Steven Boccone and the Philippine Jewelry Industry

Jewelry design in the Philippines dates back to early 16^th century.  In fact, historical records show that early Filipinos made bracelets, pendants, and beads during that era…. see www.ayalamuseum.org .  Today, Philippine jewelry industry continues with its tradition, showcasing the unique and brilliant artistry of new designers.

The design of Philippine jewelry pieces came from varied influences and the materials used by Filipino designers are often a mixture of metals, stones, gems, and other indigenous materials that can be found abundantly in the country’s rich reserve of natural resources.

However, there is no official data on the local jewelry industry and the market size. Much of the available jewelry in the market is either locally-made or imported from abroad. In 1994, De Beers placed the Philippine diamond market at $62 million.

An avid supporter of Filipino arts and an art connoisseur himself, Steven Boccone gets the opportunity to see events showcasing the Filipino artist such as the one featuring the country’s premier jewelry design studio Hoseki.

Hoseki, which means jewels in Japanese, is one of the country’s most exclusive, high-end jewelry design house and its brand and designs are well known worldwide. The studio store is owned by renowned Filipino jewelry designer Facio, who has joined competitions for jewelry design and it has won 26 awards to date.

Faico is also the only Filipino designer chosen in the prestigious 17 World’s Best Designers alongside Tiffany, Henry Dunay and other international design luminaries chosen by Paspaley’s White Magic World Touring Exhibition.

Steven Boccone, together with friends, attended one of the exclusive Hoseki exhibits during the launching of a Hoseki store at the Shangrila Hotel in Makati. During the exhibit, he was able to see for himself the alluring jewelry pieces that were masterfully crafted by Faico out of materials such as precious South Sea pearls, stones, gems and other native materials.

As a businessman and an admirer of the arts, he appreciates both the value and beauty of a fine set of jewelry. He knows that creating a good piece of jewelry takes more than just getting all the precious materials but in having an idea that can be translated into a unique art piece.  

Steven Boccone joins charity campaign for cancer victims

You may feel uneasy at first, being surrounded by all those gorgeous and well-dressed women but as the night progresses, you will soon realize the purpose of having them all in one room, under one roof.

Steven Boccone, together with wife Karen, attended an event honoring the Filipina in the 2008 Best Dressed Women of the Philippines held at Rizal Ballroom of the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati. It was not simply a gathering of the best dressed and the most sophisticated women in Philippine society but it was also an occasion dedicated to charity, supported by big names in business and industry.

Steven and Karen Boccone with Ralph and Rosebud Wainer, Frank and Annabelle Adriano, Michelle and Stanley Perez during a charity event honoring 2008 Best Dressed Women of the Philippines

It was in fact not all glitter and glamour as the event was organized by the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) http://philcancer.org.ph/, led by honorary chairperson Imelda Ongsiako Cojuangco, chairman consul Helen Ong, co-chairman Gerry Contreras and committee members that included consul Fortune Ledesma, Asia’s fashion czar Pitoy Moreno, Jayelles president Roselle Rebano and Johnny Litton. It was sponsored by Landmark, Cats Motors, Clero Medical Clinic and Lifestyle Asia.

Already on its fifth year in 2008, this annual event is the culmination of a year-long search for the best dressed Filipina. But surely many of those who attended the event knew the nobler purpose of the gathering, which is to help raise awareness for cancer. 

On the lighter side however it is an annual recognition of the women who epitomizes the modern Filipina and no one knows this more fully than Steven Boccone, who has a beautiful Filipina wife, Karen Adriano Boccone .

It was a successful night as the event has undoubtedly raised millions for the benefit of the Philippine Cancer Society. With the generosity of donors and benefactors, like Steven Boccone, the organization can sustain yet another year in its mission.

The battle against cancer is a fight for life and those who support this advocacy know too well how it is to become part of this lofty endeavor. The contributions that each one makes to charitable events like this can surely make a long way towards attaining the goals of the organization. And this has surely help people see things in deeper perspective, beyond the glitz and glamour of the occasion.  

Steven Boccone on Puccini’s Music

    To anyone who loves opera and beautiful music, the name Giacomo Puccini, may sound familiar. The renowned Italian composer was the proponent of the so-called realistic verismo style in Italian opera and created some of the world’s best operas such as La Boheme, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly.  Many consider him as the greatest composer after Verdi.

    Puccini’s music is popular all over the world and his admirers came from different social classes, which prove that beautiful music transcends political and social boundaries. His operas are performed in major cities worldwide in countless times and never lose its appeal and beauty.

   Puccini’s popularity may be attributed to his sense of the dramatic, gift for melody, and skilful use of the orchestra, which are also the outstanding characteristics of his compositions. Because of this, he is well loved by the people and his music became a timeless masterpiece.

   In the Philippines, fans gathered to hear Puccini’s music and to commemorate his 150^th anniversary. The event was sponsored by the Johann Strauss Society of the Philippines (JSSP), led by Monaco Consul and in partnership with the Italian embassy.

    As music lovers, Steven Boccone with his wife Karen attended the gala concert held at the opulent ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental Manila to listen to Puccini’s music. Together with members of the diplomatic corps and benefactors of the society, they listened to well-loved arias from Puccini’s best operas as performed by Italian soprano Anna Carnovali, tenor Franco Becconi and Filipina soprano Rachelle Gerodias accompanied by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Austrian conductor Ernest Hoetzl.

    Like other admirers in the audience that night, Steven Boccone enjoyed listening to the brilliant and moving songs of Puccini as interpreted by the performers and he appreciated the way the arias were beautifully rendered. And the music was even made more memorable with accompaniment by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

    Listening to Puccini’s music is refreshing and for all those who were lucky enough to attend the gala concert, it was more than a treat for a single night filled with memories and music. It was truly a good experience for all of them.