ILLUSTRADO Magazine Aug 2015

AUG-SEP 2015

CHAMPIONING THE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO

ISSUE

98

iPARENT PARENTAL GUIDANCE GOES DIGITAL DISTANCE LEARNING IS IT FOR YOU? THAT THING CALLED BUDGETTING

FURTHER #LiveToLearn

THIRD CULTURE COMETH

PINOY-BORN & MULTICULTURAL

THE YOUNG’UNS

GLOBAL YOUTH LEADERS PABEBE NATION ARE YOU ONE OF US THEM?

PHOTOGRAPHY by EROS GOZE

EDITOR’S NOTE

Staying Hungry and Foolish

I met a brilliant educator and author a few years ago, Dr. Larry Gamboa, who had this controversial notion about education. In his book ‘Think Rich Pinoy’, he shares his observation that academic achievement is inversely proportional to wealth. Case in point: his mother and his youngest sibling, mere high school graduates, are the wealthiest in the family, while he, a PHD in Business degree holder, happens to be the poorest.

He might be onto something here, especially when you consider that some of the world’s wealthiest and most successful people are school ‘drop-outs’, i.e.

Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Richard Branson, among a host of many others. In the Philippines, both Lucio Tan and John Gokongwei are not college graduates, as well. And yet, they are some of the most successful tycoons running the country’s key businesses.

In the case of Dr. Larry Gamboa, he points out that our education system has primed us to be employees eventually bound, even enslaved by work and our chosen professions. The same system has inculcated a sense of cautiousness, discouraging experimentation and the act of committing mistakes. On the other side of the spectrum, are these successful ‘dropouts’ who mostly went directly into entrepreneurship in their teens, bravely establishing their own small money-making enterprises, and eventually, hugely successful conglomerates. Their attitude towards life and work is anything but cautious – unbound by the four walls of classrooms, books and traditional limitations. A common philosophy among them, something that Steve Jobs popularized, was staying hungry and staying foolish – always motivated by wanting better, and forever curious to learn and experience something new.

So what does this all mean? Is higher learning a useless expensive exercise? Are the youth wasting their time on math, sciences, geometry and calculus?

How about the archetypal Filipino dream of getting

one’s children to study to become a doctor, lawyer or engineer?

Education has certainly not met its death knell yet, not by a long shot. However, it is about time that our attitude and views towards learning evolve with the changing times. Luckily for us and our children, we live in an age where technology has made educational options and opportunities widely available and within easy reach. Now it is not just about earning a bachelor’s degree in a university.

Instead, it is about being able to pull together the best of traditional learning with all the other beneficial resources available online and in relevant communities – whether they be free courses, tutorials, workshops, even skill-building apprenticeships and volunteer work that facilitates a more comprehensive exposure to one’s targeted future. We should not only hone specialized knowledge learned in schools.

Instead, we should also continuously sharpen our understanding of our highly tech-charged lives as well as our connectedness to relevant communities.

Real education happens when we are able to build-upon knowledge gained in the classroom by practicing, refining and going further in the real world - just like the world’s most successful ‘drop-outs’.

And guess what? This is not the exclusive domain of school-age children, since learning should be a continuous and non-age bound exercise.

So unless you want to become obsolete, like the proverbial 32-volume Encyclopedia Britannica 15th (printed) edition whose death was announced in 2012, there’s no other way to go but to stay hungry and stay foolish.

Taas Noo, Filipino!

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

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CHAMPIONING THE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO

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CONTRIBUTORS

ALFRED “KRIP” A. YUSON Highly

BARNEY ALMAZAR, ESQ is a

FRANCISCO COLAYCO is an entrepreneur, venture developer and financial advisor who has written many books that advocate Filipinos to financially prosper. He is Illustrado’s resident money expert and personal finance guru, and this month, he shares tips and advice on how one can properly budget his earnings and liberate one’s self from the burden of incurring debts.

esteemed Filipino writer Krip Yuson has published a myriad of books, including novels, poetry, short stories, children’s stories, biographies and screenplays.

He has been elevated to the Hall of Fame of the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, the Philippines’ most prestigious literary distinction. He regularly regales Illustrado readers in his column, ‘Illuminati,’ with stories and musings on the Filipino zeitgeist. This month, he shares with us his thoughts on the upcoming elections’ presidentiables.

director at the Commercial Department of Gulf Law in the Middle East, Philippines and United Kingdom. A lifetime member of the Philippine Bar, he holds a UAE legal consultancy license, as well as Juris Doctor and MBA dual degrees on International Business and European Union Law from the University of London. In this issue, Atty. Barney will show the benefits of investing in Manila’s emerging markets by taking advantage of UAE’s low borrowing rates.

ABY YAP captures the Pinoy way of

RAV DE CASTRO is a marketer by profession and a writer by heart. He used to run marketing campaigns for companies like Microsoft and Google, all while writing poetry and memoirs on the side. It’s been a long time coming, but he has finally taken the jump—Rav is now a full-time writer and Illustrado’s Associate Editor. For his first contribution to Illustrado, he wrote about third culture kids and how they assimilate with the diverse cultural set-up of their lives, and consequently, how fit they deem themselves to be called ‘Pinoys.’

AILEEN ADALID is a digital nomad and an entrepreneur living a sustainable life of travel. Trained as an investment professional, Aileen quit her 9-to-5 job at the age of 21 to pursue her dreams of traveling the world. After having met many global travelers, she got inspired by how they continue traveling while taking on various jobs to sustain their lifestyle. In this issue, Aileen shares with us excuses that keep us from travelling.

KRISTINE ABANTE is a full-time marketing professional specializing in the music industry, and a part-time storyteller and traveller. She collects stories from her travels, and shares her insightful and colorful experiences through her writing.

In this month’s issue, she recounts a serendipitous encounter with a FilipinoBelgian painter in Antwerp, Belgium, including an intimate viewing of the artist’s solo art exhibition.

ROZEN ANTONIO has always been

life so well within her column, Onli in da Pilipins. Her stories celebrate the quirky uniqueness, honesty, and humor of Filipinos, where everyone can easily relate to the characters she sketches. In this issue, Aby will take you on a journey deep within your subconscious, and unravel things about you that you never knew existed; her insightful little quiz will help you determine your level of Pabebe-ness, because whether you like it or not, the truth shall set you free.

EXCEL DYQUIANCO is both a vagabond and a writer. He has tackled all sorts of topics for Illustrado, including planning for vacations, out-of-the-country trips, and getting a memorial plan. In this issue, he profiles a Filipino visionary and dream enabler who formed an not-forprofit organization dedicated to helping less-fortunate Filipino kids to pursue their dreams of a better life.

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artistic and creative, even during his younger years. Now a fashion and beauty photographer, he takes time to indulge his creative muse and uses his favorite tool to unleash the beauty in his subjects.

In this issue, he collaborates with wellknown international fashion designer Michael Cinco to shoot the Brat Boy.

CHAMPIONING THE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lalaine Chu-Benitez CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mon Benitez ASSOCIATE EDITOR Rav De Castro COLUMNISTS Aby Yap Alfred “Krip” Yuson Barney Almazar Bo Sanchez Francisco Colayco CONTRIBUTING WRITERS – UAE, Mary Ann “Maps” PHILIPPINES, CANADA Santos SWITZERLAND Nephele Kirong Angela Mapa Nikka Sarthou Anna Oposa Nina Terol-Zialcita Barbara Marchadesch P.A. Escalante Candice Lopez Quimpo Princes Nedamo Dante Gagelonia Quay Evano Didi Paterno Rache Hernandez Excel Dyquianco Regina Layug-Lucero Kara Santos Mary Ann Marchadesch Sherry Tenorio Sonny Guzman CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS –UAE, PHILIPPINES & USA Eros Goze Alex Calueng Glenn Peter-Perez Cristina Linaza Dr. Marlon Pecjo Donald Rosales Raen Badua Irvin Rivera CONTRIBUTING FASHION CREW - UAE Ginno Alducente Jessie Tabla Jojo Padua PUBLISHER – UAE Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2nd Floor, Building 2, Dubai Media City United Arab Emirates P.O. Box 72280 Office 20C Tel: +971 4 365 4543, 365 4547 Fax: +971 4 360 4771 E-mail: admin@illustrado.net Web: illustradolife.com, illustrado.net Facebook: Illustrado Magazine Twitter: Illustrado Magazine PRINTERS Printwell Printing LLC P.O. Box 18828 Dubai, UAE STOCK IMAGES Shutterstock.com (Unless otherwise specified) Copyright Illustrado Communications FZLLC 2006 – 2015 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.

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AUG-SEP 2015 CONTENTS Third culture kid, model Dimitri Tolenaars graces our August 2015 cover as featured in The Brat Boy, a fashion editorial directed by Filipino design icon Michael Cinco and photographed by Rozen Antonio.

FEATURES Filipino Youth Leadership Around the World 8 Third Culture Kids: How Pinoy are They? 12 Shaping Filipino Dreams 18 Distance Learning: Just a Click Away 20 Parenting in the Digital Age 24 Art is Life 32 Top 10 Excuses that Keep You From Travelling 66 Filipino Schools Around the World 80 REGULAR COLUMNS Editor’s Note 1 Contributors 4 Illuminati: Dance of the Presidentiables 6 Scrapbook 30 It’s What I Do 35 Money: Budgeting Formula 38 Law: Financing for Businesses 40 10 Things to Do 54 Onli in Da Pilipins: How Pabebe Are You? 88 FASHION The Brat Boy 42 The Queen of Carnaby 56 PLACES Filipino Traveler: Kristine Abante in Amsterdam 68 My Pinoy Life In: Xiamen, China 74

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ILLUMINATI

The Dance of the

Presidentiables

By Krip Yuson

F

ar into the future, word fanciers will note that the term “presidentiable,” newly minted as far as the OED or Oxford English Dictionary is concerned, had its origin in the Philippines. It’s one of a score of fresh words officially accepted as part of the English lexicon, and sourced from our own engagement with the language.

No one can trace who it was, which Filipino, first used the term. He or she must have been a journalist, likely a columnist, who introduced the word the way a countryman decades earlier also coined a new term, “aggrupation” — which eventually took hold among many gullible users fond of employing a longer word than necessary, such as, simply, “group.”

less than a year before President Benigno Aquino Jr. steps down from office. The question of who will succeed him begs many answers, hypotheses, speculations, polemics, diatribes, or expressions of despair and disgust over the apparent field of possible contenders.

At this point, halfway through pre-election year, an educated, rational, and objective reading of the public pulse as manifested in media (print, electronic and social) would point to at least four major presidentiables. In the order of latest survey favorites, these are Senator Grace Poe, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, and DILG Sec. Mar Roxas.

It has yet to gain favor among British word mavens that shepherd neologisms into the OED. But “presidentiable” now has the opportunity to gain currency beyond our shores.

Imagine Donald Trump being described as “hands-down the most tousle-haired presidentiable in the USA’s lead-up to party nominations.”

A fifth possibility, waiting in the wings as it where, for whichever way the winds may blow, would be former President and current Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. There are others who imagine themselves as presidentiables, but who are so down in the rankings. These include Senator Miriam Santiago, former senator Ping Lacson, and senators Alan Cayetano and Bongbong Marcos.

In our own little if frequently more rambunctious neck of the woods, the political scene has also certainly been heating up,

It wasn’t too long ago that the Vice President ruled the roost in terms of surveys, long dominating the field owing to two

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ILLUMINATI and subsequent anointment of his successor, the LP’s own president, Abaya, are now being blamed for all the multiple woes that that department seems to have foisted on the public: the MRT mess, the MRT-LRT connection delay, the sorry state of the NAIA terminals and still single runway (now daily congested), port congestion in Manila and lack of any improvement nationwide, pathetic pits to which the LTO has plummeted, even the NTC that can’t escape blame for the country having the poorest broadband service in all of Asia.

Enter Grace Poe. As early as when she stunned everyone by getting elected as No. 1 Senator barely two years ago, after a two-year stint in government as MTRCB Chair, she was already being assessed, and told, by self-declared prophets (including this writer) that she could shape up fast as a presidentiable.

Grave concern among the middle-to-upper classes centered on a Binay presidency, if one were to believe that he personified large-scale corruption. Charges against him were brought up repeatedly in the Senate, and he was soon seen as simply countering with an Artful Dodger stance.

With more responsible voters fearing a slide back to patronage politics and endemic corruption, and only rabid LP loyalists believing that Mar Roxas could ever rise up in public acceptance to pose any serious challenge to Binay, even with a PNoy endorsement, it was understandable that Grace Poe would be seen as the savior for a continuation of decency at the top.

evident factors: the fact that he was the earliest to make his presidential ambition known, practically from Day One of having been sworn in as the spare tire; and even more important, the moves he has been making since, basically to sustain the pro-poor image he has been enjoying among the D-E economic demographic, and strengthening his networking with local government officials (read: mayors) through effective sister-city arrangements, inclusive of alleged perks he showers on small-town mayors who visit Makati for a staycation.

Conventional wisdom had Mar Roxas eventually being named by the dominant Liberal Party, and its titular head, PNoy himself, as his anointed successor. But poor Mar has failed miserably in attracting the electorate. The consensus is that his best asset would be his clean image. Closeness to the President for whom he gave way in 2010 also meant a favor to be returned.

Yet Roxas’ track record in government has remained dubious at best. He once headed the DTI (in GMA’s term), in which position he lays claim to having been the Father of Call Centers as well as having helped bring the local cost of medicine down. On the other hand, his stint as DOTC head,

Her attractiveness is enhanced by her solid performance at the Senate thus far. She can also be easily seen as the antithesis of Binay in more ways than one, including the mythopoeic. She personifies an intelligent woman, she articulates well (in both languages) and sans any emotional display, her voice has a most appealing bell tone, and she looks more than pleasant. She is very fair, feeding those hungry for a classic confrontation between light and dark (as it was between Cory and Marcos). She is relatively young and fresh, thus not a trapo or trad politician. And she’s the daughter, if adopted, of movie king Fernando Poe Jr., whom most still believe was cheated of the presidency when he ran for the office his daughter may now have in her sights.

With the opposition increasingly fearful of her rising popularity, Binay henchman Toby Tiangco, whose visage spells contravida from any angle, witlessly helped Grace Poe gain more traction by questioning her lineage. More people came to know of her foundling status. And doesn’t everybody know that Pinoys just love the teleserye sterotype of an underdog?

There you have it as of mid-July, with Poe finally upending Binay in the ratings. For lack of space, we can only continue with this political reading, and eventual brave forecast, in a future issue.

In any case, the dance of the presidentiables has only just begun.

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FEATURE

Filipino Global Youth Leaders Excel V. Dyquiangco

T

imes are changing. The youth who once had a vision of just graduating from University and keeping a good job has already set his eyes on challenging the world.

They seek to revolutionize. They seek to transform.

They seek to inform and adjust. They seek to dispute the norm.

Here are five young men and women who have braved all odds to become more than victors in their fields, life shapers bent on creating a worldwide phenomenon, notwithstanding age and experiences.

Alexandra Eduque, 24 Championing Communities Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity during her freshman year in high school was the turning point that fuelled her desire to serve the less privileged.

Years later Alex established Move.

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org Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at building schools and providing nurture for the underprivileged preschool children. To date ten classrooms in Navotas, Pasig, Paranaque and seven in Bicol have been instituted.

“I was raised with the awareness that I’ve been blessed to have more than I need to subside on a daily basis, and thus, it is important to give back and share these blessings with others,” she says. “It has always been ingrained by my mother that with privilege come responsibility.”

Now at 24, Alex continues to exert her time, effort and resources to make sure that Filipinos live a comfortable life - so much that in 2013, she was awarded the Outstanding Volunteer Award in the 2013 Global Awards for Fundraising.

“More than anything, it was a reassurance to me that I was somewhat doing something right and was threading along a good path because those who lived outside Philippine boundaries noticed the work I was doing with various communities,” she says. “It definitely motivated me to dream bigger and work harder and keep on going.”

FEATURE a positive spill over on member countries, civil society and other stakeholders to meaningfully engage in projects that spur inclusive development in the region. “On the whole, the nature of my work requires me to meaningfully collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders,” he says. “This entails strong inter-personal skills and the ability to adapt in such a culturally diverse international community.”

His line of work also comes with preparing and investing for the next generation. To do that, Ponce says that as an institution committed to achieving a poverty-free Asia through its targeted investments and financing of upwards than $20 Billion annually, the ADB must ensure that youth stakeholders both benefit and drive Asia’s rapidly developing economies. “I believe that to invest in the next generation means to include youth in crucial aspects of development, from policy dialogues to project design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.”

Tal de Guzman, 26 World-Class Shoe Builder Tal had always been geared towards having a business since at such a young age she was already exposed to the inns and the outs of the industry. “It was merely a matter of what kind of business and when I’ll start it,” she says.

Her advice to young ones who’d like to achieve the success that she has: “Dream big, and then from there, take it and break it up into small tangible steps at a time. It may be broken into a million pieces, and a million more challenges, but if one puts their mind and heart into it, that puzzle of a dream will always be pieced back together.”

Ponce Ernest Samaniego, 25 Promoting Youth Development As Lead Youth Coordinator of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Youth Initiative, Ponce actively engages and partners with youth organizations and key stakeholders in and beyond ADB for promoting the role of youth in development through their meaningful participation. Ultimately, one of the main guiding principles of the Youth Initiative is that stronger youth partnerships have

Risque Designs by Tal, her first business venture, proved to be a risky endeavour much like her shoes which is how she was internationally recognized and earned several awards.

Her inspirations come from Filipino themes, collections on Filipino flora and fauna, the society, Filipino games, unknown legends and tales - basically anything under the sun. Risqué uses hand woven fabrics from different parts of the country, but now mostly focusing on the art of Hablon-making in Valladolid, Negros Occidental. “Some of my shoes are outrageous enough that people do a double take wondering whether they are wearable or not (but they are),” she says.

“I like pushing boundaries with my designs, making uses of materials that were not used before for shoes.”

In the near future she hopes to get more distributors and spaces for the brand. She also wants to expand into other products such as bags, scarves, and others that use local materials. Of course, the big goal is to make Risqué a global brand, recognizable for its design and craftsmanship.

“The first few years will definitely be difficult that it would sometimes drive you tears and to break down,” she says.

“But as long as the passion for what you’re doing is there, it will all be worth it.”

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FEATURE financial assistance to companies who are in dire need of help. Now more than a year later the business already has nine companies under in its belt, all from varied sectors and industries - publishing, printing, manufacturing, credit, and agriculture equipment. “Being an investor, the most difficult part of my job is the pre-judgment people make because of my age and my educational background,” she says of her challenges. “When people see me, the first thing they usually say is “She’s twenty!” I don’t blame them but I see the change of decision-making process when they get to know me more. The most fulfilling, on the other hand, is seeing these companies growing and slowly making progress and when the owners introduce MFT Group to their kids. This is a human of way of investing and helping out entrepreneurs.”

Gian Scottie Javellona, 22 Creating a Reliable System During his freshman year in high school, he vowed to beat Steve Jobs at his own game, telling himself that someday he would surpass Apple and put up his own company which he would call OrangeApps - simply because in his young creative mind, if there is an Apple, there should be an Orange as well. Just less than a decade later, Gian stands proud and his vision, fulfilled.

“We believe that OrangeApps is not just a regular company, we see OrangeApps as a symbol of hope for the youth and for the next generation of Filipino entrepreneurs because if we make OrangeApps successful, everything will start to believe and dream again,” he says. “We can indeed prove that we Filipinos can build a technology company from this country.”

The concept of his business came from his experiences in his college years when he had realized that the technology was very slow – and at times, very painful. “When I was still a student I actually created my own mobile app that allowed all of the students in my university to access their student information using their android phones,” he says. “Now

By Francisco J. Colayco OrangeApps is offering a cloud based technology platform to any k-12 schools around the world to have a system online.

In less than three minutes they work their way around their enrolment and their payment. They can also find out their grades through the system – all in just one single platform.”

He gives this advice for those who want to become successful someday. “The sooner you start, the faster you will learn,” he says.

Mica Tan, 23 Angels at Work At thirteen, she was already trading stocks. At nineteen she had her own distribution business. At twenty-one Mica had established MFT Group, a financial holdings company that seeks to provide

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In her journey as an angel investor some of her learning includes never to eat alone because it is through these times in her life that she gets to meet interesting and fascinating people, discovering more of their hidden talents, treasures and facets. Along the way she also surrounds herself with intelligent people and tries to discover their biggest problems.

“This is important because a real business solves problem,” she says. “When you have a business, you need to make sure that you can solve other people’s problems and not just your own.”

Bobby Murphy Snapchat, Co-Founder He took a chance at a new platform but back then he was fairly confident that it would take off. And it did. Filipino-American Bobby Murphy, the co-Founder and the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), of Snapchat, a temporary popular photo messaging app, sees that the growth of this popular service seeks to build new infrastructures, features and the product development that they need. “The biggest benefit is the fact that we can focus less on maintaining infrastructure and just focusing on building this stuff,” he says during a Google Cloud Platform Live session in 2014.

Like any other individual who struggled to be successful at such a young age, Murphy also had his share of low moments especially with his first venture, Future Freshman, which didn’t work out so well. But he persevered and stood his ground. Now at 26, he is considered to be the 2nd world’s youngest billionaire next to his co-Founder Evan Spiegel, with a net worth estimated at US$1.5 Billion, according to Forbes Magazine. “Evan and I started Snapchat in the summer of 2011. We basically understood that visual content that was the most engaging, interesting form of content there was. We wanted to create a way that would enable that to be a means of communication, rather than a piece of content around which communication actually happens,” he says in the same interview.

His piece of advice to those who want to build the next Snapchat: “This is a super easy platform to use and has scaled tremendously well. You get that upfront easy-to-use with the added comfort that whatever you are building, if it needs to, will actually scale.”

FEATURE

Third Culture Kids—How Pinoy Are They?

By Rav De Castro

F

or most of us, the concept of home is a very simple thing—it’s our permanent address where everyone we know lives. It’s the place where we grew up alongside our families, relatives, and friends. But for some, home is a complex map of different cities with different cultures.

Marie Chantal went to an international school, and this is where she learned how to speak French. She considers having the ability to switch to a different language when needed gives her an edge among her peers, especially those who did not have the same upbringing as her.

For third culture kids, the concept of home takes on different meanings. Having parents with different backgrounds and having lived in more than one country most of their lives, third culture kids spent a significant part of their developmental years assimilating in different cultures. This impacts how they build relationships and how they form their values and worldview.

For Sophia Isabel Vergeire, growing up with parents who are both from the Philippines means she is as Pinoy as they come—even if she grew up in the States. She certainly looks like one, for starters. She has a golden brown skin that her friends think make her look even more beautiful, and she has a cheerful demeanor that you usually see among Filipinos.

Her middle school posse is mostly made of fellow Pinoys, and she enjoys their openness and genuine friendliness.

We interviewed third culture kids with Filipino blood from different parts of the world, and we asked them about how Filipino culture was intertwined with their daily lives. We also asked them about how they see the world, and whether they deem themselves fit to be called Pinoys.

‘Bababa ba?’ ‘Bababa.’

The beauty of the Filipino language is that it is pretty easy to learn. Being highly phonetic, Filipino parents of third culture kids were able to pass on the language to their kids easily, who are now mostly polyglots in their own right.

Take Marie Chantal Marauta, for example. This eighteenyear old Milan-born half-Filipino half-Italian is fluent in four languages. When she was just learning how to talk, her mom refrained from teaching her Filipino to keep her from getting confused as she was already speaking English and Italian.

But when they moved to Dubai, she became immersed in a diverse community where she met many third culture kids with Filipino backgrounds. She learned how to speak Filipino from her friends, and for her, it was an easy language to learn.

Having Filipino blood in her veins also helped.

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Even if she calls herself a ‘Cali girl’ and speaks with a ‘Cali girl’ accent, Sophia knows how to speak Filipino. She takes comfort in the fact that knowing how to speak a second language somewhat gives her a form of respite. She can mumble things in Filipino without her American friends having any idea of what she just said.

Not all third culture kids are fluent in Filipino though. But having at least one parent who speaks the language gives them a well-trained ear for picking Filipino words and phrases. Most of them understand Filipino even if they can’t fluently speak the language.

Keeping Filipino traditions alive abroad Many third culture kids observe Filipino traditions religiously.

Most Filipino parents who live in other countries choose to spend their holidays the Filipino way. This relieves their homesickness, and passing on the customs and traditions that they grew up with to their kids is their way of preserving their heritage. It is not a surprise to find third culture kids making ‘mano’ to their grandparents, and call them ‘Lolo’ and ‘Lola.’

FEATURE

Chantal Marauta, 18 years old Though being a Third Culture Kid is something I am incredibly proud of, the one question that always bugs my mind is: where is home?

The flip side of having this kind of lifestyle is that, I have never completely gelled into that of my native countries. Whenever I return to Italy or the Philippines, I always feel like a bit of an outsider. Though I speak Italian fluently, I’ll get stuck on a word or phrase and start speaking English, French or Tagalog, prompting Italians to look at me as if I’m crazy.

Similarly, during my three years in Manila, random people I encountered would make fun of my Americanized accent. Still, despite my moments of identity crisis, being a Third Culture Kid is an incredible privilege, and I wouldn’t have wanted my life any other way!

Sophia Isabel M.Vergeire, 13 years old The best thing about being a third culture kid is learning to speak a second language and the ability to keep secrets from anyone who doesn’t know how to speak Tagalog. I cannot think of any worse stuff.

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FEATURE

PIA BIANCA OLIVIDO PARROCO, 9 years old The best thing about being a third culture kid is having multinational or multicultural exposures which helped me become more adaptable. The worst thing is having the feeling of being a stranger in my own country and being unable to speak or understand the language.

Pia Bianca Parroco grew up in a very Filipino household in Dubai. Her family welcomes Christmas day with a festive Noche Buena, and their Holy Week is spent in quiet reflections and devotional prayers. They also love being close to their extended families, and they oftentimes hold videoke parties. She may only be nine years old, but her sense of affinity with Filipino traditions is strong.

For some, being a third culture kids means having two sets of cultures. After moving to Abu Dhabi when he was a kid after spending his earlier years in Sweden, Charles William Marelid grew up immersed in two varying cultures. For him, it’s east meets west. In Abu Dhabi, he got exposed to many Filipino traditions after his family joined the sizeable Filipino community in the city. This brought him nearer his Filipino roots.

On the other hand, there are third culture kids who never had the opportunity to get acquainted with their Filipino background. For instance, half-Pakistani and half-Filipino Faryal Mansoor spent all her life in Dubai, and was only able to visit the Philippines once, when she was a toddler.

Having not much recollection of her visit, she relies on the Internet to keep herself updated on her mother’s country.

But despite her lack of familiarity with Filipino traditions, just hearing stories about the Philippines instills in her a sense of longing and loyalty to her mom’s country—her other home. She may not have spent a lot of time in the Philippines and she may not speak Filipino fluently, she says that at heart, she’s purely Pinoy.

Charles William Marelid, 16 years old To grow up enriched in two cultures, the great heritage from my parents and lthe opportunity to live and adapt in another international culture different from my parents’ is the best thing about being a third culture kid.

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FEATURE

Faryal Mansoor, 20 years old The best thing about being a third culture kid is that it enhances interpersonal and intercultural skills.

It makes us more adaptive and tolerant of people of diverse nationalities. Not to mention the exotic genes *wink*.

Fresh off the melting pot Third culture kids owe it to themselves to discover their heritage. Many of them say that in order for them to get to know themselves better, they need to have knowledge of their home culture.

This holds true for Angelia Benjamin, a nineteen-year-old British-Filipino teen living in Dubai. Growing up as a ‘global baby,’ she became naturally inquisitive on her background.

Her mother did not religiously practice Filipino customs and traditions at home, but Angelia was persistent to know about it. She grew up asking questions, and her mother raised her with a basic understanding of what being a Filipino is.

She considers herself more British than Filipino though, especially because she went to a British school. But she is always curious about the Philippines, and she particularly loves the fact that her mother’s hometown has the best beaches in the world. She also loves Filipino food, a staple in their household. Her palate is definitely more Filipino than British.

For some of these kids, calling themselves ‘100% Filipino’ just doesn’t sound right. They were borne of multi-cultural parents and raised in diverse communities, and their affinity to their varying backgrounds is strong.

Colby Stott-Briggs, 10 years old Being a third culture kid is a very nice thing as I get to experience two completely different cultures and live differently to most people.

So far I have not seen any disadvantage to being a third culture kid though I don’t understand Tagalog . My eldest brother, according to my mum, failed in Pilipino class.

I will not fail Pilipino class because I am in a British school.

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FEATURE Paolo Gabriel Benitez has visited the Philippines many times, and he became very much aware of its charms. But he also got exposed to its problems, such as poverty. His Filipino blood makes him empathic, and he hopes that one day, he can do something to help.

Growing up in Dubai, Paolo considers himself to be about two-fifths Filipino. This makes him see himself as slightly different from Filipinos who grew up and live in the Philippines. He lives in a culturally diverse country, and he is aware that many of his peers are like him—their backgrounds are a hodge podge of different cultures, traditions, values, and beliefs. He takes the beauty out of that, and considers himself much more adaptable than most.

Just like Paolo, Eldrick Yuji Los Banos, does not consider himself 100% Filipino; He had the opportunity to visit the Philippines every year, but he also recognizes the fact that he was raised in a melting pot of cultures, which makes him a multi-cultural individual, or a ‘global baby,’ as he puts it.

Colby Stott-Briggs, aged ten, thinks the same way. He was raised in Sweden, a very modern and open society, a far

cry from the religious hometown of his mother. He did not practice Filipino traditions growing up, and the extent of his knowledge of his Filipino roots are only acquired from the stories and values handed down to him by his mother.

The best of many worlds For third culture kids, the best thing about having multicultural roots and multi-national affinities is their exposure to a myriad of practices and perspectives that make up their personalities. They are able to easily make friends with people of other cultures, and they easily learn how these cultures deal with the human experience. They are also very empathic; they see the world through multiple lenses that give them a keen awareness of how similar they are with other kids.

Nevertheless, being a third culture kid comes at a price. Being brought up in two or more different cultures, third culture kids find it hard to feel that they truly belong in any of them.

Sometimes, their differences make them see themselves as outsiders in their own backyard, and as a result, they find it hard to call the Philippines home.

These kids, although young, sound wise beyond their

Eldrick Yuji Los BaÑos, 17 yrs old Being a third culture kid, or as I like to call it, a “global baby”, we are exposed to a myriad of practices and perspectives. We’re able to easily make friends of other cultures and to learn how these cultures deal with the human experience. I think what makes us better off as people is empathy: being able to see the world through multiple lenses and how similar we all are. As a global baby, we face this diversity daily and have many opportunities to exercise this empathy.

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FEATURE years. While they rave about the food and the beaches of their parents’ hometown, they also have something to say about the different kind of life that they witnessed during their visits to the Philippines. They talked about the traffic and the pollution in the city, and they also talked about the issues with poverty. But most importantly, they talked about their gratefulness for their parents for giving them a better life, and about how they wish they could help their fellow Filipinos live better lives.

These kids are still in school, and they are gearing up towards giving their lives meaning. Let us hope that despite the distance and despite the differences, they will still prove to us and to themselves that as Filipino third culture kids, they are still the ”pag-asa ng bayan”.

Angelia Benjamin, 19 years old

Paolo Gabriel Benitez, 18 years old The best part about being a third culture kid is that you’re exposed to a variety of cultures (and with that, food, people, mentalities, customs and trends), and that you can interact with various nationalities and get along as we are all part of a multicultural society. You can have a lot of different friends and view different aspects of life in different ways through them as well. With all of that, you can become a lot more open minded and wiser when it comes to addressing the world you live in. The worst part is simply that you lose connection to your motherland and speaking in your native language is a challenge.

The best thing about being a Third Culture Kid is that it has given me greater access to several parts of the world, as my background is quite unique. I have increased chances of exploration and travel and it’s also a great conversation starter! What is the worst thing?

Nothing!

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FEATURE

SHAPING FILIPINO DREAMS

By Excel V. Dyquiangco

Prim PAYPON

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fter learning from a survey that 7 out of 10 Filipino youths do not have dreams in life, Prim Paypon established ‘The Dream Project PH,’ a non-profit, volunteer-based organization that aims to enable Filpino children to dream, and strive towards realizing them.

Founded in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental on June 24, 2013, The Dream Project PH started as a tiny community of project-driven individuals. Now, it has circumstantially evolved into a full-pledged organization.

Prim Paypon has nine years’ worth of studies focused on understanding and documenting Filipino social innovations in different regions across the Philippines. Being a dreamer himself, he had an idea to respond to the societal and economic challenges that face the country. He also realized

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that poverty is not only about lack of resources, but it is also about scarcity of creativity, imagination, encouragement, passion and dreams—issues that he wanted to help address.

But how does one shape, build and enable communities if the only resources he has are his big dreams?

Prim studied and analyzed the output of creative activities in creating need-responsive social design innovations. He thought that using new technologies and heritage-based enterprises could help Filipinos achieve their dreams.

Imagineering Dream-Enabling Projects The first initiative of The Dream Project PH was the ‘Dream Caravan,’ a creative workshop catering to high school students from both public and private schools. The workshop coaches

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The Dream Project PH imagineered highly innovative projects that helped shape, build and enable dreams. To date, it has launched a total of 220 sustainable projects that include programs, workshops, community-based enterprises, and technology-based projects. It has also completed more than 350 multi-sectoral collaborations with different organizations and entities. Most of these projects were rolled out in Negros Occidental, and some were replicated in Metro Manila, Cebu, Iloilo, and Palawan. They did all these with zero to inferior resources, without funding and financial grants.

Among their most successful initiatives is the ‘Bahay Kubo Learning Center – Suay’, a project that sought to resolve social issues and challenges on education, governance, health and nutrition in Himamaylan City. Volunteer-fathers of the community built a bahay-kubo within three months, using eco-friendly materials such as mud, bamboo, cogon grass, and lime. They also collaborated with Filipino innovators such as the Bahay Kubo Organics, Project H2O, and The Alpabasa Project for the accompanying technology and infrastructure needs.

“Since the pursuit of a dream is primarily a human development matter, we strongly felt that helping them [underserved and underprivileged communities] create, build and enable their dreams is an innovative, empowering and cost-effective strategy to reduce poverty,” Prim recounts.

“The steps we took were aimed at reducing the rates of out-of-school youth, unemployment, and other social crises dictated and influenced by poverty,” he added.

“Because, yes, the Filipino dream significantly affects productivity, which can, in effect, reduce poverty and crime rates.”

The Next Dream Project The Dream Project PH is continuously growing and monitoring its community-based enterprises. Currently, it is working on a mobile game application called ‘KBLK? (Kabalo Ka?),’ an endeavor that is geared towards promoting Negros Occidental’s local tourism. the kids in understanding how their dreams can contribute to reducing poverty. Using a highly inclusive approach, the NGO not only helped shape dreams; it enabled them.

After the ‘Dream Caravan,’ The Dream Project PH decided to widen their target communities. They started reaching out to the underserved and the underprivileged, to places where both dreams and resources are scarce.

“We found out from our various community engagements that poverty is not totally and exclusively an issue on economics,” founder and dream enabler Prim said. “Because the same poverty–in resources, imagination, passion or creativity–is influenced and created by reasons which happen to be human-development factors.”

Between all their projects and collaborations, the dream enablers behind The Dream Project PH team are fervently working on developing a standardized model for communitybased projects that NGOs and academic institutions can use in promoting self-reliance, hardwork, and the importance of pursuing of one’s dreams.

Closing our conversation, Prim said, “Our greatest dream is that, in this lifetime, The Dream Project PH will be given more opportunities to plant and grow Filipino dreams across 81 provinces in the Philippines.”

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FEATURE

Distance Learning, Just a Click Away

By KC Abalos-Orendain

S

o, I am a Filipino graduate student studying Philosophy in Japan. I thought it was enough that I learned basic Japanese, until my sensei told me that to be a proper Philosophy scholar I needed to learn German. Since my Japanese is not good enough to attend a German language class taught in Japanese within my own university, it seems I am doomed to never read Immanuel Kant in the original Deutsch. That is, until I found an online course, which I bought at 50%, off on one of those Groupon sites! We truly live in a wonderfully digital world!

We live in the digital age when useful information and utter nonsense are but a click away. We are already aware that the internet is more than just a form of media or a source of entertainment. It has indubitably integrated itself into our daily lives that we cannot imagine how we managed to do anything before computers became handheld. However, we have only begun to tap the potential of the technology we literally have at our grasp. Amid the noise of the massive data that we can find online, we have yet to fully appreciate and utilize its full potential to contribute to the progress of education and the academe.

This is a time which begs questions you thought only our

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grandparents would ask. What exactly are open universities?

What is digital education? More importantly, where do we sign up?

Online Learning 101 Distance learning has been in existence since the 1700s.

Making use of the technology they had at their disposal back then - snail mail as we now call it, universities and schools were able to offer correspondence courses to anyone who wanted to “better themselves�. The system was able to reach scholars from out-of-the-way places - people who cannot leave their homes and sign up for courses in short hand or typing and, later on, even degrees in liberal arts.

These days, we do not have to wait for the postman for our learning materials. Through the miracle that is the internet, education can come in many forms such as video, audio, text, and even live lectures from the best professors. Nowadays, even the top universities use online lectures or Skype to invite speakers from all over the world. Knowledge and expertise are instantly transmitted to those who are willing to listen and learn.

FEATURE even offer certificates of attendance and that is the only time you need to pay. Starting June of this year, for example, two courses on BPO or Business Processes Outsourcing are available for free and will run for six weeks. In addition, three more eSMP (Service Management Programs) will be open to the public this year alone. Apart from these free online courses, the UPOU also offers degree programs for undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate levels which are viable options for professionals, stay-at-home parents or home bodies who simply cannot attend the usual classes.

All of the information one might need to enroll can be easily searched for online.

Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and other academic institutions offer online courses which cover a broad range of topics. For some of us mere mortals, it may be the closest thing we can get to an Ivy League education. These options present us with opportunities to learn from the best and it helps beef up our resumes as well. You can actually claim to have attended a class in Oxford or Harvard!

Digital Diligence In a developing country like the Philippines, education is a beacon of hope. Filipino parents love to say that they have no wealth to leave their children except their education.

From Rabindranath Tagore to the more contemporary thinker Martha Nussbaum, they believe that the only way that poverty and social injustice could be eliminated is through education.

This is easier said than done. For example, the United States has, over the years, invested more in military upgrades than in education putting a strain on educators, administrators, students and parents. These cutbacks have an impact on each batch of scholars which we can only determine after a long time has passed, when the damage has already been done.

Aside from the obvious reach and convenience of digital education, the most important aspect of this method of teaching is its affordability. With hardly any infrastructure and other overhead costs, online schooling is definitely more inexpensive than a traditional one. More and more established universities are expanding their academic offerings with online courses both long and short. It is another means of income for these educational institutions and gives the faculty opportunities to come up with modules that are specifically designed for a more cosmopolitan class.

Intercollegiate Sit-Ins In 1995, the premiere state university in the country, the University of the Philippines established the UPOU or the U.P. Open University. Since its inception, it has been dubbed by the APEC Digital Opportunity Center as one of the top 10 best in e-practice in Asia. It is also included in UP’s list of Centers of Excellence in Open and Distance Education.

The UPOU seasonally gives free online classes for various subjects and courses which anyone with an online connection and a computer can access. There are some programs that

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Technology though could provide the solution to this global issue. Tutorial software and online teaching platforms are designed for ease-of-use and universal comprehension.

These are updated regularly for better function and efficiency.

And as each generation of kids mature, they rely more and more on eBooks, computers, and digital libraries anyway, rendering all the information they require easily accessible.

The only thing that a student needs to bring when they log into their virtual school is their diligence and good-old curiosity.

Case in point, I still don’t know how to speak German except for a smattering of phrases. Ich kann immer noch nicht sprechen Deutsch! But it is my fault for not logging on to my classes, which were unlimited by the way. I could have been studying German 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 3 months after shelling out a total amount of PHP200. However, it is a great thing to know that I could learn if I really wanted to.

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PARENTING IN THE DIGITAL AGE

K

Kids today are different—they are digital natives.

Their world is powered by technology, and information is literally just at the tip of their fingertips.

Parenting has evolved, too. Gone are days when kids are not allowed to speak their minds and parents use corporal punishment to discipline their kids. Parenting is now more grounded on trust and open communication.

Whether it’s through exchanging snail mails or iMessages, one thing is common between the kids’ generation and the parents’ generation: the need to keep in constant communication with peers. And because of this need coupled with today’s technology, parents now have much more ways to be involved in the lives of their kids.

We asked a few parents from around the world about their parenting styles and how they cope with the high-tech fastpaced times that their children live in.

Our Respondents:

Charles and Nadja Nequinto Dubai, UAE - 2 kids

Angela Yupano Marikina City, Philippines - 6 kids

What are the challenges of parenthood at this time when the Internet has become such a big part of your children’s lives? Do you allow your children to be on social media?

Angela Yupano:

David Pua

Winnipeg, Canada,8 kids

Tinette Samala Pudda Dubai, UAE, 3 kids

In our home, we all allow our kids to have social media accounts. But we implement rules to ensure Internet safety and protection.

Tinette Samala Pudda:

The Internet is a double-edged tool. As parents, computer literacy is a must. The challenge is to teach them how to use the web productively, and how to behave in social media.

It was my son who introduced me to Facebook. It became a way to keep memorable moments and to keep an eye on my kids. My kids also have other social media accounts, like Instagram and Twitter.

David Pua:

Charles and Nadja Gaerlan:

Social media is beneficial for kids in terms of their learning; however, children nowadays have a weakness in developing writing skills. They would rather type than write. It seems as though they are too reliant on technology that we did not have when we were growing up.

Whether we like it or not, our children are digital natives.

They are born into a media-saturated world, and they require a media-rich learning environment to hold their attention.

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We accept that this is our children’s Weltanschauung, their own world-view. We identify the joys and perils of living in

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Angela Yupano and family

the digital age, and guide our children in navigating life for the first 21 years of their life.

Our son is nine years old, and our daughter is three; both are too young to have their own social media accounts.

Describe your parenting style. How is it different from the style of your generation? If you could correct something from the previous generation’s style of parenting, what would it be? How do you think your kids feel about your parenting style?

Angela Yupano: For us, it was a trial and error kind of parenting. We learned that each child is unique, each with different needs and wants. Parenting is a 24/7 labor of love. It is not just about spending quality time with them, in reality, quantity of time is as important David Pua: My wife and I have similar parenting styles, but we also complement each other. We are vocal about discipline, and instead of an instant punishment, it is more of a discussion of why, and what could be better done next time.

If I could correct anything from the previous generation’s style of parenting, instead of making ‘palo,’ I think it is better to give your kid first a chance to explain.

Tinette Samala Pudda: My Dad was extremely strict, especially with me because I’m the eldest. When my kids were young, they thought that I was too strict. Now, my grown-up kids are the ones who keep on saying no to their youngest sibling. Sometimes I tell them, “Jeez, I can’t imagine how you kids would have reacted then if I am as strict as you are now.”

David Pua and Family

Charles and Nadja Gaerlan: We raise our children as citizens of the world—American by birth, Dubaian by domicile, and 100% Filipino by blood.

Our parenting style is a blend of Attachment Parenting and Positive Parenting, alongside the things we learned from other Third Culture Kid families. We apply Attachment

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FEATURE Tinette Samala Pudda: My kids’ friends are their friends since elementary. They always go as a pack, so there is safety in numbers.

My sisters and I used to get sermons and beatings from our parents. If I were to give my kids even the slightest taste of the beatings that I used to have as a kid, I am sure that I would be tagged as the ‘Worst Mother Dearest Ever!’ The punishment that I give them comes in the form of a talking-to.

Charles and Nadja Gaerlan: Instead of punishing them, or humiliating them in public, or using corporal punishment, we look for the right time and place to rectify their behaviors and make them understand what they did wrong.

Charles and Nadja Nequinto with their kids Parenting to strengthen the intuitive, psychological and emotional bond between our kids and us. We use Positive Parenting to empower our children get the most out of life.

What do you do to keep your kids away from trouble? What do you do to teach them a lesson?

Do you punish your kids when they disobey? If so, how do you punish them?

Angela Yupano: We have house rules that are crystal clear. When one violates it, we punish them through deprivation of privileges. It should make its mark enough to discourage them to repeat the same offense, but not too much that it would lead to demotivation and indifference. We never say anything that we don’t mean.

My husband and I talk and agree on the most appropriate punishment. We ensure that there is mutual respect, and that their dignity is preserved.

David Pua: It may sound strict, but we have rules that we follow in the house. We are a family of 9 people, so communication is key.

For example, our 22-year-old daughter, even though she is an adult, has a curfew; this is set because she is a role model, and also because we don’t want the doors being unlocked at late times due to little children being in the home.

In our house, we do not believe in always going towards physical punishment to teach lessons. We practice open communication. We reiterate what we believe they did wrong and explain to them the repercussions of their actions. The most common punishment I would say is probably taking away their cellphones.

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No matter what, we are against punishment in any form, and veer away from timeouts, grounding, confiscation of gadgets, withholding of allowance, etc. Instead, we opt for an open discussion about a recent incident, and explain that each choice they make leads to consequences.

How much freedom do you allow your kids?

What liberties are they allowed at their age?

What are the things you are not allowing them to do or get involved in?

Angela Yupano: We encourage them to be open and comfortable in sharing how their day went to give us a more accurate picture of their everyday experiences and friends’ profiles.

David Pua: They are allowed to do anything we consider appropriate as long as we know what they are doing. To ask permission, or ‘pagpapaalam,’ is the most important thing to remember.

We are a Christian household. We do not support the use of foul language, drugs, alcohol and late night outings. My wife and I believe that it does not lead to good things.

Tinette Samala Pudda: Just like my Dad, I was initially strict with the kids, but not too strict because I didn’t want them to be like me who had no sense of adventure. I am glad that my kids enjoy travelling. I must say that the kids know better on what things they are not allowed to do or get involved in. They can read my unspoken words loud and clear.

Charles and Nadja Gaerlan: We give our nine-year-old son enough leeway to pursue afterschool activities. He can choose to join his younger sister and me on play-dates or not, and we let him do something else he likes, e.g. read a book, play LEGO, do Minecraft, or catch-up on Doctor Who or Bob’s Burgers episodes.

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How do you feel about teenage love relationships? Are your kids allowed to have a boyfriend/girlfriend?

Angela Yupano: They are allowed to have crushes but having a boyfriend or a girlfriend is not allowed while still studying. We explained to them in the most comprehensive and compassionate way why.

David Pua: We are supportive with teenage love relationships. Respect and no secrets are most vital in any relationship. We always remind them that school, church and family always come first. There should be a clear limitation of their roles as teenage lovers.

Tinette Samala Pudda: My daughters Alessandra and Michelle are not allowed to have a boyfriend until they are 25 years old.

Charles and Nadja Gaerlan: I have tried opening the subject even at his tender age of nine, but he is not interested in either girls or boys in a romantic way yet, even if there are girls looking at him funny and giggling incessantly, or coming up to him calling him “Mr. Husband.” He insists that while most of his friends are boys, he also plays with girl classmates in school.

Are your kids allowed to argue or disagree with you and voice their opinions?

Angela Yupano: All our kids are allowed to agree and disagree with us.

They are free to air their opinion, feelings, frustrations and disappointments while maintaining mutual respect.

Tinette Samala Pudda and children There was one time when I felt a gap widening between my husband and one of my daughters, and it was beginning to take its toll. We decided to have a family meeting, with all my children present, so the older siblings can share their experiences. I had some fast food delivered at home to ease the tension. When father and daughter started to argue, the rest of us began stress eating. All is well that ends well. We can now laugh about it.

David Pua: They are allowed to express what they feel. When there is a disagreement, we don’t allow them to yell or degrade us when we are talking. And if they allow us to finish what we have to say, they, too, get a chance to say what they want to say.

Tinette Samala Pudda: For me, voicing out one’s opinions does not equate to disobedience. It just makes me sad when my kids argue with me even when they are not allowed to.

Charles and Nadja Gaerlan: Yes, and we tell him that he is free to articulate his thoughts,

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FEATURE hygiene purposes, nothing else. We also reassure our children that they are not obliged to kiss or hug anyone they are not comfortable with.

What parenting lessons have you learned so far?

Angela Yupano: Spanking is not a very effective way to discipline children.

They just remember the pain, and not the reason why they were spanked in the first place.

No favoritism. Never, ever, compare your child with anyone.

Take the time to answer all their questions.

feelings, opposition, etc. so long as it is not whiny, backtalking, or violently expressed. We remind him that we, his parents, were not given this kind of freedom of self-expression when we were young.

Do you talk about sex with your kids? If no, tell us why. If yes, please tell us how you go about it.

Angela Yupano: We started to educate them about sex when they were in high school. My husband explained to our daughters how a boy thinks and what they usually do to convince girls to have sex with them as compared to a lad with good intentions. I painted a clear picture in their minds the consequences of premarital sex and teen pregnancy. With my supervision, I let them take care of their baby siblings during vacations.

David Pua: Yes we do. We do not go beyond details. However, sex education is part of the curricula in school. We basically lay down the rules, i.e. no sex before marriage, no excessive physical contact, our girls are not allowed to go to their boyfriends’ house and our sons are not allowed to stay long at their girlfriends’ house. Our main idea is to teach them to respect their bodies and to respect other people’s bodies.

Tinette Samala Pudda: No. Strangely enough, when it comes to this subject, I am considered very much the “Mom” and prefer to keep mum about it.

But I must say that the kids grew up alright and I have a deep sense of pride and admiration for their closeness and protectiveness with each other.

Charles and Nadja Gaerlan: Not yet, but soon, my son will have an introductory sex education class in school, including alternative lifestyles, gender and sexual orientation. However, even at their young ages, we remind them that they own their bodies, and that nobody has the right to touch them on their private parts, and that when mom and dad wash their private parts it is meant for

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There is no fool-proof formula on effective parenting. Each child is unique. Explore on different ways to communicate with them. Take note on what makes them more cooperative and responsive.

David Pua: In 23 years of marriage, my wife and I have learned that God is the center of our life. We must be humble and understanding with our children, be on their side, respect their opinion, and accept what they will become when they grown up.

Tinette Samala Pudda: If you can’t beat them, join them. I must have done quite well because my kids’ friends tell them that they have such a cool mom.

Charles and Nadja Gaerlan: Parenting is not a competitive sport. Adopt a growth mindset.

Academic excellence is overrated. Beware the trap of external validation or set up the child to become a people-pleaser.

Choose encouragement in lieu of praise. Monkey see, monkey do. Reading to children is a reward in itself.

What are your tips for other parents?

Angela Yupano: Being a parent is a privilege, an opportunity to raise the hope of our future generation.

David Pua: Enjoy every moment with your children. Time is precious; catch every significant moment in their life. Grow and learn with them. Always put yourself in the shoes of your children especially during the difficult times.

Tinette Samala Pudda: There is no set formula for child rearing, as I feel that it is the parent’s past experiences in their growing up years that would determine how they would treat their kids.

Charles and Nadja Gaerlan: You know more than you think. Trust your instincts.

SCRAPBOOK

OSCAR CABLAO JR Dubai, UAE www.oscarcablao.weebly.com

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SCRAPBOOK

BERNIE BULAN – Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia www.yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/ profile/244400/

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FEATURE

Life is Art Chancing Upon Filipino-Belgian Painter Christian Van Maele’s 4th Solo Exhibition in Belgium

By Kristine Abante Photo credits: Mark Ganzon

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ntwerp, a city known for its diamond trade, revealed to me during an unplanned visit that it was also hiding other gems.

It was an unusually cold summer day when we arrived at the private viewing of Filipino-Belgian painter Christian Van Maele’s solo exhibition.

Christian met us at a beautifully ornate 18th century train station after he finished his shift at a nearby restaurant. From there, we navigated the eerily empty streets lit by the setting sun and headed towards an art gallery called “Life is Art.” His paintings were currently on exhibit there, and he himself invited me and my friends to a private viewing. It is not everyday that one gets invited by the artist himself to see his show, so we four Pinoy tourists from Dubai counted ourselves lucky.

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Turning the key of the gallery’s door, he ushered us into a doorway that led to a fascinating private world made of waking dreams and quiet, fragile reflections.

THE ARTIST Christian was born and raised in Belgium, in a city called Tielt in West Flanders. He has a younger sister named Catherine, and they got their Filipino roots from their mother.

He took up Fine Arts in college, and in 2010, earned his Masters degree in painting from Saint Lucas College in Antwerp.

He currently works at a restaurant near the art gallery where he was exhibiting, a day job that he was keeping so he can pay the bills. At the same time, the job’s flexibility affords him more time to spend on pursuing his craft.

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“I exclusively do oil paintings because I like the idea of playing with its inherent cultural background and harnessing its power in creating a dialogue. I actually sit on the canvas—this allows me to merge myself with the medium. When I paint, it’s like I don’t have skin. I am both methodical and trusting of my feelings.”

THE PROCESS The exhibit, called ‘Better Than Heaven,’ is Christian’s fourth solo exhibition.

Low-key and reserved, he coyly shared with me his inclination towards the arts, and explained why he would rather be referred to as a ‘painter’ instead of an ‘artist.’

“I cannot say why I am an artist. Partly because I feel like an outsider, and perceiving the world as an artist helps me to better function in it. But I actually prefer telling people that I’m a painter rather than I’m an artist. The response I receive, in general, is more down-to-earth, and I like it that way.”

Inspired by the works of Abstract Expressionists such as Clyfford Still, Christian is fascinated by the vibrancy, aura, and storytelling abilities of Abstract Expressionism.

“It’s like when you’re looking at the clouds and they affect your imagination. It’s about finding something, or someone, valuable and bringing that experience into your own private world. Or, maybe it’s the exact opposite, like when you experience life as a hollow walkthrough.”

It all started in 2011 when he replied to an ad about an art program opening in Brussels. That same year, he had his first solo exhibition in CC Strombeek in Grimbergen entitled, ‘Extramuros (Are you a dreamer or part of the dream?)’.

The following year, he had another solo show called ’Extramuros (Field recordings)’ which was held in Wijkbureau Mannenstraat, Leuven.

His third one, called ‘Cavities,’ was held in Life is Art, the same gallery where he took us to see ‘Better Than Heaven.’

“When I learned that I was invited to do the new show, I had about eight months to prepare. I was interested in letting the first selection of art pieces come to me as organically as possible, and I employed the same kind of strategy that I use when I paint: I conceptualize the art space as a soon-to-be painted surface.”

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“The first paintings that were chosen to be included in the show (‘Bonnie Pink,’ ‘All of the Lights’ and ‘Blackpool’) eventually defined the flow of the artworks. I ended the show with a mural painting; I made it three weeks prior to the opening night.”

Christian said that in retrospect, he realized that the works he selected to include in the exhibit tell more about the pivotal points in his artistic process and the choices he made in order to move forward.

THE EXHIBIT Moving through the gallery, one could sense that his paintings evoked a guarded vulnerability. Some of them seem too personal, but at the same time, they were also universal. Relatable ideas were portrayed, like love.

“My paintings have to do with falling in and out of love. Many of my new paintings from this year, I have yet to put up on my blog because they are just too personal. Therefore, I am obligated to seek out a different approach in order for me to be okay with making these works available to the public.”

Unlike other artists who, either consciously or unconsciously, evoke some kind of affinity to their national identity, Christian does not consider his artworks to be exclusively Belgian or Filipino, nor European or Asian.

“To be honest, I don’t think about the audience. It’s all about working from feeling. In my case, identifying as a citizen of a particular country is irrelevant.”

There was a small painting in the exhibit that has grown on me; it was called ‘I Used to Be the One.’ It depicts an underworld of large walls lit up by candles, and in the middle, stands a solitary lonely soul. It was very heavy, the brushstrokes especially, and the colors have a poisonous quality to them. And the way the piece faced the entire exhibit brought a certain wholeness to it.

It completely caught me off guard. In the end, I realized that the smallest painting in the exhibit was also the most powerful.

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SUPERHERO DREAMS You can say that his self-awareness and grounded sensitivity that were honed by daily struggles with the mundane made Christian’s artworks unique and intensely appealing.

Christian narrated how he once liberated mandatory uniforms made from paper hats by turning them into art pieces that, if pieced together, could make for a graphic novel.

“The restaurant where I work regularly gets inspected on hygiene, which is normal. But a year ago, it was proposed that all employees had to wear disposable paper hats, which arguably isn’t necessary for the work that I do, which is doing the dishes and taking care of the tables and coffee machines. Regardless, I went with it for four months. And almost immediately after being issued the paper hats, I started drawing on them using a ballpoint pen. I thought it was a creative way of showing some of my interests. Having to deal with a company uniform, you would consciously want to make your individuality noticeable. I eventually dedicated a blog to those drawings.”

Christian told me about the importance of hard work and selfbelief in pursuing a craft.

“As a painter, I act on dreams. But above all, it takes a lot of believing to truly paint. I imagine the painter as a superhero, a person who stands for love, and at the same time, does not belong to anyone.”

Indeed, his daily alter ego reminds me of superheroes: the double life they live, and how they are often characterized by a sense of both wonder and isolation, a theme that is prevalent in a lot of Christian’s paintings.

I left the gallery with a sense of wonder, because, surprisingly, in the middle of many valuable pieces, I discovered a hidden, priceless gem.

Follow Christian Van Maele on his blog to see more of his works : https://casmo28.wordpress.com or check out the exhibit at http://www.lifeisart.be/christian-van-maele/

IT’S WHAT I DO

It’s what I do

FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORK PLACE

DIANA SANTOS

Director of Business Development & Client Services DiLeonardo International Dubai, UAE My Job I’m a Business Development professional, and I’m currently the Director of Business Development and Client Services for DiLeonardo International, an interior design firm.

I look after the business development and marketing efforts of the firm for the Middle East and South East Asia. This includes traveling for work, meeting clients, answering inquiries and providing proposals for potential interior design projects and organizing PR & marketing events.

Though I came from a different educational background (I’m a graduate of BS Economics), my nine-year stint in the design industry has honed and educated me in this thriving sector of the Middle East. Having the business background helps as well for my day-today operational business development and research requirement. It’s

been an interesting journey so far and I do hope to continue on for many years to come within this field.

My Typical Day My typical day starts with checking my emails the moment I wake up to see if there are urgent matters that need to be addressed immediately.

Working in a multinational company, the sense of “staying connected” is stronger because we work with different talents across the globe.

I would then have my morning coffee and proceed with my client phone calls, researching on what’s on and what’s hot in the hotel, real estate, and design industry. Then I answer inquiries and do my proposals for potential projects. Then as soon as I find the time, I look into possible marketing and PR activities for the company. It’s an extensive scope – but I thrive and enjoy in diversity and pressure, especially when the end results are positive.

For any business development professional, the most uplifting moment is when you secure a commissioned project. And I had that moment a few weeks ago when we won a nice luxury resort project, and it was in my home country! The journey and the group effort that went into getting to that stage was just inspiring and the feeling of accomplishment when you’ve bagged the project is uplifting indeed!

I guess you can say it’s the sense of victory that drives and motivates me to do what I do.

Career and life advice Love what you do! It doesn’t matter if it’s not within your field, or not the ideal work that you would have wanted for yourself. The dedication and passion you put in to your work will reflect and eventually lead you to greater things and open up opportunities. The Filipino people are so talented and has so much to offer, and given the right frame of mind and opportunity, we can excel in whatever task we undertake.

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IT’S WHAT I DO

It’s what I do

FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORK PLACE

IRIS ABARABAR Alterations Engineer – Emaar Properties Dubai, UAE My Job

I am an architect, and I work in the customer care alterations department in a large real estate developer here in the UAE. I am involved in planning projects and site visits. I make sure that our projects are running smoothly and on schedule. I embrace my tasks so I can execute my job well, and I am lucky to work with a great team.

My employer, Emaar, regularly provides us employees with trainings for personal and professional development, so we are always able to work effectively with each other.

My Typical Day

I deal with different types of people from different countries everyday.

I make sure that I get all the job done in time, such as quality checks and solving client problems. I am also very proactive and I take ample time and effort to understand my clients issues so I can help them solve it better.

Being an architect is a very challenging career, and there are many highs and lows. There are a lot of things you must do, and with proper discipline, they can be done. I was hit by the global financial crisis back in 2008 where there were a few jobs available, and I was left with no choice but go back home. But I never gave up.

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The most fulfilling part was when I was re-hired by my employer when they got their business back on track. Now, I have already built a strong network with clients, engineers, and contractors.

Career and life advice

The key to success in your career is having the willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. No matter where you are in your career, don’t get sluggish. Recover using your willpower and determination.

The reason why most of us fail is because we give up too soon.

Always keep your career moving. Choose to lead and to inspire. The more you are able to do that, the more you will earn the trust of your employer and everyone around you.

Once you reach one of your goals, your journey is not over. You have to keep moving. Persevere, so that someday when you look back, you’ll say, “I’m glad I did,’ instead of “I wish I had.”

IT’S WHAT I DO

It’s what I do

FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORK PLACE

LEO VALLE BARRAMEDA

Travel & CRM Coordinator – ART DUBAI Secretary – Philippine Business Council Secretariat Head – Ateneo’s LSE program My Job I am the executive assistant of H.H. Sheikha Maisa Al Qassimi, and I have held this position for more than 7 years now. I am also the new Travel and CRM Coordinator of Art Dubai Fair LLC, an events company that organizes and manages some of the biggest arts and design events in the UAE, such as Art Dubai, Design Days Dubai, and Downtown Design.

My Typical Day A typical working day for me starts with thinking what to wear to work. Being part of an artsy-fartsy team encourages me to be creative in what I pull out from my closet.

Working directly with the VIP team, I usually start the day updating

entrepreneurs to network and develop bilateral cooperation.

the database while drinking my daily dose of green tea. The

I am also the Head Secretary of the Leadership and Social

rest of the day is spent on dealing with flight requests, matching

Entrepreneurship (LSE) Program organized by Ateneo de Manila

hotel requirements, booking car transfers, applying for visas, and

University School of Government.

checking the Internet for deals and promos. I am maintaining three company email accounts; Outlook is my work buddy as we spend

Career and Life Advice

a lot of time together. Needless to say, receiving compliments and

According to Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Happiness is like perfume,

positive feedback are my inspiration to keep me going.

you can’t pour it on others without getting a few drops on yourself.”

Being the only full-blooded Filipino in the team, I was very

Always surround yourself with good people, the thinkers and the

intimidated at first. On the contrary, I am warmly welcomed and

doers, and most of all, people who see your worth. I learned to

now I feel my worth in the company. Glitches and challenges usually

associate myself with positive friends that helped me see my own

happen, but I always deal them with a smile. After all, Filipinos are

greatness and find more joy in simple things. Don’t expect too

known to be always happy, and I am proud to be one. I am also very

much from people to avoid disappointment; be open-minded and

lucky that I am part of a very diverse company.

wait for surprises.

I make sure that I pay it forward to the Filipino community in Dubai.

How do I end my day? With a big smile as I know I did my best and

I was appointed as Secretary of the Philippine Business Council

a breath of prayer for His greater glory.

here in Dubai, and I helped establish opportunities for Filipino

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MONEY

Budgeting Formula

By Francisco Colayco Jr

One of the most difficult parts of every day life is budgeting.

Few people in this world can just spend with unlimited abandon. It is extremely easy for buying to go out of control especially if you have a credit card and if you have a checkbook that is not properly reconciled. The biggest problems in budgeting happen right after a big event like a vacation, wedding, birthday, Christmas etc. You have to be learn to budget, not only for your everyday needs but also for all these special events that will come into your life whether you like it or not. If you do not have such a budget, you will not be able to move on making your personal financial plan because this requires a long-term commitment.

Budgeting always requires discussion of between you and your spouse, if you live with someone. Otherwise, you will never be successful. If you know how to use the computer, it will be very much easier for you. In fact, there are many computer programs that will help you keep a reconciliation of your checkbook, keep track of all your loans and investments

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so that you know at any one time how you are doing. The program can also quickly show you if you are within budget or not for each specific item.

However, as in any computer, you have to diligently put in all the information and especially, in the beginning, this requires a lot of time and commitment. After inputting all the initial information, you still have to be disciplined to input the daily information. The computer is actually at the same time easy and difficult for budgeting. We may end up following the regular manual method.

Here are some steps to follow. It is always better to have a daily budget but this might be too tedious. Therefore, a weekly or monthly basis might be more realistic. The first step is to understand all the cash that you will receive. If you are an employee, it is your take-home pay. Your company should have removed from your take home pay all the taxes, SSS, Philhealth, insurance and any other contributions you

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to involve your spouse. You have to agree on the amount of your most important regular or recurring expense, your payment to yourself or your savings. Your savings is your expense for the future. Write down all your other monthly expenses that are recurring. For example, loan installment payments, electricity, phones, water, TV cable access, normal credit card charges, food, transportation, grocery, marketing, househelp pay, and general miscellaneous. You should have been keeping copies of your past bills and receipts to be able to check on the actual amounts paid. If you didn’t, just give yourself a good estimate and keep your bills and receipts from now on.

After you have calculated your regular monthly expenses, you now have to compute the non-recurring expenses during the year that do not happen every month. For example, taxes related to your house and other real estate properties, car insurance, home insurance, and life insurance, Christmas, vacations, birthdays, and an emergency fund. Get a total of these expenses and divide the total by twelve. With this, you will have a good estimate of the monthly amount you should budget for these non-recurring expenses.

Set aside the amount for the non-recurring monthly expenses.

Open a separate account for this in a savings account, and you should pay all these expenses from that account. Each month you should deposit the monthly amount for these non-recurring expenses in an interest earning account, no matter how small the interest rate is. In this way, you will keep them segregated and will be better able to determine if you are properly funding for them.

might be making to your company retirement plan etc. You should go to your Personnel Department and understand all of these deductions. If, for example, you do not have tax deductions, SSS, Philhealth, insurance, you should understand why and there could be valid reasons depending on your contract with your company. You may need to cover yourself for these because you will definitely need to pay taxes. It is always good to be covered for SSS, PhilHealth and other insurance especially if you need to be hospitalized.

You will be surprised how much these coverages can help you. If necessary, you need to make arrangements to cover yourself.

If you are self-employed, make sure you pay yourself a salary and cover yourself properly.

Add both the recurring and non-recurring monthly expenses and subtract the total outflow from the inflow. In this manner, you can really understand how much money is coming in and where it is going. If you are over or under estimating your expenses, you should immediately make the necessary adjustments. If your inflow exceeds your outflow, you have additional cash to increase your personal payment to yourself that we talked about in this article or to add to emergency fund. If you are spending more than you are earning, you are either going to have to increase your regular revenue or decrease your expenses. Borrowing money to accommodate your recurring and non-recurring expenses will only bring you disaster.

This system of budgeting will definitely help you pay yourself first and live within your budget.

Reminding you that my new book “Wealth Reached. Money Worked. Pera Mo, Pinalago Mo!” is now available. We also have seminars for those in Manila. Check out www. colaycofinancialeducation.com You can also visit www.kskcoop.com if you want to consider investment options.

Computing your take-home pay after-tax and other deductions is the easy part. Now you have to determine your cash outflow or expenses. As we discussed before, you need

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LAW

Financing with Hot Money:

Seize opportunities that others miss Barney Almazar, Esq.

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With the Philippine Peso outperforming the other currencies in South-East Asia, speculative investors will take their balance sheet to Manila’s emerging markets to profit from the country’s stronger currencies.

Capitalized upon international market imbalance, the business logic is actually very simple: buy money at low interest rates then profit from the spread by selling to countries where interest rates are higher and growth rates more robust.

Globally, interest rates remain low and are anticipated to remain low for the foreseeable future as indicated by the burgeoning amounts of sovereign debt coupled with impaired budgetary positions and an ageing population demanding more from governments.

As the world population ages, a great deal of retirement saving can be expected to chase yield. The Philippine population is rising by more than 2 million a year and one third of its 100 million population is under 15 years old.

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Emerging markets One reason for high gain potential is that investor preferences are shifting towards emerging markets. The Philippines has caught global attention as the country’s economy gains speed. The young demographic of Manila makes it favorable to investors, not to mention having a similar workforce culture to the west. Investment prospects are not only limited to residential undertakings, but likewise include the strong retail and office sectors.

In fact, the excess capital that central banks across the globe injected into the market will positively affect property prices in Manila.

Execution, however, is an altogether different story. Financing offshore—whether through plain vanilla bonds, hedge funds, depositary receipts, or bespoke structured debt products— requires careful tax planning to minimize the high cost of domestic (withholding) tax. Remember, the Philippines, unlike the UAE, imposes taxes on income.

Elevating the importance of structuring transaction is the fact

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Philippine treaties could reduce the rate to 15% while other treaties further reduce it to 10% depending on the nature of the debt product or the character of the lender. A treaty may further provide instances which exempt the interest payments from domestic income tax and consequently from withholding tax. Debt obligations guaranteed or insured by the government or an instrumentality thereof, is more likely to be exempt from tax by the revenue authorities for the country where the interest was earned.

The Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) would consider interest payments on foreign loans as income earned within the Philippines if the rights and obligation arising from the foreign transaction is located in the Philippine territory.

Because of the “flow of wealth” doctrine, even a foreign lender who has never been to the Philippines can still be taxed by the BIR through the withholding agents of the latter.

that the lender and the borrower belong to different taxing jurisdictions, an avenue for both governments to impose tax on the interest income, among others. Financial lenders therefore, should take advantage of preferential tax rates under bilateral tax treaties, among others, to mitigate the risk of double taxation.

Use RP-UAE Tax Treaty to your advantage A double taxation exists when the same income is taxed for the same tax period twice, when it should have been taxed but once, for the same purpose and with the same kind of character of tax. The main objectives of treaties are the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. The Philippines has entered into more than 40 bilateral and international tax treaties and agreements.

The United Arab Emirates and the Philippines have executed a tax treaty on the avoidance of double taxation effective as early as December 2004. The treaty being in existence for almost 15 years have not been maximized by the strong Filipino population across the emirates.

For instance, the general withholding tax rate for interest on foreign loans under the Philippine Tax Code is 20%. Most

The local borrower is considered as the withholding agent and is required to deduct and withhold tax at the time interest is paid or becomes payable or is accrued in the borrower’s book, whichever comes first. The term “payable” refers to the date the obligation becomes due, demandable and legally enforceable. An accrued expense, on the other hand, refers to an expense taken as a deduction for tax purposes. Timing is crucial as failure to properly file the tax treaty relief application (TTRA) with the International Tax Affairs Division of the BIR before the occurrence of the first taxable event shall have the effect of denying treaty benefits on the transaction. In such case, the regular rate of 20% will be imposed.

Debt and Equity financing Businesses may be financed through equity and/or debt funding. Under present laws, interest payments are fully deductible against taxable income while dividends are not.

Financing through debt rather than equity would therefore translate to outright savings of 30% (in the form of a tax shield). Although intercompany dividends are taxed at 0% and interest payments are subjected to 20% final tax, financing through the latter would still have an advantage equivalent to 10%.

Even with the tax favored treatment of interest payments over dividends, companies must still maintain a reasonable ratio of debt over equity to minimize audits risks as Revenue Audit Memorandum Order No. 01-98 considers thin capitalization and earning stripping as the most common form of tax avoidance schemes.

While money may come easily, it is imperative for foreign lenders to ensure competitiveness by keeping rates low. After all, profits will truly be maximized by seizing opportunities that others miss.

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FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY – ROZEN ANTONIO CREATIVE DIRECTION AND STYLING – MICHAEL CINCO PRODUCTION – GYN CABRERA GROOMING – BOBBY CAPARAS CLOTHES – MICHAEL CINCO, MAY THAMANYAH AND GIAN ROMANO MODEL – DIMITRI TOLENAARS

THE BRAT BOY

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THINGS TO DO It seems like nothing is slowing down Dubai in terms of the fun and exciting activities that you can do here -—not even the rising heat!

This month,, the most awaited summer extravaganza ‘Dubai Summer Surprises’ will liven up the city with world-class entertainment and shop-till-you-drop mall-wide sales. Homegrown and international acts will grace Dubai with concerts and fashion shows, so you better make sure you don’t miss out. Read on to find out about the top 10 activities you should catch this August.

Have Fun at the Cartoon Network Fiesta Paint smiles on your kids’ cute faces by taking them to a fun-filled show featuring their favorite stars from Cartoon Network called the ‘Cartoon Network Fiesta’ that will run from July 30 to August 5 at Ibn Battuta Mall. The whole gang from the Ben 10 Omniverse led by Ben Tennyson will have a live action performance where they will display their acrobatic stunt moves. Joining him are Grandpa Max and his alien-fighting friends, and they will delight you with a Meet-andGreet session after a mesmerizing multimedia show. The Power Puff Girls will also get in the fun and will perform 3 shows a day, so watch out for them! Image Source: www.dubaicity.com

Catch Jaden & Willow Smith in Dubai Will Smith’s adorable kids are now all grown up, and are both entertainers in their own right. Jaden and Willow Smith will be visiting Dubai for the first time, and promised their Middle East fans a series of exciting appearances across the city. They will be spending quality time in Dubai and visit some of the best attractions and iconic landmarks that the city has to offer. See them on their fans day at The Dubai Mall on August 13, and catch them on their guest appearance at one of the main events of Dubai Summer Surprises 2015, the Kids Fashion Fest. Image Source: www.visitdubai.com

Watch the Kids Fashion Show at the Dubai Mall Kids Fashion Fest is back for the summer, and promises to wow audiences once again. One of the most adorable events of Dubai Summer Surprises 2015, Kids Fashion Fest will feature kids and pre-teens walking down the ramp with the latest trends in fashion. Following the huge success of the previous seasons, Kids Fashion Fest is also going regional this year. There will also be a model search, which will be graced by international pop icons Jaden and Willow Smith. The fashion shows will run from July 13 to August 22 at the Fashion Catwalk of The Dubai Mall. Image Source: www.visitdubai.com

Visit Modhesh World Modhesh World, an indoor entertainment destination at Dubai World Trade Centre is packed with numerous attractions that both kids and adults will enjoy. This August, an interactive show hosted by the cute mascot of Dubai, Modhesh, will delight the whole family. You will never run out of fun activities to do here at the first ever edu-tainment destination in the region. Modhesh World is open from July 9 to August 29 at Dubai World Trade Centre Hall 1-8.

Image Source: www.dubaicalendar.ae

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THINGS TO DO Get Mesmerized by Swan Lake Want to do something different? Check out this amazing ballet show called ‘Swan Lake Acrobatic Ballet’ by the Great Chinese State Circus happening from September 3 to 5 at Shaikh Rashid Hall at Dubai World Trade Centre. A beautiful blend of music and poetry woven to showcase classical dance at its best, the Great Chinese State Circus’ version of Swan Lake is a fine fusion of traditional Chinese acrobatics and Peking opera. Lauded globally for their seamless acrobatic feats and dazzling dance performance, the Great Chinese State Circus have already showcased their acts to 106 cities around the world in front of more than 1.5 million audience. Image Source: www.dubaicalendar.ae

Don’t Miss the Big Sale Summer in Dubai means shopping, shopping and shopping. Thanks to Dubai Summer Surprises 2015, big brands will slash their prices and bring out their best promos during the much-awaited Big Sale. Make sure to catch this once-a-year shopping event of epic proportions featuring global high-end and luxury brands, as well as exciting cheap finds. The Big Sale is happening from July 23 to August 1 at Dubai World Trade Centre. Image Source: www.dubaicalendar.ae

Have Fun in the Theatre Catch ‘Madagascar Live’ and get ready to ‘Move it, move it!’ with the bunch of zany animals from the hit animated film, ‘Madagascar.’ Exclusively brought to you by Dubai Summer Surprises 2015, the fun-filled adventures and exciting escapades of the whole gang will be brought to life.

‘Madagascar Live’ will be staged at Shaikh Rashid Hall in Dubai World Trade Centre from August 28 to 30. Image Source: www.dubaicalendar.ae

Let Your Imagination Run Wild at the Real-Life Lego Park Children’s favorite toy, Lego, will be part of the real world with the ‘Building Blocks at the Boxpark’ event. Happening for the first time in the UAE, an exclusive play space comprised of life-like rectangular spaces will be put up to take kids’ imaginations to colorful places. The space features state-of-the-art installations and amazing graphics. Get your family and friends think beyond the box with this thrilling event happening at the Boxpark in Al Wasl Road on July 23 to September 5. Image Source: www.thenational.ae

Be Thrilled at the Circus Want to have a thrilling time? Catch a series of circus shows at the Mercato Mall featuring the African Circus, 36 talented acrobats performing breathtaking feats. Watch ‘Color Circus,’ and ‘Kids European Circus’ and get ready to witness dazzling acts and nerve-wracking choreography. If your kids want to learn how to impress their friends with acrobatic moves, have them join the Kids Circus Workshops and learn from some of the best acrobatic performers in the world. You can also get the chance to meet the performers up-close at a Meet-and-Greet event. You may catch the Circus Fiesta daily at the Mercato Mall from July 17 to August 29. Image Source: www.visitdubai.com

Learn Arts & Crafts from the Art Attack Guy Himself Lloyd Warbey, host of Disney’s popular art show Art Attack, comes to Dubai with an inspirational show meant to tease the little ones’ creativity. Presented across two locations, Lloyd Warbey will host five exclusive and interactive workshops at Dubai Festival City Mall, followed by a similar performance at Modhesh World. The shows will happen on August 12 to 15.

Image Source: https://twitter.com/dss/social

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Jacket: Chanel Dress: H&M Socks: Tommy Hilfiger Shoes: Steve Madden

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FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER: IKO MARAMO CREATIVE DIRECTOR/STYLIST: DANYL GENECIRAN MAKEUP/HAIR: CARMEN RACHEL USING MAKE UP FOREVER AND KEVIN MURPHY MODEL: ANJELICA BALATBAT @ MERCATOR

THE QUEEN OF CARNABY

Den mother to the cult of the fashionobsessed, hyper-cool and fabulously hedonistic. Cultured and subcultured.

Style? Substance? Style!

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Jacket: Chanel, Shirt: Zara Skirt: Zara, Socks: Tommy Hilfiger Shoes: Steve Madden, Bag: Givenchy

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Dress worn as shirt, Pants: Damir Doma Shoes: Steve Madden

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FASHION Jumpsuit: Zara Coat, choker: Benji WZW Shoes: Steve Madden

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FASHION Dress, choker: Benji WZW Bag: Givenchy

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Jumpsuit: Zara Coat, choker: Benji WZW

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FASHION Jacket: Saint Laurent Pants: Zara, Shoes: Steve Madden Sunnies: ASOS

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FASHION Dress worn as shirt, Pants: Damir Doma Shoes: Steve Madden

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TOP 10 EXCUSES THAT SHOULD NOT HOLD YOU BACK FROM TRAVELING

BY AILEEN ADALID

A

s someone who leads a life of travel, I get a lot of messages from people who also want to live a life of exciting trips, colorful destinations, and breath-taking adventures.

But not everyone seems to be really up for it—I get the occasional “I wish I can travel and work remotely like you, but I can’t,” followed by a laundry list of reasons that they consider valid reasons to keep them from living their dreams.

These reasons are, for me, just excuses. If you really want to travel, then you can make it happen.

Here are common travel excuses that should not really hold anyone back from traveling the world:

#1 “I CAN’T AFFORD A LIFE OF TRAVEL, IT’S TOO EXPENSIVE AND I’M NOT RICH.” I’m not rich either, yet here I am, able to live my dream. I did not come from money, nor am I earning tons of cash from my job. And I definitely don’t consider myself lucky. That’s because I believe that ‘lucky’ is the word lazy people use to describe people who work hard. And I work hard for this lifestyle to happen.

I work hard, and save harder. And I make plans, and I stick to them. And you can definitely do the same.

First, track your spending habits. Identify which of your expenses are unnecessary, then get rid of them.

Second, try to live as cheaply as possible while you are still saving up, and find ways to save money in any chance you can get.

Third, watch out for cheaper alternatives. Keep a lookout for airline discounts and opportunities to get free accommodations, such as Couchsurfing.

Once you start doing these small steps, saving up for your

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travel fund will become easier and easier.

#2 “I DON’T THINK I CAN CONSISTENTLY TRAVEL; I MIGHT RUN OUT OF MONEY!” This is why you plan ahead and save up for your travel fund.

And if you’re careful like a hawk, I don’t think you will spend all your money away carelessly. It’s all about proper budgeting and, once again, discipline.

There are also many jobs that you can do overseas, especially if you know where to look. One of them is teaching English.

There is a big demand for English teachers abroad. Make sure that you prepare your school papers because some employers require them.

You can also volunteer. This does not pay, but it will give you free accommodation, and sometimes, even food. There are many volunteering opportunities in charities, though most of the time, they come with a fee.

Some websites that can help you look for a job while you are traveling abroad are www.workaway.info, www. anyworkanywhere.com, and www.overseasjobs.com.

If you want to score free accommodation, check out websites like www.couchsurfing.org, www.helpx.net, www. homeexchange.com, www.trustedhousesitters.com and www.mindmyhouse.com.

The possibilities are endless. You won’t ever run out of options to keep yourself afloat abroad.

#3 “I DON’T THINK MY PARENTS WILL UNDERSTAND.” I know how you feel because I think it is a cultural thing among us Filipinos. My parents are a bit conventional, and it took me a while to get them on my side. In fact, they thought I’ve gone crazy!

PINOY PLANET But here’s the thing: if you try your best to explain to them that this is what you want to do with your life and that this is what will make you happy, then I don’t think they’ll be that heartless to not let you go. Sure, they’ll be taken by surprise at first, but that’s because they’re concerned about your wellbeing. If you lay out your plans and back-up plans, they will not only be assured of your safety, but they will also get the message that you are serious about this.

#4 “I HAVE NO ONE TO TRAVEL WITH. I’M AFRAID TO TRAVEL ALONE!” Don’t be. I assure you that once you go traveling, you are never really alone. You’re always bound to meet people along the way, and these people could even become your best friends. This is one of the best gifts of travel that you should not miss out on.

To slowly ease your way into going solo, try going on a trip to a place in your home country all by yourself. Once you start to get a feel for it, start planning your next big trip—abroad.

Jump on opportunities that will surround you with lots of people, like staying at hostels and attending music festivals.

You can also join online communities that hold meetups in different parts of the globe, like Couchsurfing and InterNations.

And of course, don’t forget travel bloggers like me. Just message someone who’s in the country you’re going to.

We’re always more than happy to meet people and show them around, especially kababayans.

I’m pretty sure that during your travels, people from back home would sometimes want to come with you. And you will soon find the joy of traveling solo. End result: a win-win!

#5 “IT’S TOO DANGEROUS! I MIGHT GET ROBBED OR SCAMMED!” The world isn’t such a scary place. You just have to be street smart at all times, and you’ll be fine. And if you have survived Metro Manila, then you can survive anywhere!

Do your homework and watch out for your safety, and know what things to avoid. Don’t ever let your fear keep you from missing out on seeing the world. There’s just so much ‘good’ out there that you should see for yourself. It may be full of strangers but most of those strangers are always willing to lend you a hand and make you feel welcome.

#6 “I’M IN A RELATIONSHIP RIGHT NOW AND I CAN’T LEAVE MY PARTNER. I WISH I HAD DONE THIS WHEN I WAS SINGLE!” Why not travel together? After all, the more, the merrier.

Traveling with your partner is also a great way to bond with each other. New places tend to bring out new facets of one’s self, and this is a good way to keep the romance between you alive. And traveling with your partner does not only mean you are sharing your experiences, but also your expenses.

One of the things that you should never let happen is for someone to hold you back from what you want in life.

#7 “I’M TOO OLD. IT’S TOO LATE!” I know bloggers who are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who are making their dreams a reality. So please, remember that age is not an issue—it will never be an issue. Take it from the world’s oldest backpacker, Keith Wright, who doesn’t let his ripe old age of 95 get in the way of his travel plans.

Some companies also grant sabbatical leaves for employees who have rendered a specific amount of years, so consult with your company’s human resources. Spending your sabbatical leave on travelling will ensure you that you will have a job once you come back home. Or if you’re lucky, you might even be allowed to work remotely.

#8 “I HAVE A FAMILY AND KIDS WHOM I CAN’T LEAVE BEHIND. ” I know a lot of travelers out there who have their kids traveling with them. These people have either gone to the extreme of selling their properties, or just simply saved up for the big trip to bring the whole wolf pack along for the ride.

There are also others who left their kids for a while with their grandparents while they do a year or two of travel.

It won’t be an irresponsible decision if you plan ahead and make the necessary preparations.

#9“I HAVE TO TAKE AIRPLANE RIDES BUT I HAVE A FEAR OF FLYING!” You don’t always have to take airplanes. Say hello to ships, buses, and trains! One person was able to travel the 201 countries without riding a plane, Graham Hughes. If he can do, so can you! It will take time, but it is still going to be fun.

Or, you can face your fear. Statistics show that more people get into car accidents than in plane-related mishaps, so the odds are in your favor.

#10 “MY PASSPORT WON’T GET ME ANYWHERE GOOD.” As a Philippine passport holder, I know the frustration of having to apply for Visas. However, contrary to popular belief, our passports are not that limited. There are countries in South America that are Visa-free, such as Brazil, Peru and Colombia.

When I realized that I didn’t want to spend my life in front of a desk from 9am to 5pm everyday, I decided to allot a huge chunk of my income towards a travel fund. I also listed down the pros and cons of travelling, and double-checked whether those listed under ‘cons’ are things that I can work with. In the end, I realized that nothing could really stop me from pursuing my dreams, but me. And now, I am doing what I love to do, happily travelling the world. I’m sure you can do the same!

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Kristine Abante IN

Amsterdam

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What is the city known for?

Aside from the obvious ones like the beautiful network of canals we often see in postcards, the impressive and well-oiled bike culture, and the deliciously addictive stroopwaffels, I would say Amsterdam is unique because here, you can enjoy a kind of freedom and open-mindedness that you will not easily find anywhere else.

I love the impressive architecture and the art scene. The city is home to the Van Gogh Museum and the museum that houses the works of Rembrandt, the Rijksmuseum.

And of course, there is the old house that kept Anne Frank and her family safe during the Nazi occupation of the city.

You come to Amsterdam to open your mind.

How to get there? Where to stay?

I don’t prefer planning my trips through travel agencies and signing up for group tours and the likes because I like the freedom of owning my itinerary. I am also a “surprise me” kind of person, so there’s really very little planning in terms of my daily activities. There are lots of apps and websites that can help you find your way around the city and give you advice on accommodations and other travel-related stuff.

Flights to Europe via Emirates usually cost between AED2,500 to AED3,000. To find the cheapest plane ticket prices, you can check a website called Skyscanner (www. skyscanner.net), which also has an app version.

I actually came to Amsterdam by train after arriving at Dusseldorf from the UAE. I passed by Germany because my Schengen visa was issued by the German embassy. It is easy to apply through VSF Global at Wafi Mall. You can find all the requirements on their website.

The train to Amsterdam from Dusseldorf costs about EUR30 or AED120. There is a very helpful site where you can easily plan your itinerary via any mode of transportation anywhere

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you want to go in the world: https://www.rome2rio.com. The website will also give you cost, timings and links.

For accommodations, I found this wonderful apartment at Airbnb. It was my first time to try the service, and I have to say it was such a great experience that I might never book a hotel room again. I paid less than the rate of a hotel room for an apartment that I shared with 3 of my friends; it was only EUR170 per night. We had the apartment all to ourselves, and it was conveniently located 5 minutes away from Central.

We were allowed to cook our meals, wash our clothes, and have mini parties, so long as we keep the house in order. The host was also thoughtful enough to leave us with guidebooks and plenty of tips on how to make the most out of our trip.

For five days, we felt what it was like to truly live like a local in Amsterdam.

Any must-do’s or must-see’s? What’s the city’s best-kept secret?

For must-see’s, I would suggest taking the canal cruise. It will take you around the city’s famous canal network and you will see everything from the boat, and a tour guide will accompany you on this pleasant one-hour ride.

Being a huge Van Gogh fan, my personal favorite must-see is the Van Gogh Museum. Seeing his artworks up-close was some kind of a spiritual experience. We also found a hole-inthe-wall dive bar in Amsterdam Central named ‘The Doors,’ after the great Jim Morrison. The Doors Café is like a minishrine for rock ‘n’ roll fans; it plays great music, and you’re free to smoke.

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How to Dress?

Dress comfortably. Amsterdam is the land of freedom, and people don’t really care what you wear. Just check the weather report before choosing your OOTD. What to bring? What to avoid?

Bring enough euros and see how far your baon can take you. An umbrella would be handy, especially if you don’t like getting wet by the rain. It drizzled often during our stay.

Avoid bringing back illegal substances. Even if they look harmless and are sold freely in Amsterdam, they can get you in trouble elsewhere, most especially in the UAE. Also, if you can avoid bringing big luggage, please do so.

This is especially important if you want to go cross-country via trains. Travel as light as you can. Believe me, I learned this the hard way.

Overall, going to Amsterdam was such an enlightening, incredible experience. Personally, this trip changed me in a lot of ways. It challenged my views and expanded my way of thinking—it’s great for the soul. But if you’re not up for the deep end and you’re just after taking selfies, you can’t go wrong with Amsterdam because this place is very Instagramperfect.

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MY PINOY LIFE IN

Fujian, Xiamen, China

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MELODY M. DIZON I have been staying here in Xiamen since 2011.

I was a pioneer employee of Saint Gabriel International School in Pasig City, Philippines that it began its operations in 2000, and I have been working there as a preschool teacher when it decided to open another location here in China in 2011. It was a few months before the high school graduation of my youngest son when our headmaster offered me a job here.

This was an opportunity for me to step up my career and help my husband in providing for our family, especially for our sons’ college expenses. So I took the job and transferred here to Xiamen to teach at the Manila Xiamen International School.

Xiamen, a province of China, is just a two-hour flight away from Manila. It has great scenery and highly developed infrastructure consists of malls, hotels, and commercial and industrial centers. The coastline is just a few miles away from the main roads, and the climate is friendly; the average daily temperature is 22 degrees Celsius. You will really enjoy the air because there is not much air pollution. It has a lot of hills and plenty of trees along the roads and beaches. There are also many tourist spots in Xiamen, and one of them is Gulangyu, an island that is only accessible via ferry. It has streets and storefronts that look like they came straight from

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the Victorian-era. We Filipinos visit the place every Sunday because that is where we go to hear mass. Xiamen is already highly developed and is still growing, yet its culture is well preserved and the environment is well taken care of.

I work as a preschool teacher in Manila Xiamen International School in Xiamen, China. My specialty is teaching young children as young as three years old read words, phrases, and simple sentences. After class hours, I accompany them back to their respective homes to ensure they get home safe. I also give tutorial services afterwards. My students come from different parts of the world with different cultures, but we all get along because I make sure that I share with them the good moral values that we were taught when we were raised back home in the Philippines.

In my place of work, my colleagues and I already consider ourselves a Filipino community since most of us are magkababayan. Even though the Filipino presence is not that large, we regularly get together and bond, especially during the Moon Cake Festival, Christmas and Chinese New Year. We like to keep the unity and happiness among us here.

I attribute my personality and values to my parents back home in Batangas, and to the experiences that life has taught me so far. I have a very strong, family-oriented and prayerful life because of my background. I pursued teaching because I believe that if it were not for teachers, there would be no doctors, engineers, lawyers, and other professionals.

When I started teaching in SGIS in the Philippines, I considered it as a big blessing because our two sons could study and finish their high school there. Looking back, I always remember how my husband and I hurdled through all the hardships and challenges together.

When the time came that my career brought me here to Xiamen, my husband and I believed that it was the right time because our children are already in college and has gained enough maturity to understand why I had to work abroad and spend most of the year away from them. I am fortunate to be able to come home during summer breaks and during the Christmas holiday. Thanks to the Internet, I can check on them regularly and communicate from far away. I always thank God that He never failed us in raising our family.

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Being an OFW and being away from my family is really difficult, so it feels especially good to see all our struggles pay off.

Last year, my eldest son was ninth placer in the Aeronautical Engineering Board Exams and is now a professional aviation engineer. My youngest will be graduating from college this year to pursue his dream of entering law school and become a lawyer someday.

I still do not see myself retiring from teaching in the next several years, because this is what I love doing, and it is what actually keeps me young at heart.

I could say that I benefited from the Chinese mentality of saving money. Usually, OFWs buy lots of pasalubongs for their family and friends in the Philippines. The first time I got back home from China, I brought lots of stuff that I almost went over my baggage allowance. Now, I don’t bring back home that much stuff anymore.

To Filipinos around the word - keep working hard and remember the reason why you started in order for you to endure the struggles of working far away from the Philippines.

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FILIPINO SCHOOLS AROUND THE WORLD

I

It is no surprise anymore to meet a kababayan when one travels abroad, be it in the vibrant city of New York, in the cobbled alleys of Florence, or in the thick jungles of Kota Kinabalu. In fact, a lot of Filipino communities are already thriving in many parts of the world, and some of them are big enough to establish Filipino-centered schools where parents send their children to invoke in them a strong sense of community that is truly Pinoy. Here are some Filipino schools that are flourishing in different parts of the world.

AUSTRALIA Philippine Language School of Victoria Website: www.philippinelanguage.webs.com Address: 42 Eleanor St., Footscray, VIC Australia 3011 Telephone: (03) 9317 9156 Mobile: (0413) 623 991 Email: phillang@bigpond.net.au

General Info The Philippine Language School of Victoria was established and founded in 1993 to enable the Filipino children learn and understand the language and culture. The school is designed for non-speakers of Filipino language, or persons of Filipino parents who are Filipino-Australian born and who do not speak the language, children of mixed marriages, scholars, diplomats, business people and individuals who are interested to learn the language for better understanding of the Filipino cultural heritage, identity and tradition. The school uses the guidelines in the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) provided by VCAA to attain specific objective.

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BAHRAIN Philippine School Bahrain Website: www.philschool-bh.com Address: Bldg. 989 Road 3222, Blk. 732, A’Ali, Manama, Bahrain Telephone: +973-176-45451 Fax: +973-176-44101 Email: gerriesalem2006@yahoo.com / psbahrain@yahoo. com Number of Students: 896 Students

General Info The Philippine School Bahrain (PSB) was established in 1994 through the initiative and cooperative efforts of 27 Filipinos who became its founders. The school provides preelementary, elementary and secondary education to Filipino children in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It uses the Philippine curriculum to facilitate the smooth integration of homebound children in the mainstream of Philippine education system. The PSB has become an institution that promotes not only academic excellence but also Filipino values and cultural heritage among Filipino children in Bahrain.

CHINA International Philippine School of Shanghai Address: 699 Hu Qing Ping Gong Lu, Zhai Dong Ju Wei Hui, Quingpu District, Shanghai, PRC Telephone: (86-21) 59765857 Fax: (86) 187 21283104 Email: lgdngb@yahoo.com / gnickel_ipss@ymail.com Number of Students: 30 students

FEATURE GREECE Philippine School in Greece Address: 15 Thimaton Polemou, Kareas Vyronas, Athens, Greece Telephone: (211) 0149970 Mobile: (30) 693 9329060 Email: katipunan_psg@yahoo.com / teacherluz14@yahoo. com Number of Students: 185 students

General Info The Katipunan Philippines Cultural Academy (KAPHILCA) was inspired by the idea that young Filipinos overseas must never become alienated from their native land; they must know about their Filipino identity and culture, and must be given the best opportunity to learn about the Philippines and its people.

It was accredited by the Department of Education of the Philippines in October 1999. Since the school follows the curriculum prescribed by the DepEd, it enables students to be readily integrated into the Philippine school system on their return to the country, and to cultivate in them their Filipino identity and character.

General Info

KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

The International Philippine School of Shanghai (IPSS) is the first Philippine school in Shanghai. It is a Philippine-European privately-owned institution intended for the Filipino community living in Shanghai. The school provides secure quality education for all students with affordable fees.

It offers a curriculum that is Philippine-based, but with the integration of international standards and approaches in teaching that would make every child academically inclined and globally competitive, thus able to respond actively and positively to the growing changes of the future.

Al Taj International School Address (): P.O. Box 85130, Riyadh 1169, KSA Telephone: (966-11) 4788237/ 2920450 Fax: (966-11) 4788237 Mobile: (96650) 8210584 / (96654) 0246355 Email: irene0012004@yahoo.com Number of Students: 1,140 students

EAST TIMOR Maharlika International School Website: http://dedc-pise.blogspot.ae/ Address: Fatuhada, Comoro, Dili, Timor-Leste Telephone: (670) 730 2300 / (670) 331 3053 Email: maharlikainternationalschool@yahoo.com

General Info The school was established on February 16, 2008 through the dedication and commitment of the Managing Director of Haksolok Consultancy & General Services Lda. to focus mainly on its education services being offered to the public.

He wished to provide affordable, enriched and stable learning environment primarily to dependents of overseas Filipinos in East Timor where at the same time his children can study. With MIS-DEDC, foreign nationals can also bring their kids in East Timor to study while they are working.

General Info The Al Taj International School envisions a school that shall be the center for language teaching utilizing the English language as the primary medium of instruction. It shall make available a conducive atmosphere for the development of the three domains of learning namely: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor.

Having the English language as the primary medium of instruction, the Al Taj International School, moreover intends to provide its pupils and students the advantage of being at the edge in utilizing the language in all forms of communication.

Philippine international school in assir Address: Khamis Mushayt, Abha, KSA Telephone: (966-17) 2377674 Mobile: (96653) 3082055 Email: sherelsan@yahoo.com Number of Students: 85 students

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FEATURE General Info It envisions providing quality education to Filipino children abroad, teaching them to learn and cultivate the Philippines’ cultural and historical background while upholding excellence.

Al Shorouq International School Address: #9 and 11 Maashi St., Maashi District, Taif, KSA Telephone: (96612) 732 9494 loc 209 Fax: (96612) 731 9191 Mobile: (96650) 892 6427 Email: asis_taif@yahoo.com Number of Students: 254 students

General Info As a Philippine curriculum-based school, the ASIS aims to provide, in a legal and stable environment, the educational needs of around 300 Filipino students. Through the unceasing prayers and help of friends, the legalization of this school was realized. The school is now flourishing, with two (2) huge buildings for the boys section and for the girls section, licensed and competent teachers and staff, and a Parent Teacher’s Association all dedicated to the formation of positive human values and attainment of academic excellence among the children of Taif.

International Philippine School in Al-Khobar Website: www.ipsa.edu.sa/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/belovedIPSA Address: P.O. Box 4839, Al-Khobar 31952, KSA Telephone: (966-13) 889 1487; 899 3849 Fax: (966-13) 899 3698 Mobile: (966-53) 630 4350 Email: principal@ipsalink.com; simper_fideles2003@yahoo. com; registrar@ipsalink.com Number of Students: 922 students

General Info The International Philippine School in Al-Khobar (IPSA) was organized in September 1988 by a group of Filipino expatriates on family status and living in the vicinity of Al Khobar. It started its academic operation in June 1989.

It is dedicated to providing affordable and quality education with exceptional value-focused formation to Filipino children by employing a dedicated, professional and competent faculty and staff and through the establishment of standard school facilities and an environment conducive for both learning and teaching. Moreover, it conscientiously tries to attain the objectives set by the Philippine Department of Education.

Al – Andalus International School Website: www.aaiskhobar.com/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AAISKSA Address: P.O. Box 79307, Al Shobar North, KSA Telephone: (966-13) 857 0097

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Fax: (966-13) 857 0075 Mobile: (96650) 680 2972 Email: dr_malagapo@yahoo.com / dredpmalagapo@gmail. com / andalus.school@gmail.com Number of Students: 291 students

General Info The Al-Andalus International School Al-Khobar (AAIS) was organized in April 1995, and has gone a long way from its humble beginnings. It now prides itself as a school where children learn in a fun, loving, family environment; where each child is seen as a special gift from the Almighty and therefore treated with love and respect; where parents are considered as partners with the school in their children’s education; where teachers are selflessly dedicated in their noble task of shaping young minds; and where the school stands as an avenue where children can express themselves as individuals and, in the process, grow up to be contributing members of society.

Philippine Sunrise International School Address: P.O. Box 56634, Jeddah 21452, KSA Telephone: (9662) 664 6369 Fax: (9662) 663 5718 Email: ophielaguardia@yahoo.com Number of Students: 239 students

General Info The Philippine Sunrise International School (PSIS) is an educational institution catering to the needs of young Filipinos in the Western part of Saudi Arabia. The PSIS is the fastest growing Philippine school abroad under the management of the Overseas Family Cooperative (OFC). It is the first Philippine school in Saudi Arabia to adopt the E-Learning System (ICT) and is proud to offer advanced educational facilities in the field of sciences, mathematics, English (both language and literature) and computer technology.

Durat Al Sharq (Pearl of the Orient) International School Address: P.O. Box 34550 Jeddah 21478, KSA Telephone: (9662) 6673244 Fax: (9662) 664 5126 Number of Students: 392 students

General Info The school offers a Philippine-based curriculum with english as medium of instruction. Arabic and Islam subjects are also offered in all levels. Full facilities are provided for all grade levels from pre-school through secondary. The POIS, aims to meet a child’s specific needs and learning capabilities incorporating principles of wisdom and character-building.

FEATURE International Philippine School in Jeddah Website: www.ipsj.tripod.com InternationalPhilippineSchoolinJeddah?rf=115079011870113 Address: P.O. Box 112696, Jeddah, KSA Telephone: (966-12) 671 6582 Fax: (966-12) 671-6582 Email: ipsj_ksa@yahoo.com Number of Students: 508 students

General Info The PPSA was considered as one of the Embassy’s education and cultural activities, and as such was under the Embassy’s supervision through the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah.

To date, the IPSJ has produced graduates who now hold prominent positions such as diplomats, lawyers, engineers, doctors, teachers, etc. around the globe, and who render actual services in their respective fields. They are the living witnesses of the school’s commitment to provide world class and quality education to Filipinos and non-Filipino children in Jeddah.

Al Dura (GEMS) International School Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ ADGemsInternationalSchool Address: P.O. Box 51477, Jeddah, KSA Telephone: (9662) 674 8483 Fax: (9662) 674 8381 Email: adisregistrar2005@yahoo.com Number of Students: 1,761 students

General Info The Gems International School (GIS) was established and founded in May 2005. The school aims to provide an affordable world-class quality education to the children of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) based in Jeddah. The GIS offers preschool, elementary and secondary education and it follows the Philippine curriculum. The school includes Arabic Language, Saudi History, Geography and Culture as additional subjects to be taught.

Second Philippine International School Website: www.spis.edu.sa/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ International-Philippine-School-in-Riyadh/279780845394064 ?rf=114509721894759 Address: P.O. Box 729 Riyadh 11372, KSA Telephone: (966-11) 217 1905 ext 104 Fax: (966-11) 465 4257 Mobile: (96650) 024 4803; (95559) 855 3600 Email: anthonymesina@yahoo.com Number of Students: 641 students

General Info SPIS as an institution of learning provides better quality education for the dependents of all expatriates in Riyadh giving more priority to Filipino children. It envisions to make every learner a disciplined, God-loving, nationalistic, enlightened,

self-reliant, and productive citizen that can be of value in the global community and to the society where he belongs when he goes back home to the Philippines. Thus, the SPIS’ thrust is “Quality education for a world-class generation.”

Riyadh International School Website: www.iisriyadh.com/ Address: P.O. Box 27586, Riyadh 11427, KSA Telephone: (966-11) 293 6019; 293 5926 Fax: (966-11) 293 5895 Mobile: (96650) 204 7984; (966-54) 026 8542 Email: ris98ksa@yahoo.com Number of Students: 635 students

General Info The Riyadh International School (RIS) is a value-oriented school that aims to provide quality education with values formation. Established by private individuals in April 1998 as a stock corporation, the school falls under the Category 4 of educational institutions.

The RIS endeavors to direct students towards a commendable conduct of behavior in consonance with the objectives for which the institution firmly stands for the development of a total person. It is committed to provide the students a wellrounded education that maximizes their potentials, and to help establish a solid foundation for their total personality development.

Palm Crest International School Website: www.pcis-r.com/index.php Address: 48 Al Amariyah St., Sulaymaniah District, Riyadh, KSA Telephone: (966-11) 464 2474 Fax: (966-11) 464 6608 Mobile: (96650) 946 1802 Email: palmcrest_04@yahoo.com / kits_dguzman@yahoo. com Number of Students: 612 students

General Info The PCIS formally opened its door to expatriates’ children, on 3 April 2004 by virtue of a Saudi Ministry of Education License and Ministry of Commerce and Industry Certificate of Registration. After acquiring permits from the host country, the PCIS was given a provisional permit by the Philippine Department of Education in 2005.

The PCIS also envisions, as part of its five-year development program, the opening of a tertiary program with initial courses in BS Computer Science, BS Computer Engineering and Graduate School programs in collaboration with accredited universities in the Philippines to cater to the professional needs of teachers in Saudi Arabia.

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FEATURE Millennium International School Website: www.pcis-r.com / Address: P.O. Box 54746, Riyadh, KSA Telephone: (966-11) 478 9313 / 478 9720 Fax: (966-11) 478 9470 / 291 8952 Email: miss.edu@gmail.com Number of Students: 328 students

General Info The Millennium International School (MIS) was founded in 2001 and is one of the educational institutions offering basic education to children of overseas Filipino workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). It was founded by Mr. Marwan Kwaider, who had the noble mission of providing quality education for the Filipino children in the KSA. Today, the MIS has established linkages and tie-ups with other well-known schools in the Philippines to serve its students better.

Future Generation Philippine International School Website: www.alexsmix.wix.com/fgpis Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ Future-Generation-Philippine-Inter national-SchoolFGPIS/232886330097367 Address: Al-Baljourashi St. Suleimaniah District, Riyadh, KSA Telephone: (966-11) 465 6298 Fax: (966-11) 465 4539 Mobile: (96650) 097 5829 Email: fugen.riyadh@gmail.com Number of Students: 1,128 students

Elite International School Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/EliteInternational-School/106314506072368 Address: Olaya District, P.O. Box 60949 Riyadh 11555, KSA Telephone: (966-11) 462 7224 Fax: (966-11) 462 4655 Mobile: (96656) 460 2997 Email: agaperance@rocketmail.com Number of Students: 578 students

General Info The Elite International School (EIS) was founded in February 1999 and has a curriculum that is self-renewing and responsive to the needs and opportunities of all types of learners in rapidly changing and technologically-oriented global community. It is raising tomorrow’s leaders through quality education. It takes into consideration the individual differences and preferences of the children. It uses sensorybased activities that are interrelated to harness the multiple intelligence of the learner. It also generates environmental awareness and finally, the curriculum stresses functional learning.

Al Jazeera International School Dammam Facebook Page: www.ajisd.weebly.com/index.html Address: P.O. Box 76240, Rakah, Al-Khobar 31952, KSA Telephone: (9663) 858 0383 ext 12; 859 0677; 858 0380 Fax: (9663) 859 0677; 858 0383 ext 19 Email: magtanel@yahoo.com; ajrsgr1@yahoo.com Number of Students: 509 students

General Info

General Info

The school was established in April 2006 and adopts the Enriched Basic Education Curriculum program of the Philippine Department of Education with additional courses in Mathematics, Science, and English. It has opened the opportunity for learners to undergo a basic education of international standards where everyone experiences a closeknit academic community, where pupils/students, faculty members, parents and administrators are like friends, yet where respect, responsibility and other values remain intact.

The Al Jazeera International School Dammam was established in 1995 to cater to the educational needs of the children of Filipino expatriates in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. It offers complete Philippine educational curriculum from nursery to high school.

Fawaq International School Address: No. 23 Prince Turki Bin Abdul Aziz, Maather District, Riyadh, KSA Telephone: (966-11) 212 0833; 483 1828 Fax: (966-11) 441 2220; 217 6124 Email: jppcatapang@gmail.com / hernabautista@yahoo. com/ fawaqintl@yahoo.com Number of Students: 283 students

General Info The Fawaq International School (FIS) was established in April 2006. It envisions every learner to be functionally educated, equipped with intellectual, social, moral, physical, and practical life skills to achieve one’s goals in life and become responsive and productive citizens in a challenging world.

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Al Danah International School Address: P.O. Box 58409 Riyadh 11594, KSA Telephone: (9661) 473 9030 Fax: (9661) 476 3718 Mobile: (96650) 476 3718; (96611) 473 9030 Email: pazbea@hotmail.com; adis_sa95@yahoo.com; leonilastuico@yahoo.com Number of Students: 543 students

General Info The Al Danah International School (ADIS) started in 1995 as a nursery school. The increasing demand of parents for the education of their children led to the establishment of the kindergarten, preparatory, elementary and high school levels.

KUWAIT The New Kuwait Philippine International School Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/NKPIS Address: Jleeb Al Shuyoukh, State of Kuwait

FEATURE Telephone: (965) 22277254 Fax: (965) 24315647 Mobile: (9656) 6348225 Email: jcvp_25@yahoo.com Number of Students: 517 Students

General Info The New Kuwait Philippine International School (NKPIS), a private school owned by the Om Al-Qura Education Est., was established as a commitment to provide affordable and quality education that is basically Filipino in its content and that responds to the desire to develop Filipino children and youth into a wholly integrated person.

Philippine International English School Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ Philippine-International-English-School-FahaheelKuwait/110521152293611 Address: Seaside Road, Fahaheel, Kuwait Telephone: (9652) 3922713 Fax: (9652) 3915253 Mobile: (9656) 6605813 Email: philkuwschool@yahoo.com / tony_cass14@yahoo. com Number of Students: 903 students

General Info The Philippine International English School (PIES) in Fahaheel, Kuwait was an offshoot of the state visit of President Fidel V. Ramos to Kuwait in September 1997. It envisions intellectually equipped, morally upright, physically fit, disciplined, technologically competent, and service-oriented individuals living in a competitive local and global environment.

OMAN Philippine School Facebook Page: https://www.facebook. com/pages/Philippine-School-Sultanate-ofOman/186173268229274?ref=br_rs Address: P.O. Box 563, P.C. 133 Al Khuwair, Sultanate of Oman Telephone: (968) 24697636 Fax: (968) 24698656 Mobile: (968) 99430837 Email: pevwarti@yahoo.com / philippineschoolman@gmail. com Number of Students: 443 Students

General Info The Philippine School was conceived in 1989 by Filipino overseas contract workers under the auspices and support of His Excellency Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali, the Philippine Honorary Consul General, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

Its general goal is to develop learners by providing them basic competencies in literacy and numeracy, critical thinking and learning skills, and desirable values to become caring, selfreliant, productive, socially-aware, patriotic, and responsive citizens. school environment that can assure the highest standards of education for the children of Filipinos in the City of Benghazi.

QATAR Philippine International School in Qatar Address: Ain Khalid, P.O. Box 9875, Doha, Qatar Mobile: (974) 66025251 Email: luisakmendoza@yahoo.com/ villainguillo@yahoo.com. ph/ mendozaluisa_48@yahoo.com Number of Students: 1,567 students

General Info The Philippine International School in Qatar (PISQ) was founded in March 2000. It adopts the Montessori curriculum for preschool, and the Philippine curriculum for elementary and secondary education for children of Filipino expatriates.

The school’s ultimate goal is to promote the total development of the individual student so that he/she may become a useful and responsible citizen of the society.

Philippine School Doha Website: www.psdqatar.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ Philippine-School-Doha-Grade-1-DAISY-ClassSY-2015-2016/912697262109413 Address: No. 52, Saad Bin Surara Old Murror, Al Messilah Area, State Of Qatar Telephone: (974) 418 1587/ 4418 1596 Fax: (974) 421 7718 Mobile: (974) 5581 9367 / 5526 8976 Email: xanderacts@yahoo.com / psdasec@gmail.com/ cs_psdbot@yahoo.com Number of Students: 2,035 students

General Info Philippine School Doha (PSD) was established in October 1992 to serve the educational needs of the children of the Filipino community in the State of Qatar. Its birth was the result of the determination of pioneering members of the Filipino community in Doha under the auspices of the Philippine Embassy.

Guided by the dictum “knowledge begets wisdom,” the PSD envisions itself to be the center of academic excellence as the first Philippine Science High School in the Middle East abreast with the dynamics and development of society, culture, science and technology, and the arts. It also aspires to produce competent graduates with inherent values of honesty and propriety tempered with prudence and divine wisdom.

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FEATURE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

General Info

The Philippine School Website: www.thephilippineschooldubai.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ tpsdubai?fref=ts Address: P.O. Box 126621, Al Twar 3, Dubai, UAE Telephone: (971) 284 4465 loc 202/208 Fax: (971) 284 4460 Mobile: (97156) 6097730/ 6872128 Email: info@thephilippineschool.com/ principal@ thephilippineschooldubai.com Number of Students: 816 students

The Far Eastern Private School (FEPS) initially began its operations in August 2000 as “Love and Care” with a total strength of 170 students from kindergarten to high school.

The FEPS has through the years proven its meaningful existence as a haven of academic excellence as indicated by a steady growth of the school population every year.

The management and administration continues to address the needs of times, thus, with the commendable growth of Filipino students, the school was granted the use of Filipino curriculum. True to its vision-mission, the FEPS continues to uphold its name in the UAE.

General Info

The New Filipino Private School Website: www.luznfps.tripod.com Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ NewFilipinoPrivateSchoolNFPS?fref=ts Address: P.O. Box 6234, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Telephone: (9716) 5661331 Fax: (9716) 5660570 Mobile: (97150) 5490757 Email: nfps_luzcorpuz@yahoo.com/ nfps@emirates.net.ae Number of Students: 890 students

The school, aptly named The Philippine School, intends to fill the needs of the local market. The school aims to prepare its students to excel as young leaders of tomorrow (global leaders being trained and brought up abroad) offering advanced technology programs, values-based education, parent-friendly policy and activities such as arts and crafts, music, dance and sports.

United International Private School Website: www.uips.ae Address: P.O. Box 60817, Al Qusais, Muhaisna 4, Dubai, UAE Telephone: (9714) 254 3888 Fax: (9714) 254 3889 / 264 6850 Email: uips-info@uips.ae / niceorzame@uips.ae Number of Students: 1,348 students

General Info The United International Private School (UIPS) is a pioneer Philippine School in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It was founded in September 1992 with a vision of providing quality education for the burgeoning Filipino community in Dubai, and the neighboring emirate, Sharjah.

The school’s best features are its socio-cultural activities, spacious classrooms, wide playground, sports area, school canteen, audio-visual room, library, computer laboratory, and air-conditioned buses. The UIPS uses computers and an updated Filipino curriculum that is compatible with the American system of education.

Far Eastern Private School Website: www.fareasternprivateschool.ae Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ FEPSUAE?fref=ts Address: P.O. Box 29047, Solaiman R/A Al Shahba Area, Sharjah, UAE Telephone: (9716) 538 9556 Fax: (9716) 538 9556/57 Mobile: (97150) 978 5392 Email: acanonoy_feps@yahoo.com Number of Students: 1,060 students

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General Info The New Filipino Private School (NFPS) is the very first Filipino school in the United Arab Emirates to be given license to operate using the Filipino curriculum by the Philippine Department of Education and the UAE Ministry of Education.

With the effective implementation of the Philippine curriculum, emphasizing on major subjects including mathematics, science, English, Filipino and MAKABAYAN, the NFPS has produced students who fared well in qualifying examinations in the different universities in the Philippines.

PISCO Private School Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/PISCOPRIVATE-SCHOOL-3/316918153654?fref=ts Address: P.O. Box 29317, Abu Dhabi, UAE Telephone: (9712) 6415761 / 6419611 Fax: (9712) 6415761 Mobile: (97150) 4178105 Email: rosetabucal@gmail.com Number of Students: 781 students

General Info The PISCO Private School (PPS) is a Filipino-owned private school, dedicated to the realization of an effective delivery of service to the Filipino community.

By authority of the Department of Education, all pupils/ students of PPS were no longer required to take the validation exams when transferring to other schools. Graduating pupils/ students were administered with the National Elementary Achievement Test and the National Secondary Achievement Test. The PPS students had been excelling in the said tests ever since these were initially administered.

FEATURE Philippine National School Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ Philippine-National-School/146817505382043?fref=ts Address: P.O. Box 31874, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Telephone: (9712) 6419291 / 6418747 Fax: (9712) 6424852 Mobile: (97150) 6134465 Email: of_padilla@hotmail.com Number of Students: 1,200

United States of America

General Info

The Filipino School examines the beauty of the interwoven relationship of Filipino history, culture and language, and takes students on a journey that starts with their current level of knowledge, and building upon that base level of understanding and self-awareness of being a Filipino.

Students will discover where they are rooted through a series of guided interactive conversations, and will have a better understanding of where they are going.

It offers an entry-level course for all ages, the Filipino 101, whose goal is to bridge generational and cultural gaps, allowing graduates to have workability for future needs of local community and country.

The Philippine National School (PNS) was formerly an Indian School. In August 1998, the founders of the school decided to shift to a Filipino curriculum. The PNS formally started its operation in September 1998 with 103 students. Shortly after, some investors withdrew their support from the school but were replaced by new ones. Meanwhile, the school enrollment increased to 212. In consideration of feedbacks from parents that the school is far from the city of Abu Dhabi, the PNS eventually transferred to the Passport Road.

The school has since produced top-notch achievers, winning inter-school and national contests, and successfully passing the entrance examinations of MAPUA, UP, College of St. Benilde, UST and St. Jude. Presently, the school boasts of its 1,200 – strong enrollment, a clear proof of the school’s prestige.

21st Century Private Academy Website: www.acmginternational.com/21cpa Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/21CPA Address: Muroor Road, Abu Dhabi, UAE Telephone: (9712) 4413077 Fax: (9712) 4413078 Email: 21cpa@acmginternational.com Number of Students: 1000 students

General Info The 21st Century Private Academy will guide learners to become confident and inspired individuals in a Philippine Curriculum that reaches across the disciplines, cultures and age levels developing the whole person.

The Filipino School Website: www.thefilipinoschool.com Address: 9845 Erma Road Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92131 Telephone: (888) 691 0799 ext 1 Email: info@TheFilipinoSchool.com

General Info

Eskwela Natin: Our Filipino School Website: http://EskwelaNatin.org/ Address: 2450 Florin Road, Sacramento, California, USA E-mail: EskwelaNatin@gmail.com

General Info Eskwela Natin introduces and shares the Filipino traditions, language, arts, cuisine, history and geography to students through a fun, safe and interactive group and classroomlearning environment. Relying on the volunteer efforts of first generation Filipino-Americans—parents, grandparents and other members of local Filipino organizations—to pass on their first-hand knowledge to students who will leave each class with ways to easily adapt etiquette, language and general information about the Filipino heritage into their everyday living. Eskwela Natin helps preserve the Filipino culture to Filipino-Americans for generations to come.

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ONLI IN DA PILIPINS

How Pabebe Are You?

Tell us who your PBB winners are and we’ll tell you who your leaders are.

Friends, families, countrymen, we find ourselves yet again in the midst of trying times. We had been too busy cracking the jargon of the defunct Jejemons powhz that we had failed to notice the rise of the Pabebes. Their exasperating pa-cute overload has long invaded our Facebook newsfeeds, which means that this tribe has now become a part (albeit uninvited) of our daily existence. And the terrifying truth is you could be one of them—without you even knowing it!

So, brace yourselves and take this quiz to find out if you have the makings of a Pabebe. No cheating, puhleeeeese.

1. You’re alone in a mall. What do you do? a. Buy a mamon and video myself while eating it, remarking every now and then that I’m starving, sad, and alone. b. I’ll never be alone anywhere. I’m a member of an elite group and there’s no stopping us from doing what we want.

a. Like a toddler. Example: Mamon is so sherappp! b. Always like I’m in a fighting mode. Because walang makapipigil sa ‘min. c. With a sweet smile. And/or a flirty giggle. d. I coo like a baby.

3. What’s your favorite word? a. Sherappp! (Actual usage: masarap. Translation: delicious) b. Bidyo (Actual usage: video) c. Bae (Meaning: ‘Before Anything Else’ AKA your boyfriend/girlfriend) d. Bababa or dadada (Meaning: ask babies in the nursery.)

4. What’s your signature selfie pose? a. Sad pout, of course. =(

c. Look around and catch the eye of a cutie. It could be the start of something special.

b. An intimidating look. Preferably with very, very light eyebrows. Para intense.

d. Cry in a corner. I’m starving, sad, and alone.

c. Definitely a couple selfie!

2. How do you usually communicate with people?

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d. Sad pout, sexy pout, duckface, tongue out, kagatlabi, nakapangalumbaba, sleeping, shot from the top,

ONLI IN DA PILIPINS etc. Anything that distorts my face should make me look cute!

5. On a typical day, you post on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram… a. One selfie a day keeps my sadness away. b. YouTube is our medium, at wala kayong pake!

d. Overshare on social media—my face, angst, PDA (Public Display of Affection/Away) with ze boyfie/ girlfie, etc.

10. What’s the ultimate Pabebe gesture? a. Look sad and cute at the same time, and say po even to my age group.

c. A photo collage of myself and mehlabsssss.

b.Embrace the Pabebe persona and defend it at any cost.

d. An album of me, myself and I featuring my portraits and landscapes in my many moods in different angles.

c. Be clingy as if you’re Siamese twins.

6. If you were asked to do a video that would benefit humanity, what would it be about? a. A comprehensive demonstration comparing how the affluent, the impoverished, and the Pabebe eat mamon, proving that the mamon is the great equalizer among our polarized society. b. One that empowers everyone to advance the cause they’re fighting for—despite the lack of eyebrows or the capability to articulate the message. Because it’s how you deliver it that matters. c. How to form a love team in ten kilig ways in a week.

After all, what the world needs now is love, sweet love. The kind that would have ants crawling over you. d. A video of me, myself and I featuring my portraits and landscapes in my many moods in different angles.

7. What’s your most trending hashtag? a. #OOTD (when I’m not sad) b. #hatersgonnahate (But you still can’t stop us.

Period.) c. #relationshipgoals (More BAEcation!) d. #nofilter (Believe it or not, this is beauty au naturel)

8. Your life philosophy is predominantly influenced by: a. Manic Mondays. Here’s my Facebook post on every first day of the week: Hellooo, Monday! Please be good to me! =(

d.Act like a baby, what else?

Here are the results. Don’t hate us.

Mostly As: You’re a harmless Pabebe. Some may find you annoying and you can’t blame them (try watching videos of yourself). But no need to stress yourself out, wondering how you must explain to everyone why you’re the way you are. You’re a softie on the outside and on the inside, too— pusong mamon that’s what you have. People will learn to live with it one day. A few may even admire you for being softhearted. Adorbsss!

Mostly Bs: You’re a Pabebe Warrior, toughie. You got us scared for a minute there and it’s not even Halloween yet, ha! Oops, that was a joke; didn’t mean to start a war—peace!

Two thumbs up for fiercely sticking to your Pabebe lifestyle despite what the world thinks of it. Just a friendly advice: keep calm. Most of us honestly don’t care what you do. We also have non-Pabebe lives to attend to.

Mostly Cs: You’re a Pa-PBB Teens Wannabe. Like a true Shakespeare fan, you believe that “All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players,” so you star in your own “Teleserye ng Totoong Buhay” in search of your Romeo/Juliet. Take it easy, though. Not everyone’s excited to see your PDA with bae. You may want to change “Public” to “Private” and use that nifty app called Messenger, and we’re totally good!

Mostly Ds: You’re kinda pathetic. Please take time to review your life and grow up.

No answers at all: You’re perfectly normal like the rest of us.

Congratulations!

b. Starship. Nothing’s gonna stop us now. c. Agnes and Xander. May forever. d. Memes

9. The best way to grab everyone’s attention is to… a. Post an unedited 5-minute video of myself eating mamon. b. Threaten ordinary citizens then claim that my mom is Senyora Santibañez—on video! c. Show how to win a bae in 7 weeks on national TV.

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COMMUNITY

Ambassador Grace Relucio-Princesa with Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes

Ballet Philippines as they energetically performed “Tambol at Padyak”.

Ballet Philippines as they interpret Mike Velarde Jr.’s “Dahil Sayo”.

BALLET PHILIPPINES KICKS OFF MIDDLE EAST TOUR IN DUBAI 09 August, Dubai, UAE. Ballet Philippines kicked off their Middle East Tour with a jampacked performance at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts (DUCTAC) on 07 August 2015.

The Philippines’ premier ballet company, led by Artistic Director Paul Alexander Morales, mesmerized the crowd with their energetic and soulful interpretations of neo-classical and ethnic musical inspirations.

The show titled “Master Pieces” celebrating the Tapestry of Filipino Culture & Friendship was spearheaded by the Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of the Undersecretary for International Economic Relations-Cultural Diplomacy Unit and the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai led by Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes.

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BP’s Dubai performance is the first of their five –city tour of the Middle East which brings them to Abu Dhabi on 08 August 2015, Bahrain National Theatre in Manama on 10 August 2015, Doha’s Katara Cultural Village on 12 August 2015, and at Al Hussein Cultural Center of Amman, Jordan on 14 August 2015.

The event which began with the cocktail reception, saw the attendance of members of Dubai’s Diplomatic and Consular Community, the Filipino Community, the business sectors, media and government authorities. Also present was the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, Her Excellency Grace R. Princesa.

The production ran for one and a half, with BP performing 15 variety of neo-classical, contemporary/modern ballet dances, that captured the audience’s hearts and admiration.