ILLUSTRADO Magazine_Jan 2011

2011

15 JANUARY 2011 - 15 FEBRUARY 2011

48 MOVING FORWARD THROUGH 2011 • NEW YEAR TRANSFORMATIONS THE RISE OF THE PINOY HYBRID • FASHION: FUTURA BOLD NASA’S FIERCE FILIPINA • MY PINOY LIFE IN ESSEX ILLUSTRADO SCRAPBOOK • ANNIE B. CHRONICLES

EDITOR’S NOTE

Photo by Eros Goze

Marching to the beat of your own drum It’s 2011. We made it.

It brings a lot of satisfaction to be able to say that you have survived the last three years – three of what are touted to be the most difficult years in modern history.

We’re breathing. We’re alive and kicking. We’re still working and able to stand on our own two feet. Sure, 2008 to 2010 did not leave us without its marks – mere scratches for some, bruises for others, and big gaping wounds to the most badly hit by the recession and all the other effects that came with it.

But hey, we’re here today, and it’s a brand new year.

If you’re one of those who fought hard amidst financial losses, the falling real estate market, a job scare, a job loss or even having to entirely change your career, on top of mounting bills and debts, and the stress, panic and hypertension that came with it, and still managed to keep your head afloat through all these challenges, you would have learned a valuable lesson or two.

If nothing else, two of the most important things we should have derived from all these trials are self-preservation and gratitude.

The past years’ difficultness and uncertainty dictated that, in order to survive, you would have learned to save yourself. This is such an important skill that includes endurance and resoluteness (even stubbornness) in the face of struggle. Self-preservation means learning how to react to the changing times; knowing how to move and to move fast; innovating and being able to create other means of survival. Those who were toughened and seasoned by the ‘08 to ‘10 would have learned how to be a “hustler” – not a cheat, but borrowing from Bo Sanchez’s concept of “The Power of Hustle” - a person who believes that there’s a solution to almost every problem, and take it upon themselves to find it. To quote Adidas’ campaign – “Impossible is Nothing.”

But self-preservation is not only about survival skills. It is also about literally preserving oneself. For how can you face and triumph tomorrow for yourself and your family, if you can’t save yourself today? Most people would argue that escapism is a bad thing. Not so, I believe, if it is in measured doses and allows you room to exhale, to keep you from getting overwhelmed by the mountains you need to climb – creating your own safe bubble, if only in your mind. Saving yourself also means acquiring a more pragmatic attitude, one that doesn’t cry over the ‘spilt milk’ of failures, but instead, learns and gets on with life.

One of the best things that you hopefully acquired as well, from the recent testing times is gratitude. There’s no need to elaborate further on that, but suffice to say - you are here, you are well and you’ve got another fighting chance to do whatever it is that you’ve always wanted to do. Doesn’t that make you feel thankful?

So who cares what naysayers have to say about 2011 when you know in your mind and your heart, and you can feel it in your bones that this is going to be a great year for you? So what if things haven’t returned to what they used to be before all hell broke loose on Wall Street and the world had a more carefree attitude to life and the proverbial purse strings?

You are strong and resolute, and have the thankfulness that allows all the good things to come to your life.

Go ahead. March to the beat of your own drum in the New Year. Make your life happen in 2011.

My dear Illustrado’s, may this year be a year of breakthroughs for all of us.

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

2 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Send your letters to: editor@illustrado.net or join the discussion at Ilustrado magazine’s page on Facebook

mass homily. And for that, I thank you.

More power!

Rache F. Hernandez

Holiday Thoughts

Thank you for bringing the warmth of the Pinoy Christmas to my little homesick heart Illustrado. Christmas is always the worst time for me – since I moved here to Abu Dhabi three years ago.

I’ve made friends here, but somehow still miss my own people back home – especially during the holidays. So it’s heartwarming to see your holiday edition which reminded me of all our traditions back home that know no equal. I miss all those things, but somehow, reading about them made me smile inside.

Your editorial in Illustrado’s Holiday Issue really struck a chord in me.

Happy New Year…

Chinkee delos Santos

You see, I didn’t receive the gift that I asked from my Monito (a former housemate). We had a wish list of the top three things that we wanted to receive, but my Monito didn’t seem to care. Instead, he gave me a bottle of perfume, which I already have enough of and which doesn’t figure in my wish list. In fact, he didn’t even know it was me he was giving the gift to, as he wrote on the gift tag: “Pakibigay na lang sa nabunot ko.” He didn’t even attend our Christmas Party. I was very insulted and disappointed, considering that I scoured at least three malls just to get the item that was on the top of my ‘baby’s’ wish list. I made all the effort that had to be made, while my Monito didn’t even invest a single thought to his gift.

Hi Illustrado! I always enjoy reading your monthly magazine, and over the holidays, it was quite interesting to read about the simple wishes of our fellow kabayans here in the Middle East. It reminds me of how “mababaw lang ang kaligayahan natin bilang Pinoy;” that we’re happy with life’s small pleasures like traditional food and stuff, but most of all, that our families are number one in our list of priorities. Iba talaga ang Pinoy.

Paula Jimenez

Good thing I read your editorial, because it reminded me once again that the gifts that we receive are not all there is to Christmas. I am not the one who has his birthday on December 25 – instead, it’s the ‘Big Guy.’ Now, I am grateful for the experience of not getting what I wanted as it offered me a sacrifice that I can give as an offering - a gift, to the Big Guy on this most special of days.

You probably didn’t mean to preach, but what you wrote in your Editor’s Note was as effective to me as a good Sunday

Illustrado Magazine

Thank you for publishing some pages on Filipino Christmas songs.

They were handy since my friends and I put together an informal choir to go caroling to our friend’s homes during Christmas week. This is the second year we have done this and we really enjoy singing for people at this very solemn and special time of the year. When you are part of the choir and you see the faces of people light up when you sing, it’s an amazing feeling. It makes you really feel like it’s Christmas. I guess when you share your happiness, it always comes back to you.

So a belated Merry Christmas and Happy Happy New Year!

Marge Sobrepena

I am writing to you in reaction to your article “Christmas Giving – Scrooge or Not” in your December 2010 issue.

It’s true that most Pinoys have this practice of over-spending or over extending themselves especially when their loved ones or family members are concerned.

However, with how difficult money is these days, we really must learn to be practical and balance things out. Of course, it will be such a sad thing if we turn into ‘Scrooges’ or misers who cannot even share the love during this most important part of the year. But at the same time, we should only spend what we can afford and not get ourselves into trouble. Anyway, the most important thing is the mere gesture of thoughtfulness, and not the price of the gift that one is giving.

Melvin Tinsay

Hellos and Etc. Hi, Illustrado! Time flies so fast, especially when you are having fun! What a great year! I enjoyed 2010 with your magazine – savoring every issue, every month. I love the interesting articles you publish – they are very educational and I learned a lot. Most of all, the stories just make me so proud to be Pinoy! We are very lucky to have a magazine that promotes our achievements, successes and best qualities to the world.

Keep it up and keep the good stuff flowing in 2011. Happy New Year, Illustrado!

Ashley Pereja Happy New Year to the best Filipino magazine this side of the world!

Janelle Yabut Can you please feature Ms. Georgina Wilson in your next magazine cover? Thanks in advance.

Ana Rose Agosto Thanks for your note, Rose! We were supposed to feature her a couple of months ago but couldn’t work out a suitable schedule, but she’s definitely in our radar.

Happy New Year to you!

Ed

CONTRIBUTORS Ana Santos

Bo Sanchez

Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardee, bestselling author and respected speaker Bo Sanchez showers Illustrado readers with blessings this month to start the New Year right. In his column Spirituality, the ‘Preacher in Blue Jeans’ teaches us about the value of visualization in helping us achieve our dreams, and reminds us of that oft heard but never practiced phrase, that“you can never achieve what you don’t believe in.”

Illustrado’s Associate Editor Ana Santos looks at the various going’s on in the Philippines in 2010 to predict some ‘maybe’s’ for the New Year in Transformations 2011. Ana, who spent a privileged 9-year stint in the corporate world, made a drastic career move to pursue her advocacies, by becoming a journalist and sexual health advocate. She writes for glossies in the Philippines, as well as foreign wires on specific women’s issues, and also runs www. sexandsensibilities.com (SAS), a website with culturally sensitive sexual health information for young Filipinas.

Aby Yap Illustrado’s resident Pinoy trivia expert Aby is never at a loss for amusing, weird or sometimes downright hilarious observations when it comes to the Pinoy state of affairs. And this is all put to good use in her regular column Onli in Da Pilipins. Previously a Dubai resident, Manila-based Aby edits automotive-related content for an online company but confesses that her true profession is storytelling. This month, she takes also turns a serious note with an Illustrado Profile on NASA’s fierce Filipina diplomat Angelita Castro-Kelly.

Loraine Balita

Francisco J. Colayco With several best-selling books to his credit, and an advocacy on teaching Filipinos how to prosper, Illustrado columnist personal finance guru Francisco J. Colayco certainly covers a whole range of educational topics that are essential learning for Filipinos wanting to improve their financial situation. For this month’s column, FJC explains the difference between passive and active entrepreneurship and how people can actually benefit from earning without physically doing all the hard work.

Modern nomad Loraine Balita is a freelance writer and teacher at the De La Salle University in Manila who loves to travel around the world. For Illustrado’s year opening edition, Loraine speaks to mixed race Filipinos – to find out the pros and cons of living life as a “Pinoy Hybrid.”

In her article, Loraine reveals that life is not always a bed of roses, as is often presumed, for these mestizos and mestizas.

Eros Goze Known for his decidedly dark and dramatic photography style, Eros Goze captures to great effect, this month’s Illustrado’s edgy fashion editorial featuring futuristic style statements from designer Michael Cinco. Eros Goze, is a multi-talented artist, a fashion designer with an undeniably striking visual flair evident in his images.

Ginno Alducente

Bernadette Reyes

Illustrado contributor Bernadette Reyes gives Illustrado readers a preview on Philippine economy in 2011. This GMA TV News Reporter was a former business reporter for Today Independent News where she was tasked to cover the Philippine Stock Exchange and the Securities and Exchange Commission. She also remains an active contributor in various publications in and out of the Philippines.

A Dubai based freelance hair and make-up artist, Ginno is known as the ‘McQueen of the MakeOverWorld’in the tightly knit local fashion industry.

Described as edgy, he is one of the favorites of equally edgy and demanding fashion designers in the country. Ginno delivers, restructures fierceness and resurfaces an eclectic canvas to compose a total look that is a picture perfect blend of modern colors. At the height of his career, he is into TV productions, magazine collaborations, runway and styling and has already done several cover shoots for Illustrado.

Publisher & Editor-in Chief Lalaine Chu-Benitez Associate Editor Ana Santos CONTRIBUTING WRITERS UAE, Philippines, USA Aby Yap JR Bustamante Anna Lorraine Balita Jude Cartalaba Bernadette Reyes Karen Galarpe Bo Sanchez KC Abalos Carlito Viriña Krip Yuson Chayie Maligalig Lawrence Diche David Poarch Shar Matingka Excel Dyquiangco Toni Loyola Flordeliz Samonte Sonny Guzman Francisco Colayco Vic Lactaoen Isabel Warren Victor Sollorano Isabelo Samonte Ivan Henares Jack Catarata Jesse Edep ART DIRECTORS Tom Bolivar Paula Lorenzo Ron Perez CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS UAE Illuminado Ong Pot Ph Ik Lumberio Melandro Sanggalang Mac Antonio Jit Sanggalang Eros Goze CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS PHILIPPINES Dr. Marlon Pecjo Glenn Peter-Perez Filbert Kung CONTRIBUTING STYLISTS & FASHION TEAM UAE Zekundo Chu Basil Yunting Jessie Tabla Ginno Alducente PUBLISHER - UAE Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2nd Floor, Building 2, P.O. Box 72280 Office 20C Dubai Media City, UAE Tel: +9714 365 4543, 365 4547 Fax:+9714 360 4771 E-mail: admin@illustrado.net, info@illustrado.net Web: www.illustrado.net, www.illustrado.agilaglobal.net PRINTERS PRINTWELL PRINTING LLC P.O. Box 18828 Dubai, UAE Copyright Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2006-2010. 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.

38

CONTENTS JAN 2011

This month’s edgy fashion editorial features designer Michael Cinco’s bold take on the future.

FEATURES

A Prelude to Philippine Economy 2011 6 Transformations 2011 12 The Rise of the Pinoy Hybrids 16 Fitness for the New Year 30

REGULAR COLUMNS

74

Editor’s Note 1 Letters 2 Contributors 4 Contents 5 Illuminati: Moving Forward in 2011? 10 Kabuhayan: Plato Wraps 20 Kabuhayan Money: Active and Passive Entrepreneurship 22 Pinoy Pro 23 Spirituality: What do you See in 2011 24 Community 28 Bayanihan Corner 29 Illustrado Profile: Angelita Castro-Kelly 34 Global Barrio News 36 Illustrado Scrapbook 68 Entertainment: Epy Quizon on Pinoy Sunday 70 Onli in da Pilipins: Looking Bak and Ahed 80 Annie B Chronicles: Make the Change 82 ClassifiedsListing:Filipino&Filipino-OrientedEstablishments87

PLACES

Trippin’: Five Things to Do this Month 72 Trippin’: Spicy Fridays at Copper Chimney 74 My Pinoy Life in: Essex – Marvelin Madridejos 76 Trippin’: Naga Food Trip 78

FASHION

Fashion: Futura Bold 38 Michael Cinco: Of Million Peso Dresses and the Impalpable Dream 64 Illustrado Runway: Jimi Buenconsejo 66

70

6 FEATURE

Philippine Economy:

A Prelude to 2011

By Bernadette Reyes

The Philippine peso has gained ground; the stock market has hit an all-time high and the popularity of the Philippine President has spurred business confidence. To many, these events are testament that the Philippine economy is now healthier and stronger but the more prudent and discerning would know that these indicators are just the beginning of a long journey towards sustained growth and prosperity.

2010 was marked by economic recovery on the back of election-related spending, sound economic policies, investment growth and increase in consumer confidence.

According to World Bank Philippine Quarterly Update Report, several sectors including finance and services assuaged the effects of the financial crisis which commenced in 2008. “At the onset of the global financial crisis, the Philippines was considered a high volatility country. Thanks to sound initial macro-fundamentals — especially the banking system, corporate sector, balance of payments, and fiscal and monetary policy space — coupled with large countercyclical remittance inflows, the country is now exhibiting notable decreases in volatility in financial indicators such as its stock market index and its sovereign credit spreads,” the report said. The rebound however was

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regional as neighboring countries likewise experienced growth after global trade improved and effects of global recession receded.

The National Economic Development Authority is hopeful the impetus of 2010 will trickle down to the year of the Rabbit but not without hardwork. “The momentum will carry forward in 2011,” said NEDA Director General Cayetano Paderanga Jr. The Secretary however was quick to point out that 2011 will have to deal with the absence of election spending and while the foundation of the private-public partnership (PPP) strengthened under the administration of President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III has been laid, Filipinos have to exercise more patience to experience change.

FEATURE 7

“We feel because of the plateauing of the recovery we have to do a little bit more and the expectation of the impact of the reforms that President Aquino is putting into place will be more fully felt in 2012. The impact on investment for example will take some time to really unfold but we really hope we will have some policy changes that will bring about continued growth in the economy in 2011,” Paderanga said.

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry share the same optimism. While PCCI is confident PPP will bring about a tremendous change in economy, the group likewise recognizes the contribution of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) towards a more progressive Philippines.

“We are very positive but we have to work doubly hard if we want to achieve dramatic change,” PCCI President Francis Chua told Illustrado. PCCI is working on a Business Matrix Program where big and long-established businesses such as the Ayala Group, San Miguel Purefoods Co., and JG Summit will support MSMEs and vice versa. Under the program, big companies will open their market and resources to MSMEs including access to financing. On the other hand, MSMEs will offer their products and services at a cheaper cost to participating corporations. A computerized database of buyers, suppliers, manufacturers and service providers is being set up to facilitate the program. “This program will help disseminate wealth to the countryside through the MSMEs and alleviate poverty in these areas,” Chua explained.

Services, manufacturing, construction and tourism will be primary drivers of growth in 2011. For services, said Paderanga, business process outsourcing such as call centers will continue to expand. Aside from semiconductor industry, manufacturing of finished and semi-finished minerals will also be explored. “Traditionally we export mineral ore but now we have local industries trying their hands on producing semiprocessed products which have added value. For example it could help factories become more energy self-sufficient as some processes create steam that can be converted to power,” Chua explained. The need for more infrastructure such roads and bridges will likewise boost the construction sector which is expected to experience double digit growth this year.

Philippine Constructors Association Inc. (PCA) president Levy V. Espiritu said PPP projects will also result in a boom in private construction.

While the “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” slogan was a flop in 2010, the Philippines is determined to share its beauty to the world and what better time than this year. Tourism projects are on the roll and are expected to further boost the economy this year. The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is rolling out projects to upgrade the country’s airports as gateways to major tourism destinations. Roads leading to ports of entry will also be rehabilitated. “When we put these together we have a fighting chance of getting towards a more progressive Philippines,” said Paderanga.

Unemployment may have slightly tempered in 2010 but more Filipinos are likely to be able to provide more food on the table as more jobs are expected to be created this year. “If we can increase investment significantly then we hope that there will be more jobs,” Paderanga said.

Despite of the improving statistics coupled with an upbeat attitude that goes with the new administration, the true measure of whether or not the Philippines is seeing better days ahead is its ability to reduce poverty incidence and increase per capita income.

While the numbers are yet to be published, the World Bank says “poverty and hunger incidence are not declining noticeably” in the Philippines. According to its quarterly update, the economy has created wealth at a rapid pace but poverty alleviation remains a major challenge to be addressed.

“Indeed, while in most countries rapid and sustained economic growth is associated with reduction in poverty incidence, this has not been the case in the Philippines in recent years,” the report said.

This 2011, Filipinos including returning balikbayans will see change – more roads leading to our hometowns will be paved, new and better airports will welcome us and foreign tourists alike, and more skyscrapers will fill the horizon. Yet the question remains, is the change only skin-deep? Only time will tell.

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10 ILLUMINATI

2011

Moving forward through

By Krip Yuson

Pinoys are said to be at their optimistic best at the start of every year. It's just in our "nay-chuh" — or, well, make that our national character. Maybe it's also a personality feature that runs parallel with our propensity to burst into manic song, or eke out a joke even or most especially when in the direst of straits.

In any case, recent surveys say that nearly 90% of Pinoys look forward to 2011 with much hope. Why, that's about as much of a percentage as Pinoys who are still actually homebound — that is, not among our heroic expatriates dispersed throughout the planet.

That doesn't mean of course that only those who've stayed put are hopeful. No equation on that score. But it remains a fact, for the nonce, that Pinoy homelanders, the subject of the surveys, are keenly optimistic for the year just started.

Usually, too, this has much to do with perceptions on the political front. It helps that we have a new President, one who as of last count commands quite a plurality of supporters, in terms of citizens hopeful that we face a bright new day or age, as against the last nine years that were wracked by scandals and controversies that largely had to do with grandscale corruption.

illustrado Magazine

The trust ratings for the successor we now call PNoy are, for the large part, built on the near certainty that he will be vastly different from his predecessor. That appears to be so, given his pedigree. What concerns the more careful observers is whether he can, first off, cope with the apparent landmines and bunkers craftily set in place to impede any effort at setting things right, especially on the justice front.

The so-called Gloria Court, referring to the highest tribunal in the land, has already shown its hand by quickly knocking off any immediate prospects for a Truth Commission intended to call suspected plunderers to account.

It doesn't help that President Noynoy Aquino is largely seen to rely on a rather lightweight legal team in the Palace. His Presidential Management Staff or PMS has also been quite slow in pursuing bureaucratic procedures, principally in the matter of filling up all government positions to allow the

ILLUMINATI 11

officialdom to take off from where it had been let down via many questionable “midnight appointments.�

It's been a good six months since PNoy was sworn into office, and yet a good number of government and quasiofficial boards cannot proceed due to void directorships.

While it may be argued that serious, responsible vetting may be in the works so as to ensure quality teams, six months already represent one-twelfth of the presidential term of office.

So now many concerned observers are stepping up on the hope that everything gets up to speed soon enough, however the start hasn't exactly been entirely inspirational or motivational, other than the much-applauded "No more wangwangs!" directive.

Another observation, mostly being fanned by current oppositionists, and alarmingly, increasingly being shared even by PNoy supporters, is that the bachelor with the easy grin and casual manner might also be too casual in his work habits. It is noted that he hardly traipses around the archipelago, content it seems to spend much of his time in the capital, without touching base with the rest of Luzon, let alone the Visayas and Mindanao.

There is also no grand vision or ambition, it has been said, other than simply to expose grafters of the past administration, and highlight the difference with his careful accounting and belt-tightening.

That is all well and good, but soon Pinoys would need more motivational play from PNoy. While the economy seems poised to advance, given the optimistic outlook shared by local capitalists and businessmen as well as foreign investors, all of the promise still needs a push in the right direction, with broad-stroke gestures on the part of the Office of the President and his Cabinet.

He cannot be seen to have his hands tied with having to dismantle all the obstacles placed in his way, nor conduct time-consuming battles with intransigent forces such as the Supreme Court. Congress is behind him, largely, while the Senate also counts many friendly hands.

He is in a good position to forge on, initiate his own broadstrokes programs as would an inspired visionary, and thus inspire everyone to play team ball. He must also see to the nitty-gritty of micro governance, vanquish the devil in the details, even those that involve such seemingly mundane problems as the traffic situation in the metropolis, the perennial lack of classrooms, ever-delayed license plates for motor vehicles, the operations of toll highways, science and research development enhanced, enhanced levels of education and agricultural output.

Then there are the large, abiding concerns such as the

possibility of forging peace on all fronts, chiefly with the NPA and the MILF. Foreign relations aren't exactly in the front burner, albeit a good eye towards maintaining positive relations with both the US and China should always be under consideration.

Both the so-called Right and Left are in a wait-and-see attitude, with radicals understandably more impatient in seeing their agendas through, thus ever incorrigible in their protest ways, however too precipitate. The general public ignores them, largely, while there is also a growing groundswell of dismay and irritation at their juvenile ways.

The military may be said to be more sanguine, especially now that the festering cases of adventurism are headed towards resolution via amnesty.

Still, PNoy, as any Philippine president, still has much of his work cut out for him. Pinoys will urge and cheer him on, pray for better energy and focus, hope for the inspirational initiatives that will be his and his alone, should he receive the proper guidance from insiders or from the one he prays to himself, if in a lesser degree than his saintly mother.

Broad strokes and fine gestures and a will to make his mark are key, as to whether PNoy and 'Pinas do come away smiling through 2011, else face the dismal prospects of another tipping point in terms of optimism and support.

We all know we have to move forward throughout the year, so that the next, and the next, can enjoy good momentum.

May the moments of crisis be few, and the days of resolve, results, and good cheer be enough or a-plenty to carry us through.

12 FEATURE

Transformations 2011: f o ist for l A e’s b y w a e m eN th ear Y By

Ana

San

tos

The Filipino male became a certified hunk, Philippine boxing dominated Twitter, and we were so close – this close – to being crowned the most beautiful woman in the world. Despite some misses amidst all these hits, for the most part, 2010 was a year of major, major victories for the Philippines, hopefully ushering in a year of transformations.

It was the Year of the Pinoy Male

Manny won another world title and Hollywood big guns Paris and Nicky Hilton, Russell Crowe and Justin Bieber paid homage to the ‘Pacman’ on Twitter.

Even Daniel Radcliffe (better known as Harry Potter), it seems, was not immune to Manny’s charms. Confessing to have fallen under the boxer’s spell, Radcliffe said he would love to meet the Pacman and instead settled for talking to him through a camera “I would love to meet you someday,” Radcliffe declared. “I think you are a gentleman, as well as a warrior.”

illustrado Magazine

This year, Manny shared the ring with other Filipino men.

There was Richard Hardin and Richard Herrera who won the Amazing Race Asia 4. When the host declared, “Richard and Richard, you are Team Number 1,” it came with admiration for the two Riches who not only won, but made racing around the world and defying roadblocks look pretty damn good.

FEATURE 13

We wre barely over that victory when we got bitten. Their name may mean a dog with no pedigree, no breed, no class, but the Azkals – the Philippine football team made up of Pinoys and half-Pinoys were not left astray by the hoards of both men and women who cheered them and showed their support. They lost in the Suzuki Cup, but even there, Indonesian women were instantly converted to fans.

Never has a piece of legislation so polarized our country.

The Azkals appealed to the Pinoy’s affiliation with the “underdog” who earns respect because of his tenacity and good old–fashioned fighting spirit.

Let’s hope that in 2011, there will finally be a way for the two opposing sides of the RH Bill to become like a woman’s ovaries. They’ll never meet, but they will harmoniously co-exist in the same space for the sake of the woman’s womb. Still, whatever happens, with how much discourse has gone into the topic, the masses, at the very least, get the benefit of exposure to information on such a relevant issue that can help them in the choices they make in the coming year.

It was a year of celebration for the Pinoy athlete. We can expect the revelry to carry over to 2011 with ‘ra-ra’ programs like “Suntok sa Ginto,” a movement to train Filipino boxers for the upcoming Olympics and additional initiatives to get more funding for football.

With this new diversified interest in sports where we’re proven to be good at, we just might be one step closer to finally winning a gold.

2011, bring it on!

It was the year of Wikileaks, Pinoy style The Philippines had its first automated election which, despite expected birth pains, went rather peacefully. With that, we ushered in our first bachelor president to carry on a legacy his father started more than 20 years ago.

Perhaps it’s because we got so used to getting details about the private life of another Aquino (whether we like it or not) that our voyeuristic nature begged for a closer look into the private life of the once obscure statesman who was instantly catapulted to head of state.

Despite his pleas to keep his love life private, the public was treated to snippets of it anyway which were played up in the newspapers, (one newspaper ran a story saying that “P-Noy will not give up the Presidency for love”); a TV station even rounded up common citizens and asked them if they thought that P-Noy should settle down already.

But there was one other source of breaking news about P-Noy’s love life; a source who offered deliciously juicy details only an insider could provide. The US States Department had Wikileaks, our President had his own Wikileaks in the person of his youngest sister Kris Aquino.

While who will occupy the most coveted seat of First Lady is most certainly an intriguing question, just like parents who incessantly ask their unmarried children when they will get married, we’ll (hopefully) get tired of the issue long enough to stop asking.

It was the year of Damaso’s and other colorful characters involved in the Reproductive Health (RH) Battle The battle for control over women’s wombs reached frenzied heights in 2010. It made the headlines with Carlos Celdran’s “Damaso” stunt in September, and for days after, strong words, veiled threats were spewed like venom between Pro-Lifers and RH advocates.

As the RH Bill goes into deeper deliberation, we can only expect the battle to spin into a dizzying discussion of abortion, rights of the unborn child and the argument that is currently the flavor of the month: when does life begin?

It was the year the Philippines earned another New Age Title We didn’t get the Ms Universe title but the country did get the social networking equivalent of Ms. Congeniality. Before we were known as the texting capital of the world, but now it seems that we’re gunning for a grand slam win for the beauty pageant equivalent of Ms Congeniality.

According to Gatner, Inc. a US-based IT research company, the Philippines has the “most avid social networkers” having the 6th highest penetration of Twitter worldwide and Facebook as their most visited internet site. The study goes on to say that “social networkers in the Philippines also showed the highest level of engagement on social networking sites averaging 5.5 hours per visitor in February, with visitors frequenting the social networking category an average of 26 times during the month.” Comscore World Metrix, another USbased IT think tank declared the Philippines “the social networking capital of Asia-Pacific.”

It was NOT the year of tourism, but we will prevail.

Bad judgment with tourism logo and the hostage crisis taking marred the list of hits in 2010, but the Philippines will still able to hold its own.

NatGeo editors handpicked Palawan one of the top 20 out-of-theordinary destinations and Lonely Planet included the country as one of the top 10 best value destinations. Lonely Planet predicted that “the Philippines would shove Thailand out of the best cheap beaches slot it has dominated for the last few decades.”

It was clear that in 2010 the world has taken notice of Pinoy talent, applauding our athletes and marveling at the beauty of our women and our islands. The spotlight will continue to shine on us in 2011.

Our time has come.

Now, more than ever - taas noo, Filipino.

A M M 010 C t 2 a s t s d li war a n i aA F s i a d e n se ne M o h C ippi l i h P

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issue

48

16 FEATURE

The Rise of the

“Pinoy Hybrids”

By Loraine Balita

When Bruno Mars, currently the hottest recording artist in the US, soared to the number one spot in the Billboard Hot 100s Chart with his hit single ‘Just the Way You Are’ the whole world went abuzz.

Who is this Asian looking super talent who’s taking the music industry by storm?

When news broke about his background, it didn’t come as a surprise that he’s part Pinoy.

Illustrado talked to a few Filipinos of mixed heritage from different corners of the world to find out how it’s like to be part of the current generation of Pinoy Hybrids.

To most people there’s something about them ‘mixed breeds’ or who some people call ‘halfsies’ that makes hitting super stardom or reaching an extraordinary level of success all too common.

We see them as the super Pinoy breed, or designer Filipinos genetically engineered to inherit the best of both worlds.

Mixed and Matched

But how are ‘halfsies’ like Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, the first Asian-American to become an NBA coach, and international singing sensation Enrique Iglesias different from pure Pinoys?

illustrado Magazine

Katrina Ilming

For Katrina Ilming who has a Filipina mother and Austrian father, growing up with two different cultures has been interesting. The 15-year old who grew up in Dubai and is currently studying in Germany feels that it’s definitely better to grow up with mixed heritage. “It helps broaden one’s horizons to world cultures, instead of just knowing the culture of one place,” she says.

FEATURE 17

Jeffrey Abraham couldn’t agree more. A product of an IndianFilipino marriage, the 17-year-old student from Waller Texas says that growing up in a mixed culture household has allowed him to look at the world differently. “I would say it is an advantage because it allows [one] to have a more worldly perspective of life because your eyes are opened to multiple points of view.

Although things can get a bit stressful for mixed Pinoys like Jeff who can sometimes feel the pressure of having to accept different norms and customs. “[It] can be pretty stressful because of all the traditions and expectations of the parents [that] are all handed down, and [the child] is expected to fulfill all of them,” he shares. Still, this kind of environment for him ultimately presents a myriad of opportunities. “You can pick the best Jeffrey Abraham things from the cultures and become a super hybrid of the both of them,” he declares. “I believe that the cultures that I have inherited possess a certain determination to work harder to achieve goals and to have that drive. [It] is certainly a leg up,” he adds.

her have a rich cultural background, the same environment for part Pinoys, according to her could prove difficult in the long run. “The disadvantage would be the difficulty in identifying your true self when you are a mix of personalities and traits,” she shares. Amidst a sea of pure Pinoy or pure Mexican relatives it’s easy to feel like an outcast.

“The fact remains that even if you can blend in easily, there's still an empty spot where you don't really feel like you belong,” she says.

She also admits to getting the “you-wouldn't-understand-becauseyou're-not-Pinoy” treatment from people. “It hurts sometimes, so eventually you tend to keep things to yourself fearing that they'd say something harsh the next time around, she says.

And like Myles, 24-year-old Laurens Tolenaars feels baffled sometimes. The multi-lingual student who’s currently attending a University in Belgium says that one of the disadvantages of having a mixed cultural background is feeling that he doesn’t have his own country. While it’s a plus that his Dutch father and Spanish-Filipino mother taught him various languages (Dutch, French, Spanish, English) as a child he felt as confused as most hybrid Pinoys. “I have

Having relatives from opposing camps, at one time in history, could be interesting too. Just as in Maite Calero’s case. The 27-year old Marketing Strategist is part Pinoy part Spanish. She recalls how she was amazed by stories of the war as told by her grandparents. “My grandparents have different and interesting war stories (WWII) - the Pinoys were guerillas, and the Spanish had the benefit of being within the comforts of home, though with limited food,” she shares.

Best of Both Worlds… Sort of

Living in a household that’s held together by a multi-cultural mesh of mixed customs and traditions might seem exciting but like any other family set-up, it also has its downsides.

“Saying that you get the best of both worlds is too cliché. Like every family it (mixed culture household) has its problems,” says Myles Legaspi. The 25year old who works as a Marketing officer has a part-Pinoy part-American for a father and a Mexican mother. She thinks that like any other household set-up there are advantages and disadvantages to having a mixed culture at home.

Myles Legaspi

While she says it has helped

Laurens Tolenaars

3 different origins so I don't know if I have to consider myself a Filipino, a Spanish or Dutch!” he exclaims.

His brother Dimitri Tolenaars agrees. “The problem with being someone of mixed race is that wherever you are, you always feel like a stranger. When I’m in the Philippines, they don’t recognize me as a Pinoy, [I have the] same problem when I’m in Holland, Spain or even Belgium where I live,”he says. The 18 –year-old architecture student also thinks that having relatives from different sides of the globe could be a bit of a challenge. “Asians and Europeans are very different.” In a multicultural household he feels that “sometimes, people don’t agree with each other simply because they were not raised the same way. They don’t have the same values.”

And for part Pinoys, pleasing both cultures could get frustrating at times says UK-based Guadalupe Cuervo, 22. The part Spanish part Filipino chef who lived in the Philippines for 19 years before moving

18 FEATURE

Spot the Difference “Our tooth fairy is Ratoncito Perez, a small mouse who will give us money, instead of a fairy, “shares Maite. When asked how her life differs from that of a pure Pinay she quips “My body shape was also peculiar, I would always wonder why my butt starts from the waist down, and not from below the waist!” While most Pure pinays envy their meztiza looks Maite sometimes wishes she has their petite frame. “Working out was really essential because I had to get 2 sizes bigger even if my waist was smaller,” she shares.

She also remembers being chosen as class muse, representative, etc. over her Pinay classmates. “In school, I would always be the muse, Mama Mary, or a representative of the class which I found weird,” she says.

Valentina Yang

The Pinoy in Me For Jennifer it’s her being able to get along with anyone. “Pakikisama,” or her ability to deal with all sorts of people well is what makes her feel that she is truly Pinoy. Switzerland-based Jade Troesch, on the other hand says, it’s the strong belief in God and a deep sense of faith. “Going to church and praying is what I learned from my Mom,”she says. And being ‘chicadora,” she chuckles.

Guada who spent most of her life in the Philippines feels that every inch of her is Pinoy. "I would eat isaw, and ride the jeeps. I haggle at the bangketa. I believe in aswangs and enkantos.” She may be part Spanish but she says her heart is Filipino.

Maite Calero

And like Maite, Myles has gotten quite a lot of attention because of her Mestiza looks. One time during a visit to a mall in Manila she was approached by a talent manager and asked if she wanted to be an artista. “It happens a lot,” she says.

But not all attention is always welcome to half Pinoys like Valentina Gangl. The Manila based halfsie who’s a product of a Pinoy-Austrian marriage gets followed around by men a lot. Which she says makes her feel uncomfortable sometimes.

Part Pinoy part American Jennifer Simmons-Castillo on the other hand are sold products as if she’s a tourist and gets offered higher prices at the wet market because of her Caucasian looks. “No one can tell physically that I’m part Pinoy,”she says.

While some might be living quite a different life compared to their pure Pinoy counterparts, all of them say they feel an innate Pinoy trait in them — a reminder of their Filipino side that comes out every so often.

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Guada Cuervo

While part Pinoy-part Austrian Katrina and Valentina both have very Pinoy palates and tummies with their love for Pinoy food like sinigang and adobo, Dimitri on the other hand feels that it’s his positivity and easy going personality that makes him Pinoy. He also credits his Filipino heritage for his innate kindness – so, when asked by Europeans about it he simply quips “what can I do, I have Filipino blood.”

While it is apparent that these Filipino hybrids go through a different set of issues and challenges compared to their pure Pinoy kababayans, a part of them will always remain Pinoy wherever they may go. Whatever field they chose to conquer they will always have a surge of Pinoy blood in their veins. And with the rise in the number of Pinoys marrying foreigners in the past years, we have yet to see the best of our Pinoy hybrids who maybe struggling with multi-culturalism wherever they are in, but will soon crawl out and conquer the world. Just like Bruno Mars.

20 kabuhayan EnTREPREnEuRShIP

Franchisee:

PlatoWraps

Once a clerk-typist, Gigi Barreto is now earning PHP200,000 a month as a full-fledged entrepreneur who operates a franchise business.

“I used to be an ordinary employee earning a modest income but I have always wanted to have my own business,” confessed Gigi.

In 2003, after 16 years of service in a bank and with enough savings to make her dreams come true, Gigi resigned to put up her own food business. At first she toyed with the idea of franchising Jollibee, a well-established fast food restaurant in the Philippines but learned that capitalization for such business would cost a whooping PHP25 million at the time.

illustrado Magazine

By Bernadette Reyes

Then one day, Gigi was in the mall with friends when they came across Plato Wraps, a food cart business selling round, flat breads with a choice of fillings such as chicken, tuna, hotdog, ham and vegetables and cheese. The product piqued her interest. She sampled the wrap and after her first bite, Gigi thought, “I want to franchise this business.”

kabuhayan EnTREPREnEuRShIP 21

Through a former colleague, Gigi was able to touch base with Plato Wraps franchisor Kamela Seen but she soon learned she was waitlisted.

“Two other existing franchisees already had prior application to put up a Plato Wraps food cart in SM Fairview in Novaliches which also happened to be my location of choice,” she recalled.

But as they say, “Good things come to those who wait.” After months of waiting in vain and a day before the grand opening of the Plato Wraps branch in SM Fairview, Gigi received a surprising phone call from Seen, this time asking her if she was still interested to franchise the business. On opening day, she paid the franchise package amounting to PHP450,000, assumed ownership of the business and the rest, as they say, is history.

Gigi shelled out another PHP80,000 to cover lease space, staff salary, utilities and inventory for the next three months. She was able to recoup total investment amounting to PHP530,000 in less than two years which was well within the target. “Usually a business like this says the franchisor would take one to one and a half years to collect the return on investment,” she said.

Other similar concept food carts entered the location but Gigi said her business stood the test of time. On certain days, sales would be sluggish but sales would almost always pickup on weekends and during the Christmas season.

Yet as in any business, Plato Wraps, particularly Gigi’s food cart franchise had its share of trials. While sales were good in the early days of business, the poor location in the annex building of SM Fairview was a snag. She tried to move to the main building which was yet another hurdle. “It was only after four attempts to transfer that I finally got the location I wanted. The lease payment was twice as much but it was well worth it as sales increased by 250 percent,” she said. As any franchisor would say, a good location with high foot traffic is always imperative to succeed in a food cart business.

As she dealt with the problem of sorting out her business’ location, Gigi had to deal with yet another business drawback, this time with product price. The increase in prices of raw materials resulted in a simultaneous price adjustment in products. The regularsized Plato wraps which used to be PHP39 now sells at PHP46. The smaller-sized wraps called Platito likewise adjusted price from PHP25 to PHP30. Sales of the regularsized wraps fell significantly after the price adjustment, which shocked regular patrons and discouraged first-time customers.

Luckily sales of the Platito started to show signs of recovery. “Platito is for the budgetconscious consumers including students, office workers and children. After the price increase, sales of the regular-sized wraps may have dwindled, but sales of the Platito increased by 300 to 500 percent,” Gigi said.

Today, Gigi is contemplating on putting up another business. “A business gives our family a sense of security instead of just parking our money in the bank,” she said. Her family owns a building where her husband suggested that she put up her own business concept. Gigi said she is keen on opening another food-related business possibly a coffee shop but she weighs the possibility of owning another franchise instead of creating her own business concept. “Franchise business follows an already tried-and-tested set of procedures that is easy to follow. Of course I would like to have my own business that I started from scratch but the process it has to go through from feasibility to market studies may prove to be very troublesome,” she said.

Gigi was quick to add however that not all franchisors are created equal. Luckily for her, the Plato Wraps franchisor was as helpful as she has always been since the first day she opened her food cart business. “Anytime I have questions she can be reached anytime. We also have yearly conferences, regular meetings and seminars for the staff which shows their support and concern for the franchisees,” she said. Plato Wraps also maintains quality control of the products.

Franchisees are not allowed to mix their own filling and they have to purchase vegetables daily to ensure freshness.

Looking back, Gigi has only one about resigning from her regular job, “I regret not being able to receive bonuses anymore. Other than that it’s all good.” She takes delight in the fact that she no longer had to work overtime in the bank while her husband and children are waiting for her to come home. Now that her business is already established and running for seven years, she can choose which days and what time of the day to visit the business, “I have my own time. I can take a vacation with my family anytime no matter how long. Now I can help my children do their homework,” she said.

22 kabuhayan money

By Francisco J. Colayco

ActivE & pAssivE

EntrEprEnEurship: Two Sides of the Same Personal Finance Coin An active income earner is an active entrepreneur.

For more than 90% of Filipinos engaged as entrepreneurs, practicing professionals, or employed staff or executives in all kinds of private and government organizations, accumulating wealth can only be achieved through generation of active income. This process of earning active income is technically active entrepreneurship. In this sense, all who produce income by rendering time, talent and sweat are active entrepreneurs. To this majority of Filipinos, the saying “no work, no pay” applies.

Their purpose of earning is to spend to be able to live their chosen lifestyle here and now. Thus, the focus is to earn and earn more to support a rising lifestyle. And the assumption is that the earning record and capacity is indefinite and is sustainable. But like everything else in this material world, there is and will be an end to each one’s ability to engage in active entrepreneurship. Economy, health and aging issues, legal constraints and many other factors inevitably come into play and working actively must come to a stop. We need to always remind ourselves that we can only be active entrepreneurs for a part of our lives.

The 80/20 Rule The universal rule that works for most human endeavors is the Pareto Principle, otherwise known as the 80/20 rule. Applying this rule to personal economics readily suggests a few meaningful money guidelines: Live within 80% of your hard earned active income. Pay yourself the 20% as your starting capital in your lifelong savings and investment plan; half of the 20% or 10% should be used to protect yourself for you are your greatest income-producing asset. Use this 10% to pay for term insurance, medical insurance and to build up your own family’s emergency fund. The other 10% should be saved and invested to meet your medium term goals like education funds for your children, a home for the family and other long-term assets that you need in the pursuit of your economic vocation. Eventually, all this 20% of your active income will be available for building your lifelong wealth goals.

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The 80% of your active income must only be spent for needs. While quite easy to say, determining what are needs and what are wants is one of the most difficult decision processes that earning individuals go through. More often than not, decisions are emotion-filled and are therefore very subjective. Whatever the process, this principle must still apply: active income is only for needs.

The corollary rule then would be: wants may be acquired only from passive or investment income. Put another way, one has no right to spend for wants unless he has already generated passive income from his savings and investments.

Passive Entrepreneurship Passive income is the income earned from savings and investments.

This is interest earned, rental from properties, commissions from your down-lines (in case of legitimate networking operations), dividends from stock investments and other forms of earnings generated without the active participation of the individual entrepreneur. This is income that will come whether one works or not. Passive income is the key to lifetime wealth.

The low savings rate of Filipinos supports the thesis that we earn to spend. Very few of us earn to grow. When confronted with this observation, we have always pointed to the insufficiency of active income as the problem. But is it really?

Mindset, lack of awareness and ignorance of financial options are the real reasons why most of us do not bother to save, much less, set up individual investment plans. We are locked in the paradigm that we can achieve financial independence only through high salaries and/ or getting into business. Making money work for us or generating passive income is outside our awareness and conscious thought. For some, earning through investments is automatically taken as beyond their means. Most of us simply assume that successful investing is only for institutions and for high net worth individuals. Nothing can be farther from the truth. We can all be passive entrepreneurs for our entire lives. It simply means that we must learn to save and become knowledgeable investors.

The beauty of it all is that we can be passive and active entrepreneurs at the same time.

Visit our website www.colaycofoundation.com for updates on our activities both online and when you visit the Philippines.

Celebrating the Professional Pinoy PINOY PRO 23

Arthur Simplina

Khadija Sali

Senior Engineer GE Energy – Industrial Solutions United Arab Emirates

Senior TV News Correspondent City 7 TV United Arab Emirates

University of the Philippines BS Electrical Engineering graduate Arthur Simplina works at GE Energy – Industrial Solutions as Senior Engineer, responsible for sales of MV and LV electrical equipment and busways in the UAE. Early in his career, he worked as Quality Engineer with Beta Electric Company, as Project Engineer with the Philippine Electric Corporation (PHILEC), and Fields Operations Manager for multinational Otis Elevator Company, in the Philippines.

For Khadija Sali – the familiar Pinay face on national TV, Dubai has been home for the last eight years. She works as a Senior TV News Correspondent at City 7 TV, a locally-based English channel. In her post, Khadija specializes on human interest issues, health, environment, travel and other relevant topics that take her across the seven emirates and other countries.

The early 90’s saw Arthur joining other OFs when he moved to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to join the Saudi Binladin Group–IPP (now Arabian Bemco) as Procurement Engineer. He worked with the group for six years before migrating to Tampa, Florida in 1999 to join his wife. In 2000, Arthur became a Sales Application Engineer for Instrument Transformers Inc., a recently acquired company by General Electric. His worked covered international sales, outside of the USA and Canada, and providing technical and commercial support to clients in Latin and Central America, Asia Pacific region, and EMEA. Seeing the unprecedented growth in the Gulf, particularly Dubai, Arthur took the opportunity to move to the emirate to join the regional GE office. He has been in Dubai since three years.

Khadija started in a career in customer service for a telecommunications company in the Philippines. After a year, she had the opportunity to join an event management company, wherein she caught the media bug. In 2002, the petite but fearless Filipina came to the emirates to join the hospitality industry in sales and marketing.

Arthur spends his free time on continued professional education, travelling as well as in community endeavors. He is an active member of the UPAAUAE the group’s Publication Committee Chairman, and Lente, UPAAUAE’s photography group and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).

Caloy Serrano Head of Philippine Remittance Al Rostamani International Exchange United Arab Emirates Vicente Carlos ‘Caloy’ Serrano left the Philippines after graduating from De La Salle University where he was GSIS Scholar and working a few years in equipments and machinery companies as an engineer. He landed a job as Head of the Garage Equipments Division for Al Futtaim Motors in the late 1980s. Thereafter, he worked for seven years as Dubai Branch Manager for Emirates Marine. 2001 saw him shift to a totally different field - from working in sales and marketing in the engineering, automotive and marine sectors, he has shifted to currency exchange and remittance. Caloy is now the Head of Philippine Remittance for Al Rostamani International Exchange. In his role, he has brought in new products to the company to meet the needs of the Filipinos in the emirates.

A resident of the UAE for the last 22 years, Caloy lives in Dubai with his wife Amy and have two adult children. His eldest son is managing a business back in the Philippines, while his daughter is a famous DJ in one of Dubai’s English radio stations. He is a sports enthusiast who is also a popular community leader involved with several Filipino organizations including the Dubai Filipino Bowling Club, the Philippine Business Council of Dubai, and the DLSAA UAE Chapter. Contemplating on retirement, Caloy plans on putting up a restaurant and further providing help to needy folks back home.

illustrado Magazine

Khadija is a graduate of the College of the Holy Spirit Manila and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts, Advertising. She blogs, paints and writes poetry during her free time. She says, “Life is too short to limit one’s experiences; I do as much of everything I am passionate about. It’s like living many lives in one lifetime.”

Myra Verana-Flores Sales Manager – Event Booking Center Sales Dept, JW Marriott Hotel Dubai, United Arab Emirates Myra Verana-Flores might have a Bachelor of Secondary Education degree, but her real talents and full professional potential saw realization instead, in the hotel industry. Currently working as Sales Manager of the Event Booking Center of the Sales Department of the JW Marriott Hotel Dubai, she has been in the company for the last nine years. At the international hotel chain, Myra started as a Banquet Coordinator, then moved to Group Coordinator in the Sales and Marketing Department.

Thereafter, she became a Sales Executive and was eventually promoted to her current post, overseeing the operations of the Event Booking Center (EBC), making sure that the hotel’s rooms and conference facilities are allocated, planned, qualified per clients’ needs and preference, and the hotel’s strategy properly implemented.

Myra’s professional journey gives credence to the fact that even without any formal background, hard work and perseverance can move you anywhere you want. The hotelier offers some advice to those aiming for successful careers – “Always be ready to learn and accept new ideas for improvement not only for yourself, but also for your team. And love your workplace as if it is your own, as it will reward you in return.”

Myra currently resides in Jebel Ali with her husband Jerico Magat Flores and together they have an eight year old son.

24 SUCCESSFUL PINOY SPIRITUALITY

What Do You

See in 2011?

By Bo Sanchez

NEW YEAR TIME is resolution time – to have a better life. To watch your diet, lose – or gain — a few pounds. To earn more money, to save more money. To have more time for your loved one. To have more time for yourself.

But I know some people who have long given up making New Year resolutions – because they don’t get to do what they set out to do. The resolutions, their dreams, don’t come true.

Yes, it’s that simple. What matters is your faith. Will you believe that you will indeed be blessed in 2011?

Why? My answer is so profound, so earthshaking, many won’t believe it. Resolutions, dreams, don’t come true because you don’t believe they can come true.

In 2011, you’re not going to experience a drizzle of blessings. You’ll not experience a quick and light rain of blessings. In 2011, you’ll experience a downpour of blessings.

Here’s my blessing to you.

Let me tell you a story. There is this baseball team that is losing one game after another. One day, they are going to compete in a city that has a famous faith healer.

God doesn’t want you to get moist. God doesn’t want you to get damp. God doesn’t want you to get a little bit wet. God wants you to get drenched by a downpour of blessings in 2011.

Before the game begins, the coach tells the team, “Our problems are over.” He then distributes the bats and says, “I had these blessed by the faith healer in this city.” The team wins that game, and the rest of the games for that tournament.

Drenched is the title of the first series of talks I am giving in the Feast, the prayer gathering I lead at the Philippine International Convention Center every Sunday. The series, in a gist, is this: If you want to be drenched by blessings in 2011, you need to do four things: See the Blessings; Speak the Blessings; Grow the Blessings; and Enjoy the Blessings.

Who is the faith healer that blessed their bats? It doesn’t matter.

What caused them to transform from a losing team to a winning team? They believed.

illustrado Magazine

SPIRITUALITY SUCCESSFUL PINOY 25

Here’s what I believe: What you can conceive, you can achieve. Unless you see the blessings, you won’t receive the blessings. Unless you see the blessings in your mind, you won’t be able to hold the blessings in your hand.

I get my inspiration from the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 18:41-44: Then Elijah said to King Ahab, “Now, go and eat. I hear the roar of rain approaching.” Let me give you a background of the passage.

There was a drought in the land of Israel. For three years, it did not rain. How many of you have experienced a drought in your life? When God seemed silent and blessings were scarce. When you got sick; or when you lost a job; or when your son or daughter was going with the wrong crowd; or when your close friend betrayed you.

We’ve had all these difficult times when we looked up and we could not see a single cloud in the sky.

But in the story of Elijah, we are told that every drought ends. Every problem—no matter how big—will pass away. “While Ahab went to eat, Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel, where he bowed down to the ground, with his head between his knees. He said to his servant, ‘Go and look towards the sea.’ The servant went and returned, saying, ‘I didn't see anything.’”

How many of us will get discouraged at this point? “Oh no, why aren’t my prayers getting answered?” Our problem is not a just a lack of faith, but a lack of patience. Some of our biggest blessings will come only through time. Have faith and be patient — and your blessings will come.“Seven times in all Elijah told his servant to go and look.” Seven is very important number. God created the world in seven days. Seven is the symbol of perfection. And when it refers to time, it symbolizes God’s perfect timing. You can’t rush. The best fruits are ripened on the branch. Are you waiting for an answer to your prayer? Wait for God’s perfect time.

“The seventh time he returned and said, “I saw a little cloud no bigger than a man's hand, coming up from the sea.” Elijah ordered his servant, “Go to King Ahab and tell him to get into his chariot and go back home before the rain stops him.”

What makes the difference between ordinary and extraordinary people? Extraordinary people see blessings where ordinary people cannot. They’re looking at the same thing. But one sees a miracle and the other doesn’t - because ordinary people see with their eyes.

Extraordinary people see with their faith. The servant of Elijah could only see a small cloud. Elijah saw gigantic storm clouds within that small cloud. The extraordinary person is someone who can see big blessings within small blessings.

Do You Want Big Money?

Start With Small Money

Early last year, I taught my maids to invest in the stock market.

They started by saving PHP2,000 a month. A few friends laughed at me. Someone asked me, “What can happen with their PHP2,000 a month? That’s so small.”

But that’s why people remain poor. They don’t see the big money in the small money. Today, one of my maids has PHP70,033 in her stock market account. The other one has PHP83,584 in her account.

These amounts may mean nothing to you, but to them, they feel very rich.

First, they started with a small amount. Just PHP2,000 a month.

But when they discovered how investing worked, they were hooked.

So when I gave them a raise or gave them a bonus, they didn’t spend it. They invested it.

Here’s my fearless forecast: I have no doubt that in less than 10 years, my maids will be millionaires.

Second, they simply followed my instructions and bought the stocks I told them to buy. And that’s why they’re able to grow their money.

My point? Unless you see the big blessings in the small blessings, you’ll never receive the big blessings. Because every small blessing has a big blessing waiting to come out.

Be a Blessing Expert

My friend is a bird expert. He can spot a bird from far away; tell you its breed, its lineage and its migratory timetable. I told him I only know two kinds of birds - small bird and Big Bird. Yes, the one who lives on Sesame Street. I have a friend who is a plant expert. She can spot a plant a mile away, and tell you its scent, and its scientific name. She won’t just say, “sampaguita”. She’ll say, “sampaguitatious beintepesos” or something like that. I have another friend who is an artista – an actor expert. She can spot an artista a mile away. When she does, she’ll tell you the artista’s latest movie, latest song, latest boyfriend, latest liposuction treatment...

Me? I’m a Blessing Expert. I can spot a blessing a mile away. I know a blessing’s shape, smell, color, sound… Because of this, I see blessings everywhere.

Blessing Experts are happy people. But I know people who are Problem Experts. Believe me; you don’t want to hang out with them.

To them, everything is a problem. Including you. They’re miserable people and they’ll make everyone else miserable. When you’re a Blessing Expert, you see more blessings. And thus, you receive more blessings. Athletes call this the power of visualization.

Imagination Is Powerful

Ask any champion in any sport. Olympians. Serious athletes.

Whether they’re runners. Or swimmers. Or boxers. Or weight lifters. Or golfers. Or bowlers. All of them will tell you that they practice visualization. What is visualization? It's doing your "sport" over and over again in your mind, with the "right moves" and the "right results.”

Many years ago, I was talking to a basketball coach. What he shared to me was fascinating. He said that coaches all over the world are now realizing that aside from training the body, you need to train the imagination. If you were a runner, even before you stood up from bed, you’d already be visualizing your perfect run. You’d picture yourself crouching on the starting block, hearing the starting gun,

26 SUCCESSFUL PINOY SPIRITUALITY

and launching yourself from the starting line. You’d imagine yourself burning the track like you were the Flash. It’s a multi-sensory picture: he smells the freshly cut grass, he feels the gust of wind on his face; he hears the roar of the crowd on the bleachers. He sees himself crossing the finish line, snapping the tape with his chest. He pictures himself receiving a gold medal around his neck.

Why do all champions do it? Because visualization works. And mind you, it doesn’t only work in sports. I realize I use visualization all the time. I use this in my work too. Before a meeting, I picture in my mind a successful meeting. Before I start a project, I picture in my mind a successful project. And before I preach, I picture in my mind a successful talk. And speaking of preaching, before I preached to 30, I already preached to 30,000.

When I was 13 years old, I gave my first talk. It was a prayer group of 30 persons. It was a very biased audience: half of the seats were already filled by my parents, my five sisters, my four aunts, my four cousins. A lot of people don’t know this fact: That before I gave a talk to 30 persons, I already gave a talk to 30,000 persons.

How in the world did that happen? In my mind. One day, I woke up and saw myself preaching in Araneta Coliseum – the biggest coliseum in the Philippines. I was holding my Bible, preaching in my pajamas. Whether that was a vision from God or from my playful imagination, I don’t know. But all of a sudden, I knew it was a desire of my heart. Today, that dream has come true again and again. That’s why I believe God has given you the power to make your dreams come true.

Let me tell you the story of my friend Rudy Torres.

The Story of the Electric Fan

When Rudy got married, he was so poor he couldn’t even buy an electric fan. He and his wife were renting a tiny room for PH90 a month. And this tiny room got warm during summer, and without a fan, it got really hot. But even in his poverty, Rudy believed in his dreams.

He was also a great believer in having pictures to remind him of his dreams. So he did the ridiculous. He got a newspaper, cut out a photo of an electric fan, and pinned it on their wall. And each time he saw the photo, it reminded him of his great goal in life at that time: That he’d be able to buy an electric fan for his beloved wife.

Whenever he saw beads of perspiration on her forehead, he’d go to the photo, and “press” the switch of the fan. He focused on his dream. Four days later, Rudy heard a knock on the door. When he opened it, he saw his neighbor holding an old electric fan. The neighbor said he was moving out and wondered if Rudy wanted to buy his old fan for PHP50. Rudy was overjoyed. “Yes!” he said. In four days, the real fan replaced the photo.

The next photo he pinned on the wall was a beautiful white van.

Foolish, right? How in the world can a poor man who couldn’t even buy an electric fan now dream of buying a van?

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But he kept on dreaming for that van and worked hard. The white van came. And so did the larger homes - both here and America.

Today, Rudy is a multi-millionaire. His secret? He saw the blessings in his mind before he received them.

The Story of Anawim

Many years ago, I had a dream: To build a home for the poorest of the poor. It was simply an idea. But I used my imagination to the hilt. I saw myself living with the poor, serving God’s favorite people.

In my mind, I saw a huge track of land with many homes.

And I saw myself living in a bahay kubo, a nipa hut. In my mind, I saw myself surrounded by a rice field, fishpond, and coconut trees.

All that came true!

The Anawim Home for Abandoned Elderly began as a huge track of land in Montalban. In 12 years, the center has welcomed and cared for over a hundred abandoned elderly.

Anawim was beautiful—with 10 nipa huts on it. But unknown to me, nipa huts were very expensive to maintain. When storms come, they got destroyed easily. Last year, because I wanted to focus on my preaching ministry, I felt it was time to pass on Anawim to other people. And God sent Aida Dy and Lynda Reyes.

Last year, at the Feast, I asked people to draw a Dream Board. Aida and Lynda showed me their Dream Board. It was an amazing Dream Board. I noticed it didn’t contain anything about their children or grandchildren. Their Dream Boards were all about Anawim!

Both of them told me, “Brother Bo, Anawim will look like a resort.

The elderly people will think they’re in Baguio or Tagaytay—popular tourist destinations in the Philippines.” Their dreams were far better than mine!

Two weeks ago, we blessed four beautiful homes in Anawim. They’re so beautiful, they look like the homes in Camp John Hay in Baguio!

Aida and Lynda’s dream has become a reality.

In the first version of Anawim, we had nipa huts. Why? Because that was what I saw in my mind. In the second version of Anawim, we now have these beautiful resort-like homes. Why? Because that was what Aida and Lynda saw in their mind.

Remember, your reality is only limited by your vision. What you hold in your hand is only limited by what you see in your mind.

Your inner world will always manifest in your outer world. Here’s a fact: Your imagination is a blueprint of what will happen in your world.

In my mind, I will be drenched with blessings in 2011.

ADVERTORIAL 27

London Dairy Competition Leading ice cream brand London Dairy® held its very first promotions for Filipinos through the “London Dairy Moment” contest which ran from October 2010 to December 2010. Filipinos were asked to send in a few lines and a picture to describe their “London Dairy Moment” which involved varied experiences –life’s little pleasures with their favorite ice cream.

A total of eight exciting vouchers were up for grabs.

Jhim Abucayon won the first prize of Wild Wadi passes for his family with his London Dairy moment - “It’s EID holiday once again, and this means outdoors for our families and friends. We had a road trip to Dibba, Oman from Dubai - about three hours drive. The supposedly very exhausting trip became fun and exciting, thanks to London Dairy! Our kiddies and not so kiddies were kept busy eating these yummy tasting ice creams!” Winners of the 2nd prize of Ski Dubai Pass for two adults and two kids were Jon Arcedera, Mec Latayan and Emelyn Suralta. The 3rd prize of Cleopatra Spa couple pass went to Alona Dela Rosa, Tiffany Paras, Carol Laquindanum, and Christiane Dela Rosa.

Honda Accord Crosstour arrives in the UAE

With its rich unique taste and smooth creamy texture, London Dairy® offers a truly delectable and unforgettable ice cream experience – that you can lose yourself in!

Made from the finest ingredients from all over the world, London Dairy® comes in a variety of exciting flavors and sizes. Tubs and cups make the perfect dessert – a must at every household and party menu – while the range of sticks, bars and cones are enjoyable treats for any time of the day.

deactivation system is programmed to run on 3, 4 or 6 cylinders, based on current power requirements. A technologically advanced 5-speed automatic transmission is standard equipment. For CUV capability, the Accord Crosstour provides ample ground clearance and Real Time™ 4WD drive as standard feature.

To test-drive the Accord Crosstour, call 800 HONDA today.

Splash launches first-ever limited edition calendar Trading Enterprises – Honda recently launched the all-new 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour in the UAE. The Accord Crosstour combines the sophisticated refinement of a premium sedan with the versatile characteristics of an SUV to create an entirely distinct concept within the Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) segment.

Presented for the very first time the Splash Calendar 2011 is being touted as the region’s first ever limited edition calendar exploring fashion-forward photography. The much-awaited calendar was presented to the press and to select guests from across the region at The One & Only Royal Mirage Hotel on the 5th January 2011.

The Crosstour is designed to fulfill multiple roles for both style and function. A bold and sleek exterior conveys a prestigious presence from the outside, while premium interior styling extends from the passenger compartment into the cargo area.

Shot exclusively by famed photographer Tejal Patni, the calendar features 12 stunning visuals for each month of 2011. Speaking at the launch Raza Beig, CEO, Splash, said, “At Splash we take the most novel ideas and concepts and drive them with passion and creativity and the limited edition calendar Splash Calendar 2011 is one such idea. Calendars since long have become collectible items and this is exactly what we aim to achieve with the annual Splash limited edition calendars,” he furthered.

The Accord Crosstour comes standard with a 271 horsepower, 3.5-liter i-VTEC V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) designed for power and efficiency. The VCM cylinder

Splash will also be producing these calendars for its valued customers in a smaller format which will be made available at Splash Stores starting Jan 2011.

The Original Barrio Fiesta opens at Lamcy Plaza The Original Barrio Fiesta, the international casual dining restaurant specializing in traditional and authentic Filipino cuisine, officially opened its third restaurant in the UAE at Lamcy Plaza, Dubai. The restaurant, covering an area of over 2,500 square feet, is located on Level 3 of Lamcy Plaza and can accommodate up to 80 diners, making it ideal for large groups as well as private functions.

Following the success of the first Barrio Fiesta in the UAE - which opened in early 2010 at Bur Juman, Dubai, and the launch of Barrio Fiesta Express at the Abu Dhabi Mall in September - ETA-Star Retail Group announced plans to open a total of ten restaurants in the region within the next 24 months to meet consumer demand.

28 COMMUNITY

Bayanihan Festival 2010 – A Big Hit! Once more, The Filipino Community (FILCOM) in Dubai made it! The 4th Bayanihan Festival held at The Philippine School in Al Rashidiya, Dubai on the 10th December 2010 proved to be a success, as Filipinos from different parts of United Arab Emirates gathered for a day of camaraderie and entertainment.

As early as 8:00AM, parents and children, teachers and students, young and adult – people from all walks of life, began flocking to the Bayanihan Festival venue, where they were welcomed with warmth and hospitality. Proceedings began with a parade of the FILCOMs participating groups, which included - the Filipino Computer Club, CADD Group, FORAC, SRB Council, Alpha Theta Omega, Samahang Kababayan, I 3K, Luzviminda, OPPPS, The Philippine School and others.

After the parade, an entertaining variety program featuring choral renditions, folk and modern dances, rock music and parlor games followed. It was a delightful sight to behold – compatriots who were hardworking during the working week transformed into performing artists during the festival. Teachers became excellent choir singers; engineers transformed into rock and roll vocalists and drummers; and students turned into cultural dancers – all revealing the lighthearted, creative side of the Filipino.

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The occasion was graced by the presence of Ambassador Grace Princesa, who gave an informal and yet inspiring speech reminding the community about the Filipino’s strengths and weaknesses, and the way we should be preparing ourselves for inevitable reintegration into our homeland.

It was an exciting and fun-filled day of sights and sounds as well as games and food uniquely Filipino. Included in the event’s highlights were the Miss Bayanihan Pageant, as well as the appearance of celebrity comedians – Eugene Domingo, Allan K, Fabio Ide and Tomas. Sponsors distributed prizes in the form of plane tickets, electronic gadgets, discounted milk products, as well as cash, and also provided free bone scan service.

The affair lasted well into the evening with attendees staying on after the program was long finished, buoyed by the celebratory mood of the occasion.

BAYANIHAN CORNER 29

Bagong Taon ay Magbagong Buhay

By Ambassador Grace Relucio-Princesa

The song also prompts us to remember that this life is short and that we should love and care, not just for ourselves and loved ones, but especially for others, in order for life to have meaning - in the Bayanihan spirit. As professionals, semi-skilled and unskilled Filipinos around the globe, we all have a specific role to play in the world. I remind all of us to find out our special purpose, or we might end up just running around in circles with no clear direction on what to do – just like a ‘turumpo’ or top spinning on its leg.

S

o goes another popular Pilipino song sang during our annual Christmas season celebrations.

If we are reading this first issue of Illustrado for the New Year, smile broadly and then, thank God. We made it through 2010. We are now ready for the blessings, miracles and challenges of another year, a ‘bagong taon,’ in order to have a ‘bagong buhay’ – a new life.

I have been the Philippine Ambassador here for more than a year- I came on United Nations Day on the 24th October 2009. As the highest Filipino public servant, it is the right time for me to look back at what I have done as “Ina ng Bayang Pilipino” in the United Arab Emirates.

It was a conscious decision for me since I came, to remind our community of what we should be proud of as a nation. To keep telling ourselves of who we are in what we are meant to do. As I said in my first article in Illustrado’ Beautiful Philippines issue in April 2010, “Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, ay hindi makararating sa paroroonan (someone who does not know his/her roots cannot reach her/his destiny).”

Furthermore, being one of the best singers and dancers in the world, I knew that songs touch our Filipino hearts. I thus, prayed that we can sing, once in a while, as a family and as a community, to know who we are and where we have come from. Just as I have recently explained in the Dubai Eye Filipino radio program Filipino Excellence in the Middle East, the song “Sino Ako” (Who am I), tells of a purpose driven life statement which reminds us that “Hiram sa Diyos ang ating buhay,”(our life is a borrowed gift from God).

After reading the book ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren, I also came up with what I felt is my purposive statement, and that is –“I am an Ambassador for God and country who dreams and prays to be a servant and a handmaid to her S.O.U.L The latter is an acronym for S-pirit; O-thers, especially for Overseas Filipinos and their loved ones; U-nbelievers, unlovables, unwanted; L-oved ones. I pray that God will guide you too, to find out what your purpose is.

After recalling our purpose in life, I was then inspired to bring to our consciousness the often sang but perhaps, not fully understood and under-appreciated song “Ako ay Pilipino” (I am a Filipino). It is a meaningful community song that tells us, “Ako ay Pilipino, ang dugo’y maharlika. Likas sa aking puso adhikaing kay ganda.

Sa Pilipinas na aking bayan, lantay na perlas ng silanganan, wari’y natipon ang kayamanan ng Maykapal.” (I am a Filipino, with royal blood. Beautiful desires are innate in my heart. To the Philippines, my country. Truly the Pearl of the Orient, where seemingly the Almighty’s wealth abound.)

As Prof. Mila Aguilar in her “Birthing Lupang Hinirang Concept” reminds us, we, Filipinos , should be proud of five things we’ve always had, even before our country was discovered by the Spaniards in 1521. These five things we should be proud of are - 1) a sense of God, 2) richness in natural and human resources, 3) our troika democracy composed of the datu, political leader, and the panday or the environmental chief and the babaylan, the story teller and the soul of the community, 4) we had gender equality and 5) we never needed to conquer anyone.

If we try to realize who we are and act out our purpose in life as individuals, bearing in mind the songs ‘Sino Ako’ and as Filipino citizens of the world, ‘Ako ay Pilipino,’ then I am sure , we can have a ‘Bagong Taon’ with a ‘Bagong Buhay’ as “Taas noo kahit kanino’ Filipinos.

30 FEATURE

Fitness for the

New Year

By Toni Loyola

Start the year right –put an end to the endless resolution of just trying to being fit.

Shedding-off the extra kilos that we’ve gained from the holiday feasts is one tough game. And as we Pinoys are known to overdo the year end celebration with heaps upon heaps of sinful traditional food, it’s one big uphill battle. In fact, we start each year promising ourselves that we will try our best to eat right, exercise regularly and lead a healthy lifestyle. Yet, year after year, this health and wellness goal has just become a familiar note in our list of resolutions.

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Aside from aspiring for a killer body with six-pack abs, being physically fit brings a lot of benefits. We know from experts that a number of diseases come along with being overweight and stressed, and so it is totally necessary to take a look at our health and wellness regime, seriously in 2011.

FEATURE 31

That opinion is echoed by findings released by the US Department of Health and Human Services – National Institute of Health and National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in 2003. In a study specifically focused on Filipino expats based in the US, it was revealed that, “There is highly consistent and convergent evidence that the population is at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Filipinos, particularly new immigrants, are susceptible to stress from work and family issues. Some of their coping strategies include unhealthy eating and smoking.”

Among the factors cited that greatly affect Filipino expats health in the study are dietary habits, the consumption of traditional foods that are high in fat and sodium, including “pasalubong” on special mention; stress and socio-economic status – the fact that needs, especially family commitments, often take precedence over personal health resulting in lower awareness about health and less time devoted to health maintenance and improvement.

Becoming fit and healthy, therefore, is one priority that we cannot afford to miss out on in 2011. So we have to begin somewhere.

According to Roberto, “Filipinos must focus on their goal to stay fit and healthy for as long as they can and never give up. It sounds easy but it needs a lot of discipline, hard work and patience.” So, we say, it may not be simple task but it is definitely doable.

Eat right In Illustrado’s chat with Roberto Polidario – a Dubai-based fitness expert, he notes that stress and obesity, and the diseases that stem from these conditions are regular concerns, regardless of nationalities.

But he furthered, “Though we don’t see much overweight Filipinos, it is true that a lot of us suffer from hypertension, diabetes, heart, lungs and kidney problems due to poor eating habits, lack of exercise and a bad lifestyle plus, we don’t make health as a top priority.”

We are what we eat, as the old saying goes. So, there goes why our love for rice, pork and sweets show inevitably in our bulging tummies, and un-toned arms and thighs. It’s a no-brainer that we have to stay away from oily, fatty, salty and sugary foods, as too much of these cause our bodies trouble.

Roberto tells Illustrado, “Food is the main source of energy of our body. To be healthy, food intake must include proteins, as well as big portions of vegetables, fruits and fibers as these are rich in antioxidants vitamins and minerals that help strengthen the immune system.”

32 FEATURE

Roberto says, “We must find the time to start exercising no matter how busy our schedules are. We need to start running, do brisk walking or even dancing and swimming to burn more calories. Our bodies are designed to keep on moving.”

He furthers, “We need at least 45 minutes or an hour for a full exercise program. A busy person may find that it’s quite difficult.

But, they can simply exercise throughout the day. For example, do a quick five-minute stretching of abdominals and pushups before taking a shower in the morning. Then a lot of walking by parking your car far from the office and using the stairs instead of lift.”

He also suggests that we must avoid processed foods as they are laden with preservatives and chemicals that lead to unfavorable health conditions. Moreover, he proposes that we consider doing a detoxcleansing of colon, kidney and liver to eliminate toxins. There are available supplements from the pharmacies and specialist services in specific places, but before doing so, always seek necessary medical guidance.

On the other hand, aside from these helpful tips, a consultant at the Clessidra MedSpa at the Dubai Healthcare City gives us a lowdown of simple steps in achieving a healthy diet: Drink plenty of water – Living in the UAE, where it is basically dry, drinking eight glasses of water is an absolute must. The body must store enough water so that the lymphatic system will be able to work properly, paving the way for less medical concerns in the coming years. But, drinking water also means choosing the right water to drink. Tap water in the emirates is certainly a no-no.

Eat five times a day – It might be a surprise for Pinoys who think that three meals a day constitute healthy diet. In fact, we need to eat a hearty breakfast, power lunch and light dinner, with snacks in between. Simple, light snacks are important to keep us from overeating during meals. Also, remember that dinner should be taken three hours before sleeping for proper digestion. And, of course, the food we need to take must be a proper mix of nutrients.

Avoid starving – It might be a surprise, but starving only accelerates weight gain. For example, skipping meals just leads to overeating and this largely leads to weight gain. Moreso, starving slows down metabolism, making the body store the fat, instead of burning it.

Exercise properly

Most of us would think that the only way we can exercise is to enroll in a gym program. Well, that’s one way to do it but certainly not the only way. There are several means by which we can start a fitness regimen that would not require hundreds or thousands of dirhams.

With money constraints solved, another excuse that we normally use is not having enough time to exercise. We say that we’re quite busy at work, and tired when we get home, so exercising is not really an option. We’d rather lie in bed, sleep, or run a movie marathon in front of the TV.

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It’s great to know that exercising can be a series of simple activities.

Here’s a list of exercise alternatives that are quite fun and easy to include in your regular routine Begin your day right – It would be best to start a morning regime that would give you energy throughout the day. So, our tip would be: drink about half-liter of water after waking up in the morning.

Then take a walk, a jog or a run around the neighborhood for about 15 to 30 minutes. Go home, feeling energized and totally awake.

Go with friends – Sharing the fitness goal among friends is one way of motivating yourself. So, group together, go to Jumeirah Beach Park, Safa Park, and enjoy running by the track.

Love sports – Join the Pinoys playing basketball in Satwa or Garhoud, or take part in Filipino organizations that implement sports activities.

Aside from learning the sports, it is the best opportunity to shed off excess kilos.

Dance like Gaga – There is no need to go out or give up watching YouTube over exercise. With the help of Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Rihanna, we can definitely move our muscles by simply dancing to their upbeat tunes.

Eat, Exercise, Love

We eat right and exercise properly because we love our bodies – well, aside from the obvious fact that it wouldn’t hurt to get noticed for having a killer figure. Through the years, our lifestyle will definitely take its toll, if we do not start taking care of ourselves now.

So, this 2011, as Roberto says, we have to: “(1) Start a healthy eating habit by eating fruits and vegetable salad instead of easy-to-cook noodles, (2) Avoid alcohol and smoking, always get enough rest and sleep, (3) Do stretching and push-ups everyday for a few minutes, (4) Always find time to relax after hectic week, play sport that you like and treat yourself to a good massage, and (5) Always love yourself, don’t entertain stress, and be positive at all times.”

That being said, being healthy is not only about staying physically fit. We also have to take a look at our emotional and spiritual wellbeing. That’s why despite all the negative energies that surround us, we need to stay positive and welcome the New Year with positive thoughts - that it would bring us good health, happiness and prosperity. With less stress and over-flowing good vibes, there is no reason to fail on our attempt to be healthy and well this 2011.

34 ILLUSTRADO PROFILE

Angelita Castro-Kelly:

By Aby Tap

NASA’s Fearless Filipina Diplomat Angelita Castro-Kelly took the road less travelled. And as poet Robert Frost put it perfectly, that has made all the difference.

In fact, it led her to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) more than 30 years ago, where she now holds two key positions - as Earth Observing System (EOS) Science Interface Manager and International Earth Science Constellation Mission Operations Manager (MOM). Angelita is known as the first woman and the first Filipino to have ever achieved such feat at NASA. She quickly points out, however: “One’s success is usually attained due to a larger team of people that work cooperatively with each other in order to reach their common goal. So, any success that I’ve been fortunate to experience is the result of not only my hard work, but of the people that I work with.”

In this multi-billion dollar program, they have three major EOS missions —Terra, Aqua and Aura — each satellite carrying several instruments that measure a specific phenomenon, she explains. For example, Aura whose focus is on the atmosphere and air quality has an instrument that examines ozone and other chemicals such as sulfur dioxide. Scientists then use the gathered data to study the Earth as an integrated system.

Prior to the launch of the satellites, Angelita as EOS MOM developed the overall EOS Mission Operations Concept that became a basis for implementing all the EOS missions. She worked with various flight engineers, ground system developers, scientists in the USA, and international partners in Japan, United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, and Finland to understand their requirements and

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deliver a control center that would be able to send commands to the satellite and a ground system that would be able to capture data from the instruments.

After the launch, her role evolved to that of Science Interface Manager, as she continues to act as a bridge between the scientists and the ground system and operations team.

Reaching for the Stars

Growing up in Sampaloc, Manila, Angelita had shown early on that she was far from typical.

She had keen interest in Math that she eventually found herself among the very few enrolling in BS Mathematics and Physics at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), where she also spent her elementary and secondary education. “(It) seemed like a good thing to do,” she rationalizes. “The two subjects provide a good foundation for many career possibilities, including Medicine.” Back then, her paternal grandmother wanted her to be a doctor like her departed father, who also served as captain in the US Armed Forces-Far East.

Angelita is the youngest among six children in a family of achievers.

One brother was a former ambassador, another is a lawyer, and the others are doctors. Both their grandfathers became mayors of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. But she never felt any real pressure to follow someone else’s footsteps.

It was her mother, a pharmacist, who “stressed the importance of having a good education,” she says, while her “siblings’ accomplishments served as an inspiration.” She even attributes her diplomatic skills to her late brother Ambassador Pacifico Castro.

Space — stars, planets and astronauts — was another youthful fascination for Angelita. She discloses, though, that her idea of NASA during that time was very limited to rocket ships, following the visit of John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, to Manila via Friendship 7 in 1962. That same year, she earned her degree, Summa cum Laude.

ILLUSTRADO PROFILE 35

Angelita emphasizes, though, that she’s also been very fortunate to work for managers who’ve given her the chance to blossom in her career because they trusted her with the responsibility and honor of representing NASA at meetings abroad.

Conquering Space and Time

Angelita soon flew to the US to pursue graduate studies in Physics at the University of Maryland. The transition proved to be quite challenging. “It’s easy to get lost in a country such as the US,” she recalls. “I had a bit of cultural shock, finding myself among people of diverse faiths and cultures.”It was her strong faith that sustained her all throughout. Luckily, too, her, mother and two siblings were living nearby.

“In graduate school, the number of women was very small,” continues Angelita. “The 4-story Physics building had only one restroom for women.” She had the same experience when she first began working at NASA. “I was usually the only woman in a roomful of men at technical working group meetings. Most of the men treated me politely and some were even helpful; one or two had an attitude but eventually came around, Angelita recounts. “The initial challenge was to show them that I was just as capable as they were to do the job. The trust and respect came once they saw that I could contribute to the success of the mission.”

At Goddard Space Flight Center, she also made more awesome discoveries: “the depth and breadth of the space endeavor, the diversity of scientific and engineering disciplines, and the many career opportunities to contribute to the space program.”

One of them was being the Project Manager of the Shuttle/Spacelab Data Processing Facility, where she learned about negotiating with space personnel at other NASA centers and in other countries - a preparation towards becoming the EOS MOM. Then, she started creating history.

One Step for Angelita

Her contributions to the several missions she spearheaded at NASA were soon recognized by both her kababayans and colleagues. In 1993, she was the recipient of then President Fidel Ramos’ Presidential Award, Pamana ng Bayan for Science and Technology. She was also named one of UST’s Ten Outstanding Thomasian Alumni for Science and Technology.

In 2006, she was conferred the following awards: Goddard Space Flight Center Exceptional Service, Manned Flight Program Launch Honoree, GSFC Exceptional Performance, and Astronauts’ Manned Flight "Snoopy.”

The year after, she received the NASA Honor Award and Exceptional Achievement Medal and the NASA Honor Group Achievement Award for the Constellation Mission Operations Working Group.

She was also acknowledged as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the US by the Filipina Women’s Network.

Her mother had been very helpful too. “My Mom came to live with us after the birth of our third child. (She) made it possible for me to go to work every day and be able to concentrate on my work without worrying about the children,” she shares.

She and her husband Dr. Francis Kelly, also a physicist, consider their three children both an achievement and a blessing. “I made a decision after getting married to take time off to learn to be a wife and eventually a mother. I have no regrets losing four years when I could have been working,” reveals Angelita who spends most of her free time with her grandkids. “I think women should not put off marriage and having children just to have a career.”

One Leap for the Filipino

Maybe she was born under a lucky star. Maybe it was written in the stars.

But she is still most thankful to God for His many blessings.

“Whatever success I have today is from God, who gave me the grace of a education, and who gave me a wonderful family and a loving husband,” Angelita says humbly.

Any advice she can give to kababayans who still hesitate to walk the road less travelled?

For anybody to succeed in their career, she believes one needs to “develop strong skills in written and oral communication, a good attitude, a willingness to get the job done no matter what, and flexibility. Don’t do only what’s required — go above and beyond if needed.”

But more importantly, she believes in staying true to Filipino values: being God and family-centered, honest, hardworking, and determined.

“Never forget to pray! Take God with you whatever you do and wherever you go,” Angelita underscores. “Trust in Him — He’ll guide you to places you haven’t even dreamt about today.”

Even in space.

36 GLOBAL BARRIO NEWS

Pinoy novel is candidate for Man Asian Literary Prize Filipino writer and journalist Criselda Yabes has made her way to the prestigious Man Asian Literary Prize. Her novel “Below the Crying Mountain,” set during the Moro rebellion in Sulu in the 1970s, is the only Filipino entry included in the Man Asian Literary Prize longlist.

Pinoy-Puerto Rican Bruno Mars Earns 7 Grammy nominations Half-Filipino, half-Puerto Rican R&B singer-songwriter Bruno Mars (Peter Hernandez in real name) is soaring to new heights in the global music scene, earning a total of seven nominations at the 53rd Grammy Awards.

Bruno Mars scored nods mostly as a songwriter and member of the writing/ production trio, The Smeezingtons (together with Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine).

He has double nominations on Record of the Year for B.o.B’s “Nothin’ on You” (where he also lent his infectious vocals), as well as Cee Lo Green’s “Forget You.” The latter single is also nominated for Song of the Year. Meanwhile, Mars’ team-up with B.o.B also warranted him nominations for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Rap Song.

As the force behind the aforementioned hits, as well as Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire,” Mars and the rest of The Smeezingtons also got a nod for Producer of the Year.

As a solo lead artist, Mars was also nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance for “Just the Way You Are” his debut single that spent four weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Both songs have also been produced by The Smeezingtons.

The 25-year old producer-turned-solo artist comes second with the most number of nominations next to rap icon Eminem, who picked up 10 nominations. The 53rd Grammy Awards will be held on February 13, 2011.

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The novel has already won in the fiction and creative nonfiction category of the Gawad Likhaan: UP Centennial Literary Awards in 2008, along with Yabes’ nonfiction narrative, Sarena’s Story: The Loss of a Kingdom.

Yabes is a UP journalism graduate, and a freelance journalist and writer. She has worked for the Associated Press, Reuters, Newsweek, The Washington Post, and The Economist, among others.

Candidates for the Man Asian Literary Prize were selected from a total of 54 titles from 14 Asian countries by a panel of judges led by Brick Lane author Monica Ali, and will be joined by her fellow judges (Harvard literary academic Homi K. Babha and award-winning writer Hsu-Ming Teo) in choosing the five novels that will be part of the award’s shortlist, which will be announced in February next year. The winner will be announced in March 2011.

Filipino entry wins Best Artistic Award in Cairo International Film Festival “Emir,” an original full-length movie musical that pays tribute to Overseas Filipinos (OFs), directed by award-winning Chito S. Roño, has won the Youssef Chahine Prize (Best Artistic Contribution) at the 34th Cairo International Film Festival in Egypt.

The film is a story of a young Filipina, who becomes a nanny in a royal household in a fictional emirate in the Middle East. As a loving yaya, Amelia forms a powerful bond with her ward, influencing and molding a prince who will someday become King.

Based on a script by Palanca awardee Jerry Gracio, Emir is a unique and ambitious project featuring original music and lyrics by Gary Granada, Vin and Ebe Dancel and Diwa de Leon with Maestro Chino Toledo conducting the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Neil Daza as cinematographer, Douglas Nierras directing choreography and Digo Ricio as production designer.

The film’s music and cinematography were cited by the Film festivals jurors. Employing the musical genre, Emir sets itself apart from the usual Filipino movies being produced at the present. It includes talented cast with Dulce, Julia Clarete, Bayang Barrios, Sid Lucero, Gigi Escalante, Liesl Batucan, Kalila Aguilos, Beverly Salviejo, Melanie Dujungco, Bodjie Pascua and Jhong Hilario.

The film also features the magnificent landscapes and scenery of Morocco, where it was mostly shot, and that of Ifugao and Ilocos Norte provinces in the Philippines.

GLOBAL BARRIO NEWS 37

Arab Gulf Program for Development Awards Filipino Agricultural Group The Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture (OPAPA) has recently received international recognition after winning in the 2010 Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND). The AGFUND is a regional developmental funding organization based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It actively works in the field of development at the international level and has helped in supporting 1, 268 projects in 133 developing countries. The International Prize theme for 2010 is Development of Remote and Rural Communities through Information Technology and Communication.

Rafe Totengco is Nine West’s new Creative Director New York based Filipino accessories designer Rafe Totengco was recently appointed creative director for handbags for The Jones Group Inc., which sells brands like Nine West, Vintage America, Jones New York, Stuart Weitzman and Robert Rodriguez. Totengco’s initial directive is to steer the handbag businesses of Nine West and Vintage America.

The OPAPA was declared as the best project in the third category prize of the AGFUND international prize for pioneering human development.

The category is dedicated to the role of governments’ ministries and public institutions in adoption of new innovations to enhance the application of information and communications technology (ICT) for the development of remote and rural communities.

OPAPA was recognized for its genuine efforts in enhancing agricultural knowledge sharing among Philippine rice stakeholders through ICT. Along with three other projects from Egypt, Palestine, and Burkina Faso, OPAPA emerged triumphant among the other 24 nominated projects from different countries.

Brookings cites Manila as one of the most vibrant cities in the world Manila was ranked as the ninth most dynamic city in the world, according to the Brookings’ Global Metro Monitor which surveyed 150 of the world’s largest metropolitan economies.

Totengco, an Ilonggo, left the country in 1989 to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. In 1997, he launched his handbag brand Rafe, and was inducted into the Council of Fashion Designers of America the following year.

“Healthy tourism and demand for IT products helped Manila crack the top ten, in Brookings’ rankings for the first time,” said an article at The Atlantic magazine, citing the report of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Programme and London School of Economics (LSE).

In 2001, he received the Best Accessories Designer (Accessories Council Excellence) award from the Accessories Council. He was a recipient of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines award in 2002.

Manila’s 2009-2010 ranking leapt from its 24th spot in the recession period (2007-2009) and 34th place during the pre-recession period (1993-2007).

Manila was described as a metropolitan area with a 2010 population of 12.188 million with a per capita income of US$2,949 as of 2007.

Recently, he was conferred by President Benigno Aquino III the “Pamana ng Pilipino” Presidential Award for bringing “the country honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of his work,” according to the Commission on Overseas Filipinos (CFO).

Cities were ranked based on their positions as areas of high-value and highimpact economic activity in their respective regions and nations. Istanbul, Turkey topped the global list, followed by Shenzhen, China; Lima, Peru; Singapore; Santiago, Chile; Shanghai, China; Guangzhou, China; Beijing, China; Manila; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

BO LD F U T U R A 38 FASHION

Move boldly into the intrepid new world of the future with unique style statement pieces created for maximum impact. It’s groundbreaking fashion at its fiercest – from the fearless world of Michael Cinco.

PHOTOGRAPHY: EROS GOZE POST PROCESSING: TOM BOLIVAR

FASHION: MICHAEL CINCO HAUTE COUTURE STYLING : OLGA NUREK AND GARIMON ROFEROS ACCESSORIES & SHOES: GARIMON ROFEROS, USHI SATO, RAY CAMAY AND ERIC CHRIS SAPAULA SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL MICHAEL CINCO HAUTE COUTURE STAFF.

HAIR AND MAKE-UP: GINNO ALDUCENTE MODELS: KYLENE GANIGAN, MARY EDEN MANIAGO STA. MARIA, DAVID CRAIG, DELVER MANGAOILE, PATRICK MORITZ AND IZHCKA ZETA FURNITURE PIECES COURTESY OF BO CONCEPT-DUBAI.

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ZOOMING FAST FORWARD

DRIVEN BY IMPALPABLE DREAMS… MODEL ON TOP WEARS A BOLERO JACKET MADE OF SWIRLING BANDS OF BROCADE AND HEADGEAR FESTOONED WITH CRYSTALLIZED ELEMENTS. GEARED TO COUTURE PERFECTION, THE MODEL AT THE BOTTOM IS POISED IN A GET-UP OF FANCY FEATHERS AND FAB FABRICATIONS

FASHION 39

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40 FASHION

BLACK GLAMAZON ON THE PROWL!

A BLACK HOODED LONG SLEEVED NEOPRENE BODYSUIT BECOMES EDGIER WITH SHOW-STOPPING SHOES AND SINISTER MAKE UP.

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FASHION 41

ON YOUR KNEES, BABY!

A BODY STRAP MADE UP OF INDUSTRIALIZED HEAVY DUTY ZIPPERS APPLIED WITH RECYCLED MATERIALS SUCH AS THESE FLAT WIRES, AND PLASTIC RATTAN FORMED AS A VEST, GETS SOME OOMPH WITH A PAIR OF SLINKY SPANDEX SHORTS.

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42 FASHION

SAFETY VEST

AUTOSCHEDIASTICAL SAFETY-PINNED STRAP VEST IS COMPLEMENTED WITH A FUR ARMY CAP AND A PAIR OF HIGH-WAIST SHORT PANTS.

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FASHION 43

SEEN HERE: IMOLA CHAIR IN TAN LEATHER FROM BO CONCEPT -DUBAI.

SITTING PRETTIEST

NOT TO BE DETHRONED IN THIS LOOK: A STRUCTURED BROCADE JACKET WITH SAFETY PIN NECKPIECE, HINGE BELT, LEATHER SHORTS, LEOPARD STOCKINGS AND KILLER SPIKED STILETTOS.

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44 FASHION

HEELS OVER HEAD

TURN HEADS IN THESE LOOPY STILETTOS IN SILVER LAMÉ WITH SINEWY VINES, AND MULTI-STUDDED HELMET IN BLACK WITH EBONY CRYSTALS.

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FASHION 45 NEW MILLENIUM VICTORIAN

A JACQUARD BROCADE TOP WITH STYLIZED ‘LEG O’ MUTTON’ SLEEVES IS GIVEN A DEFINITIVE NEW AGE APPEAL WITH THE APPLICATION OF RUBBER ‘FUR.’

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46 FASHION THROWING LIGHT ON THE DETAILS

MARVELOUS MINUTIAE – INTRICATELY DETAILED STATEMENT NECKPIECE MADE OF SILVER SAFETY PINS METICULOUSLY CONNECTED TOGETHER, MATCHED WITH AN OSTRICH PLUMED HEADPIECE AND EDGY METAL FINGERNAIL TIPS.

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FASHION 47

HAUTE ANDROGYNY

A CACOPHONY OF BLACK AND SILVER HARDWARE FINDS - FROM CHAINS TO SAFETY PINS TO LASER SLICED MIRROR TILES - WELDED TOGETHER TO CREATE STATEMENT ACCESSORIES

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48 FASHION

BILLOWING BEAUTY

BLACK VOLUMINOUS LAMÉ SKIRT WORN AS A CAPE WITH STRUCTURED BROCADE JACKET AND SPANDEX HOT PANTS TEAMED UP WITH ECCENTRIC HEADDRESS AND FOOTWEAR.

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FASHION 49

COUTURE CATALYST

AIMING THE GUN AT MEDIOCRITY WITH HIGH-FASHION ACCESSORIES - HEAD PIECE WITH TRIMMED OSTRICH PLUMES, THE FINISHING TOUCH TO THE METAL ACCOMPANIMENTS OF THIS HIGH OCTANE ACCESSORIES ENSEMBLE COMPOSED OF A NECKPIECE MADE ENTIRELY OF SAFETY PINS AND BELT FROM DOOR HINGES.

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50 FASHION

CROUCHING EMPRESS

ORIENTAL ORNAMENTAL HAIRPIN ADDS A DEFINING STYLE TO THIS PUNK ROCK ROYALTY NUMBER – A HEAVILY EMBELLISHED TOP WITH STRUCTURED SHOULDERS AND AN ENRICHMENT OF STERLING SAFETY PINS ON BODICE.

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FASHION 51

SEEN HERE-IMOLA CHAIR IN TAN LEATHER FROM B0 CONCEPT-DUBAI

LIQUID LOUNGE

DROP DEAD GORGEOUS CROPPED AND SLEEVELESS LEATHER JACKET PUNCTUATED WITH UNCONVENTIONAL STUD MATERIALS IS THE PERFECT MATCH TO A PAIR OF LEATHER TROUSERS BRINDLED WITH FACETED STUDS.

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52 FASHION COUTURE CLARITY

A SPORTY OUTFIT COMPOSED OF SILVER AND TRANSPARENT STONES COMPLETE THIS HIGH-END FASHION LOOK.

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FASHION 53 MIRRORED MEDITATION

A YOKE OF NUDE NET IS EMBELLISHED WITH LASER-CUT MIRRORS AND CRYSTAL CLEAR STONES.

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54 FASHION

COUTURE CLASH

WHITE COTTON DENIM SHORTS EMBOLDENED BY CRYSTAL AND METAL STUDS. MODEL ON THE LEFT: CROPPED NET TANK FEATURING LASER-CUT HOLOGRAPHIC GLASS PIECES. MODEL ON THE RIGHT: CRYSTAL-ENCRUSTED NECKPIECE OF MESH BASE. FAR RIGHT: HOODED NEOPRENE BODY SUIT WITH DOOR HINGES FOR A BELT, FINISHED OFF WITH KILLER FOOTWEAR.

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FASHION 55

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56 FASHION

COUTURE’S LOOKING AT YOU

STRIKE A POSE IN THIS TAILORED LEATHER ZIPPED-UP JACKET WITH LYCRA BLEND. LEATHER TROUSERS WITH STUDS.

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FASHION 57 POSE TO PONDER

THE NEW MODERN ROMANTIC LOOK IS A PORTRAIT OF PUMPEDUP PRETTINESS LIKE THIS ALL-BLACK OUTFIT WITH A FULLY-SEQUINED CORSET WITH SAFETY PIN NECKPIECE, FINGERLESS GLOVES AND HAIRPIECES WITH AN ORIENTAL MOTIF. SEEN HERE- BOLZANO BARSTOOL INB BLACK LEATHER AND CHROME FROM BO CONCEPT-DUBAI

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58 FASHION SHINING EXAMPLE

HAUTE COIFFURE MEETS HAUTE COUTURE. THE PERFECT BLEND OF OPULENCE AND ELEGANCE. HIGH-TECHNOLOGY ADORNMENT ON A LEATHER JACKET TEAMS UP WITH A CONVERSATIONAL HAIRPIECE.

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FASHION 59

IN THE PALM OF YOUR PANTS

A KILLER GET-UP FOR MEN IS THIS DECONSTRUCTED LEATHER PANTS TURNED INTO VEST PAIRED WITH SKINNY LEATHER JEANS, ENHANCED WITH SILVER SAFETY PINS ARRANGED IN THE FORM OF A PALM TREE.

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60 FASHION

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FASHION 61

BO LD F U T U R A

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

 DU



 

 UBAI

MICHAEL

CINCO

64 FASHION

By Lalaine Chu-Benitez Photography by Eros Goze

Of Million Peso Dresses And the Impalpable Dream

If there’s anybody who should be credited for bringing in much-deserved attention to UAEbased Filipino designers within the unforgiving and sharply-taloned fashion industry in the Philippines, it is Michael Cinco. The celebrated designer has undoubtedly ignited megawatt interest with the voracious media, style and celeb circle in the country.

But is there something beyond the drama on Philippine Fashion Week runway, the covers in Manila glossies, TV and red carpet couture moments with the Manila stars du jour?

A closer look reveals that there is more to La Cinco than the hype and the million peso dress.

I

FASHION 65 t’s been three years since we’ve last sat with the designer for an exclusive interview – at a time when he was just dreaming about staging his own fashion show. Fast forward to January 2011 and Michael Cinco has already made his mark not only in the emirates, where he is a respected designer, but also elsewhere.

So far, he has already staged two amazing shows in the last two years’ Dubai Fashion Week, where he received rave reviews and the People’s Choice Award in 2010. He has also presented his elegant pieces, not to mention a never before seen line of ultra-glamorous swimwear at the Miami Fashion Week in 2009.

This year, he’s making his American TV debut when the popular show America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) Cycle 16 airs in March.

Of this, he says, “It is truly an honor to be handpicked to do the clothes and appear alongside famous names in fashion like Vogue’s Andre Leon Talley and noted photographer Nigel Barker in one of the world’s most watched reality TV programs. As Tyra Banks growls, ‘are you in or are you out?’ It is effortless that I am in...” he adds cheekily.

All this while running a top tier couture house in Dubai with an illustrious clientele, which has now come to include, not only the elite and royals of the region, but also celebrities and socialites from the US, Europe and the Philippines. Just recently, Michael created a fabulous wedding dress for New York socialite Samantha Sarcinella who married Nascar superstar Kyle Busch in Chicago. The couple who is doing reality series “Riding Shotgun” for ESPN and Style Network in the US, also made the designer a part of the show.

Michael says, “In retrospect, I would certainly like to think that I have achieved what I set to do in the last three years, and more. Life’s good. I may sound clichéd, but hard work is the key. And it just paid off naturally. And as I make it a point to compete only with myself professionally, I am not burdened with highlights or lowlights in my career. I consider them all blessings.”

And what about back home where he had two critically acclaimed shows at the Philippine Fashion Week and conquered the industry’s interest by storm? Fashion watchers would wonder why there is a need to go back to the Philippines when the designer is already wildly successful here and is beginning to spread his wings into the international market.

“It was with a raised eyebrow that I had to continually contend with the stereotypical impression on Filipino designers in the Middle East, every time I would go home,” Michael shares. “The misconceptions were hurtful if not degrading - especially when we are tagged as

‘OFW designer.’ Somehow, something’s got to give,” he furthers.

Through the years, and through highlight upon highlight, Michael’s work remains consistent and true to form. While his contemporaries’ works are known for their pomp and pageantry, and broad strokes on design, his works have a definitive look of precision and luxurious glamour punctuated by sleekness and modernity that can only be described as, well – Michael Cinco.

Although he defies boundaries, the designer’s signature sense of style is undeniable. He remarks, “It’s a tragedy to be bound by parameters or be limited to sets of values, more so for a fashion designer. And in that context, I only seek out for what appeals to my sense of aesthetics. Needless to say, my works speak for themselves, impalpably.”

As for his creations, he is very specific, and makes no apologies for the kind of women his dresses are made for, “You will know a Michael Cinco stands out effortlessly for its seamless quality and precise attention to details. The Michael Cinco woman is tastefully done. She is a woman in her own terms. She is moneyed and she knows exactly what she wants. She may not be born into royalty but she better be married into it. This attitude makes a Michael Cinco piece stand-out.”

With all that he has achieved in the last couple of years, the designer considers 2011 as a significant year in his flourishing career. He shares, “I am looking forward to 2011 as my banner year of the moment. I’m doing fabulous gowns and wedding dresses for clients here and abroad. I’m currently collaborating with a big fashion brand in the Philippines that will be launched in October – in the same league of Lanvin and H&M.” He continues, “A major solo show in Manila is also in the pipeline but all details are still confidential. An offer from a big bridal boutique in Europe and the US to supply couture wedding dresses is also part of my major plans for 2011.” The designer concludes, “Finally, Vogue’s editor Andre Leon Talley loved the accessories that I did for the ANTM shoot, so maybe couture accessories for this year will be launched also. I love spontaneity and its surprises, but if you insist, 2011 is my banner year like I care to know what that means, hahaha!” Michael bursts into infectious laughter.

He’s already got the artistic recognition, commercial success and the high-profile future projects, not to mention validation from his peers, yet the designer is not one to rest on his laurels. Michael says that he is still in pursuit of his impalpable dreams.

He explains, “It’s like gazing at the rainbow as a child and wanting so much to touch it you want to go to where it ended in the horizon, and yet you know you can’t. But as you grow older, you realize that there’s more to the rainbow than just touching it. And then again, there are other dreams to pursue…”

“But in hindsight now, what I did was really no herculean task, inasmuch as I love my country and would gladly initiate motivating further my compatriots and help in the upliftment of the fashion industry. If we can shine in the international fashion arena then we might as well dazzle the Philippines,” he concluded thoughtfully.

66 ILLUSTRADO RUNWAY

Jimi Buenconsejo 16th December 2010 Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Designer Jimi Buenconsejo unleashed glamazon women to the runway at the steps of the Burj Khalifa in a show organized by Sama TV and sponsored by prestigious Dubai-based developers Emaar on the 16th of December 2010. The holiday collection featured evening gowns of soft tulle distinctively embellished with metal studs and cut-out glass, minimizing the use of Swarovski crystals but with same ‘bling’ factor. The collection was accessorized with armor-like gear giving the designs a definitively edgy and sexy appeal.

68 ILLUSTRADO SCRAPBOOK A platform for budding Filipino creative talent

Butch Delatina

For corporate administrator Butch Delatina, photography is a means of taking time to pause, to appreciate and showcase nature, people and man-made structures. With an eye for detail and meticulous taste in visual materials, Butch enhanced his skills through workshops and seminars from the likes of Bobbi Lane, David Hobby, Martin Prihoda, Joe McNally, etc. On

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the other hand, events and corporate photography became his sharpening tools. Butch has done projects for the American Business Council, American School of Dubai, Terrapinn, etc.

Recently, he has also gone into portrait photography and had his first fashion feature for lifestyle website La Moda Dubai.

A platform for budding Filipino creative talent

ILLUSTRADO SCRAPBOOK 69

Joseph Roy Valdehueza Joshroi, as Joseph Roy Valdehueza is known, is a graduate of the University of the Philippines and is a Philippine registered Mechanical Engineer. He discovered his passion for photography in 2009 and had been driven to learn and take the hobby to another level. His long interest in fashion had him immersed in fashion blogs, studying the works of great fashion photographers and updating himself with the latest trends. All these had him bent on focusing on fashion and portrait photography as a niche.

After successfully wrapping the ENZO Fall-Winter 2010 Catalogue Shoot, Joshroi was asked to join a newly formed Fashion Photography Team - IKON. On his collaborations with IKON, he was able to grab some notable projects including editorials featuring menswear designs by Ezra and Naz Cannon, as well as exclusive editorial for international online fashion magazine YVYMag.

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70 ENTERTAINMENT

Pinoy Entrepreneur

Epy Quizon

onPinoy Sunday

By Toni Loyola

Illustrado Magazine’s Toni Loyola gets up, close and personal with one of the leads of the movie Pinoy Sunday, Jeffrey “Epy” Quizon, during his stint at the recently held Dubai International Film Festival 2010.

It’s actually the actor’s seventh time in the city of Gold, yet his presence this time around, carries so much more significance - especially to himself, as a proud and hopeful Filipino.

Despite being sleep-deprived (fresh from the airport to press interviews), the actor was full of enthusiasm and smiles while enlightening us on his participation in the aforementioned Taiwanese film. He said, “My visit this time is quite different. It is for an international film festival, wherein I represent not only the Philippines, but also Taiwan. In essence, I’m carrying two flags on my shoulder.”

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To be more specific, Epy was carrying not only two flags at that point, as Pinoy Sunday is actually a multicultural collaboration – a Japanese/French/Taiwanese production, with a Taiwan-based Malaysian director, Indian scriptwriter, American cinematographer, and of course, Filipino actors including Bayani Agbayani, Meryll Soriano, and Alessandra de Rossi.

According to Epy, “Our director Wi Ding Ho is a Malaysian who moved to Taiwan and finally settled there. He really wanted to share the stories of the migrant workers in the country, as he is also one of them. It just so happened, that he got inspired by the Filipinos, whom he constantly saw every Sunday, gathering and simply having fun.”

ENTERTAINMENT 71

Epy went on, “Bakit daw yung mga Pinoy tawa ng tawa eh marami palang problema at sobrang konti ng kita, puro minus pa? So, he spoke to these Pinoys and realized that their stories are worth telling.”

Pinoy Sunday revolved around an episode in the lives of Manuel (Epy Quizon) and Dado (Bayani Agbayani) who came to Taipei, lured by the promises of money and a better life. With their lives becoming increasingly difficult – Dado had a wife and family but was involved with a maid (Meryll Soriano), while the usually happygo-lucky Manuel just got rejected by a singer (Alessandra de Rossi) he was in love with, the two were broken hearted and carried the simple dream of having a place to relax at the rooftop of their company accommodation – as if to set everything right.

On a Sunday morning, they unexpectedly stumbled upon a brand new sofa, discarded on the sidewalk. Excited by what seems like a good turn in their luck, the two decide to bring the sofa back to their dormitory, on foot no less, across much of Taipei – the improbable and absurd journey, taking the pair from one comical to poignant moment after the other, as they reflect on their struggles away from their family and friends.

“Basically, this movie shows that we are dreamers, and how we try to carry those dreams wherever we go, no matter what the situation may be. The sofa was a metaphor for that dream,” Epy explained.

He furthered, “Pinoy Sunday does not aim to solve any problem. It actually relays the stories of Pinoys who are dreamers, and who do everything they can to work on that dream, while, at the same time shows a bit of Filipino culture.” Indeed, the sofa assumed almost totemic proportions, a burden held aloft by their friendship and their determination to succeed, despite seemingly endless obstacles.

The movie tackled the lives and dreams of Filipino migrant workers based in Taiwan. However it also strikes similarities amongst the circumstances of most Pinoys working abroad. In fact, Pinoy Sunday achieved to show a very particular story in a way that’s universal, regardless of nationality or cultural background. The film articulated that despite burdens, temptations and struggles, that we still carry with us our passions and dreams.

Given the delightful appeal yet meaningful depiction of the Filipino diaspora, Pinoy Sunday added pride to Epy as a Filipino. “I’ve been exposed to the lives of OFs. My dad and Tito Panchito were the first ones to work in Hong Kong,” Epy refers to his father, the Philippines’ Comedy King, Dolphy. “As an actor I don’t think I have something

to boast about in terms of acting. However, when it comes to talking about our kababayans, I am proud to say that, at least, [with this film] I became a vehicle to tell their stories,” Epy said with passion, highlighting the film’s importance to him as a Filipino.

Indeed, Epy honestly clarified that he didn’t need to have major preparations to play his role. What he did instead, along with Bayani, was to go out into the streets of Taipei, talk to the Pinoys, and learn about their lifestyle. He shared his tale, “Pagdating namin dun, nakihalubilo kami sa mga migrant workers. Inalam namin kung san sila kumakain, san natutulog, anong ginagawa pag day off.” He continued, “But it wasn’t until this project that I realized the true meaning of them being called as modern-day heroes. My understanding of their lives became deeper when I got involved with this film.”

What made him believe that Filipinos abroad are real modern-day heroes? He answered candidly, “Kasi yung Pinoys abroad, alam mong marami silang karga – karga nila yun bandera ng Pilipinas, karga nila yun kinabukasan ng pamilya, karga nila yung takot sa discrimination sa ibang bansa. But in spite of it all, they stand firm with their decisions to leave the country, work thousand miles away, so that they can give their families a better life.”

Pinoy Sunday was apparently more than a film project for Epy – he considered the project because it gave him the opportunity to tell the ‘heroic’ tales of the Filipinos abroad. Thus to close off, Epy said on heartfelt note, “I’m proud to say that I’m a part of a race, culture and nationality that, throughout the hardships of life, continues to smile and continues to face life with a smile on their faces.”

“It’s something that we should be proud of – it is a one of a kind trait that Filipinos can smile through their worries. Maski anong lahi, pag malungkot malungkot, makikita mo sa mukha. Tayo, maski anong gyera pa, anong Ondoy ang dumaan, ang ending natin nakangiti. It’s uniquely Pinoy, and I’m proud to be part of that race; proud to smile with them,” Epy concluded with a big smile.

5 Month 72 TRIPPIN’

things To Do This

The past year is over and now, 2011 marks the beginning of a brand new year in a brand new decade. We believe that this fresh take on life has to be equaled with entirely innovative actions. Thus, we encourage to the Pinoys here in the UAE to go out of the box, try something new – something that you’ve

By Sherry Tenorio never ever done in your life before. Come to think of it, when was the last time you did something for the first time? So, this month, Illustrado challenges you all to make a move, start conquering your fears and simply give in to the adventures that stuff that 2011 bring. Happy New Year!

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Fly above Dubai

Going around Dubai can be pretty monotonous especially if you’ve been in the city for the last couple of years. After marveling at the sights of Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah and Emirates Towers, it would seem that there is no other interesting place to visit during a city tour. If this is the case for you, then we recommend that you opt to fly above Dubai via seaplane tours instead. A number of travel agencies and travel operators provide different options on how to enjoy the city from a totally different perspective. For one, Seawings’ seaplane tours offer you the opportunity to take an aerial Dubai sightseeing tour on a world renowned Cessna 208 Caravan amphibian aircraft. From private charter and corporate events to daily Dubai City Tours and overnight tour packages, guests are taken for a ride to see the World Islands, Palm Islands, Jumeirah Beach, Dubai land, Sports City, Burj Al Arab, Burj Dubai, Maritime City, Port Rashid and Festival City during the flight.

The tours also provide additional services that will make you feel like a total VIP. For more information, visit www.seawings.ae.

Pay a visit to the zoo

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This may sound a bit bizarre since grown-ups are not entirely interested in meeting monkeys, giraffes and elephants. But, Dubai Zoo is one amazing venue for family bonding, not to mention a unique friendly rendezvous. Besides, it must have been years since you’ve last visited the zoo, so why not take a glimpse at the city’s own? Home to more than 230 different species of animals, the Dubai Zoo is a favorite among tourists and families. One of the oldest of its kind in the Middle East, this zoo is located just across Jumeirah Beach, making it easily accessible from the area’s most exclusive hotels and resorts. In your visit, you may find endangered species like Barbary sheep, Bengal and Siberian tigers, Arabian wolves, Socotra Cormorants (a bird species indigenous to the Arabian Peninsula), and gorillas. The zoo is open from 10am to 6pm in the summer, and closes at 5:30pm during the winter.

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Eat adventurously

Filipinos are known to be safe eaters. We always opt for familiar comfort food, and those that do not contain intricate mixes of various spices.

Blame it on our ancestors who only used garlic, onion, salt and pepper in our food, from whom we inherited this bland palate. That’s why in January, we challenge you to go beyond your comfort zones, and try eating dishes from different parts of the world, strange but flavorful spices. Sumptuous Lebanese dishes can be sampled at Reem Al Bawadi in Jumeirah Beach Road and Al Hallab in Al Garhoud. For neophytes, we suggest starting with sheesh tawook or mixed grills. There are also Turkish, Thai and Greek restaurants that are worth visiting for first timers. If you opt to be more adventurous, we dare you eat Indian food. Check out our review on Copper Chimney, a well-known Indian restaurant franchise now open at the Meadows Town Center, at Emirates Hills. And, for those who only eat tempura at Japanese restaurants, we urge you to get a bite of those yummy sushis.

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Watch camel racing When in Dubai, it is a must to witness traditional camel racing – a sport that is seen only from mid-October to mid-April. This is one of the oldest sports for the country’s Bedouins. Watching the muscles of those huge beasts ripple sinuously as they make a run for the finish line is not just fascinating; it is also a reminder of the wavy sand dunes that adorn the desert landscape. What is more conspicuous is the skill with which young jockeys balance themselves perfectly on their precarious perch and steer these animals on the race course. Everybody’s welcome to view the races at the Nad Al Sheba racetrack, which also serves as the venue for horse races and the most expensive thoroughbred race in the world – the Dubai World Cup. On the other hand, the Dubai Equestrian & Polo Club offers brunch goers a peek at the camel race happening every Friday this winter.

Try go-karting

Thrill seekers, this activity is for you. If you cannot take out the Schumacher in you whilst driving by Sheikh Zayed Road then try go-karting to create your own opportunity to do so. For those not tuned in, go karting is a motor sport wherein drivers maneuver small four-wheeled vehicles - go-karts. It is known to be a stepping stone to learning about other forms of motorsports, especially Formula One. Driving go-karts allows you to practice your F1 skills in a more controlled and non-competitive environment. Here in the city of gold, you can find go-karting clubs where you can have fun and experience the sport. Dubai has the Middle East’s first fully-equipped indoor gokart facility at Formula One. Spread across 40,000 square feet, this air conditioned area is the best place for go-karting in the city. There is also the Emirates Kart Centre, owned and operated by the Emirates Motor Sports Federation, that offers and outdoor track measuring 0.8 km. The track is floodlit and features tricky hairpins and chicanes.

Go-karting may be a bit risky for first timers so make sure that you’re well aware about the circuit, and that you ensure you’re protected with seat belt, safety bumpers, helmets and gloves.

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Photo by Darwin Japat Guevarra

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Spicy Friday at

Copper Chimney

By Toni Loyola • Photo by Darwin Japat Guevarra and courtesy of Copper Chimney

Here in Dubai, we have seen many Filipinos dining at Italian, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Japanese and, of course, Filipino restaurants. Yet, we barely see kababayans opting for Indian, Pakistani, Arabic, Turkish, or Greek food. We shy away from these restaurants, thinking that the mix of spices that their dishes are famous for would be too much for our taste. Then again, there is really nothing to be afraid of in trying new cuisines. In fact, it is quite an adventure to discover new restaurants and exotic-sounding dishes.

That’s why Illustrado has taken the challenge this New Year, and has explored the wonderful world of Indian delights from a well-known restaurant called Copper Chimney.

It has been a mouth-watering experience of curries and biryanis that perfectly match the Filipino palate –an affair to remember, and to repeat time and again.

The restaurant

It was actually the second time that we’ve been to Copper Chimney.

The first time was during dinner, and we found no problem parking at the quaint Emirates Hills Town Centre. But, this time around was quite different – it was Friday lunch time. With a huge number of people going to the mosque and families shopping at the center, it would be advisable to allot sufficient time to look for parking.

Nonetheless, when we got inside the restaurant, we were warmly welcomed by the staff into the cozy ambiance of Copper Chimney.

The restaurant had a brick wall finish with one of its walls adorned

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with copper bells handcrafted by artisans from India, giving the place a decidedly rustic old world charm.

The Friday brunch buffet offering was beautifully arranged near the entrance, inviting us to skip preliminary chatter and begin right away with eating. The buffet spread was strategically located behind the restaurant’s show kitchen where guests were entertained by the sight of chefs flipping Indian bread and preparing kebabs. After taking in the authentic allure of Copper Chimney, we then decided to start our journey to North India, of course with food in mind.

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The food

We would not come back to Copper Chimney, and travel all the way to the Meadows, if the food was not memorable. In fact, the first time was a totally unforgettable experience that we went home fully stuffed, yet still craving for more Indian delicacies.

This time, the buffet spread was even more tempting with its array of charcoal grilled kebabs, simmering pots of delicious curries, exotic Indian breads and earthy black dhal. We opted for every single dish in offer, growing our appreciation for sub continental cuisine with each and every rich flavorful mouthful. Unsurprisingly, I was hooked once more to the biryani, dhal, kebabs and even with just the enticing aromatic plain rice – cooked so differently from typical Filipino rice. The spices used for the dishes were properly blended, and not too strong at all, helping our Filipino taste buds savor the food and forget all our fears towards Indian cuisine.

Aside from the main dishes, we also found freshly-made breads and yummy desserts on the buffet – like the sinfully sweet ghulab jamun balls served warm in syrup. Authentic Indian drinks are also in the menu, so it would be worth the try as well. My favorite is the mango lasi which is a refreshing accompaniment to the spicy dishes.

When in Copper Chimney, we would recommend that you pace yourself. The Friday buffet is open from 11:30am to 3:30pm, so there would be plenty of time to enjoy the food.

The service

When we arrived, there were a plenty of families already busy with the buffet yet the staff were very welcoming, and helped us find our table among the 90-seats in the house plus private room for families.

Quite thoughtful of guests, the waiters where very attentive and assisted us in going through the buffet, recommending by popular dishes and answering our questions about the dishes.

Aside from serving the diners, Copper Chimney also delivers around Emirates Hills, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai Marina, Tecom area, Arabian Ranches, Al Barsha, Jumeirah Islands, Motor City and areas around New Dubai. So if you live or work in the vicinity, sumptuous Indian food is just a phone call away.

The verdict

Copper Chimney brings out the authentic appeal of North Indian flavors. In the course of our two visits, we found no reason to criticize – the restaurant, which is tucked in the quiet spot of a busy neighborhood mall, is cozy and has quite an ambiance; the food is impeccable and utterly friendly to Filipino’s spice-challenged taste buds; and the service adds up to the warm vibe of the whole restaurant. Not to mention that Copper Chimney provides good value for money fine dining. Imagine, the sumptuous buffet is only AED 69 per person while the a la carte offerings average AED 35 per dish.

Overall, we could say that in our attempt to discover Indian cuisine, we found Pinoys the perfect match at Copper Chimney. For first times to food from the subcontinent, this is a great place to start.

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My Pinoy Life In...

EssEx

Marvelin Madridejos

Since when have you been staying there? Can you recount briefly why you moved there?

I have moved here in June 2005. I was based in Singapore previously, but was also involved in the Taiwan High Speed Project in Taiwan for four years. After the project finished, I went back to the Philippines to take a breather and to consider my next move. After a few months, I decided to go to England because I was always fascinated with the country, especially every time I saw English movies like Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and the Full Monty – I have always wondered what it was like living here. I packed my luggage and headed here and told myself that this would be my next destination.

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Tell us something about your place?

I am currently living in the Southeast of England, the county of Essex. It is excellent for road and train transport links, with commutable access to shops, the town centre and central London.

There are three main National Train Stations nearby where commuters take a thirty minute train ride to London.

My location is very close to Basildon Town Centre with travel time by car of approximately five minutes and on foot by about 10-15 minutes. This town center is filled with small shops and restaurants, and two major retailers Marks and Spencer and Debenhams. There are also two large supermarkets, and a few shops for computers and other electronics. It is complete with amenities, parish churches and post offices. There are also various primary and secondary schools nearby. From what I’ve heard, Basildon also hosts the biggest car boot sale in the UK where you could find a lot of cheap second hand items in good quality, even antiques that sometimes, people sell very cheap without even knowing the real value to find out that they actually cost thousands of pounds.

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The surrounding district is not densely populated, hence, there are many green areas surrounding the vicinity. This provides a healthy and safer environment of fresh air, low noise, and less traffic compared with many population centres. Moreover, the natural surroundings provide greater opportunity for relaxation and recreation outside work and school hours.

what Filipinos are known for. I have made some friends at work and through other acquaintances. It’s a typical nine to five for me from Mondays to Fridays in the office in front of the computer and drawings and other papers, meetings or discussions. I think English people love to talk – it’s the one thing one would notice after living here for some time.

What do you do for a living?

What cultural practices/behaviors have you acquired from your host country?

I am working in London as Senior Cost Consultant (which is equivalent to a Cost Engineer in America or the Philippines) in one of the biggest engineering and consulting firms here in the UK.

Is there a Filipino community there?

Where I live, there is a Filipino community here but I am not a quite active member, to be honest. I do attend Filipino gatherings when convenient and when my schedule permits. Most of the Filipinos here are nurses.

Tell us about your life there?

My life here in the UK is actually not so different from my previous life, probably because I have already met a lot of people from different walks of life. I have adjusted very well and very fast – I guess that’s

I have developed the habit if drinking a lot of teas, especially English tea which I was not very keen about when I was in the Philippines or any other part of the world. And every Christmas I always make sure that I have a least a bite of the popular Christmas pudding and English roasted chicken. One thing that I like here is the country’s richness in arts and culture, and I have learned to appreciate the works of European artists like John Constable, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and many others. I have also started collecting some antiques - a very popular hobby here in England, and I now appreciate theatre more and have watched a few plays. Unfortunately when I came here, Miss Saigon had long gone so I was not able to see our own Filipino artists performing in the capital.

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Naga

Foodtrip

By Excel V. Dyquiangco, Photos by Bong Bajo

No doubt about it. Filipinos love to eat. Whether in a social gatherings or in between meals, they can’t help but munch – or sometimes, gorge – on whatever their palates fancy. Bulalo, mami or hot soup on a rainy day, crackers, bread or goto for snack, hotdog, eggs and tapsi for breakfast, and even the occasional streetfood like tokneneng or kwek-kwek, isaw, taho and fishballs, are all part and parcel of the Pinoys’ ongoing culinary fixation.

In the city of Naga, Bicol’s financial district, food has taken on a whole new course. While gata (coconut milk) and sili (chili pepper) are still undeniably the favorite ingredients in every meal, a wide variety of cuisines are also available for those hunkering for a different kind of taste. It‘s a whole new world out there – and a mouth-watering one, at that! Here we bring you some of the appetizingly flavorful dishes the Naguenos offer in surprisingly unusual twists.

Sweet and Oh-So Spicy The pinangat, native to Naga, is one of the most famous dishes available in almost all restaurants in the region. With shrimp, chopped coconut meat, onion, ginger, garlic, and a little bit of salt wrapped in gabi leaves and cooked in coconut milk, pinangat gives off a sweet taste and refreshing aroma. The secret of the dish is in the use of alanganing niyog (a cross between ripe and young coconut), for meat that’s not too hard or too soft, but just right.

The delicate taste of the river shrimps or buyod, completes the pinangat flavor.

For beef lovers, there is dinuguang baka - sautéed in onion, garlic, and sili, the meat is cut in small cubes and immersed in ox blood, providing a somewhat tangy and spicy flavor to the usual dish.

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Perennial favorites, Bicol express and laing in Naga are cooked almost ordinarily, but with a twist. The former has sliced pineapple added to its mix of ingredients, giving it a spicy-sweet taste neutralizing the hotness of the sili. The latter, on the other hand, is cooked in coconut milk for approximately 1 ½ hours, making it a creamier and tastier version of the usual laing.

Chicken binakol, is a dish similar to tinola, except that it uses coconut milk instead of chicken stock. The result is a sweet blend of chicken meat and soup that goes smoothly down the throat due to the absence of strong spices. And of course, with some slices of coconut meat added to the mix, it’s a robust sweet and savory dish.

Other Naga food finds include crispy pata - crispy outside, soft and juicy inside – all because of the 1 ½ hours it takes to cook it. Then there is the marlin slab - grilled blue marlin fish which tastes like steak direct from its source, so, freshness is guaranteed.

The Toasted and the ‘Kinalas’ If there are two meals that can be served both as a meal and as a snack, these are toasted siopao and kinalas which you can only find in Naga City.

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Going to Naga City takes more than eight hours by bus.

For more information check out Isarog Lines which has booking offices in Cubao and Manila, or call 4821600 and 9133551, or check out www.nagabusiness.com for online reservations.

Instead of it being steamed, toasted siopao is oven toasted for at least 20-30 minutes. With pork meat and egg as fillings, it’s a sumptuous meal all in one. This comes in different sizes too – the usual big size and smaller ones which can be consumed in about two or three bites.

Some restaurants in the area even provide a bowl of pancit lomi and mami to accompany the already filling meal - definitely heavy on the belly.

Kinalas, one of the city’s most celebrated dishes, looks and tastes like beef mami. The only difference is the way the beef is prepared – it is shredded to pieces, hence, “kinalas.” Just like beef mami, kinalas has noodles, eggs and cabbage, but comes with a special kind of sauce – a gravy which is thicker, richer and creamier. Some restaurants, provide additional snacks that complement kinalas. These include maruya, empanada, puto or cassava cake.

Other Naga Flavors Naga City is also home to a great variety of snacks that can be bought along the corner of the streets – literally 24 hours a day. Popular choices include ibos, binutong, balisuso, aruyo all rice cakes wrapped in coconut leaves. Binutong is drenched in coconut milk for an even sweeter taste than usual, while the balisuso and the aruyo are made from cassava and ube, respectively, and can be dipped in sugar or condensed milk if preferred. Ibos looks like suman, bland when eaten plain, sweet when drowned in sugar or milk too.

The city also boast of bread varieties like pan bonete, pan de atis, pan de ciotsa - sweet buns made of margarine, milk, flour and sugar. For pasalubong, there are also pili nuts, which come in honey-coated or caramelized variants, as well as savory salted nuts.

With all the interesting flavors and dishes and snacks the city has to offer, Naga is virtually a food tripper’s paradise.

When in Naga, check out these places to eat: Bob Marlin, a reggae-inspired restaurant that delivers sumptuous meals and fresh food.

Tel: 09205322414 or 0544731339.

Web: www.bobmarlin.multiply.com Chef Doy’s is a gourmet restaurant which fuses “something new and something borrowed” (just like the chicken binakol).

Tel: 09209825055 or 0544782519.

E-mail: chefdoy@yahoo.com.

Pastries, sweets, bread, cakes and a unique twist on the all-time favorite palabok are whipped up in La Casa Moderna.

Tel 09175800081 or 0544732138.

For toasted siopao, pancit lomi and mami, visit Naga Restaurant, Tel - 09164034241. And for the best in kinalas in the city go to Cely’s Kinalas at Dimasalang and Barlin St. Tel - 09088948263.

80 FILIPINISM

Onli In Da Pilipins - 1. n. a phrase used to define anything or anyone that only exists anywhere in the 7,107 islands of the Philippines || 2. adj. a phrase used to describe a Pinas episode or a Pinoy persona so rare one would never find anywhere else in the WWW (whole, wide world).

It merits a documentation of some sort.

Looking

Bak & Ahed

By Aby Yap

So much has happened last year that it sure is worthy of an annual report — something that we obviously can’t do here for lack of ample space. But since we Pinoys love to go senti over anything that has come to pass, we might as well take a second glance at Philippines 2010. Whether it merits a Pilipinas Kay Ganda or Pilipinas Kay Gulo title, you be the judge.

While at it, too, let’s do a little harmless round of Philippines 2011 Hopeful Forecasts. For what’s a Happy New Year without consulting our inner Manang Bola? Ba be bi bo boo!

And So It Was…

A “major, major” year of winners, losers, and whatever comes in between!

Before anything else, though, let’s acknowledge 2010 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe and 4th Runnerup Miss Universe Venus Raj for coining an English phrase with an unmistakably Pinoy feel that’s so bonggang-bongga! That everyone could relate to — even William Baldwin — no offense meant to the Jejemons and Bekimons. For this and for conquering the universe despite being almost dethroned by Bb. Pilipinas organizers — what would have been their biggest mistake — she deserves a Mabuhay!

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Mabuhay! also goes to Arnel Pineda and Charice Pempengco for achieving international stardom even sans a Justin Bieber hairdo. May Arnel’s amazing Journey continue as Charice keeps climbing the Pyramid of Success and Sunshine Corazon shows that diva Rachel why the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, and David Foster adore her — with or without botox.

Oh, are we forgetting someone else? Ah, The Pacman, whose lucky stars never seem to die out! He’s one of the world’s greatest boxers and wealthiest athletes. He’s a congressman/ entrepreneur/commercial model/TV and movie idol/singer/fashionista. He gets to beat people who make fun of Coach Freddie Roach black and blue without ever going to jail. Blessed Manny Pacquiao and Mommy Dionisia.

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Speaking of lucky, who else befits this elusive adjective but our Grand Lotto winner? For those of you who haven’t been bitten by the lotto bug or reached by the news, our guy is just, well, only PHP741,176,323.20 richer — the biggest prize in Philippine lotto history.

It’s tax-free and he’s a balikbayan from New York.

Ouch, life could be a little too unfair at times.

Good thing that all is fair in love and war. So, you once had Team Jinkee vs. Team Krista, thanks to ardent FB and Twitter users, with The Pacman as the trophy. (Does he never run out of luck?) There, too, was that long-awaited wedding, of Ogie-Regine, complete with the blessing of Ogie’s ex-wife Michelle van Eimeren. Robin-Mariel? Only these two know the real/reel score.

And what’s showbiz without the usual break-ups?

Kris-James, Kimerald, Willie-ABS CBN, P-noyShalani, P-noy-Liz... Wait! P-noy has taken a career shift now? Not him, really, it’s his love life! And maybe because of the noisemaker, er, newsmaker he has for a sister?

But on second thought, P-noy has proven to be quite a strong contender for the spotlight last year, even to Krizzy. Once known as the quiet unico hijo of his heroic parents, he emerged the champ in the exciting May elections and has now become the willing representative of the Pinoy force confronted with a lot of issues: the ‘epic fail’ that was the Quirino Grandstand hostage-taking, the Supreme Court and Department of Tourism plagiarism, the Hubert Webb et al and Hayden Kho acquittals, the Reproductive Health Bill she-bang that appalled modern-day Damasos (and expanded Carlos Celdran’s fan base), the Ampatuans, the Arroyos, etc.

With a list this long, plus a destiny detour, P-noy must have had a “major-major” 2010!

Now what?

This 2011, sometime in May, we expect a double victory: (1) Sunshine Corazon’s breathtaking performance to shut up Rachel for good and make Charice a Glee mainstay, jejejeje. (2) The Pacman’s unstoppable fist to knock out Sugar Shane Mosley and eventually Floyd Mayweather, to put an end to their angas. (Expect a barrage of praises and the favorite phrase “Pinoy Pride” on Facebook and Twitter. Expect Mommy Dionisia to pass out for the nth time too!)

We also see more and more of our Pinoy kids joining talent search shows and showing their “special stuff” on YouTube in the hopes of breaking into showbiz, if not the boxing ring. After all, it’s one of the guaranteed easy ways to reach Congress, Senate, or Malacañang without spending a lot on campaign.

(Is that why the pretty Valenzuela Councilor Shalani Soledad is on Willing-Willie? Oist, remember your “no more tsismis” New Year’s resolution!)

Speaking of Shalani, is there a chance for the ShalaniWillie love team this year? Speaking of Willie, would he be PHP424-million poorer in case he loses out to the Kapamilya network in their legal battle? Would we ever find the answer to that mind-boggling puzzle why too many of our kababayans are so “willingwillie” to watch this Wowowee superstar pull off his corny, often tasteless, jokes on TV? Oopps, no Willie haters here, please! We just want to figure out this creepy cultural phenomenon.

Going back to Shalani, what then would become of P-noy’s love life? Or Krizzy’s? Would P-noy still hold on to his “First Bachelor President” title? Who would Kris choose for her next celebrity significant other?

Is it – a) a politician in the person of Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, b) newscaster textmate Ted Failon, c) a TV host like herself — probably Boy Abunda, or d) NOTA as in None Of The Above? Don’t worry, whoever Kris picks, we’re sure it would always be a big surprise for sambayanang Pilipino.

Since we already mentioned our dear nation, let’s proceed to our national interests, i.e. pastimes.

Considering the horrifying 2010 events in Maguindanao and Luneta, is there a chance that director Carlo J. Caparas’ genre of movies makes a comeback? Now, that’s reel horror! (By the way, whatever happened to the 2009 National Artists Awards brouhaha? Jaja!)

And since our police troupes are going through a shape-up program after being caught off guard by the World’s Funniest Videos, er, local and international media, are we seeing a CSI: Manila on primetime TV anytime soon? Here’s a suggestion: a Pinoy version of “Lie to Me” would also be helpful for us to learn reading through our elected officials’ facial expressions and body language. Hah, talk about transparency!

Lastly, would 2011 be the end of the Jejemons and Bekimons? Or, are we yet to start the new decade with the worst kind of ______mons? Wa6 nAmAn p0h c0z nakakalurkei! Babushka!

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Fight!!!

The Annie B (Batobalani) Chronicles

The adventures and misadventures of a ‘not so average’ Pinay trying to make it in the cosmpolitan city of Dubai.

Chronicle

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Make That Change Wow, 2011 na! A decade of the new millennium just passed. Teka, di ba dapat last year pa yun? Ano ba ang tamang calcutation?

2010? 2011? Whatevuuur!!! Basta, all I can say is ambilis talaga ng panahon!

Since bagong taon, bagong pagasa din, di ba? Looking back, I know I’ve been blessed with a lot of things to be thanksful about, pero madami rin akong mga bagay na dapat i-improve. Aminin, life is full of regrets din naman. And before it’s too late, we must learn from our mistakes. Sabi nga nila wala namang taong perfect, but who’s stopping us from achieving ferpection? Change is always good. And in order to be ferpect, we must change. Am I making sense here? I hope so as well.

Now, without making any much further ado, here is my walang kamatayang, walang kakupas-kupas at walang kasing lupet na New Year’s Resolution, 2011 version. Here it goes: EAT WISIER, LIVE HEALTHYER. Alam kong walang ibang dapat sisihin sa patuloy na paglapad ng balakang ko at pag-triple ng baba ko kundi ako. Yes, it’s not you, it’s meeeh! Not the kare-kare, crispy tadyang and chicken inasal at Barrio Fiesta, not Krispy Kreme (miski hindi ko talaga kinayang magpanggap na hindi mag-give in sa kanilang promo deals, sayang naman kasi di ba?), not the to-diefor homecooked meals of Susan’s (and in most special occasions, her very in-demand, highly recommended catered lechon kawali), not PF Chang’s, not BonChon’s crispy fried chicken wings and most of all, not definitely Magnolia’s cupcakes. Pero in hindsight, kung hindi ko sila nakilala at naka-daupang palad, malamang eh 20 pounds lighter ako ngayon. Ehem.

Ngunit sino ba naman ako para hindi bumigay sa sarap ng pagkain?

Tao lang naman ako. Nagugutom din. Nagcre-crave. Nag-lalaway.

Lumalamon. What good is life if we do not appreciate all the goodies it has to offer? Oo, aaminin ko na rin – medyo napa-sobra ang experience ko. I guess this has something to do with Dubai’s progress din naman. You see, the more Dubai evolves, the more restaurants open. Eh how do we know which ones are good if we don’t try them

all di ba? Kaya ayun. The faster Dubai grows, the bigger my waistline will grow. Nakatulong pa ako sa economy. Echoserang frog!

So now, I will try my very best to lessen my cravings for delicious, yummy food. Kakalimutan ko na muna ang kanin at he-hello na muli ako sa green salads, fresh fruits and grilled meat. Teka, ang pork liempo pasok sa grilled di ba? Bababoo na rin ako sa softdrinks at Mocha Frappucino with additional whipped cream and caramel glaze – instead puro tubig at fresh fruit juice na lang ang tutunggain ko. Mas tipid na kapag kakain ka sa labas, very supermodel pa, feeling zen di ba? So help me, with all my powers and your powers, God almighty!

BE ACTIVE, GET FIT. Nakita nyo na ba si Jennifer Hudson lately?

Ooh-Eem-Gee ampayat-payat na nya!!! Di ba mala-aparador ang katawan nya noon sa Dreamgirls at sa American Idol? Pero huwag kang umarte-arte, mas seksi pa sya kesa kay Beyonce ngayon! Well, I may be overacting pero fashion-wise she’s so slim na talaga. As in!

She’s my new thin-spiration now I swear.

Kaya naman I figured hindi lang napapanahon na, kundi nauukol na talaga for me to go to the gym. And by that I mean, hindi lang ang mag-enroll but to actually go there and exercise ha? O sige, alam ko dati pa ako nagkukuripot – I kept telling myself why would I waste money para lang magpaka-ngarag at haggard eh kaya ko naming gawin sa sarili ko yun without any effort? I mean, gagastos ako para lang pagtawanan at kaawaan ng mga cute guys sa gym habang nakaluwa ang dila ko sa kaka-exercise tapos paguwi ko ng flat eh aatakihin pa ako ng rayuma? Biruin mo nagdurusa ka na nga sa sakit ng katawan at the same time ampanget mo pa kaka-emote tapos puro batikos at pang-aalipusta pa ang ibabato sa ‘yo ng mga utaw doon?

Ang harsh nun, ha?

Pero now I know better. Alam ko na na hindi ako papayat kung panay ang hilata ko at magdamag akong magbabad sa harap ng TV. Sawa na ako sa kakabili ng L size na mga outfits. This year, humanda lahat ng skinny jeans dyan – puro slim fit ang bibilhin kong damit, I swear!

FILIPINISM 83

Eat Wisier, LiveHealthyer!!!

Handa na akong maligo sa sarili kong pawis – I will work hard with all my guts and glory and work out like there’s no tomorrow sa gym every other day! Mula ngayon, wala nang strolling at the mall to do window shopping – magbababad na ako sa treadmill at tatakbo ng milya-milya on my way to fitness. Alam kong hindi magiging madali at masaya sa simula – pero again Lord, with your proper guidance and never-ending care, I will succeed and win! Note to self: “Tiisin ang hapdi, kung nais lumandi.” Very well said, Annie B. Imbes na lumamon ako sa kung saan saang restaurant eh ibabayad ko na lang sa gym ang datung ko at balang araw, humanda kayong mga sexy outfits kayo – lintek lang ang walang ganti! Soon I will say goodbye to size L and say hello to size S – better yet, size XS! Fight!!!

Madali naman akong kausap eh. If you need my advice, I’ll be there to support you. Miski nga hindi mo ako tanungin o lapitan, pwede akong magbigay ng suggestions o observations sa yo kung feel mo.

Kaya lang, madalas eh minamasama ng karamihan ang mga sinasabi ko. Imbes na pasalamatan pa ako for being caring and concerned, eh pinagbibintangan pa akong pakialamera at inggitera. Pwes kung ayaw mong mapuna, huwag kang pasaway, my dear! Life is too short, don’t be too serious. Take life with a grain for salt. Mas okay ang maalat kesa naman magmaasim ka. Kaya I will just follow Angela Bofill’s advice and this time I’ll be sweeter. Buti pa ngang magbubulag-bulagan na lang ako and keep my mouth shut up. That way, mababawasan pa ang mga kasalanan ko.

If Jennifer Hudson can do it, let there be light! Este, so can I pala.

Kung kaya mo Jennifer, mas carry ko yata! Dizzizit!

Promise hindi ko na huhusgahan lahat ng mga kabayan kong mga tarsier. Afterall, I am also one of them na rin. Don’t get me wrong, hindi naman lahat ng jumojowa ng ibang lahi eh considered tarsier.

Ang nakaka-tarsier lang talaga eh ang pagka-super feeling na dala ng pagjojowa ng ibang lahi. Yun bang akala mo ang cute-cute mo at ang ganda ganda mo porque may afam ka, to the point na nakalimutan mo na ang pinanggalingan mo at damang-dama mo na ang pagiging ibang lahi mo. Yun bang kung maka-asta ka eh akala mo kung sino ka nang Miss Universe. Porque ba naka-Pajero ka na ngayon courtesy of your jowa eh nakalimutan mo nang sumasabit ka lang sa jeep noon sa Morayta? Kung ipagyabang mo sa Facebook yung mga kinakainan mong sushyal na restaurants eh para naman hindi ka tumatambay sa Delmon noon eating your favorite okoy and bopis. Eh hindi mo naman ma-pronounce ang mga names ng lafang tulad ng ‘hors d oeuvres,’ ‘foie fras’ at ‘creme brulee’ ng tama noh? At ang pinaka-worst tarsier trait of all, kapag kasama mo ang afam jowa mo eh daig mo pa ang tuko kung makakapit ka sa kanya, sabay pandidilatan mo ng masama ang lahat ng makakasalubong mong Pinay – as if naman aagawan ka ng bawat girlash sa buong mundo noh? Insecure ka day, umamin ka! Naka-jackpot ka sa jowa mong ibang lahi – congratulations! Masaya ang lovelife mo – good for you! Nakakaluwag-luwag ka na sa buhay – life is wonderful! But tandaan, ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay higit pa sa maarteng tarsier. Kaya sister, umayos ka! Hmp!

SPEAK LESS EVIL. I am a very vocal person. I say what I feel.

Express yourself ‘ika nga. But being prank and straight to the point has led me to trouble most of the time. Madalas, nami-misinterpret ako, o kaya nagiging cause ng miscommunication ang mga statements ko. Kasalanan ko ba kung maging opinionated ako? At least hindi ako plastic, nagpapaka-totoo lang. I call a spade a spade, not a four leaf clover. Bata pa lang ako tinuruan na ako nina Nanay at Tatay na sabihin ang anumang nararamdaman ko, “Let your boys be heard…

Let’s hear it for the boys!” Sa experience ko kasi, kapag kinimkim ko ang nararamdaman ko, maiipon lang. At kapag sumobra na at napuno na ang salop eh sasabog at bubulwak na parang kuwitis na mala-granada. Hindi maganda.

Pero natutunan ko na din over the years na kapag wala kang masasabing maganda eh shut up ka na lang. Buti pa nga. Hindi ko naman kasi maco-control ang mga panlalait ko kapag patuloy akong nakakakita ng mga bagay at taong kalait-lait. Araw-araw, oras-oras, pagsakay ko pa lang sa carlift, hanggang sa pagdating ko sa opisina, pati sa Facebook, andami kong mga pangitain na karapat-dapat punahin, mga negatism, mga ka-okrayan at mga pasaway na hindi ko maiwasang makasalubong. Madalas nga bumubulaga na lang bastabasta sa harapan ko eh. Lahat naman tayo eh judgemental. It only goes to show that we care, or we react to things around us. If not eh ano tayo? Plorera? Paper weight? O kaya basahan na pwedeng tapaktapakan at pagmagandahan na lang?

Babawasan ko na rin ang pagiging fashion critic ko. Miski na I have the right to express my dismay and approval sa kasuotan ng mga utaw na nakakasalubong ko. I work in the fashion industry

84 FILIPINISM

Speaknoeveeel!

Hearnoeveeel! remember, miski fashion assistant eh qualified pa rin. I will just let the others judge these people na lang. Bilang isang Pinoy, malaki lang naman talaga ang concern ko kapag nakakakita ako ng mga kabayan nating pasaway when it comes to fashion. Layunin ko lang din naman itaguyod ang bandila natin at iparating sa ibang mga lahi na hindi lamang sa larangan ng kantahan at sayawan tayo magaling, kundi sa pananamit din.

Kaya ikaw kabayan, ipahinga mo na yang basketball jersey mo.

Hindi naman lahat ng pinupuntahan mo eh may basketball court.

Tsaka kung a-outfit ka lang din ng sporty look – basketball jerseys, shorts with matching bullcap (newsflash: matagal nang laos si April Boy Regino!), eh pangatawanan mo na by wearing proper rubber shoes – hindi tsinelas noh?

Unless naka board shorts ka, huwag mo nang ipagpilitan pa ang step-in mo - kesehodang Havaianas pa yan o Spartan. Hindi talaga nararapat! At kung magfli-flip flops, siguraduhing malinis ang talampakan at hindi nagmumura sa kapal ang mga in-grown sa kuko, utang na loob! Matutong magbihis ayon sa lugar na pupuntahan.

Buti pa nga ang ibang lahi eh, miski anung petsa sa kalendaryo lagi silang naka-polo at slacks. Miski pa high waist at may flavor ang smell, at least, visually pleasing to the eye sila. Eh yung mga ibang kabayan, mapa-mall, mapa-airport, mapa-kalye, mapa-restaurant – iisa ang national outfit – ang jersey na yan with matching bullcap at tsinelas. Tip: unless under 16 years old ka at above 5’4” ang height mo, eh hindi bagay ang basketball jerseys. Nagmumukha ka lang mascot, sa totoo lang. Mano ba naman yung mag-pantalon, magtshirt na de-collar at mag-sneakers o loafers ka kung magmo-mall ka o kakain sa labas. Ayaw mo bang magmukhang tao? At pwede ba, hindi minemedyasan ang tsinelas. Baket, hapon ka ba?

Sa mga ate ko naman, kapag below 5 feet at above 34 ang waistline, huwag nang ipilit pang mag-skinny jeans. May rason kung bakit tinawag silang skinny - gets nyo? At kung lumalaylay na ang mga braso, huwag nang mag-sleeveless or worser, spaghetti strap. Maawa naman kayo sa sarili nyo. Ayaw nyo? Sa amin, maawa kayo. Ang sakit sa mata! At kung mas malapad ang beywang kesa sa boobs nyo, huwag nang pangarapin pang mag-tube. Tandaan: ang suman ay hindi fashion concept, ito ay isang pagkaing Pinoy na masarap panghimagas. Isa pang paalala, kung hindi ka din long-legged at walang mga muscles na tumutubo sa binti mo, wag na mag-ilusyon pang mag-boots. Sige ka, imbes na pang-Vogue ang look mo eh sa children’s storybook ang ending mo – mapapagkamalan ka pang member ng Seven Dwarves ni Snow White.

Yun lang naman. I can live with other issues in the world pero sana pagbigyan nyo naman ako sa pakiusap ko mga kabayan kong minamahal. Maniwala kayo, concerned lang talaga ako. Maliban doon, pramis, hindi na ako manlalait. So help me God!

A NEW ATTITUDE. Bad news: hindi naman pinagkaloob ni Santa lahat ng wish ko noong nakaraang Pasko. Ibig sabihin, I’ve been a naughty girl. Tanggap ko naman. Good news is I promise to change.

For the better I hope.

I lost (or I am still missing, as we speak) the love of my life, Adam, late last year due two my stubbornheadedness. Masyado akong nagmatigas. Hindi ko nilunok ang pride ko. Kaya ayan, sanlamig ng Hagen Daz ice cream ang pasko ko. I guess masyado akong naging confident, to the point na akala ko miski anong gawin ko lagi nya akong iintindihin. May hangganan din pala ang pisi ng mahal ko.

Ayun, imbes na magpakumbaba ako at aminin ang mga kasalanan ko, eh nagmagaling pa ako at nagmaganda. Akala ko, hahabulin nya ako eh. Hindi pala.

I realized now na for a relationship to work, dapat two-way ang traffic. Walang shortcut, walang special treatment all the time.

Ngayon ko lang din nabatid kung gaano ako ka-swerte kay Adam.

He has taught me many things in life – pero dapat pinahalagahan ko lahat yun, hindi binale-wala. Sabi nga nila, you only get to value something kapag wala na sila. Tamaaaaa. In my case medyo huli na ang lahat. Naubos na yata lahat ng love songs sa playlist ng iPod ko, ni-loop ko pa ng paulit-ulit, pero hindi pa rin bumalik sa akin ang love of my life ko. I remember my last words to him, “Leave me alooooone!” sabi ko. Aba ang damuho iniwan nga ako. Kunsabagay following instructions lang naman sya. Ako naman ang tumalak noon eh. Kaya walang ibang dapat sisihin kundi ako.

Jusko, ibalik mo lang si Adam sa akin, pinapangako ko magpapakabait na po talaga ako. Pakikinggan ko na po lahat ng sasabihin nya at susundin ko ang lahat ng advice nya. Hindi na ako magmamarunong at magiging pasaway. I will appreciate whatever I have in life, and stop asking for things that I don’t need. Pangako din, hindi na ako bibili ng mga japeyks. Titigilan ko na ang ilusyon kong magkaroon ng Louis Vuitton Neverfull, Hermes Birkin at Fendi Peek-a-boo bag.

Iisipin ko na lang na presyo pa lang ng isang bag na yun eh pwede nang pakainin ang ilang pamilya sa Payatas. Mag-iipon na po ako ng pera for my future and not for today. At least, kung tumanda man akong dalaga pwede akong tumira sa home for the aged na first class.

Patuloy ko pong susuportahan ang pamilya ko at hinding hindi ko pababayaan ang mga magulang ko.

Gigising na rin ako ng maaga. Kaya titigilan ko na ang pagsubaybay sa mga teleserye tulad ng ‘Mara Clara’ at ‘Bantatay’ – lalo lang akong napupuyat sa gabi kakatutok sa TV eh.

Promise ko to, at pangakong hindi ipapako. Watch out for the new and improved Annie B to come. Dizzizit!

CLASSIFIEDS - ILLUSTRADO PARTNERS FILIPINO & FILIPINO-ORIENTED ESTABLISHMENTS BEAUTY SALONS BUR DUBAI, DUBAI Beauty Secret Concord Building 2, Mankhool, Bur Dubai Tel. 04 358 1477 Mars & Venus Beauty Salon Office 202, 2nd Floor, Bin Hamad Building, Opposite Emirates Bank International Tel. 04 344 9219

Mayumy Salon Al Bada Oasis Tower, Satwa (at the back of Chowking) Tel. 04 345 6799

DEIRA, DUBAI Grand Mart General Trading Al- Murraqabat, Deira Tel. 04 297 5888

KARAMA, DUBAI Red Ribbon Bakery Karama Tel. 04 396 8675

Silky Touch Ladies Salon Al Badaa Oasis Tower, Satwa (at the back of Chow King) Tel. No: 04 345 0092

Moonlight Supermarket Near Clock Tower Tel. 04 2942422

Salt & Pepper Karama Tel. 04 396 3770

KARAMA, DUBAI Queen Saba Trading Karama Branch, Fish Market Tel. 04 337 1416

SATWA, DUBAI Big John Restaurant Satwa Tel. 04 344 5677

Sunflower Supermarket Karama, Dubai UAE Tel : 04-3964611 Fax : 04-3964573

Deli Bite Restaurant Al Bada Oasis Tower, Satwa Tel. 04 345 3845

SUPERMARKETS ABU DHABI Saba International Trading Near Dana Hotel, Tourist Club, Abu Dhabi Tel. 02 645 7800

SATWA, DUBAI Well Goal Supermarket Satwa Tel. 04 344 9851

Majestic Restaurant Satwa Tel. 04 332 9860

Queen Saba Supermarket Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi Tel. 02 666 6280

RESTAURANTS ABU DHABI Hundred Island Foodstuff Madinat Sayed Tel. 02 634 4084

Queen Saba Supermarket Behind Al Salama Hospital, Hamdan St., Tourist Club, Abu Dhabi Tel. 02 677 7626

Kainan Filipino Restaurant Beside Wonder Gift Island, Salam St. Tel. 02 671 5580

RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE Silky Touch Ladies Salon 1st Flr, Room # 4, Sheikh Umar Bldg., Al Nakheel Road, Ras Al Kaimah, UAE Tel 050 798 5139

KARAMA, DUBAI Bernadita Ladies Salon Al Wasl Bldg., Karama Tel 04 335 3049 Fingers & Toes Salon M4 Karama Gold Bldg., Beside Jumbo Electronics, Karama Tel. 04 336 6495 Fingers & Toes Salon Shop 70 Al-Attar Center, Karama Tel. 04 335 7656 Lilac Beauty Salon Behind Day-to-Day Shop Al Kuwait Road, Karama Tel. 04 397 3369 Reflection Beauty Centre Shops 7-8 Al-Attar Mall, Karama Tel. 04 334 1033 Sensei Salon Behind Day to Day Shop Al Kuwait Road 12 d street Al Karama Tel 043976652 SATWA, DUBAI Mars & Venus Beauty Salon Office # 202, 2nd Floor, bin Hamad Bldg., Dubai Landmark: Opposite Emirates Bank International Tel 04 344 9219

Thai Importing & Trading Tourist Club Area Tel. 02 676 8663 BUR DUBAI, DUBAI Maxim’s Supermarket Mankhool Road Tel. 04 598 5302 SMA Supermarket Bank Street Tel. 04 357 2802

Kainan Filipino Restaurant Fortune Hotel Bldg, Tourist Club Tel. 02 645 5565 Kainan Filipino Restaurant Back of Alaska Fashion, Hamdan St. Tel. 02 671 5850 DEIRA, DUBAI Salt & Pepper Warba Branch Deira Tel. 04 262 8203

Salt & Pepper Satwa Tel .04 345 3459 MISCELLANEOUS DUBAI Spring Glitters Souq Madinat Jumeirah, Jumeirah Dubai Tel. 04 271 3375 or 06 533 5668 United International Private School (UIPS) Muhaisnah 4, Al Ghusais Tel. 04 254 3889 SHARJAH Philippine Tailoring Yarmook, Sharjah Tel. 050 352 7934

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