ILLUSTRADO Magazine_Feb 2010

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THE MAGAZINE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL FILIPINO

15 FEBRUARY - 15 MARCH 2010

issue

38

PINOY

LO VE

INFIDELITY LOVIN’ IN THE NEW AGE MY CAR, MY GIRLFRIEND IS YOUR LOVE GENUINE OR FAKE? LOVE FOR COUNTRY FASHION: MAKING AN ENTRANCE ILLUSTRADO SCRAPBOOK FOODING AROUND: ANG ISTORYA NG GAYUMA ICH LIEBE BERLIN A PUBLICATION LICENSED UNDER THE DUBAI TECHNOLOGY & MEDIA FREE ZONE

EDITOR’S NOTE

The Colors of

Love

There are many different shades to love. A huge color spectrum that takes you from tickled pink smitten, to absolutely romantically bitten scarlet to dangerously intoxicated sangria. Just as there are many different depths to love – those that make up the distinction between “I love ice cream” to “I’m happy when I’m with you,” or “I get weak in the knees,” to “I can’t help myself” or “My spirit is all fired up,” to ultimately, “I will do anything no matter what.”

In the Pinoy realm, that feeling takes so many forms, more than just the typical kind of ‘amor’ that we talk about especially when February comes. We have, within our circle some pretty common affections, devotions, passions, fixations, weaknesses and even “foolishness” that all stem out from that root emotion that we recognize as love.

And so this month, it is quite inevitable (and very Filipino) that we celebrate that heart racing sensation in its different hues, intensities and incarnations. We take you through the usual kind of romantic fondness ‘new age’ style, to various Pinoy obsessions and indulgences from cars to hobbies to karaoke, and we go as far as touching taboo as we discuss the sensitive, albeit very relevant, subject of infidelity. On a higher plane, we also talk about devotion to country and the spiritual dimension of love.

This issue also sees the debut of two new regular columns, ‘Fooding Around’ which features Illustrado’s take on Pinoy food – with a fresh and international flavor - as well as ‘Global Barrio’ which highlights goings-on in different parts of the world from a distinctive Filipino perspective – a definitive sign of the times as our world, the diaspora, becomes smaller and smaller every day.

For those of you missing our fave Pinay character, Annie B., a column on brief hiatus – we could only hope that “absence makes the heart fonder.” Abangan ang susunod na kabanata sa pagbabalik ni Annie B. So my dear Illustrado’s here’s to a happy month of hearts.

Live well.

Love well.

Taas Noo, Filipino!

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

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CONTRIBUTORS Carlito Virina

Heading Illustrado’s new Global Barrio column is former Dubai and Singapore resident, adman and entrepreneur Carlito Virina. Carlito has a bone or two to pick with the goings-on in our colorful city of Manila, and he gives us the acerbic blow-by-blow account with much relish and gusto, this time particularly on the subject of his nonfavorite things in “No Love.”

Bo Sanchez

Renowned author, speaker and TOYM awardee, the one and only Preacher in Blue Jeans Bo Sanchez teaches us the difference between genuine love and the fake kind in his column on Spirituality in this issue.

Sherry Tenorio

Dubai-based Sherry Tenorio talks about different types of love in this month’s Valentines issue – from the Pinoy obsession with cars, to new age dating and to the other stuff we are so fixated on.

Ivan Henares

Chef Mico Galliguez

‘Enfant terrible’ Chef Mico is an evil genius in the kitchen and a killer when it comes to food photography. The good Chef from Radisson Dubai Deira Creek joins us in a new bi-monthly column ‘Fooding Around’ which takes a light-hearted but five-star poke on Pinoy food. Read on for Filipino “gayuma” secrets.

Bakasyon Grande regular contributor and popular blogger Ivan Henares is not only a travel buff but a keen Philippine heritage activist. A member of the Board of Trustees of the Heritage Conservation Society, Ivan shares with us this month insights on another kind of passion in ‘Love for Country.’

Law Diche

Singapore-based ad man copywriter and Illustrado contributor Law Diche shares Pinoyrelated happenings in the city of the Merlion in Global Barrio.

Jeffrey ‘Ximo’ Ramos

Success has many components and a loving relationship is just one of them. This month, ‘I Know What to Do’ author Ximo Ramos talks about the ingredients that make up a healthy winning relationship.

Jack Catarata

Jack Catarata lives in the wine producing region of Palatinate in Germany. A former development worker back home, he works freelance for German development aid agencies and is active in Filipino Diaspora initiatives in Europe. Jack sits as elected member of his city’s Council for Migration and Integration, the first Filipino-German to do so. Married to a German and a proud father of two, Jack joins Illustrado this month in Global Barrio and shares with us the Pinoy perspective from his part of the world

Doc Marlon Pecjo

A legend in the Manila fashion photography circle, in-demand with both publishing houses and models, Dr. Marlon Pecjo captures one of his favorite muses, Jasmine Maierhofer in this month’s style feature ‘Making an Entrance.’

Publisher & Editor-in Chief Lalaine Chu-Benitez Associate Editor Vic Lactaoen CONTRIBUTING WRITERS UAE, Philippines, USA Aby Yap JR Bustamante Anna Lorraine Balita Jude Cartalaba Bernadette Reyes Karen Galarpe Bo Sanchez KC Abalos Carlito Viriña Krip Yuson Chayie Maligalig Lawrence Diche David Poarch Mike Martin Excel Dyquiangco Shar Matingka Francisco Colayco Sherry Tenorio Isabel Warren Sonny Guzman Isabelo Samonte Vic Lactaoen Ivan Henares Victor Sollorano Jack Catarata Jeffrey ‘Ximo’ Ramos Jesse Edep ART DIRECTORS Tom Bolivar Paula Lorenzo Ron Perez CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS UAE Illuminado Ong Pot Ph Ik Lumberio Melandro Sanggalang Mac Antonio Jit Sanggalang CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS PHILIPPINES Dr. Marlon Pecjo Glenn Peter-Perez Filbert Kung CONTRIBUTING STYLISTS & FASHION TEAM UAE Zekundo Chu Basil Yunting Jessie Tabla PUBLISHER - UAE Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2nd Floor, Building 2, P.O. Box 72280 Office 20C Dubai Media City, UAE Tel: +9714 365 4543, 365 4547 Fax:+9714 360 4771 E-mail: admin@illustrado.net, info@illustrado.net Web: www.illustrado.net, www.illustrado.agilaglobal.net PRINTERS PRINTWELL PRINTING LLC P.O. Box 18828 Dubai, UAE Copyright Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2006-2010. All rights reserved. No part of this

42 CONTENTS

FEB 2010

Exquisitely beautiful ingénue Jasmine Maierhofer returns to Illustrado’s February issue in the fashion feature “Making an Entrance.”

FEATURES Infidelity: Opportunities, alibis and consequences 8 Lovin’ in the New Age 14 My Car, My Girlfriend 18 MgAHILIG Pinoy 24 Love for Country 40

REGULAR COLUMNS Editor’s Note 1 Letters 6 Contents 5 Contributors 4 Illuminati – Indulgences & Obsessions 22 Pinoy Entrepreneur – Jes Galang & Regina Marauta 26 Pinoy Pro 28 Kabuhayan: Good Old Carinderia 30 Kabuhayan: Money – Love with the KSK Coop 32 Successful Pinoy: Successful ba ang True Love Mo? 34 Spirituality: Is your Love Genuine or Fake? 36 Community: Illustrado’s Women of Substance 2010 Event 51 Illustrado Scrapbook 56 Fooding Around: Ang Istorya ng Gayuma 58 Onli in Da Pilipins 72 Annie B Chronicles 74 Illustrado Faces 78 Classifieds Listing: Filipino & Filipino-Oriented Establishments 82

FASHION Fashion: Making an Entrance 42 Stylemonger: Splash Fashion Show 50 Fashion: Natori Spring-Summer 2010 52

PLACES Trippin’ – 5 Things To Do This Month 70 Global Barrio 60 Pinoy Planet: Ich Liebe Berlin 64 Globetrotter’s Blog – Beijing 68

68 58

CONTRIBUTORS Francisco J. Colayco Krip Yuson

Keeping it real in his Illuminati column, writing legend Krip Yuson takes a tongue-in-cheek poke at real Pinoy ‘inventiveness’ that trumps up even the best in the international category.

Illustrado’s resident financial guru Francisco Colayco starts the year on the right footing for readers with a reminder on observing caution and putting in place long term savings, while keeping an optimistic perspective for a financially healthy 2010 in “New Year, New Life.”

Bernadette Reyes

Businesses in the Philippines are definitely growing with the help of new technology.

Writer and GMA TV reporter Bernadette Reyes takes us through some of the interesting ICT developments supporting industries back home in “Growing with Technology.”

Loraine Balita

Freelance writer, DLSU teacher and travel junkie Loraine goes around the world this month looking at Pinoy expat issues and finds out that for Filipinos around the world – it is just a small world.

Sherry Tenorio

These days, Pinoy ‘netizens’ are definitely and hopelessly drawn to the information highway almost 24/7. Writer Sherry Tenorio reveals how the new age obsession for connectivity has changed the lives of Filipinos in “Connected to the WWW.”

Law Diche

Butz Fuentes

Going down-to-earth this month from fashionista heaven, resident Stylemonger Butz Fuentes provides the “masa” with the reason and means to be fabulous in 2010 in his column.

Singapore-based advertising copywriter Law Diche has always had a weird and irreverent take on Pinoy pop-culture. In this issue, Law shares his theory that the Pinoy tongue might well rule the world one day.

8 FEATURE

Infidelity

Opportunity, alibis and consequences

By Lalaine Chu-Benitez

S

ingle, separated or cheating?

An overwhelming 96% of Filipinos disapprove of extramarital relations (*Daylo-Laylo and Montelibano, 2000). However, most of us would know of someone who has an unfaithful spouse, or who is involved in some kind of an affair – sometime or the other. We’ve all heard the stories of multiple partners and multiple families and of ‘separated’ but not really ‘separated’ kababayans propositioning single women. No statistics are available, but it is safe to say that the phenomenon is widespread enough for it to be considered part of our reality. Many blame the OF situation, where some spouses are forced to live separately, for the rise in broken marriages and families in the Philippines, citing “kalungkutan” (loneliness) as one of the main causes of unfaithfulness.

Still, infidelity is not an exclusive domain of the OF. It is part, albeit a taboo one, of our culture since time immemorial. According to a release from the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women in 2009, marital infidelity is a major stressor among Filipino couples, with about 36% of men and 2% of women engaging in extra-marital affairs in the country.

In comparison, in the USA it is estimated that roughly 30% to 60% of all married individuals will engage in infidelity at some point (*Susceptibility to Infidelity in the First Year of Marriage Buss, D. M. and Shackelford T. K., Journal of Research in Personality, 31, 193-221. 1997). In other countries where sex research and infidelity statistics are unavailable, indicators provide

FEATURE 9 clues as to the incidence of unfaithfulness. “Lust in Translation: Infidelity from Tokyo to Tennessee” (Penguin Books, 2007), by Pamela Druckerman states, “Hints of Japan’s infidelity levels come only from the enormous size of the country’s paid-sex industry, which is famously frequented by married businessmen.”

was returning to Dubai from an emergency leave in Manila, a friend told me that my husband was having an affair with his officemate’s wife. I was so angry that I felt the need for revenge. I did everything (discreetly of course) to get closer to his officemate and enticed him to have an affair so that both of us could get even.”

Another excerpt from the book goes, “In the tiny West African nation of Togo, with a population of less than six million, 37 percent of married or cohabiting men said they’ve had more than one sex partner in the last year (the figure includes polygamists).

Trailing just behind the Togolese were men in Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, Mozambique and Tanzania. In South Africa, even the AIDS educator at a Cape Town metal company told me that of course he had a girlfriend as well as a wife.”

Whatever the reason, whether simple or complex, the root cause of infidelity, clearly, does not lie in the environmental factors that come with being an OF. It has more to do with a person’s intentions and attitude, inclusive of his or her fundamental values, views about sex and sense of entitlement, which oftentimes is driven by cultural upbringing.

Extenuating factors v/s the truth about ourselves Separate lives and more individual time provide OF spouses more opportunities to find themselves tempted into and eventually entangled in affairs. However, it is also a fact that infidelity exists even when couples stay together. Furthermore, today’s fast paced life has also given rise to even more factors contributing to the phenomenon. With the feminization of the OF demographic, more and more females find themselves spending more time at work, with co-workers, travelling on business and getting dangerously ‘close’ with people other than their spouses. Furthermore, the popularity of the internet, social networking, chatting, video conferencing, emailing, etc., has made it convenient for both men and women to ‘hook up’ with strangers even without the intention of having a ‘full on’ relationship, only to find out that things can escalate very quickly.

All contributing factors considered, we need to understand that these are merely external elements. And although they provide the opportunity to commit indiscretions, these are not the root cause of the problem, and therefore cannot be used as the excuse to one’s unfaithfulness.

There are many reasons, and alibis, for why people cheat and it is often deeper than an OF merely yielding to available temptation because of “kalungkutan.” Some people resort to infidelity because of marital conflicts, dissatisfaction or to escape from an unfavorable situation, as well as unresolved issues. A case in point is Dubai-based Jerry dela Cruz (not his real name) who shares “I was in love with my childhood sweetheart, but unfortunately we broke up because of some rumor that she only wanted me because of my family’s wealth. Twelve years passed and I got married. Then she shows up one day and tells our friends that she still has the same feelings for me. I went out with her and the sparks flew.”

Jerry admits that he had an affair with his old flame, “I was still in love with her and realized she had so many things that my wife did not have - looks, charm, brains.”

Gina Arellano (not her real name) who is based in Bahrain had a rude awakening, after going home briefly. She recounts, “My husband had an affair with a lady for five months while we were miles apart – I was in the Philippines to give birth to our child.”

Gina adds, “It ruined our relationship and I totally lost my trust in him.” The reason for the husband’s indiscretion is unclear; but simply put, an opportunity presented itself and he took it.

Infidelity is not exclusive to males and could have a more specific motivation like revenge. Such was the case of Angie Fuentes (not her real name). She recalls, “I felt betrayed because my husband was unfaithful, so I felt that I had to ‘fight fire with fire. Last year as I

Consider Filipino culture where male infidelity is still, sadly, seen by some as a sign of virility and female domination, a study by Jocano (1994), indicates that, “to most (Filipino) men, many of their flings or affairs are just pastimes and should not be taken seriously. They mean nothing. But not to women; they all mean very much to them.” This is echoed by a study of court cases to nullify marriages undertaken by Dayan and Samonte (1998) which showed that “adultery for males seemed more blatant, almost natural, where males courted and sought out their female partners.

Female petitioners, however, tended to feel more guilty, keeping their affairs a secret.”

10 FEATURE Evidently, it is this kind of attitude that drives unfaithful behavior and determines the fateful consequences for spouses and their families. Asked whether being in a different country made it more conducive for her to get into an illicit relationship, Angie Fuentes reveals, “I do not really agree with that, because infidelity begins within yourself wherever you may be.”

The price of indiscretion The consequences of infidelity are well known - broken marriages, dysfunctional homes, and destroyed lives. Still, most Filipinos (Casuga 1996) do not think that divorce is a solution to a bad marriage. Many opt to carry on, mostly for the sake of family and children, despite the difficulties. Couples suffer from a lot of problems which come natural with married life, however, when it comes to unfaithfulness, because of the deep sense of betrayal and loss of trust, the relationship is very hard to repair. As Gina Arellano relates, “It takes a thousand sweet efforts to build a relationship, yet one fatal error can destroy everything you have started and built together.”

For those who intend to pursue a different course of action other than proverbially “standing by their man/woman,” it is important to note that Philippine law has provisions towards upholding the sanctity and legality of marriage. Articles 333 and 334 of the Revised Penal Code state that a married man and woman who commit adultery (man) or concubinage (woman) are liable to imprisonment. These articles are up for revision so as to remove the distinction between the legal liability of males and females, BUT the penalties remain. And although very few aggrieved spouses actually resort to this route due to lack of awareness, or complications with family and sometimes even fear of social repercussions, the legal ramifications are no less serious or casual versus how these affairs have started ‘harmlessly’ in the first place.

The same stands for the treatment of extra-marital sex in the emirates – it is considered illegal and carries the penalty of a jail sentence, and sometimes even lashing. In Saudi Arabia, the punishment for convicted adulterers can be as serious as death. In these conservative countries, it is important to note that a lack of awareness about the law is not an excuse for a non-Muslim to escape prosecution.

For spouses who were abandoned by wayward husbands, there is a support group back home which looks after their interest - KINALASAN (Kababaihang Iniwan Na ng Lalaking Sumama Sa Ibang Nililiyag) an off-shoot of the OFW Family club created by former UAE Ambassador Seneres some eight years ago.

KINALASAN which has been founded by Seneres’ wife Minerva has in its roster, OF wives and children who have been left behind by errant husbands. The group assists members in locating estranged spouses, reminding them of their legal obligations and filing claims for support with the courts.

Making that nonreturnable choice With the emotional, legal, not to mention financial, consequences of infidelity, one asks the question is it worth it? Jerry dela Cruz who had to end his affair realizing that he could not find everything in one woman says, “Don’t even try to enter another relationship.

It’s a dead end. For some it may work but generally it does not end well.” Angie Fuentes furthers, “I learned that going into another problem is not the way to solve an existing problem. I needed to look back into my own spiritual relationship with our God and my husband and my family as whole too, and amend all our hurtful pasts.” For a woman whose unfaithfulness was driven by the need for revenge, she professes that she has to live with her guilt every single day.

Clearly there is so much to be said for why infidelity, however enticing it may be, is not only dangerous, and wrong, but also amounting to no good. That may be a rational way of thinking but for Filipinos who choose to pull out the “I am only human” trump card when cornered for their indiscretions; it isn’t always black or white.

So the next time you are confronted by the dilemma from that old Filipino adage, “Bakit di tutukain kung palay na ang lumalapit sa manok?” (Why not peck the rice grain when it brings itself to the chicken?), know that you have an interesting and clear-cut choice. You can either think of all the consequences – the emotional and financial cost, your wife, your kids, not to forget the jail sentence and the lashings; or you can tell yourself that it’s just going to be an exciting yet ‘harmless’ fling that you are entitled to – a small something that won’t hurt anybody.

Come on, you’re an OF suffering from “kalungkutan.” You’ve got the perfect excuse.

Illustrado asks the questions – what constitutes infidelity and what will you do if your spouse or partner was unfaithful?

Frankie Alcala Britt For me, infidelity is a violation of trust of an intimate relationship; a betrayal of shared values between couples; unfaithfulness, and disloyalty, lying to one’s partner, to one’s husband, wife or lover. If I found out that my partner is having an affair or is being unfaithful, I will have to confront him right away; sit down and talk about it even though it’s going to be painful. I will ask the number one question – “why?” Of course, my trust with him will be broken, but I also need to understand if I am partly to blame for his actions. Maybe I’m too busy with our child and have no more time for him, etc.? But it’s going to be difficult; trust is everything to me. Maybe we have to try and work things out because we were in love once and we love what we have. Forgiveness is important whether we get through all of these or not.

FEATURE 11 Renuel Sanchez For me, infidelity is not just about sleeping with someone.

To be intimate with another person is considered infidelity because that’s how everything starts. If a partner is unfaithful it will be hard to forgive. It’s sad but true, that there is a double standard for men because it occurs more [with us] and women usually forgive. But if a woman is unfaithful, forgiveness from us guys is very unlikely. To forgive, to forget and to move forward is the best thing if the marriage or relationship is worth saving. But if it’s stagnant and unhappy for a long time, to let go is the best thing because it’s a miserable way of living.

Anna De Leon Honestly it is so tricky. The Scriptures say that the moment you think about another man whilst you are with another constitutes infidelity. I think that when you act out your thoughts, that is infidelity.

Infidelity is the deal breaker for me. I will never take him back even though he is my husband. I won’t fight for my partner, if fighting back means exhausting all means to show him that I am better than the other woman. If this is the case, I say no.

It is mean but another woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure. Get even? Not my style, because it will just validate his thinking that he is important in my life, that I will go through the hassle of cooking up a plan to take him back and cheat on him. Too much effort! It’s not worth it. I will forgive him though, but I will never take him back… EVER. Devone Vender For me, trust and honesty are the two main ingredients of a relationship. Now the absence of either one will constitute infidelity. If I have a spouse/partner who was unfaithful, I think fighting back or getting even will make the relationship worse. I’m not a person who freaks out.

I’ve always been cool and calm and will see where it all went wrong. If it’s hard to keep a tiger as a pet in your home, you might as well set him free. Maybe then it will make him realize whether it’s really the wilderness he is looking for, or the place he calls his home. Will I forgive him if he comes back home?

Well, well, well, honey! It all depends on the “gravity of the moon.”

Gigi Dela Costa Infidelity for me is cheating, hurting, insulting in any relationship, to the maximum degree. I have always been a confident person but when infidelity comes in, this leads to jealousy. For me when jealousy comes in any relationship, this will definitely lead to insecurity. A person, who is insecure, will not trust anybody anymore. The person will always be guarded and in doubt all the time.

If I had a spouse who was positively having an affair with another woman, I will leave him. I believe that trust in not there anymore so why prolong the agony? I always believe in equality of sexes in all aspects - what a man can do, a woman can do too. Getting even will not be intentional but if I get into an affair after ours has ended,

then I won’t feel guilty about it. Finally, time heals all wounds. It’s not nice to carry extra baggage as we get older. I can forgive, but I can never forget. In due time we could be friends too, but that’s as far as we can go.

Anna McBride I have no other words to describe infidelity other than in the wise words of Dr Phil - infidelity is anything that you wouldn’t do in front of your spouse. Some people think that texting, chatting and nonphysical flirting and interaction do not constitute infidelity; in truth, they do. Why? Because you are emotionally investing your time on someone else apart from your spouse.

If I had an unfaithful spouse, I would confront him about the situation. If it is true that he has been unfaithful then that means that he does not love or respect me as his other half. He has not valued our marriage and family over the other person, and over his desire to fulfill his own happiness.

What would I do? I will end our relationship if there are no kids involved. If there is no love and respect, he is not worthy of my loyalty, my love and my time! However if kids are involved, you need to focus on what is good for your children in the long term. You are no longer just an individual, but also a mother. If I did take my spouse back, however, it will be on the conditions that I lay out, and for him to bring the trust back. He will be given only one chance and if he does not live up to that - he is out of our marriage. As they say, the best predictor of the future is past behavior. Finally, you have to learn to love yourself first before anyone else - you deserve the love and respect as a woman, a wife and a mother.

Alexis Cunanan As defined: Infidelity is a violation of the mutually agreed-upon rules or boundaries of an intimate relationship, which constitutes a significant breach of faith or a betrayal of core shared values with which the integrity of the relationship is defined.

This seems a straight-forward explanation which could only lead to a couple’s separation. Though, in my point of view, we should take into consideration the factors, events and underlying circumstances that may have led to such an unfortunate situation. To cite an example; as we all know excellent communication between couples is an important pillar in the relation mix, and we know that this is also the hardest to work on and maintain. The lack of it will always be replaced with silence, which would lead to all sorts of situations that could negatively impact the relationship. The ultimate responsibility of each partner is to look after the other and to ensure that the four pillars of a relationship is in practice.

Now I won’t be a hypocrite and say that I wouldn’t be hurt if it happened to me and that I wouldn’t be tempted to plot ways on how to extract sweet revenge; but we should remember that at the end of the healing process is acceptance. Accepting the loss of a partner or accepting that life sometimes gives us hurdles; to forgive and move on is really up to us. “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain, but it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving” - Dale Carnegie

14 FEATURE

Lovin’ in the New Age

By Sherry Tenorio

They say that in the 21st century, the cliché ‘boy meets girl, girl meets boy’ is just a mere old convention that seems lost in time. They say that in this modern world, falling in love is as complicated as finding the all-in-one technology that humanity needs. Well, is it really difficult to find Mr. and Ms. Right in this day and age?

Illustrado investigates as it celebrates the month of love.

T

hose were the days

“Uso pa ba ang harana,” and so the song

by Parokya ni Edgar goes. Filipino children born in the ‘90s would probably go “what’s harana?” since the only idea they have of the word are its English translation ‘serenade’ and a couple of teens jamming to the said popular song. But, in Filipino traditions, ‘harana’ is a critical aspect of courtship and falling in love. ‘Harana’ in its essence is a way of attesting the affection that a man has for a woman. As seen in old films, the custom requires a man to ask for the approval of the woman’s family to serenade the lady. Then, the real act of ‘harana’ happens when the man visit the women’s house and sing in front of the whole family.

History books would tell that aside from serenading, Filipino men go through days of rigorous help to the women’s family. Pinoys used to commit to helping out in household chores again as means of demonstrating love and affection. This is the men’s way of winning not only the heart of the women but more so the trust of the whole family.

Then, time became Filipino men’s best friend. Suddenly, men were not obliged to do the chores anymore. Yet, he still had to visit her inside the house, and nowhere else. If the two of them were seen dating outside, it would be a great deterrent to a future relationship.

That courtship stage also gave birth to the custom of bringing gifts and flowers for the women and the family. For a long period of time, this courtship and dating process was widely practiced in the Philippines.

But, now times have changed, matters like courtship and dating have evolved as well. The old ideology that a Filipino must subject himself to a lot of scrutiny and challenges before gaining the love and respect of a Filipina and her whole family is now simply old news. The children of today know nothing about it. That particular dating process is now just lyrics to a song and some segments in classic Pinoy romantic-comedy films.

Love in Today’s Generation If Filipinas do not find their prince charming serenading her by the balcony then where can she find ‘the one’? Where should she look for her future husband? What is the significance of her would-be relationship to her whole family? And, how do Filipino men prove their love and affection?

The first thing to consider is that the process has evolved. Courtship is not as important anymore, as dating is. Mary Anne Reyes, an IT specialist based in Canada, met her husband on a blind date. No courtship happened. Patrick, her husband, also an IT professional, is an acquaintance of one of her friends. And, so the date was set up. They met for a dinner, liked each other instantly, agreed to text and call each other, and met for a couple more dinners. Now, they have a newborn son, and are settled in Wisconsin.

According to Mary Anne, “My husband and I just dated. I believe that courtship just creates inconsistency and wrong impressions. It just allows men to put their best foot forward, and regress in the end. So, I am sure that it was great that I met him on a date where we were able to talk and talk.” She continued, “It is good to find a partner who can listen to your thoughts, and who can talk to you about his thoughts. Communication is crucial to relationships, and you nurture good communication through dating.”

FEATURE 15

So, dating – blind or not – is the way to the future. But, where do people find dates? One of the easiest ways is the referral system that, of course, happened to Mary Anne and Patrick. Their common friends know them very well, and they understand if they would complement each other’s personalities. Although not all blind dates are as successful as this; many others just end up with the couple staring at each other all night wondering about the best exit strategy.

Ethel Dizon, a dentist, swears that blind dates are not for her. She said, “I tried but I ended up sending a text message to my best friend asking to call me and pretend she needed me for an emergency.

That was how pathetic my blind dates were.” She explains, “Not that the men are not great. My friends really thought that through before setting up the date. It is just that I cannot talk to a complete stranger about my personal life.”

So, she prefers texting or chatting with the guy first before she meets her. She declares, “I think it is important to make each other aware of some basic information. Texting constantly and chatting from time to time are safe grounds, where we can tell whether we’d mesh well or not. At least, I save myself from the hassles of preparing for a date that would turn into a disaster.”

Apparently, technology now plays a role in the dating process.

More and more people are using their mobiles and computers to meet people. Millions of online chat rooms crowd the internet.

Millions of forwarded messages are passed among people in order to catch attention, and hopefully a future eyeball. “Eyeball is the act of meeting the person you meet on the internet or texting. For me, it is a way of meeting new friends and not just a way of looking

for my wife-to-be,” said Noel Hernandez, an accountant based in Singapore, who attests that he is a hopeless online addict. He surfs the net day in, day out. He is online in his Facenbook and Yahoo Messenger the whole 24/7.

According to Noel, “It is nice to chat with people you don’t know.

I learn a lot from them actually. Plus, it is safe especially if it is wholesome, no money or hanky-panky involved. It also gets me by my boredom.” He continues, “I had two girlfriends who I both met through chatting. Those were nice relationships but barely lasted a year. It was not the internet’s problem, but our own differences actually.”

While Celine Magno, a media personality, met her last boyfriend Nicolas, French engineer, in Facebook. He requested to add her, and after checking his profile, she confirmed the request. Then, he sent her Facebook messages which resulted to tons of exchanged messages, and eventually constant international calls, endless chats and emailing. Celine said, “It was almost like a long distance love affair. Strange though it was with someone I hadn’t personally met.” But the right time came when she headed to Manila for a Christmas vacation, Nicolas was going to Dumaguete for a diving trip. Celine concluded, “The first meeting was awkward but we got along throughout the evening. He even met my family on that trip. After that our relationship became official. He flew into Dubai three times. But, I think, like any other long distance relationship that thrives on calls and emails, it wouldn’t really last. The person I met in Facebook was not the person I knew all throughout the relationship. So, based on what I experienced, I believe that no matter where or how you meet, the most important thing is how you both sustain the relationship by complementing each other.”

16 FEATURE The case of Lynette, a sous chef who worked in Dubai, was different from Noel and Celine. She is not an online addict, but she chats from time to time. She accidentally met Dave Kennedy on the internet. He is in his late 30s while she was in her late 20s. They chatted for almost three hours the first time they met online. Then after six months of emailing, chatting and calling, Dave decided to pay her a visit in Dubai. Lynette narrated, “He was here only for a two week visit. But he extended it to a month after he proposed to me. Apparently, he had with him an engagement ring. He was so glad that our meeting made him more certain about his feelings for me.” Dave left Dubai after a month and Lynette followed him after three months. The two are now based in New York and are expecting a baby.

There are indeed pros and cons to virtual dating. As noted by Dr. Edward A. Dreyfus, a well-known American clinical psychologist and is a Certified Group Psychotherapist of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, “If you approach the Internet dating scene with an open mind, a joyful spirit, and without expectation or desperation, you can have a lot fun and meet a lot of people.

With respect to chat rooms and instant messaging, you will have an opportunity to hone your communication skills and develop confidence in your ability to communicate with others. You will become more adept at screening out people who are simply not for you.”

“But caution is necessary. There are some Internet dating services that do a better job of screening their clients than others. And some are more reputable than others. Sometimes the cost of these services keeps a lot of weirdos from participating. So before you jump in, do some home-work. Visit the sites, surf the Internet, ask around for opinions and experiences. Ask people for some of their techniques: find out what works and what doesn’t,” Dr. Dreyfus concluded.

From Harana to Eyeball Courtship put to the side, Filipinos are now filled with tons of ways of finding love. With blind dates, the internet and ‘prospects’ practically waiting at every corner, it seems that the whole world is open to Filipinos looking to fall in love. Seems pretty easy, eh? But why do many people still complain that they have not met the right one? Why do many Filipinos whine about not finding anyone?

Then again, love is not just about meeting people. Love is far complicated than chatting, texting, accepting a friend on Facebook and blind dating. These perhaps are various ways to meet people but these do not guarantee lasting happiness and nurturing love.

As the traditional “harana” would prove, love along with trust and respect, need to be gained. It could not just spring out of chatting and movie dates. Perhaps, that is the reason why men were asked to do tasks for the women. Those were to test if the affection is enough to last challenges. Regardless of how Pinoys would prefer to date, the truth remains that love comes from commitment, born out of winning the trials that come with relationships.

To quote Albert Einstein, “Gravity has nothing to do with falling in love.” There is no science in love. There is no perfect match or easy step to meeting “the one”. There is no given place to finding a future partner. The means to it may have evolved but the need to belong and be loved is still the same. Then and now, love is complicated.

It is never simple.

18 FEATURE

My Car, My Girlfriend

By Sherry Tenorio

A lot of men, especially Filipinos, are obsessed with them. They personify them by christening them with a real name. They spend to make them more beautiful than ever. They are proud of them, and show them off to friends. They take care of them as if they were the rarest of gems in the world and never tire of spending time with them. In fact, these men could not get over watching shows that relate to this passion of theirs and their adrenaline accelerates further as they browse sites on the WWW. And while men may or may not take a second look when they see a pretty lady, it is very hard for them to keep their eyes off a sexy version of their ‘love.’ Meet the ‘other girlfriend.’

Q

uirino, a friend of mine once told me, “When my wife asked me if I remember our first date, I said yes, of course, and told her about bits and pieces of what I recalled.

But, I could not tell her that what I truly and vividly remember was the car I used to drive and pick her up with. I would be reminded of its color, its engine, its look, its performance – I remember everything about Elena, well, that’s the name of my car.”

The devotion would go far from buying expensive accessories to small details such as patting the roof or dashboard, an act of affection people do to loved ones or pets. This information was shared back in 2007 by Daily Telegraph, a renowned daily broadsheet in the UK that published a report about a study featuring insights about the relationship between the car and its owner. The study titled “The Secret Life of Cars and What They Reveal About Us” concluded that male drivers consider cars as part of themselves, and that many men who are challenged in talking about relationships find no difficulty in speaking about the pride and joy they get from their cars.

Some say that men tend to be more faithful and committed to their cars than with their wives or girlfriends, and some women do admit to be jealous and insecure about the other ‘women’ in their husbands’ lives. Anne Olivares, a travel administrator now in the US says, “It doesn’t happen everytime naman but I feel somehow jealous when he looks at his car with so much passion. Then, when I felt that he was devoting a lot of attention to the car, I talked to him. I told him that I understand his being a car enthusiast, but I also told him that I felt he’s obsessed. He was spending a lot for the car, you know. We had quite an argument but we resolved the issue.

He agreed to limit his spending on the car.”

To quote the report, one of the study’s authors Iain MacRury, of the University of East London, said: “Men talk about their cars as if talking about themselves. Women are more comfortable expressing their feelings directly and see the car as separate.”

Indeed, there is a bond between men and their cars which seems a bit bizarre. According to Dr. Leslie Pam, a renowned Los Angeles therapist, “Some men can’t get enough of their cars and this can mean trouble. Cars require minimum maintenance, unlike a relationship. It’s often easier to devote time, money and effort to something that makes no demands and delivers instant results.”

Another study made by American psychologist Dr. Eileen Alexander further explains why men speak about their cars with pride. Her study noted that cars feed into a man’s need for ownership or possession and that sort of provided sense of social acceptance.

She remarked, “It’s easy to feel pride with one’s car, and often, there is immediate gratification from the time and effort spent, for example washing, waxing, shining one’s car. This also can give not only immediate but very satisfying pleasure.”

Dr. Alexander continued, “And, for many men, it may feel safer and less risky to pour themselves into a relationship with their cars. A man can invest his all into his car – emotionally too, including his love and affection – and is not going to be at the same emotional risk of rejection.” Dr. Pam, however, shares a word of caution,

FEATURE 19 “Cars can’t give you the comfort of a relationship. Remember ultimately that a flashy sports car is just a mechanical thing that’ll turn into rust, and be crushed one day.”

Car enthusiasts in the emirates talk about their passion Rafael Valencia Art Director, UNI Magazine Mitsubishi Lancer EX GT 2008 owner Known as the Digital Addict of the Dubai-based art and design collective Brownmonkeys, Rafael Valencia is a naturally gifted young professional who has done extraordinary designs for a number of local luxury, lifestyle and business publications. He is an Art Director at Alias Publishing, and is now focused on crafting the new youth-oriented UNI Magazine (Ur University Magazine) which embodies his funky design leanings.

This 24-year old artist has extended his creativity from the pages of UNI Magazine to his car which he calls “The Shark” which he bought for its looks and aggressive stance in black; its affordability, and its better than average RockFord Fosgate Sound System. Since buying “The Shark” two years ago, Rafael has already blacked out the chrome in the front to give it an aggressive clean look. He confirms, “I also have Eibach Sportline Lowering springs attached (3.8 cm lower) in order to improve ride look and handling. Apart from these, I also installed red LED backlighting in the grille.” The car comes with a fair share of electronics but Rafael made sure that it has better iPhone integration so that he does not have to look at his phone to change songs. Moreso, his iPhone is now connected to his car’s speakers for better hands free mobile use. Rafael plans to buy an EVO X wing, paint the rims Matte Black, and install K&N Air Filters in his car in the immediate future. Apart from the accessories, Rafael also has a strict “no-eating and no-smoking policy” to maintain the neat and clean look of his car.

Joseph Alipio Senior Art Director, Fortune Promoseven 360 Toyota FJ Cruiser owner Joseph Alipio is one of the many men who treat cars like their own babies. He says, “It’s true. I am one of them. I can spend more money to upgrade my car than to spend in something else.” At present, Joseph has already bought many things for his Toyota FJ Cruiser like the two-inch Lift Kit, K &N Air Filters, bash plate, set of STT Cooper tyres, tow bar hits, Garmin GPS, DVD/IPOD/LCD screen, music system, fog lamps and roof rail. Other than these, he has also repainted the car’s roof in black. Joseph is also planning to add a Bushwacker Fender and offset alloy wheels among the long list of alterations he wants to make on his baby FJ. As a desert driving hobbyist, Joseph explains, “I drive in the desert every weekend so I’m always looking for things that can further improve the performance of my car.” Joseph who notices even the smallest problems, says he solves them immediately so as to maintain the car in good condition.

But, just like most other men in love with their cars, Joseph confirms that he modifies his FJ to enhance its looks. He says, “I worry about the condition and performance of the car but I also make sure that the accessories I buy for the car would give it a better look.” He concludes, “For me, my car is not only a means of transportation.

My Toyota FJ Cruiser is a member of my family, and I am responsible for taking good care of it.”

20 FEATURE

“Having a car was number one in my list when I got here in the UAE. Luckily, I got my Chevy from a close friend of mine,” Jeff Garcia shares the beginning of his relationship with his car which, oddly, he happens to talk to. He continues, “Unlike others who treat their cars like girlfriends, I believe that I’m quite different. My car is not my girlfriend – it is more like a best-friend to me, a trusted companion in my everyday life. I even fondly call it Pong.”

“Pong has been my buddy here in Dubai for the last four years. If only I can take it to Manila with me (when I eventually go back home), I definitely would.” Jeff’s affection for his car has encouraged him to join the Filipino organization for car enthusiasts PEACE (Pinoy Expats Auto Club in the Emirates) where most of the members share his feelings towards cars. Here, he also learns to take care of his car and treat his ride.

Jeff Garcia Senior Architect, Ibtikari Engineering Consultants Chevrolet Optra Silver 2005 owner

For years, Jeff has been meticulous about Pong’s safety, cleanliness and good condition. His enormous list of car accessory purchases include bodykits - all sides (from Thailand), spoiler (from Thailand), stock front grill that gave the car a sporty look, window visors (from Manila) and H.I.D. fog lamps. He also altered the wheels to make it better so his Chevy has now Advanti - 17” and the Dunlop Tire - 215/40/17.

Moreover, he has painted the engine cover to provide it a neat look.

Pong’s interiors have also been changed as Jeff has installed Sparco Seats (from Thailand), a GPS, hand-break handle-chrome finish and gas and break paddle (from Manila). The audio system features as BOOM2x audio with Alpine Head unit, Aphine front and back speakers, one 12” sub woofer (Sony Explode), two amplifiers and a monster cable. No wonder, Jeff is so attached to Pong.

The sleek BMW X5 became even sexier when Allan Kalaw felt driven to enhance his car. A self-confessed car lover, Allan’s main modification was painting the body in maroon with flakes (or glitters) all over. According to him, “The flakes or glitters are very noticeable when struck with sunlight or any artificial light making it a standout from the rest.”

Moreso, Allan upgraded the wheels or shoes to 2008-model fitted with 31.5 cm wide tyres. He says, “You can feel the added stability of the car even running in curves at high speed with these tyres.” Nothing much was done on the engine, except for the installed turbo generator. He explains, “It helps for better combustion of fuel, thus increasing the horsepower and fuel efficiency.”

Allan reveals, “I treat her (car) the same way I treat my lady.” He explains, “I give her my personal touch by dusting her off, wiping grime and dirt, polishing the tyre, which became a daily routine before going to work.” Allan also gives the car special treatment during weekends when he sends her to a car wash, which he refers to as a ‘spa’ for of his car. Allan furthers, “Periodic service maintenance is a must. It is like an anniversary date with a wife or girlfriend that any guy must not forget.” He stresses, “You give your car the treatment she deserves and she will never fail you.”

More than being his ‘lady,’ Allan’s BMW X5 is a companion, a friend, and a member of the family. “She’s with me everyday of my life. I spend more time with her than anybody else now. I can’t imagine a day without her. I think I’m helpless without her,” Allan finishes off by declaring his love to his car.

Allan Kalaw Site Engineer, Ibtikari Engineering Consultants BMW X5 owner

FEATURE 21

Pinoy Motoring Clubs in the UAE

)PEACE )Pinoy Expats Auto Club in Emirates PEACE is a non-profit organization of car-conscious individuals sharing a common interest; formed to further the enjoyment of members’ automobiles and to help in spreading traffic safety awareness. The group started with just four members in September of 2005, and now has currently 150 and is still growing.

PEACE hosts a variety of family-oriented activities for its members including fun runs, picnics, and outings, grand eye balls, safaris, and photography workshops etc. The organization also participates in the community events conducted by the Philippine consulate and embassy and does outreach to help others through the PEACE Foundation To learn more about PEACE, visit www.pinoy.ae Eric Gallego Sales Executive, Du )Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Honda Civic owner Eric Gallego chose to have a Honda Civic because of its high efficiency, durability and ease in maintenance. Eric shares, “From the first time I have owned it, I give my car so much attention – obviously pampering it every weekend at the car wash and giving it a regular maintenance at the Honda Cars service station.” He adds, “Aside from that, I have made several modifications and add–ons to improve its looks and performance. Truly I have spent so much money for all of these upgrades and the results are impressive and truly worth it.” The long list of add-ons Eric has put in his car are: carbon fiber hood, full Modulo body kits, Mugen R rear bumper with diffuser, carbon fiber side panels, Angel Eye head lights with 8000k HID including fog lamps, rear window visor, side slim type window visor, carbon fiber Mugen side steps for front and back, rear LED tail lights, Mugen pedals and foot rest, Mugen H-bar, front stabilizer, 17” x 7” Mugen Rims, 17” Nitto NT 555 tyres, Werks lug nuts, original red H emblem for front and rear. Eric has also done engine works and installed two units of aerogas fuel saver and a K & N filter. The car’s sound system improved with Eric’s infusion of an 8” Kenwood LCD in-dash player, a 12” L7 Kicker subs, one unit kicker ZX750.1 Amps, two units Kicker ZX200.2 Amps, two units Kicker K565 rear speakers and two units of front Focal speakers.

All of these modifications gave Eric a lot of satisfaction. He confesses, “It gives me a sense of achievement every time somebody recognizes my car. It is even more fulfilling especially when I get invited for car shows.” He adds, “This wouldn’t be possible without the help of my co-members in PEACE (Pinoy Expats Auto Club in Emirates) who are always ready to give their encouragement and support. Eric concludes, “My car means so much to me, and this is my passion.”

)FORAC )Filipino Off-Road Auto Club

FORAC is a non-profit organization formed in 2000 and restructured on March 2007 by Filipino off-road enthusiasts with the objective of promoting safe off-road driving, uniting fellow aficionados and holding social and charitably activities within UAE. The organization is officially registered with the Philippine Consulate in Dubai and an affiliate of Emirates Motor Sports Federation - the regulating body for all motor sports in the UAE. For the past few years, FORAC has been involved in various social and charitable activities within the community. They have participated in the Annual Clean Up the World - Dubai, raised funds for cancer patients, hosted desert safaris for Filipino artists holding concerts in Dubai, and have taken part in various outreach programs conducted by the Philippine Consulate. FORAC has also initiated several community building activities such as gala dinners, acquaintance parties and Christmas parties, to name a few.

22 ILLUMINATI

INDULGENCE & OBSESSION

By Alfred A. Yuson

If I am asked what I indulge in these days, I’ll say that it’s still single malt whisky from Scotland. Oh, you can toss in Japan as provenance, too.

The last holiday season naturally turned into a wonderful opportunity to stack up on those precious bottles of quality booze. Balikbayan buddies were warned that the only way they could avoid a hold-departure order was to pay a sort of tribute to this trusty friend upon their arrival. And so they came with those large Duty Free plastic bags with a sealed transparent display of a boxed Glenlivet, Macallan, or Bowmore — among the staples of discernment found in airport liquor shops.

I

t pays to advertise one’s desiderata.

I’ve been doing it for years, in fact nearly a couple of decades now, since literary fellowships allowed me to visit the British Isles and introduced me to the top of the line among Scotch whisky offerings. I do not tire telling everyone about the special virtues of single malt whisky other than their enchanting names.

From the old folks’ days, meaning the time of our fathers, we here in Manila got used to observing the hierarchy of imported whisky that we saw on the adults’ tables at family parties. The Johnnie Walker Red Label of the early 50s was soon replaced by the higherend Black Label, and through the 60s we got accustomed to its competitors: Chivas Regal, Swing, Dimples, Royal Salute, and the lower-end Ballantine’s, J&B, Passport, et al.

What we called Scotch, usually taken on the rocks (with ice), we eventually learned was blended whisky. Only whisky from Scotland could be spelled that way; anything from neighboring Ireland, or the United States, which was mostly bourbon, had to add an “e” to make it “whiskey.”

A gift of a first Glenfiddich bottle sometime in the 80s acquainted me to what was called “pure malt,” which wasn”t blended, but rather produced by a single distillery, almost as a cottage industry.

Glenfiddich it was that came up with the commercial breakthrough

ILLUMINATI 23 I also purchased an even cheaper Glendronach 12 Year Old that same night. A Highland malt, it was much lighter, sweeter, with a fruity aroma and taste. Then the gifts came in: a Tomatin 12 and Singleton 12, both from Speyside, a Glenmorangie 10 that is a Highland malt, a Matisse 12, and the lovely, hard-to-find Kuruizawa 12 years from Tokyo. Japanese distillers have appropriated the materials and technology, adding only their own brook water, and now produce at least three excellent single malts that have won international awards.

And then the clincher — a dear friend came up with a special gift: the Glenmorangie Lasanta Extra Matured (in Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks), which I had tasted once before, but only a wee dram or two.

As of this writing, I’m still looking at the bottle, licking my chops and trying to determine when I break it open: on Valentine’s Day or my nth birthday?

Indulging in single malts has had me fantasizing about being caught inside Kipling’s Cigar and Single Malt Bar at Mandarin Hotel in Makati at the height of a coup. Maybe the putschists ring the financial district for a month or so, and I get to taste nearly all of the hundred varieties of single malt whisky in gorgeous array on the shelves. Never mind if I don’t get to break the vault and glass case that hold The Macallan 30 Year Old selling for something like 60K in pesos.

No, it’s not an obsession yet, since I don’t care to indulge in my favored whisky every single day. That daily fare is reserved for the NBA games on TV or via the Internet, especially when the Cleveland Cavaliers are playing, starring LeBron James. He’s my idol, he’s my icon, he’s my reason for living well beyond my years — at least until he gets his first championship ring. Then of course we’ll both turn greedy and pine for a second, third, etc. that had serious tipplers all over the world learning about nonblended whisky. The next bottles were of single malt, an even better edition, straight out of wooden casks that had earlier been used for sherry and other wines, thus imparting their flavor to the golden brew that had been aged for anywhere from ten to 30 years.

Each label of single malt whisky has its own unique character. Aye, there’s the wondrous difference. A Scottish Highlands tour in the early 90s that featured stops in distilleries and a sampling of their products made me aware of the subtle bouquet, body, and aftertaste qualities of each exemplar of uisge beatha — old Gaelic for “water of life.”

I began to appreciate the distinctions among Island, Highland, Lowland, and Speyside malts. Those are the four “classsic” regions in Scotland where over a hundred distinct single malts come from, before they provide a whisky master the contents for a blend such as Johnnie Walker, from Red to Blue. You can have the high-end Blue; I’ll take any Island malt over it anytime, for the peaty, smoky, briny taste and aroma.

My favorite is Lagavulin from the Isle of Islay, followed by Laphroaig, also from the Hebrides. Early last December I lucked in on a Laphroaig Quarter-Cask at a shop cum bar at The Fort. What a find, for the virtual Duty-Free price of PHP2,500. It is all of 96 proof, thus needs a bit of water, especially since it’s barbaric to toss rocks into a glass, preferably tulip, of single malt. It was even smokier and peatier than my fave Lagavulin.

Should my darling Cavs finally make it past the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers come playoff time in June, I’ll sit back on a rocking chair and savor the moment with tulip glass in hand, gently pouring, nosing, and sweetly savoring the amber liquid that should indulge me till eternity.

24 FEATURE

MgAHILIG-Pinoy!

By Sherry Tenorio

Filipinos as individuals are very different from one another. Yet, however diverse our personalities are, there are preferences, tastes and likes that somehow appear similar amongst many of us. Ever wonder why we all love singing? What about our fondness for soap operas? Apparently, we seem to be collectively absorbed with some popular hobbies and obsessions. So, what are the most common ‘hilig’ that dominate the free time of most Pinoys these days? Here’s a rundown of our definitive top pastimes.

The Eternal Love for Karaoke Do you know that the literal translation of karaoke from the Japanese words kara and oke is ‘empty orchestra?’ That little trivia of course will not – and will never ever – change our views on karaoke entertainment.

Pinoys, to say the least, love singing whether inside the bathroom or in front of audiences. And, karaoke is simply our means of fulfilling the need to sing. Filipinos would definitely include karaoke in a birthday, anniversary, graduation, holiday celebration. So, we belt out in endless karaoke parties or go to bars where we can hide in a room and sing. For some, we manage to go out in public karaoke and simply sing our hearts out. We even have made an industry out of the mobile karaoke machines where we just put tokens or pesos to make it work. The magic of karaoke keeps us bonded and lively all throughout the celebrations, neglecting the fact of how good or bad our voices sound. Admit it or not, karaoke is now part of our Pinoy pop culture, engraved in every Filipino lives and parties.

Rock Star Mode Playing the guitar is one of the most famous signs of our (again) musical inclination. Many Filipino teenagers pass through a “rock band” phase. There is such a huge need for self-expression, and music is one easy way. Thus, Pinoys get accustomed to fancying musical instruments like guitars, drums and keyboards. There are the naturally gifted Pinoys who just learn very quickly. Others remain to be patient and emerge as self-taught wonders. But, the zeal to playing the instruments does not end in high school. Those passionate Pinoy musicians extend their penchant for creating real rock bands, while others who end up doing 9-6 jobs get by forgetting their passion or by recreating one years after their adolescent phase. Nonetheless, most Pinoys have gone through this particular adoration to rock bands and everything that comes with it.

FEATURE 25 Crazy about DSLR Is it because of Facebook?

Is the need to have high resolution sharp profile images the reason why most of us are now into photography? Or shall we blame the retail shops for giving us great discounts and indulging us to buy DSLR, a camera that used to be in the hand of professional photographers only? Here in Dubai, a number of Filipinos are seen carrying DSLR on their necks and capturing moments worth a Facebook album. Well, nevertheless, overseas or back home many Pinoys are now owners of DSLRs and practicing photography as a hobby or (possibly) future profession. Indeed, there is a certain lure in the magic of taking pictures and digitally altering those pictures to be better (or worst, in times) ones. Then again, it can be rooted from our national attribute of being creative. This Pinoy character has to have an outlet whether into performing arts, visual arts, fashion and photography. Thus, the rise of the DSLRs and the owners of these DSLRs.

Tele-Mania This is perhaps the timeless obsession that we Pinoys have been succumbed into. We just cannot get enough of watching the television (TV). We even have developed the bad habit of eating while watching the TV. Network giants are indulging us with tons of choices to watch – from primetime telenovelas, noontime shows to reality shows, competitions, variety shows, gag shows, and re-runs of famous films.

Philippine television have become global as well since international cable companies saw opportunities from the growth of Filipino expatriates based abroad. This particular hobby is also evolving as we now use the internet technology that allows us to watch television shows outside boob tubes, and view the shows on our laptops and netbooks (or iPADs) in the future.

Movie Gimmick Friday night out for most Pinoys – if not a karaoke session – is dinnermovie-coffee. Visiting the cinemas is simply a staple activity to spend our weekends. This, of course, reflects that aside from watching television shows, Filipinos fave past time is watching movies as well.

We are so up-to-date as to the latest chick flicks, loudest Hollywood buzz and the top 10 blockbusters of the week. Pinoys also tend to be loyal to watching movie series like Harry Potter, Spiderman, Narnia and many more. We also are fond of following love teams that the John Lloyd-Sarah Geronimo rom-com thrills the many of us. As much as we are entertained by films, these also capture our lives, interests and aspirations. And, most of the times, Filipinos can films as a means of escaping to and living in the dreamland, even for at least ninety minutes.

Loyalty to LV

Game na Game na!

If the pseudo-photographers are growing in numbers, the gaming centers in the Philippines have sprouted every where too. Computer centers are also in every corner of the Philippines that even the smallest villages have it. The modality of gaming centers and gaming gadgets even prompted educational institutions for banning children in taking these inside the schools, and also banning gaming centers to be built near the school premises. It may be the challenge, excitement or what have you, gaming has become a common past time for the Pinoys. And, although the art of gaming mostly appeal to youngsters, the boys in Pinoy men cannot just get enough of computer games too.

Thus, the need to buy gadgets like Xbox, PS2, PS3, Nintendo DS, to name a few. Thanks much to the computer game addicted Pinoys, the retailers that sell these products are indeed winning business.

Just like the DSLR craze, Filipinos are now a bit overly obsessed on the handbags made by the luxury brand Louis Vuitton. Pinoys do the best that they can to save up around three thousand dirhams just to buy a bag. Those who simply cannot afford yet aspire to still look chic and cool buy the counterfeit ones. It seems so difficult to understand why people spend too much for something that would carry their daily baggage. Then again, there is even no cohesive explanation why Filipinos are so into a particular brand like Louis Vuitton. For true fashionistas know that there are brands other than Louis Vuitton, and they buy stuff that define their personalities. Well, sure hope that the Pinoys who carry the Louis Vuitton bags define themselves as the classy lads who prefer classic designs, and not as the wannabe fashionistas who simply have no clue as to what fashion and fashion accessories should be.

FEATURE 25 Crazy about DSLR Is it because of Facebook?

Is the need to have high resolution sharp profile images the reason why most of us are now into photography? Or shall we blame the retail shops for giving us great discounts and indulging us to buy DSLR, a camera that used to be in the hand of professional photographers only? Here in Dubai, a number of Filipinos are seen carrying DSLR on their necks and capturing moments worth a Facebook album. Well, nevertheless, overseas or back home many Pinoys are now owners of DSLRs and practicing photography as a hobby or (possibly) future profession. Indeed, there is a certain lure in the magic of taking pictures and digitally altering those pictures to be better (or worst, in times) ones. Then again, it can be rooted from our national attribute of being creative. This Pinoy character has to have an outlet whether into performing arts, visual arts, fashion and photography. Thus, the rise of the DSLRs and the owners of these DSLRs.

Tele-Mania This is perhaps the timeless obsession that we Pinoys have been succumbed into. We just cannot get enough of watching the television (TV). We even have developed the bad habit of eating while watching the TV. Network giants are indulging us with tons of choices to watch – from primetime telenovelas, noontime shows to reality shows, competitions, variety shows, gag shows, and re-runs of famous films.

Philippine television have become global as well since international cable companies saw opportunities from the growth of Filipino expatriates based abroad. This particular hobby is also evolving as we now use the internet technology that allows us to watch television shows outside boob tubes, and view the shows on our laptops and netbooks (or iPADs) in the future.

Movie Gimmick Friday night out for most Pinoys – if not a karaoke session – is dinnermovie-coffee. Visiting the cinemas is simply a staple activity to spend our weekends. This, of course, reflects that aside from watching television shows, Filipinos fave past time is watching movies as well.

We are so up-to-date as to the latest chick flicks, loudest Hollywood buzz and the top 10 blockbusters of the week. Pinoys also tend to be loyal to watching movie series like Harry Potter, Spiderman, Narnia and many more. We also are fond of following love teams that the John Lloyd-Sarah Geronimo rom-com thrills the many of us. As much as we are entertained by films, these also capture our lives, interests and aspirations. And, most of the times, Filipinos can films as a means of escaping to and living in the dreamland, even for at least ninety minutes.

Loyalty to LV

Game na Game na!

If the pseudo-photographers are growing in numbers, the gaming centers in the Philippines have sprouted every where too. Computer centers are also in every corner of the Philippines that even the smallest villages have it. The modality of gaming centers and gaming gadgets even prompted educational institutions for banning children in taking these inside the schools, and also banning gaming centers to be built near the school premises. It may be the challenge, excitement or what have you, gaming has become a common past time for the Pinoys. And, although the art of gaming mostly appeal to youngsters, the boys in Pinoy men cannot just get enough of computer games too.

Thus, the need to buy gadgets like Xbox, PS2, PS3, Nintendo DS, to name a few. Thanks much to the computer game addicted Pinoys, the retailers that sell these products are indeed winning business.

Just like the DSLR craze, Filipinos are now a bit overly obsessed on the handbags made by the luxury brand Louis Vuitton. Pinoys do the best that they can to save up around three thousand dirhams just to buy a bag. Those who simply cannot afford yet aspire to still look chic and cool buy the counterfeit ones. It seems so difficult to understand why people spend too much for something that would carry their daily baggage. Then again, there is even no cohesive explanation why Filipinos are so into a particular brand like Louis Vuitton. For true fashionistas know that there are brands other than Louis Vuitton, and they buy stuff that define their personalities. Well, sure hope that the Pinoys who carry the Louis Vuitton bags define themselves as the classy lads who prefer classic designs, and not as the wannabe fashionistas who simply have no clue as to what fashion and fashion accessories should be.

KABUHAYAN 27

Pinoy Entrepreneur

Regina Marauta Meeting Dance & Leisure Wear Dubai

Please describe your business.

Meeting Dance and Leisure Wear is a specialty shop offering high quality clothes, shoes and accessories for ballet, jazz, hip-hop, modern and Latin American dance enthusiasts as well as fitness buffs. We principally carry the Italian brand DEHA, known for sophisticated style and quality fabrics, and DANC-IN professional dancing shoes.

Why did you establish your own business? Can you tell us when and how you started?

I decided to offer leisure wear with a much better quality as there was a lack of it when I arrived in Dubai. After a year of dancing and working out with clothes I brought with me from Italy, I was surprised that there were very few brands available in the market then and the style and quality was not good enough especially considering the usually hot weather we have here. I researched the market and looked into brands and concluded that the Italian idea of “sporty chic” is what is needed in a multi-cultural society such as Dubai.

What was your start-up operations set-up?

We wanted a commercial space in a mall in Jumeirah and got the perfect spot at The Palm Strip Mall; they liked our business concept and the idea of being the first “one-stop” dance shop in the UAE. With two shop assistants and the season’s collections to fill our newly-furnished shop, we launched in September 2005, just time for the start of the scholastic year.

What obstacles did you encounter?

The start was a bit slow as a lot of people had to get used to the idea of paying a bit more for quality material. Reaching out to the people was the obvious market strategy but advertising rates were and continue to be so high! We had to rely on fashion magazines to feature our clothes and accessories for their photo shoots so that meant constant liaising with them. Being new in the city, that was not an easy task! The skyrocketing rental rates have also been a stumbling block in the possible expansion that we always wanted. Rates have gone down recently for office and residential spaces, but not for commercial operations.

Where are you now? How far have you gone? What are the landmarks in your business so far?

I can honestly say that we have become an essential part of the Performing Arts scene in the UAE, and our shop is considered as ‘the’ stop for comfortable but trendy leisure wear. Aside from clients around the emirates, we have shoppers from Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt. We work very closely with the best dance teachers and choreographers in town and are supported by some health instructors. We also get invited to school events to showcase our products, and get featured occasionally in print and TV.

We continue to diversify as we now offer Latin American dance shoes and clothes due to the growing popularity of this form of art. Some of our ballet items are also available at The Abu Dhabi Ladies Club as part of our aim to reach out to our increasing clientele there.

Because of the increasing demand, I now have four staff, each one specializing in an integral aspect of the business. We are well aware that a lot of designers and brands have followed our ‘sports luxe trend’ that we launched in the UAE five years ago. But we know that our staying power will be on the quality of our products and the personal service we extend to everyone, and not just because we are considered as the ‘fashion of the moment.’

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being an entrepreneur?

Being my own boss is the most important aspect of being an entrepreneur. I do not have to report to anyone and am not restricted in an office with specific hours to follow. However, I have to take care of all the financial aspects of the business and must be constantly on the look-out for trends and demands of our target market. The UAE being so complex and diverse, it often means having to work long hours at certain periods and being glued to my laptop most of the time.

Our line of business allows me to meet so many people of all ages which is an obvious perk. It gives me a good feeling when they acknowledge the good service we extend to them, and the convenience they get knowing that good quality products for the world of dance is locally available.

Although I try to spend as much time with my family and friends, being an entrepreneur limits that at certain periods. There may be deadlines to meet, preparation for shows and events, demanding clients who need my attention, and business trips that take me away for days.

Would you recommend going into business to other Pinoys?

What is your advice to budding Pinoy entrepreneurs?

We Filipinos are good at finding a niche in the market and coming up with a concept to top it. I definitely recommend to any Filipino to do so once that unique concept comes into mind. However, extensive research has to be considered first so that strategies can be planned and sufficient resources be put together. Having one’s own business requires truckloads of determination and patience, and heavy investments on time and money. Add to that a touch of luck and a dose of talent, and a budding Filipino entrepreneur might just have the right recipe for success.

28 PINOY PRO Celebrating the Professional Pinoy Bon Francis Marcelo Contract Administrator – Industrial Business Branch Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT), Abu Dhabi

Rodgie Talotalo Senior Engineer Electrical & Electronics System (EES) Branch Palm Jumeirah Monorail System SMRT Engineering (Middle East) FZE, Dubai

The 31-year old, Cavite-born Filipino who never imagined of working abroad found himself settled in Abu Dhabi for the past ten years. Bon Francis Marcelo – simply “Bon” to his peers – managed to move up the corporate ladder and prove his capacity as a Filipino professional.

He started with Air Philippines before he accepted the offer to work abroad as Passenger Service Assistant to Abu Dhabi Airport Services where he stayed for three years. After joining a couple other institutions, he was given the opportunity to take a major responsibility in the position of Contract Administration for Industrial Business in Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT, an Abu Dhabi-based maintenance and repair organization of commercial/ cargo/military aircrafts and industrial rotating machines). Now, his task in this company would be to ensure that the company’s performance and profit growth are achieved. He started his career 12 years ago back home in the Philippines.

Raised in Negros and Bukidnon, Rodgie Talotalo is a Senior Engineer working for Singapore MRT Engineering (ME) FZE the company which operates and maintains the Palm Jumeirah Monorail System at the Palm Jumeirah Island owned by developers Nakheel. The head of the Electronics and Electrical System Branch, Rodgie oversees the maintenance of railway signaling, telecommunications and automated fare collection system.

He has a Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering (BSECE) from the Cebu Institute of Technology, and has earned units in Master in Business Administration (MBA) at the Trinity College of Quezon City, as well as a degree in Project Management (PM) from the Zaabel Institute in Dubai.

Aside from a thriving career, Bon had been an active member of the Filipino community in the UAE as well. He was the Founding Officer of the Aikido Filipino Club-AUH, formed in 2003. Bon also took the roles as Vice-Chairman of the Society of Auto Owners and Filipino Expats in Abu Dhabi.

Previous to SMRT, Rodgie used to work in Al Ghurair’s Gulf Extrusion Co. in Jebel Ali as a Maintenance Engineer. In the Philippines, he was formerly connected with the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) MRT-3 as a Quality Assurance Engineer and Train Traffic Controller and Light Rail Transit Authority as a Principal Engineer. He has undergone trainings and seminars, both locally and abroad in the field of Railway Technology, as well as Aluminum Extrusion Technology. In addition to this he is also a Reservist Officer of the Philippine Air Force. Rodgie’s pastime includes reading technical books and marksmanship in the firing range.

Bon, along with his wife Maria Clarissa Santos-Marcelo and son Byron James Marcelo, was quite satisfied with his stature in this country.

However, his wish would be to come back to and retire in his beloved home country.

Merdiza ‘Diza’ Angos Zapanta Nursing Supervisor Al Baraha Hospital, Dubai A graduate of nursing from the San Pedro College, Davao City, Merdiza ‘Diza’ Angos–Zapanta moved to Dubai in 1991, directly hired as a staff nurse. She is currently working as Nursing Supervisor in government-owned Al Baraha hospital handling a 265 strong multi-cultural staff and is responsible for the supervision and management of nursing staff and other hospital staff assigned on unit.

Diza is one successful Filipino who never forgot where she came from.With her leadership and passion for caring for people, her family created a non-profit organization, ‘The Torchbearer’, in Davao del Sur which aims to support the local community by helping alleviate the effect of poverty and illiteracy, at the same time leading souls back to God. Since its launching, the ‘Torchbearer’ has facilitated baptisms, daily masses, retreats and trainings for priests and community leaders, Bible studies for couples, singles and children, and provided health and death assistance to churchgoers. Here in the emirates, Diza is currently setting up a Visayan speaking organization which mainly the objective of helping out in the Filipino community. This Pinay with a heart for charity plans to retire in a few years to concentrate on her passion and what she considers her mission in life.

Christine Gonzales Office Manager MP & Silva FZ-LLC Dubai Christine Gonzales started her career in the airline business flying with major carriers PAL, Cathay Pacific and Gulf Air from 1981 to 1991. She moved to the hotel industry in 1993 and worked as the Senior Guest Relations Manager cum Reception Manager at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai from 1997 to 1999.

A graduate of BSC Business Administration from the University of Santo Tomas, Christine currently works as Office Manager at MP & Silva FZ-LLC a Dubai Media City based leading international sports media company holding the rights to some of the most prestigious sporting events in the world such as the Italian Football League and Serie A. Christine resides in Dubai with her husband Danny who works as Operations Manager of Delwood Consultancy Services, also at the Dubai Media City, as well as their three kids.

Hwag lang basta ipadala‌ iparamdam pa...

* Tinakdang kondisyon

Express more at those precious moments of life

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30 KABUHAYAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Good Old Reliable

Karinderya

By Bernadette Reyes

A perfect match - Sonny Santos used to be a cigarette vendor while his life partner Rowena Mallari, was a former ‘yaya’ until a lot of hard work and love between the couple yielded a successful business undertaking - earning a remarkable PHP15,000 a day.

“N

akabili na ako ng condominium unit dahil dyan,” Rowena said of their karinderya business. The ubiquitous karinderya or eatery in the Philippines may appear plain and small compared to other popular food establishments but it can be a significant source of income when managed well. Sonny admitted their business almost closed shop because of poor management. “Sa mother ko itong business pero matanda na sya, ‘di nya kayang patakbuhin. Sinubukan naming mag asawa na ipagpatuloy,” Sonny claims.

The karinderya used to be a sari-sari store with only a handful of basic items on the shelves. “Nagsimula kami padala-dalawang toyo, suka at iilang de lata lang,” Rowena recalled. Their initial capital was only PHP1,500. Determined to succeed, the couple

vowed to endure all the hardships just to be able to pick themselves up. “Sabi ko okay Rowena, ‘hindi tayo puedeng mapagod,’” Sonny adds. They had to wake up at 1AM to go to the market and finish cooking all the dishes 12 hours after, only to realize there is more work ahead. Customers began to arrive and only Sonny and Rowena manned the eatery. Today however, they have a number of staff delegated to cook, wash the dishes and clean the place while Rowena takes charge of the accounting and Sonny looks after

ENTREPRENEURSHIP KABUHAYAN 31 to do more complicated computations. He on the other hand was motivated to give his family a better future. “Kapag may bagong open na restaurant, kumakain kami doon, kumukuha kami ng ideas tapos iniisip ko kung paano yun puede ma-aaply sa business namin,” Sonny said.

“Umiiyak ako dahil sa hirap sa pagtitinda ng peanut butter noon,” Rowena added of her past ordeal. “Sabi ko balang araw lahat ng pangarap ko matutupad din,” she added. True enough, she and Sonny were able to buy a tricycle, an owner-type jeep, a Tamaraw FX, a Kia Carnival and their latest purchase, a condominium unit. Most importantly their kids will never starve and they can study in a good school. Sonny is proud to say his partner is good in managing their finances.

Since the business started in 2006, the couple had their share of misgivings but they don’t let these personal problems get in the way of business. “Si Rowena pag galit hindi nag-sasalita pero pag tungkol sa business ang pag uusapan professional kami,” Sonny said. The business also helps the couple strengthen their relationship.

“Pag may tampuhan, labas yung business. Nakaktulong pa nga na mag business kami kase hindi nagtatagal ang away naming.

Iniisip ko pagtinuloy namin ang away, mamalasin ang business kaya dapat mag-bati agad,” Rowena said.

Looking back, Sonny and Rowena can only look back with pride.

Rowena’s previous employer is also proud at what she has achieved but while some rejoice with them others are envious of their triumph and try to bring them down. The couple ignores any hearsay about them and continues to remain focused on their business. “Hindi na lang namin pinapansin kung ano ang sinasabi nila samin, basta kami nagtratrabaho ng maranggal,” Sonny said. operations and conceptualizing new ideas for the thriving karinderya. The business has likewise grown to three branches all located within Pasig City.

Repeat customer is the couple’s matra. They thought if they can make customers come back, they will have a steady clientele who will spread the word about their business and hopefully bring in more customers to dine. “Gusto ko pang masa ang dating pero mataas ang quality para kahit de-kotse o hindi, makakakain,” Sonny said.

The main branch of Sonny Santos Carinderia is surrounded by established food chains such as Chowking, Jollibee and Mc Donald’s but these do not threaten their operations. In fact, the presence of these food chains has contributed to business growth. “Hindi sila kakumpitensya. Dito pa nga kumakain pati mga crew nila.

Gusto kasi nila lutong-bahay. Pati nga yung mga nagtratrabaho sa paligid na office dito na samin kumakain hindi na sa mga fastfood kase mas mura din ang ulam namin,” Sonny explained further.

Over 30 dishes are in the menu daily with Pinoy favorites such as adobo, sinigang, tinola, afritada and menudo as some of the staples. They also have specialties such as kare-kare, paksiw na lechon and grilled food which they serve on particular days.

Rowena confessed she wasn’t able to finish high school and Sonny is a college undergraduate but they learned the tricks of the trade through personal experience. She used to peddle peanut butter which taught her how to do basic accounting until she was able

Sonny said he still remembers the time when he was peddling cigarettes, selling kakanin and driving a Tamaraw FX to earn a living. Today, he drives his own car. Rowena on the other hand takes delight in simple things. “Masaya ako kase yung mga masasarap na gusto kong kainan dati pero hindi namin kaya, ngayon nakakain na namin,” she said. Sonny and Rowena may not have finished school, but both have no regrets about not having a college diploma. They take refuge in the fact that their dreams have come to full fruition. “Secured na ang future ng mga anak namin, masaya na kami doon!” the couple beams with pride.

-

Ends

32 KABUHAYAN MONEY

Love with the KsK Coop

By Francisco Colayco

The LOVE that we usually associate with February is the romantic type. But there is another way of expressing love for our sweetheart, our family and ourselves. After all, one has to love himself/herself before he/she can be capable of loving others.

I

n the financial realm of our life, providing for our future and those of our loved ones is one clear way of showing our love. There are different options to provide for the future and one popular way is via cooperatives. I would like to tell you about the latest exciting developments in the Kapatiran sa Kasaganaan Service and MultiPurpose Cooperative (KsKCoop).

KsKCoop is an investment cooperative conceived by OFs in Hong Kong. I started my KsK Seminar Series in Hong Kong in 2003 on the premise that everyone, especially OFs who are earning well, should learn the proper management of personal finance, fundamental rules of wealth generation, income, and debt management.

From the numerous inquiries, the KsKCoop was formed and registered in the Philippines on September 23, 2004 to be one of the primary vehicles for one’s journey to his/ her financial independence or “kalayaan sa kakapusan.” It is taking advantage of the

entrepreneurs succeed. Eighty five percent lose their investments and end up going back to employment (if they are lucky).

So what’s the option for the eighty-five percent?

Organizing into a cooperative (or other form of pooling, e.g. corporation, partnership, etc.) is the next best thing to do. Individually, one’s capital to do business will definitely be small and inadequate. However, if a group pool their resources in capital, talent and market reach, they will be able to form a formidable investment force which they would not have, if done individually.

power of a collective whole in increasing income, generating wealth in savings and in investments. Today, 67% of our members are from Hong Kong, the 18% from the Middle East and other countries and 15% actually residing in the Philippines.

Statistics indicate that no more than 15 percent of individuals who dare become

Together with CFE Executive Director Armand Bengco, we developed the concept of providing benefits to the members of the KsKCoop as follows: • More high yield investments and business opportunities • Greater probability of “no-capital-loss” of each member’s contribution.

• Greater ability to provide each member the mechanism to convert his equity to cash in case of any urgent need

MONEY KABUHAYAN 33 • Greater chances to earn higher and more consistent income because collective investible funds will be substantial enough to warrant the attention of the most dependable and professional investment bankers.

4. To provide continuous trainings and seminars in and about financial independence.

Secondary Objectives are those provided for under the Cooperative Development Law plus:

• Better access to the best professional management.

• Assured financing for venture development and implementation.

1. To actively support the government and other concerned organizations, in promoting cooperatives towards sustainable socio-economic development;

• Greater assurance for sustained success.

There were and still are many trials along the way in developing the KsKCoop. There was the process of educating all about the vision and mission for the KsKCoop and also the sincerity and seriousness of the CFE Team.

From the start in 2005, we told everyone how important it is to get a large membership base and substantial capital to be able to start good businesses. At one difficult point, I suggested that we just return everyone’s money. However, the members in assembly were insistent that we continue and do whatever we could even with limited capital.

This year 2009 is finally a breakthrough and 2010 looks even more promising. Check out www.kskcoop.com for more information.

Primary Objectives of the KsKCoop are: 1. To raise funds from members that will allow the Coop to engage in profitable businesses. These businesses are to be owned jointly by the Coop and the individual members who choose to make additional direct investments in the same. Actual status is summarized below**.

2. To establish an investment Fund where members may directly invest their personal savings at better yields.

3. To establish a venture Fund which will co-invest or partner with members who may have viable entrepreneurial projects.

In the matter of development of members, KsK Coop also has financial education programs with the following objectives: 1. To help, educate and motivate its members to keep more of the money they earn.

2. To empower and influence it members to collectively do more of the money they keep.

3. To encourage members to join thrift and savings programs to achieve increased income, savings and investments.

2. To develop the knowledge of the members on cooperatives to enable them to actively and competently participate; 3. To institutionalize a dynamic savings mobilization and capital build-up schemes to sustain its development activities and long-term investments; 4. To implement policy guidelines that will ensure transparency and equitably promote the interests of the members; and 5. To foster the welfare of members, their families and the community.

Investment Strategy and what we have today: • Achieve critical mass of members, initially 2,000 members. We now have over 1,000 but not yet 2,000. Nevertheless, the members in assembly rejected my offer to return their money.

• Continuous trainings and seminars on the fundamentals of financial independence.

We have this in Manila plus Armand Bengco, CFE Exec. Director and I regularly go to Hong Kong for this. Our partners, Mike Benares and Tita Kerry frequently call me to join their regular radio show in HK.

• Acquire established and profitable businesses that aside from dividends that can be earned by the members, can also be a source of employment as long as the coop member or his/her family (sibling) is qualified for employment. We now have a real business of a Chow King franchise in Cebu. The investment is too big for KsKCoop alone so we have other individual members who put in their money. One member, Tata Balbuena and a management team is now training at Chow King. We are open to employing qualified KsKCoop members and family. Please check www. kskcoop.com for info.

• Put up a KsK Coop-owned Bank for the service and benefit of the coop members for their deposits, loans, remittances and microfinancing needs. As of December 22, 2009, we have closed the acquisition of a rural bank. We are now just awaiting the Bangko Sentral approval of the said acquisition.

• Collective investment of the coop in financial instruments for better yield or returns not available if pursued individually at smaller amounts. Although 2009 was not a very good year for financial investments, we know we will have better options in 2010.

KsK Coop is now engaged in talks with a reputable investment house to put up its own KsK Fund to allow for smaller investment denominations from its members. We hope to conclude this in the first semester of 2010.

• Provide seed funding for coop members with sound businesses or projects. We are now studying the project of some members.

While many of you may have your loved ones living far from you, consider joining KsKCoop with them as it faces exciting time ahead!

34 SUCCESSFUL PINOY SUCCESS PRINCIPLES

Successful ba ang

‘True Love’

mo?

By Jeffrey ‘Ximo’ Ramos

“Pag ibig ko sa iyo ay totoo. Ito’y walang halong biro. Kaya sana paniwalaan mo ang pag ibig kong ito”... as the lyrics of the Pinoy pop song goes. Hay! Ang baduy ba? Pero ito ang narinig mo noong una kang ligawan at maririnig mo kapag ikaw ay nililigawan. Ang katanungan lang ay tunay nga ba ang pag-ibig na ito na iniaalok ng iyong kapareha para matagumpay na relasyon ang ibunga?

So, this is the “slum-book question” - what is Love sis and bro?

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not resist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.” - Sabi sa Corinthians Love is patient and kind…it is not arrogant or rude Ang sabi, give kindness and care hindi ka lang ginagawang care-giver. Don’t get me wrong. It’s good for you to give ‘unconditional care’ lalo na kung may sakit si love mo at di makakilos. Pero kung tinatawag ka lang niya kung ikaw ay kailangan, at matapos sa iyong ‘pagsisilbi’ ay pasakit at alipusta sa iyo

ang sinusukli, medyo mag isip-isip ka.

Dahil sabi rin - “love is not arrogant or rude.”

Genuine kindness presupposes care, consideration and respect. At hindi one sided lang. Dapat kung ikaw naman ang may dinaramdam dapat kanya ring naiintindihan.

There must be honesty and freedom “Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice at any wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.” Freedom as we said is a requisite to success. Freedom kamo saan? You should still have the freedom to dream, to move and to decide. No coercion, no pressure.

At kaakibat nito siyempre ang katotohanan.

Dapat walang lihiman. For truth sets you free, ika nga. Dapat alam mo kung ano ang totoo about your partner at gayun

rin sa iyo. Kapag may lihiman, maglaro na lang kayo ng ‘taguan.’ Tunay ang pagibig kapag malaya ka na nakapag-sasalita, naka-kagalaw at nakakapag isip. Hindi ka rapat pinagbabawalang lumago. Kailangan nakaka-alis ka pa rin upang makasalamuha mo ang iyong pamilya at mga kaibigan; hindi pwedeng wala ka nang kaibigan pag nandiyan ang kapareha.

At hindi puwede na kapag sinabi niya na “tayo!” tayo ka naman, at “upo!” upo ka naman. No, no no! This is one sign that love is not in the air.

Respecting each other’s standards Kailangan ang standard mo ay makita niya (kaya please itaas ang iyong standard).

So, if you are formal and without any sense of humor, ipakita mo. Or baka naman mala Annie B ka na makuwela at masayahin – iproject na! Basta dapat hindi ka bababa sa iyong standard para lang pagbigyan siya.

SUCCESS PRINCIPLES SUCCESSFUL PINOY 35

Your standard defines your identity - it is who you are. Mahal ka dapat niya “maging sino ka man,” in a good sense ha? Aba, ka respe-respeto ka, huwag kang papayag na alilain ka! Ikaw siguro ung love-andera niya….kailangn ka lang kapag may loveada?

Huwag ganito sis and bro. Isang beses ka lang mabubuhay sa mundo kaya nararapat lang na maramdaman mo ang pagmamahal na tunay - at ito yung may respeto sa iyong buhay.

Both must see and celebrate each other’s vision

dahil kasama ka sa plano niya sa buhay. At malalaman mo rin kung siya ay may plano, kung may pangarap siya na binubuo para sa inyong dalawa.

Of course, dreams must be concretized. ‘Di kasi puwedeng mangarap lang parati. Your partner’s dreams must manifest in action.

Ang taong may panagarap ay taong may direksyon sa buhay. So, now you can ask, what is your dream for yourself? What is your dream for your family and for us?

Kaya sige lang magtanong. Pag walang maisagot, mag-good bye bunot!

There must be a third party

Yes. You are what you are now. But you can be who you want to become. It must not end there. Your main purpose in life is to succeed in your calling - at the highest possible level.

May tunay na pagmamahalan kapag nakikita ng partner mo ang iyong mga pangarap; at gayun din ikaw. Both of you must believe that your dreams can happen and must exhibit great hope that it will happen.

Hindi yung siya mismo ang pumapatay ng iyong pangarap dahil lang raw “mahirap makamtan o pabigat na dalahin.”

True love “believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things.” Dapat kaya ninyong sabihin sa bawat isa, “ang tagumpay ko ay tagumpay mo; at ang tagumpay mo ay tagumpay ko.” Dito mo malalaman na talagang mahal ka niya

If your partner says, “you to me are everything…” Naku, magsayaw ka na lang mag-isa kay Rick Astley. Believe me, “Bleeding Heart” ang labas mo later.

Ganito kasi ang pag-ibig ng tao. It is like a social contract - mamahalin mo siya, mamahalin ka rin niya. Dapat laging kuwentado. Kaso, di tayo perfect ( I think we can agree on this) so, may flaws lagi sa relationship. Therefore, laging may kulang that no one or nothing can fulfill.

Tama, sis and bro. Hindi tatayo ang relasyon ninyo kung dalawa lang kayo! Kaya dapat may pangatlo! At iyon ay ang tunay na pagibig ng Diyos sa langit.

It is difficult, especially in today’s complicated world to have a smooth sailing relationship as both partners are different in so many ways. That is the reason why there must be‘glue’ that will hold the two of you as one; and that is God’s Love. Kasi duon manggagaling yung mga sinasabing elements ng tunay na pag ibig - patience, kindness, the willingness to sacrifice, etc. Siya kasi mismo ang pag ibig.

Kaya pakiusap mga kapatid, araw ng puso, kilalanin ang tunay na pag ibig – the kind of love that never ends. Payabungin upang dumami rin ang matagumpay na lahi natin!

Belated Happy Valentine’s day!

36 SUCCESSFUL PINOY SPIRITUALITY

Is Your Love Genuine Or Fake?

By : Bo Sanchez

“Buy Rolex. $20 only.” A mustachioed guy offered it to me while I was walking on a busy street abroad. Wow. Didn’t Rolex watches sell at US$5,000 each?

Because he thought I was interested, the man opened his jacket and displayed other designer watches — such as Patek Phillip, Cartier, and Omega. “Choose what you want. US$20 only each.”

That was shocking. I knew some high-end Patek watches cost US$200,000. So how in the world could this man be selling them for US$20?

T

oo bad for the watch guy, I don’t use watches. Stopped using them 25 years ago. To know the time, I look at the sun. On a cloudy day, I look at someone else’s watch. But my buddy bought a US$20 Rolex. It was a steal, he said.

Hey, it looked like a Rolex. It worked like a Rolex. It felt like a Rolex. But it wasn’t a Rolex. Five months later, my friend was sad because his watch broke down. I told him, “What did you expect?”

Let me use this story to explain why we have problems in our relationships.

How to Do the Great Switcheroo

Dubdub. Dubdub.” But he’s seen this before. How sweet lovebirds end up almost killing each other after the wedding. So he warned them, “As you know, feelings of love won’t last.” And the couple said, “We know, Father.” But at the back of their mind, they’re saying, “We know Father that feelings of love won’t last for everyone else. But not for us. How can this feeling be fake when it’s as strong as a roaring volcano? It is as clear as the noonday sun, as eternal as the waves of the sea.” After the wedding ceremony, they have their honeymoon.

On their first night, the new husband watches his bride asleep, All of a sudden, she snores. “Ngooorrrk.”What does he say? “How cute.”

Six months later, it’s the same scene. They’re at home. The guy sees his wife asleep. All of a sudden, she starts snoring again. What does he say? “How gross!” What happened? Infatuation, the pirated version of love, disappeared. Real Love must now kick in.

From Gazing To Gossiping

Why do so many marriages have problems today? Because many couples built their marriage on a pirated version of Love, not Love itself. The pirated version of Love is Infatuation. Not that Infatuation is a bad thing. It’s totally normal I repeat: Infatuation is like a pirated copy of Love.

Wise people know Infatuation is a pirated copy. They enjoy it while it lasts, but they know it was brittle and wouldn’t last. So secretly, they also bought the genuine article. (Note: Pirated versions are given; Real versions are bought.) So when the pirated version breaks down, the wise person pulls out the real thing.

This being the Month of Love, I’ll tell you how to spot the genuine from the fake. I’ll describe the real deal — and how it’s the only thing that can save a couple’s marriage or for the married as well as singles. Oh yes, so many people have relationship problems with their parents, or children, or siblings, or friends —because they don’t know what Real Love is.

I’m going to explain to you that Real Love is about dirty hands, not beating hearts. Let me explain how this great switcheroo works…

“Ngooorrrk!”

“Father, we want to get married.” When the engaged couple went to the priest to schedule their wedding, their hearts were beating for each other. It was so loud- the priest could actually hear it -Dubdub.

Let me give you another example. How do you know if a couple in the restaurant is not married? Easy - If they’re physically close, touching each other, hand to hand, eye to eye, nose to nose, bad breath to bad breath — they’re not married. If a flash flood engulfs the entire restaurant and the entire guy could say was, “Sweetheart, I love the color of your eyes as it reflects the brownish floodwater around us,” you can bet your life, they’re not married. And how do you know if a couple in a restaurant is married?

Easy - If they’re seated far apart, so far apart, a six-by-six truck could pass in between them, they’re married. Or if they look bored, they’re married. If the whole night, all they do is talk about other people, they’re married. The wife whispers, “Don’t look at her, but the woman behind you is wearing fake eyelashes, fake jewelry, a fake Hermes bag, fake anatomical parts, and a fake husband.”

Being dense, the man turns around and asks, “Where? Once upon a time, they had eyes only for one another. Now, they barely look at each other. What has happened? Infatuation, the pirated version of love, disappeared. Real Love must now kick in. But only if they have it.

Spot the Difference Let me now share five clear-as-daylight differences between Infatuation and Real Love:

SPIRITUALITY SUCCESSFUL PINOY 37 1. Help - Love means giving practical help. If you’re a mother, I’m sure there are days when you wake up feeling blue and you don’t want to enter the kitchen. But fifteen minutes later, where are you?

Cooking in the kitchen, because some little people will get hungry.

You don’t feel like doing it. But you do it anyway. That’s love.

2. Prayer - Love means praying for your loved ones. Perhaps your father was a horrible man. And you hate him. But you decide to pray for him. You pray whether you feel like it or not. That’s love.

3. Presence - Love means spending time together. Not just being physically together, but also being emotionally together. There’ll be times when you won’t feel like bonding together. But you do it anyway. That’s love.

Infatuation doesn’t require a decision. It just happens. You see a girl and boom—your hormones kick in and you want her. You don’t know why. Real Love doesn’t just happen; Real Love requires a decision. That’s why Scott Peck says Real Love can only start after one has “fallen out of love.”

Infatuation, no matter what you do, lasts only for a season.

You have these feelings of love swirling within you until something happens that breaks the spell. Maybe she’ll open her mouth. Maybe she’ll reveal her fangs. It could be anything. But Real Love can last forever precisely because it’s a decision.

Infatuation is directed towards a figment of your imagination.

You’re not attracted to a real person. Like Infatuation itself, you’re in love with a fake. But Real Love is directed towards a real person.

You now know her strengths and weaknesses, and have accepted it all.

Infatuation is a spontaneous collapse of your boundaries. You get lost and you merge with the other. You’re enmeshed. You can’t survive without each other. But Real Love requires strengthening of both your boundaries; you actually don’t need each other, but you choose each other because you want to serve.

Infatuation is all about feelings. Dubdub. Dubdub. Dubdub.

Cold palms, giddy spells, dazed looks, and feet on the clouds. But Real Love is about dirty hands. You don’t have to feel anything to love. Let me repeat my message: I believe love is about dirty hands, not beating hearts. The essence of love isn’t feelings but service.

Scott Peck says it so well—the opposite of love isn’t hatred; the opposite of love is laziness.

Your Physiology Affects Your Psychology Here’s the thing- I’ve found out that only mature people can love.

Only mature people can do the great switcheroo when the pirated copy fails. They just pull out the genuine article.

4. Touch - Love means physical affection. One day, a couple walking to work noticed a man passionately kissing a woman. “Why don’t you do that?” said the wife. “Honey,” replied her husband, “I don’t even know that woman!” Again, there’ll be days when you don’t want to kiss or hold hands or hug. But you do it anyway. That’s love.

5. Words - Love means oral or written expressions. When was the last time you told your husband, “Thank you for working so hard for our family”? When was the last time you told your wife, “Thank you for being a great mother to our kids”? When was the last time you told your mother, “Thanks for serving me all these years”? And when was the last time you actually said, “I love you”? Here’s my question: Are you just your emotions? Or are you much more than your emotions? Are you also your spirit, your soul, your mind, your imagination, your will?

6. Gifts - Love means giving tokens—or symbols of love. To you, your gift may mean nothing. But to another person, a small, inexpensive gift from you could mean the world.

7. Boundaries - Love means respecting the boundaries of the other.

Love means giving space to the other and letting the other face her own responsibilities. I like it when my wife goes out with her girlfriends each week. I like it when she tells me, “Bo, I need some time alone. I’ll just go window shopping for awhile.” So I pray over her, “Lord, I claim in faith that she’ll be faithful to those words, that she will indeed go ‘window’ shopping only.’ Thank you, Lord, for this miracle!”

Love Is Service I dedicate my last story to all those living away from their loved ones today —Overseas Filipinos, Migrants. Many years ago, I met Alice, a Filipina teacher in Brunei. She was my host and took care of me while I was there. When I woke up early one morning, I noticed that she was on the phone. But she wasn’t speaking. She explained that it was her beautiful ritual of love to her husband. Years ago, her husband suffered a stroke and he became paralyzed. So she went to Brunei to work for the family.

Why? Only mature people have love within them. A loving person can love not because the other person is lovable. You may be asking me, “But Bo, is love dry? Isn’t there room for feelings?” Of course, there is. Here’s a secret mature people know in their hearts even if they don’t know it cognitively: Your physiology affects your psychology.

Your feeling follows your action.

And what was this ritual of love? Alice would wake up at 4 in the morning to call her husband. But because they could not afford long distance calls, they agreed that the husband was not to answer the phone.

If we keep on doing acts of love, we increase our feelings of love. The more we “dirty our hands”, the more we find our “hearts beating” for the other. To make this practical, let me share seven simple ways of dirtying your hands. They are (1) Help, (2) Prayer, (3) Presence, (4) Touch, (5) Words, (6) Gifts, and (7) Boundaries.

Instead, the husband would allow the phone to ring. And ring. He would allow the love of Alice, symbolized by the ringing, to fill their house and to fill his heart. For eight years straight, Alice did this beautiful ritual without fail - until he finally passed away. That’s what love is. Love is simply done, day in and day out - because it’s eternal.

It was Mother Teresa who said, “Service is a fruit of love”. If you love, you will serve. Go now, and like Mother Teresa, dirty your hands.

May your dreams come true.

38 MARKET ROUND-UP

Gulfood 2010 Exhibits Philippine-Made Products The Philippines will participate in this year’s Gulfood exhibition, the region’s largest trade exhibition for food, drink, foodservice and hospitality equipment which takes place on February 21-24 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) under the Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippine delegation is composed of twelve leading Philippine exporters. These companies include Atson-Tropicana Food Products, Inc., Celebes Coconut Corporation, FCG Trading Philippines, Inc., Florence Foods Corporation, Global 88 International Trading, Market Reach International, Mega Fishing Corporation, Monde Nissin Corporation, Ngosiok Marketing (Super Q), Oceanic Exports (Manila), Inc., Primex Coco Products and Q-Phil Products International Trading Inc.

The products to be highlighted in the Philippine exhibit are canned and bottled fruit juices, energy drinks, fruit wines, coconut water, milk/cream, vinegar, desiccated coconut, candies, chips, coconut milk powder, virgin coconut oil, coconut sugar, banana chips, soups and instant noodles, dried noodles (pancit canton, bihon, palabok), sauces, mixes, condiments, and seasonings, dried taro leaves, dried fish, dried/smoked/frozen/fermented marine products, canned sardines, squid, canned fish and tuna. Also, there are confectioneries and snacks, crackers and biscuits, peanut butter, cheese spread, sandwich spreads, jams, herbal teas, food supplements and other Philippine delicacies.

These Philippine-made products will be on display at Hall 6 of the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center.

The Music Institute Stages Winter Recital “Music Unites Us” The Music Institute showcased its annual winter recital under the theme “Music Unites Us” last January 18th in an intimate outdoor event in Sadaf Circle of the Jumeirah Beach Residence.

Over 30 students played various instruments like piano, guitar, and drums that entertained the guests. While the voice students sang to everybody’s delight with their soulful rendition of jazz and contemporary music.

The evening was filled with music and fun with children showing off their musical prowess to proud parents and families. Adult players enjoyed serenading their guests and the public with well-chosen and well-played pieces.

Moreover, the affair was true to its theme “Music Unites Us”. The joy that people displayed throughout the night only validated the fact that music – as a form of communication and language – unites people of all walks of life. Indeed, by teaching music, The Music Institute strives to play an active role in entertaining and educating the diverse multi-cultural population.

Hussam Al Zeer, TMI’s General Manager and Gaylley dela Tonga, TMI’s resident Voice and Piano teacher spearheaded the preparations for the recital. Various committees also helped out to ensure the event’s success.

40 FEATURE

Love for Country

By Ivan Henares

Does Juan de la Cruz still love his country? Is Juan de la Cruz still proud to be Filipino? These are things we should ask ourselves when we talk about love of country. In fact, these are fundamental questions our nation should reflect on if we are to move forward.

A

strong national identity can become a potent force to push a nation to become great. Unfortunately, the Philippines has yet to solidify its own identity as one nation. A strong national identity equates to love of country. There is thus a need to strengthen pride of place and nationalism, especially among young people, in order to harness that cultural identity and unite the country in order to move forward as a nation.

According to the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS), a non-stock, non-profit organization advocating the protection and preservation of our architectural heritage, “our built heritage is evidence of our political history and socioeconomic development; it reflects our shared values, and is tangible proof of Filipino excellence and creativity.”

By advocating the protection and preservation of our built heritage, cultural and historical sites and settings according to the HCS, the nation would be upholding the Philippine Constitution which states that heritage and culture should be developed and preserved for national identity.

Gemma Cruz-Araneta, president of the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) says, “Love of country has many levels. No Filipino will admit to not loving the country; but the final proof is in your actions, daily actions that you decide to undertake even if no one will thank you for it. Simply said, national and collective interests should come first at the expense of your own personals interests. You just have to do your part.” She reminds all of us that we do not want and should not be the weakest link of the national chain.

The mission of the HCS is to “be the prime mover and advocate for the preservation of Philippine built heritage resources in order to contribute towards the establishment of a Society that preserves and values its cultural heritage through advocacy and volunteerism, project implementation, education and information.” It envisions “a Filipino society that values and preserves its cultural heritage in order to instill pride of place and strengthen Philippine national identity.”

The former Estrada administration’s tourism secretary and Miss International beauty queen title holder adds, “Expats should come back to apply what they have learned by way of discipline and work ethic.”

Bam Aquino, president of MicroVentures Incorporated (MVI), a company that empowers socially and economically challenged families through micro-entrepreneurship, also believes that the regular Juan dela Cruz still loves his country.

The HCS believes that built heritage can be a potent symbol for a strong national identity, and thus love for country. Heritage all over the country is fast disappearing due to misconceptions about heritage conservation and faulty urban planning policies. And heritage conservation is what continuously connects us to our past by keeping significant structures, historical and cultural sites and settings intact.

He says, “I think the regular Juan dela Cruz loves his country enough to know that things need to change for our country to move on and move forward. And even if we have so many countrymen leaving the country every day, I believe in my heart, that if opportunities were abundant here, very few would want to leave, if at all. What will be driving this year’s elections will be a true thirst for change or reform, not merely admiration or love for a particular candidate, and that, in my book, is love for country.”

FEATURE 41

Aquino pointed out that a number of organizations have come up recently, mostly centered on clean elections like Ako ang Simula of ABS-CBN. He adds that Ako Mismo and Yabang Pinoy are both still up, and that there are some groups that straddle the line between nationalism and partisanship like Tuloy Pinoy and Pinoy Power.

MVI itself can be considered an organization that does something for our country to move forward. In 2007, MVI launched the Hapinoy Store Program with microfinance borrowers in mind. They realized that 15 to 20 percent of microfinance borrowers use the capital to put up stores or expand their inventory. So the Hapinoy Store Program first focused on aggregating all these sari-sari store owners for bulk product discounts.

Aquino is also a director of Rags2Riches, another social business enterprise that helps a Payatas-based community create fashiondesigner items from recycled rags.

Filipino expats and OFs can actually be a great help and show love of country by lending capital to our countrymen or asking their relatives at home to grow the remittances that they send and not simply spend it on essentials.

Rep. Raymond Palatino of the Partylist group Kabataan also believes that Filipinos still love our country. He shares, “Even Filipinos who migrate or those who change their citizenships are patriotic Filipinos.

If there are adequate opportunities in the country, Filipinos will opt to stay here. Mass exodus of skilled and educated Filipinos is not an indication of waning sense of nationalism. I believe most young Filipinos love the country but many are losing hope that they can fulfill their dreams here. Many Filipinos still yearn to settle in their native land.”

Harvey

Keh,

Director

for

Youth

Leadership

and

Social

Entrepreneurship at the Ateneo School of Government, agrees.

According to Keh, “Many Filipinos, if only given the choice or proper opportunities here, would not choose to leave our country.”

He adds, “I have seen a resurgence of movements that help Filipinos become more active in nation-building the past years such as Gawad Kalinga, Youth Vote Philippines, Dynamic Teen Company and the like. We have also seen in Ondoy how thousands of ordinary Filipinos went out of their way to show their love and support to their fellow Filipinos who became victims of the calamity.”

Speaking of the Dynamic Teen Company, this is what 2009 CNN Hero of the Year, Efren Florida, had to say - “I believe that there is a sense of nationalism budding in every Pinoy’s heart though a majority of us are jaded now because of the political and governance trauma we have suffered. I can say that the love is still there and it springs out during troubled times when a sense of bayanihan is required.”

He adds, “Yes it is not as strong as it should be but we have to experience another revival or an inspiring leadership figure will be believable enough to bring us to that state. There had been a lot of movements and organizations which promote nationalism and pride but many Pinoys are not paying attention because their main concern is the survival of their day to day.”

So we ask the question again, does Juan de la Cruz still love his country? Do Filipinos still love our country and what it stands for?

The answer seems to be a resounding yes. Be it those who are doing their share here at home, or those working hard in different parts of the world to uplift the lives of their families, all of us have shown one way or another that the Philippines is still in our heart.

The question now is how far are we willing to go? This country will not move forward if we don’t give it our all.

42 FASHION

MAKING AN ENTRANCE

Turn heads with these gorgeous gowns and cocktail dresses with elegantly fluid silhouettes and just the right amount of ‘oomph’ that make you look like a star.

Make your entrance.

Photography : Doc Marlon Pecjo Stylist: Rey Santos Make-up: Amanda Padilla Hair: Dino Lazaro Model: Jasmine Maierhofer and Laxie Villar of Mercator Models

FASHION 43

On Jasmine: Black sheath serpentina cut gown embellished with sequins by Nat Manilag. On Laxie: Single breastedsingle button suit by Edwin Tan

44 FASHION

On Jasmine: Gold single strap dress by Francis Libiran.

White single breasted jacket with gray lapel matched with gray trousers by Edwin Tan.

FASHION 45

On Jasmine: Black gown with side slit by Nat Manilag.

On Laxie: Black single breasted jacket matched with gray waistcoat and trousers by Edwin Tan.

46 FASHION

On Jasmine: Empire-cut draped gown in electric blue with rhinestone shoulder embellishments by Francis Libiran. On Laxie: Black single breasted- single button jacket with gray waistcoat and trousers by Edwin tan

FASHION 47

48 FASHION

On Jasmine: Gold shift dress embellished with gold rhinestones Nat Manilag. On Laxie: White single breasted jacket with gray lapel matched with gray trousers by Edwin Tan

FASHION 49

On Jasmine: Strapless red gown embellished with rhinestones by Francis Libiran. On Laxie: Single breasted- single button suit by Edwin tan

50 STYLEMONGER

Splash Spring/Summer Collection 2010:

The Season’s Style Mantra

By Butz Fuentes

T

he elegant Madinat Jumeirah was the venue for the fabulous evening which attracted Dubai’s elusive style set. The show started ‘fashionably late’, a loop that made the night more stylish and glamorous. The crowd simply loved the rounds of unending bubbly, while ladies bursting at every corner flaunted and flashed their outfits and arm candies. Men retreated to the sidelines giving complete exposure to an almost total girls’ night out.

The contemporary stage complete with American Indian teepees and visuals of rolling plains depicted a free-spirited mood – a recreation of the Old West. The first phase of the collection was trendy and urban, with a Dolce & Gabbana-ish feel setting the tone. Male models showed up as metropolitan cowboys carefree in washed jeans and leather boots, plain tops, plaids, boleros and vests. Ranch hats and lassos in hand completed the wow factor. Onto the female style statements - leather bustiers fused with cotton eyelets in white, lined stockings and boots defined the ‘hacienda’ inspiration of the collection.

Famous for its tees and other separates, the second part of the Splash show highlighted t-shirts and jeans for the young and high octane individuals.The collection was strong and edgy – sometimes with a hint of the rebellious and flashy. Girlie short dresses were almost lost in the middle, with no real focal point - the undefined silhouettes and the retro trends were not the strongest part of the presentation. In the end anyway, the clothes were still practical wardrobes intended for the carefree set.

The lounge wear collection was a feast for the eyes, done in bold prints and colors with relaxed A-line cut long dresses perfect for romantic summer evenings. The use of exotic feathers as head pieces made the total look vibrant and spicy, the anti-thesis of minimalist wardrobes.

Overall, the production was definitely world-class with Bong Gerrero’s BRAG team doing a great job. The collection featured remarkable pret-a-porter, but being the Stylemonger that I am, I am leaving a few spaces for improvements for the next season, hopefully, a focus on one major international trend and more interesting cuts and colors.

Another two thumbs up to Splash CEO Raza Beig who was brimming with pride as he closed the runway show, to the thundering applause of Dubai’s fashionistas.

COMMUNITY 51

ILLUSTRADO’S WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE EVENT 2010

Women of Substance 2010 is an annual gathering spearheaded by Illustrado, the Dubai-based Filipino lifestyle publication. Happening every March, it celebrates Filipina achievers and female empowerment in the Gulf in conjunction with International Women’s Day. Now on its third consecutive year, the event promises to be bigger and better.

The elegant coffee-afternoon event traditionally highlighted by a talk-show will now feature a mini-documentary film by Dubai-based Kamil Roxas, winner of the Hayah Film Competition at the Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF) in 2008, a make-over runway show highlighting real Filipina beauty, as well as a photo exhibit.

Under the theme “The Filipina,” photography enthusiasts around the Gulf are invited to submit their entries essentially portraying the different facets of the Filipina woman. According to Lalaine ChuBenitez, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Illustrado, “‘Women of Substance’ takes pride in showcasing the achievements of Filipinas and their significant contributions to society. With this endeavour, we advocate a change in the Filipina international image to a more balanced one, in the process empowering our sisters and paving the way for the rest of the community.”

She furthers, “With the photo exhibit, we want an honest, balanced, and unbiased take on the Filipina here in the Gulf – capturing not just her face, but her different facets and roles as an individual, mother, sister, daughter, wife, professional, and a citizen of the world, among others.”

Interested photography aficionados can submit three images of at least 300dpi to illustrado@inbox.com. The contest is open to all nationalities and is strictly for amateur photographers and hobbyists based in the Gulf only. Furthermore, heavy digital layering and editing are strictly prohibited. Only the twenty best entries will make it to the photo exhibit during the event which will be viewed by over 500 attendees from the Filipino expat community and international community as well. Finalists’ photos will be published in Illustrado’s March 2010 issue. Prizes and sponsors will be announced closer to the event. Deadline for submissions is on the 28th February 2010.

This year’s Women of Substance of event will be held on the 27th March 2010, at the Godolphin Ballroom of the Emirates Towers in Dubai.

For more information, please contact Illustrado at 04-3654547 / 04-3654543.

NOTE: Limited invites for the public. Kindly request for your personal invitation by contacting us at: +9714- 365 4547 or 365 4543 or by email: susan.santos@illustrado.net

52 FASHION

SPRING ILLUMINATED You can tell that spring is just around the corner as the wonderful fresh colors of the season start to blossom around you. This time around, global luxury lingerie and leisurewear brand Natori created by Josie Natori invites you into a world ablaze with energy with silhouettes navigating through every situation: from the bedroom to the beach; amid alluring vivid colors and long draping lines.

FASHION 53

54 FASHION

Where true beauty shines

Let your natural beauty come through with Mayumy’s fabulous pampering treatments and signature salon and spa products.

Beauty offers this season: Get 20% off on cellophane treatments every time you do a rebond Get up to 50% discount on all our in-house products Spend AED150 and get a AED50 gift voucher Spend AED500 and above and get an amazing body scrub of Milk & Oatmeal absolutely free

Location: Al Bada Oasis Tower, Satwa, Dubai Behind Chowking – In front of the Iranian Hospital Telephone no.: 04 345 6799

56 ILLUSTRADO SCRAPBOOK

A platform for budding Filipino creative talent

Melissa Guevarra Melissa Guevarra’s life revolves around three main things – family, painting and photography. Mentored during her early years by Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) officers Danilo Santiago, an Art Professor at the University of Santo Tomas and Vic Dabao, Melissa has always been interested in the creative field since her childhood.

Being married to artist Darwin “Japat” Guevarra has further inspired Melissa to delve deeper into her art and eventually fall in love with photography. This full time homemaker and full time artist, works from home creating paintings and miniatures with her husband.

A platform for budding Filipino creative talent

ILLUSTRADO SCRAPBOOK 57

Randy Recio Randy Ramos Recio is a pure-blooded Batangueño based in Dubai, who works as a company trainer for DHL Express-UAE. He is a street photographer at heart and much of his best works stem from unexpected moments captured by his trusty camera while enjoying an early morning or late afternoon walk. Randy’s subjects are mostly landscapes and portraits, composed with a photojournalistic flavor. He is an active member of UAE-based photography association Overseas Pinoy Professional Photographers’ Society (OPPPS) and was once featured here in Illustrado Scrapbook with his image of Filipina bossa singer Sitti Navarro.

Arian Marcos Arian, who has always been an artist since he was a kid, got into photography in 2008 taking classes and immersing himself in the works of his icons. His persistence to excel in his newfound passion won him awards which include the First Place in the 2nd Annual Scott Kelby Photowalk - Dubai. He has also conducted workshops on Off-Camera Flash Photography and Photo Retouching for a local photo club in Dubai.

As a photographer, Arian’s style is contemporary, and he is keen on experimenting with textures and contrasts. He combines this with his expertise in postprocessing to further enhance the play of light and intensify the visual appeal and emotional impact of his images. His works include still and moving images which cover portraiture, fashion and beauty, landscape, interiors, architecture and events.

Arian lives in Dubai with his wife Karen, where he works for a railway systems construction company. He is an avid fan of basketball, good coffee and leche flan.

58 FOODing AROUND

Ang Istorya ng

Gayuma

By Chef Mico Galliguez

It’s the month of love and the month for that mystic exotic potion we Filipinos know as ‘gayuma.’ Apparently, if you want to snatch someone else’s lover, or to cast a spell on your beloved, gayuma is what you need – nakakapraning! These mixtures are commonly sold around Quiapo and Baclaran. But be careful! They are not BFAD approved and may be harmful to your health. So if you are not willing to risk ending up in a hospital bed, I suggest you might as well look into aphrodisiac foods instead.

According to ‘my friend’ Webster an aphrodisiac is a “food or drink that stimulates desire, derived from the name of Aphrodite (Aphrodite the Greek goddess of love, rose from the sea on an oyster and then gave birth to my best friend Eros. Here is a list of common aphrodisiac foods which you might already have in your kitchen - aniseed, almond, avocado, asparagus, banana, carrots, chili peppers, basil, chocolate, coffee, oyster, ginger, garlic, cilantro, rosemary, balut (duck embryo), edible snails, oregano, saffron, thyme, caviar, tuna, salmon, cherry, dates, strawberries, peaches, etc.

Many articles and books have been written about these ‘hot’ foods and even Dr. Margie Holmes will tell you to eat some of these foods to spice up your relationship. Trust her, she is a clinical psychologist, and trust me I’m a chef! So, I prepared some recipes with our aphrodisiac ingredients for a unique Pinoy menu na siguradong nakaka-in love! Una siempre ang number one sa mga barako - ang pang malakasan nating ‘Soup Number Five,’ then ang pambato ng mga taga Cavite, Navotas at Malabon ang ‘talaba,’ ang ‘beef trio’ na sigradong makakataba ng puso, and a sinful dessert to cap it all.

Soup Number Five *Serves 4 INGREDIENTS 1 clove garlic, chopped 2 pcs onions, chopped 1 pack Tamarind Mix 2 liters water 1 whole cow’s organs 1 tbsp whole black peppercorn 1tbsp sibot similar to 5 spices 15 grams of black fungus (tengang daga) 4 pcs Chinese cabbage leaf 2 stalks of spring onions, chopped Patis (fish sauce), to taste

Oyster Shooter with Tomato Salsa *Serves 4 INGREDIENTS 20 pcs oyster 500g ripe tomatoes 3 fresh green chili, deseeded 1g garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped 1 small white onion, finely chopped 1 lime, juiced Salt and pepper to taste 1 bunch coriander Micro leaves for garnish Procedure: Remove oyster out of the shells and set aside. Chop tomatoes, onion, garlic and coriander and mix together. Pour the limejuice and season with salt and pepper. Assemble the food.

Procedure: Boil the cow’s organs in water.

Scrape with a knife to clean. Discard the water.

Bring fresh water to boil, then add the meat and salt. Simmer until tender, remove the meat from the broth and cut into cubes. In a pan, heat oil then sauté onions and the meat, add the broth, peppercorn, sibot, and bouillon. Bring to boil and add the tamarind mix. Season with patis. Serve hot with cabbage, black fungus, spring onion and crispy garlic.

FOODing AROUND 59 Beef Trio *Main Course by Chef Art Pantino of Palm Grill Restaurant *Serves 4: INGREDIENTS SIRLOIN STEAK 600 grams of Angus sirloin steak BRAISED RED CABBAGE 1/4 cup butter 800 grams head of red cabbage, quartered, cored, very thinly sliced 1/2 teaspoon (or more) salt 3 tablespoons dry red wine or hard cider 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar POTATO GALETTE 4 pcs potatoes 350ml thickened cream 350ml milk 2 1/2 garlic cloves, crushed 25g grated parmesan cheese GARLIC MASHED POTATO 1 kg peeled and diced potatoes 1/2 to 1 head garlic cloves, peeled and mashed 6 tbsp butter 1/2 to 3/4 cup heavy cream BEEF STEW 1 kg beef rib-eye cut into cubes 50 grams green peas 100 grams carrots cut into cubes 100 grams Peeled Potato, cut into cubes 1 pc onion, quartered 1 liter of beef stock Season with salt and pepper Procedure: BRAISED RED CABBAGE - Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add sliced cabbage and 1/2 teaspoon salt; stir and toss constantly until cabbage begins to wilt. Add red wine or hard cider and sauté until liquid evaporates. Add red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Stir constantly until cabbage is tender and turns bright fuchsia color. Season to taste with pepper and salt.

POTATO GALETTE - Preheat oven to 150°C. Peel the potatoes, slice thinly and place in a saucepan.

Add the cream, milk and garlic. Season and cook over low heat, stirring, for 5-6 minutes until the cream thickens. Transfer into a buttered 20 x 14cm ovenproof dish and sprinkle with parmesan.

Place in the oven and bake for 1 hour. Cool, then refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour. Preheat oven to 180°C. Use a pastry cutter to cut rounds from the galette. Place on a greased baking tray, then transfer to oven for 5-10 minutes until heated through and the top is crisp. GARLIC MASHED POTATO - Cover potatoes with water sufficient to cover in a heavy-bottomed pan. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat slightly and simmer until potatoes are fork-tender. Drain potatoes and set aside.

Return empty pan to heat and add butter, leaving until butter melts. In a separate pan, bring cream or milk to boil (do not allow to curdle; remove from heat immediately when it starts to boil). Mash the potatoes, beating in the butter and cream or milk, mashed garlic, and salt and pepper, until potatoes are smooth and fluffy. BEEF STEW - Combine all ingredients in a pot. Put on a low fire and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper and season to taste. ANGUS STEAK: Sear the Angus sirloin in a pan and season with salt and pepper. Arrange the food accordingly.

Banana Butterscotch & Berry Jello with Green Apple Compote *Dessert by Chef Marlon Galliguez from Radisson Blu Dubai Deira Creek Pastry Kitchen (Oo, kapatid ko sya!)

INGREDIENTS BANANA CAKE 150g butter 200g sugar 4 pcs eggs 250g flour 4g vanilla pod ¼ cup milk 8 pcs bananas BUTTERSCOTCH 30g Caramel 100g fresh cream 3 pcs gelatine 300g whipped cream GREEN APPLE COMPOTE 1pc green apple cubed 100ml water 25g sugar 15g cornflour 5g vanilla essence Pinch of cinnamon powder

BERRY JELLO 50g water 30g sugar 2pcs, gelatin 12 grams berry flavor 6pcs seasonal berries PROCEDURE: BANANA CAKE - Melt the butter, sugar and vanilla in a medium sized pan. Add mashed bananas and stir through until just blended. Add egg and mix well. Stir in flour, add milk and mix lightly. Bake at 180 degree for approx. 30 mins.

BUTTERSCOTCH - In a pot mix the caramel and fresh cream and make it warm. Fold gelatine and whipped cream into the mixture. GREEN APPLE COMPOTE - Mix water and sugar to make syrup. Add the sliced apple and thicken it using corn flour. Season with vanilla essence and cinnamon powder. BERRY JELLO - Mix water and sugar to make warm syrup then dissolve the gelatin and mix with the flavor and seasonal berries.

After cooking all of this, siempre hindi sa higaan ang derecho mo para matulog. You have to freshen up and make sure na mabango ka, dahil ihahaiin mo pa ito with a smile.

My column aims to share the joy of gastronomy – it’s up to you if you want to exert the effort.

Hindi mo man magawa o maihain ang mga bagay na ito, ang importante ay ang tunay na gayuma na nasa damdamin para sa iyong iniirog (wow, ang lalim nun!).

60 GLOBAL BARRIO

GLOBAL BARRIO

Starting this month, Illustrado takes you to Pinoy points across the globe – from Singapore, to Germany, New York and then back to the Philippines for a look at the lives of our kababayans around the world. Truly, for the Filipino diaspora, the world is just one big Global Barrio.

PHILIPPINES

I have No Love

By Carlito Virina

I HAVE NO LOVE for showbiz folks running for public office. Top on my list are comedians who cross-dress and act out gay characters on national TV. Now, if they use those images in their campaign posters maybe, mask them for what they really are about, just maybe, we’d give them points for being true.

I HAVE NO LOVE for nubile young ladies gyrating in the background of daytime TV however skimpy their outfits. And I don’t care if they’ve got good bods (OK, I sometimes do). They don’t belong on national TV. Let’s herd them and their mama-sans back to the bars where they belong. I attended many a children’s party and girls as young as four and five were copying their sexy moves to the delight of parents – and all I can do is scratch my head in dazed amazement.

I have absolutely NO LOVE for local movies. Come on, how many remakes of Panday do we really need? Or an nth offering of Shake, Rattle and Roll? Or another movie with grandpa Vic Sotto as a romantic lead? Or another sequel to a Mano Po sequel of a Mano Po sequel of a Mano Po sequel? Parang awa niyo na po!

And how about that Pakman movie? I love this guy. But I have NO LOVE at all for Manny (WAIT!) when his boxing trunks are in the cleaners and he wears his showbiz costumes. The champion just can’t sing. He can’t act either. But who’s man enough to tell him that? Manny should stick to what he’s really good at – making money knocking people down in the ring.

As always this time of year, hearts start to flutter and flowers begin to bloom for the month of amore! Lost loves, unrequited or not, are silently recalled (and a few are secretly googled!). Some easily remembered than others. Names are put to faces. Faces put to names. Names and/or faces tediously put to romantic moments reminisced, or imagined.

But before I turn this into a mush fest and my glucose level goes up and ants start making for my feet, I’ll suspend my romantic musings for now, because, I know, with some certainty, this Illustrado issue you have in your hand will be tackling romance with extreme zeal that would shame Casanova on a moonlit prowl.

So let me list down a few things I absolutely have NO LOVE for this month of love. Just a few, because a hate list grows fast and steady in this country, and given the 500-word limit for my column it will have to be a short list.

I HAVE NO LOVE for local politics, and politicians. Hardly a name claiming public service as a vocation has measured up to the ideals we were taught to admire in better men – wisdom, integrity, sincerity and compassion.

I HAVE NO LOVE for heavily tinted, headlight-flashing SUVs with single-digit plates wang-wanging their way around the metropolis.

I can’t believe taxpayers’ money is paying for this arrogance.

Okay, I’m over my word limit. Let me leave you with a bit of sad news for ye olde romantics. The Magnolia Ice Cream House on Aurora Blvd in Quezon City, a fave date place back in the day, is no more. Four high-rise residential towers will be constructed on the property by Robinsons Land Corp., which acquired the property from San Miguel Properties. It will be called Magnolia Residences.

Happy Valentines, kababayans!

GERMANY

Sweating it out with Helmut

By Jack Catarata

Unlike in the English and Latin-speaking worlds, it seems Filipinos in German-speaking countries like Germany, Switzerland, and Austria have a harder time integrating in our respective host countries.

Of course, a big chunk of the blame goes to the hard and complex German language. For many of us who came to Germany way past the zenith of our learning curves, mastering the new language have been a big, big struggle. Unlike English or Spanish, German

FEATURE 61 grammar is a torturous thicket of cases and declinations not only of verbs but of nouns, adjectives and articles as well. The complexity of the rules could easily drive the student crazy, so much so that it ‘inspired’ Mark Twain to write one of his famous essays, “The Awful German Language.”

But language aside, there’s another important barrier: our cultural mindset. You’ve heard about how we Pinoys lived for three hundred years in a Spanish convent and fifty years in Hollywood, right?

Whether we like it or not, those cultural patterns handed down to us by the Catholic Spaniards and later reinforced by the Victorian Americans are deeply ingrained in our psyche. There are many examples to that but this time let me just cite one, albeit unusual, example: prudery with our bodies.

SINGAPORE

Filipino Arts &

Singaporean Moolah

By Law Diche

Like our former colonial masters, we Filipinos are uncomfortable exposing their bodies in front of others. Germanic people, in contrast, have a very natural attitude towards their own nudity. While they certainly do not go about naked everywhere, the Germans and their Alpine cousins don’t have problems taking off their clothes in the right public places like parks, beaches, and saunas.

I can still remember my total discomfort the first time I disrobed in front of a dozen or so unclothed Germans on the way to the sauna room many years ago. For them, male and female alike, there was no fuss about it; while I was engulfed in shame and asking the high heavens why, oh why, can’t I just go inside with at least my underwear on?

Left: David Cortez Medalla-My Sister at the Sewing Machine, below: Felix Hidalgo- Las Virgenes

Now if it was already difficult for a male like me to break through that mindset, how much more would it be for our Maria Clara-like Filipinas? No wonder, although I live in an area where there’s a sizable number of Filipinas married to Germans, I haven’t met any of them in my more than a decade of sauna visits. (Okay, some of them probably go but only during the all-female schedule.)

When in Rome be a Roman the saying goes. For me getting rid of that shyness was a milestone on how far I was able to adjust to the German way of life. In my case, the day I found myself accidentally sweating in the sauna together with - believe it or not - the former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl one Saturday in autumn 2001, was the day I considered myself “fully integrated.”

My bad German notwithstanding.

My Singaporean colleague was utterly blunt about it - “Singapore has no culture!”

And that my friends, is why Contantino Tejeros of PDI wrote the headline, “Singapore importing RP art, culture wholesale” referring to the major Philippine arts and culture exhibit this month presented by Singapore’s National Heritage Board (NHB) titled ‘Philippines Fiesta’ in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and the Philippines.

Happening at the Singapore Art Museum, ‘In the Eye of Modernity: Philippine Neo-Realist Masterworks from the Ateneo Art Gallery’ showcases major modern visual art from the likes of Arturo Luz and Vicente Manansala. ‘Thrice Upon A Time: A Century of Story in the Art of the Philippines’ covers our pre-colonial past to present-day works from grand masters like Juan Luna and Félix Resurrección Hidalgo to Amorsolo and even BenCab. Now, I’m no art expert but I do understand the functions of lines, thick or thin, colors, lighter, darker hues and all that, in lieu of what the artist aims to express, but I’d rather tell you how the pieces I quite liked made me feel. If art’s purpose is to provoke reactions, then it’s the better way.

Nap Abueva’s ‘Judas Kiss’ though I’ve seen before evoked the same initial feeling of surprise and satisfaction the moment I figured

62 GLOBAL BARRIO

Left: Jose Tence Ruiz - Paraisado Sorbetero, right Nap Abueva_ Judas Kiss, below: Julie Lluch -Thinking Nude

where on earth was the kiss happening, my spatial reasoning powers arising.

David Cortez Medalla’s casein and sand on paper ‘monstrosity’, ‘My Sister at the Sewing Machine’ reminded me of my son’s scratchfest of a painting when he was about four years old. But what the heck! Medalla was the 50’s enfant terrible.

‘Dambana’ by Manansala made me want to sit, stare, then kneel. This visage of an altar draws pure awe. Okay try this - look at a dambana, close your eyes halfway, think of saddest moment of your life and let go, then you pretty much have an idea.

Arturo Luz’s ‘Song’ looked more like Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’ to me given a more positive spin, but there’s something about mouths agape that stirs my imagination more than warranted for.

Julie Lluch’s ‘Thinking Nude’ made me think, “is she worried about breast cancer?” Sorry, I couldn’t help it - I just had to take my picture hovering behind her, us framed on the mirror.

Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo’s ‘Las Virgenes Cristiana Expuertas al Populacho,’ allegorical of the nationalist cause, as a picture alone is wickedly pretty; sans the sensuality, chiaroscuro at its finest.

On a more modern note, I can’t quite figure what Jose Tence Ruiz is saying with his ‘Paraisado Sorbetero,’ a tangerine sculpture of a sorbetero pushcart with a gothic cathedral on top of it. Described as a social critique, is it supposed to connote the Church’s domination over individuals, that is, the oft-repeated teaching of spirituality over worldly pleasures?

Now this I get. Briccio Santos’s ‘Heritage Tunnel’ symbolizes endless knowledge. Looking more like a well made of books with mirrors above and below, the optical illusion gives you a feeling of a bottomless well and an infinite sky of books.

There’s so much more to ‘critique’ but this could go on and on.

Later in the afternoon the day I visited NCCA chairman and renowned historian Ambeth Ocampo conducting a hilarious lecture on ‘Jose Rizal: The First Overseas Filipino.’ He noted it was perhaps because Jose Rizal, Juan Luna, et al being in foreign lands that gave birth to nationalistic concepts. Thanks to Singapore having money to burn, (to launch this festival and bring together our masterpieces costs millions of dollars for insurance, logistics, freight etc.) I got the opportunity to learn. And my nationalistic pride for these treasures swells.

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64 PINOY PLANET

ICH LIEBE BERLIN (I Love Berlin)

By Al Manlangit

I doubt if there’s a more colorful and controversial city in Europe than Berlin. Starting out as the capital of Prussia, it metamorphosed into a great metropolis under Kaiser Wilhelm who wanted it to be at par with Paris and London. Like a grainy, black and white film, many indelible images that shaped Europe’s destiny have come alive here: World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the rise of the Nazis, the ’38 Olympics and the infamous Hitler Bunker. After the Second World War, the Russians moved in and the city was partitioned by the Allies. Then came the Cold War with more images reinforcing the city’s reputation as a flashpoint for another conflict: the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, JFK intoning “Ich bin ein Berliner”, the Berlin Airlift and espionage of the highest order. This status quo remained for almost three decades before the turning point came in 1989 when Communism collapsed and peaceful reunification ensued. So much engrossing history bubbled on the surface of the book I was reading, making me completely forget that the highspeed ICE (InterCity Express) train we boarded earlier in Frankfurt was gliding to a halt. We’re here, the wife said, tugging at my arm as I glanced awestruck at the spanking brand-new 1.5-billion Euro Berlin Hauptbahnhoff.

G

linting in the bright sunshine, the steeland-glass station stands as a proud testament to the impressive facelift that the city is undergoing. Grand, modern and highly efficient – it is a fitting symbol of what Germany stands for. We hailed a cab (Mercedes, of course) and quickly moved into the tree-lined Unter den Linden which used to be East Berlin’s architectural showpiece where restored 18th century Prussian structures and the imposing Deutsches Historisches Museum stand. Further down was the poly-domed Berliner Dom, the cathedral built by the Kaiser at the turn of the 20th century conceived to be the Protestant’s answer to Rome’s St. Peter’s basilica.

Steel and glass Hauptbahnhoff

Berlin is a huge metropolis and you have to plan your itinerary well to see the sights by the most effective route without wasting too much time. The best way to get around is thru the efficient S-Bahn that mostly runs aboveground and U-Bahn that is the subway. We bought a 20Euro CityTour Card which was good for three days unlimited travel.

First stop: Potsdammerplatz. Once Germany’s busiest intersection rivaling London’s Picadilly Circus and New York’s Times Square, it practically became deserted when the Wall bisected it. But after reunification, it has become the busiest piece of real estate in

Europe where a gigantic redevelopment project is going on thereby becoming a playground for some of the world’s top architects. Two buildings stand out – Sony’s Mt. Fuji-shaped HQ and Deutsche Bahn’s sleek glass tower. All around were shops, cafes, art installations and entertainment centers including street performers that could leave you tired simply by watching all the action going around!

We walked the 1km. distance to the Holocaust Memorial which is a 19,000sqm open plot with over 2,000 massive concrete blocks

PINOY PLANET 65

By the River Spree

Sony’s Mt. Fuji-shaped HQ and Deutsche Bahn’s sleek glass tower

making it look like an abstract cemetery since there were no names, plaques or markers. Built to commemorate the murder of the Jews by the Nazis, it is quite a somber and moving experience to walk in the undulating pathway fenced-in by a gray forest of concrete that makes you feel lost and disoriented. This was, I think, the intent of the architect – to make you feel vulnerable the way all those Jews felt when they were dragged to the concentration camps.

Nearby, the Brandenburg Gate has once more become the symbol of the city. Built in 1788 under Prussian King Frederick William II, it is the only remaining gate that used to serve as the entrance to the city.

The 12 Doric columns, a takeoff on the Acropolis in Athens, support a transverse beam that holds the quadriga, a chariot with four horses, which crowns the edifice with the Roman goddess of victory. We walked ‘round and ‘round it like many other tourists savoring the history that the place had to offer. Napoleon passed through this portal and so did the Prussian army, Hitler’s Wehrmacht goose-stepped beneath it, the Soviets paraded down its columns and, finally, the great wave of ordinary East German citizens flooded through the gate to reunite with the West. Nowadays it is a pedestrian-only thoroughfare along with nearby Pariser Platz where the famous Hotel Adlon proudly stands.

Heading slightly north a few blocks away, we arrived at the Reichstag building where a long queue to get inside awaited us. A jazz trombone player busking for some Euros kept us company with a repertoire ranging from Herb Alpert to Kenny G!

This building again reeked with so much history: built in late 1800 to house the German Parliament, it was the seat of the Weimar Republic until 1933 when it caught fire under mysterious circumstances which gave Hitler a valid excuse to suspend the constitution. Badly damaged in WWII, it sat forlorn and empty until reunification when it was voted once more to be the seat of government. It was reconstructed in 1999 and its biggest draw is the huge glass cupola on the roof which we visited for the 360-degree panoramic views of the city. The main hall of the parliament can be seen below as you make your way down to the exit thru a spiral ramp.

To cap the end of a tiring day, we rested our aching feet on the huge green lawn beside the River Spree where thousands of Berliners were catching the last rays of the afternoon sun. Having a bratwurst with sauerkraut and potatoes along with a can of Heineken, we joined them in celebrating a marvelous summer’s day which actually didn’t get dark till past 9PM.

Mention Kurfurstendamm and every Berlin fraulein’s eyes light up for it means endless shopping! This broad and long tree-lined avenue locally called the Ku’damm is Berlin’s answer to the Champs Elysees.

Ornate buildings and apartments stand alongside trendy stores and boutiques which line both sides of the road. The mother of all shopping centers is KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westens) where you’ll find anything you could possibly long for cosmetics and jewelry, fashion for men and women, furniture or kitchen supplies, books, music, whatever – found in 7 floors.

Actually, we went there for the food. The top floor is a foodie’s paradise if there was one! Like a buffet in Vegas, everything was self-serve – grab a tray and you can pick up anything you fancy at each food station.

You can have Thai, Japanese, Chinese, German, Italian or French cuisine then go to the sandwich counter for a Norwegian smoked herring sandwich before you finish up your meal by the chocolate stall for a free sample or grab something at the cake counter where there were a million choices. Everything tasted sooo good that it was heartbreaking to leave!

At the end of Ku’damm is a church landmark - the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.

Destroyed by a bombing raid in WWII, all that remains is the ruined belfry that was preserved as a memorial to the futility of war and incorporated into the new modern structure with its beautiful blue

The Reichstag KaDeWe

66 PINOY PLANET

glass blocks which are quite breathtaking from inside. Around the church is a plaza where we sat and watched teenage boys practicing their skateboarding skills while elder people talked on park benches and the young couples, well, they just went on smooching like nobody’s business!

Soviet and American tanks faced each other in Checkpoint Charlie, the former border crossing point between East and West Berlin. These days, the checkpoint is swamped with tourists who want to stand in front of the sandbagged sentry house and have their pictures taken or get their passports stamped for a fee. Under a huge picture of an American soldier hanging from a post, sentries (actors actually) in East German uniforms stride to and fro and you can click yourself standing next Top: Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, right: Street to them for several Euros as well. The performers in Alexanderstrasse, top right: Hamming it place has become a commercial goldmine! up in Potsdammerplatz Right next is a building where a museum dedicated to the history of the Berlin Wall and the ingenious means by which people tried to escape to the West.

But where was the Wall? We had a hard time locating it and it took several inquiries before we found a remaining section about a hundred meters long in Zimmerstrasse two blocks away from the Checkpoint.

Standing 3.6meters high, the reinforced concrete with rusting steel bars exposed in some damaged parts looked as foreboding as the day the Communists built it to stem the exodus of people from East Germany. It was quite hard to imagine that only 20 years ago, this barrier snaked around the city but Top:Checkpoint Charlie, right: Trying on Russian military hats also surprising to realize how quickly the on a sidewalk souvenir stall, bottom: Berlin Wall people got rid of it so much so that hardly any vestige of its existence remains.

On our last day, we took a 3-hour riverboat cruise on the Spree for 29Euros. It was a great way to see parts of the city from a uniquely different perspective. We got onboard near Charlottenburg castle and slowly passed by the Reichstag, Museum Island, the Berliner Dom and the TV Tower which, at 368m, is the tallest building in Germany. The highlight was crossing the spectacular double-decker Oberbaumbrucke with its twin gothic-style towers and red brick facing.

With so much history to savor and many sights to behold, Berlin is quite a seductive city that is both vibrant and fascinating.

Instead of sulking in its not-so-pleasant past, it has come to grips with it and is on its way to making a much exhilirating future. It is this newly-found zeitgeist that makes me want to say “Ich bin ein Berliner, und ich liebe es!� (I am a Berliner and I love it!)

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MAPAGKAKATIWALAAN MAAASAHAN MAGAAN SA BULSA

68 GLOBETROTTER’s BLOG

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

Destination:

Beijing

Globetrotter:

Marianne Silloriquez How to get there: You can fly Emirates Airlines or China Southern direct. We took Qatar Air because it has the best rate and schedule at that time. Since it’s around nine hours travel, it’s advisable to get into an evening flight so you don’t waste a day on the plane.

Where to stay: Three star hotels are not bad; they have the regular amenities you need.

Ours cost us about AED900 for 5 nights on twin sharing basis. Hotel personnel are generally helpful, although communication was quite a problem. Try to learn a few basic Chinese phrases like “Who can speak English” and “I don’t understand” these will come in handy. Consider to select a hotel that is near the subway station, because in Beijing it is the best means of transportation.

How to dress: Depending on the season you plan to travel, it’s a must to wear comfortable shoes as there will be a lot of walking.

If you’re planning to go during the winter, around November – December like we did, you will need layers of clothing to keep warm; be sure to pack a bonnet, scarf and gloves especially if you’re planning to climb the Great Wall. It’s best to check weather conditions on your time of travel to be prepared.

What to bring: Travel guide with Chinese translation (the language barrier can be a real problem!), budget for shopping as it will be too hard to resist the urge to shop when you see how unbelievably low-priced the stuff there are and besides your big luggage and hand bags, have an empty extra bag in the large bag you will be checking in. In the last day of your trip you will be amazed at how much stuff you have bought. And of course you don’t want to forget your camera.

Must do and must visit: Getting around Beijing is easy and surprisingly inexpensive. Opt to take the subway

to go around the city – reliable and easy as directional signs are clear.

They save you a lot of time too.

Among the must see places are: the Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City which are just across one another, Jingshan Park (Prospect Hill) here is where you will get the best view of the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Olympic Stadium, and for animal lovers – find the Panda House inside the Beijing Zoo. Allow yourself to do some shopping.

Practice your bargaining skills at Wangfujing Street, Silk Market or Panjiayuan Market. And just across the Beijing Zoo in what seems to be a bus terminal is a bargain market where most of the locals shop – we got some real good deals here!

GLOBETROTTER’s BLOG 69

wall has got many sections, I suggest you go to the Badaling section; it is the most well-preserved section of the Great Wall, built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). This section with an average altitude of over 1,000 meters (3,282 feet) is the outpost of the Juyongguan Pass. The mountain slope is very steep and the roads are tortuous. These features made it a military stronghold. Arranged tours usually include trips to the Ming Tombs (also a must visit), Jade and Silk factories. This tour cost around AED200 per head.

What to avoid: The Chinese are somewhat hard sellers, and although shopping will be a fun adventure the sellers can be too insistent. When they start to be too aggressive, just leave.

Treat yourself to authentic Beijing (Peking) duck right where it actually originated, it is the local flavor of Beijing. Get adventurous and try some street food like the Jian Bing (a crepe like snack with egg, scallions, chili paste and hoisin sauce – best eaten when warm), Bingtang hulu (Candied hawthorn), Suanlafen (spicy and sour noodles), Malatang (boiled veggies, bean curd, fish ball, shrimp, meat, chicken – the choice is actually yours, with chili and sesame paste). Brave?

Grab a bite of some exotic selection of insects, sea creatures and even scorpions which can be deep fried to order (we found these in Wangfujing food street).

Finally, your trip to Beijing will not be complete without climbing the Great Wall. It is a symbol of Chinese civilization and a visit to the wall is like a tour through China’s history. The

How much money do I need for this trip: Your daily food and transportation allowance will not be more than AED100. Ticket and entrance fees are at the average – AED30, set aside around AED 1,500 for shopping (that’s more than enough). AED3,000 for a week’s holiday excluding airfare is adequate for you to survive. Advisable to bring credit card and cash (when using the ATM in China, remember you will have to pay the taxes, so try to withdraw the maximum).

Ultimate travel tip: China is a bargain hunter’s paradise – you can get almost anything at unbelievable cost. But be aware, the initial price offered by the seller is usually at least 40% over the general price acceptable. It can even be up to 500% over especially in tourist areas. So always ask for the least price and haggle with a smile, the vendors would usually give in to happy clients.

Over all, Beijing is a very nice place to visit. It is education and adventure all in one. You will be in awe with their ancient palaces and gardens, temples, pagodas, hutungs, architecture, arts and culture that are well preserved.

It’s like stepping back in time when the emperors and empresses still reign – back to back with the modern and busy metropolis filled with the towering structures of today bringing you back to reality. It’s a totally great experience!

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5 70 TRIPPIN’

“lovely” things To Do this Valentines

By Sherry Tenorio

So, this is the love month! And, we know that apart from being in ‘celebrating mode,’ everyone is quite stressed out thinking of what to do, where to go, what gift to buy, etcetera, for that special someone. Here at Illustrado, we mean to give you ideas that will make your life easy and fabulous at the same time. Take our advice and we promise you an absolutely great time. Enjoy, and spread the love!

Ride your way to the top of Burj Khalifa

Sing your hearts out in Hibiki Do you want to serenade your better half with “Be My Lady” but are afraid to disturb your neighbors? Or, do you want to shout out about your broken heart with “I Will Survive”? Don’t fret. You can still express all those feelings through songs by going to Hibiki, the karaoke joint at the Hyatt Regency. It is an open bar where a huge screen will guide you to the lyrics while the rest of the guests watch you sing your heart out. There is no need to worry about singing in public because with or without a voice like Beyonce, as long as you have the guts of a Lady Gaga, you will definitely have a blast.

The regulars at Hibiki are very accommodating to first timers, and are totally supportive of your venture to public karaoke singing.

But, if you really feel embarrassed to sing in front of hundreds of people then get a reserved room where you can cry out or serenade in private.

1

Hold hands with your loved one or take a family day out, or ask friends to join you, and be whisked away by the speedy elevators that will take you to the awe-inspiring view of the city of gold. Marvel at the beauty of Dubai as you reach the peak of the tallest building in the world - Burj Khalifa. The tower is now open to entertaining guests to its 124th floor where At the Top serves as an observation deck. Aside from the breathtaking scenery that will fill your eyes, you can even buy mementos that will make you remember your special day at the Burj. It is both fun and romantic! Tickets are available for purchase online or at the ticket office in Dubai Mall.

Make sure that you book for reserved admissions to get the lower rates of AED 100 per adult and AED 75 per child. For more information, visit the website www. burkhalifa.ae.

3

TRIPPIN’ 71

Dine in the first-ever Barrio Fiesta in the UAE

Treat your family and friends for a sit-down dinner at the cozy Filipino restaurant that has been serving sumptuous dishes that are both traditional and fusion. It is indeed a good way to bond with your family at Barrio Fiesta - the famous Filipino food chain that opened at the Burjuman Mall last November. Catch up with friends or simply spend time with your other half. Ditch the diet, and sample their must-try have dishes such as karekare, sinigang na hipon, laing, bagoong rice, Bacolod garlic rice, sago at gulaman and halo-halo. This experience may give you a bloated feeling for a night but it will certainly make you feel at home. It is just as if you were eating at the Barrio Fiesta in EDSA. So, call the restaurant and reserve your seats for a well-deserved dinner with your family and/or friends.

4 Visit the world at the Global Village Admit it. One of your dreams is to travel the world with your loved ones.

Well, there’s an easy way to fulfill your dreams by going out of the city, heading down to Dubailand, and taking pleasure in the many activities at the Global Village. The venue is a must for every tourist and resident of the emirates as it delights in a unique way by bringing the world together in one venue. People who come to Global Village are presented with pavilions of different countries that offer their authentic products and services. Aside from this rare shopping experience, Global Village also brings this year about 6,000 cultural shows including performances of Filipino folk dances as showcased by Filipino dance troupes. Other than that, the park has fun fair rides and games that appeal to all ages. You may opt t ride the huge ferris wheel or take a an adrenaline-packed roller coaster ride. You can also play the win-a-stuffed-toy game to score an instant gift for your loved one. Global Village also has diverse dining options catering to your international or Filipino food choices. The last day of the Global Village is February 27, so mark it on your calendar.

5

Attend the Dubai International Jazz Festival

The annual celebration of Dubai International Jazz Festival is on this month. If you are a jazz enthusiast then this is a must-attend event for you. If you are not a jazz fan then it is still a must-event to attend. Go out of your box and try something new. The Dubai International Jazz Festival 2010 features a number of great jazz musicians including James Morrison, David Gray and The Brand New Heavies in the headline.

What’s more, the festival is going to take place at the Dubai Media City amphitheatre where people can enjoy the weather and the music in an outdoor concert. Just sit on the grass or grab some bean bags, chill out while listening to the great music and watch talented artists perform.

If you are single then perhaps it is a good place to meet some new friends. If you are in a relationship, it is perfect for a romantic evening.

So, what more can you ask for? For ticket information, visit the website www.dubaijazzfest.com.

72 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.

Oh, the Drama and the Chika, Meh Ganun?

By Aby Yap

Long before Emo and Twitter were invented, Pinoys already held the titles of undisputed Kings and Queens of Drama and Chika (though the question whether we should proudly and mightily cling to these tags is another story). Why, we could have well conceived them ourselves! With our renowned flair for theatrics and info-sharing, we’d put those teddy bear-hugging, all black/bangs/ eyeliner-wearing, I’m-angsty-coz-I-didn’t-take-a-bath-for-weeks-looking bagets (or feeling bagets) and social networking a.k.a. rumor mongering sites to shame.

Now, don’t get hysterical if it offended you in any way. See, I just heard this one from a very trusted source…

Lights, Camera, Action!

For crying out loud, why do we always (as in ALWAYS) shed a bucket, some nearly a palanggana, of tears every time there’s an opportunity? Emotional outbursts during funerals are forgivable, alright, even if scenes of relatives and neighbors (?!) collapsing and lines of “Bakit mo kami iniwan?

Sasama ako sa iyo!” scream cliché. We can take in wedding productions too, okay, since there’s a lot of stress involved during the preparations, especially on the part of the blushing bride and the grieving groom (condolences to the issuing credit card company). But parents vying for Best Actor and Actress trophies? Even if the 30-ish newly married couple will stay with them in their very home right after the ceremony, save for an overnight honeymoon, ‘till death do them all part?! Oh, did someone just mumble OA? Wait, more Oscar aspirants are out there!

Action-packed neighbors who wake up

FILIPINISMS 73

the whole barangay with their eardrumwrecking, litany-of-complaints showdown complemented by props of banging pans and smashing bottles. There’s even a bonus of never-before-heard expletives — the variety of which may require a linguist’s interpretation. Then there’s also this sensitive breed of performers who can deliver an act only when there’s alcohol around. Give them bilog or lapad and the wailing galore starts, followed by tales of their haunted past, complicated present, and uncertain future — the kind that would challenge Mara Clara’s endless search for the overrated diary. Now, if there’s a videoke within reach, that’s when tragedy turns into terror. A night of all senti songs, a My-hik!-Way here, a Bashang-basha sa Ulan there — truly heartbreaking.

For something beyond depressing, tada!

— there’s the Pinoy telenovela. Rich boy falls in love with poor girl. Rich boy’s rich parents pay millions to poor girl, just so she’ll leave rich boy alone. Poor girl refuses. Rich boy’s rich parents get angry, so they order their goons to rape/kidnap/ disfigure/murder poor girl and her poor parents. Poor girl, who’s surprisingly a miracle baby, survives (otherwise, there won’t be a story), but her poor parents don’t. Then she learns rich boy was married off to some rich girl. Poor girl, fuming and trembling in the storm, announces a sumpa — a promise that she’ll take revenge on everyone who hurt her. Poor girl becomes rich, hires her own goons, and retaliates at rich boy/girl/parents. After several singhalan/sampalan/sabunutan/sapakan sessions, poor-girl-turned-into-rich-girl realizes she still loves rich boy despite everything. Rich boy and his rich parents ask for forgiveness (seeing that she can now match their status). Meanwhile, rich boy’s rich wife gets stung by a bee and dies peacefully. Rich boy and poor-girl-turnedinto-rich-girl can now live happily every after.

But the winner of them all is — drum roll, please — it’s a tie! Our showbiz birthday celebrants and showbiz talk show interviewees! For crying out loud, why do they always (as in ALWAYS) shed a single tear (or two) every time there’s a surprise guest? A surprise guest who’s the same surprise guest with the same surprise message year in, year out and who also happens to live in the same house as they do. Naman! By now, they should have learned to bring a nice hanky towelette or a tissue roll, at the very least. Well, unless… ‘yun na!

Say Tsis...mis!

What’s is it that combined with pandesal and kapeng barako makes for a hearty breakfast? And along with iskargu (isda, karne, gulay — remember your Batibot!) makes for a totally sumptuous lunch and dinner? What else but tsismis! You can even forego merienda as long as you have tsismis — fresh and juicy to share with as many people as you can. Discreetly, please.

(Discreetly daw, oh!)

It could be about this old, grumpy neighbor who never leaves the house. (Nancy Drew alert! Is she hiding too many skeletons in the closet?) Or, that colleague whose breath alone can already give you an instant summary of what he feasted on. (Nose for newsflash! Bet he had kare-kare with lots of bagoong last night and lots of garlic with fried rice on the side today.) It could be about Jinky sobbing all of a sudden, Manny looking apologetic, and Krista keeping mum. (Hah! Mommy D must have given the Pacman a little spanking for being a naughty boy…again. Ask Ara.) Or, Mar taking the backseat to hand Noynoy a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take control of the ride to Malacañang. (Wow, that would mean a revival for the defunct Kris and Korina show, soon to be subtitled the Palace Big Brother edition.)

Yep, chikadoras, gossip comes in all types of packages just as it goes around in all types of circles practically everywhere. It doesn’t even matter if you’re friends or strangers. You can share or hear it while on the MRT, LRT, jeepneys, buses, tricycles, tricycad or in schools, sari-sari stores, beauty parlors, funeral homes, bars, private and government offices, police stations, parish churches — sorry, no one’s too macho, too sosyal, or too holy for tsismis that’s much too delightful to ignore. (Read: Everyone’s simply capable of gossiping, even if your excuse is that you want to be “in the know.”) Besides, aren’t we supposed to follow that commandment “Log, er, Love thy neighbor(‘s activities)?”

So next time you need to make small talk with somebody and that “How’s the weather?” appetizer seems a little too bland for your taste, why not start with something sizzling and spicy? No, don’t rant on the wicked members of your clan or community, even if you think you got valid reasons to backstab with sharp words because, well, they’re extremely annoying.

That’s not only tacky; it’s downright dreary because nobody cares about people they don’t know. Read up on Ricky Lo for the professional sort of tsismis, amateur. That way, too, you won’t be sued for slander in case, by a fantastic twist of fate, Hayden hears you singing Careless Whisper.

74 FILIPINISMS

Nasaan na kaya si Annie B? Ano na kaya ang nangyari sa kanya?

Makakatagpo ba siya ng Pag-ibig?

Masisibak ba siya sa kanyang career?

Fabulosa pa rin kaya siya this 2010?

FILIPINISMS 75

Abangan...

76 COMMUNITY

Nanay Tuneng to Participate at Gulfood 2010

Saudi-based Filipino Journalist Launches Maiden Book in the US Casiano P. Mayor Jr., an Editor to the Jeddah-based Saudi Gazette, launched his first book “The Gypsy Soul and Other Essays” in the United States. The book is a collective of essays that tackle political and social malaise in the Philippines and the plight of Overseas Filipinos (OFs) who are forced to look for greener pastures in foreign shores.

Many of the 33 essays, largely written in literary prose, are haunting.

The book starts with Mayor’s “Remembering Ginablan”, a recollection of his adolescence in a small farming village in Romblon where he grew up. The author writes about some personal experiences – both secular and spiritual – in his search for meaning in life which he hopes “will find echoes in the hearts of other people”. His spiritual journey has given him the inspiration and experiences to write the main essay “The Gypsy Soul.”

In “The Gypsy Soul and Other Essays”, Mayor also unveils his deepseated disdain for the local politicians whom he blames for the country’s tight economic situation that forced millions of Filipinos to look for greener pastures in other countries.

The book, published by Outskirts Press in Denver, Colorado, is now available at amazon.com. “The Gypsy Soul and Other Essays” will be distributed by Barnes and Noble in the US. For more information about Mayor and his book, visit the website http://outskirtspress. com/thegypsysoulandotheressays.

Filipino native snack, sweets and condiments brand Nanay Tuneng is participating at the Gulfood 2010 held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre on February 21 to 24. This food industry conference paves the way for the exhibitors to maximize brand exposure, win new customers and improve corporate efficiency.

Nanay Tuneng’s participation in Gulfood 2010 is indeed an essential means to promoting and distributing the products across the region.

According to Isabel Warren, creator of the brand and Managing Director of Tri-Trade International FZE, the most sought after Nanay Tuneng products in the UAE are the fish, crab and prawn flavored crackers, and the biscuits such as Special Jacobina, Mamon Tostado, Pilipit, Garlic Toast, Otap, Butter Toast, Galletas de Patatas. Snack foods like Adobo Peanut, Cornick Garlic, Tamarind in sweet, salted and sweet chili flavors plus the bottled sweets such as Nata de Coco, Sugar Palm (Kaong), Sport String (Macapuno) and Agar-agar (Gelatine Bar available in red and green colors) are among the favorites.

Aside from exhibiting in Gulfood, Nanay Tuneng has also gained retail distribution in Spinney’s group, one of the country’s supermarket giants. In the next two years, Tri-Trade International FZC, based in Al Quoz, Dubai, aims for the Nanay Tuneng brand to be the leader in terms of Philippine food products sold within the UAE. The company is also investing in product advertising to further expose the brand. TriTrade International FZC and its sister company Tri-First International General Trading LLC has accounting, merchandising, warehouse and delivery personnel at its main office at Al Quoz, Dubai.

For more information about Nanay Tuneng, visit the website www. tri-tradeintl.com.

SPOTLIGHT: The Achievers Toastmasters Club The Achievers Toastmasters Club is a young and dynamic subsidiary movement established from the main movement that originated in USA – the Toastmasters International. The Toastmasters International is a world-wide organization that is committed towards developing selfconfidence and potential public speaking skills through mentoring sessions, shared experiences with members and other communication media.

The Club was chartered at the Toastmasters International Headquarters in California, USA on the 4th quarter of 2004. The establishment of this club is aimed at creating assertive and effective Filipino professionals.

From its purely Filipino membership, the Club is now composed of different nationalities with different professions.

In the Toastmasters world, the Achievers have earned different awards like Distinguished Club Award, The Effective Communicator Award, Silver Tongue Award, and the Achiever Award by the Toastmasters International and by the District.

In the local community, the Achievers Toastmasters Club is tapped

by UAE Philippine Embassy to help organize its programs and events. Its members are also conducting seminars and workshops on communication, leadership, professional image, self confidence and others for free.

Without doubt, the Achievers Toastmasters Club is not only a home for individual improvement and interest, but a team that provides social responsibility, a team to rely on and a team full of substance.

The dedicated blog of the club is http://www.achieverstoastmaster. wordpress.com. Interested parties may send inquiry to the Club’s email address achieverstoastmastersauh@yahoo.com.

COMMUNITY 77

JV Casio was chosen as the Best Point Guard of the tournament

The RP Squad thanks the Filipino crowd for their support

Pinoy basketball fans support RP squad

SMART GILAS PILIPINAS:

A team with a big heart Text and Photos by Albert Alba

Yes, they may have lost a semifinal game against a highly fancied Al Riyadi squad of Lebanon despite leading by five points in the final two minutes of the game. And yes, they may have lost their first game in the elimination round against the Al Jalaa squad of Syria.

But the Smart Gilas Pilipinas developmental basketball squad, whose participation at the 21st Dubai International Basketball Championships was sponsored by Smart Communications and GMA-7, did surprise other RP’s Marnel Baracael’s firepower from the opponents by winning four 3-point area straight games against tough teams like the Al Nasr Club of the UAE, Champville of Lebanon, Zain of Jordan, and Jazeera of Egypt.

More importantly, they earned the respect and admiration of other teams, players, officials, fans and organizers at the tournament.

And despite not being able to make it to the championship round, this was probably one of the few times that Filipino fans didn’t feel bitter or started pointing a finger at someone to blame for the team’s misfortune.

The reason: plain and simple – everybody, Filipinos and other nationalities alike, were all one in praising the squad for their skill, talent, speed, teamwork and most especially their determination to give their best and go for a win.

It is therefore of no surprise and a true expression of sportsmanship that Demetric Shaw, a key import and player of Syria’s Al Jalaa squad (the team that Smart Gilas beat for third place), went out of his way to go to the locker room of the Filipino players just to tell them that on behalf of his team, “You guys are the best team in the tournament and deserve to win because you played with the biggest heart.”

Another competitor who praised the Philippine squad was Foaud Abouchakra, head coach of the highly fancied Al Riyadi team of

Lebanon which the Filipino squad almost defeated in the semifinal game, as he mentioned that, “The Filipino team is the most talented team. They are full of skill. They play together. And I believe they have a great future.”

“It was a big plus for the Dubai tournament to have the Smart Gilas (team). I like a lot the players. I already met them during the Asian championships and it was a very big game between Al Riyadi and Smart Gilas. Hopefully we can meet this team because they can make basketball really better in our region,” Abouchakra added.

In addition, Naji Abdul Razagh Mohammadi, lead organizer of the tournament also joined Shaw and Abouchakra in praising the Filipino team as he stated that, “The most important thing this year was having the surprise of the Filipino team Smart Gilas which we didn’t expect would have a lot of spectators to support them and encourage them to reach the semifinal. I’m so proud of them and they played very well.”

“We are planning to get next year two teams from the Philippines, one from the PBA and we’ll be getting Smart Gilas for sure next year,” he added.

Lacking in height and heft against much taller, heftier and more experienced opponents, an all-Filipino crew composed of Chris Tiu, Mark Barocca, JV Casio, Mac Baracael, Jason Ballesteros, Japeth Aguilar, JR Cawaling, Dylan Ababou and Fil-Ams Greg Slaughter and Marcio Lassiter, held their ground and more than made up for whatever physical deficiencies they had by showing grit and determination to win in spite all the odds.

The amount of praises the Filipino squad received only goes to show that in the world of sports, as is contained in the oath of sportsmanship for athletes, it is not all about losing or winning that counts, but how the game is played.

And this team with a big heart truly gave every Filipino, especially those working and living in the UAE, another reason to be proud of being a Filipino! Indeed, a testament to the true character of the Filipino, whether in sports or in their professional careers in the UAE, and that of giving their best no matter what.

78 ILLUSTRADO FACES Celebrating innate Pinoy charm

Uno Rodriguez Photography by Ik Lumberio Fashion courtesy of Giordano

ILLUSTRADO FACES 79 Celebrating innate Pinoy charm

Marivic Mendoza Photography by Ik Lumberio Fashion courtesy of Giordano

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82 CLASSIFIEDS - ILLUSTRADO PARTNERS FILIPINO & FILIPINO-ORIENTED ESTABLISHMENTS BEAUTY SALONS BUR DUBAI, DUBAI Beauty Secret Concord Building 2, Mankhool, Bur Dubai Tel. 04 358 1477

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Silky Touch Ladies Salon Mars & Venus Beauty Salon Al Badaa Oasis Tower, Satwa (at Office 202, 2nd Floor, Bin Hamad Building, the back of Chow King) Opposite Emirates Bank International Tel. No: 04 345 0092 Tel. 04 344 9219 RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE KARAMA, DUBAI Silky Touch Ladies Salon Bernadita Ladies Salon 1st Flr, Room # 4, Sheikh Umar Al Wasl Bldg., Karama Bldg., Al Nakheel Road, Ras Al Tel 04 335 3049 Kaimah, UAE Tel 050 798 5139 Fingers & Toes Salon M4 Karama Gold Bldg., Beside Jumbo SUPERMARKETS Electronics, Karama ABU DHABI Tel. 04 336 6495 Saba International Trading Near Dana Hotel, Tourist Club, Fingers & Toes Salon Abu Dhabi Shop 70 Al-Attar Center, Karama Tel. 02 645 7800 Tel. 04 335 7656 Queen Saba Supermarket Lilac Beauty Salon Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi Behind Day-to-Day Shop Tel. 02 666 6280 Al Kuwait Road, Karama Tel. 04 397 3369 Queen Saba Supermarket Behind Al Salama Hospital, Reflection Beauty Centre Hamdan St., Shops 7-8 Al-Attar Mall, Karama Tourist Club, Abu Dhabi Tel. 04 334 1033 Tel. 02 677 7626 Sensei Salon Behind Day to Day Shop Al Kuwait Road 12 d street Al Karama Tel 043976652 SATWA, DUBAI Mars & Venus Beauty Salon Office # 202, 2nd Floor, bin Hamad Bldg., Dubai Landmark: Opposite Emirates Bank International Tel 04 344 9219

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May tatakbuhan ka ba sa panahon ng matinding pangangailangan?

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

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

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

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

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

Maging miyembro na ng FILEX ngayon.

Mga kabayan,atin ito.

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

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

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