Antonio Z. Atienza, Jr.

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Antonio Z. Atienza, Jr. is a Filipino jeweler. As manufacturer, exporter, and retailer of fine Jewelry products, he is the owner of GOLDENAS JEWELRY, INC. He is a member of the Guild of Philippine Jewelers, Inc. The Guild's mission as a national organization is to promote the transformation and growth of Philippine jewelry industry, while it's vision is to transform the Philippine jewelry industry into a significant contributor to the national economy (Philippine RA NO. 8502, “Jewelry Industry Development Act of 1998.” (PROMOTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE JEWELRY MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY).^[1]

Atienza, Jr.'s Goldenas metamorphosed from Boy Atienza Jewel Art, a jewelry contracting shop, which started in 1982. With 3 employees, it has now under its employ a total of 80 craftsmen and personnel. It now offers a large selection of fine jewelry made of gold and set with diamonds, pearls, and other semi-precious precious stones. It has stores in Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan, M.M., Clark Field Pampanga and Level 3A Expansion Mall EDSA cor. Ortigas Ave., Q.C.^[2]

On April 17-21, 2007, Goldenas was a fine jewelry exhibitor at the Asias Finest Destination, Manila F.A.M.E. International.^[3]

Meycauayan, just 20 km from Metro Manila, has carved a niche for itself in jewelry art. The intricate craftsmanship and painstaking creative dedication the town’s jewelers pour into their creations have made the town the leading producer of silver and gold jewelry in the country. The Lakbay tourists visited the goldsmith and silversmith workshops and the showroom of Goldenas Jewelry, one of Meycauayan’s leading jewelry producers on May 21, 2006.^[4]

On January 18, 2008, his sister, former city accountant Ma. Victoria Atienza and former police chief retired Senior Superintendent Rolando Lorenzo filed a plunder complaint (under Republic Act No. 7080 or the “Anti-Plunder Law”) against former Meycauayan City Mayor Eduardo Alarilla and wife, incumbent Mayor Joan Alarilla, at the Office of the Ombudsman. Victoria and Rolando accused the mayor of "allegedly pocketing P 80 million from over 200 “ghost projects” during his 9-year term as city mayor; of malversation for allegedly falsifying public documents which allowed them to encash last year over P 9 million through “ghost deliveries.” Alarilla, however, told ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation that "Atienza’s allegation is pure lie and he had her investigated for alleged irregularities.^[5]

Contents 1 Awards 2 Kidnap for ransom 3 External links 4 Footnotes

[edit] Awards

On December 2006, “Pakpak”, a half-necklace representing the wings of an eagle, intricately crafted by Goldenas, Inc., won the top spot of the All Precious Metals Category of the Guild of Philippine Jewellers’ Jewelry Design Competition. It received another award for the interpretation of a capiz necklace entitled “Sensuality”, a winning design in the Chic Category of the Philippine Design Competition sponsored by the Meycauayan Jewelry Association on November 17, 2006. The Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry awarded Atienza, Jr. as Most Outstanding Bulacan Businessman in the Jewelry Industry on December 1, 2006.

On November, 2005, Goldenas garnered two awards during the Fifth Philippine Fine Jewelry Design Competition, at the Metro Comedy Bar in Quezon City. The design competition is an annual event organized by the Meycauayan Jewelry Industry Association Inc. (MJIAI) in partnership with the Product Development and Design Center of the Philippines (Design Center).

‘Eternal Love’ was the top placer for the Wedding Category. Marie Liza DJ Cayana, the designer, works for Goldenas Jewelry, sponsor of the prototype. Christina Maris J. Juan of the University of Santo Thomas submitted the winning design for the Chic category with her ‘Down to Earth’ entry. The necklace according to Cristina, a 3rd year Interior Design student from Imus, Cavite, is a piece that conforms with the rigours of the modern woman, it is something you can take from work to play. Goldenas Jewelry also created the prototype.^[6] Goldenas, as a Philexport member, joined the Buy Pinoy goes to San Francisco from November 15 to 20, 2005 at the Philippine Center, 447 Sutter St.^{[7][8][9][10]}

Holiday Inn hotel and resort in Clark, Pampanga (Sept. 30 to Oct. 1, 2006) held a “Wedding Expo” attended by 37. Goldenas Jewelry showcased its collection of wedding rings, which includes the P206,000 princess cut, white gold wedding rings.^[11]

[edit] Kidnap for ransom

On March 24, 2007, Atienza, Jr. was abducted by 5 armed men at Dona Mercedes subdivision, Barangay Libis, Iba, Meycauayan, Bulacan. After series of negotiations, he was released at Pasig City, Metro Manila on March 26, 2007 upon payment of P 2,000 ransom. Atienza, Jr. sought the assistance of police operatives (which created a special task force under Joseph Cabato, Military Intelligence Group, under PTFIC). CIG Chief superintendent Efren Fernandez arrested 2 suspects (at the Meycauayan gas station): Felipe Montaos and Eduardo Soriano who pointed to Gerardo Ruperez alias Boy Sabater, as mastermind. The other 3 suspects were later caught: Armando Pahigo, Rudy Bigote and a certain Boyet. Criminal cases were filed with the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Bulacan, and the case was docketed as "People versus Ruperez, et al." for Kidnapping with Ransom. Meanwhile, Atienza, Jr., his wife Connie and all children migrated to Australia due to the trauma. The remaining 2 other suspects were later arrested. Meanwhile, Atienza, Jr.'s vast jewelry (one of the biggest in the Philippines) business flourished at his office at Saluysoy, Meycauayan, Bulacan. He returned to his home and office after 7 years.(3-25, 1997 issue of Tempo, front page and page 2, by Rolly Carandang)^[12]

[edit] External links

• Guild of Philippine Jewellers, Inc.

[edit] Footnotes