ILLUSTRADO GO> ISSUE 9 > 25-09-16

Metam o rp ho sis Evolving, Changing,

Moving Ever Forward #TaasNooFilipino

So Illustrado

Who we are, What we do, How we do it

#TBT (Throwback tayo!)

10 years of Illustrado in photos

Chaos Is A Ladder

Don’t Get Bored, Get Busy!

How our only real competition is competition Overcoming Boredom 101

EDITOR’S NOTE/ CONTENTS

ISSUE 09

#TaasNooFilipino

Five million, two hundred fifty six thousand minutes. Three thousand six hundred and fifty days. 10 years. 1 global vision. 1 native soul. For an entire decade now, we have been Galing Ng Pinoy-ing and Taas Noo Filipino-ing like nobody’s business – literally, because no one in the market does it as loudly and stubbornly as we do. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it. And we do it with a level of pride and audacity that remains undiminished by market upheavals and rapidly shifting communication paradigms. The word “Filipino” has become synonymous with the word “resilience,” and we are more than happy to exemplify the indefatigable, indomitable, unkabogable Pinoy spirit in the way we conduct ourselves as a publication, a brand, and a social enterprise. This is our commitment to you, our dear Illustrado’s. Trust that we will not falter.

25th • Sept • 2016

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This issue is all about looking back at what Illustrado has done in the ten years of its existence, and at the same time, looking forward to all the possibilities that loom over the horizon for us and our precious readers.

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This is the prognosis of our metamorphosis.

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Editor-in-Chief

PINOY PROGRESSIVE

POWER TO THE PINOY: THE LITTLE DREAM THAT COULD >8 ILLUMINATI: THE MANIFOLD PINOY >10 KEEPING UP WITH THE CON GEN: WHEN THERE’S ONLY ROOM FOR ONE ON TOP >12 USAPANG ILLUSTRADO >14 ILLUSTRADO THROWBACK >22 SENSE & SPIRITUALITY: DON’T BE A BORED KABAYAN >52 LAW: SOLVING THE MOST COMMON LEGAL REAL STYLE, REAL PEOPLE >47 PROBLEMS IN THE UAE >53 WEARING IT WELL: JEROME CENTENO >48

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: LAKSHMI RAMIREZ >40 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: APE CREATIVE >42 SCRAPBOOK: HENRY DOCTOLERO JR. & HARRY CRUZ >44 ENTERTAINMENT >56

FASHION & BEAUTY FASHION FLASHBACK >28

JUST BECAUSE

MY PINOY LIFE IN FRANKFURT >16 ONLI IN DA PILIPINS: LUHOXURIES >35 ILLUSTRADO STUFF >36 SASSY GUIDE: 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY TOXIC PEOPLE >37 IT’S WHAT I DO: YVETTE SANTOS & NOLIE HANS DAGMAN >38 PINOY ENTREPRENEUR: TIMELESS ELEGANCE >49 THE ANNIE B. CHRONICLES: SHOPPING PEST >54 ILLUSTRADO NOM NOMS: COXINHA FROM FOGUEIRA >55 illustrado go>3

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.

NICHOLO JALLORES

Associate Editor Nicholo Jallores walks around the city, abuzz with Illustrado KoolAid. He bathes in it, vaporizes it and inhales it, and takes it intravenously. And he would have every Filipino he meets do the same.

KRIP YUSON Krip Yuson will soon have his third novel published, titled “The Music Child & the Mahjong Queen,” a follow-up on his seventh collection of poetry, “Islands of Words & Other Poems.” In this issue, the Palanca Hall of Famer writes about Filipinos in diaspora, and how our nomadic ways have reshaped our national identity.

CONSUL GENERAL PAUL RAYMUND CORTES When not performing his duties as the head of the Filipino community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, or the obligations of a dutiful dad, passionate patriot Paul Raymund Cortes mulls over how to further enrich the local Filipino community by promoting a more progressive mindset.

BARNEY ALMAZAR, ESQ. TRACY LEY ABY YAP

What makes the Pinoy tick?

Aby Yap’s long-running column “Onli in Da Pilipins” often answers that question. She talks about the familiar Pinoy life, turning it into something fun and extraordinary. With a talent for finding every Juan’s funny bone, Aby’s wit and obvious affection makes the Filipino a whole lot more lovable.

Beauty expert and blogger Tracy Ley aka “Ms. Tracy” is Illustrado’s resident sassy lioness. In this issue, she offers 7 key insights on what women should bear in mind about life. Keep up with her sassy shenanigans via her FB page https://www.facebook.com/ MsTracyLey, or on Instagram: @mstracyleyofficial

TOYM Awardee Barney Almazar, Director at Gulf Law in the Middle East, Philippines and United Kingdom, is ‘the’ legal vanguard for Filipinos in the country. He has authored 4 books dedicated to inform and educate kababayans in the region about the legal system, as well as financial literacy.

KRISTINE ABANTE

An entertainment industry expert who spends her downtime looking for the next great adventure wherever she could find it, Kristine uses her writing to relive her experiences twice and to encourage others to join the ride.

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ROMAN GUEVARA

Spiritual advisor. Life Coach.

Rockstar. Roman Guevara, better known as “Kuya Roman,” has made an indelible mark in the Filipino community in the GCC with his unique brand of empowerment. In this issue, he talks about how to combat OFW boredom. Get in touch with him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ romanguevaraRU

From The Publishers of Illustrado Magazine

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ CREATIVE DIRECTOR MON BENITEZ ASSOCIATE EDITOR NICHOLO JALLORES COLUMNISTS ABY YAP ALFRED “KRIP” YUSON ANNA DE LEON BARNEY ALMAZAR EXCEL DYQUIANCO FRANCISCO COLAYCO KRISTINE ABANTE CONSUL GENERAL PAUL RAYMUND CORTES TRACY LEY ORENCIO CONTRIBUTING WRITERS – UAE, PHILIPPINES, CANADA AJ MARASIGAN DANABELLE GUTIERREZ KENNETH EPHRAIM SURAT MAI BAUTISTA NINA PEÑALOSA-CARPIO RACHE HERNANDEZ REX VENARD BACARRA ROSAN KATLEA REODICA CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS –UAE, PHILIPPINES & USA EROS GOZE RAEN BADUA IRVIN RIVERA JEF ANOG ALEX CALUENG CRISTINA LINAZA ROZEN ANTONIO HERSON NEBAYA CONTRIBUTING FASHION CREW - UAE, HONGKONG, PHILIPPINES GINNO ALDUCENTE JESSIE TABLA VALENTINO MONTUERTO JASMIN

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SPECIAL QUARTERLY EDITION BI-WEEKLY 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.CO WEB: ILLUSTRADOLIFE.COM, ILLUSTRADO.CO FACEBOOK: ILLUSTRADO MAGAZINE INSTAGRAM: @illustradomagazine PRINTERS ATLAS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS FZ-LLC PO BOX 14833 DUBAI, UAE STOCK IMAGES SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED) COPYRIGHT ILLUSTRADO COMMUNICATIONS FZ-LLC 2006 – 2016 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.

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FEATURE

We are Illustrado.

That means “You” and “I.” If you have even the slightest morsel of ambition in your body, that undeniable desire to just do better, you are Illustrado. You are a part of a tribe of dreamers and achievers, visionaries and action stars, nerds, warriors, leaders, and community heroes. We are not the minority. We are the majority. And as different as we are from each other as individuals, we are one.

For a whole decade now, Illustrado has had one battle cry: “Champion the image of the Filipino.” That voice has not gone softer nor quiter through the years. Quite the contrary: that voice has been emboldened by trials and tribulations. From the outside it looks as though we are all about the glitz and swankiness, but trust and believe, kabayan - #thestruggleisreal. This is not as much an enterprise as it is an authentic advocacy - and an advocacy is not an advocacy if it does not demand sacrifice.

We are in it for the love of it, and we are in it for the long run.

But as audacious, outrageous, and courageous as we can be, we cannot sustain this fight by ourselves. We need your energy, skills, and good ol’ Pinoy pride to aid us in the noble mission to give the

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Filipino identity the respect and admiration it deserves. We need you to keep this movement in perpetual motion. Wherever in the world you are, need you to remember and enact your allegiance to our dear nation. Join us. We need you.

We are a diverse and colorful sort, but there are a few key values that hold the vibrant tapestry of our identity together. Do these threads run through you as well? Reach out to us then. Let’s hang out.

CURIOSITY

That insatiable desire to answer the question “What If?” “Is there more?”

“How do I get there?” We are explorers and discovers. We may not always like the answers, but the point is that we always ask.

AUDACITY

We do most of the things we do simply because we can, and because it always feels good to be the first to do things. What we have is a strange mix of courage and, well, foolishness - like a child learning how to walk, and wondering how soon he could learn how to fly.

TENACITY

We can take “no” for an answer, but to us, that just means “Not right now. Try again in a minute.” Where there is a closed door, we’ll find an open window. Where there is no window, we’ll dig a tunnel. Alternate word: “stubbornness.”

CREATIVITY

What looks good, what makes sense, and what’s clever. We make sure to go for those things, because we believe that our kabayans deserve better.

PINOY PRIDE

There’s this newfangled movement in social media that purports that Filipinos take pride over the silliest things. We reject that movement. We say, take pride where you can find it, and celebrate it whenever you can. Loudly. Exuberantly. We’ve been doing just that for a decade now. Trust us – this kalesa ain’t stopping. #GalingNgPinoy #TaasNooFilipino Sincerely, Team Illustrado

POWER TO THE PINOY

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Towards empowering Filipinos.

The Little Dream That Could

A personal look at Illustrado’s 10 years By > Lalaine Chu-Benitez

When we started, all that there was for Filipinos out here was unsavory news. Today, Pinoy pride has become a mainstream ideal, not only here in the region, but also back home. Now you see Filipino achievers being celebrated left, right, and center. Patriotism has seen resurgence and we are glad to have been a big part of that wave.

A jump into the abyss

A decade ago, we jumped with eyes wide open, into the abyss of social entrepreneurship. Leaving my successful corporate career, my husband and I bet everything we could muster into a dream – that of being able to contribute something meaningful to the world using our gifts.

Corny? Perhaps. But we were not alone.

We banded with talented Filipino kindred spirits, and gave birth to what would become an oddity in the local Filipino media landscape back then – Illustrado Magazine.

Ten years hence, we look back to where we started, through the bumpy roads, the blood sweat and tears, the triumphs and the days when I felt like quitting, or that episode when we were told by our bank rep (who did not understand that ours is a social endeavor), that this business venture is just not viable. We look at all the hours, the non-weekends, sleepless nights, and personal resources that we poured into what had become bigger than all of us, and ask ourselves - was it all worth it? More importantly, have we achieved what we set out to do? Did we bring anything of value to the Filipino community, the involuntary beneficiary of our aspirations?

The little engine that did a lot of things

People always marvel at how a middleclass Filipino couple who was not connected to the rich families of the Philippines can call a magazine their own.

They are even more amazed to know that we have always been just a team of five, and at a certain point, a team of three, illustrado go>10

even. That we have been able to publish a top quality monthly consistently for 9 years, and now a fortnightly and a quarterly starting 2016, pulling in material from over 50 contributors across the globe, seems nothing short of miraculous. We have also held our own events, done advocacy projects, published a book and shot two mini-documentaries, while running our own marketing and advertising services business to meet our needs. This isn’t a bragging point, as much as it is a testament to how passion, talent, guts, and collaborative work founded on goodwill, can move proverbial “mountains.”

The value of an ideal

And what of our cause? What is the value of our work? It’s very hard to quantify and qualify what we do, especially in the domain of social enterprise where charities and non-profits are the order of the day.

We don’t feed the hungry. We don’t fund schools. We don’t raise money for charity, although we had supported projects in the past, and initiated the building of a Paseo Illustrado in one of the Gawad Kalinga centers – a project we shared with some generous “kababayans” in the emirates.

Instead, beyond hunger and poverty, we’ve always thought that the Filipino community needed some well-deserved upliftment. Ten years ago, we got tired of being fed with “masamang balita,” gossip and scandals – the typical fodder of our mainstream media. We resented being disadvantaged by negative information that created our stereotypes in the face of others. Back then, within our multicultural community out here, the words associated with us were rape, Sick Man of Asia, poverty, maids,

mail-to-order brides and natural disasters.

We did not want to be seen as poor and helpless anymore, especially since that perception shaped the way we are treated by others, and influenced the kind of positions and salaries our compatriots are offered at the workplace.

We thought, what better way to use our prowess in communications and visual arts (and later, tastemaking), than to help shape a more positive Filipino image, by uplifting our kababayans, presenting our finer qualities to the world, and bolstering our community’s collective confidence.

We became the self-appointed “rara team” of the Filipino community in the region, promoting our greatness, creativity, style and joie de vivre, rallying behind the slogan, “Taas Noo, Filipino!”

We’ve promoted a more globalized view, while feeding the thirst for improvement.

We’ve celebrated the qualities that make us unique and ‘funny’ and our fashion savvy and fabulousness, just because we can. We’ve empowered Filipina women, equipping our sisters with essential knowledge and advice. When we launched Illustrado in September 20th 2006, our mission was to help the Filipino flourish, guided by our global vision and native soul.

In the beginning, we were called “propagandists.” Strangely enough, some of our kababayans found it suspect that a company would just set out publishing only good things about Filipinos. We were also branded as “ellitista” by those who did not understand that all that gloss, the beauty and finesse that our magazine has been known for, has been carefully cultivated because we are, after all, worldclass citizens. That aspirational quality

POWER TO THE PINOY

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Towards empowering Filipinos.

the Gulf. We have produced two provocative mini-documentaries that sought to awaken Filipinas consciousness, one of which won the Migrant Advocacy Media Awards for Best Documentary. We have signed up thousands of Filipinas on the Pinays Take Charge Pledge, teaching them about their intrinsic value and the need to protect themselves. One hundred and two thousand follow us on Facebook every day, and 60,000 visit and browse through our worthwhile articles on our website every month. So far, we have promoted countless Filipino artists, photographers, achievers and both top and emerging designers. Of course, we don’t have a handle as to how many Filipinos we have touched, or inspired with what we do.

We have worked with Filipino organizations, bloggers, key opinion leaders and diplomats. Instead of promoting celebrity worship, we have made celebrities of the common man. And all this time, despite commercial considerations and the appetite for clickbait, we have been able to keep it all positive for the Filipino, not allowing sensationalism and commercialism kill our editorial integrity, while we keep true to our mission.

was necessary to validate that we are at par with the best of them out here, and that, even though we may be masa, we still deserve the best.

Keeping count

When we started, all that there was for Filipinos out here was unsavory news. Today, Pinoy pride has become a mainstream ideal, not only here in the region, but also back home. Now you see Filipino achievers being celebrated left, right, and center. Patriotism has seen resurgence and we are glad to have been a big part of that wave in the last decade, together with pioneers like Good News Filipinas also founded in 2006 by BBC Asia’s Rico Hizon.

We are fortunate to be at the forefront promoting Filipino talent from the Gulf -

not only our achievers, artists and other professionals, but also our designers who were once snubbed by the highbrow Philippine fashion community and referred to as “OFW designers.” Being part of our top designers’ blossoming into international acclaim as primary supporters over the years has been quite a privilege.

Today, Google the phrase “Filipina empowerment” and you will see how a small team like ours can introduce a new catchphrase that adds positive discourse into the mainstream. We are proud to have started that conversation when we launched Women of Substance in 2007 and thereafter, Pinays Take Charge.

Far from fishing for compliments, or hankering for applause and honors, it is good for us to remember that in the last ten years, our endeavors have amounted to something; that the grueling work, the challenges of keeping this boat afloat, in what sometimes feels like a thankless job, has not been for naught.

And so, we move on to our 10th year still here, seasoned with battle scars but stronger, honed by time and mellowed with wisdom, sometimes tired but not defeated, and still brimming with hope and optimism.

The promise of playing a pivotal role in the great Filipino redemption story keeps us anchored steadfastly onto the ideal that we have signed up for in 2006: that your friendly neighborhood “kabayan” is a superstar who deserves the world’s attention and awe.

And to that we say, with a voice as loud as ever, “Taas Noo, Filipino!”

Since 2006, we have published over 100 issues, plus an extraordinary coffee table book, with the help of 150 photographers and 20 Filipino photography clubs around

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ILLUMINATI

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Deconstructing the Filipino zeitgeist. In short, dibdibang pagmumuni-muni.

The Manifold Pinoy B y > K r i p Yu s o n

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he state and stats of our modernday diaspora stare at us, and many other people in the world, very much in the face. Roughly a tenth of our population reside abroad. That’s about ten million Filipinos.

We seem to be everywhere.

We have been called names, or spawned insulting terms — given our color and presumed characteristics, even to a brand of chocolates in a country that had colonized us. We expect no apologies.

Not for that — “Filipinos” as a brand of sweets, brown on the outside, white inside.

But when the Greeks use “Filipineza” as a synonym for domestic helpers, we do raise semi-official objection, albeit not to much avail.

Yes, we have been stereotyped in Europe and the Middle East, mostly, even in parts of our own larger region of Asia.

The taglines have turned into epithets

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that we then do our best to discard. From “Pearl of the Orient” thence “Showcase of democracy in Asia,” it became “the basket case of Asia.” That last has been turned around, to a certain degree, largely with thanks to the level of diaspora that translates into foreign currency remittances.

Back home, middle-class villages sprout in former farmlands with such community gate tags or slogans as “Katas ng Saudi.”

The OFW has for at least a decade provided the highest revenue for national coffers.

And abroad, while the Filipino is still often mistaken to be but a domestic if female and a seaman if male, many other roles have been filled as to help us escape such narrow profiling.

Long after mass migration early in the previous century filled Hawaii with our sugarcane field workers, California with

farmhands and Alaska with salmon factory labor, many young Filipinos joined the US Navy as the predecessors of the modernday seamen the world’s shippers trust so much today.

When we first went out to the rest of Asia, from the 1950s onwards, our musicians became the so-called “soul brothers” of the region. Eventually it became advertising and media professionals that sought employ in neighboring foreign cities, as writers, editors and creatives, from cartoonists to graphic designers, architects to landscape designers.

It wasn’t until we neared the end of the millennium that the outbound traffic was dominated by domestic helpers, plus what were eventually also typecast as Japayuki.

Then the exodus to the Middle East and Europe began, all the while that the continuing pursuit of the green card was conducted in Estados Unidos.

ILLUMINATI

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Deconstructing the Filipino zeitgeist. In short, dibdibang pagmumuni-muni.

Now we have many nurses in the U.K., au pairs all over Europe, all kinds of service personnel, office managers, engineers and construction workers in Dubai and the rest of the MidEast, doctors, educators and students in the USA, Canada and Australia, reputed economic migrants everywhere, from New Zealand to Greenland. We are least represented in Latin America, Russia, Mongolia, North Korea, and war-torn regions.

Our yayas and caregivers are sought after, so that a fantasy future drives the imagination of our perceptive writers, the way Jessica Zafra often injects humor in the prospects of our eventual world domination. Indeed, it’s often been reported how kids growing up in Arabian royal families have been taught to eat adobo and other Pinoy cultural practices by their beloved Filipina yayas.

In the rest of the world, especially the Western part, those who are more enlightened do go beyond the profiling and stereotyping by becoming aware that Filipinos aren’t only seamen, boxers or domestics, but that we have world champions in other sports other than Manny Pacquiao — today the best-known Filipino.

Only recently, our President verbalized the opinion that not all OFWs are driven desperately to work abroad. That for many, the prospects of doing so are simply an option for a different lifestyle.

Some of us who take local lore seriously might tend to agree: that the Pinoy usually has a mole in the sole that suggests a travel itch. We point out that Enrique, Magellan’s slave, was actually the first circumnavigator of the globe, since his wanderlust first took him from the Visayas to Malacca, from where he went on to complete the epic voyage by ship around the world.

In 2003, an 18-year-old Filipina student, Patricia Evangelista, emerged as the champion speaker from among over 60 competitors in the International Public Speaking Contest in London. Her five-minute speech championed the hopes, wishes, fantasies and vagaries of the Filipino. She also advanced the fanciful proposition that Filipinos may be said to be the modern-day Hobbits — adventurous and eager to leave the shire for experiences well beyond home, but also inclined to come back to share all the wealth of discovered learning.

Indeed, this could be so. And the world, for all its slimy parts, may well be said to be our oyster.

They’ve heard of how Paeng Nepomuceno used to rule the bowling lanes, and how Efren “Bata” Reyes was “The Magician” over the pool table, and now, how our Filforeigners such as Jason Day and Jordan Clarkson have excelled in golf and NBA basketball, respectively.

The culturally inclined and hip are familiar with the rest of our growing pantheon of world beaters, e.g. Cecile Licad and Lea Salonga, the techies about chipmaker Dado Banatao in Silicon Valley, the fashionistas of our lingerie and bag designers, and up-to-date Netizens of our outstanding heart surgeons, furniture artists, champion choir groups and Dragon Boat teams, and of how a Filipina is presently the master chef at the White House.

There is actually no end to excellence with competitive Filipinos. But of course the overwhelming perception is that we’re still a struggling Third-World country that has to send a tenth of our population abroad just to keep their families afloat.

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KEEPING UP WITH THE CONGEN > Tales from your friendly neighbourhood Philippine Consul-General.

WHEN THERE’S ONLY ROOM FOR ONE ON TOP By > Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes

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hen I was a child, everything was just about who got to be the “Top Student.” In school, it was the race towards being the Best Student, Rank #1, the Best in Spelling, the Best in Music, Best in Conduct, Best Speaker, Best in Math, and so on. At work, it was about who got promoted first or who climbed the ladder the fastest. Even among family and friends, and even in the neighborhood, it was about who was the most successful, who had a best career, who had the biggest home, the fanciest car, or even the most fashionable wear and couture. We were programmed in Darwinian fashion, believing that only the best survive and only the one on top merited the respect and admiration of peers and superiors. In retrospect, we were groomed to accept that life was, simply put, the race to that steeple summit, so that all that mattered was if and when one gets to clobber his opponents and blow them to smithereens until he gets to be acknowledged as the top of the food chain.

Years pass and we get older, sometimes wiser. The epiphany that competition isn’t really all that makes sense in this world slowly rises to our perspectives.

We soon understand the folly of jostling each other whatever the cost, whatever the consequence. Social media regales us with tales of success stories of those who beat the odds or those who ran their own sprints. There must be some way,

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KEEPING UP WITH THE CONGEN > Tales from your friendly neighbourhood Philippine Consul-General.

Our path to excellence must be answerable to us alone and no one else. This means that we have to keep improving in whatever field we choose to be in - the norm for improvement being not in comparison to someone else but against lesser versions of ourselves.

we now contend, that sooner or later these “losers” would eventually win their personal races or the races only they would find themselves running in. Somehow, we eventually understand as not everyone could win at any given moment, those who do not get the prize cannot be all that bad – or failures – or simply unworthy of emulation!

We’ve heard it time and again – in a world where everyone searches for excellence, mediocrity certainly must never be considered or even thought of at all. True enough, we owe it to be better editions of ourselves at all times. And it must be stressed that our path to excellence must be answerable to us alone and no one else. This means that we have to keep improving in whatever field we choose to be in - the norm for improvement being not in comparison to someone else but against lesser versions of ourselves. Being the best surely feeds the hungry ego but excellence should not be construed as being on top of the heap, nestled at a vantage point, looking down upon the rest of the pack.

Difficult as it is to unlearn all that we were trained to believe, being excellent is not a predicate of being the best of a lot or even better compared to another.

When the realization -- that life is a never ending cycle and that there will always be someone better, taller, prettier, smarter, more talented, and a notch above whatever it is we have achieved to serve as benchmarks for others -- hits us, we realign our track in the search for the essence of excellence. Some years back when I began competing with myself instead and ceased the comparisons I have made between myself and others, perceptions of what it truly meant to be excellent had become more crystal clear. I had come to accept that there was no point in attempting to

make the whole world (well, at least my community) know that I was better than someone and that I wouldn’t have settled for anything else than the apex. I had become less critical of others, shifting my opinions of them in a way that made me imagine and understand the personal races they were running and battling. Maybe their paths to their excellence took a wrong turn or maybe their races hit a snag. Maybe the paths they chose were filled with deep potholes as opposed to our smooth sailing one. Maybe theirs were more challenging routes compared to the others’ walk in the park. Maybe the Will for them was to lose and learn something else in the process as opposed to our victorious streaks.

At some point in life, we finally understand that life as a purported rat race just seems meaningless because winning a race when running against someone does not necessarily mean a gain for the winner and a loss for another. What does one gain in the greater scheme of things when one wins a race against someone else only to be eclipsed by the loss of another?

Excellence cannot simply be defined as a by-product of a race. It is the far greater than the sum of all its parts.

You’ve seen the video on FB – two brothers running at a triathlon race in Mexico. The younger one, Jonny, suddenly collapses just as he was about to cross the finish line.

His brother, Alistair, not far behind, with the chance to overtake him and win the race himself, stops, picks his brother up, and helps him finish the race, arm over his shoulder, hobbling, watching another finish the race first, then pushing his brother towards the line to finish even ahead of him. What a beautiful and wondrous sight to behold. Let’s have more of that in the world.

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USAPANG

ILLUSTRADO >

Say no to usapang barbero. Dapat, Illustrado!

The Philippines has one of the largest diasporas in the world.

Just what is it exactly about working abroad that appeals so fabulously to us Filipinos?

MARY JANE MIRANDA- USA

The best thing about living and working abroad is that it gives you greater opportunities for supporting your loved ones back home. That is certainly my experience. In the Philippines, my earnings were not sufficient to cover my parents’ medical expenses, so, the USD greatly helped us. In addition, I’ve been able to secure a more stable future for my son.

Education was free from Elementary to High School and my son was given a grant in College. Living and working abroad is tough, and as the cliché says “It’s not a bed of roses”. We need determination, hard work, perseverance and we should be a fighter in any situation.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT WORKING AND LIVING ABROAD?

MARK JOSEPH MANDIGMA - UAE

Being able to work and live abroad, especially here in the UAE has challenged me in every way possible, from changing my routine and way of thinking to adapting to a culturally diverse country. But hey!

Working and living here for 6 years now has a lot of perks too. The best thing for me is that I am able to bring my wife and kids here. Together as a family, we are able to explore different cultures and see the world in a different perspective.

DANIEL CANNU JOSE - UAE

CAI GATDULA SORIANO – DOHA, QATAR

ARNOLD BISDA-UAE

The best thing about working and living abroad is that as you face new challenges, you grow into your best self. You learn. You broaden your horizons. You unlearn, and after coming down and embracing a few lessons, culture and traditions, you start growing in humility and evolve. You shape memories that will stay with you forever.

And perhaps best of all, you achieve things that you never thought were within your reach. illustrado go>16

how to be vocal about my concerns in the workplace. Just remember these three important things: know the country, know the culture, and know the people. And most importantly, keep your faith and give respect to everyone you meet along the way.

I love working abroad because it makes me discover more about myself every day. It gives me a sense of independence.

Somehow, my focus here is stronger. I’m able to apply myself fully in my profession and understand complex things that affect an organization and the people working in it. I’ve been able to contribute to the companies I’ve joined, and somehow, touch lives and gain new friends. I enjoy the working culture, the environment and the sense of togetherness. I’ve learned

I was once asked the question,” Why do I think Dubai is the best city in the world?”

In a split second I answered; “Because I am here! Dubai is the best city in the world because I am here!” I believe every Filipino expat would agree with me that life here is not as easy most folks back home perceive it to be. In my years of stay in this city I have learned that the grass is indeed greenest where you water it. Opportunities are futile if we don’t make something out them. When I came here four years ago, the promise of a golden opportunity was obscure. After years of hard work, my dreams are now slowly unfolding before my eyes. I am in the city where my dreams are turning into reality.

MY PINOY LIFE IN > Living the dream, loving the world, learning new things everyday

My PINOY LIFE in I moved to Frankfurt about 10 years ago.

Back then, I worked at an ABS-CBN Affiliate in Cagayan de Oro, also doing Entertainment Events and frolicking with my Band, Nuncyspungen on the side.

By> Phil Adi Zufall Frankfurt, Germany

A

fter my show was canceled, I became restless but I wasn’t desperate about leaving. I am half German so that never posed a problem. I was comfortable back in CDO but I had a feeling that I wasn’t ready to settle yet, and knowing that I can always return, I just had to just see if I was missing out on anything.

Frankfurt is the finance and literature center of Europe. It’s a small, compact city with a great green-to-concrete ratio. We like to call it “Mainhattan”because of the river that

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runs through it, the Main. It’s not a bustling metropolis - we even call it the largest village in the world - but it is demure, clean and recently claimed the title of The World’s Most Sustainable City.

My Work I’m the CEO of Spartan Wombat UG, a Tech Consultancy. We develop software and hardware as well as happily help others to do the same, concentrating on the Internet of Things. Our latest project is called Xoodo, an aquaponic kitchen appliance.

MY PINOY LIFE IN > Living the dream, loving the world, learning new things everyday

A beautiful castle in the center of Frankfurt, Germany

Skyline of Frankfurt, Germany, the financial center of the country.

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MY PINOY LIFE IN > Living the dream, loving the world, learning new things everyday

Frankfurt Germany cherry blossom

Old town with the Justitia

statue in Frankfurt, Germany

My Community There is a large Filipino community here, and it is very well integrated in the city’s larger society. We don’t have Pinoy areas - we’re happily scattered all over. My mom was part of the big wave of “guestworkers” in the medical field who were invited to Germany back in the early 70’s. When I was younger, we had small picnics and grand get-togethers. I remember celebrating Philippine Independence day in Mainz nearby.

My Life in Frankfurt Frankfurt is not a nightlife kind of city, which helps me focus on my job a lot better. I bike everywhere I go. I tend to have meetings around the city all day. And if I don’t have meetings, you can see me working on my computer or running errands in the workshop.

I can fly or rail out to visit anyone in Europe anytime, due to Frankfurt’s ideal location in the center of the continent. The Airport is just a 20-minute subway ride away, is

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MY PINOY LIFE IN > Living the dream, loving the world, learning new things everyday

Balneary of Caldea in Escaldes, Andorra. Caldea is Europe’s largest Ancient Clockhealth in Frankfurt Bahnhofby the architect Jean-Michel Ruols in 1994. spa designed

The kinetic sculpture Hammering Man.

Since 1991 it has become one of Frankfurt’s most recognizable city symbols.

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MY PINOY LIFE IN > Living the dream, loving the world, learning new things everyday Alte Oper Frankfurt

easily reachable from anywhere in Frankfurt.

In the summer, most of us Frankfurters (pun intended!) chill by the river. One riverbank is filled with museums end to end. (secret tip: the Städel Museum is the ‘little’ Louvre outside of the Louvre.) I visit a lot of music gigs and events, having the fortune of good friends that allow me to just swing by. For a landlocked city, Frankfurt’s sunsets are utterly breathless, with a nice little mountain sprawl of the Taunus acting as the dramatic backdrop. I live a very pragmatic life, and get by with a less-is-more kind of attitude. I am lucky to have good friends and acquaintances; they make it all worthwhile here.

To my fellow Filipinos…

Drop by! There are no real selfie-worthy bucketlist-y kind of things in Frankfurt, but the easy-going lifestyle is amazing. Here, you actually spend time lying on the grass, watching the low profile cargo ships drifting slowly along the Main, and feeling like – no, KNOWING that, you are not missing out on anything.

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City street in Frankfurt, Germany in a summer day

A street frankfurter covered in toppings.

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ILLUSTRADO THROWBACK

Nostalgia pa more! Here’s a look back at 10 years worth of “Taas Noo Filipino.” And here’s to 10 more years of Pinoy pop culture, community, fashion, and lifestyle - all heart, zero hanash!

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Historic center of Andorra La Vella, capital of Andorra.

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Historic center of Andorra La Vella, capital of Andorra.

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FASHION

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FASHION

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FASHION FLASHBACK

Through the years, our pages have been graced by the talent of some of the most brilliant Filipino designers, photographers, stylists and models. Here’s a quick kaleidoscope-view of a decade of Illustrado fashion.

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FASHION

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FASHION

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FASHION

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FASHION

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FASHION

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ONLI IN DA PILIPINS

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Filipinisms. Sometimes awesome. Sometimes facepalm.

7 Luhoxuries that Only Overseas Filipinos Would Understand

B y > A b y Ya p

#Blessed. That’s what people back home are, since the best things in (a Pinoy’s) life are just within their reach. (Forget the traffic, 2016 elections, and pabebes for five minutes. Don’t ruin the good vibes.) And while many take this for granted, most of our kababayans abroad choose to suffer in silence, counting the days when they’ll finally return to Pinas to indulge in these luxuries (luho) or counting cash until they can afford them at last—whichever comes first.

1. Haircut

3. Household Help

Some Pinoys in the Middle East and Europe aren’t trying to form a hippie boy band to rival One Direction. Far from going groovy, they simply want to save a thousand pesos monthly to put into the balikbayan box they’ll send their clans by Christmas time.

Their freak flag AKA long hair can wait ‘til they get home and have a P50 haircut from the barangay’s official barber.

They could be Yaya, Ate All-around, or Kuya Driver, who makes everything at home so much easier to handle for just P2,000 each.

(There’s even a discount when they’re relatives.) The paradise exists, though, only in the Philippines. Living abroad means you have to be your own housekeeper to keep your wealth together.

4. Jollibee

2. Home Service Spa

For several Pinays working outside the country, this alone is a grave sacrifice.

Imagine missing the works—a one-hour massage + facial + manicure + pedicure + bonding with your trusty therapist right inside the comfort of your home for only P500—every month! Then you find out how much you’d have to pay if you avail of each service overseas. Now we know why our blood sisters are considered modern-day heroes. We salute you.

This one deserves its own spot—it’s not just Filipino food; it’s a taste of life in Pinas.

So, it awfully stirs memories of home that anyone easily gives in to Chicken Joy craving. Except that Jollibee in several parts of the world isn’t as omnipresent as 7-11. And if there’s one, the only and nearest store could be an airplane and a lot of bucks away.

5. Pinoy Food

A meal of rice with adobo, sisig, lechon, or any lutong-bahay dish with unlimited nilaga

soup can be had at a carinderia in ‘Pinas for as low as P50. Isaw, betamax, helmet, adidas, and balut can be happily enjoyed without prejudice.

6. Pinoy Movies

Any true-blooded Filipino watches their favorite love team’s films on the first showing day. That’s what loyal KathNiel, JaDine, and LizQuen (and soon AlDub) fans painfully endure when they leave the country to work or live elsewhere.

They miss out on all the feels seeing the couple do pakilig moves on the big screen, which only fellow devotees would stand understand.

7. Holidays

That’s nearly 20 holidays a year in the Philippines, particularly when Christmas and New Year don’t fall on a weekend.

Ouch. It doesn’t even include possible school or work cancellation come the rainy season. Sob, life is unfair. Because it’s more work and less play in other countries, tsk.

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ILLUSTRADO STUFF >

EVOLUDERM ARGAN OIL SCRUB

As a righteous counterpoint to the forward thrust of this issue, we’re celebrating some of our favorite stuff from the bygone decades. These aren’t just knick-knacks – these are venerated cultural icons!

We love a good face scrub. However, most scrubs can be so abrasive that they feel like they obliterate rather than exfoliate. Not this one. This Argan oil-based scrub manages to be robust enough to make your skin feel polished and renewed whilst imparting moisture, plumpness, and glow. And it smells good enough to eat too! Sold exclusively at Tati, City Centre Mirdiff.

Nikon D3400

Keep your Instagram aesthetic on point with this nifty new Nikon DSLR! It’s compact and handy, but packed with enough firepower to take your photography from “Meh” to “My gawd!” And with the new Snapbridge app, you need not sacrifice quality for convenience. Via blootooth, you can pair the camera with your mobile device quickly and seamlessly, allowing you to save and view your photos on your phone as you snap. Oh and the price point is pretty darn unbeatable too. For enquiries, go to the Where To Buy section of www.nikon-me.com BRAZILIAN CHURRASCARIA AT FOGUEIRA

Churrascaria is a carnivore’s utopia. Imagine sitting at a table in a festively decorated hall and being served rounds upon rounds of succulent, exquisitely flavored cuts of meat. At Fogueira in Ramada Plaza JbR, that means 15 different cuts of meat. 15!!! How do you even...? Unbelievable. If you have not tried it, you have not tried meat. Give Fogueira a call now and book a table: 04 439 8888 or 04 439 8813

BYPHASSE MICELLAR MAKEUP REMOVER SOLUTION

Hardly anyone talks about how difficult it can be to find a makeup remover that does exactly what it’s supposed to do without making your skin feel squeaky and desiccated. This one does the trick! It does not feel hyperacidic or astringent at all. It’s like water, but imbued with special powers – gentle, but gets the job done. Get it at Tati in City Centre Mirdiff.

MACBOOK PRO (RETINA 13-INCH EARLY OR MID 2015)

We don’t want to go full nerd about this one, because we could very easily consume an entire page or two with a superlative-filled review, so we’ll keep this brief. It’s fast, it’s lightweight, it has a long battery life, and it embodies all things great and virtuous about Apple products. This doesn’t even feel like an “investment” anymore. It’s something you just gotta have. Just gotta. illustrado go>38

SASSY GIRL GUIDE

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Sizzling sisterly advice from one fierce Filipina

7 Habits of Highly Toxic People B y > Tr a c y L e y

At some points in your life, you will come across people who are full of negativity and bad vibes. You question yourself if it is still worth your time and energy to remain friends with them. There are probably some toxic persons in there who are undermining your confidence, betraying your trust and spreading negativity and lies like wildfire. You need to get rid of them ASAP if you know what’s good for you.

So what makes a toxic person? Here are 7 points to consider Negative mindset

These people spread negativity like a contagious disease. These are the people who like to complain about the simplest things, who are always anxious, pessimistic and depressed. Being around someone who is always negative can be absolutely draining and tiring.

Lack of compassion and empathy

You do not want these kinds of people in your inner circle for the simple reason that they are not capable of lending a sympathetic ear, or understanding your problems when you need them to be around. These people have personality problems and display narcissistic tendencies.

Dishonesty

Some friends will swear secrecy when you tell them something confidential. It’s absolutely annoying when you find out that

your secret has been told to other people.

People who can’t be trusted with small things are the kind of toxic people you don’t want to be associated with. Like when is it ok for your “so called” trusted friend to tell your business to someone else? Answer is, it is never ok!

Manipulation and exploitation

Manipulative friends know how to extract information so that they can use it against you. They will exploit your generosity and will rarely give anything in return..

They know what you like, what makes you happy, and what you think is funny, but the difference is that they use this information as part of a hidden agenda.

Playing the victim

These people are the experts in the blame game. They never take ownership of their own shortcomings or mistakes. They are always the victim and it is never their fault.

Envy

but it doesn’t give us the right to be an awful people. To the envious person, the grass is always greener on the other side.

Even when something great happens to envious people, they don’t get any satisfaction from it. This is because they tend to compare their lives all the time and measure their fortune against the world when they should be deriving their satisfaction from within.

Self-righteousness

Oftentimes, I get judged by people who do not have their acts together. At the end of the day, do I care? No! Judgmental people are quick to tell you exactly what is cool and what is not. They have a way of taking the thing you’re most passionate about and making you feel terrible about them. Instead of appreciating and learning from people who are different from them, judgmental people look down on others.

Remember, a positive life is a happy life.

So to the toxic people in our lives: yeah, #byefelicia.

Yes, we do get envious from time to time

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Filipino Progress & Diversity

at the work place >

produced in Germany. Working for KLS Martin Group Middle East is challenging yet fun filled at the same time. I have been privileged to organize courses and exhibits. I have worked closely with highly respected surgeons from all over the region and the world. I started as a customer service agent and was given the privilege to be trained in Germany to learn the ins and outs of handling customers’ sales orders and quotations, software programs, logistics and about the company. I am so blessed to have been given this opportunity. After a year, another blessing knocked on my door when the management moved me one step ahead and became the Office Manager.

Yvette Santos

Office Manager KLS Martin Group – Middle East Representative Office My Job I am an Office Manager who wears different hats. Our company is an established manufacturer of medical instruments

Sr. Interior Designer - MJU Engineering Consultancy Dubai, UAE My Job I work as a Senior Interior Designer at MJU Engineering Consultancy. As a Senior Interior Designer I am tasked to provide Conceptual Designs & 3D renderings for

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My Message I look at the Filipinos around me in a pool of different nationalities and I can only wish for life of joy and true beauty and to always love your abilities and roles, whether you are a working mother or stay home dad and that includes all the awesome roles out there too. It is beautiful to live life for a meaningful purpose, authentically, and with no regrets. So reach for the stars and never stop, because you are a Filipino. Kaya natin to!

My Typical Workday My typical day starts with a silent prayer and a cup of coffee. When I’m in front of my laptop that means one thing… work mode. I make sure I cover all the deadlines, reports, our boss and office bills, signatures and stamps. And did I mention signatures? Despite the language barrier, working hand in hand with our head office

the interior Spaces of a Project to be later presented for approval of the Client. I am also responsible for performing preparing the Working Interior Design Drawings for the approved designs. I work closely with the managing Director who is also handson on all projects, so I make sure I’m always on my top performance and achieve all tasks necessary. It maybe terrifying at first but when you get the hang of it and built a proper means of communication and rapport, you will feel it’s much easier to get the job done as opposed to having a manager in between you & your boss.

Nolie Hans Dagman

in Germany has taught me to smoothly handle the accounts, HR, events, and overall office management.

My Typical Work Day A day in a life of a Senior Interior Designer consist of checking emails in the morning, sending out request & attending meetings for suppliers, coordinating drawings to contractors, and occasionally updating with the Boss for any upcoming projects.

Message to my Fellow Filipinos In our daily jobs, it is easy to be comfortable and just do whatever. We just stick to what’s in our job description,

thereby missing out on opportunities for our companies to see that we can perform better. It’s time for us to step out of our comfort zones and do beyond our regular call of duty to prove to the world that the Filipinos are indeed a cut above the rest when it comes to diligence and work ethics.

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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

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Celebrating Filipino artistry, passion, and cleverness.

LAKSHMI RAMIREZ Musician

My Style Since 1999, I have been obsessed with the vintage era from the 20’s to the 50s - the fashion, the music, the cars, the furniture… everything, really. I collect vintage hand painted silk ties, hats, shoes, braces (suspenders), clothes, and vinyl records. My music is from the Trad Jazz of the New Orleans, Big Bands, Jump Blues, Rockabilly, Western Swing, and Doo Wop. I love these kinds of music because I think they make life seem more colorful and exciting. It’s a throwback to a way of living that was all about celebrating the moment. I get to dress up in vintage clothes that hardly anyone wears, grease up my hair with pomade, listening to music from my vinyl collections – it’s just an interesting way to be.

My family inspires me and people around me to create music. I just want to show and reintroduce the era’s music to the younger crowd. I will not go as far as to say that my music is “original,” because really – nothing is ever truly original.

But having been influenced by good ol’ Americana music and the Philippines’ kundiman, I can say my original songs have their own distinct sound.

My Journey As a musician, I’ve been very fortunate to work with exceptionally talented international and local artists, either in live gigs or in recordings. Launching our band’s self-titled album “The Fabulous Bembol Rockers” is definitely one of

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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

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Creating swingin’ and rockin’ music that can make people happy and feel alive. My advice to my fellow musicians: love what you do and don’t let anyone stop you from doing it!

the highlights of my career, as well as performing in different music festivals around the world. With my band The Bembol Rockers, I’ve had the honor of performing in Las Vegas for the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender. On the other side of the pond, my UAE-based band The Swing Revue was nominated in Dubai for the Best Live Act category.

My Way Forward and Advice to Fellow Artists I love what I do, so my only wish is to get to do more of it, for a bigger audience, alongside artists whom I respect and admire. It’s a great life, I have to say creating swingin’ and rockin’ music that can make people happy and feel alive. My advice to my fellow musicians: love what you do and don’t let anyone stop you from doing it!

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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

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Our Art We are Ape Creative, a graphic design studio based in Dubai and originally from Manila. We do various works such as brand identity, illustration, art direction and event curation. We love generating ideas, then interpreting it to tangible geometry, color, direct typography and visual communication. We love to push creative boundaries.

DESIGN COLLECTIVE

APE CREATIVE

Celebrating Filipino artistry, passion, and cleverness.

Art and design is our way of life. This is the essence of who we are. It’s always been clear to us in the beginning that being in design is a vocation - a way of life. Either you love what you doing or not. In our case, graphic design is a whole world to us. So much in of love what we are doing, head to toe.

Our Process Every creative has its own reason. Influence is an important factor. For starters, the immense influence of the visual landscape, up to the great art proponents of history; the unnoticeable influence of pop culture from film, television, music and print media.

Inspiration is everywhere, so the real challenge for us is to not to get caught up in everything that stimulates our imagination. We always try to maintain a measure of level-headedness, while tempering it with a bit of folly.

Projects comes from different sorts of places and intention. It may be from a selfinitiated projects to a brand brief. As a studio, this process is set in stone: Research - Ideation - Interaction - Execution - Distribution - Contemplation.

Rollan Rodriguez Creative Director / Founder

Jude Valderrama Graphic Designer

Our Journey We’ve only been operating for two years, and our staff is very minimal, but despite all of that, we have managed to accomplish noteworthy projects, such as the design and curation of one of Dubai’s premiere urban art festivals, StreetCon. We’ve also handled branding projects from companies here in the Middle East, and even from Asia and North America.

We are proud to announce our upcoming participation to one of the Middle East’s premiere design festivals, Dubai Design Week.

Byahe: A Typographic Exploration ‘Byahe’ is an exhibition and film showing. It explores the culture and the craft of hand painted lettering on signage. The

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Mary Hechanove Graphic Designer

core inspiration for ‘Byahe’ arose out of an interest in hand painted signage iconically found on vehicles in the Philippines.

‘Byahe’ will explore how people connect through their stories, their travels and experiences using elements of typography & design on signage exemplified in collaborative effort of the designers of the studio.

The exhibition is a celebration of the slowly dying craft of hand painted signage – that often overlooked and or ignored.

24 - 29 October 2016 | 10 am - 10pm FN Designs, Warehouse 26, Alserkal Avenue, Al Qouz 1. Dubai UAE

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

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Celebrating Filipino artistry, passion, and cleverness.

Message to our fellow artists There’s no magic formula to do excellent work. But this works for us: Work hard, play hard. Remember, that you are only as good as your next big idea.

Get in touch with Ape Creative!

Website: theape.co Instagram: apedxb Facebook: apedxb

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SCRAPBOOK >

HENRY DOCTOLERO JR. aka DUKE HENRY Dubai, UAE www.facebook.com/ dukehenryphotography

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SCRAPBOOK >

HARRY VRUZ Dubai, UAE www.harrycruz.com

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REAL STYLE, REAL PEOPLE

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Authentic, street-level suave and swankiness.

PHL CONSULATE GENERAL IN DUBAI HOLDS PHOTO “CHIAROSCURO ART & STYLE” PHOTO EXHIBIT OF FILIPINO FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER, EROS GOZE The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, in collaboration with the Filipino Ladies of Dubai, successfully held a Photography Exhibit titled “Chiaroscuro Art & Style” featuring Eros Goze at the Rizal Hall, Philippine Consulate on September 01. Over 150 members of the Filipino Community, media, academe, and Dubai’s art enthusiasts attended the Opening Event and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, led by Philippine Consul General Paul Raymund P. Cortes and Dr. Yasmin Balajadia-Cortes, Chairperson of the Filipino Ladies of Dubai.

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Chiaroscuro, an Italian word which means light and dark, is the theme of the photography of Mr. Eros Goze. The 17 black and white photographs, filled with dramatic beauty and life, featured prominent personalities, such as Consul General and Mme. Cortes. For the exhibit, the Consulate chose a talent from Baguio City in view as well of the 107th Foundation Day of the City of Baguio.

REAL STYLE, REAL PEOPLE

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Authentic, street-level suave and swankiness.

its worth and slowly wean your Summer is almost over (thank goodness!)! Time to squeeze your summer wardrobe for all prolific fashionistas. most media’s social of some from ideas few a are Here style into the winter season.

thirstythought.com

IRA GEORGETTI > www.iragio

rgetti.com

MIKO C. > w

ww.thestylearchitect.co

m

KRYZ UY > www.

DAVID GUISON > www.dgmanila.com cadin.blogspot.com

MARK LACADIN > www.marla

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WEARING IT WELL

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How to work it when you wear it coz you’re worth it.

Jerome Centeno

STYLE AND LIFESTYLE BLOGGER Photos by Frank Gerald Galang

What role does fashion play in your daily life?

Fashion is my source of aesthetic desire, where I get every aspect of inspiration or idea of what is validly beautiful - from simple to extravagant things.

Is it important?

For me, it’s actually not the main thing when it comes to daily life. It’s a big part of it though, because there are some days when fashion becomes top prio, like if I need to attend a special event, or go to an important interview. There are also days when I’m in the mood to just stand out and not be “safe” about my fashion statement. It changes. But what I try to be consistent about is having that sophisticated touch that takes my style from simple to sensational. Doesn’t have to be a big production. Even the smallest details can make a huge difference.

Do you consider the “regular you” a fashionable person?

Not really “fashionable,” as much as I am just true to my own style. When I was younger, I relied heavily on trends.

Nowadays, I tend to stick to the same concepts day in and day out, and

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improvise on the idea through subtle styling choices.

What do you typically wear daily?

It depends on my morning mood, but typically, I’m all about plain shirts , fancy suits, colored pants and a simple pair of loafers. The classy/cool kid vibe.

What’s your favorite thing to wear?

Knitted fancy ties are my current obsession!

What can’t you live without?

Food! And I don’t just mean for sustenance. I love eating. If it comes down to food or fashion, I’ll go with food.

What is your fashion philosophy?

Less is more… more or less!

PINOY ENTREPRENEUR >

TIMELESS ELEGANCE Event Management A pr ofile wr itten b y Lawr ence Anthony Ignacio

Our Company Timeless Elegance is an event management company that provides complete services from A to Z for all kinds of occasions, particularly weddings and corporate events. We have an all-Filipino team with different backgrounds. I, Lawrence Anthony Ignacio, serve as the General Manager, with Brian Carl as our lead photographer, Rian Morada (Chickie) for hair and makeup, Ralph Vendy for videography, and Len Francheska for event coordination and styling.

How we started Prior to Timeless, I worked as a maintenance technician for an oil and gas company in Abu Dhabi. While working and earning from my previous job, I got into photography as a hobby, which then progressed to videography. Ralph, Brian and I were doing freelance photography and videography for weddings, corporate ads and various events.

We met fellow freelancers Len Francheska and Rian in an event, where they too were working as part of the wedding suppliers.

We all worked together for a couple more projects.

After one of our events, all of us sat down casually for coffee and somewhere along the conversation we thought ‘why not put up our own business?’ It’s our passion and all of us want to continuously work in the field that we love so it perfectly makes sense.

Having a roster of only 5, ours is a small team that can do big things. Our office is located in Abu Dhabi, UAE. We cater to events in all seven emirates and worldwide.

Recently we just finished weddings and engagements in Singapore, Europe and Hong Kong. We are booked to do weddings in the Philippines, Paris and Korea by 2017.

hair and make-up sessions, photography, videography, and project presentations.

Some of our landmark projects so far have been destination events outside the UAE. Being an entrepreneur can be very challenging, but if you operate from a positive perspective, you’ll understand that problems are really just breakthroughs waiting to happen. You have to make it happen. We’ve had up’s and downs, but so far, the journey has been so rewarding. The opportunities are limitless when it comes to self-growth, our ability to contribute to the industry, and of course, making a profit!

The only downside is that we sometimes have sleepless nights because of thinking of strategies and ideas, but even that isn’t so bad! And because we work in events, we hardly have any regular day offs. We’re always on the go.

The challenges we face Like any startups, money is always a challenge. During the initial stages, we had to pool our own money to fund everything – office equipment, payment for utilities, rent, license fees, among many others. We also have our own personal expenses to think about, so it was really tough. There’s also the market competition to consider, and the need to build our name in the events industry. But we don’t see it as an obstacle - we look at it as a challenge while maintaining healthy competition.

Currently, our team is busy juggling work for both corporate and non-corporate clients. We are always in our heels beating deadlines, designing for events, overseeing

Our advice to aspiring entreps Like most of us Pinoy expats, we dream about having our own business. It’s just a matter of getting out of your comfort zone and facing the challenges. Once you get started, the opportunities are limitless. You just have to maintain focus, take advantage of the continuous learning process, learn from your mistakes, and learn to laugh at your mistakes. Trust us – you will encounter many, and you simply can’t beat yourself up for every one of them. Enjoy the journey. The very first time we presented a project in front of a CEO and his team of managers, we were sweating in buckets.

But we managed to pull it off and the feeling was exhilarating!

How we do things Our start-up capital is around AED 250,000. We operate as suppliers for weddings and corporate events. We started by establishing a trade license, in this way we can work legally with our events here in the UAE. Our market is corporate and weddings of different nationalities. Some of our clients are government entities such as Etihad Airways, Mubadalla, hospitals, private companies, banks etc.

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COMMUNITY >

FIRST EVER DUBAI, DUBAI MUSIKAHAN SONG WRITING FEST MARK LANGUAGE MONTH The Philippine Consulate General of Dubai and the Northern Emirates celebrated the Buwan ng Wika with the first ever Song Writing Competition in the Middle East Dubai, Dubai Musikahan on 19 August 2016 at the ASIANA Hotel, Rigga, Dubai. The song writing competition’s theme is“ Pag-aambag ng Pinoy tungo sa Pambansang Pagbabago“.

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The big event was attended by 600 guests led by the members of the Filipino Ladies of Dubai, finalists, performers, media, leaders of the Filipino communities and other distinguished guests. Select performances were done by groups from Philippine schools, Elements Crew, The Christian Voices Chorale, Musicale Ensemble, Boracay Band and Dance group, Mr. Rannie Raymundo and Consul General Paul Raymund P. Cortes.

The compositions were judged based on the following criteria: Theme Relevance (30%), Lyrics (30%),Musicality (15%), Melody (15%) and Audience Impact (10%). The judges of the Dubai, Dubai Musikahan Song Writing competition were:

Mr. Joseph Arnie Garcia (Managing Director, ABS-CBN Middle East), Mr. Nicholo Jallores (Associate Editor, Illustrado) and Mr. Rannie Raymundo (Artist/Singer).

The lucky winner of the first Dubai, Dubai Musikahan was Finalist 7 – Eyzell & Joy Salinel with the “Inang Ibon” composition garnered a total score of 84.67%.

The night concluded with a spectacular performance by Consul General Paul Raymund P. Cortes together with the staff of the Philippine Consulate and the members of the Filipino Ladies of Dubai singing the famous “Minsan and Minahal ay Ako” by Celeste Legaspi.

COMMUNITY >

PHL CONSULATE GENERAL IN DUBAI CELEBRATES PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE The Philippine Consulate in Dubai and the Northern Emirates celebrated the 118th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence on September 06 at the Marriott Al Jaddaf, Dubai, U.A.E. The Philippine Independence Day which falls on the 12th of June was rescheduled to a later date as it fell within the Ramadan period.

Over 400 guests attended the Diplomatic Reception with U.A.E. Senior Minister of State H.E. Dr. Rashid Bin Ahmed Bin Fahad as Guest of Honor, and 40 Consuls General in the Dubai and the Northern Emirates as VIP guests. The Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of U.A.E. noted that the Diplomatic Reception was one of the most attended by the Consuls General, with full attendance from the GCC missions and the participation of the Asian Consuls General (especially India, China, Japan, Korea, and ASEAN), as well as the Consuls General from Europe, Africas, and the Americas.

Members of Dubai’s business corps were also present, including the ASEAN Business Council Alliance and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.

Philippine Consul General Paul Raymund P. Cortes opened the formal program with his remarks, in which he stated that the celebration of the Philippine Independence in September opens the meaning of the country’s freedom to a wider and more symbolic perspective, stressing that the commemoration of the birth of a nation and of a people goes beyond the limits of dates on a calendar.

Ambassador Constancio Vingno, Jr., accompanied by Mrs. Yoko Vingno and the officers of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Vice Consul Rowena Daquipil and Vice Consul Ryan Pangwi were also present during the event.

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SENSE AND SPIRITUALITY

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Finding your true self as you make sense of the world

D ON ’ T B E A B OR E D K A BAYA N Making the most of your time abroad By> Roman Guevara

B

ored with your life? Guess what You are not alone. A lot of OFW’s, especially in the Middle East, live “boring lives.” They may not all admit it, or sometimes even know it, but that’s the truth concerning their existence. It’s just simply boring. And boring for some can also mean unhappy.

When you are not doing the things you really like doing, if you are not with the people you want to be with, and you can’t do anything about it, that makes for a sad life. Not just a boring life. Not just an unhappy life. But a truly sad life. And no one wants to be touted by others as living a very sad existence - especially, when you are living abroad. We are supposed to be living our dreams. But for most of us, that is certainly not the case. No matter how spectacular our lives may seem from the outside, inside… life could just be a bore.

However, it bears emphasizing that boring could sometimes be a good thing. In as much as it can imply monotony, it can also mean the absence of drama or tragedy. In other words, “steady lang.”

Perhaps the solution to finding more excitement in our lives is simply realigning the way we think and to just keep moving.

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It is often said that idle hands are the devil’s workshop. Let’s not give that bad boy a chance to corrupt us. Here are some simple but potentially impactful things you can do right now to overcome boredom.

Get a new hairstyle.

The easiest way to feel good is to look good - so find a really good hairstylist, and do not be frugal about it. Go for the best stylist in town. Ask for recommendations.

Try something you’ve never done before.

Ladies, in particular, can benefit a lot from this tip. Remember this quote from Coco Chanel: “A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.”

Work on your fitness.

Staying on the subject of looking good to feel good, being fit is not just about the aesthetics. It’s also about your health and well-being. Lose weight? Killer abs, anyone? Whatever the goal, whatever the motivation, an active life is the opposite of a boring life.

Learn a new language.

One of the perks of living abroad: meeting people from other nationalities. Dubai is an exciting expatriate city, but most Filipinos prefer to just stick to their own

kind all the time. Same nationality. Same dialect. Kapampangan. Ilokano. Bisaya.

Tagalog. Why not take advantage of this city’s diversity and learn a new language?

Arabic is an obvious choice, but how about French? Chinese? Hindi? Nepali? Bahasa?

Even Russian. When you learn a new language, you learn a new way to relate to the world.

Eat the food of other nationalities.

Always Adobo? Sinigang? Menudo?

Perhaps It’s time for you to give Filipino food a break and immerse your taste buds in something different. Overcoming your food biases helps you overcome your racial biases. Don’t believe everything you hear from other Filipinos how bad certain dishes taste. Try it yourself, and then make up your mind.

And to be safe, go to the high end versions first. You can always check online some of the best restaurants in your area. They may be expensive, but at least, you got your money’s worth. Don’t be afraid to ask when you don’t know what to order. That’s part of the experience.

Biryani anyone?

LAW

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Get right with the rules. Here’s how.

Solving the Most Common Legal Problems in the UAE By> Barney Almazar, Esq.

First I: Indebtedness Emirati laws regarding debts are straightforward. If you default on payment or issued a bounced cheque, there is a high probability that you will end up in jail.

An amicable or out-of-court settlement between the bank and debtor is best solution.

Second I: Intoxication It is illegal to consume alcohol without an alcohol license in the UAE. Subject to conditions allowed for the non-Muslims, anyone who drinks alcohol shall be sentenced to detention for not less than one month and not more than six months and a fine of not less than one thousand Dirhams and not more than two thousand Dirhams (or with one of these two penalties). Non-Muslims must have a valid liquor license to consume alcohol, even if done in the privacy of their homes. To apply for a license, the applicant must be non-Muslim, UAE resident, at least 21 years old and earning not less than AED3,000 a month.

Third I: Immorality Unrelated male and female are prohibited from living together. Consensual sex is punishable by detention for at least 1 year pursuant to Article 356 of the Penal Code: “Without prejudice to the two preceding Articles, shall be punishable by confinement for a minimum period of one year any individual who commits an act of disgrace and dishonor with the consent of the victim. However, the punishment shall be temporary imprisonment if the crime is committed against a male or female under fourteen years of age, or if the crime is committed by force.”

An employee can request the assistance of the Ministry of Labour to enforce his employment rights. Moreover, he can go to the labour courts without the need to pay any court filing fees as provided for in Article 5 of the Labour Code:

This crime is considered a crime against honor and conviction thereof will constitute a valid ground for employment dismissal with forfeiture of termination benefits.

Fifth I: Improper Documents Educational qualifications, marriage certificates, tenancy contracts and birth certificates are the most common documents needed to be authenticated or attested to be able to transact with government authorities. According to the Penal Code, forgery or falsification is considered a crime against the security and interest of the state. Even if a person did not personally falsify the document, he can still be held liable for knowingly using the same.

Fourth I: Illegal Recruitment Contract substitution, employment ban, unpaid salaries and benefits, working for a different sponsor are the usual issues faced by employees in the emirates.

“Cases filed by employees or their beneficiaries under this Law shall be exempted from court fees at all stages of litigation and execution and shall be expeditiously heard. In the event of nonacceptance or dismissal of the action, the court may order the Plaintiff to pay all or part of the expenses.”

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ANNIE B CHRONICLES

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Th 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

“Shopping Pest”

D

ubai is all about shopping!

Every year, we have two major shopping festivals – the Dubai Shopping Festival during January and the Dubai Summer Surprises during June-August – to legitimize the number of people staying inside the mall para magpalamig lang. Of course, there are a lot of other occasions for more shopping: there’s Ramadan Sale, the Holiday Season Sale, Spring Sale, Fall Sale, End of Season Sale, Moving Out Sale, Inventory Sale, plus a lot more. Kaka-hilo, kaka-excite.

I love shopping in Dubai because they really take one of my favoritest four-letter word very, very seriously: SALE. My friend cannot believe it when she first came to Dubai during a SALE season. In the Philippines, she can only afford to buy a pair of shoes from Nine West during birthdays and important occasions, but here she can grab a pair every payday. And for the regular price of a Nine West pair back home, she was able to buy three pairs here. As in! Todo na itu!!!

Like may girls my age, I love designer brands. Imported and classy names that I only used to see in fashion magazines are all available here in Dubai. Ika nga ng SM Shoemart, “We’ve got them all!”

Gucci, Prada, Tods’ Coach, Pucci, Armani, Versace, Dior, Chanel, D&G (yung laging pinasasalamatan ni Boy Abunda sa The Buzz, miski hindi naman niya kilala personally yung designer, Burberry and of course, my favotirest of them all – Louis

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Vuitton. Ayan ha, tama ang spelling ha? I really don’t know why girls are gaga over Louis Vuitton.! Sure their bags are so classy and stylish. I think every local has at least one LV in her closet. They not only buy one bag, but at least on bag from every season and collection. Well, they have the money for it. That’s the one thing we do not have in common – atik na pumipilantik!

Last week while waiting for my Caramel Maquiapo – decapitated of course – in Starbucks, a Caucasian lady asked me where I got my bag from. I was surprised that she notice my abaca bag – eh sa tiangge lang sa Greenhills ko na-iskor to noh? “It’s really lovely and gorgeous…I love it!!! sabi ba naman? “Thanks, I love it too.” “Hirit ko nga. It only meant two

things: that it doesn’t matter whether your bag cost Dhs3,000 or Php375 – as long as both design and quality are very good, and miski mas mahal pa ang isang bucket ng Chicken Joy kesa sa bag ko, pang-business class naman arrive kasi carry ko i-project ito. O laban ka?

So if you’re super duper loaded with cash or can afford to kaskas to max and still be able to pay for it – go ahead, pamper yourself with designer labels. Just learn how to pronounce their names properly ha?

Kung hindi, may award ka.

So, excuse me while I detach the label that reads “Louie Bitoy” from my new handbag.

Oh, mukhang genu-wine, laban ka?!

ILLUSTRADO NOM NOMS > Because we. Love. FOOD.

Coxinha

from Chef Rodolfo Pires of Fogueira Restaurant, Ramada Plaza Jumeirah Beach

Team Illustrado is always on the lookout for the city’s best eats. It’s not as so much as the lifestyle, as it is the fact that we are, well, always hungry! Nothing works up an appetite quite like uplifting the Filipino image, you know. Here’s a recipe from one of our recent resto-discoveries, Fogueira.

I

mproving on fried chicken is a task so difficult, it borders on impossibility, but this traditional Brazilian fare does the trick… and then some! Imagine the succulent bite of a fried chicken drumstick, the squidgy fluffiness of a donut, and the unbeatable crunch of a corn dog. Dreamy, isn’t it? Now stop imagining and make this at home today, because it’s super easy! Not in the mood to cook? Troop on over to Fogueira at the Ramada Plaza JBR – and while you’re there, try their famous Churrascaria. 15 different cuts of meat, guys. Nuff said!

Chef Rodolfo Pires

PREP TIME: 30 mins COOKING TIME: 5 -10 mins INGREDIENTS: Dough: • 300g plain flour • 300ml homemade chicken stock • 80g unsalted Butter • salt to taste Filling: • 150g chicken breast • 50ml Olive oil • 20g parsley • 2 small red onions, chopped • 2 garlic cloves, chopped • salt to taste Coating: • 500g breadcrumbs • 02pcs whole eggs • 300 ml milk

Method:

Cook the chicken breast in a pot with the Cook the chicken breast in a pot with the chicken stock about 15-20 minutes. Set the chicken aside to cool, strain the stock and reserve it.

In a different pan, boil the chicken stock and stir in the butter and flour at once, season it salt as will like. Mix well until the dough loosens from the bottom of the pan.

Remove from pan and let it cool and knead the dough.

Shred the chicken breast into very small pieces and sauté with olive oil, garlic and onions, salt and pepper, let it cool.

To shape the coxinhas, take a piece of the dough about the size of a golf ball. Roll it into a ball, placing a bit of chicken filling inside.

Whisk the eggs with milk in a bowl.

Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow pan.

Dip the coxinhas in the egg and then in breadcrumbs to coat. Heat up the oil and fry the coxinhas until they are golden brown and serve.

About Fogueira

Located on the 35th level with stunning views of Dubai Marina & Jumeirah Beach, Dubai’s 1st Brazilian Churrascaria offers authentic all-you-can-eat Brazilian barbeque and features endless meat cuts that are served straight to your table; along with traditional appetisers and a salad bar.

Outdoor terrace seating available. Call 04 439 8888 or 04 439 8813 for reservations, or visit http://www.ramadaplazajbr.com/ dining

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ENTERTAINMENT

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Because there’s no business like showbusiness. Boom panes!

By> Kristine Abante

Philippine Madrigal Singers Wins European Grand Prix The Philippine Madrigal Singers claims another sweet victory as the country’s finest choir recently bagged the Grand Prix at the 64th International Choral Competition in Arezzo, Italy.

This qualifies the choir to participate at the distinguished qualified for the European Grand Prix to be held in Tolosa, Spain in 2017. This good news was shared from a Facebook post by Chris Millado, Cultural Center

of the Philippines’ (CCP) artistic director and vice president.

The choir, also known as the “Madz”, currently holds the distinction of being the first choir in the world to win the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing twice: in 1997 and 2007. Their participation in 2017 gives them the opportunity to earn a third gold from the prestigious competition.

Photo c/o UPMS

KC’s Concepcion’s Sister named Ms. Earth Sweden Beauty runs in the family. Cloie Syquia Skarne, movie actress KC Concepcion’s half sister and actor Gabby Concepcion’s daughter with ex-wife Jenny Syquia, has won the title of Miss Earth Sweden 2016 and will compete in the Philippines this October.

Skarne was overly ecstatic as she bagged the coveted crown. She is set to compete with Imelda Shweighart who is Miss Earth Philippines 2016 and the rest of the Miss Earth

candidates. She succeeded 2015 Miss Earth Sweden Maria Sofia Aune Johanna Taipaleenmaki and earned the right to represent the Scandinavian nation in the 2016 Miss Earth set to be staged in the Philippines in October. Sixty delegates have so far confirmed participation including Miss Earth Philippines Imelda Schweighart.

Photo c/o artist page / ABS-CBN

Liza Soberano a hit with US Pop stars Liza while watching the local film Everyday I Love You and decided to dub the said film. In a series of snaps, he added his own version of the characters’ lines and commented that it’s his way of “narrating” Philippine TV.

Pretty showbiz newcomer Liza Soberano has been making headlines after International Pop stars Charlie Puth and The Chainsmokers who both came to Manila for a show expressed their admiration for the Filipina actress.

Grammy-nominated singer Charlie Puth spotted

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He decided to invite Liza to his concert which made Liza Soberano fans really excited. In a tweet, he asked the young actress, “you coming tonight?” However, the actress had already prior plans and tweeted back saying “Sorry I couldn’t make it!! Hope to see you next time around”.

In a separate interview, Billboard hitmakers The Chainsmokers who recently had a show in the Manila revealed that they knew about Liza Soberano as fans demanded them to send her an invitation.

Meanwhile, the 18-year old actress and star of the popular TV drama “Dolce Amore”, revealed in a one-onone with Talk Show host Boy Abunda that she is very flattered with all the attention she is getting but said she hopes they would also see behind her physical features.

Photo c/o ABS-CBN

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