ILLUSTRADO Magazine_Dec 2011

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THE MAGAZINE FOR INTERNATIONAL FILIPINO

15 DECEMBER - 15 JANUARY 2012

ISSUE

58

PASKO NA, SINTA KO FROM THOUGHTS THAT COUNT 2011 : NEARING PINOY GLOBAL DOMINATION BEAUTY, BRAINS AND BENEVOLENCE THE BIRTH OF A NEW CHRISTMAS TRADITION BLENDED FAMILIES FASHION: LITTLE WOMEN AMSTERDAM MUSEUM OF BAGS AND PURSES GLOBETROTTER’S BLOG: PARISIAN HOLIDAY

HOLIDAY 2011

Photo by Eros Goze

EDITOR’S NOTE

Making each moment count

Just recently, my youngest came to me jumping up and down jubilantly saying, “Mom, Christmas is coming! Christmas is here!” My immediate reaction was – “Oh no! Seriously?”

Excuse me if I sound like a Scrooge but I didn’t realize that the whole year just went zipping by like a bullet train. Just yesterday, I was writing the Editor’s Note for January, and now, I need to wrap the year up, while the holiday panic creeps up on me and my brain backtracks to all the things I wish I could have done, and all the stuff that still needs to be accomplished before 2011 finally ends.

Unfortunately, the kind of life we lead these days inevitably makes us miss out on a lot. Our routine of work, stressingfor-work-when-not-at-work and then decompressing-for-next-week’s-work, has become so endemic in our lives that it chronically eats up the random joys and significant moments that should define our everyday existence.

This year has been so full of joyful things, but were you a part of it? When the UAE celebrated its 40th birthday, did you rejoice with local friends, fly the UAE flag, blow your car horn, or at the very least, posted a National Day greeting on Facebook? Did you cheer for Pacquiao, Shamcey Supsup, Gwendoline Ruais, or even the Azkals or the Philippine Dragonboat Team when they brought honor to the Philippines with their wins around the globe?

On a more personal level, did you celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and blessings and say “thank you” for the small mercies you’ve received throughout the year? Did you stop and smell the roses, savor a whiff of the first cool air of winter in the emirates, and make merry even for no particular reason?

Significant and life-changing events across the globe, not to mention back home, also marked 2011. Did you get involved in any way, shape or form? Did you allow yourself the privilege of feeling sympathy, or saying a prayer or lending a helping hand to folks back home hit by calamities, or the Japanese people affected by this year’s devastating earthquake and tsunamis? Did the Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street, or even the death of Steve Jobs and his seemingly radical philosophies in life, even merit some space in your busy mind? Were you able to pay some attention this year, as the world and mindsets evolved in front of our very eyes?

We all work to live; not live to work, and there is nothing that makes one feel more ‘alive’ than participating in life itself every single moment - whether that be in celebrating random joys, getting touched by events, having that “aha!” moment, or even commiserating or helping out those who are in need.

Being of the present does not only mean celebrating the stuff that make us happy, but participating in the human experience.

Note to self: make each moment count.

This is something worth remembering, as we close 2011 and carry on with our busy, but hopefully more meaningful, lives in the coming year.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

2 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Send your letters to: editor@illustrado.net or join the discussion at IIlustrado Magazine’s Facebook page

If I were to go to a newsstand and see Illustrado Magazine beside another magazine with Kim Kardashian on its cover, I would choose to buy Illustrado November Issue, because, with the other magazine, one would just say, “It’s just another picture of Kim Kardashian.” While this November Issue of Illustrado Magazine, is a result of hard work and dedication, which has established its identity with real ‘classicism.’

As you delve into its Black Magic content, you will find yourself bound to its spell - the haute spell of the one and only ‘Klasista’ Bandoix Flores.

Fretsyl Ching Elizalde Thanks to Illustrado Magazine and to the whole team I was able to work with... More power!!!!

Daze Tan Illustrado’s November 2011 Cover

This just made me even more proud to be a Filipino! Maraming Salamat!

“Don’t judge the book by its cover,” a popular Rom Mel most repeated quote of all times. But with magazines, the cover is the key that persuades Best Documentary Win at the 1st Migration everyone to buy. It is the most important part Advocacy Media Awards of the magazine since they are the attention grabbers. Editors see to it that the magazine Congrats, Lalaine sa napakamakabuluhang cover have to be immaculately produced and proyekto na ito! Sana ay maraming proyekto pa designed so that they will compete effectively ang kasunod. among the other magazines that are created Yuri Cipriano with the same objective in mind that is, to sell.

Congratulations, keep up the good works!

We see magazines which will go all out to put Jeanette Estella the most popular and interesting celebrities on the front cover so as to lure more buyers. Congratulations Illustrado! A well deserved But this is not the case with Illustrado honor…

Magazine covers. From the moment it started, Laarni De Leon Eugenio Illustrado never minded who is on the cover, but has always been more focused on the Excellent! Galing naman!

I just saw the creativity and the concept. documentary about Deconstructing Maria But what is so special about the November 2011 Issue? One reader said, it’s so Vogue; another said it’s so Bazaar. But one refuted - it’s Illustrado’s best. Compared to their previous covers which delve into colors, this November 2011 issue is in black. With Bandoix Flores as the featured designer, ‘classicism’ is depicted on the cover. The designer simply took us back to the time of Audrey Hepburn where the black dress is as fabulous and beautiful as the sultry actress.

Black couture is his answer to crystals, embellishments and glitters. The ‘Klasista’ designer simply showed the readers that choosing a worth-reading magazine is also an art. It is not colorful, but is not also simple, it is not so decorative but it is fabulous in black and when it is black, it speaks of power and class. Black is the new Black…

Clara. It’s a very good film. I was hooked! It is really a relevant issue and I would say I agree to both sides… Overall, the whole film gives us a push that it should be alright to speak your mind about the subject and what can we do to protect ourselves.

Jewel Rovera Lea Salonga: “Wherever I go, I try to show the best of my country and its people.” Brilliant work!

Mayne Valeña Tamondong Congratulations & More Power!!

Patricia Sanchez CONGRATULATIONS ILLUSTRADO! Ophelia Tubalinal La Compte

Illustrado Scrapbook Hello, Illustrado! I’m a photography enthusiast for the last six months, since my friend pushed me into buying my first DSLR camera. I’m still new to photography but I’m loving it. Been involved in Friday photography walks and shooting just about everything and anything I see. I hope I can have my works featured in your magazine someday. But for now, I guess I have to master using my gear ☺ Tito Camero All my humble thanks to ILLUSTRADO!!! More success!

Rafael Dela Cruz A Big thanks to Ms Lalaine Chu-Benitez , Rony C. Aquino, and Illustrado Magazine for supporting Filipino Creative Talent!

Jay Morales On the Inquirer article: “Professional Filipinas Have a Voice in the Gulf” Dear Ms. Lalaine, it’s about time somebody wrote about Illustrado and your story. So inspiring!

Madel Tirona Kudos to Illustrado and to Ms. Lalaine ChuBenitez. As Illustrado said,”Taas Noon, Filipino!”

Jam C. Nava Viva, Lady Lalaine...Well put and you hit it right on the spot!

Being nice works against Filipina women. Most times, they think you are flirting with them. Not so.

Listen up, pretty Filipinas... Stand your ground, speak up and fight back. It’s better to be known as a “Warrior” than a ‘doormat.’ They will respect you better.

Ana Liza Julao Way to go Filipinos in the Middle East! Thanks Lalaine Chu-Benitez for making us proud!

Monina Cinconiegue Nudalo Lalaine, way to go!!! I’ve read the PDI article on you and Illustrado in their Global Page section.

Brilliant! The writer captured/presented your quotes - who you really are - self confident but not mayabang, committed but not boringlyholier-than-thou-ish. Unless the writer is good, even if the person is like you, she comes off sounding so smug. She did a good job. But of course, that is mainly because you are who you are. Congrats!

Margarita Holmes

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issue

58

CONTRIBUTORS Alfred “Krip” A. Yuson

Krip Yuson writes about a particularly poignant episode in his family’s life in this month’s Illuminati column. The esteemed writer has co-authored travel books (among these APA Insight Guide to the Philippines and Philippines: Islands of Enchantment).

He has earned distinctions as a literary author of over 20 other books — from poetry, short stories, children’s stories, biographies, and translation. A Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature Hall-of-Famer, he has also received the SEAWrite (SouthEast Asia Writer’s) Award from Thai royalty and the UMPIL or Writers’ Union of the Philippines’ Gawad Balagtas for lifetime achievement.

Bo Sanchez

You’ve probably already read his best-selling books, attended one of his seminars, or even seen him on TV or online. Bo Sanchez – or Bro. Bo, doesn’t really need any introduction. This Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardee, best-selling author and respected speaker shares worthwhile words of wisdom with Illustrado readers in his column on Spirituality – and true to the season’s festive mood, this month’s column is all about celebrations.

Margarita Go Singco Holmes & Jeremy Baer

Margarita Go Singco Holmes is a clinical psychologist and professor at the Department of Psychology, UP Diliman. An author of 17 books, she has recently launched Down to 1: Depression Stories, the first book on clinical depression ever written in the Philippines.

Oxford University law graduate Jeremy Baer worked in banking - the last 16 years as Global Head of Ship Finance at Lloyds TSB Bank in London. He worked very closely with Human Resources in the areas of personal development and self-actualization and for the last six years has been training under Dr. Holmes as a psychotherapist. He is a columnist for OPINYON, a weekly newspaper, and co-hosts an OPINYON radio show with Dr. Holmes. He is currently working on his first book.

Aby Yap

Funny girl AbyYap, looks at Pinoy eccentricities and nuances – such as our affinity for the Kabayan box, as well as all the stuff that make our Christmases so distinctly Pinoy. As a freelance writer, Aby continually hopes to deliver material that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking. Her work often touches on stories celebrating the exciting uniqueness, the sheer honesty and humor, of Pinoy culture.

Zee Zamora Perez

Zee mobilizes the strategic philanthropic goals of the biggest coffee retail chain in the Philippines as the manager of their corporate social responsibility team. Her daily grind includes connecting advocacy driven organizations (non-profits and social businesses) with grants from a corporate foundation.

For this issue, Zee talks about some of these organizations and the uniquely special touch they can add to your Christmas gift list.

Francisco Colayco

The Philippine’s personal finance guru Francisco J Colayco suggests new traditions for Christmas gift-giving which goes away from the usual shallow and materialistic practice, in his columnthismonth. Illustrado’sKabuhayan-Moneycolumnist has several best-selling books to his credit, and an advocacy on teaching Filipinos how to prosper.

Eros Goze

Known for his decidedly dark and dramatic photography style, Eros Goze captures to great effect, this month’s ethereal fashion editorial – a first in Illustrado, featuring couture for children – in ‘Little Women.’ Eros Goze, is a multi-talented artist, a photographer-fashion designer with an undeniably striking visual flair evident in his images.

Ana Oposa

Anna Oposa just graduated cum laude with a degree in English Studies from the University of the Philippines in Diliman. She is passionate about the environment, tourism, the Philippines, and most of all, learning. In her story Beauty, Brains and Benevolence, Ana shares the story of three Filipina social-entrepreneurs who are changing the way business is done in the Philippines.

Excel Dyquianco

Excel Dyquianco does a virtual visit to the Filipinos of Florida and talks about their pride and joy – the Philippine Cultural Foundation inTampa Bay, Florida, and how the community is sharing Philippine culture in the USA. Excel writes for various publications in the Philippines, on a range of different diverse topics like travel, men’s health, sports as well as hobbies.

Publisher & Editor-in Chief Lalaine Chu-Benitez Associate Editor Ana Santos CONTRIBUTING WRITERS UAE, Philippines, USA Aby Yap Anna Lorraine Balita JR Bustamante Bernadette Reyes Jude Cartalaba Bo Sanchez Karen Galarpe Carlito Viriña KC Abalos Chayie Maligalig Krip Yuson David Poarch Lawrence Diche Excel Dyquiangco Rache Hernandez Flordeliz Samonte Shar Matingka Francisco Colayco Toni Loyola Isabelo Samonte Sonny Guzman Ivan Henares Vic Lactaoen Jack Catarata Victor Sollorano Jesse Edep ART DIRECTORS Tom Bolivar Paula Lorenzo Ron Perez CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS UAE Eros Goze Mariyah Gaspacho Christina Linaza Illuminado Ong Donald Rosales CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS PHILIPPINES Dr. Marlon Pecjo Glenn Peter-Perez Filbert Kung Alan Desiderio Enzo Mondejar CONTRIBUTING STYLISTS & FASHION TEAM UAE Jessie Tabla Ginno Alducente Ushi Sato Jojo Padua Frankie Melendez PUBLISHER - UAE Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2nd Floor, Building 2, P.O. Box 72280 Office 20C Dubai Media City, UAE Tel: +9714 365 4543, 365 4547 Fax:+9714 360 4771 E-mail: admin@illustrado.net, info@illustrado.net Web: www.illustrado.net, www.illustradolife.com PRINTERS PRINTWELL PRINTING LLC P.O. Box 18828 Dubai, UAE Copyright Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2006-2011. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC.

CONTENTS

58 DEC 2011 Young Filipinas of mixed race - Renee Taylor Virtudazo-Hyde, Izabel Joan Elliot and Michelle Sophie Pudda, grace this month’s ethereal fashion editorial first in “Little Women.”

82

FEATURES

2011: World Domination Pinoy Style Top 5 List Toppers 10 When blood isn’t always thicker than water 14 Pasko Na, Sinta Ko 18 DIFF: Making it through the Crossfire 20 Juan-in-the-Box 22 Thoughts that Count 26 Beauty, Brains and Benevolence 42 Promoting Philippine Culture in Florida 90

REGULAR COLUMNS

Editor’s Note 1 Letters 2 Contributors 8 Illuminati: Poignance Amid Poinsettias 12 Pinoy PRO 32 It’s What I Do 34 Kabuhayan- Entrepreneurship: Crescendo All Day Breakfast 38 Kabuhayan - Money: The Birth of a New Tradition 40 Spirituality: Happy Relationships 46 Relationships: Too Big for her Britches 50 Illustrado Scrapbook: Radi Morada and Dennis Dalisay 56 Five Things to Do 80 Community 94 Bayanihan Corner 95 Onli in da Pilipins: Sa Malamig, Sa Malamig 98

FASHION

Fashion: Little Women 58 Illustrado Runway: Aldwin Ornopia 79

PEOPLE & PLACES

Illustrado Profile: Maria Aragon 54 Globetrotter’s Blog: Marianne Silloriquez in Paris 82 Trippin’: Amsterdam Bag Museum 86

86

12 FEATURE

2011:

World Domination Pinoy Style

Top 5 List Toppers We are list takers, list makers. We love making lists for the sheer feeling of achievement when you cross something out or the unparalleled elation of topping them. The Year 2011 was the year when Filipinos and the Philippines were included in a number of lists and even topped some of them. It was another year that brought us closer to world domination, Pinoy style. (We’re looking forward to our all time favorite, national dish adobo to make some list of gourmet dishes. It’s bound to happen some day.)

By Ana P. Santos

Here’s a rundown of our Pinoy list toppers.

Shamcey Supsup almost took home the crown There are probably only two things that can stop traffic in Metro Manila: Manny Pacquiao fight and a beauty pageant. And when it’s Miss Universe, it’s practically a national holiday.

Our bet this year was Shamcey Supsup; even her name was a mixture of strange, evocative and memorable. (Kind of like Beyonce who when she was new to the scene, had to have her name followed with an explanation: rhymes with fiancé).

As it turns out, before the she sashayed down the runway at the Miss Universe pageant, the Architecture graduate from the University of the Philippine in Diliman already topped the list of board topnotchers. Even if she didn’t bring home the crown, Shamcey was already a winner in our books.

A 9-year-old made the world go gaga Fil-Canadian Maria Aragon’s story is becoming more and more common: amateur singing, crude video uploaded on YouTube, but even those limitations couldn’t hide the talent and the voice.

Illustrado Magazine

Then her “royal highness” Lady Gaga took notice and tweeted about it to her followers demanding that the world take notice of the big voice coming out of this 9 year old girl singing “Born This Way.” Instantly, the 9-year old Aragon topped the list of YouTube darlings joining the likes of Justin Bieber and Charice. (Isn’t YouTube fast becoming the great equalizer?)

From there, Aragon was on top a world stage singing alongside Lady Gaga.

FEATURE 13 Saying that she had no experience writing and publishing, Samantha wrote her story about a young widow, Shelley Gallus after reading The Time Traveler’s Wife. “I was just writing it and then sending each chapter that I finished to my mom and my husband. They were my first editors.”

The story caught the attention of international publisher Random House and the rest is Sotto’s own story of a whirlwind of book signings and promotional tours – and topping a many best seller’s list.

The fashion industry rolled out its red carpet for the Pinoys When stars like Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj were asked “Who are you wearing?” on the red carpet, they didn’t rattle off an American brand or an Italian designer, but Furne One and Michael Cinco.

One of the Seven Wonders of the World The Puerto Princesa Underground River officially made it to the list of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Michael Cinco on the other hand, made it to the list of being the first Filipino designer to be featured on America’s Next Top Model, opening the floodgates for other Filipino designers to find their own space on the red carpet.

On the heels of Cinco’s guesting on America’s Next Top Model was the feature of Bench Body in the show.

Another Filipino, Michael Carandang who is one of the producers of America’s Next Top Model was responsible for introducing Pinoy talent to the show and from the looks of it, this is only the beginning of what is yet to come.

In this list, the Underground River is joined by the Amazon River, Halong Bay (Vietnam), Iguazu Falls (Argentina), Table Mountain (South Africa), Komodo (Indonesia) and Jeju Island (South Korea) Even before it made it to this list, the Puerto Princesa Underground River had a record of receiving about 800 visitors every day. On very good days, they receive 1,000 visitors a day from all over the world.

The long line of orange life vests prove it.

The global poll saw more than a million votes coming in from mobile phone and internet voting. From an initial list of more than 400 sites in over 200 countries, the first batch of magic 77 was shortlisted until the list of the New 7 Wonders was finalized.

A Manila-based Pinay made it to the Best Seller List Samantha Sotto says that it was because she had three hours to spare everyday to write. That was her simple reason for writing her book, “Before Ever After”.

Being a full time mom, she had to bring her kids to Ateneo and wait for them. Living in Paranque would mean that “I would reach our driveway at just about the time when I would have to go back and pick them up.”

While it’s a feat of some kind that the Philippines tops the list as the SMS/texting capital country in the world, the sweeter victory is knowing that people from all over the world have come to visit the Puerto Princesa Underground River. Surely, it was their votes that secured our place on this list. (It would be interesting to see if most if not all of the SMS votes were made from the Philippines, with the rest coming from all other parts of the globe.)

There’s our Top 5.

In 2012, we expect this list of list toppers to get even longer. Other people say: for the win.

In the Philippines, in our local parlance reflective of our character, our battlecry on the road of world domination is: For the Crown!

14 ILLUMINATI

POIGNANCE

amid POINSETTIAS

By Krip Yuson

This Christmas should be a particularly poignant one for me, in relation with family.

My oldest son, a brilliant jazz guitarist at 38, had a stroke early in November. He spent a fortnight at that vintage landmark everyone calls PGH, for Philippine General Hospital — where my old buddies from grade school and high school in San Beda only recently ruled the roost, and even if now retired, can still call their marks in turn. Thus did they prove instrumental in having my son nursed back to better health.

Now he’s home, back with me and his much younger brothers that is — the first time we’re staying under the same roof in close to a couple of decades. That roost he flew when he was barely 20, eloped with a girl to Baguio City where he tried to raise his own family on meager earnings from sporadic music gigs.

Since then it’s been a nip-and-tuck affair for him with the realities of fatherhood as well as the music business, so that he does get stressed.

His oldest kid, a boy of 18, is now a freshman at our State University, after graduating as class valedictorian last March. The boy lives with his mother, who’s long been estranged from my son, who in turn tries to raise a daughter while staying with his mom, the girl’s lola.

That may all sound confusing, but likely only for readers not familiar with our Pinoy setting, where extended families can include all sorts of arrangements involving love children, half-siblings, first and second wives or husbands and, as the younger generations like to say - whatever.

On the last Sunday of November, also marking the first Sunday of

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Advent — with my son already ensconced for a few days on a new sofa bed in our sala — his daughter, thus my girl apo, turned 13. It became an instant birthday party for her at noon of that day, the only time she and her lola could come and visit since I took the outpatient home.

As further happenstance had it, on Saturday night my boy apo PM’d me on Facebook to ask if he and his mom could come to see his dad.

I said sure, but that they might as well time it for lunch, as it would be his half-sister’s first day as a teener. To top it off, my younger brother and his wife also signified intention to cheer up the poststroke patient. And they did come, also for lunch, with their first son, his wife, and their own seven-year-old son.

ILLUMINATI 15

to mark her 13th. Well, make that virtually 14, as my younger sister in Los Angeles saw fit to ring our landline to speak with just about everyone when her efforts at Skype failed.

By the time the party and all the photo-ops wound down, my afflicted son had wearied and fallen asleep. That’s why, on an FB photo album posted at midnight, the comment under the final photo of him and the birthday girl said something about how his juggling act at the party, well applauded as it was, had taken its toll.

Such is Pinoy humor, within or without family — but best appreciated in the former circumstance.

I had since had occasion to reassess the new arrangements in the household. A caregiver now also sleeps in the sala, if it’s not her assistant, with whom she alternates on a 24-hour basis.

It will take some time before my oldest son fully regains his motor skills. He can speak, if with a bit of a grimace as default mode.

Propping himself up on anything close by with his right hand, he can get to his feet, but has to be safeguarded in that position, as the stability isn’t quite there yet. He has to be given support to walk to the bathroom. His left arm and hand are still numb. He has to undergo physical therapy.

Thus it was that I suddenly found myself having to cook up a storm in the kitchen — which I adroitly avoided by simply ringing up the famous Ado’s of Pasig City, which serves one of the Top Ten Pancits in Metro Manila per a popular website, to order delivery of a familysize bilao of special Pancit Canton Guisado.

The website was right; everyone agreed that the pancit was tops in flavor and rekado, with crunchy bits of lechon kawali topping the entire caboodle. And it went well with a set of yet another home delivery by phone — from the Orchid drive-in motel nearby — of pata tim, cold cuts, and Yangchow fried rice.

Well, I’ve been a resident of the area for some time, so that I’ve long known how the so-called “Flower Group” of drive-in motels, now re-billed as the Orchid Group (including Dahlia) has been offering excellent dishes for bedside or home delivery. Sometimes one can even have it both ways, that is, if the dishes are ordered for breakfast at home.

In any case, everyone approved of the party grub. Some sort of synergy seemed to have been achieved on the dining table, just as it also happened in terms of familial harmony all over the suddenly tight living room.

Oh, the little grown-up girl was so happy, enthusing at one point that she hadn’t had a birthday party with that many guests. All of 13

His worst source of discontentment is restlessness, big boredom. He can’t read much yet, as it gives him a headache. He likes to watch HBO and Discovery channels now and then, but also tires of TV soon enough.

What pains me is my own impatience, looking forward to the day when he can use the fingers of his left hand again, for fretwork on his guitar. With prayers and tons of sunshine vibes from relations and friends, all of us look forward to the time when he can play brilliantly anew. Or at least compose fresh music.

Some mornings when the sun is out, I lead him outdoors, the way one trusts the healing power of Old Sol. While we’re out there, in warm but crisp December sunshine, he on a wooden rocking chair, me on a Monobloc stool, we exchange quips to test our newly challenged humor. I tell him I better get potted poinsettias soon, spread bright red cheer in the garden.

It will be the first Christmas we will spend together under one roof and under our tropic sun. It will be particularly poignant this Yuletide season.

16 FEATURE

WHEN BLOOD ISN’T ALWAYS THICKER THAN WATER

By Tala Amianan

Stepmothers always get a bad rap from fairy tales, as do stepsisters and stepfathers.

Even in Disney animated films, when most of the unpleasantness is sanitized for children’s consumption, the evil stepmother and ugly stepsisters are typecast as antagonists. It wasn’t until the Brady Bunch came along that a positive example of two families blending together invaded the mass consciousness, even then, the American television show could only reach so far. Stepmothers are still evil and stepsisters are still ugly (even if they are not). Neither of these examples shows the reality and complexity in the lives of pre-existing families that come together to make one new unit.

The family structure is made of the father, the mother and their children. However, there are different kinds of blended families. The most common units are: divorced/separated man with children marries a woman with no children; divorced/separated woman with children marries man without one; divorced/separated people with children from their previous marriages marry each other; a widow/widower with children remarries. Blended families are certainly special cases, with all the variables and possible combinations.

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With norms for families drastically changing in the past twenty years, especially in Western cultures, blended families are becoming more common. It has become so common in the United States that the US Census Bureau has stopped giving estimates for marriage, divorce and remarriage after 1990. The number of blended families is steadily rising and in becoming its own type of nuclear family. The support group Winning Step Families estimates that by 2010, the blended family will be the dominant family form in the United States.

FEATURE 17

Adopting miracles

Maricel Pangilinan-Arenas and her husband prayed for a baby boy every night for over ten years. Then one day, God answered their prayers. As Maricel walked into her office in a large multi-national advertising firm, she found her colleague holding a thin and hairy baby boy in her arms. The baby was left at the door of their office, presumably, for someone to take him and adopt him. Annie, another colleague, upon seeing her declared, “Maricel, it’s your baby.” She begged to differ. But everyone saw it as the answer to her prayers. Even her husband, who, upon hearing the news, said to take the baby in — even if he had not even seen him. Before that day, Maricel had never considered adopting a baby. She couldn’t see how she would be capable of loving a child that “didn’t have my DNA.” Her daughter, then 13-year old Julia, told her matter-of-factly, “Mama, this is our baby.

Remember the prophecy?”

Maricel didn’t remember, but immediately, she was reminded of a dinner at their home ten months back. They just had dinner with a group of African Christian missionaries along with her sister and a couple of pastors from her church. After thanking Maricel’s family for their hospitality, they prayed for them to be blessed with the son that they had been praying for so long. After the prayer, one of the pastors approached her and promised, “God sees your heart. He spoke to me as we prayed. Next year in the spring, you will have a son.”

The day her son Joey arrived at the office was two days shy of the summer solstice. It was still spring.

All of a sudden, Maricel said to herself, “I wanted this baby. I loved this baby.” She took him in her arms and took him home that same day.

One big happy blended family - the Arenas brood

Family multiplication

Magazine editor Rheea Hermoso-Prudente’s parents separated when she was just a year old. It was just her and her older brother Moonie at the beginning.

On one occasion, her grandfather on her dad’s side asked to “borrow” her brother because her dad’s sister had just died and Moonie was the favorite grandson. Her brother ended up staying longer with them in Meycuayan, Bulacan. They took him to the United States and enrolled him in a school before their mother could get him back.

So that’s how it came to be that Rheea was raised by her mother in Baguio, and Moonie was raised by their dad’s parents. The siblings would just visit either side during summer breaks.

The Prudentes

Rheea’s mother eventually remarried and had children in her second marriage. Rheea has two half sisters: Rica, who is five years younger than Rheea, and Ro, who could be Rheea’s child since she’s 16 years older than her. Her father also eventually remarried and had four children—Meggan (14 years younger than Rheea), Mikka, Gio and Moira. The children from both families range from 40 to eight years old.

Rheea is especially close to her sisters from her mother’s remarriage.

“I didn’t feel too bad about Rix (Rica). It wasn’t like she was a halfsibling. I actually feel a fell bond with Rix and Ro because I grew up with them,” she shares. Of her stepfather, “I loved my Papa and I still do. I even wanted to use his name.” But she was not too keen at the start about her father’s new wife. Maybe it was because she was a teenager when her father remarried, and she’s not as close to her half siblings from her father’s new family.

During her wedding reception, Rheea paid tribute to her family by honoring the ‘rents (parents) and steps.

When she got married, her wedding preparation pictures had her stepfather, her mother, Rica and Ro. But her biological father walked her down the aisle. “That surprised the photographers!” she relates.

“But I honored all four of them during the reception program.”

18 FEATURE

Family ties

Maricel is now the managing director of Harrison Communications, a creative ideas company, and her two children have grown. Her eldest, Julia, is a makeup artist and a beauty blogger. And Joey, her miracle son, is now 15 years old, and a footballer. She and her husband Vic have been married for 29 years. “I honestly believe we’re a family that Christ Himself concocted and created, that we might, through our story, share the reality that faith, hope and love is for real,” she shares about her brood. “Unconventional, creative and somewhat eccentric — with a diverse set of personal interests — our family’s Venn diagram core is just that — faith, hope, and Christ’s love.”

Her children are genuinely good friends.

Protective and caring of each other, they are both patient, supporting each other’s interests.

Julia with Joey

The biggest challenge that the family faced was sharing the truth of his adoption to Joey when he was five. “But it proved to be far simpler than we expected,” Maricel says. “We prayed for the proper timing. Both my husband and I set aside a special day, a special place — and we told him, bookending the time of sharing with prayer and Bible verses on God’s great plan for each of us.” She recommends letting the adopted child know the truth about his background, while he is still young.

Maricel is proud to say that her family talks about everything, even tough issues. “My father has always been big on that: ‘Kapag may problema, harapin mo. Solusyunan mo.’ No subject is taboo.”

Now, as she raises her two daughters with husband Gil, Rheea knows from experience that blood isn’t really thicker than water — at least not all the time. It’s really who the child grows up with. While she does have a warm relationship with the Meycuayan siblings, she’s not as close to them as she is to her half sisters from her mom. “I’m less likely to take offense at what they do or do not do. I just let it slide,” she says of her father’s family. “I’m more mature and laidback, I guess, and a little more forgiving, especially with my dad. I love my step mom now, and talk to her often. With my mom side, I consider my mom and sisters my friends as well. I love hanging out with them, there’s never a dull moment! But I think that’s mostly due to the Sta. Cruz (my mom’s side) influence, because we’re all like that.”

“I think stepparents, contrary to portrayal in the movies, really do want to get along with you. Not everything is me/us versus them,” Rheea muses as she reflects on how they get along in her big family.

“We all get along, my real parents and step-parents.”

She would tell children in her situation to “Agree to disagree. Don’t be too prickly, quick to take or see offense where none is intended.”

Things are and will be different in blended families and one just has

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The Prudentes

to accept the fact that it’s really like that. She admits that she acted like a spoiled brat with her stepmother before, and she has long since apologized for her behavior. “Forgiveness is divine,” she adds. “It lets you live more freely. There isn’t any reason why people can’t get along and put the past behind them. Things do get better.”

She pauses and grins. “You know the problem now though? Division of holidays is more complex!”

While a biological family has years and years to grow together and decide rules and family traditions together, blended families often walk into the new unit with pre-existing rules and habits. Existing statistics are not too encouraging for blended families, but there is plenty of help and support to be found — even online.

“Too many changes at once can unsettle children. Blended families have the highest success rate if the couple waits two years or more after a divorce to remarry, instead of piling one drastic family change onto another.”

(From Help Guide http://www.helpguide.org/mental/ blended_families_stepfamilies.htm) We bind together and multiply each others joys and accomplishments so that we can also divide each others failings and sorrows.”

From Sean Cort, “The Power of Perspective” http://www. psychologytoday.com/blog/the-power-perspective. ““It is so important for children to see a united front and stable relationships for a change. The most common problem is discipline which can quickly disrupt this unity.”

(Tom and Lori, “Blended Families- Unity & Peace” http://www.allaboutlifechallenges.org/blended-families.htm)

20 FEATURE

PASKO NA, SINTA KO

(wala ka pa)

Barbara Marchadesch sits down for some girl talk on, why being single can be a good thing, even during the holiday season.

It’s Christmas time - that period when families gather together to exchange gifts, stuff themselves with food, and ask the single women among them the usual questions — may boyfriend ka ba? may asawa ka na?

We get the questions all year round; it’s nothing new. But they just become that much more frequent during the holidays, when we meet up with aunts and uncles and cousins who haven’t seen us all year and want to catch up. The togetherness of the holiday season tends to make us single people stand out even more as well, alone in a sea of happy families and loving couples.

(This is not to say that only single women feel this way; I’m sure single men do too, but they don’t have the added pressure of that pesky biological clock that we can all feel ticking inside us.)

husband and my kids, but I had more time for myself when I was single. I miss that,” says Rachel, 38, a Makati-based economist. She wouldn’t trade her family for the world, and to be fair, it wasn’t just becoming a wife and mother that curtailed her activities. The other responsibilities of adulthood — the demands of her job, the need to pay bills, taking care of her parents — naturally took precedence over going on holiday with buddies. But she does get a little wistful about the days when she could drop everything and go mountain-hiking with her friends.

Her friend Joanna, 28, a grad student and freelance writer, is also feeling a little wistful — but because she’s single and feeling the lack of a partner. “Yung mga friends ko, isa-isa silang nag-aasawa, nagkakapamilya,” she says. “Parang out-of-place na ako when they start talking about their kids or their husbands.”

A lot of people get contemplative during the What completes you?

Pop culture isn’t too kind to the single person. Every movie and holidays; the twinkling lights, the carols, TV show out there, from dramas to comedies to science fiction, has and the closeness of family can do that to people pairing up or wanting to pair up, and being shown as lonely you, whether you’re single or not, so our if they’re alone. This is especially the case when the protagonist is female; the idea that a woman can’t be complete without a man is singlehood is more glaringly focused on, by both external and internal forces, during the hammered into our psyches by the shows we watch. holidays.

For Jolinne Pamatmat, 39, training coach, facilitator and owner of the The grass is greener It’s only human nature that we tend to pine for what we don’t have, for believing that the grass is ever greener on the other side. When it comes to relationships, it goes both ways. “Of course I love my

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Wallbush Training Center in Makati, her faith informs her outlook on being a single woman. She bases her seminars on leadership and complex relationships on John Paul II’s series of lectures called The Theology of the Body. When it comes to being single, she adheres to one of the ideas outlined in the book: original solitude. “The Bible

FEATURE 21

says that man should not be alone, but ‘man’ refers to humanity, and it means that God wants us to be in union with our Creator,” she says. “Single people tend to feel lonely, or think that being alone sucks. It’s because they think only another person can fulfill their needs; they haven’t solidified themselves.”

When you are able to see yourself as complete (through whatever it is that fulfills you) then you won’t feel that you can only be complete with another person. “If you appreciate that, then your single status is not a sad or lonely thing,” says Pamatmat.

And by not hinging your self-worth on being with another person, you will be in a healthier frame of mind and more ready to find unity with another. It’s definitely something to think about.

The single girl and Christmas For “T”, also 39, a chef and yoga instructor living abroad, there’s so much to treasure about being single. “My freedom. My happiness.

My peace. My money,” she says. “Not [being] bound by anyone or anything. I can decide what to do, when to do it and be accountable for it. I have the luxury of my own space and not deal with anyone else’s mess (both literally and figuratively). I choose to invite company or avoid company!”

That’s all well and good, but the singlehood that gives you room to breathe also sends up a big flag up in the air with an arrow pointing straight at you. You’ll get set up with your cousin’s boyfriend’s brother or get roped into babysitting duties. “You get invited to a lot of functions and people seem to want to book you in ahead of time.

They fight over your availability in a way,” says T with a smile.

Commercialism has the same effect as pop culture in the sense that it shines a spotlight on being single, making it seem like an undesirable state.

“It’s the world of consumerism that makes a big deal out of this,” says T. “Christmas is every day, and family or relationships are present every day. It’s how you spend ‘quality’ time that is important. May it be over a cup of tea or a simple phone call to say hello. For us folks overseas, we get to choose our ‘family of friends’ who we like to spend Christmas with!”

Instead of brooding about what you don’t have this holiday season, celebrate what you do have: more time for yourself, more financial resources, and a wider range of long- and short-term options for your life to choose from.

Reach out to others. Donate some of your time or money to a worthy cause — something that involves you enough that you’d want to

continue contributing to its cause for the rest of the year. Volunteer with a verified children’s charity or environmental organization; there are a lot of groups out there that would welcome your help.

Expand your horizons. “They say that travel broadens your mind, till you can’t get your head out of doors,” according to a favorite Elvis Costello songs. But a change of surroundings can be a rewarding experience in and of itself. It may be the jolt you need to jumpstart your creativity in art, self-expression or business.

Treat yourself. You have a budget (everyone does), but singles, especially those with no dependents, tend to have more disposable income than people in a relationship. Think about indulging in a little treat this season. Something that won’t break the bank but will give you a little enjoyment. A day at the spa, a lunch out with friends and family, that pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing.

Have fun. “I love being single!” says Mona, a property market researcher. Mona is a party girl and she’s living the time of her life as a single woman. Her advice? You can enjoy life, as long as you take care of yourself, and be a responsible adult. “Throw a party. Hook up with someone. Do something you’ve always wanted to do. There’s so much out there that we can do now while we’re single, before we settle down.”

Being single shouldn’t be seen as something negative. Should we stop thinking that being in a relationship is the natural end we should all aspire to? Should we stop saying “I’m still single”, with a wince, and just say, “I’m single”, with a smile?

22 FASHION

Filipino Artists at the DIFF: Making it through the Crossfire

Producer of Crossfire Fe Hyde with actor Perry Dizon.

Director Arnel Mardoquio and Actor Perry Dizon of Crossfire being interviewed

Fe Hyde with Director Adolfo Borinaga Alix Jr and actors Evelyn Vargas-Knaebel and Cherry Pie Pecache of Isda (Fable of the Fish)

Mindanaoans shared their voice and gained pride at the recently concluded 8th Dubai International Film Festival with the first ever entry of the film ‘Crossfire’ to the international arena. Present at the festival were the Grand Prize Palanca Awardee, Director/Producer Arnel Mardoquio and, Urian Best Actress Awardee, Producer Fe Hyde who shared with Illustrado their advocacies and challenges in being independent filmmakers.

“It all started with my passion for films,” says the exuberant Fe Hyde who was her usual pretty self in a lime-colored green dress. Recipient of Illustrado Magazine’s Women of Substance honor, Fe’s dedication and love for acting and filming have always been an open book. Now, her passion and hard work are paying off – her latest project, which is actually the third collaboration with Director/Producer Arnel Mardoquio, ‘Crossfire’ has entered and competed in the 8th Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF).

crossfire of an armed conflict. It follows trade partners Bai Magdas and Lingig who scavenge for rustic war remains and sells them to junkshop. Lingig, on one hand, has hearts for Bai Magdas’ 16-year old daughter Bitoon, who looks for opportunity to work abroad but has turned to become a victim of illegal recruitment. Bitoon then becomes the interest of rich Datu Mantukaw who feels old and desolate when he lost his family in armed conflict. The datu gives dowry when he proposes to Bai Magdas for marrying Bitoon.

But more than just sharing the success of their projects, Fe and Arnel’s concern primarily is the advocacy that they share together. The two independent filmmakers, who also produced films such as Hospital Boat and Sheika, are passionate in advocating peace in Mindanao, the Southern part of the Philippines, as well as promoting talents from there. Fe quips, “If other people are promoting their advocacies through songs, paintings or writing, we use films to create awareness in what we believe in.”

“It is of simple plot multi-layered with social issues expressed in one story. It tells you of the small wars and institutional wars of these characters. It opens the audience’s understating on culture in Mindanao, say for arranged marriages. It also gives a different perspective on poverty and grief caused by wars,” Arnel furthered on the key messages of the film.

Indeed, the presence of the film ‘Crossfire’ in this year’s edition of Dubai International Film Festival marks a milestone in their ongoing pursuit of promoting peace in Mindanao.

The director, Arnel, explained “Hindi po ito pang turista. The movie should appeal more to Filipinos in order for them to be aware of what is really happening in Mindanao. This is our way of doing a wakeup call not only to the government but to all Filipinos. We should understand that in wars, civilians are caught in the crossfire, leading to dislocation, sickness, death.”

He continues, “Personally, I’m glad that the government is in full support of the peace process in Mindanao. They are also supportive of projects such as this one. In fact, part of our funding came from the Philippines’ National Commission for Culture and Arts.”

The 105-minute movie talks about the lives of refugees caught in the

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The story of Bitoon, Bai, Lingig and Datu Mantukaw is undoubtedly captivating, paving the way for the jury’s nods to include it in the Dubai Internationl Film Festival Muhr Asia Pacific competition.

It vied against two Oscar entries: Singapore’s “Tatsumi” by Eric Khoo and Turkey’s “Once Upon a Time in Anatolia” by Nuri Bilge Ceylan. Other films in the category included Iran’s “Good Bye” by Mohammad Rasoulof and “Final Whistle” by Niki Karimi, and Africa’s “Restless City” by Andrew Dosunmu and “Man on Ground”

by Akin Omotso.

Critic or not, the film is a must-see for Filipinos. As Arnel concluded, “Filmmakers feel that they have social responsibility to examine the society, and provide options and solutions in making our society better. Since poverty is a recurring theme in the stories of our people, hence it recurs to our films. Nonetheless, Filipinos especially who are abroad should watch these kinds of films in order for them to witness and stay close to what really is happening in their homeland. Sana sa pagpanood nila ng Crossfire, maisip nila na aside from sending money to their families back home, meron pa silang puedeng itulong at balikan sa ating bansa.”

24 FEATURE

Juanin theBox

By Aby Yap

he could collect in a foreign land.

If you have an overseas Filipino in the clan or knickknack That was when I realized that dad, for all his innate kakuriputan, also even in the neighborhood (and who doesn’t, wasn’t impervious to the magic of the balikbayan box. Like many right?), you’d positively recognize what a other Pinoys around the world. balikbayan box is — and delight in knowing Balikbayan Box by Any Other Name that one is coming very soon.

It may be labeled “stateside,” “katas ng Abu Dhabi,” manna from My family has been among the happy beneficiaries of The Box or what seemed like an eternity. Back in the 80s, a TNT (Tago nang Tago) aunt babysitting for a Jewish family in the States would occasionally send us packages through vacationing friends. It could be some pairs of white Adidas sneakers for her teenage siblings or pretty blonde dolls for her nieces. Always, they were without their individual cartons.

Everything was tightly wrapped in plastic along with chocolates and dollars that our uncles and aunts would immediately convert to peso so we could dine out and shop for Monopoly and Cluedo board games.

In the latter part of that decade, my dad’s employer Philippine Airlines dispatched him to some countries to repair faulty airplane parts for a couple of weeks. He’d then come back with pasalubong for his excited family: chocolate covered macadamia nuts in tin cans from Hawaii; a mini Aiwa component from Singapore; and huge boxes of kiwi, grapes and oranges from Australia (one of the few times he actually splurged on homecoming gifts). When he started working in Jeddah for Saudia Airlines in the 90s, the boxes he brought home twice a year became noticeably bigger — not necessarily heavier due to airline luggage restrictions — as they contained every kind of

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heaven, or even hand-me-downs from <insert country here>, but a balikbayan box — regardless of its size or origin — would always smell as sweet.

Amoy imported, that’s how we often describe it. To this day, for sure, most of us still wonder what that mysterious odor sticking to the box contents could be.

Never mind if some know-it-all killjoy says it’s just freight-sealed air.

For us ordinary folks, this scent smacks of Christmas goodies in June and the goodwill of kin from afar.

From small packages hand-carried by friends or co-workers of older relatives working or living abroad through pakisuyo, the Pinoy’s classic pasalubong has quite come a long way. Special thanks go to former President Ferdinand Marcos’ Balikbayan Program in the 80s, which set off this cultural and commercial phenomenon.

Widely known as the balikbayan box, it’s the Filipino version of the Samsonite — only it’s larger than life or, at the very least, the

26 FEATURE passenger checking it in at the airport. If you’re in search of a rather well-off Pinoy, these enormous boxes plastered with packaging tape all over and proclaiming the owner’s name and contact details should lead you to one.

The challenge is in ensuring that no space in The Box or in any item is left unstuffed, and that everything unnecessary is discarded. So, out goes those bulky cartons and into the shoes, bags, purses, or pockets goes whatever fits. Siksik kung siksik.

That is, if The Box is sans the handy cover, sworn to protect it from rough handling and nosy bystanders. Hint: get one in bubble pink with side handles. It’s the surefire way to get out of the baggage claim area fast and easy. Unless Barbie is on the same flight as you.

Remember that disturbing email joke about a Pinay mom going home in a (balikbayan) box from the USA? You can take a pointer or two on pasalubong packing, but please don’t take it to the extreme.

Nowadays, though, cargo shipping is the practical and popular mode of sending the balikbayan box. Get a jumbo box for less than US$100 depending on your location and the area of delivery (plus a free bulilit box if there’s an ongoing promo). Fill it to the brim without worries over paying for excess baggage. And it will be delivered right to your recipient’s doorstep in a month — and warmly received by the neighbors’ ooohs and aaahs.

Oh, don’t forget to advise whoever is receiving the balikbayan box it to put on his/her best smile in case the delivery guy requests for a photo op with your balikbayan box.

Balikbayan Box, Like Life

You never know what you’re going to get out of it (or when it’s going to arrive). This much is true.

Of course, what’s typically inside the balikbayan box includes dozens of brand new or used branded clothing; some pairs of socks and shoes; towels and blankets; bags; tissue rolls; tall bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and lotion; packs of toothpaste and soap bars; perfumes and colognes; canned goods like Spam and Libby’s; jars of coffee and milk; sacks of Jasmine rice; chocolates and candies; and a number of household items, electronics, and toys to last the whole year through and to share with everyone you know.

Basically everything you can find in SM — where they got it all for you probably with higher price tags — or Quiapo even if you don’t care a lot about fake goods.

For those you can’t buy elsewhere in Pinas, that’s when you should expect the unexpected.

Magazines from eras ago, newspapers in another lingo, plastic grocery bags, sugar and salt sachets from fast-food restaurants, faux fur coats, feather boas, and outfits that once belonged to Cher or Freddie Mercury — people do get this kind of stuff from The Box. Surprise!

But, hey, it’s the thought that counts.

Add to that the effort, time, money, and creative juices spent in filling up the balikbayan box and you’ll most likely go to Baguio just to be able to show the giver how much you appreciate your winter get-up.

While shopping for the contents of the balikbayan box alone could take months with countless trips to the supermarket, outlet malls, and yard/holiday sales, packing could use up all your strength and packaging tape overnight.

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And a word from the wise: using The Box to smuggle “chop-chop” luxury vehicle parts or ship donated clothing to start up an ukay-ukay empire might warrant a visit to the House of the Representatives.

Thinking Outside the Balikbayan Box

To the rest of the world, the balikbayan box has grown to be the symbol of the Filipino’s close ties with family (including the entire barangay), of generosity and/or being galante, or even of gross PDP, i.e. Public Display of Pasalubong.

For someone who has been on the receiving end, I regard it as a blessing borne out of the blood and sweat of <insert name of relative here>. It doesn’t really matter if it’s two sizes smaller. There’s still that bag of M&M’s for the taking.

Likewise, for someone who actually managed to send a balikbayan box after tirelessly scouting for bargains in Bur Dubai and Satwa and carefully squeezing everything inside with the help of former housemates, I say it was a lot different but happier experience. Not because of that “it’s better to give than to receive” motto.

Just imagining my family merrily unwrapping the box, clutching every item in sight had me wondering whether I should jump into the box and hand these inexpensive but loving gifts to everyone back home myself.

You can take Juan out of the Philippines, but you can never take the Philippines out of Juan. Perhaps that’s what the balikbayan box is all about.

28 FEATURE

FROM THOUGHTS

THAT COUNT

A thoughtful list of gift ideas for the deeply and socially considerate

By Zee Zamora Perez

It’s the overflowing rush of giddy as you push off as a five-year-old for that first ride on that training wheel saddled bike on Christmas day. It’s that grateful tight hug to your mom as a thirteen-year-old after you’ve unwrapped your first diary and the first sanctioned step into an undisturbed space of your own. It’s the rare solitary drink of wine from the bottle you bought just for yourself as an adult paired with a lazy look out the window into a holiday-hurried crowd off to early morning mass.

Whatever the gift; the intangibles stay with the receiver the longest.

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FEATURE 29

The breadth of choices for holiday presents these days may have made the shopping for standard tokens for under the tree ever easier. The expanding catalogue of socially considerate choices available from the many NGOs, social enterprises and advocacy driven enterprises within arm’s reach has made orchestrating a memory from a present that accurately expresses how greatly you treasure your intended just as easy.

Here’s a list of gift ideas that will certainly uplift, liberate and comfort the little Santa elves that made them. They also promise to offer your cherished family or friend the same nurturing it’s given its makers and, at the very least, a memory that speaks of your affection clearly and loudly.

Uplift: Nothing invigorates the spirit the way a new experience can

You can get your football devotee to try an introductory class for PH300. A group of 18 football aficionados subscribed to the ten weekend package sends one football scholar to an entire year in high school.

Chief Elf: Dream Big Pilipinas Football Association Founder Miguel Bermundo.

To place an order on your wish list: Email miguelbermundo@yahoo.com or call +639175032520.

Concert tickets to an artist’s haven by the sea

San Antonio, Zamabales is home to white sand beaches and a darling community of fishermen whose children play Bach and Beethoven on the violin and cello in the afternoons. San Antonio, Zambales is also home to CASA San Miguel and its virtuosi, an artist’s haven created by Philippine violin prodigy Coke Bolipata in their ancestral residence amidst his family’s heirloom mango orchard. The CASA’s yearly Pundaquit festivals bring artists from all over on a half year long intense in-residence training programs that also allow the San Antonio community residents, its children, training in the arts from our modern day masters. CASA San Miguel now welcomes art music fans, the classical music curious or solace seeking urbanites to overnight stays to its 7 bedrooms. Each room is dedicated with its own serene porch view of the CASA orchard with two seats to one of the CASA virtuosi concerts in their concert hall during your stay and four home made meals for two is available at a PHP4,000 package.

Chief elf: Coke Bolipata. To reserve a night and inquire about the CASA holiday festival concert schedule of performances to time your visit against: Email cokebolipata@yahoo.com

Football for a day

Here’s a gift for your football groupie that will turn spectator to empathetic fan. On Saturday mornings play host to Dream Big Pilipinas Football Association’s (DBPFA) weekly Football Fundamentals classes. The PHP2,500 package for the entire 10 weekend module welcomes children from as early as 3 years old to the energetic thirteen year old. The Dream Big team of instructors are a mix of coaches from International School teams as well as Dream Big trained coaches from residents of Gawad Kalinga in Pasig. The latter earn above minimum wage professional fees for their coaching work and a portion of the football class fees are pooled into a scholarship fund that send Gawad Kalinga Pasig kids who train under Dream Big to schools in Metro Manila.

Read up on a morning ritual

Roast master Robert Francisco of local roaster Boyd’s Coffee Company Philippines has been in the coffee roasting and retailing business for more 16 years. His expeditions in search of Philippine coffee to many an inimitable Filipino coffee farm from Tawi-Tawi to Kalinga is chronicled with enchanting imagery in his published coffee table book ‘A Coffee Journey.’ Your Filipino coffee drinker will devour this extraordinary personal love affair for Philippine grown coffee.

The book is available for PhP 1,800 by order direct from their coffee roasting elves via +6237473231 or bccpi@boydphil.com.

30 FEATURE

Liberate: Freedom of any kind is an invaluable gift Walk a mile in a friend’s shoes

Understanding the unique life of a solo mom with its complexity and patent joys is mastery exclusive to the remarkable women that fit the Happy Even After journal’s distinction. The journal defines solo moms as ‘those who were never married, were once married, widows, OF wives and tita mommys raising other people’s children as their own.’

A friend to such an empowered woman offers precious support with this journal’s collection of constructive commiserating through inspirational stories from solo moms, tips to steer the challenging waters of solo parenthood and an invaluable a short section on pertinent laws such as the Solo Parent Act. Plus, for every journal sold, PHP10 will be donated to the H.E.R.O (Help Educate and Rear Orphans of soldiers killed in action) Foundation to help other solo moms by providing educational stipends to children of fallen soldiers.

To order a copy from its clever little elves, log on to www.happyevenafter.com, message +639178927277 or email happyevenafter01@gmail.com

denim bears are hand crafted by one of Gifts and Graces partner communities in Cainta providing an alternative steady income source to Persons with Disabilities. The adorable slightly unconventional version of Mr. Men and Little Miss come in different school-based subcultures e.g. jocks, nerds, cheerleaders, teachers. These Monster Dolls retail for PHP150 each and the Retaso Denim bears made from scrap denim can be had for PHP250.

These and other lovely toys are on display at the Gifts and Graces Showroom at Mile Long Building on Amorsolo Street Makait is open on Mondays through Fridays from 9AM to 6PM. For information on how to order email info@giftsandgraces.com or call +6327592525

Comfort: Our hands are tools to production but to others they bring comfort, the key to their growth and their independence

Wear a hand-painted shirt

Comfortable cotton t-shirts that don hand-painted Filipino iconography like Jeepneys, Filipino games like pukpok palayok and Philippine endemic species like the pawikan are the products of Virlanie Foundation’s children under their program to foster social integration. The brilliantly colored tees provide a small allowance to the children who devoted their creativity to the illustration and also contribute to the Income Generating Program of the foundation which also helps sustain the therapy and specialized care at Virlanie’s several centers for street children.

For shirt prices and how to order email the IGP coordinator at igp@virlane.org or call +639166833726.

Make your own stories

What’s a Christmas Tree without Toys?!

Gift and Graces Fairtrade Foundation is offering fun cuddlies as part of their Holiday collection. Their limited monster dolls and retaso

Illustrado Magazine

The travel bound friend will cherish these ANTHILL Fabric Gallery journals enrobed in hand loomed fabrics in Junggo Stripe pattern of varying vibrant colors rigorously woven by mother weavers from Vigan, Ilocos Sur. These women celebrate their culture by continuing their living traditions of fabric weaving in the hopes of reviving it and passing it on to younger generations. Their vanishing art, through the support of the Cebu-based social business ANTHILL Fabric gallery has now become an alternative source of income for the Vigan women wevers.

To place ad order for each PHP380 ANTHILL travel journal email able elf Anya Lim, Princess Ant at ANTHILL Fabric Gallery via joyanyalim@gmail.com

32 FEATURE

ILLUSTRADO WINS BEST DOCUMENTARY AT THE 1ST MAM AWARDS Illustrado’s documentary ‘The Filipina on Top: Deconstructing Maria Clara,’ wins an award at the Commission on Overseas Filipinos 1st Migration Advocacy & Media Awards 2011 Seven media entries from the Philippines, US, New Zealand, South Korea, and UAE are this year’s recipient of the First Migration Advocacy and Media (MAM) Awards spearheaded by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas – among them, Illustrado’s documentary “The Filipina on Top: Deconstructing Maria Clara.”

Among the 64 official entries, the seven media works emerged as the best in their respective categories in raising public awareness on issues on Filipino migration, advocating the cause of Filipinos overseas, and promoting a positive image of Filipinos overseas, and migration and development.

The panel of judges for the MAM Awards is headed by CFO Secretary Imelda M. Nicolas with members from the different migration and media institutions, which include Philippine Migrants Rights Watch, Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Philippine Information Agency, Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas, National Press Club of the Philippines, International Association of Business Communicators, UP College of Mass Communication, and Philippine Migrants Rights Network.

“Filipina on Top” is directed by Kamil Roxas, winner of the Hayah Film Competition at the Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF) in 2008. The film was produced in conjunction with Illustrado’s Women of Substance Advocacy. It talks about the sensitive yet significant issues concerning Filipinas, hoping to create awareness on the harsh realities Filipinas face and, at the same time, provide relevant information and worthwhile advice. The documentary is a follow-up to last year’s successful release of “The Empowered Filipina.”

The film discusses the various attitudes towards pre-marital sex and the complex conservative-modern value system of Filipinas. Also tackled in the film is the lack of sex education in the country, contrasted with the omnipresent influence of the highly sexualized Philippine media and how all these shape cultural attitudes, behaviors and the choices Filipinas make for themselves.

Other prevalent concerns among the Filipinas tackled by the film are unwanted pregnancies and sexual harassment - the latter, furthered

by Illustrado Magazine’s random survey of around 100 Filipinas

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in the ages of 20 to 50 years old based in the Middle East, where 75% said that they have experienced sexual harassment of some form, whether mild or serious (where sexual harassment is defined as unwanted sexual advances, request for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that tends to create a hostile or offensive environment).

According to Illustrado Magazine’s Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Lalaine Chu-Benitez - “While the debate continues on the decaying moral values in Philippine media; while the RH bill remains a bone of contention; and more conservatives seek to ban the sale of condoms, and artificial birth control without prescription, Filipinas in the Middle East are already on ‘stage three.’ They are experiencing the repercussions of our contradictory value system - suffering sexual harassment of various forms, while some have been jailed due to unwanted pregnancies and illicit relationships (sex without marriage). Clearly, something’s wrong here and we need to wake up and do something.”

Speaking during this year’s Illustrado’s Women of Substance event in March, she says, “Last year, with the showing of the minidocumentary ‘The Empowered Filipina’, we were able to call on our fellow Pinays around the world to uplift themselves despite prevalent negative stereotypes. This year, we would like to encourage them to take charge of all aspects of their life, to protect themselves and to safeguard their situation, as well as future.”

Director Kamil Roxas comments, “I think a documentary has always been a beautiful medium and a vitally necessary form of information. Filming ‘The Empowered Filipina’ and ‘Filipina on Top’ with Illustrado’s Women of Substance team is indeed a privilege.

I’m pleased that they use this medium of communication to aim for significant awareness campaigns.”

The Awarding Ceremonies, which will form part of the annual celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and International Migrants Day for 2011, will be on December 15, 2011, 5:30 pm at DM Hall (LandBank Auditorium), LBP Plaza, Malate, Manila.

Watch the film on Youtube in two parts - www.youtube.com/ watch?v=oNQVwswajSk www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vTsTwHdBE0

34 PINOY PRO Celebrating the Professional Pinoy Antonette Rosales Gaza Complex Assistant Human Resources Manager Southern Sun - Al Manzil & Qamardeen Hotels UAE When Antonette arrived in Dubai in 1999, she started her career as a Line Employee (Hostess) at the One & Only Royal Mirage. She dreamt of becoming a Manager someday, but hesitant to dream too big, and was always conscious of being an undergraduate.

But because she had the right attitude, perseverance and dedication Antonette was able to get an opportunity to be cross-trained in Human Resources. “After six months of cross-training, Management appointed me as Junior Training Secretary. Then after one year, I was promoted to Secretary to the Director of Human Resources.

During my tenure as a Secretary, I took advantage of the possibilities of learning other aspects of Human Resources. I fulfilled some lateral services in the department in doing some of my colleagues’ tasks and responsibilities during their absence,” says Antonette.

She worked 12-15 hours a day, but says “it was never a problem to me.” After two years of being a Secretary, she was again promoted to Human Resources Coordinator/Staff Accommodation InCharge, which was already middle management level. The position challenged Antonette to further prove herself. She was closer and closer to her goal to become a Manager some day.

“In 2006, Southern Sun Hotels posted an opening for a Staff Accommodation Manager which I applied for, and was very fortunate to get the job.

I knew for a fact that a managerial position can be a very challenging one, but by this time, I never doubted myself, my capabilities and my passion towards work.”

In 2008, Antonette was promoted to her current position of Complex Assistant Human Resources Manager. She may have reached her goal, but has now set her sights even higher.

Being in this position and managing two Hotel properties is indeed not an easy task, however, I know that if I continue to believe in myself, there is no doubt that I will be able to achieve the Executive Management level position in the near future,” says Antonette, with the same confidence and determination that brought her to where she is today.

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Richard Serafico Senior Premium Support Services Consultant – Middle East & Africa MISYS UAE

Richard was working as a Senior Support Consultant in Misys-Manila office for 9 years before making the move to Dubai to work for the same company as a Senior Premium Support Services Consultant for Middle East and Africa.

Describing a typical day which includes meetings with Middle East and Africa (MEA) clients, Richard says his responsibilities include building an understanding of the customer’s IT environment/infrastructure and becoming a trusted advisor. “We share product knowledge expertise, technical and domain information and recommend best practice to our clients towards managing the solutions they bought from us. We deliver our services on-site or off-site to Middle East and Africa clients,” Richard explains.

Uprooting himself from his comfort zone in Manila, and doing everything he was doing before but in a different country was the biggest challenge for Richard. But because he is evidently excelling in his field, Richard was able to turn this challenge into his biggest achievement. The fact that he continues to enjoy his job immensely is a bonus to him.

In his freetime, Richard plays basketball and goes wall climbing. In between these calorie-burners, he enjoys eating out, watching movies, reading manga and watching animes.

Luchie Suguitan Fund Admin Manager Delta Partners Dubai St. Paul University of Manila Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management graduate Luchie Suguitan worked for her Alma Mater straight out of college, and then moved to Dubai in 2004, attracted by the prospects in the hospitality industry. Today, however, with a strategic career move, she finds her talents and skills flourishing while working as the Fund Admin Manager of Delta Partners’ Investment business. Delta Partners is the leading firm in Advisory and Investment business, specializing in telecoms, media and technology. Luchie looks after the administration functions of the company’s investment business where she undertakes responsibilities in Investor Relations, Fund Administration, support in Deal Execution & Portfolio Management, as well as Legal and Compliance.

Luchie says, that the most fulfilling aspect about her job is not only making sure that she has ticked all the boxes in her work list, but also receiving rave reviews from bosses – especially after pulling off a VIP Investors’ Event and contributing to the effort of her team’s milestones, or sometimes, even something as simple as locking down a task force call.

Outside her professional life, Luchi is into Bikram Yoga, baking and photography. She’s also deeply attached to Tomi, her Bristish Blue cat and says that even after eight years in the emirates, she still gets homesick and is thankful that her 800MAMA helpline is open 24/7.

Marris Remuth Mana Relationship Manager Emirates Post UAE

Being a Relationship Manager for the Emirates Post Group Holding Company is certainly a departure from being in the seminary. But that is the path that Marris took in his present position.

While in the Seminary for his priestly formation, Marris felt that something was missing and decided to move out from the Seminary. During this time, he taught Philosophy in one of the private schools in Cabanatuan City, The Good Samaritan Colleges.

Now, as a Relationship manager, he prepares SME sales plans and targets, while taking into consideration market growth, competition, and future expansion. “Basically I prepare my daily sales report every morning. This outlines achievements and milestones of the previous day, whom I met with, and the status of client projects.”

When he is not talking to clients, he is visiting them to make sure that they are taken care of and their needs are properly anticipated before they become potential problems.

“The most fulfilling part of my job is closing a deal and receiving positive feedback from a satisfied client.”

The former seminarian says that he has now found what was missing when he was in the seminary — his wife. “I am so lucky, because both my wife and I are working here in Dubai. This allows us to share more and allows us to feel how much we love each other.”

Marris’ wife works as a Marketing Planner in one the prestigious companies in Dubai.

34 PINOY TALENT-ON THE-JOB

It’s What I Do

PINOY TALENT

ON-THE- JOB In this month’s column, we feature three Filipinas from diverse careers, with one thing in common – their talent, hard work and commitment to the job, whatever it is, gives us Filipinos a good name.

Rosemarie TacordaRamos Marketing Manager Dusit Hotel, Dubai

My Job

As Marketing Manager for Dusit Thani hotel in Dubai, my responsibilities include brand management, marketing planning, conceptualization, copy writing and campaign management.

Basically, everything that I love doing!

I’m always excited whenever my proposal or concept gets approved and rolled out into different media channels. It does not only bring business to the hotel but it also brings great satisfaction to me personally. What I do is what I am. Freedom to imagine and create fuels me on a day-to-day basis.

Being in Marketing, means you need to provide solutions to communicating your brand taking into consideration the vision, heritage, positioning, location and target audience. Joining Dusit Thani Dubai made me think how to best communicate the brand to an international community without forgetting its Thai heritage.

And so, I came up with a visual that showcases the iconic structure of Dusit Thani Dubai that carries with it the Thai culture. This particular design is now being applied on our hotel collaterals from VIP welcome card, Thank You card, Gift wrapping paper, CD case, etc.. More to come later, and soon everything in Dusit Thani Dubai will be brand new with world class quality! This strategy makes us more identifiable from the rest of Dusit Thani hotels, without compromising on the brand guidelines.

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A typical working day for me My day starts with a morning briefing with the entire Sales and Marketing team where we discuss the occupancy rate of the hotel and activities planned for the day. We proceed to our own offices and action incoming emails. During the course of the day, I either meet with creative and production suppliers or potential marketing partners or F&B and Revenue team to plan upcoming hotel activities and promotions.

There would be times when I get frustrated when my concept does not get converted properly into what I have visualized, but for the love of job, I have to be patient; patience whilst fine tuning the creative, is the only way to achieve the desired result!

Career Advice Always proactively shake your comfort zone so you can enrich your life’s experiences but always stick to your core genius because this is where you will get your job satisfaction. You have very little control over your environment, so make sure you are in control of yourself – how you act, how you react and how you plan your future. Stick to the goal and always try to see the big picture, as this will be your guide when things go wrong along the way. Be deaf to destructive comments and be generous to give good feedback.

As cliché as it may sound, I have proven this time and time again - do what you love! And above all, be fair to the people around you.

38 PINOY TALENT-ON THE-JOB

Maria Teresa “Thesma” Molina Talinga Personal Assistant & Private Lady Driver Al Muhairi Family, Al Ain

My Job All my life, I have always wanted to do service and share the best things I have learned. So although out of the blue and out of my original plans as a certified teacher from the Philippines, I have ended up as a personal assistant and private lady driver to the prominent Al Muhairi family of Al Ain. I will be completing my 20 years on-thejob this year.

My job entails a wide scope of duties and a lot of dedication.

Fortunately, my employers are happy with my performance and trust me. So they have given me a lot of room for personal growth. Hence, I am able to use my private time learning, sharing, and socializing with the community, investing time and effort on endeavors like that of the Filipino Association for Computer Excellence (FACE UAE), The Filipino Expatriates Foundation of the Philippines, Bagong Bayani, Klab -Drivers’ Association, Bantay Bata 163 and CGMA, Bayanihan in Abu Dhabi- Philippine Embassy. In addition, I am also given the chance of traveling to other countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, United Kingdom, Italy, Venice, Amsterdam and Egypt, among others. For my employers, I am not just a hired worker but a part of the family, whose opinion is listened to and valued.

A typical working day for me My daily routine starts as soon as my sponsors are out for work in the morning – when every single responsibility for the rest of the family, whether for tots or the school children, or even medical requirements, rests upon my shoulders. Once my boss returns from work, I review, analyze and tackle paperwork with him. The work seems simple enough in the outside but in reality, I carry a lot of responsibilities and some of them very sensitive and requiring utmost care. That is why I try to be very conscientious in performing my tasks. I always give the best every single day and fortunately, my employer knows my value and says, “Thesma, you are our thumb and also our walking computer; without you, we cannot live.”

Message for Filipinos Inspirations has given me strength to move on and succeed.

Inspirations has taught me how to deal with life and respect each individual whichever race they belong to. Inspirations push me to continue learning and to continue sharing unselfishly whatever I gain as time goes by. I hope and pray that God willing, I have made all the people around me happy and proud of me, simply because of my endeavors, may it be in or out of our beloved country. I am definitely proud to be a Filipino.

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PINOY TALENT-ON THE-JOB 39

Sherry Tenorio Magazine Editor Mediamost Publishing, Dubai

A typical working day for me

My Job I’m a magazine Editor.

On the serious front, my work responsibilities include editorial planning, submitting and assigning story ideas, acquiring leads for stories, conducting interviews, proofreading, editing and writing copy, handling freelancers, liaising with clients and industry-related agencies, representing the company in events and conferences, establishing points of magazine distribution, spearheading marketing campaigns, and ensuring that the magazines adhere to the house style and quality standards before printing.

On a lighter note, my job also entails, I would say, an active social life. I get to review (for free) movies, hotels, restaurants, spas and beauty products. I am invited (with VIP access) to fashion shows, concerts, launches, parties, gala dinners, and even press trips abroad.

I see and meet the likes of Tom Cruise, Gerard Butler, Christina Aguilera, Manolo Blahnik, Roberto Cavalli and Sophia Loren whilst doing my job.

I’m a banker-turned-lifestyle journalist. During my early days in Dubai, I was looking for something to fill my free weekends and weeknights. A series of events and people led me to freelancing for a lifestyle magazine. My first assignment was to review the Dubai staging of Mamma Mia. From then on, I realized that I needed to pursue my passion for writing. And so, I did. When the opportunity to work full time as a junior reporter to a weekly lifestyle magazine came my way, I did not hesitate to take it. My mind kept telling me of all the risks - especially wasting the years of building a banking career. Looking back, there has never been regret to my decision. I love sharing my thoughts through words, and I ‘m so blessed that I get to do that for a living.

My day starts with emails. Once done with checking lots of press releases, and answering tons of event invites, I begin to work on the articles that need to be filed for design for that day. Usually, I would hope that the day goes by just researching and writing, and coordinating with my editorial team on the latest updates with their assignments. But, from time to time, I need to attend press conferences, meetings, interviews, launches, parties - these make my work hours extend from 9am till the wee hours of the night.

Career Advice Success and happiness are mutually exclusive. But I believe that you can have both as long as, to quote a friend, you “know what you want, and when you do, have the courage to pursue it.”

So despite the risk of sounding cheesy and clichéd, I say, let’s do it! Starting today, let’s make an effort to put our best foot forward.

Because we are much much more than what others see us to be. Let’s show them who we Pinoy’s really are.

40 KABUHAYAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

CRESCENDO ALL-DAY

BREAKFAST CLUB

By Bernadette Reyes

At 28, Warren Estrabo was earning a fat pay cheque working for a multinational company until work issues took its toll. “I got burned out,” he said. Self-employment, he said, seemed more practical than a new job in a company where work tenure is unpredictable especially with treats of global recession just around the corner. So with a capital of PHP350,000 - his life savings and a bank loan combined, Warren opened an all-day breakfast store and changed his life.

“My officemates would always crave for rice meals like longaniza and tapa even during snacktime but we can’t find any store that sells breakfast meals after 10AM so I thought why not offer an all-day breakfast menu?,” said Warren.

The first store turned out to be a huge success that whenever Puregold would open a new branch, Crescendo was always be a top-of-mind lease client.

In July 2007 Crescendo’s pioneer branch opened in Puregold Price Club in Imus, Cavite.

The recipe for Crescendo’s success is a mix of quality food and affordable price. On any given day, Crescendo offers 12 items on the menu. Half of which are staples while the rest are innovative food items rotated every six months. Prices range from PHP39 for a rice meal to PHP115 for a two-viand rice meal with drinks. “I don’t know how long novelty food cart businesses would survive. But since our products are rice-based and Filipinos are rice eaters, our business will always have its fair share of the market,” said Warren.

Warren would have wanted to operate his business in the more popular SM Mall but was turned down. “Malls didn’t even bother to return our calls or entertain us until I inquired at Puregold which was a stone’s throw away from where I live,” he said.

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Successful recipe

KABUHAHAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP 41

Trimming down cost

With a commissary in place Crescendo is able to maintain the quality of its products at the same time preserve its bestkept secret recipes. “Our chicken barbecue since we opened four years ago still tastes the same until now. The danger if you subcontract is you have less control of the recipe. They can cheat on the ingredients, copy the recipe or worst they can mishandle the food,” Warren warned.

Products are managed by the company from point of origin to point of distribution. Middlemen are eliminated therefore cost are trimmed down which would have otherwise been passed on to operating cost ultimately bringing prices up.

“Other franchisors subcontract. Whatever additional cost they incur they mark it up and pass it on to franchisees,” said Warren.

Maximizing profit

Crescendo developed an effective system to ensure almost zero wastage. Viands have a shelf life of six months so they don’t spoil easily. Food is cooked only after an order has been placed. “With this system we eliminate unnecessary expenses in product costing,” said Warren.

Effective product inventory and management are crucial in running a successful food business. Warren explained, “When the business is already running for about three months you will see average consumption per product. From there you will be able to monitor which items are fast moving and which are not and decide how much of each you will need for a particular period.”

Today, Crescendo has nine branches, four of which are companyowned and five are franchised.

Passing on its success

Crescendo is open for franchise for a total investment cost of PHP180,000. This amount covers acquisition of equipment, initial inventory, staff training and use of trademark. Franchise fee costs PHP150,000 which the franchisee can pay in installments.

To ensure the success of franchised businesses, Warren takes time to oversee its operations. He deals with franchisees directly and makes sure communication lines are always open to address any concerns.

He advised franchisees to research about their prospective franchisors especially those who offer too-good-to-be-true franchise packages.

“It’s a common nightmare among franchisees that after the franchisor delivers the products and equipment, they don’t hear from them anymore except when they are about to place new orders,” Warren warned.

More than the products and equipment, the franchisor should also pass on the operational aspect of the business such as inventory planning, cost benefit analysis and backend business operation. “A franchise is an expansion of one business to another by passing on the totality of the business. It can’t just be the product alone,” said Warren.

Pinoy taste

While Crescendo’s products may look like other products in the market, it tastes like no other. “Everyone can sell tapa and longaniza, make fancy packaging or promotions like unlimited rice but at the end of the day, our signature Pinoy dishes will always be different, that is our biggest advantage,” said Warren.

In the next few years, CresCendo will expand and open a full-blast restaurant with Filipino food as part of the menu.

Warren hopes to locate CresCendo in SM Malls and while he was turned down several times the past, he knows his stronger brand will seal the deal the next time around. “One time the leasing manager of SM bought a meal at Crescendo. She immediately recognized the potential of the business so she asked if we would like to open a store in SM. I told her I would have loved to, but the offer came two years too late as they turned me down,” said Warren.

“We are taking baby steps. We don’t want to rush things because at the end of the day we want our franchisees and our customers to get their money’s worth with Crescendo,” he added.

Crescendo may sound very Italian but it will always be a uniquely Filipino concept serving traditional Pinoy breakfast all day.

42 KABUHAYAN MONEY

Christmas

2011:

The Birth of a New Tradition

I received a forwarded email and I do not know the original source. This kind of email is usually treated as “junk” but I noticed some very interesting ideas that should give all of us some “food for thought.” A lot of the ideas will save you money. We all know, the principle “Pay Yourself First” with the formula “Income – Savings = Expenses.” If you save a lot more from your Christmas shopping, you will be able to convert more into savings.

By Francisco J Colayco

In this article, I changed words so that it does not refer to any specific country. The article should refer to the citizens of your country. My gratitude and apologies to the original writer who unfortunately I do not know. It goes like this: “As the holidays approach, some giant factories are kicking into high gear to provide monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods erchandise that may have been produced at the expense of labor in your own country.

This year should be different. This year we should give the gift of genuine concern for our countrymen. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by our country’s hands.

It’s time to think outside the box! Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in another country’s produced wrapping paper?

Everyone – yes, every individual needs to get their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local hair salon or barber? Gym membership? It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, local detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down wads of cash on an imported product? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed, or driveway cleaned all year round, or games at the local golf course.

There are a gazillion owner-run restaurants - all offering gift certificates.

And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint?

Remember, folks this isn’t about big national chains this is about supporting your hometown citizens with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the local working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would love the services of a local cleaning lady for a day. Your gift recipient’s

Illustrado Magazine

computer could use a tune-up, and you can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

What if you are looking for something more personal? Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes. Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. How about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre? Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, do you you really need to buy another ten thousand Christmas lights for the house? When you buy a string of lights, very little stays in the community. If you have that kind of money to burn, leave the mailman, garbage man or babysitter a nice big tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining local pockets so that another country can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring for your own country, encouraging local small businesses to keep plugging away and following their dreams. When we care about our other countrymen, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we could only begin to imagine.

This should be the new local Christmas tradition.

This is a revolution of caring about each other, and isn’t that what Christmas is about?

Lastly, how’s this for a New Year’s Resolution: Support Green Energy.

Well, green and energy. Keep the cash in your wallet and save yourself a lot of “real” energy in 2012 because we need both to stay positive next year and the years to come.

God bless you and God bless our country!”

Check out www.colaycofoundation.com to learn more on how you can grow your savings.

44 FEATURE

BEAUTY, BRAINS,

and Benevolence

By Anna Oposa

“My persuasion can build a nation,” declares Beyonce in one of her many hit songs. It’s a line that is personified

by Anna Meloto-Wilk, Krie Reyes-Lopez, and Neva Kares Talladen, three women whose persuasion and vision are redefining the way we do business through social enterprises made by Filipinos for Filipinos.

Anna describes Human♥Nature as a “patriotic business” because they want the Philippines to benefit from it. “Traditional businesses are only beholden to their stakeholders, and they have a legal obligation to produce at the least cost and highest profit. In social enterprises, profit is one of the goals, but it’s not the only goal,” says Meloto-Wilk.

Human♥Nature is arguably the biggest game changer in Philippine business. Their practices are so unusual to the point of being almost ridiculous. For instance, 100% of profit from the sales of their best-selling Citronella Bug Spray goes back to the farmers to further develop operations. 100% of profit from the Passion Fruit Hydrating Mineral Lipstick will also fund sustainable livelihoods for a passion fruit farming community in Davao.

Business unusual:

Anna Meloto-Wilk and Human♥Nature As the eldest child of Tony Meloto, founder of Gawad Kalinga (GK), Anna was exposed to the harsh realities of poverty since she was in her mother’s womb. But after graduating college, she resisted working for GK and stepped into the corporate world to build a name outside her father’s shadow.

It wasn’t long until her social consciousness caught up with her: “I’d look at a budget allotted for a small brand and think, ‘Wow, this is enough to build three GK villages,’” says Meloto-Wilk.

In 2008, Meloto-Wilk found the perfect way to contribute to her dad’s vision using her own skills. With her sister Camille’s passion for cosmetics and her husband Dylan’s technical expertise, they launched Human♥Nature, a range of affordable and natural beauty products that are 100% manufactured in the Philippines. The brand is anchored on three major philosophies: PRO-PHILIPPINES, PRO-POOR, and PRO-ENVIRONMENT. Human♥Nature employs Gawad Kalinga residents as part of their full time staff and has started work on a Human♥Nature Organic Farm in a Gawad Kalinga community in Bulacan.

“We have two advocacies: developing agriculture and promoting dignity of work,” Meloto-Wilk shares. Why agriculture? “Business is tied with economy, and the Philippine economy is still largely agricultural. Our land and our people are our biggest resources, and we’re not reaching the full potential of it.”

“When we started, the minimum wage was about PHP370, but we paid our people PHP500 kahit hindi pa kami kumikita,” adds Anna. “We shortened the probation period from six months to three months. Instead of getting paid on a daily basis like most farmers, they become regular employees, so they enjoy benefits of regular employees.”

Human♥Nature also started a community financial stewardship program. “Two months before the farmers receive their 13th month pay, they need to submit what their plans are for salary, para hindi sila mabigla, and they don’t blow it off in, say, one karaoke machine,” says the mother of three.

“A business has the potential to change society in the way they treat their employees, purchase their raw materials, and influence the public. People listen to businesses, because people listen to money.

It’s human nature, but the other side of it.”

And that, perhaps, is why the heart between Human♥Nature makes all the difference.

Illustrado Magazine

FEATURE 45

Cleaning more than HOUSEs:

Krie Reyes-Lopez, HOUSE, and Messy Bessy For Krie Reyes-Lopez, the advocacy came before the product. In 2006, she drew inspiration from the Delancey Street Foundation in San Francisco to build HOUSE (Helping Ourselves through Sustainable Enterprises). The goal of HOUSE is to rehabilitate the disadvantaged through profitable social enterprises.

HOUSE’s first business was born in 2007. Reyes-Lopez experimented with recipes found online to make the first seven products of Messy Bessy, which is quickly becoming the most popular locally made brand of green household cleaners. It is worth noting that none of the Messy Bessy labels have any reference to HOUSE. “I want the products to sell for themselves,” says Reyes-Lopez. “And I don’t want our members to feel like they’re entitled to other people’s money just because they’re disadvantaged. It’s not a poor me, give me mindset. I want them feel that they’re part of something bigger than themselves.”

HOUSE is now a growing team of five managers and 18-24 year olds organizations like the Visayan Forum, an organization that empowers survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence,

and Urban Opportunities, a movement that energizes the homeless through football.

Reyes-Lopez compares HOUSE to a university. “Instead of offering different courses, we have different businesses. If we have a cafeteria in the future, that will be like our Hotel Restaurant Management course.” The employees of HOUSE undergo the Helping Ourselves Program (HOP), a holistic program that involves formal education, on-the-job training, and values formation. The student-employees take the government-sanctioned exams every year so they can earn grade school or high school diplomas. “We give them a lot of accountability,” Reyes-Lopez says. “To stay in the program, they have to maintain a grade based on their work, school activities, and attitudes.”

The marriage of HOUSE and Messy Bessy allows the young mother to exercise her creativity, entrepreneurship, and passion for service.

“My vision is to build a big, diverse group of companies that will train, employ, and educate young adults. The more businesses we have, the more skills we can develop. I also want our system to be replicable, so that other people can do this in different parts of the Philippines,” says Reyes-Lopez. “There are over 11 million out-ofschool youths in the Philippines, and we’re only helping 28. I need to be realistic; obviously I can’t do this by myself. We want to synergize with other people.”

46 FEATURE

Rewriting her story:

doing?” “Do your boyfriends have jobs?” “Is this a reflection of the majority of women?”

Neva Kares Talladen and Leyende

Such questions prompted her to commit to working with disadvantaged women from HOUSE’s partner organizations, like International Justice Mission Manila and the Visayan Forum.

Leyende’s production staff is also working toward their high school diplomas through H.O.P. “The women come from different backgrounds. Some didn’t have parents, while some had parents who were extremely abusive,” shares Talladen.

Synergy is a good word to describe the relationship of Krie ReyesLopez and Neva Kares Talladen. The two met in a bazaar, where their friendship began with a mutual admiration for each other’s product designs. Talladen loved the colorful, vintage vibe of Messy Bessy, while Reyes-Lopez adored the sophisticated, no-fuss lines of Leyende, Neva’s line of eco-friendly, handmade, and organic bath and body products.

The word Leyende comes from the Spanish word leyenda, meaning “legend” or “story.” The name is apt for a brand that carries stories worth telling. Neva created Leyende out of necessity. As an awarded poet and freelance writer, she wanted a business to sustain her art.

She also needed to solve her adult-onset skin problems. Talladen took workshops with local and international chemists to develop her own handmade products. She shared them with relatives as gifts during the holiday season of 2006. Her titas and cousins enjoyed the products and encouraged her to sell them. Talladen, who had always thought of herself as creative rather than entrepreneurial was initially hesitant. “I couldn’t even sell raffle tickets before!” she exclaims.

With the boom of Multiply as a site for online sellers and much support from her mother, Talladen headed to the Filipino Heritage Library to take her research further. She discovered beauty rituals of Filipinos that utilized natural ingredients. For this reason, Leyende products make use of materials abundant in the Philippine environment, such as muscovado sugar, pineapple extract, calamansi extract, and coconut oil.

The friendship of the two women blossomed into a business partnership. Reyes-Lopez shared her resources with Talladen and helped her get in touch with social workers. As Leyende grew, Talladen released ads to hire people. To her surprise, the respondents were usually single moms or disadvantaged women, which led her to many questions: “What’s going on?” “What are your husbands

Illustrado Magazine

Talladen views their work-training program as a “tough love system.” Social workers of partner foundations submit personality and psychological assessment forms of the women before they are interviewed. “We want to make it clear that this is not an ATM or a shelter,” Talladen says firmly. The work-training program is done in batches of up to twenty women, for six months at a time. The women dedicate one hour a day to learn life or business skills, and then spend the rest of the day doing laboratory or administrative work. To manage expectations, weekly quizzes are given. If they fail a certain number of quizzes, they are taken out of the program. Neva admits that they continue to face many challenges. “The system is easy, working with people is not. Other women dropped out because they got pregnant, some went back to working in bars.”

After receiving a certificate of completion, the women are either absorbed in Leyende or assisted in establishing their own businesses.

Leyende helps them refine their resumes and/or connect them to micro-lenders or cooperatives. Instead of declaring that disadvantaged women are the beneficiaries of Leyende, each product says it was “passionately handmade by empowered women in the Philippines.”

“In this society, it’s the women who take care of the family and become the first teachers,” Talladen explains. “If we change one woman, she may give birth to a child and pass it on.”

Talladen’s ambition is paired with a remarkable vision. “I know that what I’m doing is just a drop in the bucket, but I have a vision that keeps me going: I want Filipino products to be recognized as a world class competitor. I want the world to equate Filipino quality with high quality.”

48 SUCCESSFUL PINOY SPIRITUALITY

Happy Relationships Throw More Parties Guy 1: Cecilia is so beautiful.

Guy 2: Oh yes. She looks like Demi Moore in Ghost.

(Note: This conversation happened centuries ago.)

Guy 1: If given a chance, would you want to marry her?

Guy 2: Uh… no, not really.

Guy 1: Why not?

Guy 2: How should I put it? Cecilia’s uh…not a happy person.

Guy 1: You noticed that too?

Guy 2: She’s gloomy. She’s a negative person.

She may be beautiful, but I don’t want to live with a negative person for the rest of my life.

Guy 1: So unlike Stella.

Guy 2: Now there’s a cheerful girl. I really like her.

So kind. So friendly. Always has a lovely smile.

Guy 1: She’s not as beautiful as Demi Moore.

Guy 2: But she’s the kind of woman I’ll marry.

Guy 1: What? You have a crush on her too?

Guy 2: Hey, fall in line bro.

This conversation actually happened some twenty years ago between two of my single friends. We were all single then. And believe me, Stella was like a guy magnet. Five of my friends had a crush on her. Except for me, of course. I was immune to crushes. Because I looked at all females the way I looked at common furniture. Because my heart was focused on God alone. (And my nose is getting longer right this minute…)

Illustrado Magazine

Here’s a lesson for single people: I’ve learned that guys may lust after physical beauty, but when it comes to marriage, they’ll look deeper. One of the most important things they’ll look for is a happy woman. Why? Because a guy knows that one of his roles is to make his wife happy. If he marries a happy woman, his job will be so much easier. Because at the end of the day, we all want happiness.

Are Your Homes Happy?

After one of my talks, an anxious mother approached me and asked, “Bo, can you help me? I have a problem with my 18-year-old daughter. She’s like a bed-spacer in our house. She goes home only to sleep. She’s always with her friends…” I had little time to talk to her, so I took my best shot. I asked her, “Is there happiness at home?”

Here’s my belief. I believe kids will love to go home if there’s love in the home. Have you heard that great old song from 1964? (For your information, I didn’t hear the original version. I heard this song in a revival in American Idol.) “A chair is still a chair even when there’s no one sitting there. But a chair is not a house, and a house is not a home, when there’s no one there, to hold you tight and no one there, that you can kiss good night…”

Friend, is there happiness in your home? I’ve noticed that the happiest relationships have a rhythm of celebration. They throw parties. I don’t mean a party with balloons and clowns (though that’ll be great, too), but putting a party spirit in your relationship.

SPIRITUALITY SUCCESSFUL PINOY 49

I’ve got four fantastic suggestions.

1. Make the Family Meal a Party I know of a man who has 11 children. When he goes home from work, he does a very important ritual before entering his front door. He mentally unloads all his problems at the front porch - because his kids need a happy Dad. When he enters the door, he shouts, “Hi kids!” And 11 kids rush to him to give him a hug. He then wrestles them on the floor and they play together. And when mealtime comes, he makes everyone laugh. He inspires everyone with his stories. Alas, the typical family meal isn’t like this.

Jack and Jill Went Up the Hill The typical family meal is where parents hold court and pass judgments and vent anger. Let me give you an example. The father turns to his eldest son, Jack, and asks, “Pass the rice. By the way, how was your exam this morning?” He doesn’t allow the boy to answer. He answers for him, “I won’t be surprised if you got a zero, because I don’t see you studying. The good news is that we can save money because we can sell your schoolbooks next year as brand new!”

He then turns to his daughter, Jill, (You know, Jack and Jill…) “Pass the gravy. By the way, where were you last night? With your ugly boyfriend again? Can you tell me what planet he comes from? I can accept earrings in the ear. But why does he have earrings on his nose? Is he a cow?”

He then turns to his youngest daughter, Hill. (You know, Jack and Jill went up the hill…) “Pass the salt. And you, were you born with a telephone in your hand? You already were with your obnoxious friends in school, why do you have to spend three more hours talking with them on the phone?”

And finally, it’s the youngest son’s turn, Pail. (Okay, they really like this Nursery Rhyme.) “Pass the cake. And you, what did you do today aside from wasting your time playing those crappy video games! And are you deaf? Your music is either very loud or extremely loud. Go to the doctor and have your ears checked!”

No wonder the family meal is an endangered species. Parents, please. Make your meals happy!

Here’s a rule you should write on stone: Ban all sermons when you’re around the table. Instead, feed your children with dishes of laughter, platefuls of inspiration, and trays of encouragement. Make every family meal a joyful occasion.

2. Hold a Family Night Each Week My kids love Family Night. If they had it their way, it’ll be done every night. Sometimes, we watch a movie at home, with a barrel of popcorn. (According to my son Benedict, a movie without popcorn is a horrific crime.) Sometimes, we play games together - Monopoly, Charades, Pictionary, and Trivia. Sometimes, we play video games

together. Obviously, the kids always win and the parents lose. But that’s okay. Instead of banning video games from our kids, we enter into their digital worlds. Doing so enables us to guide them against violent games. Sometimes, we go to a book store, and sometimes, we eat ice cream. I believe the weekly Family Night is a mini-party that you should never miss. Believe me, when you’re old and grey (or old and bald), you’ll look back at these times and thank God you had them!

3. Weekly Dates with Each Family Member I date my wife each week. I consider that a mini-party too. Years ago, we had very little money. So we had dates in our garage.

Sometimes, we took a quiet walk in our neighborhood. One day, I thought of something crazy. We ate at home, then dressed up really well, and went to a five-star hotel. We entered the hotel like we were millionaires. No one knew we had very little money in our pockets. And confidently, I ordered a glass of Coke. And for two solid hours, we enjoyed the violin music and beautiful ambiance — all the while sipping our Coke very slowly.

I date my kids each week, too. Those are mini-parties. Sometimes, it’s just donuts. Other times, we walk around a mall. Other times, we play a game together. The key is to make it fun. I also date my mother every other week. This is such a simple thing, but it means the world to her.

I have regular dates with my friends, too. Our spiritual community, Light of Jesus, is organized around small groups called Caring Groups that meet weekly. Amazingly, I have four Caring Groups, so my weeks are busy having fun times with my many friends.

4. Annual Family Celebrations Create your own Family’s “Liturgical Calendar.” Sit down and block off the most important dates of the year. For example, plan everyone’s birthdays. Many times, it’s spontaneous. “Oh, it’s your birthday today? Let’s have dinner…” So why not plan a bit more? Go camping in the backyard, or visit an orphanage, or invite your child’s friends for a sleepover, or go out and have a mini-vacation together.

Mark off also your wedding anniversary, Valentines, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Grandparents’ Day. One Valentine’s Day, I did something I cherish to this day. I set up two chairs and a little wooden table in our backyard. I scattered candles all over the grass, dressed in a coat and tie, and brought out my CD player to play Kenny G romantic music. I then ordered pizza. Finally, I got my guitar and sang an original song I wrote for my wife that day…

50 SUCCESSFUL PINOY SPIRITUALITY

Ingredient #3: CREATIVITY Throwing parties requires some creativity. Do you want to be more creative? Copy.

Get inspiration from others.

It’s the secret of the greatest artists in the world: Leonardo de Vinci, Michelangelo, Picasso, Rembrandt, Bo Sanchez…

Ikaw ang awit ng buhay, Ang tinig ng langit Ikaw ang himig at kulay, Ng pusong nagmamahal sa iyo Refrain: Biyayang galing sa taas, Anghel sa lupa’y naglalakad Ikaw ang awit ng puso ko…

You don’t know how to express your love in a playful way? Ask others what they do. Do some research.

Through the years, I’ve given many cards to my wife. Let me share one with you today. You’ll notice that I’m not very original. I stole all the idea from various sources. I basically got the text from an email I received. Probably Spam. Not much originality. But my wife loved it so much, it’s still on her bedside table after all these years.

I wrote everything about harmony and joy in the family in my new book, How To Have a Happy Family. Here are some more free tips...

“My Dearest Valentine, You are the… apple of my eye, mango of my pie, palaman of my tinapay, keso of my monay, teeth of my suklay, fingers on my kamay, blood in my atay, sala of my bahay, foundation of my tulay, seeds of my palay, best clothes in my ukay-ukay, calcium in my kalansay, calamansi on my siomai, knot on my tie, toyo on my kuchay, vitamins in my gulay, stars of my sky, sand of my Boracay, beauty of my Brunei, highlands of my Tagaytay, mole on my Ate Guy, baba of my Ai-Ai, spinach of my Popeye, sizzle when I fry, wind when I paypay, tungkod when I’m pilay, feeling when I’m high, shoulder when I cry, wings when I fly, prize when I vie, cure to my “ARAY!”, my honey even after I die… From your one and only, HAPPY VALENTAY!”

Let me end with the story of the prodigal son.

Someone might say, “But Bo, I’m a melancholic person. I’m not like you. I’m the loner and shy type. I really don’t like these party-spirit thing.”

When the “bad” son came home, his father threw a party. The son wanted to beg for forgiveness, but the father wasn’t even listening. Instead, he said, “Hurry! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. Then go and get the prize calf and kill it, and let us celebrate with a feast!”

That happened a long time ago, but I still remember my wife’s tears that special night.

Other important days: First day in school.

Last day in school. Graduation. First job of the new graduate. It could be Jimbo, the pet dog, giving birth to four puppies. Hey, if there’s a reason to celebrate, throw a party!

3 Ingredients for Throwing Parties Ingredient #1: GRATITUDE

Excuse me, but I’m melancholic too. Every psychological test I’ve taken confirms without a shadow of a doubt that I’m melancholic. But here’s the truth: Celebrating your relationships doesn’t depend on having a bubbly or cheerful personality. It depends on your depth of gratitude. You throw a party because you’re grateful to the person for being there in your life. If you believe that the people in your life are your greatest gifts from God, then you throw parties often to thank them. Even if we know it’s a lot of hard work.

Ingredient #2: HARD WORK Have you ever prepared for a birthday party before? It’s always hard work. But who said love isn’t hard work? As I said before, love is about dirty hands, not just beating hearts.

Illustrado Magazine

God loves parties. And God loves to throw a party to people who don’t deserve a party. If you’re reading this, thinking of your sins, wondering if God still loves you, let me tell you: God is throwing a party of love for you right now. He loves you more than you can imagine. Receive His love today. And learn to throw more parties in your life. Your relationships need them badly.

Oh, by the way, Merry Christmas! Yup, make it really merry!

ADVERTORIAL 51

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52 SUCCESSFUL PINOY RELATIONSHIPS

TOO BIG FOR

HER BRITCHES Dear Dr. Holmes and Mr. Baer: I am 28, an English major and a teacher. I have been emailing, Skyping with this American, James, 36. We met three years ago at a party, and last month he proposed to me, after asking my mother and father permission to do so. My parents were very happy, because they saw this as his willingness to respect our Filipino culture. Also, he has never been married and is willing to convert from Protestantism to being a Catholic.

I have been accepted as a teacher in the high school closest to where he proposes we live in the US. It is not my dream job since it focuses on the basics of English rather than on the poetry of Wordsworth or Tennyson, but I have resigned myself that compromising is needed in any marriage.

My parents and friends keep telling me I am lucky to have him.

He is what they call “a big catch.” When I tell my parents I am uncomfortable about James, they say, “You can never have perfect in this world. At least, he has no children who will fight you for his money/inheritance.”

I am frightened and when I tell people the reasons for my fears, I cannot sustain the arguments they make in his defense.

He doesn’t make me feel safe. They say a feminist like me should make myself feel safe, not wait for a man to do so.

Maybe so, but why do other men leave me more relaxed than he does?

Plus, I resent it when he corrects me in public. I wish the world would swallow me up when he does that. He claims it is good for me, as I “am too big for my britches” but who is to tell when I no longer need cutting down to size? It has become so bad that I dare not speak when he is around, so afraid that any mispronounced word or wrong syntax will lead to remark that will make me want to die inside. He says I am too sensitive. My parents and friends agree. They say I am just used to being the best in the group that when someone better comes along, I can’t stand it.

Please help me. How can I manage my pride so that it no longer gets in the way of our relationship? Thank you and more power!

Clarissa

Illustrado Magazine

RELATIONSHIPS SUCCESSFUL PINOY 53

Dear Clarissa, Your situation illustrates quite starkly how a person can be viewed in different ways depending on the perspective of the viewer.

What do we know about James? Your letter sets out James’s various qualities, good and bad, and how they are interpreted by your family and friends on the one hand and you on the other.

Firstly, he is unmarried and willing to convert. Depending how dogmatically Catholic one is, these are either essential or at the very least helpful.

He is only 8 years older than you. A significant age gap can be a problem, except of course for a woman seeking a father figure, so everybody can be happy here that he is looking for a wife rather than a nurse.

He is a foreigner. For some, this is a plus and makes him a catch.

For others, the cross-cultural complications make a successful relationship that much more challenging. However, you also tell us that he is willing to respect Filipino culture so that must be a positive sign.

It is worth commenting at this stage that James would bring all the qualities we have considered so far to a marriage with any person.

They say nothing about his relationship specifically with you but seem to qualify him as a good candidate, which is of course why your family is in favor of this marriage. However, as it is you, not they, that will be marrying him and living with him, your views are paramount, whatever they may say. After all, if life together turns out to be hell, you are the one that is going to be suffering, not them.

What we have discussed so far tells us nothing about how the two of you interact. It is only what could be described as necessary but not sufficient to ensure that the two of you could face a rosy future together. So what else have you told us about him and your relationship as a couple?

- He does not make you feel safe.

- He corrects you in public and thinks that is good because you are “too big for your britches.”

- When you remonstrate, he says you are too sensitive.

These are serious issues and resolution is essential before your relationship goes any further.

In my view, a man who does not make you feel safe is a man you should leave immediately. You do not have to justify it to anyone.

There is no need for a carefully constructed argument to convince others. It is quite simply that you should never continue a relationship under such conditions, much less condemn yourself to a lifetime shackled to him.

The other things you tell us give an insight into why you feel unsafe. What sort of respect is a man showing towards his fiancée if he corrects her in public, supposedly for her own good? None

whatsoever, I would say. And if he has no respect for you, why would you want to stay with him?

If in addition he considers you “too big for your britches,” again, why stay? The immediate fallout is already apparent. You no longer dare speak freely in his company and matters are likely to get worse, not better, as time goes on.

There is of course another aspect to his behavior and that is the insensitivity of a foreigner to Filipinos. Perhaps he believes in the stereotype of the submissive Asian who will cater to his every whim. Perhaps he thinks he is superior because he is American. Whatever the cause, this man who has mastered merely three Filipino words now thinks he can lord it over you because in his eyes your command of English is not perfect.

Your unwillingness to trust your instincts is understandable because your family, seduced by the prospect of “the big catch,” are trying to railroad you, and any resistance on your part merely encourages them to accuse you of pride and excessive sensitivity.

However, you must go with your instincts here. You have to act in your own best interests, even if it will make your relations with your family difficult for a while. To marry James will make your life infinitely worse, not just now but forever.

Bottom line: leave him, and leave him now.

All the best,

JAFBaer

Dear Clarissa, Many thanks for your letter.

Because of space constraints, my answer will focus on your fiancé’s racism. Racism is difficult to live with and practically impossible to eradicate in your hopefully-soon-to-be-ex fiancé’s (HS2BEF) case.

I know, I know, many may seem surprised that I consider him racist.

After all, was he not sensitive enough to be willing to change religions a-n-d ask you parents for your hand in marriage in keeping with our old traditions, PLUS take pains to learn a few Tagalog words?

Well, yes. And it is precisely these three examples which make me believe he is a racist.

54 SUCCESSFUL PINOY RELATIONSHIPS

Because, barring a few exceptions that he seems eager call attention to, you speak far better than he?

I mean, let’s face it, anyone who uses the phrase “too big for your britches” without any quotation marks is someone no one should learn English from.

But first let me tell you about Edward Said, the late Columbia University Professor, who wrote the book Orientalism (NY: Pantheon Press, 1978). Basically, Said believed that foreigners who wrote about and lectured on the east (mainly the Arabic-Islamic east) could not escape the imperialist prejudices they grew up with, thus much of their work has a “subtle and persistent ” Eurocentric prejudice against cultures not European (or North American). Professor Said also believed that this long tradition of romanticized images of the orient depicted us as irrational, weak, feminised and “Other,” contrasted with the rational, strong, masculine West.

Instead of “oriental,” substitute “Filipina”; instead lecturing,” an “American engaged to be married.” In the very things your friends think culturally sensitive the very reasons I feel you should run away from him you can.

of “scholars this context, of James are as quickly as

All he has done so far — asked your parents for your hand in marriage, learn a few Filipino words, promised to convert to Catholicism — are things any trained monkey could do, or, dare I say it, someone superficial enough to think such actions really matter in the long run.

The above is something he has done for himself, not for you. It is his idea of what a Western suitor (any Western suitor) does for his Eastern bride (any Eastern bride).

The above is no proof that he loves or respects you. Hells bells! It is not even proof that he knows who you really are.

Most English majors, I would think, are fluent enough to pass as native English speakers. Can they make mistakes? Of course they can! Just as easily and “unknowingly” as native English speakers do!

Is it ok if people correct their mistakes? I would definitely think so, but then there’s correcting and there’s correcting, isn’t there? Most people I’ve spoken to prefer to be corrected in private. If, however, the correction needs to be done in public — no chance to do it in private, one might forget — then it should be done in a walang personalan way.

Your HS2BEF behaves in anything BUT a walang-personalan manner. Why else would he say you are “too big for your britches”?

Could he be jealous that you know English well enough to teach it?

Illustrado Magazine

OOPS! Now who’s writing in an extremely personalan way? My excuse is that you need to see that his behavior not only makes you (and I would think your true friends too!) awkward. There is no excuse for such cruelty. Yes, cruelty, because his purpose is to draw blood, and he has succeeded. That is why you dare not speak when he’s around.

God, I cannot imagine a fate worst than death for you (except, of course, to actually marry your HS2BEF). One of the most compelling reasons anyone is an English major is because of an instinctive love for languages. Thus, while he need not be an English major himself, a compatible spouse should at least have the same love, if not facility, for the spoken and written word. Not just in letter like a judge with pursed mouth eager to pounce on your pronunciation because he can find no other fault in the way you speak; but also in spirit because he appreciates that Filglish is just as valid — and I, being biased, feel less grating - as Ameriglish!

In fact, if he truly loved all the Filipina in you instead of being the Orientalist with a fantasy of what a Filipina should be, he would be so proud of who you are and what you’ve already achieved. I would think he’d be strutting around in his chaps and pointy boots telling everyone how his wife, who trained in the Philippines, has been hired, sight unseen, based merely on her records and application form to teach Americans how to speak more effectively.

That is a hell of an achievement, Clarissa! And if he truly loved you, he would not only make you feel good about what you’ve already done, he would also try to inspire you about things you could achieve in the future. So that, to use his own expression, being “ too big for your britches” would be a cause of joy because you were starting to live up to your true potential and he, as your partner in life, would do all he could to help you realize this.

As it is, I don’t even think he has the interest to find out. Otherwise, he would tell you about writing workshops you could enroll in and poetry magazines you could subscribe to.

Leave him, Clarissa. He is an albatross round your neck. He is either a good enough actor to convince your family or he is self-deluded enough to think, like any Orientalist would, that he is your knight in shining armor. I can’t decide which is worse.

Margarita Holmes

ADVERTORIAL 55

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Liali is also offering you Easy Payment plans to support your festive purchases with options to pay at zero interest in six monthly installments.

WIL FORUM:

3rd annual Women in Leadership Forum and the Shamsa Bint Suhail Award for Creative Women an inspiration for the region’s women The 3rd annual Women in Leadership Forum and the Shamsa Bint Suhail Award for Creative Women culminated on the 24th November 2011, with the two-day leading women’s platform an overwhelming success.

“Women In Leadership Forum is one of our flagship events and it was an honor to host it in conjunction with the Shamsa Bint Suhail Awards for Creative Women. The aim of the forum is to recognize the key role women play in the prosperity of the region and aims to inspire, innovate and influence future women leaders through an interactive knowledge-sharing platform,” explained creator of the Women In Leadership series and CEO of Naseba, Sophie Le Ray. The event was officially opened by Dr Mouza Ghubash, Chairwoman of the Shamsa Bint Suhail Award for Creative Women, and Director of the Rewaq Cultural Centre. Other highlights of day one included the Women In Leadership Achievement Awards ceremony, which recognizes outstanding women leaders and employers from the Middle East – and the Shamsa Bint Suhail Award for Creative Women.

Her Excellency Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, was also present at the forum.

Twin Rings at AED12,000

Gold Necklace – price upon request

Topics ranging from ‘Empowering women through inclusive business models’, ‘Reflections on leadership’ and ‘Beyond the glass ceiling – transforming barriers into opportunities’ were delivered by an impressive list of renowned speakers. These included Her Excellency Fatima Al Jaber, Chairperson of the Abu Dhabi Business Women’s Council (ADBWC); Professor Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman, Director of Office for Outer-Space Affairs for the United Nations; Soha Nashat, Senior Advisor and Board Member for Barclays Bank (Suisse), and Susan Mboya PhD, Group Director, Eurasia Africa Group for Women’s Economic Empowerment, The Coca-Cola Company.

Special address by wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia

Entrepreneur of the Year - Maha Al Farhan, CEO – Clinart

56 ILLUSTRADO PROFILE

Because Baby You Were Born This Way

THE MARIA

ARAGON STORY

Some people are discovered while walking on the street, during an audition or a casting call. But in this age of modern technology and social networking, some are discovered via YouTube. Roll Jervis Manahan meets YouTube sensation Maria Aragon on her first visit to the Philippines and chats with her on her immediate rise to fame through her now famous “Born This Way” rendition and about being a hybrid Filipino.

Canadian-born Maria Lourdes Aragon was barely a decade and a year old when she was catapulted to international stardom when no less than Lady Gaga tweeted about her piano rendition of her original hit song, “Born This Way.” With Lady Gaga’s “endorsement,” the video immediately went viral and was watched by more than a million viewers. Quite literally overnight, Aragon went from being an ordinary schoolgirl to a singing sensation.

Since then, the Winnipeg, Canada based Aragon has had in a series of international guestings, including a stint in the Ellen Degeneres show, inside the personal home of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, as well as other various shows in Canada and the US. Most significantly, she also went on to sing a duet on stage with Lady Gaga herself in a Toronto concert - a dream come true for any fan.

The Fil-Canadian (her parents are Filipino migrants) Aragon visited the Philippines for the first time in August for a seven-week stay.

It was ‘short but sweet,’ the young singer says. Still struggling with her Filipino, Illustrado was able to interview her before she left for Canada.

The Young Achiever It was in April 1, 2008 when Aragon’s “Ate” Roan, posted her first video on Youtube. For the two sisters, this was just a normal everyday activity for their own personal fun. While, the young lady admits that Justin Bieber’s immediate rise to fame via YouTube was an inspiration to her, never in her wildest dreams did she expect that the video would end up being seen by Lady Gaga herself. She was all the more surprised by the overwhelming feedback to it.

Asked about how her life has changed ever since her discovery by Lady Gaga, and her instant celebrity status, Aragon was quick to

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ILLUSTRADO PROFILE 57

Lady Gaga singing “Born This Way” with her ten-year-old fan, Maria Aragon, on her right. Aragon is the girl from Winnipeg, Canada, whose YouTube cover of “Born This Way” thrust her into the limelight. (The Monster Ball Tour in Toronto, 2011-03-03)

reply, “It didn’t change. I’m just a little bit busier now.” She sings in events every now and then, but insists that she pretty much follows the same old routine. “I still go to the same school, it’s just our break now so we used the chance to visit the Philippines,” she says. Her mom and family treat her like a normal girl, not one currently caught up in the glamorous world of entertainment.

Aragon has wanted to be a singer since she was six years old. Now, at the tender age of 11, she wants to compose more songs. Her selftitled album released just over a month ago has seven songs, two of which are original compositions. The album includes “You’re My Home,” originally sung by Lea Salonga for Way Back Home, and the very popular “Born This Way.”

Homecoming When asked about the things that filled her itinerary during her stay in the country, Aragon fondly talks about recording her first selftitled album released by Star Records, and moreso, her first meeting with her extended family. She visited Ormoc, Leyte and Laguna to see her grandparents for the first time.

She experienced the much-lauded Filipino hospitality for the first time as well as the warm welcome of fans in the Philippines. Aragon says she did not expect to have so many projects awaiting her, but adjusting to the schedule and the Philippines came easy, because “we are very much living a Filipino life in Canada,” she says.

Answering the Cry of the Poor But what struck Aragon the most during her first few days in the country was the presence of street children, a concept that she admits she did not know of before. “It really struck me and it was a great learning experience,” Maria says as she recounted passionately how her heart was crushed at the sight of the homeless kids.

It was perhaps serendipitous that Aragon was chosen to be the Ambassador for Answering the Cry of the Poor (ANCOP) an advocacy that pioneered projects like Sponsor-a-Child, to provide

the basic needs of thousands of young students. Maria Aragon is the current face of the project, which benefits close to 500 children.

One of her last few projects before she returned to Canada was to give the ANCOP Scholars of Metro Manila an early Christmas Party.

Aragon joined in singing, eating, partying, and little activities like face painting. She met the scholars for the first time, and gamely joined in singing Tagalog Christmas carols with them. “I want to be an inspiration to the kids,” says Aragon as she signs autographs with the books distributed to the little scholars.

Pinoy Pride Even though she was born and raised in Canada, Aragon says she is every inch a Filipina. “At home, my mother cooks Filipino food, we speak the Filipino language, and have lot of Filipino friends,” she says.

Aragon is very proud of her Filipino culture, but has no plans of settling in the country for good. Her mother said that she has to finish her studies first before the family can actually decide if they want to move back to the Philippines or not.

Her mother’s statement clearly outlines the priorities that have been set for Aragon: studies first. Which is fine for the 11 year old who say she still makes time to dream.

Her message to all kids with a similar passion in music is simple, “Just follow your dreams, and they will come true.” It may sound cliché-ish, but when taken in the context of Aragon’s instant stardom, it just may be the recipe to success.

58 ILLUSTRADO SCRAPBOOK A platform for budding Filipino creative talent

Dennis Dalisay

Dennis Dalisay is a freelance photographer based in Dubai. He is known for classic self-styled-portraits and unconventional shots of infrared images. He says he always had a fascination for photographs that tell a story and capture the real meaning of life. After getting serious with his hobby in 2010m Dennis found it very fulfilling to discover his creative side. Working with Parc Cruz and Jay Alonzo has given him great inspiration and has driven him to pursue a career in photography.

Born an artist, he started writing music, as well as playing the piano/keyboards from an early age.

Currently, he is employed at Emirates Airlines as a Senior Aircraft Technician and travels every three months to Canada to be with his wife and kids.

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A platform for budding Filipino creative talent

Radi Morada Radi T. Morada is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and is currently working in an Oil and Gas Company in Dubai. His first taste of photography began when his wife bought him his first DLSR and

ILLUSTRADO SCRAPBOOK 59

subsequently, a good friend encouraged him to enroll in a photography class at Lightform International. After completing his photography class, he continued reading photography books and attended various workshops to further improve his passion. He states, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Photography changed how I see the world and I want to capture moments that will last forever.â&#x20AC;?

60 FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY: EROS GOZE POST PROCESSING: TOM BOLIVAR HAIR & MAKE-UP: FRANKIE MELENDEZ MODELS: MICHELLE SOPHIE PUDDA, RENEE TAYLOR VIRTUDAZO-HYDE AND IZABEL JOAN Z. ELLIOT FASHION: JOEL VILLANUEVA, JULES QUIRANTE, HENRY MANGAHAS AND GARIMON ROFEROS FOR MICHAEL CINCO

Oh to dream of innocence â&#x20AC;¦ Of fairy frills, the playful whisper of silk, and the smell of charming pastels Oh to go back to sweet and glorious insouciance!

ON MICHELLE: Vanilla-colored gown made from layers upon layers of the lightest silk organza with a dramatic train, featuring a bodice embellished with handmade flowers with Swarovski crystals; ON RENEE: Lemon yellow gown featuring vertical layering crafted from the purest bias cut silk organza with a black velvet sash and orientalinspired tassels. All by JOEL VILLANUEVA

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LITTLE WOMEN

62 FASHION

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ON MICHELLE: Vanilla-colored gown made from layers upon layers of the lightest silk organza with a dramatic train, featuring a bodice embellished with handmade flowers with Swarovski crystals.

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64 FASHION ON IZABEL: Off White gown made of rectangle cut-outs of silk Gazar layered alternately with paillettes to achieve volume. The bodice features embroidered flower appliquĂŠ finished with a navy blue velvet sash and antique border lace for that Victorian feel. By JOEL VILLANUEVA

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FASHION 65 ON RENEE: Lemon yellow gown featuring vertical layering crafted from the purest bias cut silk organza with a black velvet sash and oriental-inspired tassels.

By JOEL VILLANUEVA

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66 FASHION ON RENEE: Vintageinspired tent dress in soft purple faille satin, punctuated by a fully beaded black collar and a shower of black pearls and crystals,

by HENRY MANGAHAS

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FASHION 67 ON RENEE: Soft green and yellow layered gown in tulle with a lace-up halter bodice by JULES QUIRANTE

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ON MICHELLE: Victorian gown with puff sleeved red velvet top and a black full skirt with hand painted floral design topped by a delicate layer of tulle, by JULES QUIRANTE

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ON IZABEL: Dramatic and whimsical natureinspired gown featuring layered and ruffled soft tulle in multi-toned greens topped by a sequined bodice, by HENRY MANGAHAS

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72 FASHION

ON MICHELLE: Midnight blue silk crepe dress topped by a blue faux fox fur stole and matched with a mini fascinator, by GARIMON ROFERS for Michael Cinco

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74 FASHION ON MICHELLE: Fairy tale inspired couture number in winter black embellished with an array of colored sequins on the bodice, that graciously sprinkles down the full circle cut skirt, by HENRY MANGAHAS

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ON IZABEL: Golden French dentelle maxi dress with crystallized neck accent and emerald green faux fox fur stole,

by GARIMON ROFEROS for Michael Cinco

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ON RENEE: Crystallized laser-cut soft pink ball gown with white faux fox fur stole by GARIMON ROFEROS for Michael Cinco

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78 FASHION

JOEL VILLANUEVA Laswa Fashion Design

201 Mohammad Rasul Choory Bldg., Airport Rd., New Central Market, Abu Dhabi Tel. No: +971 2 622 0944 / 050 1706361 E-mail: msm424@gmail.com/jayvil430@yahoo.com

JULES QUIRANTE

Al Hanna Center, Mezzanine 1, Dubai Tel. No: +971 50 927 7178 E-mail: julesatq@yahoo.com/julesquirante@gmail. com Website: www.wix.com/julesquirante/ julesquirantehautecouture E-mail: msm424@gmail.com/jayvil430@yahoo.com

GARIMO ROFEROS for Michael Cinco Michael Cinco Haute Couture

Suite 301, The Office Towers, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, 74689 Dubai Tel. No: +971 4 332 8488 Website: www.michaelcinco.com

HENRY MANGAHAS

La Reina Fashion

Emirates (Sana Fashion) Shop 7 P.O. Box 50336, Karama, Dubai Tel. Nos: +971 4 336 0647 / 334 9441 E-mail: henry_mangahas@yahoo.com Website: www.michaelcinco.com E-mail: msm424@gmail.com/jayvil430@yahoo.com

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80 ADVERTORIAL

DUBAI OUTLET MALL: Seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Picks

Opera Outlet, Gianmarco Lorenzi - Original Price AED 2,350; Outlet Price AED 940 Viennois Outlet - Original Price AED125; Outlet Price AED50

Bauhaus Outlet - Orignal Price AED 425; Outlet Price AED130 Studio R Outlet, Bebe - Original price AED1,425; Outlet Price AED430

Studio R Outlet, Bebe - Original Price AED465; Outlet Price AED140

Calonge Outlet - Original Price AED 500; Outlet Price AED 350

Monsoon Outlet - Original Price AED 575; Outlet Price AED 175

Diesel Outlet - Original Price AED2,099; Outlet Price AED1,050

Liu Jo Outlet - Original Price AED 1,275; Outlet Price AED500

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Cole Haan Outlet - Original price AED 2,328; Outlet Price AED 932

Salam Outlet, PleinSud - Original price AED1,495; Outlet Price AED150

FASHION 81

ALDWIN ORNOPIA

New Look Beauty & Fashion Exhibition Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, 10th December 2011 Photos Courtesy of Richard Martinez and Albert Gayo

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things To Do This

1

Nothing beats spending the holidays back home. But for those who are stuck in the emirates for Christmas and New Year, there is no reason to be blue. You have plenty of ways to be merry and festive even though you’re away from your loved ones in the Philippines. Participate in community activities, attend a gala dinner or watch a concert to bid goodbye to the year 2011 – all these you can do in lieu of the traditional celebrations. So, do not whine and fret, just simply enjoy the holidays.

Remember: despite the circumstances, you deserve a fabulous festive season. Happy holidays!

Join community celebrations

One of the ways by which you can spend Christmas and New Year is by participating in the various activities that a number of Filipino community groups organize this season. Try attending church group activities, and you’ll learn that they have a lot of festivities in store for the month. The customary Simbang Gabi is reworked as a daily evening mass beginning on the 16th of December at St. Mary’s Church in Bur Dubai and St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jebel Ali. Church groups also invite the public for simple party held at the church premises during Christmas and New Year’s Day. On the other hand, other Pinoy community groups organize parties and get-togethers. If you’re not a member of one, this is the best time to hook up and join in a group that appeals the most to your preferences. Aside from getting the feel of holiday celebrations, you’re sure to make lots of friends in the process. Go ahead, be in the know, ask around and you’ll find a fitting group to join.

Welcome the New Year with glitz and glam

If you have the budget to splurge on the last day of the year then we recommend that at least for once in 2011, try going for something extravagant. Book your seats and/or rooms to the posh offerings from the UAE’s best hotels. For an unforgettable night of glamour, elegance and fun, the Gala Dinner at Jumeirah Beach Hotel is one way to ensure that you will see the New Year in with grand style.

Indulge in the international New Year’s Eve buffet inclusive of a half bottle of bubbly, selected bottled brew beverages and other selected house beverages. With a modern jazz band and an open bar, this is the best venue to celebrate the year 2012 alongside the pristine shoreline of the Arabian Sea overlooking Burj Al Arab. For more information, visit www.jumeirah.com/dubaifestive.

Aside from the offerings from Jumeirah Group, Dubai is filled with hundreds of options for great packages for the holidays – plus you have the other six emirates to choose from. Rest assured you’ll find one that suits your budget and liking.

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Party till the end of the year

3

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For those who love to party on New Year’s Eve (NYE), then The Atlantis Hotel in Palm Jumeirah is the perfect venue for you.

Here, the ultimate party line-up is scheduled to be in the NYE Sandance event. From 3pm-3am, the big beach at Atlantis will witness chill-out back-to-back entertainment from Goldfish before Space Ibiza’s Jon Ulysses, Roger Sanchez, Basement Jaxx (DJ Set), Vula (the voice of Basement Jaxx), DJ Mag’s #5 in the world Above & Beyond, and Sister Bliss from Faithless. All these fantastic artists will get you grooving plus an amazing firework display at midnight will surely make one unforgettable NYE for you. To get more information, visit www.sandance.ae.

Usher in 2012 with Coldplay

4 Pause and relish your time

Aside from being surrounded with people in this festive season, you can opt to celebrate it on your own without feeling lonely and alone. It is the perfect opportunity to pamper your self with some “me” time. While your roommates are away on a party, use this as a chance to indulge your self in a hot bath, make it cozy with some tea lights and sip a glass of your favorite drink while going through a flashback of the year 2011. Take this moment as a pause in your fast-paced expatriate life – it is deeply therapeutic and totally relaxing. In the process, allow yourself to experience gratitude for all the blessings you have received for the year to end, and to reflect on the goals that you want to achieve for the coming year. More than the glam of festive offerings, this simple activity will perhaps be the best way for you to ponder on the real meaning of Christmas and the true essence of your New Year.

The famous Coldplay concert a couple of year’s back has perhaps played a good part in bringing the British band back to Abu Dhabi. Known for its songs “Fix You”, “The Scientist”, among many others, the award-winning group is going to usher in the year 2012 with an expectedly equally memorable feat of entertainment. Following the recently concluded Formula 1 concerts by Incubus, Britney Spears and Paul McCartney, Coldplay is surely marking Abu Dhabi with another concert that will excite its recently opened Volvo Ocean Race. For more information, visit www.thinkflash.ae.

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84 GLOBETROTTERS’ BLOG

The Eiffel Tower

Globetrotter’s Blog:

Marianne Silloriquez

PARIS

Ernest Hemingway once said – “‘If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.”

This sentence definitely captures everything about Paris, for indeed stepping inside would immeasurably enrich your life. It is a feast for all the senses and is sure to remain a part of you, no matter where you are.

Paris is fashion, history, art and culture rolled together in one. This city may be famous for being romantic and for its wealth of art treasures; but the greatest work of art is the city itself.

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Chateau de Versailles

Getting there

As Paris is a top destination, finding a flight is easy. The question should be “when to go?” You do not want to be there in the summer when it is full of tourist and everything is even more expensive than how it already is; and not in the winter when weather will not allow you to enjoy the sights. I personally suggest you go sometime in September when the city of lights comes to life again after summer vacation mode. With the tourist season winding down, air and hotel fares take a dip, and the weather is just right.

What to expect

My first and most important tip to enjoy the Parisian cobbled streets is wear comfortable shoes. Never sacrifice comfort over fashion and remember, Paris is a city made for walking. You’ll be on your feet more than you can imagine – it is not a place to break in new stilettos.

There is so much to see and do in Paris, so it is best to plan your itinerary well. With your days agenda in place, getting around would be a breeze using the Metro. Go get yourself a ‘week pass’ (or more depending on your length of stay), which will give you unlimited access this efficient mode of transport. This will save you from lining up for single journey tickets and costs less too. Just don’t get stranded after the Metro has closed; late-night taxis can be very hard to find.

Paris is one of the most sophisticated cities I have ever traveled to.

French women of all ages know the art of dressing elegantly. So if you want to blend in, you will have to dress up. Don’t over pack with too many outfits. Bring basics that you can mix and match.

Accessorize with necklaces, earrings and scarves. Have fun and make a statement.

86 GLOBETROTTERS’ BLOG

The city of Paris is known for having many pickpockets in tourist areas and on the metro. Beware of people trying to get your attention unnecessarily. Find a purse that’s large enough to hold your wallet, passport, camera, and travel-sized umbrella without the purse being too big and feeling too heavy. Just be sure to guard your purse carefully - by exercising caution, you won’t have any problems.

Must See and Do

First stop, the Eiffel Tower. Pride of Paris, France, La Tour Eiffel is one of the best known monuments in the world.

Feel the privilege of being one of the seven million visitors who throng to the tower each year. Conquer your fear of heights by taking on the challenge of going to the top where you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the city. And after you’ve captured your most beautiful Parisian memory, come down and watch as the Eiffel tower lights up the night sky

No trip to Paris will be complete without visiting the Louvre Museum, the biggest museum in the world, home to Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. You’ll definitely need a full day here.

Experience how the French kings and queens lived at the Chateau de Versailles Basilica de Saere Coeur - the official residence of the Kings of France from 1682 until 1790. Carry along an audio guide and learn about French history as you walk along the palace corridors to her majesty’s private quarters, the hall of mirrors and picturesque gardens. This castle is simply a work of art! My personal favorite is Marie Antoinette’s lovely house in the village specially built for her inside Versailles.

Take a stroll at the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, known as one of the world’s most famous and expensive streets - from the east at the Place de la Concorde in the east (one of the major public squares in Paris), towards the Arc de Triomphe (the famous monument honoring those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and the Napoleonic Wars). Don’t forget to have your picture taken in what is touted as the most beautiful avenue of the world.

When in Paris, you also must enjoy your drink otherwise known as aperitif set against gorgeous backdrops – an aperitif with a view! Hop aboard a riverboat and enjoy a lunch cruise along the river Seine.

During the cruise you will be able to see the Eiffel Tower, Notre-

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Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, the Institut de France, the Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris City Hall, the Conciergerie, the Statue of Liberty, the French National Library, and many more Paris landmarks.

Fall in love with Paris’ architectural wonders. Step back in time when you visit gothic, medieval, baroque, byzantine influenced churches and cathedrals that stand today as breathtaking testimonials to a complex heritage of Christianity that dominated in Paris from the fall of the Roman Empire to the French Revolution.

We went to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, Basilica of the Sacré Cœur, La Sainte-Chapelle, Church of Saint-Sulpice, L’église de la Madeleine - all equally breathtaking.

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The Louvre Museum

One more place you should not miss is the Paris Opera House also called The Palais Garnier. Like the Notre Dame cathedral, Louvre, Sacré Coeur basilica, The Palais Garnier is a symbol of Paris. It is also the setting for Gaston Leroux’s 1911 novel The Phantom of the Opera. Simply being inside the opera house and seeing the beauty of its interior is a memorable experience on its own.

Finally, have a super night out beginning with a delicious dinner before settling down to enjoy an extraordinary musical masterpiece at the Moulin Rouge. “Féerie” is a spellbinding show that brings together a troupe of a hundred artists including 60 Doris Girls that are recruited worldwide. The show also has about a thousand costumes all adorned with feathers, sequins and glitter – French cabaret at its finest!

Souvenirs

For sure, souvenir shopping is on your list. Food always makes a great gift and Paris has no shortage of gourmet shops to find yummy treasures. Try French macarons, pastries and our favorite soussou (similar to chorizo).

You can go shop at department stores like Galleries Lafayette and Le Bon Marché or even Carrefour. If vintage art or books are more your style, shop at the bouquinistes - the large green stalls that line the walls on both banks of the Seine, near the city center.

On a personal note

Traveling is an exciting experience. You enrich your mind and soul… and your life as a whole because you widen your understanding about the world and the people that surround you. So whenever you get the chance, go ahead! There’s a big big universe waiting to be discovered.

88 TRIPPIN’

AMSTERDAM:

Museum of Bags and Purses In a 17th century canal house in Amsterdam, Ana P. Santos finds the most unique collection of bags and purses and finds herself deliriously transformed into a kid deliciously lost in a candy store.

When one thinks of Amsterdam, there are many things that will come to mind as must—see tourist attractions: the canal houses, the brown cafes, the infamous Red Light District, and a host of other museums like the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank Huis and even the Sex Museum, but the Museum of Bags and Purses??!!

Surely, only a woman would find interest in visiting such a place?

Actually - yes and no.

The Museum of Bags and Purses or The Tassen Museum was started by a woman who was an avid collector of bags, but later on, it was sustained by a man. As I was about to find out, that was just one of the many interesting things about the museum.

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A girl in a bag museum is like a kid lost in a candy shop

As I walked into the Museum of Bags and Purses, I felt giddy. I was, as I expected, ridiculously excited by being surrounded by such beautiful things, made to serve a woman in two ways: to carry her various precious belongings and to add to her beauty.

The building which houses this amazing collection is along the famous Amsterdam canals. It has three exhibition rooms for the presentation of the bags and travelling exhibitions. There are two period rooms with 17th and 18th century ceilings painting where museum receptions are held, and a quaint museum café that you can relax in after walking through a collection of bags that covers three floors.

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the movie Evita in London in Italy, 1997. There is also a replica of bejeweled bag in the shape of a cupcake that was used by Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City.

Finding the Philippines

I was ecstatic to find out that the Philippines was part of this collection represented by Filipina bag designer Cora Jacob, whose exported brand name is Cora Jacobs.

In a phone interview, Jacob told me that it was during a business trip to the Netherlands that she first heard about the museum. Romeo Arguelles was then Philippine ambassador to the Netherlands and Jacob paid him a courtesy call. “While we were there, the trade attaché suggested that we visit the museum.”

Jacob went and was lucky enough to meet both Hendrikje and her daughter, Sigrid who immediately noticed the mother of pearl bag Jacob had. “I originally designed the bag for Christian Dior. It’s a classic. Very saleable, consistently very marketable,” says Jacob who used to export bags to New York, Spain, Malaga and Singapore.

Probably reminded of the original bag that got her started on her bag collection, Hendrikje and Sigrid offered to host a launch for Jacob and in the spring of 2009, Cora Jacobs was the first Filipino to be launched in the Museum of Bags and Purses.

“It [the launch] was a small and intimate affair, but well attended and well-covered by the media,” says Jacob.

Until now, one of Jacob’s bags, called the “nymph,” is on permanent exhibit in the museum.

The museum is filled with every kind of bag imaginable — and even some which are not. There is a small collection of bags that are meant to be wedding gifts to commemorate a new union and are personalized with the initials of the couple.

There is a collection of bags meant for religious items such as the Bible, the rosary and other prayer documents and bags meant to hold coins, cards and chips for gambling. Back in the day, knowing how to play various card games was considered an indication of one’s breeding.

With the historical breakthrough of the steam engine followed a surge in travel, which gave birth to the concept of and need for hand luggage, hat boxes and beauty kits.

There were interesting bags like the one shaped like a phone (with the round dials of the olden days that you had to turn), one shaped like a Coke Light Can and another shaped like a cruise liner.

And of course, of interest to anyone who is interested in pop culture icons and the latest fashion, there is on display an evening bag by Gianni Versace Couture that Madonna used at the premiere of

“The Nymph bag is extraordinary. It is made from beautiful materials like shell and leather. This combination is not often found, especially not here in Europe. The quality is very good and it shows great craftsmanship,” says Sigrid Ivo, who is the museum’s director and curator.

“If Cora Jacobs is in any way representative of Philippine bag making, then Philippine bagmaking is special in the usage of materials, its excellent quality and craftsmanship.”

Later on, former First Lady Imelda donated one of her own bags for exhibit in the museum. The bag is made out of wood and fashioned by the expert craftsmen of Paete.

“When we had the Cora Jacobs exhibition, we were visited by the Philippine ambassador, and I mentioned wondering whether Imelda Marcos also had a collection of bags, and if so we would gladly include then in our collection. The ambassador kindly remembered this remark and contacted Imelda Marcos with this request. The bag was then given to the museum and are part of our collection,” says Sigrid.

90 TRIPPIN’

Cora Jacobs Nymph Evening Bag

A Bag Lover Who Just Happens to be a Lady

The museum was first started by Hendrikje Ivo, Sigrid’s mother, who was an antique collector. During one trip to the English countryside, a tortoise shell bag in a small store caught her eye. It was inlaid with mother of pearl and Hendrikje immediately bought it thinking that the bag was much too precious for its surroundings. Its craftsmanship and its exquisite design should be put on display where it could properly be admired, as it deserved to be.

Hendrikje’s research taught her that the bag was made in Germany in 1820 and she became fascinated with the history of bags and how they are made. That bag was to be the start of a long running love affair with bags. Her husband, Heinz supported his wife’s growing passion — a passion that literally took over their home as they began to amass an extensive collection of bags which they put on exhibit in their residence in 1996.

The extension grew until the only place to store the bags was under their own bed and the couple, who was then around 70 years old, had to seriously consider whether or not they could sustain their hobby and share their collection with the hundreds of visitors who flocked to their home to see it.

After eight years, they were on the brink of closing the museum but were saved by a wealthy businessman who bought a 17th century building in Herengracht, Amsterdam where the Museum of Bags and Purses now stands.

The businessman made an explicit request to the Ivo family to remain anonymous, but he did agree to share why he chose to support the Museum of Bags and Purses.

Imagine a place where half the world could be given a chance to feel like a kid lost in a candy store. That’s a good reason as any to visit a museum of bags and purses, even if it is all the way in Amsterdam.

“The Museum of Bags and Purses shows art for the low and high skilled, the rich and the poor. Furthermore, at least half of the world’s population is interested in it.”

Tassenmuseum Hendrikje | Museum of Bags and Herengracht 573 1017 CD Amsterdam The Netherlands www.tassenmuseum.nl | wwww.museumofbagsandpurses.com

Illustrado Magazine

Purses

ADVERTORIAL 91 The Farm has been recognized for its transformative and life enhancing programs through its Healing Retreats and holistic approach towards health.

Its experienced and talented team of Integrative Doctors, Nurturing Therapists, Living Food Chefs and Movement Consultants in a stunningly beautiful environment has made The Farm one of the leading integrated medical and wellness destinations in the world; having received 20 international spa industry awards since 2004.

Carolina Herrera Outlet opens at Dubai Outlet Mall For the first time in the UAE, fashion lovers can get minimum of 30% discount on CH men and women collections at Dubai Outlet Mall, the first and only ‘Outlet’ concept store for Carolina Herrera. Handbags, clutches, totes, shopping bags, shoes, fur and leather jackets, formal dresses, classic shirts, suits, key chains and accessories are amongst the many timeless pieces in the store. The CH Outlet is conveniently located in the dome area on the ground floor of Dubai Outlet Mall adjacent to The Deal Outlet.

The Bride Show 2012 reveals Middle Eastern Bridal Survey 2011

The Bride Show, the leading annual wedding event in the Middle East, comprising The Bride Show Abu Dhabi and The Bride Show Dubai, today reveals the results of its annual Middle Eastern Bridal Survey. The Survey polled over 700 females, with the objective of uncovering the latest attitudes towards all aspects of weddings, from fashion, to jewelry. One of the most striking findings of the report is that modern brides in the region are shunning the latest celebrity fads when it comes to their wedding dress, favoring a more traditional and elegant bridal theme.

A number of high profile, international designers are lined up for the Abu Dhabi Edition in February next year, including renowned Spanish designer, La Sposa, and high profile Emirati brands Mona Al Mansoury and Dar Sara.

Poised to be even more luxurious and high profile than ever before, the event is already 90% subscribed, with a wait list to squeeze in the final exhibitors.

The Farm Wins International Awards The Farm at San Benito, in Lipa, Batangas, received two prestigious international awards for “Favorite Spa in the Philippines” at the 2011 SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Awards held recently in the U.S. and “Holistic Treatment of the Year” in recent AsiaSpa Awards in Hong Kong. Both awards are annual events organized to honor and give due recognition to the crème de la crème of the spa and wellness industry players.

Succulent Seafood Festival Whets The Appetite at The Original Barrio Fiesta

The Original Barrio Fiesta launches the Seafood Festival this season. The new menu entries include: Sumisirit na Pusit, Cripsy Calamares, Hipon Sa Bawang, Sinarsahang Lapu Lapu, Pinasingawang Lapu Lapu, Inihaw na Ulang, Tinolang Tahong, Bangus Salpicao, Bangus a la Pobre, Pritong Tilapia, Sinangla and Aligue Pasta. Customers can also avail of special party packages at Barrio Fiesta’s Burjuman branch. For more information, just call Barrio Fiesta 04-3594158.

Giordano goes back to the Shop Floor

Giordano, the leading apparel retailer, is taking customer service to a whole new level through the evolution of its “Giordano Means Service” program. The company is selecting next generation service champions who will spearhead customer care standards and pass on global bestpractice standards to their workmates as part of Giordano’s commitment to providing world class customer service.

On the floor throughout Giordano stores nationwide till the end of this year, the retailer’s staff will participate in a number of training workshops and team-building exercises. On select days, Giordano’s key executives and Area Managers will be working alongside shop staff and help serve customers.

“We always strive to provide our customers a total shopping experience – customers don’t buy from the company, they buy from the people they like and trust. They want someone who is knowledgeable about the products and delivers what is promised,” said Ishwar Chugani, Executive Director at Giordano Middle East. “There’s always something to learn about customer service, and for me and my management team, this is an invaluable opportunity to spend time in store, seeing what the daily reality is for Giordano’s customers, and for its people. The insights we will gain can not only help us build to a better business, but also to recognize, develop and reward our staff and create a better place to work.”

92 GLOBAL BARRIO

PCFI:

Promoting Filipino Culture in Florida

By Excel V. Dyquiangco

Presenting and preserving Philippine heritage and culture, especially when out of the country, may seem like such a daunting task but for the Philippine Cultural Foundation (PCFI) in Tampa Bay, Florida, this comes off easy because of only one thing - love for the country.

“PCFI was founded in 1995 by a group of Filipinos interested in presenting and preserving our Philippine heritage and culture as our legacy to future generations and our contribution to the diversity of this region and the state of Florida,” says Angelina E. Caculitan, PCFI Board Member and Chairperson for Publicity. “This was incorporated as a Florida corporation on July 19, 1995.”

From that time on, PCFI grew in stature. By having all Filipinos and everyone married to a Filipino in the state of Florida as members, PCFI continues its legacy of promoting true Filipino values and hospitality. So when the PCFI started to develop its property, professionals including engineers, lawyers, human resources managers, architects, accountants, and others, still very active in their respective professions, volunteered their services pro-bono.

As soon as the young adults, as well as the retired professionals and

Illustrado Magazine

winter residents of Florida started seeing progress in the development of the Philippine Cultural Complex, they started giving monetary donations, participating in the Foundation’s fund-raising activities and patronizing all the events held at the facility.

The result of all of these collaborations is embodied in the impressive structure that is now known as the Philippine Cultural Enrichment Complex. The complex is composed of 10 acres of land with all the facilities and improvements. The first five-acre vacant land, now called the Philippine Village, was bought in June 1995 through donations by various community organizations through fund-raising efforts and donations by individual members of the Tampa Bay community. The Philippine Village has an outdoor stage and theater, called Sinagtala Theater, with Philippine murals serving as backdrop for cultural performances; several association pavilions; a 600 sq. foot

GLOBAL BARRIO 93

Promoting Filipino Heritage around the Globe Like the PCFI, there are also other organizations here and around the globe that promote and preserve Philippine culture and heritage. Among these are the: Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) based in Manila - a non-stock, non-profit organization that seeks to protect and preserve heritage and cultural sites with the objective of upholding the National Identity of the Philippines. Among its activities are the restoration projects, such as rebuilding of school houses, documentation projects and a conducted monthly board meetings throughout the year. HCS has also been behind the Heritage Bill, filed by then-Senator Edgardo Angara in 2007 which serves as a prime instrument in bringing life back to the old glory of the Philippines.

The Philippine American Youth Organization - better known as PAYO is a non-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington. It’s an avenue where the youth are provided with reallife opportunities to develop self-image, social skills and camaraderie; all this time learning the Pinoy language, songs and dances. This group is highly known for their rural and Muslim dance performances and they have been seen in cultural events such as the Annual Seafair Pista in Seattle, Junior Daffodil Parade at Proctor, and the Annual Ethnic Festival in Tacoma. They also perform in other school and church events. They were also recognized by the City of Tacoma for their outstanding contributions to the society.

The Culture Philippines of Ontario (CPO) seeks to promote Filipino cultural heritage by providing dance, music and performing arts to children in Canada, and then sharing it to the community. Since 1985, the organization has been part of a three-day annual Carassauga Festival in the city of Mississauga which reintroduces the history, culture, food, displays and crafts, entertainment to more than twenty countries. Among its activities are charitable events, community celebrations and fundraisings.

Its achievements also included a benefit concert called “Pagkakaisa” at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga.

landscaped multi-purpose replica of a Philippine hut or the bahay kubo; a Vendors Pavilion, a Children’s Pavilion, paved grounds and community parking. The next five acres adjacent to the first one, on which stands the Philippine Cultural Center called Bayanihan Arts and Events Center, was bought in July 1996, also with funds raised collaboratively.

The spacious 14,300 sq. ft facility that can be rented out to the Filipino community at a discount for weddings, anniversaries, organization events, seminars and business meetings is also the venue for concerts by Filipino singers, as well as exhibits by Filipino painters, sculptors and other artists. Its Philippine Library contains Filipiniana books, costumes, instruments and other memorabilia.

PCFI has three in-house cultural arms: the Philippine Performing Arts Company (dance); the Philippine Choral Group (song) and the Bamboo Ensemble (Anklung). Their membership is free to the public and they give presentations to different groups outside of PCFI when requested to do so.

Projects and Initiatives

Two premier PCFI fund-raising activities are held every year. PHILFEST, a threeday outdoor festival held at the Philippine Village on the first weekend of April transforms the place for three days into fiesta grounds, complete with food vendors representing every region in the Philippines; merchandisers of native clothing, handicrafts, accessories of all kinds, as well as various cultural, song, dance and martial arts performances and parades and processions of ladies dressed in their most elegant ternos, escorted by men in their dashing Barong Tagalog. A Tawag ng Tanghalan, the Philippine counterpart of American Idol and Tanghalang Pambata, its youth counterpart, showcasing some of the best in Filipino singing talent, highlight the many cultural exhibits at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center.

Sampaguita Ball, the most talked about and awaited social event in Tampa Bay,

94 GLOBAL BARRIO

bars and some even treated the Dragon Boat Team boat team to a theme park after they had won the title. They also raised funds to give each Pinoy warrior pocket money for shopping. Young Fil-ams donated a custom carbon fiber paddle to each member of the PDBT.

Creating Positive Pinoy Image

is a US$100-a-plate dinner dance attended by about 500 guests in their exquisite Filipiniana attire - long formal gowns and Barong Tagalogs or tuxedos. The three cultural arms of PCFI - the Philippine Performing Arts Company, the Philippine Choral Group and a oneof-a kind Bamboo Orchestra called Musikong Kawayan – provides high-class entertainment. The program features all-night dancing to a live band, a lavish dinner, a merienda cena with Philippine delicacies, and an open bar.

Throughout the year, PCFI also has various cultural concerts, which are presented to the public at a minimum cost. The Philippine Performing Arts Company and its youth counterpart, Indak Pambata, are open to anyone interested to learn Filipino dances, with a commitment to attending regular practice every Saturday.

“We are again starting our Tagalog classes this coming January with Beginners Tagalog, Intermediate Tagalog and Advanced Tagalog,” says Caculitan. “They are free for anyone interested in learning. In addition to this, there is a separate course in Philippine customs and traditions. In the past the students in these classes were youth born of Filipino parents in the United States, as well as Americans married to Filipinos.”

This year, the PCFI was involved with raising funds for the Philippine Dragon Boat Team (PDBT). Roger Caculitan, the husband of Angie Caculitan, currently the PCFI Chairman of the Board, rallied for support behind these defending warriors and as expected, a show of assistance came in droves. The members donated meals, food, energy

Illustrado Magazine

Because of such endeavors, PCFI has indeed created a very positive image of Filipinos in Tampa Bay. In fact in 2006, PCFI received the prestigious Presidential Award, the BANAAG Award, for its outstanding achievement as an organization that has benefitted the community and Filipinos overseas. And then, in 2010 PCFI was again awarded the Gawad Geny Lopez Bayaning Samahang Pilipino Award for its effort that exemplified “pagkakaisa” or unity and the spirit of “bayanihan” (working together toward a common goal).

The organization is so well-received by the community that when people drop by the Center, they have nothing but praises.

“Needless to say, we feel so proud of what we have done for the last 16 years,” says Caculitan. “From a piece of swampland from nowhere, we have built a legacy of a cultural complex, which we hope will be carried on by our future generation of Filipinos.

It took enormous sacrifice of time, treasure and talents of a lot of people along the way, but, thinking back, it was all worth it.

‘Pagkakaisa’ and the spirit of bayanihan are alive and well in this part of the globe!”

FEATURE 95

Bringing the Light of Peace:

TAGUM’S

GIANT CHRISTMAS TREE

Amidst the flurry of the season’s activities in the Philippines is the spectacular as well as symbolic lighting of what is touted as the tallest Christmas Tree in the country which serves as a beacon of peace and hope for people of the south.

By: Edwin Lasquite

The city of Tagum in Davao del Norte, also known as the Palm City of the Philippines which highlights 14 different grand colorful festival each year depicting the rich culture of the Tagumeños also boast of having the the country’s tallest Christmas structure. Standing 108.60 feet, the Giant Holiday Tree officially came to life during the traditional lighting ceremony on the 16th November 2011, drawing cheers and amazement from Tagumeños who flocked to the Freedom Park.

The traditional annual lighting of the Giant Holiday tree is an event most anticipated by locals: Tagumeños take pride in this towering holiday structure and in the event which gathers not only Christians but also people of other faiths - a resounding testament to Tagum’s core-values as a peace-loving city.

In his speech to mark the occasion, First Councilor De Carlo L. Uy described the said tree as the city’s “gift of hope, love and peace,” and later encouraged everyone to magnify the true meaning of Christmas that is unity and peace. “As we light up this holiday tree, let us rededicate ourselves to make Tagum more progressive and let us work together to build a more peaceful place,” stressed the younger Uy. The lighting event saw over 5,000 eager attendees who were serenaded

by Christmas songs by Tagum’s children’s choir and brass quintet.

This year’s celebration also paid tribute to the public market workers, laborers, vendors and dispatchers to whom Councilor Uy said this is a way of recognizing their “vital part in our city’s development and daily living.”

Mayor Rey T. Uy, along with other local government officials and private stakeholders, turned on the series of Christmas lights wrapping the hexagonal-shape giant Christmas tree made of thin steel and wires, hoisted at the foreground of the Freedom Park located at the back of the city hall.

Upon lighting, the Holiday Tree burst into brightness amid 35 angel-costumed children carrying lighted candles as symbol of enlightenment among the people living in harmony with each other in the city.

This year’s holiday tree is illuminated by 100,000 rice bulbs along with 7,500 yellow and green roof lights, 3,000 blue roof lights and 6,000 red roof lights. It is also adorned with the 8.60-feet Star of Bethlehem at the top, flowers, snowflakes, angels and birds, fruits, musical notes and staffs. Two hundred star lanterns were also hanged in the trees surrounding Freedom Park. The City Government spent PHP700,000 pesos to put up the structure which was designed by the City Architect’s Office and was put up by the engineering office’s building and safety and electrical divisions for two months.

The holiday structure will be lighted every night starting at six o’clock in the evening and will be turned off at two in the morning.

Major streets in the city, especially in the downtown area, are also glimmering with Christmas lights and decors which were also lighted simultaneously with the holiday tree.

96 COMMUNITY

The 1st Philippine Film Festival in the UAE Makes History The first PFF-UAE has been supported by Amber Clinics, Dnata, Emirates Grand Hotel, VOX Cinemas and Marco Polo Hotel, as well as the National Media Council, Illustrado Magazine, Kabayan Weekly and affiliate Filipino organizations.

FEME Radio Show Celebrates 1st Anniversary

Philippine movie and culture enthusiasts were given the ultimate treat with the landmark launch of the 1st Philippine Film Festival in the UAE (PFF-UAE). The festival, held in Dubai from the 25th to the 26th of November, is a project of the Kitsch Company and carried the theme “Our Films, Our Culture.”

The festival, graced by Filipino film luminaries, renowned actress Boots Anson Roa, who is also the Director of the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (MOWELFund), as well as highly acclaimed director Soxie Topacio, featured four award winning Filipino movies screened at separate events and venues.

A symposia facilitated by Anson-Roa and Topacio, featured the screening of ‘Botelya’ a Cannes 2009 Bronze Award Winner directed

by Manny Palo, starring Anson Roa, Caridad Sanchez, Angel Aquino, Alessandra de Rossi, Katrina Kalili and Rosa Rosal, among others.

Two films were shown at Vox Cinemas - the period piece ‘Rosario’ by award-winning director Albert Martinez, starring Jennylyn Mercado, Yul Servo, Dennis Trillo, Eula Valdez and Dolphy; as well as the comedy drama ‘Ded na si Lolo’ directed by Soxy Topacio, starring Manilyn Reynes, Gina Alajar, and Roderick Paulate. The latter was the Philippine’s entry to the foreign language category at the 82nd Oscar Awards.

The Filipino Excellence in the Middle East (FEME) radio show on Dubai Eye 103.8 FM celebrated its first year anniversary with a gathering of 31 former guests at the Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel in Jebel Ali, Dubai last November 18. The former guests were all given a certificate recognizing them as FEME mentors.

The Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, Hon. Grace Relucio Princesa, a FEME mentor herself, was the guest speaker. ViceConsul Edwin Mendoza, on the other hand, read the congratulatory message of Consul General Benito Valeriano of the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

The pilot of the show, founded by Art Los Banos and his wife, Elle (who serves as co-host), was broadcasted on October 26, 2010 with four guests. The program focuses on an individual’s success stories regardless of educational attainment, financial status and age. It aims to inspire, encourage and empower listeners in the Middle East to excel in their respective fields. Until November 1, 2011, the show has conducted 25 live episodes and one re-broadcast, with a total of 71 guests.

The FEME radio show is aired every other Tuesday night from 10 to 12 midnight. It can be accessed via live streaming on www. dubaieye1038.com anywhere in the world. It is part of the Filipino Rhythm programming of Dubai Eye 103.8 FM. Email to feme@ writeme.com or post in the Facebook page Filipino Excellence Middle East for suggestions and comments.

The festival culminated with a gala event, held at the Radisson HotelDeira, where director Eddie Romero’s Philippine classic “Ganito Kami Noon... Paano Kayo Ngayon?” was screened. The film stars Christopher De Leon and Gloria Diaz. During the gala, Christopher de Leon, as well as Botelya director Manny Palo dropped in for a surprise visit to the delight of the guests.

Speaking at the gala, guest of honor Ambassador Grace RelucioPrincesa emphasized, “Culture transcends boundaries. It connects hearts and souls. It is very timely na nagkaroon tayo ng ganito on the 40th year anniversary of UAE. Filipinos are a big fan of movies and this is a great time for all of us. Taas noo tayong mga Pilipino.”

Illustrado Magazine

Art and Elle Los Banos

BAYANIHAN CORNER 97

Bayanihan ng Mga Bayani:

Christmas Everyday

By Ambassador Grace Relucio-Princesa

In the same month last year, I wrote that the spirit of Bayanihan - the collective heroism of every Filipino for the interest and benefit of each other in the United Arab Emirates - is part of the Christmas spirit. The attitude of “dying to oneself and one’s personal agenda” to give hope and a better life to another is exactly what Jesus Christ was born for in the first Nativity.

Last month, I detailed some of the activities that the Bayanihan Council had been doing not just for the Filipino community in Abu Dhabi, but also now in Dubai - i.e. Training of Trainors for Financial Literacy.

Last December, I also proposed a vision for us Filipinos to discuss and agree upon as our “magi” or star to guide us, as we move forward practicing Bayanihan-Christmas daily and thus, have the spirit of volunteerism not just this season, but always.

At the end of 2010, I have been inspired to propose an amendment to what I earlier suggested: A world class Country Team partnering with Team Bayanihan to exemplify global ‘Taas Noo, Filipino.’

BAYANIHAN NG MGA BAYANI - In order to birth our Lupang Hinirang, we need a Godly, nationalistic, disciplined, focused, visionary country team partnering with Team Bayanihan to exemplify Global Taas Noo, Filipino values.

What will be the strategy to make this vision into a reality? For next year, with God’s help, the Embassy will endeavor, in cooperation with the Filipino community organizations, to launch the following Filipino F’s in 2012, with particular focus on June, the Kalayaan month:

• Filipino Food in major outlets for a week and a food/art festival in a prominent hotel • Filipino Fun - i.e. eco-tourism projects • Filipino Fabrics - i.e. abaca or Manila hemp, perhaps, ushered in by the longest abaca rope in the world followed by a fashion show • Filipino Furniture • Filipino Film - i.e. Second Philippine Film Festival • “Fotography” This project are not only meant to showcase the best of our culture that we can be proud of but the collaboration is also meant to further stimulate the spirit of working together for our community’s common good.

Working together as bayanis (heroes) to each other, we can have Christmas everyday.

Isang Banal/Masayang Pasko at Mapayapang/Masaganang Bagong Taon sa ating lahat!

A Blessed Merry Christmas and a Peaceful Prosperous New Year to all of us.

98 COMMUNITY

Philippine Selling Mission: Delighting the Middle East with Filipino textures and flavors The Selling Mission to the Middle East showcases the different textures and flavors of Philippine food products. Now with more than 300 Halal-certified Filipino companies offering over 5,000 Philippine food products, the Selling Mission brings to the region a wide range of Halal-Certified Philippine food that cater to the Middle East market’s discriminating taste, and answers the fast growing demand for high quality Philippine fare as one of the top food export destinations.

For three decades now, Filipino food exporters have been continuously delivering the taste of home to Filipinos who live and work in the Middle East. Aside from this, the Philippine food industry also adapts to the needs of the Middle East and African markets with Halal-certified food products. These reinforce the Philippines as an emerging and reliable source of prime Halal food products in Southeast Asia. With the global Halal-food market now worth $US632 Billion and the Middle East importing 90% of its food requirements from overseas, the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) aims to contribute US$10M Philippine food exports to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and the Middle East and North African (MENA) regions in 2011, with the selling mission as a springboard to further strengthen trade relations.

The Philippine Selling Mission is a joint project of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), an attached agency of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Agriculture-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (DA-AMAS), and Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC) in the Middle East.

“The Department is one with Palawan and the Philippines in celebrating this latest triumph. We congratulate Mayor Edward Hagedorn and the people of Puerto Princesa City for this victory.

Now, however, the real work begins, as there is more reason than ever to strengthen environmental protection measures, optimize accommodation and touring capacities, and the like. We look forward to working on these with our local government and private sector partners,” said Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr. As vice chair of the PPUR-N7WN Task Force created by President Benigno Aquino III in June, the DOT led a tri-media launch of the official promotional campaign last July at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu. A month prior, the Department had already conducted promotion activities for the PPUR during “Filipino Homecoming” road shows in North America.

The DOT also accomplished the following in support of the campaign: conducted student forums in July to encourage blogging and tweeting about the PPUR; hosted familiarization trips with print and broadcast media in August; provided voting stations at the International Tourism Bourse (ITB) in Berlin in March, the 2nd Cebu International Travel Expo in July and 22nd Philippine Travel Mart last September; and promoted the PPUR while participating in travel fairs such as the ITB-Berlin, Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) World Tourism Forum and Travel Showcase last March, September and October.

As a culminating activity for the campaign, the DOT sponsored the Tunog Wunderground concert series this month in coordination with Wunderground United, an all-Filipino celebrity project for the PPUR-N7WN campaign.

DOT, Puerto Princesa City gear up for tourism boom after PPUR win

The New 7 Wonders of Nature website describes the Puerto Princesa Underground River as reputedly the world’s longest underground river system, featuring an 8.2-kilometer navigable river through an impressive limestone landscape. It joins the Amazon in South America, Halong Bay in Vietnam, Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil, Jeju Island in South Korea, Komodo in Indonesia, and Table Mountain in South Africa on the exclusive list after a two-year vote among 28 finalists that concluded last 11 November 2011.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the city government of Puerto Princesa will intensify efforts to prepare the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) for more tourists following its win as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature (N7WN).

As of October 2011, 196,959 foreign and local visitors have been tallied at the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) for the year, already more than the 172,827 visitors for the entire 2010.

Illustrado Magazine

100 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.

SA MALAMIG, SA MALAMIG

(a.k.a Cold December)

By Aby Yap

The nights are longer and the weather is colder. Hello, December! Christmas is just a few days away. Can you already feel that everyone is trying to be friends with you, hoping to get on your gift shopping list?

Oops, before someone goes on a protest, chill lang. I know, I know. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a little too late here. The season has officially started in September â&#x20AC;&#x201D; at least in the Philippines where people do the rejoicing waaaay ahead than the rest of the world. (So, where did that Filipino Time come from?!)

Illustrado Magazine

FILIPINISMS 101

Malamig ang Simoy ng Hangin

All together now: Kay saya ng bawat damdamin…

Yes, merry people, you’re bitten by the Christmas bug once you hear these carols on the radio especially if it’s one of Karen Carpenters’.

Her below zero degrees Celsius voice will suddenly make you feel Jack Frost nipping at your nose, making you want to roast chestnuts on an open fire. If only you can find one in Manila — a Jack Frost or an open fire, take your pick.

As the “ber” months pass by, you get increasingly excited going to work because you can already smell the 13th month pay you’ve waited a year for. You need cold cash naturally to fulfill your Christmas obligation to your long list of inaanaks, significant other (s), family, friends, and colleagues. Strictly in that order.

At the same time, you notice that cab drivers are giving you the cold shoulder. And they can be real snobs. Nobody seems to see how you scurry across the road with all your shopping bags amid blaring horns and curses, just to go after them. Until one, praise Him, takes pity on you, rolls his window down, asks for your destination, and quotes a rate twice as much as what you normally pay. But you grab his offer anyway, though grudgingly.

Also, you’re more praning this time of the year when snatchers, robbers, and hold-uppers carry out their “money-making schemes” — which, of course, none of us want to play a part in. You believe in goodwill to all mankind, but you want to stay alive just the same. So, you look at everyone with the eye of a spy and pray your hardest that you never have any close encounters with any of these cold-blooded beings ever.

And as Christmas nears, getting out of bed becomes a lot more difficult with that cool Amihan air permeating your room. (Goodbye, air conditioners and electric fans!) Taking a bath in the morning, too, is no longer appealing unless you’re ready to scream your loudest and wake up all the neighbors when the icy water hits your flesh. Brrr.

(Is that why they call it the “ber” months?)

Well, just take care not to catch cold. Wear a sweater (or have your partner’s arm around you) when you attend Simbang Gabi! Treat yourself to bibingka and puto bumbong afterwards, and enjoy a cup of warm tsokolate-eh. As hottie Coco Martin would say, “Yummy!”

Samahan ng Malamig ang Pasko

Baby, it’s cold outside — and inside your heart, too. And no amount of iced tea can ever fill up the vacuum of loneliness Christmas has in store for you.

Naks, the Samahan ng Malamig ang Pasko (SMP), must be having an epiphany now because of the intro. (Please don’t kill me.)

So, what’s this SMP? For you lovey-dovey couples out there (as if this will interest you), SMP is a union of Pinoys and Pinays whose Christmas is cold, as in white, blue, or gloomy. (No intention of rubbing it in, sorry.)

They’re active in the recruitment and reinstatement of members only during the holidays. Their lone requirement is that you belong to the following clubs: • No Boyfriend Since Birth (NBSB): Some have been courted by boys they don’t like. Others have never been courted at all. A few don’t even like boys.

• • No Girlfriend Since Birth (NGSB): Some have courted girls who don’t like them. Others have never tried courting at all. A few don’t even like girls.

• • Long Distance Relationships (LDR): All have boyfriends or girlfriends, but they’re oceans apart so they can’t celebrate Christmas together. Meron nga pero wala, wala, wala rin!

• • Singles for Christmas (SFC): All used to have boyfriends or girlfriends, but by a sudden twist of fate, their relationships ended just before Christmas. Did Scrooge have a hand here?

Are you one of them? SMP registration is FREE! But you don’t even have to join. If you survived Valentine’s Day, you’ll survive Christmas, too. Promise.

Plus, think about the perks of being single. You save on gift shopping expenses. You don’t have to be stuck in traffic or go crazy searching for the perfect gift. You don’t have to share your Noche Buena with anyone. You get to flirt, er, spend time with other people after bonding with family and friends, of course.

Besides, there’s a new group around. It’s also called SMP but with a different meaning: Siguradong May Paparating. Maybe you’d like to try? It might not be too late for Santa Clause to deliver your Special Someone when he comes to town.

Hay, that’s what you get from listening to Gary Valenciano and Ariel Rivera croon about their long-lost love. As if everyone didn’t know that these guys are both happily married, haller!!