IILUSTRADO Magazine_Aug 2009

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL FILIPINO

15 AUGUST-15 SEPTEMBER 2009

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issue

32

Pinoy

Arts CREATIVE VIRTUOSITY FILIPINO ART COMMUNITY IN THE EMIRATES MORE THAN MATHS & SCIENCES ART & FASHION COLLISION LEA SALONGA: ON TALENT & MOTHERHOOD PINOY PLANET: SPAIN ILLUSTRADO FACES ANNIE B.CHRONICLES

EDITOR’S NOTE

As the city exhales…

Summer in the Gulf, particularly in the emirates is customarily a time for endless griping about the merciless weather. Forty degrees plus days, capped by unforgiving humidity, punctuated here and there by sticky sweaty clothes, foggy sunglasses and oven-hot cars in parking. Those who are lucky escape to cooler climes (“To the rain, to the rain!” I always say referring to our annual getaway to Manila and Southeast Asia), while those who have to stay get to grumble on daily about the heat and how to survive the most tedious of seasons in this part of the world.

Curiously, this year seems different. What with the global recession and newfound financial conscientiousness of most expat families not to mention the H1N1 travel scare, folks seem to be more receptive to the idea of a ‘staycation’ – a word coined last year in the wake of the economic meltdown denoting “a vacation spent at one’s home enjoying all that home and one’s home environs have to offer.”

There’s a nice hum in the air these days here in Dubai. And though the buoyant mood of recent years will take some time to come back with the long haul recovery of the market, there’s a certain amount of buzz, albeit a quieter calmer one, generated by the country’s residents who have stayed. Shopping offers abound, left right and center; hotels and resorts offer amazingly low packages enticing you to visit the more relaxed parts of the emirates like Al Ain, Fujeirah, Umm Al Quwain, and enjoy for once the pretense of being a local tourist.

Now if that isn’t your cup of coffee, and you are partial to enjoying simple pleasures, then easy streets, lesser crowded malls and the seemingly slower pace of daily life would surely elicit some smiles. Moreso, the chance to spend some down time at home with the family, or for yourself, and being able to handle life with a more even keel, as the city exhales this time around, is quite a privilege in itself.

In line with this summer’s relaxed atmosphere, we take it easy and allow ourselves to wander to the stuff that passion and hobbies are made of –art. We look at Pinoy creativity and at significant locally based artists, as well as the up and coming Filipino art community in the emirates. We also take a peek at the Philippine school system in the country, as their Pinoy students gear up to return to the classrooms this month. In this issue, we are also introducing two new columns sure to please readers – Globetrotter’s Blog and Illustrado Faces and continue to feed you with interesting and enjoyable reading within our regular columns.

As we breathe in the stillness of this summer, we also ask all of you Illustrados to take a moment of silence to commemorate the passing of a Philippine legend – Cory Aquino who, to our generation who had the privilege to witness the might of People Power, made tangible the true meaning of democracy and the nobleness of the pursuit of truth, justice and peace. May she rest in peace, and her exemplary ideals not only stay alive, but burgeon, in all of us.

Taas Noo, Filipino.

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Send your letters to: editor@illustrado.net

Please let me know, I am looking forward to reading Thank you for your constant support. your next issue.

Best regards, Lalaine Thanks and more power!

Regards, I always read Illustrado from cover to cover starting Grace Canlas, Dubai with your Editor’s note then the letters from all your readers up to the Annie B Chronicles (although Dear Grace, sometimes I must admit that the first thing I look for is Annie B!).

Thanks for your note and our sympathies on the passing of your father.We do welcome submissions from our It helps me keep my sanity in a world that is so upside readers. We are but an e-mail away. down nowadays. It inspires me that there are still chances to live life happy. I find myself feeling happy Best regards, and fulfilled for the moment, after reading the whole Lalaine magazine.

I managed to find Illustrado in Carrefour Marina Mall. This is good news for me since I don’t have to subscribe or go to Dubai to get one. I have friends who are also reading Illustrado and we actually find it better compared to showbiz mags. With all the ‘patawa’ and good articles it’s really worthwhile reading the magazine. Thank you very much for helping. I really appreciate it.

Thank you for all those precious pearls of wisdom and lessons, as well as the smiles and laughter. Always keep them coming.

Minnie dela Cruz Sharjah

I loved the article on seafood kare-kare written by Isabel Sabado-Warren in your recent June/July 2009 issue. It made me think about my family. Kare-kare back home is considered as rich folk’s food so we seldom had it on our dinner table. My mother and GORGEOUS June/July 2009 issue! father raised six kids, but let me tell you that we did not go hungry for food or love. I actually consider how I’m a fashion addict and feel so good when I see my parents cared for us as ‘love food.’ I hope lots of Filipinos doing great in the world of fashion design. people do. I do hope you feature more stories like Your wedding gowns feature was simply awesome! that.

The elegant clothes of Ezra, Michael and Henry were just to die for!

Marita Odon It’s also great to see all the beautiful Pinay models you are featuring in your magazine. It doesn’t matter whether they are pure Pinay or Pinay We have enjoyed your magazine for many years. ‘hybrids’ – they are all beautiful.

We have shared your wonderful articles with many friends. It has been so long that I do not remember Carlo dela Cruz, Dubai how we found you. As a stay-at-home mom of four children, we are just grateful that we did. In these unbelievably difficult times ahead we are appreciative I’ve been a subscriber for a few years now and love of all the knowledge and lessons that we find in your the magazine. pages. Please tell everyone there that there is hope.

There are a lot of us here. We are not in the news all Just a quick note to thank you for your continuous the time, but we are many and we are people who pray. features about entrepreneurship and business. It We will continue to do so in the coming years. seems that Filipinos can be motivated by these kinds of articles to have their own business in the Happy Mommy near future. It makes us think to save and plan for Dubai our future.

Continue inspiring us Illustrado team! Mabuhay kayo!

I get excited every time Illustrado Magazine arrives in the mail and I can’t wait until I read it from cover to Delia Cornejo, Dubai cover!

Arlan Mawac System Support Engineer - Ericsson, Abu Dhabi

Good Day! While I was covering last Friday’s Celebration of the 111th Philippines Independence Day at Al Nasr Leisureland, I had the chance to view for the first time a copy of Illustrado Magazine which they were giving away for free. I must say that being a photo hobbyist/enthusiast and at the same time having a wife who is addicted to fashion (and magazines), Illustrado is certainly a must read especially for Filipinos abroad as it showcase OFW’s in Particular as well as the beautiful faces of Filipinas. The best part of the magazine for me is the section where the different places of the islands are being featured (the ‘Baler’ feature was great).

Anyways, being an enthusiast of photography, I would like to take the opportunity to share some of my works. It would really be a great honor for me, and at the same time boost my confidence, if any of my photos will be published in your Magazine. I currently am into High Dynamic Range Photography (HDR) but tried glamour and fashion a couple of times.

I hope to hear from you.

Thanks and Best Regards, PJ Emmanuel Mascarina, Dubai Dear PJ, We are launching a regular monthly column soon aimed to involve the local Filipino photography community. We look forward to seeing your works.

Thank you for your kind words and support.

Best regards, Lalaine I have read my first copy of your magazine ‘Illustrado,’ which I got from your booth during the Independence Day celebrations in Dubai.

I really love the issue, especially the section of Bro. Bo Sanchez. I was deeply touched by how he clearly recalled memories of his father. I could very well relate to his story, as I’ve had sweet moments with my Dad as well - although he is not with us anymore, since he suffered from brain aneurism last March.

By the way, I am wondering if you accept contributions from non-members of your organization, because it’s my big dream to have something published.

Hello again Illustrado.

I so enjoy your magazine and save every single copy, unless it gets loaned out. My husband never paid attention to them before, but then just recently he started noticing and reading them. It sure changed his mind. He says he has gained so much knowledge from you about the Philippines and Filipinos, it’s simply amazing. Now it has become a fight who gets to read Illustrado first!

I have purchased some back issues before, but would love to have a collection of all of them, if possible.

I am looking forward to each issue!

Sue Calma Dear Sue, A lot of our loyal readers do love to collect Illustrado. You may order the full collection of our magazines through our office – please contact (+971-4) 365 4543 or 365 4547, or e-mail: admin@illustrado.net

I especially am an avid fan of Annie B. This woman is a dynamo. She helps or rather inspires me to be strong whatever comes my way. Each of your issue is worth waiting for. It’s always been “abangan ang susunod na kabanata…”

To all the folks, staff and contributors of Illustrado you are the absolute best.

Chinggay Alcaraz I just got introduced to Illustrado. My friend gave me three copies that someone gave her (can you imagine – ‘third hand?’). I really, really like the magazine. I like Jeffrey Ximo’s writing! I like the humorous yet sensible way his articles are written. You will not get bored reading his articles. He is giving us inspiration on how to improve life in an easy way. So, FUPRES IT! Precy Caballero Sharjah

IN MEMORIAM

Cory Aquino 25 January 1933 – 1 August 2009 11th President of the Philippines The Philippines’ and Asia’s first female president Vanguard of the People Power Revolution Tireless advocate of democracy, peace, women’s empowerment and religious piety Woman of the Year (Time Magazine 1986) One of the 20 Most Influential Asians of the 20th century (Time Magazine 1999) One of 65 great Asian Heroes (Time Magazine 2006) One of the 15 Champions of World Democracy (A Different View 2008) Devoted wife and mother Exemplary private citizen

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CONTRIBUTORS

Alfred A. Yuson

Vic Lactaoen An absolute authority on travel, Vic Lactaoen takes us with him on a luxurious holiday to fiery Bikol. Vic is certainly on top of the list of travel and culture experts not only in the Philippines but in the Southeast Asian subcontinent owing to his extensive travels around the country and the region spanning over a decade, as well as a stint with the ASEAN Secretariat as head of Public Information. Vic is also a contributor to several local and international in-flight magazines, as well as the Manila Bulletin’s Tourism section and is working on publishing his own travel book.

Alfred ‘Krip’ Yuson is one of the most distinguished writers in the Philippines. He has earned many distinctions in his writing career, like the Southeast Asian Writers Award for lifetime achievement, an elevation to the Hall of Fame of the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, and a shortlisted entry in the Man Asian Literary Prize. Krip has authored 22 books: novels, poetry collections, short fiction, essays, children’s stories and biographies. He has also edited many other titles, including multiple travel and corporate coffee-table publications. He also serves as Philippines Editor for MANOA: A Pacific Journal of International Writing, published by the University of Hawaii and as a columnist for The Philippine Star and Philippine Graphic. Yuson also teaches fiction and poetry at the Ateneo de Manila University, where he held the Henry Lee Irwin Professorial Chair.

Al Manlangit A peek at Al Manlangit’s active blogs will give you no clue that the man actually has a daytime job. Born to travel, journey buff Al loves to jump from one destination to the next while soaking up the local culture. His exploits have taken him to countries like the US, Spain, India, South Africa, Portugal, Germany, Sweden, France, Norway, and the Bahamas among a host of other interesting places. The quintessential Pinoy expat, Al has lived half of his life in the Gulf. He is an architect working as Chief Designer for a contracting firm in Kuwait and is also an avid hobby photographer.

Anna Loraine Balita Sherry Tenorio Former banker-turned journalist Sherry Tenorio is an active denizen of the lifestyle and business scene in Dubai, writing stories for a number of prominent magazines in the emirates. This petite writer has met royalty, interviewed CEOs and celebrities, attended VVIP parties but still remains to want only three things: write, take pictures and be a part of a meaningful charitable endeavor in the future.

This month, Sherry delves into the growing Filipino community art scene in the emirates and talks to its most significant current players.

Girl-about-town freelance writer Anna is a part-time school publication adviser currently finishing her master’s degree in Applied Media Studies at the De La Salle University Manila.

Born and raised in Manila, she has enjoyed the sights and sounds of the city for as long as she can remember. When she puts down her glasses and backpacks, however, she can be found doing a variety of activities – from wall climbing, wushu, target shooting, wakeboarding, etc., etc.

In this issue, Anna Loraine takes us through the ‘ginormous’ Mall of Asia in Manila.

Meiji Sangalang Melandro is an Art Director for the Gulf’s leading multinational ad group with 14 years of experience in the field. He is also a freelance photographer with a special interest in fashion and events. A Digital Imaging trainer of OPPPS (Overseas Pinoy Professional Photographers Society) for almost four and a half years, Melandro says that photography is his passion because “it produces pleasure in its simplicity.” He shoots another fun episode of the Annie B. Chronicles this month for Illustrado.

Jude Cartalaba Privileged to have a tête-à-tête with the divine Lea Salonga this month is Jude Cartalaba, a freelance writer always in love with the stories of struggles and victories. Jude believes that the words he weaves to make a feature story create an impact, so with his chosen craft, he strives to nourish the soul, heal the heart, and uplift the spirit. Today, Jude leads a growing community of Pinoy Writers online and dreams of chronicling inspiring stories like that of the country’s world renowned and critically acclaimed star.

Publisher & Editor-in Chief Lalaine Chu-Benitez Consultant Editor Vic Albornoz Lactaoen CONTRIBUTING WRITERS UAE, Philippines, USA Aby Yap JR Bustamante Anna Lorraine Balita Jude Cartalaba Bernadette Reyes Karen Galarpe Bro. Bo Sanchez KC Abalos Chayie Maligalig Krip Yuson David Poarch Atty. May Flores Excel Dyquiangco Mike Martin Francisco Colayco Shar Matingka Isabel Warren Sherry Tenorio Isabelo Samonte Sonny Guzman Ivan Henares Vic Lactaoen Jeffrey ‘Ximo’ Ramos Victor Sollorano Jesse Edep Jonie Jose ART DIRECTORS Tom Bolivar Paula Lorenzo Ron Perez CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS UAE Eros Goze Illuminado Ong Melandro Sanggalang Pot Ph Mac Antonio Mariyah Gaspacho PHILIPPINES Dr. Marlon Pecjo Glenn Peter-Perez Parc Cruz CONTRIBUTING STYLISTS & FASHION TEAM UAE Zekundo Chu Anna de Leon Basil Yunting Jessie Tabla PHILIPPINES Janet dela Fuente PUBLISHER - UAE Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2nd Floor, Building 2, P.O. Box 72280 Office 20C Dubai Media City, UAE Tel: +9714 365 4543, 365 4547 Fax:+9714 360 4771 E-mail: admin@illustrado.net, info@illustrado.net Web: www.illustrado.net, www.illustrado.agilaglobal.net PHILIPPINE OFFICE Illustrado Marketing & Communications inc.

1100 88 Corporate Exchange Center, Valero St., Salcedo Village, Makati City, PHILIPPINES Tel: +632 754 8016, 754 8017 Fax: +632 754 8000 PRINTERS PRINTWELL PRINTING LLC P.O. Box 18828 Dubai, UAE Copyright Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2006-2009. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC.

CONTENTS

August 09

56

Fashion and art collide this month in Illustrado’s artistically indulgent style feature with Filipino-German model Valerie Weigmann.

FEATURES

Filipino Creative Virtuosity 14 Grand Custodians of Philippine Arts & Culture 16 Manila Art 2009 18 For Art’s Sake: Filipino art organizations in the UAE 20 Drama mo, ‘day! 24 More than Maths and Sciences28 Tini Meyer: Capturing her life’s journeys in art 46 A local art hero named ‘Japat’ 50

REGULAR COLUMNS

Editor’s Note 1 Letters 2 Contributors 10 Illuminati: Afloat in Wonder 32 Kabuhayan: Fish of Mine 34 Kabuhayan: Saving for your Children’s Education 36 Spirituality: 10 Habits to a Healthy Body 40 Successful Pinoy: Creating Good Habits and Changing the Bad Ones 42 Community: Ready for the World – Ambassador Libran Cabactulan 45 Community 70 Onli in da Pilipins: Ganito Kayo Noon, Paano Kami Ngayon? 82 The Annie B. Chronicles: Remembering MJ 86 Illustrado Faces 88

50

FASHION

Michael Cinco Steals Limelight at Manila Fashion Week 53 Filipino Designers Heat Up Dubai’s Catwalk 54 Fashion Feature: Art & Fashion Collision 56

ENTERTAINMENT

Lea Salonga: On Talent & Motherhood 68

PLACES

Bakasyon Grande: Bikol Luxury 73 Trippin’: MOA the Giant 76 Pinoy Planet: Traipsing around sunny Spain 78 Globetrotter’s Blog: Barcelona 81

78

14 FEATURE

Filipino creative virtuosity

By Alfred A. Yuson

Amidst the understandable brouhaha over Malacañang’s announcement of the latest set of National Artists, we can take stock of how Filipinos fare as creative people: as artists, artisans and craftsmen.

Only recently, an edition of Travel Time on Manila TV, hosted by Susan Calo-Medina, was particularly fascinating for its feature on our weavers in the deep South. One or two of the featured craftswomen have already been proclaimed as National Living Treasures — a separate honors category established by government. And indeed they are.

Beyond the question of what distinguishes supposed high art from low art, or the practice of the seven classic and modern arts from that of the applied and allied arts, or crafts as they may be called, there is also much appreciation for the dedicated work that goes into the latter, however “closer to home.”

That TV show focused on the splendid geometric designs of cloths and mats, such as what are fashioned by the “dream weavers” among the indigenous and Muslim communities of Mindanao. Old women who had mastered the traditional techniques weren’t simply replicating, say, customary t’nalak designs, but actually originating their own each time they wove strips of palm leaf, or knotted fibers for a tie-dye process, or arranged the intersections of weft and woof courtesy of a backstrap loom.

In brief, these weavers exercise their imagination and creative spirit in coming up with fresh designs all the time, when they recast familiar motifs and color patterns in different new arrangements. In effect, they orchestrate everything in a new light. Only their materials remain the same.

Here is where they may at times differ from their more ennobled kindred in the arts.

The writer uses the same words he has developed all his life, but keeps picking up new materials and also presents them in a new way. The painter may choose oil or acrylic, or mix his media, slash and burn his canvas, which can be large or small. The sculptor shapes clay or glass, gouges wood or marble, or welds metal parts together.

The musician will compose or simply play, after selecting from an array of genres and instruments. Dancer, actor, stage and film director explores many forms of bodily, verbal, and image expression. And an architect’s budget and materials can go through quite a range, dictating on his ideas.

Ironically, the applied arts or folk crafts are not considered as lofty because of their utilitarian aspect: the products have a practical use, most often in the home. Doubly ironic is that they share this commonality with the grander scale of architecture, which is the creation of actual homes.

FEATURE 15

No matter the conundrum in this bifurcation, between the reputedly nobler arts and the more commonplace crafts (but isn’t music common to all? Ah, yes, but it can also be sublime), the Filipino excels in both fields, in fact, in all areas of creativity.

Currently, however, it is in the visual arts where we appear to be taking the lead in our region if not all of Asia. Undoubtedly, our painters and sculptors are world-class, and only need the proper promotional push to be fully acknowledged as such.

Our photographers, comic book illustrators and graphic designers can compete favorably anywhere on this planet.

Similarly, our furniture designers like Kenneth Cobonpue and Budji Layug have established us as the Milan of Asia.

And certainly, our fashion designers would make a universal mark given the right exposure, as has already happened with Josie Natori and Tina Maristela-Ocampo who have captivated New York with lingerie creations and Hollywood with ladies’ handbags.

Our film and video artists, especially of the indie variety, such as Brillante Mendoza, keep winning at notable festivals, now inclusive of the big prize at Cannes. It seems our artists have that supreme mind’s eye for the creation of the striking, appealing image, or the fresh contour and configuration of arresting design, while providing a masterful touch where the matrix of materials is concerned.

For the painter, the materials can be the substantial subject, the way Bencab elevates the metaphor of a destitute woman scavenger, his Sabel, into gestural elegance. Or how the younger Marcel Antonio has parlayed representational narrative mythology in a style that suggests more than a take on Picasso and Chagall. Or how Dominic Rubio, now selling very well in Singapore and Hong Kong, offers old Asia scenes where the otherwise stereotypical human subjects all have long thin necks of quaint, whimsical distinction.

Our lower-end illustrators are close to dominating the ranks of Marvel comic-book artists, while in the lucrative area of television commercials and web design, Pinoys have no catching up to do.

The creativity may be innate, as witness the splendiferous colorful mats of Tawi-Tawi or the finessed attire of the Yakan or T’boli or B’laan. Match that native eye with a hand and heart exposed to Western trends, toggle that sensibility, and you have the Filipino visual artist who enjoys the best of both worlds, even as he clearly manifests it with creations that can boggle the mind.

Grand Custodians of Philippine Arts & Culture 16 FASHION

L

overs of the arts and culture in the Philippines have quite a number of avenues from where they can immerse themselves with the subject – from museums, to galleries, theaters and venues of the performing arts, libraries and other places of interest. Apart from these are the things that surround daily life – that which might appear as trivial to the untrained eye or uninterested individual, but are nonetheless part and parcel of what makes up the wealth of our creative heritage – architecture, music, films, and our ethnic traditions. To be able to have a basic grasp, however, of the richness of Philippine talent, a true devotee may well start by exploring some of the most well-known repositories our local arts - the grand custodians of Filipino artistic brilliance.

Spolarium by Juan Luna at the National Museum

National Museum of the Philippines

Domingo considered as the first great Filipino painter, is also on display.

Established in1901 as an ethnography and natural history museum, the National Museum of the Philippines is the prime repository and guardian of the country’s natural and cultural heritage.

Today, it is housed in the old Congress building with the arts and natural sciences exhibits, adjacent to the National Museum of the Filipino People which contains anthropology and archaeology displays.

National Museum

Other collections include the Gold of Ancestors, pre-colonial treasures in the Philippines, the Embroidered Multiples, 18th to 19th century Philippine costumes, and A Millennium of Contact, Chinese and Southeast Asian Trade Ceramics in the Philippines. The museum also features a boat gallery – a collection of miniature ship models that sailed through the Philippine seas, and also serves as space for visual art exhibitions.

National Museum of the Filipino People.

Having a vast array of historic and cultural artefacts, the National Museum of the Philippines is the home of Juan Luna’s famed Spolarium, considered to be the grandest and most famous painting by a Filipino. An obra maestro that earned Juan Luna the coveted award in the Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in 1884 and made history by sparking fire in the Filipino national consciousness as it depicted the Filipino struggle against slavery and oppression during the Spanish era. The four meter high by seven meters wide artwork hangs in the main gallery and is the first work of art that greets visitors upon entry.

The National Museum also houses the worldclass travelling exhibit, The Treasures of the San Diego, showcasing a total of 34,407 artifacts and ecofacts - an entire cargo of Chinese porcelain, stoneware, earthenware materials and metals. The San Diego exhibition has been on tour around the globe – in countries like Paris, Madrid, New York and Berlin, before it was permanently displayed at the new

Ayala Museum The Ayala Museum is a private institution envisioned by the late artist, Fernando Zobel de Ayala y Montojo in the 1950s, established as a project of the Ayala Foundation Inc. in 1967 and formally dedicated on September 28, 2004 – a gift by the Ayala Corporation to the Filipino people in celebration of its 170th anniversary.

Known for its Dioramas of Philippine history, the Ayala Museum features sixty handcrafted mini-showcases created by skilled Paete artists depicting significant events in Philippine history – from prehistoric times through to the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

The museum also houses the works of three painters who are considered to be pioneers in Philippine art - Juan Luna (1857-1899), Fernando Amorsolo (1882-1972), and Fernando Zobel (1924-1984). A collection of another important Filipino painter, Damian

The Cultural Center of the Philippines The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is the national center for the performing arts in the Philippines. Since its creation in 1966 and formal inauguration on September 8, 1969, the CCP has remained true to its commitment of nurturing and promoting artistic excellence, Filipino aesthetics and identity, and positive cultural values.

The CCP showcases the works and artistic achievements of Filipino artists and encourages original works embodying Filipino themes and traditions. It also promotes film and broadcast arts, literary and visual arts to encourage the growth of aspiring artists in these fields.

The greatest Filipino performance artists have graced the CCPs theatres and galleries - Ballet Philippines, Philippine Ballet Theatre, Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company, Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group,

FASHION 55

Works of Philippine Masters at the Ayala Museum

Tanghalang Pilipino, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, UST Symphony Orchestra, Philippine Madrigal Singers, National Music Competitions for Young Artists Foundation, and the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, while playing gracious host to international artists including the Bolshoi, Kirov, Royal Danish ballets, and Royal Shakespeare Company, among others.

National Library of the Philippines The National Library of the Philippines possesses over 1.6 million pieces in its collection - from books, manuscripts, newspaper issues, theses and dissertations, government publications, maps, and photographs. Considered as its most notable collection are the original copies of the masterpieces of Dr. Jose Rizal – Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo, Mi último adiós, and three unfinished novels. Another a prized possession is the original document of the Philippine Declaration of Independence.

Other valuable Rizaliana pieces are four incunabulas, the original manuscript of Lupang Hinirang, the Philippine national anthem, several sets of The Philippine Islands, 14931898, a collection of rare Filipiniana books previously owned by Tabacalera, the Spanish tobacco monopoly, and the documents of five Philippine presidents.

Metropolitan Museum of Manila The Met Museum is the premier museum of modern and contemporary visual arts in the Philippines.

Located at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas complex, the museum features a permanent exhibition of the bank’s priceless gold and ancient pottery collections namely the Classical Philippine Goldwork of the 8th to the 13th century and the Classical Philippine Pottery of the 8th to the 13th century. Other permanent exhibitions are the Aura: Religious Art (religious images crafted by Filipino artists to capture spiritual aura), works of Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo (1855-1913), selections from the Juan Luna collection, and the Three Buddha Mothers, as well as figurative sculptures by artist Agnes Arellano. Aside from these, the museum also hosts a variety of changing and travelling exhibitions throughout the year.

Classical Philippine Pottery of the 8th to the 13th century

Cultural Center of the Philippines

Jose Rizal’s Novels at the National Library

Contemporary Works displayed at the Metropolitan Museum

18 FEATURE

The Philippine’s First Contemporary Art Fair:

ManilART 09

The Bonafide Art Galleries Organization (BAGO) with the support of the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) recently held the first Philippine international art fair of its kind to be organized in the country – Manila Art 09.

The unprecedented event which ran from the 16th to the 19th July 2009 at the NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City, featured over 500 artworks by 280 artists presented by a unified 40 galleries, all in one roof.

ManilART 09 is Asia’s latest contemporary art fair, and its exclusive preview night saw a gathering of the ‘who’s who’ in the Philippine art scene including prominent artists, art collectors, curators, critics, as well as foreign and local dignitaries, politicians and captains of industry. Caught taking in the creativity on display were Secretary of Health, Francisco Duque, Mayor Freddie Tinga, reputable mayor of Taguig City, world renowned artists Ben Cabrera and Juvenal Sanso, to name a few.

ManilART 09 also presented an impressive line-up of seminars facilitated by noteworthy speakers. “Trends in Philippine Contemporary Art” was discussed by Prof. Ma. Corazon Hila, of the UP College of Fine Arts, Dilliman; “Building an Art Collection” was presented by Dr. Jaime Laya, Former Finance Minister and Central Bank Governor; “Appreciating Philippine Contemporary Art Today” by Cid Reyes, a veteran art critic and visual artist; and, “Introduction to Preventive Conservation” Practical tips on handling, framing, exhibition and storage of paintings was given by Ma. Genylyn Yusi, painting conservator and Chairman of the NCCA Committee on Galleries.

On the hands-on side, there was “Private Art” a closed door nude sketching session with selected visual artists. “Manilart Auction” took center stage with Vita Sarenas of Finale Art File; while Professor Haw Chok presented “Oriental Strokes” a Chinese painting demonstration.

This historical art fair showcased the finest examples of contemporary art and sculptures our artists have to offer. As the genius behind ManilART, Jonathan Sy said, “ManilART 09 is a fine opportunity to let Filipinos feel proud of their countrymen’s creativity while allowing foreigners to appreciate us better as a people through our art.”

The groundbreaking event has put together brilliant Filipino artists, fabulous artworks, and wonderful galleries closer to the buyers, collectors and art enthusiasts establishing Manila as the country’s creative hub with a vibrant and pulsating art scene.

ManilART09 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony ManilART09 the first international art fair in the country had, for its exclusive gala preview guests of honor (L-R) Secretary of Health and art collector Francisco T. Duque III, Rep. Ma. Laarni Cayetano, Taguig Mayor Sigfrido Tiñga, Rep. Mar-Len Abigail Binay and Dean Florentino Colayco doing the ceremonial ribbon cutting to formally open the prestigious affair. ManilART09 was presented by the Bonafide Art Galleries organization (BAGO) in cooperation with the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA).

A Toast for ManilART09 Manila Contemporary Art magazine Publisher Jack Teotico led the toast for the opening salvo of ManilART09 – the country’s first international art fair. He is joined by national artist, Ben Cabrera, magazine editor Tara FT Sering, global Filipino artist Juvenal Sanso, Christian Aguilar (representing his father, national artist, Federico Alcuaz Aguilar), magazine staff Rissa Martinez, Tessa PrietoValdez, DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III, ManilART09 Project Director Jonathan Sy, Rep. Laarni Cayetano and Senator Allan Peter Cayetano.

20 FEATURE

For art’s sake

Neither sand, heat nor full-time jobs can keep Pinoy creative types in the UAE from fully immersing themselves in their passion for art.

By Sherry Tenorio

Brownmonkeys’ Urban art

Filipino art organizations in the UAE The work bound ‘nine-to-five’ life of Pinoys here in the Gulf may seem boring for some, but not so for certain groups in the emirates who have the resolve to pursue their creative inclinations and realize their passion for visual arts and music.

Illustrado gives you a rundown on some of the most significant Filipino community art-oriented movements which are creating ripples this side of the region.

BrownMonkeys Formed in 2007, the eight member Brownmonkeys is a collective based in Dubai – purveyors of the lowbrow urban art movement in the region. Featured in Illustrado in 2007, the group is composed of multi-disciplinary artists - graphic designers, illustrators, painters, musicians, photographers and videographers, who represent today’s youthful independent-slash-underground spirit.

They coined the name ‘Brownmonkeys’ referring to the Filipino color as well as the group’s decidedly playful approach to art.

Through their significant projects and consistent show of talent in recent years, the Brownmonkeys have gained popularity and respect from the creative community in Dubai. Just recently, they joined the Dubai-based project ‘My Name is Robot’ at The Jam Jar, and participated at the prestigious Sharjah Biennial, one of the most celebrated cultural events in the Arab world and by far the region’s largest exhibition of contemporary art.

FEATURE 21

Guhit Pinoy

Although the artworks of the group are mostly skewed towards street and the lowbrow approach, style is not something constant with each member having a different talent and approach. Even then, what keeps this team united is their passion and playfulness. According to the group, “We are unique because we offer an alternative approach to contemporary art and design, keeping the whole work process fun and without inhibition.”

Guhit Pinoy UAE Guhit Pinoy UAE – is a chapter of Guhit Pinoy Global originally established in Riyadh by a group of Filipino comics illustrators. With a multitude of Filipinos artists and art enthusiasts overseas, it is no wonder that the group has gone regional and even global, spanning Asia and the United States.

The UAE chapter whichh has 50 members in the emirates and more than a hundred online, was founded by a group of artists of different backgrounds, most of which are affiliated with multinational advertising agencies such as Fortune Promo Seven, Impact BBDO, Memac Ogilvy, J. Walter Thompson, Publicis, McCann Erickson and

others. International members, on the other hand, are veteran artists working in multinational production firms like Walt Disney, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Pixar, DreamWorks, Warner Bros., and 20th Century Fox. The organization’s initial project was a group exhibit entitled ‘Unang Guhit’ (First Stroke) held at the Philippine Pavillion at the Global Village during the 2007 Dubai Shopping Festival. Last year, Guhit Pinoy joined the national art competition, Red Bull Art of Can 2008 edition, with a group entry entitled ‘Unified Chaos.’ The collage/ mixed media piece was a product of true collaboration — reflecting the team’s guiding credo of teamwork and unity.

Guhit Pinoy UAE regularly hosts some of the most exciting and stimulating art activities and sessions for Filipinos in the country.

With diverse visual arts disciplines such as painting, photography, graphic design, sculpture, illustration, fashion design, filmmaking and even modelling, the group has already produced award-winning talents in national and international arts competitions. Likewise, the group actively participates in various art contests sponsored by public and private institutions all year round.

22 FEATURE professional photographers as well as of professionals possessing knowledge in photography. The club enhances members’ photography skills by providing activities and a forum wherein members can share ideas, techniques, even critique. OPPPS conducts seminars, workshops and clinics such as fundamentals of photography, digital photography, web photography, studio made simple (indoor and outdoor), field trips, simplified photo journalism, photo essay and other photography related topics.

Lightform

Pinoy Photography Clubs With photography clubs growing around the emirates, it is easy to discern that there are thousands of Filipinos who have taken up the creative hobby. Currently there are at least three such major groups in the country helping enthusiasts learn, improve and eventually master the craft of photography.

The Blacksheep Blacksheep Productions started about a year ago as a group of young design professionals who believed that Dubai was in need of organizers that would cater to the niche underground Pinoy club scene. A nightly gathering of like-minded individuals was born and resulted to an army of loyal followers week by week that they eventually became a force to reckon with. Their philosophy - “The status quo is dead and gone. Blacksheep is out to purge the mediocre.”

Now, Blacksheep Productions is a design house, event organization and music production group that seek to bring the best of Dubai’s underground art and music out into the daylight (or should we say midnight). A weekly gig featuring the best of Filipino underground music from local indie acts like Sandwash, Dangwa, Bulletcells, Kasis,Saltshaker, Brownfusion, Tsinelaz, Shades of Grey, Concast, The Skamdollz, Stampede, Tugpak and Pullbox, as well as art exhibits are just some of their projects. Plans are also in motion for further collaboration with Dubai’s independent art scene.

The oldest of the organizations, Lightform International Filipino Photographers Guild was founded in 1997 (as STILL Photography Club) and reorganized as Lightform in 2000. The group has accomplished implementing free 3-month courses in Basic Photography, regular workshops for members, field trips and outdoor shooting, photo competitions and exhibits. The group’s main objective is to promote interest and proficiency in all areas of photography, while promoting camaraderie.

Overseas Pinoy Professional Photographers Society (OPPPS) which started in 2003 consists of Filipino

Mideast Snipers

Oppps

Off the beaten track is the group Mideast Snipers known for their bohemian perspective on photography. Formed in 2007, the ‘snipers’ do not follow a strict photography syllabus but is all about bringing the artist in a photographer. They host workshops and run a group website which houses online forums, updates on group activities and community works, as well as their Mission of the Month where members compete based on a monthly theme meant to fire-up their imagination and technical skills, pushing them to discover how they can transform a simple object into a thoughtprovoking piece of art.

24 FEATURE

By Law Diche

My wife is a true-blue sucker for Pinoy tearjerkers.

The moment a kurot sa puso scene occurs in a movie she’s watching, you can bet your life her sniffle would soon follow. You can also bet a good batok or a punch on the arm awaits me in a second, as she knows I’m laughing at her even without looking at me.

I’m not complaining though, really. After all, this is oh, sooo very Pinoy.

Pinoy kasi!

Ang Pinoy, natural na ma-drama.

So goes a headline (the full story I forgot already) that quite stayed in my head. While the rest of our Asian neighbors are typically emotionally reserved, we love wallowing in our sorrows. Soap operas. Family feuds.

Heck, even a street fight especially if it’s a wife confronting a philandering husband and his mistress is a sure show stopper for us who are so innately uzi.

Take a look at our film masterpieces, those of the Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal kind.

Stories by our more popular writers like Lualhati Bautista, Ricky Lee, Pablo Gomez, Elena Patron, and Gilda Olvidado. The common denominator is that they deliver stories that tug at the heartstrings.

Speaking of films, Nora Aunor, she who can act with her eyes, is immortalized by her ‘martyr’ roles in ‘boo-hoo’ tales like Bona

and the Flor Contemplacion Story. In the sports arena, there’ll always be an undying love for Jaworski and Barangay Ginebra.

Inquirer columnist Conrado de Quiros hit it spot on. “We like to do things at the tail end, like a basketball team that plays badly for 46 minutes and resorts to heroics at the last two.” And that’s how we like it – more tragic, more dramatic. So after yet another loss, we wallow some more in our emotions, our failures. Tissue please. Or, tagay na ‘pre bilis, naiiyak na naman ako.

Check out our history and there’s more.

We allowed ourselves over 300 years of Spanish oppression. An offshoot would be, of course that with the exception of Miss Tapia, our foremost personification of contravidas are mestizas like Rosa Rosal, Rosemarie Gil, Bella Flores, Dexter Doria, and Odette Khan.

And as if over three centuries is not enough, we had a ‘two-peat’ courtesy of the Yanks then the Japs though we hadn’t much of a fighting chance against their technology.

Some would argue that it’s because we never united as a people to effectively fight these oppressors that’s why we lost. But that’s another story.

After the foreign oppression, we have another taste from our very own with Marcos, “one bastard who ruled over 60 million cowards,” some foreigner reportedly said.

It took a Ninoy Aquino assassination and the dramatic imagery of him lying in his coffin still soaked in blood to change our fate. Of course, the EDSA Revolution was a smorgasbord of drama with nuns offering flowers, human chains against menacing tanks, nationalistic songs galore, Ramos’ victory jump - choose your pick.

26 FEATURE

Not so long ago, millions grieved over the tragedy of FPJ vs GMA and his untimely, unexpected demise – “Da King” died of a broken heart they say.

Drama and Pinoy Legends So here’s my theory, and I know this would sound ridiculous and outright silly. But I believe our love for tragedy and tragic situations, this fondness for drama, well it all stems from our legends.

But before you say, “what a load of ___” (take your pick) or what have you, hear me out.

This is basic psychology. To know why a person is what he is now, you have to dig into his past.

I don’t need to cite a Psych book here to prove this. For ages, this is the premise of just about every psycho-thriller movie we’ve seen. Movies even resort to prequels to expound on this point. We’ve got Hannibal Rising. Batman Begins. Star Wars was ‘born again’ to give us the lowdown on how Darth Vader, well, came to be Darth Vader.

Now legends, if we are to go by mere definition are stories that have been passed down for generations, especially those popularly regarded as ‘historical,’ although not verifiable. They may not actually be proven to be such, but let’s check out some of these legends, shall we?

The Legend of the Sun and Moon This legend basically explains why the sun follows the moon. Story goes that the Sun and the Moon used to be married. One day the Moon had to gather vegetables in the forest and asked the Sun to watch over their children. Tragically, he burns and kills the kids as he wanted to kiss them. His wife returns and they fight and he throws the vegetables to her face and she leaves him. So it is said that on a clear night, when the Moon is full, you will see traces of vegetable leaves on her face. Their children have turned into stars, while the Sun keeps chasing after the Moon in an attempt to reconcile.

How dramatic can you get? Placed in a human context, imagine the Sun seeing his kids die before his very eyes, through his very hands. And the irony is that this was caused by his love for them.

Rainbow Connection Here’s another. A farmer noticed that a wall he built keeps getting knocked down.

He waits one evening and surprises three star maidens.

Two are able to escape while one is left behind because the farmer hid her magic wings.

They get married and have a son. However, one day, the star maiden finds her missing wings hidden near their house, wears them and takes her son up to her sky world. The gods take pity on the grieving farmer and so they built a rainbow so that the mortal can sometimes climb up to the sky to visit his wife and son.

See? The farmer is left with a rainbow - a beautiful tapestry of colours to forever torture his mind and his heart despite the ‘gods’ good intentions.

Crab Mentality This one speaks about our love for the quixotic - the resilience and persistence of Pinoys to fight losing battles.

One day, the land crabs declare war on the waves as “they sing so loudly all the time that we cannot possibly sleep.” Naturally, they all die in their fight as a big wave came and drowned them. Their wives followed suit as they wanted to see if they could help in the battle.

Today, little crabs, their offsprings, can be seen on the shore continually running back and forth, rushing down to fight the waves.

Marinduque Tale How about this legend of Marinduque?

Maring was very beautiful princess who falls in love with a common man of princely bearing and fine manners Duque. Not knowing this, her father announces that her hand would be given to the one who would win a ship race. Three wealthy kings tried and died in a stormy sea. When the sea calmed down, everyone was surprised to see three islands at the places where the ships had sunk. They were named Tres Reyes, or Three Kings, after the unlucky trio. Not wanting any more sacrifices, the king gave his daughter freedom to choose

her husband. And so, Maring and Duque’s union created the island kingdom now named Marinduque. Romeo and Juliet right though with a happy ending.

Our Gossip-y Genesis Ok, just one more about how Philippine legends prove my point.

The universe was once made up of the Sky, the Sea, and a large Bird that flew constantly between them. The Bird soon grew tired of flying since he didn’t have any place to rest, so he started an argument between those two.

He told the Sky that the Sea wanted to drown him with her mighty waves, and the Sea that the Sky wanted to hit her with stones. The Sea reacted by throwing waves of water towards the Sky. The Sky moved even higher, but when he saw the Sea’s waves rising some more, he then threw soil towards the sea. The soil quieted the Sea and also made the Sky lighter. The soil turned into over 7,000 islands, our very dear Philippines.

So there you go - we were created by tsismis and a dramatic battle’s aftermath.

28 FEATURE

More than just Maths Filipino schools in the emirates and Sciences link youth to home

By Antonella Andrada

With the tremendous majority of Filipino expat children growing up abroad far removed from their roots, and within restrictive home environments especially in the Middle East, the role of Filipino schools as educational institution, primary social circle and valuable link to cultural heritage cannot be denied.

A

According to the DepEd (Philippine Department of Education) the department governing Filipino educational institutions in the Philippines and abroad, as of August 2008, there were some 44 Philippine schools overseas, spread across 9 countries, namely – the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, China, Greece, Kuwait, and Libya. Forty one of these schools have been accredited by the DepEd, while the rest are in various stages of the accreditation process. All in all, the schools represent around 23,000 students who are enrolled in pre-elementary, elementary and high school programs.

By definition, overseas Philippine schools are duly registered educational institutions having a valid permit to operate in the host countries. What makes them different from other schools is that they comply with the requirements and regulations of the Philippine government and use the educational curriculum approved by the DepEd. Therefore systems are aligned with the Philippines making it easier for new expat kids from the Philippines to integrate here, and for those going back to the homeland to be able to join local schools with the least of adjustment. This especially becomes important for graduating high school students who are planning to join universities in the Philippines.

Apart from imparting Philippine educational basics to young expats, Filipino schools also provide a lowerpriced alternative to education for the community’s mass base. In the United Arab Emirates which has seven Filipino schools with an aggregate student population of close to 7,000 students, tuition fees are as much as 50% and sometimes even up to 75% lower than mainstream international schools. What comes with the lower fees, however, are logistical challenges for some of these institutions which have quite limited facilities and infrastructural capacity despite the growing number of students, particularly in the emirate of Abu Dhabi where schools are still housed in converted villas, a common situation for most private schools (including nonFilipino), while their counterparts in Dubai and Sharjah already have their own purpose-built complexes. The situation is slated to change in the capital, however, with the push from the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) for all private schools to relocate to proper premises within the next couple of years.

Still, despite the difficulties and downsides, being within the Filipino school system has its other benefits. Apart from the easier integration with education back home, Philippine schools also serve as an important venue where Filipino children learn about native heritage as well as values and traditions while having the benefit of living life in their multicultural host country. Here, students are not only taught the mother tongue, but also learn to appreciate cultural nuances through academics and extra-curricular activities providing them a tangible link with their roots back home.

Additionally, these schools also serve as hub for communal activity for the young with interschool projects and activities incorporating sports and academics providing youngsters the chance to mingle, compete and form social relationships with other Filipino children.

Undoubtedly, Filipino schools do play a role greater than just the mere administration of academics. For the students who study there, these schools serve as a constant part of their young lives which keep them strongly connected to their roots, at the same time functioning as their fundamental community where they develop as social beings. These schools carry the weight and responsibility of contributing significantly in shaping the future of these young Filipinos growing up outside the homeland.

FEATURE 29

Philippine Schools in the Emirates

United International Private School (UIPS) Dubai

The Philippine School (TPS) Dubai TPS is the youngest member of the UAE’s Filipino school network –with its first schoolyear in 2008-2009. Located in Al Twar 3, the school was created to answer a need considering the rapid increase of the Filipino community population in the emirate, where originally only one Filipino school (UIPS) existed.

The Philippine School aims to prepare its students to excel as young global leaders of tomorrow by offering advanced technology programs, values-based education, parent-friendly policy and activities such as arts and crafts, music, dance and sports. The school also offers grade 11 and 12 which is not a standard with most Philippine schools.

TPS plans to compete in the educational market by offering high-quality education at a competitive fee, made possible by leading-edge educational programs facilitated by certified, college-educated instructors, and by maintaining an excellent reputation with parents and within the community.

UIPS is the First Philippine School in Dubai; an educational institution with a culture of excellence, creativity and discipline. The school has its purposebuilt complex in Al Qusais, hosting 1,800 students.

It is also presently the testing center of well-known universities and colleges in the Philippines.

The school features innovative learning techniques and an effective approach in teaching through the Differentiated Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Program (DCIA) and Direct Instructional System for teaching and Remediation Program. Apart from academics, UIPS also has a liberal sprinkling of clubs and organizations, as well as relevant extra and co-curricular activities such as scouting, structured field trips, and academic contests, Foundation Day, Sportsfest, UAE National Day Celebrations, community outreach programs, a Family-Fun Day, Nutrition Month, Buwan ng Wika, culminating activities and a Summer Intensive Program.

Consistent with the school’s thrust of continuous development, UIPS constantly improves its facilities.

This year’s upgrades include a more spacious science laboratory/computer laboratory and library, an audiovisual room, on-going construction of the annexbuilding, a swimming pool and cafeteria, as well as newly acquired books and assessment tools and other references in the library.

Pioneers International Private School (PIPS) Abu Dhabi PIPS has the distinction of being the first Philippine overseas school established in the emirates in January 1990. As an institution with almost two decades of experience, the school has seen a considerable number of its alumni return to the emirates after earning university degrees, and eventually securing gainful employment.

Hosting Filipinos and a number of nonFilipino students, the school prides itself on its student-centered and eclectic approach in teaching which takes into specific consideration a learner’s culture, behavior, religion, nationality, and intelligence.

PIPS has a Parents Teachers Council which takes active part in identifying key areas of development. The council is credited for initiating the Inter-Filipino Schools Athletics Meet (IFSAM), which is now joined by three Filipino schools in Abu Dhabi for a healthy sports competition as well as for discovering the potentials of the students in music and in literature.

30 FEATURE

Philippine National School (PNS)Abu Dhabi

PISCO Private School Abu Dhabi Established in Abu Dhabi in 1995, PISCO’s student body is composed of 94% Filipinos and 6% from other nationalities including Americans, Russians, Indians, Sri Lankans, Chinese and Thai.

The school employs the Philippine Basic Education Curriculum specializing in Science and Mathematics and has adopted English as a medium of instruction with Filipino and Arabic languages included in its dynamic syllabus which is periodically revised to suit the needs of the students and prepare graduating students for college and university challenges.

PNS boasts 1,200 enrollees – proof of the school’s prestige. Established in 1998 and located at the Abu Dhabi Passport Road, the school strives to provide its students the opportunity to enjoy learning by tapping both the academic and nonacademic areas of their school lives.

Eversince its establishment, the school has been producing top-notch achievers, winning interschool and national contests, and successfully passing the entrance examinations of prestigious Philippine universities such as UP, MAPUA, College of St. Benilde, UST and St. Jude. To date, PNS has produced a total of 23 UPCAT passers and 45 MAPUA exam passers.

For a well-rounded learning experience, PNS carries out activities that hone students’ talents like the annual field demonstration, academic festival, sports encounter and many others, and continuously endeavors to fulfill its mission of producing multi-talented and well-equipped students. references in the library.

The school has a strict academic supervision system where operations are systematically planned day-after-day, with teachers closely monitored by dedicated coordinators checking classrooms for performance and academic competence. The school also puts

Based in Al Shahba, Sharjah and established in 2001, FEPS mission is the holistic growth of students through the provision of an enriched curriculum delivered by well-trained faculty members, as well providing facilities that enhance the learning process.

PISCO has continued to excel in all fields of endeavor. Be it in literary, musical, sports and academic contests. Students and graduates have been excelling in the school where they opt to transfer in; be it in the home country, in the States, Canada, Europe, and etc.

New Filipino Private School (NFPS) Sharjah The New Filipino Private School is the first Filipino School in the United Arab Emirates to be given a license to operate using the Filipino Curriculum by the Department of Education, Manila and the Ministry of Education in Sharjah. It is located in Dasman and has been operating since 1996. It takes pride in being known as one of the Filipino schools producing graduates who excel in their chosen fields of endeavor in the most prestigious colleges and universities back home.

Far Eastern Private School (FEPS)Sharjah

The school constantly strives to effectively deliver service to the community and to provide quality education anchored on a relevant curriculum, while at the same time providing a wholesome and conducive environment and instilling national pride.

The school boasts of excellent passing rates for students for SY 2008-2009 and for the college entrance exams of UP, De La Salle, MAPUA University among others.

FEPS is currently improving its infrastructure in preparation for school year 2009 to 2010.

Management is also gearing to run a preservice training of teachers before school opens this season; this in conjunction with the continuous training program the different learning areas which teachers go through during the course of the school year.

a premium on well-balanced activities. As an example, members of the NFPS Varsity Teams are given regular trainings as early as the second quarter of the academic year to prepare them for the annual inter-school athletic competitions.

Let your child experience the joy of learning

PHILIPPINES: +6344-760300

DUBAI: 04-398 6218

32 ILLUMINATI

Af loat in Wonder By: Krip Yuson

Born and bred in Manila, as a youngster I thought we lived right at the center of the universe, or at least in a capital city that was a microcosm of the world. It wasn’t until after serious Geography lessons that I realized that our family could actually be called Luzonians, privileged to inhabit the largest island in our Philippine archipelago.

A

ye, there’s a wondrous word: archipelago. It meant that a large group of islands made up our country — over 7,000, we were told, and that number seemed impressive enough.

We Filipinos were all islanders.

Of course, living in Manila, that was hard to tell, or it didn’t feel like it at all. For one, it took considerable time and effort to transit from the very bowels of the city just to get a whiff of sea breeze. This would be at Luneta or Dewey Blvd. (before it became Roxas), where one rode the Matorco doubledecker bus with the open top deck, to coast alongside Manila Bay while enjoying a vantage view.

To swim in the sea, one went to Jale Beach or Aristocrat Resort in Parañaque, and there revel in a narrow strip of dark sand before wading into saltwater. Only then did the graphic concept and reality of being an islander strike one — closer to home, we might say.

The natural image of island living presupposes being surrounded by water.

The more water one sees around him, the more he’s convinced that he’s on an island.

Luzon was simply too big to walk around and appreciate an entire coastline. Excursions to beaches were random and infrequent, unless one lived near the sea.

My first experience of actually departing from the island of Luzon to sail to another island only happened when as sixth-graders we were herded on a day’s excursion to Corregidor on a slow Philippine Navy boat called an LST. Looking back at it now, that episode changed my worldview if not my life.

Not only did we romance with history — the bitter pangs of war that had been all too recent— while touring around a small, tadpole-shaped rock of an island. Atop a hill, I saw water all around. Indeed it was incontestable that we were on an island.

The experience embedded itself in my

memory also because of a numbing incident that seemed to underscore my sense of wonder at finally establishing myself as an islander. Enjoying the 360-degree view from the top floor of a lighthouse, I backed unknowingly right into the stairwell and fell butt first down several iron rungs, in thumping fashion. The embarrassment was private, the pain even more purely so.

It took quite a number of years before another island visit came to pass. This was on a summer jaunt with fellow teenagers that required a long bus trip to Camarines Norte, where a college buddy’s father worked as an engineer in the then booming mining town of Larap (since renamed Jose Panganiban).

An idyllic week-long vacation it was veritably tops for the rewarding countryside experience. We occupied a cottage on a hill overlooking the town, a small bay, and an offshore island that beckoned with its gleaming white sand. Additionally, a few houses down were counterpart co-eds, three pretty sisters also on summer vacation.

ILLUMINATI 33

Friendship blossomed, why, even incipient summer romance. All together we boarded a pumpboat daily for Kalalanay, actually an uninhabited isle — so paradisiacal since it was narrow enough to hop from eastern to western beach in a trice, but long enough to provide an adventurous trek all around, skipping from sandy strips of beach to rocky parts of the shoreline.

That island remains so vivid in my memory that I fear the day when I might happen to go back and see it irretrievably altered and ruined, the way virginal places we found long ago always seem to take a turn towards entropy. Of course that sweet memory of early youth has been enhanced no end — because life was indeed so simple and full of wondrous discovery then.

Yet I swear that Kalalanay, the first small island with the first white-sand beach I trod on, was what the stuff of dreams spelled for a youngster, and may have spoiled me forever.

Suddenly the Manileño’s usual seaside haunts such as Nasugbu and Matabungkay seemed so ordinary and far removed from enchantment.

Thankfully, there would soon be other relatively far-flung island destinations I eventually had the chances to visit as I carved out a career as a writer: Balesin, Sicogon and Lubang, in that order. Then there would be the larger, major islands I began to frequent:

Negros, Panay, Cebu and Bohol, all of which have satellite islands and isles that constantly beckoned.

There would be Apo and Siquijor, Panglao and Balicasag, Camiguin off Northern Mindanao, Busuanga off Palawan, fabled Batanes far away north, and all other sundry blessed isles of an archipelago of enchantment.

The sense of wonder and serendipity remains

untrammeled. And it has been a most rewarding life indeed as an occasional travel writer — especially for one who continues to seek and set foot on yet unknown or unvisited islands.

Thankfully, there are so many more of our 7,107 islands to bless us with familiarity.

Islands will always beckon, because they’re there, while we ourselves are afloat in the seas of wonder.

34 KABUHAYAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Fish of Mine

By Bernadette Reyes

Arch. Richard Garcia works as a senior manager in one of the country’s top local architecture companies yet on some days he wears another hat, this time as an entrepreneur. You ask why would an accomplished architect try his hand on business when he must be earning more than enough from his fulltime job? Richard replies, “I will always be an architect through and through. It gives me a stable monthly income but it also lends a good feeling to be able to earn daily sales from my pet shop especially during these difficult times.” and has an impressive clientele which place orders from as far as Baguio, Cebu, Davao and sometimes even overseas.

A

t an early age Richard has already demonstrated a certain knack for business and an obvious desire to own his own enterprise. From peddling samalamig in high school to joining baratillos during college, Richard says he’s been there. Not that he had to, given that he is from a well-off family but he insisted on these endeavors because not only did it make him less financially dependent on his parents, it also gave him the good feeling of being able to prove something at a young age. “I have always wanted to be financially stable and capable so I made an effort to learn how to run a business early on,” says Richard.

Arch. Richard Garcia

Determined to learn more about business, Richard enrolled in a seminar about breeding animals for a living. The classes stirred his love for pets but he has taken to it just as a hobby. Nevertheless, he sowed some species of fish until he was able to grow the numbers into commercial quantity. At this point, he decided to open a pet shop despite a busy schedule as a fulltime architect.

Richard earmarked PHP50,000 to renovate a family-owned commercial space in V. Mapa, Manila, bought fish from suppliers and soon the pet shop, Fish of Mine, was on the roll. From a small space the store is now four times its size when it opened in 1996

Contrary to most people’s belief that the business would take its toll on Richard’s regular nine to five job, his experience as an entrepreneur complements his job as an architect and vice-versa. “As an architect, I know how to plan and design my pet shop and maximize its space. In the same way my knowledge of construction materials helps me deal with related problems. For example if there’s a leak on the pond I know which waterproofing material to use.

Others would just paint the surface which could result in toxicity. At the same time I have clients who want to have a koi pond or set-up an aquarium in their office or home so I make the design and provide the fish and tanks,” explains Richard.

Similar to the ubiquitous sari-sari store, Fish of Mine is a one-stop for fish hobbyists like Richard. From fish to aquariums and accessories, the store has it all. The store also sells other pets such as hamsters, rabbits and turtles. But unlike a sari-sari store, he doesn’t want to merely offer goods to clients. In a few months, Richard will begin to service pet owners in his pet grooming store and is looking at the possibility of opening a veterinary clinic to match. The unoccupied second floor of the pet shop will be converted for this purpose.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP KABUHAYAN 35

Like a business degree holder would, Richard was able to make the business thrive but unlike business management graduates, he had to learn how to rise from business pitfalls, not from books but from experience. Incompetent workers, mishandling of inventories and poor business locations were just some of the problems he encountered in managing the store. “I used to hire people who are not pet hobbyists like me so they don’t know when a fish is sick or they don’t have much to say to customer’s queries about animals,” he explains.

The pet shop also used to sell dogs but Richard was discouraged and discontinued its sale after five of his Dalmatians on display were stolen due to negligence of his staff.

There were also immovable inventories such as the two crocodiles previously for sale which he decided to adopt in the absence of interested buyers. Fish of Mine also branched out in Quezon City but sales failed to pick up and eventually folded up. “The shop was situated in front of a school so there was good foot traffic but it was hardly making profit. I later found out an employee maimed the operations. I could’ve prevented it had I more time to oversee the operations but the store was relatively far from my residence,” he explains. Besides, competition was tough in the area since there were other nearby and more established pet shops.

With undeniable entrepreneurial spirit, Richard managed to ricochet. He surpassed these challenges after experience taught him to be more cautious. Competent employees

replaced inept ones; bad assets were liquidated in exchange for additional cash and innovative business ideas displaced old practices. From breeding fish, he now buys from suppliers, a business strategy which allows him bigger profit. “You can get a fish for five pesos and sell it for 25 pesos or even more depending on the quality. Unlike when I used to breed fish, many of the fingerlings die. Out of a thousand, only about 10 percent survive and make it to the store for sale,” says Richard. Sales from fish food, tanks and its accessories also contribute largely to the store’s bottom line.

For a fulltime architect, managing a business such as Richard’s and leading it to its success seems implausible but he says proper time management will get things done. It also helps that his business feels more like a hobby than a chore for him. “It’s kind of a hobby for me but at the same time it’s a leisure pursuit that earns me money as well,” he continues, “At least if and when I retire, I know I have a fallback.”

But for someone like Richard who has demonstrated an obvious and seemingly relentless inclination for business, being an entrepreneur looks more like a lifelong career than merely a contingency plan. Like an architect who is always preoccupied with

building dream houses for clients, Richard as an entrepreneur constantly find himself immersed in his thoughts of building that dream business of his. “It’s my dream to have a pet shop, a restaurant and a hotel.

I already have my own pet shop now I’m looking forward to the fruition of my other plans as an entrepreneur. My 15 years as an architect is as fulfilling as it can be but even if I’m already the division head in the firm, at the end of the day the business is still not mine and I can always get sacked. Building my own successful businesses allow me to be the architect that would build a stable foundation for my family’s future amid any financial crisis like a dream house would shelter them from harm come hell or high water,” say Richard.

36 KABUHAYAN MONEY

Saving for your Children’s Education By: Francisco Colayco

Going back to school always makes everyone realize how important it is to be better prepared for the education of our children. We know when and how much we will have to pay for tuition and other school expenses. Therefore, there can be no excuse for getting an emergency loan for educational purposes. We should always have a clear plan for the education of our children When my children were growing up, my wife and I did not have any thought of saving separately for their education. We just tried to earn as much as we could and minimize our expenses. We saved and invested as much as we could while living a modest life. Looking back, we were blessed that our savings and continuous income were enough to give our children the best education they chose and which, we fortunately, could afford. Today, life is not as easy. The cost of education has increased so much that parents need to put special thought to it.

An educational plan is simply a long-term savings and investment program dedicated to paying for the cost of education of your child at a specific future date. Here are some

basic steps you can take to help decide what kind of plan you need: A. Determine how much educational fund you will need to have at a specific date in the future 1) For what level of education are you planning? Grade school? High school?

College?

2) What is the ideal school you can afford to send your child to? Be sure you are realistic on what you can really afford.

Good education is not all about high tuition fees. The most important consideration is what you can sustain for the entire period of primary, secondary school or college and

not just what you can afford this year!

3) How much does your planned course cost today in your desired school? For example, if the course you want to save for is college, how much will the four years of college cost now?

4) What portion of the course do you want to save for? Tuition only? Allowances included? How about books?

5) How many years do you have from today till the first year of your ideal planned course? Because of inflation, consider how much the course will cost by the time your child actually uses it.

38 KABUHAYAN MONEY

With these five steps, you will be able to set in absolute amounts specific financial goals in specific dates in the future. You will then have established your own target rate of return and your own investment time horizon. These two variables will effectively define what kind of investment risks you should be prepared to take.

B. Study available investment programs 1. Banks and Insurance companies offer educational plans with pre-determined fixed amounts in the future. Until recently, before the collapse of the industry, Preneed companies had plans guaranteed to give out fixed amounts in the future. These generally give out low yields, require higher premium payments and can lapse.

2. However, Pooled Funds like Mutual Funds, UITFs and Insurance-linked Mutual Funds are also alternative educational investment programs. While they do not guarantee any fixed amount in the future, they generally offer higher investment yields, and do not lapse. You can also cash in anytime without penalty.

C. Ask the representatives of these financial institutions to show you their average annual returns for the last five years to give you an idea what reasonable investment rate of return to expect.

D. Make sure you strictly budget for the periodic payments required.

The plan that you undertake for the educational plan for your child need not be limited to fixed amounts guaranteed by financial institutions. You could set up your own and invest directly in pooled funds mentioned above. Here, what is important is to invest regularly a fixed amount. This will average your cost of investing and assure you of above average returns if you are able to maintain it over a long period of time (at least five years). This means that you have to set your guidelines and you are saving or investing in the plan regularly and not touching the fund for any other use.

When you have reached your target amount, it will probably be at a time when the financial markets are up. You should sell at that time to make sure that you have the amount secured for your child. Keep it then in a safer low-risk instrument, even if the earnings are much lower, until you actually need it.

In all cases, make sure that the investment funds or companies you deal with are those that have proper registration

and are in good standing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Insurance Commission and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. And, as a final reminder, please choose only the winners, choose the companies that have established track records and consistently recognized as respected and responsible organizations.

The Colayco Foundation for Education (CFE) invites all your family and friends to join them in FREE financial education fun-filled seminars in August 2009. SM MALLS: Aug 1 - SM Marilao, Aug 8 SM City Pampanga, Aug 22 – SM Valenzuela, Sept 5 – SM Mall of Asia. August 15, 2009 at 8am to 11am with Western Union at Central Two, Calamba, Laguna.

Visit www.colaycofoundation.com

10

40 SUCCESSFUL PINOY SPIRITUALITY

Habits to a Healthy Body BY: BO SANCHEZ

A

s I was preparing this article for Illustrado’s August issue, news on TV was still dominated by updates on H1N1 and the surge in cases in the Philippines – pegged at 100 as of the last Department of Health report.

Identified in April 2009, H1N1 was first known as “swine flu” because two strains of the virus are endemic in pigs, although the virus has another strain endemic in birds, and another one in humans. Cases of human victims were first discovered in the United States, then Mexico where many victims had died, and then virus spread so fast in other countries that the World Health Organization has recently declared it a “pandemic.”

Experts are scrambling to finish vaccine development and testing, but until they succeed, they say the best defence against the virus is a strong immune system.

Now, a strong immune system does not happen overnight. It is a result of habits we have formed through the years. So I quickly dug up a blog I had written about my 10 habits to a healthy body. Here, I share them with you...

Your future will be defined by your habits.

I’m ready to die anytime — right this minute if necessary. (I hope my wife isn’t reading this, because she hates it when I start talking this way.)

But I also want to prepare for a long and healthy life — and that’s so possible. My father passed away when he was 88. And my Mom is going strong at 83. Studies show that the life span of human beings is getting longer. Babies born today have an average life span of 101 years old.

But hey, I don’t want to be lying down in bed when I hit 90! That’s the last thing I want to do. I want to be 90 and still be preaching around the world! And still be making love to my spouse. (Okay, I want my wife to read that one.)

Here are my 10 Habits to a Healthy Body: 1. Move!

Each morning, I do simple stretching and breathing Tai Chi movements for 30 minutes.

I also cycle for an hour on my stationary bike, all the while reading spiritual books, or writing my journal on my laptop. I also do a few push-ups, sit-ups, and chin-ups.

I’ll never win the title Mr. Universe, but it’s enough to tone my muscles. I learned that when we hit 50, we start losing 1.5% of our muscle strength every year. This is the reason

SPIRITUALITY SUCCESSFUL PINOY 41

why nowadays you see a lot of 60-year-olds who are already worn out — because they didn’t move their body. So walk. Swim. Play badminton. Move!

2. Eat the Best Kinds of Food More than 14 years ago, I stopped eating beef, pork, and chicken. Seven years ago, I also gave up crabs and shrimps. So my diet consists of fish and vegetables. At home, we eat organic brown rice and wheat bread.

We also fry with soya oil. (Olive oil is too expensive.)

The Old Testament called unclean certain foods — like pork, crustaceans, shells, fish without scales — and modern science has found out that many of these foods have higher toxicity. Pork has more toxins than other meats. Crustaceans and shells are the scavengers of the sea. And because fish release their toxins through their scales, fish without scales have slightly more toxins.

3. Juice Your Vegetables Every morning, I drink fresh vegetable juice.

I throw into my Juicer four large carrots, one long celery stick, and one apple. The advantage of juicing? By juicing, I’m able to consume four large carrots in two minutes flat — something that would take me one hour if I munched them.

4. Supplements I’m a firm believer in taking supplements.

I take a mega dose of vitamin C, fish oil (Omega 3), and other multi-vitamins. I also take a list of supplements too long to mention here.

5. Sleep Like a Babe I usually dose off at 11:30 p.m. and wake up at 6:00 a.m. Six and a half hours are enough for me. If I feel a need it, I take a quick afternoon nap. I try to listen to my body.

Praying before you sleep is fantastic because you’re able to surrender all your worries to God. Before I sleep, I do 20 minutes of my simple Tai Chi exercises again. When I do this, I sleep like a babe.

6. Drink Enough The first thing I do when I wake up is drink a glass of room temperature water. After my exercise, I drink my carrot juice. Here’s what I found out: For many of us, what we think are hunger pangs may just be our

thirst. So when you feel hungry, drink water first. And eat water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables.

7. Work with Passion Get into something you love to do. When you enjoy your work, it isn’t work. It’s play.

And that keeps your body humming. If you can see your job as a sacred mission you wake up in the morning with joy and excitement.

Your body gets the message: “I need you to be healthy, because I’m here to bless the world.” (I have a TrulyRich Club where I coach people in their finances and work.

To join, log on at www.TrulyRichClub.com now.)

8. Feel Your Feelings Your body is simply the blueprint of your emotions. When you get sick, many times, it’s simply manifesting your stress, fears, anxiety, or unresolved anger.

9. Be Happy Be a positive person. Happy people are generally healthier than unhappy people.

10. Love Well What keeps me healthy? I play with my kids on the floor every day. (I call it “floor time.”)

Each week, I date my wife and we hold hands often. And I have fantastic friends!

(By the way, wherever you are in the world, join my FREE virtual community and sign up at www.KerygmaFamily.com) Once upon a time, a home for the elderly had a very high death rate: One resident died each month. But one day, a volunteer came and started social activities among the old people. As the old people engaged with each other in conversation, the mortality rate plunged dramatically almost overnight. Just being in relationships will make you healthier.

Imagine how healthy you will be if those relationships are deep and loving!

42 SUCCESFUL PINOY SUCCESS PRINCIPLES

Creating Good Habits and Changing the Bad Ones Successful people always make an effort to develop new good habits constantly on the path to liberating success. Changing old habits would mean continuous practice – it is a matter of 10% knowing and 90% doing. So sis and bro, ano pa ang iyong hinihintay, magbagong buhay na papuntang tagumpay!

BY: JEFFREY ‘XIMO’ RAMOS

Unti-unting Dagdagan, Dahan-Dahang Bawasan “The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.”

- Sabi ng dayuhang si Samuel Johnson Ninety percent of behavior is habitual. Ibig sabihin, lahat ng iyong ginagawa simula paggising sa umaga hanggang pagtulog sa gabi ay habit. Ito yung mga activities na automatic mong ginagawa kahit hindi mo na iniisip. Tulad ng paliligo habang kumakanta o pag da-drive habang nagiisip. Maganda ito dahil magagawa mo ang dalawang bagay ng sabay papuntang tagumpay.

Ang masama lang nito, ay yung masamang nakagawian mo na nananatili at hindi mo napapansin na nakakasagabal na sa iyong pagunlad.

Pero may good news pa rin sis and bro! It will only take 13 consecutive weeks for you to develop a good habit and to change a bad one. Hindi na rin matagal ito. One good habit created in 13 weeks will be used for your whole lifetime! And one bad habit removed in 13 weeks will no longer bother you for a lifetime naman!

Kaya ngayon palang - unti-unti nang pagbabawas. dagdagan at dahan-dahan nang bawasan.

Alamin mo nga kung bakit ka umiinom?

Saya, lungkot, la lang? Now, ask yourself Dagdagan ang Positive Thinking kung bakit mo ititigil ito? Para sa health mo, Laging “I will be,” “I can do it,” and “I can para sa anak mo, para mapunta naman yung make it”. Maging sa pag da-diet. The reason pera sa may katuturang bagay, para tumagal why dieting does not work, is because you pa ang iyong buhay, para sundin ang sabi ng condition yourself in a negative way. “I do maykapal… mas marami ang reason! not want to eat today;” “I am not allowed Now, if you want to quit smoking, and it’s to eat baboy.” The more you do not see difficult to stop, I will ask you to ‘smoke’ food, the more you crave for it. Hindi tuloy to stop smoking (the same as drinking). If nagiging effective. you smoke 20 sticks per day, I would ask Ibahin mo. It has to be positive. “I will eat you to smoke 19 the following day for a today. Maraming gulay, maraming ulam, week. Yes. 19 sticks everyday. If you can pero konti lang na kanin;” “I will go to the do this consistently, it means you can, later gym for at least 30 minutes.” Di ba napaka on, narrow it down to 18 sticks per day and positive? Walang pressure. Bakit pahihirapan eventually one stick per day after weeks of mong gutumin ang iyong sarili? practice. Hanggang ikaw na mismo ang magsabing ayaw mo na.

Bawasan ang bisyo hanggang umayaw ka na dito Bawasan mo na rin yung pamimilosopo, Kaya hindi effective ang “biglang ayaw “mamamatay naman lahat, mamatay method” sa pag-qui-quit ng mga may bisyo, na ako ng maligaya?” Ok lang din iyon. ay dahil napaka-abrupt nito. Ilang taon ng Kung masisigurado mo na ikaw lang ang nakasama ang ispiritu ng bote at usok ng nakakalanghap ng usok mo habang masaya yosi, sa isang araw lang mabibitawan agad ka. Huwag mo nang idamay yung bata sa tabi ito? Mga bisyo, maling pag-iisip, wrong mo. At basta mamatay ka na “successful”! practices, at kung ano-anu pa. Walang Mahiya ka naman sa iiwanan mo, baka sila biglaan panlunas pero may unti-unting pa ang magpalibing sa iyo.

SUCCESS PRINCIPLES SUCCESFUL PINOY 43 Another good habit – Drink Eight Glasses of Tubig Isa pang magandang habit na ma-develop mo ay ang paginom ng at least eight glasses of water in a day.

Science shows that this requirement produces additional oxygen in our system that makes our brain and other organs function more efficiently. It prevents dehydration, constipation and promotes the prevention of ageing. Tulad din ang katawan natin ng isang sasakyan and water is like oil – without it, you will burn while performing your activities during the day!

Kaya mapapansin mong hindi ka napapagod agad, hindi mainitin ang iyong ulo, mabilis kang nakakapag-isip, at success ka sa pagtayo sa trono.

Napakagandang madagdag ang habit na ito. Kaya bitiwan muna ang binabasa – take a break muna tayo at uminom ka muna ng isang baso!

Anong bad habits ang gusto mong mabago?

Isa-isahin mo ito sa pamamagitan nang paglilista nito. Ask yourself and people close to you kung saan ka medyo ‘unproductive.’

Pagkatapos, think of ways and means to turn your bad practices into good habits.

Halimbawa, gusto mo nang mag-exercise palagi: Ibig sabihin, dapat maganda ang tulog mo sa gabi kaya kailangan makatulog ka ng mas maaga; naka-ready na ang gagamitin mo, at may picture ka ng ‘sexy o macho’ na model para maka inspire sa iyo. You can create your own system in motivating yourself or ask others for advice.

Alisin ang Inggit Kapag inalis mo ang habit na inggit, sinyalis ito na kaya mo nang i-handle ang iyong success. Ang inggit ay nagpapabagal ng iyong pag-angat sa buhay. Ito ay humahatak pababa sa iyo. It creates a hole that can not be filled-up. Makamit mo man sa kahit na anong paraan lagi pa ring ‘kulang’ ang iyong pakiramdam dahil may butas ang lagayan.

“Mayaman pa rin siya sa akin;” “mas maganda pa rin ang kanyang sasakyan.”

Bakit mo nasabi iyon? Kasi mas masaya siyang tingnan. Iyon talaga ang lamang niya sa iyo.

Practice the Art of Appreciation “There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.”

- Mother Teresa, Winner of the Nobel Peace Price

You can include appreciation as one of your good habits. Pero paano nga ba mag appreciate? Any kind of appreciation makes a person feel acknowledged, cared about and important. But in order to be effective, you have to know and understand the type of person you want to show appreciation to. Here are some types: The Hearer. This one wants to hear it from you! Not from someone else but you. You may send them chocolates or notes but for them “words mean a lot.” Sila yung mahilig sa music, mahilig sa usapan at direct to the point makipag usap.

inside a box. Yes, sila yung mahilig makatanggap. Not necessarily expensive gifts pero pinag-isipan. Hindi yung bastabasta lang. Kahit simpleng card basta nakikita nila, sobrang ok na! You may say, “Thank you” to them and they will reply “You are welcome” but a nice bouquet will leave a smile on their faces and make their heart leap. Most of them are women, sila yung mahilig sa sulat, sa tula, at kung anoanu pang meaningful na mga bagay.

The Feeler. A pat on the back, a warm handshake, a sincere hug. Sila yung kailangang may touch. Puwedeng masahe, dinner, o kaya ay ayain mo sa disco. Naku, tuwang tuwa sila at alam nilang tuwang-tuwa ka sa kanila.

At kung hindi ka sigurado, pagsama-samahin mo ito ang mga ito! But whatever you will use, do it from your heart – mean it and it will penetrate their very soul.

The Habit of Prayer At siyempre sis and bro, this habit I would like to share with you. Whether you are in trouble, you are sad or you are happy.

Whenever you are sick or you have sinned – tumawag ka lang lagi sa Kanya, para sa patnubay, ang iyong paggaling at para din sa pasasalamat. Wag kang makakalimot.

So, create new habits and change the bad habits of old. Siguradong magagamit mo ang mga ito sa matagumpay na buhay, sis and bro!

The Seer. This one wants your appreciation

T.K.U. Isang bad habit ito ng mga unsuccessful Filipinos – ang pagiging T.K.U. – Tamad, Kuripot, at Utang ng utang. Ito ang nagiging dahilan kung bakit na ti- T.K.O. ka sa iyong buhay. Ayos na sana, biglang bumagal ang pag-asenso. Ang katamaran ay walang pupuntahan. Hindi babagsak ang ‘bayabas’ Juan! Kaya tumayo na at gumalaw, mag-aral, magbasa, maghanap ng pagkakaperahan!

Ang kuripot ay iba sa ‘wais giyud.’ Kung marunong kang mamili at alam mo kung ano ang mura sa hindi, you are a wise buyer. Pero yung i-deprive mo ang iyong sarili o ibang tao ng mga blessings na pinagkaloob sa iyo – at lahat ng ito ay iyong itinatago, ibang usapan na ito. Mabubulok, masisira, mawawalan ng halaga ang bawat sentimo ng iyong pera kung hindi mapapakinabangan.

Ang utang nang utang - iyon na lang ang inasahan. “Utang dito ibabayad duon.”

U-utang uli doon ibabayad naman dito.

Habang buhay ka na lang bang nasa buntot nakatago? Ayaw mo bang ikaw naman ang mahiraman ng mga nangangailangan?

Available in bookstores in the Philippines nationwide.

Now also in Dubai

44 ADVERTORIAL

From the Ground Up First Home Shows First Time Builders How

Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that the task of building one’s own home is greeted by both excitement and dread. Despite the proliferation of home improvement and design and lifestyle shows, most homeowners are still in the dark when it comes to building it from the ground up. This fact has slowly been changed with Philippine Realty TV’s (PRTV) newest segment: Project First Home.

PRTV, which first aired in April 2008, is the country’s first and only real estate and lifestyle show. It soon developed a following with its informative and innovative approach to its features of various developments— horizontal and vertical—as well as industryrelated products and services. For the first time, real estate developers have a ready venue to showcase their developments, and reach out to potential buyers, while buyers are able to gain access to a world of information and linkages with regards to buying and investing in a piece of property.

The show’s introduction of Project: First Home (PFH) in its second season in October of 2008 further boosted the shows impact to its viewers gaining yet another niche segment: first time homeowners.

Hosted by Gabe Mercado and Angel Jacob, PFH is a weekly account of the design and construction process of a threestorey home of first time homebuilder and PRTV’s executive producer John Aguilar.

The segment aims to educate the audience

on the crucial aspects of home design and building.

PFH, of date has chronicled the initial stages of building from securing bank loans, to lot purchasing, ocular inspections, and breaking ground. It has even went as far as documenting the cultural component of building here in the Philippines specifically practices associated with the groundbreaking ceremony, such as ritualistic blood sacrifice, and the burying of coins and a time capsule.

With the construction at 30 percent complete, the show has not shied away from showing even the problems that a homeowner would inevitably encounter during its progress—from minor design discrepancies to coordinating with suppliers.

The segment also brings to fore the key people responsible to bringing to fruition Aguilar’s vision and dream, or any prospective homebuilder for that matter. A

team led by the most reputable names in the industry including architectural and design team of Palafox and Associates, followed by contractor Pacific Summit Homes, construction management E-Construct as well as the individual members of the constructions team from the carpenters to the masons, and a whole slew of suppliers are being showcased every week to further guide and educate viewers of the latest trends and technologies in the market today.

Catch the house’s progress and everything you need to know every Sunday at 7:30 pm, with replays every Saturday at 11:00am on ANC (Sky Cable Ch.27) and turn what could be a harrowing journey of house building into a breeze. The show is also seen globally through ANC Global on the Filipino Channel Philippine Realty TV is produced by StreetPark Productions, Inc. For more details, call 9105778/99, 0917-8140875, or visit www.PhilippineRealty.tv to watch past episodes and to learn more about the show.

COMMUNITY 45

Ready For the World Outgoing UAE Ambassador Libran Cabactulan Assumes Key Post at the UN

A

fter a very productive six year stint in the UAE, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Libran Cabactulan has bid the community goodbye to assume his new post as the President of the United Nations-backed 2010 conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The 2010 conference is primarily tasked to establish a broad-based common understanding between nations on nuclear dangers and the peaceful applications of nuclear energy for the purpose of securing collective global security – a world without nuclear weapons.

A press release from the UN announced the “unanimous endorsement of the candidacy of Ambassador Cabactulan.” Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Hilario Davide was quoted to have said on a lighthearted note – “’Libra’ means balanced and ‘N’ is for neutral,” commenting on the Ambassador’s suitability for the critical post.

Educated in political science and development economics at UP Diliman and later earning a diploma with merit on Commercial Policy from the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade or GATT (now called the World Trade Organization or WTO), Cabactulan was originally a political economist who served at the NEDA (National Economic Development Authority), who then became a member of the Philippine delegation to the WTO in Geneva. Thereafter, he embarked on a diplomatic career specializing in multilateral diplomacy with assignments at the Philippine Mission to the UN in New York and Belgium. He had a brief stint as Executive Director for the Office of Consular Affairs at the DFA Home Office, and then at the UNIO (United Nations International Organization), to work on bilateral diplomacy, before eventually moving to the UAE as the head of the Philippine Embassy in 2003.

In the emirates, some 60 Filipino organizations honored the Ambassador in July with farewell celebrations.

Cabactulan, a popular leader in the community considered by many as a mentor, has been credited for supporting many of the local Filipino activities and projects as well as encouraging entrepreneurship within the community. Most significantly, the Ambassador was behind the creation of FILEX – the Filipino Expatriates in the UAE Foundation, a non-stock non-profit entity duly registered with the Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with the purpose of helping Filipinos in the UAE who are in dire need.

Ambassador Libran Cabactulan wtih his wife Fe Cabactulan

In an interview with Illustrado in June 2007, the Ambassador stated, “I am thinking of a bigger thing - to come out with an institution that will persist beyond my tour of duty here. It will be called the Filipino Expatriates in the UAE Foundation,” referring to an advocacy project he was putting together at that stage.

And true to his words, FILEX came into fruition in late 2008.

During his tour of duty, the Ambassador with his team, has also pulled off a series of successful Presidential visits and worked on strengthening trade ties between the UAE and the Philippines.

46 FEATURE

Tini Meyer:

Capturing her life’s journeys in Art y Tenorio

y Sherr

By Sherry Tenorio

From achieving great recognition for her works on canvas and public art, Tini Meyer is probing deep into transition as she explores human fat and fish eyes as prime subjects for her current projects. Her art is evolving, yes, but her portrait as beautiful woman, talented artist, humanitarian and proud Filipina is unchanging – like the immortal pieces of true masters.

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Tini Meyer

She was very young when she fell in love with the arts. One of her earliest pieces was when she was six. International contemporary artist Tini Meyer recalls, “I painted on special porcelain plates made in Rosenthal, Germany. My mother still treasures those plates up to this day. My mother very much influenced me as an artist. She is very creative and we tend to collaborate on projects. She was the one who encouraged me to be an artist and to fight for my dreams.”

Over the years, the artworks of Tini Meyer were contributed to charities such as the BC Schizophrenia Society, The Kettle Friendship Society, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Canada, Agents of Change and the Canadian Red Cross. She was also one of the artists chosen by Tiko Kerr, Joe Average, John Ferrie, David MacWilliam and Ian Lloyd for the Seeing Red campaign, organized by the Canadian Red Cross for the Red Cross HIV/AIDS Home-Based Care Program in Zimbabwe. Her work can also be found in corporate collections such as the Aquilini Investment Group, owners of the famed Vancouver Canucks. Here in the Middle East, her paintings were well-received and even caught the attention of His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan, the UAE’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Living most of her life in different places like Manila, Vancouver, Madrid and now Abu Dhabi, Tini has been exposed to various cultures and traditions, thus pushing

Lavish Acrylic on Canvas 60” x 48”

her creativity to greater limits. “I love the excitement of discovering a new place and being immersed in a foreign culture,” Tini declares, saying that she finds her wisdom in arts from her travels. She furthers, “By traveling extensively I have been able to move through many cultures and observe the effects of art in public places. International perspectives on culture challenge me to learn about others and in turn, about myself.

This unique insight into human experience is the story I bring to life on canvas.” The colors, tones and textures of Tini’s works are inspired from her travels throughout the world. Elements of different cultures are infused into every piece created by her, either through shape, color or incorporation of ethnic materials.

This artist, who has mixed German, Filipino and Spanish heritage, is certain to shine in the growing arts community in the UAE, especially in the capital Abu Dhabi.

Her unique gift and capacity for creative introspection, not to mention her innate generosity in sharing her blessings with the less fortunate will certainly lead her to even higher heights. Despite growing recognition for her works, Tini knows what gives her ultimate contentment. “As long as I inspire or impact people, I am satisfied,” she says.

In a recent conversation with Illustrado, Tini gives us a better understanding of herself as an artist, a person and a Filipina.

FEATURE 47

Inspiracao Acrylic on Canvas 36” x 36” Azure Acrylic on Canvas 24” x 24”

Jumeirah Acrylic on Canvas (triptych) 24” x 48”

When did you recognize your passion for arts?

I’ve always been deeply interested in art, culture, books, history and languages. Even as a child I loved going to museums, so the general interest has always been there.

Why did you pursue your passion?

It all boils down to happiness, the pursuit of it.

What inspires you as a person and as an artist?

I get inspired from love, laughter, travel, happiness and success, great friends and books. Also, experiences from traveling inspire me – historical spaces, food, people, music, colors and feelings.

They say that artists put a great deal of their personal emotions and beliefs in their works. Does it also apply to you?

Of course – creating art is the most profound of expressions. I pour my heart into my work.

Do you have any personal favorites amongst your pieces?

One piece is a drawing called ‘Millennium Shower.’ I love that piece because of the great detail that went into it and I spent several months just drawing dots everyday. Another favorite is ‘Inside the Waterfall’ because it was my first large-scale painting (5’ x 9’) and I love the various shades of blue, it always makes me feel like scuba diving.

Do you have any work rituals? How does Tini Meyer work on a typical day?

I like to start my day with a strong cup of coffee and music. Once I get to the studio I tend to stay for a long time as it takes a while to get into the rhythm. There is always music playing in my studio, depending on my mood. Sometimes it’s chill, drum and bass, Hotel Costes, Café del Mar, Spanish rock, Edith Piaf, German film music from the 1930s, Gypsy Kings, etc. I usually have afternoon tea in the studio as well, which gives me just enough energy to keep working until nighttime. I also take a break to read. I cannot live without reading, no matter how tired I am (even if I go to bed in the wee hours of the morning, I must read to be able to fall asleep.)

48 FEATURE

Tini Meyer presenting her painting to His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mubarak Al Nahayan at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, infront of the Gulf meadi and an audience of more than 1000 people, which also included Placido Domino Manxx 35 Centerpieces Commission for SFU Faculty of Busines

What do you think about the art scene in the UAE? How do you see its future?

Each session is different… sometimes I paint in a calm manner and at other times I just prance all over and create maddening pieces of art.

I recently adopted a kitten (Tweet Tweet); he keeps me company when I paint. Usually he is very naughty and jumps everywhere but he likes to stay beside me and observe my work, especially when I play Edith Piaf (which I like to do with a glass of wine.) So we enjoy each other’s company.

Can you describe your style?

I am in the middle of undergoing a big transition as an artist. Up until recently I was focused on just painting contemporary abstracts, but now I am moving into a more conceptual direction. I am experimenting with other media such as human body fat and thinking very differently.

What do you mean? How does this transition affect your future projects?

Right now I am collecting human body fat from plastic surgeons. I want to fill a big glass tank with body fat, as an attack on gluttony.

Most of us are guilty of eating/drinking too much while people are starving. Next to the tank will be a chart indicating how many calories the fat contains and how many people could have been fed with that energy.

It’s a bit tricky as I am still experimenting how to best preserve the body fat. Another project

I am embarking on is a glass tank filled with a thousand fish eyes.

Your active participation in humanitarian efforts is quite impressive. May we know why you’re so involved?

When I was still studying at Brent Manila International School, my mother started a charity called “Global Awareness for Children Foundation,” which focused on educating children about recycling and climate justice.

She was so dedicated and passionate about her work, it was contagious. My mother taught me about the importance and value of contributing to society.

Among all the recognition you’ve received, what do you consider as your proudest moment?

Presenting my painting to Sheikh Nahyan is definitely one of the highlights in my art career. It was a great honor and I admire him very much. I also cherish the first time I got official gallery representation as well as my first public art commission in Vancouver. Then there are other things such as my painting session in Pamplona, Spain during the Fiesta de San Fermin (Running of the Bulls.) My Spanish DJ friends from Pamplona throw the biggest underground electro/techno party during the fiesta and one year I painted on stage, it was just fun and different.

To say that it’s an exciting place is an understatement. When I first came to Abu Dhabi a couple of years ago, I felt a special connection. At some point I was dividing my time between my studios in Vancouver and Madrid, but something kept bringing me back to Abu Dhabi and I knew this is where I wanted to be.

I then started doing more research on the Abu Dhabi 2030 Plan and the emirate’s vision of becoming a world capital for arts and culture.

The first Louvre outside of Paris and the biggest Guggenheim in the world will both be on Saadiyat Island, alongside other museums and cultural institutions. This gigantic project shows Abu Dhabi’s commitment to art and culture, so I thought it would be interesting to be part of this growth.

At this point the Abu Dhabi art community is quite small with just a handful of galleries and artists, but it is growing all the time. The Tourism and Development Investment Co (TDIC) and the Abu Dhabi Arts and Culture Heritage Foundation (ADACH) organize amazing art events.

Aside from your mother, what keeps you rooted to the Philippines?

I love the Philippines, especially Manila.

Studying at Brent was one of the best things that happened to me. Studying in an international environment really molded and shaped my character. I learned how to be flexible and street smart. Growing up in Manila is just a different world altogether, it’s fabulous. I am, of course, looking forward to introducing my art in the Philippines and to having an exhibition there. It’s slowly in the works, but I want to do it when the time is right.

ADVERTORIAL 49

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Pure Gold Jewellers, the award-winning customer service jewellery retailer, is celebrating its 20th anniversary in July 2009 with massive promotions and new product launches to show its appreciation to the loyal customers who have shown their continued support for the company.

A favorite among customers for its lifetime repair and exchange guarantee policies, Pure Gold Jewellers’ ongoing “scratch and win” card promotion whereby customers buying Pure Diamond Jewellery receive discounts from 65% to 100% off their purchases is a smashing success. The promotion is valid across all stores in the UAE until 14th August.

The promotion was a first of its kind offered in the jewellery industry. “Most of our customers were delighted to own a piece of high quality diamond jewellery at a discounted price while several even got it for free,” said Pure Gold Jewellers CEO and Managing Director Karim Merchant.

Pure Gold Jewellers also launched a new solitaire range of diamond ring, earring and pendant sold at a very affordable price. A quarter carat solitaire diamond ring is being sold for only AED 999, a quarter carat solitaire pendant for AED 999 and quarter carat solitaire earrings for only AED 1,999.

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Pure Gold Jewellers has consistently offered its customers with products that are of best quality at the most affordable price. The jewellery retailer is known for its value for money product range.

“At Pure Gold Jewellers, we make sure that maximum benefit is passed on to our customers. They will not find anything like this at this price in the market, that is why for the first time we are offering a 90-day money back guarantee for our quarter carat solitaires,” stressed Merchant. A moneyback guarantee assures the buyer that if they are not satisfied with the product, a refund will be available for them.

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Pure Gold Jewellers will continue to offer exciting promotions for its customers to celebrate its anniversary. “It’s our way of thanking our customers for their continued patronage and loyalty throughout the years.

We have arrived at this stage because of their unwavering support,” emphasized Merchant.

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It is also recognized for two consecutive years as the “Best Service Performing Brand” in the large category under the Dubai Service Excellence Scheme (DSES) and ranked as number one (Best Performing Brand) based on a survey conducted by Ethos Consultancy covering 22 business sectors.

50 FEATURE

A local Art Hero named ‘Japat’

By Sherry Tenorio

He is the embodiment of the stereotypical young Pinoy artist. He speaks softly, mostly in unpretentious, sometimes deep or even cryptic, Tagalog. He sports wornout Converse sneakers, jeans and a t-shirt and used to like wearing his hair long – that is, until he decided to shave it all one day. But, Darwin ‘Japat’ Guevarra is anything but ordinary. He is, as a matter of fact, a tremendously talented awardwinning artist – one who has beaten the odds rising up to success; on the way carving a well-lit path for other Filipino artists in the emirates.

Japat’s climb into the Dubai art scene was set into motion when Sheikha Lateefa bint Maktoum, daughter of the ruler of Dubai and owner of renowned art gallery Tashkeel, saw him win the Grand Prize in the Fine Arts Category at the Dubai Ladies Club Shaikha Manal New Signatures Young Artists Awards.

Recalling previous reports, the Sheikha commented, “Guevarra’s exceptional ability to communicate his innermost emotions coupled with his unique use of traditional and unorthodox materials makes his works most intriguing. He jumps in head first giving all that he has for art. His technique could almost be described as ‘scavenging’ — finding small ordinary everyday objects and literally embedding them within the artwork, giving them a ‘Darwin Guevarra’ signature touch.”

As fate would have it, the artist later received an e-mail from the Sheikha inviting him to

exhibit in Tashkeel. Almost exactly a year after receiving his grand prize, Japat unveiled his one man show ‘Time of Humanity’ – which included 40 mixed media artworks using superficial substance to portray the deepest meaning of humanity. The exhibit showcased the artist’s unique brand of creativity and validated his great capacity to stir the emotions.

With a distinct ‘transhuman’ appeal, Japat considers his works as falling in two categories: surrealism and impressionism.

According to him, “Yun impressionism, makulay at maraming lumulutang, mas nagagawa ko yun pag mabait ako, pag masigla. Ang mga gawang may surrealism ay naglalabas ng galit, mas madilim ang mga kulay, mas maraming elemento.”

The artist says his one-man show opened

doors, gaining him more invitations to other art shows and competitions, while providing him a ‘face’ within the art scene in the country.

As he would put it, “Nagkaroon ng mukha yun mga likha, kahit yung mga nagawa ko pa noong 2006,” adding that nobody really knew who he was. It was only after this first solo exhibit that people started recognizing him and his works. “Nakakatuwa at nakakataba ng puso yun mga feedback.

Malaking halaga yun respetong binibigay nila sa mga gawa ko.”

When asked how the exhibit changed his personal life, if the show helped him financially, Japat candidly declared that he stayed the same, “Ganun pa rin kami.

Walang pagbabago sa buhay. Sa ngayon siguro, ang pagbubuti ng sining muna ang plano ko. Naniniwala naman ako na kung may tyaga, darating at darating

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ang mas magaganda pang blessings.” He furthered, “Iba kasi ang mundo ng art. Iba ang buhay ng isang Darwin Guevarra.

Siguro sa mga susunod na panahon ay magpapantay na.”

He emphasized that his first exhibit did not mean to commercialize his artworks. His aim was to contribute something to the art community and share his works that would ultimately inspire people. Japat explained that when he agreed to do the exhibit, he actually pointed out to the organizers that raising money was not his goal. He told them, “I’ll do this for the art, not for the sales.”

Back in the Philippines Japat is not the usual sophisticated artist you will find in the Dubai society. He hails from

Taytay, Rizal in the Philippines, the son of a carpenter and a seamstress. Japat’s mother used to tell him “Ang galing ng anak ko.

Pero mas maige kung makakatulong ka na.” His family’s difficult financial situation almost robbed him of education. But, the selftaught artist used his skills to help classmates and teachers at the Juan Sumulong Memorial Junior College to finish school projects, in return earning him free tuition. Lost in memories, Japat realized, “Sa mga katulad kong hindi nakapag aral ng college, hindi dapat mawalan ng pag asa.”

After high school, without the option to afford college and torn between his passion for art, music and the need to earn a living, the young Japat somehow had a chance meeting with award-winning Filipino artist Godofredo Zapanta who later became his mentor. Japat

recalls, “Sa kanya ako natuto. Simple yung magturo pero magaling. Dinadaan nya kami sa kuwento, sa humor, logic, pangaral tungkol sa buhay. Paggamit ng isip at imahinasyon ang turo n’ya. Madami talaga akong natutunan sa kanya.”

So he worked while learning and improving his artistry while keeping abreast with developments in the arts circle. With the desire and enthusiasm to contribute to the craft, he soon joined exhibitions and competitions that helped him earn recognition in Manila’s art circle.

In fact, he was slated to join 13 other artists in an exhibit in New York when he had to leave for Dubai in 2004 - disheartened yet needing to help his family at the time. He worked as a company events photographer when he first came to the city.

52 FEATURE

The spotlight may have been turned on Japat’s presence in the arts circle now, but his struggle was nothing less than painful. He remembered those times when he used to ask about holding an exhibit and usually got a pointed negative reply.

“Sabi nila bawal ang Pinoy. Nakakatakot daw yung mga gawa ko, walang bibili.

Tsaka, ang alam lang daw ng Pinoy eh magtanim ng palay.” Then, he humbly assessed, “O, baka naman dahil ako yung nagtanong kaya ganun yung sagot nila.”

Other than the blunt discrimination, Japat was also frustrated because he could not display his own style. “In our country, I can paint, sculpture and photograph nude women and men. Here it is not possible. I found no room for my style here since the culture is different from that of my homeland,” he said.

Despite his early challenges, Japat proved to be a man who was not easily daunted. Moreover, inspired by his wife Melissa, also an artist, and sons Mico and Mac James, the artist persisted in pushing his own way into the local art scene.

He began by helping to create the ice dragon sculpture in the famous tourist spot Ski Dubai, and co-designed one of the horse statues positioned on Dubai’s main highway Sheikh Zayed Road.

In 2006, Japat joined the Red Bull Art of Can Contest where his entry won second prize.

Thereafter, he won first prize in a photography contest in France and the Dubai Ladies Club Shaikha Manal New Signatures Young Artists Award last year. His winning piece, ‘System of Humanity’, was sketched after an evening stroll during a time when he could not pay for

electricity at his home. He recalled, “Wala kaming ilaw nun eh. Naputulan kami ng kuryente. Tapos, nakita ko yung poste tsaka tao, ayun, gumana na yung imagination ko.”

Now, after his one-man exhibit, Japat has also been made a part of one of the signature events of the Dubai Summer Surprises, as a Residency Artist at the coveted Art Oasis - an annual show of creative talents. He was also included in the UAE Biennale, an esteemed collection of significant artists with different styles. Other than these, Japat knows that the future holds a lot of promise. He shares, “Marami pang darating. Marami pa akong gustong gawin para makaambag sa sining at kultura.”

It took him five years to finally penetrate the barriers of the city’s haughty art community. But times are changing, and the

passionate Filipino artist has helped create the change. His own philosophy helped him get to his well-deserved position. He asserted, “Pagbutihan ang gawa at dapat alam mo ang papasukin mo. Magtiyaga. Kailangan sa art eh mahabang pasensya. Ang blessing automatic na darating pag nailabas mo ang obra.” Then, he concluded, “Di ako naniniwala sa ‘crab mentality’. Ako, may sariling ‘grab mentality.’ Grab ng grab ng opportunity, basta ba walang masasaktan at masasagasaan.”

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Michael Cinco Steals Limelight at Manila Fashion Week

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rust the prodigious Dubai based designer Michael Cinco to do nothing short of stirring maximum attention whenever he joins a fashion event. Fresh from a fabulously received show with fellow couture virtuoso Furne One in hot Miami, Michael steals the fashion limelight once again, this time at the Philippine Fashion Week which culminated on June 5 at the SMX Convention Center.

The metro’s discerning fashion crowd was left awestruck at the sight of Cinco’s lavish collection set on a dramatic surreal background of smoke and ultimate theatrics.

Cocktail dresses and wedding gowns embodying a mix of eastern opulence combined with western sensibilities were presented in a rich palette of varying shades of blue, mint, acid green, amethyst, ruby and ivory.

Draped chiffon and sculpted taffeta fabrics flowed and moved dreamlike while illusion tulle was used to make possible some of the unabashed dangerously low cut backs. All the dresses were embellished generously, albeit tastefully, with meticulously applied fabric cutouts, crystals, beads, pearls, as well as cut mirrors which surprisingly achieved some very distinctive designs like Cinco’s peacock detail which left audiences gasping.

The collection was unapologetically indulgent but, as expected from Cinco, tempered with his signature restraint – elegance and richness personified.

The Designer in his Miami show

As Michael Cinco’s lavish wedding gowns were paraded, the show ended on a high note with a very welldeserved standing ovation. Philippine Star Columnist Miguel Paolo Celestial wrote – “There was no other show in Philippine Fashion Week quite like Michael Cinco’s, not just for the holiday 2009 collections, but for any of the past two I have attended. It was the stuff of fantasy and dreams.”

54 FASHION

Filipino Designers Heat Up Dubai’s Catwalk

By Sherry Tenorio

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ubai Summer Surprises (DSS), the official summer shopping frenzy program of the emirates, brought back for the third time its fashion highlight, the Dubai Fashion Fiesta (DFF). The event was reinforcement to Dubai’s reputation as a global fashion capital and a destination for global talent. The fashion feast attracted thousands of spectators including international celebrities, members of royal families, top models, renowned designers, international media and socialites who thronged the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre to witness the ultimate style gathering of the season. DFF ran for four exciting days and unveiled collections of 34 fashion designers – both established and emerging – who were ready to take their niche on the metro’s glitzy runway.

Among the many talents – including Sabrina Barnett, Lida O’ Reilly, Marco Marcu, Anita Dongre, Verica Rakocevic, JJ Valaya, Reka Orosz, Raman Vij, Nataliya Dolenko and Larisa Katz – who celebrated their designs and labels during this chic convention were two Dubaibased Filipino designers, Furne One and Rocky Gathercole. Through their artful and innovative creations, these Filipino designers made a

Furne One

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definitive mark for themselves while keeping the international audience captivated and raising the bar of fashion standards in Dubai.

Fresh from his award-winning stint at the Miami Fashion Week, celebrated designer Furne One of Amato Couture presented at the DFF a supremely elegant collection that has marked his international stature in the US. Amato’s haute creations displayed inspirations from indulgent Arabic high fashion flair superimposing the unwavering fondness of his dedicated followers here in the Middle East. According to Furne, “clients from this region have a liking towards elaborate designs.”

Ergo, classic and sophisticated accoutrements, generous on crystals and tulle, accentuated his designs in a color palette oozing with bravado.

The show was a big hit with a full-packed venue, resounding applause and standing ovation proving that Furne One is not only a firm favorite to the region’s elite and royals, but also to a huge mix of trend fanatics.

Despite his tremendous achievements gained over the years, Furne One still attributes his success to “hard work and luck.” He says, “I think I was in the right place at the right time.”

He furthered, “it was like one move lead to another.” From dressing elite Arab clientele to being discovered by supermodel Heidi Klum who wore his pieces for the television series Germany’s Next Top Model, Furne One had certainly gone places in the global fashion arena.

Rocky Gathercole, on the other hand, was one among the final designers that capped the fashion glory of DFF. The excited designer whom Illustrado caught up with during the opening night said, “I’m bringing my best to this catwalk. I’m doing a show of haute couture pieces that are totally en vogue and original.”

True to his words, ‘enfant terrible’ Gathercole did not disappoint. As models walked through the ramp and showed off his works one by one, the audience was left astonished and fascinated by the irreverent avant-garde ensembles. When asked how he has put together such a show stopping unusual collection with dresses that stirred emotion, he explained, “I let my mind create something that my hands can make possible.” Gathercole, who believes “fashion without passion is like listening to a loud music and getting nothing,” has made an impact as an emerging and distinctive character not only within Dubai’s glamorous world, but also shows potential to being a part of the international style crème-de-la-crème. Matter of fact, organizers of the Miami Fashion Week spotted him at the DFF show and invited him to the prestigious fashion event next year.

Rocky Gathercole

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Art & Fashion Collision Cutting edge runway styles in virtual monochrome from the metro, collide with mindless artistic meandering an absolute explosion of contrasts to pique your sense of sight. Art for fashion’s sake.

Photography : Dr.Marlon Pecjo Graphics: Tom Bolivar Model : Valerie Weigmann Styling : Kimi and Boop Yap Make Up : Diane de Castro Hair : Alee Benson

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Silver sequined dress with black sleeves by Tina Daniac; silver and black stud earrings from Cru; rings - stylist’s own; black booties from Melissa

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Olive green dress with feather details by Anthony Ramirez; silver and black stud earrings from Cru; ring - stylist’s own; black patent shoes from Renegade Folk

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Black cut-out dress by Anthony Ramirez; chunky gold bangles from Debbie Co and Cru; gold stud Earrings from Cru; black and gold shoes from The Library

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Cut-out top matched with draped skirt by Anthony Ramirez; chunky silver bangles from Debbie Co

62 FASHION Silver sequined dress with zipper detail by Tina Daniac; silver bangles from Cru; silver dangling earrings from Mango; black patent shoes from Renegade Folk

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Black dress with bejeweled neckline by Tina Daniac; silver rings from Mango; silver and gold bangles from Cru; black patent shoes from Renegade Folk

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Black sleeveless mesh top matched with black and olive green skirt by Anthony Ramirez; gold bangles from Cru; black and gold shoes from The Library

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Studded Belts Stylist’s Own

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68 ENTERTAINMENT

Lea Salonga:

On Talent and Motherhood

By Jude Cartalaba • Photos by Adonis Yap

With the honors she brought to the homeland, the prestigious Laurence Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Theater World Awards from 1990 to 1991 for her performance as Kim in the West End and Broadway hit musical ‘Miss Saigon’ - Lea Salonga will forever be remembered as THE artist who has introduced the Philippines to the world as a goldmine of theater talents.

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hat was twenty years ago when she was just 17 years old, when she auditioned for that role of a Vietnamese bar girl as part of the worldwide search. She greeted Claude-Michel Schönberg, Nicholas Hynter, Cameron Mackintosh and Alain Boubil garbed in a long-sleeved white shirt with her hair done in a ponytail and flashed that winsome smile she is well known for.

As soon as she sang the excerpt from the ‘Sun and Moon’ song — the producers knew immediately that they found the girl who would breathe life into the character of Kim. Three Decades of Professionalism Lea Salonga has made a mark not only in her native Philippines, but most significantly on the world stage for the last 30 years. As

a prodigious child performer, she wowed audiences at the age of nine with her impeccable English and theater brilliance when she took on the role of Annie in the Repertory Philippines’ famous production.

As a rising teen star with significant presence on Philippine TV and movies, Lea also matched vocal talents with the then globally popular Puerto Rican boy band (that featured Ricky Martin) called Menudo – opening their Manila concerts and singing as part of a duet.

That was until she set foot on the global stage as Kim and went on to do other significant projects on Broadway, the West End and other prestigious venues around the world, playing memorable and critically acclaimed lead roles including Eponine in Les Miserables (the very first Asian to ever play the role), Sandy in Grease, and Mei Li in Flower Drum Song among many others.

Lea also provided the singing voices of

Jasmine (Aladdin) and Mulan in the wellloved Disney animated films, and has the distinction of having performed for five Philippine presidents (from Ferdinand Marcos to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo), three American Presidents (George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush), and for Diana, Princess of Wales and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Through it all, she remains the same – supremely professional and personifying excellence in all aspects of her illustrious career.

In an exclusive interview at the ShangriLa, Makati where Lea arrived some thirty minutes before call time, the relaxed artist beams widely with her signature smile and shares what legacy she’d like to leave for future artists, “I am just hoping that people remember me as someone professional.

[Someone] who has focus and consistency in the quality of all the output I give.”

FEATURE 69 She stresses that, after three decades in show business, she still gives her 100% to every performance, no matter what, and constantly striving to stay full committed to her craft.

“I make it a point to give my best for that audience in that particular night.”

Choosing Roles for Her Future Kids to See

role of being a mom does not comes with a script. “One thing I’ve learned about childrearing is that your kid can defy all childrearing manuals,” she remarks, but is quick to add that motherhood had taught her many things and has allowed her to mature further, although she admits that she still has to go through a lot of learning.

Paying it forward

Lea’s sterling reputation as a consummate artist has not been built solely on her stage skills, but also on her credibility as an actor who does not compromise her craft for money and the opportunity of getting an award.

As a 37 year old mother to Nic, her threeyear-old daughter Nicole Beverly Salonga Chien, Lea says she wants to be able to play roles that her kids and grand kids would be proud of someday. She says that playing Cinderella in 2007 has made her want to do another storybook character, wherein she can provide wholesome entertainment value and a great legacy as a fine actor. She sees herself doing the character of Belle in the musical, ‘Beauty in the Beast.’

“It’s a darn good role. Belle’s character has so much emotion, particularly in the songs she sang. It is something that my child will enjoy. [It] will leave an impression on Nicole.

And Cinderella actually did. She was able to identify with the characters of the musical.”

One role that Lea relishes these days is that of being a doting mom enjoying life with her family in their Ayala Alabang place which she says is just one big playground. She professes that over the years, she has realized that the

so many opportunities. I traveled to places in England, New York and performed for people, and heads of states.”

She adds that, if Nicole would one day, choose the same path she has taken, she would not stop her, but would caution her so that she may stand firm against any intrigues and challenges.

The Lea of Today

As an accomplished performer Lea definitely wants to share what she has learned over the years from mentors and from co-actors.

She says that she has done some mentoring in the past, but given the opportunity, she

would love to ‘pay forward’ learned wisdom to aspiring theater and mainstream Filipino talents who could indeed stand out in the global arena.

As someone who has worked with foreign artists, Lea sees the Filipino singing talents as unique. “All things being equal, in terms of training, if we compare ourselves with the Thai and Chinese — it is our voice quality that would make us stand out.” She adds, “We are Asians, yes, but we are very Western, too.

We are able to interpret Western music very well.”

Among Filipino artists, Lea considers Kuh Ledesma, and the late Francis Magalona, as what a Filipino performer is all about. She also sees great potential in the likes of Cris Villongco and Julia Abueva, and admires the powerful voice of Charice Pempengco.

“I must admit that the industry has been good to me. I am living my dream. It has given me

Whenever she has no commitments, she finds herself visiting Gold’s Gym thrice a week, putting a premium on taking care of herself.

“It comes more important to me to take care

of my body. It helps in my singing. My body is more responsive, reactive. I would like to have the arms of Michelle Obama. She is like someone who can kick someone’s ass, literally. Having that healthy lifestyle, it helps her with her mental acuity and helps her fulfill her duties as the first lady,” Lea shares.

She also writes a regular column ‘Backstory’ for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and spends a fair amount online as a self-confessed Facebook addict.

Come September to October this year, Lea will be busy with a series of singing engagements abroad and is hoping to do another movie with Aga Muhlach sometime in the near future. She says she is just waiting for a good script to come along. She emphasizes, “You don’t just do it for an award. It’s not about that. It’s about putting forth some good work.”

70 COMMUNITY

111th Philippine Independence Day Celebrations

Con. Gen Noel Servigon at the Phil. Embassy celebration

Madame Fe Cabactulan & Chi Servigon leading the cultural event in Abu Dhabi

The Filipino community in the emirates was in full force last June in a series of events to celebrate the 111th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence.

Filipinos in the capital participated in several events initiated by the Philippine Embassy which included the GK Walk for Health at the Abu Dhabi Corniche, educational Seminars a the POLO/OWWA, Cultural Show and Painting Exhibit held at the Indian Social & Cultural Center, as well as the flag raising ceremony and thanksgiving mass held on the 12th of June. High profile officials from the UAE Federal Government, dignitaries from the international community, as well as key community leaders also converged at the embassy hosted diplomatic reception held

FILCOM Officers

at the Abu Dhabi InterContinental Hotel on the 28th.

The Dubai community on the other hand, began the commemoration with the Diplomatic Reception hosted by the Philippine Consulate General at the Movenpick Hotel on the evening of the 11th June.

Philippine Independence Day and the 3rd Migrant Workers Day

celebrations were held on the 12th in one huge event which started with a flag raising ceremony at the consulate in Dubai, then proceeded with a motorcade after finally culminating at Al Nasr Leisureland.

Organized by the FILCOM (Filipino Community) organization, the occasion drew the participation of various Filipino clubs based in Dubai and the Northern Emirates in a day featuring a ‘tiangge’ and a virtually non-stop entertainment program.

The Al Nasr Leisureland event drew thousands of attendees

COMMUNITY 71

Dubai Diplomatic reception photo courtesy of Arc Trading Dubai Con Gen Benito Valeriano and UAE Federal Govt. dignitaries at the Dubai Diplomatic reception

Ambassador Libran Cabactulan with his wife Madame Fe

Commercial Attache Jojie Dinsay (second from left) & his wife Jinggay with Linette Herico and guest

Con Gen Noel Servigon with his wife Chi and guest

L-R: Mon Benitez, Yasmine Hidalgo, Lucille Ong, Dr. Florencio Lucero & Lalaine Benitez

Con Gen Adel Cruz and wife Lileth

Philippine Embassy staff

Guests at the Abu Dhabi Diplomatic reception Jethrofel Rambuyong & Tini Meyer

Illustrado Team: Ronette Pagtakhan, Kris Lee & Choi Dalocanog

72 COMMUNITY

PBC Abu Dhabi The PBC Abu Dhabi celebrated its 6th Year Anniversary with a Filipino Gourmet Dinner on the 29th June 2009 at the Abu Dhabi Village One-to-One Hotel with a fine set menu created

by Sous Chef Loreto Alab. During the event, led

by President Jovy Tuaño, new PBC Abu Dhabi committee members were introduced.

FSDC Showcases Philippine Dives The Filipino Scuba Divers Club (FSDC) showcased their Philippine dives with a photo and video display during the 111th Philippine Independence Day at Al Nasr Leisure Land last 12 June 2009.

Operating under the auspices of the Philippine Consulate since 1994, the club has been an avid participant of the annual Independence Day celebrations. This year, headed by Chairperson Cyril Lorilla, FSDC joined the event with their own booth complete with a mannequin in a

fully-kitted dive suit. As an added bonus, FSDC offered visitors actual oysters which they could open to search for pearls, and which they were allowed to take home.

The FSDC activity was aimed at establishing awareness in the community about Philippine dive spots which are among the best in the world. The group is also encouraging Filipinos to get into diving and explore the country’s beautiful oceans and appreciate it as much as tourists do.

For information on the group contact the FSDC Hotline at 056-6952421, email info@ filipinoscubadivers.com or visit their website - www.filipinoscubadivers.com

WPBC 3rd

Anniversary Event Wow Pinoy Badminton Club (WPBC) U.A.E. celebrated their third anniversary with the WPBC 4th Pioneers’ Cup Badminton Championship held at Al Safa School for Boys Gymnasium, Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai last June 5, 2009. The event graced

by Hon. Vice Consul Edwin Mendoza of the Philippine Consulate General of Dubai saw 109 participants in six categories.

The event headed by club founder Edwin Lasquite was made successful by the participation of Tournament Manager Donnie de Dios and officiating umpires; WPBC pioneers Ariel Garcia, Francis Magdasoc, Sherwin Roeger, Royce Bulado, Roy Perena and Mylene Mendoza; club committees headed

by Ray Choi, Liza, Michelle, Evelyn, Ruth, Kat, Eddie, Bong, Rickson, Rowel. The tourney was also supported by Lightform photographers, Ruth Calugay (logo design), Dennis Mallari and Evelyn Navarra.

Event sponsors include Western Union, Century Properties, Filipino Off-Roaders Association, Cedric Palmares, Robert Canlas, Merly Tubella and Natz.

WINNERS: Men’s Singles - Hans Tsae Juan (champion), Marco Escueta (1st RU), JR Pinos (2nd RU); Men’s Doubles A - Peter Abarsosa & Jun-jun Mendoza (champions), Hans Tsae Juan & Glen Martin (1st RU), JR Pinos & Jun-jun Watiwat (2nd RU),

Men’s Doubles B - Dennis Mallari & Jun Dais (champions), Marcy Meradios & Vincent Lemos (1st RU), Womens Doubles A: Liza Arenas & Erma Gallario (champions), Alma Quirao & Anna Diaz (1st RU), Women’s Doubles B: Wilnessa Dugang & Michelle Juego (champions), Mixed Doubles - Peter Abarsosa & Leslie Chang (champions), Francis Magdasoc & Ruth Calugay (1st RU), Rowel Villanueva & Ghie Villanueva (2nd RU

77th Street Team Launch Dubai-based production group 77th Street composed of stylist and make-up artist Anna De Leon and photographers Cristina Linaza and Mariyah Gaspacho recently launched their group on the 28th July 2009 at the Warehouse Club, Le Meridien Airport Hotel in a night of beauty, fashion and photography. The event, done in collaboration with FMO, organizers for the Warehouse Club, and HME Models, featured a mini-fashion show with couture from designer Rocky Gathercole.

Photos courtesy of Amor Dagdag

BAKASYON GRANDE 73

The Raintree Misibis Bay Resort

Bicol Luxury

By Vic Albornoz Lactaoen, Photos by Teodoro Pelaez

The Bicol region is one interesting province I never tire to come back to.

It was one of my first travels outside Metro Manila as a young kid in junior high school when out of town trips for teenagers were not yet so common.

I

learned at an early age that far from the maddening crowd, the unexplored Bicol peninsula is another world. A visit to these southern islands of the Philippine archipelago is to embark on a rewarding voyage of discovery. Here, scattered like emerald gems in cobalt blue seas are verdant islands, large and small, each with its own special character and charm. Bicol’s remarkable natural attractions – an active volcano, spectacular waterfalls and even the world’s biggest and smallest species of fish, make it an absorbing destination.

These days, visitors to the Bicol region simply arrive by air – from Manila or Cebu

– although interisland ferries and bus lines conveniently link the province to the rest of the Philippines. Heading towards the province of Albay, considered the “land of fire and fury,” does not however stop travelers like me from visiting and returning.

As the adventurous would say, it only makes Bicol a more challenging destination. There are at least six daily flights to Legaspi, capital of Albay, and various bus services on the Legaspi - Manila route. The famous Mayon Volcano and rolling hills covered with coconut plantations, rice fields and patches of forests dominate Albay’s terrain. Legaspi is a bustling commercial center sitting in the shadow of Mayon Volcano, reputedly the worlds most perfectly cone shaped volcano. Taking its name from magayon, or beautiful in the Bicolano dialect, the

volcano has erupted more than 45 times, where it still spews a wisp of smoke playing around the cone’s top. I had the pleasure of riding Misibis resorts’ brand new helicopter in a scenic 30 minute heli -tour around the crater of Mount Mayon.

Seeing Mount Mayon up close and personal is the height of going luxury. This new type of tour service to the majestic volcano is expected to pick up soon, especially among eco tourists who understand the importance of preserving our fragile ecosystem. With few other tourists on board, one can perhaps understand how Charles Darwin must have felt when he tipped up in the Galapagos aboard an explorer ship and came up with his famous theory on man’s evolution. With the mountain volcano in its natural formation

74 BAKASYON GRANDE

Take a scenic heli-tour of Majestic Mayon Volcano

as the main subject, there was much to photograph and every cause to jostle for the best unique angle to take pictures. The site was too good to be true - vibrant colors and shades of red and orange lava formations before your very eyes. As we float peering down into the clear landing near Hotel Venezia, we step out of the chopper still in awe of the spectacular natural attraction presented before us.

Non trekkers wanting to see and experience Mayon and its environs will find Hotel Venezia, Legaspi City’s premier boutique hotel an expert with a new menu of tour activities tailor fit for visitors to Bicol. The hotel offers an all-inclusive package that offers a 3-day-2-night stay with breakfast, round trip airfare and a half-day guided tour of Legaspi City. If splendid seclusion from the maddening city life is what you are looking for, enjoy the wild life adventure of exotic Bicol.

Start off at Raintree Misibis Bay, a new tropical hideaway in Cagraray Island.

Built on a private, pristine stretch along the southern tip of the Island in Albay, the Raintree Misibis Bay is Bicol’s most luxurious hotel soon to formally open its doors to discriminating tourists. Cagraray is a 481-square-kilometer island off the western

coasts of Albay. It is made up of one big island, one satellite island called Namanday and 11 islets. Tabaco Bay and the Sula Channel, which run along Cagraray’s entire northern and eastern coastline, separate it from the mainland, and its northwestern coastline is on the Logonoy Gulf, which flows south through the Nagtapis Strait to become the Albay Gulf.

and affluent travelers. Seamlessly merging land with sea, the alluring resort masterfully blends contemporary architecture with its historic and stunning surroundings. Though worlds away from the bustling metropolis, the secluded resort is just distance away from the world famous Mayon Volcano, illuminated fireflies and interaction with the world’s biggest fish.

One discovers a tropical sanctuary this side of the Bicol peninsula where indulgence in a private address is desired by many discerning

We took the 20 minute scenic but romantic speed boat ride from Bacacay across the Sula Channel to Barangay Sula. Or if you’re on

BAKASYON GRANDE 75 and inlets of small hilly jungles and fertile plains. There are numerous biking or trekking routes that also mark the island.

Most however, are inaccessible except for the very determined and able. You may want to try another new attraction called the “zip line” where you are given another bird’s eye view of the other hilly side of Albay and Mount Mayon as backdrop. You are securely tied to a safety harness from another hilly part of the peninsula and pushed down to an opposite end.

I was also impressed by the creativity on the use of local materials and complementing Bicolano cultural designs as accents and decorative pieces that were prominently used in both Hotel Venezia and Raintree Missibis Bay Resort. A temporary souvenir boutique shop is located at Hotel Venezia including carpets, bags and placemats made of Abacca.

Down the hill through the “zip line”

At both these luxury properties which pride themselves on giving the highest levels of service, grand resort opulence blends seamlessly with state-of-the art technology in all the villas at Misibis and suites at Venezia.

In a brief talk with Ian Mayer Varona, resident manager of Hotel Venezia and Misibis Bay, guests can also enjoy the vast array of sports and diving facilities and the Spa at Misibis Bay, to relax one’s body, including a wide range of beauty treatments.

Rough riding at Cagraray Island

lavishing our guests with elegance and space. The large glass windows create a subtle transition from indoor living space to a spectacular outdoor environment.

Imagine waking up onto an unhindered view of the Pacific Ocean from a picture window of my beachfront villa. An absolute sight to behold!

Feshly caught seafood, cooked to perfection

a rush, there is also the helicopter transfer ride that you can avail of from the Legazpi airport to the resort.

While checked in at Raintree Misibis Bay, I was given the special touches including a warm welcome from a battery of young students donning a sampling of their welcome dance from their award winning Ibayon festival number. Raintree Misibis Bay’s beautiful guestrooms are a quintessence of style that allows one to completely luxuriate. Each structure is perfectly designed with high airy ceilings, large terraces, sun decks and has direct access to the beach or the pool thereby

As proud as they are of their beautiful rooms, Raintree Misibis Bay encourages guests to spend time outdoors. I took a barefoot stroll in the exclusive 1-kilometer beach front made more unique with exotic shells and volcanic rocks. I took a swim in one of the resort’s three infinity pools - a lagoon-shaped pool recreating the natural current of the nearby river.

It would be easy, I realized to never leave the resort, which is how I found myself bouncing across the beach front in an outrigger canoe while other guests were trying on some beach contraptions ideal for family bonding, corporate team building or just relaxing. There are also outdoor activities to enjoy including jet skis, banana boat rides, water volleyball and basketball.

Riding my all terrain vehicle around Cagraray Island, I drove to several coves

To compliment one’s stay at Raintree Misibis Bay, one can indulge in a culinary delight at The Spice Market and DeLaPlaya beach grill. At the Spice Market, I had a sampling of a gastronomic array of Southeast Asian cuisine designed by Corporate Chef David Pardo de Ayala and fused with the some of the world’s exotic spices. You may also take pleasure in buying freshly caught seafood, cooked to perfection at the DeLaPlaya Restaurant. Try out their own version of Bicol Express, or test your chilli tolerance with their Laing Pizza, Angus Beef Sinigang at Hotel Venezia and a host of delectable desserts and cocktail drinks to try at the Beach Bar of Raintree Misibis.

While Cagraray is not yet a full fledge jetset destination, for the rich and famous, one notices a smattering of yachts and sail boats already sailing along the shores of the island as signs of things to come. As I wait for my flight back to Manila, my new found friends in the area regaled me with their own travel stories of Bicolandia. Being in Bicol only for a couple of days is perhaps enough of an experience in itself but reason to justify a trip back to the province. So have the ultimate escape in paradise - charming, self-contained warm and wonderfully luxurious.

76 TRIPPIN’

MOA

the Giant

By Loraine Balita Photos by Anthony Marquez Courtesy of MOA

“Man! You guys are big on malls!,” an American friend who recently came to the Philippines for a visit once exclaimed after going mall hopping in Manila. Mall hopping or simply ‘malling’ has become one of our national past times because we Filipinos are indeed big on malls and nothing else in the Philippines epitomizes this known fact better than the gigantic Mall of Asia. Finally opened in 2006, this mall has exceeded everyone else’s expectations by dominating the country’s malling circuit and also becoming a complete tourist destination in itself.

o

wned and operated by Henry Sy’s SM Prime Holdings, Mall of Asia or MOA includes the usual SM Department Store, an extensive Hypermarket, wide ice skating rink, a wide-ranging food court and much, much more. It’s easy to get lost in a huge place like this. What you need to know though is that the structure is mainly separated into three — the North wing, South wing and the Main Mall sandwiched in the middle. If you are looking for a specific establishment it’s best to get the complete location so you can comb the North, South or main part of the mall. If you don’t find the place during your first visit don’t beat yourself up too much, most people get lost inside the mall even after several visits yes, it’s that big. There’s even a tram that goes around to ferry up to 20 people at a time. The sheer size of the floor area could help you burn up to a hundred calories if you’d walk from end to end.

Aside from the usual malling experience here you’d find a cornucopia of things to do. You might have already been introduced to SM’s

skating rink which is also present here, but there’s also the country’s first IMAX Theater that plays films in an enormous 3D format.

Tickets here go for around PHP300 pesos each.

Another attraction is the Director’s Club Theater for intimate screenings that can accommodate up to 30 people with their ultra comfy seats. There’s Centerstage for live events and an uber funky 76lane bowling alley. Unlike the usual bowling alleys elsewhere with dim lights and bland interiors, this one has an inviting vibe to it because of the upbeat music, lights and soft comfy couches and chairs that allow players to lounge in the area. You can also either choose to play billiards after bowling in the alley or head out into the arcade gaming area. For kids there’s the Science Discovery Area with an interactive science learning theme park.

If IMAX is too much for your budget there are six regular movie theaters with more affordable tickets located amidst the numerous shops inside the air-conditioned area. With a long list of shops and restaurants you are assured to find more than what you are looking

TRIPPIN’ 77

for in this place. And it’s easy to get yourself confused because of the myriad of choices offered to visitors. There’s an area with a long line of beauty salons and spas like Freshaire, Going Straight, Ricky Reyes Salon and Ystilo among others as well as a section with an accumulation of gadget shops where you can find all sorts of computers, laptops and cell phones. There are shops ranging from those like Calvin Klein, Lacoste, and Mango to Bench, Penshoppe, Watsons and Unisilver.

Aside form the indoor stores, there are those located along the openair North and South arcades where you can freely bring your pets.

Another semi-open area is located at the back of the mall where there are bars, restaurants, coffee shops and grills lining the seaside boulevard by the bay. Here you can listen to live bands perform at night while having a few drinks. People stay here until the wee hours with buckets, barrels even tall tubes with faucets at the bottom full of beer. There’s also an over pass that connects the mall to San Miguel by the Bay located at the back of the mall or you can always cross the palm tree lined streets below.

You should give yourself two to three days to completely comb the place or at least a few visits to familiarize yourself with the establishments. The whole MOA complex also includes offices, gyms, a separate structure at the back called One Esplanade for events and parties, the SMX Convention Center for trade and cultural events, as well as the One E-Com Center as part of its IT hub. This giant complex is still expected to grow with more structures set to be constructed in the area for the next ten years.

Getting There Getting there should be easy. You can take the MRT and get off at the Taft station where there are jeeps and buses going straight to MOA or you can take the LRT and get off at the Buendia station. Here you’ll see those orange or blue multi cabs bound for GSIS, Blue Wave and Manila Doctor’s College with their last stop at the MOA terminal.

If you decide to bring your car, there are ample parking spaces around the structure or indoors with 8,000 slots. The mall is located at the Bay City West of Roxas Boulevard in Pasay near the Diosdado Macapagal Highway. The exact area is also at the Southern most tip of EDSA (Efipanio Delos Santos Avenue) so you can follow the road in front of the Heritage Hotel that goes straight to MOA. In front of the mall is a giant metal globe that marks the Rotunda where jeeps and buses go around for the next trip back to EDSA. If you are coming from the South however, you can follow Coastal road until the intersection in front of the Coastal Mall. Here you can turn left to Macapagal Hi-Way until you reach an intersection before Blue Wave where you can turn left again to follow the road to MOA. This mammoth complex located on a 60 hectare land with hundreds of shops, food outlets and business centers is one of if not the biggest business cum leisure compounds that you shouldn’t miss on your next visit to the Philippines. At least here you’ll have a sneak peak at how much your country has grown and developed over the past few years.

78 PINOY PLANET

Traipsing Around

Sunny Spain

By Al Manlangit

Picos de Europa

Dawn was breaking when the overnight train from Paris slowly crept into the old station of Irun, the first Spanish town across the border from France.

I had been dreaming about going Spain for quite some time and the chance came after we finished visiting the Louvre and the rest of the City of Lights. And now we’re here, I thought, in the land of señoritas, bullfights and tapas.

O

ur first stop was Bilbao in the northern Basque region. From Irun, we took the bus, plopped our bags in our hotel room and headed for the Guggenhein Museum. Designed by American architect Frank Gehry, the building is tops on any tourist’s list due to its cutting-edge design, unusual shape and interesting combination of titanium and limestone cladding. It looks like a gigantic ship stranded on the banks of the Rio Nervion which bisects the city.

Guarding the entrance is a huge 14-meter tall metal mesh dog sculpture covered with innumerable plants and flowers. We spent

the whole morning looking at modern art and strolling around the riverside terrace.

The rest of the day found us in the old part of the city strolling on cobblestone streets and visiting a couple of churches. The city, which flourished as an industrial hub, has a certain grittiness due to the numerous factories and steel mills, although recent redevelopment has broken up the monotone of urban sprawl.

The next day, we headed west for the Galician city of Santiago de Compostela.

Surprisingly, there are no direct train or bus connections to that part of the country so we rented a car to drive the 600 or so kilometers. Sure it was a long drive but the route was beautiful with mountains on your left and the Atlantic ocean on the right. We made a detour to Picos de Europa - Spain’s famous National Park - a 3,000 meter high mountain range just 15 kilometers inland from the sea. The heart-stopping zigzag road through towering gorges was a great thrill to drive through and the quaint towns along the way where we stopped for lunch and bought their local version of mouthwatering chicharon will surely take you back to the time of the Crusades. This was, after all, the place where the re-conquest of Spain by the Christians over the Moors began.

El Camino de Santiago (The Way of St James) is a pilgrimage route that stretches 500kms. from the French Pyrenees to Santiago. Since the Middle Ages, people walked this way to pay homage to the relics of Saint James to have their sins forgiven. The trek takes about a month but since we didn’t have the luxury of time, we drove part of the route from Picos all the way to Santiago arriving well past midnight at the Casa that we booked.

Some twelve hundred years ago, a monk followed a field of stars to this small Galician town and declared that he found the lost remains of St. James, thus calling the place Santiago de Compostela (campo de estrellas). The majestic cathedral with its twin Baroque towers that stands there today serves as the beacon for pilgrims who come yearly from all over the world. It faces the huge Praza do Obradoiro where people converge to find the tile with the scallop shell that symbolizes the pilgrimage. After spending the rest of the day exploring the narrow streets and squares filled with an ensemble of historic buildings dating back to the 12th century, we settled down for a satisfying dinner of seafood. Santiago’s restaurants look like mini aquariums, proudly displaying all kinds of edible life from the sea: dazzling varieties of fish, clams, scallops, shrimps, oysters and even octopus.

Back on the road, we swung southeast on the wide motorway in the direction of Madrid, passing by wheat fields and the dusty plains of Castilla y Leon. A deep sense

Guggenheim Museum facade (Bilbao)

FEATURE 79

Cathedral (Segovia)

of history permeated the Roman ruins and medieval castles of every small town and city that we passed. As the sun set, we entered Segovia, a small city boasting three worldclass sites. Situated on a high rocky hill was the Alcazar, the fairytale-like castle whose turrets, crenellations and sharp gable roofs became the inspiration for Disneyland’s castle. Further down, the Gothic cathedral with its flying buttresses and pinnacles glowed golden brown in the sunlight and looked really mighty impressive. But the big draw was the well-preserved aqueduct that straddles the city center. Built by the Romans in the 1st century, the remaining section runs almost a kilometer long, stands 33 meters high and has 118 arches. We climbed from the base to the top through a staircase and marveled at the view around us. Time seemed to stand still as we surveyed this former Roman military base that was shaped like a ship in the middle of an arid plain.

Located 50 kms. from Segovia where we spent the previous night in a warm and cozy pensione, is Madrid, the bustling capital of Spain – a city like any other where you can easily get lost! I drove around aimlessly for over an hour trying to look for our hotel and when we found it, there was no place to park so after quickly checking in, I immediately rushed out to return the Nissan Micra at the nearest Hertz branch a kilometer away.

On foot, we started the exploration of the city starting from Puerta del Sol which is ground zero where a ‘zero kilometer’ marker indicates the center of Spain. The square is a tourist hub filled with fountains, statues and busy restaurants. A quick stroll brought us to Plaza Mayor, the cobblestone square flanked by colonnaded buildings with beautiful reliefs that told the story of 17th century Spain: bullfights, coronations and the dreaded Inquisition.

Roman Aqueduct (Segovia)

Continuing further, we ended up in the Catedral de Almudena, Madrid’s cathedral, with a contemporary Neo-Gothic facade.

Fronting it is the Palacio Real, the official residence of the Spanish monarch though of course the Royal Family doesn’t live there nowadays. With more than 2,000 rooms, only a small portion is open to the public but that was enough for us to explore for the most part of the afternoon.

Grand is an understatement when it comes to describing all that you are allowed to see in there. Behind the palace is a lovely, well-manicured garden where we rested our weary feet and argued where we would go next. So much to see, so little time!

We spent the next two days browsing around the Prado Museum with its overwhelming collection of Goya, Velasquez, El Greco and Bosch, strolling in the 300-acre Retiro Park, and eating tapas every chance we got.

Unfortunately, there were no scheduled bullfights at that time.

Ensconced in the luxurious coach of the Alta Velocidad Espanola (AVE) train heading for Seville, we watched the landscape flash by at a dizzying 280kph. This was the bullet train of Spain and it whisks you pretty quickly to your destination. Hence, the 540 km. trip was a breeze. Two and a half hours later, at eight in the evening we arrived at Santa Justa and took a taxi to Barrio Sta. Cruz.

This former Jewish Quarter is a pedestrianonly enclave with a maze of cobblestone streets which made it very difficult to pull our wheeled luggage as we searched for accommodation. To top it all, there was a sudden blackout that plunged the place into darkness! But the friendly locals helped us out and we had a good laugh over a candlelit dinner in a cozy restaurant which featured a beautiful woman dancing the flamenco. Quite fitting for this was, after all, the flamboyant city of Don Juan and Carmen where boys wanted to be matadors and girls dreamt of becoming flamenco dancers.

Catedral De Almudena (Madrid)

La Giralda is the third largest church in Europe after St. Peter’s basilica in the Vatican and St. Paul’s in London.

It has a 110-meter tall bell tower of Moorish design, which we climbed all the way to the top. Instead of steps, there are ramps designed to accommodate horseback riders who, in the olden days, galloped up and down to make the Muslim call to prayer. You see, this church used to be a mosque. Inside the cavernous interior is an art pavilion featuring a huge carved altarpiece showing 44

80 FEATURE happens. We passed by La Boqueira, a lively market where eating in one of the stalls is an adventure in itself. Fancy a ham sandwich?

Take your pick from dozens ranging from jamon serrano to Iberica de Bellota - the best and most expensive. How about bull testicles? They’re cheap and, well, delicious they said. Though we backed out at the last minute! Seafood, exotic fruits, live snails, olives, the whole shebang was there for the tasting.

Imax (Valencia)

Up in the Picos

scenes of Jesus’ life from birth to crucifixion and a massive organ made of 7,000 pipes.

Most interesting of all is the tomb of Christopher Columbus being carried by the kings of Castile - Leon, Aragon and Navarra.

An adopted son of Seville, he had set sail for the New World from a port close to the city.

We spent the following day going around the well-tended gardens of the Alcazar, the big Plaza de Toros bullring (said to be the most magnificent in the country) and the Torre del Oro by the Guadalquivir River, where treasures from the Americas used to be unloaded, before taking the night train to Granada – the former capital of Spain.

Granada’s piece de resistance is definitely the Alhambra - the magnificent fortress was the last stronghold of the Moors before they were crushed in 1492 by the Christian Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabel. There was so much to see since the fortress is composed of many complexes. First, we went to see Charles V’s Palace which had a unique layout of a circle within a square.

Then, we went up the Alcazaba Fort that overlooked the city and the mountains beyond. This was the original and therefore oldest part of the citadel where the flags of the conquering Christians were raised. And finally, we meandered through best part of the complex: the Palacios Nazaries which was made up of numerous rooms, the Patio de los Arrayanes with its lovely reflecting pool, the Hall of the Ambassadors where the Sultan received his VIPs, and the Patio de los Leones with its sublime slender columns supporting graceful arches plus the 12 lions in the courtyard - arguably the most recognizable part of the Alhambra seen in many postcards and travel magazines.

Flamenco dancers

The Albaicin district clings on a hillside opposite the Alhambra and this is where you can appreciate the fortress in all its glory.

Amidst the cobblestone alleys stand lovely Moorish villas surrounded by wide gardens.

A quick visit to the Royal Chapel where Ferdinand and Isabel are buried rounded up our brief stay in this city steeped in so much history.

No visit to Barcelona would be complete without seeing the Sagrada de Familia, Gaudi’s Neo-Gothic church masterpiece that is still in the making, 126 years since it began. On a lesser but no less important architectural scale are La Pedrera, an apartment with curvilinear walls and anthropomorphic chimneys, Casa Batllo that looks like an organic skeleton of a house and Parc Guell, a 30-acre park with organic forms finished with bright mosaic tiles. All these represented a variant of Art Noveau design that swept Europe by storm early in the 19th century.

Exhausted and drowsy but feeling warmly satiated, we boarded the night train back to Paris thinking that one day, we had to come back to Spain once again in order to savor its vaguely familiar yet quite strange mix of tradition, people and culture. During the two weeks that we were there, we barely scratched the surface. Viva Espana!

Next stop: Valencia. Two things brought us here - the Virgin of the Helpless and Santiago Calatrava. Both didn’t disappoint.

The Virgen de los Desamparados, Valencia’s patroness stands high above an altar located in its own basilica, ornately dressed and lavishly adorned with flowers. In March, she is honored with Spain’s most spectacular fiesta - Las Fallas where giant paper-mache effigies are burned with lots fireworks.

Calatrava’s buildings are located in the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, a mindblowing complex of structures housing an Imax theater that looks like an eye, a helmet-shaped palace for the arts, a dinosaur skeleton-like science museum and the Oceanografic - Europe’s biggest marine park, home to 500 species of fish and other sea creatures from every ocean of the world.

We spent one whole day there which wasn’t enough because you probably need a week to do the place!

Gaudi, Dali and Miro - they all made Barcelona their home and this Catalan metropolis oozes art from every corner. Even the mimes are the most artistic that I’ve seen in the whole of Europe. We started our walk from the top of the two kilometer long treelined grand boulevard called Las Ramblas where the whole panoply of Barcelonian life

Inside the Royal Palace (Madrid)

Palacio Del Partal (Granada)

GLOBETROTTER’s BLOG 81

Hanging out with friends

Sagrada Familia

Every month Illustrado features seasoned travel tips on destinations around the world from Filipino globetrotters based in the Gulf.

What the city is known for Barcelona is known for its museums, architectural wonders and for having a good time.

Where to stay I suggest getting a hotel along the street of Las Ramblas. It’s very famous and its probably the busiest street in Barcelona. There are more than 10 hotels there.

You can choose one depending on your preference. The cost is about 100 Euros per night - but it’s worth it.

Must see Every time I go someplace, I always want to experience the culture and the arts. So number one on my list of places to see in Barcelona is the Sagrada Familia (temple) by Antonio Gaudi followed by the Picasso Museum.

There are a lot of museums to choose from. There is also L’Aquarium de Barcelona if you are bringing kids with you and lastly, the Magic Fountain of Montjiuc.

Must do For partying all night, it wouldn’t be hard to find a place to have fun! Spanish people really know how to party! I went to Buddha Bar and some other clubs. Also, you will find some good bars and places to eat in Las Ramblas.

Destination:

Barcelona, Spain Globetrotter: Pia Cabrera- Cabin crew and model Go to concerts - there are live music shows everyday in different places around the city.

Do it like the natives I didn’t experience this but my good friend Itxaso told me that there is a nude parade once a year in Barcelona!

Best kept secret Locals eat the best tapas at the old part of Barcelona.

How to dress Comfortable but chic!

How much money Hmmm depends really… Maybe 500 Euros + (excluding lodging)

What to bring Your video cam, camera, swim wear What to avoid Don’t leave your things alone. Be careful with your wallets!

Yummy Tapas

The ultimate travel tip It’s best to go in May for the Primavera Sound Festival that lasts for four days. And it’s always best to travel with your friends.

It’s nice if you know locals - they can take you to the nicest places and secret nooks of the city. And if you know how to speak their language it will come handy. Not everybody can speak English!

82 FILIPINISMS

Onli In Da Pilipins - 1. n. a phrase used to define anything or anyone that only exists anywhere in the 7,107 islands of the Philippines || 2. adj. a phrase used to describe a Pinas episode or a Pinoy persona so rare one would never find anywhere else in the WWW (whole, wide world). It merits a documentation of some sort.

Ganito Kayo Noon, Paano Kami Ngayon?

BY: ABY YAP

Shoppers Delight

So how much has the Philippines changed?

What’s a Piso?

Economists say it’s been six decades since we enjoyed an incredible US$1=PHP2 exchange rate, a far cry from today’s US$1=PHP47.

Your grandparents would always say that a piso was enough to give you a filling meal during their time. However, a piso in 2009 can only buy a piece of local candy.

Keep the Change Remember when your wallet used to carry two, five, and ten-peso paper bills, as well as Lapu-Lapu mameras? Five cents then were cute flower-shaped coins; they’re now tinier, round, and with a hole on the center. Um, please keep the change, Ms. SM cashier; it’s still months away for pangangaroling.

Before, we only had Shoe Mart and Alimall.

Now, the Philippines is turning into a mall country! The bigger, the better: SM’s philosophy in building malls. No wonder three of Henry Sy’s establishments belong to the top ten list of the world’s largest malls.

The greener, the greater: Ayala’s malls seem to say. Well, families and barkadas just love their mall parks, especially for kodakan and leisurely strolls. Still, shoppers say “the more, the merrier.” And so, tiyangges and ukay-ukays have been added to the list of mega shopping options.

Street Staples Then, people relied only on carinderias, sari-sari stores, street goodies, mamang sorbetero, manang banana cue/camote cue/turon/maruya, the magtataho, and magbibinatog. Now, lotto stations, internet

shops, fast food chains, coffee shops, Mini Stop, 7-11, videoke joints, and buy one/take one burger stalls, some of them open 24/7, are regulars on almost every neighbourhood street. And if you haven’t noticed, even manong fish balls has upgraded his offering to include squid balls, chicken balls, and kikiams.

Round the Clock Night shift used to belong only to the magbabalut. Today, he’s got company in the form of call center yuppies, who’ve dramatically altered the country’s business hours, with the BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) trend. We see them all fresh and japorms at night when everyone else is looking stressful and ready to go to bed.

And come daytime when it’s our turn to go to work, we see them sporting the Cullen look with matching baggy eyes.

FILIPINISMS 83 available should nature call while they’re on the road. Pink walls greet you when you look through the LRT 2 windows as you pass by the slum areas.

It’s Raining Trains LRT 2: Manila’s latest train sporting the color of royalty to give you a quick trip from Santolan to Recto. The original, now wobbly LRT 1, of course, is the train to take when you want to go from Baclaran to Monumento.

Plus, there’s the MRT to bring you from Taft to SM North, where everybody gets the free unique experience of getting transformed into human dominoes sharing a ride with what seems like half of the NCR population during sweaty rush hour.

Road Treat Our classic jeepneys and tricycles have evolved. In some parts of the country you can find the e-jeepneys and e-tricycles; ‘e’ standing for ‘electric.’ Some cockroachinfested buses have been finally replaced by newer ones equipped with a radio, a TV, and a DVD player for passengers’ total entertainment - thank you. A number of taxis have now become environment-friendly and use LPG, while some de-padyaks already run with a motor. Also, CCTV cams have been recently installed on major roads to catch unruly motorists — wow, and watch out!

Scene City If cars have color coding, so do cities — depending on the favorite color of the incumbent administration. For Pasig, it’s blue and yellow paints around town, with an ‘e’, the mayor’s signature, inscribed on every public landmark. For the thoughtful kagawads and kapitans, it’s a veritable slum book on the streets! Because Valentine’s Day/Graduation Day/Holy Week/ Christmas/New Year won’t be complete if they don’t have dedications to their constituents sweetly written on streamers, complemented by their photos.

Child’s Play Foreign Invasion First, there were the Chinese traders; then, the Spanish conquerors. Next were American friends, followed by Japanese fighters. In the mid-2000s came the Taiwanese heartthrobs, called F4. These days, we warmly welcome Korean students and their Koreanovelas.

Pretty in Pink To be in the pink of health. That’s Bayani Fernando’s dream for Metro Gwapo, er, Manila. Thus, pink is the color of footbridge railings, public transport terminals, and pedestrian signs all over the city. Pink lines are on the sidewalks to keep those sidewalk vendors away. Pink urinals for guys are

Wondering where those rowdy kids playing piko, taguan, patintero, shaaatooooo, and all the other fun street games have disappeared to? Why, tin cans, patpats, lastiko, teks, and jolens have long been replaced by PS3, PSP, Wii, Xbox, and DOTA! That’s Game & Watch, Atari, family computer, brick game, Tamagochi, Gameboy, and Counterstrike to the 80s babies. No need to yell “Taymperz!”

Just press the Pause button and your ‘playmate’ freezes instantly.

Internet Nation How about those teenage gangs that used to hang out around the neighborhood? They could now be: (1) de-stressing in the spa, hilot according to lola; (2) downloading

an infinite number of songs and videos to their 120GB iPod (similar to the walkman sans the cassette tape, with which you used a ball pen to rewind or forward to save up on batteries); (3) Googling up assignments on Wikipedia and writing them down on the notebook — laptop, that is; (4) adding pals to Friendster and Facebook and blogging about day-to-day activities on their Multiply accounts; (5) checking on Cebu Pacific for piso airfares; or (6) Uploading future Charisse Pempengco’s discovered through reality TV shows on YouTube with the title ‘Pinoy Pride.’

Phone Stars Even Dingdong Avanzado would agree that he no longer needs tatlong beinte-singko to call someone on the red de-dial payphone.

Just an unli-text load from Smart, Globe, or Sun— or pasa-load from your rich buddies if you don’t have the cash to spare — will do. And you can text/talk away until your thumb/throat gets sore without worrying about a party/cross line disturbing you.

Ooppps, phone pals? They’re passé, like beepers and pagers. With the “Pwedeng makipag-phone pal?” line buried, the modish way to do it is by sending an SMS “Can we b txtm8s? ASL, pls?” followed by forwarded quotes and jokes.

Hot Chats Why look for pen pals when you can have chat mates? With e-mail taking the place of snail mail, coupled with voice chat and web cam for an instant checkout, several months of waiting for a response are dramatically cut down to seconds. So it’s just a matter of days before chat mates become the next Kimerald love team. And that’s without even spending money on scented stationary, gel pen, envelope, postage, flowers, and chocolates, or holding an EB (eye ball).

Cash and Credit Utang in the forgotten days was borrowing a some rock salt (now it’s iodized salt) and half an onion from your nearest neighbor. Then the Bumbays came, selling blankets and bedcovers on only-god-knows-how-many gives.

Shortly after, there was the 5-6 lending scheme, which could leave someone neck deep in debt. Today, credit cards offer 0% installment up to 12 months. Plus, utang can be paid through ATM cards.

Borrowers only have to give their cards to the lenders as collateral, and the latter can withdraw the money come payday.

So don’t be surprised if the person before you in the ATM queue seems to be keeping the machine all to himself for the past hour. He’s just probably doing his monthly pautang collection.

84 FILIPINISMS

The Annie B (Batobalani) Chronicles

The adventures and misadventures of a ‘not so average’ Pinay trying to make it in the cosmopolitan city of Dubai.

Photography by Melandro Sangalang

w w w a a a Aa ! ! ! w ww

Chronicle

32

Remembering MJ Grabeh! Superdooper-senti pa rin ako. I’m still not over and above about Michael Jackson’s untimely demise.

Parang kelan lang panay ang indak ko to the tune of ‘Billiejean’ habang bumibirit sa Videoke. Naka-score pa man din ako ng 99. Was it a sign??? How sad naman.

Miski saan ako bumaling, the whole wide world is nagluluksa pa rin. Pagbukas ko ng TV, puro videos nya sa MTV channel, sa CNN may investigation pa rin sa kanya, miski sa TFC panay ang tribute sa kanya with all sorts of production numbers – kulang na lang mag-release si Sitti ng bossa nova version ng ‘Thriller’ - aaayy, ayaw ko. Pati sa internet, kaliwat’ kanan pa rin ang mga features on MJ – lahat yata ng members ng Fezbook may-I post ng kanya-kanyang favorite videos of him – kaya bahang baha na lalo sa YouTube – na-eclipse tuloy ang pagpanaw ng isa pang stariray – si Farah Faucet.

One Day In Your Life Sino ba kasi si Michael Jackson sa buhay natin? Malamang ibang iba ang mundo ngayon kung hindi nagkaroon ng tulad nya. Lahat naman tayo siguro eh nag-moonwalk noong kabataan natin.

Naalala ko…..bata pa lang ako noong una kong marinig ang awiting ‘Ben.’ Miski musmos pa lang ako noon eh ume-emote

na rin ako. Malungkot, masalimuot at mapait ang feeling kapag naririnig ko ang kantang iyon na noong tumanda ako eh tsaka ko lang na-realize na si Ben pala ay isang daga. Imagine ke-bata-bata ko pa eh dumadrama na pala ako noon tungkol sa daga? Minus ten points yun ha?

Remember The Time?

Noong bata pa ako, linggo-linggo ko naririnig sa TV ang kantang ‘Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough’ ni MJ - in Tagalog - bilang theme song ng TV show na ‘John En Marsha’ (“Kaya’t John, magsumikap… dapat magsumikap ka…”). Ganun na kasikat si MJ noon kaya’t na i-ispoof na ang mga kanta nya. When I was in Grade 4, nag-away kami ng mga kaklase ko dahil ayaw nung iba na sayawin namin ang ‘Just Got Lucky’ para sa Linggo Ng Wika Program ng iskul namin – majority of the class wanted to do a ‘Thriller’ number – na talaga namang super sikat noon.

Kaya’t wala akong nagawa, isi-nacrifice ko ang Bagets costume ko upang maging isang zombie bride – para lang maging part ng class presentation namin. Nagleg warmers na magkaibang kulay na lang ako para may touch pa rin ng Bagets

outfit. Humirit pa eh, noh?

I also cannot forget watching my first ka-MU noong highschool, si Jekjek, while he danced to MJ’s ‘Bad’ during a dance contest sa ‘Eat Bulaga.’ Proud na proud ako sa kanya – pati na rin ang buong bayan namin sa probinsya – kaya lang natalo sila duon sa mga Pasay Punks na gumamit ng apoy na special effects.

Hindi kasi flawless ang ‘moonwalk’ nila eh, sayang. Tuwing may pasayaw sa plaza, malimit kong gamitin ang ‘scissors’ na dance step - natutunan ko rin mula kay MJ. May stationary version ito tsaka palakad ng paurong at pabaligtad as variations.

Another Part of Me Talagang malaking influenza si MJ sa aking dance career. Bukod sa napakaoriginal ng kanyang dance moves ay talaga namang kabilib-bilib kung paano sya humataw sabay kumanta at pumuproject at the same time. Miski babae ang gumawa ng dance moves nya ay maganda pa rin tingnan kasi funky ang style – at usong uso ito noong 80s.

Laking pasasalamat ko nga nang biglang

O MO KAY A TO ?

sumikat din si Janet – ang sister ni MJ – dahil nagkaroon ng girl version ang mga dance moves ni MJ. Puro kasi mga lalake ang madalas makitang ginagaya ang mga sayaw ni MJ – mula sa The Tigers, kay Aga Muhlach at Gary V – malimit makakita noon ng mga babae na kayang gawin ang mga galaw ni MJ. Well, kasi naman panlalake talaga ang mga moves nya – yung mga pakadyotkadyot pati yung grabbing of the crotch.

Ang laswa nga naman kung babae ang gagawa nun di ba? Aaaaawwwwww!!!

Over the years, miski tipid ang budget ko at baon habang nag-aaral sa Maynila, I was able to managed to save up and buy and collect all of his records. Plaka pa noon – vinyl – hindi pa uso ang CD. Hihihihi. Plaka ang binibili ko para magawa kong poster ang album cover – tsaka ko na lang ini-re-record sa cassette tape para patugtugin ng paulit-ulit.

Who’s Baaaaaaad?

Nobody is perfect.

Syempre inasmuchmore as maraming fans at taga-hanga si MJ, my mga inggitera ring madalas bumatikos sa kanya. Ganun talaga kasi sikat eh. Madalas ko rin naman ikaloka ang walang humpay na pagputi ng balat ni MJ – alam naman nating isang malaking echos lang ang press release nya na may sakit sya na pumuputi ang skin nya. Talagang totoo talaga na lahat ng mga maiitim eh may pangarap na pumuti. Parang tayong mga Pinoy – siguro naging bad example si MJ dun

sa mga pango na nagpapanose lift, mga kinky at kulot na pilit nagpapastraight ng buhok at mga ulikbang walang sawang ngumangata ng anumang bagay na may glutathione para lamang pumuti. Natural miski mga amerikano may colonial mentality din kasi nga mas maganda para sa kanila ang mga puti – ang mga naunang sumakop at umalila sa kanila. Parang tayo, ang taas ng tingin natin sa mga tisay at tisoy – dala ng naexperience natin sa mga Kastila at Kano, di ba?

Na-bothered din ako noong kumalat ang iskandalo na Pido Dida (Pidofile) daw si MJ. Mahilig sa bagets – hindi teenager kundi mga musmos – ang trip daw nya.

Apektado ako noong mga panahon na ito. Sino ba naman ang matutuwa at maaaliw sa nangmo-molestya ng mga kabataan? Nakakadiri at nakaka-kulo ng dugo ang ganitong mga nilalang. Pero sabi nga ng batas, MJ was innocent unless proven guilty as charged. Malamang pera at exortion lang ang habol ng mga nagsamapa ng kaso sa kanya – kasi matapos nyang bayaran hindi rin naman sya nakulong eh di ba?

FILIPINISMS 85

ASA M A M E MAMAS GKUSA!!!

MAMAN I!!!

HIHI

Wuz BAD!

86 FILIPINISMS

Madaming nagsasabi na ang explanation behind MJ’s fondness for children is because he never had his own childhood of his own. Ikaw ba naman ang maging alipin ng showbiz, sikat sa lahat ng sulok ng mundo (Si Ate Vi nga isa sa mga panagarap nya eh makapag-Megamall nang hindi dinudumog ng mga taong bayan eh, si MJ pa kaya?) at natutong maghanapbuhay sa murang edad, hindi kaya maging iba din ang mundo mo?

Habang ang mga kasing edad ni MJ noong bata pa sya ay naglalaro ng piko at patintero (teka, ganito ba ang nilalaro ng mga egoy sa Gary, Indiana noon?

Kunwari na lang…) nasa loob ng studio si MJ upang mag-record ng mga album nila at walang patid na nagpe-perform sa iba’t ibang TV shows. Tama ba naman yun? Syempre by being with other kids, miski matanda na nung tumanda na sya, naibabalik nya sigro ang kabataang nawala sa kanya. Yan ang feelings ko.

Beat It! Kunsabagay yung mga naninira kay MJ dala lang naman ng inggit at kasakiman yan eh. Sabi nga nila, kapag sikat ka, madaming babato sa iyo. At since madaming pera at super sikat si MJ, madaming mga halang ang kaluluwa ang mga nagnais na kuwartahan siya at maki-

angkas sa popularidad nya. It figures out.

One should understand MJ – like I said once before, he lived a different life – not like the rest of us. Kaya iba ang mundo nya. Lahat naman ng tao may katok di ba? Baka yung sa kanya na-magnify lang ng press at mga inggitero kaya lumala nang ganun kasama sa mata ng tao.

You Are Not Alone.

That’s why I feel for Michael Jackson.

Yes, I can proudly say that I’m related to the one and only King of Pop. I knows how it’s feels to be called weird, crazy and krung-krung. Pareho kasi kaming artistic eh. Kita nyo naman, pareho din kaming gifted singers, dancers at fashionistas. Kakaiba ang pananaw namin sa mundo – hindi conformtionist tulad ng nakararami. I think ‘special’ is the word to describe us – kasi iba kami – at hindi porquet kakaiba ay masama na di ba? Kanya kanya namang drama at effect ang mga tao eh – but hindi porque lahat naka-pula eh bawal ang mag-puti.

For others chose to be ordinary, some will really have to stand out. It’s a give and take relationship. Walang magiging maganda kung walang pangit. Basta ako maganda ako - ha!

Like MJ, I also always feel misunderstood.

TRILLAH!

People always judge me – miski hindi nila ako kakilala. Talaga kasing sakit na nating mga Pinoy iyang Carbs Mentality – mahilig kasi tayo sa kanin! Yun bang kapag may nakikita tayong nagtatagumpay eh imbis na palakpakan natin eh pilit pa nating binabato at kinukutya – kaya wala tuloy maka-abante dahil sa paghatak pababa at pabalik ng iba – mga inggitera! Basta ako, tulad ni MJ, I will continue to be myself – I will not stop from improving myself – basta wala akong natatapakan, fight to win ako with my dreams in life!

Heal the World Life will not be the same anymore without Michael Jackson. I will miss him at Grammy Awards and at MTV Channel.

But his legacy will go on – ang magkaroon ng mundo na walang kinikilalang kulay – Black or White – for everyone to make that change - while being at peace with every citizen of the world – making our planet a better place to live in. Uy, lyrics ba nya yun? Salamat na lang at may MTV, we can immortalize his life, his work, his music. At habang may mga dance contests at costume parties, hindi mawawala ang mga magma-Michael Jackson sa mundong ito.

I heart you, Michael Jackson.

!

H A L !

L !

I !

R W T W AW

May tatakbuhan ka ba sa panahon ng matinding pangangailangan?

Kabayan, sa panahon ng hindi inaasahang kagipitan tulad ng aksidente, malaking operasyon, pinsala dahil sa anu mang emergency gaya ng sunog at iba pang “acts of nature” – may mahihingan ka ba ng tulong? At sa tagal ng pinagtrabaho mo dito sa ibang bansa, ikaw ba ay may insurance coverage na nakalaan kung anu’t ano man ang mangyari?

SUMALI SA FILEX Ang foundation na binuo upang makapaglikom ng pondo para makatulong sa mga Filipino expats sa UAE sa panahon ng matinding pangangailangan.

MAGING MIEMBRO NGAYON Lahat ng mga Filipino dito sa UAE – 18 years old and above, ay maaring sumali sa Filex. Membership Fees: 1 YEAR MEMBERSHIP - AED10 contribution plus AED15 para sa annual insurance, or LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP – AED 30 plus AED15 taon-taon para sa annual insurance coverage.

MGA BENEPISYO Ang mga miembro ng Filex na nakapagbayad ng katumbas ng 3 minimum contributions (o lifetime membership) ay maaring tumanggap ng tulong na financial mula sa foundation base sa pagsusuri at angkop na pasya ng Filex Board. Ang financial aid facility ay magsisimula sa June 2009.

Lahat ng mga miembro ng Filex na may valid UAE residence visa at nagbayad ng karampatang insurance fee (AED 15 per year) ay magkakaroon ng annual insurance coverage na may kasamang accidental death, total disability, medical and repatriation of remains to the Philippines. Ang lahat ay makakatanggap ng angkop na insurance certificates.

Maging miyembro na ng FILEX ngayon.

Mga kabayan,atin ito.

MEMBERSHIP & INQUIRIES Upang sumali, tumawag sa Membership Committee headed by Isabel Warren ng Dubai (call Raffy at 04-3417964) and co-chaired by Fred Camba ng Abu Dhabi (call Myrna at 050 5610489).

Para sa iba pang mga detalye, katanungan at verification, maari ring tumawag sa mga FILEX Executive Directors: Rene Mallo : 050 641 0718 Al Ruwais, Kent Amores : 0559954397 Abu Dhabi, Thesma Talinga : 0506935411 Al Ain, Gina T. Salazar : 0506527041 Dubai, Justino Arciga : 0506967001 Sharjah, Ronnie Bonifacio : 0501901343 Fujairah, Maria Luisa ‘ Mar’ Catu: 0506271599 Ras Al Khaimah, Augusto S. Marcia l: 0508618734 Umm Al Quwain Visit our website: www.filexpat.org or e-mail to:filex@filexpat.org Ang FILEX ay isang non-stock non-profit corporation na rehistrado sa Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

FILIPINO EXPATRIATES IN UAE FOUNDATION INC. S.E.C. Company Registration No. CN200809554 Under the Auspices of the Philippine Embassy Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Hotline No.: +971-50-181-5129

88

ILLUSTRADO FACES

Celebrating innate Pinoy charm

Kay dela Cruz Dubai

High flying golden beach babe, addicted to tropical sunsets Photography by Mariyah Gaspacho

ILLUSTRADO FACES 89

Celebrating innate Pinoy charm

CJ Lim Dubai

Fitness pro with a ready smile; just your regular everyday kind of guy Photography by Mariyah Gaspacho

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• AESA - well known for customized full package “ALL IN” rates for export vehicles both commercial and personal under OFW category to the Philippines • AESA - specialized in moving containerized shipments of household goods/personal effects to the Philippines • AESA - also handles foodstuff, fresh and frozen fruits (perishables) and condiments from the Philippines to the UAE • AESA has team of professional, dedicated, efficient and, most of all, experienced personnel ready to provide solutions to any of your freighting requirements worldwide.

• AESA offers a wide range of logistics control and supply line management services.

Shipping Agency, Ship Broker and Management, Chartering and Ship handling, International Freight Forwarding (IFF), Airfreight & Sea freight, Cargo Consolidation, Project Logistics, Customs E-Clearance Facility, Brokerage (Airfreight & Sea freight), Road Transportation & Hauling (Containerized & Break Bulk mode), Local Distribution, Packing & Removals, Warehousing & Cold Storage, and Marine Insurance Agent.

ALWAYS EXPRESS, SECURED ALL THE TIME! CALL US 04-336 9666