means to them, all while wearing their favored Theia Gems pieces.
On the opening day of Vogue Threads Manila 2025, Theia Gems founder Kristine Agcopra invited beauty queens Anna Lakrini, Samantha Bernardo, and Katrina Johnson, as well as online creators Angel Dei and Aira Lopez, to tour the event floor while wearing their favored pieces from the brand.
Later that afternoon, the five personalities also shared a moment with the Vogue Philippines team for a brief conversation on the significance of jewelry and the cherished pieces they’ve had over the years.
Kristine Agcopra
“To me, jewelry is more than a material piece because it’s also capable of holding memories, meanings, and milestones worth celebrating,” Agcopra says. “Every piece tells a story: of love, of self, of dreams and ambitions, and of moments you never want to forget.”
As she later reflects on the early days of Theia Gems, the founder explains how each piece within her personal collection serves as a representation of her cherished memories. “One of the most unforgettable ones was that, a 3.5-carat diamond ring gifted to me by one of my suppliers in recognition of my dedication and hands-on approach to this brand. That moment reminded me why I work so hard, and it continues to motivate me to do even better.”
Angel Dei
“When I was 22, I bought a self-love ring for myself,” shared travel and lifestyle creator Angel Dei. “That piece was and still is so memorable to me because it reminds me that regardless of whoever enters or leaves my life, I’ll always have me.”
She added that taking the time to reflect on her travels has allowed her to cherish the moments she shares with her loved ones, not only with her recent engagement (where her ring was created alongside Theia Gems), but more so with herself. “Jewelry, for me, is very empowering, and it gives a deeper sense of identity to whoever wears it. In that way, it’s like a subtle reminder that you’ve built something or grown something to its fullest.”
Anna Valencia Lakrini
“Jewelry has always had a sentimental connection to me,” said Miss Supranatural 2025’s first runner-up title holder Anna Valencia Lakrini. “I remember the first piece I had was just a simple gold necklace with a cross, and yet I still hold on to it dearly to this day.”
Within her collection, Lakrini shared that each piece bears specific values that she’s gathered from the memories it’s attached to. “I was actually wearing earrings from Theia Gems on the day that I passed the crown to the next Binibining Pilipinas. In that moment, those earrings symbolized what was essentially the end of an era, but now they also remind me of just being in that memory whenever I wear them.”
Aira Lopez
Reflecting on her past experiences, Aira Lopez shared that her upbringing in Tarlac already fostered her appreciation for jewelry. “Growing up, I was always fascinated with accessories. In the province, we called it burloloy, so it was like an unspoken rule that you can’t go outside without wearing your favorite earrings, bracelets, and necklaces,” she added.
In combining her athletic passions and jet-set lifestyle, however, Lopez expressed how learning from different cultures allowed her to define what jewelry means to her. “As I got older, I realized that putting on accessories and wearing jewelry are not the same. I now appreciate my pieces not just for their beauty but for their deeper value as well.”
Samantha Bernardo
“When I was eight years old, my mother gave me a gold bracelet with pearls before my biggest competition in rhythmic gymnastics. She reminded me that whatever happens that day, I will always shine, and that I should always give my best,” shared beauty queen turned multimedia host Samantha Bernardo.
Since her win as Binibining Pilipinas Grand International in 2020, Bernardo has expressed how growing her career as a business owner, online creator, and malaria-free advocate has given her new milestones to commemorate and more experiences worth cherishing. “Jewelry is more than an accessory; it reflects memories, and for me, I think you just find yourself attaching it to instances that deeply resonate with you beyond that moment.”
Katrina Anne Johnson
When it comes to jewelry, Binibining Pilipinas International 2025’s Katrina Anne Johnson shared that each piece she owns holds a memory that reflects the person she is today. “One of the pieces that I’m wearing today is something I haven’t taken off in over four years now. I actually designed this alongside Theia Gems, and it’s my homage to my mom, who passed away,” she detailed.
As a ring designed to resemble a pageantry crown, Johnson pointed out how each of its five points pertains to a value that her late mother had taught her over the years. “Both of us wanted to be Binibining Pilipinas, and though I wasn’t able to win while she was alive, this ultimately makes her a part of my journey not only in pageantry but for the rest of my life.”
Visit the Theia Gems website to view its latest collections; visit Theia Gems on Facebook and Instagram to learn more.
