ILLUSTRADO Magazine May 2015 by Illustrado Magazine

MAY-JUNE 2015

CHAMPIONING THE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO

ISSUE

AROUND THE WORLD

(ON A BUDGET!) TRAVEL LIKE A BOSS HERE’S HOW

BE AN ENTOURPRENEUR!

GLOBETROTTER. MONEYMAKER. AWESOME. GET THAT BEACH BODY NOW

THE HEAT IS ON! SURVIVE IT. ENJOY IT.

TRAVERSE #SEETHEWORLD

FASHION: WEEKEND WARRIOR

PHOTOGRAPHY by EROS GOZE

EDITOR’S NOTE

THE MAGIC OF SUMMER

As soon as the first sultry gust of that

Then again, there are those who choose

summer shamal hits, you know that al

to stay put, keep the heat company while

fresco weather we all love so much out

almost half of the country jets-off to cooler

here in the Gulf has gone for hibernation

climes, and take advantage of summer’s

for at least six months. The days become

calmer, more hushed pace. After all, there

longer – you still see the sun as you get off

is something quite magical about the

from work in the early evening and walking

season’s languorous vibe that just makes

outside in the daylight becomes somewhat

you want to stop, breathe and allow your

of a sweaty ordeal.

mind to wander wherever it may.

And yet, summer is not all about heat and

So here’s to enjoying the summer. We raise

inconvenience. To a lot of people été, as

a tall cold glass to you, as we dedicate an

the French refer to it, is quite a memorable

issue to beaches, bodies and wanderlust.

time that means so many enjoyable things. For some, summer is synonymous to vacations and travel - a chance to get out of your typical nine to five, to see new places and meet new people. It could be about

Make the most of the season. Taas Noo, Filipino! LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

new adventures, a new romance, and on the other hand, it could also be just about relaxing in a beautiful setting, just soaking up the atmosphere, tall cool drink in hand.

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CHAMPIONING THE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO

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CONTRIBUTORS

BARNEY ALMAZAR, ESQ Atty.

AL MANLANGITKuwait-based

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.

architect and photographer Al Manlangit has always been a globetrotter. His motto - “Have cash, will travel” has taken him to so many interesting places around the world from artsy Barcelona, to the city that never sleeps, the mighty Yangtze River to majestic Utah and beyond. This time around, Al documents his trip to South Africa’s ‘Mother City’ Cape Town and his jaunts into the picturesque Wine Lands.

ABY YAP Aby’s Onli in da Pilipins

KC ABALOS-ORENDAIN KC spends her time reading as many books as she possibly can and traveling to as many places as her piggy bank allows. As a teacher of philosophy from UP, she finds that she really knows nothing and that’s what makes it fun. As a freelance writer for more than a decade, she realizes that words escape her when she needs it the most. As a dancer, she wishes she can jeté higher or shimmy faster. Frustrated by all this, she is now a graduate student studying in Kobe University, Japan.

AILEEN ADALID 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 backpackers she met, who were pursuing their dreams while living a sustainable life. In this issue, she shares her exciting story and some worthwhile tips for those who are looking to earn while gallivanting around the globe.

ALFRED “KRIP” A. YUSON

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 top 40 telltale signs that it’s summer in Pinas.

ANNA DE LEON Anna de Leon is a make-up artist and stylist who is passionate about educating and empowering women through make-up, and styling. Breezing through life in her black stilettos and red lipstick with no excess baggage, this Dubai-based sophisticate writes about why women should travel solo at least once in their life.

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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, as well as the top 10 budget destinations for summer.

CHAMPIONING THE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lalaine Chu-Benitez CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mon Benitez ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ana Santos 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.

MAY 2015 CONTENTS

Body beautiful Filipino supermodel Paolo Roldan dons summer skin in this month’s breezy feature shot on location in picturesque Scarborough Bluffs in Toronto by Iko Maramo.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FEATURES Top 10 Budget Destinations 10 On the Fly: Travel Secrets from the Experts 22 Travel the Word and Become an Entrepreneur 26 Earn While You Travel 30 Travel the World Solo 34 Beach Body Beautiful 32 Heat: Beat It, Treat It 46 Eat Right 48 Pretty in Pink: Japan’s Cherry Blossoms Cape Town and the Wine Lands 84 Globetrotter: Iceland 89 REGULAR COLUMNS Editor’s Note 1 Contributors 4 Illuminati 6 Community: Track and Field Success 37 It’s What I Do 38 Law: Handling Hard Times 40 Scrapbook 52 10 Things to Do 74 Community: Philippine Independence Day 77 Community: Ambassador’s Cup 83 Onli In Da Pilipins: 40 Telltale Signs It’s Summer 94 On the Prowl, In the Know 96 FASHION Summer Skin 54

10 89

ILLUMINATI

Bodies, beaches and bedrooms By Krip Yuson

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ILLUMINATI

I’

m sure the word will make it to dictionaries by the end of the year. And as has happened of late, it first gained awareness, acceptance, and viral use in the Internet. Going online is entering an arena where new terms frequently come to play.

With “dadbod,” it helped of course that it first came to be related to the kind of physique bared by superstar Leonardo DiCaprio. As Hollywood celebrity, as exceptional actor and as a sometime heartthrob, he had gained enough of swooning brownie points as to risk not having to maintain a stud’s frame. Well, to begin with, he’s relatively short. And now that he’s into middle age, it doesn’t exactly make him sink like the Titanic if poundage accrued with age has also made him stocky. Turns out that with torso bared, he’s also rather flabby. Thus the dadbod. In brief, it would mean the torso of a middle-aged man who’s not beholden to consistent gym work, nor even just the idea of having to preserve six-pack abs, that is, if he ever built those up in the first place. Nor even a proud, solid chest and rippling shoulder and limb muscles: biceps, pectorals, what-have-you. Too few guys really ever want to compete in Mr. Muscles competitions. Mostly it’s weightlifters who can’t help but add all those ripples, then get fascinated with their mirror images of all that preening. But it takes time, and much effort. Normally, the taut abs can be achieved with diligent sit-ups. And it’s enough for certain types of women to appreciate, before they too enter the era and universe of love handles. Now, with the dadbod, it’s said that the fairer sex actually prefers this specimen, at least for cuddling up with and then some, in bed. So out come all the DiCaprio types, now guiltless if not shameless on any beach, likely even those appropriated by so-called nudist clonies. And here come as well the textual rationalizations of why the dadbod is generally preferred for the physical aspects of romance. But ha-ha, they seem to center on the prime reason that with a partner who’s no ideal jock, then the lady herself doesn’t feel obligated to keep herself well-contoured. Come to think of it, in the Pinoy urban scene, I recall the term “pang-romansa” to refer to the male physique that’s inclusive of some gentle fat. Not hard, well-sculpted bodies of athletes and gym preeners, but your standard “College Joe” build that identifies the regular guy, not lanky or lean and not short and fat either, whom one can image as someone who only occasionally gets some exercise in some basketball court. If we go back to our vintage pantheon of male movie idols, most if not all of them had the “pang-romansa” body types: Romeo Vasquez, Zaldy Zshornack, Bernard Bonnin, Joseph Estrada, Ramon Revilla, Tony Ferrer… Even Fernando Poe, Jr.

wasn’t a rippled muscleman. Earlier, only Cesar Ramirez bared himself as “Ukala” the forest native, because he had the wide shoulders, deep chest and biceps to flaunt. Pancho Magalona was dapper, because he was lean. The next generations of Pinoy movie stars have mostly been non-hunks as well. From Rudy Fernandez, Bong Revilla, Richard Gomez and Cesar Montano (tough-looking guys but not necessarily hunk-y ones; on the opposite end of the spectrum would be Jinggoy Estrada) to the current likes of Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz (who both look soft if healthy), no musclebound fellow has captivated movie fans and counterpart movie stars alike. Only Derek Ramsey and Dingdong Dantes come close to being muscled; Richard Gutierrez is lean. On the other hand, it’s our female artistas that have had a premium for voluptuousness and sexiness since the days of Amalia Fuentes and Susan Roces, representing one era, and Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos another. The closer we get to contemporary, the more the sexiness seems to have become a requisite, long after the “bomba” days of Stella Suarez, Divina Valencia et al. Ruffa Gutierrez, Sunshine Cruz, Diana Zubiri, Angel Locsin, Anne Curtis, Solenn Heussaf et al. grace the covers of FHM and other “girlie” mags in various states of deshabille as much as they do the screen and the collective imagination of males. Ad nauseam have they all been photographed in bedrooms and beaches. That’s because they do the bikini and any kind of underwear proud. It follows then that indeed, a double standard of aesthetic appreciation applies to these idealized models of pulchritude on one hand, and on the other, their counterparts in attractiveness. The males may be forgiven for having just as soft bodily features as the women — for whom soft means being more curvaceous, well-endowed up front, and oh yes, yet with flat bellies. I suppose it’s fitting that it only took a week of turning viral before DiCaprio’s dadbod ideal drew flak from the feminist point of view. Which lamented why the more or less regular male physique replete with a not-so-immodest beer belly, make that a little paunch, plus the love handles, would even deserve appreciation much less praise — when it’s women who pay a toll for customary childbearing, with the consequent, often irrevocable distendedness and stretch marks. Surely these moms deserve more kudos for their “regular” bodies. Now, that should remind us males that next time we step on a beach, or into a bedroom, we should not confine the silent wolf whistle to the sight of Anne Curtis in a skimpy twopiece, but also applaud the stretch marks and counterpart love handles of a “mombod.”

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ADVERTORIAL

Pure Gold Jewellers’ World Diamond Mark Training Programme

As recipients of multiple awards for excellence in customer service including the recent Consumer Friendly Index award and Dubai Service Excellence Scheme awards by Dubai Economic Department, Pure Gold Jewellers knows the value in delivering exceptional customer service. In line with its commitment to continuously raise the bar of customer service, the award winning jewelry retailer and the only World Diamond Mark (WDM) certified retailer in the GCC recently held a sales training programme by WDM for its store managers and assistant managers. “Pure Gold Jewellers is always a step ahead in executing the World Diamond Mark programme in the retail industry, which reflects in their great customer service. This year, the focus of the training was to comprehend the apt behavioral traits required for jewelry retailing. We strongly believe this starts with recognizing one’s own personality style and then deciding what to do to maximize one’s sales effectiveness. By understanding oneself, one also learns to understand the customer. This understanding helps in providing customer with the best solution,” states Alex Popov, World Diamond Mark Foundation Chairman. The training programme highlighted the importance of understanding human psychology, as selling is mainly a psychological game, the one who understands it better plays the game better. With participants divided into several groups each with a leader, the training focused on how effective communication can lead to happier and more satisfied customers. “Through simplicity and proven sales techniques, WDM trainers instructed our team in building proficient customer centric solutions to ensure customer satisfaction,” says Karim Merchant, Group CEO and MD of Pure Gold Jewellers. “We are looking forward for a vibrant growth this year, and the WDM training will positively aid in achieving greater consumer confidence in diamonds and diamond jewellery,” he added.

Giordano Saudi Arabia celebrates 20 years Now operates 100 stores across the Kingdom

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Giordano, the global apparel retailer and one of the top five clothing brands in the Arab world celebrates 20 years of successful presence and growth in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia this April. From its first store at the Al Faisalia Mall in Balad, Jeddah, Giordano has opened an average of over four stores per year across the Kingdom establishing 100 stores in 2015. “Reaching 20 years in Saudi Arabia is a great milestone for Giordano. Our products stood the test of time and have evolved accordingly. The brand is stronger than ever, thanks to the support of our loyal customer. With their continued patronage, Giordano Saudi Arabia is our largest market in the region and we are looking to sustain our growth,” said Ishwar Chugani, Managing Director of Giordano Middle East FZE and Executive Director of Giordano International. Giordano currently operates 260 stores in the Middle East and aims to reach 300 in the next three years. Globally, Giordano operates 2,400 stores in 30 countries. The key to Giordano’s long-term success has always been in maintaining its commitment to provide simple, clean and comfortable design, quality workmanship and knowledgeable customer service. The jubilee is marked with recognition and appreciation for loyal customers and employees who have been with Giordano since inception. Celebrating until end of the year, customers will be given special offers and gifts. “As we reach two decades, we further reiterate our commitment to the Saudi Arabian market. We will continue to make a positive difference to our community through various activities. We are also encouraging young designers from leading Saudi universities to hone their artistic side,” said Sheikh Hani Abdul Aziz Saab, Chairman of the Board, Textile and Garments Co. LTD - Giordano Saudi Arabia. Giordano continues to support the community through its CSR programs in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the rest of the world. We respect and value cultural traditions wherever we operate and encourage indigenous designs in collaboration with local institutions. Recently, Giordano held an apparel design competition to encourage local talent. The two best entries were from students of Dar Al Hekma University. Selected designs are now being incorporated in Giordano’s product range.

FEATURE

0 1 Top mer m u S t e g Bud n o i t a n i t Des By Sherr

y T e n o r io

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no reason to fret over Dubaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s summer heat, especially because with just about Dhs2,000, you and your loved one can jet-off for a weekend getaway, and simply marvel at the experience of traveling on a shoestring budget. Check out these destinations that are not only appealing, inspiring, but also, most importantly, easy on the pocket.

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FEATURE

ISTANBUL, TURKEY

With Air Arabia, Fly Dubai and other budget airlines heading to Istanbul, you’ll never go wrong with this choice. Not only that, but the short flight saves you some air travel time as well, giving you more hours to spend in relaxing, walking, sightseeing or even shopping. Remember, as a traveler, it pays to manage your schedule well to make the most of your holiday. Immerse yourself in the intoxicating environment of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar (a souk that includes dozens of ancient streets and thousands of shops) and you’ll realize that there’s a whole other level of shopping to aspire to! The city so nice they named it thrice (Constantinople, Byzantium, and now Istanbul) straddles Europe and Asia and is the world’s greatest coming-together of Eastern and Western cultures,

food, and music. Don’t miss the Hagia Sophia, a cathedralturned-mosque that’s now a UNESCO World Heritage site; the iconic minarets of the Blue Mosque; and gorgeous Greek and Roman ruins. Take your pick of cuisines, including Asian fusion and Italian. But to truly savor Turkish food like a local, we strongly recommend authentic kebabs and freshcaught fish. And don’t forget to go outside the big city, too. We love the Turkish Riviera on the country’s southwestern Mediterranean coast (long popular with Eastern Europeans), and the wild, otherworldly mountains of Cappadocia — where you can hike through villages filled with structures carved out of volcanic rock, or get above it all in a unique hot-air balloon ride!

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FEATURE

, O R I A C EGYPT

Recovering from political unrest after 2011’s ousting of president Hosni Mubarak, Egypt saw its worst tourism numbers in decades in 2013, with hotel occupancy in some cities at zero percent. The country is poised for an uptick in visitors this year, and you can be a part of the recovery by taking advantage of rock-bottom hotel rates, bargains at bazaars, and short lines for legendary antiquities—as long as you take safety precautions. There are so many things to do while out at Cairo. Float along the Nile in a traditional sailboat called a felucca for a few hours — or a few days. Ask your hotel to book one, or negotiate a rate with a tour guide at the docks in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. Now that you have practice haggling, bargain with vendors at Cairo’s Khan Al-Khalili market, a souk stocked with everything from exotic perfumes to toy camels; just be prepared to get the hard sell. Reward yourself with a cup of mint tea at El Fishawy café. Marveling at the Great Pyramids of Giza is a

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quintessential postcard experience, but indoor exhibits deliver too. The Egyptian Antiquities Museum in Cairo houses artifacts unearthed from King Tutankhamen’s tomb, including his iconic blue-and-green-striped burial mask. Have a staring contest with its obsidian and quartz eyes, if the curse doesn’t faze you. Major hotel chains like the Marriott, Hilton, Fairmont, Starwood, and Radisson all have outposts in Egypt, many for less than Dhs800 a night.

FEATURE

KATHMAN D U, NEPAL

It may not be the best time to visit Nepal due to the recent earthquake that shattered the country, but that won’t keep us from recommending a visit to Kathmandu. Do it months from now perhaps, because the most important thing is that you include it in your bucket list especially while here in the UAE. Merely four hours away from the UAE, the city and its neighboring outposts are the perfect getaway for a budget travel from Dubai. October is the beginning of the dry season, so the perfect time to jet into the city, plus, because monsoon season has just wrapped the country is at its most lush and green. When you’re in the city be sure to explore Durbar Square, an ancient square in the heart of the city, crowded by temples and palaces and to see the country’s famous devote Hindu sadhus, visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Pashupatinath Temple, found in the eastern part of the city it’s one of the most

significant Hindu temples, although nonHindus cannot enter, you can enjoy it from across the banks of the Bagmati river. A daytime wander through back-packers Thamel is a must-do, the bustling district is a must-explore for hole-in-the-wall shops and easy going restaurants. No trip to Nepal is complete without a trip to the Himalayas to see Mount Everest, the hour long small-plane trips leave at 15 minute intervals in the morning and are a once in a life time opportunity which will set you back about Dhs600. If you’re not one of the very adventurous few who trek the mountain, it’s the perfect way to see the highest point on Earth, which at 8,849m high, happens to be ten times taller than the Burj Khalifa’s 828m.

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FEATURE

GOA, INDIA

For only three hours and a return ticket that would approximately cost Dhs1,500, you can end up having the time of your life in India. Whether you’re heading to southwest India’s slice of sandy shores for a dusk ‘til dawn party trip, just want to chill out on the stunning beaches or fancy an action-packed eco-tourist break, there is something in Goa for everyone. Easily the most laid back region in India, you can spend hours lounging on the seemingly endless idyllic beaches with frequent dips in the Arabian Sea, if that’s the holiday for you, head to Southern Goa. There is something for every taste and budget, if you’re happy with a shack on the beach, try a few nights in a simple hit in Agonda or check into a shack in Anjuna, which was once the Goa-home-of-hippies,

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it’s the place to enjoy lively nights and chilled out days. But for a luxury resort, choose Varca, Cavelossim or Morbor beaches - these unspoiled fishing beaches are where you’ll find luxury hotels and chilled bars.

FEATURE

AMAN, JORDAN

Amman is a hub of the modern Middle East, the vibrant city has all of the stylish cafes and bars, fabulous art galleries and restaurants in the urban Western part of the city, but head downtown for the souk in el-Balad for a stroll through the vibrant and colorful bazaar. Another must try is the Turkish Bath in Al Pasha, after a welcome drink and relaxing session in the steam room you can hit the Jacuzzis and then enjoy a scrub down then a massage, you leave feeling the cleanest you’ve ever been and it will only set you back Dhs130. Just three hours drive away you’ll find the must-visit UNESCO World Heritage Site, Petra, an ancient city, thought to have been built as early as the sixth century BC, the ruins can be explored, at a push, in one day, but we’d recommend that

you allow two days to get the most out of the forgotten city. From the moment you entre the narrow entry at the Siq canyon you’ll be absolutely captivated, make sure you pay a visit to the Treasury (El-Khazneh), where part of Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade was filmed, check out the impressive 7000-seat Roman Theatre, which is still occasionally used for performances, and a short walk from the theatre are the grand Royal Tombs. If you’re in Petra for a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday evening you’ll be able to visit the candle-lit city after dark as you listen to short display of Bedouin music. On your drive back to Amman stop off at the Dead Sea, the detour will add about an hour to your total journey.

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FEATURE

, T U R I E B N O N A LEB

Just three hours away, there is a whole world of after dark fun to be had in Beirut, the vibrant and lively city is a perfect place to head to let your hair down for a weekend of long evenings putting the world to rights in near-to-bursting bars and come day time there is more than enough to explore in the city for a good culture fix. Where better to start for a lively night out than Gemmayze, the city’s artsy, bohemian quarter. The best way to find the bar for you is to wander the narrow streets and take in the beautiful historic buildings you pass, then tuck into a cozy little bar, which as the night goes on, will inevitably spill outdoors, with the whole street buzzing together. If you’re looking for somewhere to start your evening off, head to the aptly named The Alleyway, found nestled between two of the most popular nightspots - Gauche Caviar and Cloud 9.

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By day you won’t be lost for things to keep you busy. For a little retail therapy head downtown, you’ll find endless upscale shops, beautiful historical buildings and the city’s iconic Mohammad al Amin Mosque of Beirut. After exploring downtown, take a long lazy walk along the Beirut Corniche and take in the sea air and stunning views which are guaranteed to clear your head. Another must see is the Jeita Grotto. The moment you see the naturally perfect caves, you’ll understand why they were finalists for the new Seven Wonders of the World and you’ll be scratching your head trying to figure out how exactly they didn’t make the cut. Travel through the limestone caves by boat and wander through the upper caves.

FEATURE

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA

The gateway to Sri Lanka is its capital Colombo which is less than four hours of air travel from the UAE. With airfare at the Dhs1,500 range, this country set in the Indian Ocean in South Asia is quite a famous destination for the residents of emirates.

- much of it pristine beach - 15 national parks showcasing an abundance of wildlife, nearly 500,000 acres of lush tea estates, 250 acres of botanical gardens, 350 waterfalls, 25,000 water bodies, to a culture that extends back to over 2,500 years.

The tropical island nation of Sri Lanka has a history dating back to the birth of time. It is a place where the original soul of Buddhism still flourishes and where nature’s beauty remains abundant and unspoiled. Few places in the world can offer the traveller such a remarkable combination of stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, captivating cultural heritage and unique experiences within such a compact location. Within a mere area of 65,610 kilometers lie eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 1,330 kilometers of coastline

Sri Lanka is a magnet for wildlife, housing 70 percent of the world’s frog population, 435 bird species and more than 90 species of snake (including cobras), plus crowd pleasers such as the odd elephant and leopard. The nature experts at Rainforest Rescue International run wild trips to lesser-known forest reserves, such as Kanneliya and Sinharaja. Outings differ depending on what nature is but when in Sri Lanka, you’ve got to make sure you’ve seen an elephant crossing the streets of Kandy and Galle.

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FEATURE

, A L I N MA S E N I P P I PHIL

Don’t complain about the eight hours flight and the four hours time difference. The need to getaway to the homeland plus the luxury of getting there on a budget has been long answered by Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines (airfare ranges from Dhs1500-2000). The visit to the Philippines is in the bucket list of every resident in the UAE, who dares to imagine the heartwarming tales of the Pinoys they meet as well as dreams of the images of lush tropical greens and clear blue waters that the country would promise. Pinoys would definitely argue that when they come home, traveling around the country is definitely not a budget-friendly cause especially with all of the members of the extended families wanting to tag along. But nevertheless, traveling to the Philippines is considerably much wiser choice than others. A city tour around Manila’s Intramuros, China Town, and thrift shopping malls is advisable to tourists looking for culture and history of the country’s capital. But a day or two in the

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metro should be more than enough since there are 7100 (depending on the tide as they say) islands to discover. Most of the provincial towns like Bicol, Baguio and Batangas offer fantastic welcome and reasonably priced accommodation, food options and transportation from Manila. Flying, on one hand, to islands in Boracay, Palawan and Bohol might add a couple hundred dirhams but with the breathtaking sights and relaxing beaches that rival that of Maldives, Bali and Phuket, the add-ons are rather worth it.

FEATURE

BANGKOK , THAILAND

A budget travel list won’t be complete without Thailand. From airlines to hotels, Thailand gives away a number of options for its tourists. Its capital Bangkok buzzes with amazing choices of bargain shopping malls, inexpensive food outlets, boutique hotels, and the best spa centers for totally low-priced treatments. When in Bangkok on a Saturday, don’t miss visiting Chatuchak, almost an hour of drive from the city center. It’s a bit of time added to travelers but the shopping discounts that are offered in this huge plaza (that’s only open during Saturdays) make up for the long drive. Eat in the cafeteria amidst the center of the bargain shops, and you’ll definitely taste the most authentic Thai dishes you’ll have in your life. But if you’ve missed this, shopping in Bangkok would

again be as fun at MBK, Paragon or the night markets that might be open from time to time. Aside from the nightlife and city vibe, Thailand offers travelers the chance to relax at its famous beaches in Phuket, Koh Samui and Pattaya. With only an hour away, via domestic flight, from Bangkok, these out-of-town venues attract a number of local and international tourists who look for adventures, remarkable sights and relaxing beach experience.

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FEATURE

, T A C S MU OMAN

Coming from the UAE, the most reasonable destination may it be for a quick getaway or budget concern is Muscat. The option to drive (for approximately four hours) is indeed a cut from the cost of flying via air. Moreover, two days would be enough to roam around the city hence keeping you away from filing leave of absence. Muscat is a breath of fresh air from Dubai’s city skyline. Its view of Hajjar mountains greet the travelers of a promise of a different Gulf experience. And while in Muscat, don’t miss to visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque that showcase traditional Arab architecture with its library of more than 20,000 information sources. Go back to the Gulf’s glorious past of Oman by visting Nizwa Fort, Bahla Fort, Rustaq Fort, Nakhal Fort, Hazam Castle, Gibreen Castle where they date back before Islam era.

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Also make sure to have your picture taken by the corniche, old souk and Royal Opera House Muscat that is located in Shatti Al-Qurm district.

Plan Ahead Airline tickets during summer are usually higher due to the increase of outbound travel from the UAE. So, this may have been told a thousand times but, nonetheless, be reminded that the best way to save money in your travels is to plan ahead. Decide where to go, plan your trip, book your flight and hotel ahead (even months away from your trip), secure visa or documents required, and enjoy an organized and wallet-friendly travel.

FEATURE

On the fly:

Travel trade secrets from the experts There are two things that can be said about vagabonds, explorers, voyagers: one, they can’t stay in one place for too long and two, they know how to prepare for a journey. Wander girl Nikka Sarthou rounds up these travel fiends and gets them to share their trade secrets.

T.S. Eliot once said that, “The journey, not the arrival matters.” Though the destination may be the main attraction, part of the appeal of traveling comes from the journey itself — from packing your suitcase to actually being in transit. Before you head for some summer fun, consider these helpful travel tips from seasoned travelers.

Capsules and cubes: how to travel light Airline regulations changing the maximum luggage allowance has become a challenge for travelers to make everything fit, especially for Filipinos who are used to traveling with full balikbayan boxes. We should all take cue from flight attendants who have mastered the art of packing. “When I started flying, I made a list of things that I’ll need when traveling, which I divided into four major categories — toiletries, clothes, entertainment, and travel essentials

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(i.e. travel documents). I lay down everything on my bed first before organizing them inside my luggage. This way, it’s easier to double check everything,” shares DJ de Dios, an international Cabin Crew who has been flying with a major airline for six years now. “I use packing cubes and follow the Capsule Formula - you basically roll your clothes into a capsule and load them up in packing cubes. No fuss, no mess. I also choose clothes and items, which are multi-purpose like a sarong that I can use as a scarf, as a blanket, and as a beach cover-up. A flight attendant friend of mine can even turn hers into a summer dress.” As an international cabin crew, he flies to different places abroad and brings with him multi-purpose pieces that are versatile enough for traveling to areas with varying climates. He recently discovered thermal underwear. “I got mine from Japan and it doesn’t take up any luggage space. Trust me, it can take your wardrobe from

FEATURE There are travelers who are drawn by exotic destinations, which may not be used to having tourists or would require more sensitivity towards their culture. “I do an initial research online on the do’s and don’ts. But more reliable sources would be locals and fellow travelers. Occasionally, I also coordinate with local tourism offices,” shares Edgar Alan Zeta-Yap, a Travel Journalist who maintains a website called www.eazytraveler. com. Zeta-Yap’s wandering shoes have also taken him to Kalinga, Maguindanao and Tawi-Tawi in the Philippines and to Myanmar, Indonesia, and India. When traveling to such places, he suggests to, “Be healthy. Keep yourself hydrated with water and boost your immunity by taking vitamins daily. It’s tough getting sick in far-flung places. But at the same time, don’t loose your sense of adventure. Be spontaneous and learn to break your itinerary when an opportunity to discover something new arises.”

On a shoestring: how to travel on a budget Traveling is an indulgence, but it has become more affordable these days with the advent of the Internet and budget airlines. In fact, you can be your own travel agent and book your flight and accommodations online. Simply search the Web for discounted fares to get the best deal, or follow the social network sites of airlines to get early updates on such promotions. Be in the know because when traveling on a shoestring, as you need to err on the side of practicality.

When you want to be “picturesque”: how to travel in style

spring-summer to fall-winter in a jiffy.”

Age appropriate: how to travel with kids Family vacations can be both fun and challenging. This time, you’re not just thinking about yourself but considering your children’s needs and wants as well. Anton Diaz, Founder of the food and travel blog, OurAwesomePlanet.com, usually travels around the Philippines with the whole family in tow, which includes a brood of three boys. “Kids need to be entertained and you need to ‘prepare’ them for what will happen. Entertainment strategies are important, and one must be careful what to trade-off for good behavior.” Anton shares that when picking a place that is kid-friendly, he considers the general feel of the place. Other things to check out for are if the destination is kidfriendly in an age–appropriate way. If you’re traveling with toddlers in strollers, a place with wide even streets would be ideal. It would be very challenging to push a stroller along a cobblestone path.

On the offbeat: how to travel to exotic places

Looking good while traveling is a must since you’ll be representing your country, and at the same time, it is characteristic of the Filipino to want to photograph well. According to Ana Kalaw, a stylist, travel blogger and Fashion Columnist at The Philippine Star, “I rarely travel light — I’ve already accepted that — but I do pack with intent. I already know what to wear on which day and for which occasion. I choose pieces that can be worn multiple ways and a multiple number of times.” She believes in sticking to neutral colors and minimalist styles for clothing and to just add color and embellishment with accessories such as beaded sandals, colorful pendants, huge cocktail rings, and boldly colored scarves. “Don’t use travel as an excuse to wear just t-shirts, jeans and shapeless tops. Instead, go for basic with a twist: a sheer button-down shirt that can be worn over colorful tank tops, colored jeans, cropped jackets that can be worn over jeans or a flowy dress.” “Never sacrifice comfort. Don’t kid yourself into wearing heels when you know you’ll be walking from one of Paris’ arondissement to the next. Style and comfort do mix. Think breezy pants that make your frame look longer, colorful caftans that can go from beach to lounge, leggings, cotton scoopneck tees.” For Ana, every fashionista traveler must have lightweight knits, ballerina flats, oversized sunglasses, brightcolored lipstick, and lightweight boxy or tailored jacket that can be worn over shorts, jeans, or a dress.

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Don’t leave home without…

Make your trip stress-free by bringing the following with you: Photocopies of your passport and visa, if applicable. Keep these in a safe place in your luggage. This is just a precaution in case you lose your travel documents. Travel insurance. Traveling poses a lot of risks and it would be prudent to get insurance before you step inside that airplane. Important contact numbers. Before departing, make sure you leave your contact information at home so your family would know where to get in touch with you. Also, list down the telephone number of your country’s Embassy in your destination, as well as its contact person, just in case of emergency.

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Map or guidebook. Visiting a new place would be best if you have a guidebook or map with you for reference. It would be easier to get around with it, and a time-saver, too. Universal adapter. Not all chargers are created equal. If you’re bringing gadgets such as laptops, cameras, and the like, then do bring a universal adapter as well, especially if you’re traveling to multiple destinations. First-aid kit. Don’t forget to bring some medicine (e.g. paracetamol) and a basic first-aid kit in case disaster strikes.

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Globetrotting Entrepreneur

Quitting the 9 to5 for a sustainable life of travel

When I was 21 years old, the future looked bright for me. I was working at an international investment company and I was the best performer in the team. I was financially independent, had a looming promotion, and an overseas transfer in the works. The icing on the cake? I became an ‘Employee of the Month’. These accomplishments made my parents beam with pride. Friends thought I had it all. But what they didn’t know was that I was terribly uninspired and miserable. Much like everyone else, I only clung to that job to follow the traditional order of life wherein everyone is expected to get a stable 9-to-5 job after graduation in order to secure their future. Any unconventional aspirations take a backseat, especially if you come from a traditional family like mine. Certainly, not being able to do what I loved and the corporate lifestyle got me burned me out. I wondered - “is this all there is to it?” I thought, what good is it to have a ‘secured’ job if I am miserable? Or if I am counting every hour until I could get home? If I am calculating the days until it’s the weekend? If I am always waiting for vacations, holidays, or long weekends?

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If I always have to ask someone for permission just to break? If I am wasting almost five hours of my day in traffic? If I am plagued by overtimes and unnecessary meetings? It definitely wasn’t the kind of life that I wanted, but when I started to meet backpackers, nomads, and entrepreneurs who were passing through Manila, my whole world was turned upside down. Here were these individuals who abandoned conventions to do what they really love to do, no matter how unusual it was to most. And they were not only successful but they were happy too! That was the moment I knew that it was time for me to take the leap. I didn’t want to waste my 20s anymore, nor settle and allow myself to be enslaved by a corporation just to fit into the traditional concept of security. So after a bit of preparation and thorough discussions with my parents, I finally left my corporate job to go after my real passion in life: traveling the world while working for myself. It has been two years now, and since then, I’ve paraglided around the French Alps, played with elephants in Thailand, experienced peculiar customs in Europe, and so much more!

FEATURE my knowledge, I started to offer my services to different clients online. I had to start small at first, but then I slowly became more adept and gained recognition. I even bagged a contract for an online brand that paid me double than what I earned before (quadruple when I was promoted to higher positions). Things were going really good. I was doing work online, while traveling at the same time. I was in full control of my time and I was happy, fulfilled and contented! It was then that I learned that doing what you love is always the best choice. Of course, it will be hard at first but for as long as you work hard, things will always bear fruit.

Plus, as I hopped from one country to another, I even managed to create an online business that allows me to live sustainably. Now, how did this happen? I don’t have rich parents or family members to back me up. Nor did I receive money from anybody enabling me to travel the world and set up a company. I actually got to where I am now through my own hard work. I made this lifestyle happen and anybody can do the same! Just do what you really want to do. You don’t have to be a lawyer, a doctor, or an engineer if that’s not what you want to be, because no matter how you are good at it, you will just end up unhappy and that will keep you from doing far greater things in your life. Besides, if you focus all that effort into what you are passionate about, you will not only be ‘good’ at it but you would become a ‘master’ of it. You will be fulfilled and might even earn more! I hold a business degree specialized for the corporate setting – something totally unrelated to online marketing and graphic design which I really wanted to do. Nevertheless, I didn’t let that hinder me. I scoured the internet for tutorials in order to learn what I needed to know, and when I was confident with

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So don’t ever undervalue your abilities and skills; there are people out there who are willing to pay you properly for the things that you can do well. Also, if you’re not happy where you are now, take a leap and get that dream job. Remember that you are far more valuable than you think, especially when you are at your most productive state. Create your own sense of security. We are often bound to our office jobs because it’s seen as the traditional way of securing our future. However, that’s not entirely true, because you could get laid off anytime. You are, after all, working for someone else. Hence, we should all consider a profession or a business that you personally own and control. Always think long term. This has helped in making me the entrepreneur that I am today. You see, although I was handling different clients, I was always thinking of more sustainable ways to support myself. So when

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an opportunity presented itself - inspired by one of my online clients, my partner and I launched our online company: Adalid Gear. Today, I work only for myself. The way I see it, I have also truly secured my future and built my dream. Somehow, my traveling lifestyle helped in my entrepreneurial journey, as I encountered new experiences and people who were also building their dreams with their own abilities. And it ultimately boils down to this - that even as you abandon conventions and embrace fear as you go after your true passion in life, great things will happen. It can be fast or slow. But like everything else, it’s not a race, but a journey and you are going to enjoy it! Follow Aileen at: http://iAmAileen.com

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Earn While Travelling:

5 job types that allow you to travel the world while working By Aileen Adalid

o you’ve finally decided to quit the 9 to 5 rat race and instead enjoy life travelling the world. Believe it or not, you can turn that into a sustainable lifestyle by developing a career and business that suits your skills and aspirations while you venture out to see places, meet different people, and experience various things all at the same time. Here are some ideas on how you can jumpstart your life of travel, filled with financial opportunities, as well as job location independence.

#1 – DIGITAL NOMAD JOBS Being a ‘digital nomad‘ simply means making full use of the technology around you in order to work remotely and earn an income whenever and wherever you are — much like a nomadic lifestyle.

Consultation or Coaching If you are a professional or an expert in a certain field (e.g. financial management, events management, real estate, etc.),

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you can certainly offer your services online. This is because a lot of companies often need help, but prefer not hire certain staff permanently. You can even sign up at sites like Skillshare where you can make passive income from prepared courses that you will develop.

Online Entrepreneurship You can go into retail (e-commerce) but other than the usual start-ups, you can also try selling digital products like eBooks, games, and apps, or set up your own website and build a brand for your services (on programming, website development, tour organization/trips, etc.). Of course, your products don’t always have to be online. You can still be a business owner of a different kind. It’s just that most of the time, online-based businesses give you more freedom to move around.

Trading (Arbitrage, Foreign Exchange / Forex, Stocks, etc.) If you have a strong background on these areas, make full use of it. Otherwise, it can also be learned. A lot of money can be made through this; then again, a lot of money can be lost too.

FEATURE Virtual Specialists or Assistants With the help of online websites (like these) and depending on your skills and interests, you can do: administrative work (Customer Service, Data Entry, Data Processing, Management, Online Research, Secretarial, Transcription, etc.), provide specialist services (Content Writing / Copywriting / Editing / Proofreading, Finance (Bookkeeping), Legal, Medical, Marketing/Marketer, Social Media Management, etc.), and technical Services (Graphic Design, HTML, Programming, Web Design, Web Development, Video/Audio Editing, etc.)

#2 – TEACHING OR TUTORING JOBS Teach English Overseas Countries that don’t have English as a first language should be an instant destination for you, especially if you don’t mind teaching, or if you already have previous teaching experience. Don’t worry though, because some schools or language centers would just require you to have a Bachelor’s degree, plus knowledge of the English language. But most would still expect you to have a TEFL (or TESOL/TESL) certificate, for which there are a lot of courses online. As for the pay, it can be really good, especially if you do private classes or one-to-one session, as compared to teaching in language centers. You can also choose to work long term or just short term. But where can you go?

ASIA Japan, China, Korea, and Thailand are the hottest countries right now that need English teachers - with Japan and Korea paying the best salaries. Just type your search in Google for this (keyword - ESL teacher) and a lot of resource websites will show up for availabilities, applications, and more. (For starters, try: www.eslcafe.com)

SOUTH AMERICA Hence, it’s always best to really know what you’re doing.

Blogging + Vlogging Blogging on travel, fashion and lifestyle and other worthwhile categories takes work, but once you’ve established yourself online, paid opportunities can be really good. Companies or brands will pay you for features and reviews or give you a free stay/flight/meal. You can even make use of advertising and affiliate marketing opportunities that can really rake in some money. Vlogging (video blogging) on the other hand has gained so much popularity that the returns can be enormous once you become a partner of YouTube. Most people do make-up and fashion videos or just make funny skits online. Whereas, if you’re into gaming, you can also do commentaries or compilations (yes, people actually earn millions just by recording themselves while playing a game), or record yourself singing/dancing, or having your cute pet moments. The choices are almost endless that it’s likely that one of your hobbies would make for a perfect YouTube channel with a huge potential following.

If you are from the Philippines, and encounter visa problems when you travel to other Asian countries, you can head to South America where several countries are visa-free for Filipinos. Take Brazil and Colombia, for example, which are highest-paying countries for English teachers in South America. If you plan to head there to become a freelance English teacher, other than ESLcafe.com, try www.volunteerlatinamerica.com.

EUROPE Spain, Turkey, Russia, Germany, Czech Republic, to name a few. ESLcafe.com also has openings listed for Europe.

Online Teacher or Tutor Websites like Tutor.com, Verbling, Kukuspeak and etc., are great websites to begin with. It’s important to note, however, that there is an application process and that most websites require years of experience.

Translator This is self-explanatory. For example, if you’re fluent in Chinese, there are a lot of clients out there that would need your service.

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#3 – AU PAIR JOBS If you love dealing with kids, an au pair job could be the best thing for you! It’s basically like being a nanny where you might also be expected to do some light housework. This kind of work is very common in Europe, as well as in the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. You can even do this while doing other freelance work or while studying. For this job, apart from your pay, the family would usually provide accommodation and food. Unfortunately, though, if you want something short term, this will not be ideal since most au pair contracts are a minimum of 6 months or more.

#4 – NON-PAYING JOBS/ACTIVITIES (BUT WITH FREE ACCOMMODATION AND/OR FOOD) The following jobs will not get you paid, but in exchange for your work, you can get free food and accommodation. While on visit in a foreign country, this could still be of great benefit since hotel costs can be prohibitive. Besides, with these kinds of set-ups, you can also mix in your other freelance or digital nomad work.

Blogging Already mentioned in point 1, but this also applies here because in some cases, companies or brands might not you in cash against your feature, but instead you get free dining, or free stay, and sometimes free products in exchange for your service.

Couchsurfing or Home Stay Couchsurfing refers to the act of letting a friend or a stranger

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stay and sleep in your house for free, using whatever space available - may it be the couch, floor, or an entire room. As a couchsurfer, you get a space to stay in and also get the chance to meet new (local) people, while experiencing the locale. You can also call this ‘home stay’ if you specifically search for families and not just individuals in couchsurfing.org. Check out www.couchsurfing.org where you can find profiles and testimonials. There are also sites online that focus on family home stays such as www.helpx.net. You can try www. staydu.com)

Home Swap If you’re leaving your house/condo/apartment behind, why not swap with someone else’s residence in another country? This means that you will let someone (a family or an individual) stay in your residence for X amount of days and then you get to stay in theirs as an exchange. A good website for this is www.homeexchange.com. Check for good host references/ testimonials. Here, you would also get to know the complete address, identity, and details of your host.

Hostel Work Most hostels will let you stay for free and in return, you have to do some ‘light work’ for them (such as cleaning, running errands, etc.) So the next time you try to book into a hostel, why not ask first if they are open to this kind of a set-up? Otherwise, you can try these websites: www.hosteltraveljobs. com or www.hosteljobs.net

FEATURE Volunteering

Film -Creative or Camera Crew / Director / etc.

There are volunteering opportunities in most popular charity groups (like WWF etc.) but unfortunately, those tend to have expensive registration fees which defeat the purpose of trying to gain financial freedom. Instead look for volunteering jobs or work exchange that has no fees. These are jobs that you can usually get at hotels, restaurants, schools, etc. where you can get free accommodation or food against service. Check out www.workaway.info, www.anyworkanywhere.com or www. overseasjobs.com to find opportunities.

Being in the film industry promises lots of opportunities for travel, especially with the rise of the independent (indie) film industry. Though, it’s important to point out that this kind of work often requires long hours of work and a lot of commitment.

House Sitter/Pet Sitter Get to stay and have a whole house to yourself for free while the whole family is away on vacation. The biggest site so far is www.trustedhousesitters.com and then there’s also www. mindmyhouse.com. If you are open for a longer commitment, go to: www.housecarers.com.

#5 – TRADITIONAL JOBS There are some ‘conventional’ careers that will allow you to see more of the world, but the downside is that some still require a lot of fixed working hours. Here are some options -

Artist (Art, Crafts, Fashion, Makeup, Designer, Performer, Musician, Photographer, etc.) Depending on your skills and reputation, you can go a long way as an artist. Some bloggers make collaborations with the establishments in the country they are visiting in exchange for money or accommodation. The profit you can earn becomes greater if you mix it with a strong online presence. You can do hair or makeup tutorials online, painting or drawing tutorials or time-lapse videos, and more. Other than these, if you’re a musician, you can work in bars or hotels; if you’re more into crafts, you can sell your work overseas and more. At the most basic level, you can even do street performances (busking) while on the road. In exchange for money or even food/drinks, you can sing and dance in public or create street art, etc.

Biologist/Geologist If you are one, the chances of traveling the globe is highly likely since you can be stationed in places like Hawaii or in more remote ones which would prove to be an adventure!

Cruise Ship Crew / Yacht Crew Work as entertainers or bartenders in a cruise ship, or be part of the skilled crew if you are qualified. Just remember that this kind of work is often covered by a contract that can span months or years. However, if you want something temporary, like just helping out in a yacht for a brief time in order to go from one place to another, you can check www.crewseekers. net or www.findacrew.net.

Flight Attendant/Pilot Starting can be quite tough because new employees almost always have no chance of choose their own shifts or destinations, but you get to travel around while getting paid. Part of the perks is that you might even get a few free flights or huge discounts for yourself and your family.

Much like what most of us have learned in school, it’s always wise to diversify your portfolio — which means, when applied to this kind of lifestyle, make the most of what you can do or what you love to do. Don’t just settle on one job for your earnings. Go mix and match. There are just so many opportunities out there. And once you find the best fit, start thinking long term because you wouldn’t want to keep working for somebody else all your life. Try to find a business or profession that will secure your future and allow you to be truly independent.

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Travel the World Solo By Anna De Leon

hen Beyoncé wrote the lyrics of Independent Women, she mentioned almost everything that a selfrespecting woman of the 21st century should be doing - from buying her own diamonds, to paying her own bills and that, should she need to depend on anyone, it should only be on herself. What failed to mention, however, is that an independent woman should also be able to travel on her own, at the very least, once in her life. Travelling all alone has ended up on so many lists like, “Things to do before you hit 30, 40, 50 and Beyond,” “Things to do before you die,” and even “Things to do before you settle down.” And for a woman who has travelled quite extensively

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on her own, modesty aside, I don’t see any reason as to why this particular aspect of being an independent woman was ruled out of the anthem of alpha females. The travel bug bit me real good in 2008. It was Holy Week when I set foot at Fumicino Airport in Rome, Italy. Though it was slightly chilly, the sun peeked through the blue skies, and flirtatiously beckoned me to explore the cobbled streets of Via Veneto and gasp in awe at the magnificence that is the Basilica di San Pietro. The moment the Italian breeze caressed my cheeks, I knew that I had fallen in love with the adventure that is called travelling - on my own. Looking back at my adventures while travelling on my own, I can now understand as to why this particular activity has landed in so many lists. Exploring unknown places enabled me get to know myself even more. Getting lost in Firenze en

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route to Roma, I realized that studying the Italian language wasn’t enough, using it was key. So, with my misuse of andare and vedere, I was able find my way back to Roma. Aside from learning that when you are lost in a foreign country where they don’t speak English, the best way to communicate your thoughts is to speak like a local, gesticulation included. I learned that I can actually throw caution to the wind, not analyze my verbs and speak my heart out in Italian. If I can speak in Italian, I can, most certainly speak in French, when lost. All inhibitions were left at the train station. I didn’t realize just how creative I can be until I learned how to use my SLR,in manual, I might add, in capturing all the jaw dropping sceneries and architectural masterpieces while gallivanting around this lovely planet of ours. Seeing all the wonderful places that I have been blessed to have seen, I simply could not bear not to give justice to its beauty. My skills

in cropping, composition, rule of thirds, let alone yoga inspired “photo taking” positions were put to the test. Being exposed to such sublime creations and scenery also opened my eyes to see beauty and art in things that would seem ordinary to most people. Having seen the imposing Basilica di San Pietro, the Gothic spires of Duomo di Milano and the Eifel Tower made me realize just how powerful the human mind and resolve is - that, if you want to create something magnificent, the unavailability of modern technology won’t stop you because it certainly did not stop Bramante and Bernini from doing so. My five senses run wild when I travel. I feel like a newborn vampire whenever I step out of the airport of a new, undiscovered destination. My sense of smell is so sharp that it can detect a bakery in Soho, even when I’m as far as Times Square! My mouth can taste the spices of the chorizo from the Mercat de La Boqueria upon arriving in Barcelona, and I

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can most certainly hear the lyra at Mt. Lycabettus from Plaka beckoning me to come and dance. Travelling by myself has sharpened my senses not only to appreciate beauty, but and more importantly, to sense danger. It has made me more aware of my surroundings, giving me a sense of who is following me from my peripheral, and in some cases, who is checking me out. There are valuable lessons that can be learned when you travel that can never be earned in a classroom. Out of all those lessons, though, the most important one that I wish to pass on to my kids is to respect each and every person that you meet. Being in a cosmopolitan country like the emirates, one learns to be tolerant of other cultures. But then again, why stop at

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just being tolerant when we can go a step further and simply respect other simply because they deserve it. It is a tall order, but once you have been exposed to the multitude of cultures and behaviors of people from different countries with different upbringing and values, you will know and understand, why being â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;just tolerantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough. So yes, by all means, buy your own diamonds, pay your own bills, climb that corporate ladder based on your sheer awesomeness. But remember, a woman of the world has to pack her bags and discover the unknown which will lead to her uncovering her otherwise untapped potential that will help her conquer her fears and the rest of the world, one destination at a time.

NEWS

Track and Field Success: Filipino-Swede Junior Athlete

Charles Marelid Bags 5 Golds at MESAC Charles Marelid, (3rd from left) a 15 year old student from American Community School of Abu Dhabi dominated the MESAC Track and Field competition in Doha, Qatar last April 2325, 2015 bagging five gold medals and breaking records. A member of the American Community School Track and Field Junior Varsity Boys, he arrived on the morning of April 23 at American School of Doha to compete for three days on five events, mainly the 100m dash, 200m dash, 400m dash and the relays for the 4x100m and 4x 400m. Shy, quiet and unassuming, the 9th grader from ACS had won gold medals in UAE during the Emirates Athletic Conference (March 1921, 2015) held at New York University, Abu Dhabi. Yet Charles was burning for determination to win a MESAC gold. He was a MESAC bronze medalist last year for the 100m dash being the youngest boy in that category so he was aiming for that elusive MESAC gold this time around. Charles Marelid just didn’t get one gold but won five gold medals on all of the five events he competed and surprisingly broke the MESAC record for the 100m, 200m and 400m dash. When that unprecedented performance happens, the track

and field roars with excitement from the crowd. His coach, Chandra Pike on the third day of competition sent a message from Doha - “Charles is a machine on fire”. Charles was relentless and unstoppable for three days of stiff competition in Doha with athletes from India, Oman, UAE and Qatar – he was not only an individual sprinter but he was a team player as he anchored the gold for the boy’s relays on both the 4x100m and 4x400m. Charles, a Filipino-Swede is well known as a tennis player in Abu Dhabi having won the Mubadala Community Cup Championship in 2014 and a finalist in 2015. He is a multiathlete who enjoys soccer and track and field. His coaches believe that he is born to run while his parents Stefan and Agnes Marelid believe that his strength lies not only in his physique but also in his state of mind. When asked what he thinks in that precious nerve-wracking second before the race starts, he meekly replies “my heart is about to pop out of my chest so I just run as fast as I can”. But like every 15 year old, Charles is proud for his achievements but doesn’t let it get into his head as he has school projects and tests to catch up and worry about, always striking that balance between academics and sports.

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IT’S WHAT I DO

It’s what I do

FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORK PLACE

JOWIN PROVIDO Marketing and Events Executive Emaar Malls My job I work as Marketing and Events Executive in one of the largest conglomerates in the Middle East and around the globe, Emaar Malls. My main task is to research and analyze marketing trends, identify target markets, plan thematic campaigns and develop strategies. I also manage the budget, as well as administer and evaluate the success of each campaign. My job demands long hours, especially in the lead up to a campaign launch, but the satisfaction after a successful campaign is enough reward in itself! I oversee several Emaar assets including Dubai Marina Mall and Dubai Marina Retail, Pier 7, Gold and Diamond Park, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai Retail and Community Centers in the Meadows, Springs, Greens and Arabian Ranches. I always give my best effort on the job and sometimes it goes beyond marketing. Like for instance, I had this project launch at the Dubai Marina Mall and we were undermanned. So as not to delay the project, I ended up taking care of marketing, technical, security and housekeeping. At the end of the day it’s about getting the job done.

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My work day My typical day often starts with checking emails, afterwards writing a list of ‘things to do’ which I gradually work my way through - although the list tends to grow rapidly! Depending on the stage of the campaign, it will determine the duties but typically, my time is best spent outside the office, where I can be inspired to conceptualize and gather ideas, at the same time, observe the latest market trends!

Career advice While we might think that we chose a life or career path, sometimes, life can change our plans and we might suddenly find that an opportunity has chosen us. I never imagined that I will be working in the Marketing industry, until the Creator led me into this profession, which in turn, opened my eyes to creativity and flared up my passion. So, don’t be afraid to try new things! Be a risk taker, don’t quit! In this competitive part of the world, your determination and passion will mark you and your future.

IT’S WHAT I DO

It’s what I do

FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORK PLACE

MA. CRISTINA RITA A. CASIPLE, CSCP Global Sourcing/Category Manager Eltek AS, APICS

My Job I am currently Global Sourcing Manager (for batteries) for ELTEK, a Delta Group company,that deals in trading of telecom equipments with headquarters in Norway and regional offices all over the world. I am based in the regional office for MEA in Dubai. I have been with the company for 9 years. I started in 2006 as Customer Support Representative - the only Filipino in the office for about two years. In 2011, I was promoted to Logistics Manager for Dubai reporting directly to the Managing Director. Because of the scope and complexities of my work, I became interested and fascinated with Supply Chain. Thus in 2013, I committed myself to taking the APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional exam in April of that year and became a Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP). In Jan 2015, I was promoted to Global Sourcing Manager (Battery). My role and responsibilities have now moved from regional to global/Corporate. My job has also given me lots of opportunities to travel, meet new

Career advice

people and gain more confidence in speaking to and in front of

If you want to succeed in anything and everything, you need to

many people. All in all, aside from being very challenging, going

have three qualities - a positive attitude, a grateful heart and a

from regional to global, has been very rewarding.

love for what you do/for what you have. If you have these, they will reflect in everything you do, including your performance at work. And performance will always speak for itself. When you feel

My work day

good about yourself and/or about what you do, everything else

A typical day would normally involve touching base with my

just flows smoothly. Everything just falls into place.

boss based in Norway, either via email or SKYPE, coordinating and having meetings with different Corporate Departments, our

You have to be in a good place with yourself in order to feel

various regional offices (also via SKYPE or video conferencing),

confident that you can succeed. And when people feel that you

and suppliers. It also mostly involves preparation of strategic

are confident with yourself and what you do, they trust you more

plans, analysis of data, and doing trainings and presentations.

and have confidence in you too. This is when your success starts.

My new role has also taught me to be more flexible and to be

And your success starts with you. With you believing in yourself,

available almost all the time as I am working with people of

your capabilities, and believing that as a Filipino, you can.

different nationalities and different time zones as well.

working days are either from Sundays to Thursdays or Mondays

And yes, we can. Yes, the Filipino can compete with the rest of

to Fridays and working hours from as early as 8AM to as late as

the world, and succeed.

11PM. However, I make it a point that I always have a two day weekend - one day spent on chores as well as time with friends, and the other day is my ‘me time’ when I relax and recharge.

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LAW

Handling Hard Times: When Debt Becomes Unmanageable By Atty. Barney Almazar

When you keep on borrowing money and debt becomes unmanageable, you will experience feelings of fear, stress, guilt, shame or anger. If you are in debt, you may receive phone calls and letters from the companies or people you owe money to. What are the warning signs that you are headed for financial trouble? Are you regularly spending beyond your budget? Are you living from payday to payday? Are you unable to meet rent payments? Are you always paying only the minimum credit card bill? Are you not aware how much your total debt is? Have you maxed-out more than 2 credit cards? Are you consistently paying bills late? Are you hiding your debt situation from your spouse? If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you really need to re-examine the way you handle your finances. You must aggressively pay off your debts and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hesitate to seek professional help. Handling Hard Times Call your bank to arrange a loan restructuring

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List all expenses and determine which expenses can be eliminated, reduced or deferred Control your spending accordingly Always pay by cash, do not get additional loans Take advantage of available programs, benefits and insurance Eat well, sleep well and maintain social contacts and a positive outlook How to Settle Loans? Contact the collections department of your bank and advise you would like to make a settlement. If you have defaulted on several loans within the same bank, inform the collections officer that you would like to settle all your loans. For example, if you have credit cards, personal loans and car loans issued by the same bank, you should settle all loans in one agreementâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;because the bank can still file a case against you for the other loans which you did not settle. Important questions to ask your bank: How much is the outstanding balance per account? Have they filed a police case against you? If yes: Which police station?

LAW What is police case number?

the payment terms.

When was it filed? How much is the value of the bounced cheque? What are the available settlement options? Minimum settlement amount for one-time payment? Longest installment term and how much is the monthly payment?

If you have a pending case, secure clearance from the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lawyer. Present the clearance to the police station so your records can be cleared from the police and immigration systems. Notes:

Minimum payment to release the police case, and what would be the payment terms for the remaining balance?

This is the process for out-of-court settlement.

Once you have agreed on a settlement option, request for the settlement letter.

Settlement will release you from criminal/police and civil cases.

Make the payment as per the settlement letter. Do not make any payments unless you have the settlement letter. Get the Release/Clearance Letter once you have complied with

Applicable Law

The courts or the police will not be involved.

If the bank condoned part of your debt, your name will be included in the Central Bank blacklist. Police Case vs. Civil Case for Bounced Cheque/Unpaid Loan

Police Case

Civil Case

Article 401 of the Penal Code

Article 272 of the Civil Code

What is the complainant asking the For the offender to be punished for For the debtor to pay the amount owed court? issuing a bounced cheque What is the punishment?

Jail term and/or payment of fine/penalty Payment of loan obligation plus damages (not the amount of the bounced cheque) or imprisonment if unable to pay

What offices are involved?

Police, Prosecutor, Criminal Court

Civil Court

Can I leave the country?

No.

Yes, unless the bank files a travel ban

Can I cancel/transfer/renew my visa?

No. You can process your visa once you Yes. have served the jail term/paid the fine or settled your loan.

Can I renew my passport?

Yes, request the police or court

Yes, request the court

Will I be deported?

Can it be filed even if Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not in UAE

Yes

Will service of sentence erase my debt?

No. Your bank can still file a civil case for Yes, your payment of the amount collection of the amount you owe. ordered by the court will extinguish your loan obligation.

Will imprisonment erase my debt?

No. Imprisonment will only clear your No. Only payment of the amount owed case for issuing a bounced cheque. will erase your debt. Creditor can still request a travel ban even after you have served your jail term.

Can I enter into a settlement during the Yes, as long as no judgment has been Yes, you can enter an amicable settlement trial? passed. The case will be dismissed if you at any time, even after judgment has will pay the amount demanded by your been rendered. creditor. Will I go to jail even if I surrender my No, during the trial. Yes, after the No, during the trial. Yes, if you cannot passport to the police/court? judgment (if you are proven guilty). pay after the judgment.

For more information on Central Bank rules on debt collection, readers can visit www.gulflaw.info or call 04-4492016. Gulf Law and volunteer Filipino lawyers hold monthly free legal aid and seminars at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai and Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

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FEATURE

Summer is here, and together with it come vacations and

TIP 1: Perfect time to jump in the water! Do laps in the pool if

staycations that often include hours spent by the beach and

know how to swim. If you don’t, summer is the perfect time to

the poolside. ‘Tis swimsuit season – that time of the year that

learn. If you’re more of an outdoorsy kind of person, try surfing

strikes fear in the hearts of every sedentary executive who

or any beach activity. When you engage your body in any of

didn’t have the time, or the gumption to exercise during the

these activities, you burn more calories as compared to doing

last couple of months. Alas, those jiggly bits resulting from

aerobic exercises on land due to water resistance on every

one-too-many mealtimes spent gobbling up burgers, fried

movement. It’s also good for strengthening small neglected

chicken, pizza and extra servings of rice, are now threatening to

muscles.

break free in broad daylight courtesy of the skimpy swimsuits or board shorts you cannot avoid wearing this time around.

TIP 2: Do lots of leg exercises - squats, calf

But fear not. There are still some things you can do to prime

raises, etc. This goes for

your body in the next couple of weeks before you take that

both guys and girls out

summer plunge. Most importantly, it’s always a good time to

there. Summer is board

start taking care of your body.

shorts and bikini season

Let out panel of fitness experts guide you with their top 3 tips to get you into shape.

Gabriel Amante Personal Trainer

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so this is the season where you show them off

than

common

ever.

mistake

people do during their summer prep is that they focus all their time on their upper body.

FEATURE

If your body doesn’t look well-proportioned, it’s just as embarrassing as not having a good upper body in the first place. Our legs have huge muscles and working them burns more than working out your chest or shoulders. TIP 3: Diet. Try hard to fight the temptation of going for ice-cream or halo-halo every now and then when it’s 40 degrees Celsius outside. Go for frozen yogurt instead. You can also do home made fresh fruit yogurt treats simply by freezing your favorite fruits in the freezer like bananas, apples, berries and etc. Just chuck them in the food processor, add your fat-free yogurt and spin it! It’s simple, easy and low in calorie.

Renuel Sanchez

General Manager, MMA Fitness Center TIP 1: Eat 4 to 5 small meals a day to boost your metabolism, skipping breakfast and then having a big lunch and dinner is the worst eating habit that most people have. TIP 2: Stock on healthy food at home. If you are hungry, it’s most likely that you will pick up that bag of chips. But if you have healthier options readily available, then you just brought yourself a step closer again to that 6-pack you’ve been hoping for. TIP 3: Learn to love working out, think of your health and that beautiful figure will follow as a reward. Invest your money in a gym otherwise that money will go to future hospital bills. And sadly, you won’t develop a 6-pack while you are sick.

Rica Rodriguez and Divine Masinsin

Group Exercise Manager and Senior Pilates Instructor, Fitness 360 TIP1: When at the gym: Go for high reps and crank up the weights while you’re at it. Aim for 2-3 sets of 20-25 repetitions for every muscle group. TIP2: In the kitchen: Chew it instead of drinking it. Many think that smoothies and fresh juices are the best options to go for. Just think, 5 oranges = 1 glass of juice. You won’t get to eat 5 oranges! Try keeping sodium intake on a low as well. TIP3: In the bedroom: We repair and build muscles when we sleep. Getting enough rest (6-8 hours) will not only leave you feeling fresh and energetic. It will also reduce the amount of cortisol (a stress hormone that contributes to fat storage) in your body.

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FEATURE

Ronald Molit

Triathlete, President - Filipino International Triathletes TIP 1: Be active. Get into a sport that you will enjoy. For me, I started doing triathlons 5 years ago and enjoyed it so much that I’ve been training 6 times a week. TIP 2: Hydrate. With the training that I do plus living in a place where it’s extremely humid during most days of the year, I drink a lot of fluids. Being well-hydrated helps my metabolism and prevents fat deposits. TIP 3: Get enough rest. I’ve tried overtraining and I would either get injured or sick. When that happens, it becomes harder to get back into my exercise routine. I also tend to overeat because my metabolism slows down. So now I see to it that I get enough rest at night and during my days off.

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FEATURE

Trish Sanchez Personal Trainer, MMA Fitness Center TIP1: Detoxify and burn fats by drinking water infused with slices of lemon, cucumber and ginger. This is better than drinking sodas and juices with high sugar content. This infused water works like a miracle and can make you lose weight. TIP 2: Weight training doesn’t make us women big! But cupcakes definitely do! Weight training makes muscles more toned not big. So if you want a more defined abs then start lifting weights. TIP 3: Unstable blood sugar levels makes us crave sweets. It’s actually not psychological but it is physiological. Most of the time it’s our fault because we got our bodies used to consuming foods like chips, chocolates, or to eating too much heavy carbs, like bread and rice. If we train our body to eat more natural foods, the healthier kind, then our sugar level will be stabilize and the cravings will disappear.

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FEATURE

Heat: Beat It, Treat It

The sun may shine brighter in Dubai, but that also means it shines HOTTER. Sherry Tenorio shares some tips on beating the extra fierce

n Dubai, summer sizzles with temperatures averaging 42-45 degree Celsius in the morning till afternoon, then around 36-40 degree Celsius in the evening. Evenings are hot and humid and the days are hardly any different, causing your body’s temperature regulating systems to come close to over heating. We’ve put together some tips to put the lid on the sizzling heat with our Beat It, Treat It Guide.

Beat: Dehydration We’ve been taught time and again that drinking eight glasses of water is a must. Yet, we often overlook this basic health tip. The summer heat can cause excessive sweating, and insufficient water intake can lead to dehydration. Once dehydrated, you can also experience lightheadedness, weakness, vomiting and nausea.

Treat: Fluid replacement is the main treatment to

dehydration. Take in generous amounts of water, clear broths or power drinks such as Gatorade.

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Beat: Sunburn Spend too much time under the sun and you might get burned, literally. Sunburn characterized by redness, pain, and blistering is most common during the season and while it certainly, won’t kill you, the pain and discomfort should be enough reason to avoid it. Besides, you won’t be able to wear those maxi dresses, halter tops if you’re going to expose a nasty sunburned back and/or shoulders. Furthermore, longterm regular indiscriminate sun exposure increases one’s risk of developing skin cancer. So beware of the sun!

Treat: Prevention is the key to avoiding sunburn. Cover your skin with creams or lotions with SPF (sun protection factor) of 30+. Better yet cover yourself, and avoid staying outdoors for long periods of time. But if you’re already nursing a sunburn, use aloe-based lotions to soothe the skin. A cool compress would work too. Plus, remember to avoid scrubbing or rubbing the skin.

FEATURE Heat stroke (also known as sun stroke) Heat stroke which results from strenuous physical activity in hot environments, coupled with insufficient fluid and electrolyte intake is potentially fatal. Heat stroke occurs when the body is unable to cool down, the sweating mechanism fails and the body’s temperature rises rapidly. Common symptoms of heat stroke are a body temperature of 40 °C or higher, lack of sweating, hot and dry skin, a rapid heartbeat and difficulty in breathing. Other signs include disorientation and confusion, hallucinations and strange behavior as well as possible delirium or coma.

Treat: Heat strokes require immediate and proper medical

attention. For first aid purposes, better keep the affected person in a shady area, remove clothing, apply cool or tepid water to the skin, fan the victim, and place ice packs under the armpits and on the groin.

Prevention is always better than cure The risk of heat-related illnesses can be reduced if proper precautions are taken and overheating and dehydration is avoided. Check out some of these practical and easy tips!

Getting shady

• Minimize the heat and sun exposure, especially in the summer months. • Stay in the shade as much as possible and take advantage of air conditioned or cool places. • Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.

Getting physical

Beat: Heat rash Resembling tiny pimples, heat rash appears as small red spots on skin. They come with a prickly stinging sensation. Babies are especially prone to heat rash if they are dressed in clothes that are too warm for the weather. Severe forms of heat rash can influence the body’s heat-regulating mechanism, resulting in fever or heat exhaustion.

Treat: Normally, a heat rash would heal on its own. To relieve

symptoms, keep the skin cool and dry. Do not use ointments and lotions that might just irritate the skin further. Dress in loose comfortable clothing that won’t get you hot.

Beat: Heat exhaustion and heat stroke Walking to and from the different Metro Stations, running around Safa Park and languorously walking around the Dubai Creek can leave you panting. Overexposure to the sun, even through these normal activities can result to heat exhaustion. Headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and fainting as well as heat cramps and dark-colored urine are charactertistic of heat exhaustation, which if left untreated may progress to a potentially life-threatening heat stroke.

• Avoid intense physical activity, especially in high temperature environments and under direct sun exposure. • Try to rest as much as possible and get sufficient sleep at night.

Eating and drinking right

• Drink plenty of liquids, like water, natural

juices or sport drinks, to replace fluid lost from sweating. • Drink even if you are not thirsty and avoid coffee, cola and alcoholic beverages. • Eat salty meals in the summer to replace salt lost in sweat, but avoid eating heavy meals.

Keeping it light with the right clothes

• Wear light, loose fitting clothing which supports evaporation of sweat and avoids hyperthermia. • Wear a hat to protect yourself from direct sun exposure.

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FEATURE

Eat Right Inseparable is a word to describe Pinoys and food. But do we actually know what we’re eating? Maria Rivera eats her way to healthier food.

The fact cannot be denied: Filipinos love to eat. Whether it’s on a Sunday after going to church where the entire clan gathers at their ancestral home to feast, at a friend’s birthday party, or at the mall (aka our favorite hangout), one thing’s for sure – we eat like we mean it! Save for the fact that we actually love the art of eating, we do it for a deeper reason too, and that is to spend time with our friends and family in celebration or in the mere mundane days of our lives. But has anyone ever stopped and thought about this: yes we love to eat, and yes we love to celebrate over food with the ones we love, but are we actually eating quality food? By quality, we don’t mean expensive, we mean nutritious, healthy food.

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We Filipinos today go for affordable meals (hello, P50 value lunches!), super-tasty treats (read: excessively sweet and/or salty snacks and desserts), and the latest food craze. It’s time we become aware of what we put in our mouths, and start doing a little research. Here we break down some of Pinoys’ favorite go-to foods and meals both in Manila and in Dubai to help you decipher what is good from bad, what you can continue eating, and what you should start avoiding. Don’t think of this guide as a restrictive list, but instead, see it as an opportunity to try new things.

FEATURE

WHEN IN MANILA 1. When it comes to noodles, don’t go instant. Eat this: Opt for high-quality ramen instead – there is a ramen craze in Manila right now and some of the restos have a pretty impressive way of preparing their noodles. They are way more delicious and definitely not fake. Not that: Sad to say, no one can live on instant pancit canton or mami alone. Sure, the idea of preparing your meal in less than five minutes sounds enticing, but think about what you are actually eating: processed white flour, made into noodles by deep frying, plus a mixture of mystery ingredients including MSG, tons of saturated fat, and sodium. 2. Good ol’ fried chicken, who doesn’t love it? Who has not had a bite of fast-food chicken? We have grown in a culture where fried chicken is the ideal pick for lunch or dinner. Eat this: Substitute your chicken craving with the lean type – chicken breast fillet that’s either grilled or baked. Some restaurants serve this, but if you have the time, making your own could save you some money, and you could tailor fit the taste! Have it with a green salad and you’re good to go! Not that: Avoid deep-fried chicken. Save for a few measly grams of protein, all you are left with are a ton of saturated fat and a growing belly. As far as fast food in general is concerned, it’s time to go back to home cooking when meals were made with love and care. Home cooking rules! 3. Chips: We all love a salty snack! But there is a better healthier way to have them. Eat this: Try making your own chips instead. They taste much, much better and are excellent at giving you nutrition that you need. Good options are baked kamote fries or carrot chips. Google some recipes and a million will pop up! Not that: Regular chips, just like everything you eat that is deep-fried, your bad cholesterol content soars to levels that could be potentially harmful to your health when taken in the long-term. 4. Milk tea – Just because there’s the word “tea” in there does not mean it’s healthy. Eat this: Try ordering a cup of iced green tea with honey from your favorite coffee shop instead. Antioxidants for way less calories? Yes please! Not this: We are not fooling anyone but ourselves if we drink large cups of milk tea with an extra serving of pearls and expect to be svelte and in tip-top health. These drinks are laden with the bad kind of sugar, plus those pearls are incredibly high in empty calories. And no, tapioca starch is not a vegetable.

FEATURE

WHEN IN DUBAI 1. Shawarma – This Middle-Eastern favorite has been here all these years, and it definitely isn’t a craze! Eat this: Time to opt for whole grain varieties instead. Enjoy your Shawarma with a ton of vegetables and less bread next time! Not that: All that white pita bread could hurt your health and weight if overly consumed. White, processed carbohydrates such as white rice, white pasta, and white bread are not good for us as they are laden with empty calories, virtually no vitamins, and they make our blood sugar spike after a meal. Ever feel like your energy has been sucked out of you right after lunch? This is the culprit. 2. Chicken tikka, lamb chops, broast chicken – Did anyone say meat fest? Yes, Filipinos in Dubai are spoiled rotten with rotisseries left and right, at such affordable price points. Eat this: You can enjoy these treats one to two times a week, then opt for “No Meat” meals on other days. Feast on fish and vegetables instead--cheaper and way healthier!

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Not that: Having meat all day, everyday could take a toll on your health, as consuming large amounts of animal meat has been linked to serious diseases such as cancer and heart disease. No one said you should cut it out totally. 3. White rice – Otherwise known as “what-completesa-meal”, white rice seems to still capture the hearts of Filipinos the world ‘round! We’ve been taught that rice and an ulam makes for a complete meal. Eat this: It’s time to shift to whole grain varieties such as brown, red, or black rice. They may taste a bit different, but give it a chance to grow on you. Knowing that it’s healthier makes up for missing white rice. Not that: White rice is a highly processed carb that is lacking in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, and is one of the main reasons a lot of people’s bellies are so big. The rules are simple: find out what’s in your food, eat in moderation, and best of all: never deprive yourself. Enjoy your favorites once in a while, but stay disciplined 90 percent of the time. That 10 percent makes it all the more exciting to eat anyway.

ADVERTORIAL Ayala Land is the Philippines’ top property developer; Globe is the Philippines’ leading telecoms provider; and BPI is the country’s first bank and the acknowledged leader in Philippine banking. One Ayala will cater to the needs of overseas Filipino workers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the wider Gulf and the Middle East. Thomas Mirasol, President of Ayala Land International Sales, said: “We recognize the Overseas Filipinos. They have worked so hard and they make us proud. The income they have generated has contributed directly to the country’s GDP and foreign exchange reserves and this has enabled our country to move forward and allow millions of people to live better lives. One Ayala is reaching out to them to understand and serve their needs and provide access through a single platform for all their property, banking and telecoms.”

LIALI’s Irresistible Summer Offer This summer celebrate going home with the timeless elegance of gold in fresh designs from Liali. Exquisitely designed, every piece in the Liali gold jewelry line is lightweight, trendy and the perfect accessory for travelling. Starting at just AED250, 18K gold pendants are the perfect souvenir on a budget to take home for your loved ones. Update your jewelry wardrobe with exclusive Italian designer gold jewelry from Liali featuring intricate necklaces, cuffs, earrings, cocktail rings; and wear now, pay later with Liali’s easy payment plans available across all stores.

Ayala Land, BPI, Globe Come together to the UAE under One Ayala Ayala Corporation will mark its second anniversary of operations in the UAE by expanding the basket of services it offers the country’s overseas Filipino workers to include telecommunications and banking. Ayala is one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines with businesses in real estate, financial services, telecommunications, water infrastructure, electronics manufacturing services, automotive dealership and distributorship, business process outsourcing, power generation, transport infrastructure and education. The conglomerate extended its operations in the UAE in 2013 with the establishment of an office of Ayala Land, its real estate development arm. It is now strengthening its presence in the UAE and the wider Middle East with the launch of a new initiative that brings three Philippine business powerhouses under a single umbrella. For the first time in the region, Ayala will nest its three leading companies – Ayala Land, Globe Telecom, and Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) – under a single entity: One Ayala.

“With One Ayala, we hope to offer a wider array to match their needs as well as the needs of their families through a central point of communication and access for our customers in this part of the world,” added Roy Emil Yu, Senior Vice President for Remittance Business, Bank of the Philippine Islands.

du partnership with Globe Telecom In order to serve more Overseas Filipinos in the Middle East, du - the Middle East’s fastest growing telecommunications company recently announced a partnership with Philippines’ Globe Telecom to launch a co-branded service. With approximately7.3 million mobile subscribers, the Kabayan offer of du allows their prepaid mobile subscribers to call Globe and TM for 20% less than the cost of calls to other networks in the Philippines. Pinoys in the UAE can now call home for less with du’s Kabayan offer. Calling Globe and TM numbers costs just 36 fils or 4.35 pesos per minute, a 20% savings compared to the rate of 45 fils or 5.45 pesos per minute for calls to other Philippine networks. A du prepaid subscriber need only dial *135*71# to activate the service for free. A set-up fee of AED 1 or 12 pesos applies for each call. “At du, we strive to provide our customers with the best value in terms of quality and cost. We know the Filipino community in the UAE work to keep ties strong by frequently calling their loved ones. Through our partnership with Globe, we are delighted that we can make this happen,” noted Fahad AlHassawi – Chief Commercial Officer, du. “There are close to one million OFWs in the UAE, and we at Globe have endeavored to forge ties with a top telecommunications company like du to provide Filipinos abroad with better, more accessible means to call home,” said Globe EVP & COO for International and Business Markets Gil Genio.

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SCRAPBOOK

Evangeline “Vanj” Cubero www.vanjstudios.com UAE

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SCRAPBOOK

Emilio Vilchez KUWAIT

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FASHION Crop top by Rank by Rani Kim Pants by Bench PH

PHOTOGRAPHER: IKO MARAMO STYLIST: DANYL GENECIRAN MODEL: PAOLO ROLDAN LOCATION: SCARBOROUGH BLUFFS, TORONTO

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FASHION

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FASHION

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FASHION Pants and underwear by Bench PH

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FASHION Nylon Bronze Bomber Jacket by Patrick Salonga Joggers by Alexander Wang Pants and underwear by Bench PH

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FASHION

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FASHION Joggers by Alexander Wang

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FASHION

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FASHION Silk kimono by Dolce & Gabbana Pants by Bench PH

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FASHION

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FASHION Snake skin leather vest by Benji WZW Black Chinos by Bench PH

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FASHION

Tank top by Bench PH

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FASHION

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FASHION

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FASHION Snake skin leather vest by Benji WZW Black Chinos by Bench PH

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FASHION Neoprene printed pants by Kenzo

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FASHION

Silk jacket and shorts by Benji WZW

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FASHION

Pants by Bench PH

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FASHION Baseball jersey by Commes de Garcons Joggers by Alexander Wang

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FASHION Leather jacket by Benji WZW Harness by Partick Salonga Pants by Bench PH

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THINGS TO DO

Things to do – May-June 2015 By Sherry Tenorio

Step out and enjoy the wondrous activities Dubai offers this month. There’s a number of events that will keep you occupied before the city celebrates the Holy Month of Ramadan, and before the city welcomes yet another warm season. So, aside from being patient on a long queue for the Philippine’s most beloved chicken meal, here are the best 10 things to this May.

Meet Disney’s Royalties The famous Disney on Ice returns to Dubai World Trade Center, promising a world-class entertainment to all. Join Ariel as she explores life above the waves and Prince Eric as he breaks Ursula’s spell to reclaim his true love. See Prince Phillip, in a race against time to rescue Aurora, defeat evil Maleficent. Discover a whole new world with Jasmine and Aladdin. Also, the phenomenal show will allow the audience to enter the winter wonderland with Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Disney’s blockbuster hit Frozen and watch in awe as the dreams of Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Rapunzel and Tiana all come true. Indeed, a perfect bonding activity for the whole family, the Disney on Ice is playing from June 10 to 13 with tickets ranging from AED150 to AED2000.

Prepare for Ramadan It is the moon that sets the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan, but as forecasts say, it shall start around the week of June 19. Since it’s fast approaching, visitors and residents of the city can anticipate a glorious and reflective period. In Dubai, this month is marked by a host of activities with both private and public organizations organizing events for families and friends throughout the month. Residents of different nationalities, regardless of religious orientation, come together to share the spirit of Ramadan. Emirati hospitality is deeply felt in traditions including iftars (the first meal to break one’s fast), the Holy Quran recital competition, Ramadan Night Market and the Ramadan Forum.

Join writing workshops Budding writers are offered the opportunity to enhance their flair for words as the Dubai International Writers Centre host a series of workshops. Two international authors, Jo Wroe and Dianne Jacob, will be in town to provide talks and workshops about writing and more. Jo Wroe is expected to prepare the enthusiasts to further their passion and creativity while writing coach and food writer Dianne Jacob is about to share a plateful of advice to foodies and culinary bloggers. The workshops are happening from May 13 to 31 at the Dubai International Writer’s Centre. For more information, call 04-3559844.

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THINGS TO DO

Go to the opera Women would remember that scene from the ‘80s romantic movie ‘Pretty Woman’ where the actors went to see an opera, all dressed up for something really fancy. In Dubai, fortunately, classical music is available at affordable value. A night of an amazing Italian Opera Gala at Madinat Theatre in Souk Madinat Jumeirah ranges from AED 150 to AED 250 only. Indeed, something to take advantage for especially when the musical extravaganza featyres the likes of Don Giovanni, Barbiere di Siviglia, soprano Monica de Rosa McKay and bass Pierpaolo Palloni who will be interpreting the tunes accompanied by Italian-Lebanese pianist Ramzi Hakim. This one-night-only event happens on May 14 at 8pm.

Visit a design exhibition Interior and design enthusiasts will surely get a field day at this year’s International Design Exhibition (INDEX) happening at the Dubai World Centre from May 18 to 21. With over 20,000 attendees, INDEX brings together architects and designers from all sectors of the interior industry, including more than 800 of the world’s most prolific manufacturers suppliers of related products and services. INDEX provides comprehensive experience for all visitors via a range of free-to-attend talks and workshops divided into nine product sectors: furnishings, furniture, couture, kitchens and bathrooms, lighting, outdoor living, textiles, surfaces and finishes as well as design items. Other than these, participants can also expect the contemporary Majlis, Artist Avenue, the Trend Tour, Design Talks, The Interior Design Competition and the Product Design Awards. Public have an entrance fee of AED 250 per person. For more information, call 04-4380355.

Trade

and a

Know the latest in beauty On the world stage, few trade events can match the impact and influence of Beautyworld Middle East on the beauty industry, where thousands of forward-thinking business visitors come together to look for products and services that global exhibitors have to offer. Over the 18 long and fruitful years since its inception, the exhibition has evolved steadily –but surely – into a one-stop representation of the global beauty, fragrance and wellness industries for the wider Middle East region, and has played a pivotal role in their growth and development. Happening this May 26 to 28 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the popular exhibition for hair care, fragrances, beauty products and wellness is open for free online registration.

Take a jab at darting This month, the exciting and much-awaited Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters 2015 returns to the city. This is an annual event on the Dubai sports circuit and one of the biggest of its kind in the region. The world’s top eight darts players gather in the city to compete against one another and win the coveted first place title. The event, which is sponsored by Dubai Duty Free will take place at the Irish Village as fans of the sport can witness their darts heroes vie for top places in the tournaments. Players include Taylor, Van Gerwen, Lewis, Van Barneveld, Bunting, Wrigt, Anderson and Wade. Happening from May 28 to 29, this darting competition has tickets priced at AED 99 to AED 199 available at Virgin Megastore.

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THINGS TO DO Dance the tango The annual Tango Festival is back in Dubai for a night of dancing and fun. This is the 7th year for the ever-successful Dubai Tango Festival, a time for all things tango. Enroll by yourself or as a couple to learn the beautiful and traditional art of Tango dancing. Here you can witness some of the masters in the field at work and top it all off with a gala dinner. The 7th Dubai Tango Festival will host various tango dance workshops, milongas, and unparalleled tango dance night. This extravaganza is happening from May 27 to 31 at the Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse in Nal Al Sheba. For ticket inquiries, contact 050-6223679.

Play your indoor sports The Dubai Sports World returns this 2015 offering all sorts of indoor sports this summer. Known by sports enthusiasts, the annual sporting event provides the chance for residents of the city to enjoy the season by allowing them to engage in indoor activities. Having one of the biggest indoor playing fields, the participants get to play various games like football, basketball, tennis and more. Book a court with mates or simply join in with other players, enjoy your favorite sports, and beat the heat of summer in indoor-based activities. Happening from June 21 to August 29 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the Dubai Sports World 2015 requires online registration. For more information, call 04-3064000.

Watch out for Abu Dhabi Summer Season From June 11 to September 15, the capital is set for a thrilling three months of entertainment and fun in 3 cities: Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain and Al Gharbia. With super comedy act, world famous children’s shows, star-studded concerts, illusionists, international theatre shows, families are sure to enjoy this year’s Abu Dhabi Summer Season. Moreover, a host of the emirate’s hotels and attractions are offering attractive packages and special Summer Season promotional treats. To stay tune with the full line-up of festivities, follow @AbuDhabiEvents in social media channels

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COMMUNITY

PID 2015 preparations underway On March 23, 2015, Filipino leaders organized by Consul Ferdie Flores gathered at the Philippine Consulate General to plan for the forthcoming Philippine Independence Day celebrations for the Filipino Community of Dubai and the Northern Emirates to be held at the Al Nasr Leisureland. Unanimously elected as the Chairperson for the event was Engr. Cherry Pye Zablan-Torres, a highly civic-minded and dynamic community leader and member of the executive committee for more than a decade. She spearheaded the program committee of last year’s celebration. The second meeting was held on March 30, at Fiesta Pinoy, during which the group finalized the committees that will manage the project. The body agreed to have the following program components for the most important annual festivity of the Filipino Community - Search for Mr. and Ms. Teen PID 2015, onthe-spot painting contest, OPM singing contest, cultural/ folkdance presentation, hip-hop dance presentation, minibazaar, job fair, medical mission and surprise celebrity guests from Philippine TV networks. One of the most important highlights of the event is an annual job fair held in the morning that will showcase employment opportunities from a wide range of industries including hospitality, healthcare, education, technology, with vacancies in business development, administration and customer service. A group of Filipino medical practitioners will also hold medical mission in the afternoon, while the bazaar is slated to promote Philippine products to the community. Surprise celebrity guests will be spicing up the entertainment in the afternoon, while the Search for Mr. and Ms. Teen PID 2015

is meant to encourage the youth to become ambassadors of the community. The following are the working committees and the people community leaders who have dedicated dedicate their time and efforts to ensure that the 117th Philippine Independence Celebration is a huge success: Sponsorship Committee headed by Engr. Dante Delizo, supported by Cesar Mora; Finance Committee headed by Letty Maniaul and Wafa Qasimieh; Promotion Committee headed by Rico Cardoniga; Logistics Committee headed by the group Guardians with the help of IIEE and AKRO; Bazaar Committee headed by Engr. Francis Uy with Arch. Jon Llarena; Communications Committee composed of Josie Conlu-Romulo, Erwin Lladoc and Ms. Teresa Binghay. Program Committee headed by Angie Lozada (Program Sequence Head) and Richard Zulueta (Technical Head) supported by Rey Tenerife and Melvin Lozada; On-the-Spot Painting Contest handled by Tess Delizo, while the Search for Mr. & Ms. Teen PID 2015 is headed by Chairperson Engr. Cherry Pye Torres, assisted by Ms. Susan Francisco; the Security Committee in-charge - Ibrahim Beltran; Audit Committee headed by Engr. Maria Fe Dayot; Stage/ Lights /Sounds to be managed by Aki Atacadon and his team; Souvenir Programme in-charge - Engr. Milo Torres; Protocol Committee headed by Ms. Gina Salazar Sponsors to date include Fiesta Pinoy Restaurant, WOW 107 FM, Al Ahli Holdings Group, Filipino Times, Filipino Expats, Rockys Café, and Illustrado Magazine. Special thanks to Consul Flores for his guidance and support to the team, and to Abdul Malak, owner of Fiesta Pinoy –the event’s first Platinum Sponsor. Further information will be released soon.

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Pretty in Pink: Japanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cherry Blossoms

Photo: Alekos Orendain

By KC Abalos

hen the snow melts and the chilly winds of winter become gentle rain, it signifies that spring has finally arrived. And in the land of the rising sun, the most awaited event of the season is the awakening of the reigning queen of the floral kingdom, the lovely cherry blossoms. A favorite metaphor in countless poems, nothing symbolizes the transience of beauty more than the Cherry Blossom. The Japanese call them Sakura and in a country where gardens are an art form, these flowering trees hold the distinction of being the national favorite. Thus, they are planted with loving care and with the utmost attention to background, foreground, framing, and so on and so forth. This means that one can see

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a sakura skillfully planted in front of an elegant castle, just behind a crumbling old shrine, or in a perfect row along a bubbling brook; placed in just the right angle and pruned in just the right way to enhance an already charming tableau.

Hanami Time Hanami literally means flower viewing. For the Japanese, this season from the end of March to early May is the perfect time to not only smell the sakura, but to appreciate their fleeting splendor. People have picnics with their families or they sit alone under the pink and white blossoms. Young girls would dress in their kimonos to vie for some of the attention and to have their photos taken. Parks would be packed. Rivers would suddenly surge with joggers and gazers. Shrines would be visited but for other reasons, not just holy ones.

PINOY PLANET predictions with schedules on special night-time illuminations for certain shrines, parks, and gardens.

Sakura Spots If you’re a tourist in Japan then chances are you’ll flock to Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto where there are plenty of places where you can do your own hanami. In Tokyo, one of the best spots to go is Shinjuku Gyoen. The park is home to hundreds of varieties of Sakura so even if you’re late for a week or so, chances are you’ll still get to catch a few of the late bloomers. Ueno Park is one of the more popular destinations so it’s

Tourists who come from all over the world should be warned though that it is difficult to pinpoint exactly when the cherry blossoms will be at their utmost best. The trees surrounding the Imperial Palace grounds in Tokyo, for example, would flower earlier than the ones which line the shrines of Kyoto. Being mindful of your schedule and itinerary, it is possible to catch the full glory of this most diva of trees depending on the area. They can be found all over Japan. A quick check on the internet will show that there are cherry blossom forecasts and

usually crowded but it’s worth it. There are hundreds of trees that can be found in the moat around the Edo Castle in Kitanomaru Park and you can even rent a boat to complete the picturesque experience. To the south is Osaka, a bustling city that boasts of a few areas where the cherry blossom trees abound. The local favorite would probably be the grounds of Osaka Castle. It can get pretty crowded during peak season as well. If you happen to arrive earlier, the castle’s garden has a beautiful plum

and peach orchard which bloom right before the sakura. If you can’t find the orchard, just follow your nose and it will lead you to the sweet smelling buds. However, if you arrive later and you miss the cherry blossom trees, there is a more unique option. Osaka Mint Bureau (Yes, the place where they print money) plays host to a variety of sakura which bloom a little later and is open to the public. Kyoto has seemingly hundreds of places where the cherry blossoms are at their prettiest. There will be a lot of people at the Philosopher’s Path near Kyoto University but since it is a long

canal lined with hundreds of trees, you will have plenty of opportunities for photos. Kiyomizu Temple is always bustling with tourists but there’s good reason for that because the temple is a World Heritage site. The surrounding trees are magnificent since it hugs the mountainside. If you hate the crowd, not many tourists go to the Keage Incline and the old train tracks as well as the tunnels and the nearby aquaducts provide a change from the usual temple scene. You can also stroll along the sakuralined Kamogawa or Kamo River that

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PINOY PLANET cuts through Kyoto city. On the outskirts of the city is Arashiyama, a mountain that offers a lot of flower viewing scenes. You can take a scenic train that runs through the mountainside where the cherry blossoms are thick and gorgeous. But if you’re in a hurry, and you have no more time to go farther, there’s a canal perpendicular to the Hankyu Kawaramachi station where the trees are lighted at night. For a special treat, Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture is absolutely worth the trip. An hour’s train ride away from Osaka, Himeji’s white façade is made more awesome by the many cherry blossoms trees that prettily accent its grounds. It was re-opened to the public just last March 25 after several years of renovation so it is particularly spectacular right now, all shiny and white.

Candied Cherry Blossoms You can take home a multitude of omiyage or souvenirs made from Cherry Blossoms when you go home. If you have a tight budget, go to a 100-yen shop. There you can buy sakura incense, plastic flowers, purses and bags with cherry blossom designs. There’s a variety of sakura-flavored candies sold in souvenir shops and grocery stores. A must-try is the mochi (rice cakes) which can easily be found in duty-free shops at the airports. You’ll get to bring with you a little of their faint floral taste. While shopping and strolling, treat yourself to some sakura ice cream or even sakura-flavored bread. A whiff and a taste is all you’ll need to get you into the spring mood. Knowing that in two short weeks, the flowers will all be gone makes cherry blossom viewing a melancholy experience. If you’re lucky, you’ll get caught under a gentle spring shower, made of cherry blossoms slowly falling to the ground. It is a breathtaking sight, a lovely farewell until spring comes again.

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COMMUNITY

(PBC-AUH) The Philippine Ambassador Golf Tournament 2015 It was an exciting day of golf at Yas Links Abu Dhabi! Her Excellency Grace Relucio Princesa honored the Philippine Ambassador Golf Tournament 2015 with a great swing -- teeoff at 2PM, 22 May 2015. There were 70 players including teams from FIGME, TEGC, Spanish Business Council and with special participation of His Excellency José Eugenio Salarich Fernández Valderrama, Ambassador of Spain in Abu Dhabi. The a warding ceremony was hosted by Mike Guzon and Ramon Navea and held during the lovely dinner with all the golfers, sponsors, Philippine Business Council Abu Dhabi members, friends and guests at Barranca. PBC-Abu Dhabi Chairman Agnes Stott Briggs extends her sincere gratitude to all its major sponsors - Century Properties Group, Smart Asset Property Management, Victor’s Freight International Corporation and to all special sponsors - Yen Fashion Design, Giordano, Ahsant, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah,

Southern Sun Hotel, Ramada Abu Dhabi Corniche, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Nail Ink, Golf World and Worthy Gifts for their support at the Philippine Ambassador Golf Tournament 2015. Attached are some snapshots at the event. More photos will be posted on PBC Facebook and website this week. Congratulations to all the winners. Below are the following:

LISTS OF WINNERS

SPECIAL EVENTS WINNERS

Overall Champion Rudy Laguna

Platinum Division Longest Drive Garreth Estment

Platinum Division Winner Nestor Labis

Gold Division Longest Drive Jaime Falcones

Platinum Division 1st Runner Up Rene Dacutanan

Silver/Ladies Longest Drive Diane Grace Bariuan

Platinum Division 2nd Runner Up Graham Hurdon

Platinum Division Nearest to the Pin Larry Mendoza

Gold Division Winner Paul Bell

Gold Division Nearest to the Pin Larry Clarina

Gold Division 1st Runner Up Ibrahim Baggash

Silver/Ladies Division Nearest to the Pin Lynne Pettigrew

Gold Division 2nd Runner Up Ramon Navea

Straightest Drive Esteban Gomez

Silver Division Winner Victor Liwanag

Nearest to the Pin in 3 Shots Gilbert Pingol

Silver Division 1st Runner Up Stanley Bangaan Silver Division 2nd Runner Up Miguel Angel Bravo Ladies Division Winner Ruth Bell Ladies Division Runner Up Lynne Pettigrew

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Cape Town and the Winelands STORY AND PHOTOS By Al Manlangit

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PINOY PLANET Arrive at airport – 0930hrs. Pick up Avis car – 1000hrs. Drive to Stellenbosch – 1030hrs. Photograph scenic route. That was the itinerary I wrote before we enplaned in Johannesburg for the 2-hour flight to Cape Town. And that’s exactly what we did right on the dot. The only difference was the scenery along the 50km. route from the airport to the Winelands was more magnificent than I could have imagined. The wine-producing region in South Africa extends through four popular towns: Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, West Somerset and Paarl. All are within a short driving distance from each other through various routes that have breathtaking views of mountain ranges, evergreen valleys filled with fruit orchards and pastoral plains with nothing but grass, sheep and blue sky. Charming Stellenbosch with its oak-lined streets was one of the first Dutch settlements in the 15th century. Much of that influence remains today the style of the buildings and old houses dominated by Cape Dutch architecture as well as a sprinkling of Georgian and Victorian. After checking in our stuff in the homey hotel with a terrace overlooking a picturesque view of the Hottentots Holland mountain range, we walked around the town admiring the quaint shops that abounded and viewing the exhibits in the museums before settling for a delicious shrimp and lamb braai (barbecue) lunch with red wine in an outdoor restaurant beneath the shade of an old oak tree. Satiated, we drove to Vergelegen (Far Location) wine estate 15 kms. away. The estate is one of the finest in the Cape owing to its beautiful manor house and gorgeous English garden with an herbaceous border enclosing a splendid collection of roses. As if this wasn’t enough, at the back of the main house lay a well-manicured lawn with huge Chinese camphor trees planted in 1700 by the original owner who was also the governor. No wonder the place is Mandela’s favorite and the Clintons went for a visit. It was in the terrace of these bucolic surroundings that we sipped the estate’s wines and nibbled their exquisite quiches. The guide brought us up to the hill where their stateof-the-art cellar was buried underground – there, thousands of French oak barrels held the liquid that would be classified under the names of sauvignon, pinot noir and chardonnay. From the top of the hill we watched the sunset, and saw row upon row of vineyards as far as the eye could see – wine, it seems, thrive in an environment that is as close to paradise on earth. When the French Huguenots were persecuted by the Catholic Church, one of the places where they took refuge was in this small corner of South Africa called Franschhoek (French Corner). They brought with them not only their Protestant faith but their wine culture as well. The town, surrounded by the imposing Drakensburg Mountains, has all the allure of a French countryside from the street names to the local cuisine. We stayed overnight in a huge villa where we were the only guests and our oversized room had beautiful paintings, a charming mosquito net over a humongous king-sized bed and a bathroom that had exquisite mosaic tiles and a cast-iron bathtub – all for a princely sum of only $100. Then we had our best meal at a French Bistro where the smoked rainbow trout, Portuguese-style calamari marinated in red wine and wood-roasted pork chops were to die for – I still smack my lips whenever I remember that fancy dinner washed down with chilled sparkling wine!

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Visiting Cabriere Estate was fun for its excellent bubbly but also for a demonstration of uncorking the wine bottle by the winemaker who cleanly sliced the neck with a saber! A short stop at the stark granite colonnaded Huguenot Monument completed our visit before we headed for Paarl. This town got its name from the shiny granite domes of the nearby mountains which made them look like glistening pearls. It was in this place where Nelson Mandela was released from prison. We briefly passed by Taal Monument – three tall concrete columns which celebrates the controversial Afrikaans language before

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driving down to Hermanus by the coast. This place proclaims itself to be the world’s best land-based whale-watching site and there is a designated “whalecrier” who blows his horn to alert people to the arrival of the whales. Though it was out of season, we espied a couple of these gentle behemoths breaching and lob tailing (tails smacking the water) from afar as we ate our seafood lunch in a patio overlooking the sea. During the calving season in September and October, you can see hundreds of these Southern Right whales down by the seashore putting on quite a show. They

migrate from Antarctica to mate and give birth in the warm waters off the Cape. We took the route tracing the contours of the coast for the 100-plus kms. to Simon’s Town on the peninsula south of Cape Town passing by mist-shrouded mountains that disappeared into the sea and isolated landscapes where we were the only travelers on the road. Arriving late in the day, we couldn’t find suitable accommodation in this pretty town on False Bay lined with Victorian buildings and bougainvillea-bedecked houses so we continued a bit further to Boulder

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Beach where we checked into a hotel in the middle of a penguin colony. These creatures were a sight to behold as they waddled into boulders after a day’s feeding at sea. But we could hardly sleep at night as their loud braying kept us wide awake. We left early the next morning at the crack of dawn just as the penguins were up and about. In spite of being a nuisance during the night, I couldn’t help but be amused about their antics as they made a beeline to the sea for their first day’s meal as they turned into graceful swimmers in the water.

The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve is the farthest point south of the peninsula. This isolated and wellpreserved 7,000-hectare park has as many plant species as the whole British Isles and abounds with wildlife like antelopes, zebras and pesky baboons that sometimes blocked the road. We slowly drove the 14-kms. from the entrance enjoying the scenery until we reached the main parking lot where there were restaurants and a souvenir shop. A funicular brought us up to the old lighthouse which had the highest vantage point to take in outstanding views of where the two great bodies

of water met – the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Though this wasn’t technically the last geographical point of the African landmass (that is in Cape Agulhas a bit further south), it was pretty close. Looking into the far horizon, it was easy to imagine the Antarctic continental shelf across the endless blue waters. Heading up north on the final leg of our journey, we passed through scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive, were we stopped at a number of view points. I could see why numerous car commercials were filmed in this location - the view was spectacular with the

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sinuous road hugging the steep mountainside whose rocky cliffs disappeared into the foaming sea hundreds of meters below. Table Mountain is the symbol of Cape Town which rises over a thousand meters from the coastal plain; it dominates the whole city like an omnipresent giant. The name is derived from its flat top that stretches several kilometers and clouds gather above, which looks as if a huge white tablecloth has been spread to cover it. Much of the area is a nature reserve with numerous hiking trails passing mostly through a wild landscape. We climbed the easy route – thru the rotating cable car which gave a breathtaking 360-degree view. At our view deck points, one can really appreciate the beautiful spread of the city below surrounded by a gleaming sea as well as formations of rocky massifs stretching south as far as the eye can see with interesting names like Lion’s Head, Devil’s Point and Twelve Apostles .Downtown is pretty compact, but we were able to explore most of the interesting sights just by walking. Starting from the Castle of Good Hope which is a Dutch fortification, we visited the lively Greenmarket

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Square with a busy flea market and turned into the charming shopping areas on Long Street and St. George’s Mall. Passing by City Hall’s neo-classical façade we ended up in a large park called the Company Gardens where a wide walkway framed by old oak trees and myrtle hedges led to the gleaming white colonnaded Houses of Parliament. We also paid a visit to the Slave Lodge which was built in 1679 to house the Dutch East India Company’s slaves and has been converted into a Cultural History Museum that focused on the slave history as well as the city’s present multicultural make-up. Another interesting museum was the South African national Gallery where many artworks reflected the country’s turbulent and painful history. The biggest attraction in the city is the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, which is a huge redeveloped area that integrates the passenger and freight harbor with a shopping complex that houses 400 stores, 70 restaurants, several movie houses and an Imax theater. Here, too, are the Maritime Museum and the Two Oceans Aquarium with its staggering display of marine life. We enjoyed another braai with a bottle of pinot noir to end a remarkably relaxing week that had been surprisingly more pleasant than what we expected.

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Globetrotter’s Blog:

Photo : Jes Reyes

JES REYES in ICELAND Reason to visit Iceland is known for its majestic mountains and volcanoes, including grandiose waterfalls, beautiful glacier lagoons, surreal ice laden coastal scenes and the ethereal Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, a spectacular natural phenomenon in the sky occurring during the winter months between mid-September to mid-April. For photographers especially, the breathtaking natural beauty of Iceland is more than enough reason to travel there.

Getting there Icelandair, the country’s flag carrier airline connects passengers from Amsterdam to the capital Reykjavík. From Kuwait I booked a flight via KLM to Amsterdam. Transfer from Keflavík International Airport (KEF) to the heart of the city of Reykjavik takes approximately 45 minutes via Flybus Company. Busses are located right outside the terminal building. You can book and arrange your transfer online ahead of time from the airport to your hotel and vice versa. www.re.is/flybus/flybusplus

Accommodation In Iceland, you will find accommodation that will fit your needs – from beautiful cozy guesthouses, or friendly bed and

breakfast inns in located in the countryside, to suites in the city. You can even grab a tent and a sleeping bag or stay with a farmer, or rent a summerhouse or an apartment. The choice is yours. Iceland has loads of accommodation choices, with midrange guest houses and business-class hotels predominating. With so many tourists, accommodation fills up quickly. So, reservations are strongly advised.

Top “must dos” The elusive Northern Lights are easily the most popular attractions of Iceland. Kirkjufell Mountain, near the small town of Grundarfjörður in the western Iceland, beautifully sticks out in a plain landscape. Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon - Jökulsárlón is one of the country’s most well-known natural wonders. Seljalandsfoss one of the most photographed waterfalls in the country, is located between Skógafoss and Selfoss. Due to predominant volcanic activities, there are also lots of geysers, underground springs and thermal pools scattered around Iceland. To see powerful hot stream shooting from the ground is definitely exciting. Gullfoss, a majestic waterfall climaxes and crowns the renowned “Golden Circle” - the country’s most common day trip from the

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capital. Blue Lagoon, Grindavík – is a man-made geothermal spa offering the most relaxing natural bathing experience. Exploring behind waterfalls, driving the peninsula, crossing glaciers on a snowmobile and tasting the culture in Reykjavik are all must dos.

Clothes and gear People visiting Iceland for the first time often wonder what kind of clothing they should bring with them. Well, that depends on a few things; what time of year are you coming? Are you going to the countryside or just staying in the city? Will you be going into the highlands or onto a glacier? Another key thing to consider is clothes that are wind and water resistant. It’s windy and it rains a lot in Iceland all year round. So no matter whether you’re just shooting or just visiting, make sure to dress in layers. Use warm base layers, a mid-layer and your outer layer should be wind and water resistant or water proof. In addition, insulated boots, thermal socks, gloves and a wool hat is best. Gear wise, it is safe to bring two camera bodies, one for back up. You would benefit from a full frame camera as it would be essential to capture all the details of the scene. A good and sturdy tripod is needed as you will be using it in various terrains like the rugged coastline of the ice beach and if you are planning on taking photos of the northern lights. A spare of batteries for your DSLR as it can run out quicker in the cold. Also, a lot of extra memory cards. Iceland is breathtaking so you will definitely fill them quickly. Everything is expensive

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in Iceland and some items are also hard to find, so consider bringing other essential needs like extra medicine.

Absolutely recommended The good thing about my travel to Iceland is that I secured the services of a local photo tour company (www.icelandphoto-tours.com). They arranged everything and most of the tour comes with full board and lodging. It also saved my time looking for the right locations as the tour is based on the

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photographerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs, bringing you to the location at the right time and moment. Iceland is not cheap and is an almost cashless society where credit card is king. For a trip like this, EU2000 to EU3000 would suffice and some extras for added shopping or emergencies. Do your research before going to the place, know what you want photograph. Study the terrain and the weather. Getting a local (photographer) guide will make your trip eventful and safe. It will take away hours of looking for the place and needless driving. Save on luggage; bring important gears and suitable clothing only. Travel light and comfortably, as you will always be on the go.

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Photos : Jes Reyes

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Top 40

Tell-tale Summer Signs Because ‘tis the season you dread (Ouch, the heat!) and look forward to (Oh, the beach!) at the same time, you know it’s already summer in the Philippines when (in no particular order)… 1. The Kapamilya, Kapatid, and Kapuso networks release their Summer Station IDs. That’s when summer in ‘Pinas officially starts, kababayans. 2. You catch Summer Fever. It’s when the temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius—yes, the weather is much warmer than your normal body temperature! Not cool. 3. Everyone gets hot-headed and annoying, including you. Please refer to #2 for further explanation. 4. Your dialogue every hour especially if you’re outdoors is “Angineeet,<insert curse here>!” 5. All you want for breakfast, lunch, merienda, and dinner is halo-halo, mais/saba con yelo, ice cream/drop/candy/ buko/tubig, or samalamig. Forget brain freeze. 6. You think of kumikitangkabuhayan by selling all of the above because that’s what everybody wants. You could be a millionaire, too. 7. You start to question how the hell the great Francis M. came up with “cold summer nights.” 8. Malls become the masses’ haven on Earth. Free A/C,

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anyone? 9. Movie houses become the masses’ bedroom. Pay P200+, and you can sleep and snore away! 10. You suddenly miss the finale of every Palibhasa Lalake episode when they’d throw buckets of water at the guests. 11. Public transportation gets more challenging (as if finding one isn’t yet tough enough) as you brave the unspeakable stench and sweat of your co-passengers amid the everyday traffic chaos. 12. Everyone you know is on a diet. At least until after they’ve gone to the beach to brag their Baywatch-worthy bodies. 13. Longganisaor sausage fashion strikes again since most people believe that summer gives you the right to wear sexy even if you’re not. 14. The shortest shorts in the history of womankind, which we shall call the paknapak shorts, are on display on the streets. Worn by our sisters, of course. 15. Your Facebook becomes a Bodybook. On your News Feed are shameless full-body shots of your contacts in

ONLI IN DA PILIPINS bikinis and trunks. To unfollow or to unfriend, that is the question.

35. You wonder yet again what “jasmine in my mind” means every time you feel the summer breeze.

16. Mom furiously delivers a one-hour sermon to the entire household once she receives the electricity bills.

36. You must go easy on sisig, lechon, chicharon, and everything else that can shoot up your high blood pressure.

17. You fantasize about living in an igloo. 18. You seriously consider applying for a Polar Bear Whisperer post, so you can move to the North Pole legitimately.

37. The neighbor has chickenpox, cousin has measles, yayahas sore eyes, and you’re scared of being heatstroked or sunburnt.

19. Beach Boys is what you listen to day and night. Because you want to go surfin’ in La Union or go to a place called Kokomo.

38. All you want to do is to lie down and sleep, no matter how hot it is.Jose Rizal was right about the climate’s impact on us all along.

20. Surprise, surprise! Couples stop being clingy because they’re all sticky. Now, that’s one good thing you can benefit from the heat.

39. You can’t help but dream of summer loving with a girl crazy for you or a boy as cute as can be. You need a sizzling non-fiction story to share with your Wattpad pals!

21. Beauty parlors and barbershops prosper. It’s the season of short to no hair, after all.

40. You count the days until the rainy season comes, but then you realize that summer is still your favoritetime of year.

22. Sunblock and whitening lotions are nearly out of stock. Remember, Filipinos aspire to be the fairest of them all. 23. You need a good umbrella to fight off the sun and the slimmest possibility of getting darks-skinned (again). 24. A long-lasting deodorant is on your must-have list, along with your summer OOTD. 25. You can’t go out without a stylish pair of sunglasses for your selfies with #japorms. 26. Taking a bath three times a day is a requirement. Anything less than that is a crime against humanity. 27. You lose count of out-of-office replies you get because many are on vacation leave. Even workaholics need to take a break, too. 28. People are busy researching about their summer destinations—preferably when the boss isn’t around. 29. Every employee is at their best to get a quick approval of their week-long vacation leaves. Of course, it helps when pasalubong is guaranteed. 30. You get invited by family and friends to have your one out of two major reunions of the year (Christmas being the other one) on the beach or in Tagaytay. 31. All of you volunteer to bring the undying adobo to your outing because it never ever gets spoiled. 32. You feel locked up in the office or classroom because summer means being free and having fun under the sun or in late-night parties. 33. Boracay and Baguio win hands down as the places to be, where you’ll find most of your kin and chums. 34. All resorts, even hot springs, are full. But why you’d want to swim in boiling water during summer remain sa mystery.

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ON THE PROWL. IN THE KNOW

WINNING VS LOSING By Kristine Abante – Dubai

in your ear. It was surreal, to have a winner be booed for winning a title that by all technical accounts seem to have been his. I am not a big boxing fan, so I will not pretend to analyze or understand the points system that let Mayweather run away (pun intended of course) with it. All I know is that for all the money he has taken, for all that glittering fancytitle-weights under his belt, at the end of the day, all we could hear were the loud boos. You can say that boxing is not a popularity contest, and so is life. In life, bad guys who “don’t do nothing” win... but win what, exactly?

I have to say I have never heard as many boo’s ever for a winner, than for the “undefeated” Floyd Mayweather. It was so loud that you can hear it off the TV while he was being interviewed even with the limited audio picked up by the boom mic. It was so loud on social media, all over the world, that you can almost hear the crowd jeering

BE YOU (TIFUL) By Tracy Ley - Dubai Body issues aren’t uncommon. Women experience these at all stages of life, as teenagers, young adults, and in their later years. A lot of what causes this are expectations set by the media, that women should be rail thin; should have a thigh gap, or a more pronounced chest and buttocks. Women feel that they won’t be desired by men unless those expectations are

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Maybe it’s time to ask - what was the prize anyway and to whom does it matter to? I am not a boxing fan, but I am fan of Manny Pacquiao, and all the Manny Pacquiao’s I know - those who come out fighting, those who won’t back into a corner, those who don’t try to earn petty points from someone who didn’t

know better, those who can smile at their toughest opponent, those who still see life as only a game, those who can accept and brush off defeat, those who can sing, or at least try to, those who would rather put on a great gig more than care so much about the money in the jar, those who look up to something bigger than themselves, those who inspire us to be better. Because at the end of the day, I think those are the real people who matter who deserve to be in the history books, even if they don’t get written about, even if they lose. If there’s one thing I take away from the so-called Fight of the Century it is that, no amount of money can buy you respect and legacy. These are things that you earn. I just hope the Mayweathers of the world have picked up a thing or two from Pacman. Follow Kristine on www.band-aid-blues. blogspot.com

met. But the real truth is, we need to see our body as a vessel for our earthly existence. By that, I mean we have to approach our body issues from a health standpoint. It doesn’t matter what Hollywood says.

limitation is in your mind. Start saying “I can” and watch how your life transforms.

Women have different body types, and we need to accept that. Our focus should not be on how we can make men like us. That is superficial. Instead, think of this: What will make us be healthy, feel really good about ourselves, and allow us to live longer and fuller lives? Forget the surface level. What we must tackle comes from the inside. The answer isn’t starving ourselves until our clavicles are protruding. That is unhealthy and ridiculous.

Focus on feeling good and everything returns in to balance naturally. Stop thinking that your looks are more important in what you feel.

Here are 10 things we need to remind ourselves for a positive outlook about our own bodies. 1. Stop judging yourself by what you can’t do and instead, celebrate what you can. Don’t be so hard on yourself. The

2. Your health is not determined by your size.

3. You can do anything whatever your body size is. Always think that you can achieve your goals no matter what size you are. 4. Exercise. You don’t need to be a health guru. An hour on a treadmill or on a cycle is better than doing nothing at all. It’s important that we look after ourselves and stay active. Trust me, your body will thank you later. Find a method of exercise that you enjoy and do it regularly. Don’t exercise to lose weight or to fight your body. Do it to make your body healthy and strong and because it makes you feel good.

ON THE PROWL. IN THE KNOW Exercise for the Three F’s: Fun, Fitness, and Friendship 5. Eat a healthy balanced meal and say no to crash or fad diets. I believe that nutritious healthy meal is important and that it is the way forward to taking care of ourselves. 6. Stop letting the numbers on the scale put you down. Focus on your goals when it comes to your fitness mission and never give up. Stay motivated and inspired. 7. Yes, we’re only human and we will

MY BODY BATTLE By Leslie Fiestan – Riyadh

have out cheat days. Days when we crave for the food we love that aren’t so healthy. Let it go and enjoy it. As long as you stay on track with your fitness mission, then it’s all good. 8. Create a list of people you admire: people who have contributed to your life, your community, or the world.

10. And among other things, Love yourself! Follow Tracy – Blog: www. misstracyley12.blogspot.com / Instagram: mstracyleydxb / Twitter: Mstracyleydxb

Consider whether their appearance was important to their success and accomplishments. 9.Eat when you are hungry. Rest when you are tired.

gain weight after that either. Losing weight is a constant battle for me. I’ve tried over and over again, not giving up, finding what works for me. And I’ve realized that I often get back to my workout/diet habits after facing life changing experiences. I’m no expert, I do what works for me and so should you. I have started with my weight loss regiment again, and it’s been six weeks and I’ve lost 4kg. Thus, I would like to share a few things which I know have worked for me so far.

I’ve been on the weight loss wheel for most of my life. I have tried fad diets and pills. I have tried shortcuts and even starved myself. I kept giving up and starting over. My heaviest weight was in 2008, when I was almost 115kg size 22. It was on that same year when I lost at least 10kg in three months by walking on the treadmill and eating just crackers and tuna with onions. That diet didn’t last long. Although, I didn’t

Surround yourself with people that remind you of your inner strength and beauty.

If you’re just starting, take things slow. Walk or start at the 1st level on the Stairmaster. In time you can increase the levels/speed. Remember you are not in a race. So slow down and take your time. As your body adjusts, give it a challenge bit by bit and increase the pace/weight/level. 1. Diet – weight loss begins in the kitchen. Knowing which food to take and which ones are healthier than others. Try to read up on these and educate yourself

about calories, metabolism, good and bad fat. Eat more natural produce (fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish) it’ll fill you up faster. Consume less the processed/ junk foods and minimize salt intake. Do not starve yourself. Your body needs fuel especially when you are going to do some vigorous activities. Starving only slows down your metabolism and forces your body into survival mode during which it holds on to your fats. 2. Keep a journal - download Myfitnesspal and start logging your food intake and exercise. Knowing your calorie deficits after exercising will help you keep track and control the amount of food you may consciously or unconsciously eat. As a matter of fact, I don’t have a cheat day, I eat any food I want as long as I stay in the calorie intake of 1200-1400 per day (during days when I workout, I increase my calorie intake up to 1500) as long as I have a calorie deficit. 3. Have intervals - take your time and don’t overdo an exercise routine.

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ON THE PROWL. IN THE KNOW If you are tired from running or aerobic steps, slow down and either walk or march in place until your heartbeat goes back to normal or at least when you feel rested then get your heart rate up again. This also prevents injuries. Forget the ones who can run at a steady pace for 1 hour, interval training will get you more benefits and it burns those calories even after your workout. 4. Build muscle. Weights are not only for the purpose of toning your muscles or give you a tight tush. They help build muscles that will help burn calories faster. 5. Have variety In order for you not to get bored and give up on your weight loss goals, have a variety of workouts. At the gym, incorporate dance, aerobic, zumba or other activities that can get your heart rate up. Go swimming, trekking, boxing, join a marathon or triathlon. 6. Get motivated with music Counting minutes will only make your workout boring so put on some music and work to the beat. Chose music that has a fast beat (preferably disco/dance music)

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7. Have a work-out buddy It’s good to have a workout buddy to encourage you to get up and move. If you are the kind who doesn’t like to work out alone, then join group sessions 8. Hydrate – just drink water. Load up on water instead of those energy drinks and fancy stuff that claim to help energize you. Energy drinks could do more harm than good. If you want to detoxify, aside from water have these as well: lemon honey and hot water, green tea, green smoothies (can substitute for breakfast too). Also try to honey instead of sugar to sweeten drinks. 9. Clothing & accessories A heart Rate Monitor like Polar HRM is a must have for anyone who wants to keep track of their heart rate and calorie burn. Always make sure that you wear proper exercise clothing. Loose or tight fit, it doesn’t matter, as long as you are comfortable. As a woman, however, it is a must to use a good sports bra to keep ‘the ladies’ in place especially when you have to do those fast paced

routines and jumps. Use training gloves to helps your grip on to weights and handles and prevents calloused hands. Make sure that your training shoes suit your routines and find a pair that’s comfortable and light. If you suffer from Plantar Fasciitis like I do, buy one that has arch support or buy shoe inserts. Compression socks help as well. Always remember, safety first. 10. Medicate, Massage and rest Listen to your body. If you feel pain, stop and rest for a while. Sore muscles are natural and there will be times when you are extremely tired to workout. Get enough sleep. Here are some websites with useful fitness tips and workout routines/ ideas www.popsugar.com. And www. myfitnesspal.com is one of the most reliable communities for those watching their weight. There are insights, support and friendly members who are willing to answer your weight loss questions. Good luck and cheers to a new you! Follow Les - http://lesfiestan.multiply. com/, http://lesfiestan.daportfolio. com/