ILLUSTRADO Magazine Sept 2013

SEPTEMBER 15 -OCTOBER 15, 2013

CHAMPIONING THE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO

TRILOGY: EMERGING DESIGNERS SHOWCASE

BATHING IN LUXURY IN BOHOL

INSANITY:

A LOOK INTO THE MAD WORLD OF ROCKY GATHERCOLE WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN ILLUSTRADO?

A FASHION REVOLUTION -

MICHAEL CINCO, EZRA SANTOS, FURNE ONE BANDOIX FLORES, ALBERT ANDRADA, RUBEN SANTOS, ALDWIN ORNOPIA, LEO ALMODAL AND YEN AB

CONQUER

Photography by Arvin Cruz Styling by Kamille Ocampo Make-up by Georginna Desuasido

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PHOTOGRAPHY by EROS GOZE

Editor’s Note

CHAMPIONING THE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO

As we mark our 7th anniversary we move on to the next stage of what we set out to do when we launched Illustrado back in 2006 - a step beyond just realizing who we are and what we have to offer as a community. And that is to champion the world class Filipino.

But what exactly is “world class”? A term that’s so often used (and misused) to connote a certain marketable edge that’s supposedly at par with the rest of the world.

For us, the phrase is not just about the bright and shiny aspects of our Filipino lives that often catch the limelight – like the ability to sing or perform on-stage exceptionally, or win beauty titles and awards, or even conquer the runways of the world of fashion. And though they give us so many reasons to be proud, that term is not exclusive to the likes of Lea Salonga, Manny Pacquiao, our beauty queens, Loida Nicholas-Lewis, Dado Banatao or even Michael Cinco and Furne One, or the other Filipinos who have made a mark for all of us in the world map, within their various fields of expertise.

World class also applies to the men and women who, on a daily basis, in their own simple existence around the globe contribute something to the world – whether that means talent, skills, competitiveness, the richness of our native culture, or our positive nuances – the sunny Filipino state of mind - that have made us some of the most loved and liked people in the world.

And perhaps even most importantly, being world class is also about confidence, having a voice, knowing your worth, and having a point-of-view that upholds decency, fairness and respect for oneself and others.

Being what we aspire to be means having to realize our uniqueness and innate richness, and to contribute what is the best about us Filipinos anywhere we are in the world.

Such lofty ideals at a time of turbulence in our country when the ugly and festering deeply entrenched system of corruption is being laundered in the public eye for all the world to see?

Most certainly. The Filipino will always have a reason to be hopeful. And we do believe that for all of us, the only way to go is up.

We thank all the people who have been with us and continue to forge ahead with us on this journey to uplift the Filipino.

Taas Noo, Filipino Global vision, native soul.

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

Talking Loud

Write to us at: editor@illustrado.net or join the discussion at IIlustrado Magazine’s Facebook page

Consulate. In Italy, signature campaigns took place. Migrante International also initiated simultaneous global protests in capitals in Asia, North Africa, Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. And in many other parts of the world, individuals changed their profile picture or posted as a status update to call for the abolition of the pork barrel fund.

On the Illustrado Facebook Fanpage, a similar discussion took place. Questions were asked and varying opinions were put forward.

Ito ang pulso ng Pinoy tungkol sa pork barrel.

Being Heard on National Heroes Day Last August 26—auspiciously enough National Heroes Day—hundreds of thousands of Filipinos peacefully marched to the Luneta Park to call for the abolition of the PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund), more commonly known as the “pork barrel”.

Protests, rallies, and demonstrations have long been part of our country’s history.

Why was this any different? Well, first of all, it was started by an ordinary citizen, who before August 26, no one had ever heard of. She was tired of having a huge chunk of her hard-earned money go to taxes that were not being used for public services and wanted the government to listen to her plight, a plight that is shared by the millions of working class Filipinos. And that was the magic of the August 26 One Million March to Luneta. People heard Peachy Bretana’s call because they saw themselves in her and that started a spark of solidarity that started on social media and spread to millions of Filipinos around the world.

According to news reports in the emirates, Filipino staged their own silent and online protest in support of the ‘Million People March’ in Manila.

In Saudi Arabia Filipinos expressed their solidarity through social media by posting their protest photos. In Abu Dhabi and Dubai, overseas Filipino workers wore white clothes in their workplaces as a sign of protest. In Hong Kong, protesters wore red and rallied for the abolition of the pork barrel. In Los Angeles, Filipinos staged rallies outside the Ritz-Carlton and the Philippine

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Tax payer din po ako. Any suggestion po kung ano ang pwedeng ipalit sa pork barrel or pdaf na yan? Kung meron po, sigurado po ba tayong hindi nanakawin ng mga pulitiko kung ano man ang maging kapalit ng pdaf na yan? Nakakalito na po kasi.

Siguro parang mas magandang i-abolish ang kongreso at senado. Kasi sila naman yung mga involve dito sa nakawang ‘to. Sa tingin ko, may pagkukulang din tayo, kasi tayo naman ang pumili o bumoto sa mga yan eh.

Hay naku! Patulong naman! Kanino po ba namin pwedeng ipagkatiwala ang tax namin?

Sa presidente ba? Na sinisisi pa rin yung pinalitan nyang administrasyon? Sa doj ba, na hanggang ngayon wala paring justice para sa mga pinatay ng mga ampatuan? Sa ilang senador at congressman ba na bff ni napoles?, Sa mga pulis ba na utak din ng kidnapan at nakawan sa buong bansa? Hayyyy!! Nakakastress!! God bless our country!!

~Gerry Gañas Good question, Gerry. Talagang complicated” ang sitwasyon na ito. Walang madaling sagot.

Wala ring siguradong pagkakatiwalan. Pero may choice tayong mga Pilipino. Maaring tumahimik na lang at tanggapin na ganito na talaga ang buhay natin, o makialam tayo kahit papano para ma-alerto ang gobyerno at kahit papano ay masilip ang sistema. Nasa sa atin ang desisyon... ~Illustrado Magazine A bunch of us will be gathering in Dubai.

Scrap the pork barrel! Prosecute the corrupt!

Bring down the mighty who made fools of Filipinos! ~Tina Vitug They will scrap pork barrel but they are so brainy and tricky... pork barrel will undergo plastic surgery and will get a new name!!!

~ReyLinda Genciana Scrap pork barrel and the senator, congressman who caught in the act and involved in the scam...the Filipino people do not need corrupt public officials... ~Jeopanes Obligar Jr If we stop porkbarrell where would our government official get the fund to use during calamities, etc.? Stop the people who are abusing and stealing the money. ~ Kyo Nigiyaka Dk Hi, Kyo Nigiyaka Dk! That’s a good question.

Our country needs a system where projects go through a proper and legal approval system that’s transparent - so that funding will not be rife to abuse or misappropriation.

As it goes right now, “pork barrel” money is treated as “personal funding” and dispensed with according to the whims of certain politicians. That’s where the problems lie.

The system is vulnerable to abuse. ~Illustrado Magazine Noynoy is better than GMA. Problem is the people below him.

Whatever happens with this pork barrell issue, some will find new ways to steal our money. And no one in this country can stop that..

I hope in the next 20 yrs this madness stops.

Good luck and God bless Philippines. ~Kyo Nigiyaka Dk Abolish the pork barrel scam!! At least magiging malinis ng kunti ang imahe ng Philippine government at para mabawasan ung mga mukhang pera na future candidates na may balak tatakbo sa next national election. ~Stephen Sarona Kung naghihirap man ang mga Pilipino, kasalanan nila na hindi sila ngsusumikap.

Anu ba ang mababago kung matatangal ang pork barel mawawala ba ang korupsyon sa bansa?

Kung mas inuuna ng ating mga kababayan ang pagsisikap na mapaganda ang kanilang kinabukasan di mas maganda hindi yung pag sama sa kung anu anung protesta laban sa pamahalaan. Taumbayan parin ang dapat sisihin dahil sila ang naglukluk sa pwesto sa mga corrupt na tao sa gobyerno. ~Jesspher Jeff Magsumbol

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lalaine Chu-Benitez CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mon Benitez ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ana Santos COLUMNISTS Aby Yap Alfred “Krip” Yuson Bernadette Reyes Bo Sanchez Carlito Viriña Francisco Colayco Jeremy Baer Dr. Margarita Holmes CONTRIBUTING WRITERS – UAE, PHILIPPINES, CANADA SWITZERLAND Mary Ann Angela Mapa Marchadesch Mary Anna Oposa Ann “Maps” Santos Barbara Marchadesch Nephele Kirong Candice Lopez Quimpo Nikka Sartgou Dante Gagelonia Nina Terol-Zialcita Didi Paterno P.A. Escalante Excel Dyquianco Princes Nedamo Johanna Michelle Lim Quay Evano Kara Santos Rache Hernandez Liza Lacuesta Regina Layug-Lucero Manny Escosa Sherry Tenorio CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS – UAE & PHILIPPINES Eros Goze Alex Calueng Glenn Peter-Perez Cristina Linaza Jef Anog Donald Rosales Dr. Marlon Pecjo Filbert Kung Will Dy CONTRIBUTING FASHION CREW - UAE Jessie Tabla Frankie Melendez Jojo Padua Ginno Alducente PUBLISHER – UAE Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2nd Floor, Building 2, Dubai Media City United Arab Emirates P.O. Box 72280 Office 20C Tel: +971 4 365 4543, 365 4547 Fax: +971 4 360 4771 E-mail: admin@illustrado.net Web: illustradolife.com, illustrado.net Facebook: Illustrado Magazine Twitter: Illustrado Magazine PRINTERS Printwell Printing LLC P.O. Box 18828 Dubai, UAE STOCK IMAGES Dreamstime.com (Unless otherwise specified) Copyright Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2006 – 2013 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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Sept 2013 Contents

The Philippines’ answer to Kate Moss, model Jasmine Maierhofer breathes menacing life to avant garde creations in this issue’s story – Insanity: A Look into the Mad World of Rocky Gathercole.

Special fashion features Filipino’s Leading a Fashion Revolution 14 Insanity: A Look into the Mad World of Rocky Gathercole 50 Trilogy: Emerging Designers Showcase 74 Global Filipino Fashion: Gemini 92 Global Filipino Fashion: Whispering Hues 96 Global Filipino Fashion: Trip Stop 100

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regular columns Editor’s Note 1 Talking Loud 2 Contributors 4 Illuminati: Looking Luxe, Only 44 Real Style, Real People 60 Illustrado Scrapbook 68 10 Things to Do 70 Leadership: Connect and Lead 104 It’s What I Do 106 Kabuhayan – Money: Investment Options 110 Bayanihan Corner: A Life Free of Clutter 111 Spirituality: Do You Want to Be Very Happy? 112 Trippin’: Bathing in Bohol 116 Pinoy Planet: Life After the Desert 120 On the Prowl, In the Know 122 Onli in Da Pilipins: The Noble Eightfold Path to Pinoy Enlightenment 128

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SEPTEMBER 2013

Contributors BO SANCHEZ

You’ve probably already read his best-selling books, attended one of his seminars, or even seen him on TV or online. Bo Sanchez, or Bro. Bo, doesn’t really need any introduction.

This Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardee, best-selling author and respected speaker shares worthwhile words of wisdom with Illustrado readers in his column on Spirituality.

KRIP YUSON

Renowned writer Krip Yuson has co-authored travel books (among these APA Insight Guide to the Philippines and Philippines: Islands of Enchantment). He has earned distinctions as a literary author of over 20 other books — from poetry, short stories, children’s stories, biographies, and translation. A Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature Hall-of-Famer, he has also received the SEAWrite (SouthEast Asia Writer’s) Award from Thai royalty and the UMPIL or Writers’ Union of the Philippines’ Gawad Balagtas for lifetime achievement.

Illustrado’s Kabuhayan columnist, Francisco J. Colayco, has several best-selling books to his credit, and an advocacy on teaching Filipinos how to prosper. His financial advice is characterized as being simple and easy to understand making investing and personal financial management less intimidating.

FILBERT KUNG

AMBASSADOR GRACE RELUCIO-PRINCESA

Career diplomat, doting mother of five and servant leader, Ambassador Grace Princesa is the first female Philippine Ambassador to the UAE. Having spent over two decades in Philippine Foreign Services, she had previous postings in Chicago, Cairo, Geneva and Baghdad. Previously a Consul in the emirates’ capital, she has come back to Abu Dhabi in 2009 after 13 years. Each month, Ambassador Princesa shares about her community advocacies with Illustrado readers.

FRANCISCO COLAYCO

SHERRY TENORIO

A self-confessed magazine junkie, Sherry’s passion for print moved her to trade a monotonous life in banking for a shot at the exciting world of publishing. Her stint of over six years in lifestyle journalism ushered her into the glamorous world filled with celebrity interviews, front row seats at fashion shows, invitations to gala dinners and exclusive parties, and luxury travel. A regular face on Dubai’s social scene, Sherry is the perfect goto girl for all things worth doing in Dubai. This month, she also covers the Filipino designers causing a fashion revolution.

Photographer Filbert Kung’s work has graced many a glossy magazines in the Philippines, including international titles like - Aksam Turkey, Fashion Quarterly Canada, Schon Magazine London, and The Daily New York. He has established a look that is uniquely his - clean and classic. Never overtly intrusive, he respects the subject, and knows the line which must not be crossed. This has been the guiding principle of his work which goes beyond what the naked eye cannot see.

NIKKA SARTHOU GINNO ALDUCENTE

Multi-talented Ginno Alducente is truly gifted not only in the areas of hair and makeup, but also styling. Referred to in Dubai as the ‘McQueen of the Make-Over World’ his works are well-known in the tightly knit local fashion industry. He is into TV productions, magazine collaborations, runway and styling for both Gulf based, international and Philippine-based productions and has touched the faces of many international and Philippine A-list celebrities and models.

MARY JANE ALVERO

Engineer Mary Jane Alvero- Al Mahdi has spent 22 years of her life working in United Arab Emirates and currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Geoscience Testing Laboratory. She is an icon to those in the corporate world, who see her as a multi-awarded engineer, inspirational and motivational speaker, community volunteer, professional trainer and devoted leader. An Illustrado Woman of Substance Honoree and a nominee at this year’s Emirates Women’s Awards, she writes a column on leadership for Illustrado.

Nikka Sarthou has the enviable task of traveling and eating for a living. As a full-time freelance writer Nikka specializes in lifestyle-related features. She has written for various local print and online publications, as well as corporate clients. She is one of the founders of Writer’s Block Philippines, an organization that aims to provide writers an avenue to hone their skills and make them effective communicators.

SEPTEMBER 2013

Contributors DIDI PATERNO - MAGPALI When she first moved to Dubai and started contributing to Illustrado, Didi PaternoMagpali said of her experience, “It is refreshing to meet like minded people here in this city, where it is a struggle everyday to re-learn your identity as yourself and as a Filipino through day-to-day experiences and meeting new people. I get to firm up the foundation of my values and principles, thus shaping myself into a better person and Filipino to be proud of.” Didi continues this journey in her new home in the United States and writes about life after the desert.

WILFRED DY

Wilfred Dy is a fashion designer by trade and a photographer at heart. As a talented designer, Wilfred has worked for several ateliers in the Philippines and Canada, and also taught Fashion Arts at the La Salle College International – Vancouver and the Vancouver School Board. He is a multi-awarded designer and has won various fashion citations, including Best Designer Award at the Vancouver Fashion Week in.

Unsurprisingly, Wilfred’s gift in designing is matched by his brilliant talent in fashion photography – a craft were he displays his unique sense of aesthetics. A favorite among his designing peers in the emirates, Wilfred’s photographs have been published in local and regional fashion publications as well as Le Rouge Magazine in the US.

JEF ANOG

Jef Anog is an accountant who has inevitably landed in the field of fashion photography owing to his background in theater, modeling and photography in the Philippines. Fast becoming a firm favorite of local couture houses, Jef’s photography has graced various look books and catalogues, as well as magazines Arabian Woman Magazine, Lamasat, Illustrado Couture and websites megastyle.ph, wardahautecouture. com, antaysia.com and illustradolife.com.

Guest Contributors ALEX CALLUENG

Alex Callueng, better known for strutting his stuff on the runway in previous years refers to himself as an accidental artist. A Dubaibased photographer, Alex is determined to move his skills in fashion, beauty and portrait photography into the next level.

Apart from his commercial work and his recent campaign shoot for Canadian fashion brand Madame Mojeh, Alex’s photography has also been published in local magazines WKND and Physique.

RAEN BADUA

Raen Badua is a Filipino-American fashion photographer and graphic designer currently based in New York City. After serving the US Army for six years, he decided to pursue graphic design at the International Academy of Design & Technology in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Though he was studying graphic design, he knew photography was his first love and incorporated most of his projects with his own photography – most recently with fashion as his favorite subject. Raen currently works in Manhattan for Hearst Magazines’ Studio D and for Z!NK Magazine. www.raenpbadua.com

ROZEN ANTONIO

Rozen Antonio says he has been artistically inclined all his life. This freelance photographers who has an ardent sense of creating dazzling visuals via fashion and beauty photography has worked for various local couture houses the latest one being Donaco Couture. He has also recently shot for Benetton in collaboration with Ikon Productions. Rozen’s works have been featured in Arabic publication Lamasat and US-based Le Rouge Magazine.

HERSON NEBAYA

Herson Nebaya returns as Guest Contributor to Illustrado after his Beautiful Philippines’ issue debut in April 2013. Apart from Illustrado, Herson’s work has graced Accent, Elegant and Blanc magazines, as well as Male Models Scene and Megastyle online. He has also photographed a commercial campaign for Sennheiser and Listening in Style, as well as FADAL Manila. Herson began his career as fashion photographer in 2011 after earning a certificate at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines. His photography credentials include training at the International Center of Photography (ICP) & Pace University in New York, Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI) as well as workshops by photography legend Joe McNally. www.hersonnebaya.com

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CHAMPIONING THE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO

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Oman and Kuwait.

Fashion

FILIPINOS LEADING A FASHION REVOLUTION

Currently dominating the fashion charts from Dubai to Manila, and even making their presence felt in New York, Los Angeles, London and other parts of the world are extraordinary Filipino designers led by Michael Cinco, Ezra Santos and Furne One. But aside from these three fashion virtuosos, there are certainly even more Pinoy names tripping up the glamour radar. Sherry Tenorio keeps up with the kings of couture and unveils the other names to watch in fashion.

MICHAEL CINCO

It’s been a very busy couple of years for “the visored one” – the much raved about Michael Cinco. Between his successful stints on the runways of Dubai and Manila, his dresses appearing on Hollywood red carpet events and music videos worn by the likes of Sofia Vergara, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Fergie, Paris Hilton, Dita Von Teese, Mischa Barton even artists Chris Brown, and Will.I.Am, his TV appearances in America’s Next Top Model as well as Asia’s Next Top Model, and the launch of his scent, it’s been dizzying to keep up with the rise and rise of the ‘impalpable’ designer.

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After this year’s memorable shows at the first season of Dubai’s Fashion Forward, his finale show at the Los Angeles Fashion Week F/W 2013 and just recently the Star Magic Ball in Manila, Michael is set to wow with his brand of couture at the Singapore Fashion Week, alongside French designers Stephane Rolland and Alexis Mabille, as well as Asian haute couture proponents Guo Pei from China and Yumi Katsura of Japan.

EZRA SANTOS

Ezra Santos continues his perfection realized in his designs made to delicately female form. His baroque

pursuit for ultra-elegant enhance the ‘Definiendo

El Amor’ collection received rave reviews during the first season of Dubai’s Fashion Forward this year. The collection inspired

by Gaudi, was even rumored to have caused tears from three overwhelmed female audiences during show.

Certainly not one to disappoint, and as if his previous year’s works featured in the catwalks of Dubai, Manila and New York were not perfection enough, Ezra who has clothed many a beautiful Arab women including the region’s star, Haifa Wehbe, as well as Britney Spears and Hollywood rebel Michelle Rodriguez, continues to be regarded and respected as one of the couture forces to be reckoned with in the emirates –

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a distinction he shares with fellow Filipinos Furne One and Michael Cinco.

This time around, the stylish denizens of Dubai await with bated breath as Ezra is set to showcase his new collection at Fashion Forward.

Beyonce, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Sherzinger, Kelly Rowland, Rita Ora and Shakira among others, one wonders what else is next for the One and Only.

BANDOIX FLORES FURNE ONE When Elie Goulding was snapped by the paparazzi at the red carpet wearing a nude slinky spiked dress during the recently concluded MTV Music Awards, Dubai fashion watchers gasped in awe and knew that the dress was the creation of the celebrated Furne One creator of Amato Couture. In December last year, the city’s fashion elite had another of those awestruck moments as the designer pulled of a show for Heidi Klum’s Germany’s Next Top Model in Atlantis at the Palm Jumeirah.

Move back to May of this this year, more gasps as Furne One displayed his “Circus of Good and Evil” collection of fierce pieces at Fashion Forward’s first season. One of the most watched shows at Fashion Forward, Furne’s mélange of black leather and lace dresses accessorized with whips, chains and knives, and contrasting surreal white pieces punctuated with angel wings, certainly brought the house down.

So it’s an understatement to say that Furne’s year has been simply “successful.” With his clothes winning not only the runways of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Manila, London, Los Angeles, Miami and Perth, but also earning the love of top global performers like

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A member of the fashion royalty in Dubai, Bandoix Flores Nebria is known for creating stunning collections for Warda Haute Couture. However, aside from running the house as its Creative Director, the “classista” – as he is referred to by his peers, has been busy focusing on his new label, BFN Couture. The line promises to meet both high fashion standards and the need for practical indulgence.

His pieces won praises in Philippine Fashion Week last year and without a doubt, his new collection is set to do the same. While preparing to surprise Dubai with gorgeous images of his BFN Couture collection, Bandoix is strategically planning his career, hoping that the universe will continue to take him to the right path.

ROCKY GATHERCOLE Rocky Gathercole continues to rock the fashion world with the same eclectic and avant garde panache he displayed in New York, Miami and Los Angeles last year.

Rocky says the year 2013 started as a challenge, but he moved past it by pushing his boundaries. At the moment, he is working with the Chinese actress Bai Ling,

who starred in Hollywood hits such as The Crow and Wild Wild West. He also joins the rank of Michael Cinco, Furne One and Ezra Santos whose pieces have been worn

by Hollywood A-listers, when global pop princess Britnes Spear’s donned his creation for the launch of her Vegas show “Piece of Me.” Now based in Manila, Rocky is working on his clothing line as well as pieces for his movie and television project. As if these projects were not enough to fill his calendar, Rocky is also working on his show titled Asylum, Sinner/Saint in Los Angeles this October, as well as five more fashion shows including one opposite Rajo Laurel.

LEO ALMODAL A veteran in fashion designing, with 11 years of creative experience, Leo Almodal finally bid goodbye to being under someone else’s name this year. Moving from Dubai back to Manila and ready to prove his worth in the highly competitive world of fashion, Leo welcomed the year with the birth of his own company and clothing line. Almoda is set to be launched in October this year.

Leo compares the challenge of opening up your own atelier to nurturing a baby. There are other upcoming projects after this baby, which Leo says is just the beginning.

But for now, he’d rather keep these other projects a secret to avoid “counting the eggs that haven’t hatched just yet.”

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ALDWIN ORNOPIA

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ALBERT ANDRADA The former fashion designer to the ruling family of the emirate of Fujairah (UAE), Albert Andrada is now making waves in Manila’s fashion circle. His royal credentials are certainly entrancing to the country’s fashion elite. After 20 years of fashion designing in the Middle East, 10 of which were served in the royal palace, the year 2013 has been pretty hectic for Albert, mostly filled with requests for custommade evening and bridal gowns.

The Philippine press is keeping a close watch on Albert, waiting with bated breath for his next creation. After Albert’s successful finale show at last season’s Philippine Fashion Week, the critics fell in love with his pieces. In his solo show “Bridgette Bardot Forever” at the Sofitel Philippines Plaza Hotel, the press gave him nods of approval for his breathtaking ensembles which were “fit for a queen.”

Albert is preparing to reveal his new collection during Philippine Fashion Week this October and is also working on a special show together with luxury pearl makers Jewelmer.

RUBEN SANTOS This year, Abu Dhabi-based designer Ruben Santos wowed Philippine fashion pundits with his return to the Philippine Fashion Week Grand Allure 2013 as the show’s finale. There the designer showcased his edgy “The Nativity of Pearl” collection featuring elegantly silhouetted

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pieces fashioned with mollusk-shaped embellishments, in a monotone palette of white, silver and hints of gray. The collection, showing-off the designer’s definite flair for drama and penchant for the edgy and avant garde, was a very strong follow-up to his first presentation at the PFW in 2011.

Back at the capital, Ruben continues to design one-of-a-kind-dresses for his exclusive clientele, living out his childhood dream borne out of his love for creating miniature dresses for dioramas when he was a child. Though never to forget the strong pull of the homeland, Ruben looks forward to sharing his love for uniquely beautiful clothes in the world’s fashion capital someday soon.

ALDWIN ORNOPIA Another emerging name in UAE’s fashion market is the Cebu-born designer extraordinaire Aldwin Ornopia. Gracing Dubai’s fashion runway during previous editions of Dubai Fashion Fiesta, his recent collections are now seen splashed in fashion editorial pages of renowned magazines like Illustrado, Arabian Woman and Lamasat, to name a few.

This brilliant Filipino designer is considering a number of new ventures in the international front including a collaboration with a huge European company, an ensemble to be seen in one of America’s red carpet events, and dresses worn by Philippine’s local celebrities. It seems that there is just no stopping Aldwin.

YEN AB Working his way to the European fashion circuit is Yen AB, whose collections have been all the rage in the elite circles of the Middle East. Most of Yen’s collections have sold out, and the demand from Europe is rising. The creations of the House of Yen enchanted the critics in his finale show “The Prince’s Trust” at the London Fashion Week. Currently, the designer is poised to open a new boutique this October, conceptualize a new collection and an upcoming commercial that he is to direct himself.

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LEO ALMODAL

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RUBEN SANTOS ILLUSTRADO 35

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YEN AB

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illuminati

Looking luxe,

only

By Krip Yuson

I had occasion to look forward to a luxe lunch recently, at the showcase resto of a modern college where the 16-year-old daughter of close friends from the south had enrolled for her freshman year.

She’s not really a blood niece, but a special one: a bright kid who once had me workshopping her for her poetry when she was 13 or so. She’s also an avid football player, since her dad was THE football star of Silliman U decades ago.

So she’s gotten used to receiving books and football items from me, such as tees and jerseys of Spanish teams or regional ones like Vietnam, whenever I find myself returning from abroad. This time out, having just come back from Ireland, I had a green-and-white football key chain for her, to go together with a book dropped off by a common friend from Singapore — dedicated to her, as it was authored by the person her granddad had nicknamed her after: Han Suyin.

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So we agreed to meet for lunch at the restaurant in her school. I had seen it before, one time when I attended a foodfest party on campus. Looked stylish and comfy.

Had also heard that it was quite expensive.

But no matter. I looked forward to tasting dishes prepared by culinary students under the guidance of master chefs for professors.

In the elegant, stiff-board menu card, the Starters were listed down as follow: Caesar salad — Soft boiled egg, bacon, croutons, caesar dressing; Eggplant salad — Tomatoes fondue, olives, raisins; and Chicken foie gras terrine — Warm vegetables, truffle vinaigrette

Under Pasta and Risotto were: Arugula risotto — Burgundy snails, parmesan; and Truffle potato ravioli — Butter emulsion Soups were: Shellfish soup — Black mussels, vegetable julienne; French onion soup — Whole wheat toast, melted cheese, broth; and Garlic soup — Croquettes, garlic cream, toast Then there was Prix Fixe for a two-course or a three-course meal, featuring beef shank and salad and/or dessert.

CONGRATULATIONS

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FROM PHILIPPINES ON WINNING A BMW Z4 IN THE 4TH WEEK OF JULY. Dreaming of a brighter future, he acted on our gentle reminder and adopted a monthly saving habit. Now he prides owning two keys - One to a financially secure future and the other to a luxury BMW Z4.

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illuminati Just as not everything that glitters is gold, not everything that looks luxe is actually luxe. All the senses have to be brought to bear for such tests.

We decided on a mix: A Prix Fixe for the young girl, with the beef shank and dessert, and for myself, but also to be shared, the onion soup, the terrine, and the risotto.

The terrine actually went to her side of the table; I just had a little bite of it.

How can anyone go wrong with foie gras?

The dish looked so pretty, too, so that we immediately squared off with our iPhone cams (not only so her doting mom could have a vicarious treat via Facebook, heh heh).

I had asked the lady attendant exactly how the beef shank was prepared, was it with soup, as in our “bulalo,” or “Osso buco” style, with sauce? She said she didn’t know.

But my first disappointment was really over the soup. I had in fact asked if it could be served immediately, as I had been coughing and felt chest congestion that might be preceding a possible instance of flu. (I was right, but more on that later.)

Twenty minutes went by and no sign of the soup. I asked again. The lady attendant came back with a cup of hot water. Gee, thanks. And when it did come, I didn’t

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bother anymore to complain that the broth was at best tepid.

Oh, the dish looked good all right. Perfect for a food porn pic or two, as Suyen and I were both prone to take. The onions were mashed up with the cheese into a flat, circular piece of cake about an inch thick — a cute little island around which the broth made for some kind of moat. But the first spoonful of lukewarm broth convinced me once again that not everything that looked good or luxe was surefire good or luxe.

The beef shank turned out to be like a mini osso buco, a cylindrical little brown tower drenched in sauce and which stood apart from the usual crisp-looking veggies.

My risotto confirmed suspicions that everything was served minimally, that is, in such small portions.

Again, it was such a pretty-looking dish, of classy, classic plating — apple-greenish risotto, about a dozen spoonfuls or less, studded with the black thingies that looked like dark mushrooms, but were in fact the escargots plucked out of their shells, about eight pieces.

It was okay, but not exceptionally savory.

Same thing with Suyen’s beef shank, or her dessert which turned out to be a crepe with a scoop of ice cream — again looking ohso-pretty for a food porn pic, but nothing really extraordinary.

Now, I wouldn’t mind so much the relatively high prices for such if visually well-presented dishes. The portioning and proportioning I leave to accountants among kitchen crews. My regrets had to do more with the disappointment (and I swear, this wasn’t just set off by the initial chagrin over lukewarm onion soup) over the fact that dishes plated so well, in such a classy fashion and served in a luxe setting of tasteful ambience, could be so so-so in actual taste.

Oh, they weren’t bad. Not at all. But even at half their rates, and with the portions doubled, I wouldn’t look forward to a repeat at the same resto.

Which only proves to show: just as not everything that glitters is gold, not everything that looks luxe is actually luxe.

All the senses have to be brought to bear for such tests.

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GIORDANO CELEBRATES 20 YEARS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Giordano celebrates its 20th anniversary in the Middle East with the official opening of its new concept flagship store in The Dubai Mall.

Completely redesigned and reinvigorated, the Dubai Mall store reopening also heralds an aggressive expansion and upgrade program of Giordano stores across the region following two decades of consistent brand growth.

The global apparel brand, known for its everyday wardrobe essentials, first arrived in the region back in 1993. From a single store in the UAE’s Burjuman Centre, Giordano has since grown to become a much-loved regional retail staple and today has 250 stores across the Gulf and into South and Central Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe.

Giordano has become so successful that the company’s international market expansion is now being handled from the Middle East, with Giordano reaching its target of 250 stores two years ahead of projection. Recent openings include flagship stores in Red Sea

Mall, Jeddah and Mall of Dhahran in Saudi Arabia, Dolmen Mall in Karachi, Pakistan as well as new shops in Beirut City Centre in Beirut, Lebanon and Tblisi Mall in Tbilisi, Georgia.

“Looking back, I could not have predicted just how far we have come in two decades. I would like to express our gratitude for the support of the government and local authorities in each of the countries in which we operate for providing us the environment needed to thrive.

It is a real cause for celebration,” said Ishwar Chugani, Managing Director of Giordano Middle East FZE and Executive Director of Giordano International.

Giordano’s new flagship Middle East store in The Dubai Mall redefines simplicity and embraces classic, polished and refined design.

Space is maximized for product displays and customer interaction; including wider entrances and larger, and more comfortable fitting rooms. Products are also presented in three different ways for customers’ easy visualisation of style. Wood accents have been added to increase the feeling of warmth and natural space. Energy-efficient lights enhance the customer experience while minimizing the store’s carbon footprint.

GOLD’S GYM UAE ANNOUNCES PRE-SALES OF THEIR 11THCLUB IN REEF MALL, DEIRA Gold’s Gym UAE, the world’s leading international gym chain in the world and a member of the Al Ahli Holding group expands their presence in UAE with yet another branch in Reef Mall.

Gold’s Gym will be hosting pre-sales of their new club beginning September 1, 2013.

“Gold’s Gym will be a great addition to Reef Mall’s excellent community offering. The convenience factor, the fun selection of classes, and fitness offerings will surely make Gold’s Gym one of the most popular tenants in our mall and we are very pleased to have them onboard,” said Imad Abdul Malak, public relations and marketing manager at Reef Mall.

The club located in Deira will be open to both men and women and will be offering special membership rates to health and fitness enthusiasts in Dubai. The annual membership rate for the pre-sales will drop to AED 1,999 per person and will be valid for a limited period only. Marking the opening of the new club, Gold’s Gym

has special offers tempting individuals to join for as little as AED6 per day.

The GG UAE club in Reef Mall will be uniquely designed and spread across 10,000 square feet to provide the best work out atmosphere for members with added facilities like free parking, and a juice bar.

GGX (Gold’s Group Exercise) classes, the most popular in the UAE, along with personal training are another attraction featured by the new club. The GGX classes include Body Jam, Body Combat, Zumba, Rpm and spin, Hip-hop, Body Pump, Body Step, Body Balance, Yoga, Kids Hip-hop and Kids Zumba.

Gold’s Gym UAE also has a mixed club in Deira located in Business Village with a special ladies gym. Gold’s Gym recently had the grand opening of its club in Al Mussalla Tower, Bur Dubai and looks forward to another club starting soon in Al Nasmah Tower, Al Nahda.

MORE CHANCES TO WIN AND SAVE WITH NATIONAL BONDS National Bonds Corporation provides UAE nationals, residents and non-residents with a credible and safe savings opportunity.

National Bonds’ rewards programs offer over AED46 million worth of prizes annually: AED1 million cash prize is given away the first week of every month and two BMW luxury cars are given away every week. In addition, two gold bonds dedicated to female bondholders and school tuition fees for two lucky minors are given away. As if that weren’t enough, the rewards structure offers one cash award of AED50 every minute per day.

Mr Felipe Tuballa Obanana Jr. the newest BMW car winner from ILLUSTRADO 48

the Philippines said: “I’ve been saving with National Bonds since 2008 and have often been teased by my friends who had some of the smaller rewards such as the 50 dirhams cash prize. I have never won anything before so this reward is even more special.”

“My recent winning has revitalized my savings spirit and also encouraged me to initiate savings for my wife through the diverse programs that National Bonds offers. Although my ultimate gain is the savings that I have accumulated over the years, the BMW is certainly a celebration of my perseverance to save,” he added.

Fashion

Insanity:

By Lalaine Chu-Benitez

They say there’s a very thin line that separates genius from insanity. And nowhere is the thinness of that line even more pronounced than in the case of designer Rocky Gathercole.

During a virtual tête-à-tête with the avant gardiste, we unearthed not only the method in his madness, but also the proverbial can of worms… or two.

Experimental, unpredictable, explosive and quite simply – mad.

He, of the fantastical creations, whose muses include insect women, gaudy showgirls, and phantasmagoric goddesses who all exist in a warped intersection between total fantasy and hyper reality. Rocky says on his take on style as-a-matter-of-factly, “My designs are, to put it simply, from my weirdest, wildest, wonderful world (www.rg) where I am the ultimate dictator of fashion. I have a gazillion idea in my mind and fantastical is probably the simplest adjective we can associate them with. The real word to

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appropriately describe them has yet to come from another universe!” He adds, “More than anything, my primary concern, most often than not, is the availability of materials to be able to realize my vision.”

For those who wonder who on earth in their right mind could wear his creations, the designer explains his style with utmost clarity, “My creations are absolutely ‘not normal.’ I’m the first one who will attest to that. They’re not for the faint hearted.

You don’t deserve to wear a Gathercole if you’re not very confident, bold and brave.

The strong females of this age have quite a crystal clear idea of what and who they are as individuals.”

He continues to explain, “Maybe my translation of what is ‘wearable’ is still unfathomable to those who don’t realize that fashion is a form of self-expression. I wouldn’t have survived in this dog-eats-dog rag trade for more than two decades if Arab women didn’t find my dresses wearable. As for the less than extremely daring, I’ve got huge surprises coming soon so that others can also experience wearing my signature.”

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Fashion PHOTOGRAPHY: FILBERT KUNG STYLING, HAIR & MAKE-UP: GINNO ALDUCENTE MODEL: JASMINE MAIERHOFER

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In an industry where originality has been the topic of much heated debate and where he is regarded as an outsider by those who look down upon his perplexing fashion sensibility and less than bourgeois ways, the designer has been the subject of hushed talks, sometimes even ridicule. Unfazed however, Rocky Gathercole cuts the image of a singularly focused design savant determined to march to the beat of his own drum.

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He acknowledges, “When I was still starting to find my identity as a designer, Thierry Mugler influenced and inspired my creations.” But he adds with brutal frankness, “However, it is not the same as the definition of ‘inspired’ by some of my colleagues. I would take some details and add my own touch or come up with my version with respect to the resources at hand. I’ve always been consistent with my ‘insanity’ as a designer.”

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Hammering on the point of contention in the current state of Philippine fashion, he emphasizes, “If you will copy, justify it - if you can’t be original. Not everyone is creative. Some may be lucky with their contacts and that’s why they are famous.

But fame does not necessarily mean better in ideas than everyone else. People in fashion, particularly in Dubai, a place where I am so used to people’s peculiarities - are mostly selfproclaimed. Some are paying and are dying for image. Some are trying very hard, acting out an image.”

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That comment is bound to sting and ruffle more than just a few feathers. But then again Rocky Gathercole, who’s got both admirers and enemies in the industry, does not want to be known for his delicacy in delivering his ferociously candid take on things.

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recently a lauded fashion show where he shared the stage with celebrated Manila designer Rajo Laurel, and received He, then adds, “People hate me for being praise from the straightforward, but I just despise dishonest people. If I am not welcome in a group, it’s iconic Imelda the least of my concerns. It’s just their way Marcos herself of unconsciously declaring that I am in a - the irreverent league of my own... I am my own group.” fire-starter-slashunderdog seems to Truly, deciding be having the last how one feels about laugh.

Rocky Gathercole, his creations, his Ecstatic after his latest runway conquest at the celebrity-studded opening of Wiltower out-of-the-fashionin Manila, the designer gushed, “Sharing a mould persona stage with the great Rajo Laurel is another and razor-sharp dream come true. But seeing Madame Imelda Marcos clapping for my designs is tongue that would something I have never imagined. Now, always say what I can say that I’m already a full-fledged others won’t, is by fashion designer! Glory to God!” no means a simple So what’s next for the designer? What task. Still, between else does he dream of? Rocky thoughtfully answers, “I actually don’t dream anymore. his two decades in I’m living my life as an artist in progress. the Middle East, his That’s how I am - who I am right now. successful shows in People can say anything about me. I can deal with that now with maturity. I still Miami, New York have long way to go in this business. I can’t say what the future holds for me. I don’t and Los Angeles want to know. I want to be surprised. And (where he received I promise you, everyone will definitely be a standing ovation surprised as well.” last year), the successful launch of his atelier in Manila, and just Asked about his thoughts on being labeled as a costume designer, he answers passionately, “My response to that, as a ‘costume designer,’ is that they don’t know what costumes really are! I will categorically say that all the designers in the Middle East have always been costume designers.

Anyone who uses a glue gun, Elmer’s glue or E6000 is not a couture designer!”

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Love him or hate him? The question is probably immaterial – because whichever you choose, the fact stands that you just can’t ignore Rocky Gathercole.

And through all his trials and tribulations, the hushed talks and negative labels, the eye popping and sometimes disturbing designs, the ‘standing o’s’ and Imelda Marcos’ figurative ‘bravo,’ one can truly say that the designer is indeed a success where other Filipino designers have yet to prevail - and that is in finding his own voice, and having the courage to be insanely and uniquely himself.

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REAL STYLE, REAL PEOPLE

We scoured the web for styl ish Fil ipinos from all over the glob e and these are our picks for the month!

Manila style blogger Aileen Clarisse Belmonte show off her two fashion sides – sexy, with a dress from www. banggood.com, and sweet, with a lace top from www.romwe. com. Check her out on www.aileenclarisse. blogspot.com and www. lookbook.nu/aileenb.

One can definitely describe Japan-based Kiko Cagayat’s style as utterly tongue-incheek. Here he rocks his own neckpiece made of soda can ring pulls and a “Not Hermes Today” bag. Follow him on kikolearnstoblog. tumblr.com.

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real style, real people

Two Dubai stylish gals – Che Cortes Caisido and Mayne Valeña Tamondong do summer in Europe in breezy yellow.

The ChicStyler.com’s blogger Jeremy Centeno looks at home in Italy’s style capital – Milan with his preppy approach to fashion.

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Dubai-based model and airline crew Nicolette Bell cuts a cool and refreshing stylish image in London.

Stylist Andre Judd Chang spends his days strutting around Manila dressed in eye-popping edgy ensembles like these. No wonder, he calls himself “The Avantgardien.�

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real style, real people

Dubai telecomms exec Jay Carpio obviously loves sharks and dogs. Whatever else he loves, he definitely knows how to rock cool graphics tees.

“I love to play dress-up,� says Dubai-based style blogger Faith Rodriguez of thelookbureau.com who has a passion for feminine and minimalistic styles.

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real style, real people

Dubai-based Joan Tungul, blogger at streetblush. com sports this year’s black and white trend in two patterns.

Indie actress and Film producer Fe Hyde, who’s based in Dubai, teaches “How to Look Like a Real Celebrity 101.”

Clean, smart and stylishly sharp. Paul Ramos, Abu Dhabi Visual Artist and fashion blogger at thestylechoreo.blogspot. ae always makes an effort to make his fashion speak for itself.

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Back to BLACK Classic pieces don’t go out of style.

Deira City Centre 04 2950790, Mall of The Emirates 04 3413666, Mercato 04 3440015 In Dubai, prettyFIT and BeetleBug shoes are exclusively distributed by Mohammed ABDULJAWAD Trading Est.

facebook.com/prettyfit.beetlebug.dubai

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NIKON D800: EVERY PHOTO WILL ASTOUND. EVERY VIDEO WILL DAZZLE. The Nikon D800 digital SLR camera offers a number of new features in a compact and lightweight body. It boasts a 36.3 megapixel FX-format HD-SLR, the new EXPEED 3 image processing engine and an RGB high resolution sensor for professional photographers who require end results of the highest quality, who demand superior performance, speedy handling and a fully integrated imaging system.

The Nikon D800 is also equipped with a number of new functions, including multi-area mode, full HD movie recording, advanced scene recognition system, a viewfinder with 100% frame coverage, an upgraded autofocus module and a live view mode.

The Nikon D800 camera is the proud recipient of Best DSLR Expert title from TIPA 9Technical Image Press Association Awards 2012. The D800 also won the Best Product Award among cameras during 2012-13 presented by the European Imaging and Sound Association [EISA].

The Nikon D800 is available at all Grand Stores Digital showrooms and top electronic retailers across the UAE.

RAFFLES DESIGN INSTITUTE, MANILA: THE LIFESTYLE SCHOOL Raffles Design Institute, Manila (RDI) boasts of a world-class learning environment that is tailored to today’s generation of students intent on building industry-relevant skills. RDI is a lifestyle school that launches successful careers in design utilizing a unique blend of non-traditional learning, well-experienced international lecturers, and an orientation towards creativity.

RDI is a subsidiary of Raffles Education Corporation, Limited, Singapore and is part of a network of 33 campuses in 13 AsiaPacific countries. RDI offers three-year, full-time Bachelor of Design degree programs in: Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing and Management, Interior Design and Visual Communication

Advanced Diploma. They then study for another year at Raffles College of Higher Education in Sydney, Australia to earn the Bachelor of Design qualification. RDI’s academic calendar has four terms in a year which begins in January, April, July, and October.

An RDI student can start studies during any of these terms.

For personalized counseling on how to join RDI, contact Raffles Marketing Manager Carol Del Rosario at +632-846-2888 from Mondays to Fridays, 8:00 am until 5:00 pm (Manila time), or email her at caroldelrosario@raffles-design-institute.com. For the latest updates about RDI, visit our website at www.rafflesdesign-institute.com.ph, like our official page on Facebook (www. facebook.com/rdi.mnl), or follow us on Twitter

After studying for two years in Manila, RDI students receive the

FILIPINO RESIDENT TO DRIVE IN STYLE Crystalin Magsipoc, resident of Dubai and mother of two, has won the grand prize of an Infiniti JX35 car with OSN’s Subscribe and Win promotion, held during the annual Dubai Summer Surprises 2013.

The promotion, which was open to anyone who subscribed, upgraded or renewed their OSN subscription in the UAE, also awarded 30 lucky subscribers with the latest Samsung Smart TVs. Hamad Malik, chief marketing officer of OSN, presented Crystalin with the keys to her new car at the Infiniti showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road.

The 32-year old stylist was overjoyed. “At first, it was hard to believe that I had actually won. I still can’t believe it. This will truly change the lives of my kids. I never imagined I could be this lucky! I am extremely thankful to OSN for providing my family ILLUSTRADO 66

and me our favorite TV entertainment at home and now have this fantastic car that I could never have imagined buying. This is truly an unforgettable moment!”

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Bless Afable Buddy Gadiano Buddy Gadiano is an award-winning photographer based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. After completing short courses at Lightform International Filipino Photographers Guild (LIFPG) Dubai, Buddy’s passion in photography deepened. He continued exploring the beauty of art through self-teaching and experimenting.

Some of the awards received by Buddy include: Two-time winner at Mansoor Bin Mohammed Photography Award - Dubai UAE; twotime Winner at Environmental Awareness Photography Competition - Dubai UAE; Finalist at Khalifa International Date Palm Award – Abu Dhabi UAE; Finalist in Illustrado Woman of Substance Photography competition, among many others.

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Bless Afable works as a full time in-house product photographer in one of the biggest companies in the region. “I have always loved arts and traveling and I believe that being creative is a way of life and a means to survive using our imagination,” she says.

“I am grateful to have both the ability and opportunity to use the medium of photography and painting to express myself and share a glimpse of beauty captured even in the midst of chaos. Finding beauty in darkness is the greatest fulfillment for me,” adds Bless.

Outside of work Bless does general photography. She says she does not have any specialty and just does the best she can in every situation or scenario she encounters. For her, in many ways, photography is a way of capturing life in the various ways it can be lived, enjoyed and appreciated.

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HYKU DESESTO Hyku Desesto, who got her first DSLR camera at 16, basically grew up with photography. Her father, who was a journalist for years before he decided to work overseas, has been her main influence. He would bring the young Hyku to almost all of his shoots since she was five years old.

Working in independent films and a TV station in the Philippines broadened Hyku’s knowledge in photography and journalism.

However, when she moved to Dubai, she

thought of challenging herself by taking up a desk job, only to realize that she wasn’t meant for that kind of life. She was then able to join a proper studio, Pink Pepper Photography which taught her the nuances of the industry here in the emirates.

me to meet different people from different walks of life. It allows me to freeze a moment in time that will never happen again and lastly, it allows me to be just me.”

Now a full time freelance photographer, Hyku shoots for different brands, events, meetings, projects, as well as international artists who visit Dubai. She says, “If there’s one thing I have to thank photography for, is that it allows

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10 things to do It’s the start of the BERRRRR months and you know what that means! You need to ward off the temptation to snuggle in your beds while watching series reruns. Have a bit of adventure and go out of your comfort zones. Try at least one of these amazing things to do this month of September.

Take a bite of that camel

This one sounds bizarre, we know. You ride on a camel – you don’t eat them. But isn’t that the whole idea of going beyond the norms? Besides, you’re here in Dubai, and this is more than acceptable. So, here is your chance to taste some camel meat. This unusual food treat is now available at a surprising number of restaurants. Sample this tasty treat at Dubai Marina at Best Burgers Forever, which serves a camelmeat burger from Dhs45.

Call your friends for a laser shootout

If firing those pistols seems a bit lonely, get friends to join in on the firing, too. Spark a bit of friendly competition and wage a laser gun shootout. This isn’t at all a bad idea for weekend fun and is also perfect for team bonding. Head off to Laserdome in Dubai Autodrome at Motor City, or to the Thrill Zone, a laser tag gaming venue in Oasis Centre at Sheikh Zayed Road.

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Shoot that gun

Let’s not get carried away, this is just a game. It’s great to let off some steam but this activity is actually meant for testing your aim and coordination. At the Jebel Ali Shooting Club, lessons in outdoor clay shooting and indoor 9mm and .22 calibre pistols are being offered. Meanwhile, Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club has a specialized facility designed for hand guns and rifle practice. If you want to check it out, you may phone Jebel Ali Shooting Club at 04-8836555 or visit Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club’s website at www.golfandshootingshj.com.

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Kick that ball

Another option for weekend fun is the soapy soccer happening at Kempinski Ajman. You don’t need to be an athlete to do this so get your friends or your family packing to the emirate, and play football on a big inflatable covered with soapsuds. It’s going to be hilarious and competitive at the same time. Phone Kempinski Ajman at 067145555 for more information.

Hop aboard Dubai Ferry

This is perfect if you have guests coming this month, but nevertheless a ride along the picturesque coastline of Dubai is an awesome thing to do. With choices of routes from Dubai Creek to some point close to Burj Al Arab or from Dubai Marina Mall to some point close to Atlantis, this Dubai Ferry ride will give you an absolutely better view of Dubai’s best spots. Trips run daily, get more information at www. rta.ae.

Eat out in a revolving restaurant

One of the oldest hotels in the city, Hyatt Regency provides diners the option to eat at the only revolving restaurant in Dubai. Aside from the delicious offering of a mix of European, Middle Eastern, Asian and Japanese cuisines, guests at Al Dawaar restaurant can also marvel at the spectacular sight of the Gulf, the Creek and the emirate’s skyline. To reserve table, you may call 04-3172222.

Getaway to the dunes

Pack your bags, and go to the desert. It may sound absurd but to those seeking for some downtime, a trip to the desert is an ideal alternative. If you’ve seen tons of dunes in your desert safari trips, then take a tour to the world’s second largest desert, also known’s as The Empty Quarter, in Abu Dhabi. Boasting huge red dunes covering hundreds of kilometers, this is also home to a variety of wildlife. The trip may take couple of hours so you better opt to stay overnight in Qasr Al Sarab or Tilal Liwa Hotel.

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10 things to do

Brave the world’s fastest rollercoaster

This one is not for the faint-hearted. Obviously packed with breathtaking action, the ride in the world’s fastest rollercoaster in Ferrari World on Yas Island is definitely an experience of a lifetime. Named as Formula Rossa, this ride shoots out at 240kph in under 5 seconds. A perfect adrenalin booster, it’s a must-try for the thrill seekers.

Check out www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com for more information.

Meet Kobe Bryant

For basketball fanatics, this one is for you. Sports superstar Kobe Bryant is en route to the emirates on September 27 to lead Health & Wellness Weekend Celebrity Basketball Game at the American University in Dubai. Leading his team of celebrity basketball players, the five-time champion is braving it against the Real Madrid basketball team. It is said that Kobe will wear a wireless microphone half of the game, giving additional treat for sports aficionados to hear their idol. For more information, visit www.kobefitnessuae.com.

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Listen to Whitney

A tribute concert to music legend Whitney Houston will be staged at the Madinat Theatre in Madinat Jumeirah on September 18. Celebrating her legacy in the industry, Showtime Management conducted a year of auditions in 12 countries scouring for the best artist to sing her hits such as “I Will Always Love You”, “Wanna Dance With Somebody” and “How Will I Know”. South African vocalist Belinda Davis was chosen, and she will be belting it out, Whitney style, in this amazing show. For tickets and information, call 04-3666546.

Fashion PHOTOGRAPHY: WILFRED DY HAIR AND MAKE-UP: IVY PERALTA MODELS: ANNIE NAYAR, ELENA POSTOLACHI NINA NAVAL NIEMCZYK

AN EMERGING DESIGNERS SHOWCASE

FUTURE

A richly embellished cowl neck plays piece de resistance in this spandex sci-fi dress

by GARVY MOLINOS TERRADO

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Fashion

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Fashion

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Fashion Tube leather dress, decorated with a mix of acrylics, thin laces, and built- in LED lights and accessorized by a handmade fiber glass neck band. By ANGEL DE JESUS

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Fashion

A richly embellished cowl neck plays piece de resistance in this spandex sci-fi dress

by GARVY MOLINOS TERRADO

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Fashion

DESIGNER GUIDE: GARVY MOLINOS TERRADO For Almyssa Couture Deira, Dubai Phone No.: +971 55 858 2446 E-mail: trishagarvy24@gmail.com ANGEL de JESUS For Marocha Ricci Dubai Phone No.: +971 56 286 7556 E-mail: angel.dejesus134@gmail.com Website: https://www.facebook.com/angelikad2

Crystallized bandeau top, topped with gladiator shoulders

by ANGEL DE JESUS

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Fashion PHOTOGRAPHY: JEF ANOG HAIR AND MAKE-UP: YHENCE SIOTING MODELS: ANNIE NAYAR, ELENA POSTOLACHI NINA NAVAL NIEMCZYK

PRESENT Romantic taupe and bone striped silk satin dress overlaid with crumpled organza in pale cerulean, topped with a one shoulder slim-bishop sleeved peplum blouse, embellished with minimal hand-painted silk flowers. By DAN DELIMA

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Fashion

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Fashion Dress with freeform collar in silver grey lame embellished with multiple layered gold cut out plastic film sheets by MARLON JAY VICTA ABINA

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Fashion A mini blazer in zebra prints matched with contrasting fuchsia silk tube, and a chiffon skirt by ANGEL DE JESUS

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Fashion

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Fashion

DESIGNER GUIDE: DAN DELIMA Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi Phone No: +971 50 780 7826 E-mail: dgdelima@yahoo.com MARLON JAY VICTA ABINA For Fancy Queen Fashion Dubai Phone No.: +971 50 500 4321 E-mail: lonemir8@yahoo.com ANGEL de JESUS For Marocha Ricci Dubai Phone No: +971 56 286 7556 EMAIL: angel.dejesus134@gmail.com

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Fashion

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Fashion PHOTOGRAPHY: ALEX CALLUENG HAIR AND MAKE-UP: VALENTIN MONTUERTO MODELS: ANNIE NAYAR, ELENA POSTOLACHI NINA NAVAL NIEMCZYK

PAST Inspired by the traditional henna dress, a Dhofari-silhouette intricately embellished piece made of maroon raw silk and turquoise silk lining. The dress features nude Italian tulle with the illusion of henna art on the skin and is accentuated with gold metal components and gold chains. By RICHARD TOJOS

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Fashion A dress featuring a fully sequence shirt, layered with soft golden tulle, with a bodice beaded in metallic thread, cut glass, Swarovski crystals and embellished flower chiffon

By Alberr Fontanilla

DESIGNER GUIDE RICHARD TOJOS For Lecci Fashion Design Al Khan, Sharjah Phone No.: +971 56 288 9079 E-mail: richard.tojos@gmail.com ALBERR FONTANILLA For Fashioner Tailoring and Design Khalidiyah St., Abu Dhabi Phone No.: +971 56 309 2243 E-mail: alberr_fontanilla@ymail.com JOHN MUNIZ Dubai, UAE Phone No.: +971 50 842 7796 E-mail: johnmuniz1977@gmail.com

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Fashion Victorian inspired ensemble in black taffeta with present-day aesthetics. The dress is topped with laser cut acrylic as curious embellishment and is accented with a yellow taffeta ribbon belt.

By JOHN MUNIZ

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Global Filipino Fashion

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PHOTOGRAPHY: RAEN BADUA MAKEUP: SHEENFOL BENITEZ - FACES STUDIO VEGAS HAIR: CHRISTINA LOPEZ MODEL: TORI LIESY - ENVY MODEL MANAGEMENT FASHION: JEAUNE ROE – LAS VEGAS *Shot in las vegas

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Global Filipino Fashion

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PHOTOGRAPHY: EROS GOZE HAIR AND MAKE-UP: JOJO PADUA FASHION BY: CARLA FUENTES, JESSIE SINDAYEN AND OBET ANTONIO MODEL: MICHELLE SOPHIE PUDDA

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Global Filipino Fashion

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ROZEN ANTONIO HAIR AND MAKE-UP: BRIANZON ONG ACALLAR MODEL: MIMI FASHION: ANGEL DE JESUS *Shot in Dubai

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Global Filipino Fashion

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Global Filipino Fashion

TRIP PHOTOGRAPHY: HERSON NEBAYA STYLING: JEFF GALANG MAKE-UP: ANTON PATDU, GERY PENASO AND ELAINE DE SILVA HAIR: DIVAD MEDINA MODELS: JACKIE, LUANE AND DANIELLA OF IDEAL PEOPLE MODEL MANAGEMENT Shot on-location at the Filling Station, Makati

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STOP

PHOTOGRAPHY: EROS GOZE HAIR AND MAKE-UP: JOJO PADUA FASHION BY: CARLA FUENTES, JESSIE SINDAYEN AND OBET ANTONIO MODEL: MICHELLE SOPHIE PUDDA

Global Filipino Fashion

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leadership

Leadership is a learned skill Learning how to be an effective leader is like learning any complex skill. It rarely comes naturally and usually takes a lot of practice. Learning must be accompanied by a growing sense of identity as a leader.

Positive paradigm shift involves detaching previously effective professional identities and developing new and more appropriate ones. Yet, people often feel unsure about leaving the comfort of roles in which they have shined, because doing so means moving toward an ambiguous aftermath.

Connect and Lead

W

By Engr. Mary Jane Alvero Al Mahdi

e become leaders by taking purposeful action and responsibility for our choices, and forming a leadership identity. When we develop leadership competencies, challenging assignments and other organizational endorsements become more available to us.

Affirmation gives us the determination to step out of a comfort zone and explore unaccustomed behaviors and new ways of exercising leadership. An absence of affirmation, however, lessens selfconfidence and discourages us from seeking growing opportunities.

The story of an investment banker we’ll call Alia is example. Alia’s career stalled when she was in her thirties. Her problem, she was told, was that she lacked “presence” with clients (who were mostly older men) and was not sufficiently outspoken in meetings. Her career prospects looked bleak.

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Fortunately, both her reputation and her confidence grew when she was assigned to work with two clients whose Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) happened to be women. These women appreciated Alia’s smarts and her skillful way of handling their needs and concerns. In their own way, they started taking the initiative to raise Alia’s profile. One demanded that she be present at all key meetings, and the other refused to speak to anyone but Alia when she called—actions that enhanced Alia’s credibility within her firm.

“In our industry,” Alia explains, “having the key client relationship is everything.”

Her peers and supervisors began to see her not just as a competent project manager, but as a trusted client adviser— an important prerequisite for promotion.

These relationships, both internal and external, gave Alia the confidence boost she needed to generate ideas and express them forthrightly, whether to colleagues or to clients. Her supervisors happily concluded that Alia had finally shed her “gentle and mild-mannered” former self and “stepped up” to leadership.

An effective leader focuses on purpose and takes up activities that are critical to his/ her success, such as networking. However, many people elude networking because they see it as a farce, as relationships that are simply commercial and too instrumental in need to evoke interest and be allotted time for beyond work. Yet, when they see it as a means to a larger purpose, such as developing new business to advance their vision for the company, they are more comfortable engaging in it.

Leaders who focus on how others perceive them are less clear about their goals, less open to learning from failure, and less capable of self-regulation. Effective leaders develop a sense of purpose by pursuing goals that align with their personal values.

This allows them to look beyond the status quo and gives them a convincing reason to take action despite personal fears and insecurities.

Such leaders are seen as authentic and trustworthy because they are willing to take risks in the service of shared goals. By connecting others to a greater purpose, they inspire commitment, boost determination and motivation, and help colleagues find deeper meaning in their work.

Most leaders today run the risk of causing fear, antipathy, or envy when they approach their jobs by highlighting their competence and strength without first building a foundation of trust. Leaders would do much better to begin with trust through warmth and understanding. Beginning with warmth permits trust to develop, facilitating both the exchange and the acceptance of ideas.

It’s What I do get grumpy because the show is so highenergy. A lot of crazy things happen in the studio!

I also present news bulletins on other ARN stations such as Dubai Eye 103.8, Dubai 92 and Virgin Radio. Sometimes I’m on the reporting shift and I get sent out to do stories, and that can be very exciting. One day I’m on the Metro asking people about their pet peeves on the train, the next day I’m interviewing a high-ranking official about a huge government initiative. Every day is so different and that keeps me on my toes and keeps me from getting bored.

Zeena Zalamea

I am a news presenter and a reporter for Arabian Radio Network. I mainly read the news on TAG 91.1, the first and only Filipino radio station in the UAE. You’ll often hear me live on Louie and Bluebird’s breakfast show, Gandang U-maga, from 5 AM to 10 AM. It’s great doing the morning news because it’s so much fun to be around those guys, and thousands of listeners are tuned in to join our morning chat. So even though I have to come in to work super early, I don’t ever need coffee and I never

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When I’m on the TAG 91.1 morning shift, I come in at 330 AM and do a little bit of research and news gathering in the news room. I check the wires for fresh stories.

And then I write up my first news bulletin for the day, which goes out at 5 AM. Then I go downstairs to the studio and join Louie and Bluebird to read the news live at 6 AM. It's such a fun show! Minutes before I read the news, we goof around and sometimes spill each other’s secrets on air, which the listeners find hilarious. And of course everything is in Tagalog! That goes on every hour until 10 AM, and then I go back to the newsroom to do some more work. I finish my shift at around 12 noon, by which time I’m ready to do some errands and have my afternoon nap. It's surreal finishing work at noon, but I'm used to it. I try to go to bed before 9PM. When I’m on the reporting shift, I join the news meeting first thing in the morning and we are assigned stories to work on for the day. We look for news that will make it to the bulletins. And before the end of my shift I have to produce a short news report, which airs on Tonight with Tim and Richard at 5 PM. I sometimes do live links on the show as well, which is something I enjoy a lot. It’s a magazine type show, so they’re very bubbly and laid

back, and it makes my job a lot easier.

My reports on this shift are in English.

As you can see, those are two completely different shifts, but equally fun and exciting. Plus, being able to switch between English and Tagalog is great!

Behind the scene, on the job There are so many experiences and I’m not sure if this is interesting, but this is definitely embarrassing. Louie and Bluebird were talking about embarrassing moments and they asked me what mine was. Put on the spot, I could only think of one incident in high school. So I shared it with the Gandang U listeners! I won’t go into the details, but the gist of the story was, I fell off the back of a tricycle and I rolled on the ground several times in my high school uniform.

Another memorable moment for me was my first ever live link on Dubai Eye. I was the roving reporter at the Dubai Marathon, interviewing runners and their fans. Right before I went live with an Ethiopian fan, I briefed him on what we were going to chat about on air. We were going to kick it off by talking about the phrase that he and about a hundred other Ethiopians were chanting to cheer their compatriots to the finish line. It was a nice little sing-songy chant in Amharic, which is their national language.

When we went on air, I asked him what he was chanting, as planned. I think he suddenly got cold feet and said “I wasn’t chanting”, and turned away. I had no idea how to deal with that. I was stumped. I paused for a few seconds, which wasn’t good because every second on radio is very, very precious. Luckily I was able to say something like, “Sounds like Amharic”. I know I wasn’t very clever, but it was better than nothing.

it’s what i do Your message to Filipinos out there.

We've all come here to find better career opportunities, so don't be afraid to look for better options out there. If you don't like what you do or think you can do better, explore the job market. You'll never know what's out there if you don't look.

Always have career goals. When I came here, I knew I wanted to work in broadcasting. Initially, I had to take a job that I knew nothing about to pay the bills, but I didn't lose sight of my goal. So I just kept trying, and now I'm in a good place and surrounded by great people.

Also, look for people who can mentor you and guide you in your career. I am lucky to have met many kind, talented and unselfish colleagues who have taught me a lot through the years.

But having said all that, don't forget to relax, take it easy and smile, and know that everything will work out in the end, as it always does, no matter what.

the media, influencers and stakeholders all make a job in PR stressful, but ever colourful and exciting. On a typical day, we manage the information that goes out from our clients to their stakeholders so that their key messages are communicated and their desired image is maintained. On a special day, we might face an issue or a crisis, which requires us to think and act quickly under pressure and do the necessary damage control.

As a Filipino in an international market like Dubai, I’d say it’s not easy to penetrate this field. Since the job entails a lot of communication, companies usually prefer native English or Arabic speakers who have established connections in the GCC and around the globe. I was lucky enough to be given the chance by my company, Katch International, to increase the Filipino’s share of voice in this industry.

Since joining our company, I’ve had the pleasure of organizing media roundtables and interviews with Roberto Cavalli, Susan Sarandon, Carmen Electra, Estelle, Ashanti, celebrity chefs Andrew Nutter and Tom Wolfe, football superstar Edwin van der Sar and model Jon Kortajarena. I’ve also handled communications for events with Chris Brown, Akon, Sean Paul, Jesse Metcalfe, Flo Rida, Wayans Brothers and more.

where people value our contribution for what they are truly worth. For now, what we can realistically do is strengthen our presence by being the best that we can to show this borderless world who we are. We are all ambassadors of the Philippines. To a person from another country, whatever a Filipino does is always a reflection of what his nation is. And if we altogether show them that we are vital contributors in our society, maybe, just maybe, we’ll achieve the changes we want sooner.

Anjjelo San Buenaventura

Ambassadors of the Philippines

Tr icia Cusi

My job is ranked as one of 2013’s most stressful jobs in the world.

I work as a Public Relations (PR) Manager for a communications agency. Living in the public eye, developing stories that make it to the news, handling PR clients who, as Forbes say, are never satisfied. Dealing with

It gives me happiness whenever people recognize my work especially when it comes straight from celebrities, clients and even from team members abroad.

But one instance particularly warmed my heart. My British colleague asked me one time how I feel about Filipinos working so hard in other sectors, but getting paid less compared to other nationalities. This is not a subject I’ve ever discussed with someone other than a Filipino. I was glad because one other person recognizes this and perhaps she isn’t the first to notice.

It is a reality we have to face not just in this country. Nevertheless, I am hopeful that along with globalization, we’ll reach a point

I’m a broadcast journalist by profession for a leading online business website in Dubai. I act as videographer, video editor, location director, producer and sometimes something close to being a make up artist during location shoots) Together with the broadcast team, I handle the creation of online broadcast content from pre-production, production and postproduction. I’ve been doing this job for more than 4 years now.

My job includes daily locations shoots on key business news, real estate &

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construction, car reviews, aviation, travel and tourism news from across the GCC. The position also involves directing presenters and editing digital videos (in English and Arabic) video content for the website.

One of the perks on the job is being able to travel during coverage of business events, travel and tourism related content. I’d been to Maldives, Germany, Hongkong, Africa and GCC countries.

By Gods grace, I’m able to show worldclass professionalism--Filipino style. I think we should always live up to our Filipino trademark of resilience and commendable work ethics. We may have different occupations, but there is only one tie that binds us - love and self-sacrifice for our families back home. As OFW’s, “Saludo po ako sa bawat isa sa inyo”. Let us all continue to labor for our family, country and God,

specific to customers and based on shopper insights. Those activities like raffle draws, scratch and win in supermarkets like C4 & Lulu, are just few examples of the promos that I do.

I also look after brands' activities inside the stores. Brands such as Ponds, Sunsilk, Clear, Dove, Vaseline, Fair and Lovely and Tresemme are my babies when it comes to budgets, mechanics, and brand image inside the store. I am also responsible for organizing initiatives in Qatar and Bahrain.

During this travel, I got the opportunity to visit Christian Missionaries that have been supported by my church.

A typical day: flexi and agile

A typical production day

I work flexi hours. I am disabled without my laptop. Activities such as planning, meetings, brainstorming and operations are part of my everyday workday.

Usually my day starts with a regular pre production conference with the producer, identifying the substantial business news and plan for the week’s video postings for the web portal.

One of the things that I like most about my job is that, in my own little way, I contribute to others (mainly users of our brands) in improving their lives. I enjoy my job immensely and go home smiling after working long, pressured, and hectic hours. I think working with a company like Unilever is fulfilling.

Locations shoots follow, then video edit.

I supervise voice-overs of some presenters and work closely with presenters as to the treatment of the news package.

This job gives me opportunity to meet people from different walks of life – from CEO of multi-national companies, renowned business moguls, public officials and even famous international TV personalities and Hollywood celebs. I am often inspired by their humble beginning and down-to-earth character.

Free time and family In my free time, I try mountain climbing-onli in d Philippines! I also try cooking, cross-stitching, movies, eating out and trying international dishes, travelling. I’m trying very hard to learn scuba diving and baking.

A land of opportunity, if you have the courage Dubai is indeed a land of opportunity, but not to everyone, only to people who have the courage and strong will to make their dreams happen. I learned more about this from the budding entrepreneurs in Dubai (featured on our website- SME Info) who boldly transformed their idea into successful businesses. Hence, our simple video production and “how to guide ” can make a difference to the life of aspiring young entrepreneurs. Sharing the right stories with our audience readers is indeed a simple act of kindness.

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Regilyn "Regie" Reyes Dimaculangan

Before I moved to the Gulf, I was a high school teacher and a college instructor in the Philippines. Currently, I am assistant customer marketing manager - personal care, in the Unilever Gulf office. I have been working here for 6 years now. Basically, I look after marketing and category plans

We are a family of six. My parents are back home in the Philippines with my youngest sister. I live here in Dubai with my two other siblings, my eldest sister and my elder brother. I have two nieces and two nephews back home. We get spend time together during Christmas and New Year.

Weekends were always a fiesta during our days before Dubai. My parents are both talented cook and this is what I missed a lot about them. But I’m lucky to have a brother who makes our weekends here in Dubai special with his copycat dishes from restos and successful experiments.

kabuhayan

Investment Options

By Francisco J Colayco

H

igh net worth individuals usually have many options provided by highly technical financial advisors. For this article, I will focus on the simple investment options that are open to all Filipinos with some savings.

Obviously it is not easy to condense all that information. I had to write books to talk about these but let me give you a short summary and my comments for each. These, in financial jargon are what are known as the “traditional asset classes”. They are, in alphabetical order, as follows: Bank Deposits – Banks make money by lending to clients. When you deposit your money in savings/time deposits, the bank is borrowing your money that they can lend out. Therefore, you should not expect to get high returns. In fact, money kept in a savings account actually loses value because the interest rate is even lower than inflation. However, if your deposit is P500,000.00 or less and with proper documentation, your money is safe because of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) guarantee.

Bonds – Government Securities are liabilities of the Philippine government and are the safest investments compared to other fixed income securities offered by private financial institutions and corporations. These usually offer low returns. Big corporations can issue corporate bonds. The returns, safety and liquidity are dependent on each company but the minimum investment required is usually Php100,000.00. There are Php5,000.00 retail bonds but these are hard to find.

Business – A new business is one of the riskiest investments. Each business requires a lot of study related to your passion and capability, location, and financial staying power. Do not invest in a new business with all your retirement money. At that point, your ability

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to take risks is severely limited. You cannot afford to make a mistake as your available time to recover will not be enough.

Cooperatives – Choose the right kind that gives you good benefits and is not just for you to be able to borrow. If you invest just to borrow, chances are, you are borrowing your own money and paying more instead of earning on the investment. One kind of cooperative that invests your money is the KsK Service and Multi-Purpose Cooperative. Check out www. kskcoop.com for more information.

Debt – There are good debts that can bring you additional income. There are also bad debts like credit card debt, which is the most expensive debt. Interest and penalties will cause your debt to balloon in no time. If you are in this predicament, do not think twice about doing everything to pay off your debt.

Reduce your expenses to the bare minimum and sell off whatever non-productive assets you can to generate cash. Borrow from family and friends but pay off the debt immediately.

Invest in debt.

Mutual Funds – In my opinion, mutual funds democratize investments. With as little as Php5,000, a person can invest in the stock market and or in bonds. You are actually investing in businesses or real estate indirectly because the fund invests in the various businesses in the stock market. Most investments need at least P100,000.00 as a start. The returns can be attractive and the risks are mitigated by the choice of a wellmanaged fund. It is quite unlikely that you will lose your investment if you invest longterm and if you do not panic when the value goes down. You lose your money only when you sell at a loss. If you hold on, the prices will most likely go up again and you can get your money back and actually make more.

Pension Plans – Plans have a specified schedule of payments. You will also have a fixed amounts paid to you at a specified maturity date. This is useful when you have a specific use at maturity date. However, you could lose your investment if you miss your installment

payments. Review the fine print and check out the real returns of your investment. You can achieve the same thing, if not more, by doing the investing yourself regularly in reputable mutual funds.

Real Estate – Buying your own home is definitely a good investment. Borrowing to buy your own home is good debt. Pag-IBIG and SSS have the lowest interest rates for housing loans. However, make sure you buy one that you can really afford to pay for. Study all the other costs related to owning a home.

Buying or developing real estate to rent out or can be really a good business. However, it has to be studied well Vacancy rates, maintenance costs and attendant taxes have to be factored in when evaluating such rental business.

Stock Market – This is definitely the most exciting investment because you know exactly where you are during trading hours as you actually see the movements in the market.

However, you could also lose everything very quickly. Thus, it is only for those who have enough money to risk, the time to study, analyze and be present in the market, if not daily at least more often. It also requires that you are decisive and that you have the stomach to take losses when you have to.

Forces that move the stock market are beyond the ordinary Filipino. If you read anything in the newspapers, whether good or bad, the stock market has already reacted way before the news came out. Even the stockbrokers themselves who work in the stock market get caught in fluctuations that are not expected.

For the stock market, I only believe in the direct purchase of shares of big corporations that pay regular dividends. In this way, even if the prices go down you are safe with some dividend income.

As a final note, I believe in the right mutual fund for the regular Filipino. I am not asking you to invest all your savings but at least invest part of it. Chances are you will not regret it.

bayanihan

A Life

Free of Clutter

By Ambassador Grace Relucio-Princesa

A

ccording to Max Lucado in his devotional, Grace for the Moment, “The most powerful life is the most simple life. The most powerful life is the life that knows where it’s going, that knows where the source of strength is, and the life that stays free of clutter and happenstance and hurriedness.

Being busy is not a sin. Nothing of significance is achieved without effort, hard work, and weariness. But being busy in an endless pursuit of things that leave us empty, hollow and broken inside – that cannot be sustained.

One source of man’s weariness is the pursuit of things that can never satisfy.

But which of us has not been caught up in that pursuit at some time in our life? Our passions, possessions and pride – these are all dead things. When we try to get life out of dead things, the result is only weariness and dissatisfaction.

Illustrado, and its pioneering team, whose anniversary is celebrated in this issue, is alive. It lives because it has a focus, it has a simplified vision of helping Filipinos be “Taas noo and proud of their heritage.”

It lives because it knows where it is going many anniversaries from now. It is purposedriven. My heartfelt congratulations and support to their vision and mission.

People, organizations, communities, countries that know the answer to the question of “ Sino ako?“ become energized in their lives. They not only exist, they are energetically alive.

Filipinos who become aware of the issues that confront them and learn financial literacy as taught in the Pinoy WISE (World Wide Initiative for Investment, Savings and Entrepreneurship) Movement become powerful OFWs (Overseas Filipinos Worldwide Wonders). They are able to simplify their lifestyle. From spending on wants, they now focus on needs and prepare for savings and livelihood opportunities to help them return or reintegrate.

Even in fashion, it has been said that simplicity is beauty. Less is more.

Nowadays, in our beloved Philippines, there is a call for simplicity in public service. I pray that this clarion call to maximize public resources and minimize waste is heard by one and all.

Here’s hoping and praying that as we continue our life’s pilgrimage, we become simple and thereby, become powerful.

Mabuhay ang Illustrado! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas at mga Pilipino!

One source of man’s weariness is the pursuit of things that can never satisfy.

But who among us has not been caught up in that pursuit at some time in our life?

Our passions, possessions and pride – these are all dead things.

When we try to get life out of dead things, the result is only weariness and dissatisfaction.

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Do You Want To Be

Very Happy?

Happy Anniversary to our Illustrado Magaz ine!

By Bo Sanchez

Since this is a happy day, I share with you my take on happiness.

Let me tell you a crazy story.

One morning, a woman was sad when she faced the mirror. She discovered she only had three strands of hair on her head. Suddenly, she smiled. “Today,” she said, “I’ll braid my hair!” And after doing so, she walked out of her home and had fun, fun, fun.

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The next morning, the woman woke up and felt sad as she looked in the mirror. She discovered she only had two strands of hair. Suddenly, she smiled. “Today,” she said, “I’ll part my hair in the middle.” After she did that, she walked out of her home and had fun, fun, fun.

The next morning, the woman woke up and felt sad as she looked in the mirror. She discovered she only had one strand of hair left. Suddenly, she

smiled. “Today,” she said, “I’ll wear my hair in a ponytail.” After she did that, she walked out of her home and had fun, fun, fun.

The next morning, the woman woke up and felt sad as she looked in the mirror. She discovered she had zero hair left. Suddenly, she smiled. “Yeepee!” she shouted in glee, “I don’t have to do my hair today!” Immediately, she walked out of her home and had fun, fun, fun.

spirituality

The difference between pleasure and happiness A thick wad of P1,000 bills gives pleasure.

A chocolate parfait with thick chocolate syrup gives pleasure.

A fun movie, with a bucket of popcorn on the side, gives pleasure.

A roller coaster ride gives pleasure.

7 Tools of Happiness I know of strange human beings walking this face of the earth who are extremely happy. Not just moderately or mildly happy, but deeply joyful. (Hey, you may be one of them. Congratulations!)

I know them. Some of them are my friends.

What is common among them all?

A kiss gives pleasure.

What’s the difference between pleasure and happiness?

Pleasure is an outside job. But happiness is an inside job.

It doesn’t depend on any external circumstances. Yep, even if you only have three strands of hair on your head.

Happiness isn’t the absence of problems.

The Bible doesn’t say, “Be joyful sometimes” or “Be joyful when you don’t have problems”. The Bible says, “Be joyful always”.

But the Bible says, “Be joyful always” because happiness isn’t a mood.

Happiness isn’t an emotion Happiness is a way of life.

Pleasure is an outside job. But happiness is an inside job.

either.

I came up with seven great things I see in extremely happy people. I call them the 7 Tools of Happiness: 1. Happy people create their destiny.

2. Happy people like themselves a lot.

3. Happy people nurture connections.

4. Happy people find delight everywhere.

5. Happy people embrace change.

6. Happy people trust deeply.

7. Happy people work their purpose daily.

Let me share with you why many people are unhappy.

Your body is hardwired to be afraid • The enemy of happiness isn’t sadness.

• The enemy of happiness isn’t problems.

• The enemy of happiness isn’t loneliness.

• The enemy of happiness is fear.

In his excellent book, What Happy People Know, Dan Baker explains how our body circuitry is wired to fear.

Our brain has three parts: the brain stem, the amygdala, and the neocortex. The more primitive parts of our brain, the brain steam (also called the reptilian brain, because reptiles have these for brains) and the amygdala are programmed for fear.

Why? Our ancestors needed fear to survive living in the wilderness with lions, wolves, and cobras around you. Danger lurks behind every tree and shadow. Once their brain registered fear, the endocrine glands produced fear hormones adrenaline and cortisol. It gave them super strength to fight or flight. And in fighting or fleeing, they exhausted the adrenaline and cortisol in their body.

But what about us who usually sit behind desks and work on computers? We still

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Happiness isn’t an emotion either.

Happiness is a way of life.

Ten years later, I ate my words.

Because after a deep soul search, I realized how my life was run by many fears. Many of the things I was doing I did because of fear!

• I feared what other people said about me.

• I feared failure. have the same fear mechanism. But this time, we’re no longer afraid of lions or cobras behind every tree.

• We afraid of our rising credit card bills.

• We’re afraid of our boss.

• We’re afraid of losing our jobs.

• We’re afraid for our children—what will happen to their future?

• We’re afraid that at 35, we won’t get married anymore.

• We’re afraid we’ll grow lonely.

• We’re afraid we’ll run out of money.

• We’re afraid of social rejection.

• We’re afraid of social shame and losing face.

• We’re afraid of disease.

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And these fears are so real, our endocrine glands produce adrenaline and cortisol as well. And because we’re seated behind our desks, pounding on our computers, we really don’t use up any of it. Adrenaline and cortisol become poison in our bodies, destroying our health bit by bit.

Thus, very few people are happy.

Conclusion: If we want to be happy, we need to overcome our fears.

The only antidote to fear Twenty years ago, a friend gave me a book about facing fears.

My arrogant response to her was, “Thanks for the book. But frankly, I don’t think I need it. I don’t know why, but fear isn’t a problem for me. I don’t have any fear.”

• I feared angry people.

• I feared of not having enough.

• I feared of not being enough.

In my life, I’ve discovered that there is only one thing that can overcome fear.

There is only one thing that is more powerful than fear.

The only antidote to fear is love. When you fill your life with love, your fears naturally disappear.

I’m talking about a love for God, a love for others, a love for yourself, and a love for life itself. The Bible says, “perfect love casts out all fear” and I totally believe it.

Remember the 7 Tools of Happiness I listed above? Every single one of them is really a facet of love—and each tool can drive away a specific fear in your life. Once your fears are gone, happiness will flood your soul.

community

CATWALK FOR A CAUSE FOR MARING VICTIMS Filipino designers, photographers and other volunteers united to organize an event to raise funds for the victims of the recent typhoon Maring, which left many families displaced and in need of basic commodities in the Philippines.

The event, “UNITE FOR HOPE 4 Catwalk for a Cause” held at the Boracay Night Club at Asiana Hotel on the 30th of August, was attended by more than a hundred photographers and volunteers coming from the different emirates of the UAE. It was the fourth fundraiser to help the distressed Filipinos, spearheaded by the group Light Bender Project. The event generated funds

from the contributions of photographers and other kind-hearted individuals who attended the event.

The highlight of the project was a mini fashion show, featuring the works of renowned Filipino fashion designers Joey Baluyot, Jules Quirante and Arnie De Asis. Some 20 volunteer models of different nationalities paraded onstage with the creations of the three designers.

The Unite for Hope 4 Catwalk for a Cause was able to raise a total amount of AED14,255 (PHP171,490) which was sent to two foundations in the Philippines. In addition, three LBC balikbayan boxes of relief goods gathered at the event, were also sent to the Philippine Red Cross.

Event sponsors included Prolife NWT, GJ Entertainment, Boracay Night Club and Asiana Hotel.

480 PARTICIPATE IN RUNMADAN CHALLENGE 2013 The RUNmadan Challenge 2013 presented a test of self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice and perseverance for 480 participants, from the 10th of July to the 8th of August. A total of 30 days were spent running from mosque to mosque and back to starting point to complete a minimum three-kilometer run. In celebration of Ramadan, the stop at each mosque included sessions for learning and observing Dubai Ramadan.

The event was a non-profit activity which was open to all nationalities. The project’s aim is to encourage participants to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and perseverance while becoming fit and healthy, at the same time gaining friends through the sport of running.

Most of the challengers reportedly lost weight (between 3 to kilos), but gained in terms of the friendships formed during the event.

In a span of 30 days, participants ran 180 kilometers, visited 170 mosques, covering 30 areas in Dubai, including all the scenic tourist locations of the emirate.

This concept was launched for first time in the UAE and was hosted by a group of Filipinos who hope that the event will witness a re-run next year.

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Bathing in Luxury at the

Bellevue Resort Words by Nikka Sarthou

There comes a point in our l ives when we graduate from being a backpacker type of traveler to enjoying the finer things in l i fe.

I feel that I have slowly been transitioning into that phase and I have now been indulging more for my traveling pleasure.

It was not my first time to visit Bohol, as I have been to this side of Central Visayas a couple of times before, although this time, I really felt like I was in the lap of luxury.

A considerable factor in making this trip a luxurious experience is the chosen accommodations and I was fortunate enough to make The Bellevue Resort my home in Bohol for one weekend.

The Bellevue experience began before we

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even arrived at the resort. A representative met us at the terminal and greeted us with a lei made of seashells and a cold bottle of mineral water. From that moment, I knew that this vacation was off to a good start.

As we rode an air-conditioned shuttle service from Tagbilaran City to Panglao Island, I looked forward to my stay at the first five-star resort-hotel in Bohol.

Touchdown paradise!

After about a half-hour drive, we finally arrived at our destination. The official

welcome came in the form of a refreshing glass of fresh fruit juice and warm smiles.

I gladly partook of the cold beverage and admired the open-air lobby as I sipped my drink. The area had a modern Filipino vibe with its predominant natural brown colors. Instead of a grand chandelier, the high ceiling was adorned with a cluster of warm lighting fixtures that illuminate the intricate wooden accents surrounding it. There were comfortable seating areas peppered around the lobby, and the path to the recreation area had a small pond with swimming carp fishes, which guests may feed.

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From that particular spot, I got a glimpse of the infinity pool and large nipa hut that houses the resort’s al fresco restaurant. But before we explored our surroundings, my husband and I headed to our room to settle down. We stayed in a deluxe room, and I must say, it was the most luxurious one I have ever been in. It practically had the same floor area as a regular condominium unit in the metro. The room approximately measures 41-48 square meters and it had two big beds, a desk, lounging nook, and a spacious bathroom with separate bath and shower stall.

As the bellboy opened the door, the first thing that caught my eye was actually the large-screen, flat television that was pinned on the wall across the beds. Our room had cable TV, access to Wi-Fi, complimentary fruit platter, mini-bar and other items that travelers would not think to bring such as hairdryer and iron. The only thing that our room lacked was a good view, as the curtains revealed nothing but a grassy spot by the side of the hotel. I found out later on that the rest of the rooms were all suites, some of which have Jacuzzi and/or an ocean view.

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As soon as we unpacked, we headed to the outdoor dining area called Marea, which was situated in the beachfront area of the resort. It offers a selection of local dishes that specialize in seafood. The bright colored chairs helped make the mood cheery, and the view of the white beach and blue waters completed the eating experience.

Aside from food tripping (a must in every vacation), I could not resist the call of the swimming pool, which has a lounging area around it and at its center—a unique place to sunbathe.

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Water sports are not the only fun activities that guests may take part in. The resort has a beach volleyball court for guests who enjoy this sport. Those who are young— and young at heart—may head to the Amenity Building that showcases a gym, play area, spa, and a game room where one can play billiards, computer games, table football, and even do basketball shooting. Those who prefer a more grownup atmosphere may hang out by Flujo, a sunken bar by the lobby, which serves an array of summer cocktails, tropical shakes, and even mocktails.

I actually did not feel the need to go out of the resort, as I was perfectly content with its facilities. But since I was in Bohol, one of the popular tourist destinations in the Philippines, I wanted to maximize my trip and visit the notable attractions in this province.

My hubby and I joined the Countryside Tour, a whole-day tour that included a visit to the famed Chocolate Hills, the highlight of the trip. We also had a chance to get up close with the smallest primate in the world, the tarsier. Visitors may book their

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preferred tours through the hotel, which also offers shuttle services to other parts in the province, such as Alona Beach.

For a minimal fee, we boarded the van to explore the beach one balmy night. We simply wanted to check out the beach scene and unwind with a couple of local brews.

For a while, we were able to enjoy the cool atmosphere and its fresh air, unfortunately, the shuttle service was only for a couple of hours so we couldn’t stay longer even if we wanted to.

Retiring early for the night meant rising early the next morning and relishing a long and leisurely breakfast.

The buffet spread was spectacular. There was a variety of breads, eggs section, a wide selection of rice and viands, fruits and cheese, an assortment of cereals, and a medley of fresh fruit juices. I was able to sink my teeth into a range of interesting flavors, including some croissant and Brie cheese, while my hubby had his fill of blueberry pancakes. We savored every bite, and I can say that I truly enjoyed my favorite meal of the day during my stay in Bellevue Resort.

As we waited for checkout time during our last day, I decided to simply stay inside the room and get cozy in bed one last time. I buried myself under the plush pillows and linen and happily concluded my luxurious travel experience in Bohol.

Contact The Bellevue Resort The Bellevue Resort is located in Barangay Doljo, Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines. Call the Manila office at (632) 7718181 or the Visayas office at (6338) 422-2222. Email info@ the bellevuebohol.com or visit www.thebellevue.com.

Must-visit in Bohol

Bellevue by the numbers

• Chocolate Hills

35-40 minutes away Tagbilaran airport

Take time to explore the nearby major tourist attractions such as the:

• Baclayon Church

3.5 hectares with beachfront

• Dauis Church

156 guest rooms

• Balicasag Island • Bohol Bee Farm

250-meter white beach 700-square meter fully conditioned pavilion tent

from

• Hinagdanan Cave air-

• Tarsier Conservatory Area • Loboc River

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Life After the Desert

Leaving and Learning from the Experience

By Didi Paterno-Magpali

The angry evening sun blazed and seared my thighs as our rental car drove through the flat lands of North Texas, a stark contrast from the hilly forests of Atlanta, Georgia, our gateway into America. “Ang init! (It’s hot!)” I exclaimed to my husband, who had his sunglasses on to shield him from the highway glare. The heat reminded me so much of our former home, Dubai. We thought we had escaped the harsh desert summer, yet we found ourselves in another desert on another continent as the next chapter in our journey as Filipino expats.

Dubai was my first brush of living outside my comfort zone, away from my country, whose very earth nurtured me with its fresh vegetation and crisp, clear water, and, more importantly, my family and friends, whose love and support brought me to a modest level of success. Love was also the very reason why I moved to the desert. After three years of being in a long distance relationship, it was about time that my longtime boyfriend and now husband closed the distance between us.

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Pursuing greener, or rather sandier pasture is one of the most common reasons why more and more Filipinos choose to work in the Middle East just as my husband did.

But there are others, like me, whose reasons are not of the norm. Kathryn Clemente, Ateneo de Manila alumni and market researcher, decided to leave the Philippines for Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to live independently, while Kristine Bag-O, brand manager, pursued further graduate studies in Hult International Business School’s Dubai campus to “broaden her scope of experience and be globally competitive.”

Despite having different motivations, we all shared on thing: being Filipino on foreign sand.

Kabayan, kamusta ka talaga?

According to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, there are around 3 million

Filipino workers in the Middle East**.

Almost 700,000 of which are based in the UAE. There was a comfort that despite being thousands of miles away from home since my countrymen who share similar behaviors, belief systems and values surrounded me.

In every corner of Dubai, I was met with a smile and the standard Middle East Filipino expat greeting: “Kabayan? Kabayan!!! Tagasaan ka sa atin? (Compatriot? Comrade!

From where in the Philippines are you from?)” Kristine also noted this observation of the signature Filipino warmth “Filipino expats are perceived to be very hardworking, happy-people and are very resilient. They are seen as the best ‘front liners’ who know how to smile and be accommodating to customers.”

Though my vistas and experiences as a Filipino expat was not always worthy of smiles. Every day I read or heard stories of fellow Filipinos being abused by their employers, getting into insurmountable

feature Living abroad, moreso leaving, is an irreplaceable precious gift, not to be squandered. It opens one to the universe: appreciate little privileges enjoyed back home as well as learning similarities and differences between cultures. debt, engaging in illicit romantic relationships among others, which do affect the Filipino public image. Hence, everyday I also got my share of stare downs, sniggers and catcalls from people of other nationalities and sometimes from fellow Filipinos. Proud as I am to be Filipino, it was only then that I questioned my selfworth simply because of my country of origin. Kristine reports feeling the airs of discrimination as well. “At times, I felt that ‘playing favorites’ in terms of implementing the rules happen and treatment is based on nationality,” she says.

How to thread on unfamiliar ground All I knew about the UAE then was that it was one of the, or if not the most open and tolerant Muslim countries in the Middle East. One is free to express themselves through words, clothes and actions and practice their own religion without the authorities the breathing down your neck.

Freedom in the UAE did not mean doing whatever we wanted, but rather, doing things with mindfulness and, more importantly, with respect. “Getting along with people as living in UAE means having people from different countries around you…(One of the most important

things I’ve learned from the experience is) respect – people have their own beliefs and traditions, and we have to be respectful of that.” Kathryn reinforces.

But one everyone was as blessed as we were, to be given the chance to enjoy neglected basic and simple privileges like wearing clothes that we are used to wearing and practicing our own religion.

And so I took advantage of the cultural learning opportunity to heart. Not everybody is given the opportunity to learn, experience and appreciate the Islam religion, culture and tradition first hand.

I went beyond what media and friends’ stories have fed me about Islam and the local culture. I learned through reading books, interacting with my Muslim friends and asking questions, eating their food and even immersing in it through several mosque tours and cultural meals at the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Cultural Understanding (www.cultures. ae). The decision to focus on energies and time on learning and understanding, rather than just nitpicking on the unfamiliarity made life in the Middle East a more comfortable struggle.

Moving forward

of the world. Kristine is broadening her career horizons in Shanghai, China.

Kathryn maintains an independent lifestyle in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I continued to be by my husband’s side in the United States of America. We still are in unfamiliar territories, still away from the motherland and yet we all exhaled a relieved and grateful sigh after the exodus from the desert.

Unlike others who have moved forward, Kristine, having completed her MBA, is considering returning to Dubai should the job offer’s compensation be ample enough to save up for her future.

Kathryn, though misses her friends in Dubai, is ecstatic that she now gets to go home more often, joining family and friends’ birthdays, weddings and even the Ateneo de Manila championship bonfires.

Living abroad, moreso leaving, is an irreplaceable precious gift, not to be squandered. It opens one to the universe: appreciate little privileges enjoyed back home as well as learning similarities and differences between cultures. Kathryn articulated the best advice for those who are left behind: “Enjoy your time. You may have come to Middle East for work, but at least make the most of it.”

Today, we are scattered in various corners

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On the Prowl and In the Know

KITCHEN CHRONICLES: The Chef and I

By Rian Miranda – Riyadh Whenever people find out about my knowledge in culinary arts, they always say just about the same thing, “It must be great to have a professional cook in the house all the time!”

But this is far from truth.

A restaurant kitchen is more exciting to cook and experiment in with the unconventional gizmos that we can’t fit or have in our home kitchen. Chefs are very passionate and serious about food and its presentation. If I am requested to cook a simple meal but there is a lack of ingredients, I would be disappointed.

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My parents would always note that the grocery bill is higher if I do it. Yes, we must buy that lavish carton of French cream and no, we cannot substitute; and that applies for every essential ingredient. Forget about the home budget for a while when we know that we can afford it – because when we cook for you, we are expressing our love.

You will eat some of your richest; most scrumptious meals when we actually do some grocery shopping and (rarely) cook at home.

For me, it is not only about presentation. If food looks delectable then I would expect that my taste buds would be pleased as well.

I’ve returned steaks that were not cooked medium-well as requested and thrown dry cupcakes that looked so fancy on the bakery shelves but tasted like cardboard.

They say everyone can cook. But I also believe that someone who understands food is parallel to knowing how to love with devotion. This is not a job for the

faint-hearted and passionless. It is for the one who truly loves his/her craft and lives and breathes for it.

Cooks show their emotions through food and we sometimes use it as a deadly weapon to charm you. We do know that oftentimes your stomach is our meal ticket to your heart but should you consider being with a chef, here’s a tip: you should love to eat.

A lot of people glamorize the profession by automatically thinking "you're lucky" when dating a chef (or married to one) with no clue of how much work it is. All they see are artistically arranged hors d’ oeuvres on a plate, unaware of the carefully detailed game plan behind it.

But before you begin dating or consider having a relationship with one, you should fully understand and accept this reality: You will be alone most of the time. You might see each other only during their midweek off.

on the prowl and in the know

Every girl has dreamed of her man preparing a gourmet feast worthy of royalty and every guy has imagined a woman who can magically concoct a daily three-course meal for dinner. Here's another honest to goodness truth: all chefs are lazy after they get done with work and our desire to cook at home is diminutive.

Being a significant other to a fellow chef, I could honestly say that you should ignore what you see on TV. Real chefs have long, taxing hours day in and day out; they come home very exhausted smelling of smoke, of fish, of horseradish; and would only be available for leisure once (or twice, if his schedule gets lucky) a week.

Nevertheless, I take pride being with my kitchen superstar, David, because we are both supportive of each other’s careers. Absence does make the heart grow fonder. And because we are equally active and creative, it is always quality time for us when we see each other. But in any relationship, it's mostly about the interests, values and commitment that we both have and not about what we do. We say our partners have to be brilliant, witty, fascinating and successful, but the simplest thing is appreciating each other. So if you love and respect your mate and he mutually does the same that is what will keep you together at the end of the day.

After all, anything worth having requires profound dedication and eagerness to dive into the unknown.

Follow Rian - Instagram: msrianmiranda, Youtube: www.youtube.com/rianmiranda

The Joys and Woes of Online Shopping

By Leslie Fiestan - Riyadh I’ve always been skeptical towards online shopping and rarely do I buy anything online. Recently though, I got addicted when I tried buying from a local seller on Facebook. The products are hard to come by here in Saudi, so I was tempted. I was not disappointed at all; I got my products and was very satisfied indeed.

But still, buyers should be wary and smart about online purchasing since there are still sellers out there who are out with plenty of tricks up their sleeves.

Take for example, an experience I had with an online store that offers authentic goods at 50 to 90 percent sale. Come on, we all love sales, don’t we? Problem is, you are buying these items blindly relying only on photos posted. Sometimes, you are also given a time limit to decide, not giving you enough time to think things through or even do your research. Luckily for me, the moment I Googled for the “authentic” item priced around $100, I learned that it was only sold for less than $20! This experience has once again made more cautious.

Needless to say, never will I buy anything that has a "SWEET" deal tag for so called

branded products from the net.

Here are my simple tips: Always do your research on the seller and the products they are selling You should always be careful on purchasing luxury items online. The photos may not be of the item being sold, unless you are buying directly from the brand's official site.

Know how to detect fakes/replicas from authentic brands (applies to everything online shopping or not).

If there’s an option for you to check the item before purchasing, do so.

Know the return and exchange policy Read customer reviews or talk to people you know who have bought from the website For information on consumer rights in UAE and how to file a complaint, kindly check the below link: http://consumerrights.ae Have a safe and worry-free online shopping experience.

Follow Les --http://lesfiestan.daportfolio. com/

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and there, lame showbiz feuds, political differences, abject poverty, corruption, and the list can go on. Then we sometimes ask, do we want to go back? And the answer is still YES. Since we are constantly attached to the Philippines, we can't help but get involved in all this news. Social media has made it easier for us to stay connected and be involved.

The Wireless Filipino

By Ion Gonzaga – Dubai Almost every Filipino here in Dubai looks forward to returning home after some years. A lot of us are here “only� to save for the future and achieve financial stability.

But we all dream of a sweet return to our homeland. We want to live a better life in the Philippines after all these years of hard work and sacrifices. These are some of the reasons why our hearts remain attached to our country, wherever and however far we may be.

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Here we say, once we leave the country to work overseas, we embrace the Filipino culture and roots tighter. We mature more patriotically. We love the country even more. We sing Lupang Hinirang in a more heartfelt manner. We are fortunate in UAE that part of our culture follows us here foods, sports, concerts, TV and radio, recently.

But every time we watch a news program, we feel discouraged and get dismayed by the kind of news that we receive. Aside from sports, there's not a lot of good news happening in the country. Crimes here

This has been proven once again in the recent call to #MillionPeopleMarch - an invitation that started on Facebook to assemble and rally in Luneta to demand the government to abolish the Pork Barrel.

Being overseas has not become a hindrance to show that we can also make a stand and let the government know that we are now more vigilant of their activities and how they use the people's fund. Many Facebook users here in UAE changed their profile photos to #StopPorkBarrel slogans as a simple gesture of support. Many went to work wearing white and posted their photos on Facebook and Twitter. Some groups had meet-ups and were seen on TV. We may not be in Luneta, but we are united with our kababayans in this cause.

We are sick and tired of being deprived.

on the prowl and in the know

Being in the UAE for quite some time now, we've seen and felt what progress means, how living in a developed country actually feels. We've seen the best. This is one of the reasons why Filipinos overseas are keen to remind the government, because we believe that Philippines could do better. Being an underdog nation, we've been longing to prove the world that we can be one of the best too. We have a rich country. All we need is improved governance and leadership to showcase this to the world – and this is what Filipinos overseas are crying about. There have been great economic developments lately and we want to see it continue. We still want that day, when we could settle back with peace of mind.

It is right and just that we get involved in any way proactively. After all, our families and friends are there. After all, we want our children to see the country in its best state possible.

We may be miles apart geographically, but our minds and hearts will never be bordered.

Follow Ion Gonzaga - http://www. boydubai.com/ or on Twitter @ionGonzaga

Mastering the Dolce Vita Look

By Anna de Leon - Dubai September is the most important month of the year to fashion insiders. This signals the end of summer and ushers in the season of boots, cashmeres, dark colors and anything rich. September is the month of change.

To help you transition to the next season, I prepared some looks, both in makeup and in fashion that will keep you looking chic during the colder months.

InStyle magazine released their September Issue and one of the trends that they featured is The Globe Trotter Trend, taking inspiration from countries like China, Italy and Brazil.

Dolce Vita is all about elegance and subdued sensuality. You can achieve it by wearing lace. A point to consider when wearing this fabric is not to make it tight.

The fabric is sensual on its own. Pair black with gold to evoke the Dolce Vita woman as seen on Dolce and Gabbana ads.

As for the make-up, master the Feline Flick, keep your skin bronzed and stick to a nude lipstick or gloss.

A presto!

Follow Anna – www.annadeleonmuastylist.blogspot.com

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Being an Illustrado

A Note on National Heroes Day

Kr ist ine Abante reflects on the rise of the Middle Class against pork “There goes my hero, he’s ordinary ” goes a line from one my favorite songs by the Foo Fighters. I have always identified with this song for various reasons, but mostly because it reminds me of my everyday heroes - my late Lolo Marsing (whom I fondly call Tatay) who has been an OFW all his life. He worked in Saudi to support his family, my Dad, who continues to take pictures of strangers for a living, my Mom who has been working a 9 to 5 job since she was 20 while taking care of her family and doing all the house chores, my Lola (whom I fondly call Mama) who remained strong and loyal throughout the years. She single-handedly raised her kids and grandkids. Each of these people and every hardworking Pinoy I’ve met in Dubai struggling to send money back home are my heroes. They inspire me to show up at

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work every day, to work hard and be nice.

We celebrated National Heroes day recently amidst the brouhaha of the 10 Billion Peso Scam by Janet Napoles and our corrupt lawmakers. I hated them. I hated how the upper classes, the elite, the ones in power continue to manipulate us like the Indios of Rizal’s time. But then I can’t help but think that maybe it is also our fault, the middle class, the ilustrado, the educated Pinoy, the ones who know but can’t be bothered because we’re too busy taking selfies, or looking out for shopping bargains, working in our offices, watching out for low fares to Boracay, waiting for the next Superman installment. Maybe, just maybe, we the socalled illustrados, are in effect, to blame.

They say that hate is not the opposite of love, apathy is. I am waking up to this

realization that by being silent, by being apathetic, I have contributed to the damage. It is time we ilustrados rise up and fight for our rights and the rights of those who do not have a voice.

The Rise of the Middle Class The recent Million People March that snowballed from social media to a fullblown protest-picnic at the Rizal Park is a good indication of a middle class that is finally finding its voice. Thanks to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and most of all, the blogs that became a venue for anonymous writers to freely reveal what they know. Detailed accounts of the nasty modus operandi of this longstanding organized mafia linked to some

on the prowl and in the know

powerful people in government surfaced to the public via comments on a blog, free to share with no other agenda but to bring out the truth.

Support came in from working class Filipinos from all sectors and from all over the world who felt the injustice of toiling everyday only to find out that their hard-earned tax-payers money is being squandered in Beverly Hills by some spoiled little rich girl who, perhaps unaware of their unexplained wealth, had the gall to post everything online. Her shiny Louboutins and their Disneyland mansions plastered all over social media made the case increasingly harder for us to ignore. These visuals triggered the ire of the otherwise indifferent middle class who finally found something to fight for.

Fighting for Change When I was younger, I refused to participate in discussions involving religion and politics thinking that these things are better left to the “adults.” I was resigned to corruption in the Philippines the same way I was resigned to my Catholic upbringing.

Both were something I was born into and were too late to change. Besides, I had other things I’d much rather worry about, like “bakit hindi ako crush ng crush ko?”

[Why doesn’t my crush like me?]

It was only when I came to Dubai, when

I lived with our kabayans and met many other different nationalities that I started to open my eyes to the realities of being a Filipino. I learned how it is not easy being a Pinoy in the Middle East and how coming from a third-world country limits my opportunities despite my merits. I saw first-hand how the lack of jobs in the Philippines has led many to leave their families behind and how corruption in the Philippine government continues to take advantage of our OFWs. On the other hand, I also witnessed firsthand the kindness of strangers, especially of kabayans, how their simple “malasakit” has changed countless lives and steered them for the better. I was reacquainted with the phrase “love thy neighbor as you love thyself ” in a concrete setting. I learned that faith, more than anything else, is an action word, and if I wanted anything to change I needed to get involved. Cliché as it may seem, the change I wanted to see really had to begin with me.

It’s all in the mind A revolution, a real revolution, the kind that inspires real change, begins in the mind.

In most Pinoy gatherings, I hear talk about corruption, all of us Pinoys hate our government, but only a few really believe that Philippines can be saved. I cannot

blame them. Hundreds of years have passed since our national hero, Rizal wrote his epic Noli me Tangere, yet it remains relevant today, reflecting the same ills that our society is suffering from since the 1800s.

Nothing much has changed.

The 10 Billion Peso Pork Barrel scam and its catastrophic implications are no less than disheartening. I can understand the sentiments of most of my colleagues when they say “wala naman mangyayari” or “ganyan naman lagi”.

But the little spark in me won’t die because I know for a fact (and I can swear on my Lolo’s grave) that heroes, real heroes, are just ordinary men and women doing extraordinary things.

If only we can change our way of thinking, if only we start to believe in our own capabilities. There is no better time for us, the ilustrados, to wake up and inspire the change we want to see by sticking to our ideals and sharing what we know. Today, with social media as our connecting thread, one click can go a long way.

It is time for us to actively participate in our country’s future as we all share a common destiny. It is about time we stop wasting our potential. Be a hero—just minus the dorky cape.

ILLUSTRADO 127

The Noble Eightfold Path to

Pinoy

Enlightenment

By Aby Yap

Since it’s our happy seventh anniversary, mga ka-Illustrado, wouldn’t you all agree that it’s about t ime that we take our role as “the enl ightene d ones” a l ittle bit more seriously? As in walk that proverbial tuwid na daan, be modern-day Jose Ri zals and Juan Lunas, and l ive/die nobly ever after.

Cricket, cricket.

Face the truth.

Hey, everyone, don’t be shy! Start doing those jumping jacks and show some excitement. The path to enlightenment may be rocky and muddy with potholes, spit, and piss here and there (just picture the roads under never-ending repair before elections), but we can get there.

The truth is to be Pinoy means to live in a third-world country with third-world problems: ugly roads, heavy traffic, filthy air, petty crimes, flying cockroaches, and limbless beggars that grossed out Claire Danes. Don’t feel kawawa, though, because to be Pinoy also means to celebrate the simple joys in life: joining the Black Nazarene procession of nine million sweaty bodies, sharing a piece of tuyo with your dozen kids, and seeing Daniel Padilla in person.

We’ll get there within this lifetime, hopefully. It would just take a lot of patience, determination, and restraint (there goes our weakness) to embrace these guidelines and finally go toward the light.

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Say no to pa-victim mentality. You’re not in a telenovela anyway. Change what you must and accept what you can.

Keep your intentions in check.

Obviously, it better not be cruel. At the very least, it should be sane. Take the case of #myhusbandslover for example. Why do you watch it religiously?

• Vincent and Eric look so cute.

• Lally is GMA-7 talents’ new messiah.

onli in da pilipins

• Roi Vinzon is hilarious.

• To memorize Kuh Ledesma’s One More Try. • To open your mind about gender possibilities.

To each his own…intention.

Speak no evil.

Sure, Tito Boy, Charlene, Toni, and KC sound so clever every time they discuss the falling out of A and B or the heartbreak of C. But this is all gossip, friends, which doesn’t help make the world a better place for you, me, and the entire human race. Neither do posting parinigs without smileys on Facebook and starting word wars with frenemies.

As our elders would tell us when we were younger, shut up when you don’t have a good thing to say about/to anyone. It minimizes noise pollution, too.

Act and react intelligently.

Passive-aggressive, that’s what we are. We resort to “Bahala na…” and “May awa ang Diyos…” status messages with sad selfie shots when tragedies plague us and we need to decide fast on what to do. But when Lucy Liu would rather run on a treadmill lest she gets dark and starts to look like Pinay, we raise our bolos in less than a nanosecond and declare her persona non-grata. Because she has disgraced our kayumangging kaligatan for crying out loud!

Again, why are there so many papaya soaps and glutathione lotions around nga?

Work with dignity.

Oops, this isn’t meant to alienate or offend our revered politicians. So long as they stay away from shady deals and use their pork barrel to fatten not their bank accounts but their districts, then no one’s BP should be shooting up when they read this. Now if you’re a professional thief belonging to a

professional syndicate, this is your cue to say “ouch.” Hope you don’t bump into any of us anytime soon.

Remember that motto “Honesty is the best policy”? It’s not just for slum books. It applies to real life, too.

Always exert effort.

In love and in life, he/she who turns out blood, sweat, and tears will most likely reap the sweetest reward. What are a few splinters in your hands for chopping wood when what you get in the end is a matamis na oo? Or, would eye bags the size of a suitcase still matter when the boss offers you a bonus for an awesome report you spent sleepless nights working on?

Your teacher wasn’t joking when she gave you an A back in school for Effort.

Because hindi pwedeng pwede na iyan, pwede ba?

Pay close attention.

Okay, it’s so much easier to laugh at Vice Ganda’s Jessica Soho jokes or flare up at Dan Brown’s reference to Manila as “the gates of hell” than to put everything in context because that would take more time and brain cells to process. But you need to start practicing isip-isip din kapag may time. Or, we’ll never get to change the people we elect to public office, ever!

C’mon, we did it with the RH Bill. We can do it again. Just look into these details further: character, competence, platform, and aversion to plagiarism and boring speeches.

Focus on the essential.

PGMA did wrong; let the Ombudsman

handle it. Pnoy could use a different key phrase in his future SONAs other than “the evils of the past administration.” Move on. You don’t approve the change from Pilipinas to Filipinas? Chill, we don’t like it either. No need to go overboard and take it to the street. Shake off the nega vibes.

Repeat after me: focus on the positive, focus on the present, focus on the future.

This should be our power mantra as we journey to becoming bona fide Illustrados.

Om.

ILLUSTRADO 129