ILLUSTRADO Magazine Dec 2007

The Magazine for the International Filipino

DECEMBER 2007

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Paskong Filipino

The Pinoy Christmas Spirit Christmas Away from Home Famous Filipinos: 2007 Annual Fashion: Shamal World Bank Forecast on the Philippines Illustrado Art Wall: Kamil Roxas The Annie B. Chronicles

EDITOR’S NOTE

Learning to say

Thank You...

2007 is another year that will go down in history filled with the usual mix of controversial ingredients that make up the archetypal ‘Filipino’ experience – colorful elections, corruption and discoveries of even larger scale fraud, impeachment calls, scandals and mudslinging, the ‘requisite’ coup d’etat attempt, disasters, financial woes of the ‘common tao’, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera…

Interestingly enough, amidst the pandemonium of negative cues are curious little sparks which seem to point to a bright light at the end of the tunnel. A couple of good examples come to mind. In the midst of the election hullabaloo, impeachment calls and purported money giveaways in no place else but the government’s seat of power, came to the fore a new type of governance and integrity exemplified by Pampanga governor clergyman Among Ed. While OFWs and their families reel from the effects of the peso strengthening, the same phenomenon has cushioned the economy, taming inflation amidst rising crude prices. We grumble endlessly about the increasingly difficult life in the homeland (haay, buhay…) and yet the overall social climate and optimism back home, as assessed by the statistical experts, is higher than it has ever been before, while employment has registered growth. And, yet another coup attempt has been destroyed and was nonchalantly brushed aside by the country’s strengthening business sector – it’s just business as usual, after all.

Over at the Filipino expat realm, we have been maligned by a socialite and a US TV show and we have pleasantly surprised ourselves by uniting in defense of our community. Then there’s that nagging issue of ‘brain drain’ we have been talking about for over a decade now, the flipside of which is the 43,000 Filipinos, mostly American, Canadian and Australian citizens, who have reacquired their citizenships, so that they can invest in our country.

And of course, there’s the new crop of globally savvy Filipinos like Chikka’s Dennis Mendiola and Brain Gain Network’s Paco Sandejas who have chosen to go back and utilize their technical and entrepreneurial know-how in the homeland.

In our daily life where everything’s a blur and we focus on the negative and the disturbing, we tend to miss that – there’s so much to be thankful for.

And as we go into the season of renewal, let us keep in mind that we Filipinos have so much more space for gratitude beyond what we have in our pockets and our festive tables.

Illustrado celebrates the year’s most solemn season with you, by bringing to light the uplifting perspective. And helping you to create a holiday experience that’s just as warm and heartfelt as though you were home.

My dear Illustrados - have a wonderful and meaningful Christmas!

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Publisher and Editor

CONTRIBUTORS

Gabbie dela

Jeffrey ‘Ximo’ RaMoS

Rama-Talan

Slated to be the Filipino expats’ version of famous Chicken Soup for the Soul author Jack Canfield, Jeffrey Ramos has struck on the formula for success based on deep spirituality and sincere nationalism. Having experienced the challenges posed by working in the UAE, Ximo discovered his true purpose in life – to provide a boost to Pinoys who are reaching for success. Hence, he wrote the motivational book ‘I Know What to Do – A Pinoy Success Handbook’. In his increasingly popular column - Successful Pinoy, a series of self-help articles, Jeffrey shares with us the ingredients that lead to personal triumph.

After insanely juggling five editorial jobs at one point, Gabrielle de la Rama-Talan has finally learned that life is too short to not have one. Currently Editor-in-Chief of In-Print and Associate Editor of Homestyle magazines, she now possesses the time and energy to sit back and enjoy her weekends watching vintage anime, stuffing her face with brie, and adjusting to the charmed life of a newly-wed.

Gabbie writes Illustrado’s Entertainment and Hot Releases columns.]

Michael Vincent SeRRano

True-blue but bashful fashionista Michael Vincent Serrano’s idea of an indulgent weekend treat is being at the front row of a Valentino fashion show. And get his treat he did, living vicariously for Illustrado’s fashion-addicted readers, in the recently concluded Abu Dhabi fashion weekend. An interior design graduate, Michael underwent a fashion merchandising training in Paris and took shopping to another level by being a fashion buyer for a French menswear label in Manila. He now continues to shop for his clients, as an interior decorator for Architettura in Dubai.

chelle laborte

ShaR Matingka

Resident interior design expert Chelle Laborte shows Shar Matingka says she is a dyscalculic – having a learning disability us how to go get creative in decking our homes for with numbers – who took up BS Nutrition and then eventually shifted the holidays this month. Chelle is a Communications to Accountancy in UP, unsurprisingly ending up in a career which has Graduate from Ateneo de Manila University and a little to do with numbers – Shar is an Events Executive for a DubaiLicensed Interior Designer. This multi-talented lady based UK conferencing company, enjoying her freelance writing was once an advertising Account Manager cum gig with Illustrado. According to her, she’s a “contrast between neoContributing Writer for Summit Publications cum hippie and goth.” Go figure. One thing is clear though, this smart Weekend Volunteer for a Street Children Foundation girl with strong opinions on life is one very interesting and eclectic cum part-time Teacher in the Philippine School of persona. Shar delves into another passion of hers, as she interviews Interior Design, before eventually settling down awarded film maker Kamil Roxas for this month’s Illustrado Art Wall. into full-fledged Interior Designing. A designer by day, an intuitive cook by night, Chelle also indulges in watersports, outdoor adventure and yoga during the weekends.

Apple Lopez is a 24 year old Communication Arts graduate from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and a proud iskolar ng bayan. She calls herself a “passionate writer” and works freelance for a famous women’s interest magazine in Manila. Apple is part of the growing breed of nationalistic young Filipinos in the country and is an active supporter of the organization Youth Tourism Response Philippines – which promotes the beautiful places in our homeland to the rest of the world. Apple’s article this month takes us to a nostalgic haven in Laguna serving classic Filipino food with a twist, during the first leg of her Kulinarya Tagala tour program.

apple loPeZ

Mariyah Gaspacho

Petite Mariyah Gaspacho practically grew up in the UAE - having relocated to Dubai with her folks, at the age of seven. A non-practicing interior designer by discipline who works as a Magazine Coordinator at the Dubai Media City, the girl who ‘still’ calls herself a ‘frustrated photographer’ actually shares a promising wedding photography business with her friends called The Wedding Weavers. An active member of the Overseas Pinoy Professional Photographers Society (OPPPS), this young talent has the distinctive ability of turning the simplest photographs into ‘character’ shots. Mariyah photographs one of Dubai’s top couture designers in this month’s fashion pages.

Roll Jervis Manahan Junior contributor Roll Jervis Manahan best exemplifies the famous Rizal line – that “the youth is the hope of our nation.” A proud patriot and active student leader, Jervis is the Central Student Council President of the Far Eastern Private School in Sharjah and the founder of the Intellectual Society - a club of bright Filipino students in UAE. The Associate Editor of his school’s publication, Jervis loves to write and dreams of becoming a professional journalist some day. In this issue, Jervis gives us a glimpse of how locally-based Pinoy youth regard the most loved Filipino occasion of all.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Send your letters to: editor@illustrado.net

kakayahan ng Pilipino.

Dear Editor,

Kailangan natin ang ganitong pag-iisip at kawang-gawa. Nawa’y umunlad tayong lahat.

I read about Illustrado’s Kabuhayan Syndicate in your magazine’s October issue.

Maraming salamat po!

Erwin Galindo Dubai

I am currently working in sales but am considering doing a small business on Filipino products on the side. I would like to join your group. What do I have to do?

Dear Editor,

Elsa Marasigan Dubai

A real unique issue – your November release was refreshingly different. Quite an unexpected style for a magazine.

Dear Editor, I Love the fashion feature! Gothic, Ganda ang Galing!. I always keep a copy of Illustrado as part my fashion references.

Kudos to the Filipino Designers whos’ works and creativity make every Filipino proud. I hope to start my small fashion design shop someday, I just need to save more :)

I really enjoy reading Illustrado every month. My pals and I are always waiting for the next issue, excited about what your new ‘gimik’ will be.

Keep it up.

Amy Durado Abu Dhabi

Hello from Qatar!!!

Dear Lalaine,

Hello Illustrado! Ang galing-galing ng Pinoy!

I just want to say, first of all, that you’ve put together a compelling, entertaining magazine. For a Fil-Am who’s lost virtually all things Filipino, Illustrado is one of my main paths back. It’s a fabulous piece of work, so well-done to you and your team!

Ron Villejo Dubai Dear Editor, My, my! Your latest issue in November was a real shocker - I didn’t realize that there are ghosts around the city! It’s scary, but exciting – nakakabuhay ng dugo, so to speak.

I hope you keep printing interesting stories like these. Kudos to Jonie Jose for an engrossing piece!

Sincerely, Merlee Co Sharjah Dear Ms. Lalaine, Salamat po sa inyong pagtaas ng bandila ng Pilipinas. Ako po ay tunay na makabayan, kaya noong nabasa ko ang Illustrado ay talaga namang natuwa ako at nabuhayan ng loob – marami pa rin palang Pilipino na mayroong pag-asa at paniniwala sa

Thank you for your note. The Kabuhayan Syndicate is Illustrado’s modest forum to help promote business within the Filipino community ‘bayanihan-style’.

We will keep you posted on future Kabuhayan Syndicate events.

Best regards, ED Dear Ms. Lalaine,

Dear Miss Lalaine,

Edwin Jumeirah

I hope you’re doing well.

Dear Elsa,

Thank you po sa Illustrado!

I’ve been a resident of the UAE for almost ten years now and I have seen how much our kabayans struggle for a decent life and to gain the respect of their peers. So imagine I was so happy when I saw your magazine in my surprise and happiness when my friend a bookstore here in Doha. For the first time, introduced Illustrado to me! I totally believe in what your team is doing – nakaka-uplift!

I saw something Pinoy that is so classy and We can really use the encouragement na really makes me proud – promise! pampalakas ng loob.

I took Illustrado to my workplace to show it to my friends – it really made me proud to be I hope that you continue your great work and Pinoy. Now everybody will know that we are wish you all the success. great and we can make it out in the world.

Illustrado Fan – Amira T. of Ras Al Khaimah Thank you Illustrado Team!

Riza Alcanzar Doha

Dear Lalaine, Congratulations to a very well written feature story on Retiring in the Philippines, and first of all, my respect to a very interesting, balanced, informative and attractive magazine!

Being an Austrian Hotelier who had the privilege to live and work in the Philippines for eight years, I could very well relate to your feature story, which is also the reason for writing to you, as the dilemma where to settle is common for both, foreigners and Filipinos alike.

Hats off to you and your team!

Bernhard Ilming Dubai

Annie B. Rocks!

Everytime I get my copy of Illustrado, I always turn to your Annie B. pages – nakakaaliw talaga! Ang saya-saya!

More good stuff to come.

Linda Almeda Sharjah

Publisher & Editor Lalaine Chu-Benitez Art Directors Paula Lorenzo Ron Perez Contributing Writers Philippines Carlito Viriña David Llorito Bernadette Reyes Lisa Cruz Mike Martin Jan La’O David Poarch Aby Yap Ivan Henares Gabbie dela Rama-Talan Chayie Maligalig Apple Lopez United Arab Emirates Maripaz Febrero Giselle Estrada Dawn Almario Sonny de Guzman Antonella Andrada Shar Matingka Jonie Jose Michael Vincent Serrano Singapore Law Diche Cathy Cheng Doña Contributing Photographers Philippines Marlon Pecjo Charles Lu United Arab Emirates Pot Ph Illuminado Ong Monina Uy Joel Guerrero Kris Lee Contributing Stylist Zekundo Chu Pam Quinones Janet dela Fuente Advertising & Retail Sales Michael Maguigad Publisher Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2nd Floor, Building 2 P.O. Box 72280 Office 20C Dubai Media City, U.A.E. Tel: + 9714 365 4547 Fax: + 9714 360 4771 email: admin@illustrado.net Website: illustrado.net Printers Delta Printing Press L.L.C. P.O. Box 37140 Dubai, U.A.E. Copyright Illustrado Communications 2007.

All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC

07 December CONTENTS Features The Pinoy Christmas Spirit 8 Pasko Paksiw10 Christmas Away from Home 12 Favorite Filipino Christmas Songs 15 Pinoy Kids and Christmas 16 World Bank Forecast on the Philippines 18

Columns Contributors 2 Letters to the Editor 6

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Famous Filipinos: 2007 Annual 22 Kabuhayan: Stock Market 101 52 Kabuhayan: Children’s University Education 54 Successful Pinoy 56 iFX Files 58 Usapang Kanto 60 Coconuter: Subic Christmas Festival 61 Onli in da Pilipins 68

Kayumanggi beauty Sheila Teodoro poses for this month’s rich fashion feature set on the barren lands of the Hatta-Oman border.

The Annie B. Chronicles: Going Home for Christmas 70 Filipinisms 72 Community Spotlight: Lingkod OFW 73 Community Events 74

Fashion Shamal 30 Designer Profile: Enigmatically Ezra 42 Fashion Spy: Paint the Town 45 Fashion Round Up: Abu Dhabi Fashion Week 46

Arts, Culture & Design Sprucing up your Home for Christmas 48 Illustrado Art Wall: Kamil Roxas 50

People & Places Bakasyon Grande: Pampanga 62 Side Trippin’: Kusina Salud 66

Entertainment

The Character of Jazz 75 Manila’s Hot Releases 76

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S the strains of Christmas classics are heard, and Pasko Na Sinta Ko is played over and over on the radio, we know that the Philippines’ most celebrated occasion, is just around the corner. The cool wind, the 13th month pay given by employers, Christmas party planning, festive décor and lights, shopping for gifts, usher the yuletide season soon to be in our midst.

Christmas has always been a big occasion here in the Philippines and to Filipinos around the world. But nowadays, most people complain that the increase in prices and the escalating cost of living which has decreased the value of money has made celebrating Christmas this time around, less lively.

We may then ask, is Christmas all about giving and receiving gifts? Are our holiday traditions still alive in today’s highlycommercialized world? What does Christmas mean to us Filipinos in this day and age?

The

PINOY

Christmas Spirit

By Rosary Diane B. Maligalig

Misa de Gallo atbp.

The Philippines is known all over the world for celebrating the longest Christmas. Usually

by September, Christmas songs are already played over the radio. Some Filipinos even begin putting up Christmas décor by October, while some of our kababayans even complete Christmas shopping as early as November.

And of course, who could forget about Filipino Christmas traditions? Family reunions on Christmas day, gift giving during Noche Buena and the Christmas Novena mass which we call Misa de Gallo. Misa de Gallo which literally means Rooster’s Mass, are dawn masses from December 16 until December 24. Popularly known as Simbang Gabi, most people believe that completing the nine day

novena masses will mean that your wish or prayer will be granted.

As religious as Filipinos may be and regardless of the popularity of the Misa de Gallo, gift giving and being with the family still appear to be the main elements in celebrating Christmas in the country and within communities around the globe.

Celebrating Christmas Pinoy style Christmas celebrations for the Filipinos are always a good time for quality family time.

For most families who celebrate together, one of the central activities in the gathering is the gift-giving.

First-time mom Didith Mendoza-Rivera when asked about the first thing that comes to her mind for this Christmas answered - her baby. She also says candidly that, “now that all of us (her siblings and her) have gotten married, maybe this (their family tradition of exchanging gifts) will change — they say all gifts will go to our babies now! Nothing na for us.”

For Alain Baguisi, whose family hails from Tuguegarao, Christmas is a time of “being together and renewing our commitment to our families.” He also says, “Christmas is the time of the year when we are reminded of the importance of our family.”

According to Gerald Nicolas, another definitive

FEATURE 9

Filipino Christmas tradition aside from having family get-togethers or what we call in local terms as salu-salo is “giving aguinaldo (gifts) to inaanak (godchildren).”

The holiday’s gift-giving practice is something we cannot miss even beyond the home. In offices around the Philippines, the practice of kris kringle, a variation of exchange gifts, lives on. Officemates pick codenames out of a hat and give small items to ‘secret’ recipients based on the theme for the week. For example, the designated gift for the week is “something sweet” so people give candies or anything sweet to their ‘baby’ (the secret person they have picked out and are assigned to give gifts to).

All of these practices are integral parts of our traditional festive celebrations — the salusalo, kris kringle, Simbang Gabi, Noche Buena, but then we ask ourselves, is this what all that the season is about to Filipinos? What then is the true meaning of Christmas for us?

Paskong Pilipino Pasko for us Filipinos could mean a lot of things. It could mean reunions, not only with the family but also with hometown friends, it

could mean a vacation from work, it could be a food trip (thinking of all the hamon, queso de bola, fruit salad, ube and leche flan that will be part of our Noche Buena feast), or it could mean a time for spiritual renewal and thanksgiving. But can Christmas be Christmas with less budget and gifts?

Alain Baguisi has this to say about the question: “If we can not celebrate Christmas without the budget and the gifts, does that mean that the poor cannot celebrate Christmas?”

we eat during Christmas. The real meaning of Christmas lies in our hearts that give thanksgiving, it’s in the love we have for our families, and our hope that abundance will come.”

Didith Mendoza-Rivera also relates, “It’s new life, it’s hope, amidst the darkest and loneliest of situations.” Aside from new life, it is also a time for renewal – and as Ronna Mercado says, “feeling the excitement of the Christmas season is being like a child again.”

Although gift giving is a big part of Christmas, we cannot disregard the fact that life has become harder nowadays. This is a realization Diana Jean Moraleda shares. She says “I feel Filipinos try to spend less each year especially because it seems there is less money available.”

With all these said and heard, it is safe to say that Filipinos have Christmas in their hearts. And no matter how it will be celebrated, the gifts, food and décor come only secondary because what is still important is the love we share with our families, the renewal of hope and the spiritual joy we feel.

One cannot ignore the fact that life has become harder nowadays, but this is not a reason to skip celebrating. After all, as Sherwin Lapaan says, there is more to Christmas than all the gift giving and all that we see surrounding its celebration. He says “it is not in the lanterns we see or the food

As we sing Pasko, pasko na naman muli may we all remember what Christmas means in our hearts. And how as Filipinos, we keep alive traditions, not only because we like to receive gifts, but because we sincerely want to show love and give love on this most important day of the year.

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Pasko-Paksiw It’s the first day first September. I woke up half-expecting the blare of ‘Sa May Bahay’ on the radio. It wasn’t there. Instead, there was the usual yakking ‘ yadda- yadda- yadda’ of the DJ. In this “Land of Fiestas”, Christmas time supposedly starts once the ‘BER’ months kick in.

I look out of my window similarly half-expecting snow in the form of mutilated Styrofoam.

Well of course, there’s no winter here but heck, we Filipinos insist on taping or pasting these to windows anyway, scattering them on the floor for utmost effect.

I looked across the street- and there’s also no parol. Representing the star of Bethlehem, that most unique Philippine star lantern that you normally find hanging just about anywhere from malls, offices, tricycles, jeeps and what have you - nada. Was it the (probably fake) rum I drank last night- the kind that they say turns into “rugby” when left out in the open that’s causing this delirium?

By Law Diche

Oh-BER September’s finished. So is October. November too. Still, there’s no sign of the usual Christmas cards with illustrated sceneries pinned on red and green ribbons.

There are no candles. No wreaths. No Belen that Nativity scene showcase, with the infant Jesus Christ in the manger, surrounded by the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, the shepherds, their flock, the three Magi, angels and a sign that says “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to all Men”.

I’m missing arguably the best of them all, the COD showcase that used to be in Cubao and was moved to Greenhills. That classic beauty - a lights and sounds storytelling extravaganza with automatons acting up a cheesy Christmas scene. Now where on earth are they? “O-ber na ‘to”, I thought to myself.

Mid-December Mystery

Pasko, paano? go HHWW (Holding hands while walking). D Day. Families go to church together. Barkadas go More of a family day actually since I should rowdy to the chagrin of the elderly. be seeing parents tagging their kids along to visit just about every relative - uncles, aunts, But lo and behold, the normally jam-packed godmothers, godfathers, they can muster and churches are empty. Where are the people cram in this day. They’ll be showered with who are content enough to just sit or stand aguinaldos of course, gifts, candies, toys, and outside? Who would actually be rather busy yes - lots of ‘moolah’. And they’ll be stuffed full munching on the Christmas street food fare with food and drinks at each stop. of bibingka and puto bumbong?

And where are the carolers? Where is the gang of little kids walking from house to house singing favorite Filipino Christmas carols with tansan tambourines? I’m not hearing any of the “Namamasko po!”, “Thank you, thank you, ang babait ninyo, thank you!”, not even the reverse, “ang babarat ninyo!” for the stingy.

It’s show time as well for the elderly with the traditional pagmamano. The elders would of course give their blessings and bucks especially for the kids who pay respect. Unfortunately for me, my lola is nowhere in sight. Nor my lolo. Neither are the apos at her feet.

Still waiting for the Big Bang

Christmas Eve Crisis

I can’t sleep. You don’t sleep particularly this It’s the 15th of December and it’s almost day of the year. You go to church for your midnight. At the stroke of twelve, Misa de Simbang Gabi. And you go with your loved Gallo, literally “Mass of the Rooster”, also ones, both families and friends. You exchange called Simbang Gabi, should be happening. gifts with them. You have Noche Buena with These pre-dawn masses that commence on them. You have queso de bola, tsokolate, December 16 and continue nonstop until hamon, lechon, pancit, barbecue, rice, adobo, Christmas Eve would, for a moment, become cakes, lumpia, bibingka, puto bungbong, a daily panata for most of us. After all, a lot of kare-kare, rellenong manok, ukoy, arroz caldo, Pinoys believe that if you complete December churros… you have all your favorite food set 16 to December 24 masses, any wish you have on the table and you share them with relatives, will be granted. It’s a time when lovers would neighbors - everyone.

I have a very ominous feeling that this night would be the same as my recent Christmas Eve. See, I’m expecting that at midnight, the din of firecrackers, from the Super Lolos to their apos and amigos would be filling the air. The operative word here would be N-O-I-S-E. Or BA-N-G! Everything should be done in excess.

LOUD MUSIC! LOUD FIRECRACKERS! LOADS AND LOADS OF FOOD! LOTS OF DANCING! Everyone should be jumping, the kids especially, at the stroke of midnight so they would grow tall. Circles. Round stuff. That’s a

FEATURE 11 big deal too. Round fruits - grapes, “sunkist”, apple, lanzones, chico at iba pa. Polka-dotted clothes are in fashion today - never mind if you look absolutely ridiculous if not pathetic. You’ll have the last laugh anyway, perhaps, when you laugh your way to the bank as these are supposed to bring you good luck for the coming year.

Nope. It’s not happening this year I guess.

Three Kings, tapos!

The Christmas Season officially ends today- the Feast of the Three Kings. Also known as the Feast of the Epiphany and commemorated on January 6 but has since been celebrated on the first Sunday after the New Year.

So are we having fun yet? Or did we have fun at all?

I would have been taking off the Christmas decors, looking at each memory-filled trapping. But I’m not. There wasn’t a Christmas season anyway. No celebration - just another ending and beginning, and a nightmare.

Joke, joke, joke!

Well folks, it’s just my imagination gone wild. I wanted to paint a picture of a Christmas-less Pinoy. But it would be really hard. Having a Philippines without a Christmas season is just like having Germany without their Oktoberfest. Or the US without their Thanksgiving. Or China without their Great Wall, or Egypt without their Pyramids or… yeah, the last ones are out of bounds (but within the context!) so you know what I mean. It’s like you’re not a Pinoy if you don’t celebrate Christmas - we who are proud of having the merriest and longest Yuletide Season in the world. It just can’t happen. It just can’t be.

So… Pilipinas na walang Pasko, anyone? Nah, I don’t think so.

Maligayang Pasko po sa lahat!

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C hristmas Away from home It’s the best of times; it’s the worst of times….

What could be bad about the best and most joyous part of the year – when everybody’s supposedly in high spirits and all around you are the dazzling signs of a holiday in full swing? Being away from your family, perhaps? Being alone, thousands of miles from your home where the season is celebrated like no other in the world?

F

or any important occasion in the year – be it Christmas, New Year, Valentines, anniversaries, birthdays, et cetera, which is usually spent with family and loved ones – being away from home is always a tough position to be in. However, despite the distance and the lack of the traditional yuletide trappings you always crave for during December, you can still have an authentic

By Lalaine Chu-Benitez

feel-good Christmas. The key is to make use of Decorate your flat, your place of work, even that holiday spirit that (you might not know) is your car. You can be as extravagant with a 10 foot Christmas tree dripping with lights, multiactually just inside of you. colored balls, glass icicles, snowflakes, pine cones and tinsel, matched with wreaths and Surround yourself with joy other seasonal curios around the house. Or it No matter how homesick you are – there is no can be as simple as taking out that old parol way that some good cheer can’t infect your you brought from Pampanga and putting it in somber winter mood. Surround yourself with your balcony. the merry and colorful symbols of the season.

FEATURE 13 Another very effective and very ‘infective’ ‘must do’ is infusing your day with happy Christmas songs all month-long. Start your morning with a cheerful yuletide tune – play CD’s from home or international favorites, or if you haven’t got your own, there’s a lot of on-line radio streaming playing holiday tunes – from Yahoo Messenger to local Philippine based stations. Better yet, download your own selection of favorites and you’re ready to roll.

Reinvent traditions If you’re missing your family reunion, the Pasko goodies and kakanin that your mom and lola meticulously prepare for Noche Buena each year, including your other rituals back home, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy the same things just because you’re out here in the Gulf.

For starters, make an effort to host a Noche Buena for your closest friends. Though you are away from your family, your circle of ‘nearest and dearest’ is, by default, your family here. So this is the perfect opportunity to get comfort from each other’s company and have fun in the process. Better yet, make a spin on the usual Christmas Eve gathering by making it into a sleep over.

Stay in with your pals for a lazy Christmas Day at home full of laughter and relaxed enjoyment. Or if you’re not the laid-back type, spend the whole of the 25th visiting friends around town, just like a lot of people do back home. But do make sure you have enough space for the whole day of bingeing.

During the festivities make sure you put together a spread of your favorite Filipino foods. Call your mom, aunt or lola to get the recipe of your favorite dish and try to create it yourself. If cooking doesn’t appeal to you, spare yourself the agony by going to your neighborhood Pinoy store for a some authentic Pinoy-style hamon – just make sure you go early to avoid disappointment because those sell like hotcakes! If there’s nothing left for you, there’s always that enterprising kabayan somewhere who’s making these, including fruitcakes and other Pasko treats, made to order – ask around.

Bring your family closer Filipino expats these days are so lucky because communicating with family back home has never been easier. If you’re a Gulf ‘bachelor’ longing to see your wife and kids, or your mom, dad and siblings – make it a point to schedule a Yahoo Messenger video conference over the web just before 8 PM on the 24th.

Throughout the month, make time to say hello to long time friends, wherever they are in the world. At this time of the year, cards, e-mails or SMS won’t do – if you want to get that warm feeling inside, let them hear your voice and you theirs. It’s definitely as good as an endorphin shot.

And no matter how clichéd or cheesy it may sound – do not forget to send that kabayan box most Filipinos lovingly prepare on the run up to the holidays. It doesn’t matter if you are not sending that new mobile phone your brother requested and the ‘rubber shoes’ your pamangkin has been bugging you about.

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What’s important is that you’re sending a piece of yourself, to make your family feel that you care. If you’re late and you couldn’t send a box, there are on-line gift services in the Philippines like MyAyala.com, which can deliver a whole range of items from a Noche Buena package to perfumes, fruits, apparels, toys and so much more.

Exercise your facial muscles by sincerely greeting even kabayan strangers a happy Christmas on that day – it’s not silly; it’s a small gesture that works wonders. So, try it.

Get your endorphins going

Here are some timely ideas – greet your neighbors (whom you haven’t talked to since you moved in three years ago) with some cookies or cake. You won’t only feel good; you just might make some new friends too.

If you live in one of those gated communities around the emirates, why don’t you and your friends throw a ‘palaro’ for the neighborhood kids or a Christmas party for the kabayan nannies? Somebody’s got to play Santa – so why not you? Organize a donation drive or weekend charity caroling with your friends.

If you are one of those Pinoys who needs to report for work on Christmas Day,

Feed your spirit

The best way to get your natural ‘feel good’ body chemistry going to beat the holiday blues is to indulge yourself by doing some good deeds. Surprised? Don’t be. No matter how small the effort, doing something noble, will definitely give you that joyful feeling, and what’s good for the heart, is definitely good for your psyche.

Day? of all days, the key to making sure that your festive spirit doesn’t get ‘killed’ is

Once you’ve figured out all the exciting things that you will do to make this holiday a joyful one – make sure that you also feed your spirit. Add depth to your celebration by wholeheartedly fulfilling your spiritual obligations and by keeping in mind what Christmas is all about.

to make sure not to give in to the urge

More than that, do not forget about yourself.

As family-oriented folks, we Filipinos have a tendency to always look outwards - lavishing all our attention and efforts on family and friends, neglecting ourselves in the process. This time, do something for yourself for a change – give yourself the ultimate gift because Christmas won’t be complete until you’ve spread the love all around.

little boost of excitement. And on the

to sulk - chin up kababayan, it’s not the end of the world! Better yet, early on in December, initiate a Kris Kringle with your Pinoy and non-Pinoy colleagues culminating on the 25th, to give you that day itself make sure that you have some form of celebration, even if it’s just during breaktime – potluck kung potluck.

Of

course, do not forget the other cheerful trappings, the Christmas songs, your Santa bonnets and Christmas outfits (if you’re not in uniform), topped by a big holiday smile. You might feel a bit silly in

Now you know that you don’t have to be home to have the very best Christmas – because you carry the spirit within you.

Working on Christmas

the beginning, but a smile on your face, will definitely find it’s way inside.

Filipino Christmas Classics

OPM Christmas Favorites

Pasko na Naman

Christmas Won’t Be The Same Without You

By Levi Celerio

By Martin Nievera

Pasko na naman, o kay tulin ng araw.

Paskong nagdaan, tila ba nung kailan lang.

Ngayon ay Pasko, dapat pasalamatan.

Ngayon ay Pasko, tayo ay mag-awitan.

Pasko, Pasko, Pasko na namang muli, Tanging araw nating pinakamimithi.

Pasko, Pasko, Pasko na namang muli!

Ang pag-ibig naghahari!

It’s the time of year When good friends are near Tryin’ hard to find a quiet moment Sharing love and joy Children with their toys Sadness fills my heart to see you go Christmas won’t be the same without you Christmas won’t be the same if you go All I need to see standing by my Christmas tree Christmas won’t be the same without you

Himig Ng Pasko

By Serapio Ramos

Malamig ang simoy ng hangin Kay saya ng bawa’t damdamin Ang tibok ng puso sa dibdib Para bang hulog na ng langit Himig Pasko’y laganap Mayroong sigla ang lahat Wala ang kalungkutan Lubos ang kasayahan Himig ng Pasko umiiral Sa loob ng bawa’t tahanan Masaya ang mga tanawin May awit ang simoy ng hangin Himig Pasko’y laganap Mayroong sigla ang lahat Wala ang kalungkutan Lubos ang kasayahan Himig ng Pasko umiiral Sa loob ng bawa’t tahanan Masaya ang mga tanawin May awit ang simoy ng hangin

I remember when The times we used to spend Walking hard in hand until the sun sets Then came Christmas Eve The wish you gave to me How I wish I tried to make you stay Repeat Chorus It’s been a long long time I need you by my side Hold me tight Don’t let go Let go Repeat Chorus (2x) Christmas won’t be the same Christmas won’t be the same Without you

Ang tibok ng puso sa dibdib Para bang hulog na ng langit

Pasko Na Sinta Ko

By Gary Valenciano

Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit

By Levi Celerio

Ang Pasko ay sumapit Tayo ay mangagsi-awit Ng magagandang himig Dahil sa ang Diyos ay pag-ibig Nang si Kristo ay isilang May tatlong haring nagsidalaw At ang bawat isa Ay nagsipaghandog ng tanging alay Bagong taon ay magbagong-buhay Nang lumigaya ang ating bayan Tayo’y magsikap upang makamtan Natin ang kasaganaan Tayo’y mangagsi-awit Habang ang mundo’y tahimik Ang araw ay sumapit Ng Sanggol na dulot ng langit Tayo ay magmahalan Ating sundin ang gintong aral At magbuhat ngayon Kahit hindi Pasko ay magbigayan

Sana Ngayong Pasko

By Ariel Rivera

Pasko na sinta ko hanap-hanap kita Bakit magtatampo nilisan ako Kung mawawala ka sa piling ko sinta Paano ang Pasko, inulila mo

Pasko na naman ngunit wala ka pa Hanggang kailan kaya ako maghihintay sa iyo Bakit ba naman kailangang lumisan pa Ang tanging hangad ko lang ay makapiling ka

Sayang sinta ang sinumpaan At pagtitinginang tunay Nais mo bang kalimutang ganap Ang ating suyuan at galak

Refrain Sana ngayong Pasko ay maalala mo pa rin ako Hinahanap-hanap pag-ibig mo At kahit wala ka na Nangangarap at umaasa pa rin ako Muling makita ka at makasama ka Sa araw ng Pasko

Kung mawawala ka sa piling ko sinta Paano ang Paskong alay ko sa’yo

Repeat (2x)

Kung mawawala ka sa piling ko sinta Paano ang paskong alay ko sa’yo

Sana ngayong Pasko…

Sayang sinta ang sinumpaan At pagtitinginang tunay Nais mo bang kalimutang ganap Ang ating suyuan at galak

16 FEATURE The Yuletide Season is back! It’s now time for UAE-based Pinoy teens to take a break from their studies, flock to the malls which are lavishly decorated with huge Christmas trees, and have gimiks with their barkadas to celebrate one of the most awaited dates in the Gregorian calendar – Christmas. But for locally-based OFTs (Overseas Filipino Teens) who have spent most of their life in the emirates, away from the sphere of pure Pinoy traditions, the true meaning of the season filters through, beyond the usual holiday lakwatsa, the glittering commercialization all around, and the promise of Christmas regalos.

Pinoy Kids & Christmas

By Roll Jervis T. Manahan

W

e cannot deny

the fact that Christmas festivities in the Philippines is one of the best in the world, and maybe, that is the reason why most of our kabayans here in the Gulf suffer from ‘homesickness syndrome’.

Because, despite the

exhilarating ambiance of the emirates during winter, and of the invaluable efforts of Filipino community leaders to incorporate Filipino traditions in their gatherings, we still do not have an authentic ‘Paskong Pinoy’.

However, our

penchant

for

the

“For me, Christmas is having the warm feeling of joy and happiness – and spreading it to others. Christmas is not about getting gifts, but is the act of giving love to others, sharing what we have and being one with people.

I just simply celebrate Christmas with my family. We spend time with each other and feel thankful for the blessings we have.”

Venim Kate Jequinto Far Eastern Private School

festive will always persist – Pinoys, both young and old will celebrate Christmas no matter in which corner of the Earth they reside - in their own unique way. But perhaps even more important thaN the act of celebrating this joyous occasion is how most of us still carry within us the true meaning of the season, a most valuable aspect to all Filipinos – that is about sharing and love for family.

“Christmas to me is a big reunion. I have a big family and we only have the chance to be with each other during Christmas. We all gather at my grandparents’ Here, Filipino youngsters from around house and spend the holidays there. We stay there the emirates share their perspectives usually for a week until New Year’s Eve. The others spend their New Year in their own homes, though. Christmas is on the true meaning of Christmas. a very special occasion for me because I love the feeling of being with my family and relatives always.”

Joan Mariedette Tiu Far Eastern Private School

“Christmas is a word that lightens up our mood. Silver shining balls and boxes under a big decorated tree. Until now, I still did not have the chance to celebrate it in the Philippines.

How exactly is Christmas being celebrated there? People say that it’s a memorable experience, that it’s really different back home. I have asked a lot of people, but I still don’t really get the whole picture. But then, I know that one day, once I get to celebrate my very own Christmas in Philippines, I definitely won’t forget that treasured memory.”

Kris Edward Flores Far Eastern Private School

FEATURE17

“The best time of the year is that very special day when God sent his only son. For me, it is the time when families join together and enjoy the spirit of sharing, love, and oneness.

It is also a time when we all feel the generosity of people. No matter how difficult life is, people see to it that gift-giving is there.”

Faye Bueno Pioneers Modern School

“Christmas means enjoying with friends, family, and forgetting ill-feelings we have of others. It is a time to change and to be more friendly and helpful to our peers, making us better people. I have celebrated my 15 Christmases here in the UAE. It is truly enjoyable.”

Aristotle Quime St. Mary’s Catholic School

Our Christmas is spent with relatives from the provinces. Opening of gifts is usually done during Christmas Eve. Here, celebrating Christmas is with family and relatives. We’re quite a lot so we try to unite as much as possible. It lessens the nostalgia of good ol’ Philippines. Christmas here is wonderful and enjoyable. It’s one of the things I always look forward too.”

Pamella Ann De Leon Westminster School

“We celebrate Christmas not only because Jesus was born on that day, but also because this day signifies lots of things. This is the day when you share your blessings to poor children. For example, during Christmas, we give beggars old but still usable clothes. I celebrate Christmas by sharing food with others, singing carols, and making sure that everybody is having fun. Sometimes, we play games too.”

Louie Martin Garcia Pioneers Modern School

“For me, Christmas means sharing. It is time to generously share gifts and blessings.

Spending quality time with the people dearest to me is how I celebrate that momentous occasion. But ever since we moved to the UAE, we have celebrated Christmas in a more simple way because we are in a country away from our relatives. We just eat together during Noche Buena and have an exchange of gifts.”

Trinette Manahan Far Eastern Private School

“We’ve watched a lot of Christmas movies in the past like ‘The Grinch’ and ‘Mr. Scrooge’, and they all have a similar message, that the best Christmas is when you are with your family (or loved ones). This is very true by the way. How will I celebrate my Christmas?

By spending time with my family watching movies about Christmas, while I munch down all the Christmassy food.

Francis “Kiko” Gamboa Emirates Aviation College

18 FEATURE

World Bank

Forecast on the Philippines

Known for its usually conservative forecast on the Philippines, the World Bank recently said the country is poised to grow at 6.7 percent, or higher in 2007, despite rising international crude prices, making it the fastest growing middle economy country in Southeast Asia.

By David L. Llorito

“Philippine GDP growth increased to 7.3 percent in the first half of 2007, while GNP growth reached 8 percent,” said the World Bank in its latest report entitled ‘East Asia Update: Will Resilience Overcome Risk’. “This performance indicates that growth for the year could reach or exceed the 6.7 percent upper end of the Government’s original target range for 2007.”

“Growth performance and prospects have improved following the substantial fiscal adjustment, public debt reduction and balance of payments surpluses of recent years,” said the WB. “By October 2007, financial markets had largely recovered from the US sub-prime crisis-induced volatility, notwithstanding a spate of corruption scandals featuring prominently on the political landscape.”

The World Bank noted that the stronger first half growth was driven largely by the 8.6 percent growth rates in the services sector that accounts for more than half of the Philippine GDP, the recovery of the construction sector, and the bourgeoning local consumption financed largely by dollar remittances of overseas Filipinos.

The favorable outlook for the Philippines also came with an equally upbeat assessment for East-Asian countries. The WB Report said East Asian economies are likely to remain robust in 2008 despite growing concerns about the U.S. sub-prime crisis and increasing global oil prices.

“China is expected to grow by 11.3 percent in 2007 and that is expected to slow only modestly to 10.8 percent in 2008,” said the WB Report. “The stronger growth dynamic extends to middle-income economies in South East Asia and continues to run at solid 7 percent to 10 percent rates in low-income economies of the region including Cambodia, Lao PDR, Mongolia and Vietnam. Growth is also running at above historical trends in some of the small Pacific Island economies due to high commodity prices although social tensions and political instability continue to undermine performance in some of these countries.”

FEATURE 19 High crude oil prices and the recent sub-prime crisis in the United States that affected the global banks’ confidence to lend money poses serious challenges to the region’s economy. In the Philippines, the continuing strength of the peso could weaken the competitiveness of the country’s exports. Nevertheless, WB says East-Asia’s economy including that of the Philippines will remain resilient.

“The region’s ability to weather short- term global volatility should allow countries to remain focused on advancing their long- term development goals,” said Vikram Nehru, the World Bank’s regional chief economist. “East Asia’s rapid growth has been primarily responsible for its remarkable success in lowering poverty. Maintaining this growth remains key and to this end, continued improvements in the investment climate, financial systems, public service delivery, and education and innovation systems remain priorities in much of the region.”

Rising remittances and weakening of the US dollar has fuelled the appreciation of the peso, thus hurting the families of overseas Filipino workers who are getting less pesos for the same amount of dollars. Nevertheless, the strong peso is also helping to cushion the impact of rising crude prices, thus taming inflation. The October inflation rate was only 2.7 percent as against 5.4 percent in the same month last year, signifying that consumer prices have not gone wild despite rising international crude prices.

Robust growth in East-Asian countries could translate to stronger demand for Philippine products. About 56 percent of Philippine exports are sold to Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, and Taiwan.

Some analysts say that the Philippines’ economic performance is part of the larger global dynamics that are impacting the country favorably, resulting in the rise of local growth drivers like high domestic consumption, outsourcing and electronics, among others.

First, demographic change in advanced countries has prompted rising demand for medical and other professionals and the Filipinos responded to this opportunity quite well. Also, high crude prices brought riches to oil and gas producing countries.

These countries are recycling these petrodollars in exploration and development as well as construction of rigs and oil platforms and are hiring an increasing number of Filipino engineers, architects, geologists, mining engineers, and skilled construction workers. That explains the double digit growth of remittances each month in the last several years.

Second, the Philippines has a relatively more open economy, courtesy of a major wave of economic reforms unleashed by the Edsa people power revolution, a process that was accelerated by World Trade Organization’s entry into force in 1995. Specifically, greater competition led to the modernization of the country’s telecommunications industries. When the Department of Trade and Industry started promoting the Philippines as an investment destination for BPOs in 2000, the country was prepared for the challenge.

The BPOs in the Philippines are part of the fast-growing global “new economy” that emerged in the 90s. The global recession that followed the dotcom bubble in 2000 may have discredited the “new-economy” prophets. Nevertheless, “new economy” remained current as global companies took to

20 FEATURE

heart its core doctrine that companies should “focus on their core competencies” and outsource the rest using information technology.

That’s how the Philippines came to have all the mushrooming outsourcing industry. Its new metamorphosis is the knowledgeprocess outsourcing (KPO) industry where local MBAs, engineers, and economists perform analytics like risk analysis for global corporations and organizations.

The electronics and semi-conductor industries started during the days of President Ferdinand Marcos. But the search by Japanese companies for skilled labor and lower cost areas in response to the appreciating yen since the early 90s brought in a lot of investments in said sector. Currently, more than 60 percent of Philippine exports are accounted for by electronics and semiconductors.

Government critics have been saying that recent high economic growth has not translated to improvements in the lives of ordinary people. The WB report however says the picture on jobs and poverty has started to improve.

“Unemployment fell to 7.8 percent from 8.1 percent in 2006 according to the July round of the labor force survey. Underemployment also fell marginally from 23.4 percent to 22 percent,” said the WB. “The share of wage and salaried workers increased slightly to 53 percent while the share of unpaid family workers diminished somewhat, suggesting some improvement in the quality of employment.”

Philippine Economy Sustains Momentum in Third Quarter The Philippine economy has maintained its growth momentum, growing 6.6 percent in the third quarter boosted by robust performances of trade, agriculture and fishery, as well as private services and construction, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) announced yesterday.

“On the demand side, growth was driven mainly by increased

household spending and complemented by increased investments in public and private construction and exports of non-factor services,” said Romulo Virola, director general of the NSCB. “The continued accelerated growth in the Net Factor Income from Abroad (NFIA) at 25.2 percent pushed the Gross National Product (GNP) to a substantial 8.2 percent growth over the 5.6 percent in the same quarter last year.”

This quarter’s growth performance appears to be more broadbased as the major sectors of the economy performed remarkably.

“On the production side, GDP growth was backed by the solid performances of all major sectors which posted accelerated growths from their year ago rates,” explained Virola in a news conference.

“The ever-resilient services sector recorded a 7.2 percent expansion and contributed a significant 3.6 percentage points to the overall GDP growth. This was followed by the industry sector with a 6.1 percent increase and put in a lower but equally important 2.0 percentage points to the overall growth.”

“The renewed vigor of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry (AFF), which strengthened to 5.6 percent from 3.6 percent last year, added in a 1.0 percentage point contribution,” he added.

The country’s GDP grew by 7.3 percent in the first quarter and 7.5 percent in the second. With a possible surge in growth in the fourth quarter due to the Christmas season, the Philippine economy may yet grow close to or higher than 7 percent in 2007.

Recently, the World Bank said the Philippines is poised to achieve the higher end of its official growth target of 6.7 percent, making it the fastest growing middle income economy in Southeast Asia.

The NSCB report on the Philippine economy came on the same day that Senator Antonio Trillanes launched his ill-fated ‘coup’ at the Manila Peninsula Hotel. The incident provided a lot of political excitement but the stock market largely ignored it. The Philippine Stock Exchange index added 41.55, or 1.2 percent, to close at 3,578.55, the highest in eight days.

22 FAMOUS FILIPINOS

By

Maripaz Febrero

Famous Filipinos 2007 Annual Magagaling talaga ang mga Pilipino!

You better believe it As we close 2007 with a big bang, here’s a look back at our famous kababayans featured this year, who are excelling in different fields – from entertainment, beauty, fashion, business, sports, and etc. They are an inspiration to all Filipinos - living proof that we have what it takes to make a mark in the international arena.

Stay inspired because there’s more Famous Filipinos to come in 2008

Rob Schneider

Renowned Comedian and Film Star

Kate Ceberano

Pinay Concert Queen Down Under

Apl.De.Ap

Pinoy Dude Of Black Eyed Peas

Lea Salonga

The Original ‘Miss Saigon’

Enrique Iglesias Singer and heartrob

Nicole Elikolani Prescovia Lead Vocalist for Pussycat Dolls

Vanessa Manilo

American TV’s Sweetheart

Lalaine Vergara-Paras Renowned Actress and Singer

FAMOUS FILIPINOS 23

Adam Jacobs & Eli Ewoldt

Fil-Ams make Broadway history in “Les Miz” revival

Michael Copon Hunky Ranger

Cassandra Ventura

R&B Princess

Dean Devlin

Pinoy Hollywood Hotshot

Vanessa Anne Hudgens

Teen Star of Theatre, Films and Music

Myleene Klass

CNN’s ‘Screening Room’

Rachel Grant

Pinay “Bond Girl”

Cheryl Bautista Burke

Pinay dances her way to stardom

Mutya Buena Sweet Sugababe

Jokoy

Stand-up Comedian in Vegas

24 FAMOUS FILIPINOS

Precious Lara Quigaman Miss International 2005

Ana Bayle

1st Asian Supermodel

Margarita Moran Miss Universes

Angela Perez Baraquio Pinay na Miss America

Charo Ronquillo Young Supermodel

Gloria Diaz Miss Universes

Valery Celis

Asian Supermodel

FAMOUS FILIPINOS 25

Monique Lhuillier

Couturier to Hollywood Celebs

Mally Roncal

Hollywood Make-up Artist and Cosmetics Entrepreneur

Josie Natori

International Lingerie Magnate

26 FAMOUS FILIPINOS

Edward Soriano

Antonio Taguba

Filipino General in the US

Dr. Jose Antonio Socrates WHO Sasakawa Health Prize Awardee for 2007

Lilia Clemente

Filipino General in the US

The Wall Street Fighter

Dr. Baldomero M. Olivera Pinoy molecular biologist, Harvard Foundation’s Scientist of the Year 2007

Batangas Students

Winners in 2006 World Robotics Olympiad

Robert Cortez ‘Bobby’ Scott UN peacekeeper awardee

Byron Acohido

Pulitzer Prize Winner in Beat Reporting

Cristeta Comerford

Firts woman executive Chef for the Bushes

Alex Tizon

Pinoy Puitzer Prize Awardee in investigative repoting

FAMOUS FILIPINOS 27

David Michael Bautista Astig Pinoy sa WWE

Manny ‘Pac Man’ Pacquiao International boxing legend

Natalie Anne Coughlin

Fil-Am member of US Olympic Swim Team

Ana “The Hurricane”Julaton Fil-Am womens’ boxing champ

Leo Oracion

One of Three Pinoys who reached the summit of Mount Everest

Teddy Lacap Bruschi Pinoy in American Football

ILLUSTRADO MODEL SEARCH

ARE YOU THE NEXT FACE OF ILLUSTRADO MAGAZINE?

Illustrado is looking for models, both males and females of all ages.

Are you a photogenic Pinoy with a sparkling personality that shines through? Do you love being in front of the camera?

Send your close-up and full body picture, as well as your contact details to info@illustrado.net You just might have what it takes to be part of our next issue.

Text: Lalaine Chu-Benitez Photography: Illuminado Ong Model: Sheila Teodoro Hair & Make Up: Basil Couture & Styling: EZRA Fashion Design, Al Wasl Rd., Jumeirah, Dubai

SHAMAL Go where the northerly desert winds blow. To the barren lands that mysteriously echo the sounds of indulgence – of silky whispers and unabashed glitter, of pleasures and passion as compelling as the temperament of the legendary shamal.

FASHION 31

The Ezra ‘pearl dress’ - an ivory silk 1920s inspired evening gown embellished with strands upon strands of Swarovski pearl and crystals

FASHION 25

Middle Eastern-inspired evening dress in soft pink chiffon adorned with Swarovski pearls and crystals; accentuated by gold leather belt

FASHION 33

Pure silk brilliant red dress with Grecian-inspired neckline and Swarovski crystal encrusted belt

Hand woven French tulle wedding gown with fabricated cabbage roses embroidered with Swarovski crystals

FASHION 35

FASHION 36

A modernized Victorian corset with rare feathers from Le Marie Plumes embellished with crystals, with a mini bustle skirt and silk knee high boots

Text: Lalaine Chu-Benitez Photography: Illuminado Ong Model: Sheila Teodoro Hair & Make Up: Basil Couture & Styling: EZRA Fashion Design, Al Wasl Rd., Jumeirah, Dubai

SHAMAL Go where the northerly desert winds blow. To the barren lands that mysteriously echo the sounds of indulgence – of silky whispers and unabashed glitter, of pleasures and passion as compelling as the temperament of the legendary shamal.

FASHION 31

The Ezra ‘pearl dress’ - an ivory silk 1920s inspired evening gown embellished with strands upon strands of Swarovski pearl and crystals

Empire cut pewter grey evening dress with fan-inspired bodice and Swarovski crystal accents

FASHION 39

Stretchable skin-colored tulle catsuit embellished with multicolored Swarovski crystals and laser leather cutouts, topped with a rich crimson hooded taffeta cape

FASHION 41

42 DESIGNER PROFILE

Enigmatically

EZRA

By Lalaine Chu-Benitez • Photography by Mariyah Gaspacho

In a modest two level villa off Al Wasl Road in posh Jumeirah is the atelier of one of the Filipino community’s best fashion createurs. You walk into the unpretentious structure to be greeted by a black, grey and white foyer with two equally interesting rooms on each side - one a fitting room with deep raspberry walls and heavy silk curtains, the perfect backdrop for the designer in resident’s luxurious creations, the other a cerulean blue space with a plush maroon high back armchair and a leopard print chaise lounge, that’s so rich, so decadent – so very Ezra.

T

he unassuming atelier is probably a close-enough allusion to the designer’s persona. Enigmatically reserved, and low-key, soft spoken Ezra is like a mysterious Pandora’s Box that bursts into unexpected richness, once opened.

The antithesis of the mostly flamboyant characters in the fashion business, the designer exudes quiet confidence despite being one of the best locally-based couture designers who creates dreamy and extravagant gowns for the country’s top brass clientele.

Four years into his own couture establishment, Ezra is not only an accomplished designer with his work featured in various high-profile magazines and events around the region, but a successful entrepreneur as well, running his own fashion house with 54 employees and generating a high sevendigit annual revenue. Just recently, prestigious accessories manufacturer Swarovski known for its glittering crystals that adorn the world’s finest of fashions recently threw an ultra exclusive event at the famed Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai. The

DESIGNER PROFILE 43 It was a stark contrast to the limitations in the Philippines, according to Ezra. “That’s probably why Filipino designers are so good because they are trained with limited means.

Back home, you’re supposed to be resourceful and ultra creative to make something amazing out of the simple materials available,” he observes. And create he did, making a mark in his five year stint in the kingdom, before eventually moving to Dubai to spend over a decade in the prestigious House of Arushi.

With his exceptionally good history and roster of accomplishments, Ezra’s approach to his vocation remains effortless and straightforward.

He does not want to identify a definitive style except to say, “It’s simple but elegant. It’s always about the individual who’s going to be wearing my design.” Providing an intimate glimpse into the artist’s deep spirituality, he was also quick to add that all his efforts mean nothing if not for the abundant blessings he has been given from above. “It is not me, but Him who deserves the highest praise.”

show featured seven of the UAE’s top haute couture designers, four of which are Filipino – of course, among the crème dela crème was Ezra.

Just like many a designer who grew up with a definitive fashion influence in their young lives, Ezra was fascinated by his mother’s sartorial elegance during his formative years. “I think I’ve always known that I wanted to be a designer since I was seven years old.

I was always matching things and discussing fashion options with my mom, then.” Ezra says that he was also captivated by old films – finding design inspiration in the 40s black and white movies which showcased all-out Hollywood glam.

Adding to his design inspirations, Ezra looks up to celebrated French designer Erté – whose art deco influenced creations from his heyday in the 20s through to the 60s can been seen in fashion pages even today. The designer also professes his longtime admiration for Christian Lacroix for his unique use of color and unimaginable combinations, as well as John Galliano for his undisputed drama on and off the runway.

Having an eye for interior design as well, Ezra studied the course at the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) a breeding ground for the country’s bohemian and extremely talented artistic instigators.

After a very brief stint in Manila, the young designer found himself in Saudi Arabia – the lure of a great career and the possibility to widen his horizons beckoned. The kingdom posed a very restrictive environment to most westernized expats, for Ezra however; coming to the Gulf was a liberation of sorts – an expansion of his design opportunities, what with the availability of all imaginable fabric and design materials, not to mention the local culture’s natural fashion inclination towards the grandiose.

Perhaps Ezra’s extraordinary achievements and commercial success can only be overshadowed by an even more promising future. The designer has firm ambitions of joining the ranks of stellar fashion players in New York, not only with his luxurious couture, but with a bankable prêt-a-porter line. And seeing how this designer’s name has become a veritable coveted brand among the country’s couture connoisseurs, one can almost state with a measure of certainty, that the world’s fashionistas will soon have a taste of a style - that’s quite simply Ezra’s.

44 FASHION ROUND-UP

LIALI LAUNCHES MEMORIES LINE WITH IGI CERTIFICATION Just in time for the gift-giving season, Liali Jewellery, leading retailers of branded and custom-made jewelry recently hosted a glittering event in Dubai to launch Memories – a stunning diamond collection certified by the International Gemological Institute (IGI) of Dubai, one of the world’s highly respected diamond certification organizations.

The IGI certificate details all the diamond’s recognizable and individual characteristics particularly information on the 4Cs – color, clarity, cut and carat. According to Raed Ahmed Baker, Chairman of Liali, “The IGI certification gives our clientele the best value for their investment and saves them precious time in verifying if indeed their jewels are genuine.

With each piece certified by IGI, even the most rigid

PAY-AS-YOU-EARN SCHEME AT LIALI

To further serve valued customers, Liali Jewellery also offers a ‘Pay-as-you-Earn’ installment scheme to help them save up gradually for their planned jewelry purchase and on making an investment in gold or diamonds, or in purchasing a major piece for a special occasion. Ask your nearest Liali store for the Pay-as-you-earn scheme.

ESPRIT SKYWALK IN DUBAI International lifestyle brand Esprit, has thrown an extraordinary fashion show in the sky. The Esprit Skywalk had a vertical catwalk and utilized mountain climbing techniques with synchronised dance choreography and rapid descent movements.

The internationally renowned show made its Middle East debut at Dubai Festival City, home of Esprit’s biggest store in the region, presenting the brand’s new autumn/winter collection.

Esprit is an international youthful lifestyle brand offering smart and affordable luxury. The Group offers 11 product lines for men, women, and children as well as shoes and accessories through more than 600 directly managed retail stores and 13,000 wholesale points-of-sale in more than 40 countries.

Esprit also operates the Red Earth cosmetic brand, which includes cosmetics, skin care, and body care products.

FASHION SPY 45

PAINT THE TOWN

In case you haven’t heard - blue is not just blue or turquoise, nor lapis, but actually cerulean as well.

The brightest, boldest news this season is the brilliant range of color that’s washing over everything from cropped leather coats to shimmering party frocks. As a result of fashion writers left rummaging through their dictionaries for adequate descriptions, brown is not known as just brown anymore but more aptly dark mushroom, mud pie or truffle, as red is to geranium and vermillion, and yellow to egg yolk and amber. Though it may sound like poetry to the fashionistas ears, it is our naked eye that’s visibly stimulated by the evolution of the fashion palette. By Michael Vincent Serrano account for the dominant color that hangs in your wardrobe. Blue has been mine, and it has always made me feel nostalgic and familiar, serene and calm. Any shade of blue compliments so many other colors; no wonder jeans pair so well with almost everything.

Combine it with white, camel or taupe, or maybe even a hint of red.

Big Yellow Taxi.

The color of confidence (it does takes a lot of courage to wear it), yellow symbolizes wit and self-assurance. Wear yellow to stand out from the grayness of the corporate world like taxicabs noticeably from a sea of SUVs. Use sparingly on fuchsia, or charcoal, and snowy white.

are some sensible guidelines in using the effects of color to our advantage: • Avoid big prints, stick to solid colors.

This will make us look taller and slimmer. Why would anyone want to look like an upholstered sofa? Prints and patterns are best kept smaller than your head.

• Strike a Balance.

Strong colors can make other colors look dull and unimportant, so use it as a highlight to neutrals to make a solid color stand.

• Create Drama or go Monochrome.

Contrast achieves maximum effect, black and white for example. But be careful dividing the body into several colors as it can shorten and widen the body. Monochromatic dressing Black Is The New Black.

It may be the only neutral of the lot, but black on the other hand is more slimming and has a lasting power over all other colors. elongating.

Some will dispute it as the absence of color, • Work with Light. but nobody could deny the elegance, mystery Consider the lighting of where you’re going.

Know your season, know your skin tone. and incomparable seduction of black. It is the Is it the merciless fluorescent office or the Color is the best tool in fashion. A flattering most flattering of colors. Fashion is nothing flattering dim-lit bar? All colors are seen shade gives your skin a healthy glow, and without black, it is present season after season different indoors than outdoors, and colors conversely the wrong hue can make you look and considered as the first and foremost change depending on the light source. sickly or washed-out. The keyword is to flatter. designer’s muse. I find it most effective when It is important to take careful analysis of our black is reserved for dressing up.

Discovering colors that suit us is only a quarter complexion, natural hair color, and even eye of the equation to achieve the end product of Color Me Chic. color for they determine which shades work best on us. Our skin tone is categorized like Having identified the colors that flatter us, chic. Factor in the art of the selection, then the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, how to put them to good use spells the thin execution, and more importantly combination, and winter. Most Asians fall into the winter line between fashion fiesta or fashion faux where it gets truly tricky. Just as Marcel Proust category with either pale and porcelain white pas. Human beings are as diverse as the color summed up infamously: “Beauty lies not in skin, or yellowish-olive dark skin. Having a lot wheel; each one is unlike the other - tall or colors but in their harmony.” of depth to their coloring like the contrast petite, slim or voluptuous, light or dark. Here between their hair color, eye color and skin tone, it is best to wear intense or rich colors. Here’s a pick of the coolest colors this season: Think Pink. No, Raspberry.

It might be the most feminine of hues, but men in pink portray passion and purity, an almost sophisticated but rough-in-the-edges look. Neo-illustrados. Forget Legally Blonde; instead of going cute with pink make it seem grown up with deep raspberry or crimson.

Pink perfectly accentuates orange, browns, and grays.

True Blue. Perhaps Navy.

The color of your childhood room will

46 FASHION ROUND-UP

REMAINS TO BE SEEN The recent launch of the Abu Dhabi Fashion Week has brought the promise of glamor that might just deflect attention from neighboring Dubai. Michael Vincent Serrano beams the spotlight from the front row, no less.

Photography by Kris Lee

W

hat does a city need to join the ranks of major cosmopolises like New York and Paris apart from a Guggenheim and a Louvre? Apparently, a fashion week. Marc Jacobs may have showed beneath Manhattan’s 69th regiment armory’s 130-foot ceiling, and Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld at the 1900’s glass exhibition hall of the Grand Palais in Paris, but Valentino at the verdant gardens of the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi? A fashion week is born.

The three-day launch event was a collaboration between Dubai-based Maven Corporate Ltd and the organizers of the venerable Milan Fashion Week Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana in anticipation of the actual fashion week set in March of next year. The undertaking serves as a platform for Arab fashion designers, mainly local talent based in the Emirates, which gives them the chance to show in Milan this spring with the prospect of transforming into a global brand. Maven has selected two capable local designers to show for the occasion, marking the birth of the Abu Dhabi Fashion Week.

Rami Al Ali, the next Elie Saab?

Before an audience that jostled buyers, editors, real estate moguls, and some ladies who lunch, a series of Romanesque eveningwear

by Syrian-born designer Rami Al Ali paraded down the runway. Cocktail dresses cinched on the waist by ropefuls of silver cord, exquisitely beaded jet-black sheer pants, and floaty biascut columns made familiarity the operative word. One can clearly point references to early Tom Ford from Gucci, mid-Elie Saab, and present day Azzaro. That considered, Rami did a respectably unadventurous job of keeping the bestselling items warm: delicate lace coats, corseted champagne dresses, and, of course, black pieces in silk and chiffon.

The designer’s exploration of color was less

than stellar, a palette of constant neutrals somehow ended up in unforgivable batikprinted pink and green.

Where Rami Al Ali went wrong was in his off beam definition of haute couture that should distinguish couturiers from serviceable dressmakers. Every piece of haute couture should be special in its own right, and make a woman feel the same way. No matter how much painstaking hand-stitched beading, pleating, and blinding handiwork went into his collection, it is short of a clear vision and couture show is enough to feed one’s mind of stern direction couture legends are made of. the designer’s brilliant past. The fashion event came to a close with the Fall 2007 couture show from the house of Valentino. Only several Milia M, the next Veronique Branquinho? pieces were shown, which quite frankly might A stark contrast from the preceding couture have been the only disappointment. But still, show, Milia Maroun’s Milia M label’s ready-to- to admire and see up close Valentino dresses wear collection seemed a lot more promising. that has taken four decades of artful mastery With a clear vision of distinct silhouettes and is a privilege only very few of us could afford. fragile movement inspired by a dragonfly, the The expertise of the atelier was mesmerizing over-all impact of the collection on the catwalk in an effect called “pages”, layers of organza will certainly keep the faithful shopping. that fluttered like a stack of tissue paper as Her use of modern materials reminiscent of they moved around the hem of a skirt or the early Prada poplins and nylons cut and sewn shoulders of a cape. There were the vertical into swirling panels highlighted with lace fountain drapes that Valentino innovated in and exposed seams draws attention to her the late 1960’s, the 1970’s jeweled snake motif construction skills. The monochromatic color clinging on to silk georgette, and 1980’s roses coordination of the entire collection may have made of small ruffles under a sheet of tulle been predictable with all the blacks, whites, did not fail to demonstrate the perfection of and grays, but the addition of the current what the designer has been doing best for the trend degrédé, a technique that entails black past 45 years. Valentino Garavani’s retirement to brown or gray color-fade, shows evidence has sent shockwaves throughout the world that the designer is on her game. of fashion, and setting his final couture show Wearable street couture that borders on the in Paris this January has left fashionistas avant-garde is something of a feat, something clamoring for all things Valentino while they that only the likes of Raf Simons and Yohji still can.

Yamamoto have consistently pulled off. Milia Maroun has yet to prove how far she’s willing Abu Dhabi now aspires to form part of the to take her game and more importantly if she international fashion calendar alongside has what it takes to win it.

New York, London, Paris and Milan, while Valentino approaches the end of an era breathing life to the venerable house It is not everyday that one gets to experience with the promise of a new direction. The a fraction of a life’s work the nearly spanned consequence and significance of both for half a century. A tiny glimpse of a Valentino events all remain to be seen.

Simply Valentino.

FASHION ROUND-UP47

Valentino

Rami Al-Ali Mila M

48 DESIGN FEATURE

Spruce Up Your Home

10 Ways to Get Creative This Christmas

You are undoubtedly a lover of the Holiday Season. But the moment you realize that you are away from home, you suddenly become unsure of whether you want to be reminded of anything associated with Christmas. You cringe when you hear the first few notes of ‘Pasko Na Sinta Ko’ and you even catch yourself brainstorming with fellow Pinoys on ways to spend Christmas away-from-home without being hit with the pangs of homesickness:

By Chelle Laborte

B

ut homesick or not, you know that deep down, you still await the BIG DAY. Being Pinoy, you know that you are caught up in the season’s spirit when you invite even your non-Filipino friends and colleagues to join the ‘Kris Kringle’, or when you organize a Christmas party for your new-found friends – of different religions and cultures. Or even more, when you invite your boss to Noche Buena at your own home. Needless to say, the child in you still has that desire to share that warm Christmas spirit. And you certainly want to recreate that happy and festive mood in your own personal space. So to prepare your place for the party of the season, make sure to spruce it up in a fun and creative way.

Here are ten quick tips:

1

Feast on Colors

Gone are the days when Christmas is limited to just reds and greens. In this day and age, it’s all about artistic flair and every color imaginable – from bright berry colors to warm autumn colors and every color in between. If you cannot let go of that traditional tree, it is important that you choose themed trimmings that will still pack a punch. You can choose to put some brightly-colored Venetian masks instead of the traditional balls. Or peacock feathers instead of ribbons.

To carry the festive color scheme over to your dining table, get some colored goblets and plant them on garlands intertwined with crumpled gauze-like or chiffon fabrics (which you can get from souks and bazaars).

Then place colored balls, marbles, and votive candles alongside the goblets. Voila! A mardigras of sorts for Christmas!

2

Be Nostalgic

If you’re a true-blue Pinoy, you most likely have a huge collection of photos. Laserprint these photos on clear acetate (either in sepia or black and white) and place each photo inside beautifullyshaped clear mayonnaise or juice bottles then put some holly berries, acorns or some twigs. Tie some silver, red and purple ribbons for that finishing touch.

You can also create a shadow box specifically designed per person. On a sturdy box, you can put photos plus a few of your favorite things in that box – like souvenirs from

DESIGN FEATURE 49 pillows, rugs or table runners, will make an oh-so-fabulous Christmas theme!

7

Let It Snow

Bring some frost into your bedroom by changing the sheets into white.

If you’re sharing a room, make sure that you have different textures and layers of whites all over the place – be it in fleece, satin or cotton. Then throw in a frosty silver or blue bed runner, ice blue rug and silver curtains. You can also hang some snowflake ornaments in glass and crystal against a mirror. Candles placed inside clear glass will also create depth and warmth to this frosty room set-up and make you feel like a Snow Princess.

8

Bring-Out the Child in You

Buy an affordable clock that you can disassemble. You only need the basic battery-operated clock parts with the hour and minute hands. On a huge blank wall, mount the clock smack right in the middle.

All around it, you can place your (or your child’s) favorite Christmas things and toys.

To replace 1 o’clock on the dial, you can put a candy cane. To replace 2, you can place two Christmas socks and so on and so forth. For 12 o’clock, you can place one big star or a snowflake. And you’ve got a one-of-a-kind wall clock masterpiece simply with the use of double-sided tapes and a few of your favorite childhood things!

9 travels, anything about cooking, or your favorite beach shells and tropical stuff. Then line the boxes up on the table or hang them on the wall. Either way, it will surely bring back good old times.

3

Go Shining, Shimmering, Splendid

Show a dazzling display of colors and textures by making a padded wall with 12” x 12” squares each of cardboard and foam covered with rich shantung or dupion silk. Colors can be a mix of trendy metallic colors such as coppers, bronze, silver and matte gold. For an even luxurious look, you can choose fabrics with brocade patterns.

Shown as an accent wall, it will make any ordinary wall scream with brilliance.

4

Be Fashionably Festive Black and white are not exactly the colors associated with Christmas.

But if used well, these non-traditional colors will actually create that dramatic mood especially in a contemporary setting. If you are still resisting the pure black and white idea, try inducing some accent colors such as hot pink or passion purple which will surely lend an air of sophistication and elegance.

5

Light ‘Em Up

Cover your lampshades with different fabrics or doilies to create a play in light and shadow. If you’re running out of time, your scarves will actually do the trick.

6

Go Funky and Retro

If you want to go fun and funky, try the retro ‘Down with Love’ theme with pinks, browns and mochas, or those ‘Austin Powers’ psychedelic patterns.

Huge floral prints matched with basic retro colors, which you can use for your throw

Go Natural. Go Zen

Get a simple tall black vase then put tall, thin twigs or bamboo sticks. You can spray paint the twigs with silver or use them au naturel. Put smooth stones inside or beside the vase. Then instead of twirling the lights, dangle each strand of Christmas lights from each of the sticks to create that simple but striking effect. You can even put three of the same huge vases alongside each other for that complete Zen look.

10

Go Wild and Wacky

Allow your imagination to run wild. Hang your Christmas tree upside down and let the ornaments dangle! Or put a pink Christmas tree with white soft loofahs as tree ornaments inside the bathroom. Or put 5 to 10 trees of different sizes and materials all over the place.

This Christmas, be eclectic, be trendy, and be outrageous! Think out of the box and surprise not only your guests but even yourself! Choose one, two or more of these tips. Combine them. Mix and match them.

Most importantly, create a home away from home with these fabulous tips that will surely drive your homesickness away!

50 ART WALL

The Little Pinoy Film that Could:

Kamil Roxas

Wins in MEI Film Fest

Celebrate Life by Kamil Roxas. As simple as it sounds, the short film, written and directed by a young aspiring Pinoy filmmaker, won in the ‘Haya’ amateur category in this year’s Middle East International Film Festival. Who would have thought that the soft-spoken moreno with a slight touch of ‘college boy’ charm could be the next ‘somebody’ in the history of Filipino indie film?

K

By Shar Matingka

amil is the classic Filipino boy-next-door. Hailing from Iligan City, as a child, he was innately drawn to images in comic books, photos and music videos.

Like the academic stages of his life, his design skills advanced over time. When some of us would let go of our small youthful hopes and leave it up to daydreaming later in life, Kamil never sold the dream. He grew with it and it grew within him.

After finishing his degree in Information Systems at the MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, he spent a few months in the States moving between New York and California. With the exposure to the dynamic art scene in the US, Kamil’s passion for his craft grew stronger. His experimentation with various styles of artworks led him to learn more about graphic designing, and then eventually, motion graphics and videos.

In 2001, Kamil was back in the Philippines with a bigger ‘arsenal’. It was time to put his newfound knowledge to the test. He worked as a graphic designer for a daily newspaper. Later on, he took a step up the ladder art directing local magazines from leading publishers in the Philippines. He also worked for GMA doing broadcast and motion graphics for a news and public affairs show, Emergency. Currently,

Kamil is a senior graphic designer for an events and publishing company based at the Dubai Media City.

So there’s Kamil the graphic designer – then, even more interestingly, is Kamil the independent filmmaker who maximizes his time off from work to do the stuff he loves the most. “I got hooked to doing more personal work when I don’t find good inspiration from doing commercial works. What I churn out for my actual profession is mostly about the product, and limits me in pushing things further to bring out a feeling or mood that appeals to me. With some spare time on my hands, I always think of new ways of doing things that can get me excited again with my craft. I’m never ‘not working’ when it comes to interpreting that next creative step. I also try to surround myself with people who are really into their work as artists.”

There are many artistic influences that could possibly define Kamil Roxas. In the local independent film arena, director and rock musician Quark Henares is on Kamil’s inspiration list. As for the international film industry, American directors Mark Romanek and David Fincher are his first mentions. Kamil says, however, that there is no definite style that limits his creative space - fluidity is the word for it. The artist celebrates randomness which takes form by itself and reveals a story, a precise representation that can be interpreted in many ways arriving at a universal understanding.

ART WALL 51 “I get by with a little help from my friends.” The same applied to Kamil’s first short film – ‘Pearl Drive’. Although, the fifteenminute cinematized reality of yuppie life in the vibrant avenue did not gain recognition at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, it was, in fact, a good start for the young filmmaker and his friends who share the same interest.

For his second venture, Kamil bagged the ‘Haya’ amateur category award in the recently concluded Middle East International Film Festival with ‘Celebrate Life’ – a short film showing a character wearing a box, like a mask over his head, only with a ‘happy’ expression on it. Regardless of the happy puppy eyes drawn on the box and how it might surprise some people who are deep in somber contemplation (the film was shot during Ramadan!), the film embodies a meaningful representation of equality between cultures and discovering the joy a simple smile can bring to a stranger. The character meets different people from all walks of life on the street, attempting to break cultural barriers – celebrating life by warmly accepting individuals regardless of color and their curiosity about things that strike them as odd.

“I am very proud and incredibly happy to have won in the Middle East Intl Film Festival. There are a lot of very talented amateur filmmakers in the region, so seeing that our short film won in the competition makes me feel that I’m on solid ground. I share this win with my constant collaborator, Steve Erana who acted as the director of photography for the film. I guess being the only Filipino who won in the festival gave me more confidence about what I can do, and it makes me want to delve even more into writing and filmmaking,” says the very talented artist who also counts qualifying in ‘The Sheikha

Manal Young Artists Award - New Signature 2006’ exhibition (one of 50 artists chosen among 300 all over the world), as well as having his artwork handpicked by celebrated graphic novel author Neil Gaiman, as part of a promotional exhibit for The Sandman graphic novels and feature film Mirrormask in Manila, among his achievements.

With a one-year intensive filmmaking scholarship at the New York Film Academy in Abu Dhabi, the possibility of a lomography exhibit in Dubai and the dream of eventually doing a feature length movie in the very near future, the indie film maker’s creative ‘plate’ looks virtually full, although he says he is also fixated about getting the message of his piece across. “I also keep on obsessing about getting more people to see ‘Celebrate Life’. If a lot of people get to see this short film and then hold a mirror up to themselves, and just think about the little message in the film - that would be great.”

To see Celebrate Life by Kamil Roxas go to - http://www.hayahfilm. com/2007/

Kamil Roxas and Steve Erana

KABUHAYAN

INVESTING

Money, Assets and Investing

Stock Market

101

The stock market may have been an unpopular financial instrument in the Philippines largely because it has been associated with the rich but with the prices of stocks rising faster than their historic averages, financial experts are encouraging investors to dump the old adage and start investing now.

By Bernadette Reyes

Last January, the stock market surged to its highest level in nearly 10 years, with the benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) breaching the 3,000-point level.

In October this year, the index soared even higher to an all-time high of 3,873.50. With the improving economy on the back of low interest rates, projections for next year are even more optimistic with the PSEi expected to breach the 4,200 level by June 2008.

Analysts say it is high time Filipinos invest in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE). Not only do you automatically become a stockholder of a particular company, you are also likely to see your money increase more than it could earn than when you lodge it in a bank.

To start investing in the Philippine stock market, you actually need as little as PHP1,000. However, your investment may vary depending on the price of the stock and the allowed minimum number of stocks to be traded as against the number of shares an investor wishes to accumulate. Each stock has a board lot which assigns the minimum

number of shares you can buy. Brokers advise investors to start with a board lot of two to three companies you are familiar with which can cost you anywhere between PHP20,000 to PHP30,000. You can start buying stocks listed on the PSE through any authorized and active trading participants. If you wish to trade your shares, you must have a broker to transact for you.

Choose a stockbroker who is a member of good standing at the PSE. The Registered Financial Planner Institute in the Philippines also runs a list of qualified brokers. You should be able to trust your broker and make sure you can get in touch with this person anytime. Go with a broker who sends you all your transactions records and make sure you keep these documents. Usually, brokers charge commissions ranging from .0025 to 1% of the total value of each transaction so make sure you choose a broker who doesn’t overcharge.

If you are residing outside the country, you

may choose to participate in the local market through an online trading portal such as 2TradeAsia, BPI Trade and Citiseconline.

However, brokers cannot sell legally without confirmation from the actual investor. You should have someone here locally, e.g. a wife or a sibling who can act on your behalf.

Investors in the stock market earn money through price appreciation of the stocks or through cash and stock dividends. The key is to buy at a low market price and sell at a higher price to gain capital appreciation.

While it is true that stock is the most volatile of all securities, it could also offer investors the highest rate of returns depending on the amount of investment and the time investors cash-in their profits. Generally a stock will show a price increase over time. At times, it can earn unlimited profit within a very short period if you are able to ride on stocks that are trading well in the market.

However, investors might well remember that uncertainty is a permanent characteristic

KABUHAYAN

INVESTING

Money, Assets and Investing

of any investment. Anyone is bound to lose money in the market at some point so the best strategy would be to limit and manage your risk. You should have a clear-cut exit strategy in the event things get out of hand.

The beauty of the stock market is that it allows you to be in control of your investment. You can pick the stocks you wish to purchase and call the shots when to sell them. “Some would be willing to accept a 15 percent return, some 30 percent.

Others would be happy to take an 8 or 10 percent profit. At the very least you should beat inflation which is the acceptable rate of return for any investment,” stockbroker Malaya Laraya advised.

Once you have the requisite knowledge to start investing, make sure you will be able to find time to closely monitor your stocks.

Trading hours of the PSE are from 9:00 AM to 12:10 PM, Manila time (GMT +8), Mondays to Fridays. You should be able to access your account sometime during that period because

if you can’t, the market is not for you. If you don’t have time to study it yourself then a financial expert can do it for you.

As first time investors you may have difficulty in choosing which stocks to purchase. Veteran stock analyst and Eagle Equities President Joey Roxas advises investors to buy the blue chips or stocks of major corporations with long track records of positive growth earnings such as San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Long Distance Co. (PLDT), Globe Telecom Inc. and Ayala Corporation. Property companies such as Megaworld, Filinvest Land and Ayala Land and mining companies such as Atlas Consolidated Mining, Philex Mining and Geograce Resources Philippines are also hot picks, according to Roxas. Another option is to buy shares from companies you are familiar with or whose products you purchase because stock prices of companies depend on the performance of its product and services. Usually, a company who is a leader in a booming

industry will usually see its share price rise dramatically.

Today less than one percent of the total Philippine population is involved in local stock market activities prompting the PSE to intensify its campaign to lure in more investors. If you wish to learn more about the market, you may attend seminars and road shows across the country. Market education may also be obtained from online forums and brokerage firms such as Citiseconline which offers investor education twice a week. If you are located in the Middle East, you may attend symposium and discussions sponsored by organizations such as the Colayco Foundation.

The stock market may overwhelm you at first but with a little learning and practice you will eventually learn the tricks of the trade. Just keep in mind not to risk more money on an investment than you are willing to lose.

SUCCESSFUL PINOY In continuing to move towards the path of success, Jeffrey ‘Ximo’ Ramos, author of ‘I Know What To Do – Pinoy Success Handbook’ takes us yet to another level of realization – that our dreams actually have the potential of becoming tomorrow’s reality.

UNLEASH THE POWER OF YOUR DREAMS! When you dream – you are actually awake.

Ito yung paraan na hinihimay himay ng iyong isipan ang mga gusto mong mangyari sa iyong buhay sa hinaharap na panahon. It tells you the specific details of the things you want, how it looks like, how it feels like and when you will have it. Parang preview.

Sa salitang Filipino may mas magandang interpretation tayo sa ‘dreams’ - may tinatawag na panaginip at pangarap. I can safely say, na ang ating mga pangarap ay ipinapaloob sa ating mga panaginip. At sa bawat panaginip nakapaloob ang mensahe ng pangarap. There is always a message.

And the message is - to make it happen.

If I ask you, ilang beses mo nang napanaginipan ang taong mapapangasawa mo? Ilang beses mo nang napanaginipan ang iyong sarili na matagumpay! At sa iyong paggising – grabe ang saya ng iyong pakiramdam. In fact, you even continue dreaming your dream on your way to the office, to school, even in between your daily activities.

In the last issue, you have measured how successful you currently are. Now, I want you to move further towards success by using the power of your dream. Ito ang parte na excited ako. Ang makita mo ng malinaw ang inyong mga pangarap na nabubuo at unti-unting nagiging katotohanan!

You may have dreamt of so many things - a new car, a partner in life (especially this Christmas…malamig pa naman) at maaaring pinangarap mo na ang mag karoon ng lupa at bahay. Ang tanong – gaano kalaki? Magkano?

Ano ang itsura? Sa Pinas ba o sa Dubai? At higit sa lahat kailan mo gustong makamit ito?

Sa tingin mo sis and bro? Kaya bang maging totoo ng iyong mga pangarap? You will now unleash the power of your dreams.

Your dreams tell you about what you want in life “We need to labor, but we also need to dream dreams and see visions, for it is our dreams that give meaning and purpose and power to our endeavors.”

- Alfredo Gonzales

You live because you want that dream to happen; and that dream is a living proof of what you exactly want and when you want to achieve it.

Today’s realities are a product of somebody else’s dreams Ang windows software na ginagamit mo sa computer ay dream lang dati ni Bill Gates; ang flourensecent lamp na ginagamit mo ay dati lang ring dream ni Mr. Flores; ang San Juanico bridge na nag co-connect ng Samar at Leyte ay dream lang dati.

Look around you. The chair you are sitting in, the computer you are using , the car you are driving, the majestic Burj Al Arab and Burj Dubai, the Enchanted Kingdom in Laguna, the malls you have visited, and even this magazine that you are reading right now, started out as the dreams of a person or a group of people.

At lalayo pa ba tayo? Ang libro kong naisulat ay dream ko pa lang noong 2006.

Kaya do not stop dreaming. Dream, dream, dream!

Vague goals produce vague results “Things that can not be measured, can not be mastered” - Robin Sharma, International Speaker, Author of The Monk who sold His Ferrari ‘Pag malabo ang pangarap, malabo ang resulta.’ Malinaw?

Kung ano kasi ang ipinapasok mo sa iyong isipan ay iyon rin ang ilalabas ng iyong katawan. Isipin mo ito. Kapag sinabi ng iyong isipan na “gusto ko ng maayos na trabaho” yun lang iyon. Sa paglabas mo sa daan, ni hindi mo alam kung saan ka patutungo (iyon ay kung lalabas ka at hindi sasabihin ng isip mong bukas na lang). So, when you write your goals write it clearly.

First, isulat mo kung paano mo ito nakikita.

Write it in the present tense. Feel your goal as if it is already happening, for your mind will condition your body to move towards it.

Isang example - “I am enjoying my house in Tagaytay with its 300 sq. meters area.”

Second, pag may value, put a specific measure - “at least X amount”, para ito ang maging sukatan ng iyong goal. “At least 3 million pesos in my bank account…..”

And of course, the date and specification, huwag mong kalimutan. “Gusto ko ng fulfilling career sa advertising by the end of 2008 na may suweldong at least Dhs 150,000 per year net at privileges….”

So, nakikita mo ba ng malinaw ang iyong pangarap? Kung nakikita mo, at nararamdaman mo – magagawa mo. So what are you waiting for? Are you ready?

Start writing and working towards your goals. Unleash the power of your dreams – now!

‘I know what to do!’ is now available in the UAE through Illustrado. Please call 04-365 4543 to reserve your copy or e-mail info@illustrado.net

58 Views and issues of the International Filipinos

Dos and Don’ts on Relocating to the UAE

By Adel Cruz

The United Arab Emirates is undoubtedly one of the most dynamic economies in the world today. Since its establishment in 1971, the seven emirates comprising the UAE; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), ‘Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra’s al Khaymah and Umm al Qaywayn (Quwayn) have forged a distinct national identity and enjoy an enviable degree of political stability.

With a population of roughly 4.5 million (less than 20% are locals), the UAE’s continued economic growth and sustainability is highly dependent on a large expatriate workforce (it is estimated that 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national) – a melting pot of cultures from the east and the west. All these factors have made the UAE a magnet for people who wish to seek greener pastures and improve the quality of their lives.

There are, however, a few practical things Filipinos must consider before relocating to the UAE: 1. Know the address and contact numbers of the Philippine Missions in the UAE A vital duty of a Philippine Mission is the protection of its nationals abroad, regardless of their residency status. It is the haven for any Filipino in distress. Every Filipino in the UAE should know the following information by heart:

Embassy of the Philippines (with jurisdiction over Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain) Head of Post – H. E. Libran N. Cabactulan Villa No. 2, 5th St, back of Al Falah Plaza, Muroor Road, Abu Dhabi Tel. 02 641-5922, 02 641-5944 Fax 02 641-2559 Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO – Abu Dhabi) Labor Attacheė – Mr. Nasser Munder OWWA Welfare Officer – Ms. Evelyn Llanes Defense Rd, Abu Dhabi Tel. 02 642-2489 Philippine Consulate General, Dubai (with jurisdiction over Dubai and all other Northern Emirates) Acting Head of Post – Consul Vicente Vivencio Bandillo Beirut St., Al Ghusais Area, Dubai Tel. 04 254-4331 Fax 04 254 4229 Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO – Dubai) Labor Attacheė – Ms. Virginia P. Calvez Deputy Labor Attachė – Ms. Florencia Ardivilla OWWA Welfare Officer – Ms. Marilyn Veil Community No. 132, 3rd St., Al Waheeda St., Deira, Dubai Tel. 04 266-7745 Fax 04 268-8050

2. Always bring a copy of your passport and residence visa With the conclusion of the UAE government’s Amnesty Program, strict penalties will be imposed on those who remain with expired visas. The Embassy received reports that “spot checks” have been undertaken in public areas, e.g. bus terminals, etc. To avoid unnecessary inconvenience, make sure you have these documents ready at all times. Be sure to have extra copies in your flat and/or place of employment.

3. Keep a copy of your employment contract – Know your rights from day one. Never sign anything you don’t understand. Go over your contract very carefully. Make sure to read the fine print. If you are not familiar with the language, have it translated into English.

4. Respect the culture Though the UAE is one of the most progressive countries in the Middle East, traditional customs are still widely practiced. Always dress modestly and conduct yourself with proper decorum. It is considered very impolite to show and point the sole of your foot to another person when in a seated position (commonly known to Filipinos as ‘de-kwatro’). Never give or receive items using your left hand. Taking pictures of government buildings, military installations, ports and airports are not allowed. Unless you are legally married, sharing living quarters with the opposite sex is considered immoral and will land you in jail. Learn the customs of the land so you are aware of what is expected from you.

5. Learn the language Arabic is the official language of the UAE. It is one of the oldest, most poetic and widely used languages in the world. If you intend to relocate to the UAE, it is advisable to learn Arabic to fully understand and appreciate the rich history and culture of the country.

6. Fulfill your loan and credit card obligations Once you are gainfully employed in the UAE, it would be effortless to obtain credit cards and personal loans from banking institutions. This is not financial freedom. Use your credit cards only for emergency cases. Do not spend what you have not earned. Avoid 5-6 loans from unscrupulous people. Under no circumstances should you use your passport as collateral.

7. Join Filipino organizations Loneliness is one of the biggest concerns of OFWs worldwide. No matter how tiring or taxing overseas life is, Filipinos compensate these difficulties by establishing and maintaining friendships with fellow kabayans.

Joining a Filipino organization may be your best bet in making acquaintances.

For a list of Filipino organizations, please check with the Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate in Dubai.

coordination with several Filipino organizations, provide short courses on computer, and other useful skills, on a regular basis. They also have ongoing classes that teach you how to read, write and speak Arabic. Costs are minimal. Please check with the POLO office for the schedule of ongoing classes.

9. Save for the future - All good things must come to an end. Have a financial plan. Set aside a specific amount every month. Set a goal. Define an objective. In a few years, you may wish to return to the Philippines and build your dream home or start a small business.

10. Be proud of being a Filipino – In a multiracial and multi-national society such as the UAE, members of ethnic minorities earn the respect and acceptance of others in the society by establishing their separate identity and distinctive culture. This can only mean that Filipinos in the UAE can be accepted as real expatriates as long as they remain steadfastly and uniquely - Filipino.

8. Consider continuing education

To our valued readers, our sincerest wishes for a meaningful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

The POLO in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, in

Mabuhay po kayong lahat!

60 The view from your regular Juan dela Cruz

Christmas is sharing…

Usapang Kanto Compiled by Jonie Jose

What will you give and what do you wish to get?

The perfect gift

Amidst the giving of gifts, the excitement of children and the cooking of traditional dinners, it is easy to miss the ‘reason for the season’. I only wish I could greet each and every one of you. I wish that most of our wishes can come true. Perhaps it will take a little faith and hard work on your side, but never give up believing. The only perfect gift that I can give is a prayer: May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven.

I wish you all a very bright Christmas full of light and love. I wish you a Christmas celebrated amongst family, relatives and friends. All of my love and best wishes for everybody... Be good, be safe, have fun.

Merry Christmas!

Fermel B. Fuentes

Gadgets and jeans

I always wanted to give my relatives something they don’t usually get - like gadgets. Given the chance to choose what I would get... a pair of Samuel & Kevins jeans will be fine. I already have a couple of jeans but one more will complete my closet.

Jumel Caraig

Box full of toys

Since I’m away from my family, I’m sending them a Christmas card with my latest photographs. For my nephews a ‘jumbo box’ with lots of toys for them this season.

I wish to get nice stuff from close friends…

May Eucaliga

Share the love Togetherness

I want to share the blessings that I have. I can only give my prayers this Christmas. I don’t expect to receive anything. I just wish that my family and I will be together this season.

Norily

The essence of Christmas is love and not material things. If there’s something I’d like to share, it will be love. I wish to receive love and respect and to be with my family always.

Michelle

Peace and happiness Be blessed

It’s Christmas time again and for me I want to share my love and care to all the people who are precious to me, especially my family and friends. I also pray that all are blessed with a good and healthy life. I just wish to be remembered and for my family to have a good and blessed life. Merry Christmas to all and peace on earth.

Aileen Panganiban

I want to share my blessings with my family. My wish for Christmas is to have peace of mind, happiness for myself, for my family and for my sweetie.

Imee Larino

A young Pinoy rediscovers his roots

Beaming with bright lights, booming with resonant sounds, and bursting with vibrancy and life, the Subic Bay Christmas Festival and Night Market’s appealing radiance is like a magnet to the masses of Olongapo, Zambales, and even beyond. By David Poarch

p

COCONUTER 61

Subic Bay’s Christmas Festival

romptly after the sun sets, the night market comes alive. The popularity of the place is evident from the crowds that seep from the festival grounds. In fact, oftentimes in the early evening, the entrance into SBMA from Olongapo (corner of Magsaysay and Gordon Avenues) is already buzzing with a herd of people entering and animated by vendors selling eye-catching lights.

the thumping vibrations from the live band do a brilliant job to heighten the overall mood. In fact, a different live band plays almost every night, for the viewing and listening pleasure of visitors. Various carnival rides, games, videoke stations, and a peryahan or betting area make up the rest of the festival.

I’m not big on rides, games, and betting, though. It is actually the exuberant and stimulating atmosphere that attracts me to such Philippine gatherings. And the SBMA staff in charge of the event The teeming flock look similar to that of the palengke on market day, does a fine job of keeping the festival clean and safe, which makes except even more intensified. The crowds are actually one of the the event even more appealing. appealing factors of fiestas and festivals in the Philippines. Imagine The enchanting voice of a singer echoed from center stage. how dull a festival or carnival would be if hardly anyone attended.

Entranced, onlookers relaxed as they ate their meal and sipped And the variety and amount of products on sale make it a larger their troubles away. Occasional laughter and cheers lightened version of the local palengke. It is also called the Night Market, after the restless spirit of the locals. The crowds gave the familiar all. Fruits, clothing, shoes, electronics, music and videos, snacks, warmth of friendly company, comforting the lonely soul.

Tantalizing eyes and tempting figures pass by. The atmosphere drinks, and dinner can all be purchased at the festival. was intoxicating; the mood eerily thrilling. As I stood in a corner, Studded with gleaming radiant colors, your spirit is awakened upon a simple spectator to the whole scene, I could almost define the setting foot on the festival grounds. The pupil-piercing lights and addictive heart-stirring combination that concocts the spell of Philippine society.

PAMPANGA’S 62 BAKASYON GRANDE

Savoring

Pride

Text and Photography by Ivan Anthony Henares

With the rehabilitation of the North Luzon Expressway, driving to Pampanga from crowded Metro Manila is now a breeze. However, its close proximity to Manila has, for several years, been its disadvantage since vacation-seekers usually pass it off as too close a place to visit, or consider it as a ‘stopover’ rather than a destination of choice. That is why we decided to dish up a Kapampangan adventure for a group of urban denizens that exuded the province’s old elegance and charm. The result was a culinary and heritage adventure fit for a king!

Day 1 (Friday) Straight from their Makati offices, our guests arrived at the Center for Kapampangan Studies in Holy Angel University, Angeles City for a brief introduction on Pampanga. Welcoming them were traditional carabao horn tambulis, and music from a brass band and rondalla, regular fixtures in Kapampangan fiestas and celebrations. To give a brief introduction on Pampanga culture and cuisine, we invited the concurrent Chairman of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts and National Historical Institute, himself a Kapampangan, and an authority on renowned Pampanga cuisine, Prof. Ambeth R. Ocampo.

During his short lecture, Ocampo talked about the Kapampangan penchant to eat almost anything, as seen from traditional favorites such as betute (stuffed deep-fried frog), camaru (mole crickets), buro (fermented rice and fish), pindang damulag (pickled carabao meat), and taba ng talangka. To prove his point Ocampo quips that migratory birds from China made the biggest mistake of landing in Pampanga. Need we mention why?

Kapampangan cuisine saw a golden age of development during the Spanish colonial period since the province was Manila’s major supplier of food and produce. This abundance created an array of rich and savory dishes resulting from the Kapampangan cook’s meticulous selection of only the best and freshest ingredients available. And thus, transpired legendary banquets in places such as Sulipan in Apalit, which were attended by the Grand Duke of Russia and the Prince of Cambodia.

The culinary journey started with dinner at the residence of renowned artist, chef and food and travel columnist for Philippine Star, Claude Tayag. His home is an attraction in itself, a product of his creative juices, which had been featured in numerous coffee table books on Philippine architecture and style. One can find there as well, a little shop where Claude sells copies of his prints, his bottled food products such as buro and taba ng talangka, and miscellaneous household items. The house is sometimes referred to as Bale Dutung or Bahay na Kahoy.

Welcoming us were various fruit juices and sisig cooked before our very eyes. A selection of appetizers followed, including Guagua longganiza and chicharon, burung mangga (pickled mangoes) and

BAKASYON GRANDE 63

taba ng talangka paté with pandesal toasts.

For the main course, there was a selection of ensaladang pako (fiddlehead fern salad), piniritong lumpiang ubod with lettuce roll, and Claude’s special paella montañosa cooked with red mountain rice. Capping off the night were Kapampangan sweet favorites such as buko sherbet, sansrival, and Claude’s signature dessert paradiso - an assortment of camote, ube and macapuno on a bed of sweet sauce.

After the gustatory opening salvo, the group then proceeded to Holiday Inn Resort, Clark Field where we were to stay for the weekend.

Day 2 (Saturday) For day two, the group was in for a different kind of treat as we brought them to one of Pampanga’s best kept secrets - Furniture City in Mabalacat, a complex showcasing export-quality furniture at dirt cheap factory prices. Among the establishments visited were Vienna Furniture, More Than A Chair, Vico Design and Diretso, where we viewed world-class Kapampangan craftsmanship in classic, modern and eclectic furniture styles utilizing a variety of native and imported materials.

At lunchtime, the group trooped to Abe’s Farm, the Mt. Arayat hideaway and upcoming spa and resort of Larry Cruz, the man behind the successful LJC Group of Restaurants. Journalist turned restaurateur and bon vivant just like his father, the late Pampango writer and

painter E. Aguilar Cruz, Larry could be credited to have single-handedly revived the lackluster Remedios Circle in Malate way back in the late 70s into a chic trendsetting landmark, with his flagship Café Adriatico.

Greeting us were a variety of appetizers that included Pampanga’s famous garlic peanuts, kilawing tanguingue (skewered fresh tanguingue fillet marinated in palm vinegar), crispy salted baby shrimps, squid tactics (slices of squid quickly fried and sprinkled with brown garlic, green onions and sweet and spicy sauce) and sinuteng hinubarang kuhol (escargots sautéed in olive oil with garlic and chilies). On the menu as well were balo-balo (fermented rice and shrimp) and mustasa, a salad combination of wansoy (coriander), kamatis and quesong puti, and a hearty and invigorating sinuam na mais (corn soup with chili leaves). And for the main course were lechon paella, Mt. Arayat crispy crab (slices of fat crispy crab covered in a mountain of fried garlic), crispy tadyang “D Original” (marinated beef ribs deepfried to a delicious crispiness), and bamboo rice (rice with bamboo shoots flavored with chicken, shrimp and wood ear mushrooms).

Dessert featured a selection of Magalang sweets and fresh fruits.

Our afternoon and evening was reserved to visit the famous heritage sites in the province. First on our list was the centuries-old Betis Church in Guagua. Nicknamed the “Sistine chapel of the Philippines”

64 BAKASYON GRANDE because of its wall ceiling murals, it is the second oldest church in Pampanga and one of the 26 churches declared by the National Museum as national cultural treasures. After Betis, we drove to the half-buried San Guillermo Church in Bacolor.

Visitors go into the church, once the largest church in Pampanga, through the choirloft windows, and are greeted inside by beautiful retablos dug up from several feet of lahar and painstakingly restored by the citizens of Bacolor.

The group then moved to San Fernando, Pampanga’s provincial capital– also famous for the annual Parol Festival. Downtown San Fernando is home to the city’s historic poblacion which was zoned into a heritage district in 2004 by its Sangguniang Panlungsod. It is one of the few urban areas in the country where motorized tricycles are prohibited from entering the town proper. This is why the kalesa is still a major means of transportation there.

We visited a couple of well-preserved heritage houses in the city – the turn-of-the-century Victorian-style Santos-Hizon House and the grand Hizon-Singian House - a bahay na bato declared a heritage house by the National Historical Institute in January 2003.

The house was built in 1870 by the gobernadorcillo of San Fernado, was occupied during the 1896 revolution by Spanish General Antonio Ruiz Serralde, appropriated by the Japanese Imperial Army to serve as a military hospital and barracks from 1943 to 1944, and served as headquarters of American General Walter Krueger of the 6th American Army during the liberation period until the end of 1945.

At the Hizon-Singian House, cocktails were served featuring an exciting array of Kapampangan inspired hors d’oeuvres and drinks created by Kai chef Gilbert Pangilinan, himself a true-blue Fernandino.

Pica-pica included tocino, brown rice and itlog na maalat stuffed in tomato, chicharon Guagua with atchara, kilayin baboy on bananas, and gatas damulag rice with hipon. Guests were serenaded by ArtiSta. Rita, a Kapampangan cultural group, transforming the ambiance in the centuries-old house into that of a turn-of-the-century party.

After the well-received musical presentation, the group again boarded their kalesas off to the last stop for the night, the charming Lazatin House, another of San Fernando’s NHI-declared heritage houses. Behind the house was an air-conditioned function hall which was stylishly decorated with local flora enhanced by long garlands of fragrant sampaguita, the perfect setting for the candle-lit sit-down banquet featuring dishes from all over Pampanga prepared by Pangilinan and the kitchens of Kai. On the menu was lumpiang papayang hubad, pako salad, chicharong bulaklak, pindang damulag, paksiw na pata, lengua, morcon, alimango in taba ng talangka, lagat kamias at hipon, and fried hito with buro.

To cap the evening, the best desserts were ordered from all over Pampanga which included the popular tibok-tibok (made of pure carbao’s milk, this is Pampanga’s version of maja blanca), plantanilla (sweetened coconut rolled in egg crepes) from the Dayrit-Santos family, tocino del cielo (a richer version of leche flan) of the Lazatin clan, sansrival and ube halayan.

Day 3 (Sunday) Our last day in Pampanga aptly started off with another traditional Kapampangan breakfast with delicacies such as tamales and suman bulagta from Cabalantian in Bacolor, Imang Salud Dayrit’s gargantuan ensaymadas of San Fernando (which have a diameter of about 6 inches) topped with shredded queso de bola, and empanadang kuliat. Shortly after, the group went for a scenic helicopter tour of Mt. Pinatubo’s crater and some last minute shopping at AWECA Weavers International Pampanga’s leading wicker furniture and basket manufacturers and exporters in Pulung Bulo, Angeles City, whose clients include Marks & Spencer, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and Macy’s.

The weekend adventure may have ended, but Pampanga continues to beckon. At just 45 minutes away from Manila along the North Luzon Expressway, the province is now a very accessible mainstream tourism destination, with more adventures waiting to be discovered.

Other tour options include a river cruise along the Rio Grande de Pampanga where one can simply enjoy nature, go angling, or even ride a kayak.

Of course at this time of the year, nothing beats the Parol Festival of San Fernando which exemplifies the ebullient mood of the holiday season.

SAUCE IT SPREAD IT LOVE IT

Ang Rich na Lasang Pinoy Available in all suking tindahan all over the U.A.E.

66 SIDE TRIPPIN’

Kusina Salud:

A Secret Haven for Hungry Travelers in Laguna

By Apple Lopez

I’ve always been fond of things from the past: childhood memories, black and white flicks, Maria Clara’s garbs, old melancholic songs, long forgotten print and television commercials, old furnishings, and historic houses. Hence, when I joined Tina Decal’s Kulinarya Tagala tour program in November, I was totally excited with the possibility of enriching my knowledge on our country’s history through food and culture – the prospect of feeding my mind with interesting facts, and filling my stomach with delectable traditional dishes that I always crave for was just too good to miss.

T

wo hours from Manila, over in baranggay Sta. Cruz, Putol in San Pablo, Laguna, is a charmingly rustic wooden house that has become a veritable haven for those in the metro looking for a Filipino feast amidst warmly familiar surroundings. Once you step into the serene ambiance of Kusina Salud, our first stop on the Kulinarya tour, you know that the lengthy drive from Manila was worth it.

A familiar feeling welcomed me when I walked inside the two-storey house turned into a fine-dining restaurant owned and managed by fashion legend Patis Tesoro’s daughter, Nina Tesoro-Poblador and her husband, Chef Paul Poblador.

It’s the same feeling I have whenever I used to visit my grandparents in Bulacan back when I was just a little girl in pigtails. The ambience inside Kusina Salud was so warm and homey that I had the impulse of rushing into the kitchen in search for my loving lola preparing her favorite menudo dish.

According to Tina Decal, Kusina Salud used to be the vacation house and hideaway of Patis. The latter bought it from a friend some years ago and decided to design the interiors herself. No wonder, the place is a reflection of the designer’s eclectic artistic style. When the family opted to turn the house into a fine-dining restaurant in October 2004, Chef Paul took charge of the renovation around the house.

Nonetheless, it seems like mother and the son-in-law have similar tastes as the property retained its original rustic charm even with the refurbishment.

The laid-back ambience inside Kusina Salud will make any guest feel like they are actually dining inside their own home in the countryside. The breezy interiors are laden with artistically mismatched wooden tables and chairs, and antique décor. Old callado beams and dividers salvaged from capiz windows, make

SIDE TRIPPIN’ 67

up the wall while paintings and other folk crafts create an interesting space for Filipiniana lovers. Outside the house, the sound of a bubbling brook nearby, the chirping of birds, and the swaying of bamboo trees add to the relaxing pastoral feel.

Kusina Salud was our first stop during the Kulinarya Tagala day tour and Chef Paul prepared for us a mouth-watering Pinoy breakfast spread.

The food was a typical Filipino breakfast selection created with a twist. My co-travelers and I feasted on delectable fried adobo flakes, bangus belly with salted egg, longganisang Laguna with achara, which were all served with garlic rice, with a side of Laguna cheese omelet with bread. Being the natural coffee-lover that I am, I ordered pandan coffee instead of the hot chocolate, to wash all the good food down.

Aside from its unique setting, Kusina Salud prides itself with the scrumptious food on offer and its approach to Filipino cuisine.

Though dishes may not look and sound novel for the locals, Chef Paul said that the establishment is into reintroducing the classics in a more contemporary way, in the hopes of instilling an appreciation for local cuisine to the younger generation, whose palates are being increasingly jaded by fast foods and foreign dishes. “It is the food that we all grew up eating, only better,” remarks Chef Paul.

Some of the more popular and well-loved dishes at Kusina Salud are tinola sa tanglad which is native chicken in a lemongrass broth with baby papaya and young sili leaves, sinuglaw, is a salad of

tossed fire-grilled pork belly and fish ceviche topped with fresh fern and pickled radish, kalderetang kalabaw - a traditional carabeef stew with organic tomatoes and bell peppers spiked with hot chili, and sinugno which are farmed tilapia fillets wrapped in mustard leaves, stewed in rich coconut cream with fragrant ginger and green chili.

For the dessert, the halo-halo ng Laguna is really a must-try with its tasty concoction of ingredients such as kaong, nata de coco, sago, ube, langka, macapuno, and saba, pinipig, red mungo beans, topped with several scoops of mango ice cream and served creamy leche flan.

We finished off our breakfast with gusto — the combination of delicious comfort food, the warm homey ambiance and the relaxed atmosphere shared among newfound friends made for a really wonderful experience. Perhaps it was the familiar setting and Kusina Salud’s ‘certain something’ that really put us at ease and allowed us to enjoy the traditional yet new treat laid before us.

Indeed, Kusina Salud is a gem of a place – a haven for those who would like to leave the hustle and bustle of the busy metropolis for awhile.

It is a sanctuary for people who yearn for the charm and nostalgic comfort of the past, a unique and elusive quality in the present.

68 FILIPINISMS

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

By Aby Yap

KATATAWANAN, KATUWAAN

It has often been said that there is no other race which can compete with the Filipino when it comes to laughing trips and merrymaking. We celebrate the laughter, the cheer, and the good times – no, not always with Tanduay (though most of the kanto tambays do) – but like there is no tomorrow. Despite any tragedy, we still find reasons to humor ourselves, letting out a hearty “hahaha!” while displaying our esophagus. On any occasion, we strive hard to be bonggacious by all means, just so we can rejoice to the max with family and friends. Some people may call it sheer talent; but for us, it is 100% ka-Pinoy-‘yan!

Incredible Inday Do NOT say you have not even heard of her!

Otherwise, Inday will advise you to take a day off your hectic schedule to know more about current events. According to her, “Physical stress and excessive work may result serious damage to one’s body. It is therefore essential that once in a while, we take a break from our usual routine to replenish the lost energy we once had.”

you meant a variety of fish. The term ‘fishes’, although rarely and even erroneously used, connotes a plethora or an array of different kinds of the aforementioned gilled creatures.

After laughing at ‘Eraptions’ here comes But the more pressing questions before I the new queen of text jokes. Twenty yeartraversed the road to the wet market would be: old Inocencia ‘Inday’ Binayubay holds an What certain type of fish? Fillet or not? Frozen impressive CV, with education from the or just right smack the day’s catch? (Pauses) likes of UP, DLSU, Ateneo, UST, AIM, CCA, Aaah… By manner of careful extrapolation, and even Oxford University. But she chose given the meager budget in this household’s to be a ‘household service manager’ for the quasi-peasant middle class taste, I assume Montemayor family. She unwittingly causes then that I will source the staple “galewngsevere nosebleeds because of her convoluted gowng.” Am I correct? reasoning and verbose English-speaking flair with matching Brit accent. Want an example? Amo: Leche!

She was asked by her ‘amo’ to go to market Inday: You meant the freshwater milkfish? one day Then the “ba-ngooz” it is!

Amo: Inday, bumili ka nga ng mga isda. Oo Inday also fluently speaks Spanish, French, nga pala, Inglisera ka… Would you please and Korean. She cooks exquisite (drunken purchase many fishes for this week’s meals? shrimp and blue lobster meat with caviar Inday: Judging from your statement, I believe

for Junior’s baon at the daycare center) and exotic (Soba risotto with Fugu) dishes. She knows all about engineering, architecture, business, aeronautics, poetry, philosophy, and many other subjects that we may not even be aware of. She goes to the Fort and Starbucks for gimmicks wearing Zara dresses, while showing off her smooth Belo skin. She even watched Beyonce’s concert with her boyfriend, Dodong.

The popularity of Inday has even got her a personal website – www.blogniinday.com, where Inday jokes are collected. However, not everyone finds her amusing. Kris Aquino is not alone. Remember the time when Inday ‘outmouthed’, er, outsmarted Kris when she joined Deal or No Deal? Some groups view it as continuous stereotyping of the Pinay maid as a butt of jokes, especially with the absurdity, impossibility even, of Inday’s case.

FILIPINISMS 69

Well, at least she elevated the “wag pu, koya, wag pu” image of the Inday we used to know.

And, who knows, Jessica Zafra’s forecast that all Indays would conquer the world pretty soon might just come true.

Paskong Pinoy

wreaths, candles, gifts, and countless holiday decor adorning every nook and cranny. The usually dark streets and simple houses in the Philippines instantly become contestants in an unofficial aesthetic showdown come this season.

The official Christmas countdown has just begun. For other countries, that is. Because for Filipinos all over the world, it has already begun once the calendar turned to September. On the first day of this month, I heard the unang birit of Christmas carol on Unang Hirit. Soon, Gary V. and Ariel Rivera will once again be the kings of the airwaves, making the loved ones of OFWs teary eyed with “Pasko na, sinta ko” and “Pasko na naman, ngunit wala ka pa.” As soon as Halloween was over, shopping malls have become even more alive in red and green, with Santa Claus clones and Yuletide sales in every corner.

Everybody has their gift shopping and wish lists ready. Younger kids thrive in the karoling career with a “Tenk yu, ang babarat ninyo” finale, accompanied by an improvised tambourine made of tansan. School children are excited to find out who their ‘baby’ is in the class Kris Kringle. Company employees eagerly await the 13th month and some year-end bonus (if the boss is generous enough).

At night, outside every home are bright, colorful Christmas lights shaped like angels or reindeers, never mind you blacking out when the Meralco bills arrive. There are parols shaped in various figures or in the traditional star, made of plain Japanese paper or expensive capiz. Inside homes, there are belens, Christmas trees, mistletoes, bells,

From December 16 to 24, Catholic Filipinos religiously flock the churches, hoping for the fulfillment of their wishes once the nine-day simbang gabi is completed. The smell of bibingka and puto bumbong fills the cold Christmas air. Quezo de bola and fruitcakes flood the fridge where they remain

until someone throws them out. Otherwise, they are given to other unsuspecting people as presents.

The peak of the four-month Pinoy celebration is, of course, the Noche Buena which extends to Christmas day. Every fattening food is on the table, with everyone forcing you to eat. Family and friends are all present, enthusiastically exchanging beso-beso, tsismisan, and aguinaldos (if you’re lucky).

Reunions with long-lost relatives should be expected by now, as well as the magical appearance of those claiming to be your godchildren.

For some, Paskong Pinoy might have already become synonymous with extreme commercialization, traffic jams, and holdapan galore.

Even so, with all our traditions, and inspite of not having a winter wonderland in the Philippines, we definitely have the longest and, perhaps, even the merriest Christmas season of all.

70 FILIPINISMS

The Annie B.(Batobalani) Chronicles

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

I’ll be home for Krismas Dizzizit!!! After being away from home for a total of 16 months, 71 weeks, 502 days, 12,048 hours, 722, 880 minutes and haaaaahhhh……43,372,800 seconds, I will finally say Mabuhay to my lupang sinilangan, kinalakhan at pinagpipitagan……..the Philippines!!! And what better way to spend my first vacation than being at home during the holidays – spending time with my family, my barkadas, my ex-officemates, my crushes and 24hours free Pinoy TV!!!

Sa wakas, I will be able to eat authentic Pinoy cooksine – hindi yung binibili sa restaurant at mina-microwave ng paulit-ulit - and Pagkaing Pasko at that! Hamon, lechon, menudo, morcon, kare-kare, bagnit, dinuguan, ube halaya, nilupak, guinomis, bibingka, sapin sapin – yummm!!! Also isaw, tokneneng, squidballs, kikiam, binatog, chicharon, Greenwich, McDo Breakfast Meal, original Crispylicious Chickenjoy, Burger Machine at higit sa pinakalahat-lahat - KFC with Bottomless Gravvvvvvy!!! Mag-uwi kaya ako dito pabalik? Hmmm…

I’m also superduperultramegauber excited to see in person and make chika with my friends and family all the new adventures I have experienced here in Dubai. I’m sure they will be proud for me. I would be very enchusplastic to meet and do a free makeover and beauty consultation to all the girls in our whole barangay. I would finally impressed everyone in our town during Simbang Gabi with my new fashionista outfits - very Dior(dano) and wait for my ex-boyfriend’s and crushes’ reactions when they see me sashay into our town plaza. “Don’t Cha wish kayo dyan!!!”

No amount of sophistication and high teck gadgets could ever be as great as holding my Lola’s kulubot hands, ang mano kay Tatay, my Nanay’s warm embrace, my sisters’ hugs and shrieks, my kuyas’ kutos and my mga pamagkins’ kisses and scent. Live en in ‘da flesh’ kumbaga and nothing virtual anymore. The fresh madaling-araw dew,

the tingling sensation of every raindrop into my skin, the lushing luntian of the countryside, the cool holiday evening breeze and of course, the ever world-class awesome Manila Bay sunset. Waking up in the morning (hopefully without a hangover from Red Horse and Gin Pomelo overload) to the taktilaoks of the roosters, hearing the latest news from the mono de lata transitor radio while having freshly-prepared tuyo, kamatis, tapa, danggit, tinapa with sinangag and hot pandesal for breakfast, watching Lola do her ginantsilyo comfortably in her ugoy-ugoy chair, while Tatay reads the morning papers and Nanay just arriving from the wet market with her bayong full of fresh vegetables, goodies and ingredients for our daily feast. Looking forward to go malling with my sisters and barkadas and attending parties and inumans with my kuyas and their tropa. Everything’s definitely worth the long wait.

So it is with great pride and prejudice and honor and joy and pleasure that I share with you the contents of my balikbayan box - ang katas ng aking pawis, pagod, puyat at apog ng pagiging OFW dito sa Dubai: Bling blings for Nanay: after 3 weekends of searching at Gold Souq for the right size that matched my price and endless pakikipag-baratan, I finally found jewelry pieces that will make my mother shine as brightly as ever as our Christmas Tree during Misa de Gallo. Nawa’y taus pusong madama ni Nanay ang Liali na dala ko sa kanya.

CD/MP3 player with radio for Tatay: I really wanted to get him an iPod but I ‘m sure he’ll have difficulty reading its small LCD screen so I got him something he can carry with him around the house and on his tricycle.

I figured I can burn him all favorite Stars on 45, Tom Jones, Engelbert & Humperdick, Porkchop and Boy Sullivan tunes into digital MP3 files this time. High teck huh?

WHO’S YOUR DA

DDY!

FILIPINISMS 71

PAMPA BYUTI PX

BLING-B NI NANALING Y

ATAY

NI T MUSIC

SEXY LINGERAY

PANG DISPLAY SA BAHAY

Jumbo Lacey Teddy Bear for Lola: When I saw this huge staff toy, it quickly reminded me of my grandmother for they’re both huggable, embraceable and frilly. My Lola’s greatest passions, aside from AlHambra cigarettes and mahjong, is embroidery. This Teddy with also go with her collection of Pink dresses that she religiously wears to church almost everyday. Frou frou talaga si Lola! So Kaka!

Sexy Lingeray for my kikay sisters: a perfect, sureball, instant makeover for my probinsyana losyang sisteritsits. Time to ditch the boring and ina-almirol na daster! Sa wakas, madadampian na rin ng Victoria’s Secret ang balat ng mga kapatid ko. I’m bringing sexy back, Batobalanis!

Sheesha sets, Aviator shades and Japorms outfits for my Kuyas: talk about being the talk of the town and undisputed trendsetters in our very own barrio. The Batobalani Boys have always been the Kilabot ng mga Kerengkeng, Atsay Killers and Palengke Pogi Boys since they were in Highschool. Imagine how cool and trendy they’d looks in very fashionable sunglasses and Studio R outfits while driving their tricycles around town? Then they can unwind with their baranggay TODA mates with sheesha smelling nice with different flavors while making tambay in the kanto? Very Vin Diesel di ba? The birth of the new Tricylesexuals!!!

A huge “Who’s Your Daddy?” Hummer Toy Truck for my beloved pamangkins Bononok, Enteng and Da Yunyor: this will be the ultimate Christmas toy to be envied by our mahadera, pakialamera and inggiterang kapitbahays’ tumbang preso and luksong tinik playing kids.

No doubt they will start drooling the minute they witness this kick ass toy truck do daredevil tricks with its remote control. Papasagasaan ko sa mga pamangkin ko ang mga chismosa at intrigera sa barrio naming.

Eeee-viiilllll!!!

IC GOODIES

B PATIKIM NG ARA

Month-long supplies of PX goods like imported shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, sunscreen lotion, desodorant, toothpaste and Panadol, also imported (Carrefour) coffee, tea, sugar, basmati rice, creamer, milk, juice, corned beef, tuna, Spam and ten kilos of chocolates and Arabic sweets – even Arabic bread – so that my family and friends can have a taste of my life here in Dubai and our neighbors would automatically turn green because of envy since they can’t find these stuff somewhere else in our province. Bidang-bida ang mga Batobalani!!!

I also got creative and innovative around the office. When our Admin Manager replaced our office supplies and appliances with new ones last month, I quickly asked for the old ones and thought of recycling them by taking them home with me: Our expired office fire extingusher - could be hanging out near our house’s main door besides being useful when Lola’s siga goes out of control; our office’s outdated Food Proccessor, CoffeeMaker, Juicer and Sandwich Griller - sure they’re not working anymore but who knows? I can always display them in our dining room so our guests can be impressed and amazed.

Whatchathink? Pwede na! I cannot wait to see my family’s reaction when we open up this balikbayan box together. I’m so happy to share my blessings to them and spread the spirit of the holidays to each one of my loved ones that I truly miss and cherish. It feels good to be reunited with them once again and enjoy the fruit of my labors. Sure, we OFWs make huge sacrifices by being away from our loved ones in order to make our lives better and our pastures greener. But seeing their smiles light up their faces upon each gift and pasalubong is truly priceless. Nothing can ever be fulfilling than this feeling!

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!

72 FILIPINISMS

SARI-SARING KA PINOYAN

Isa na namang smorgasbord ng Pinoy katatawanan mula sa world wide web. Basahin at enjoyin!

Filipino Names of Naturalized US Citizen Names Gregorio Talahib - George Bush Tomas Cruz - Tom Cruise Macario Maldonado - Mac Donald Remegio Batungbacal - Remington Steel Victoria Malihim - Victoria Secret Bienvenido Jurado - Ben Hur Juanito Lakarin - Johnny Walker Federico Hagibis - Federal Express Esteban Magtaka - Stevie Wonder Jaime Bondoc - James Bond Leon Mangubat - Tiger Woods Eleuterio Ignacio - Electronic Ignition

Burgus Bahag-Hari - Burger King Kasimiro Bukaykay - Cashmere Bouquet Maria Calas - Mary Kay Rogelio Dagdagan - Roger Moore Topacio Mamaril - Top Gun Restituto Pruto - Tutti Frutti Samuel Tampipi - Sam Sonite Veneracion De Asis - Venereal Disease Alfonso De Asis - Alzheimer Disease Francisco Portero - Frank Porter

Diosdado Durante - Deo Dorant Roberto Controlado - Bert Control Marcelo Controlado - Muscle Control Carpio Llanes - Carpool Lanes Julia Domingo - Holy Sunday Maria Pascua - Mary Christmas Ligaya Anonuevo - Happy New Year Ligaya Almundo - Joy To The World

Mayaman at Mahirap ... idiskrayb mo nga...

• Kung mayaman ka, meron kang allergy; kung mahirap ka, ang tawag dyan ay ‘galis’.

• Sa mahirap, ‘sira ang ulo’;sa mayaman, ‘nervous breakdown’ dahil sa ‘tension’.

• Pag mayaman ka, you’re ‘eccentric’; kung mahirap ka, may “toyo ka sa ulo”.

• Kung mayaman ka naman at sumakit ang ulo mo, ikaw ay may ‘migraine’; kung mahirap ka gutom lang yan.

• Kung mahirap ka, ikaw ay ‘kuba’, pero kung mayaman ka, you are referred to as someone who is ‘scoliotic’.

• Kung isa kang domestic na maitim, ikaw ay ‘ita’ o ‘negrita’, pero ang senorita mo kahit kasing kulay mo, ang tawag ay ‘morena’ o ‘kayumanggi’.

• Kung nasa high society ka, you are approvingly called ‘slender’ or ‘balingkitan’; kung mahirap ka lang, you are plainly called ‘payatot’, ‘patpatin’, o ‘tisika’ (kung masyado kang payat).

• Kung nasa high society ka pa rin at ikaw ay maliit, ang tawag sa iyo ay ‘petite’; kung mahirap ka lang, ikaw ay ‘pandak’, ‘bansot’ o ‘unano’.

• Ang mahirap na tumatanda ay ‘gumugurang’; sa mayamang tumatanda, the description is ‘he or she graduates gracefully into senior citizenhood’.

Lingkod OFW is at your service

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT 73 Activities: Sponsorship of 4th Filipino Ambassador’s Cup Golf Tournament Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club, 4th December 2007 Dance for a Cause – A Fundraising Valentine’s Day Party February 2008 Philippines Consul Gold Tournament (a joint fund raising project with the Filipino Golf Society) Emirates Gulf Club, March 2008 UAE-Wide Ladies Volleyball Fundraising Tournament April 2008 Free Medical and Dental Clinic – with the Filipino Healthcare Providers Philippine Consulate, April 2008

Philippine Society and Safety Prof.

(PSSP) and Lingkod OFW members.

“Pamaskong Handog” a Christmas Party for Distressed OFWs Polo / OWWA Office, Dubai

Lingkofd OFW gathering during the celebration of the Philippine 108th Independence Day, Dubai, UAE

Lingkod OFW is a Filipino organization accredited by the Philippine Consulate in Dubai, UAE. The group composed of Filipinos from different fields such as – medical, engineering, marketing, accounting, safety, hospitality and the service industry, was founded on the 6th December 2005 by Charles Duran Medillo and started with 500-initial members and is still growing rapidly. With the aspiration of building a society where families are not torn apart by their urgent need for survival and the intention of helping compatriots through the hardships they encounter, Lingkod OFW encourages Filipinos to become active and supportive members of the community.

The organization develops and maintains the core Filipino values of honesty, hospitality, loyalty, integrity, and promotes the spirit of ‘Bayanihan’ (working together) within the community. Lingkod OFW is also actively pursuing its advocacy of trying to secure relevant benefits for OFWs in terms of education and hospitalization from the government – appreciating the fact that Filipino expats, the country’s modern day heroes, have contributed significantly to the growth of the Philippine economy.

The organization encourages OFWs to participate in constructive concerted efforts to effectively and continuously uphold and defend the rights and welfare of Filipinos in cooperation with government and private agencies.

As such, members should have the sincere willingness to serve the Filipino community and must be willing to allocate a portion of their time for community service.

Lingkod OFW members in Dubai Aluminium Company

Officers: Chairman: Charles Duran Medillo Vice Chairman: Ruel Saura Secretary General: Dennis Bandojo Deputy Sec. General: Joseph C. Atacador Treasurer: Ionnie Munoz Auditor: Joan G. Oblina Head of Sectoral Groups: Sports & Recreation – Huberto Rioveros, Entertainment – Andy Amores/Edward Punzalan, Rights & Welfare OFW – Roy Mendoza, Manpower Referral – Gamail M. Hitones, Fundraising Committee – Julie Cabrera, Editorial Committee – Ralf Sagrado For more information, contact Charles Duran Medillo at telephone numbers +97150-4687317 and +97150-3986533, email: cdm@ lingkodofwcdm.com website: lingkodofwcdm.com.

74 COMMUNITY EVENT

Illustrado’s Kabuhayan Syndicate 2nd Meet

The Kabuhayan Syndicate recently held another dynamic business networking event on the 17th November, at the Metropolitan Palace Hotel in Dubai. The early Saturday morning meeting was another rousing success with old and new members benefiting from new business and partnership opportunities. The modest event was visited by Philippine Ambassador to the UAE H.E. Libran Cabactulan and Madame Fe Cabactulan, who lauded the group’s endeavor towards ‘bayanihan-style’ business. The Ambassador also enthusiastically shared timely business tips with the enthusiastic team. The meeting was kindly supported

by Liali Jewellery who also gave a generous prize to a lucky syndicate member that day as well as VIP cards to all attendees.

H.E. Ambassador Libran Cabactulan shares entrepreneurship tips

‘Speed dating’ the Kabuhayan Syndicate way

Oofrish Contractor of Liali awards a raffle prize to Lea of SPA

Renato ‘Sam’ Samaniego discusses a partnership business opportunity

Community Patron Mr Abu Nader signs contract with Health Care City Filipino community patron Mr. Abu Nader recently signed up with the Dubai Healthcare City to expand their existing operations – establishing new branches for Al Wasl Travels, Philippine Supermarket and Salon, bringing their brand of good customer service closer to more members of the community. Seen in the photos are Mr. Abu Nader, his management team and staff, as well as an officer from the Dubai Healthcare City.

The Character of

ENTERTAINMENT 75

Jazz

By Gabbie de la Rama-Talan

“Please don’t call me Myra. My name is Skarlet,” interjects the eternally spunky singer in what must be the millionth time she’s had to fend off allusions to her former moniker as Pu3ska and Brownbeat Allstar’s frontman… er, woman. An easy mistake because figuratively speaking, this woman is as ballsy as any man, and proud of it.

T

hough by no means ashamed of her acclaimed past as vocalist of Pu3ska and Brownbeat Allstars, it is understandable how difficult it is for one artist to live in the shadow of the other, especially if that other is you.

For those unaware, Skarlet is a jazz and standards vocalist. She’s been enthralling music fans since the 90’s with her ska outfits Pu3ska and Brownbeat Allstars. “My Boy Lollipop” or “Lampungan” ring any bells?

These days Skarlet has traded her Doc Marten combat boots, checkered mini skirts, and fishnet tights for a substantially classier, more feminine look, and is more likely to be singing for a dignified crowd, in snooty hotel lounges than in dive bars, browbeating head banger’s into submission with her brassy voice and ska-ntics. You get the picture. But, make no mistake. Despite her musical transition (not such a big jump when you consider that ska has its roots in jazz), she has always been herself—a fact pointed out by one of her fellow musicians when I mentioned I was going to interview her. Opinionated? Yes. Cheeky? We’re talking about someone who likens herself to Nida Blanca because “Nung bata siya to-tomboy tomboy eh. Parang ako.”

Talented? I suggest you ‘hear’ (or even better, ‘see’) for yourselves.

Ordinarily, in terms of impact, the term ‘jazz chanteuse’ paints a subdued picture (well in my mind at least)—even more contemporary singers the likes of Stacey Kent and Norah Jones fit the bill. Skarlet, on the other hand, couldn’t disguise her character if she tried - not that she would even want to. “I have

several large tattoos and sometimes I dye my hair red. The squares still think that it’s very ‘unjazzlike.’ Well, that’s their problem, actually, not mine,” she says grinning actualization and healing. “In my compositions, naughtily.

‘Stay With Me’ (about wife battery) and ‘Mya Wong’ (on child molestation), which talks And, Skarlet loves jazz as much as she loves to about past faults finding resolutions in the perform. Her earliest memories involve song present through ‘Joy’ (divine love) and ‘Lullaby and dance numbers for neighborhood get- For Ganei’ (the honor of motherhood),” she togethers at the tender age of four. And, it is enunciates. “These are my answers on how to this love for performance that ushered jazz in. break the chain of pain and hate... my whole “I realized I love jazz and standards one night, album’s anthem is my rendition of ‘Babae Ka’, during a gig while singing ‘You Don’t Know an Ani Montano song that emphasizes selfWhat Love Is,’ and I cried. Jazz moves me,” she mastery and self-respect.” explains. “It is the only form where I feel free to feel what I truly want to feel at a certain But, what really makes Skarlet stand out is the moment... pure, sincere, and sometimes fact that her music does not carry her, it is she without shame. I don’t know if that’s good or who carries her music—that and the fact she bad,” she adds. has got a greats set of pipes. I have a more Another interesting thing to note is the depth of her music. Her album The Powder Room Stories is composed of 10 originals and four covers—refreshing when you consider how many albums wholly made up of knock offs were released this year. In terms of subject matter, her lyrics cover a wide gamut of experiences, emotions and issues—all very real and relevant to the Pinay. “Naku, if you could read the lyrics of my original compositions—it’s so pro Pinay empowerment. Of course, I also touched on the issues of family, love, battery, death and the female emotional complexities,” she says in what you should take as an open invitation.

than sneaking suspicion that if Skarlet were to venture into say hip-hop or soul, she would still do well for herself. The only difference with jazz is her genuine love for it. Ostensibly, this is what makes her excel even more. And, though you could reinvent her look a million different ways, she would still manage to make that look her own.

In short, Skarlet is very much her own person — something that was made evident in this year’s AWIT Awards where she bagged the best jazz recording of the year.

After a very dignified thank you speech, amid the applause, and as if something had possessed her, she raised the pointer and pinky fingers of her right hand, in what is the proverbial symbol of all rock and rollers Skarlet’s album is like a lesson of sorts, with everywhere—a salute from the Skarlet of each song, a new issue is aired, and what the past, present, and future, which spelled begins in a cry of pain ends on a note of self- out c-h-a-r-a-c-t-e-r.

76 MANILA’S HOT RELEASES

Books and CDs are available at Fully Booked, Philippines.

Visit the website at www.fullybookedonline.com

By Gabrielle de la Rama-Talan

The 2 in 1 Series

by Grace Nono

Fans of the elegant and gifted Grace Nono will delight in this double disc, which holds two of her most celebrated albums: Tao Music and Opo. Included in disc one (Tao Music) are the breakthrough tracks ‘Salidumay’ and ‘Hot Air Balloon Nation’.

Listeners will be reminded of why this ageless artist is considered one of world music’s pioneers in the Philippines, and that is her ability to bring Filipino ethnicity to the fore by combining them with more modern means of musical execution. This is given top priority on disc two - Opo. Take ‘Dandansoy’ as an example: this traditional folk song is reworked into a more contemporary piece with its jazzy guitar riffs and bits of sampled ambient sound. And, who can forget the familiar strains of ‘Pinoy Ang Dating’ - channel 13’s station ID? For the uninitiated, this is the perfect introduction to Grace Nono while hardcore fans will treasure this collector’s item made even more desirable by its amazing cover art by award-winning Pinoy graphic novel artist, Arnold Arre.

Time and Again…

by Isha

A child of the 80’s, Isha’s debut album Time and Again… contains her renditions of some of the era’s most popular songs such as Madonna’s ‘Cherish’, Tears For Fears’s ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’, and ‘Head Over Heels’ by the Go-Go’s. Albeit more sedate than the originals, Isha does justice to these classic hits by giving them a dose of her own unique medicine.

But, what is more striking than these tribute pieces are her originals, which bear the mark of her songwriting prowess. Unknown to many, Isha (aka Pearlsha Abubakar-Quebral) besides being a jazz singer and pianist, is a writer, and not just any writer but a music critic to boot. She writes on her album sleeve “… falling in love and getting your heart broken over and over.

Think about it. If you’re always getting your heart broken, then don’t you think that might actually be your idea of joy?” Sounds interesting, doesn’t she?

Another little-known fact is her appearance on the successful compilation album The Art of Letting Go Vol. 2 with the song ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’ as the only local artist amid a handful of high profile musical personalities like Jewel, Gabrielle and Brian McKnight.

Though she’s come out with her sophomore release Piano Empress, it would be a good idea to give her first foray into music a listen. Cliché it may be, but you would do good to listen to it time and again… yet again.

Wake Up Your Seatmate

by Wake Up Your Seatmate This all-girl rock act was born—very aptly—in the classrooms of Assumption high school, carrying over to the hallways of the Ateneo de Manila University.

Once dismissed by many as a cutesy girl band devoid of all talent with the exception of looking good, Wake Up Your Seatmate has proven they possess more than just sheer charm. After bagging the grand prize at the 2005 Nescafe Soundskool, the foursome was picked up by their current manager Mario de Castro (co-owner of Gweilo’s bar, one of Manila’s more well-known indie music haunts). Just a short time later, EMI agreed to distribute their debut album, a piece of work designed to act as kryptonite by weakening their most hardened critics—a feat that could be considered well deserved for the band’s hard work, playing the indie band circuit and taking no shortcuts.

With tracks like ‘Tiger Lili’, ‘The Kawawa Song’ and ‘Hanging Out With You’, older listeners will be transported back to a time when there were other things to worry about besides making a living while the younger set will immediately feel as if this could very well be the soundtrack to their lives.

Mia Tengco’s sweet (yet not saccharine) vocals accompanied by her inspired strumming, backed by the talented Celine Pineda (guitars), Patty Peralta (bass), and Atchoo Ilagan (drums) coupled with lyrics full of youthful vitality, make this album well worth a listen. And hey, if you don’t like it then you’re teenage son or daughter probably will.

MANILA’S HOT RELEASES 77

Reconnaissance

By Tara FT Sering A young girl playing war games with her siblings stumbles upon a truly unexpected discovery—one that is to remain on the brink of her consciousness for the rest of her life; a daughter, her mother and brother are jolted into a painful reality when her father’s philandering surfaces in his underwear drawer; an aging couple, fresh from a trip to Europe is hell bent on impressing their guests with their newly acquired worldliness—to no avail… These and more make up Tara FT Sering’s collection of short stories entitled Reconnaissance.

Sering, formerly Managing Editor of Cosmopolitan magazine Philippines is now Editor of Summit Books. Her writing is fresh and full of rapier wit, flavored with the kind of humor that appeals to the modern woman—something gained from working with one of the Philippines’ most successful women’s interest magazines.

The Kite of Stars and Other Stories

By Dean Francis Alfar “Dean Francis Alfar’s stories are like fallen stars: they glow with the light of another world, illuminating our own if only for an instant” is what one writer had to say about the author of this otherworldly book of tales.

A Book of Dreams: a Novel By Christina Pantoja Hidalgo

In the title story, a young woman falls hopelessly in love with a man whose interest lies heavenward. To gain his affection, she embarks on an impossible quest to build a kite of stars.

A truly original and unusual novel, A Book of Dreams is tale of many tales, intersecting to form one plot—the “quest” for an unnamed goal.

Alfar’s 15 other yarns are spun in the same fantastic manner— some frightful, others surreal, but all ingeniously crafted and guaranteed to leave you spellbound.

It begins with Angela, a dreamer whose ambition is to write a novel. The landscape of her dreams is peppered with the real merging with the fantastic. It is these vignettes that she strives to recapture in her journal filled with musings, quotes and sketches—the meat of her would be book.

This tome exemplifies the wealth of talent in contemporary Philippine literature as up to par with that of our Western science fiction, fantasy, and horror counterparts. To read it is to understand why Alfar is credited by some as responsible for establishing what is now referred to as “speculative fiction.”

Then, there is Debbie, Ruben, Ariel, Cora, and Luis whose dreams are like a rendezvous point for chance encounters with one another though not necessarily direct ones—more like shadows passing each other by, realizing this only upon their awakening.

I know What To Do Pinoy Success Handbook

by Jeffrey ‘Ximo’ Ramos

So you want to be successful – but do you know what to do?

Author Jeffrey Ximo Ramos unlocks the secrets to achievement in his substantial motivational tome ‘I Know What To Do’. Lifted from his personal learnings from the challenges and triumphs of living in the United Arad Emirates, the book is packed with useful tips and fundamental truths that can help you accomplish your dreams. It is divided into three main sections – How to be successful, how to maintain success and how not to get corrupted by success. With its words of wisdom, not to mention the writers’ interestingly casual style and wit, the book promises to be a veritable ‘success handbook’ one would eagerly be reaching for, from time to time.

Now available in the UAE through Illustrado.

Please call 04-365 4543 to reserve your copy or e-mail info@illustrado.net

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