ILLUSTRADO GO>ISSUE 19

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#comethrough

WHAT MAKES A MAN?

TOUGH PINAY

PINOY FEARS

Surprising Spiritual

Baste Duterte’s Other Side

Fight Like a Girl

GET RID OF THEM TO GET AHEAD

Benefits of “BAHALA NA”

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EDITOR’S NOTE/ CONTENTS

ISSUE 19

15 • May • 2017

#Pinoy Brave Heart

What does it mean to be brave? Face your truths and your fears, be open to others and other ideas, and yes, maybe even get into a grappling sport like jiujitsu even if you are a ‘girly-girl.’ There are many shades of brave and our eclectic issue this month which talks about Pinoy attitude, Baste Duterte, Ramadan, and bahala na, will attest to that. Of course, our favorite kind of brave is that of being yourself, sans ingrained cultural baggage.

So let your light shine and #comethrough, kabayan.

Taas noo, Filipino!

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Editor-in-Chief

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PINOY PROGRESSIVE

PINOY POWER: PINOY FEARS WE NEED TO GET RID OF TO GET AHEAD >6 BASTE DUTERTE THROUGH MY EYES > 8 IT’S WHAT I DO >11 RAMADAN: BEYOND FASTING & IFTAR >12 HOW TO START A BUSINESS: 10 ESSENTIAL STEPS >14

FASHION, BEAUTY & LIFESTYLE

FASHION: WICKED WORK WEAR >20 KAGANDAHAN: I FIGHT LIKE A GIRL >24 LIVING WELL: 20 SURPRISING BENEFITS OF SAYING ‘BAHALA NA’ >26 LIVING WELL: WHAT YOUR BMI SAYS ABOUT YOU >28

JUST BECAUSE

PINOY BIYAHE GUIDE: EASTER ISLANDS, CHILE >16 ILLUSTRADO STUFF >29 LLUSTRAGRAMMERS >30 THE ANNIE B CHRONICLES >32

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Contributors

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Editor-in-Chief “almost superwoman” Lalaine has been driving Illustrado’s mission to uplift Filipinos in the region for almost a decade now. A former corporate dynamo living in Dubai for over 20 years, her natural knack for marketing and mass communications makes her a formidable authority in any dialogue regarding the rebranding of the Filipino image on a global scale.

ARMANDO “BUTZ” BARTOLOME

Philippines’ Franchise Guru Armando “Butz” Bartolome is the president of GMB Franchise Developers Inc., a pioneer franchise development company established since 1993, co-founded and managed by his wife, Lyndah. The company has assisted numerous entrepreneurs whose brand names are now some of the most recognized in the Philippines, including Mang Inasal, Julie’s Bakeshop, Generika Drugstore, Gingersnaps, Potato Corner and a host of 880 others to date. He is one of the 34 “Angelpreneurs” of Go Negosyo. He is also part of the speakers’ pool of Truly Rich Club of Bo Sanchez.

ALWEE VILLAROSA

Savage PR savant. Social Media guy. Bangkok advocate. Hoarder of 3AM songs that are too cool for anyone. Strongest proponent of the #WastedYouth campaign on Instagram. AlweeVillarosa could be your typical, garden variety switched-on millennial Internaut, except that he’s infinitely more.

He is also a cunning marketing strategist, a burgeoning writer, and an account manager and leader with an unshakeable sense of integrity and worth ethic that belies his young age. See more of his POV at his IG: @alweevillarosa.

ANNA DE LEON

DR. BECKY DESIDERIO

The Medical City Dubai CEO and community leader Dr. Rebecca “Becky” Desiderio is the prime promoter of the Philippines as a medical and healthcare destination in the region. She says, “I am essentially a health ambassador not just for my organization, but also for my country.” Above and beyond her professional role Dr. Becky hopes to be recognized as a Missionary Doctor using her work to channel blessings to others. In this issue, she blesses us with some wisdom on weight-related concerns.

Life devoid of makeup and fashion is life lived in mediocrity.

A sentence that Anna has lived by since she discovered her 1st Vogue magazine at the tender age of 9. Empowering women through beauty has always been Anna’s passion and she believes that we can rule the world in our stilettos, red lips and razor sharp intelligence. illustrado go>4

REX VENARD BACARRA

Professor of Philosophy at the American College of Dubai, RexVenard Bacarra says of himself – “I may be bad in folding a fitted sheet and horrible in parallel parking. But, I am excellent in chewing the maggots of the philosophical universe. Maybe…” True to form, this modern day ‘Filosopo Tasio” shares with us his thoughts on our society today – this time, shedding some light on the other side of the oft-maligned ‘bad boy’ Philippine President’s son - Baste.

EDIPOLO “EDAN” AGGARAO

The man we call the “Godfather” of Pinoy advertising in the UAE is a trailblazer with a three decades worth of sterling credentials, including posts as the Creative Director at Intermarkets, Young and Rubicam, and the Regional Creative Director at AGA-ADK Communication Network. Edan is the creative partner/Owner Q&A Advertising LLC, Dubai has won many advertising awards and was part of the 2016 Jury at the Cannes Young Lions, Dubai. Edan also promotes his advocacy to support the local Filipino art community as Founder & Member at 2PM Art Group (Dubai, 2016), Founder & President of the League of Pilipino Artists in Dubai, and as a Trainer/Adviser/VP of Marketing for Kabayan NPO. We showcase one of Edan’s artistic skills on our cover.

PERLA DALY

Life Coach, volunteer, writer, artist, and publisher of pinay.com, bagongpinay.org and newfilipina. com and founder of Bahala na Meditations bhln.org, Perla Daly’s advocacies lie in Filipina empowerment and promoting Filipino heritage.

Like many expats, Perla is a global citizen, but one with a special interest in preserving Filipino traditions by keeping them alive, and letting them grow.

COMMUNITY

A ROARING SUCCESS FOR THE CELEBRATION OF PID 2017 Almost 2 months of preparation for the Filipino Community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates (FILCLUB), its committees and members had culminated in the hugely successful 119th celebration of the Philippine Independence Day (PID).

Held one month in advance in observance to the Holy Month of Ramada, the PID event which held at the Zabeel Hall at the Dubai World Trade Center, saw an unprecedented 15,000 participants.

The event started with a parade headed by Consul General Paul Raymond Cortes and Dr. Yasmin Cortes, the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) officers, Labor Attaché Felicitas Bay of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), together with their officers. Also present were over fifty Dubai and UAE-based organizations who

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volunteered support to the event. Filipino schools attended in full force showcasing their talents in the Parade of Colors, drum and lyre, and rondalla performances, among many others.

Also present that day was the Ambassador of the Philippines to the UAE H.E. Constancio R. Vigno Jr. who gave a heartwarming inspirational speech to the community. Attending the event with the Ambassador is his spouse Madame Yoko Vingno.

The PID event was packed with different activities including the OPM Singing Competition, Pinoy Hair Competition, On the Spot Painting Contest, Mr. And Ms. Teen PID 2017, Cultural Dance Competition and the Battle of the Bands. According to Vice Chairman Ericson Reyes, “The entire program was prepared to ensure that the day is full of ‘kasiyahan at kaligayahan’ to honor all OFWs in UAE.” Sponsors from different businesses around the Emirates also actively participated in the event, showcasing their products.

Freebies were given away during spot games and raffle draws.

One of the newest additions to this annual affair which made the event even more interesting was the active participation of the local media, as well as Filipino bloggers. Interviews and live streaming throughout the day made the PID 2017 an interactive exercise that reached not only the local Filipino community, but also viewers across the world via the FILCLUB Community page.

This year’s PID 2017 event has been an unprecedented success, commemorating the Philippine Independence values of freedom and unity. According to FILCLUB Chairman Engr. Maria Fe “Tata” Dayot, “The major factor for this events’ success is proper collaboration. And for that, we thank all the supporters and participants, the PID Committees and the Philippine Consulate General, under the able leadership of Congen Paul Raymund Cortes and Dr. Yasmin Cortes.”

From The Publishers of Illustrado Magazine

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ CREATIVE DIRECTOR MON BENITEZ COLUMNISTS ABY YAP ALFRED “KRIP” YUSON ANNA DE LEON SPECIAL QUARTERLY EDITION BARNEY ALMAZAR EXCEL DYQUIANCO FRANCISCO COLAYCO BI-WEEKLY KRISTINE ABANTE CONSUL GENERAL PAUL RAYMUND CORTES TRACY LEY ORENCIO LOUISE MONIQUE SORIANO PUBLISHER – UAE ILLUSTRADO COMMUNICATIONS FZ-LLC CONTRIBUTING WRITERS – UAE, PHILIPPINES, 2ND FLOOR, BUILDING 2, CANADA ALWEE VILLAROSA DUBAI MEDIA CITY ANTONINO BENITEZ UNITED ARAB EMIRATES DANABELLE GUTIERREZ P.O. BOX 72280 OFFICE 20C JOSEPH ALCANTARA TEL: +971 4 365 4543, 365 4547 KENNETH EPHRAIM SURAT FAX: +971 4 360 4771 MAI BAUTISTA E-MAIL: ADMIN@ILLUSTRADO.CO NINA PEÑALOSA-CARPIO WEB: ILLUSTRADOLIFE.COM RACHE HERNANDEZ FACEBOOK: ILLUSTRADO MAGAZINE REX VENARD BACARRA INSTAGRAM: @illustradomagazine ROMAN GUEVARA ROSAN KATLEA REODICA PRINTERS CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS –UAE, ATLAS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS FZ-LLC PHILIPPINES & USA PO BOX 14833 DUBAI, UAE EROS GOZE RAEN BADUA STOCK IMAGES IRVIN RIVERA SHUTTERSTOCK.COM JEF ANOG (UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED) ALEX CALUENG ROZEN ANTONIO COPYRIGHT ILLUSTRADO COMMUNICATIONS FZHERSON NEBAYA LLC 2006 – 2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS CONTRIBUTING FASHION CREW - UAE, MAGAZINE MAY BE USED OR REPRODUCED HONGKONG, PHILIPPINES GINNO ALDUCENTE IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER WITHOUT JESSIE TABLA THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF ILLUSTRADO VALENTINO MONTUERTO JASMIN COMMUNICATIONS FZ-LLC.

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POWER TO THE PINOY

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Towards empowering Filipinos.

F I L I P I N O AT T I T U D E :

P I N OY F E A R S W E N E E D T O G E T R I D O F T O G E T A H E A D Our forefathers have done us well, imbuing us with Filipino values like love for family, friendliness, and resilience, among other things. These keep us connected to each other as a community, and have endeared us to other people across the globe. However, not all that is inherited is positive – some of the traits and attitudes ingrained in us affect us adversely and prevent us from progressing. These negative influences, fears and hesitations are magnified, especially abroad where we need to adapt to a more global lifestyle and keep ourselves competitive versus our multicultural peers.

By> Lalaine Chu-Benitez

Are we generalizing? Perhaps? But these are quite common place within the Filipino-sphere that they are worth pointing out. So kababayans, face your fears Fear of speaking out or speaking in English

Growing up, we were told to hold our tongue, “wag sumali sa usapan ng mga matanda”’ (don’t get involved in adult conversation), “wag sabat ng sabat” (don’t butt in), “wag pala-sagot” (don’t answer/reason out). No wonder, most of us are apprehensive to speak up in general. Unfortunately, out here, we illustrado go>8

need to be the opposite and talk with confidence, sometimes, even raise our voices to be heard.

Sometimes, it’s the lack of confidence in speaking in English, or being ‘F and P challenged’ that keep us silent, or intimidated to open our mouths. We have our own kabayan grammar and pronunciation ‘Nazis,’ especially on social media. Have you seen how they are so brutally critical of our beauty queens when they can’t speak flawless English?

Look at other nationalities, though.

They might speak imperfect, sometimes broken English, but that has not stopped

them from succeeding in life. Yes, even at the workplace. English is only a tool, a means to communicate just like any other language. One’s English prowess is NOT the sum total of their entire intellectual capacity.

So, regardless of your English proficiency or your confidence level - speak up, speak your mind, and speak louder.

Nobody’s going to bother to hear you if you don’t assert yourself.

Fear of standing out

We take comfort in conformity and keeping a low key presence. It’s evident

POWER TO THE PINOY

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Towards empowering Filipinos.

in the way we speak in hushed tones, the way we dress mostly just like everybody else, and how we put our hands together and “attempt to shrink” when we pass in front of a crowd . We were taught to be humble – “wag mayabang,” and to not call attention to ourselves.

Humility is so revered in our culture that we seem to look at people who are more assertive with disapproval. Don’t stand out or be the “bida,” lest you be called “atribida” or “ma-epal.” Then there’s the woman who is forward – the “maldita.” When someone says or does something out of the ordinary, folks would say “eh di ikaw na ang magaling,” as though the deed was done to showoff. Dress more than the usual and some Pinoys might ask, “Saan ang binyag?”

“Saan ang kasalan?” Unfortunately, in our community, being overly critical is a popular sport, with our own kababayans playing the role of meddling kontrabida.

But who cares, right? Shed this hesitation by building confidence in yourself and allowing yourself to shine unfettered by others’ conditioned views.

And the next time somebody tells you – “eh di ikaw na,” you should answer with full conviction - “oo, ako na nga at wala nang iba.”

each other as Tagalog, Bisaya, tagaprovincia, taga ciudad, etc. When in fact, all of us are really, at the heart of it - ‘Filipinos’ and that commonality is felt even stronger the farther you go away from the homeland.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity of learning from others and making new friends because of ingrained timidity or insularity. Instead, utilize that signature Filipino smile and introduce yourself. Talk about the weather, if nothing else. Take interest in other people. That’s where you start.

Fear of being ambitious and more successful

Philippine literary legend Nick Joaquin once wrote about the Filipino’s ‘‘Heritage of Smallness” – on how our society is predisposed to thinking, always, in small scale. Case in point, the baranggay, bahay kubo, sari-sari store, tingi, isang kahig isang tuka, etc. The same concepts still stand today, together with phrases that segregate like “pang masa,” “pang sosyal” or “pang mayaman,” or the self-limiting “Pinoy lang ako” or “okay na yan.” All these, seem to promote, not only “smallness”, but also mediocrity, the willingness to settle for less, low self-

esteem, even the lack of faith in oneself.

Most of us were raised to be content with a “simpleng buhay.” And there is nothing wrong with being happy with a simple existence. That is, unless it kills your spirit, your passion and potential, making you believe that you are less than what you can be. And if it stops you from asking for what you deserve in life. Then again, demanding what you deserve is a whole other story. You cannot even begin to aspire, let alone, ask for what you want, if you cannot see beyond the “small” blinders.

We should unshackle ourselves from all these inherited ideas and beliefs that prevent us from leveraging endless possibilities. These fears hinder our chances of fulfilling our potential and being able to stand with the rest of the international community as equals. It doesn’t make us less Filipino when we shed some of the ideas which were handed down to us by our elders. Our job is to allow what is good to continue to shape us, and build something better from the negatives that limit us.

Fear of mingling with other cultures

“Why do Filipinos only mix with their kind?” foreigners would sometimes ask. They have a point. Attend any multicultural event and chances are, you would see Filipinos chatting only with other Filipinos. Perhaps we are just shy; uncomfortable to talk to people who don’t speak our language? Maybe, we just don’t know what to say, or how to break the ice?

Or perhaps, there are deeper roots to our hesitation to mingle with others?

We have always been conditioned to be clannish. We are so used to identifying

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B A S T E

D U T E R T E :

T H R O U G H M Y E Y E S This son of the 16th President of the Philippines is a magnet for controversies, with his bad-ass looks: 8 tattoos, a lip ring, and a crooked tooth in a mestizo frame. His relationships with women - perceived and otherwise, are a fodder for sensationalism. Broadsheets generally sing praises to his refreshing honesty and candor. Tabloids and blogs feast at the crumbs of his antics. Meet the other side of ‘bad-boy’ Baste Duterte.

By> Dr. Rex Venard Bacarra

“Baste, I’d write about you.” I told him. “Ay, ayaw lang Dom.” He replied in his dialect. I pleaded, “Please? Nothing political”.

He insisted, “Ayaw lagi.” “Just how I see you from my eyes since your high school days. The way I have known you.”

“Ayaw” I replied with exasperation, “Okaaay.” “Hahaha,” he laughed.

Thus, this piece, borne out of that exchange, shaped my desire for people to know who Sebastian Duterte is from my eyes.

This son of the 16th President of the Philippines is a divergent sort. A magnet for controversies courtesy of his bad-ass good looks: 8 tattoos, a lip ring, and a crooked tooth in a mestizo frame. His relationships with women - perceived and otherwise, are a fodder for sensationalism. His latest flame, now extinguished, with a showbiz personality added to his charisma. Broadsheets generally sing praises to his refreshing honesty and candor. Tabloids and blogs feast at the crumbs of his antics.

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I met him when he was young, when he was snaking his way through the halls to enroll as a second year high school student in San Beda College. You see, San Beda is significant in this story, because this learning institution was the place where I met him, his father, the President, then mayor, studied law here, and his sister, Sara, the mayor of Davao, was also studying Law. I was in my white sotana that fateful afternoon, a Benedictine Monk who just transferred from the Monastery of the Transfiguration in Malaybalay Bukidnon. Briskly walking from my office to the cafeteria, another monk called introduced me to the (then) mayor with Baste behind him. Fresh-faced, he impressed me with his altar boy demeanor. Self-conscious, he felt embarrassed in his modesty, endearing in his lack of confidence.

The father deemed it better for his son to study in San Beda for a reason that now escaped me. He told me just to take care of his son if we had the time. Since I speak the Cebuano language, the father thought that his son would warm up to me.

Illustration by> Edan Agarao

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I saw him several times in the campus since then. He would just look at me awkwardly in the beginning as if he didn’t know what to say. Then, as if the Gods of Davao opened their gates, he let loose a nod and an awkward smile one afternoon. I checked on his studies and how he was coping. He just said, “maayo man” and ran when the class bell rang.

Then he just decided, one day, to eat his lunch in my office. I saw him eating barbecue when I arrived. “Uy, kumusta man ka?” I asked. “Okay lang pud ko Dom. Manga-on ta. Guipalitan tika ug usa” he replied. He would regularly eat in my office since then. I would check on his assignments and we would talk about what he missed.

He joined San Beda’s junior basketball team, and anyone from his team, until now, will attest to his being a “guy of few words.” He was straightforward, but there was nothing threatening about him. His masculine and mestizo features were intimidating at first glance, but once that bias gets

broken, all you see is a person who is gentle, and surprisingly, a natural comedian. His play of words, often to comedic results, are hilarious. One just has to read his responses to the comments on his Facebook page. Even my secretary at that time took notice of how humorous he was, but it was the respect that endeared him to her. Neither rude nor entitled, he would always address her as “ate.” She never heard him swear or said something untoward to any woman. “Not me. Not my way. I will never do anything to physically hurt a woman.” He once told me when we were talking about relationships.

Growing up, I saw him transform into someone thoughtful with a growing hunger for authenticity. Before that, he was just like any other student, albeit with a withdrawn stance and distinctive humility for a son whose father was considered a political rockstar pre-election. He would mingle easily with his friends, the cafeteria staff, and the janitors.

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I would catch him changing from his high school uniform to a t-shirt to be able to get out of the college gate unnoticed.

Since the college students had no uniform, he would blend in, away from the observant eyes of his bodyguards. He wasn’t fond of having bodyguards, but he took care of them. “They are a family”, he would say. He ate with them; joked with them; asked them about their families, but couldn’t resist escaping from them from time to time. Something from his younger days that he outgrew. Instead of running away, he learned to accept that there were certain realities that he just had to go through.

But what was certain to me at that time was that city life wasn’t for him. His heart was, and still is, in the ocean. His mind was, and still is, in the farm. He was drawn to nature as moth to a fire.

I left San Beda-Manila for an assignment in San Beda-Alabang, and went to Dubai four years later. We lost communications.

Just as Friendster diminished, we lost track.

In this age of Facebook, I received a curt message one evening, “musta man ka?” That question was oddly familiar even after more than 10 years. I soon learned that he already has children, got tattoos (the first one being a scorpion), that he surfs, and fulfilled his desire to be with nature. His voice is still the same. There is still that faint, distinctive, growl, and the respectful yet straightforward tone.

If ever, he seems to have grown in wisdom, either by experience, or by his reluctant participation in politics. I got surprised when he went public during the campaign. “To help my father”, he waxed lyrical. The price he paid for the willful exposure was his privacy. Media courted him, and he was fed to the public with truths, but mostly with misinterpretations and half-truths.

He was unfazed most of the times, treating them lightly and humorously.

Media would focus on his looks and relationships. But I have known a boy who became the man. The man whose sensitivity to the needs of the tribes in Mindanao would often be his preoccupation- visiting them and supporting their economic and artistic endeavors, yet, mainstream media don’t even know about it. The man whose environmental consciousness is so deep his business involves cleaning the environment. The man who dreams, and paints his dreams. illustrado go>12

B a ste a n d me nto r Dr. Rex

He is an artist. He paints, and he paints in abstract. He paints, either as an extension of how he feels or as a social commentary. Cubist influenced, his latest piece is a social commentary about how the majority put human beings in a box: consisting of large 3-layered boxes - gold at the core, silver in the middle, and bronze at the outer layer - and smaller multi-colored boxes framing these large ones. These multi-cored smaller boxes represent people who are true and without inhibition, but once they desire to reach the gold in the middle with its attractive lights, going through the colors bronze and silver, they will lose their original colors, their genuineness. Society will brand them, forgetting that, once upon a time, they had other colors that are now considered to be irrelevant. Some people, even if they don’t want to, will be thrown into and cloaked in the color gold, though some will assume the gold willfully. The latter will show themselves to be such for society to see, hiding who they truly are.

He told me that it was his social commentary. While society is composed of individuals, this same society, ironically, does not see through the individual. Deep, I told myself. A reflection of this kind can only be gained through a patient understanding of life and its complexities. But his latest painting is not really a social commentary detached from him; it appears to be an experiential expression of how society sees him.

Here is a man whom they think is only generally preoccupied with the baser instincts. Yet, just like his painting, he willingly threw himself and assumed the color gold, exposing only what he wants society to see, and hiding who he truly is.

Filipino Progress & Diversity

JOSEPHINE CUTHBERT Vice President of Administration & Affairs EMIRATES CULINARY GUILD Dubai, UAE

NELSON EDWARD Manager- System Networks and Communications Department, System Solutions and Communications Division PANASONIC MARKETING ME & AFRICA Dubai, UAE My job I wear many hats at work. First of all, I make sure that my subordinates achieve their respective targets across Middle East and Africa. As Marketing Manager I ensure that our line-ups are up to the current market requirement and demands, not only in price but also in features. This includes promotions, strategic planning, analysis, and etc. My job entails a lot of travelling – an average of 2.5 times a month, to visit markets for product presentations, trainings and meetings. Taking regular travel as an opportunity, I also make sure I have fun, meet new friends, learn about different cultures, and of course, bring home some souvenirs from my trip.

My job My role, which is pivotal to the success of the guild, is extremely diverse. It’s not only about communications and maintaining databases but also handling competitions, sponsorship agreements and recording.

I manage solely the entire registration process of over 1200 competitors for the guild’s largest event - the Emirates Salon Culinaire. I am also in-charge of managing schedules, the arrangements with judging panels, transport and finances, tabulating the winning results down to medal preparation and certificate printing.

Where other culinary associations work with a dedicated events company, I handle this task single handedly. As a non-profit organization, where corporate sponsorship is key, I also manage sponsorships, as well as provisions for clients at the monthly meetings where I am the Chief Scribe providing members updates and fielding questions about upcoming events. It’s a robust job that is challenging, as I deal with various nationalities and management levels across the globe.

at the work place >

A day in my life Since I work from home, I start my days with breakfast whilst going through emails and checking urgent messages that need attention. I deal with a lot of these, so my mornings are usually filled by this task for the guild. One of the things that I enjoy the most in my job is meeting different people from around the globe when we have culinary events. Receiving congratulatory messages for me and my team from international judges is quite exhilarating, as well as always being invited onstage at the grand awards ceremonies to be recognized for a job well done.

Career advice In this competent world, always try to upgrade your knowledge, so you can enhance your skills at work. Always take with you, patience and tolerance, hard work, perseverance, purpose, and belief in yourself. Most of all, love your job and it will love you back.

I started in Panasonic as coordinator and one of the most remarkable things that happened to me is that I have been able to build trust with my team and top management, including HQ in Japan.

A day in my life My days are challenging and full of continuous learning and fun. My team is very diverse (Filipino, Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Moroccan), so I have to be very tactful in my approach with each unique cultures. Shouting is definitely not in the list of my things to do with my team, since I believe there is always a solution for every difficulty no matter the challenge.

Career advice Do not give up your dreams. We should be flexible in adapting to new challenges and changes. Mistakes happen but we should convert them into “lessons learned.” We should make good reason to love our job, so that we do not need to work in our life.

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B E Y O N D

R A M A D A N : F A S T I N G

A N D

I F T A R

For most non-Muslims, Ramadan stands out as the month of fasting by day, and generous iftars by night. But there is so much more in this rich Islamic tradition that’s worth exploring and learning from – especially for those of us who live in the Middle East.

Muslim Filipino community leaders Wafa Qasimieh and Dr. Abdul Hannan Tago, shares with us some Ramadan essential points about the Muslim community’s Holy Month.

Ramadan and its lessons

The month-long observation of Ramadan is marked by abstinence from food and drink during the day time, especially in public places in respect to the host country following the religion of Islam.

Muslims break their fast at iftar and partake of food with friends and family.

Providing a background to the special significance of the holy season, Wafa Qasimieh who is the Major Cultural Consultant in Cultural Administration at the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities – Government of Dubai, explains, “The month of Ramadan is not only the month of fasting. It is also the month of the Qur’an - the Muslim Scripture. “Ramadan is the (month) in which the Qur’an was sent down, as a guide to mankind, also Clear (Signs)

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for guidance and the differentiation (between right and wrong)” (Al-Qur’an, 2: 185). She continues, “Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam. Its main objective is to achieve piety and righteousness.

This implies becoming conscious of our Creator, increasing our awareness of His Majesty, exalting and glorifying His names and attributes, appreciating His greatness, recalling His blessings upon us, and being grateful and thankful for His guidance.

According to media veteran Dr. Abdul Hannan Tago, former resident of Saudi Arabia, who is now in the Philippines, “Ramadan is not about merely following religious obligation and tradition, so you feel like a devoted believer. Ramadan and the practice of fasting is about being

merciful, generous and caring towards the poor who might not have anything to eat.”

In the Philippines, where the spirit of Ramadan is not as palpable as it is in the Kingdom, Dr. Abdul Hanan Tago takes particular care in observing Islamic practices. He says, “We limit worldly

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activities that would distract us from the true meaning of Ramadan. We spend most of our time at the mosque for long prayers. We should be home before 6 pm to break our fast with family members, who gather together to enjoy a variety of foods and recipes. Although, personally, I do not encourage spending too much time and money to prepare food. We also take our midnight breakfast (sohour) between 2AM to 4AM.

For Wafa Qasimieh, Ramadan is a time for prayers, she remarks, “We devote even more time to praying, more time spent at the mosque to listen to the reading of the Qur’an. It is also time to be with families and friends and share iftar.”

The do’s and don’ts

It is prudent for Non-Muslims to be mindful during Ramadan. According to Dr. Abdul Hannan Tago, “eating in front of fasting Muslims is very disrespectful.

So avoid eating, drinking even smoking

in public during the daytime.” Wafa Qasimieh adds, “You’re not obligated to fast, but be courteous to those who cannot eat or drink. Most Muslims in the UAE fast during Ramadan (except for include pregnant women, elderly people, someone who is unwell) and yet go about their jobs with the same dedication. It is important to respect those who are fasting, as well as to refrain from drinking alcohol and from wearing inappropriate clothing.”

Wafa also reminds us to be considerate of friends and colleagues who are fasting as they might be low on energy during the day – “If you have a friend or a colleague who is fasting, please understand if you see them low on energy. She also reminds non-Muslims to be tactful on how they regard fasting. “Do not tell your Muslim friends that you want to fast to lose weight.” She explains, “Ramadan is not about fasting to lose weight. It’s about teaching yourself discipline. It’s about abstinence, about keeping yourself pure.”

Of course, in understanding Muslim tradition during the Holy Season, there’s nothing better than learning through practice. Wafa recommends, “Greet your Muslin friends with the phrase – ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ (blessed Ramadan).

In case your Muslim friend asks you to join in a Ramadan fast, say yes and try it - if only for a few days. To partake in a

Ramadan fast, you must avoid eating and drinking (during the designated times), smoking, chewing gum, dancing, playing loud music, wearing tight or revealing clothes and swearing. If your Muslim friend invites you to an iftar meal, accept.

Lastly, offer to help a Muslim friend with strenuous chores or errands like lawn mowing.”

In keeping with the season’s spirit of generosity, Dr. Abdul Hannan suggests, “Before 6PM, offer food to those who are fasting, for instance to passersby on the road, especially the less fortunate laborers, who do not have time to prepare their meals or, who might simply be poor. This is an example of a good humane practice, which we can all do during Ramadan.”

Beyond the practice of gathering with families, Dr. Abdul Hannan says both Muslims and Non-Muslims can also learn many lessons from fasting including selfdiscipline, humanitarian care and service to the community. He adds, “Living in a Muslim country or abroad, you have the advantage of learning good things from other cultures. Ramadan offers a chance for us to learn and understand our Muslim brothers. Wafa Qasimieh agrees - “If only non-Muslims will be interested in learning the Qur’an and embracing Islam, there is so much to be learned from it.”

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MONEY > Make money. Maintain that money. Money pa more!

How to Start a Business: 10 Essential Steps By> Armando O. Bartolome

Starting a business is not easy. It involves knowledge, time, money and a lot of patience. You will be faced with so many challenges along the way. But hey! If this would be the answer to all your problems, then why not give it a try and put your heart and mind into it?

Here are 10 essential tips on how to start a business successfully.

1. Create a Business Idea

You may have the desire to start a business of your own, but you can’t just put up any kind of business without knowing for sure what you are getting yourself into. In deciding which kind of business to open, think about the following.

• Do I have the skills in building a business?

• Am I ready to start the business now?

• Do I have the resources?

Providing various products and services would encourage customers to come in, but also realize that your products and services should be something that people need.

properly and come up with a budget, is essential. Sometimes, there may be a need to seek for help from a business expert to develop a proper strategy for your business.

3. Choose the Right Business Structure

5. Know Your Financial Capacity

There are several business structures which you can decide from: sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. You may choose an initial business structure and then reassess and change as your business grows.

4. Create a Business Plan

2. Prepare for the Business

Once you have a specific business in mind, consider the following factors: • Will the products and services answer people’s needs?

• Are there other companies offering the same products and services?

• How will your business fit into the existing market?

Always have your specific target market in mind. Most business owners fail to properly strategize about the kind of products and services that they offer.

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Imagine how you would want to start your business. You need to think of ways on how you would make the business work. The business plan should contain your goals and on how you think you will be able to reach them. In the simplest terms, a business plan is your guide on how your business is going to work and how you are going to succeed. It doesn’t need to be made in 30 pages. A list of thoughts in bullet point that will focus on strategies, milestones, responsibilities and financial assessment, so that you may be able to plan your finances

You don’t need to have massive sums of money to start a business. But you need an initial investment. It is better to start with a reasonable amount to prevent from having to seek a loan later. There are actually businesses that you can start with as little as PHP150,000.

If you are short of funds, you may seek financial assistance from a bank or other financial institutions, or even take a loan from a friend, or family member.

You need to weigh your options as some banks and financial institutions impose very high interests.

6. Choose a Business Location

It is important that you build your business in a strategic location where transportation and communication are accessible and a place where people often go to and a place where your products and services can be easily

MONEY > Make money. Maintain that money. Money pa more!

accessible to customers. Being able to spot the perfect location is an advantage and puts an edge towards your business and against your competitors.

7. Choose and Register Your Business Name

It is ideal to choose a name that can easily be recalled by the people. It is also important that you choose a name that can smoothly roll off the tongue.

Your business name should fit within the company’s portfolio and should embrace the company’s personality. Once you have chosen your business name, check if the name you chose has been used and if not, you will need to register it.

8. Secure Licenses and Permits

Prior to opening the business, there is paperwork that needs to be done. Any kind of business needs to secure licenses and permits in order to legally operate.

9. Hire Employees

Being new in business, keep expenses low so you can achieve your ROI within a shorter length of time. Some new business owners seek help from family

members and/or relatives to run the business. This is very practical but of course, take note that there could be times when you might not get along well with each other. Still, that is just part of any kind of business.

inspire your employees to do their jobs, create excellent products and build great customer relationship. You will be reaching your goals in no time!

Should you consider hiring other people for your business, ensure that you get the best people who are qualified to do the work you will be assigning to them.

10. Promote Your Business

Money won’t start rolling in unless you create some “noise”. Before, we may have only relied on television, radio and the newspaper to promote businesses.

But thank God for technology! The internet is a great way to let people from all corners of the world to know about you. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have become helpful tools in terms of business advertising. And through these channels, businesses are able to reach out to their customers easier.

Keep in mind that to start a business, you must start with a positive perspective.

Know what you need to know, help

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FASHION

>

PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART DIRECTION: GLENN PETER PEREZ OF BLACKFOX TEAM (FILBERT KUNG & GLENN PETER PEREZ) • CO-CREATIVE DIRECTION: DENNIS CELESTIAL STYLING: ELDZS MEJIA HAIR AND MAKE-UP: NINA DUMPA MODELS: CHRIZENDA CECILLIO AND MAXINE MEDINA

On Maxine: Gray coat by Nat Manilag, gold skinny pants by Belin Fliyelet, accessories by Dennis Celestial

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FASHION

>

Break away from gray corporate monotony with fierce fashion that screams individuality and edginess.

Guaranteed to get your creative juices all fired up.

Warning: work will never be the same again.

WICKED WORK WEAR illustrado go>19

FASHION

>

On Maxine: Strong shouldered jacket from Proudrace, shorts by Nat Manilag and accessories

by Dennis Celestial On Chrizenda: Longsleeved shirtdress with tassles from Proudrace and accessories

by Dennis Celestial

ii ll ll u us s tt rr a ad do o g go o> >2 20 0

On Chrizenda: Strongshouldered jacket from Proudrace, gray knitted sweater and chiffon skirt from Ciege Cagalawan, accessories by Dennis Celestial On Maxine: Gray coat by Nat Manilag with asymmetrical gray dress from Ciege Cagalawan, accessories by Dennis Celestial

FASHION

>

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PINOY BYAHE GUIDE > See the world, kabayan! Here’s how.

Destination:

Easter Island, Chile By> Kylene and Chino Batin

What the place is known for

Where to stay

Easter Island is one of the world’s most isolated inhabited island located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, a remote volcanic island in Polynesia. It was on Easter day when the Dutch discovered this tiny island, and that’s how it was named.

We found it very mysterious and interesting. It is known as the resting place of 887 Moai statues with the original settlers called Rapa Nui.

There are a lot of cabanas, the local term for resort or lodge near the beach. You will never find any well-known 4 star hotels like Holiday Inn, Ibis, Novotel, etc. so you can just choose any cabana listed in booking.com. Expect a pricey rate per night due to fewer options. Again, always book in advance.

Cabanas only offer a simple room with toilet. The internet connection is very weak anywhere even in internet cafés, so it’s difficult to update your FB, TWITTER or INSTAGRAM unless you have the data roaming plan.

How to get there

From Santiago, Chile we took the 5 hour flight on LAN Airlines.

Note that there is only one flight per day, so you need to book in advance as flights are always full. The flight cost during spring is AED2600 return.

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Must do and see

Rent a car if you want to roam around the entire Island, which you can circle in just two hours. This is true if it you don’t do stopovers for picture taking, of course. For us it took us two days to finish our itinerary, as we enjoyed everything this island has to offer including –

PINOY BYAHE GUIDE > See the world, kabayan! Here’s how.

RanoKau Volcano, where we were mesmerized by the beauty of the crate lake which stands at 100 metres above sea level, surrounded by fresh water. We enjoyed panoramic photos here.

This is the perfect place to bring out your selfie stick.

Orongo, as you drive alongside the volcano, you will see the ceremonial villages were chiefs of different tribes or their “hopu” (representatives) competed to obtain the first egg of the “manutara” a seabird that arrived every spring to nest. The trail will give you the most mystifying view of the island as you will find some curved stones in different images made by the Manu Taru and some small rock houses along the cliff.

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PINOY BYAHE GUIDE > See the world, kabayan! Here’s how.

Rano Raraku, was our first stop to see the Moai statues. Here you will encounter different sizes, shaped and carved faces of the Moai starring silently out from the hillsides. We were puzzled by the numbers of these statues located in different points and bewildered by the fact that all of them look to one direction.

According to the tour guides, the main reason for this is for the Moai to look over the village.

You will hear different stories on how these Moai were made and transported to the different parts of the island. One thing we are sure of is that the Rapa Nui must have super strength as the statues can weigh an average of 20 tons. It was quite a hair-raising experience as there was a very palpable sense of unexplainable spirituality in the air.

Ahu Tongariki, is the only place where you will find 15 different Moai statues standing in a straight line. The right time to go here is either sunrise or sunset.

Ahu Naunau – time to bring out your swimwear! These Moai are standing just in front of Anakena beach, which was the perfect place to chillax after a long tiring drive. A lot of tourists spending their time here before heading home.

These are just a few of the popular places to visit in the island. You can also do mountain biking, diving and surfing.

Their best kept secret

While heading toward RanoRaraku you will enjoy the lovely Pacific Ocean coastline. Take a few minutes to dip your feet in the crystal clear water with a distinctive aquamarine color.

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PINOY BYAHE GUIDE > See the world, kabayan! Here’s how.

Do it like the natives

Never leave this island without experiencing “UmuPae” an ancient Rapa Nui cooking practice involving hot volcanic stones in an underground pit. Traditional Rapa Nui dishes wrapped in banana leaves are cooked in the pit, giving way to some mouthwatering aromas. After having a feast, watch folkloric performances and learn to dance the Rapa Nui way.

How to dress

Trekking wear! Use suitable clothing and shoes, and please walk carefully when you go to the hills. But of course don’t forget to bring with your swimwear if you want to enjoy the beach, though water is a bit cold in this part of the world.

What to bring

When we landed at the airport, we were amused to see most tourists carrying their ‘Coleman’ filled with food and water.

Then we realized that food here can be quite pricey since everything is imported. So if you can, bring some goods from Santiago, Chile like cold cuts and snacks.

Also, don’t forget sunblock.

What to avoid

If you have a choice, avoid having meals in the restaurants as the food are not really worth the price. Instead buy from bakeries that offer local sandwiches like the famous empanada, then go to the beach and enjoy your meal! It is more fun.

Rental cars are not available online, as well as at the airport.

Still try not to arrange cars from the locals at the airport as they are quite pricey. Instead, you can take a lift to the center of HangaRoa which is just a few blocks away, where you can rent a car in a better price.

Trip budget

Visa Cost: AED 110 per person Roundtrip Flights per head: Dubai to Santiago, Chile: AED5,724 Santiago to Easter Island: AED2,397 Car rental: AED191 per day or 35,000 Chilean Pesos Hotel: AED303 per night at HostalAcapu thru booking.com Fuel: full tank AED60.

Park entrance fee: AED164 Rapa Nui dinner show includes buffet: AED300 Food and others: You may consider AED250 per day Souvenirs: From AED10

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BEAUTY > Kagandahan 101

I Fight Like a Girl By> Anna De Leon

How can a woman exude femininity in a grappling centric sport like jiujitsu where you are covered from head to toe? Can you look like a beauty and roll like a beast?!

Absolutely! However, on most occasions you do end up looking like a hot mess after 2 hours of training. A mess but hot, nonetheless With the tournament season officially closing last weekend, I can’t help but reflect on my jiujitsu journey. The bruises collected, hours spent on the mats, and of course my promotion to blue belt.

What does it mean to be a woman in a sport dominated by men? It means that I can move as fast as they can or even faster, execute positions to gain control and eventually submitting my opponent all the while looking soooo damn fine! Yes, my sick pressure passes are as unapologetic as my braids, and my red toe nails reflect the warrior in me because I fight like a girl.

How can a woman exude femininity in a grappling centric sport where you are covered with gear from head to toe?

Sounds like a fashion horror story, right?

But I have found the following pointers to be helpful in choosing the proper gear which will help you execute moves without skimping on style.

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Sashay to the mats in style 1. The Sports Bra: choose one with

good padding, which doesn’t mean upping your cup size. I mean padding for protection when you spar. I have seen sports bras which have metal clasps in them, forget about this. You would not want anything hard pressing onto your skin when you can’t breathe already due to the 2 layers of clothing that you are wearing plus the weight of your opponent if they managed to get control and pass your guard.

2. The Rashguard : The rashguard

may be uncomfortable but it was made to protect your skin as contact with the Gi can cause irritations. The rashguard is meant to be tight but not too tight that it chokes you. I am particular about my sleeves, I want them tight as it protects my skin from being pulled (which causes bruising). There are so many designs to choose from and this is where you can be creative with your jiujitsu outfit.

3. The Compression Pants : I prefer

compression pants to shorts as it protects my shins, which is so prone to bruising. When sparring gets intense (and it does) your Gi pants might accidentally come undone, you wouldn’t want to be DQ’d for mooning the audience, right?

4. The Gi: The Gi jacket can’t be too short or too long as this will prevent you from executing key moves. For me, a little above the wrist for the jacket, and a little above my ankles for the pants, is perfect. Your Gi also can’t be too tight upon purchase as some do shrink. There are so many brands to choose from and there are a variety of designs too. The most common colors are black, white and blue. You can also have a plain one and have patches sewn into it.

BEAUTY > Kagandahan 101

Look like a beauty, roll like a beast.

Can you look like a beauty and roll like a beast?! Absolutely! However, on most occasions we do end up looking like a hot mess after 2 hours of training. A mess but hot, nonetheless.

1. Make up: Can you wear make up

on the mats while sparring? If it has the same staying power as what Synchonized Swimmers wear, why not? However, it’s advisable not to as a form of respect to your sparring partner who may be wearing a white Gi. I normally head to the gym after work and what I would do is I wipe off all the face make up. The eye make-up, if any, doesn’t really rub off on your training partners.

2. Hair Style: I have tried several hair

styles out there to securely keep my hair off my face when training and they have all failed… miserably. A bun or a regular ponytail will not hold. The only hair styles that have worked for me are Dutch braids and a high ponytail with the braided tail.

Having your hair all over your face can contribute to you losing your breath and

body and for your face. Don’t forget to tone to remove deep seated dirt from skin.

focus while sparring so keep it in check.

3. Nails, Hands and Feet: Short nails are a must. I had to, however, shift from normal polishes on my toes to gel ones as some drills would make your toe nail graze the mats resulting to ruined nail polish. I think that having nice toe nails makes for tighter triangle chokes!

4. Skincare and Hygiene: Because

it is a contact sport and sparring can get intense, you may find your face flat on the mats, cheek to cheek with you sparring partner’s Gi, (which may have been mopping the mats from previous rolls), having superior skin care regimen and hygiene is a must. Here are my four commandments •

Thou shall not linger in your training clothes after training. Take off that sweaty, germ infested gear immediately.

•

Thou shall not touch your face after training without washing your hands

•

Thou shall invest in a gentle, anti bacterial soap or body wash for your

•

Thou shall wash your Gi EVERYDAY. No excuses. Other protective gears like knee pads should be washed every 2 days.

Starting this journey in 2015 has changed my life in so many ways. I have formed solid friendships through this sport. I learned to stand alone and fight for what I deemed was right and just.

Jiujitsu has given me humility, loyalty, and a sense of belonging because your team becomes your family. It has strengthened my belief that nobody is too old to dream another dream, set new goals and smash them. I am now a firm believer, more than ever that women can excel in such a grueling sport, exhibiting both their fierceness and foxiness, unapologetically because YOU can BE BOTH. OSS!

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LIVING WELL > Nuggets of wisdom for a life well-lived

20

s u r p r i s i n g b e n e f i t s o f s ay i n g

“ b a h a l a n a”

As Filipinos, we’ve often regarded the phrase “bahala na” as negative.

But there is a positive facet to this native concept - “bahala na” can also mean surrendering the ego to divine purpose.

By> Perla Daly

A mantra is a vehicle or tool that transports your mind to God.

The word mantra is a composite of two parts, ‘man’ which means mind, and ‘tra’ which means vehicle. Thus mantra is literally translated as “a vehicle to transport the mind.”

For a few years now, I’ve been excited about the potential of bahala na as a mantra that awakens, aligns and raises up our level in the game of life. I’ve been contemplating the deeper meanings of bahala na, since 2002. That’s when I learned the meanings of the baybayin symbols of bahala na from my friend Panday Banale. From there I started some contemplative and meditative practices Bahala Na Meditations, alongside it.

In 1997, I started yoga for stress relief. Surprisingly, it was through yoga philosophy class, I came to appreciate my Philippine heritage even more, on top of my childhood appreciation for our varied indigenous Philippine culture.

illustrado go>28

Upon hearing the Philippine words mukha and guru in yoga classes my interest in our pre-colonial history was deepened.

Through the years, I continued to research the Philippine’s precolonial connections to Vedic culture.

In 2004, I trained to become a yoga teacher. I did the 200hr yoga teacher training to deepen my knowledge of yoga philosophy and my sadhana or practice. Fast forward... while in a small class of soon-to-be-yoga-teachers I learned about the yoga practices called niyamas. I was thrilled to hear about ishvara pranidhana, a devotion of surrendering to the Divine.

Ishvara is Sanskrit for highest, pure divinity. Pranidhana means to surrender, devote or dedicate. Ishvara pranidhana is the practice of surrendering the ego and devoting oneself to a divine higher power.

This was an aha moment for me! It was at this very moment that the saying of bahala na clearly showed itself as an act of surrendering the ego to the divine! Because I knew how to say

LIVING WELL > Nuggets of wisdom for a life well-lived

bahala na and understood its meaning, I quickly slipped into knowing the underlying diwa or idea within yoga practice of ishvara pranidhana. To me, at that moment, sitting on the floor — Bahala na meant ishvara pranidhana. And ishvara pranidhana meant bahala na. Being Filipino suddenly was an even more marvelous thing for me. I felt that our pre-colonial heritage was rich in treasure waiting for us to find many gems of wisdom.

I was proud and grateful that my Filipino-ness gave me immediate understanding and appreciation of this niyama. I was deepening my yoga understanding amidst Westerners who had come to love the South Asian tradition of yoga, and appreciated its philosophy too. In that class I felt quite full of love and appreciation, that I was Filipino and that one of our worldviews was represented, and maybe even rooted, in yoga philosophy.

Isn’t that amazing to think that devoting our lives to the divine is the fastest way to enlightenment? We Filipinos can be so good at that. Many of us are born with a loving devotion to divinity.

With a new awareness I began to say bahala na as a practice of ishvara pranidhana, surrendering ego to divine purpose. I saw it as a personal devotion to the divine source, and a way of aligning my soul purpose with divine will. The spiritual practice of my mother and lola of giving everything up to God, was made more beautiful and powerful to me.

14. Surrender your life to God so you can be used as an instrument of divine will 15. Realize that separation from God is an illusion or maya 16. Realize sacred interconnection or pakikipagkapwa (Filipino) 17. Align yourself, your thoughts, will and actions, to the harmony and balance of the Universe 18. Do God’s work and balance light and dark 19. Transform your personal purpose to soul purpose that is, aligned with divine purpose 20. Empower your journey towards the state of yoga, the awakened, divine consciousness, enlightenment or Samadhi while still on the earthly plane AND here’s two more on the Law of Attraction!!

1. Manifest your dreams 2. Enable yourself as co-creator through your own creativity and works

And yet, there was something even more here, and I was determined to find out by way contemplation. So I started the exercise of the Bahala Na Meditations. I’ve been meditating and contemplating on Bahala Na spiritual meaning for almost 15 years.

So here now is the good stuff I’d like to share with you: 20 powerful benefits you will get from saying bahala na as a mantra:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

Become closer to God. Surrender yourself to the divine beloved Release fear that holds you back Express a courage even though you don’t know everything.

Let go of your ego’s need to control outcomes and the stress that comes from it Release negative karma that arises from your ego.

Free yourself from worry, anxiety, self-doubt Ease the competitive mind Find comfort in knowing that you’re in the care of a Higher Power Open yourself up to whatever is coming your way Overcome fear of whatever it was that you have to go through Trust your actions will unfold something in the cosmos that is going to end up towards some higher good Request for divine guidance

Babaylan Mandala, Patina and Gold.

As an artist and Filipino, I believe that the Babaylan Mandalas call to Filipinos to seek and fulfill their highest selves. With this same love and devotion, I believe there’s power in saying bahala na as a sacred phrase that calls up the well-spring of your inner resources that have been there all along.

Now’s the time to access your inner gold, more than ever. In this time. In this age.

If you’re curious about hearing chanting, meditations, and old contemplations you can visit BahalaNaMeditations.com.

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LIVING WELL > Nuggets of wisdom for a life well-lived

What your BMI says about your health By> Dr. Rebecca Desiderio

Everyone is trying to find ways to shed off those extra pounds and hold on to his or her “teenage weight.” One of our biggest concerns is our weight, as we get older. Good thing there’s a simple way of finding out whether you are within the healthy weight scale - finding out your Body Mass Index and waist size.

Everyone is trying to find ways to shed off those extra pounds and hold on to his or her “teenage weight.” One of our biggest concerns is our weight, as we get older. Good thing there’s a simple way of finding out whether you are within the healthy weight scale - finding out your Body Mass Index and waist size.

Checking your BMI

To check your BMI, calculate with the formula: weight (kg) / [height (m)]2.

If your BMI is less than 18.5, you are classified as underweight. Talk to your physician to find out if your weight is a symptom of a medical problem. A registered dietitian can help you learn about healthy eating.

A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 means that you are in the recommended weight range for your height. However, if you are not getting regular physical activity and practicing healthy eating, being in this range will not guarantee you of being healthy.

From a BMI of 25 to 29.9, you are classified in the overweight category.

Alongside this result, you need to check your waist size and other health problems you might have.

A BMI of 30 or higher, places you in the illustrado go>30

obese category. You need to lose weight and change your eating and activity habits to get healthy and stay healthy.

It’s imperative to remember that our BMI is only one measure of your health.

Being thin is not a measure of a healthy lifestyle. A person who is thin, but does not exercise or eat nutritious foods, is still very unhealthy.

Waist Size

What’s next?

Consult your nearest medical clinic and check with your physician if you have weight-related health problems like high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, or osteoarthritis, especially if your waist size is high and if you are in the overweight or obese category. Also, be sure you have healthy eating habits and a more active lifestyle.

After checking your BMI, it’s time to look at your waist size. Your waistline can help you find out how much fat you have stored around your belly. People who store fat around their belly are likely to develop weight-related issues than others. Diseases that are related to weight include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

The bottom line is, if you are unhappy with your weight you have to assess yourself objectively and consult your doctor. However, if you’re at a healthy weight but are still unhappy, you are not alone. A lot of people find it difficult to be satisfied with how they look. Blame it on the unrealistic images of what it means to be slim.

Measure your waist with a tape measure.

The tape should not press into your skin but should fit snugly around your waist.

For your own sanity and self-esteem, be reminded that there is no “ideal” body shape or body size. The important thing to ask is if you have plenty of energy and if you feel good about yourself. Are you capable of doing the things you want to do? Or do you have a medical condition that affects your lifestyle? Wake up from your slumber, and don’t be swayed by trends, and take hold of the truth. Rejoice in the truth that God loves you just as much as a size 28 as at a size 8.

As a standard for most people, the goal for a healthy waist is: less than 40 in.

(102 cm) for men and less than 35 in.

(88 cm) for women. If you are Asian, the goal is lower: less than 36 in. (91cm) for men, and less than 32 in. (81cmI for women

ILLUSTRADO STUFF >

AKIN BARBERSHOP

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FINDSALT

If you are a normal citizen of Dubai who had been scrolling through your Instagram feed during your downtime, you probably have seen a post or two by SALT. Their feed will make you want to eat burgers all day and not feel guilty at all (well, maybe just a little, but you deserve a good burger)!

Spend time at Kite Beach and enjoy the warmth of the sun while snacking on their all-time favorites! To know more about where they’re at, visit them here -> @findsalt

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It means more sun and sweaty skin because you’re a responsible adult that has some errands to run.

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ILLUSTRAGRAMMERS

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A roundup of the Instagrammers we love

There are photos of you that go to Facebook and there are some that fail to meet the standard so they stay in your camera roll for “remembrance” purposes. Then you have your “ugly-pretty” selfies that has a shelf life of 24 hours on Snapchat; and let us not forget the photos of you in your group chat that was taken from a night when you got tipsy and looked like a #wastedyouth. But the photos that get to Instagram are a different story. Because “Instagram is supposed to be well-thought of” and should follow a specific #gridgoal.

We are living in an era where if it’s not Instagramable, it’s not cool. This is an era that highlights style and aesthetics and being behind the race is a thumbs-down. Make your IG-gaming strong with these social media forces who are too cool to be missed!

Ida Anduyan - @idandu Philippines Do not be fooled by this girl’s pretty face and quirky style. She is definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Popping with some colors every now and then mixed with a retro 90s vibe, she walks the streets of Manila fearless. The way she presents herself is what makes her uniquely cool. Give her an oversized shirt and she’ll nail it! Because fashion is 20% clothes and 80% personality (not an actual data, but you get our point, right?)

Jay Jackson @jonathanjackson NOMAD For he is a free-spirited soul who happened to have a DNA that fits the glossy pages of a high-fashion magazine and the runways of New York, Paris and Milan; he is never in the same place for a long time! Check out this model’s off-duty moments on Instagram and be inspired on how to make the world your work place! We envy you Jay, we envy you!

ILLUSTRAGRAMMERS

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A roundup of the Instagrammers we love

Francis William Cagayat @kikocagayat Japan With a glowing nightlife, huge variety of places to eat at and tons of #OOTD spots that will totally bring your feed to life; it is a no-brainer to consider Japan a dream travel destination not just for wanderers but also for the fashion enthusiasts out there. And for Kiko, this is the city where he thrives as a fashion blogger and content curator. Yes, even with an outflow of fashionphile in this place, he refuses to swim with the current. If that’s not cool enough, we don’t know what is.

Melissa Gatchalian @sartorialpanda Philippines Melissa is your typical millennial who has a natural knack for social media savviness. But she is more than that. Having something that is natural to you and doing something to make it work to your advantage are two different situations. She did not wake up one day and already have 43.6k followers (it grows fast!) on Instagram. She had to put in some real good effort to achieve those double tapworthy photos. This, on top of being a dog parent and a graphic designer.

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ANNIE B CHRONICLES

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T h e ad v e n tur e s a n d mi s ad v e n tu re s o f a ‘ n o t s o a ve ra g e ’ P in a y tr y i n g to ma ke i t i n th e c o s m o po lita n c ity o f Du b a i

” an m an il ka pa ag M ya ka pa o m Maalaala

H

ey mga avid readers!

Eversince, lagi na lang tungkol sa akin ang nababasa ninyo, for a change let us give way to another masugid na tagasubaybay of my column – this time sya naman ang kamuhihan at pagtawanan nyo – charot!!! Nang maiba naman ang ihip ng hanging ngayong buwan ng mga puso. Mga kabayan, kilalanin natin si … Shawie at ang kanyang Kwentong OFW. Dear Ate Annie, Hello po! Muzta na po u, Ate Annie? Sana po ay nasa mabuti kayong kondisyon patanggap ninyo ng sulat kong ito.

Simula pa lang ay nais ko na kayong pasalamatan sa pagtangkilik ninyo ng aking liham. Itago nyo na lang ako sa pangalang Shawie. Tulad nyo, isa ring probinsiyana – tubong Liliw, Laguna – di rin gaanong kagandahan ngunit balingkinitan naman ang pangangatawan kaya’s panalo ako lalo na kapag suot ko ay Mango at Zara – ayan, pareho din nga pala tayong fahionista. Half Chinese ang father ko kaya nabiyayaan ako ng makinis at maputing balat…yun nga lang medyo may pagka-kinky ang buhok ko ngunit salamat sa Sheila Straightening Cream, Maine N’ Tail Shampoo at Hanabishi Flat Iron (my bestfriend, I swear!) ay

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paminsan-minsan ko rin na-a-achieve ang Gretchen Barreto hairstyle ko. Simula elementary hanggang high school ay honor student ako – oo, may pagkanerd din t nahirapang mag-fit in sa mga kaklase ko noon. Dahil masipag akong mag-aral, Accountancy ang tinapos ko at top 5 sa board exam ng batch naming.

Impressive ba?

Well, sa kabila ng lahat ng achievements ko, maituturingg kong empty at malumbay ang aking buhay, Ate Annie.

You see, isa ako sa mga libo-libong kababaihan na kung tawagin nila ay “No Boyfriend since Birth”. Tumpak ka dyan – Never Been Kissed, Never Been Touched ang beauty ko – kaya ako lumiham sa iyo – para sana naman, dala ng iyong tunong at mga tips, ay makahanap na ako ng aking Prince Charming. Yun Na! Ewan ko ba, lahat naman ng pelikula, tv shows, magazines at books ay sinunod ko na. Pero talagang mailap si Kupido when it comes to granting me my very own Papa. But don’t get me wrong, Ate Annie – I’ve never had a boyfriend pero madami nang boylets ang dumaan sa aking mga palad. I’ve met and have been with several na but not one single guy had been what you can call true love – or totoong naging boyfriend ko.

Take the case of Yñaki, my first-would be-boyfriend sana during my college days. He’s so coño and tisoy – dreamboat talaga ng buong campus and number 1 crush ng bayan. Akala ko noon, um-effect na ang kaka-Angel’s Breath cologne ko, kasi he always looks at me whenever I pass by.

Then one Friday afternoon, after watching his basketball game, I was about to take a sip from the water fountain when all of a sudden someone pushed me – napasungalngal tuloy ako sa faucet!

Grabe, kakahiya talaga – everyone laughed – kasi there was blood coming out of my gilagid na – gosh! Then when I was about to confront na the salarin, I turned back – it was Yñaki pala! Ay nag-blush talaga akooooo. In my head, I started hearing this Close Up Jingle, “Hey where’s the look in your eyes….” habang he was wiping the blood from my mouth.

“Hey it’s you pala…siguro you got so thirsty from game noh?” I told him. After he apologized, he asked for my number.

Oh-My_Gaaaaawwwwd!!!

(Read about what happened next at www. illustradolife.com – Annie B Chronicles)