ILLUSTRADO GO> ISSUE 21

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#make adifference

Business with a Heart shaping the market today

Stories of Kindness Why it’s still cool to be kind

Winging It! Motherhood, Eyeliners and Heels

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EDITOR’S NOTE/ CONTENTS

ISSUE 21

Let’s Talk About Kindness

And why not, coconut? We’ve always spoken about our Filipino values and the finer points of our “Filipino-ness” that make us the warm and welcoming, not to mention hardworking, people that we are, plus stuff that we aspire for – so why not look into one of the most fundamental teachings our parents and elders have taken pains to ingrain in us.

15 • July • 2017

We take time to look at stories of kindness, at businesses that serve a cause and encourage people to share, all layered with all the other good things that make an Illustrado GO issue the fun AND substantial read it always is.

Hopefully, this issue will inspire you to #dogood, kababayans!

Taas Noo Filipino!

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Editor-in-Chief

PINOY PROGRESSIVE

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POWER TO THE PINOY: KINDNESS STORIES > 5 THE POWER OF COLLABORATION: SHARING ECONOMY IN THE PHILIPPINES >8 BUSINESS WITH A CAUSE: FEME CONNECT >11 IT’S WHAT I DO >13 KAGANDAHAN: NO HOOD LIKE MOTHERHOOD >14 MONEY: THE FACES OF DEBT >16

FASHION

TO THE DESERT OF THE NORTH >18 6 TRENDY BAGS YOU MUST HAVE RIGHT NOW >24

JUST BECAUSE

ILLUSTRADO STUFF: THE KABAYAN EDITION! >12 MISS WANG: A FUNKY ASIAN VENUE IN BUR DUBAI? >26 FILIPINO TRAVELER: CAPTIVATING CAPPADOCIA >28 THE ANNIE B CHRONICLES >32 illustrado go>3

Contributors

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Editor-in-Chief and aspiring urban farmer “almost superwoman” Lalaine has been driving Illustrado’s mission to uplift Filipinos in the region for over a decade now. A former corporate dynamo living in Dubai for more than two decades, she has seen enough to appreciate that the best things in life can’t be bought, and that in this day and age, authenticity could be one’s best asset.

RED VARGAS

Al P. MANLANGIT

ALWEE VILLAROSA

ANNA DE LEON

ANTONINO BENITEZ

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 work ethic that belies his young age. See more of his POV at his IG: @alweevillarosa

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Red Vargas is a finance and credit risk management professional with over 14 years experience in an international financial institution. He runs Redeem Personal Debt and Financial Advisory (on Facebook) which is a pro bono initiative that aims to help Dubai expats manage their loans and finances. In his spare time, he teaches scuba diving and enjoys underwater photography.

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 age of 9. Empowering women through beauty has always been her passion and she believes that women can rule the world in their stilettos, red lips and razor sharp intelligence.

Kuwait-based architect and photographer Al P. Manlangit has always been a globetrotter and this itch for travel has taken him to so many interesting places across the globe. From cycling the Camino de Santiago in Spain to driving all over the natural wonders of Utah, he has embarked on these journeys to give vent to his other passion which is photography. So he shoots tons of pictures to accompany the chronicles in his photo-essay blog www. sojournal.com thereby living up to his motto: “Have camera, Will travel.”

Junior contributor Antonino is a straight-A student whose hair often gets him into trouble. A quirky character, well-versed in both the academics and the arts, he never strays away from his individuality. As he (not so) secretly fulfills his dream of becoming an astronaut, Antonino continues to walk through life hungry for new knowledge and in search of all things epic.

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 BARNEY ALMAZAR EXCEL DYQUIANCO SPECIAL QUARTERLY EDITION FRANCISCO COLAYCO KRISTINE ABANTE CONSUL GENERAL PAUL RAYMUND CORTES TRACY LEY ORENCIO LOUISE MONIQUE SORIANO CONTRIBUTING WRITERS – UAE, PHILIPPINES, CANADA ALWEE VILLAROSA ANTONINO BENITEZ DANABELLE GUTIERREZ JOSEPH ALCANTARA KENNETH EPHRAIM SURAT MAI BAUTISTA NINA PEÑALOSA-CARPIO PAOLO BENITEZ RACHE HERNANDEZ REX VENARD BACARRA ROMAN GUEVARA ROSAN KATLEA REODICA CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS –UAE, PHILIPPINES & USA EROS GOZE RAEN BADUA IRVIN RIVERA JEF ANOG ALEX CALUENG ROZEN ANTONIO HERSON NEBAYA BETHOVEN FILOMENO CONTRIBUTING FASHION CREW - UAE, HONGKONG, PHILIPPINES GINNO ALDUCENTE JESSIE TABLA VALENTINO MONTUERTO JASMIN

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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 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 FZLLC 2006 – 2017 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.

POWER TO THE PINOY

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Towards empowering Filipinos.

KINDNESS STORIES

By > Lalaine Chu- Benitez

@lalaine_chubenitez

Kindness can be about both small and big actions. It is not exclusive only to the sector of “haves” in society. Take it from these locally-based modest Filipinos, whom we’ve had to “coerce” to speak – so that we can learn just little bit more about altruism that can make this world better.

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Most of us Filipinos, were brought up with kindness as one of the virtues we hold dear. “Magpakabait ka” (be kind) is a common phrase we would have been told time and time again by our elders growing up. Whether owing to our religious orientation, or the way we, as a people, value family and community, the idea of having concern and helping our ‘neighbors’ or ‘kapatid’ has always been deeply ingrained in us.

However, actually practicing kindness – the act of being friendly and generous, even moreso, showing selfless concern for the well-being of others, does not come automatically for all of us. In a way, it has become associated only with the seasons of benevolence like

Christmas, Lent or Ramadan; or the domain of the handful uber blessed who can afford grand gestures to help out communities of the underprivileged; or a random-act-gone-viral-sensation, which we all praise, but somehow appear remote from our own daily lives.

so that we can learn just little bit more about altruism that can make this world better.

The idea of kindness which our parents taught us is in desperate need of a comeback. It is not top-of-mind, but is just as important as discipline, the end of corruption, education, financial literacy, among other things our community aspires for.

NATHANIEL ALAPIDE

Kindness can be about both small and big actions. It is not exclusive only to the sector of “haves” in society. Take it from these locally-based modest Filipinos, whom we’ve had to “coerce” to speak –

Just recently, artist and Illustrado 100 honoree Nathaniel Alapide answered a call for help for a stranger fighting for his life. He shares, “I saw a post of a friend

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POWER TO THE PINOY

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Towards empowering Filipinos.

on Facebook asking people for blood donation. When I saw that, I immediately sent her a message of when and where I can go to donate my blood.”

Asked how he came to the immediate decision to act and donate blood to a complete stranger, the artist comments, “Last January I lost two very special people in my life almost at the same week, so I know how it feels to have someone in a hospital fighting for their life. That’s why I acted quickly to help.

Being able to give something to someone even to a complete stranger makes you feel good inside, especially if you know that somehow, it can save them. I believe that it is in our nature as human beings to help whenever we see someone in need.”

Nathaniel, who says he was lucky to have been surrounded by a lot of kind people like his grandmother and my grandfather, who’ve set a good example for him at a very young age, says, “Kindness to me means treating everyone the same no matter who they are or where they come from, regardless of how they act or how they look, to treat them in a way that you would want to be treated.” He adds, “I always try to show kindness in any way I can, every day. It can be as simple as saying “thank you” or “good morning” or just giving a simple smile. The more you practice, it the more it comes out illustrado go>8

naturally. One more thing to remember is that one act of kindness will always ignite another one. Somehow the world gets better little by little.”

OLGA BARCELONA

For the last four years, Olga Barcelona and business partner, Dawn Almario have celebrated their birthdays by asking friends to bring gifts for underprivileged kids, which are distributed to different areas in the Philippines. They have also sent school kits to Binondo, Manila and Tondo. At the height of the conflict in Syria, together with friends, they have pooled resources to make and send 500 relief bags for refugees, as well as financial support to the refugee camp in Lesvos, Greece.

At the moment, Olga is also supporting a college student in the Philippines and come September, she is planning to travel to Malawi, Africa to help with

DNATA4Good’s Build a School Program.

She shares, “I will be doing a fundraiser through Dubai Cares and I plan to cycle and trek for this cause so I could get enough funds to help build schools in Africa. I will travel there and stay in the village for a week to help them build a school. This is the first time I am doing this alone, with people I don’t know, but knowing that these people share the same passion with me makes me really excited to go on this trip.”

Olga reveals, “It is the fulfillment of being able to help another human being that makes me want to do these things. I really believe this is my calling, to be of service to other people in my own little way. I think being kind to others, helps people realize that being kind is really easy. If I do this, this will affect another person, and this person, maybe someday, will pay it forward too.”

Olga, who learned about philanthropy from her parents, has been doing fundraisers to help the needy since her university days. She says that volunteering in outreach programs has opened her eyes to the reality that there are so many people out there actually need help. Her experience during the Ondoy disaster also taught her a humbling lesson. “When typhoon Ondoy hit Manila in 2009, our house got flooded up to the roof. My family lost everything

POWER TO THE PINOY

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Towards empowering Filipinos.

and I found myself just praying that they’re all safe. Then, out of nowhere, people started donating to us - clothes, food, basic necessities and even financial help. I didn’t even ask, but friends just came to help. It was then that I found myself extending my hand to others.

I got involved in sending donations to other cities, even cooking food daily for those who were affected by the typhoon.

After this episode in my life, I just found myself being more involved and kinder.”

Olga says she believes that - “All of us can be kind in our own little way. That, if we all do this – even just by simply giving way in the elevator, or saying thank you to the cleaners, gardeners, guards, helping your colleagues even you’re in a very tight deadline, we are creating a ripple effect. And if everyone just does this each and every time, then we are creating waves of kindness. A dream! If we can all just be kind and give time and be of service in one way or another, I think this world will be so much better.”

be through service or small amounts of money. My inang and tatang have been my role models and that trait has been passed on to us - their children.”

family also supports over 100 students in Don Bosco Cebu, Ilo Ilo and Davao, providing for the education, as well as food and clothing. They even went as far as including their beneficiaries in the payroll of their businesses - Panaderia Manila Bakeries and Manila Star Restaurant, every single month.

LEONILA BANDIGAN

Nila, who is quite the understated person who doesn’t like to call attention to herself and her family’s deeds, explains, “I am doing this to satisfy my yearning to share, especially now that my children are already finished with their studies and I am now only supporting my parents and some nieces and nephews.”

Very modest entrepreneurs, Leonila Bandigan and her husband Bobbie, are known for their volunteer service to the Filipino and church community in Abu Dhabi. However, unknown to many, their

Looking back, Nila says that kindness has always occupied a huge part of her life since she was young. “It was always a natural thing within our family to give assistance to anyone in need, may it

The Good Samaritan considers a certain moment in her past as a turning point for becoming even more altruistic. She explains, “I dreamt of becoming a doctor but due to financial constraints, I just took up a lesser degree. Back then, I realized just how poor we were. One time while watching TV, I saw a family with three small children and the only food on their table is a plate of boiled rice and coco milk. According to the parents, only one child will eat first because he has to go to school, and the leftover will be shared by the whole family. I really cried that day, and told myself that while I am still capable, a share of our income will go to those children.”

Nila believes that all of us should understand how we are all connected.

She emphasizes, “I believe that helping your family is an obligation, so if you are capable, extend help as well to others in need, regardless of religion or color. It is also our responsibility to assist other people because we are lucky God has given us all these blessings.”

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C o n G e n’s

We e k e n d

FEATURE >

THE POWER OF C OLL AB OR ATION:

Sharing Economy in the Philippines

By> Antonino Benitez

@antonino.benitez

With the rise of online businesses, like Uber and Airbnb, which play a major part in the global ‘Sharing Economy’ arena, protests against these collaborative platforms are increasing on an international scale – and the Philippines is part of the picture.

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Back home, groups have expressed their negative sentiments against Uber and Grab. Considering the popularity of these companies and their wide usage (due to simple accessibility only requiring a device and internet connection), they have posed a threat to the traditional transport sector in the Philippines. To halt companies from gaining further traction, taxi drivers have recently allied to form DUMPER (Drivers Unite for Mass Progress and Equal Rights) blaming Uber and Grab for the substantial decline in the profitability of the taxi industry.

But the question is, are companies like Uber and Grab, and the sharing economy in general, really bad? Or has the new business model which has given consumers unparalleled service options, just brought an unfamiliar challenge to the old businesses as we know it?

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What is the Sharing Economy?

Alongside many progressive concepts that have come into existence over the past few years, ‘Sharing Economy’ as a new way of generating business, has become rather prevalent; proposing new ideas on what we consume, and how we do so. Garnering skepticism from a number of sectors, the system has been scrutinized for its disruptive innovation (affecting traditional businesses), as well as for the actual term ‘sharing economy’.

Also referred to as a ‘collaborative consumptive’ economy, in essence, it is rooted in the idea of sharing or renting out underutilized goods and services on a platform (usually facilitated by a website or an app), rather than buying from a central authority. Airbnb and Taskrabbit are among the many successful businesses within this field.

As mainstream companies continue to resist the idea, consumers, on the other hand, have countered with mainly optimism, as they benefit from the new opportunities such businesses create.

Unlike traditional enterprises, where only two sides gain from a single transaction (the business and the consumer), the sharing economy allows three sides to profit - the business, the consumer and the brand partner. A brand partner may gain employment, or receive revenue by providing their assets for usage. True enough, companies such as Airbnb and Uber have given self-employment and entrepreneurial options to many individuals across the globe.

Collaborative Consumption in the Philippines

The Philippines, according to a 2014 study conducted by Nielsen was ranked 4th in the top 5 populations worldwide prepared to participate in the sharing economy. Despite the fact that economic giants like China make the Philippines’ sharing economy seem quite marginal in comparison, there exists a multitude of collaborative businesses, which may not necessarily be a household name for us Overseas Filipinos, but are quite ubiquitous in the lives of many Filipinos back home.

d FEATURE >

tralulu.com

grab.com

Leveraging the growing demand for a convenient transportation alternative in the Philippines, Grab (an initiative started in 2012, originally in Malaysia) has quickly branched out across South-East Asia, and is now known as the ‘Uber’ of the region.

For those seeking a truly immersive travel experience, Tralulu promises its customers authentic adventures, with local independent tour guides. Through this digital booking platform, visitors get to connect with the people, cultures, traditions, and languages in a variety of Southeast Asian destinations.

goodmealhuntingblog.wordpress. com

With many passionate foodies scattered all over the Philippines, Good Meal Hunting has been empowering Manilabased home cooks and entrepreneurs for more than a decade, through delivering their authentic dishes to those who crave a hearty serving of Filipino comfort food, or who have a palate for international cuisine.

sulit.ph

Sulit PH is a 100% Filipino-owned and operated online marketplace that enables users to sell their secondhand belongings, as well as buy items for a substantially lower price. The platform also provides Filipino businesses with an online storefront, so they can benefit from more exposure and an alternative revenue stream.

Hey Kuya

Tripid Philippines

Growing up, our ‘Kuyas’ were always there to offer a hand. Based on this simple premise, Hey Kuya provides services via sms. Users can simply text their ‘Kuyas’, requesting for any type of help. Whether booking a reservation for 2 at a restaurant, or sending your friend something special, Kuya’s got your back 24/7.

Carpooling has become more and more appealing to people because it is both practical and environmentally-friendly.

The service is easy to coordinate that is if you know the people you’re riding with, and if you’re in the same area. Tripid Philippines is an app that connects drivers and passengers heading the same way, from any place in the country.

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FEATURE >

iVolunteer Philippines: www. ivolunteer.com.ph

This organization particularly thrives on the notion of volunteersm, with the intention of helping the less fortunate.

Although not operating within the conventions of the traditional business model, not having any monetary transactions, this company gives an alternative interpretation to the sharing economy - instead labelling it as an ecosystem. As suggested by their slogan ‘Every Filipino a Hero’, their simple and largely accessible online platform allows anyone living in the Philippines to provide aid, whether small or big, by connecting users to a network of volunteering opportunities.

Sharing Economy: Boon or Bane?

Indeed, the notion of a sharing economy has been frowned upon for its alleged flaws by some sectors. For one, some claim that businesses participating in this new model sector abuse the word ‘sharing’ because, ultimately, it is still a

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profit-driven exercise. Some have also questioned the ethics of such companies, since they are not regulated by an official government body, and therefore do not have the checks and balances that traditional companies have to comply with according to the law.

On the other hand, majority welcome the idea of the whole collaborative experience. In fact, studies carried out

by Nielsen suggest that the South-East Asian populace is the most-receptive globally towards the idea with only 22% unwilling to share or rent out their assets (whereas, globally the figure is 32% ).

The act of sharing or renting out assets that remain idle in homes is also seen as a positive sustainable move in the long run, lessening the production of waste.

This also resonates with the world’s generation of millennials who favor more minimalistic lifestyles, preferring temporary service to ownership, as confirmed by a study conducted by Harris: “78% of millennials would rather choose to spend money on an experience, rather than pay and own something desirable.”

The sharing economy is also favorable for emerging economies, such as the Philippines, for its power to facilitate

entrepreneurship, especially since only 7.3% of the population from ages 1864 are current owners/managers of an established business, according to a census by the Global Entrepreneurship Model in 2015. Companies in the sharing economy not only make it easier for people to be their own boss, but also lessen the risk to establishing modest revenue streams. It is because of platforms like Airbnb that people have the freedom to work flexibly, whilst getting easy access to key resources to enter an active market.

Finally, there is the underrated upside of fostering a sense of community with your peers – something that might look minor in the grand scheme of things, but certainly a positive contributor to a mindset of international cooperation in the future.

In the eyes of many, the sharing economy has many favorable characteristics that cater to both the needs of the public and the future. However, one can argue that the system is not entirely perfect yet, as most world governments remain unsure of their stance on the situation. With several interpretations of this modern cooperative model to come, the future will be the ultimate test to its success.

FEATURE >

BUSINESS WITH A PURPOSE FEME Connect

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Typical businesses exist with the sole objective of generating profit. Then there are those enterprises that have been created to support a specific advocacy to benefit people, while making financial gains. FEME Connect is one of those ventures.

FEME Connect is a social enterprise developed by Joanna Morales, Rachel Los Banos, Christine Esguerra and Leilanie Garcia – batch mates under the Ateneo School of Government in Dubai 2015.

FEME stands for Filipino Excellence in the Middle East.

Their project FEME Connect is a directory which lists Filipino professionals in the UAE in a wide range of fields – from engineering, medical services, culinary and creative arts, education, IT and the communication sectors are among the industries available in the list. The directory is free of charge and funded by companies targeting the Filipino market.

Joining forces with Dagaz HR Consultancy as sponsors and publisher, the project was launched in early 2016 by Rachel Salinel, assisted by her husband PR professional and prominent socio-civic volunteer Art Los Banos, with Cristina and Paz Calaguian of Dagaz. June 2016, saw the maiden edition of the directory distributed at the Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Dubai, as well as during the Bayanihan Council meeting at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

The second edition of the directory is set to be published by the end of 2017. In the meantime, the group has hosted a couple of FEME Forums which gathered authorities and experts in business and branding who shared their best practices before selected professionals and entrepreneurs. Another forum is scheduled for quarter 4.

As a social enterprise, FEME Connect was created with three specific purposes in mind: 1) to highlight the presence of thousands of Filipino professionals in the UAE and thus increase their marketability as professionals with integrity, 2) to

connect Filipino entrepreneurs with one another, to create a network of competencies, talents and skills, and to 3) to provide the Filipino Community with the important contact details of the Philippine embassy, consulate, labor, and other Philippine government entities in the UAE as well as emergency numbers of the police and medical institutions.

FEME Connect has not only provided prominence to Filipino professionals, and an alternative source of income to its team members, but a portion of the profits was also allocated for the training expenses of the wards at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office and to the schoolchildren being sponsored by the CFC-ANCOP or Answering the Cry of the Poor education programs.

Of their future, Rachel Salinel, shares, “We hope that more Filipino professionals and entrepreneurs support the advocacy of FEME Connect as this directory is meant to inform, empower and enrich them while working in the UAE.”

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ILLUSTRADO STUFF >

SORBETES aka Dirty Ice Cream

Here’s a list of the things that we saw, we tried, we liked and loved! Get a load of these interesting, very Illustrado sundry.

Can’t live without ‘em!

We Filipinos are always down for frozen treats. For example, we like our fruit salad milky and creamy and obviously, frozen. We even made a cheaper version of it that is our favorite merienda especially during the summer, which is the ice candy. Another frozen treat that we all wait for in the afternoon is the one that “mamang ice cream” sells: SORBETES! A version of the sorbet with a Pinoy flair is definitely irresistible because of the unique ingredients used to make it like the macapuno, langka and ube. We cannot deny it, sorbetes is definitely a “dirty” delight.

ORGANIC PHILIPPINE SEA SALT

If you’re gonna be salty, it better a good kind of salty. Just like the organic Philippine sea salt from Native Gourmet Filipino Artisan Delicacies we found!

These salts are all-natural and hand harvested from Pangasinan and is perfect for use as seasoning for any dish.

Packaged with a woven local eco-friendly nipa palm. So if you’re thinking of a gift to give to your non-Filipino friends, this one is Illustrado approved!

THEO & PHILO CHOCOLATES

NON- ALCHOHOLIC TBGB GINGER BEER

All of us are guilty about having way too many sweets or salty or anything that is more than what we should eat. But forgive us if we’ll only get your craving on a rise. Theo & Philo Chocolates are came up with an amazing concept of using the popular Pinoy dish Adobo as an ingredient in a chocolate bar. Yep, you read that right, an Adobo flavored chocolate. And if that doesn’t tickle your curiosity, they have more variety to offer like: green mango and salt, barako, labuyo, calamansi and even turon!

There are seasons and spirits and forces that move you; TBGB is rooted in that. They are not taming nature, this is nature in a bottle. There’s spice, there’s sweetness, there’s bitterness, and there’s brightness, like how it really is. And in case you haven’t figure how much love we have for turon, this turon flavored beer says it all. Enjoy!

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**This is not alcoholic so you can still drive after few bottles.

Filipino Progress & Diversity

Managing Director Dagaz Consultancy-Dubai, UAE

are a social enterprise changing the lives of people every day. We also help people with disability to find work. By doing this we also promote human rights and diversification.

Being in the recruitment industry also gives me the opportunity to travel. Assisting clients and facilitating recruitment trips in different parts of the world. Meeting clients, and doing audits with our partner agencies.

I also give time to do volunteer work, giving weekly motivational talks to distressed women through the Philippine Labor Office - Dubai. We also give free consultancy to our candidates on career management and personal development. I find my volunteer works more meaningful because it’s priceless.

My Work I started Dagaz HR Consultancy and Recruitment 6 years ago. So far, with our global network of partners, we have helped more than 1700 individuals find jobs. We

My work week I have no typical day or routine at work, as my job requires me to do different things daily. I meet people every day, though. I excel in Business Development. I enjoy

ARIEL POSTRESS

responsibility to collate all the information required from all divisions involved, to complete our bid and to meet the 9:00AM deadline.

CRISTINA CALAGUIAN

Assistand Manager – Bids at EFS Facilities Management Services Dubai, UAE My work From being a document clerk, my career flourished dramatically and I became part of a valuable team that successfully won major contracts from various industries such as oil and gas, banking, etc. with an approximate turnover of AED 21M per year. This year, I have received the greatest reward in my career in this company, when I was appointed as Assistant Bids Manager.

Reaching this level of my career was not as easy. I worked hard and struggled and worked hard over and over again. The most challenging part of my job is doing multiple bids simultaneously in order to meet very tight deadlines. In some cases, where there are a number of submission deadlines approaching, regardless of what I want, I am to drop any social activity or plans I may have to focus on completing the job and meeting the deadline. Even if it also means staying awake until 4am, it is my

at the work place >

meeting people and attending events that may be relevant to what I do. As a Managing Director, I am more focused on overall management, marketing and branding, and business development.

Career advice It doesn’t take a lot of money to start a business, find out what your passion is and what are you good at and make a business out of that. Discover what’s unique about you. Your passion will always lead you to that discovery. As an entrepreneur, you must have following must have at all times — patience, readiness, positivity, the attitude of learning in the face of rejection, and the ability to empower people.

The job is time consuming, brain draining and nerve-wracking but I am glad I’m part of a team and management where hard work is recognized and highly regarded.

My work day Work starts at 8AM, but I come 15 minutes earlier to respond to emails before I go on with my daily tasks. Typically, the job entails reviewing the bids pipeline with the team, preparing the client and tender brief for “bid and no bid” meetings, identifying the requirements that are critical to the submission and priorities and ensuring all bids are up to date on the schedule. My work day ends by 5:30PM, if it is a regular working day.

My day does not end there, however. I am also very passionate about photography, a hobby that now occupies all my free time.

Photography allows me to explore the hidden gems across the UAE, to meet new friends and share ideas others. Connecting with nature via landscape photography also

soothes my mind from the demanding work environment. On weekends, I volunteer as an Assistant Photography Trainer in Pinoy Group - a non-profit community organization.

Career advice Work hard, yet learn to balance everything.

Every struggle has its own reward.

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BEAUTY >

No Hood Like

Motherhood

There is no hood more OG than that of motherhood. Try reasoning with a 3 year old and you will see why. Try raising a teenager and you’ll know why there is nobody more gangster than a mother!

By> Anna de Leon

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There is no hood more OG than that of motherhood.

Try reasoning with a 3 year old and you will see why.

Try raising a teenager and you’ll know why there is nobody more gangster than a mother!

“There is no job more rewarding than that of being a mother.” This is true, however, unlike other jobs out there, you don’t have a contract, you can’t resign and you most definitely can’t be fired from being a mom, regardless of how lousy you think you are at it. You can’t clock in and clock out. You don’t really get paid, and it leaves you looking like a hot mess, especially on occasions when you have to pray to the gods of motherhood to let your toddler keep his food exactly where it needs to be… in his mouth.

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@woman_by_anna

Being a mother, a wife, and having a career that you are passionate about requires more than 24 hours, the endurance of a competitive athlete, and the imagination of a kid. But trust me when I say that we aren’t called the fairer and stronger sex, if we can’t deliver what is expected from us.

The first step to doing it all is this - take care of yourself then take care of others. It might sound selfish and “unmotherly” but trust that there is wisdom here. So, hear me out. How can you read stories to your toddler with so much gusto when you are not balanced and centered? How can you listen to your husband and give him ideas on how he can solve an issue at work, for example, when there are so many things running in your brain? You need to be centered first. Have your coffee, put on some gangster rap (this is what I listen to when I need to face the week) and handle the rest of the world like the wonder woman that you are.

BEAUTY >

The following tips have proven to be effective for me. I hope that you can all give it a try – 1. The Early Bird Gets the Worm. Rise as early as you can. This won’t be difficult to do as we all do this at the crack of dawn. Have your ‘me time’ every morning before waking up hubby and the kids. Have your coffee. Read the news. Stretch or do a few sun salutations to wake up the body and center the mind. Once mommy is centered, everything comes easy.

Waking up early allows me to have time for myself, do all I need to and not look and feel rattled.

their girlfriends and leaving the kid(s) in the care of their able hubbies, but sisters listen up, parenthood is a partnership.

Your husband is there to help you raise your children.

5. Last but certainly not the least, LOL. At yourself. Do it loudly. Do it often. Do it with other people. Don’t be so hard on yourself.

Being a mom is the best thing that has ever happened to me. It is both easy and hard, but at the end of the day, it is really the most rewarding “job” in the planet!

2. Glamamama. Being a mom doesn’t mean that you have to look harassed all the time. All you need is make up routine that is fast, easy and effective. Concealer, eyelash curler, and multiuse products which don’t require brushes like The Multiples from NARS, for the eyes, cheeks and lips, are your best friend.

This routine will take less than 5 minutes and you are out the door.

3. The Playground is your Catwalk. I have a mommy

uniform and I absolutely love it. No High heels, no tight dresses, just me with my leggings, comfy oversized cotton shirts paired with ballerinas or sneakers. Yes, it sounds basic, but add some South Sea pearls, a nice tote to carry all the Legos and baby wipes, add some oversized sunnies and you turn into Chic Mommy in no time.

4. Sign Off. If Superheroes recharges by going near the sun, so should you. Never feel guilty for allotting time for yourself. A lot of women feel guilty for taking a holiday with illustrado go>17

MONEY

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Faces of Debt: The Good, The Bad and The Delinquent By> Red Vargas

Being in debt is part of our lives and sometimes cannot be avoided. Even the most penny-wise cannot escape this realization. There are different kinds of debts, of course, so make sure you get yourself into good debt, not the bad one.

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It is in our nature to assume that it is better to be out of debt all of the time. No one likes the feeling of owing someone else. However, being in debt is part of our lives and sometimes cannot be avoided. Even the most penny-wise cannot escape this realization. If you have a car, it is most likely that you were not able to pay for the entire price upfront, and have taken an auto loan from a bank.

There are different kinds of debt and its classification depends on several factors: the purpose, the interest rate and whether it is being paid on time, among others. This would then establish the proper approach you should take for each kind.

good if it is used to purchase an asset whose value can increase, e.g. real estate property. It can also be for an investment that will generate income such as a sarisari store, a public utility vehicle, or a beauty parlor back home. Another kind of good debt is when funds are used to provide utility; having a car instead of using the bus, owning a house instead of renting. In these cases, the borrowing is the price of convenience or the shelter from volatility such as increasing rents.

The Good

The Bad

In government, borrowing that is used for infrastructure, services, capabilities, etc. can actually provide a return in the long run and grow the economy. In the same manner, personal debt can be

Banks define bad loans as those that are delinquent or whose payments are not on time. In this discussion, however, let’s call bad debts as those that have very high interest rates, and loans arising from

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All of these can be considered good debts only if it comes at a reasonable interest rate, meaning that it should be in line with the general market rates and that the estimated returns on the investment surpass the cost of borrowing.

accumulation of assets with very little value.

If you use a credit card and pay the full amount on time, then that should not be a problem. Zero or low interest payment plans should also be acceptable.

However, if only the minimum or a fraction of the entire amount is paid, then whatever is left is subject to a very high interest rate. Such action is called “Revolving”. Even if there is a “sale” with a 25% off discount, remember that the cost of credit card financing is about 36%. Thus, the buyer is actually paying more cash. This is not limited to credit cards only. There are personal loans that are charging 40% interest which are also bad. The immediate action to remedy this situation is to balance transfer the credit card amount or the high interest loan into a new loan with a lower interest.

Banks are always on the lookout for balance-transfer customers. Just remember to check that you don’t have any outstanding past due loans. Banks can now check this with the Al Etihad

MONEY

Credit Bureau. Your overall Debt Burden Ration (DBR) should not be greater than 50%, meaning the monthly payments should not be more than 50% of your monthly salary.

The other kind of “Bad” debts are those, which were taken from revolving credit cards or even low interest loans but whose funds have been used to buy things that are non-income generating.

Loans taken to buy a TV or the latest smart phone fall into this category.

Sometimes, people get excited when offered an AED100k loan thinking that it is “extra cash”. Remember that you have to pay more for this extra cash. Just think that when you are buying something for AED 100, using a 10% interest loan, you are actually paying AED 110, more than the retail price.

Further, this extra cash gets depleted quickly with several purchases. After it is gone, take a look at the outstanding balance and ask yourself, what did you use the money for? “Oh, it’s invested back home” sounds so much better than “Iphone, bicycle or TV”. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t reward your hard work with such items. Rather, plan your expenses and save a little each month with the aim of purchasing that item at a set time.

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The Delinquent

Delinquent obligations technically are those whose payment have not been received by the lender at the agreed due date. Even if you are late in paying for just 5 days, this will be reported in the credit bureau. For this discussion, let us classify delinquent loans as those where the payments has been 30 days past due (DPD). Whatever the purpose and even with a low interest rate, these loans are ugly. Collectors will start calling. The delinquency will be recorded in the credit bureau. If a cheque has been issued and bounced, the issuer may be charged with a criminal case and end up serving jail time.

Further, even if the jail time has been served, it does not erase the obligation to the lender. Sure, we would all like to pay our debts on time. However, things do happen that prevents us from doing so (e.g. job loss, emergency funds needed back home, etc.) Since this needs to be addressed on priority, there are several things that can be done.

1) Maintain communications with the bank. Tell them of your situation and that you will pay as soon as you have the capability to do so. Discuss the possibility of a settlement with a lower amount.

2) Sell your assets. If you have something of value that can be used (e.g. car).

3) Reassess your expenses. Cut your discretionary expenses like entertainment and eating. If you have a delinquent loan, drastic action must be taken since the interest on these loans would still be running. Most banks, if not all, will not offer a loan to a customer with a delinquent record. If you already have bounced a cheque, it would be prudent to seek legal advice. Delinquent loans have dire consequences and thus, must be prioritized.

Being in debt does not necessarily burden our lives. As long as the purpose is clear, the interest rate is not onerous and payment is punctual, it could actually enhance our lives and help us achieve our goals.

In businesses, leverage or loans are required to fuel growth of companies and allow them to pursue new opportunities.

The same applies for individuals. The objective is not necessarily to be debt free, but to manage and control your obligations and finances so that we can live with some peace of mind in this side of the world we call home. illustrado go>19

FASHION

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Photography: Dr. Marlon Pecjo with Milo Sogueco, assisted by Loubert Estrada Styling : Rey Santos Jr. • Make-Up: Noel Flores • Hair: Dimple Callada • Model: Charmagne de Guzman • Fashion by: Romyda Keth Special thanks to Ry Farinas.

To the Blossom’ organza dress with floral embroidery.

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FASHION

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Just at the outskirts of the historic city of Laoag, after a trek through a long dusty road, is one of the most surreal of Philippine landscapes – La Paz, the Desert of the North. With one side providing a spectacular panoramic view of the cool azure waters of the South China Sea and the other side stretching to inland Ilocos Norte, the 85 sqm wide geological monument of undulating sand dunes and beach is a serene otherworldly spot quite unique to the archipelago.

Here, the barren earth meets the endless blue sky and the calm waters in one dramatic moment of silence providing the perfect backdrop to smoldering frocks with nomadic inclinations.

Desert of the North Carmella’ V-neck cotton dress with floral cut-out appliqué.

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FASHION

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‘Suzy’ hand beaded Chinese crepe dress.

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Sara’ pink jersey dress with mousseline appliquÊ

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FASHION

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Single strap dress with embroidery.

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FASHION >

6 Trendy Bags That You Should Own Right Now

By Alwee Villarosa Models: @nicoattadia @bettinamicu @powbenitez Photos shot on location at: Flipside, Wild & Moon – Al Serkal Avenue, Dubai

If you’re a grown up, or at least, have put in some conscious effort to be one, and you still have your dirty knapsack from long ago, you should definitely be re-evaluating your life choices right now. Even though the obvious choice for people who are working would be a good leather sling bag or for those who

are in a more corporate type of work: an attaché case, a good quality backpack should not be off the list.

We can give you a dozen of reasons why you must own a good one, but we think the most obvious reason is – you just need one! It’s very comfortable.

All your stuff can fit in it and if you are commuting, you definitely need more space because you have to load tons of things like — papers, laptop, tablet and maybe even some gym clothes!

Here are some of the most stylish bags that will work for you, day in and day out!

< Little America This bag is perfect for those of you who have a lot of things to carry on a daily basis. It has a laptop sleeve, internal media pocket with headphone port, and even a hidden zipper! So if you are a digital nomad whose office is anywhere with an outlet and Wifi, or just a dude or a girl looking for some modern functionality, get this!

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< Lawson In classic earth tone and a size that is not too big nor too small, this bag is definitely worth the purchase. To us, it’s like a genderless bag that can go well with whoever wears it. You can wear this with a pair of pants, or a skirt, or even a dress. If you’re a girl who likes putting a spin in your outfit, you just found your match! You’d be a badass chic with this one.

If you’re on a hunt for a bag that is preppy yet sleek, you can never go wrong with this piece. But first, here are some things that you should consider when you are purchasing a bag – 1) The bag should fit your lifestyle and your activities so you don’t end up carrying some junk. 2) If you ever choose to go for a backpack, please make sure that it doesn’t make you look like a student. Yes, there are bags that will not make you look like you’re off to school and just asked allowance from your dad. ‘Nuf said.

FASHION >

Novel Hello to all the highly-committed gym rats and travel junkies! You can now go to your next stop with a presentable bag with enough space. Whether you are off to flex some biceps or crunch some abs, or are going for a day trip in a secluded paradise, take a bag that will not fail you. You can thank us later for the suggestion.

Dawson Yay! And it’s a weekend, so you plan to go easy and casual.

But what kind of bag do you take with you? High summer temps will make you melt and sweaty so you need space for some extra clothes. Take this Keith Haring illustrated backpack, for a stylish day stroll in town. Isn’t it cool to carry a bag that is printed with a globally recognized imagery by one of the most iconic artists of the ‘80s?

Try it out with a white tee and a good pair of denim and pose for a double-tap worthy IG photo.

Retreat Stylish backpacks are having a moment this season and sure, they are pretty nice to have. But if your style goes towards minimalist-classic, the Retreat backpack is a streamlined rendition of a timeless mountaineering style and something that one can never go wrong with.

We think all of us can agree that hands-freedom while running some errands is a big convenience. And these days, bags come out in many variations of prints, styles and textures so you have a lot of options to choose from. Hipster or not, backpacks are trendy and are here to stay.

Check out Herschel Supply Co.‘s products and their limited warranty offer online or visit their outlet in Burjuman Mall and their flagship store in Dubai Mall. DSS offer of 30-50% on selected styles.

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LIFESTYLE >

A Funky Asian Party in Bur Dubai?

Illustrado Got It SceneZoned at By> Alwee Villarosa

We found a totally unexpected new funky hangout spot just in the middle of Bur Dubai and it was amazing!

When you think about the Mankhool area, the first thing that probably goes into your head is “Old Dubai” where residents sit down until the wee hours to sip a milk heavy cup of karak chai and smoke shisha. But the place has a lot more to offer! Majestic Hotel Towers recently launched the new hottest secret spot for adventurers, who are on the hunt for something different, something mysterious, with a definitive funky vibe.

And we’re digging a new term for it: MANK-COOL! It’s only mid-week, but work the next day didn’t stop the fashionphiles to dress up and show up at Illustrado xMiss Wáng Come Out & Play #AsianMafia party.

Pumped with good music, flowing drinks and food to share, the night was packed

Kaz Peachy and the Legacy Band

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@alweevillarosa

with dancing, fun and good vibes. Miss Wáng is very hip, industrial and urban with contemporary touches and pops of color, bringing an Asian downtown hipster vibe to life - a perfect venue for #TeamIllustrado to throw a party for the city’s coolest, most stylish and the most influential Filipino residents.

The Asian connection goes deeper in the menu drawing from diverse cuisines offering a mix of authentic favorites and also modern variations of signature dishes including crunchy volcano shrimps, teriyaki beef sliders and apple pie wontons. The dishes were complemented with non-traditional handcrafted cocktails from all over Asia – Thailand, Japan, Philippines and Vietnam.

Meet some of the unique, unafraid, creative people who got #scenezoned at the party in a photo series by Filipino fashion photographer Rozen Antonio.

Philippine Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes & Madam Yasmin

LIFESTYLE >

Fashion Designers: Yen AB, Izchka Zeta, Carla Fuentes, Phio Enaje, Garimon Roferos

Bloggers: Bettina Micu & Marjanne Reyes

Team Illustrado- L-R, Paolo Benitez, Alwee Villarosa, Mon Benitez, Rony Aquino, Lalaine Chu-Benitez

Designers: Izhcka Zeta & Garimon Roferos

Dawn Almario, Sonny Guzman, Alexis Wenceslao, Olga Barcelona, Des Devierte aka Annie B

Bloggers: Faith Rodriguez & Millette Suan

Models: Charisse Sipin Monserat & Anne Llagas

#IllustradoSquad: Joy Caasi, Tessa Antonio, Alwee Villarosa, Leal Rimorin, Kris Macapagal, Kier Pascual, Paul Ramos

Blogger: Nina Carpio â&#x20AC;&#x201C; @smilelikenina & Husband Jay Carpio of Soniq

JV Victorino & Juan Muniz

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FILIPINO TRAVELER > See the world, kabayan! Here’s how.

C A P T I VAT I N G

Cappadocia Stories and photos By> Al P. Manlangit

Pointed rocks on the landscape that looks like a scene in StarWars

Smack in the middle of the Anatolian Plain 750 kilometers from Istanbul lies this seemingly magical land called Cappadocia that has unique geological features with an equally-important part in Turkey’s history.

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Right smack in the middle of the Anatolian Plain 750 kilometers from Istanbul lies this seemingly magical land called Cappadocia that has unique geological features with an equally-important part in Turkey’s history. Here lies a sedimentary valley formed by ancient volcanoes 10 million years ago which gave rise to strange rock formations sculpted by wind and water.

Early settlers used this soft volcanic soil to carve out houses, churches and even underground cities that extended hundreds of meters beneath the surface.

We flew into the city of Kayseri and took the shuttle to the town of Goreme which was an hour away; this was to be our base for the next four days. Most of the hotels were carved into the rocky spires that surrounded the town and ours was no exception. The only built structure was the reception area and the terraced courtyard but all the rooms including the main dining hall were carved from the soft stone albeit separated by staircases. It sure looked like you were living inside a cave! The only difference was that they were equipped with all the luxuries that hotels have including the mini-jacuzzi in the spacious bathroom.

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About 2 kilometers from the center of town was the Goreme Open Air Museum. We walked there after a great lunch of succulent lamb kebabs and stuffed zucchini washed down with sweet fruit wine which was surprisingly good! The Museum can be compared to a monastic complex since the caves have many churches cut from the rocks dating back to the 10th -12th centuries with beautiful frescoes on the walls and ceilings. The whole place was surrounded by “fairy chimney” protrusions that made it pretty tiring to be going up and down the vast area so we saved our strength for the climb up to Sunset Point just behind our hotel. Here, you had the best view of Goreme and you could see the entire landscape that looked otherworldly. And, oh yes, the sunset was beautiful!

The next day, we embarked on a whole-day tour that took us to various places of interest in Cappadocia. First stop was the Underground City in Derinkuyu. It was accidentally discovered in 1963 and the stunning 18-storey deep city was found to have a staggering network of ventilations shafts and wells, churches, communal rooms, schools, tombs, kitchens including livestock and entire food supplies that could sustain 20,000 inhabitants. We went down up to 8 floors exploring

FILIPINO TRAVELER > See the world, kabayan! Here’s how.

Balloons lift off above the town of Goreme.

various passages and rooms as our guide expertly described to our group what life was like during those times. Some places were pretty tight and I wouldn’t recommend these to those who suffer from claustrophobia!

The 100-meter deep canyon that’s called Ihlara meanders around for some 14 kilometers

We continued on to Selime where the largest rock-cut monastery in the region was located. The size of the church was astonishing considering that the columns and arches were all carved from the rock within. Frescoes of the Virgin Mary and scenes of the Ascension and the Anunciation adorned the walls though they were barely visible under the years of soot that covered the surface from the time when the Turks used the room for cooking. Trenches including secret passageways with a series of ever-steeper rock stairways continued on to the top of the fortress-like structure.

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FILIPINO TRAVELER > See the world, kabayan! Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how.

TravelerAl Manlangit and his muse.

From Pigeon Valley is one of the easier hikes down the trail to Goreme below.

These ballons seem suspended above the valley floor.

It would take a brave soul to climb up all the way so we just contented ourselves with the astounding views of the rock formations below that looked like a set of the village Tatooine from Star Wars.

that was going on and before we knew it, they were ushering us to get into the basket while the pilot, who was located in the middle, started giving instructions on what to do when we land (brace yourselves!).

No visit to Cappadocia would be complete without going on a balloon ride. This we did in the early morning when the van of the company we booked with picked us up in our hotel while it was still dark. We first had breakfast at their restaurant which also served as the meet-up point for the 16 of us who were going to share the ride before being driven to the staging point. All around us were many balloons being inflated like giants coming to life as dawn started to break and it was a pretty surreal sight! We felt giddy like kids watching everything

The ride took an hour as we skimmed through the dips in the valleys barely scraping (it seemed) the top of the rocky hillocks. We finally landed in a grassy knoll and the coaster came to pick us up. I definitely would go on a balloon ride once more!

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There are numerous hiking trails around the area and on our last day, we went walking through one of them in Pigeon Valley near the town of Uchisar named so because of the thousands

FILIPINO TRAVELER > See the world, kabayan! Here’s how.

Night falls in Cappadocia.

of pigeon houses that were carved out from the soft rock to house the birds who have long been a source of food and fertilizer.

As we watched our last sunset along the trail, we couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the place. There was so much to see and so much to do and our short stay was truly an unforgettable experience!

This rocky citadel in Uchisar is the highest point in Cappadocia

TRAVELER’S NOTES: - We flew to Goreme from Istanbul to Kayseri Airport via Turkish Airlines @ 37 Euros per person. The flight takes 1-1/2 hours. From the airport, take a shuttle (6 Euros) for the 70km trip to your hotel in Goreme.

- We stayed in Artemis Hotel www.artemiscavesuites.com for a large Cave Suite @ 75 Euros per night. The Manager happened to have a Pinoy brother-in-law from Cagayan de Oro. Talk about a small world!

- Our balloon ride was made with Voyager Balloons www. voyagerballoons.com The 1-hour standard flight costed 140 Euros per person. If you pay cash before the ride, you get a 10 Euros discount.

- It is recommended that you book a tour with your hotel.

There are Red, Green and Blue tour options with different full-day itineraries. The cost is about 25 Euros.

Inside our cave hotel room.

- If you have a valid US or Schengen visa, you can apply for a Turkish e-Visa online.

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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

“Da Idols of My Life”

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In my thirtysomething years of existence in this kaleidoscope world of ours, masasabi kong masaya na rin ako sa buhay ko. Ow, hindi man ako lumaking mayaman, eh at least marunong akong magsaing ng bigas, tumawid sa kalsada, sumakay ng jeep at mag-book ng sarili kong flight. Baket, yung mga mayayaman ba kaya nilang gawin yung mga yun na walang tulong ng ibang tao, aber? Miski hindi ako artistahin at habulin ng mga kalalakihan eh marami naman akong mga kaibigan at kakilala sa iba’t ibang lugar. May confidence at self-insurance naman akong naipon para miski sino ang makahalubilo ko eh at least presenstable ako, mayaman man o mahirap, kabayan man o ibang lahi – may tapang ng apog at fighting spirit ika nga – at hindi nabibili sa kung saan mang mall o boutique yun ha?

Bakita ba ako nagmamalaki? Because sizes matter? Abso-packshethinglutely! Kasi Pinay ako. Kasi OF ako. Kasi independent woman ako. Kasi ako ako. Si Annie B. from Baranggay Bagumbayan, Town of Orion, Province of Bataan, Island of the Philippines!!! Malamang dala na rin ng tatlong benti cups ng Starbucks na espresso na tinungga ko – pero damangdama ko talaga ngayon ang pagiging woman of the world ko. Parang feel kong rumampa sa kalsada, mag-catwheel at tumambling at batiin lahat ng taong makakasalubong ko ng “Ang ganda ko!!!” ng walang kakurap-kurap. At kebs ko sa reaction nila!

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Sabi nga nila, behind of every man is a woman. In my case, I would like to look back and paid tribute to the people who have molded me into becoming what I am what I am right now, no more, no less.

Kung hindi dahil sa kanilang contribution at influence sa buhay ko eh paniguradong hindi ako ganito ngayon.

Five years old pa lang ako, imbes na magsiesta kasama ang aking mga kapatid at mga kalaro sa probinsya ay mag-isa akong nagbabad sa harap ng black en white TV namin noon. Doon ko madalas napapanood ni Nora Aunor, ang nagiisang superstar ng pelikulang Pilipino.

Kakaiba si Ate Guy kumpara sa ibang artista noon - siya lang ang sumikat na hindi mestiza, anak-mayaman o malamanyika ang kagandahan – kakaiba sya. Kapag pinanood mo sya ng maige, kikilabutan ka sa galing nyang umarte at sa tindi ng powers ng mga mata nya – parang ang laki-laki, parang ang daming sinasabi, matutunaw ka kapag tinitigan mo. Noong napanood ko sya sa pelikulang “Lollipos, Roses at Burong Talangka.”

Talagang bumilib ako sa kanya. Imagine pinag-agawan sya ni Cocoy Laurel at Don Johnson??? Kaya sabi ko sa sarili ko, aba, hindi lang pala magaganda at seksi ang may pag-asang maka-score ng gwaping… kung kaya ni Ate Guy, then so can I???

Naks, rhyming pa ha?

Patuloy kong sibubaybayan ang career ni Ate Guy. Iba’t ibang pelikula, iba’t ibang role pero ang po-pogi lagi ng mga kapareha nya. Si Gabby Concepcion sa

“Totoo Ba ang Tsismis”, si Philip Salvador sa “Tinik sa Dibdib”, si Dennis Roldan sa “Bakit Bughan Ang Langit”. Winner!!!

At take note, miski sa totoong buhay eh panalo sa mga kajowaan ang lola mo – pinakasalan sya ni Christopher de Leon sa dagat, naging boyfriend niya si Juan Rodrigo at naka-live in ang DJ na si John Rendez! Talbog ka! Basta natutunan ko from Ate Guy, it’s no matter if you’re not beautiful for as long as you have character and a pleasing personality, men will come in your life. Baket?!!

Tapos nung nagdadalaga na ako, tiningala ko naman si Sharon Cuneta, the Megastar herself. Sino ba Pinay ang hindi gustong maging si Sharon noon?

Mala-prinsesa ang buhay na kinagisnan nya – mula sa prominenteng pamilya at may sariling trono sa showbiz mula pagkabata pa lang. Pati sa mga pelikula nya, pinatunayan nya na the good will always be the winner versus the evil, at kaya ng lahat maging singing star, miski saan mang lupalop ka pa ng mundo nanggaling. At tinuruan din dya akong lumaban sa mga nang-aapi – kapag sinabuyan ka ng tubig, aba eh buhusan mo rin sa mukha ang kalaban mo. Mas sosyal yon kesa makipagsampalan ka o makipagsabunutan. Bukas luluhod din ang mga tala!!! Hmp. Continue reading the Annie B. Chronicles at www.illustradolife.com

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