ILLUSTRADO Magazine Dec 2015

DEC 2015-JAN 2016

CHAMPIONING THE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO

FEELS LIKE HOME! How Filipinos celebrate christmas abroad Hello, Snow!

Winter Wonderland, Pinoy-Style

Wake Up & Start Dreaming Planning Smart for 2016 ISSUE

102

ROLLICK #Season2BMerry

’TIS THE SEASON TO GO CRAZY Festive, merry, and maddening

Holiday Hugot!

Coping with seasonal sadness

TURNING PASSION INTO MONEY Hit that moneymaking sweet spot!

PHOTOGRAPHY by EROS GOZE

EDITOR’S NOTE

To endings and new beginnings Every year, we are always hit by the sense of urgency the holidays bring – all the parties to attend, decorations to put up at home, preparations for the Christmas and New Year feasts, as well as the gifts shopping to be done, not to mention the year-end requirements at work with all deadlines culminating before the holidays.

Typically, the month of December and early January passes us by in a blur – albeit a sparkly one at that. It’s so easy to just get caughtup in the whirlwind of holiday activities, as we jump from one celebration to the other, eat from one table to the next, and jostle our way through the festively decorated malls.

It’s at times like these when I feel like defying the mad rush, just to take a step back to take stock of this special moment.

After all, isn’t this the time of the year when we should be most reflective - not only because of the spiritual significance of Christmas, but also the fact that we’re at the very crossroads between our old life and the new one that awaits?

It is so important to be able to reflect on all the gifts, the challenges, breakthroughs, and lessons that we have been bestowed this past year, and to ponder how we’re going to be better, and build on what we already have to make the next year one of growth and continued blessings.

So, step away from those Christmas wrapping papers. Get your mind off the food you need to prepare, or the new ensemble you’ve been planning to wear to that ever important company party.

Stop, breathe, reflect and say thank you.

Lest we miss what’s most important.

A Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year to all of you.

Taas Noo, Filipino!

Lalaine Chu-Benitez Editor-in-Chief

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CONTRIBUTORS DEC 2015

FRANCISCO COLAYCO

ALFRED “KRIP” A. YUSON Highly esteemed Filipino writer Krip Yuson has published a myriad of books, including novels, poetry, short stories, children’s stories, biographies and screenplays. He has been elevated to the Hall of Fame of the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, the Philippines’ most prestigious literary distinction. He regularly regales Illustrado readers in his column, ‘Illuminati,’ with stories and musings on upcoming elections’ presidentiables.

Francisco Colayco is an entrepreneur, venture developer and financial adviser who has written many books that advocate Filipinos to financially prosper. He is Illustrado’s resident money expert and personal finance guru, and this month, he talks about how to convert one’s passion into a business.

BO SANCHEZ Bro Bo Sanchez is a man of many achievements.

You’ve probably already read his best-selling books, attended one of his seminars, or even seen him on TV or online. Bo Sanchez – or Bro. Bo, doesn’t really need any introduction. This Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardee, best-selling author and respected speaker shares worthwhile words of wisdom with Illustrado readers every month in his column on Spirituality. In this season of giving, Bro. Bo talks about being a giver.

BARNEY ALMAZAR, ESQ Atty. Barney is a director at the Commercial Department of Gulf Law in the Middle East, Philippines and United Kingdom. He holds a UAE legal consultancy license and is a lifetime member of the Philippine Bar. He is a holder of Juris Doctor and MBA dual degrees with concentration on International Business and European Union Law (University of London).

ANNA DE LEON

IRVIN RIVERA This month’s fashion editorial features the photography of California-based Irvin Rivera, whose works have been featured in cutting edge contemporary US titles including Fantastics Mag, Vigore, Jute, Huf, Rude, Gale Magazine, MOD, Discourse, among others. Irvin says he used to draw Dragon Ball Z characters until he got his first 3.2 MP Digital Camera. Thereafter, his love for films, art and literature has led him to creating fashion stories and editorials which not only feature the style of the day, but also tell a story.

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EXCEL DYQUIANCO

ABY YAP Aby’s Onli in da Pilipins column touches on stories celebrating the exciting uniqueness, the sheer honesty and humor, of Pinoy culture.

Aby captures Pinoy way of life so well that everyone can relate to her column or at least see one of your relatives among them! In this issue, Aby writes about the Christmas gifts you’re always bound to receive.

Excel Dyquianco is both a vagabond and a writer.

He has tackled all sorts of topics for illustrado from issues, to notable personalities, to travel.

This month, Excel gets off the wanderer’s trail to write about what Filipinos need to include in their 2016 plans. He also talks to some Filipinos who won’t have the benefit of being with loved ones this festive season.

A trained make-up artist, Anna de Leon is a beauty advocate teaching women the fundamentals of skincare, and the art of bringing out one’s best through make-up. She has been conducting her transformative ‘Faces by Anna de Leon’ workshops since 2009 as well as ‘Up Close and Personal’, her one-toone make-up classes.

CHAMPIONING THE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lalaine Chu-Benitez CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mon Benitez ASSOCIATE EDITOR Rav De Castro

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COLUMNISTS Aby Yap Alfred “Krip” Yuson Barney Almazar Bo Sanchez Francisco Colayco CONTRIBUTING WRITERS – UAE, PHILIPPINES, CANADA Mary Ann “Maps” Santos SWITZERLAND Nephele Kirong Angela Mapa Nikka Sarthou Anna Oposa Nina Terol-Zialcita Barbara Marchadesch P.A. Escalante Candice Lopez Quimpo Princes Nedamo Dante Gagelonia Quay Evano Didi Paterno Rache Hernandez Excel Dyquianco Regina Layug-Lucero Kara Santos Sherry Tenorio Mary Ann Marchadesch CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS – UAE, PHILIPPINES & USA Alex Calueng Eros Goze Cristina Linaza Raen Badua Rozen Antonio Irvin Rivera Herson Nebaya Jef Anog CONTRIBUTING FASHION CREW UAE, HONGKONG, PHILIPPINES Ginno Alducente Jessie Tabla Jojo Padua Valentino Montuerto Jasmin PUBLISHER – UAE Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2nd Floor, Building 2, Dubai Media City United Arab Emirates P.O. Box 72280 Office 20C Tel: +971 4 365 4543, 365 4547 Fax: +971 4 360 4771 E-mail: admin@illustrado.net Web: illustradolife.com, illustrado.co Facebook: Illustrado Magazine Twitter: Illustrado Magazine PRINTERS Printwell Printing LLC P.O. Box 18828 Dubai, UAE STOCK IMAGES Shutterstock.com (Unless otherwise specified) Copyright Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2006 – 2015 All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC.

DEC 2015 CONTENTS Irvin Rivera photographs Fil-Am model Diana Carl on the glitzy streets of Hollywood in California Dreamin’.

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FEATURES Pinoy Christmas Around the World 10 I won’t be home for Christmas 20 Our first white Christmas 23 Planning for the Future 28 You are what you dream 30

COLUMNS Editor’s Note 1 Contributor 4 Illuminati: The Merry Mad Race Continues

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Blog: Coping with Christmas away from Pinas 18 Blog: Celebrating the Holidays in KSA 19 Spirituality: Be a Giver 26 It’s What I Do 32 Money: Converting your passion into a business 36 Law: UAE Immigration Review 38 Scrapbook 42 Beauty: In the Lap of Luxury 56 Filipino Traveler: Europe Behind the Wheel 64 Blog: Tourist or Traveler 70 Onli in Da Pilipins: Pinoy Gifts 72

FASHION & BEAUTY California Dreamin’ 44 Fit for a Queen 58

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I L L U M I N AT I

The mad & merry race goes on

By Krip Yuson

After a bit of a slowdown in the presidential race, developments have suddenly ratcheted up towards yearend, so that barely two months before the start of the official campaign period, candidacies may be said to have spun in and out of control.

Davao’s “Digong” Duterte (or should we say Davao Death Squad’s) has played the card his supporters have prayed for, throwing his hat into the ring at the very last minute.

Pulling out another fanciful item from what has become his usual bag of unexpected antics, he pounced on the Senate Electoral Tribunal’s clearance of Senator Grace Poe as a legitimate candidate, claiming the close 5-4 vote in Poe’s favor as his single motivation to go for the presidency himself — if only, as he singled out his new cause, to stop an American from gaining the helm at Malacañang Palace.

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The move appeared to be well-timed, if exposing once again the typical escape clauses among the Comelec’s rules and regulations. Now it’s become clear that an official deadline for registering one’s candidacy for the highest office of the land can be disregarded. One only needs some stoolie, er, proxy, to file his papers in behalf of a political party, only to be substituted weeks after that supposed deadline.

Why, it doesn’t even matter if that proxy makes a “clerical” mistake and files his candidacy for city mayor instead. The substitute, in this case Duterte, can claim that it’s really for the presidency, and it’s now up to the Comelec to allow for such an error.

Meanwhile, the poll body’s Second Division disqualifies Grace Poe, drawing charges that the three-man committee simply tossed aside her pleadings citing

evidence of an honest mistake in her own previous filing of a Certificate of Candidacy (COC) when she ran for senator. Based on that filing, she would be short of the required residency period of ten years to be accepted as a presidential candidate.

Her chief lawyer insists that the phraseology in the previous form had thrown off the senatorial candidate in 2013. And that the Comelec itself had since reworded the document for the 2016 filing, which should allow some benefit of the doubt regarding her error.

Solid evidence presented included her presence in the native country a good ten years before next year’s election, with intent to regain residency (not just citizenship) buttressed by the fact that she and her husband had sold their property in the U.S., enrolled their kids in Manila schools, and established a new abode back home.

I L L U M I N AT I

But all these appeared to have been bypassed by the three Comelec commissioners in their deliberation, which eventually stuck to her error in the previous COC filing as “material misrepresentation” — another term for the practice of prevarication and deceit.

So here’s how Duterte’s timing for his own declaration has been cheered by his support groups. Canny as well was how a wealthy backer quickly contracted the reputable survey group SWS to conduct a two-day poll upon Duterte’s own declaration.

It showed a massive swing of support going his way, establishing him as the frontrunner by a mile — with 38% as against Poe’s suddenly reduced 21% in a tie with Vice President Jojo Binay’s own reputed number, while the administration party’s own bet now languished at 15%, and the fringe candidate Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago at 5%.

Rational (not rabid) observers were quick to point out that SWS’s privately commissioned survey revolved around a question that was practically begged — that is, enough to sway potential voters to proclaim their choice of Duterte when his name alone seemed to have been given prominence in the new list of five names.

That possibility can be argued to kingdom come. So will Duterte’s apparent show of hubris with his heightened use of expletives in the days following his declaration — in one controversial instance even being made at the expense of the Pope.

Suffice it to say that indeed, he has become media’s man of the moment: a polarizing force that had bishops condemning his pedestrian utterance, feminists raking him for being a self-confessed, womanizing rake, and human rights adherents going apoplectic over his own proud admission of committing extra-judicial “salvaging” of supposed criminals.

For now, Duterte’s bluster has served him in good stead. He has taken over the limelight, in particular proving appealing to a certain mindset convinced that what a democratic nation needs is a “Punisher.”

For her part, Grace Poe suffered yet another DQ, this time at the hands of the Comelec’s First Division, which consolidated the three other petitions against her and voted 2-1 to cancel her candidacy on the same grounds as “material misrepresentation” as well as of not being a natural-born Filipino.

Despite legal and other prominent voices coming to her defense, apart from a concert of voices accusing the Comelec of being a stamp pad of the ruling Liberal Party, the odds are clearly stacked against her for the moment.

Legally, she can and will still file a motion for reconsideration regarding that second consecutive DQ, then apeeal to the Comelec en banc. Experts deem it unlikely for the poll body to reverse its initial decisions. So it will be off to the Supreme Court for her — for either a final knockout or a near miracle of a “saving grace.”

Her supporters continue to find good

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cause in her now underdog image; they continue to rally behind her in greater numbers. But the question has become more pronounced: can they stave off a final ruling by the SC well before Election Day itself, so that her name in the ballot continues to be subject to a vote?

Duterte’s substitution ploy still also has to undergo deliberation by Comelec. If he too is thrown out as a candidate, suspicions can only rise as a crescendo of a hue and cry against what is speculated to be a plot by the ruling party to improve its own bet’s chances, by shafting those of the leading contenders.

And yet Mar Roxas’ own chances still appear to be dead in the water, so to speak, despite the funding that has reined in young movie stars to help him in television ads. And Miriam still seems to be more on sickbed to even mount a single public appearance to remind everyone that she’s still in the running.

And that’s how the mad and merry race has been in the lead-up for the turn of the year, when increasingly the bets will be on holiday frolic, themselves spinning this way and that.

In brief, it’s still anybody’s game, including Binay’s. Of whom, by the by, serious observers note a quiet conduct of what could turn out to be a more effective campaign especially on the grassroots level.

Run silent run deep: that’s what the erstwhile frontrunner could be doing.

F E AT U R E

A Pinoy Christmas around the World

Christmas Filipino-style is truly unique. From our long celebration spanning the ‘ber’ months, to Simbang Gabi and Noche Buena, our generous Christmas feasts at home, the way we exchange gifts through monito-monita, and so much more, the way we commemorate the season is quite legendary. But how do our kababayans observe Pasko when they’re in a home away from home?

Pinoys from around the globe, from the land Down Under, to Land of the Rising Sun to the US of A, share what it’s like to celebrate their own hybrid version of Christmas.

ALI AQUINO CAAMPUED Brisbane, Australia

In Australia, Christmas falls during the mid-summer holidays.

Locals hang wreaths on their front door and they go out Christmas carol singing on Christmas Eve. As a way of sharing the joy the season, the Australian Filipino communities hold traditional Filipino celebrations like the “Simbang Gabi.”

Our family celebrates Christmas the traditional way. We have a feast in our home, and sometimes go to friends’ homes for a Christmas Dinner Party where gifts are exchanged. We also decorate our house with bright lights and a Christmas tree. In our family, the youngest always places the star on top of the tree.

The kids enjoy watching the show “Carols by Candlelight” where carols are sung by performers before Santa comes. At exactly 12AM on the 25th of December, we open our presents while listening to Christmas songs.

To families across the globe, may the peace and blessings of Christmas be with your family, and may the coming year be filled with happiness.

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RONNIE & JOCELYN MERCADO Dublin, Ireland

In Ireland, where we have been living since 2002 and the rest of the family joined in 2006, Christmas food includes a round cake full of caraway seeds. Traditionally, one cake is made for each person in the house. You will see turkey and ham as well as the potatoes at the dinner table during Christmas Eve. Of course, there’s also a little bit of music and don’t forget the Christmas crackers. Kids usually have their own Santa socks that they hang near the fireplace so that they can put their written wishes. Every morning of the 25th of December, the children wake up very early and run to the Christmas tree where they can find their presents from “Santy”.

For our family, it has always been a tradition to go to church and attend evening mass where we say prayers for our loved ones. We celebrate Christmas in Dublin Filipino-style. Other Filipino families also come and visit our home and celebrate with us. As they say, the more the merrier! We usually have a potluck dinner. Some bring Filipino food while others bring traditional Irish dishes. Kris Kringle is very big in Dublin too!

CREATIVE DIRECTOR : MICHAEL CINCO PHOTOGRAPHER : ROZEN ANTONIO MAKE-UP ARTIST: VALENTINO MONTUERTO JASMIN PRODUCER: GYN MENDOZA COUTURE BY: BANDOIX FLORES NEBRIA ACCESSORIES BY BFN BIJOUX MODEL: LOU BUNYI-PAREJA ILLUSTRADO 13

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REI GARCIA London, UK

I’ve been in the UK since 2003. Met my wife Jemima here in London, got married and now, we have two children. We celebrate Christmas here in London a bit different from back home. Still iba pa rin sa atin.

In our case, we gather together with friends and relatives in one of our friends’ house for Christmas Eve. We all bring food and drinks and sometimes, fireworks, to celebrate. Of course, because life here is very much work, work, work, this is the only time we talk about life back home – especially how we miss Christmas back home. We all try to have a good time sharing and giving gifts to one another. Then, each family goes home before the sun rises. Then, in my case, like this coming Christmas night, sadly I have to go back for work.

Here in London, locals celebrate Christmas just mostly in their homes with family and friends. It’s all indoors because of the cold weather.

It rarely snows, especially at Christmas time, but the weather is still cold. It’s not like back home where you can see people everywhere in the streets, celebrating in their own different ways. That one, I truly miss.

To all Filipinos wherever you are, be with your loved ones on that special day and think of all the blessings you received this year and all the blessings that will come next year. Ignore all the bad things that happened before and learn from them. Love your family and spend every Christmas Day with them.

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NOEMI VICTORINO Vancouver BC, Canada

Most locals in my adoptive country celebrate Christmas with family. It is no different from how we Filipinos abroad spend Christmas. I guess people around the world, regardless of their background or ethnicity, place a high value on family and the importance of being together.

To Filipinos around the world - home is where the heart is. Where your family is, is where you will find your heart.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR : MICHAEL CINCO PHOTOGRAPHER : ROZEN ANTONIO MAKE-UP ARTIST: VALENTINO MONTUERTO JASMIN PRODUCER: GYN MENDOZA COUTURE BY: BANDOIX FLORES NEBRIA ACCESSORIES BY BFN BIJOUX MODEL: LOU BUNYI-PAREJA ILLUSTRADO 15

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BENNY SUMALILENG MENDOZA Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Christmas is celebrated here in Port Moresby just like any other place in the world. The city government starts the Christmas season by lighting the peoples’ park with different Christmas lights on the streets and the trees. Every night, people gather at the park to watch entertainment prepared by different groups.

The city government also proposed a competition for different business offices to have the most creative Christmas decorations and they will be rewarded. As soon as December starts, all the restaurants and hotels are very busy because businesses celebrate their Christmas parties then.

Our family celebrates Christmas together with other Filipinos who stay back in the city during the Christmas holiday. We

gather together in one hotel and celebrate amongst ourselves.

We also go to the Christmas program organized by the Filipino Association and celebrate with other families. We exchange gifts, we drink and we eat together. We watch Filipino channels on television just to feel the warmth of Christmas celebration in our country. We also use Skype, Facebook and Viber to reach out to our families back home.

To all the Filipinos around the globe, let’s not forget the real meaning of Christmas in our lives. Let’s go back to our families and be reunited if we were separated. Let’s forgive our friends who committed mistakes against us. Let’s not forget the traditions that our elders have taught us. To those who were not lucky enough to get a good job abroad do not lose hope. Keep your faith. God is with you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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ELMA SANCHEZ IRVING California, USA

I’ve been in the US for 25 years now - that’s quite a long time. Here, Christmas is fun with lots of decorations and lights everywhere. What I find different is the fact that they don’t celebrate as long as Filipinos do. For the most part, they wait until the end of November before they start any decorations or preparing for Christmas. This is due to another holiday that they celebrate which is Thanksgiving. We Filipinos as soon as the “ber” months hits, we’re in full gear with lights, Christmas Trees and Holiday music. Everyone seems to be happy and in the mood for celebrating.

Filipinos have a lot to look forward to leading to the actual day of Christmas which includes - carolers, Simbang Gabi, Midnight Mass and Noche Buena, unlike here in the US there’s the Christmas Shopping and the actual Christmas Day where everyone gathers, spends time with family and exchanges gifts.

On Christmas Day, we usually get together with the whole family including our grandparents, aunts and uncles and all the cousins which in our case would be a minimum of at least 30 to 50 people. Our cousins are pretty lucky and spoiled to still have aunts and uncles who take care of everyone during the holidays, We gather, we eat, we drink and we exchange gifts until everyone starts to leave for another party that they have to attend – usually at their in-laws. The very interesting part is that no matter what, everyone finds a way to stay as long as they can before heading out because they know that is never as much fun with the in-laws unless you’re married to a Filipino.

Maligayang Pasko, from my family to yours. We hope that wherever you are, even far from our home country you make it a point to celebrate and be merry. We wish you all with love, peace and happiness!!!

Although being Filipino, my family and I have managed to adapt and incorporate our Filipino ways in how we celebrate Christmas here.

Our family is very diverse. Our third generation (which I’m a part of) has married into different cultures. So when celebrating Christmas, we have to make sure we incorporate everyone’s practices. Especially when it comes to food, we have a mixture of Filipino, American and other countries specialty to make sure that we please everyone in the family. On the day before Christmas, we would usually go to a mass at night and have a small feast with the immediate family. We usually do it as late as possible like a “Noche Buena.” We will stay up as late as we can and as long as we can handle it; as you know there are no neighbors to visit and there are no carolers that can keep you up all night long.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR : MICHAEL CINCO PHOTOGRAPHER : ROZEN ANTONIO MAKE-UP ARTIST: VALENTINO MONTUERTO JASMIN PRODUCER: GYN MENDOZA COUTURE BY: BANDOIX FLORES NEBRIA ACCESSORIES BY BFN BIJOUX MODEL: LOU BUNYI-PAREJA ILLUSTRADO 17

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MAREAE RICCIA ADLAON Choa Chu Kang, Singapore

Since Singapore is home of different religions, not all people celebrate Christmas here. It’s totally different compared from what we have back home and from what I’m used to. For some, it’s just like a normal day, which, I respect because it’s what they believe in.

Christmas Singapore style is not as big as how other countries celebrate it. It has its own share of uniqueness though. Apart from the magnificent Christmas decors that you will see along Orchard Road where you won’t be able to resist stopping and taking a selfie, they also do have Christmas menus in most of the restaurants here, as well as the ever famous log cake which you can only buy during the holiday season.

We organize themed parties to celebrate the holidays. Games, drinks and lots of food are present during the celebration. Gladly for me, I celebrate Christmas with my sister, cousins and some close friends. And how can I forget, the Christmas exchange gift (Secret Santa) which is the highlight of our event every year.

With all that being said, this just goes to show that Christmas is Christmas. No matter where you are, who you’re with, how it’s being celebrated, the spirit of it will always be around cause it is definitely in everyone’s hearts.

During this yuletide season, I wish for continued blessings for everyone. This is not only a season of gift giving but also a time for us to spread love and kindness.

For my fellow kababayans who are celebrating away from their loved ones, I just want to remind you that you are away from

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home for a reason. You may not be able to celebrate Christmas with them now, but you’ll never know you might have the chance to be with them next year! So hang in there! Be strong!

Lastly, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God Bless us all!

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AYRA E. CANNON, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

The Japanese celebrate Christmas also but not like Filipinos because they are not Christians (although some Japanese have converted into Christianity, as well). They also put Christmas decors in their home and go for Christmas shopping too. They prepare Christmas cake and roasted chicken for Christmas Eve. We celebrate Christmas here in Japan the Filipino way. We go to church to complete Simbang Gabi. We also put up a Christmas tree and put Christmas dĂŠcor and lights around the house. I also put out our parol which I bought in the Philippines some years ago. On Christmas Eve, we prepare cake and roasted chicken too just like the Japanese. But not only that. We also prepare other Filipino favorites like spaghetti, pansit, barbeque and other kakanins.

My message to all Filipinos all over the world - have a very Happy Christmas! Let us all celebrate Christmas with love and peace with each other!!!

CREATIVE DIRECTOR : MICHAEL CINCO PHOTOGRAPHER : ROZEN ANTONIO MAKE-UP ARTIST: VALENTINO MONTUERTO JASMIN PRODUCER: GYN MENDOZA COUTURE BY: BANDOIX FLORES NEBRIA ACCESSORIES BY BFN BIJOUX MODEL: LOU BUNYI-PAREJA ILLUSTRADO 19

O N T H E P R O W L . I N T H E K N O W.

Coping with Christmas away from Pinas

By Ion Gonzaga, Dubai This is the 9th straight year that I’m not ‘home’ for Christmas

do that early before dawn. We don’t have authentic puto

and some people are trying to console me, helping to lift my

bumbong here. But in it’s place, we do have gingerbreads.

spirit. Well, it’s not really as bad as you think, since my family is here. It’s just that we can’t help but miss the genuine Pinoy-style

Christmas is not an official holiday. We have to go to work while

Christmas.

everyone back home goes door-to-door namamasko. If we’re used to do monito-monita Kris Kringle at work every December,

While in the Philippines, one can already feel Christmas spirit

here, we have Secret Santa, which is also as fun anyway. While

from as early as September, here we have to wait for summer

the highlight of Christmas in Pinas is the Noche Buena, here it is

and then Halloween to finish. The festive preparation begins only

the Christmas day brunch. If we are used to hamon and lechon,

after 2nd of December, and the spirit ends right after 25th.

out here we feast on roast turkey among others here.

But yuletide season in Dubai today has evolved quite well. It’s

If Manila has Boom na Boom every Christmas, in the emirates

not the same quiet season as it used to be nine years ago.

we troop to Global Village. If Filipinos are amazed at Policarpio

Thankfully, being an Islamic nation has never been a deterrent for

street lights in Mandaluyong, we have Downtown Dubai that is

this country to respect to other religions and cultural traditions.

always glowing with lights any day of the year. Despite these

That respect is quite evident in the way the government leads,

differences, there is this one common thing we never fail to do,

and in the tolerance and openness of people we witness every

be it here or in the Philippines, and that is shopping. Oh and

day. We see plenty of Christmas trees and decorations at the

I almost forgot, I think the biggest thing we miss the most,

malls, hotels and restaurants. We receive happy greetings from

emotions aside, is the ‘Christmas bonus.’ Agree?

our Muslim friends and party with people from all walks of life.

The festive spirit here isn’t that bad after all. It’s really only the Christmas tree lighting is has now become a big deal here. I

geographical separation that makes it emotional for some of us.

always get invited to such events that I never realized were huge - because back home, they are treated as very normal. Here, we

Anyhow, Merry Christmas everyone!

also listen to choirs singing. At the back of our minds, we are reminded of the same ‘carolling’ back home. Catholics attend

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Simbang Gabi in the UAE. But due to our work schedule, we do it

dadedidubai.com/

every night after work, unlike back home where we traditionally

ILLUSTRADO 20

O N T H E P R O W L . I N T H E K N O W.

Celebrating the Holidays in Saudi

By Leslie Fiestan – Riyadh

Christmas in the

programs a week before the start of the Christmas holidays.

Saudi Arabia is not publicly celebrated,

At work, we were not allowed to officially celebrate though we

just like any other

would still exchange gifts at an “isteraha”(a rented villa) if not at

non-Islamic holidays,

a colleague’s home. We just hope we don’t get raided.

we have to observe the occasion

Western compounds and embassies have their own celebrations

discreetly.

a few days before the holidays, as well. I quite like going to western compounds because they will always have someone

Back in the 80s here

dressed up as Santa. I’ve recently been to one western

in Riyadh, there

compound and apparently, they also hold a Christmas bazaar

were no shops that

every year. They had booths that sold all sorts of knick-knacks

sold fancy wreaths,

from souvenirs to gift ideas and ornaments. To go along with the

and traditional

festive mood they play Christmas songs and even had Santa ride

decorations like

atop a firetruck as he paraded around the lot.

ornamental balls or Santa and his

Saudi Arabia may seem boring and lifeless during this time

reindeers. We always

of year. It may even dampen your holiday cheer, but let’s all

made our own Christmas tree, and had the traditional gift

remember what this holiday is really about and as long as you’ve

giving, though I usually get my gift early and don’t have to wait

got your family, loved ones and friends with you, that’s all you’ll

until Christmas Eve to open them. My parents would make our

need to make it special.

Christmas tree and ornaments from scratch. They would mold wires or ice cream sticks for the tree’s frame. My mom would

Happy Holidays

sometimes use wire hangers for that. Aluminum foil would then be used to cover the wires and she would cut small shapes or

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stars to embellish it. She would then shred some cotton and place them on the branches to replicate snow.

In the 90s up to early 2000, there were some shops that sold Christmas ornaments until the religious police demanded them to stop. Christmas lights though are still sold in some markets particularly at the place called “Batha” which is a haven for Pinoys since the early 80s. Others take risks and smuggle in a few religious ornaments and figurines.

In our school, we have always celebrated and everyone had their monitos/monitas regardless of religion and we even held special

ILLUSTRADO 21

F E AT U R E

I won’t be home for

Christmas Excel V. Dyquiangco talks with those whose jobs will keep them away from their families during the holiday season.

Sad but true. There are many occupations right now that require employees to work even during the holiday season. Call center agents, seafarers, flight attendants and pilots are just some of the people who work nonstop when everyone is just celebrating – and in very high spirits – during Christmas Day. How do these people and their families then cope with each other’s absences? What do they do when homesickness or loneliness settles in?

ILLUSTRADO 22

F E AT U R E

Kristine Odessa Policarpio –

report for work. Imagine leaving your house in the middle of

Parungao (Call Center Team Leader)

festivities, passing by empty roads or homes where you see

8 Years in Service

merriment, envying people who are on vacation. “When I was promoted, I was able to spend one holiday out of office per year –

The first Christmas Kristine spent away from her family was in

either Christmas Off or New Year off,” she says.

2004, her first year as an employee. Because she was single back then and it was a new experience for her, it was kind of exciting

“But this year will be totally different as I have my own family and

as she has never celebrated holidays without her relatives.

with my son who just turned a year old. This would definitely be

“Basically, call center employees would bring their “handas” from

the most painful and tears would definitely flow. But at the end of

home and eat together during our breaks or go partying after

the day, this is the profession that I chose. I marked the question:

their shifts,” she says. “You would see some logging on their

“Are you willing to work on holidays?” with a check upon my

phones to call or send messages to their loved ones or simply

employment so I have no choice but to deal with it.”

greet the people stationed near them. For us, holidays were just an ordinary working day. We simply shrug off that lonely feeling and endure the 9-hour shift. You’re lucky if those days fall on

Kristine says that what she would surely miss is to be able to greet, kiss and hug her family as the clock strikes 12 on

your assigned days off.”

Christmas Eve, but she remains optimistic, “But the holidays are

For Kristine, the Christmas Eve is the most challenging day to

always be made.”

Christian Mercado

As the nature of his work dictates, Christian has had to

just two out of the 365 days in a year. Some adjustments can

(Flight Steward / Cabin Crew)

sometimes spend holidays away from his family. On some

Philippine Airlines, 11 Years in Service

occasions, he has celebrated Christmas in another country with his friends.

December 20, 2008 is a date Christian can still remember clearly because not only would he be leaving for San Francisco, but he

“I am blessed that my wife and I have friends and relatives I can

would also be leaving his family behind. This trip he considers a

spend Christmas with while in the USA and Canada,” he says.

blessing since he would only be gone for five days but still, the

“And I spend it the same way as I would here in the Philippines.

longing is evident in his heart. “It was really hard for me to leave

Of course, things would even be much better if I am with my wife

since it was my daughter’s first Christmas and I wasn’t be able to

and my kids. We usually have a small gathering with our families,

spend it with her,” he says. “It was a little sad, but I know I can

have dinner, and play game boards while waiting for Christmas so

still spend a lot of time with my family even after Christmas.”

we can open our gifts!”

So when the airplane finally landed in the USA, he decided to

Does he have plans of shifting professions so he can spend

shop for gifts for his family. Later, he called his family at home to

time with his family during the holidays? “I love my job,” says

wish them well. When it was time to go back to the Philippines,

Christian. “My wife was a former flight attendant and she

it was already Christmas Eve. Up in the air, he celebrated the

understands. Most people work all week, with perhaps one or

holidays with his co-workers and the rest of the cabin crew by

two days off over the weekend. Most receive one to two weeks of

having “Noche Buena” meals in the galley. At the same time, he

vacation per year. As a flight attendant, I have the ability to group

and the others exchanged gifts.

my flights together in a given month, and have 1-2 weeks off every month! And that is in addition to my regular vacation time!”

ILLUSTRADO 23

F E AT U R E

Doz Rendon

tanker ship during that day,” he says.

limit of 160 characters and which came

(Seafarer)

“No celebrations or decorations since

in late since had to go through a satellite

2 Years in Service

everything is just critical; anything may

before reaching the respondents. His

happen. It was only when we were done

homesickness was relieved upon reaching

An on-the-job training during his third

with work and we started to set sail that

the port; the he could call his family and

year in university prompted Doz to agree

we had the time to celebrate and decorate

greet them even though the holidays were

to being on board an international vessel

for both Christmas and New Year.” When

already over.

for one year. He was gong to be traveling

he saw his fellow comrades getting ready

the course of Los Angeles, San Francisco,

to leave the ship, he wanted to just go

He admits that the first three months on

Ecuador, Chile, Panama Canal, Mexico and

home with them. At night when all was

the ship was really difficult but as time

Seattle, Washington. When he learned

silent and the work was done, he read

passed, he got used to the routine.

of this work, he didn’t want to leave the

the letters and the slum book given to

country and his family since this was the

him by his family and friends. “My mother

This year Doz is setting sail again, this

first time he would be dispatched. They

gave me two devotional books during

time around the country of Venezuela. He

were all crying at the airport.

this season,” he says. “I also bought and

was hesitant at first when he learned of

brought several books. I just read and

this journey since he would be spending

Over the course of the one year, it was

re-read it and surprised myself since I’m

Christmas away from his family again.

aboard a vessel where Doz spent his

not a reader! But with the loneliness on

But when he thought of their needs, he

birthday, Christmas and other events –

board, there was nothing I could do but to

dutifully and joyfully accepted the mission.

alone for the first time.

engage in some form of leisure.”

He already knew how he was going to

“Christmas just breezed through since

His only form of communication with his

I was working in operations on a

family was purely through email – with a

make his time onboard another fruitful year.

experience. “It’s really difficult to be in the offshore rigs where work is nonstop,” he says. “Christmas and New Year holidays are split by two relieving offshore doctors. One can get the Christmas holiday and the other, the New Year. Unfortunately that year I had to work for both holidays. I spent my Christmas on my rig and on the 28th of December, had to jump-ship to another rig to spend New Year there.”

He adds that the only way he coped with the loneliness of spending the holidays without his family was to keep the communication lines open. “Lucky enough, social networking is already available to keep myself in the loop with what’s happening at home,” he says. “Somehow, I’m updated online but the physical presence is different. Still, I was with my family in spirit.” Aside from his family, he misses preparing for Christmas in the Philippines. When decorations are already put up by September, he starts experimenting new recipes for the holidays.

“I crave the native food, the fun, and the booze,” he says.

Unlike in the Philippines where the celebration starts as early as September and where Noche Buena hails the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas at work offshore is just another regular day.

The celebration starts during lunchtime on Christmas Day. No

Teofilo Padilla (Rig Physician)

alcoholic drinks; no lively Christmas program or anything like that. There’s plenty of food, though, and kababayans share jokes

1 Year in Service

and eat together.

Teofilo Padilla has been working as an offshore Rig Physician (an

“It’s a real sacrifice to work overseas,” he says. “The loneliness

oil drilling doctor in the middle of the sea) in Saudi Arabia for a year now. He found his first Christmas in 2010 a whole new

ILLUSTRADO 24

that I feel especially during the holidays often overwhelms me.

There really is no place like home.”

F E AT U R E

Our First

White Christmas

Canadian correspondent Quay Evano shares the beauty of experiencing snow for the first time and the importance of having a childlike mindset when you have a new place to call home.

Our first white Christmas in Canada was

living in Dubai and traveling to different

You adjust as much as you can, to the

very memorable – my two kids and I were

climates before settling in Calgary.

extremely cold weather especially in some provinces in Canada like Alberta,

in the hospital.

Over four months, we experienced the

Saskatchewan and Manitoba where the

We were suffering from the flu for almost a

mind-boggling heat of the Middle East,

temperatures could drop to -40 degrees

week because of the cold weather, among

the super humid tropical weather of

Celsius. It can even go lower because of

other reasons, so my wife and I had to

the Philippines, the mild and nice cold

the so-called wind factor.

bring us all there for check-ups, tests and

weather of Vancouver, then the freezing

medications.

temperatures of Calgary. Drastic and

Layer and peel

extreme temperatures in such a short The snow and the super cold temperature

span of time took its toll.

in our new home of Calgary, took us by

You turn up your heater at home to full blast and savor every moment you are

surprise. I guess our bodies needed more

Adjustment – that’s what the life of an

indoors where it is warm. You equip

time to adjust to the cold weather after

immigrant in Canada is all about.

your vehicles with winter tires for better

ILLUSTRADO 25

F E AT U R E

traction on the road. You apply lip balm

They say in Calgary, you can have all four

processing plant in Brooks, Alberta.

so your lips won’t get dry and crack. You

seasons in one day. It is so true.

Cesar (last name withheld) used to be a

learn about the phrase “layer and peel”, which means before going out, you put

Starting with a “survival job”

civil engineer in Manila is working as a product merchandiser while trying to get his engineering accreditations and board

on thermal pants and long sleeves, layer them with more clothing, then top it all

One big adjustment an immigrant or

exams. Imam, a guy from Iran, used to

with a snow jacket, gloves and toque/

permanent resident goes through here is

work in Saudi Arabia and has a Master’s

bonet. But once you are indoors again,

finding a job. Most, if not all, go through

degree in Marketing, but the first job he

you start peeling off most of what you are

what they call the “Canadian experience”

got here was sorting out mail in a public

wearing.

– taking on a start-up job like being a

library.

staff in Tim Horton’s, McDonalds and There’s a saying that goes, “you are

other retail stores. You take on a job that

I personally experienced this. The first

never ready for the snow or winter”. In

is totally different from your chosen field

job I had here was as a customer service

Calgary where we live, snow comes early,

or career. In other words you end up

associate for a clothing store. I folded

usually in October. After a few weeks and

having a “survival job”. You’d often hear

clothes, greeted customers, stocked

months, you adjust to it because winter

stories of engineers working as cashiers

shoes. It was a bit of a shock for me.

lasts up to April, sometimes even May,

or service crew, of doctors working as

Although I had previous experience

so that’s around seven to eight months

janitors and top-level managers from

working for a clothing company, I never

of snow. There are days in March where

their country of origin working as sales

had any experience being on the floor to

snow will fall but might melt the same or

trainees.

greet customers and sell clothes.

temperature and weather will be like. It

Alvin Manigo used to be a policeman

But in Canada, everybody treats

might be 10 or -10 in one day, or it might

in Davao in the Philippines, but found

everybody equally. You may personally

snow, hail, rain or the sun will come out.

a job as a production worker in a meat

think that you are way above the job

next day. It’s a guessing game to what the

ILLUSTRADO 26

F E AT U R E

that you have or a certain job is way too low for you, but people don’t really care - as long as you have a job. The dignity of work is what is important here. Egos and pride get a beating, but you learn to adjust your mindset to align your cultural upbringing to the totally different norms and customs of this country.

But the so-called “Canadian experience” is a Catch-22 or like the chicken and egg paradox. Recruiters and Human Resource Managers will not hire you because you don’t have any Canadian experience so you take survival jobs or volunteer your time and talent to organizations to build up your “Canadian resume”. Giving back to the community is very important aspect of the local culture here.

For Canadians, adjusting constantly is a way of life.

But all in all, seeing real snow fall for the first time was such an exhilarating experience. You really become like a child again. And I guess that’s what a new immigrant should be – childlike enough to take in everything with open arms; accepting and seeing everything that is happening, and taking it as a day by day learning experience.

They say in Calgary, you can have all four seasons in one day. It is so true.

I guess that’s what a new immigrant should be – childlike enough to take in everything with open arms; accepting and seeing everything that is happening, and learning from it.

ILLUSTRADO 27

SPIRITUALITY

It’s that time of the year

To be a giver

By Bo Sanchez

Do you want to receive anything? More joy? More wisdom? More friends? More money?

Here’s what you do: Give away that exact same thing that you want to receive. Because that’s how the universe works.

I also remember one thing about her…

When I was a teenager preaching in small

“and that’s pride just the same. Look at

prayer groups all over the country, I’d see

your room. It’s a national museum of my

this woman sneak into the room, carrying

talks, my articles, my photos…”

Mothers Are Givers

over her shoulder. And like clockwork,

Mom said, “Bo, don’t you know that God

We were a big family. Six kids. And

before I stepped down the pulpit, she’d

has given mothers an exception to that

whenever there was a birthday or some

sneak out and leave quietly, vanishing into

rule? Mothers can be very proud of their

other special event, we’d always have fried

thin air.

children.”

chicken.

This woman would be present in every

“Where did you read that? Vatican III?”

Like all kids, we would fight for the

a tape recorder inside a white plastic bag

“drumstick”.

single talk.

“Go away now. I’m busy,” she said.

All those years growing up, I always

I can only imagine the lunacy of this woman. If she wasn’t listening to me live,

No doubt about it. My Mother is the

thought Mom’s favorite part was the neck.

she was listening to me on tape.

Founder, Chairman of the Board, and

Because every time we had fried chicken,

Chief Executive Officer of Bo’s Fans Club

she chose it. Later on, I realized she chose

So naturally, when I’d go home, I’d knock

International. She continued to be so in

that piece because no one wanted it.

on my mother’s door and say, “Mom, how

her early 80s.

Why? Because my mother was a giver.

many times do I have to tell you, stop doing that! You embarrass me!”

There was a time when every Sunday, I preached three times at the Feast: 8 a.m.,

I guess most mothers are givers. They’d

My mother would open the door with an

10:30 a.m., and 1 p.m. She attended all

rather starve as long as their kids are able

innocent look that could win an Oscar and

three sessions and listened to me preach

to eat.

ask, “Huh? What are you talking about?”

every single time. Not content with that, before leaving the house on Sunday, she’ll

But behind her, I could already hear my

first watch me preach at six in the morning

voice being played from her recorder.

on TV5.

“Mom, you’re getting too proud,” I said,

Mom loves me. No doubt about it.

I love my Mom. I really do.

But I’ve resigned myself to this undeniable fact-that I’ll never love my mother more

ILLUSTRADO 28

then she loves me. It’s impossible. She

SPIRITUALITY

money?

loves me so much. I am who I am today

Sometimes, the problem wasn’t

because of that love.

selfishness. Just ignorance.

I believe most Mothers are givers.

“As a child,” my friend said, “my mother

same thing that you want to receive.

gave me away to her older sister. Like I

Because that’s how the universe works.

Here’s what you do: Give away that exact

When they’re not, bad things happen.

was a puppy.” Most of these people, now adults, still wonder why they were given

Why Many People Have Problems

away.

I thought all mothers and fathers are

My friend, if your parents weren’t givers,

givers. Not true.

go to God.

In my 30 years of ministry, I’ve met people

God is the greatest giver.

Take the case of wisdom.

I give wisdom to people. I’ve written some 20 books so far.

But between the author and the reader, who gains more wisdom? The reader reads the book once. But the author rewrites his

who have so much emotional baggage, so much hurt and violence in their heart, that

For God so loved the world that He gave

book ten times. Guess who remembers the

they’ve made terrible choices in life.

His only begotten son.

truths more? Yes, I give wisdom. But I gain

And through the years, I’ve found out one

Yes, God is the Founder, Chairman of the

common thing among most of them: Their

Board, and Chief Executive Officer of your

Oh, I have one more story. The Greatest

parents weren’t givers. They were takers.

Fans Club International. He watches every

Story Ever Told about Giving. But, hey, you

step you make, listens to every word you

know the story already. You know, when

say. He loves you so much.

God gave His only begotten Son to us. Yes,

ten times the wisdom I give away.

Their mothers or fathers were selfish

it’s the Christmas Story.

people-thinking only of themselves, shouting at their kids, beating them up,

And He wants you to be a giver too.

Merry Christmas Giving!

or abandoning them all together. When these children became adults, they made

The Lifestyle of Giving May your dreams come true!

terrible choices in life, because they were so desperate for love.

Do you want to receive anything? More joy? More wisdom? More friends? More

ILLUSTRADO 29

F E AT U R E

Planning well

&

smart

Excel V. Dyquiangco breaks down different plans you can invest in to protect your future and the future of those you love.

Many people consider the New Year as a time for change. It signals a fresh start and a time to resolve to lose (or gain) weight, make amends with family members or friends.

The New Year also heralds in a time for decision-making and planning—most especially for the future. One of the best ways to do that is to invest (yes, invest, not buy) in a plan that covers and secures your health, your children’s education plan, your death and for life’s unpredictable in between, an insurance Plan.

But what are these and how should you pick the right one for you?

ILLUSTRADO 30

“It is important to research first before making any financial decisions, especially when you are looking for the perfect plans for you,” says independent financial planner and expert Bernard Sy. “Look for the ideal agents and make sure that you are not dealing with sharks. Keep in mind that observance is the key.”

Here is a lowdown of these plans and what you need to know.

Health Plans What is it?

Commonly known as health insurance, health card, HMO, the health company

pays for medical expenses incurred by the insured in-patient. These include hospital confinement, surgery, medicines, and laboratory. A health plan may also cover outpatient services like medical consultations and dental visits.

Who should buy it?

Ideally, everyone should be covered. If you are employed, you company will usually provide a health plan. However, if you are self-employed, you will need to purchase your own health plan. “However, cost of health plans could be quite prohibitive,” admits Bernard.

F E AT U R E

When should you buy it?

Why should you buy it?

“If you can afford, go for it,” says Bernard.

This is especially true for those people who are self-employed and may suffer financial losses and opportunity costs due to disruption in productivity.

An education expense is one of biggest household expenses. If you have more than one child, it is also a cost that has a direct multiplier. If you don’t have money set aside for education, tuition fees could burn a hole in your future finances. Even if an education plan won’t be able to cover the entire tuition, it will surely help offset costs.

Why should you buy it?

Hospital bills are costly. Medicine is expensive. That’s not even counting the time when you need to take time off work while you are sick or recovering. Without a proper health plan, you could be depriving yourself of quality health care.

How do you know which plan to buy / best for you?

Usually, this is provided by employers as part of employment benefits, some also cover employee dependents. If bought individually, usually a family account is a cheaper way to go. Check out the options and make sure to check for things like what illnesses are covered and which hospitals are accredited.

Education Plans What is it?

It’s putting money away now so you have money to pay for education in the future.

Who should buy it?

Gone are those days in which education plans would cover the full college education. “Open ended plans” led to the downfall of CAP, Pacific plans, and other pre-need education plans because it is almost financially unviable for most investments to catch up with tuition fee increase. “Because of these, I advocate do-it-yourself education plans, consisting of diversified investments such as mutual funds,” says Bernard.

When should you buy it?

As soon as you have child you should consider investing in an education plan or as advised by Bernard, look at building a do-it-yourself educational plan. The good thing about buying early is educational plans are usually cheaper when the children is age 0 -11 months old.

How do you know which plan to buy / best for you?

According to Bernard, a proper education plan is designed and calculated. It should have the following characteristics: future tuition fee estimates, investment return estimates, how much target future amount you should have by the time your child reaches college and how much you should invest every year to achieve that amount.

Choose a company that has a longstanding reputation and can be trusted.

Memorial Plans What is it?

Memorial plans are pre-need plans that provide for future memorial services at the time of actual need.

the needs of the Filipino people. “It is an optional plan, not as important as health plan and life insurance plan but having a memorial plan without life insurance defies logic. It is better to plan how your dependents will continue their life than just planning for your funeral.”

Insurance Plans What is it?

A life insurance provides financial protection for the dependents or beneficiaries if the insured dies, he gets into an accident or he falls ill. Essentially, it is to ensure that even if the family bread winner passes away or becomes ill, his dependents will still enjoy a certain quality of life.

Who should buy it?

“Anyone can invest on life insurance,” says Sy. “Those who want to leave behind some amount of money for someone or those who have substantial assets that want to be protected from estate tax. As a rule, buy if you need or want something to protect.”

When should you buy it?

Every Filipino should have a memorial plan.

You should buy it as soon as you have dependents, or if you have something (someone) to protect. Keep in mind that the younger you are, the less amount of insurance you need to pay.

When should you buy it?

Why should you buy it?

Now is the best time to buy a memorial plan especially if one has the means.

Death is inevitable and it is always best to be prepared.

Death and disability are a burden to dependents left behind. How can they continue to live if the breadwinner suddenly dies or has become disabled?

Why should you buy it?

How do you know which plan to buy / best for you?

Who should buy it?

You should buy memorial plans because it is best to be prepared than to leave your family and loved ones helpless at the time of actual need.

How do you know which plan to buy / best for you?

It really depends on your preferences and capacity to pay. There are some memorial plans which offer variety and which suit

An ideal insurance coverage is something that will support your dependents’ financial needs for a reasonable time. A good rule of thumb is that the amount of coverage should cover at least five years of household expenses. “Therefore consult a financial planner,” says Bernard. “They will make a detailed analysis on how much coverage you should really need.

ILLUSTRADO 31

F E AT U R E

You are what you dream. You are what you say.

Where is the line that separates fate and fatalism? When does visioning and dreaming actually becoming doing? When do you start living the life you want, instead of just letting life happen to you? Ana Santos envisions a future cut and pasted on a dream board.

Self-fulfilling prophecy. Chicken before the

myself as more of a doer. Let me again use

egg.

my corporate background as an excuse.

All my years in the corporate world trained

Tear. Cut. Paste.

me to be a do-er. It was ingrained in me to think of goals, then identify strategies and

Put everything together and…you see the

ways by which to reach those goals. It was

future? Your life will flash right before your

think, write, do.

very eyes?

And in my personal life, I started

back on my to-do’s and was surprised that I had crossed out a good number of them—not withstanding being fluent in French and pole dancing (does one trial class count?). But I thought I should forgive myself for those lapses.

To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect

employing that same three-step process.

How was I supposed to plan an entire year

from dream boarding. Oh sure, I’ve hard

Listing down the goals that I wanted for

of my life on a dream board? How do you

about it. Just about everyone from Oprah

myself, stated mostly in outline form with

make everything fit?

to the everyday planner has something

strategies listed as sub-topics, neatly

about a dream board, but I had never

written down in my planner so I would

really done one.

have a constant every day reminder.

I wasn’t much of a dreamer. I thought of

At the end of the year, I looked

ILLUSTRADO 32

The power of envisioning “It’s more powerful than writing it down,” insisted my friend Nina about dream

F E AT U R E

boarding. “You can write down you want

This way of dreaming didn’t leave me a

That taught me never to use that word

a house, but making a dream board will

sense of being incomplete and longing

“lang” when pertaining to myself. It is a

show what kind of house, what’s in it and

for the things which I still do not have. It

lifelong lesson I carry with me till today.

what it looks like.”

made me step back and appreciate what

Nina has been making dream boards since

I had been gifted with, and yes - this is a

I no longer have to commute, but I always

word I use sparingly — blessed with.

give way to the jeepney drivers and wave to them when we pass each other on

she was in college. Her mother attested to how walls and walls of her room would be

I’m not going to stop listing my to-do’s,

the road. To me, they will never be mga

filled with various dream boards.

day by day, month and month and year

jeepney driver lang.

on year. Old habits die hard and it’s hard “Okay,” I said, getting my laptop out,

to teach an old (female) dog like me new

Over the years, I have made up my

ready to access my dreams with one

tricks.

own list of words to strike out of my vocabulary. Whenever I catch myself

Google search.

But I’m going to go right on dreaming.

saying these things, I stop and change it

“Nope,” said Nina firmly. “No can do. That

There might be a lot of magazines in

to its opposite phrase.

would be premeditated. You need to look

salons and coffee shops with missing

through magazines and find the words and

pages in my wake, but I’m going to go

the visuals that will speak to you and the

right on tearing, cutting and pasting my

things that somehow catch your attention.

dreams on a board.

You need to let your subconscious out.”

Oh wow. That was a little bit daunting for me. What if I didn’t find what I wanted in the magazine? Did that mean I wasn’t meant to have it?

From Why to Why Not? No to the martyr syndrome and no to trying to get off easy.

I know now that my dreams are nothing without my gratitude.

Just as I have always known my wishes and goals are nothing without my words and actions.

But pushing those thoughts aside, my

From Lang to Hindi Lang No to demeaning myself, downplaying my achievements.

From Pwede na to Pwede pa

other friend, Nikka and my 10-year

When I was 17 and commuting to and

old daughter started looking through

from UP Diliman, I met a number of

No to mediocrity. Strive to do more and be

magazines and tearing and cutting.

jeepney drivers who would pass time and

better.

Manila’s mind (and butt) numbing traffic Nina stopped me whenever I caught

by striking a conversation.

myself stopping to read things before tearing. “Be spontaneous! That’s what

ask me where I went to school and when

dreaming is about”

I told them UP, they would immediately conclude that I was as smart as Ferdinand

Spontaneity. Seemed a long time since I

Marcos, Loren Legarda, Ninoy Aquino and

had a bit of that, but it was when I let go

all the other illustrious graduates of the

that the words came. And in much more

State University.

eloquent a form and more arresting a structure than I could have made them:

Dividends are a girl’s best friend Recession Proof Famous Rouges

Such comparisons made me cringe.

My grades not exactly something to catch the dean’s attention, much less make it to his list, I would explain, almost

And I did see my dreams and what I hoped for my future. And I saw something else,

No to fatalism. Life is what we make it. It is a product of the choices we freely make.

From Hindi Ko Kaya to Kakayanin Ko Life’s little bumps along the road can make you or break you. The choice to do either is yours.

From Sana Ako Din to Balang araw, ako din

apologetically, “Hindi naman po.

Sinuwerte lang po.”

No to crab mentality. Instead of envying

One lightly admonished me asking me why

own dreams and fuel them with hard work.

too. An overwhelming sense of gratitude.

It somehow appeared right before me

I insisted on putting myself down. He told

while I was cutting, tearing and pasting.

me that there was a difference between

My Unexpected Family Smitten

From Ganyan talaga to Bakit ganyan? Bakit hindi ganito?

someone for what they have, make your

being boastful and being honest. And that I should simply say thank you and be grateful for the opportunity to study in a good school.

ILLUSTRADO 33

I T ’ S W H AT I D O

FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORK PLACE

It’s What I do where I got my foundation on merchandise planning. Thereafter I moved to Majid Al Futtaim Fashion and where I worked for 5 years – starting out as Wholesale Sales Support Manager, and then Senior Buyer for brands Juicy Couture, Jane Norman, Fat Face, Mexx and Lucky Brand Jeans. I then joined Burberry Middle East as Regional Merchant in 2012. I then briefly joined Al Tayer Group handling planning for the Men’s Department of Harvey Nichols and Bloomingdales before joining Clarks.

Apart from meeting a lot of cool people, one of the perks of my job is traveling. For the last 10 years in Dubai, the only thing that kept me sane is the fact that I get to travel to different countries almost every other month. It’s great but it’s also exhausting. But hey, no complaints, I get to travel all expenses paid!

MY TYPICAL WORK DAY My work day starts while I am behind-the-wheel. Driving gives me clarity. That’s when I start thinking about what has to be

Eduardo Viray

Buying and Merchandising Manager – MEA Region CLARKS – Dubai, UAE MY JOB I am the Buying and Merchandise Manager of C & J Clark International for Middle East and Africa including their Turkish Subsidiary. Clarks is a British, international shoe manufacturer.

done during the day. I am quite an organized person, so as soon as I sit at my desk I do my priority list. I typically have meetings throughout the week, either with my general manager, our franchise partners, UK counterparts, or my assistant.

As a planner, I am well organized. Any deviation in the plans will be a huge headache for me. I am very keen on details. Hence, I review and analyze all reports. I manage and control pricing architecture, sales and forecasting for Clarks Shoes in the region and hence numerical data analysis and reporting is very crucial to my day to day routine.

Our company has over 1,000 branded stores and franchises

However busy my day is, I also make sure that I have time for

around the world and also sells through third-party distribution.

small chats with colleagues and friends. That provides me a

I am responsible for driving commercial business goals through product and merchandising strategy across the MEA region. I am also responsible for all regional product selection for our franchise partners which entails setting up their product portfolio selections every season according to market requirements and needs. Part of my job is also analyzing market and competition and providing recommendations and insights crucial for business decision making. I also conduct regular trainings on seasonal product strategies and focuses.

I was originally a Project Development Officer for the Planning Division of NEDA in Bulacan. But fate brought me to merchandise planning job in retail for which I am very thankful for. I had found my passion in fashion and worked with some of the best retail companies and brands in the Middle East, including Mikyajy

ILLUSTRADO 34

boost whenever I feel drained at work. During the weekends, whenever I get the chance, I visit my friends and brunch or dine out with them. I also love to watch movies and go to the beach.

CAREER ADVICE Be yourself. Be proud of being a Filipino. Acknowledge that you are a talented individual and that you can do needs to be done.

Filipinos are very diligent and have an unbelievable resilience.

Our work ethics are the best in the world; we have the best minds there is. Our attitude and our positive outlook in life define the culture that we have and we must embrace that. Living in the Middle East for 10 years has taught me many valuable things but one thing stands out - equality! In Dubai, equal opportunities are there regardless of nationality. We just have to believe that we can do it, and do it better!

I T ’ S W H AT I D O

FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORK PLACE

It’s What I do inbox plus go through the daily sales report. Then, I have a quick catch up with my team – we call this daily huddle. In here we briefly share news, concerns and our priorities for the day. In a lot of cases, my day is packed with back-to-back meetings. After meetings, I pass on the information to my team for action. I also have my TO DO list – often these are quite strategic so until, and when these are finalized they remain in my list. As the division head, it is typical for me to be approached by someone either seeking help, solution or a decision, every single day.

I joined this company as Administration Assistant where my role is to do what I was told to do. With the grace of God, I reached a level that a lot of Filipinos would probably aspire for. Currently I rank the highest amongst the Filipinos in the company. I take the pride in representing Filipinos at the office, especially when I discuss business strategies on a quarterly basis with the top management like to CEOs, Senior Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, and General Managers. To be part of the Executive

Betty Guevarra

Division Manager –Merchandise & Planning AL TAYER GROUP – Dubai, UAE MY JOB I am associated with one of the largest groups of company in the Middle East. My core experience is in Merchandise Planning and Buying. As the head of a division, I have a team who supports me in achieving our division goals & KPIs. What is really good about working in this region is that you get to work with different kinds of people from different parts of the world. My team is quite diversified – composed of Irish, French, Moroccan, African, Egyptian, Lebanese, Sri Lankan, Indians, British, Belarusian and of course Filipinos.

Apart from leading a team, I get to travel to meet the principals and top executives at the luxury beauty brands. I’m exposed to reading/reviewing legal contracts, store designs and concepts, as well as brand management. It is my responsibility to ensure we have the right assortment of brands in the stores and we create an atmosphere where our customers feel delighted leaving

Team, can get very challenging. The expectations are huge and you have to be ready and prepared all the time.

One of the best and most interesting tasks I do is coaching. I realized I can motivate people and this is something that comes naturally to me. I had a colleague who was very challenged with his previous manager, and was about to resign. Due to restructuring, he was moved under my leadership. I saw great potential in him – coached him regularly to ensure he achieved key milestones. It has been 4 years since then. He has been promoted 3 times and is now one of my Seniors, confident enough to lead the division in my absence.

The best fulfillment I get is when I see someone from my team grow and be promoted – to me this is success.

CAREER ADVICE Believe in yourself, stay hungry and don’t settle for less. Get acquainted with the kind of person you ought to be. Don’t give up on your dreams, they are worth fighting for. It has always been my mantra to keep striving for more and often I ask myself ‘how could I have done this better?’ This will help you improve yourself.

our store feeling beautiful.

MY TYPICAL WORK DAY The first thing I usually do in the morning is check my calendar then read specific folders (emails from the management) in my

ILLUSTRADO 35

I T ’ S W H AT I D O

FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORK PLACE

It’s What I do

KRISTOFFER MENDOZA Restaurant General Manager II Café di Roma – Dubai, UAE MY JOB I am a Restaurant General Manager. Being responsible for the entire business entails that, I manage operations, handle Human

end of the day, we tally all finances and provide a report to top management.

CAREER ADVICE

Resources, as well as accounting. I have been in Dubai’s food and beverage scene for more than a decade now, and this has

We have all left our country to seek greener pastures. Once you

enriched me with skills and knowledge that help me to fulfill my

are able to land a job, be the best that you can be and learn to

job.

develop yourself no matter what trade you are involved in. Be professional all the way, until your last working day. The world is

MY TYPICAL WORK DAY My day starts with me briefing my colleagues on our daily target, tasks and updates in order for them to be fully aware and equipped with information they require to achieve what needs to be done. Then, I check my e-mail for any developments on orders, projects and reports. I inspect the whole outlet to check if everything is in good working condition, our standards are being followed and reports needed being done effectively and efficiently. Once it starts to get busy, I supervise operations.

When all is well and functioning smoothly, I will then tackle my daily reports and updates on stocks and deliveries. At the

ILLUSTRADO 36

very small. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll end up working for a former colleague who knows of what caliber of performance

I T ’ S W H AT I D O

FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORK PLACE

It’s What I do offers or clinic deals to promote the spa or clinic facial services using Histomer products as per special marketing arrangements.

MY TYPICAL WORK DAY I am blessed with a wonderful family; a loving supportive husband who runs his own mobile fitness and conditioning company and an adorable charming six year-old son who live in Dubai with me.

So my mornings are always adrenaline-packed from 6AM – taking care of breakfast and preparing my son for school. As my work timings are flexible, I can effectively juggle my family and work responsibilities.

I check my emails and social media accounts and spend time feeding my soul as well. Then I check my appointments and meetings in my diary. Then, off I go to visit my clients in the field and check out leads in the area. There are days where I need to conduct trainings or workshops, then, there are also times where

CHARMAINE ROXAS NACUA Sales & Marketing Manager Histomer Swiss Italian Skin Care – Dubai, UAE MY JOB As the Sales and Technical Manager of Histomer exclusively distributed by JS International LLC, I am tasked to generate demand for my brand portfolio within my territory covering segments such as medical spas, beauty centers and dermatology clinics, to ultimately reach targets, while handling my clientele with the best customer service. To support my clients, I conduct monthly Histomer- Certified Classes in our office as well product knowledge refresher trainings to ensure that skin therapists and doctors are familiar with our product protocols.

My medical background as a Physical Therapy graduate, plus my stint with Pfizer Philippines gave me an edge in mastering my products by heart and skillfully communicating the benefits of my brand target audiences of different races and backgrounds.

As part of my job, I also conduct product demos and customize marketing-related events or workshops in support to spa managers and owners assuring product satisfaction on the part of my clients and their valuable customers. I also create spa

I hope from one door to the other seeking new accounts that have certain requirements which I match up with my solution products. It is a never-ending challenge and thrill to meet new faces and see places in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman which is my area of responsibility. The more I am exposed in the field each day, the more exhilarating it is for me.

Having been in Dubai for 12 years, I have had my shares of simple yet very hard beginnings. Through the challenges, I have developed patience in everything. It was nurtured in me when I went through all the hardship, the financial struggle, the job switching, the cultural adjustment, but what sustained me and my family is our strong faith and trust to our Creator who provided us with inner strength and a winning attitude that our life’s breakthroughs are on the way and it did happen and still is happening up to the present time. Glory to God!

LIFE ADVICE I urge you my kababayans to love God, to love our families and to love our country with all our hearts and we will start seeing our inner transformation unfolding. We should appreciate our spouses and focus on loving our families despite our challenges and lastly, we should look to our country with a renewed hope, patriotism and nationalism. Our nation is great and will become greater one day, ultimately making us feel that with conviction.

We should be proud to be Filipinos and that someday soon we will go home for good and bring our world-class expertise and talents to be utilized in building our nation together through the help of God.

ILLUSTRADO 37

MONEY

Converting your Passion into a

Business

By Francisco Colayco

When you find the right niche in a business, you could establish a real name for yourself. Sometimes, finding the right business is a combination of several “passions.” You have to be more specific in defining exactly what you are good in.

You might recall my advice about choosing

In the case of cooking, each time you

passion but just a hobby. A hobby is an

a business that is best suited for you. One

are able to make a special dish you

activity you like doing in leisure; only when

main factor is the need for “passion” for

are particularly proud of yourself. You

it suits you.

the kind of business you choose. As time

practice so often so as not to make any

passes, I begin to see more and more how

mistakes. Your self-pride increases as you

Let us continue with the questions you

the word “passion” can be misinterpreted

continue your love for cooking. Here, we

can ask yourself to determine what your

or misunderstood. Let’s look at this

can assume that cooking is your passion.

real passion is, as a basis for putting up a business. Now, time to think about the

further by understanding some ways you can determine your passion. Remember

How about if you do something which is

other things that relate to what you think

that you are looking for a passion that can

the complete opposite? Will your chosen

your “passion” is -

also be your business.

activity destroy your self-pride and cause you extreme embarrassment?

1. Look at the things that you actually hate to do - your “anti-passion”

You can ask yourself the following questions. You will surely have a long list

Still in the case of cooking, when you

and you will not know everything in one

prepare a dish that is really bad, do you

For example, you don’t really like to go

sitting. It will take days, even weeks and

say it is because you are not practicing

to the market because you don’t like the

months. Keep a diary. Take notes and

enough? Or does it really cause you

smell of raw meat and the chaos. Or you

review what you have written each time

extreme embarrassment because your

don’t have much patience to wait and you

you add an entry. Maybe, you will cross

level of expertise clearly is far too low

want results quickly. In such case, can

out some items as you come to know

from where it should be?

you really make cooking your business?

Surely, finding the best ingredients at

yourself more each time.

If your standard for excellence is low and

the right price is crucial in any cooking

What is it that you really love to do and

you thus allow yourself to accept major

business. Preparing these ingredients

are you any good at it?

lapses in your skill, then perhaps, cooking

before actual cooking is even more

is not your passion.

important and more often, requires a lot of time. Patience is a must in becoming a

Let’s take the example of cooking. Let’s say you love to cook and are happy doing

What is it that motivates you to do

culinary expert. You have to accept that

it. People say the food you cook really

something over and over again and not

some dishes are best cooked on a very low

looks and tastes good. Let’s assume that

be tired of doing it?

fire and very very slowly.

In the case of cooking, will you be tired of

2. Is what you call your passion actually

If you succeed in doing it, will you be

doing the same dish over and over again?

just your hobby?

proud of yourself?

If you will become tired of repetitiously

cooking is your passion.

doing what you love, perhaps, it is not a ILLUSTRADO 38

MONEY

In the cooking example, to make it a business, you need to continuously do the same things over and over again. Passion is an intense desire and enthusiasm for something. It is almost like you will “die” if you don’t do it.

On the other hand, a hobby is just something you love to do when you want to do it. I know of people who love to cook and who feel empty if they are not able to cook a dish, even for the day. They practically want to live in their kitchen. They have every right to label cooking as their passion.

3. How much time and effort did you invest on your passion?

As an aspiring chef, do you analyze cook books and practice what you learned? Did you go out of your way to find a mentor to teach you? Are you constantly talking to people about it to learn more?

You feel that as long as you are trying, even if you fail at times, you still feel a sense of pride because you did it and learned from it.

A passion for excellence and creativity may seem to be mutually exclusive. Excellence demands precision and discipline while creativity thrives on throwing out rules and thinking out of the box.

And yet the most successful chefs are the best examples of precise cooking techniques applied in creating new recipes with previously unheard of combinations of meat, fruit, herbs and vegetables.

The challenge then is really for you to discover your passions and find a way to combine them in developing a product or service.

ILLUSTRADO 39

LAW

A Primer on UAE Immigration

By Atty. Barney Almazar

In this issue, Atty. Barney Almazar answers the most common questions regarding visa, immigration, deportation, blacklist and appeals, so you can maintain your legal residency status in the emirates without any complications.

The General Directorate of Naturalization

No. She is required to renounce her

If your visa is issued for employment,

and Residency (GDNR) is the authority

Philippine citizenship and apply for Emirati

you cannot work for another without the

responsible for the issuance, renewal and

citizenship. Children with Filipino mother

written consent of the GDNR.

cancellation of entry permissions and

and Emirati father can acquire Emirati

visas pursuant to the provisions of Federal

citizenship.

Can a visa be cancelled without notification to the holder? Can I be

Law No 6 of 1973 on Entry and Residence of Foreigners as well as the rules and

What are the types of entry permissions

instructions issued by the Ministry of

to UAE? If issued in Dubai, can it be used

Interior.

in Abu Dhabi?

Who are deemed foreigners? Is dual

The GDNR issues visit/tourist visas,

citizenship recognized in the UAE?

residence visa for employment and

deported even if my visa is still valid?

The Ministry of Interior can cancel a visa/ entry permit at any time, even prior to

Any person who is not a citizen of UAE

expiry date for reasons of public interest.

residence visas without employment (such

As a general rule, only those who have no,

as those sponsored by their family).

expired or cancelled visa are deported.

However, the Ministry of Interior may

is considered a foreigner subject to the immigration laws of the country. The UAE

The entry permits/visas, regardless of

issue an order for deportation of any

does not recognize dual citizenship. If you

place of issuance, is valid in any emirate.

foreigner, even if he holds a valid visa, in the following cases:

are a dual citizen, you must present the same passport in entering and exiting the

Can I work under a visit visa? a. if he has been convicted and the court

country.

No. A visit visa will not allow you to work,

has issued an order for his deportation;

If a Filipina marries an Emirati, will she

whether paid or not. Even if you are self-

automatically become a citizen of UAE?

employed, you are not allowed to perform

b. if he has no apparent means of living;

any work on a visit visa.

and

ILLUSTRADO 40

LAW

What is an exit prohibition order?

c. if the security authorities see that

If the grace period (following the visa

deportation is dictated by public interest,

cancellation) has lapsed, can I just pay

security or morals.

the overstay fine while waiting for my

It contains the list of individuals who are

new visa?

prohibited from leaving the UAE due to:

UAE Immigration regarding a foreigner’s

You can pay the overstay fine as long

• an order has been issued by the Public

passport?

as your previous sponsor has not yet

Prosecutor in a case under investigation;

What are the rules being observed by the

filed an absconding case against you.

The passport must conform to the

Your sponsor has the right to report you

• a written order has been issued in a case

following in order for its holder to enter

as an absconder if you failed to leave

by a competent court; or

UAE:

the country or get a new visa after the lapse of your grace period following

• indebtedness

• must have a validity of not less than 6

cancellation. Even if you are willing to pay

months

your overstay fine, the Immigration will

If I have a pending Police Case, can my

still require you to clear your absconding

visa application be granted?

• no manipulation of photo

case.

• no removal or alteration in the

Can my employer file an absconding case

application. If you are in the UAE, your

particulars

against me if I’m not in the country?

visa application will be denied unless you

• no apparent damage that prejudices the

As a general rule, an absconding case can

visa application is being processed while

particulars

only be filed if the employee is inside the

you are outside UAE (meaning a case has

It depends where you are at the time of

will be able to clear your case. If your

UAE. However, your employer can file an

been filed against you after you left UAE),

• no irregularities in pagination/page

absconding case against you and cancel

then your visa will still be approved as

numbers/missing/pulled pages

your visa if you are out of the country for

the government is interested to acquire

more than 3 months.

jurisdiction over your person and proceed

ILLUSTRADO 41

LAW

with the case when you enter UAE. Is it true that those who were deported

Is it legal to buy a visa? How can I legally

a company with up to 6 visas for only

stay in the country if I do not have a

AED45,000.

sponsor?

can return to UAE after a year?

To know more about UAE laws, you Buying of visa is illegal. The easiest and

may attend the monthly free legal aid

The automatic removal from the blacklist

most practical way to have your own visa

conducted by Filipino Lawyers at the

has limited application. Only the following

is to create your own company that will

Philippine Consulate and Embassy. Visit

can re-enter the country one year

sponsor your residence visa.

www.gulflaw.info or call 04 444 94 04 for the schedule. You can contact Atty. Barney

following their deportation: (1) domestic helpers whose visas were cancelled prior

You will not need to lease an office space

to expiry of contract; (2) those deported

or find a local sponsor. You can even split

for overstaying and (3) those who did not

the cost of setting up a freezone company

pay their overstay fine in full.

with your friends as all of you can become shareholders and at the same time be

Those deported for other reasons can

sponsored by your own company. A

return to UAE by appealing their cases

freezone company can provide you up to 3

before the Immigration, Prosecutor or the

visas valid for 3 years for only AED35,000.

courts.

If you have more friends who wants to become shareholders, you can setup

ILLUSTRADO 42

Almazar at barney@gufllaw.info

ADVERTORIAL

CHILDHOOD ATOPIC ECZEMA

Dr. Shivani, MBSS, MD Specialist Dermatologist Belhoul Speciality Hospital One of the most common skin conditions encountered by children is atopic eczema.

Atopy refers to the genetic tendency to develop allergies like eczema, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and allergic conjunctivitis.

About 1 out of every 10 children suffers from atopic eczema in developed countries. The increase in the incidence of atopic eczema in last few years has been linked to factors like urbanization and better control of infectious diseases.

NORMAL / ATOPIC SKIN: Normal skin serves an important function of providing an effective barrier between an individual and the environment. Upper layers of the healthy skin contain special proteins and natural moisturizing factors that keep the skin moist and prevent the entry of harmful bacteria and various allergens from the environment into the skin.

In atopic skin, this skin barrier is defective because of the change in the composition of its proteins that has two fold consequences: 1) The loss of natural moisture of the skin, leading to dry skin.

2) Improper barrier allows the entry of various bacteria and other harmful

allergens into the skin, that cause the

that not only clean the skin well but also

activation of skin immune system leading to redness, swelling and itching.

help repair the barrier function of skin.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

2) Use of medicated bath oils and medicated, hypoallergic, perfume free moisturizers to maintain a healthy skin

Itching is the cardinal feature of eczema.

Other features include redness, oozing

barrier.

and scratch marks especially on face and the folds of the limbs. Continuous rubbing

3) Usage of only 100% cotton clothes as the first layer of clothing on skin, even

/ scratching causes thick dark skin on affected areas.

in winters and complete rinsing off the detergents in laundry.

COURSE AND RESOLUTION:

4) Measures to reduce dust mite exposure include use of dust mite proof pillow

The disease resolves in about 50% children by the age of 5 years and in 80%

cases and mattresses, weekly washing the bedding and stuffed toys in hot water,

by the adolescence. The risk factors for delayed / incomplete resolution include

removal of carpets, cleaning with special vacuum cleansers to remove the dust mite and avoiding high humidity levels as mite

onset at an early age, severe childhood disease, associated asthma /rhinitis, and strong family history of similar disease in parents / siblings.

thrives in dark and damp environment.

6) Avoid exposure to animal dander / pets.

TREATMENT: The disease can be controlled well with a combination of moisturizing and medicated creams along with oral medications. It’s very important to disrupt the vicious cycle of itching and scratching.

Most of the medications prescribed are safe under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. Self-medication should be avoided.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE: Atopic eczema is characterized by relapses and remissions. Manifestations of atopic eczema are interplay of genetic tendency and envionmental triggering factors, the most common of which include detergents, chemicals, abrasive clothing, accessories, some foods and aeroallergens like house dust mite, animal dander, molds and pollen.

Food allergies are more likely to be encountered in infants and young children

7) Avoid unnecessary exposure to plants, thereby preventing exposure to molds / pollens especially in spring season.

8) Stress is an important exacerbating factor in atopic eczema especially in adolescents, thus various relaxation techniques and a positive mind set is definitely helpful.

Allergy tests (skin tests and blood tests) are available nowadays and are helpful in some cases to detect the specific triggering factors like food, dust mite, or animal dander etc. but the results of these tests should be interpreted cautiously. There can be false positive results especially for food allergies, so food challenge tests and elimination diets are useful in detecting actual triggers.

If the avoidance of triggering factors is not possible, immunotherapy can offer some relief. Immunotherapy is a slow desensitization process directed against particular triggering factors.

Preventive measures from environmental

As atopic eczema is a chronic disease, it requires a lot of patience on part of parents and doctors, to manage it but with a positive attitude and proper guidance, it

triggers include:

can be managed well.

whereas aeroallergens are more common triggers in older children and adults.

1) Use of soap free medicated cleansers ILLUSTRADO 43

SCRAPBOOK

Adeluisa Tirona Dubai, UAE

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Angelito Tan de Jesus Dubai, UAE

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FA S H I O N Cashmere oversized batwing coat- MALO Dress - SINGLE; Ankle Strap Heels - GLAZE

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FA S H I O N

PHOTOGRAPHER : IRVIN RIVERA MAKE-UP ARTIST: ERIK TORPPE WWW HAIRSTYLIST: NINA JO PHOTOGRAPHY ASSTS: PHILL LIMPRASERTWONG ISAAC PUNO MODEL: DIANA CARL LOCATION: Hollywood, Ca ILLUSTRADO 47

FA S H I O N

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FA S H I O N Coat- ASOS Structured Top - N12H Flared pants- Ziztar Baby blue & pink pumps- YULL Color-blocked clutch- MANJERICA

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Eggplant leather halter top- MANOKHI Printed skirt- ZENA PRESLEY Black pumps- SERGIO ROSSI

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Coat- ASOS; Structured Top - N12H Flared pants- Ziztar Baby blue & pink pumps- YULL Color-blocked clutch- MANJERICA

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FA S H I O N Plaid & Sequined floor length lined cape- OTT Tangerine crop top- FAUBOURG DU TEMPLE Tangerine slacks - FAUBOURG DU TEMPLE Laced up heels- BELLA LUNA Multicolor necklace- Stylist Archives

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FA S H I O N

Red coat- NATORI Ankle Strap Heels - GLAZE Belt- KENZO

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FA S H I O N Faux fur coat- FAUBOURG DU TEMPLE Colorblocked midi dress- N12H Nude pumps- YULL Studded cuff- DEAN ACCESSORIES

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FA S H I O N Maxi dress with button down shirt & printed full skirt - OTT Ankle strap heels - STUART WEITZMAN Straw hat- KYI KYI Quilted mini purse- CHANEL Earrings- STYLIST ARCHIVES Black cabochon ring- MAES JEWELRY AND LEATHER

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FA S H I O N

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BEAUTY

In the lap of

By Anna De Leon

Luxury

The Holiday Season is officially upon us and so are the never ending Christmas Party invitations. Here are some tips to keeping you looking lush and luxurious

The Skin - Foundation

Mesmeric Colorful Eyes If sporting green, blue or violet smokey eyes may seem too much for you, try experimenting with colored eye pencils. You can tight line, line your waterline, lower lash line and smudge it with the same colored eyeshadow. Amp up those eyes by curling your

Whichever look you decide to rock, having flawless skin is

lashes. Filipinas are blessed with long lashes that are straight

imperative. The colder months can wreak havoc on our skin

and applying mascara on uncurled lashes will close the eyes up,

causing it to get dry, thus, prepping your skin before make-

instead of opening them up. Make sure to separate those lashes

up application is crucial. Always start with a clean, toned and

with a lash comb in between mascara applications.

moisturized face. This makes your foundation glide on a like a dream. If you are expecting to be photographed a lot at night, it’s best to avoid foundations that have SPFs in it. The zinc oxide

Sparkle like a Diamond

and titanium oxide cause white flashback making your face to

It is the season to be merry and sparkle. The key to sparkling

look whiter than the rest of your body when photographed with

eyes is to limit shimmer on the following areas of your eye: tear

a flash.

ducts, lid and brow bone. Keep the crease color matte at all

The Skin – Concealer

times. A shimmer eyeshadow applied on the tear ducts will open up the eyes. The lid is the perfect place for glitter eyeshadow.

There is so much drama when you see sparkle peeking through

Chances are, the back-to-back parties are bound to leave you

that small area of your eyes and lastly shimmer on the brow bone

with dark circles. But fret not! Concealer is there to rescue

instantly lifts your eyes.

you. To cover dark circles there are two things that you need to remember. First, the concealer that you need should have a yellow undertone to counteract the blue and violet undertones of

Seal it with Your Lips

your dark circles. Second, it should be a shade lighter to brighten

Whether you chose to go with a nude lip or a bold lip, lining and

the under eye. This makes you look fresher and it can make you

filling in your lips is important. This is the season of catching up

look like you just had 10 hours of sleep!

with friends. You don’t want to be constantly retouching your lipstick. Lining and filling it up will make lip color last longer and will give you more time to catch up with pals, old and new.

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ADVERTORIAL

A Merrier Christmas with the Box of Happiness

created by award winning designers, and

Diamond jewelry gifts from Jewel Corner

treasure trove of thoughtfully designed

Now when you shop for gifts to slip under the Christmas tree, don’t forget to add ‘happiness’ to your shopping list! It’s what shall electrify your holiday this year!

Pure and precious, happiness now comes in a box marked Jewel Corner. Yes! It is the everlasting joy of diamonds packed delicately in what they call the ‘Box of Happiness’!

Jewel Corner showcases a selection of skillfully crafted diamond jewelry

is available across the GCC in over 35 outlets. With quality-certified diamonds and other precious stones set in 18Kt, 21Kt, 22Kt gold, Jewel Corner is a and masterfully crafted pieces.

What might catch your eye here would be the collection ‘Electra’, a set of earrings and finger ring, overwhelmingly bold and beautiful and designed to thrill. A perfect Christmas gift for a lover would be ‘Poem’, a gift pendant that’s sure to steal the heart of even the most reluctant romantic.

If that wasn’t enough, Jewel Corner promises an equally dazzling shopping experience from your home with jewelcorner.com. A touch of sparkle to your Christmas!

Pure Gold Jewellers ties up with Beam Wallet Embracing a smarter way to shop, award winning jewelry retailer and the only World Diamond Mark certified retailer in the GCC, Pure Gold Jewellers announces a partnership with Beam Wallet, world-class mobile commerce and rewards platform, to deliver revolutionary retail shopping experience to customers.

The Beam Wallet App is compatible with Android and iOS devices and is used by more than 150,000 users to pay at over 2,000 outlets in the UAE. “Consumers in the UAE are bidding adieu to cash or plastic money and welcoming a smarter way to shop with the innovative mobile app, ‘Beam Wallet’,” as stated

by Karim Merchant, CEO & MD of Pure Gold Jewellers. “In order to leverage the region’s high smartphone penetration rates, and cater to the young, connected and tech-savvy population in the UAE, we have implemented the new mobile technology, paving way for efficient and quicker transactions at the counter. It is not just the consumers who will benefit from Beam Wallet, retailers are also being

given the opportunity to make use of a

our BLE Beacons technology. Beam will

powerful mobile marketing platform for

enable Pure Gold to leverage the power

their businesses, making it a win-win

of mobile technology to deliver targeted

situation.”

offers and exclusive mobile loyalty programs.

Apart from being a payment app, customers also enjoy exclusive rewards

This is a unique value proposition, and one

every time they use Beam to shop at

that, through the Beam Wallet platform,

their favorite stores. Beam is a mobile

is transforming the retail experience for

and digital wallet, the value proposition

major brands across the region.”

to consumers is about being able to pay, earn and redeem rewards in one single

Merchant adds, “Currently, all Beam

step.

customers will get an exclusive reward to redeem at Pure Gold Jewellers on diamond

Co-founder of Beam Wallet, NadimKhoury

jewelry purchase.”

said: “We are excited to welcome Pure Gold Jewellers to our growing Beam Wallet

The above offer is valid till 31 December

partner network, offering their customers

at select Pure Gold Jewellers outlets in the

a more convenient payment method using

UAE. ILLUSTRADO 59

FA S H I O N

PHOTOGRAPHER: ASH REGINALD EVASCO POST PROCESSING: JOHN PHILLIP FASHION COORDINATOR: RICHARD SUMAIT MAKE UP: GIOVANNI LAZARO FLORES HAIR BY: MEHDI MOUSSAOUI OF FRANCK PROVOST PHILIPPINES MODELS: MISS EARTH 2014 JAMIE HERREL AND LORRAINE KINDRECKSON ILLUSTRADO 60

FA S H I O N

Fit for a

Queen Beauties slink in Leo Almodal’s regal and sensuous couture confections

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FA S H I O N

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FA S H I O N

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FA S H I O N

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FA S H I O N

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F I L I P I N O T R AV E L E R

Exploring Europe behind the wheel

By LEO BARRAMEDA

Exploring Europe behind the wheel

passed through towns and cities across Roermond, Düsseldorf, Köln, Stuttgart,

For first-timers lone travelers and those

‘Speedo turismo’ doesn’t appeal to me.

Innsbruck, Mittenwald, Florence, San

with strict schedules, booking a tour

It’s exhausting, very limiting, and quite

Giminiano, Volterra, Siena, Parma, Lucern,

packages is ideal. There are options for

expensive.

Basel, Bonn, and Copenhagen.

flights, visa, transfers, accommodations,

If you have travel buddies that you can

Europe, why not?

Traditional Tour Packages or Self Drive?

6 countries - Amsterdam, The Hague,

and other add-ons. The detailed guided programs and assistance, however convenient, are of course, synonymous to

bring along, planning a self-drive tour

a high price.

across Europe is a good choice. This

Countries in Europe are tourist-friendly;

option is much cheaper. Needless to say,

going beyond boundaries is as easy as

it’s also exciting, and most of all it’s an

crossing bridges. The culture and tourism

On the other hand, doing away with the

absolutely bespoke travel program for

offers of neighboring EU countries are

guided tours to be independent explorers

you and your crazy friends. To be lost and

worth exploring. The selection of amazing

instead entails a lot of planning and

wander around a foreign city is the norm.

landscapes and diverse activities enable

research. You need to have a clear idea

Structured tour packages are good, but

discerning tourists to mix and match to

of where you want to go, when, how, and

to be independent tourists open you to a

concoct the perfect holiday experience.

what to do during the trip. The bonus is that there are a lot of opportunities to

completely different experience.

You’ll find everything in Europe, from

discover something new, different, and

Together with Bobbie Carella, one of

culture, to fabulous history, to outstanding

extraordinary.

my travel buddies, I’ve embraced the

nightlife, mouthwatering food, picturesque

spontaneity of a self-drive tour across

villages, and the endlessly charming

A self-guided tour is all about flexibility

Europe last November. For 15 days, we

atmosphere.

and independence. Every decision is yours

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F I L I P I N O T R AV E L E R

– where to go, when to stop, what to eat, and where to stay the night. Forget about long bus drives and forcing yourself to adjust to the other tourists – i.e. the late, the diva, and the boring.

Pre-departure Arrangements Planning is everything to make self-drive tour as hassle free as possible. Depending on your nationality, check whether visa application is required to enter any of the EU countries. For Filipinos, a tourist visa is needed, relative to the first country of arrival. In Dubai, visit the VFS Dubai website to know the requirements, book a schedule, and to understand the

countryside.

For self-drive tours, a car with a GPS is a big must. GPS is your new best friend.

Europe boasts amazing roads connecting

Most car rental companies provide this as

cities and countries. Driving in Europe

an add-on. To use a pre-downloaded map

within 15 days of submission.

is a good choice to make the most out

application in smartphone might not be

of your trip. Before leaving, apply for an

the best option.

Settle accommodation arrangements

international driving license. In Dubai,

application terms and condition. You should get your visa application result

as soon as visa and flights are ready. If budget is tight, Airbnb is the best option – giving you a choice between room sharing, private rooms, or even renting an entire apartment. The local hosts are also friendly and can give you tips on where to

application can be done at RTA offices

Make sure that your phone’s roaming

and select driving schools. The permit is

service is activated. Contact or visit

usually valid for a year.

your line provider. Anticipate making calls for last minute changes on your

Pre-book a car rental via their website or

accommodation and for SOS.

you can visit their stands at the airport or

go and what to expect in the city.

major train stations. Popular options are

Euro is the currency that is widely

Sixt, Europcar, Avis, and Hertz. Compare

accepted among EU countries. You can

Alternatively, booking a hotel still remains

rates and deals to stay on budget. To

prepay your accommodation, transfer,

guarantee the rental, the driver needs to

and car rental. ATM facilities and debit/

have a valid credit card. Choose a car that

credit cards are widely accepted. It is

matches your trip. If budget is limited,

encouraged not to carry a big amount

request a diesel and/or manual car

of cash. Have enough money for cabs,

options. The most important consideration

transportation, tipping and any shopping

for the road trip is the wheels that will

you’ll do. Be sure to inform your bank

carry you from point A to B, and beyond.

regarding your itinerary so that they won’t

the classic choice. Booking.com or lastminute.com provide good options from 3-star establishments to highend, with flexible cancellation policies.

Hotel rates are fluctuating. The earlier you book, the better. Before confirming you accommodation, determine if the location is accessible, near city-center or

consider your overseas spending as fraud.

Packing for the trip Depending on your luggage allowance, smart packing for a week-long trip to Europe is the name of the game. You can’t go wrong if you go for classic neutrals - think white, black, denim, and every muted colors in between. Eliminate the neons, sparkles, pastels, and the wild and crazy patterns. They only limit your mixing and matching opportunities. Follow the neutral rule and your outfits will seem limitless. Yes, don’t forget to add some accents depending on the season. Make sure to allot extra space for shopping. A travelling adaptor is also a must-have.

You don’t want to miss ‘selfie moments’ just because your battery is dead.

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F I L I P I N O T R AV E L E R

En Route to Wanderland After you plot your schedule, the next thing to do is to find interesting things to do in the cities you will be visiting. www.tripadvisor. com is a good resource for this. Furthermore, key European cities have Tourist Info Centers that can be your first pit stop. They have amazing packages and options for tourists.

You can book tours onsite, and they are usually affordable.

Driving across Europe is an amazing experience, as long as you know how to read road signs and signals. The price of gasoline is a major setback, though. Bring along two to three friends to split the cost. After all, the more the merrier.

Alternatively, you can also try exploring nearby towns and cities via rails. For many tourists, the pleasure of travelling via Europe’s well-organized rail system is as good as the destination itself. There are no lengthy check-in procedures for train travel and there is no need to go through any security screening. You can simply show up a few minutes before the train leaves, buy a ticket and hop on the train.

Tourists will never go hungry during the trip.

One of the best aspects of traveling in Europe is the food. With you behind the wheel, there are a lot of great restaurants, cafĂŠs and kiosks to choose from.

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F I L I P I N O T R AV E L E R

Disclaimer A self-drive tour is not for everyone. If you are not confident to drive, don’t. If you are travelling alone and on strict schedule, it’s better to book a package.

If you are not a patient and adventureseeker, don’t choose this as an option.

My best memories from our trip are when we went off on mountains roads to remote towns and villages and got to see places that I’ve never heard about. Europe is full of surprises, quirks and overlooked spots if you take the chance to explore the beyond the usual tourist haunts.

Some people like to wander at will, discovering new places every day. Some enjoy trips without worrying about strict itineraries. And then other people like a trip where they do not need to drive. It is all a matter of choice.

Lastly, be prepared to fall in love with travelling. Keep exploring and happy driving!

Night cityscape , Bucharest, Romania, cityscape,

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Neuschwanstein Castle

F I L I P I N O T R AV E L E R

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O N T H E P R O W L . I N T H E K N O W.

Tourist or

Traveler?

By Kenneth Surath - Dubai

“We are not tourists, we are travelers”… “I hate seeing tourists moving as a pact with their umbrellas on a sunny day”…

“Hostels are dirty and scary”… “I hate standing beside a smelly backpacker.” These are just some of the comments I’ve heard during my past trips. Some of these came from people who are labeling themselves as ‘travelers’ while others were from the people labeled by the travelers as ‘tourists’.

I don’t know what the deal is with these labels. But from where I am sitting, it seems that a lot of people, especially millennials, want to be tagged as travelers – the term apparently sounds more travel-savvy.

As someone who loves traveling, I was never really conscious about the difference between the two words, until my backpacking trip in Copenhagen. I was in a walking tour with two new friends I met from our hostel and when I was taking photos of the ‘Little Mermaid’ I heard one saying to the other — “Oh, he is a tourist.” I felt offended by the apparent derogatory comment

TOURS AND ITINERARIES

and said to myself that I am not a tourist. I am, in fact, a traveler.

I realized then, that that I became part of this Traveler vs Tourist

A traveler explores the hidden gems of the city. A tourist goes to

debate. And so, I thought of creating a comparison based on the

every landmark, most of the time on a travel agency tour.

basic things that we all do when we travel.

One of my best experiences during traveling is discovering PACKING

hidden gems away from the crowd. I remember walking aimlessly in Venice and finding myself in a beautiful and peaceful side of the city with open canals, doves along the pavement without anyone bothering them and at times, a gondola passing by. In Norway, climbing the Lyderhorn Mountain in Bergen was one of the highlights of my trip. Among the 7 mountains of Bergen, Lyderhorn is frequented by locals, while most tourists go to the usual Mount Ulriken and Mount Floyen.

Having said that, as a first time traveler in Venice, I still made sure to walk around San Marco Square, ride a gondola and cross the Rialto Bridge. I think I will never forgive myself If I didn’t climb the Eiffel Tower even though I spent hours in line, same

A traveler packs very light. A tourist packs heavy.

with riding a big bus tour around Barcelona. So am I a traveler or a tourist?

This is always one of my problems. I always plan to pack light and just bring three basic shirts plus two pants and just mix and

PHOTOS

match them, but I always end up over packing. By the end of every trip, I typically use only 30% of what I brought and end up

A traveler hates cellphone selfies, but taking a shot of one’s feet

buying new clothes to wear during the trip. So, am I a traveler or

on the sand is apparently acceptable. A tourist aims for cliché

a tourist?

shots like pushing the tower of pisa or pinching the top of a

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pyramid, aside from selfies at every tourist landmark.

O N T H E P R O W L . I N T H E K N O W.

I love photographs! I am not a professional photographer but

in love with everything about hostels - the vibe, the people and

people tell me that I have an eye (or perhaps I just have really

the experience. I think the best way to meet people and to learn

good friends). I always travel with my camera with me. If I find

things while you travel is by spending a few hours at a hostel

something interesting, I will take a photograph. This is not only

lounge. The cheap price comes with a bit of a sacrifice though –

for souvenir, but also for my travel blog.

like sharing a ten bed dorm room with all the stuff strewn on the floor. Plus, people come in and out of the room even at odd hours.

On a trip in Germany, my German friend commented, “Oh

So, if you are looking for comfort, this is not a place for you.

Kenneth, you are a typical Asian tourist,” referring to my frequent photo taking. The ‘traveler’ in me wanted to walk-out. But I

On the other hand, in Phuket, I stayed in a villa suite. Alone! It

realized that he might be right. Although, from my perspective, I am an artistic photographer, not just a selfie-taker. However, for some people, holding my camera and taking snaps of a mountain, a sunset, an open field and a landmark is a bit too much. Then again, do I still take time to lower down my lens and enjoy the view and enjoy the moment? Yes, I do. So am I a traveler or a tourist?

FOOD was one of the most luxurious rooms that I have ever stayed in A traveler loves to try local food. A tourist demands for a more

while traveling. It even included my very own outdoor Jacuzzi

familiar set of menu.

and room service massage. With all the luxuries and comfort though, I missed out meeting other travelers and trying street

I love food. Almost 50% of my blog posts are about food. I’ve

food as part of my trip. So I told myself, the next time I go back

sample native food in different countries including bugs in

to Thailand I will book a hostel. So am I a traveler or a tourist?

Bangkok. Having said this, in Barcelona and in Stockholm, my very first meal was a McDonald’s cheese burger and in Sri Lanka,

Considering all these, it is clear that labeling yourself – whether

although I love Sri Lankan food, I was excited to see steak and

a traveler or tourist - is total nonsense. Surely, deep inside us

pasta as part of the buffet. So am I a traveler or a tourist?

we are a little bit of both. We travel to experience and collect memories, taking from both paths, we achieve all of these.

My Norwegian friends who both backpacked around the globe for 5 months echo the same sentiment. They said, “These labels are ridiculous. As long as you are enjoying your trip, you should not care what other people are saying”.

My point exactly.

ACCOMMODATION

So, regardless whether you feel like you are a traveler or a tourist, the most important thing is that you should make the most out of

A traveler prefers living in a budget-friendly shared hostel dorm

every trip. How to achieve that? Only you can answer.

for a longer stay. A tourist prefers spending on a luxury hotel for a shorter stay.

Follow Ken Surat: http://kennethsurat.com/

While a lot of my friends in Dubai will never stay in a hostel, I am ILLUSTRADO 73

ONLI IN DA PILIPINS

12 Christmas Gifts

You’re Bound to Receive Forever

By Aby Yap

‘Tis the season to be jolly and have a good sense of humor about the gifts which you’re about to receive from family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. The same ones you’ve been getting for the past 10 years and most likely what you’ll be getting for the next 10 decades or so, ho ho ho.

Coz admit it, friends. Christmas won’t be the same without receiving any of these presents (obviously NOT from your true love because s/he should know better than to piss you off) year after year. If it becomes quite a handful, though, remember that there’s always room for your unused-gifts-stored-somewhere-i-can’t-remember collection and/or someone you can give it to—recycle to protect your environment from dust and clutter.

Mug/Tumbler This comes in various sizes, colors, shapes, and designs that it may be a little hard to judge the mug/tumbler giver as MeMA

with the coming of the Selfie Era, you can never have too many picture frames to flash your duck face.

Scented Candle

aka Me Maibigay Lang. Especially if the mug/tumbler has “The World’s Most Gorgeous Boss <or insert other profession>”

Maybe you light up their life. Maybe they want to light up yours.

printed on it. Who are you to refute this claim, right?

Or, maybe it’s the first pwede-na-iyan item they saw at the mall.

Whatever the reason of the giver for offering you the scented

Picture Frame The most popular gift for all seasons, it’s given every phase of your life—baptism, birthday, graduation, wedding, etc.—and each Kris Kringle you’ve participated in since kindergarten. And ILLUSTRADO 74

candle is, you won’t ever know. But at least you’ll have something to use during brown-outs.

Fruit Cake/Queso de Bola

ONLI IN DA PILIPINS

The perfect present to complement your Noche Buena table, these two are only meant to be put on display for everyone to

Gift Certificate

see. You’re not required to take even a tiny bite, so don’t worry.

Starbucks, Fully Booked, Sodexo, or any GC that lets you buy

Once your guests show signs of hunger, that’s when you let them

something that you like is most welcome. At least the giver

have the cake or cheese and eat it too.

has empowered you to decide for yourself what you’ll have for Christmas—even if it’s just choosing between Mocha Frappe and Iced Coffee. Plus, you get to have a free stamp!

Handkerchief/Face Towel

Abubot

With air pollution in the city getting worse than ever, there has

Popularly known as The Dust Collector in the form of tiny

never been a more suitable time to receive this piece of cloth for

figurines and furry stuffed toys, it’s probably the most unwanted

wiping dirt and sweat off your face. So, be sure to thank your

present on the list no matter how cute it appears to be. Abubot

Hanky/Towel Santa profusely as s/he has thought of making your

forces you to tidy your bedroom or work station every day, or

daily commuting struggles more bearable.

you’ll surely die sneezing from all that dust.

Pen/Notepad

Cellphone Load

Don’t roll your eyes. Everyone could still use a pen and/or a

There are only two reasons why someone would opt for pasa

notepad even in this Internet age. It’s for your weekly grocery

load as a present. Either s/he’s pathetically busy for some festive

list, a reminder of your IOU (kautangan if you’d rather have it

holiday shopping or s/he’s the reincarnation of Mr. Ebenezer

clear-cut), or an old-school way to play SOS/Tic-Tac-Toe with a

“Bah! Humbug!” Scrooge. But if it’s a P300 load we’re talking

friend while stuck in traffic for hours.

here, aba pwede na ‘yan! It already makes for a Merry Christmas!

Keychain With several people overly excited about keychain-shopping and -giving any time of the year particularly when they go on trips, you end up having more key chains than keys. It’s a fact of life that suppliers of this gift don’t realize just yet. So before it gets too late, someone please file a bill that bans keychaingiving during Christmas.

Toiletries Bath powder, bath salt, body wash, shower gel, hand sanitizer, and other weirdly named stuff you don’t even know how to use are coming into your bathroom soon! Prepare to get squeaky clean and sweetly scented this season as prettily wrapped toiletry sets are put on holiday sale for as low as P100.

Planner It should be unbelievable, but there are actually some people who want you to think about the entire year ahead and set plans every single day. Now that’s what you call pressure—waaaaah!—particularly if you’re the live-in-the-moment type of personality. Quick, wrap the planner and pass the pressure, er, planner to someone else!

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Ansar Gallery, Karama â&#x20AC;˘ Al Ghurair Centre â&#x20AC;˘ Shindagha City Centre

Burjuman Centre | Ramada Hotel Deira