PHOTOGRAPHY by EROS GOZE
EDITOR’S NOTE
Just recently, Pride of the Philippines Lea Salonga drew flak from netizens when she tweeted, “Our country is not yet debt-free, poverty-free, crimefree, or corruption-free. So what are we free from exactly and why do we celebrate it?” She was accused of being negative and of having “crab mentality.” She was even called “malansang isda” [fishy fish] and “anti-Philippines” by irate Filipinos. True, no country is perfectly debt, poverty, crime or corruption-free and the comment is negative. But if we could only take a second to be pragmatic, we will realize that she has voiced out a valid sentiment which, we could turn into something positive - a cue to examine our current state of affairs. When we think about independence, freedom and liberation, what often comes to mind is breaking free from external forces that subjugate us - from the Spanish conquistadores who claimed our country as their own for over 400 years, to martial law and oppressive past regimes that curtailed the freedom and growth of our nation. Liberation seems like such a big word that we rarely ever think of it as something personal, internal and related to our day-to-day existence. When in actuality, there are also things, intrinsic to our psyche that also represses us and hold us back from growing as individuals and as a nation. Certainly, our country’s issues like crime and corruption need longer term solutions, mass and legislative action, but wouldn’t it be great if we could start building on what we can completely control ourselves, starting with our own mindset? This time, as we celebrate our nation’s 117th independence anniversary, let us free ourselves from the burden of myopic thinking that limits us. We need to let go of our signature over-sensitivity, our “we are poor” mentality, and our penchant for
Living up to the Promise of Independence turning into a lynch mob on the web, pouncing on anybody who says anything less than favorable about the Philippines (or if our candidates don’t win in international contests). It’s also time to open our arms to the world and change that insular view that predefines what and how a Filipino should be. Speaking Tagalog fluently, choosing to stay back home, staying within a clique of Filipinos, or wearing our national costumes are NOT the things that define us as “Filipino.” Instead, being Filipino is in the heart and is taking pride in our heritage and having the true affinity to feel connected to the motherland. We also need to reconcile with the fact that the world is changing fast and that there are other people who represent different beliefs, religions and orientations. Instead of excluding those who have a different view, let us practice kindness and tolerance and allow our lives to be enriched by learning from others. Finally, it’s high time we stop simply complaining about our country and about each other, instead of doing something to make things better. The time for whining and fault-finding has all but passed. You want something better? Go do something about it. Dear Illustrados, let us live up to the promise of true independence by liberating our minds and our hearts from unnecessary deadweight. By doing so, we could find ourselves a lot lighter and a step closer towards the upliftment that we all desire and deserve. Taas Noo, Filipino! LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
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CHAMPIONING THE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO
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CONTRIBUTORS
ALFRED “KRIP” A. YUSON
BARNEY ALMAZAR, ESQ Atty.
Esteemed writer Krip Yuson has earned distinctions as a literary author of over 20 other books — from poetry, short stories, children’s stories, biographies, and translation. A Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature Hall-of-Famer, Krip regales us with his musings in his column, “Illuminati.”
Barney is a director at the Commercial Department of Gulf Law in the Middle East, Philippines and United Kingdom. He holds Juris Doctor and MBA dual degrees with concentration on International Business and European Union Law (University of London). He is a partner at Avanti Gulf, a recruitment company with access to 400 firms and 16,000 recruiters across six continents.
ABY YAP Aby’s Onli in da Pilipins
BO SANCHEZ Best-selling author, renowned speaker and TV personality, Bro. Bo Sanchez, doesn’t really need any introduction. This Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardee shares worthwhile words of wisdom with Illustrado readers in his column on Spirituality.
column touches on stories celebrating the exciting uniqueness, the sheer honesty and humor, of Pinoy culture. Aby captures Pinoy way of life so well that everyone can relate to her column or at least see one of your relatives among them! In this issue, Aby writes about the more serious (or not!) topic of leadership.
EXCEL DYQUIANCO is both a vagabond and a writer. He has tackled all sorts of topics for illustrado including planning for the future (which included getting a memorial plan) and travel tips. In his article ‘Filipino Leadership around the Globe,’ Excel profiles some of the world’s most influential Filipinos creating positive change in their various sectors.
NICHOLO JALLORES is an advertising account executive, writer, singer, dancer, cardio junkie and a wannabe theoretical physicist. When he was young, his grandmother convinced him that anything is possible, and gullible child that he was he believed her. He engraved that mindset so deeply on the core of his being that now he walks around the city thinking that he can be anything and everything — a dangerous man. He eats his steak rare and mooing, because he believes that if one wants to have the best things in life, he must not be afraid of tasting a bit of blood in his mouth.
FRANCISCO COLAYCO Resident personal finance guru Francisco J. Colayco and Illustrado’s money expert has several best-selling books to his credit, and an advocacy on teaching Filipinos how to prosper. This month, he gives Illustrado readers a crash course on money management basics with topics - defining real wealth, moving towards financial independence, compounding interest, investment options, franchising basics, as well as preparing for retirement.
AILEEN ADALID is a digital nomad and an entrepreneur living a sustainable life of travel. Trained as an investment professional, Aileen quit her corporate job at the age of 21 to start traveling the world, inspired by global travelers she met, who were pursuing their dreams while living a sustainable life. In this issue, she tells us about her visit to picturesque Brujes on Belgium.
IRVIN RIVERA Illustrado’s special feature ‘I, Filipino’ showcases the photography of California-based Irvin Rivera, whose works have been featured in cutting edge contemporary US titles including Fantastics Mag, Vigore, Jute, Huf, Rude, Gale Magazine, MOD, Discourse, among others. Irvin says he used to draw Dragon Ball Z characters until he got his first 3.2 MP Digital Camera. Thereafter, his love for films, art and literature has led him to creating fashion stories and editorials which not only feature the style of the day, but also tell a story.
SHERRY TENORIO A self-confessed magazine junkie, Sherry’s passion for print moved her to trade a monotonous life in the banking industry for a shot at the exciting world of publishing. Not regretting ditching years of being in the corporate arena, her stint in lifestyle journalism ushered her into a glamorous world filled with celebrity interviews, front row seats at fashion shows, invitations to gala dinners and exclusive parties, and luxury travel. Editor of a Dubai-based glossy, Sherry is the perfect go-to girl for all things worth doing in Dubai and abroad. In this issue, she dishes out on the fun activities in the city this summer.
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CHAMPIONING THE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO
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PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lalaine Chu-Benitez CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mon Benitez ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ana Santos
JUNE-AUG 2015 CONTENTS
COLUMNISTS Aby Yap Alfred “Krip” Yuson Barney Almazar Bo Sanchez Francisco Colayco CONTRIBUTING WRITERS – UAE, Mary Ann “Maps” PHILIPPINES, CANADA Santos SWITZERLAND Nephele Kirong Angela Mapa Nikka Sarthou Anna Oposa Nina Terol-Zialcita Barbara Marchadesch P.A. Escalante Candice Lopez Quimpo Princes Nedamo Dante Gagelonia Quay Evano Didi Paterno Rache Hernandez Excel Dyquianco Regina Layug-Lucero Kara Santos Mary Ann Marchadesch Sherry Tenorio Sonny Guzman CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS –UAE, PHILIPPINES & USA Eros Goze Alex Calueng Glenn Peter-Perez Cristina Linaza Dr. Marlon Pecjo Donald Rosales Raen Badua Irvin Rivera CONTRIBUTING FASHION CREW - UAE Ginno Alducente Jessie Tabla Jojo Padua PUBLISHER – UAE Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2nd Floor, Building 2, Dubai Media City United Arab Emirates P.O. Box 72280 Office 20C Tel: +971 4 365 4543, 365 4547 Fax: +971 4 360 4771 E-mail: admin@illustrado.net Web: illustradolife.com, illustrado.net Facebook: Illustrado Magazine Twitter: Illustrado Magazine PRINTERS Printwell Printing LLC P.O. Box 18828 Dubai, UAE STOCK IMAGES Shutterstock.com (Unless otherwise specified) Copyright Illustrado Communications FZLLC 2006 – 2015 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.
Model Diana Carl heads a line-up of Filipinos in Los Angeles who represent mixed ethnicity Pinoys in today’s globalized and eclectic reality. Photography by Irvin Rivera of Graphics Metropolis.
• • • • • •
FEATURES Special Money Feature: Defining Real Wealth 8 Moving Towards Financial Independence 10 Growing PHP30 to Millions 16 Top 10 Investment Options 18 Franchising Basics 22 Happy Retirement 26 Entrepreneurship: Surviving and Thriving in the UAE 40 Filipino Leadership Around the Globe 44 The New Liberated 48 I, Filipino 50
REGULAR COLUMNS Editor’s Note 1 Contributors 4 Illuminati: Sovereignty in Question 6 Law: Police Arrests in the UAE 30 Freedom from Addictions 32 It’s What I Do 35 News: PBC Dubai Interface 2015 Scrapbook 46 Things to Do 74 Pinoy Planet: Picturesque Bruges, Belgium My Pinoy Life in - California, USA 82 Onli in Da Pilipins - 10 Lessons on Leadership 92 On the Prowl, In the Know 94
FASHION Nereku Fashion Show 66 Fashion: Sereia 68
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ILLUMINATI
Sovereignty in question By Krip Yuson
We commemorate our 117th year of independence this month. I say commemorate, as it seems to be the apt word rather than celebrate.
W
e commemorate our 117th year of independence this month. I say commemorate, as it seems to be the apt word rather than celebrate.
For one, there is vestigial dispute as to whether Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s declaration of independence in 1898 — said to be the first such declaration of a republic in Asia — actually involved our entire archipelago, when only eight areas in Luzon, the ones represented by the eight rays in our flag, actually rose up in revolution against the Spanish. Then, too, that supposed claim of independence was rather short-lived, as all our islands were handed over (or ceded, or sold) to the Americans shortly after. And for nearly half-a-century, we were in fact ruled by the second colonial power in our eventual nation’s fateful history. The British interrupted Spanish rule from 1762 to 1764, at
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least where that rule emanated from: Intramuros in Manila. And for over three years, the conquering Japanese held sway during World War 2. It wasn’t until a year after their defeat in the war’s Pacific theater that our tricolor flew up a flag mast to replace the Stars and Stripes. Since 1946, then, we have ruled ourselves, many say in the worst way we know how. The early fragmentation and disunity via fiefdoms and tribes all over our islands still hold sway, albeit to a lesser degree. Still, regional loyalties predominate, even as these have been reduced to a certain extent, thanks to a modernizing outlook that’s been brought to bear via national media and the Internet. Only recently, an Executive Order reorganized the Visayas by making a region out of Negros Island, comprised
ILLUMINATI all the Department of Transport and Communication, have not warranted replacements, much less censure. The President also faces tough problems with regards the future of Mindanao and our traditional claims of sovereignty over part of the internationally disputed Spratly Islands. Both are thorny issues that are wrapped around that nearly mythopoeic modern term that spells sovereignty — which has everything to do with independence, leadership, and unity. This trinity of concerns appear beseiged by both issues. And both are up in the air. Fluid is as fluid goes. As we pay lip service to yet another year of supposed independence, we hope for improved prospects for peace in Muslim Mindanao, while still torn apart by divisive appreciation of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) currently undergoing travails in Congress. Meanwhile, we are at the very center, or the closest to it, in what is rapidly becoming a global crux of concern with regards sovereignty issues in the South China Sea — or our part of it, which we now call the Western Philippine Sea. Ironically, the last two powers that were at odds right on our islands seven decades ago now appear to be the key to resolving our territorial dispute with bullyboy China. We are now preparing to host the United States and Japan for military bases. Our reliance on “friendly” foreign powers can only be based on pragmatism: that it is not yet our day in the sun on the world stage, that we are still not too far removed from virtual infancy as a nation, with all its attendant weaknesses, this despite our claim of over a century of independence.
only of the two Negros provinces. This was signed into effect by President Benigno Aquino III, who, despite constant or even increasing brickbats as he closes out his term may truly be said to have advanced the country’s beneficial causes. It has been a tough job, and his leadership is not entirely without question. While he has served as an exemplar for personal honesty and cleanliness at the top, and the continuing battle against deeply ingrained corruption has resulted positively in the temporary incarceration of three prominent senators — surely a landmark in governance — he cannot seem to apply the same stringent measures against friends in high office. Their administrative misadventures and downright incompetence in sensitive areas of government, specifically in the PNP, Department of Energy, and above
Our years of actual maturity will come, as we continue to develop more rational intelligence in lieu of emotional character, and build up on our inherent strengths as a hybrid culture with all the skills we already have. It will take more generations to contribute and further strengthen nation-building, that long process of historical evolution that all nations undertake. It will take many more presidents of sterling character and resolve to ratchet up the can-do spirit that will enhance our current appreciation of what is true independence, authentic leadership, and indissoluble unity. All this will take time, but decades from now, maybe even close to a century, the Philippines will certainly arrive at that point in time when we can take pride in finally claiming our birthright of unquestionable sovereignty, and our destiny as a champion in our planet.
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FEATURE
Defining Real Wealth By Francisco Colayco Jr
I mostly talk about how you can increase your income by setting your financial goals, investing, going into business, and other similar activities. Let me share a story that reinforces the title of this article. It is really your attitude that will make the difference!
There is a story from The Simple Truths of Service by Ken Blanchard and Barbara Glanz, famous American authors about a simple cab driver named Harvey. He doubled his income from the previous year and in the third year even quadrupled it. He did this by doing the same job that he had been doing for many years. He just changed his attitude completely after hearing Wayne Dyer on radio saying “Stop complaining! Differentiate yourself from your competition. Don’t be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.” Harvey said that he used to be like most cab drivers, a duck always quacking and complaining. He decided to change his attitude and looked at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly and the customers were unhappy. So he made a few changes at a time and when the customers responded well, he did some more. Little by little, some of the changes he made were: 1) He kept his cab spotlessly clean. 2) He became extra friendly, greeting his passenger and telling them that he wanted to bring them to his destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way. 3) He asked them if they wanted to listen to any particular radio station. 4) He even had drinks available for them. 5) He offered them something to read. 6) He asked if they wanted
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to talk or just to be left with their own thoughts. After a while, Harvey’s customers called him for appointments and if he is busy, he asks a reliable cab driver friend to pick up the customer for a commission. It is so easy to immediately say that this story is only possible in America. But even within America, the author said that he told the story of Harvey to at least 50 cab drivers and yet only 2 of them took the idea and developed it themselves. The others just thought up of all the reasons why they couldn’t improve anything. This just goes to show that it is not the kind of job or the place that affects your results. It is the attitude of the person. This is the same attitude that is needed by everyone who wants to change their lifestyle and save. So many write me that they need to earn more money or they want to invest but they don’t have the money. They want me to tell them stepby-step what to do. Nobody can do that. Each person has to stop complaining, find what it is in his life that he can improve on and work on it.
Financial Literacy Perhaps the reason why there is so much complaining and less
FEATURE is happy because he considers himself wealthy. One can only reach this balance with the right attitude similar to Harvey’s. But even with the right attitude, one still needs to have some skills to move in the right direction. One of these skills is Financial Literacy. In simple terms, Financial Literacy is knowing how to keep what you earn and how to do more with what you keep.
But before anything else, one must understand, know and accept that wealth does not necessarily mean having millions and millions of pesos. What is prosperity for one may not necessarily be wealth for another. Lifestyle defines this for each person. The rich and famous need to spend so much more to maintain their lifestyle. Many envy them because of their seeming “fairytale” lives but are they really to be envied? It is so ironic that so many rich people are deep in debt and would give anything to live a simple life. In reality, having money, even lots of money, is no assurance that one is automatically wealthy and can therefore afford to stop working for money. Wealth and money means nothing unless it is matched with time and expenses.
One must understand, know and accept that wealth does not necessarily mean having millions and millions of pesos.
Are you wealthy if you had PHP1 million in your pocket? What about PHP 2 Million, PHP 10 Million or PHP100 million? The answer lies in your expense profile. If your living expenses are very high because of your lifestyle, or perhaps because you have so much debt, then maybe even if you had PHP100 Million, you would still be financially short. So if you had cash and other financial assets that can support your lifestyle for say ten years, would you consider yourself wealthy?
action is the lack of financial literacy. While mostly everyone is driven by the desire to earn money, how many have a real understanding of how to keep and manage money?” People do not seriously understand why they should save and what they should do. In informal surveys I have made during talks and seminars, I am amazed at how few have a clear understanding of what wealth means (i.e. when is one wealthy?). Less than ten percent have an idea of how much money or earning assets they should have by the time they want to or have to stop working. Very few have clear personal goals at specific future dates. This lack of goals and plans are in any income class. There are poor people who will do anything to get themselves out of poverty. Some succeed and some don’t. Sadly, there are poor people who just accept their fate and cannot see how they can get out of it. On the other hand, there are rich people who are driven to make sure they do not have to downgrade their lifestyle in the future. There are also rich people who sadly have the mistaken notion that their wealth will always be available forever. They wake up one day to sadly learn that everything is gone. These are, to me, the sorriest lot. They could have shared so much to so many.
Wealth or kayamanan has to be also based on how much time you have left in this world. If you are in retirement and have ten years to go, then you are wealthy enough if you had financial assets good to support your lifestyle for ten years. But if you only have resources good for five years, then you are not wealthy enough. In this case, you still have to grow your financial assets or lower your lifestyle to match your financial capability.
In effect, people who are happy to live simple lives are the wealthiest of all. Again, note that it is the attitude and mindset that defines the situation. In the final analysis, wealth is nothing more than having the money to fund your particular needs at any given time. Being wealthy simply means having sustained financial resources to support your chosen lifestyle even without working. It is a situation where one is ready for emergencies and for the inevitable retirement stage. With the right attitude and preparation, wealth should be within reach of every income earner. One only needs to develop the skills.
There is stage that anyone, rich or poor, can achieve where one
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FEATURE
Moving Towards Financial Independence By Francisco Colayco
Growing your wealth must be purpose-driven. Time defines how easy you can reach your personal financial goals. The earlier you start, the less effort and the more speed you will have in reaching your goal.
I
was asked: “Why is it that some Filipinos seem to be resigned to being dependent on another person / relative for financial assistance?”
I think it must be a combination of circumstances, specifically lack of real educational values and a limiting social system dating from the Spanish times when entire families are “trained” to depend on the head of the community for all their needs. Those who are educated and more modern in their outlook but still choose to be dependent on others are probably just spoiled and/or lack discipline, determination and self-respect.
Start-up Stage This is when your only source of income is your salary or earnings provided by your active participation in terms of time and talent.
Build-up Stage This is when you now have some income coming from savings and investments, which contribute about at least 20% of your total income.
Asset Allocation Stage
I was also asked: “How do you achieve financial independence, slowly, “step by step”/ “age by age”? Is there a checklist of goals per age - like in your 20s, you should at least have saved up this much, and then maybe also have a car? And in your 30s, you should have a place of your own, be putting your kids through school and then in your 40s thinking about retirement?”
This is when your savings and investments provide a good portion, around 30-60%, of your income.
Financial independence is in stages. Each stage is not dependent on your age but what you have achieved in terms of financial growth. In my book “Wealth within Your Reach”, I talk about the four fundamental financial life stages -
Your financial goals and the tools to achieve those goals are unique to your current life stage. You must be able to match the tools to use with the goals of that life stage. These life stages are not dependent on your age. Some young people are already in their Asset Allocation Stage and unfortunately,
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Retirement Stage This is when the income from your savings and investments is your only source to support your living expenses.
FEATURE Time defines how easy you can reach your personal financial goals. The earlier you start, the less effort and the more speed you will have in reaching your goal.
“The richest is not the person who has the most, but the person who needs the least.” Here are the essential steps that you need to consider when you embark on planning for your financial independence.
Step 1: Make Personal Statements The first step in your journey is to make your Personal Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SAL) and your Personal Income and Expense Statement (PIES). You have to know where you are today. With your SAL, you can establish how much you have in assets to start on your savings and investment plan. With your PIES and the formula “Income minus Savings equals Expenses”, you can start reducing your expenses in an effort to save more money, which can be used for investment purposes.
Step 2: Make a Personal Financial Plan The second step is to make your Personal Financial Plan considering your present age and how many more years you have to be able to work actively. You need to know what kind of lifestyle you want to live when you retire from active work and consider the inflation rate from today until that target year of retirement. You also have to make some assumptions on how much your investments can earn each year.
some old people are still in their Start-up Stage.
Purpose-driven growth These tools are available to all of us. Given time and the knowledge of these financial tools, correctly using the same, our accumulation of true and meaningful wealth is assured. The key in all of this is your definition of your financial goals with specific timelines. We always say that growing your wealth must be purpose-driven. Your purpose in accumulating specific amounts in assets at your desired time or date in the future, will determine the level of risk and the alternative investment instruments that would be appropriate for you. In essence, know how much you want, when you want it and why. There are three statements that should set your attitude towards your personal wealth. These will define your goals and manage your expectations. You are wealthy when you do not have to actively or physically work for money to maintain your chosen lifestyle. This only means that your savings are earning enough income through the right investments for your personal circumstances. If you choose to continue working, it is your choice and you are not forced to do so.
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With the financial tools on www.franciscocolayco.com, you can compute these targets and how much you have to save regularly (yearly or monthly) to reach your goal. You can use these same financial tools to compute how much you have to save regularly for your other major purchases like your house or car. But you will want to understand why you are using these tools, which is why you do have to invest some time in the study of the basics.
Step 3: Choose Your Investments You have to make major decisions on your choice of investments. Options are available again depending on your age, your present financial capability and your financial objective. For each option, you need to look at the risk or safety, returns or yield and the liquidity or ease of convertibility to cash. The standard rules are “the higher the returns, the higher the risk.” and “the lowest liquidity could provide the higher returns.” If you are not familiar with financial terms, you may need the help of a financial adviser. However, a good financial adviser can only help you understand if you have some basic understanding. The final decision will still be yours. Remember the younger you start, the less you will have to save regularly to reach your financial goal. The younger you start, the more risks you can take and therefore, achieve higher returns sooner.
ADVERTORIAL
RAK FTZ OPENS BUSINESS AND SERVICE CENTRE IN DOWNTOWN DUBAI Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) has recently opened its new Business Centre in Boulevard Downtown Dubai. This initiative is part of RAK FTZ’s ongoing efforts to enhance the one-stop-shop experience for investors in top-notch facilities that allow them to achieve their highest levels of success. Conveniently located alongside the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, the new offices serve as a “one-stop-shop” for both existing and prospective clients. They provide a larger business centre than RAK FTZ’s previous Dubai offices, with a wider range of services including new sales, registration, licensing, leasing, renewals, company support
and government services. The previous promotion and business offices in the Fairmont Dubai hotel and Dubai Festival City closed on 18 June. “Our move to more spacious offices, conveniently located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, highlights our ongoing commitment to provide services and facilities to our clients that are not only of the highest quality but are also easy to reach,” said Ramy Jallad, Acting CEO, RAK FTZ. “We have gathered all of the services that are currently available in our Ras Al Khaimah Business Centre headquarters, and have placed them under one roof at a prime location in Dubai. This ‘business-in-a-box’ facility allows for the smooth setup and expansion of profitable companies, in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic commercial centres.” RAK FTZ’s new business centre is Located on the 22nd floor of Boulevard Plaza Tower 2 in Emaar Boulevard and has views of the Burj Khalifa and the entire Downtown Dubai area.
WESTERN UNION CHOOSES UAE FOR LAUNCH OF GLOBAL PROGRAMME The Western Union Company has launched a global programme to mark the unveiling of their re-branded marketing platform, ‘This is WU’. The new programme ‘WU Wish’ will encourage people to describe their hopes and aspirations for a family member or family situation and the WU Wish programme will make 10 of these wishes come true. The company says its new branding platform focusses on creating connections, and WU Wish is an apt start to several other programmes that are slated to further enhance customer involvement, interaction and impact. The first phase of WU Wish will kick-off during the holy month of Ramadan. According to Marc Aubry, Vice President Marketing of MEA, APAC, EE and CIS regions, “WU Wish is a uniquely designed programme that mirrors why people remit money to friends, family and loved ones. There is always a reason, and a story. Most people who send money home typically do it for someone else’s welfare and wellbeing, or to ensure that someone else’s aspirations are being met. These remittances are often accompanied by great personal sacrifice, and thereby, realising a dream for another person has a much higher value than just the price tag associated with it. At Western Union, we believe that these inspirational stories need to be heard, shared - and rewarded,” During Ramadan, Western Union will take its WU Wish platform further by awarding 10 consumers with AED10,000 each to fulfil a
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wish for someone else. In addition, they will also win travel vouchers worth AED10,000 each, in order to undertake personal visits to loved ones. Other programme prizes include weekly Iftar meals for up to 15 people, especially created and catered to the households of winning wish nominees. All winners will be chosen by draw. Aubry said the programme was wide open to public participation, with every resident of the UAE getting one chance to make a wish on the website. Furthermore, Western Union customers who make a transaction can claim two wish nominations, and those who do so using their MyWU loyalty cards can avail of three nominations. Details of the programme and wish nominations are listed online at http:// wuwish.com The programme will officially close on 18 July in the UAE, and the 10 principal winners will be announced in the first week of August. However, the WU Wish platform will continue to remain an integral part of the company’s social engagement initiatives. WU Wish will also be launched in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, and thereafter in India and Bangladesh, before it is rolled out in other global markets.
FEATURE
COMPOUNDING INTEREST:
Growing PHP30 to Millions Yes, you read that right. A mere PHP30 each day can grow to millions? Isn’t that weird and Wonderful!? What you spend for some useless item like an unhealthy soda and some cigarettes can grow to millions!!! If you are thinking properly, you will take this advice seriously and seize this opportunity very quickly. By Francisco J Colayco
T
he first thing you need to do is SAVE. One of the most frequent questions I am asked is, “How much should I save?” My rule-of-thumb is 20%. You might recall the equation we have been taught all our life: INCOME - EXPENSES = SAVINGS
will live within the amount available to you. As they say, water seeks its own levels. If you don’t have the money available, then you will be forced to cut your expenses because you have no choice. The PHP100 is your payment to yourself to prepare for your financial future.
This is wrong. Nowadays, the prevalent financial equation is EXPENSES – INCOME = UTANG (DEBT)! This is worse!
One half of the 20% you set aside (or 10%) should be used to build up a cash reserve until it accumulates to an amount equivalent to your six months income. This cash has to be placed in financial instruments (with minimal risks) that generate income at a rate higher than our inflation rate of 3%. The other 10% should be allotted for paying your life and medical insurance premiums as well as your long-term savings plans.
The correct equation is INCOME – SAVINGS = EXPENSES You must put aside 20% of your monthly income before you start spending. If you earn PHP500 each day, the tendency is that you spend it all. If you only earn PHP400 per day, you will manage to live within that PHP400. That is why you should already set aside the PHP100 (equal to 20% of P500) and live within the PHP400 (roughly 80% of your income). This way, you
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Over time, this 20% should increase in absolute amount. When this happens, you will be able to reach your goal faster.
FEATURE initial PHP5,000) you saved over 240 months or 20 years. What if you can earn 15% per year (a real possibility) instead of 12%? Then your PHP1,000/mo will grow to PHP278,660 in 10 years, PHP1,515,955 in 20 years, PHP7,008,200 million in 30 years or PHP31,403,760 million in 40 years. And what do you have to do to accumulate this wealth? Save an initial PHP5,000 and invest it and add to the initial investment only PHP1,000 per month. How does this happen? Other than your being able to start with an investment of PHP5,000, the secret is a wellmanaged mutual fund and the power of compounding over time. Compounding over a long period of time grows your investments at exponential rates. One of the reasons why I like mutual funds as an investment is that you can leave your money there and it automatically compounds it for you for as long as you leave your money alone and keep it invested.
Compounding Interest Rich or poor, we all have 24 hours a day. No amount of money can buy us even an extra minute to extend our day. An hour that has passed is forever lost. This is why it is important for all of us to realize that whatever it is we want to do, we must do it now. Time is the most important resource that we all have. It is the first capital we have to grow our wealth. The secret to this is to save, earn interest on the savings, keep on saving and keep the interest earnings invested over a long period of time. And while this is happening, you must leave your money alone. This is called compounding. You just “roll” your money. You allow the earnings on your savings to be added to your principal or original savings amount. The result is your principal and its earnings will earn even more earnings each year.
It is very difficult to start this habit, but once you do it you will be surprised to see how fast your financial assets grow. The key is to leave your savings and investments alone. You will also realize that your savings really come from not spending on certain things that you do not need at all. Saving PHP33 a day or PHP100 a month invested prudently can earn an annual rate of 12%. At this rate, if you leave your money alone, and just let it “roll,” it will compound and grow to a value of PHP 232,340 in 10 years. Look at what happened here? Over a period 120 months or 10 years, you gradually saved only PHP125,000 (including the initial PHP5,000) and it grew to almost the double amount. If you are able to continue this process for another 10 years, meaning saving another PHP120,000 over 120 more months, your savings will grow to PHP999,150, or more than four times more than the total amount of PHP245,000 (including the
“Compounding” is a phenomenal opportunity to grow wealth. Even a little amount can grow into a huge amount if you will allow it to stay invested for a long period of time. Your money starts to work for you and the income that your money earned again works for you to earn you move passive income and so on and so forth. Compounding is exponential; meaning the increase in income is very rapid. It is easier to allow the compounding of your passive income when you choose an investment option that will automatically do it for you. If you have to make a decision to re-invest the passive income each time you receive it, you will be tempted to spend it, you might not know where to invest it again or you might just forget to re-invest because you are so busy. If you spend your passive income as you receive it, your income ends there. It will no longer grow. It becomes even more of a pity if you spend the passive income on a “want” that is not truly so important to you. Just make sure that you really enjoy whatever it is so that it is not wasted and make sure that you don’t waste another minute. Start investing now. Start with PHP30 a day and watch it grow to millions.
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FEATURE
Ten Top Investments for Filipinos By Francisco J Colayco
Let me define how I chose the top investments to include in this list. This list is basically for ordinary income earning Filipinos working from anywhere in the world who want to invest in options within the Philippines. Knowing that one day, they would like to return home, hence, they choose financial instruments they can easily convert to cash. They also visit the Philippines on vacation and have family and relatives here that make it easier for them to monitor their local investments. Generally, legitimate investment products are good. The challenge is really to determine which one is the most suitable given your unique personal situation and your specific personal financial condition. My choices, therefore, are not numbered according to preference. You need to know where you are, financially, before making any decision on what option to choose. You need to draft your “Personal Statement of Assets & Liabilities & Net Worth” and with this as foundation, you must make your “Personal Financial Plan”. Your plan should give a clear definition
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of what your “End Goal” is in terms of how much you want, when and why. Your answers must match your financial means. Here are some investment ideas you can consider:
MUTUAL FUND A mutual fund is the ultimate example of collective investing and is probably the only prudent mode for the ordinary income earner to accumulate and grow his wealth. This is the most effective investment vehicle for the small investor who saves and invests regularly. It is based on the idea of leverage or pooling of resources, to maximize investment opportunities for the small investor. There are four general types of mutual funds: 1.) equity, 2.) fixed-income, 3.) money market, and 4.) balanced. Your choice depends on your age and financial goals. All have some degree of risk with equity funds being more risky than fixed-income. However, because of the diversified nature of the investment, if you choose a good, well-managed mutual fund, the chances of a complete loss is unlikely and the
chances of a high return over the longterm are probable.
TREASURY BILLS/BONDS Being liabilities of the government, Treasury Bills and Bonds are therefore risk-free. The value of your money could decrease because of inflation, but you will always get back your principal and interest because the government can always print money, if necessary. The longer term bonds will generally give you higher interest than the bills. This investment is best for those who are already or nearing retirement and cannot afford to take any risk. However, “low risk, low return” is the principle to remember. Generally, this investment is suited for those who are averse to taking risks and are content with lowto-modest, but fixed and guaranteed return. These are the investors who are satisfied with regular cash collection in the form of interest earnings.
STOCK MARKET In the stock market, you can find all the major companies which operate in all
FEATURE the segments of our economy, i.e. from banking to retailing, to agribusiness, to transport and many others. These companies list their shares in the stock market and give investors the chance to own a portion of the company. The valuation of a company’s shares are made by the investing public as they react to company performance in the face of the changing domestic as well as global conditions. As a result, returns from stock market investing can range from very high to complete loss. Remember again, “high return, high risk.” Investment processes can be complicated and need careful study. Furthermore, you need to analyze the particular stock/s you want to invest in. If your investible fund is limited (say PHP10,000), you will only be able to invest in one particular company. There is no diversification, unlike in equity mutual funds, your PHP10,000 is pooled with the billions of other investors, and is used to buy shares of many other companies.
MONEY MARKET This investment is usually for those with short-term investment goals and have PHP1million or more per investment. Companies who need temporary funding for their operations issue Promissory Notes which are sold in the money market. The choice of company you invest in is very important as a company could renege at maturity date. However, this is unlikely as the financial standing of these issuing companies has already been studied by the financial intermediaries who “broker” these securities.
TIME DEPOSIT This is a short-term-to-long-term bank instrument with rates higher than savings deposits. It is guaranteed by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation up to PHP500,000. Over the PHP500,000, it is as safe as the bank you choose. This is suitable for those who don’t have large investible funds that they do not need for their year-toyear living.
REAL ESTATE I agree with each man’s dream of having his own home, whether a house and lot
or a condominium. Thus, even at an early age, this should definitely be an investment goal. However, most have to save up for at least the down payment. Other investment options can help in saving the amount needed for the down payment. When deciding on your ideal home, remember to include an analysis of the re-sale value of the property. You may want to transfer to a better home in the future and it would be to your advantage to make a good profit on your real estate investment. Some invest in land that they will not live in because they believe it will go up in value. This is more of speculation and is suitable only if you have the ready cash to cover any resulting amortization payments as well as the other costs of ownership such as taxes, maintenance and protection against squatters. You could end up spending much more without realizing it. Real estate is not a liquid investment. Generally, it takes time to sell and collect real properties. Income earning real estate, such as apartment buildings are good investments subject to location, cost of development.
JEWELRY The high price of gold today has made many people who bought jewelry in the past very happy. But will they really sell it? Jewelry is very personal. Design choices are unlimited. The precious metal and precious stone content are critical to establish the price. More often than not, those who sell in a hurry for cash are not able to look, much more, find the right buyers who will put more value in their particular piece of jewelry. They end up selling the melted value of the metal (gold or silver) and the stones. I would suggest jewelry only to those who enjoy wearing them and have the money to keep them until they can be passed on to their children.
WORKS OF ART The art business or industry is a very specialized. The market though sizable in value, is limited in number of players. To begin with, works of art are not a dayto-day need. In fact, it is not a need at all.
of investments and should only be considered by those who have the right education and exposure to appraise them. I am not one of those so I have very few works of art as investment. We acquire them for their beauty and the enhancement they give our home.
YOUR OWN BUSINESS Everyone wants to go into business, even as a sideline for those already employed. If you have the right level of knowledge or skill, the right product and motivation to execute your business plan, why not? While it is exciting to be an entrepreneur, one has to understand what it entails before moving into it. New business has the highest risk of all investments and should preferably not be considered by those who are in retirement age.
SAVINGS DEPOSIT As children, we are taught that we should put our savings in the bank. This is a good practice for money that has not reached the minimum amount needed for the other investment options. Savings deposits give some interest, but because of taxes, the interest is minimal. Keep your money in the bank for safekeeping until you have another option open to you. For example, when your savings account reaches more than Php5,000, you can consider a mutual fund. If you have substantial savings, it is always best to have a good combination of several or all of these options to spread out risks and reduce probability of losses. However, the amount you invest in each option should be substantial to mitigate the risk factor. Commissions and fees may just negate the returns or earnings for small amounts in most options. When to decide you’ve made a wrong investment? What do you do when your investment doesn’t seem to be going anywhere? You need to recover and be positive that there is always something better for the future. If you made the right decisions and your investment is good, you should not rest on your success either. You need to plan forward
Works of art are very special types
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FEATURE
Believe it or not, most investors invest without clearly defining what they expect to gain, what they need it for and when it should happen. Many people believe “hope springs eternal” because their focus is just in earning the gains. Having clear targets with a specific timetable is the best guide in tracking investments. In the first place, before you make an investment, you have to study how your money will be used to generate income and grow in value over time. In the process, you must also study and understand the attendant risks that could cause losses. It could be a bank deposit, a bond or a mutual fund, real estate, a car or anything that will require you to put out money. You have to look at all documents and study them carefully. Ask advice if necessary but please do not ask advice without doing your own homework first. It is so sad and frustrating that many people want to be “spoon-fed.” This means that they don’t even want to study and analyze. They just want to be told what to do. Unfortunately, when you do this for your money, you could be in trouble. You cannot depend on anyone except yourself for money issues. If you insist
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on depending on someone else, you are taking a very serious risk. No human being knows everything and the person you depend on, even myself who you probably think already knows a lot about money issues, is certainly limited. So, my advice is that you really have to educate yourself. Read books, article, take seminars, listen to talks--do everything you can to learn.
Divesting - When to get out of your investment As in any investment, you should know when you should sell or divest, meaning get out of the investment. You do not get whatever profits you are expecting until you sell or divest. You could have what is called “paper” profits or losses because the value of your investment could go up or down. Only when you sell or divest will you know whether you have gained or lost money. Now, assuming you have studied your investments well and you have made the right decisions, there will still be many factors beyond your control. It is a happy problem if you are having “paper” profits but the problem comes when your “paper” loss is considerable and has stayed a loss for a long period
of time. This is when you want to be really optimistic but it is also possible that optimism might just cause you more losses. Sometimes, you need to accept your losses and sell at a loss. This happens when you have analyzed the future of your investment objectively. It could be that it is difficult to find a buyer and when you already have a buyer, it is best to take the opportunity. Have a clear goal after your complete study. Be careful about changing your mind just because there is a buyer. Some suddenly wonder if their price is right just because there is a buyer! When you sell your investment, it is best that you have another option to invest your money in, preferably something that has a good chance of making some profits for you. This is especially true when you have to take a loss in your present investment. This way, you can recover from the losses you had to take and make money on the new investment. Again, this takes a lot of analysis and study but don’t take too long. The opportunity could pass just as fast.
FEATURE
Franchising Basics By Francisco J. Colayco
Going into business is a very personal matter. Your first choice of a business could be something that you are personally passionate about. You choose it because you have clear reasons in your mind why you personally like to engage in that business activity. It’s also possible to study and learn about any business with clearly good potential. It may not necessarily mean though that you are suited for that business to actually run it well, much less enjoy being operationally involved in it. Without real involvement, it may be difficult to sustain your business with the same quality that you started with. To reduce the risks of getting into a business, a Franchise may be a viable alternative. Serious franchise businesses provide you tested business models along with market planning,
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technical support and logistic systems as well as personnel training and accounting procedures and financial controls. This allows you to learn the business at the soonest possible time with the least number of mistakes, which you would otherwise incur if you started on your own without experience.
Choosing a Franchisor and a Franchise Business There is a list of Filipino Franchisors and their broad range of small businesses available. Some are new but quite a number have proven track records. Let’s assume that you are competent in a food or service type of business and you choose a business that requires first year investments (including franchise fees) of around PHP200,000. Most good franchises
FEATURE might project minimum net cash earnings of PHP3,500 and possibly up to PHP6,000 per month.
Here are some tips on how you can move forward: 1. After determining your preferred line of business, make sure that your chosen Franchise business has sufficient and sustainable market in your location. This is where successful and responsible Franchisors can provide you meaningful information and advice. 2. Validate the Franchisor’s legitimacy and claims through the Association of Filipino Franchisors, Inc., or through other Franchising Associations to which your chosen Franchisor may belong; 3. Validate the actual experience by directly interviewing the FIRST Franchisee and some other Franchisees to validate the truth or falsehood of the market and financial claims of the Franchisor. I am personally aware of situations where franchisors do not live up to their claims. Do not allow a franchisor to keep you from talking directly to his existing franchises for any reason. If the franchisees are happy, it is to for the Franchisor’s and your best interests to learn all about it. 4. Find out if the Franchisor has any pending legal cases with any of the Franchisees, and if there is any, find out why. 5. Secure serious legal advice on the merits and demerits of the Franchise Agreement. Make sure that you are satisfied with all the provisions of the Franchise Agreement, particularly on your option to terminate your Franchise Agreement for good reason, without any difficulty. 6. Be aware that anything not written in the agreement, even if promised by the Franchisor, may not be fulfilled. That being said, in the final analysis, aside from the technical know-how, the sincerity and good heart of a Franchisor will be the deciding factors on your success. 7. Make sure that all the sources for funding are in place, before you even start investing your first peso.
demonstrate payback of about three (3) to five (5) years and impressive service support. Your most logical starting point is to seriously consider a food-stall business, particularly one with an available franchise near your home. As my partner Entrepguru Andy always says, most opportunities can be found just around your neighborhood. Look around you and observe what is it that your community badly needs? Don’t just follow what everybody is already doing.
Will you succeed in a franchise business? I always emphasize that in any business, there are no guarantees but there are ways to reduce the risks. If you at least follow the advice already given above, you have a good chance of success.
For your family and relatives in Manila, we have different seminars to help them in their personal financial plan and options to grow their wealth. Check out www.colaycofoundation. com or write info@colaycofoundation.com or call +632 6373731 or 41.
Another good thing about Franchise businesses is the business training included in the package. Usually, the training period is three months but you would need to pay 10% or PHP20,000 (subject to negotiation with the Franchisor) as soon as you sign the franchise agreement. This type of a Franchise business
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ADVERTORIAL
PURE GOLD JEWELLERS LAUNCHES SPECIAL RAMADAN PENDANTS Inspired by Ramadan, the award winning jewellery retailer, Pure Gold Jewellers has launched a special collection of gold and diamond pendants artistically inspired by the crescent moon with the engraving “Allah” and “Shahada - the testimony and Islamic creed declaring belief in the oneness of God and the acceptance of Muhammad (PBUH) as God’s Prophet, transcribed in Arabic calligraphy. Sighting of the crescent moon, which marks the beginning of Ramadan, a month of blessings, is the intricate idea behind the pendants.
is a magical blend of white and yellow gold with dazzling diamonds. This stunning creation is available for a price of AED 1299. The “Generosity” pendant in the limited edition collection features an assortment of diamonds framed in gold. This pendant in delicate Arabic design is available for a price of AED1099and is an enduring piece of jewellery to be valued forever.
Karim Merchant, CEO& MD of Pure Gold Jewellers, says: “Gifting of a beautiful blessing is what the pendants symbolize. We have designed the moon shaped pendants in contemporary Arabic style with engraved calligraphy. Although inspired by tradition, the special edition pendants appeals to today’s woman and will make the perfect gift for her.” Crafted in 18k Italian gold, inspired by the first pillar of Islam, the unique “Crescent” pendant is designed with intricate details, layered with a line of diamonds with a border of white gold. This work of art
GIORDANO WINS INTERNATIONAL RETAILER OF THE YEAR AWARD Giordano International, the global apparel retailer has been named International Retailer of the Year at the Global RLI Awards, beating other global international retailers from across Europe, Asia, USA and the Middle East.
Ishwar Chugani, Managing Director of Giordano Middle East FZE and Executive Director of Giordano International. The Global RLI Awards celebrate and reward the success and creativity of the industry’s most impressive retail developments, leading retailers, leisure operators and affiliated business partners, through concepts, initiatives and design excellence. The panel of judges was comprised of international retailers and consultants.
Giordano Middle East was also a finalist in the category of Middle East Retailer of the year. The International Retailer of the Year award is given to companies that have achieved great things over the past 12 months as well as showing store innovation, strong brand values, solid financial performance and a clear development strategy. The award ceremony was held this year in Dubai - the first time it has been conducted outside of London. It was attended by around 600 professionals with a large number of attendees coming from overseas, representing some of the biggest names in the global retail industry and shopping mall development. “Giordano is pleased to receive the International Retailer of the Year Award. It only shows that we are doing things right and it has been noticed by our own peers. This honour gives us further inspiration to continue our work and to open more stores in new territories,” said
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Ishwar Chugani together with Sajid Sayed, Giordano’s General Manager – UAE, received the award. Photo Caption: From left to right: RLI programme host, Lucy Alexander; Sajid Sayed – General Manager, Giordano Fashions; Philip Evans – CEO, Trigranit Management; Ishwar Chugani – Executive Director, Giordano International; Jayne Rafter – Publisher, RLI (Retail and Leisure International); and, Mushtaq Vakil – Director, Marina Furniture
FEATURE
Happy Retirement By Francisco J. Colayco
I receive a lot of requests from people who want to retire. Many times they are still young but already want to retire. Ms. Sydney Lagier of US News is a retired person with interesting ideas on seven traits happy retirees share. I believe that you have a better chance of reaching each trait if you have enough money when you retire. The secret to having enough money when you retire is to start your journey to financial independence today. These reasons should convince you.
Good health Enjoying good health is the single most important factor impacting retiree happiness... Retirees in poor health are nearly 50 percent less likely to report being happy, trumping all other factors including money and age.” If you have bad genes that will predispose you to illnesses, there is nothing much you can do about that. Nevertheless, you can still try to achieve good health is through balanced diet, proper physical activity and a positive mindset. If you do not have money at retirement age, it will be difficult to think positively. You may need to work on a stressful job to earn more money, if someone is still willing to employ you. When you are in a stressful job, chances are, you will not eat healthy and instead eat junk food in a hurry.
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A significant other The same study found that married or cohabiting couples are more likely than singles to be happy in retirement. The news gets even better for couples enjoying retirement together. Retirees whose partners are also retired report being happier than those with a working partner, according to research…” If you still have your original spouse, special moments outside like seeing a movie or having a meal will add to better relaxation. If you no longer have your original spouse, it will be easier to find a partner, if your partner-to-be knows that you can support yourself. It is of course, also not good for you to have to support anybody just to find a partner but if you will be happy doing that, it is really your choice.
A social network Study also found that having friends was far more important to retirement bliss than having kids. Those who have strong social networks are 30 percent happier with their lives than those without a strong network of friends. Having kids or grand kids had no impact on a retiree’s level of contentment.” I know for a fact that my having kids and grandkids make my life very meaningful. But it is also true that my friends who do
FEATURE not have kids and grandkids are just as happy in their own way. They can “borrow” the kids and grandkids of others to try out the experience. Sharing all your thoughts and ideas with others who are probably so different from you certainly allow your brains to work and not atrophy. But getting together with friends will always cost some money no matter how simple.
They are not addicted to television After you retire you will have lots of time to fill. If you want to be happy in retirement, don’t fill that time with endless hours of television. Heavy TV viewers report lower satisfaction with their lives, according to studies… A direct negative correlation was found between the amount of TV watching and happiness levels: unhappy people watched more TV and happy people watched less.” Watching TV is not bad especially if you watch educational shows. Also, news are now more disseminated through TV than any other medium.
Intellectual curiosity Adults over 70 who choose brain-stimulating hobbies over TV watching are two and a half times less likely to suffer the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, according to Richard Stim and Ralph Warner’s book Retire Happy: What You Can Do Now to Guarantee a Great Retirement. Not only will shunning TV make you happier, it will make you healthier. Good health will in turn make you happier -- a not-so-vicious cycle.” Ms Lagier also quotes other authors to prove her point. Brain-stimulating hobbies that do not cost much are playing crossword puzzles or Sudoku. It also includes reading books (not comics). Even mahjong can be brain-stimulating. However, do not end up betting too much or you will have another kind of problem. I think that intellectual curiosity is not just related to hobbies. Even if you consider yourself to be old, you have to learn how to use your cellphone, the computer and any other new invention. Never say that you are too old. Intellectual curiosity is also related to exploration of other places, which means travel that you can afford. As you see, all of the above need money.
They aren’t addicted to achievement. The more you are defined by your job, the harder it will be to adjust to life without it. According to Robert Delamontagne’s book The Retiring Mind: How to Make the Psychological Transition to Retirement, achievement addicts have the most difficulty transitioning to retirement.” This would apply more if you always wanted to reach a certain achievement but are not yet there. It becomes worse if you believe that you need a little more time and you will definitely
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reach that goal. Not reaching your goal in life makes you feel like a failure and as you grow old, the ability to think and move is hampered and therefore, reaching the goal becomes more difficult. It is a vicious cycle. There are those who have reached important goals in their life and have been given rewards so that they feel they are indispensable and have to continue.
Enough money Of course you’ll need enough money to support your chosen lifestyle in retirement. But beyond that, more money will not make you happier. The Watson Wyatt survey found that the absolute amount of money you have for retirement is less important than how your retirement income compares to your income before retirement. If you have enough to continue your pre-retirement lifestyle, you have enough.” This is exactly what I have been teaching about needing a personal financial plan. While you need money when you retire, you have to know how much you really need. This can easily be calculated and this is explained in the books I have written. We also discuss this in the seminars that we give. www.colaycofinancialeducation.com Very few can just keep on saving and investing their money all their life without some enjoyment. Enjoyment is especially needed to reward yourself when you have done well in your investments. Your personal financial plan will tell you what you need to save regularly and if you can save more than that, you will reach your goal earlier. But remember, if you are too old and accumulated too much money that you can no longer enjoy, you might regret not having had a little more enjoyment when you still could. It will only be your children and in-laws who will enjoy the money that you should have enjoyed! Ms. Lagier finally says: “… Consider a retirement that includes a little work. Researchers … found that retirees who go back to work either full or part-time are healthier. If you can’t find a paying job, don’t worry. A growing body of research shows that retirees who volunteer reap the same benefits of health, happiness, and longevity. And since a happy retirement is a healthy retirement, you’ll be set up to enjoy both.” Hopefully, the trait that you might not have is not the one of not having enough money. It is so much better to just work on something you like doing without any stress related to have to earn money.
Check out www.colaycofoundation.com, www. franciscocolayco.com and www.kskcoop.com for more information on financial literacy and planning.
LAW
Police Arrests in the UAE By Barney Almazar, Esq.
Being arrested and put on trial in the UAE can be a confusing and terrifying experience as you do not understand the language or know your legal rights.
(not the police) who has the power to dismiss the case.
Similar to any other embassies or consulates, the Philippine Embassy and Consulate cannot interfere in any judicial process. The embassy or consulate cannot get you out of prison, prevent the immigration authorities from deporting you or investigate a crime or the circumstances of your arrest.
The public prosecutor initially can detain the accused for up to 21 days or grant bail (by depositing the passport of the accused). During the investigation, the public prosecutor may interview you and any witnesses. When there is enough evidence, the investigation stage will be terminated and the case is endorsed to the court for trial. At this stage, you should get a copy of your indictment which details the legal definition of the crime, when and where it took place as well as the applicable criminal laws.
What will happen if I am arrested? The police authorities have the power to detain an arrested person for up to 48 hours. If investigations cannot be completed within the 48-hour limit, the police can request a one-week extension from the public prosecutor, which in most instances are always granted. After the investigation, the police will refer the case to the public prosecutor. It is the public prosecutor
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What will happen during the investigation?
Can I be released on bail? For minor offences, such as issuance of a bounced cheque, bail can be granted by the police but only before the case
LAW What will happen during the trial? When the judge receives the indictment, the date for the first hearing will be set. The judges are responsible for carrying out a wide range of enquiries. In fact, the judge will ask most of the questions. However, the judge may not want to question you, and you may find that you are not asked any questions at all. The rules of evidence are different from the Philippine rules and the UAE court can consider all evidence, including hearsay. It is the judge’s discretion to consider the police and forensic reports. The official language during the trial is Arabic and courts are not responsible for translating the proceedings in English. A transcript of the court proceedings is available after the hearing which you can bring to a legal translator.
What if I cannot afford a lawyer? Unlike in the Philippines, there is no free public attorney’s office in the United Arab Emirates. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you will have to represent yourself. The courts will only appoint a lawyer if the charges against you is punishable by death or life imprisonment.
Can I appeal the judgment? If the judgment is not favourable, you can appeal against the sentence. If you have not appointed during the initial stage, you should consider appointing one during the appeal stage. Within 15 days from judgment, you must submit your appeal to the Appeal Court. This can be submitted by you through the prison authorities or by your lawyer. If the appeal is unsuccessful, you may appeal within 30 days of the appeal court judgement, to the Court of Cassation.
Prison Conditions
is referred to the public prosecutor. Once the case has been referred to the public prosecutor only they can grant bail. For major offences, bail can be granted by a public prosecutor only or when referred to trial, by a judge. You or your lawyer should ask for bail when you meet the public prosecutor or judge. Failing that, written representations for bail from you or your lawyer can be submitted at any time during the proceedings. The conditions for bail vary on the circumstance of the case but generally will include: • Surrendering your passport to the police • Surrendering the passport of your bail guarantor
If proven guilty, you will be transported from the police station or court to the central prison in handcuffs and leg chains. Upon arrival at the prison, you will subjected to an intimate body search and your head will be shaved (females do not have their heads shaved). A blood sample will be taken to test for HIV/AIDS (there is a separate wing for prisoners who are HIV+). All of your possessions will be taken away and stored securely. You will be issued with a uniform.
Release and Deportation If your sentence includes deportation, you will be deported back to the Philippines once your prison term has been served. You must finance your deportation and you will be kept in prison until you have arranged for your air ticket. If you are sentenced to deportation, you will be transported in shackles to the airport to leave the country. You will then be taken to the airport police station and put in the custody of the immigration police. The immigration police will escort you to the plane.
• Paying an amount to the courts
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SPIRITUALITY
Freedom from Addictions By Bo Sanchez
A
s a young boy, I loved reading about the great Houdini. Houdini was probably the most famous escape artist in the world. I’m not sure if the story I’m about to tell you is part legend and part history, but I find it utterly
fascinating.
Houdini boasted he could escape any jail cell in less than an hour. One day, a small town in the British Isles built a new jail cell and they were proud of it. “Come give us a try,” they said to Houdini, and he agreed.
disappeared. At the end of an hour, he was drenched with perspiration. After two hours and totally exhausted, Houdini collapsed against the door. And the force of his weight was enough to push the door open! Because in reality, the door had never been locked. It was locked only in one place: In his own mind.
He walked into the prison cell bristling with confidence. After all, he had done this hundreds of times before.
Because whatever your mind says is locked — is locked.
Once the jail cell was closed, Houdini took off his coat and went to work. From his belt, he got a flexible but tough teninch piece of steel. He knelt in front of the door and started working on the lock.
You can be free!
At the end of 30 minutes, his confident expression had
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Even if it isn’t.
This June, we celebrate our independence as a nation. I thank God we are a free nation. Now, let’s be free from our individual burdens, especially our addictions.
SPIRITUALITY My friend, you can get rid of your addictions. Here’s the truth: 70% of persons with addictions get rid of their destructive habit on their own. You see, there is no ONE singular way to get out of an addiction. There are many ways to get rid of your burden
What is an addiction anyway? I try to avoid technical words (my brain freezes up), so let me share with you my simple definition of an addiction. It’s any action that - 1) you do repeatedly, 2) can’t stop doing and 3) that’s harmful to your life. Let me tell you a story my golfing friends like to tell. They say golfers love their golf more than anything else in the world…
How do you get rid of addictions? There is no one way to do it. But why do these various ways work? All of these work as long as they fill up our Love Tank. Once our Love Tank is filled, we realize we don’t belong to the jail cell and stay out. Here are some of the ways of pushing that jail door…
Spontaneous Maturity There are people who got rid of their bad habits by growing up emotionally. In their younger years, they took drugs and abused alcohol. As they grew older, got married, and had kids, their self-identity changed. They kicked their addictions and grew in self-confidence. Somehow, their Love Tanks were filled in the process. Not all experience this maturity. I know of a 56-year-old man who’s been taking drugs for 40 years now. Marriage didn’t change him. Kids didn’t change him.
Spiritual Conversion Friend, you can get rid of your bad habits. You can be free from your addictions. The Bible says, you have been called to live in freedom. I should know. I’m a recovering sex addict — jailed in compulsive pornography and sexual fantasies for years. Yes, even as I was serving God and preaching. Like Houdini, I tinkered with the “lock” of my jail cell and lost hope because I couldn’t unlock the door. For my full story, read my book, Your Past Does Not Define Your Future. (You can get it at www.shepherdsvoice.com.ph) One day, I had a powerful realization. I discovered that the door wasn’t locked — except in my mind. I realized that at any time, I could push hard and the door would swing open — and I could simply walk out. And stay out! And that’s what I did.
My friend Tim’s story is a classic on spiritual conversion that healed his addictions. After attending a Life in the Spirit Seminar, he stopped smoking and drinking the very day of the seminar — cold turkey. What happened on that day? Aside from the power of God, he felt these vices no longer fit his new identity. He saw himself as God’s son, no longer an alcoholic or smoker. Emotionally, he liked the new Tim. Ultimately, God’s love filled his Love Tank. Not all people who go through seminars, however, experience this instant freedom. And like everyone else under the sun, even Tim continues to battle other hidden addictions. So what else can we do?
“Go Back to Your Past” Psychology I’m going to commit a crime - forgive me. This is terribly simplistic, but I believe Psychology is divided into two major camps — those who believe healing comes from the past and those who believe healing comes from the present. I know it’s more complicated than this but let’s imagine it’s not.
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SPIRITUALITY
Followers of Sigmund Freud are in the first camp. They’ll insist that for you to be free from your addictions, you need to go back to your past and deal with your unresolved issues. To do that, you need a trained psychotherapist to listen to you as you explore your unhealed wounds. I used to believe that this is the only way to really help a person change. Not anymore. My belief is now more nuanced. I believe that psychotherapy works, and it’s NOT because of the brilliant, earth-shaking insights that one derives from psychotherapy. These insights help, but I don’t think they’re key to our healing. Instead, I believe psychotherapy works because of something quite simple: That another human being is listening to you — and that human connection fills up your Love Tank. Why do I believe so? From experience, when another human being listens to you, doesn’t judge you, and loves you, you get healed. I still believe that “Go Back to Your Past” Psychology is great for diagnosis. But there lies its weakness. Now that I know my sickness, how will I heal it?
“Deal with the Present” Psychology The other “division” of psychology doesn’t believe that this “unearthing of the past” is the key to healing. It helps, but isn’t essential to healing. Instead, they believe that the real cure is dealing with the NOW. For example, Reality Therapy pioneered by Dr. William Glasser helps people identify what they want in life and practice their power of choice. The entire Positive Thinking genre made popular by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale falls into this category. These approaches believe that by changing your present thinking and acting upon your choices, you change your life.
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12-Step Group Approach Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and the entire recovery movement have touched millions of persons. Today, you can almost be sure that there’s a support group out there for your addiction, whatever it may be. Some of its most staunch practitioners believe it’s the ONLY way to help people, which again, I disagree. But when it does work, why does it work? I believe that the program helps you fill up your Love Tank. The effort you give in attending meetings are baby steps towards recovery, making you gain self-confidence. The power of a loving community surrounding you fills you with love as well.
Practical Approach A friend of mine stopped smoking by jogging, sucking menthol candies after meals, and staying away from smoker friends. His wife and kids were also supportive. He swears by this route, and I don’t doubt him. I think every time he took a baby step towards his goal, he felt good about himself. This feeling translated in greater self-respect, which meant that his Love Tank was getting filled-up.
My Approach? All of the Above! I believe in the Spiritual-Psychological-Positive-Group-Practical Approach. Because I will use anything that will fill up a person’s Love Tank.
Walk towards your freedom now As you fill up your Love Tank, as you value yourself more and as you receive love from God and others, you realize that you deserve a new home. You realize that you don’t belong there anymore. With a full Love Tank, your “homing” instinct no longer drives you to your past home. Instead, it drives you to your future home. You begin to develop a “vision” instinct.
IT’S WHAT I DO
It’s what I do
FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORK PLACE
EILEEN GUERRA, MBA
Senior Sales Manager – City Seasons Al Hamra Hotel, UAE My job I’m proud to say that I’m an hotelier by heart. My work in the hospitality industry revolves around corporate sales, operations, management and marketing, whereby I seek to maximize our client numbers from all sectors. As a Senior Sales Manager, I’m responsible for
bringing
in
guests
and
meeting
revenue targets. Collaboration with the team, meeting with large groups such as
associations,
and
networking,
as
well participating in exhibitions like the Arabian Travel Market, are all part of the job. Needless to say, having a thorough understanding of all the service our hotels offers is key, so are proactive revenue monitoring, review of sales activities as well as planning and forecasting with the support of my
Career and life advice
deputy General Manager Mr. Sodki. Not to be forgotten is after-
Love and enjoy your job and be wise with your finances, as this
sales-service and the continued building of rapport with clients as
will impact your job performance, relationships and family life
well as the rest of our team.
as an OFW. A supportive family, husband, mentors, and friends made such a difference in my situations. Without them, I would
Working irregular and long hours on both weekdays and,
be unable to become a responsible adult and achieve my dream.
sometimes, weekends is commonly required. Sometimes I have to
Thanks to them and to God, today, I can say all of these things
work longer than the traditional 40-hour week to discuss and close
to other kababayans. The most important thing is to have faith in
a deal. With this pressure in generating sales, it is important to
your dream and never give up. Don’t listen to what other people
create and maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with clients
say. You are your own achievement. Be with people who inspire
that help clinch sales and lead to repeat and referral business.
you and will lead you to all the divine connections. You have to be sensitive and be grateful of every single thing you have. Don’t stop
With my experience as an hotelier I’ve found out that not everything
learning and don’t be stagnant. Always be motivated in everything
has to be done immediately. Some things are more critical than
that you do.
others, like guest complaints. And in times of stress you have to be able to prioritize and follow through dedication. As Theodore Roosevelt put it, - “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”
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IT’S WHAT I DO
It’s what I do
FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORK PLACE
JOEY FRANK AUSAN Construction Manager (Consultant) at Louis Berger – Qatar My job I am a Civil Engineer, working abroad for 17 years now. Ten years in Saudi Arabia as an Area Engineer of Saudi Aramco, in Dhahran from 1987 to 1996. Meaning, I was there during the 1991 Gulf War. I am proud to be a Gulf War ‘veteran’. During the burning of Kuwait’s oil wells, I was there breathing the kerosene–like smell for months until the oil fires totally extinguished. During that period, each day after work, I involved myself in choir practices singing at the church fellowship services. Not only this, I sang at many community affairs as a soloist-lead singer and even in fund raising concerts. From 1996 to 2007, after my stint in Saudi Arabia, I returned back to the Philippines and joined DMCI-Laing Construction joint venture during the construction of Rockwell Condominiums in Makati. After my stint at Rockwell, I went home to my province, Iloilo and managed our family-owned water purification business. After staying in the Philippines, I returned abroad to work in Qatar. I am here for almost 8 years now and currently working as Construction
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Manager in Doha, Qatar’s Education City under Louis Berger. I am involved in the construction of Qatar’s National Library and sometimes relieve civil engineers at par my post at other projects of the Education City. Three years ago, I was involved in the construction of Qatar’s flagship project, The Pearl Qatar, as a Consulting Engineer. At the end of our project I was assigned as the Assistant to the CEO. Currently, as Consultant of the construction work, I review the drawings and technical submissions if they conform to plans and make further corrections for our contractor to implement. Other than supervising the contractor of our projects at site, I cover site inspections and preside over meetings. I handle directly a staff of various functions of different colors and creeds. It’s so challenging, that after the end of the day, our team should be able to reach our planned targets. Hence, my company can achieve its projects’ goals successfully. After the rigorous, strenuous, and hectic construction work, I have to pause and do extra-curricular activities. I attend choir practices in preparation for the weekly mass of the Roman Catholic Church in Qatar. Sometimes, I sing as a soloist. Also, I joined Doha Singers, a community choir group which performs concerts twice a year. Other than singing, since I was small, I also like to draw or sketch faces in so short a time, like 5 minutes only. My sketching skill (by drawing the face of the criminal) had helped government authorities in a country abroad resolved a crime. Later then, as my prize, I got promoted to a top post.
Career and life advice My advice to my fellow OFWs: Take care of your health always. Never abuse it. Before I returned back abroad and work in another country, Qatar, there was a gap - I stayed in the Philippines for 11 years. After settling down in Qatar, I was able to reach out again to my former friends whom I worked with in Saudi Arabia. Some friends told me that such familiar names are not anymore with them, they already died. And they recalled these friends have something in common, they were all chain smokers.
IT’S WHAT I DO
It’s what I do
FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORK PLACE
DONNA FRONDA (VALENCIA) Architect at Gensler – UAE My job I am currently working as an architect for Gensler & Associates Abu Dhabi for two years now. Gensler is the number one architectural firm in ENR’s Top 500 - my dream Company I should say. I worked as an Architect since 1995 in Manila, where I worked for 9 years then I decided to work abroad here in Dubai last May 2004. In Gensler, my position is an Interior Architect, mainly assigned in the Workplace Studio responsible for Interior Design Projects. As an architect concentrating on interior aspects, I am working for the technical part and concept design graphical presentation. I am involved also in space planning, supplier coordination, project documentation and production of interior/architectural working drawings using Revit and Autocad software. I can say that I am a well rounded person. Multi-tasking is my main forte, something I’ve been doing even in my previous. Working in a big company like Gensler is a big adjustment for me, because I need to limit myself to a certain task. The job is divided accordingly between architects and designers. Before, I used to work from A-Z because most companies I’ve worked with are small scale to medium scale companies. The task is different then as I needed to be a one-man Team. In Gensler, the task assigned is just the focal point you need to concentrate on and execute as given. Projects are all challenging like amusement, retail, commercial, workplace and tower building projects. From time to time, I am also assigned in the Architectural Department as my experience involves both architectural and interior aspects.
My typical work day Every day, I travel from Dubai to Abu Dhabi to reach my office. My daily task here is very manageable. Each project I am assigned is carefully studied and analyzed for execution and production as per client requirements at a given time frame. When it comes to schedules, I see to it that projects will be delivered ahead of time. I never work over time; this is not my style. I work during normal office hours. But there are cases that I need to work on weekends due to demands of unexpected project submissions. This is acceptable and I need to be flexible at times especially if this is required by our clients. I always value time. I see to it that it is never wasted. And after work, I also need time for relaxation and to rejuvenate.
Career and life advice I always believe that if you know what you want in your life, together with your strong determination and faith, there is nothing in this world you cannot achieve. Before I started working here in UAE, my aim was very simple. What I wanted before was just to work and practice my profession. I started working here at the age of 31, now I am 41 years old. Each year I passed here in this country, I have learned and realized so many things in life. Time is running fast; things will change quickly in a few years. So learn how to organize and plan your life as early as possible. Dream big. Aim high. And put God first in everything you do.
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NEWS
PBC DUBAI’s LANDMARK INTERFACE 2015 The Philippine Business Council (PBC) of Dubai, under the patronage of the Embassy of the Philippines and the Philippine Consulate General of Dubai and the Northern Emirates, held a landmark event on the 11th of June 2015 at the Raffles Hotel Dubai, on the occasion of the 117th anniversary of Philippine Independence. The inaugural PBC Dubai Interface 2015 event brought together captains of industries, entrepreneurs and top executives, as well as UAE and Philippine government dignitaries. Created as a platform for connecting foreign and Philippine businesses towards mutual development and growth, the event hosted some 200 top executives from the Filipino community, as well as other key expatriate groups, who have converged to discuss and explore opportunities for engaging and leveraging on the Filipino market in the Gulf. The event which was graced by H.E. Ambassador Grace Relucio Princesa – Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, Hon. Consul Giovanni Palec of the Philippine Consulate General, and Mr. Rashid Hussain Al Meeza, Senior Executive-Member Relations of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry also featured esteemed speakers who shared best business and leadership practices to inspire guests. Nisha Jagtiani, the youngest director of the Landmark Group instrumental in developing successful local fashion brands Splash and Iconic, among others, shared her experiences and insights in growing local brands, while multi-awarded Ishwar Chugani, CEO and Managing Director of Giordano Middle East and Executive Director and Board Member at Giordano HQ in Hong Kong, emphasized on the increasing need for companies to give back to society as a matter of good governance. Guests were also provided valuable information on the benefits of
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operating via free zones, as facilitated by RAK Free Trade Zone’s Business Development Director – Tomas Csobonyei. The event, the first of its kind for the local Philippine business community in the Emirates, signals the PBC Dubai’s renewed thrust in playing an integral role in bolstering the presence of Filipino businesses and assisting entrepreneurs in the UAE. According to PBC Dubai Chairman Bobbie Carella, “Since its creation in 2001, the PBC Dubai has always supported the Filipino business community through its educational, charitable as well as social endeavors. We continue that tradition and this time, we renew our commitment and go about our mission with renewed vigor to assist Filipino entrepreneurs in developing relationships in the market, while developing business opportunities in the process.” The PBC Dubai Interface 2015 was held with the support of sponsors – RAK Free Trade Zone, Ayala Land International, Landmark Group (Max Fashion and Emax), as well as Western Union and Illustrado Magazine, and was organized by the PBC Executive Committee consisting of – Bobbie Carella (Chairman), Red Vargas (Vice Chairman), Eden Borja (Treasurer), Caloy Serrano and Marty Plumley (Membership), Lalaine Chu-Benitez (Marketing), Andy Minodin (Projects), Christine Gonzales and Leo Barrameda (Secretariat). The program was hosted by Mike Ortega and Lalaine Chu-Benitez, with entertainment provided by Danilo, a tenor who was flown in from Qatar with the accompaniment of keyboard artist Angelo. There was also an art exhibit by the UST Alumni.
NEWS
PBC Dubai Executive Committee (L-R) - Christine Gonzales (Secretary), Bobbie Carella (Chairman), Andy Minodin (Projects), Eden Borja (Treasurer), Marty Plumley (Membership), Red Vargas (Vice Chairman), Leo Barrameda (Secretary), Lalaine Chu-Benitez (Marketing), and Caloy Serrano (Membership).
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FEATURE
Surviving and Thriving in the Emirates
Entrepreneurship: With the growth of entrepreneurship in the UAE, a country with a vibrant SME sector accounting for 60% of the country’s non-oil GDP, Filipinos, who are amongst the largest expat groups, are catching on. More options for start-ups including flexible free zone facilities offered around the emirates are driving more and more Pinoys to leave the workforce to start their own business ventures or go into self-employment. Whereas, Filipino businesses tended to be community-focused serving the “kababayan market” in the past, a lot of Filipinos enterprises now serve the mainstream market and are present in sectors as diverse as food, fashion, health, hospitality, human resources, publishing, advertising, education, wellness, retail, franchising, real estate, financial services and etc.
LEA: Passion has given me the drive to succeed and be the best. I’ve taken everything I’ve learnt over the years, researched and learnt about the gaps in the market. I strive to give my customers an experience they can’t get anywhere else and am constantly trying to improve. I always ensure to train my staff regularly with new industry insights, or products and only employ those who show they are as passionate about their job as much as I am.
Still, notwithstanding local incentives and lower barriers to entry, the ups and downs of both local and global economies have kept entrepreneurship the hallowed ground of the bold and the fearless. Illustrado speaks to six seasoned Filipino entrepreneurs who talk about how their companies where able to survive and thrive despite the market’s highs and lows, and how entrepreneurship is really not just about business plans and numbers – it is also about sheer guts and dogged determination.
MARIA: We have developed a solid and successful business model and a team of qualified people growing Captain Potato in the market. I surround myself with great people who support and trust me. Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely job, but surrounding yourself with the best team enhances your chances to succeed, and it makes the process a lot more enjoyable.
What’s the one thing that has allowed your business to survive and flourish all these years? LUCILLE: Keeping a continuous dialogue with our clients – basically listening to them and being around when they need you. JOVY: It is doing business with a mission for the benefit of the community, environment and for yourself that extends to family, staff and stakeholders. I may have personally failed and lost some money, but my stakeholders have gained from my enterprise e.g. dependents of staff, suppliers, competitors and customers.
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GUIL: Pure determination to achieve what you believe in is the key to keep you standing in this warzone. Focus to fulfill your vision and mission. Dubai is such a huge and fierce market, you need to be ready for the battle.
CHRIS: We survive because of passion and work ethics. Be on time, avoid over promising but exceed expectations. Other artists can be very talented but they can also be stubborn and all over the place. We are thankful that we continuously work on our talents and maintain the ideal work-relation status. If our work speaks for itself, it’s just because we keep our clients happy. Most of them are very willing to pass us on to their business network.
How have you overcome challenges through the years? LUCILLE: By never giving up on what we are truly passionate about and through sheer hard work. By continuously looking for channels to improve and innovate so we can offer our clients better choices.
FEATURE JOVY: Daily prayers for wisdom to know the difference between what I can do and cannot do. The big challenge is understanding fast-changing customer behavior and offering the right product at the right price that gives you the highest yield possible. With limited resources, we just had to offer high- value or high-yield products to good paying customers that accept what we can deliver in terms of volume. As the saying goes, less is more. LEA: Perseverance and faith. I believe that challenges create the person you are today. If one embraces them and takes a different perspective, it can bring out the best in you. Dubai is a somewhat transient city, with UAE residents and visitors coming and going on a regular basis. This is a challenge for us. Our client base is always changing and evolving, and this is why it’s so important for us to be constantly educating our existing client base, including potential customers. It is also important for us to be an industry trendsetter and to keep raising the bar. It is this attention to detail and bespoke offering that really continues to set us apart from the competition. GUIL: Challenges are always part of the game. You just have to play through it and be persistent. Keep calm and always keep the faith
Meet Our Panel of Entrepreneurs LUCILLE ONG Design Unlimited LLC Former PBC Dubai Chairman Lucille Ong has been managing businesses in the market for the last 3 decades. Design Unlimited LLC, her latest venture, is an indoor and outdoor plant and maintenance provider for corporate clients. Introducing the company to clients in 2008 just before the economic crash, was tough, says Lucille, “but we just kept knocking on doors until they opened.” Now, Design Unlimited serves an esteemed roster of clients including malls, banks, hotels, among others.
JOVY TUANO Asia Gulf Trading Former PBC Abu Dhabi Chairman Jovy Tuaňo set up Asia Gulf Trading in early 2004 in Abu Dhabi as a LLC importing Philippine contract furniture for the hospitality industry in Kuwait, Bahrain and UAE. After ten years, the company has diversified into food, trading and real estate. As CPA and licensed real estate practitioner, Jovy has also recently assumed leadership of Megaworld International for the Middle East, India and Africa as AVP for Sales
LEA CORDON ROUF Spa Cordon An hotelier and spa expert for the last 15 years, Lea Cordon Rouf launched her own brand – Spa Cordon in 2012. An upscale ladies day spa, located in in Sky Gardens, DIFC, Dubai, Spa Cordon has won the Best Day Spa in 2013, at the Middle East Spa Awards, and was also awarded the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2014 and 2015. The spa boasts five treatment suites, an oriental bath, sauna, two steam rooms, whirlpool, a nail lounge and pre & post relaxation areas. It also features an interactive beauty spa bar, stocked with an eclectic selection of natural ingredients.
GUIL AFRIKA Guil Afrika’s company OneCM² started as an interior design company in 2011 but later evolved to what they are today - OneCM² Advertising LLC, a one-stop creative solution agency - providing services from design concept to final installation delivery. In a world of “cut and paste” designs and a “follow the leader” branding, Guil says their agency sets itself apart through its innovative, creative, and unique design and implementation model.
MARIA ARANDA Captain Potato Foodstuff LLC Maria Aranda’s company owns the franchise brands Captain Potato and I Love My Crepe. A company established in 2009, starting with humble wheeled cart/kiosk operations, they now have 9 outlets currently operating in Dubai and in Sharjah. Captain Potato is set to expand to dominate the market by opening 10 more kiosks all over UAE by the end of 2015.
CHRIS CALUMBERAN Chris Calumberan Photography Prior to becoming a professional photographer, Chris was involved in web design, and production management for TV commercials. As brand ambassador for some leading photography brands, he speaks in some major photography workshops. His business, established in 2008, focuses on stills productions as well as videos, with fashion houses, advertising agencies and corporate offices as the main clients.
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FEATURE MARIA: We make sure we have plan for the next 6-12 months, as well as for the next 3 to 5-years which includes specific growth goals. I really focus on opportunity and leave the setbacks. I don’t worry much about things that could go wrong. In business, there are so many things that could go wrong and it’s easy to be distracted by them. Instead, I focus on what I am doing right, and the problems I have will get resolved. CHRIS: Experience and efficiency always prevails. Also, we keep moving forward. Failures will be present and will always be considered lessons learned. Brush it off and move on. As the market gets more saturated and competitive, we do maintain our handful of clients that share the same vision and practices the same values. We keep our competition to ourselves. What we have done well today, we progressively do better tomorrow.
What’s the best thing that entrepreneurs can do when the market is down or when the going gets tough? LUCILLE: Tighten your belt, focus on your core business and be vigilant of your competitors. JOVY: Kill your ego and accept eventual market failure but do not give up. Go back to basics. Optimize use of current resources to generate revenue and minimize spending to bare essentials. Reinvent and re-position your enterprise. LEA: Always keep looking for opportunities. They say that any business should have at least three legs to support it. It’s just finding the right combination of that would fit your organization and maximize it. It’s really about going out there and seeing what the market is looking for. GUIL: Keep your ears open and understand your clients’ needs. Focus on the most important issues and analyze it. The market is probably waiting for the greatest idea that is just within your head. Don’t think out of the box... think of what you’ll do with the box. MARIA: We have to keep reminding ourselves that a good business with a strong, reliable source of revenue can stay afloat even in the roughest of times. That’s why, while we have the chance, we need to test different income and revenue models, evaluate and simulate our business in different economic environments, and think of new methods to bring in more profits. When the economy is rough, because we’ve built a good foundation, we’ll be more optimistic and maintain the motivation that’s necessary to keep pushing forward. CHRIS: We should allow ourselves to get bored. This only gives us the opportunity to study, meditate and explore. Procrastination can be a good thing if you’re figuring out how you can finish a task efficiently. It gets so tempting to be frustrated when accounts are on hold, but that that is why we have to be prepared on lean days. “For the meantime, try to learn something new or teach something you know that you want to get better at.”
How about when the market is on the up? How can entrepreneurs maximize benefits to their business? LUCILLE: Offer additional products and services that will enhance your clients’ brand and improve their image.
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JOVY: Maximize profits by positioning your products and services in the value chain within your business ecosystem. You have to make yourself an indispensable part of the value chain. Evaluate the risks and benefit of commercial agreements, without over-exposing your business to high financial obligations since creditors can be aggressive. Stability, liquidity and profitability have to be sustained. LEA: Never be complacent. Even when the market is on the up and business is going well, there’s always room for improvement. We pride ourselves on attention to detail and offering bespoke and quality service for our customers, and this means a very rigorous training programme and constantly being aware of the market that you’re operating in, the changing demands of the customer and the competition. GUIL: Take advantage of the opportunities and maximize your strengths. Keep innovating and create new ideas to keep you apart from the others. I love to fuse the old and the new and for me that’s a new design! Sustain what you are doing to keep the edge. MARIA: When applications for our franchise is high, we focus on getting deals and lease offers from various malls that help us sell franchises or open outlets. I maximize my time reaching clients and customers who really need our system, products and services, and will pay for them. We improve our system further and sell at a good price for us to get good premiums. CHRIS: Being double booked is a positive problem. The discipline of organizing is a virtue. This is when we need to be physically healthy and mentally sound, when traits of leadership and experience are required. We need to learn how to delegate, negotiate and deliver. Defining priorities by negotiating contracts and who gets more attention. And as much as possible, avoiding compromises when it comes to delivery.
What are the qualities and practices that can truly help entrepreneurs in managing their business? LUCILLE: Working hard and being open-minded especially to new ideas and innovations in your industry. Your clients will appreciate them. JOVY: Entrepreneurs should have spiritual guidance and wisdom to do the unthinkable; self-assessment of resources and self-realization of skill sets; clear shared vision and mission – you and your people should know where to go and how to get there; the drive to win and willingness to accept and learn from failure as steps to success; and an understanding of customer behavior and market demand. You should also build personal equity, character and reputation; excellent planning and negotiation skills, while learning project management skills, developing cultural intelligence (CQ) in addition to EQ and IQ, as well as people and leadership skills – talent management. LEA: Generally speaking it’s about constant education, partnered with growth and knowledge. These days there are so many avenues to obtain information, such as the internet, courses, webinars, conventions and so much more. It has never been easier. Dubai and the UAE, in general, really foster innovation and entrepreneurship. It’s a wonderfully creative market and a fantastically supportive environment for start-ups. GUIL: The most important thing is hard work and integrity. When we started this business, we created a culture of “consistency” in the
FEATURE quality of work we do. I believe if you meet your deadline, you have fair pricing, and you do great after sales services, then everyone will be happy.
Win a person in less than 90 seconds, first impressions are important. You never know who might be your next big client. When the going gets tough, never sweat the small stuff.
MARIA: Learn to manage your time properly. I use 3 time management principles – Let it go, Keep it Simple and Move quickly. Have discipline, be consistent and have faith. I follow that inner voice inside my head telling me that everything is happening the way that it is supposed to. Faith tells me to keep going - that this will all work out, that the stress and sleepless nights will all pay off. Lastly, stay strong and be resilient. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart
Would you encourage other Filipinos to go into business? What do you think are the pre-requisites for people getting into business?
CHRIS: Managing your own business becomes lonely at some point. You’re mostly making your own decisions. Though, the best side of it is being in control and dancing your own show. We should look for mentors and role models to help set our goals and provide us advice when we’re faced in a difficult situation. Besides independence and control, entrepreneurs should also have initiative, dedication and the wanting to deliver quality not only just on the product but with service and client relations.
What’s the best piece of advice you can give to start-up entrepreneurs? LUCILLE: Never give up on your passion. JOVY: Kill your ego and be ready to be a one-man show - from driver, delivery boy, cashier, accountant, secretary, manager, etc. Be ready to be insulted, discriminated and forget about yourself because customers don’t really care about you. Customers care about satisfying themselves with your products and services. Discover your own talent and enterprise. Discern your God-given mission in life by connecting the dots of your life from childhood until today. Don’t be a copycat or be envious of your neighbors and friends. Social media is good for understanding trends and consumer behavior. Maintain a fixed income - keep your job during the transition to entrepreneurship. If your spouse is working, then you can take the plunge. Develop business related to current job, experience or passion and align with the current market demand. LEA: Having a dream is where it all starts and where the passion will come from. Ensure that your vision of the business is detailed and specific. Knowing what you want and knowing how to attain it will help you a great deal. When you are faced with hurdles or roadblocks, it’s this that drives the determination to push through and achieve your goals.
LUCILLE: Yes, definitely, but business is not for everybody. They must be passionate about their idea, willing to work hard for it even when it fails. JOVY: Yes, but one has to understand the different roles and responsibility of stakeholders related to any business. Either you do it alone or share it with a corporate businessman, entrepreneur, investor, social entrepreneur who all think differently. Your best friends and relatives can abandon you or become your competitor while, your worst friends can be your best customer. LEA: I would encourage anyone to set up a business, as long as they have researched the market properly, created a business plan and are confident it is feasible. Dubai is a great market to operate it and is continuing to expand at a rapid rate, so there is a lot of support available for start-up companies. GUIL: Definitely! We Filipinos would like to assimilate even better in our adoptive countries. We need to step up from just being a professional who gets old and retires in the same position. We need to move out from that thought. Trust your instinct and think that you will succeed. Entrepreneurs always take the risks, and whoever takes the risk, gets the big return. MARIA: They just have to decide on what type of business they want to enter, and how the business should be. It has to be something of interest to the person and something that has the potential for long term growth. If they are decided, just go for it. Although it can be scary to go on your own, especially, if you’re leaving a steady paycheck behind, the idea of working for someone else for the rest of your life is more frightening. If you believe in your idea and are willing to work hard, sooner or later things will fall into place. CHRIS: Find your element. Discover that activity that leads you to flow. You will realize that you just enjoy what you’re doing. Just adding a bit of effort makes it more special. Once you find your niche everything else will fall into place. All of the sudden, the elements and requirements will align. You will notice that most of the problems and challenges have reasons behind them and eventually get solved on their own.
GUIL: Never ever be afraid of something big. Be passionate about what you do. Look for what the market needs. Be strong on what you believe in and follow your intuition. MARIA: Launching a startup is no cakewalk. Be bold but humble, and have a positive attitude. You’ve got to take risks. Don’t underestimate your own value, and the value of pure assertiveness and passion. Also, there is plenty of room for error and there are tons to learn. No person can do it all. What is great about building a business is that you build a team, too. It is like a family. It is not about you, it is about the idea and building something sustainable. You need to let go of the ego, and let the idea grow. CHRIS: Adaptability is key when you want to pursue success both in life and in business.
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FEATURE
FILIPINO LEADERSHIP AROUND THE WORLD Excel V. Dyquiangco
Around the world Filipinos are making a name for themselves. In the field of government, arts and culture, technology, educations, sports, youth organizations, entertainment, and business and enterprise, they lead, manage and influence. Faye Corcuera, Vice President for Human Resources of the Bank of Philippine Islands once said that this is all about serving the Filipino people and their families. “Ultimately, this is the best way we can promote these values - to remember that we exist not only for ourselves, but to fulfil the needs of a larger community.” Here are five Filipinos who are able to rise above the ranks in their respective spheres to show to the world what true and genuine Filipino leadership looks like - wherever they may be.
IRENE NATIVIDAD Women Empowerment USA She describes herself as not just a dreamer but as a doer and a visionary, a persistent, determined and passionate individual who wants only the best for women – in their careers, in their homes and in their relationships. In the many years that Irene Natividad has been serving and seeking the welfare of women around the world as President of the Global Summit of Women, an annual international gathering of women leaders, she conveys a knowledge-sharing not quantifiable but gives inspiration and encouragement to be bigger and better in whatever their spheres of influences are. “Women’s careers are not a direct line to achievement. Instead, careers go up and down, with their highs and lows,” she says during an interview. “If you are not passionate about what you do, you cannot get through the lows. Don’t be a backseat driver in your life! Keep looking forward.”
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Born and raised in the Philippines and exposed to different cultures and traditions earlier on, she hopes that in the next five years more women steps up in the community. “I hope my health continues to be good so that I can make this global forum available to more parts of the world,” she adds. “It takes persistence and commitment -- it’s not like a dress you can just take off and put on the bed.”
RYAN LETADA Social Innovator USA He wants to make a difference in the world. As Chief Builder and CEO of Next Day Better, an organization that links diaspora communities to create positive social change, Ryan Letada spreads ideas in action that produce a better future - actions that are Filipino in flavour and that are rooted in innovation, design and entrepreneurship. In fact in answer to the recent typhoon Yolanda that ravaged some parts of the country sometime ago, his organization brought together both Filipino and non-Filipino disaster relief experts, technologists, strategists and designers to build resilient and flexible communities. “I see a role for anyone to make a difference in the social entrepreneurial route,” he says. “I think this as a great opportunity, not just a generational thing but where anyone can get involved.” An alumnus of Wheaton College and winner of the Ainslie Alumni Achievement Award last 2014 in recognition of the changes he brings about in the community through social change, he continues to exemplify Filipino leadership and make the whole world know about it. “We all have a strong call to action to use the gift that has been given to us - this scholarship, this community, this moment - to make our mark in the world,” he says.
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LOIDA NICOLAS-LEWIS Business Leader and Philanthropist USA Her love for classical plays and stories started it all. Loida Nicolas-Lewis who grew up in the quaint province of Sorsogon loving civic duty exemplifies a thoughtprovoking leader bent on promoting what the Philippines has to offer to foreigners and other to nations. In fact just last year she decided to stage Jose Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere to prove that Filipinos are indeed world-class – and she claims, bringing it all together was indeed a challenge. “I also wanted Filipinos to enhance their love for the art, literature and country,” she says. Now in her 70s and named one of the richest women in the USA, Lewis who is also a lawyer is also an advocate of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) which would allow Filipinos to stay and work in the United States without a permanent residence status for some time. She is an active supporter of the following organizations: Asian American Arts Alliance, Asian American Foundation, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, and others. “We are all equal in the eyes of God,” she says. “What is important is what we do as stewards and manage what we have to do. I think that’s the most important.”
DIOSDADO BANATAO Engineering Visionary USA Known as the Father of Semi-Conductors, Diosdado Banato or Dado as he is fondly called by his peers is no stranger to difficulties. While growing up in the sleepy town of Cagayan Valley he walked barefoot to school and experienced studying without the help of electricity. His father who was a farmer always inculcated in his heart the importance of finishing school – and the values he taught him paid off. After graduating Cum Laude with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Mapua Institute of Technology, he moved to the United States to
take his Masters at Stanford University. The first company he put up failed and he tried and tried again – this time he succeeded. Presently he is the co-founder of Mostron, Chips and Technologies, and S3 Graphics, and designed the first chip being used in all personal computers nowadays. Earlier this year during a forum he gives this advice to those who want to make it big in the industry: “Challenges lie everywhere - from starting the product to raising the money. The problem is big and you can divide it to chunks but those chunks contribute to everything. It’s a massive amount of problem. It has to be a burning desire because you will really be put to the test. If a person quits, he was really not meant for that. You will have to continue despite worse conditions. Everybody will be successful if it’s not easy.”
RIA REYES Technological Pacesetter Japan The first time she stepped foot in Japan, her only thoughts were studying and finishing the language course she planned to take. But after a year of staying in this part of the world, Ria Reyes found herself enamoured with its people and its sites and decided to pursue her working relations there. At first it was challenging to look for a job because she didn’t speak the language that much but after constantly trying, she landed a break – a Google Japan break, that is. “As part of the staffing team, I am in charge mainly of the entire hiring process for people (mostly Japanese nationals) who are applying in Google Japan - from initial screening stage until job offer acceptance,” she says. “I work closely with various sales and marketing teams in our company on hiring the best candidates for Google Japan. Aside from Japan, I also work on some roles to be filled in other APAC countries such as Korea, Singapore, China and Hong Kong.” Ria armed with a degree in Business Administration at the University of the Philippines in Diliman believes that proper education is still the key to a long and successful career and life. “Proper education will definitely bring you places,” she says. “Let me say though that it is not about the scientific or technical terms we learned, thick books we read, nor Math problems we solved in school. It is more about the way we dealt with daily challenges and the decisions we make at each and every task that will help determine how we face life as adults.”
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SCRAPBOOK
Roldan Narag – Dubai, UAE www.roldannarag.com
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SCRAPBOOK
Omar Jordan de Guzman – Dubai, UAE www.omardeguzman.com
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FEATURE
THE NEW LIBERATED
How to be a Filipino, truly free By Nicholo Jallores
Just what does it mean when a Filipino is referred to as “liberated?” Used to be that the word “liberated” carried a sinister connotation amongst Filipinos. Before, to be “liberated” suggested promiscuity and wobbly morals; a degradation of the traditional social values that were associated with the Filipino family archetype. To be “liberated” was to be hyperWesternized, to shed one’s conservative upbringing in favor of the more open sensibilities of the US and Europe. But things have changed. The world has been made smaller by great strides in digital communication, and cultural transference happens in seconds over the Internet. The Western world is not the exotic and tantalizing frontier it once was. It’s just another website address, or a page to like on Facebook. “Liberated” is no longer synonymous with “loose.” In fact, it has become a benchmark. Whether the Filipino is truly free can be a matter of fierce and often divisive debate. Some pundits say that we do not truly deserve the independence and democracy that we have fought for, implying that we would have been better off if we had just settled on being an American colony. The Filipino, - in every sense of the word - is free, but knowing what to do with that freedom can sometimes be tricky. Unless we understand just what we can be free of, we will never know what it is like to be truly free.
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Liberty is not just a state of political independence. First and foremost, it is a state of mind, and then it is a daily practice. To be free, you have to think and act as a free man. Unburden thyself with the usual trifles that plague the Filipino worldview. Here are some measures that you can take now, right this instant, to assert your independence.
Free yourself from Indio Mentality We have not been referred to as indio’s for more than a hundred years, and yet a lot of Filipinos insist on thinking and behaving like second class citizens - that is, operating with a slave’s mindset of having less opportunities by virtue of race, nationality, and social standing. This can affect us in two ways: 1.) We think we are less worthy of having the same success as other nationalities, so we lower our standards and limit our expectations, and/or 2.) We think there aren’t enough opportunities around for Filipinos, so we become crab-minded and knock each other down for scraps. This is a travesty because not only does it cripple our chances of succeeding as individuals, it inhibits us from coming together as a community. Free yourself from the lie that you deserve less and have less because you are a Filipino. You have a shot at good life, just like everybody else.
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Free yourself from Regionalism and Clannishness
Free yourself from Celebrity and Media Worship
Filipinos uphold the traditional family and barrio archetype to such dizzying heights that they tend to work in silos and operate very insularly even in the workplace or community setting, i.e. tayo-tayo lang. Throw in the Filipinos’ knack for being hyper-competitive and you have a recipe for a social disaster. We cannot put up a united front because we are segregated in groups, each with their own exclusive interests and self-centered agenda. While there is nothing wrong with finding your own support group of like-minded individuals, we must take care not to inadvertently turn our sense of community into regionalism and clannishness. Otherwise, we will limit our opportunities for learning insights and fostering productive relations with other networks. Free yourself from the belief that you can only be in one group. You are a dynamic individual with a diverse and multifaceted character. You don’t have to be just one thing for one group. You can be many different things.
It’s one thing to admire the way actors look or the way singers sound, but to hold him them high on a pedestal and think that they can do no wrong? Ridiculous. For far too long, celebrity worship has been used as a tool to addle the intellect of the masses to great and devastating effect. Artista’s dictate what we buy in the grocery, how we raise our kids, and what we write on our ballots. Show business has permeated every aspect of our daily life, and it bears questioning just how much control we are willing to relinquish to our Kapuso’s and Kapamila’s. Free yourself from the illusion that celebrities are better than us. Fame is not a virtue. It’s an occupation, just like any other. Just because your favorite telenovela starlet endorses a certain brand of toothpaste doesn’t mean that it really is the best in the market. Do your research and make up your own mind, as any wise and prudent person would do.
Free yourself from Financial Anxiety
Filipinos tend to be so inordinately self-conscious about the opinions of others that they tend to opt the consensus, instead of forming and standing up for their own choices. We have a “follower mentality;” a real propensity for just jumping into the nearest available bandwagon for the sake of convenience and fitting in, instead of treading our own direction. This is why Filipinos are such fierce brand loyalists and trendsetters. It’s also why they are susceptible to mass media manipulation. Free yourself from the misconception that because everyone believes it, you should believe it too. In argumentation theory, it’s called “Argumentum Ad Populum:” a logical fallacy that concludes that a proposition is true simply because many believe it to be true. Being different doesn’t automatically make you a deviant. Don’t be afraid to stand out and have your own unique voice.
If in this day and age, your financial strategy still revolves around the medieval concept of “Isang Kahig, Isang Tuka,” then you are not only mismanaging your money: you are also culling your chances of securing a brighter future for yourself and your family. There are plenty of resources online that you can check out and on-ground seminars that you can attend to improve the way you manage your finances, but most of them will teach you these two fundamental tenets: 1.) Review and increase your income streams, and 2.) Save first, and then spend. Your money does not have to come in from just one source. You can take on freelance jobs, accept consultancy projects, invest in a small enterprise or even try your knack for the stock market to diversify your income portfolio. And please: before you go for a mad dash towards the new iPhone, make sure that you have taken due care of your savings first. Redirect some of your disposable income towards your savings account. Free yourself from the notion you are a slave to your money. You need control your finances, and not the other way around. And remember: you don’t need “stuff,” as much as you need a stable future.
Free yourself from Lynch Mob Mentality
Filipino, take your freedom! The freedom that we enjoy today stems from the blood, toil, and strife of our forefathers. We must never take it for granted. We must appreciate it, enact it, and keep it alive by thought and by deed. Take your liberty, dear kabayan. Take it and run with it.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
No crisis of identity here. Filipino is as Filipino feels. The Philippines, perhaps more so than any other South East Asian country, have always been about diversity. Even more, as our people scatter all over the world. Our community is a quintessential “melting pot” of cultures, beliefs, and idiosyncrasies. We are not one boring blanket of color. We are a rich and vibrant tapestry. We were born to be different. So let’s. Meet some young and proud Filipinos from LA who are challenging the standards of what it’s like to be a “true” Pinoy. PHOTOGRAPHY IRVIN RIVERA @GRAPHICSMETROPOLIS MODEL DIANA CARL @PHOTOGENICS MAKE-UP ARTIST SIFA SITANI HAIRSTYLIST MATILDE CAMPOS
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DIANA CARL, 22 FILPINO/AMERICAN I am Filipino also American. I actually feel happy about being a Filipino. I believe Filipinos are very happy people. We love to laugh and have fun. Being a Filipino has never been a challenge. But as a model, Filipino food can be a problem, haha.
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RODELL OCAMPO, 27
FILPINO /SPANiSH/CHINESE I am 100% Filipino I am extremely proud to be a Filipino because of our rich culture, our ethnic mix, beauty, hardworking ethics and perserverant attitude. I never considered being a Filipino a n issue but actually a strength.
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DEVONE SPENCE, 26 FILPINO/ SWEDISH
Filipino is my dominant side, but my Swedish mix gives my brother, sister and I a unique look. I love it. Can’t imagine being something else. Filipino is the best! We dance, we sing and we look the best :) I always hear from people that Filipino friends are the most hospitable and make sure you are never hungry.
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FRANcis kenneth anunciacion, 27 FILPINO/AMERICAN
I am Filipino through and through. I might not ”act” or “sound” like one, but Filipino culture has been and continues to be an influential aspect to my life. I feel blessed, to be honest. We’re a group of hardworking and passionate people. and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Growing up, I was one of a handful of Filipinos in my city (Lomita), so outside of my family, I didn’t really have anyone I could relate my ethnicity to. As a result, I had to adapt to the different cultures around me. But my parents never let me forget that I’m Pinoy at heart.
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NIKITA PIA o. mcelroy, 20
FILPINO/African-AMERICAN Yes I consider myself a Filipino. Not only because my mom is a Filipino but because I have the heart of a Filipino. Filipinos are very resilient and loving. Being Pinoy makes me proud. Filipinos have a diverse culture that is very interesting. Foreign friends also think that we are the most hardworking and nicest people in the word. Growing up, maybe I had just a little bit of challenge. I didn’t experience anything awful, but I did experience bullying because I looked different.
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LOUISe barretto, 31 FILPINO/ spanish
I am Filipina. There’s no other ethnicity I relate to. Although when people see me, they think I’m mediterranean, Latina or Italian. I guess, I’m just racially ambiguous. I’m proud to be a Filipino. But sometimes I wonder if more doors will open up for me if I wasn’t Filipino. Filipinos have the biggest hearts and they’re open to new experiences. It may seem contradictory but the issue for me isn’t about being a Filipino but not looking Filipino or looking like any one particular. It’s a double edged sword but I prefer to roll with it and let it work for me.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
JEREMY CARLOS, 19 FILiPINO
It’s awesome. Being a Filipino makes me unique and it’s part of my overall identity. Fortunately, being Filipino has never been an issue for me, but I feel like everyday is a challenge in itself.
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MARIA kristina abigail roxas, 27 FILPINO/CHINESE I’m 100% Filipino! We Filipinos have unique personalities! We have an optimistic attitude towards life and are always ready to help others! I’m proud to be a Pinoy
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EDWIN LOYOLA, 41 FILPINO
Being Pinoy is always unique. We’ve got unique talent and culture to share to the world.
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MARK ANTHONY PASCUAL, 28
FILPINO/ PUERTO RICAN I am Filipino all the way! It’s a priviledge to be one actually. Most people I’ve met think highly about Filipinos.
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MADDy NORDUIST, 14 FILPINO/SWEDISH
I consider myself a Filipino and white, totally equal. I love being a Filipino for tons of reasons. We are very culturally diverse. There are a alot of things I can be proud of, especially how close my Pinoy family is. It has always been a challenge though, being half, being called not a true Filipina, or just not good enough to be Pinoy.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
MEG RIVES, 26 FILPINO/FRENCH
I identify as a multi-racial woman. I embrace everything that I am, Filipina, French and American. But I consider myself to be many things. I feel blessed that I have a connection to my roots and that I have culture and a great vacation spot.
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As a mixed person who mostly looks more Filipina than caucasian, I guess racism and stereotypes are a challenge. And when I inform people that I’m half Filipina, they say ”Oh speak Tagalog.” But I only know cuss words.
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IAGO RATERTA,34
FILPINO/IRISH/MEXICAN I am a Filipino absolutely! I was born and raised in Ilo-ilo, Philippines. At times,it is a challenge being a Filipino specially living in a foreign country, but I don’t make it an issue.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
MJ NORQUIST, 11 FILPINO/SWEDISH
I consider myself Filipino. Equally Filipino and white. I love being a Filipino because of cultural diversity. Being a Filipino is no issue. Except, some relatives and Pinoy friends may bully me saying I’m not a true Pinoy.
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SPECIAL FEATURE
JANINE TUGONON, 25 FILPINO
I’m 100% Filipino. Both my parents are Filipinos and born in the Philippines. I’ve always been happy, grateful and proud to be a Filipino. Filipino women, they say, are some of the most beautiful in the world. So that’s great. When it comes to moving to the U.S. It wasn’t that easy. But other than that , I had no problem/challenge being a Filipino. I actually feel priviledged to be one.
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FASHION
NERE KU MANILA June 18-20, 2015 SM Megamall, Fashion Hall
Featuring pieces from: Michael Cinco, Furne One, Ezra Santos, Cary Santiago, Albert Andrada, Francis Libiran, Fanny Serrano, Rocky Gathercole, Cherry Veric, Avel Bacudio, Veejay Floresca, Eric Delos Santos, Jaz Cerezo, Vanessa Unite, Mark Dela Pena, Edwin Uy, Nico Agustin, Odelon Simpa, Jovan Dela Cruz, Kaye Morales, Dave Ocampo, Jian Lasala, Vina Romero, Jerome Lorico, Jerome Salaya Ang, Renan Pacson. Stylists - Ryuji Shiomitsu, Yvonne Camay and Vhee Co Photos courtesy of: Jhesel Kandala, Bruce Casanova and Dencio Natividad
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PHOTOGRAPHY: ALEX CALLUENG MODEL: FERINA DE PAZ STYLIST: DANSEI KUN AND YENYEN NAVALTA OF TEAM YENSEI MAKE-UP: LAILA AL-HARTHY HAIR: JANUARY SAGA ABAD GOWNS BY LEO ALMODAL SHOT ON LOCATION AT CAMAYA COAST RESORT – MARIVELES, BATAAN
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THINGS TO DO
Things to do –
JUNE-JULY 2015 Yes, it’s officially summer in Dubai but that does not mean we should sulk, and simply enjoy movie reruns on TV. Go out, be merry, and be happy. Either enjoy the sun’s blazing rays or revel at Dubai’s open beaches or find cool comfort inside the world’s largest indoor ski resort, fact of the matter is you have options – lots of it – to do with this dry season.
Glide and slide Those who would like to mesh grace and sports should try figure skating in Dubai’s huge ice-skating rinks. One of which is the Olympic size Dubai Ice Rink located at the Dubai Mall. In a climatecontrolled environment, it offers an exciting mix of family fun, sports and entertainment, as it prepares to host a diverse calendar of events from figure skating competitions to hockey matches and live concerts. The other popular rink is the Al Nasr Leisureland Ice Rink that provides both ice-skating and ice hockey and is a popular venue for kids. Situated in Oud Metha at the rear of the American Hospital and open from 9am to 11pm daily; however there are three one-hour periods during the day separating the sessions when the rink is closed for re-icing. While the Galleria Ice Rink located in the heart of the shopping complex at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Deira is a popular haunt for kids and parents alike.
Play with penguins Explore the ultimate indoor snow resort at Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates, the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East! With an amazing mountain-themed wintery setting, enjoy skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, or just playing in the snow. Plus you can now meet and play with Ski Dubai’s newest residents: the Snow Penguins!
Go to the zoo Perfect for families who are animal lovers, Dubai has some animalandia in offer. Dubai Zoo, which is the oldest zoo of its kind the Arabian Peninsula, also occurs to be the first Arabian zoo to breed the rare Chimpanzee and Arabian wildcat. There is also the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo with 10-million liter tank, located on the Ground Level of The Dubai Mall, is the largest suspended aquarium in the world. It houses thousands of aquatic animals, comprising over 140 species. Over 400 Sharks and Rays live in this tank, including the largest collection of Sand Tiger Sharks in the world. The Lost Chambers Aquarium in Atlantis, The Palm is also a great option. Explore the underwater mazes and tunnels of this lost civilization while encountering sharks, eels, seahorses, and piranhas. There are over 20 remarkable marine life exhibits including a touch tank and interactive Aquatheatre show.
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THINGS TO DO Climb the top Well, you don’t have to sweat all over to get to the top of the world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa. Here, you begin your vertical ascent to the observation deck in a highspeed elevator, travelling at 10 meters per second. As the doors open, floor-to-ceiling glass walls provide a breath-taking unobstructed 360-degree view of the city, desert and ocean. By night, sparkling lights and stars compete for your attention.
Fish for fun Fun, adventure, gorgeous weather and waters teeming with fish make it deep sea fishing an adventure of choice for many tourists and Dubai has become a renowned sporting destination, playing host to some of the finest sea fishing events in the world. Fishing tour companies can organize additional activities, such as coastal cruising and water sport activities, and depending on the duration of the trip, may have light refreshments. For more information, contact Club Joumana, Jebel Ali Golf Resort and Spa, Dubai Creek Golf &Yacht Club, Al Wasl Cruising & Fishing, and Art Marine.
Take the plunge Where else in the world can you enjoy water activity during winter? So, better take advantage of the beautiful weather and try the world-class facilities and rides in Dubai’s set of water parks. There is the Aquaventure Waterpark, Atlantis The Palm which has 42 acres overflowing with fun including Master Blasters, speedslide, rivers, rapids, Splashers children’s play area, lush tropical landscapes and a private beach. Guests staying at Atlantis have unlimited access to the water park. Another thrilling water park is Wild Wadi located in Dubai and situated in front of the stunning Burj Al Arab. It offers 30 rides and attractions for all the family.
Experience Ramadan iftars Since we know that fasting during the day is a requirement in Islam’s Holy Month of Ramadan, Filipinos who do not follow the religion should at least know the sensitivities of the rites. We eat and drink discreetly during the day, understanding quite well how to pay respect for them. However, what we can also do is to try the practice that they do during Ramadan. Let’s do grab their after-fasting meal that they commonly call iftar and/or eat some late and light dinner meal and sweets, which they refer as suhoor, before they start the day of fasting. Leading hotels and restaurants have tons of offers for iftars and suhoors, and surely you’ll find something that fits your taste and budget. We have tried the offerings at The Palace in Downtown Dubai, Al BustanRotana, Crowne Plaza in Deira and Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City. These hotels present festive and sumptuous Arabic cuisine at affordable pricing, most of which come in package (meal and drinks) at a range of AED 120 to AED 200. So, check out the iftar and suhoor offers, and experience the joys of Ramadan at least once in your life.
Visit the mosque Although the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is a splendid sightseeing spot to visit, residents and tourists in Dubai who have no time to drive through the capital can opt to pay homage to one of the most celebrated religious sites in the country: the Jumeirah Mosque. Coined as the Big Mosque in Jumeirah – because of its marvelous stature along the Jumeirah Beach Road – the mosque is actually one (if not the) most attractive mosques in the city. Built under Fatimid Tradition of the Medieval Period, Jumeirah Mosque is a secular symbol for all tourists who visit Dubai. Furnished with white stones, it is indeed one of the finest examples of Modern Islamic Architectural Style. Though strict dress codes are to be followed by all visitors, this mosque is lenient towards non-Muslims as it allows everyone, of any religion and faith, to enter its premises if you are a part of an organized tour. Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding (office at the Bastakia Quarter stop 3) collaborates with Jumeirah Mosque to conduct a guided tour, ‘Open Doors, Open Minds’, which takes you along all major cultural centers in Dubai.
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Picturesque Bruges: Belgium’s medieval fairy tale town By Aileen Adalid
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E
ver since I first landed in Belgium, I have always heard high praises about the charming old town of Bruges. So to be able to drink in its postcard-perfect beauty, after getting all excited seeing the highly rated 2008 movie - “In Bruges,” starring Colin Farrell and Ralph Fiennes, was a real treat. To top it all, the trip to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, has even exceeded my expectations.
Bruges or Brugge (‘bridges‘ in Old Dutch) is the capital and largest city in the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. Though the city is relatively large, the main area of Bruges - its historic city center, is very small. But despite its 430 hectares land area and 7 km length, it is truly an outstanding example of a well-preserved medieval historic settlement interlaced with canals, surrounded by reinforcements , and 7 gates, of which 4 remain standing today with the best preserved one at Langestraat, the Kruispoort. But don’t let its size fool you. Whatever the city lacks in size, it makes up with old world charm. In Bruges, you feel like you are walking and living in a fairy tale town straight out of a story book! With its cobbled lanes, dreamy canals, medieval architecture, and historic churches among many others, you’re bound to have a magical time here.
Getting there The train is anyone’s best bet to get into Bruges! Belgium has an excellent rail system that would take you to this town in 50 minutes from the capital of Brussels. Once you reach Bruges station, you have three transportation options. You can take a taxi, which can be very costly, the bus (the ones with the Centrum” sign will take you to the Grote Markt or center square), or even better, you can take a walk. It would take only 15 minutes to walk to the city center and this is highly recommended so you can see the great sights along the way that are often overlooked. This includes De Brugse Vesten - a scenic park or ‘green belt’ with windmill houses around the city’s historic center. It’s a perfect spot to escape to if the city center gets too crowded for your taste.
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Things to Do Check out the Grote Market. This is large market square that packs a lot of character! It has a prominent statue in the middle depicting two heroes of the city during the historical clash referred to as ‘Brugse Metten’ or the Battle of the Golden Spurs. Here, you will also see traditional horse-drawn carriages, shops, medieval-style buildings or guildhalls, and of course the prominent Belfry.
Climb the Belfort en Hallen. Or Belfry and Market Halls is a medieval (12th century) bell tower rising at 83 meter - one of Bruges’ most prominent symbols. A definite must-do is climbing the belfry’s 366 steps in order to see the details of the clock tower as well as the breathtaking city panorama. Keep in mind, however, that the lines can be long, and that the climb can literally take your breath. Nevertheless, the effort is worth it.
Experience a canal cruise. A trip to Bruges would not be complete without this experience! The 30 minute cruise is probably the most ‘touristy’ thing to do here. A highly recommended excursion, the ride is sure to give you a different perspective of the city through its idyllic canals, providing you views of several wonderful spots that wouldn’t have been normally accessible on foot. Some of the most photographed areas you will see here are in Rozenhoedkaai, near the Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce hotel (also featured in the movie ‘In Bruges‘) and where a lot of canal cruise providers are based. Along the way too, you might spot
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the town’s most famous citizen - Fidel, a golden Labrador, who lives at the Côté Canal bed and Breakfast and sleepily hangs out in a gable window by the canal, oblivious to the fans that photograph him daily.
Visit Minnewater Park. Minnewater Park or the ‘Lake of Love’ is a picture of serene beauty especially with its elegant swans. It was such a sight! Swans are said to be one of Bruges’ age old symbols with a legend to match. Locals say that in the 1400s, the people of Bruges executed one of the town administrators whose family’s coat of arms featured a white swan. To punish the townspeople of Bruges for that deed, the court obliged the population to keep swans on their lakes and canals forever! Quite a surreal legend, don’t you think?
Just walk around and explore. Take advantage of Bruges diminutive size and just walk around to soak in the quaint medieval atmosphere. Visit the museums (e.g. Basilica of the Holy Blood, Choco-Story Museum, etc.), the De Halve Maan Brewery, and other historical sites around the city as you go. But if you don’t have much time to meander, you can just drop by these key places – Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk – Or the ‘Church of Our Lady’ is at 122.3 meters high and it remains to be the tallest structure in Bruges and the second tallest brickwork tower in the world. To add more to its grandeur, this church is also home to Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the sculpture of the Madonna and Child.
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Bonifaciusbrug – Find yourself at ‘Bonifacius Bridge’ and get enchanted while you view the Church of Our Lady and the Gruuthuse Palace (just near the Groeninge Museum) to the nostalgic sounds of horse drawn carriages. Groeninge Museum – The museum doesn’t only house an impressive array of Flemish paintings, the courtyard also happens to be a great spot for lounging! Slurp on and ice cream cone while sitting at one of the cozy wooden benches here. Begijnhof (Beguinage) – A truly tranquil place that’s full of white-washed houses circling a vast garden covered with large poplar trees. Founded in 1245, it was here where the beguines of Burges lived during the last 7 centuries up until 1937. It’s sure to be an escape from the crowds but just make sure that you keep quiet because nowadays, this is a monastery inhabited by nuns of the Order of Saint Benedict.
Beautiful Bruges Bruges is truly an amazing destination if you want to be transported back to the medieval times — or better yet, to a magical in a real life fairytale setting. Between its meandering canals, quaint buildings and streets, it’s no wonder that this charming little town has made a name for itself as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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TRAVEL TIPS To avoid throngs of tourists, visit the city outside the highpeak season that’s between June to August. If you can’t avoid that, however, time your trip during the middle of the week and then stay a night. Walk around as much as you can, but not when you have suitcases with you. The cobblestone streets can be quite troublesome for your wheels. Take time to sit at one of the alfresco cafés and restaurants around the Markt to admire the view and be at the center of it all. But also explore the side streets for decently-priced drinks. Check out the Discoverbruges Card — a free card given to guests of hotels and hostels that are members of the Hotels Regio Brugge VZW, to receive discounts on numerous attractions. You can also opt for the official Brugge City Card that will give you free admission to museums, places of interest, attractions, as well as other amazing perks! If you want to be totally mesmerized, wake up very early in the morning to explore Bruges. You’re bound to have a very enchanting time as you feel as though the town is all yours!
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Phil Embassy in Abu Dhabi Independence Day Celebrations Photos by Maynard dela Cruz The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE, headed by H.E. Ambassador Grace Relucio-Princesa celebrated the 117th Anniversary of the proclamation of the Philippine Independence and 35th Anniversary of Philippines–UAE Relations with an exhibition on the Philippines and a diplomatic reception on the 9th June 2015, at the prestigious Emirates Palace. The exhibition entitled “Philippines: Freedom @117, Friendship @35” was held at the foyer of the Emirates Palace ballroom, and featured fine arts, furniture, fashion, fabrics as well as other world-class products from the Philippines. Filipino cuisine and top Philippine tourist destinations were also highlighted at the event. Artists from the group Ugnayang Sining Tomasino (alumni of the University of Santo Tomas College of Fine Arts and
Design) also showcased their paintings. Exhibiting artists from the Philippines included - Angelina Janet Simeon, Irineo Rey Velasquez, Arnelita Delos Reyes, Wilfredo Layug, Bayani Rumbaoa, Rogelio Santos, Angelo Jimenez, and April Villacorta. Another exhibiting artist who also organized the group’s trip is Susan Villanueva De Guzman who is based in Sharjah. Furniture and wood carved masterpieces of Wilfredo Layug were also displayed, including select portraits of UAE leaders, and paintings on interpretations on Philippines–UAE friendship and Visit the Philippines Year 2015 created by Esmi Pangilinan, who is based in Abu Dhabi based. Several Philippine top brands dazzled during the event, including Jewelmer, Fino and Shoephoric with their respective display of golden south sea pearls, leatherware and fine shoes. Designers, Dita Sandico-Ong, Cora Manimbo and Abu Dhabi based Yen, exhibited under fashion and fabric. The event was attended by more than 200 guests, including esteemed members of the diplomatic corps, travel operators, business groups, the Filipino community, and the media. The diplomatic reception in the evening hosted another 200 guests from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic corps, private sector and leaders from the Filipino community.
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MY PINOY LIFE IN
California, United States
By Ronna Rita Garcia Ellsworth
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I moved to California when I was 16 years old - less than a month after graduating high school. I remember that day on April 1991, while I was vacationing with my second family the Gilopez Kabayao family. Their father, the famous Filipino violinist and Philippine National Artist Dr. Gilopez Kabayao, had taken me under his wing to train me after he heard me sing. He trained me to attain the title of Champion Soloist for the NAMCYA (National Music Competition for Young Artist 1990) - High School Division. There, I was offered scholarships to three of Philippines’ top universities. My parents, however, wanted me to become a nurse and have a better life when I am older. My mother often told me that I needed to be able to support myself first before I could support my dream. I do feel that she had given me good advice. I am a Registered Nurse now and I have been practicing this profession for 17 years. I also pursued my dream of singing. I sing because I want to, not because I have to. My parents became US residents through my great grandfather, James Prescott Friend, who was an American. He spoke eight languages and served as a translator in the Philippines for the US President Teddy Roosevelt during WWII. My whole family with the exception of a brother has taken up residence here in California. We have larger family reunions here than we have there in the Philippines! My siblings and I all live within a twomile radius from each other. We are a very close knit family. Since arriving here in the US, my family has moved from Los Angeles and then to the Inland Empire until we found our permanent home here in Corona where we have been residents for 18 years now. America, the great, is indeed the land of opportunity. Those that are not afraid to toil from sundown to sunrise will more than survive. It is a place to flourish. It
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PINOY PLANET is a place where colors, status and creed are intertwined and accepted. My parents were hard working people and through their examples, we, their children have attained success and we are proud of it. I am where I am, and have what I have because of that. It is inherent for us Filipinos wherever in this planet we may be, to thrive for the betterment of ourselves and our family. I have been married for 15 years to my husband David Ellsworth and we have two wonderful children, Sicilienne Arianna and Vincent Alexander. Between my husband and I, we try to maintain balance between family and job. It is a real struggle but with the help of our yaya, we have somehow managed to take care of the children and as well as my ailing parents. This is an ongoing challenge for us especially me. My job is very rewarding in the sense that at the end of the day, I know I have made someone’s life a little better even if it is just a reassuring word or a comforting touch. This is not just a job. It is a calling. I have been exposed to different cultures and practices but luckily, I have managed to maintain our culture despite a little infusion now and then along the way. One major aspect of our culture that I know which had greatly influenced my children is
the caring for the elderly. Both of my parents live with me, as well as my aunt and my children love having their lolo and their lola around. I also act as the manang or tita at work where almost half of the nurses that work with me at night are Filipinos! I feed most of the unit with Filipino food while I’m working! My yaya has to make my baon family size. Because of health reasons, I had to tweak some of my Filipino recipes. I’ve managed to maintain the essence of it, minus the fat and carbs. I also have the knack of making the best of what is available. I turn lemons into lemonade! In our case calamansi into calamansi juice! Which I think is a wonderful trait that we have as Filipinos
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To Filipinos around the world - whoever you are and wherever you are, I am very proud of the sacrifices you have put in to be where you are and doing what you do. We are a proud race and made of strong stock. I am certain that it is not just ambition or dream that has taken you away from your family and homeland but that inherent drive to succeed which Filipinos are better known among other virtues. Keep on plugging away my friends. Success is within our grasp if it is not already. Mabuhay!
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KALAYAAN 2015 IN DUBAI Filipinos celebrated the Philippines’ 117th anniversary of independence in a fun and memorable day of community activities at the Al Nasr Leisureland on the 12th June 2015. The PID event featured a full day’s program with engaging activities including the Search for Mr. and Ms. Teen PID 2015, On the Spot Painting contest, OPM singing contest, Cultural/ folkdance presentation, Hip-Hop Dance presentation, as well as surprise guests from GMA and TFC network. Adding to the community-service spirit of event was a job fair and medical mission. A mini-bazaar also featured products and services for the Filipino community. Headed by Chairman Engr. Cherry Pye Zablan-Torres, the 117th Philippine Independence Day Celebration Executive Committee consist of a team of volunteers including - Engr. Dante Delizo assisted by Cesar Mora (Sponsorship Committee), Letty Maniaul and Wafa Qasimieh (Finance Committee), Rico Cardoniga (Promotion Committee), Mandel Dela Cruz with Richard Miguel, Francis Jopia, Mr. Dexter Chavez, Rene
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Hernandez and Rhea Jessica Mira (Logistics Committee), Engr. Francis Uy together with Architect Jon Llarena and Eng. Joel Foronda (Bazaar Committee), Ericson Reyes (Job Fair Committee), Josie Conlu-Romulo, Erwin Lladoc and Teresa Binghay (Communications Committee), Angie Lozada, Richard Zulueta, Rey Tenerife and Melvin Lozada. (Program Committee), Tess Delizo (On the Spot Painting Contest, Engr. Cherry Pye Zablan-Torres assisted by Ms. Susan Francisco and choreographer Mr. Romeo Ancheta (Search for Mr. & Ms. Teen PID 2015), Ibrahim Beltran (Security Committee), Eng. Maria Fe Dayot (Audit Committee), Aki Atacador and team (Lights &Sounds), Eng. Milo Torres and Jeffrey Biteng Souvenir program and photography), Gina Salazar with the help of Mr. Ed Elamparo, Mrs. Chat Alforte, Ms. Analisa Pana, Mr. Virginio Molino, Ms. Sylvia Delos Reyes and Mr. Romualdo Balilo (Protocol Committee). The event was sponsored by OSN, GMA International Limited, Fiesta Pinoy Restaurant, Rocky’s Café & Club, Etisalat, Little Manila, Wall Street Exchange, WOW 107, TAG 91.1 FM, together with LBC Express, Land Bank of the Philippines, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, and media partners Filipino Times, Filexpats Magazine, Khaleej Times and Illustrado Magazine.
COMMUNITY
ATENEO’s LEADERSHIP AND SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP (LSE) PROGRAM LSE is an empowerment program offered by the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) – Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines, with the Overseas Filipinos Society for the Promotion of Economic Security (OFSPES), the Social Enterprises Development Partnerships Inc. (SEDPI), Ugat Foundation, the Philippine Consulate, Dubai and the Philippine Business Council, Dubai. It is a 6-month course in leadership, financial literacy, and social entrepreneurship, and a practicum course for guidance and mentoring for those who would like to implement their business plans. Started in 2008, the ongoing 3rd group of the LSE in Dubai is the 26th batch worldwide – with classes successfully held in Rome, Milan, Paris, The Hague, Hong Kong, Macau, Brussels, Naples, Turin and Florence. As of the end of 2014, about 800 overseas Filipinos have participated in the LSE movement. In response to the request of the global LSE network of alumni, a similar program has been initiated in the Philippines for OFW families with four training programs conducted in Baclaran, Davao City, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro.
The LSE program inspires participants to become leaders and change-makers by conceptualizing a social enterprise over a traditional business. It inspires participants to become social entrepreneurs, the change-makers of our society. The program inspires participants to seize opportunities to improve traditional social system, to invent new approaches and alternatives, and to introduce solutions to change societal problems. True to the Ateneo’s standard of excellence, a working business concept is a mandatory requirement to qualify for graduation. Business plan is required to be presented to a panel of entrepreneurs for concept critiquing, investorpitching, and viability assessment. This is the benchmark of every LSE program and Ateneo distinction. Joselito Ramos, an Engineer in Dubai and a graduate of the LSE14, is one of the success stories of the program. Now back in the Philippines, he has established Fishda Aquaventures, Inc., an aquaculture business for fresh and marine fishes in the Philippines coupled with a social mission of restructuring the Live Reef Fish for Food Industry (LRFFI) in the Philippines and restoring the coral reefs as well. The course demands a high-level of commitment and willingness to learn but likewise challenges the alumni to “pay-forward” with the skills and confidence they learn by supporting the program in sustaining its long-term goals and objectives. With the success of the LSE-DUBAI, plans of expanding the course in Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Muscat are in the pipeline.
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THE ESSENTIAL OFW GUIDE TO THE UAE
aid project at the Philippine Embassy and Consulate has launched ‘The Essential OFW Guide to the UAE.’ Published in collaboration with the Philippine Embassy and members of the community, the 144-page free distribution guidebook contains important information on local employment laws, credit card/ loans, visa and immigration, police cases, investing and savings, family matters, as well as information on reintegration upon return to the Philippines. Useful templates of legal documents are also included in the book. According to the author, “We want to have better and more informed Filipinos in the UAE. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse and Filipinos will not be able to maximize their limited stay in the emirate if they will be in trouble with law.” Philippine Ambassador to the UAE H.E. Grace Relucio Princesa emphasized, “Everyone who plans to work in the UAE must read The Essential OFW Guide to UAE.”
In a bid to get the 600,000 strong Filipinos in the UAE better informed and out of trouble, Atty. Barney Almazar, corporatecommercial director of Gulf Law and head of the free legal
ABA OPENS 4th INTERSCHOOL LEAGUE The Architects Basketball Association (ABA) opened the 4th Interschool League on Philippine Independence Day, at the Zayed Bin Sultan Boys School in Dubai. The opening ceremony witnessed 13 teams taking part, which consists of universities, colleges and regional divisions that the architects belong to. Participating teams include UST, ADAMSON, STATE U, METRO, TECH 1 (TIP), TECH 2 (TUP), SOUTH 1, SOUTH 2, SOUTH 3, NORTH 1, NORTH 2, FEU 1 and FEU 2. According to Arch. Josh Claveria, ABA
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In its first run, 200,000 copies of the book has been released and is currently being distributed nationwide. Plans are also underway to release 100,000 copies of the book by August and to replicate the endeavor in other Gulf countries.
Chairman, “ABA acts as a venue for continued interaction among architects and fellow professionals through the sport, whilst maintaining its heartfelt commitment to the society through charity works, social drives and community awareness programs.” Matilyn Bagunu, FILCOM President graced the occasion and provided an inspirational talk to the architects while ABA Officers Arch. Junar Aquino and Arch. Raymond Cimafranca hosted the event. Joyce Ann Clarisse Gomez of UST bagged the Best Muse award. Event sponsors include PGW, Perfect Fit Tailoring, Mayad Sports and Dao Xiang Restaurant. The games are currently being held every Thursday night, from 7pm onwards, at the Zayed Bin Sultan gym in Satwa.
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UGNAYANG SINING TOMASINO STAGES 4TH GROUP SHOW IN THE UAE The Ugnayang Sining Tomasino art group in collaboration with the Philippine Embassy, Abu Dhabi hosted a unique exhibition in three prominent locations in the United Arab Emirates. The exhibitions were held at the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi on the 9th June 9, 2015 (“Freedom @117and Friendship @ 35”), at the Art Couture Gallery in Al Badia Golf Club, Intercon, Festival City on June 11-16, 2015 (Art Pilipinas Shines in UAE) and at the Philippine Business Council Dubai Interface 2015 event at the Raffles Hotel on the 11th June 2015. The Ugnayang Sining Tomasino Art Group explores, interprets and promotes Filipino their cultural heritage through Art. The group kicked off their exhibition in the Philippines and is now, traveling across the world to exhibit in different parts of the world - UAE and the United States, included.
desire to share my country’s culture and heritage to its diverse people. A sharing that can only be done through my works of art”. Susan Villanueva-de Guzman, UAE based-artist and a Faculty in Graphic Design added, “I am grateful to be a part of a traveling exhibition each year. Living abroad for more than two decades changed who I am as an artist at the same time it allowed me to go back to my roots. This exhibition is different and challenging. I will be able to share my culture through colors, brush strokes and textures.” Exhibiting artists included - Angelina Janet Baesa Simeon, lrineo Reymatias Velasquez, Amelita Geronimo Delos Reyes, Wilfredo Tadeo Layug, Bayani Bitantos Rumbaoa, Maria Rita Teresa Batalla La Forteza, Rogelio Mendoza Santos, Angelo Cristobal Jimenez, April Gamboa Villacorta, Susan Villanueva de Guzman and guests artists Gerry Navarro and Junjie Versoza.
The group of artists is excited to be able to share their art with the rest of the world. According to Irineo Reymatias Velasquez, group President, “Dubai, with its people’s diversity has become a gateway to the world. This has given me a
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ONLI IN DA PILIPINS
10 Lessons on Leadership
We Should Know By Now (Please Lang) By ABY YAP
Ladies and gentlemen, the much awaited circus, er, election campaign has begun! Who gets to team up with whom, who shall be the anointed one, who will go home luhaan — the best or worst is yet to come. But for the love of our motherland and all our kids and the future Pinoy generations, utang na loob, this time let’s Tell us who your PBB winners are and we’ll tell you who your leaders are. What survey? No need to do one to come up with this shocking revelation: you can predict the kind of leaders we’ll have based on the winners of reality game and talent search shows on TV. It could be the most popular, the best-looking, the funniest, or the one with the saddest story. Don’t be surprised if text votes replace elections ballots someday.
Leaders lead the people, not their clans, to victory. Contrary to popular belief, elected government officials should be working for the good of their constituents and not for their army of parents/siblings/uncles/aunts/cousins up to the nth degree of consanguinity holding or vying for public office. Of course, the ultimate clan of Binays—VP Jejomar, Senator Nancy, ex-Mayor Ellen, current Mayor Junjun, and Representative Abigail—may have a different perspective.
Performing on stage is different from working in public service.
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As much as we love Pacman in the boxing ring, we can’t say the same for Pacquiao at the House of Representatives. Having stats of 57 Wins, 38 Knock-outs, 6 Losses, 2 Draws is one thing. Having the lowest attendance in Congress, i.e. 7/70 sessions, is another. Heart-breaking, we know, but we need to distinguish Manny the Pambansang Kamao vs. Manny the Public Servant and call for more from the latter. Leaders are the people’s representatives, not our ninongs and ninangs.‘Yung totoo, we vote for them so they can speak about our angst in the proper venue and hopefully do something about it very soon, right? So, stop being FC (feeling close) and pressuring them into becoming the principal sponsors every time a couple weds or a baby is born—you never know where they get the cash gift. Plus, they’ll forget their throngs of inaanaks once their term ends anyway.
When it comes to our leaders, forgive and forget…NOT. To be martyrs or to be manhid—neither should be an option. C’mon, kababayans, we’ve been duped on too many occasions. Broken promises, stolen taxes, absurd speeches, and many
ONLI IN DA PILIPINS more to mention! It’s high time we got angry and showed our lousy leaders that they’d pay for their wrongdoings. That one day, they’d soon taste the law of the oppressed aka batas ng isang api because hindi natin sila tatantanan!
create satirical memes about their misbehavior, which will be shared by our friends and friends of our friends and so on on Facebook. And they don’t have the right to be pikon in any way.
Leader wannabes should have leadership proficiency and a platform.
True leaders aren’t blamers.
Believe it or not, these are the basic requirements that we should be looking for in our future leaders. Even grade school students know this. Remember when we voted for that classmate who could easily quiet the whole class, who got the most excited when running the annual cleanliness campaign? See, it’s a no-brainer! Forget candidates who sing, dance, and act like clowns. We can always go to comedy bars.
Witty leaders will save the world. This may be asking too much, but can we have more of the likes of Miriam Defensor Santiagos working in the government? With the several boring senate and congressional hearings we need to witness as proactive citizens, there should be at least something to smile, or better yet, to laugh about. Someone who’ll dare state the facts, er, call her/his highly esteemed colleagues “fungus face,” “certifiable idiots,” discombobulated moral retardates,” and “talakitok” is most welcome.
Contrary to the Pnoy governance style, leaders don’t participate in blame games pointing fingers at past administrations and people who can’t get back at them (obviously because they’re the powers that be). Neither do they get carried away and turn irrationally snarky when everyone blames them for all of life’s miseries. Because they’re too busy thinking how they can solve the many problems of Pinas to make time for petty stuff.
We create our leaders. Guess what? Not everyone who wants to lead is leader material. Simply because people are delusional about taking us to the Promised Land doesn’t mean that we should take them seriously. We already have enough comedians in the government and they’re not a teeny-weeny bit funny. So we might as well create the breed of leaders we want by stubbornly demanding from them the qualities that we deserve, e.g. impervious to corruption, yeah! Just pray we don’t create a Frankenstein’s monster.
Annoying leaders will find themselves in mocking memes. Let it be known to all politicians guilty of telling wild lies and executing silly ideas (often at the expense of taxpayers) that they’ll go unpunished. To keep up with the digital age, we’ll
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BLOGGERS
Independence Day By Kristine Abante - Dubai
What does it mean to be independent? I find that my definition of independence changes every decade.
though I was still living in their house and by their rules, which meant that I was still partly dependent on them, at least now, I didn’t have to ask them for money whenever I want something or need to go somewhere. It was at the time, the meaning of independence.
When I was 10, I learned to go to school and go back home on my own. I mastered crossing the street, and taking the jeepney. I could find my way home even without the school bus. In fact, I often tell the school bus driver to go ahead without me, because I had stuff to do after school, like hang-around at the library, or the Burger Machine at the corner, or my best friend’s house that’s a block away from school. Independence meant having those options. Technically, I can go anywhere, of course I was still not allowed to go anywhere, but at least now I did not have to wait for anybody to pick me up from school and if I ever get lost, I would know my way back home. It was, at the time, the meaning of independence.
Now that I’m in my 30s, I realize the meaning of independence has gone beyond simply providing for myself, or even taking care of myself. Not only was I capable of buying stuff that I want or travelling on my own; not only was I free to make my own decisions, but I was also now capable of sticking to my own decisions, whatever the consequences of those are.
When I was 20, I got my first job as a copywriter in a small start-up PR firm. I remember the day I got my first paycheck - money in a brown envelope. I wasn’t much, but it was exhilarating to feel that I was now capable of earning money for myself. That first paycheck bought me freedom. I did not have to wait for my parents to give allowance. I did not have to wait for them to buy me a new pair of shoes, and even
Being single and in my 30s, independence meant having the courage to be on my own, dealing with whatever life brings and making the most of every day. It can be this grand idea of being in control of my own destiny, but sometimes it can also be very simple, like being able to sit and enjoy a meal on my own without looking around and feeling left out. At this point, I would say, real independence is being free from other people’s expectations, and working instead to meet the expectations that I have set for myself. So I guess that’s what Independence is for me, for now. Ask me again when I’m 40. Follow Kristine on www.band-aid-blues.blogspot.com
Dauntless and fearless than ever By Rian Miranda – Riyadh
I’ve gone through a lot. I’ve learned a great deal about the corporate scene and mostly about how things work better in many ways in any circumstances we’re in. Back in the day, I’ve always preferred safer, well-calculated situations, because it’s not really in my character to take risks. But following my aspirations is in itself an uncertainty. I’m already working on it, and if there’s a different strategy for me to improve my craft and as an individual, at some point, I really have to step up to the challenges. Anyone who dares not to conform to the ideals of society can’t avoid backlash and raised eyebrows. But all of us are not getting younger and if had to worry about everyone else’s criticisms, you won’t get anywhere. Everything is political in any venture we choose. We only have to carefully walk the line between choosing our arguments and respecting others’ opinions. Now, how can you worry less, relax more, while you go after that huge goal you’ve been wishing for? Here are some mind tricks that can help you: Refresh Your Brain When you have tons of things to do in your head, and you’re all stressed out about how to get it all done, go to a quiet spot at home or at work (the washroom can sometimes calm you down) and close your eyes, relax your jaw, and let your mind go blank for 90 seconds. Breathe deeply and then exhale, as you clear every single thought. Try this, and your focus will be a lot clearer and you’ll feel less burnt out. Daydream Before Bedtime A lot of experts already said that visualization leads you closer to
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achieving your goals. But you can’t daydream all day when you’re frazzled in between meetings and other appointments. The best time to envision your desires is during the remaining 30 minutes before your bed time, since your final thoughts at this time will be embedded in your mind as you snooze. Backtrack Your Progress Generally, when we set a game plan, we list down the things that we need to do from point A to B. This is perfectly rational, except that sometimes it seldom works. Because your mind silently panics thinking that you’ve got a long way ahead, and sends a signal to your body that it’s already tired just thinking about it. As a result, most of us feel swamped and give up. So in every step you take, look back from where you started. It will help you feel more driven and keen to carry on. Practice the 3 Seconds Rule As soon as a negative thought slips into your head, unleash your positive energy in 3 seconds by closing your eyes, tilting your head back and facing the ceiling. Allow your mind to calibrate and whatever you were anxious about will promptly fade away. Let it go. Remember that Sexy = Confidence This has been a constant concern — especially with women. Honestly, you don’t have to be stick-thin or dress a la agent provocateur to be called sexy because I’ve seen smart, full-figured women who are just as happy and satisfied with themselves. It’s all in the mind, and the power is in you. Be brave with your life! Follow Rian - Instagram: msrianmiranda, Youtube: www.youtube. com/rianmiranda