ILLUSTRADO Magazine_Oct 2011

6

THE MAGAZINE FOR INTERNATIONAL FILIPINO

15 OCTOBER - 15 NOVEMBER 2011

56

ISSUE

DHS10 • SR10 • BD1 • OR1 • KDO.800 • QR.10

THE PINOY MALE FROM EMPLOYEE TO ENTREPRENEUR HOT SHOTS: THE NEW CEO THE FINANCIALLY SAVVY OF FRANCHISING & BIZ CAPITAL BASICS LUXURY ON WHEELS FASHION: THE NEW MALE AGENDA DESIGNER ROBIN TOMAS IN NYC MY PINOY LIFE IN VANCOUVER

MAN UP

Photo by Eros Goze

EDITOR’S NOTE

Rising up to the changing times

We’ve all been through the toughest of economic climates in the last couple of years and could still be bracing for more, and yet there are always good things to be derived from any challenges in life.

Here in the Gulf, the recession meant a considerable loss of jobs and the shake-up of employment security - nobody was spared from the instability whether senior executives or rank and file.

I distinctly remember that in 2008, local Philippine media forecasted the imminent return of some 200,000 UAE-based Filipinos back home due to the recession. Surprise, surprise! Three years on, we not only find out that we have survived, but that we have also flourished – from half a million Filipinos in the emirates, the count now stands at 600,000. On top of that, remittances from the region have continued to grow despite OFs having to majorly tighten their purse strings.

It just goes to show that we can thrive even through difficult times – something that most of us “never say die” Filipinos already know deep inside. Still, proving our resilience is one thing, evolving out of challenging times quite another.

If there was one thing the recession has given a lot of Filipinos – it is the acute awareness of how money and employment can be the veritable rug so quickly pulled from under our feet. The times have exposed our financial vulnerability and we are aware more than ever. Of late, there has been a noticeable surge in interest, even a sense of urgency, to learn the ropes on how to manage money.

Previously complacent and happy to earn OF salaries, a growing number of Filipinos are now looking towards actively securing their future, even generating passive income, through savings and investments.

The last two years have also given rise to a growing number of Filipinos going into self-employment and entrepreneurship – an uncommon phenomenon here in the region. Whether forced by lay-offs or increasingly motivated to exercise their options, there is a new breed of Filipinos, who are not content to be OF “Workers” anymore, and who have been able to summon the gumption to take the risk and invest in themselves even in a place where we have always viewed our stay as transient and with a certain degree of uncertainty.

Our community here is still in the primary stages of the learning curve, but this is certainly a step in the right direction – a move that will fortify not only our personal financial backbone, but also grow our economic presence in this adopted region of ours.

And so this October, we all urge you to ‘Man Up’ and do what needs to be done. We talk about money, investing and entrepreneurship.

We also obsess about the Pinoy male and some of his pre-occupations, in this Illustrado issue loaded with testosterone.

It has often been said that change can only happen when you step out of your comfort zone and that what doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger.

My dear Illustrados, it’s time we all rise up to the changing times.

Taas Noo, Filipino!

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

2 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Send your letters to: editor@illustrado.net or join the discussion at IIlustrado Magazine’s Facebook page

Congrats!!! Sooo fab!!! Congrats Illustrado team!!!

Albert Andrada Just lovely !!!!!!!!!!! Salute Illustrado!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ezra Santos Bravo Illustrado...THIS IS WHAT I AMAZING CAPTURED AVANT GARDE!!!

Mariyah Gaspacho

CALL

My sincerest gratitude to the husband and wife team, the brains and heart of lllustrado Magazine, Ramon Benitez and Lalaine ChuBenitez, it’s management staff, brilliant photographer Eros Goze and our fabulously versatile make-up artist Jojo Padua. My experience was exhilarating, very challenging and above all, a time of self-discovery on the creative process applying the techniques of haute couture on avant-garde.

Happy Birthday Illustrado!

Congratulations on one of your best moments!

To you and your family for all your efforts and accomplishments. You make the most of this wonderful milestone in your life!!! Stunning performance! Sheer perfection!

Best wishes and a standing ovation for you!

Haze Japitana A great achievement not only for Illustrado but also for the international Filipinos!

Congratulations and more successes in the coming years!! Raising the bar every time!

Rosemarie Tacorda- Ramos Just breathtaking designs! And the photographs are stunning. If I haven’t said it before, I’ll say it now. I adore this magazine…

Kat Lalisan Illustrado really knows how to uplift the Pinoy.

Thanks Lalaine Chu-Benitez and the Illustrado Team.

Ruben Aranda Mirabel Congrats and more power to you and your Illustrado team! Soar high and you will get the moment you so deserve... This is it!!!

Wendy Manlapaz Congratulations on your 5th year... Taas noo and proud of all the people behind Illustrado… :) Gerber Bench Yrac A landmark 55 in 5 Issue Just grabbed a copy of Illustrado (September 2011 issue) today. Great issue starting from the cover to the editorial - the architectural dresses rock! Very glossy ... Kudos to Lalaine Chu-Benitez and the rest of the staff!

Joel Villanueva Wow...this cover is so stunning!!! This is so highfashion...

Michael Cinco

On your 5th anniversary issue, you’ve given us the best platform to showcase our individuality and talent. Again, it is with pride that I am growing with you along the way.

Thank you for the trust, encouragement and tireless support that nourish our creative substance. To my fellow designers who made the effort and sacrifice to make this project a successful one, salute! And finally to my family, your unconditional love and support give my existence in this world, reason and direction. Thank you all. Glory to the Above!

Ralph Ramirez Amazing composition Eros!!! These high fashion photos are worthy of Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris! Salute Illustrado for incessantly producing “prodigieux” images! Merci beaucoup! Indeed a prodigious feat to be part of this!

Yen Barri Thanks Illustrado!

Congrats magnificent anniversary issue!!

Dan Delima

on

this

I am astounded and muted by the vivid simulation of design structures and details.

Spectacular! Congrats!

Arsenio Manalo It’s a really amazing edition thanks to Lalaine for giving us a great space in her heart! Love you ILLUSTRADO forever!

Bandoix Flores Nebria Thank you Illustrado for making me a part of your 5th anniversary...Mabuhay!

Manny O. Cajoles Wow...so so proud to be part of this 5th anniversary issue. I love you Illustrado…

Aldwin Jlo Ornopia Akoy lubos na nagagalak at nasisiyahan na ako’y kabilang sa pang limang anibersaryong Illustrado Magazine. Bagkos tinuring ko itong napakamamahaling regalo sa taong ito. Masaya ako at napasama sa mga tinuturing na haligi sa industriyang ito dito

sa gitnang silangan. Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng bumubuo ng Illustrado at nabigyang daan at naipamalas ang aking talento, at isang karangalan na mababasa ito sa buong mundo.

Tunay nga tayong magagaling mga Pilipino at karapatdapat na ipagbunyi natin ang ating husay at galing. Salamat kay Binibining Lalaine dahil isa kang biyaya sa ating lahi na siyang tunay na naglilingkod para maiangat ang ating lahi sa lahat ng aspeto. Sa napakaganda mong adhikain nawa’y bigyan pa kayo ng magandang kalusugan ng Poong Maykapal ng sa gayun ay patuloy kayong magbigay daan sa mga talentong Pinoy dito sa Gitnang Silangan at sa buong Mundo. Maraming maraming salamat po! Taas noo Pilipino!!!

Mel Maria Thank you sooo much Illustrado!!! So proud and honored to be part of this!!!!

Jugger Onate Congratulations Illustrado Team and thank you so much!

Richard Tojos Party! Party! Illustrado... Taas Noo! Congrats Illustrado! Thank you so much... Love and Proud! :) Tim Tejares Rios ILLUSTRADO… thank you so much! Kudos!!!!

Basil Yunting Fabulous line up... You never cease to support us... Love! Love! Love Illustrado!

Ruben Santos I love it Lalaine!! Congratulations on your 5th anniversary issue! Super fab!

Jimi Buenconsejo Thanks for trusting us Illustrado mag, and congratulation to all our fab designers in the UAE... Salute!!!

Rowena Navarro On Filipino Designers and Beauty Queens Dear Illustrado, please do contact Stella Marquez Araneta and introduce unknown designers to her so that our international representatives for beauty pageants will have something more competitive to wear. Nanghihinayang lang ako kasi we have a lot of local and international Filipino designers whose works should definitely be showcased internationally. Our candidates are representing us and it is logical that they should at least be wearing Filipino made pieces. I also worked in Kuwait before that’s why I’m aware of how bountiful our talents are in the Middle East.

Anthony Carvajal Julaton Hi Anthony! What a great idea! We’ll certainly put that in our “TO DO” list. You’re totally right. Unfortunately, there is still limited awareness back home when it comes to our great designers here in the Middle East. But we’re hoping to contribute to change that in the future.

We have so many strong designers out here. We just need to link them with the right people.

Thank you for your kind advice.

Ed

CONTRIBUTORS Francisco Colayco The Philippine’s personal finance guru Illustrado columnist Francisco J Colayco is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, venture developer and financial advisor with over 40 years of relevant experience. The Chairman of the Colayco Foundation for Education Inc., he has pioneered the promotion of financial literacy in the Philippines.Though his Illustrado column, he educates readers on different options on how to make the most of their hard earned money. This time around, he gives us franchising basics, information on raising capital for one’s business, as well as preparing for holiday spending.

Rome Jorge

Romano Cortes Jorge is a veteran journalist having worked as a reporter, columnist and lifestyle editor for The Manila Times as well as cover story writer for Mega, Manual and Lifestyle Asia magazines. A Fine Arts graduate from the University of the Philippines, he is also a seasoned web and graphic designer and is the proprietor of Strawberry Jams Music Studio for recordings and rehearsals. In this issue, Rome talks about three Filipino hotshot CEOs changing the way business is done back home. He also tackles the male obsession for drifting and vintage cars.

Bernadette Reyes Bernadette Reyes is a senior reporter at GMA Network covering the business beat. She is a former business reporter for Today Independent News, as well as an active contributor in various publications in and out of the Philippines. Always on the pulse of Philippine current events and developments, she is also an entrepreneur, an artist, a traveler and a dog lover. Bernadette talks about two of her favorite subjects this month – entrepreneurship and travel in ‘E to E: Employee to Entrepreneur’and‘Awe-Inspiring China.’

Ana Santos Illustrado Associate Editor Ana Santos had the naughty duty of dissecting the Pinoy Male – in the feature ‘Macho Gwapito naman Ako,’ a look at the interestingly complex, and sometimes confusing facets of Filipino manhood. A journalist and sexual health advocate, she writes for glossies in the Philippines, as well as foreign wires on specific women’s issues, and also runs www. sexandsensibilities.com (SAS), a website with culturally sensitive sexual health information for young Filipinas.

Rache Hernandez

Dubai-based Rache Hernandez graduated from UP-Diliman with a degree in Communication Research and currently works as a writer for a media/marketing company. In keeping with this month’s money theme, Rache takes a look at the changingFilipinowealthmindsetandtalks to some financially savvy Filipinos who have a thing or two to share on investing.

Excel Dyquianco

Endzo Mondejar

Enzo Mondejar is a fashion photographer who has the conceptual mind of a fine artist; and a fine artist with the sensual sophistication of a fashion photographer.

Originally trained and educated at the University of Santo Tomas to practice fine arts, Enzo works as a freelance conceptual photographer, who also takes styling assignments for Philippine television and fashion shows, at the same time developing several projects on print and other media as his strong sense of visual artistry expands. His

Sports and travel enthusiast Excel Dyquianco writes for various publications in the Philippines, on a range of different diverse topics like travel, men’s health, sports and hobbies. His article this month reveals the challenges conquered by a group of record-breaking Filipinos destined to bring home the first gold medal in the category of dragon boat racing to the country.

Publisher & Editor-in Chief Lalaine Chu-Benitez Associate Editor Ana Santos CONTRIBUTING WRITERS UAE, Philippines, USA Aby Yap Anna Lorraine Balita JR Bustamante Bernadette Reyes Jude Cartalaba Bo Sanchez Karen Galarpe Carlito Viriña KC Abalos Chayie Maligalig Krip Yuson David Poarch Lawrence Diche Excel Dyquiangco Rache Hernandez Flordeliz Samonte Shar Matingka Francisco Colayco Toni Loyola Isabelo Samonte Sonny Guzman Ivan Henares Vic Lactaoen Jack Catarata Victor Sollorano Jesse Edep ART DIRECTORS Tom Bolivar Paula Lorenzo Ron Perez CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS UAE Eros Goze Mariyah Gaspacho Christina Linaza Illuminado Ong Donald Rosales CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS PHILIPPINES Dr. Marlon Pecjo Glenn Peter-Perez Filbert Kung Alan Desiderio Enzo Mondejar CONTRIBUTING STYLISTS & FASHION TEAM UAE Jessie Tabla Ginno Alducente Ushi Sato Jojo Padua Frankie Melendez PUBLISHER - UAE Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2nd Floor, Building 2, P.O. Box 72280 Office 20C Dubai Media City, UAE Tel: +9714 365 4543, 365 4547 Fax:+9714 360 4771 E-mail: admin@illustrado.net, info@illustrado.net Web: www.illustrado.net, www.illustradolife.com PRINTERS PRINTWELL PRINTING LLC P.O. Box 18828 Dubai, UAE Copyright Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2006-2011. 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.

CONTENTS

52 OCT 2011

A dashing Don Mendoza wears the season’s trendiest male fashions from Manila in this month’s style editorial The New Male Agenda.

42

FEATURES

E to E - From Employee to Entrepreneur Hotshots: The New CEO The Financially Savvy OF Macho Gwapito naman Ako: The Filipino Male Rowing for Gold and Glory Balikbayan, Balik Ugat Luxury on Wheels

10 12 16 40 42 45 70

REGULAR COLUMNS

Pinoy Entrepreneur – Ria Mendoza 22 It’s What I Do: Pinoy Talent-on-the-Job 24 Kabuhayan Money: Borrowing Capital for your Business 28 Kabuhayan Money: Franchising Basics 30 Kabuhayan Money: Getting a Head Start on your Holiday Spending 34 Illuminati: Men in the Black 36 Illustrado Scrapbook 48 Bayanihan Corner 74 Spirituality: Changing your wealth mindset 76 Relationships: ‘Til Death Do Us Part 78 Filipinisms: Onli in da Pilipins – Funnylicious 90 Community 92

FASION & DESIGN

Fashion: The New Male Agenda 52 Robin Tomas Fall Collection Launch in NYC 68

PLACES

Trippin’: Five Things to Do 80 My Pinoy Life in: Vancouver 82 Pinoy Planet: Awe-Inspiring China 86

68

Get ILLUSTRADO

The Magazine for the International Filipino

AT A STORE NEAR YOU!

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ABU DHABI & AL AIN

Abela Al Ain, Abu Dhabi Airport Lobby and Airport Transit areas, Abu Dhabi Coop Society – Khalifa, Hamdan, Meena and Buteen branches, Al Ain Palace Hotel, Albert Abela Superstore, Al Atial Novelty Store – INTCO and Rotana branches, All Prints, Bookplus Store - Al Ain, Books Gallery, Carrefour – Abu Dhabi Airport Road, Marina Mall and Al Ain branches, Hilton Abu Dhabi, Limar Bookshop, Milan Gifts, Raouat Al Reef - Al Ain, Sana Modern Trading, Spinney’s Khalidiya, United Bookstores and Westzone Trading * Distributed FREE to Meritus Club Members

DUBAI & NORTHERN EMIRATES

Asia Pacific Cargo – Karama, Books Gallery – Jumeirah, Mall of the Emirates and Sahara Center branches, Carrefour – Ajman, Century Mall, Deira City Center, Mall of the Emirates, Sharjah, Shindagha, Ras Al Khaimah, Choitrams - Emirates Hills, Green Community, the Greens, Rashidiya, Safa Park, Springs and Umm Suqueim, CM Supermarket, Karama, Dubai Airport Duty Free Shops, Geant Hypermarket - Ibn Battuta Mall, Hyper Panda - Dubai Festival City, Jashanmal - Caribou Uptown Mirdiff and Wafi City, Magrudy Bookshop - Deira City Center and Ibn Battuta Mall branches, News Centre - Deira City Center, DIFC, Mall of the Emirates and Sahara Center branches, Philippine Supermarket – Satwa, Spinneys - Al Ghurair Center, Bin Souqat, Meadows Town Centre, Mercato, Mirdiff, Prime Rose, Ramada Bur Dubai and Trade Center Rd. Bur Dubai branches

BAHRAIN

24 Hours – Al Hamala, Al Zahra Avenue, Busaiteen Muharra and Hoora branches, Al Batra Supermarket, Al Fahad Cold Store – Zallaq, Al Ghadeer Foodstuff – Al A’ali, Al Hilal Administration – Sheraton Complex, Al Jazira Supermarket – Zinj, Adliya and Juffair branches, Al Mena Supermarket – Adliya, Al Shahd Market – Hamad Town, Buheji Center – Budaiya, City Pharmacy – Sitra Mall, Dairaty Market – Duraz, Evershine Supermarket – Rifa’a, Geant Hypermarket – Manama, Hamad Town Supermarket, Hassan Mahmood Cold Store – Opp. Awal Cinema, Hidd Co-Op Society, Jassim Markets – Busaiteen Muharra, Jawad Convenience Stores – Budaiya, Jawad Express Bapco Station – Seef, Jawad Supermarket – Nuwaidarat Sitra, Kaifan Cold Stores – Hamad Town, Little Kingdom Cold Stores – Manama, Manayer Supermarket – Awali, Midway Supermarket – Hamala, Muharraq, West Rifa’a and Gudaibiya branches, Muntaza Supermarket – Muharraq, Muntaza Supermarket – Sitr Muharraqa, The News Stationery – Manama, Universal Food Center – Rifa’a

QATAR

Ahlan Wassahlan Bookshop, Alam Al Agziya – Landmark, Al Aaela Shopping Centre- Al Nasr, Airport and Al Rayan branches, Al Madina Supermarket, Al Mustaqbal Bookshop, Al Qalam Bookshop, Al Usra Bookshop, Al Waha Marketing Centre, Daheel Food Centre, Dar Al Oroouba Bookshop, Dar Al Thaqafa Al Kitab and Al Nasr, Dasman Hypermarket, Dasman Shopping Centre, Jarir Bookshop, Jehaz Bookshop Al Mansoora, Khayat Fitwell, Lamcy Supermarket, Lulu Al Sharq, Megamart Centre, Newsstand Landmark, Rawabi Food Centre, Strand Bakery, Supermarket Al Taif Al Nasr and Supermarket Sak Illustrado magazine is sold in over 150 outlets around the Gulf, including Oman and Kuwait.

A M M 010 C t a ds 2 t s i al war n i s F edia A a en e M s o Ch ippin l Phi

Get your regular dose of

The International Filipinoissue Delivered to you monthly.

56 SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Contact us at 04-3654543 or 04-3654547 Illustradolife.com

12 FEATURE

EtoE:

From Employee to Entrepreneur A decade ago, people studied to prime themselves for employment.

But as income from employment became insufficient to lead a life of comfort, more and more people started shifting gears from employment to entrepreneurship.

Bernadette Reyes looks at how the Philippine government is working double time to provide a launchpad of programs for businesses to thrive in the country.

With the business climate in the Philippines improving, there could be no better time to start your own business. According to the Global Competitiveness Report done by the World Economic Forum the competitiveness ranking of the Philippines has significantly improved from 85th last year, to 75th this year.

According to the study, “Up 10 places to 75th, the Philippines posts one of the largest improvements in this year’s rankings.

The vast majority of individual indicators composing the Global Competitiveness Report improved, sometimes markedly.”

The criteria included a number of business indicators such as macroeconomic environment, good market efficiency, financial market development, technological readiness, market size, business sophistication and innovation, which the Philippines all showed signs of improvement in.

Why become an entrepreneur?

With today’s unemployment rate at 7.4 percent higher than last year, more people are convinced that employment is hard to come by and entrepreneurship could be their saving grace. According to the National Statistics Office (NSO), almost half of the unemployed are between the ages of 15 to 24. They are usually either high school graduates or those who have reached at least first year in college.

The job mismatch or the incompatibility of available jobs versus the competencies of job applicants further widens the unemployment gap.

Illustrado Magazine

“The realization that you can be you can earn more, at the same time be your own boss fuels that drive to start your own business,” said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Director for National Capital Region, Ferdie Manfoste.

Any business would require the full attention of an entrepreneur. But as the business stabilizes, the entrepreneur will have more flexibility to juggle his time between work and play. “Being in control of your work schedule allows you to take time out for vacations and spend as much time with the family,” said Manfoste. “You are able to make decisions and you are not answerable to anyone but yourself,” he added.

Entrepreneurship Landscape

The backbone for entrepreneurship in the Philippines has been strengthened over time. According to Manfoste, the role of the government in the 1980s was limited to assisting in the preparation of business feasibility studies and marketing. Later, entrepreneurship was institutionalized through DTI. Today, the government provides various forms of support for start up businesses that include: organizational, technical and marketing support, as well as financial assistance to budding entrepreneurs in the urban and rural areas.

“We already have a launchpad that would sustain the entrepreneurship program in the country. The thrust of the government today is to develop the entrepreneurial spirit among the youth such as college students,” Manfoste said.

FEATURE 13 “Not only does it stimulate local economic activities, it also sustains the anti-poverty thrust of the government,” said DTI Undersecretary Merly Cruz.

P2P: Public Private Partnership

The government and the private sector are both instrumental in the growth of entrepreneurship.

Private sector initiatives such as Go Negosyo and Hapinoy provide programs to assist entrepreneurs. Go Negosyo aims to popularize entrepreneurship to counter unemployment and migration through its caravans, seminars, campaigns and published books. Hapinoy, on the other hand, is a micro entrepreneur enhancement program which leverages micro financing as a powerful tool to empower economically challenged families.

To support the growing interest in entrepreneurship, top colleges and universities in the country such as the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and University of Sto. Tomas have developed courses that teach students how to effectively manage their own business.

“Statistics would reveal that more students are turning to business courses. Schools, in response to this, are developing curricula that would enrich knowledge and support the growth of enterprising individuals,” he said.

Business movers

Food-related businesses remain to be the most popular in the Philippines. With almost 50 percent of household income channeled to food, growth prospects of the food sector are high. In fact majority of the franchise businesses under the umbrella of The Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI) are involved in the food and beverage business.

Service-related business on the other hand is quickly catching on. “It all starts with a skill or a hobby that you possess. Those who possess natural skills on haircutting for example can open a small parlor within the community,” said Manfoste.

Metropolitan hubs such as Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao among other fast-growing cities can guarantee a higher success rate. “The population in the city compared with the countryside define the extent of the market that you can serve,” Manfoste explained.

One town, one product

In the countryside, growth of the local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is encouraged by way of the One Town, One Product-Philippines (OTOP) program of the DTI to promote entrepreneurship and ultimately create more jobs.

OTOP encourages entrepreneurs to manufacture and sell unique products or services through the use of indigenous raw materials available in their town or city and make use of local skills and talents.

The program is expected to generate an additional five million jobs.

While the government would want to provide a better financial assistance program for entrepreneurs, budget constraints get in the way. “We try to provide as much support as we can. However we can’t give much subsidy to businesses because our resources are limited,” Manfoste said.

While the government may be wanting in resources, banks make up for its shortcomings. It’s a myth to say that banks would only provide funds to established businesses. As long as an entrepreneur is armed with a good business idea, can walk away with funds to start a business. “Entrepreneurs can borrow money from a lot of sources.

Banks can loan money, but prospective business owners would need a very good feasibility study that would convince banks or other lenders that your business would thrive and be able to sustain a demand for the product or service,” said Manfoste.

Bankers Association of the Philippines President Aurelio Montinola III said banks could satisfy the financial requirement of entrepreneurs if only viable businesses are laid on the table. “We can see the growth of businesses locally, but first we need to see good business ideas.

Also, we have to see that interest to expand a business, then the bank will be happy to assist,” Montinola said.

Though the government is actively promoting entrepreneurship among the youth, it is never too late for the so-called “late bloomers” to bring their business ideas to fruition. “Regardless of age or gender, anyone can become entrepreneurs as long as you have a good business idea. With the improving business climate in the country, there is no better time to start your own business than now,” Manfoste said.

14 FEATURE

HOT SHOTS:

Today’s CEO’s are getting younger and bolder. They aren’t managing large multi-national corporations or conglomerates; they are drafting new business models, cultivating various opportunities and building their own companies from scratch. Rome Jorge talked business with three CEO’s who are setting new standard for doing business in the Philippines.

The New CEOs are changing the way of doing business

acquisition of the company formerly known as Roadrunner. “Mark (Querubin), and I recently acquired Roadrunner from ABS-CBN. It is now called Central Digital Lab,” he revealed.

In his late 30s, the unassuming Maderazo is wise enough not to put all his eggs in one basket though. Today, along with Querubin he is also restaurateur. He co-owns up-market restaurant Bowler, which serves continental cuisine, and Quantum Café specializing in vegan and organic food, both in Makati.

The newest kid on the block no more

At 38 years of age, the disarmingly affable Sydney Emil Dizon Maderazo — Sid to his friends and the rest of the advertising industry — is already a respected mentor to the industry’s brightest.

This Director, entrepreneur, restaurateur and investor was a onetime clothes hawker and shoe shelve painter. But Maderazo’s story of unblemished entrepreneurial success is the archetypical tale of the self-made man, redux. Even with his success, Sid Maderazo still aims for an unbroken winning streak.

He revealed, “It’s now my tenth year as a director in the advertising industry. Even when I was the ‘newest kid on the block,’ there were already younger directors back then. The directors are getting younger. The field is getting more competitive. But I encourage that.

I have many apprentices. I’m known for that. Most of them now are on their own, one of them is an in-house director of 88 Storey Films, Christian Acuña. He trained under me for three years,” he revealed Maderazo’s generosity stems from his own experiences: “I’m not the type of director who says no to a young person who would like to learn. I found my mentors during my job as an art director working with the top directors back then. I would go to shoots, sit beside these directors and ask questions. That was my film school.”

Strength to strength

Hunger leads the way

Of Maderazo’s many businesses, it is his advertising production house, 88 Storey Films, that garners the most acclaim and revenue.

“It’s my production house co-owned with three other partners. One is a colleague of mine from UP (University of the Philippines), fellow director Mark Querubin. Two are executive producers: Cielo Sanchez and Louie Araneta,” he explained.

Exposure to veteran directors may have honed his sensibility, but it was hunger for more in life that prodded him to take a stab at directing.

Opened seven years ago, 88 Storey Films which is among the top five production houses in the industry is responsible for such eye-catching effects filled commercials as those for Coca Cola, San Miguel beer, Cobra energy drink, C2 iced tea, Creamsilk hair conditioner and Great Taste instant coffee.

From directing and producing television advertisements, Maderazo is set to expand his business to post-production special effects with his

Illustrado Magazine

Maderazo confided, “I didn’t come from a well-to-do family.

Fortunately for me, my parents were able to send me to a good school, Ateneo (de Manila University) but I totally messed up because I got kicked out in first year college. I did end up in UP (University of the Philippines, College of Fine Arts) which was a good thing. It saved us a lot money and that’s why my dad didn’t complain.”

“For two years after college, I bummed around. I painted murals for bars. At the back of my Kia Pride were cheap clothes from Hong Kong that I would hawk at ladies’ dormitories. I was even painting shoe shelves for a brand of children’s shoes,” he recalled

FEATURE 15 “Looking back then, the motivation was not being a failure. It stems from the fact that I was a black sheep. I was the youngest, the only son among two sisters. My dad is a lawyer, a bar top-notcher who set the standard and unfortunately I am an artist. We are polar extremes.

That is part of the reason why I left the house while earning so little.”

advice for would-be entrepreneurs through its “Store Doctors.” The program even assists entrepreneurs in effectively packaging their products for the market. The program is specifically for women, promising nothing less than “business intervention” to ensure success.

Maderazo was averse to the regimentation of the corporate world.

Despite this, a friend convinced him to apply at McCann Erickson advertising agency. “I didn’t bring any drawings. Instead I brought clay animal sculptures I had made for an ex-girlfriend. I had to borrow them for her. The people at the office thought I was hawking my wares to their boss. But she was amazed. These were highly detailed sculptures. For some strange reason they accepted me,” he laughed.

“When I left government in 2006, Mark Ruiz and I started to set up different enterprises that had a social development aspect to them. Later on we would find out that we were actually starting social enterprises. After a few months and a few failed attempts, we came across other friends who were executives and leaders from corporations and non-government institutions. We formed the first board of MicroVentures, Incorporated and became founders of the Hapinoy Program,” he recounted.

“From there, I realized I was overworked and underpaid. It was borne out of hunger, literally. I left McCann with only PHP10,000 in my bank account. The most depressing thing for me back then was going to the ATM and checking my balance.”

While other businesses see social corporate responsibility as a complement to their ruthlessly capitalist endeavors, Aquino and his partners see the economic betterment of women and their family as their core business.

His boss at the ad agency had just transferred to ABS-CBN television network and Maderazo was eager to help her. While doing the storyboard for an internal advertisement for ABS-CBN television network’s merchandise, Maderazo came to the realization that he was ready to direct the commercial himself. “I called up my boss the next day and told her that I could direct this myself. My boss swung from the fences and put her faith in me. And out of desperation I realized this opportunity. It became my first project. When I saw my name on the slate — it was just a piece of Styrofoam — I knew this was what I wanted to do.”

“It was a conscious effort to put up a social enterprise that could support the borrowers of micro finance groups. In many ways, I see this as a different form of public service — more precisely, an innovative and more sustainable way to help our countrymen,” he explained.

Maderazo has since been happy, hence, successful. He drives a Porsche instead of a Kia now. His clapper is no longer a piece of Styrofoam, but a proper one with a digital readout. And even his father approves of this black sheep.

All in or nothing

“I saw that we cannot be doing the same old solutions to the same old problems. We need new, innovative, creative solutions to our problems. In many ways, I see what we are doing as charting a new course in developing our country,” he added.

Making an impact

As with every bold venture, risks abound. “Social enterprise in itself is so new a field in the Philippines, that it is a risk. The social gains are very tangible and very fulfilling but the business aspect of it is still untested.”

Bam. It’s a nickname that has as much impact as a comic book hero’s punch. But to the lives he touches, 34-year old Paolo Benigno A. Aquino IV is nothing less than a helping hand from above.

“The Board Members, which include myself, invested our savings to start the business on our first year. We even took on loans to get MicroVentures off the ground.”

To most Filipinos, Aquino is a familiar face. Even if one was blind to his many product endorsements or his hosting of informative television shows such as “Y-Speak,” “Breakfast” and the entrepreneurship show “Start-Up,” his famous last name and his similarity to his cousin President Benigno Aquino III is glaringly unavoidable.

“Even when times were tough, we saw the gains in the nanays (mothers) that we supported. Our interventions meant success for them — the training, the loans and the business interventions were

Aquino, as the former chairman of the National Youth Commission, was the youngest person in Philippine history to head a government agency. In 2010 he was recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines as well as one of the Entrepreneurs of the Year.

So much in store Today, as president of MicroVentures Incorporated, Aquino aims to empower the women of the masses through micro financing of small neighborhood convenience stores or sari-sari stores through its Hapinoy Store Program.

Beyond capitalization, the Hapinoy program allows for cheaper products by aggregating the purchase of various Hapinoy stores for bulk discounts. The program offers training as well as assistance and

16 FEATURE a winning formula to get our women micro entrepreneurs off the ground.”

Aquino revealed his plans for expansion: “We will be nationwide soon and are even looking at exporting the model to other developing countries. Hapinoy can be a Filipino contribution to the world; something we can all be proud of as Filipinos.

The advice he gives to would-be social entrepreneurs is the same he gives to his nanays: “Go all-in and don’t give up.”

The family guy Illac Diaz — one-time model, actor and telecom executive, Fulbright scholar and graduate of Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), still an unmitigated stud and a bachelor at age 40 — is, believe it or not, a family guy.

shacks with just a discarded 2-liter plastic soda bottle.

The soda bottles provide as much light as a 55-watt electric bulb.

Unlike commercially available translucent fiberglass roofing materials, the soda bottles are free, refract light to illuminate entire rooms and do not cause rooms to heat up like greenhouses. Already the program has been implemented in San Pedro, Laguna province and has lit up some 120 houses at Baseco Compound in Tondo.

On the other hand, the Bottle School Project pioneers construction using plastic soda bottles instead of hollow blocks. The bottles are filled with mud topped with a bit of cement. Then they are laid out in rows and cemented together with concrete mixed with fiber for strength. After every meter, steel rebar reinforces the structure to create a typhoon proof wall. My Shelter has already built over five clinics and twenty classrooms at one-fourth the conventional cost in 10 provinces.

Plastic soda bottles are ideal. They are plentiful and strong, made to endure exposure to the elements and withstand the weight of being stacked in storage. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles take more than 700 years to deteriorate and pose a huge garbage disposal problem. Yet it its this very property that allows My Shelter Foundation’s finished projects to last long. Not only is their technology easy to copy worldwide; the funding for its program is equally easy to replicate. Already the same plastic bottle architecture is being implemented in as faraway places as Brazil and South America.

Ivy League

But as with everything about Diaz, the scope of his family is nothing but ambitious. What he considers his family encompasses not only his kin, his friends or his fellow illustrados. His family includes the other 90 percent: the public school children, the seafarers, the peasants, the fisher folk, the urban poor, the rest who aren’t as well-to-do as the highly-educated half-Italian scions of artists and culturati such as himself. With Diaz, this is the family he devotes his life to.

Diaz invents devices, constructs schools and procures funding without fanfare — quite the turnaround from his days as model and actor.

The designs Diaz promotes are easy to replicate because they are specifically engineered to be so. “My professors at MIT taught me to design for the other 90 percent. It has to be: a) made from cheap, easily sourced materials; b) could be constructed with basic carpentry skills; and c) have a profitable business model,” he explained. So instead of designing the latest luxury item, Diaz has created water pumps made from cement, pedal powered washing machines and peanut shelling machines, artificial reefs and homes made of adobe.

Diaz is the executive director of My Shelter Foundation which has made a name for itself by lighting up the gloomy interiors of shanty homes with solar power and constructing public schools and clinics at a fraction of the cost.

The Isang Litrong Liwanag (A Liter of Light) – The Solar Bottle Bulb Project teaches shanty residents how to light up their dark tin-roofed

In Harvard, Diaz undertook a Masters degree in Political Administration. At AIM, his thesis was on “Shanties to Jobs: Creating a Migrant Center in Manila.” At MIT he studied Urban Planning.

A year after he graduated from AIM in 2001 he established Pier One, an affordable yet safe and hygienic housing for seamen. Today, the facility offers 2,000 beds and assistance in searching for jobs and livelihood opportunities as well as HIV/AIDS awareness, education, detection and treatment. Diaz also developed an artificial reef system called First Step Coral to hasten the recovery of fish stocks for fisher folk.

These efforts have reaped recognition for Diaz. In 2003, he won AIM’s Honors & Prestige award. In 2004 he won the Everyday Hero Special Award from Readers Digest Asia and in 2005 he was among the Ten Outstanding Young Men. He declared, “It’s not a choice to serve the country but an obligation.

It’s how you mix your regular life — how you’re putting together your family and your wealth — with service to society and service to the future of the environment A person has to do what he can using his talents, skills and connections to make life better for the next generation. Can you change the world? That’s the question that I posed to my self.”

“Somebody once asked me who my great grand parents were. I knew they were wealthy. But I didn’t know who he was or what he did. That got me thinking about the transference of legacy. Wouldn’t it be great to be remembered for something greater than wealth, something you leave behind,” he muses.

Legacy is a word one rarely hears from single men like Diaz.

But Diaz is no ordinary single man. He is committed. He is a family man. His nation is his family. And the legacy he hopes for is a better world.

18 FEATURE

THE NEW

Financially Savvy

By Rache Hernandez

For many saving is an activity that mirrors one’s life cycle. Work as hard as you can while you are still young and able. Make hay while the sun shines, or so they say. Save a little for the rainy days and set aside some funds for your golden years.

For those who are financially-conscious, it is essential to add in a few new elements to this cycle. Some buy assets like real estate, through housing loans with the intention of paying for it while they are still working. Those with an increased appetite for risk dabble in the stock market riding its ups and downs. This has been the reality for ages. However, in recent years, there has been a rise in a movement that views saving, investment, and retirement in a different light.

In the Philippines, one of the strongest proponents of financial wellbeing is Francisco Colayco. The entrepreneur, venture developer and renowned financial adviser heads the Colayco Foundation (CFE), a non-profit organization that pioneered the promotion of financial literacy in the country. Today, CFE continues to teach Filipinos how to manage their hard-earned income through wise spending, proper planning, saving and investing, reaching them through books, on TV and on the WWW.

Illustrado Magazine

OF

Bo Sanchez, a popular spiritual leader in the Philippines, is a vocal proponent of investing in the stock market as a means of achieving financial independence. Sanchez, through his Truly Rich Club, stands as a mentor to many Filipinos seeking to learn how to grow money by investing in the Philippine Stock Exchange. A unique element of his financial advocacy is how he connects financial independence to spirituality promoting the idea that all dreams of becoming rich should ultimately stem from a genuine desire to help others.

On a global scale, financial guru and motivational speaker Robert Kiyosaki of “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” fame is unarguably the most prominent. He negates a fundamental belief that only education can help one learn how to become rich. Kiyosaki stated that the educational system fails as it puts more emphasis on academic intelligence than on financial intelligence. According to Kiyosaki, “We need to teach people to think a little further than just looking for a secure job and expecting the company or the government to look after them once their working days are through.”

FEATURE 19

VOX Pop Illustrado speaks to Filipinos who have invested in various financial instruments to get a first-hand account

Conrad David Stock Market Trading

Getting started Looking for passive income opportunities, I got into stock market trading in February 2007. I opened an account with one of the licensed online brokers with the Philippine Stock Exchange. Not knowing much about stock trading then, I started with a small investment. But when I became active in real time trading, I got amazed at how it works and that’s how my interest grew even more.

So I started reading books by Warren Buffet, Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki, among others. I also devoted time to consistently research about listed companies - reading and watching all sorts of business news online, or on TV – the Philippine’s local program Business Nightly, as well as CNN and CNBC news.

Essentially, Colayco, Sanchez and Kiyosaki all preach the importance of making your money work for you, especially in your non-productive age. This is the opposite of having to work for money until you become old and grey. To Kiyosaki, there is one fundamental difference between the rich and the poor. He says, “The poor and middle class work for money. The rich have money work for them.”

Emergence of a new breed The rules have indeed changed, enough for a new breed of financially-savvy people, including some Overseas Filipinos (OFs) to emerge. These investors share a common belief: they do not intend to grow old in a foreign country working to give their families a better life. Soon, they will go home to the Philippines, not to be employees again, but to enjoy life while they still can.

This is the same set of OFs who believe in investing beyond the usual piggy bank or savings account.

One of these OFs is Allan Miranda, 33, an engineer in Dubai’s Academic City, who invests in pooled funds such as mutual and offshore funds. “Being an OF is only temporary,” Allan explained. “Due to old age and health issues, we cannot expect to work forever. Besides, nobody can hope to become financially independent by being an employee alone.”

Five years of involvement gave me a lot of knowledge. I am not only updated with what’s happening around but more importantly, I have learned to limit my risk and maximize my earning potential. I don’t have a consultant and although I have a broker, I do manage my own investment portfolio and am solely responsible for all my trading transactions. Thankfully, online trading has become possible through advanced technology.

Learning Curve In every venture, there are always risks and opportunities and our success or failure lies on how we handle ourselves and how we deal with the situation. In my case, I entered the market at the wrong time - during the global financial crisis. I experienced losing a huge amount of money every time global markets tumbled as our Philippine indexes are affected with the turnover. But instead of quitting, I was challenged even more. I started squeezing my salary and eliminated unnecessary expenses to maximize my savings to increase my portfolio. I also applied for a margin facility for additional buying power. That’s why after experiencing all the challenges I had a sweeter taste of the rewards. Yes, I can say that I was right about investing in the stock market because it is the fastest way of building wealth, and modesty aside, earning one million pesos in a day or shall I say within an hour is really possible.

Know the Basics Aside from the basics of finding a reputable broker and the account opening processes, there are a few important things to remember before getting into the stock market trading. Do your research.

You need to know the best among the companies that are listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange, the nature and the people behind the businesses. This way, you will not be tempted to buy positions

20 FEATURE

based on speculative issues. Set your trading rules, “don’t be greedy so learn to take profits, don’t be fearful so cut your losses as well.” At all times, you need to protect your capital that’s why it is important that you know your risk tolerance level. Always remember that you are investing because you want your hard-earned money to grow.

First-Hand Advice In everything, we need to plan and we need a positive mindset to bring our plans into reality. Just like any other investment, we need to save money to get started. As long as we have determination, it is never too late to start. We just have to manage our finances properly. There is no easy way to financial freedom and just like all other things, the stock market also has its ups and downs. But if we carry with us our enthusiasm of earning big with prayers, we could never go wrong. The Philippines will become a strong emerging market in the next few years, so now really is the right time to get in.

Kate Santos Offshore Savings in Mutual Funds Getting Started A friend of mine recommended her own financial adviser who has helped her invest in mutual funds. I met the adviser and discussed my personal situation and goals. With all the information I provided, we met again and this time, the adviser discussed financial solutions on how I would be able to achieve my financial objectives. Currently, my adviser does reviews with me every three to six months to know if we’re on the right track and if there are changes to my situation. She also educates me on the different mutual funds recommended by international fund managers.

Know the Basics For me, saving in a mutual fund regularly is advantageous. Here you get more returns as compared to putting your money in the bank where the returns don’t even compensate the rise in inflation every year. Since I buy more units of the fund every month, it is better in the long term as growth is compounded. Anybody can start saving as low as US$D150 (AED552) every month. For me though, I started with a higher amount and am now saving 20% of my monthly income. I have increased my investment with each review, as much as I can, for better growth and returns.

The best thing about offshore savings for me is it’s flexible, tax free and worry free. You can increase or decrease your savings, or have a contribution holiday (break) for two years if you need to. I can also access my money in a few years in case I need funds to buy a house, etc.

First-Hand Advice To get the right information on financial matters, it’s always best to seek advice from the right professionals. Personally, we should also

Illustrado Magazine

Pooled funds are essentially money that is aggregated from a number of people for the purpose of investment done through an asset manager. This type of investment benefits from economies of scale, which allow for lower trading costs per unit of investment, diversification and professional money management. Miranda also further explained that long-term investments such as pooled funds “provide higher rewards, compared to low-interest bank deposits such as savings accounts and time deposit accounts.”

Similarly, Jennifer Pencil-Villa, 32, an administrative executive in Dubai Media City, sees investing as a necessary means of becoming financially-independent.

“My goal is to retire when I reach 45 or 50 years old. I want to have a secure and happy old age. The only way to do that is to invest now,” Pencil-Villa explained. Jen invests in long-term insurance, which has the added bonus of health care coverage and savings, and also serves as an emergency fund.

To Pencil-Villa, long-term insurance addresses one of her top priorities: financially protecting herself and her family. “This insurance helps me ensure that, if something happens to me, my family will be able to have something to cover the loss,” Jen stated.

Kiko Tatad, 37, an engineer in Dubai, also invests in insurance products, which he chose “for the opportunities they provide for building up wealth, especially for patient, disciplined investors”.

Starting out For Pencil-Villa, paying herself first is what helped her start out on investing. “I believe in the 10-20-70 money management rule. I set aside 10% of my monthly income for tithes, 20% for savings and investment, and the remaining 70% for expenses.”

She also believes in “pay yourself first” finance commandment, which means setting aside something for yourself for a rainy such that you grow your emergency fund and/or wealth and retirement fund while you still can.

22 FEATURE take time to read and gather information, as well as understand a little bit about different investments and how they could work towards our future. Investments should always be regarded as long term, so we can benefit from higher returns. Time is always of the essence, if we made the wrong choices of investment we have to allocate more time to achieve financial freedom. We have to bear in mind our money comes from hard work, so we have to take charge. Start segregating your savings first from your income and manage the rest for your monthly expenses. It takes discipline and self control but the earlier you start the better, or you will never do it.

Joseph & Bambie Jauco Life Protection Plan Getting Started We learned about life insurance from a ‘couple friend’ who had their policies for years. We had no idea how to get one, how much we should be covered and how much it will cost us. So, we met our friends’ adviser who helped us understand the value of protection planning. She discussed about how we and our family could be affected by untimely death, terminal illness, disability, or even if we lived too long. Our family especially our children will have to sacrifice their education and lifestyle; the worst thing is that they would need to rely on other people for financial support.

Eventually with her advice, we chose a plan that would give us life, illness and disability cover for which we committed 7% of our monthly income – a comfortable figure for us.

Know the Basics Life insurance is something you have to buy when you can get it and don’t need it. When life, critical illness or disability insurance is actually needed, it cannot be purchased at any price. People buy life insurance not because someone must die but because someone else must go on living.

You have to keep in mind that the cost of insurance will vary depending on age, the term, male or female, smoker or nonsmoker, and so on. The earlier you get one the lesser it will cost.

Also, protection plans have a different sort of benefit, unlike other investments. You have a choice of taking a whole of life plan, or a term plan. With a whole of life plan, you pay a little higher. But in the future, if there are no claims, you can get its encashment value since the premiums you have paid goes to low risk funds which give you a conservative growth and returns. A term plan is the cheapest. You are just paying for the cost of your benefits/ insurance. However, it has no savings or encashment value will be added to it. Since we are young we have chosen to get the whole of life plan which suits us the best.

First-Hand Advice We shouldn’t feel that getting a protection plan is a liability. Paying an amount for peace of mind is worth it, instead of just spending on unnecessary things. This is the best way to show how much we care and love our family as much as we love ourselves.

Illustrado Magazine

Still, investing is not for impatient people as it usually takes time for investments to mature. However, if investments are done intelligently, they can provide high yields. “One of my investments yielded a net profit of about PHP500,000 from the period of 2008 to 2010,” Tatad proudly revealed.

And while individuals with average financial intelligence would promptly use their investment earnings for expenses or purchases, investment-savvy people chose to use them to rollover an existing investment or to purchase a new investment.

“My goal is to continually diversify my investment, that’s why I purchase new investments,” Miranda expounded. “This way, I also reduce investment risk,” he added.

Advice for beginners Anybody wanting to become financially-independent can start out on investing. The first step is getting as much financial education as possible like reading books, and whenever possible attending financial seminars. Miranda advises that first wise move that anybody should do is to invest in his own financial intelligence by reading books and building a network of fellow investors.

Achieving a level of financial independence may require a bit more time, learning and understanding because of the many options that are available. But it is precisely these options that make financial empowerment attainable. Intelligent investing aided by high financial intelligence make it possible for anyone to make hay even when the sun isn’t shining.

24 PINOY ENTREPRENEUR

PINOY ENTRERENEUR Ria Mendoza

General Manager | Production Services The Kitsch Company JBR, The Walk, Marina, Dubai, UAE which to target and worked on projects that “found” us. Of course that did not last long – or we would not have lasted as well. We soon found our footing and started networking as well as identifying what we really wanted to do.

Ria Mendoza with business partner Johann Ramos

Please describe your business.

The Kitsch Company is an arts and entertainment company that owns the entertainment portal www.kitschmovies.com, where we promote international movies showing in the UAE and where we also give away premiere tickets for free. We are the organizers of the 1st Philippine Film Festival in the UAE. Our artistic arm OrangeJar sees us working on caricatures and illustrations, as well as providing creative input for web design, branding, video production and other corporate collaterals.

Why did you establish your own business? Can you tell us when and how you started?

I started with OrangeJar about six years ago as an earning hobby while working as an Editor for a magazine. Being relatively new in Dubai then, I found I had a lot of free time so I decided to revive the caricature and illustration business which I used to have back home.

Then, as the years went by, I added writing, photography, web design and web content services. Then last year, a couple of friends and I decided to put our heads and our strengths together to create The Kitsch Company. There are three of us behind it – Johann, an events and marketing whiz, Lyn an admin and accounts genius and me, who’s in charge of creative and digital.

We all had jobs so we worked on The Kitsch Company only during our free time. But after a few months we realized we cannot really push the business forward without concentrating on it fully so we decided to make the jump and register it with Virtuzone Freezone under the Fujairah Creative City, which turned out to be a really great fit for our business. We just turned one year this August.

What was your basic operations set-up?

We put up more or less AED20,000 to start off the business. That’s to set up our license to operate which allowed us to pitch for a variety of projects and fund our initial expenses. The real investment is our time, talent and effort. You can’t believe the all-nighters we pull just to finish projects which not only surpass our client’s requirements but our own desire to deliver quality products.

What obstacles did you encounter?

It was hard to find clients at first. We started off with no clear idea of

Illustrado Magazine

Where are you now? What are the landmarks in your business so far?

Our core team remains the same – that is something that we will not change any time soon. We work well together and we complement each other so we will keep it that way – this is really vital in keeping a business working smoothly. But we have also expanded. For creative and web design we have a team in the Philippines and we also have a programmer working with us who is based in the US. We also hire more staff depending on the requirements of the project we are working on.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being an entrepreneur?

The first, for me, would be handling your own time. However, that works both ways, it’s easy to get lulled into complacency and let things slide but fortunately for Kitsch, we all have our own unique brand of ‘workaholism.’ Second is being able to work on the projects that we want, like the 1st Philippine Film Festival in the UAE. We all love movies and we all wanted to see more Filipino Films and our culture promoted here, so we created the festival. Now, it is really shaping up to be one of the definitive Filipino events of the year in the UAE.

Would you encourage other Pinoys to go into business?

Most definitely! Being an entrepreneur is liberating. It allows you to do what you are really passionate about. It gives you the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. It challenges you to do better, more and more. Although having said that, business or being an entrepreneur is not for everybody. I have my parents as example.

They have always been in business since I can remember so I am familiar with the ups and downs. Other people, however, cannot handle this. They want to be able to rely on a steady income every month.

If you feel that business is for you, study your options and plan for it. You don’t have to quit work to start it up but you may eventually have to consider going full time to realize its potential. You also do not need huge amounts of money, but you definitely need a lot of confidence, perseverance and networking.

26 IT’S WHAT I DO

It’s What I Do

Pinoy Talent On-the-Job IT’S ALL ABOUT FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORKFRONT

A typical working day for me As mentioned, there’s no typical routine day. Since the international fashion industry works in two main seasons - Spring Summer and Autumn Winter, it depends which day of the year we are in to determine what I would be doing. I could be at our atelier in India or shooting our next marketing campaign in Dubai or attending Paris Fashion Week.

Career Advice I would ask my fellow Filipinos to work in the field that they are passionate about. This melts all desire to escape on the weekends, it changes your outlook in life and makes one appreciate the smaller more precious things in life. Stop and smell the flowers on a sunny day and always be grateful for what life has given you.

Arnold Bisda Product Manager Jahaanara

My Job I have lots of fun! I work as the Product Manager for a highfashion brand called Jahaanara, I oversee every aspect in the product lifecycle - right from concept development to after-sales relationship with our clients. The scope is pretty vast and keeps me on my toes 24-7. As with all creative industries, we have no hard and fast timings and while sometimes we have three day weekends, other times we go on for weeks without a day off.

However, the nature of the job makes it so much fun that we are all happily slogging away! I work with a production team in India, lots of make-up artists, stylists and photographers in the UAE, press agents in America and clients in Paris. So there’s a big deal of travelling and cultural exchange involved, as well as middle-of-the-night emails and calls! In fact even as I write this for Illustrado, I am in Paris as it is Fashion Week.

Illustrado Magazine

Third Lumapas

Self-Employed Health Consultant/Marketer My Job I am a health consultant/ marketer who guides people and provides information about natural therapies for chronic illnesses. I conduct seminars and speak to audiences; I train people for global expansion. I travel

IT’S WHAT I DO 27

often and this makes my work exciting and unique. It gives me the opportunity to meet different people. What makes my work different from just the regular job is that I control my own time and I am my own boss. I work when I want to. I also derive a great deal of fulfillment from my work. At an event during my second trip to Nigeria, I was randomly approached by people who I’ve have never met in my life.

They had big smiles and were saying thank you. They said if it wasn’t for me their lives would have never been better and that I am their hero. That was the first time I stood in front of 1,500 people and gave an inspirational message and people just yelled and cheered my name.

A typical working day for me I usually conduct seminars in the morning while my afternoons are spent talking to people. In the evening I go to different places and meet even more people for potential projects.

Career Advice We all went aboard to earn money and build a home back in our country and then retire. The real question is how many of us have succeeded? We need to realize that life is short, and that before we know it, years have gone by. So we need to maximize the time we have. Most of us live in a rat race, where life is all about waking up in the morning, going to work, and then going home. It’s the same thing every single day, and yet we have not accomplished our dreams. Then, we just say to ourselves - that's life, and I have simple dreams. I have no choice. If you have one shot, why would you settle for small things? When we can dream big, and we all do have a choice to decide what it is that we really want to achieve, who we are today is based on what we think or do. Everyone wishes to be successful, but wishing is not enough. Actions are needed. So are we doing anything about it? We Pinoys are the most gifted people is this world but most have failed to realize that. We have everything in us to be successful and when I speak of success it’s not only about the money, it’s about living life - worry free and to have all the time in the world to enjoy with our loved ones. Know what you really want, and why you need to accomplish it. Then set your goals and finally take action. The future depends on what we do in the present. Mahatma Gandhi said, “The only failure in life is the failure to try.”

Lee De Guzman Copywriter Tonic Communications

My Job Ever wondered where those words at the back of your toothpaste tube come from, or who thought everyone should “Just do it”? That’s the work of an advertising copywriter and that’s what I do. Together with a creative team that includes art directors and graphic designers, I come up with concepts and write anything, from print ads, TV and radio commercials to the washing instructions on product labels. I even had to write a sales brochure once for a property that was just one board meeting away from being imaginary.

A typical working day for me The one thing I really enjoy about working in advertising is that no day is really “typical.” By now I’m pretty sure everyone has heard about the horrors of working in advertising – the long days, the lost weekends and holidays, clients from hell, client servicing people from hell, etc., so no day is exactly the same as the other. My work usually starts with a job brief, followed by brainstorming sessions that last from two hours to three days, depending on how much time the client has given, and ends with a (we think) brilliant presentation that wins the client over.

Repeat step two as often as necessary until the latter is achieved.

Just like any other job, advertising has its fun days and not so fun days. We once had absolutely no budget for a pitch and I had to sing a commercial jingle for the presentation. I’ve spent 36 hours straight at the office only to have the presentation boards left lying at the reception while we sped to the client. I’ve had to re-do entire campaigns at 2:00 AM for a presentation at 9:00AM. of the same day. But once you hear your work on the radio or see it on a 50-meter billboard, there’s a feeling of pride and accomplishment I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Career Advice I’ve had to find my own voice in an industry populated by native speakers (complete with the Queen’s accent). If there’s anything I’ve learned as a copywriter, it’s that it’s not about where you’re from, it’s all about what you have to say.

28 ADVERTTORIAL

100 Millionaires in Just Five Years National Bonds has broken yet another record and achieved another milestone in its five-year history by rewarding its 100th millionaire.

Mr. S. Abdul Rahman, a UAE national, who won July’s 1 million Dirhams prize, adding a new chapter to the story of National Bonds’ life-changing 1 Million Dirhams grand draw.

To date, 39% of National Bonds’ millionaires have been UAE Nationals, highlighting their trust in the growing scheme which hosts people from 200 different nationalities as its customers. Asian Expats have been similarly lucky with 36% of the grand prizes going

their way, while Arab Expats make up a further 13% of the lucky winners. Western Expats account for 5% of the winning bondholders with the remaining 7% spread across various other nationalities.

“There are so many exciting stories to be told among our 100 National Bonds millionaires,” said Mr. Mohammed Qasim Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer, National Bonds Corporation PJSC. “The prizes we distribute from the Mudareb’s own funds have always been our way of rewarding our customers and making saving money an exciting experience for them. More so are the winners of our grand prizes, who become millionaires overnight. Nothing compares to the sound of delight in a customer’s voice when I call to inform them that they have won – it is a magical moment for them that feels like a dream, and we are truly delighted to be able to make their dreams a reality.”

For more than 25 years, Bread & Butter has served quality baked products. In 2003, they ventured into franchising and opened their first franchise store in Kalibo, as well as several other outlets. In the same year, the company opened the biggest commissary in Northern Panay Island to offer good quality products and to serve the growing number of stores adhering to quality control, sanitation and safety standards.

The company was recognized by the Philippine Marketing Excellence Awards as Most Outstanding Bakeshop for 2005 – Visayas Awards and Smalle Medium Enterprise Model by the Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI) and by the Department of Trade And Industry (DTI); Best in Franchising Support for 2006 by Franchise Awards Entrepreneur Philippines and Most Promising Franchise for 2007 by the Philippine Franchise Association.

Bread & Butter: Leading Franchise in the Visayas

Due to the company’s exceptional performance, Bread & Butter was bestowed with a 2009 Presdiential Award for Outstanding Enterprise for the Visayas Region.

Bread & Butter, one of the leading franchising bakeshop businesses in the Visayas, is moving fast to dominate the market in the whole region. Now, it has 52 branches around Panay and Mindoro and continues to grow in new markets.

In 2010, Entrepreneur Magazine awarded Bread & Butter with four (4) prestigious awards namely: Best in Franchise Support, Fastest Growing Franchise, Best Homegrown Franchise and Most Promising Franchise.

Finds Convenience Store: A Truly Filipino Franchise

the convenience store industry, Finds Convenience Store gears up for its goal by entering into the franchising market. “In the next 12 months, we expect to already have a total of 100 stores estimated to reach the PHP1billion mark”, says Willy Camarillo, Chief Operating Officer of FCSI.

Finds Convenience Stores, Inc. (FCSI), a member of the Retail and Services group of the Villar Group of Companies, is a modern neighborhood store. It is a Filipino owned, developed and operated convenience store that offers a wide variety of merchandise, still limited to that of supermarkets, but in a more friendly, comfortable and convenient location.

Finds c-store boasts of an optimum level of assortment of about 3,000 different products and services tailored to meet the needs and preferences of local customers from domestic staples, specialty items, and beverages to ready-to-go meals which are all made available on a daily basis.

The first store was opened in 2008 at Springville in Molino, Bacoor and at Starmall Las Piñas. Since then, a total of 26 company-owned c-stores are now completely operational. As the new strong player in

Illustrado Magazine

Interested franchisees can choose from three different store models with the lowest franchise investment and no franchising or royalty fees.

30 KABUHAYAN MONEY

Borrowing Capital for your Business

By Francisco J Colayco

Being an entrepreneur includes the very important factor of providing enough capital for your business. Here is a specific example that might assist you in understanding some of the concerns of business owners.

Dear Mr. Colayco, My husband and I took over his mother’s catering business.

Although the business has been around for over 40 years and has built a solid reputation for quality food and exceptional service, we soon realized it needed a lot of improvement.

When we came home from the U.S. to run the business, we had to spend most of our savings to build a new kitchen, get a new service vehicle, buy new equipment and utensils, design a new logo, etc.

We also had to re-introduce the business to the market because most of its old customers were gone. In this kind of business, we always have to change outdated equipment and design to keep up with the changing trends and keep the competition at bay.

Right now, most of our revenues go into that. However, since we only rely on our sales from the bookings that we get, we realize that it will take several more years before we can take our business to a whole new level.

We have contemplated on taking out a business loan, at least 500k to 1M for a few years now, but kept postponing it because we were too afraid of the monthly amortization. But I think it’s about time we did this while we are still in our early 40’s, while we still have the energy and enthusiasm, and while we’re still bursting with ideas on how to run this business effectively. I can’t wait for another 10 years while we see our competition take off.

Mr. Colayco, can you shed light on this matter? Would it be a wise decision on our part? Right now, lack of resources is the

Illustrado Magazine

only thing that hampers the growth of this business. My husband and I both know that we can do a lot more if only we had the necessary capital.

I hope for your response on our dilemma. Thank you so much for your time.

Cathy Dear Cathy, It is great that you and your husband have the passion for your food and catering business, a main ingredient in any business.

Based on the information you gave, it seems that you are in a perfect position to make your business dreams come true. You have started building up your productive assets to support your catering business and that what you need now is the process to validate your plan to borrow to grow your business. Borrowing is leverage and properly used, it is the most powerful tool to build capital and grow a business.

It is good that you and your husband are still of prime age. You can still be more aggressive as clearly, you can still recover from any mistakes you might make.

Your immediate need is to make your actual Financial Statements for your business, that is, Cash Flow, Profit and Loss Statement and Balance Sheet as of the end of the latest month. These statements will present to you the real condition and the true net worth of your business as of that latest date. I strongly advise that you seek professional assistance to make these financial statements for you.

These consultants can explain to you the specific significance of each

MONEY KABUHAYAN 31

of your financial statement accounts. At any rate, any prospective lender will also ask the same information from you anyway before they even start evaluating your loan application.

After you have established your true financial condition, you must then think out your business plan in detail: what market you will sell to, what product and/or services you will sell and your best estimates as to how much it will cost you to produce and deliver these products and services. The most important projection is your Cash Flow, which provides the true and total amount of cash (capital and debt) required to sustain the profitability of your business. You need to make your monthly projections for the next few years. These must be based on your most realistic set of assumptions pertaining to all aspects of the business requiring cash (cash out) or producing cash (cash in).

You can make as many projections as you want using different assumptions for each item in your Cash Inflow and each item in your Cash Outflow.

These include all the cash that you receive and all the amounts you need to spend for. In each item, you can have different assumptions. On one sheet, you can have optimistic assumptions. On another sheet, you can use the pessimistic assumptions. Then, choose what assumption in each item is the most realistic and come out with a working financial plan, which will be a combination of all the scenarios you make.

Some items can change monthly and some can be the same all throughout. You have to put some thought to each amount you use.

The negative amounts in your Net monthly Cash Flow represent the Equity and/or temporary funding (loan) needed by your business during those months. If you see the need for a loan based on your initial projections, your inflows and outflow projections will change with the benefit of the improved operations from your loan and the cash flows related to the loan. You go back and forth with all these changes until you arrive at what in your best judgment truly represents the most likely and conservative outcome. This then will determine whether or not you can afford to take out a loan; how much loan; what payment terms and what interest rate you can absorb. In taking out a loan, the most critical ingredient is your source of repayment and the cost or interest rate of the loan. Note that the loan carries with it a definite and firm obligation for you to

repay specific amounts at specific dates in the future. This is your true financial burden and you must make sure that under the worst conditions, you will have real and sufficient source for repayment.

In doing all of these, remember that your business financials should be separate from your personal financial statements. Your business should pay you and your husband a salary. If you are using your home and vehicles for your business, your business should pay you for the use of these assets. This will give you a true picture of what your business profitability really is.

When in Manila, join our seminars and look out for our webinars on www.colaycofoundation.com.

32 KABUHAYAN MONEY

Franchising Basics

By Francisco J Colayco

Going into business is a very personal matter. Your first choice of a business could be something that you are passionate about. You choose it because you have clear reasons in your mind why you personally like to engage in that business activity. It’s also possible to study and learn about any business with clearly good potential. It may not necessarily mean though that you are suited for that business to actually run it well, much less enjoy being operationally involved in it. Without real involvement, it may be difficult to sustain your business with the same quality that you started with.

To reduce the risks of getting into a business, a Franchise may be a viable alternative. Serious franchise businesses provide you tested business models along with market planning, technical support and logistic systems as well as personnel training and accounting procedures and financial controls. This allows you to learn the business at the soonest possible time with the least number of mistakes, which you would otherwise incur if you started on your own without experience.

Choosing a Franchisor and a Franchise Business There is a list of Filipino Franchisors and their broad range of small businesses available. Some are new but quite a number have proven track records. Let’s assume that you are competent in a food or service type of business and you choose a business that requires first year investments (including franchise fees) of around PHP200,000. Most good franchises demonstrate payback of about three (3) to five (5) years and impressive service support. Your most logical starting point is to seriously consider a food-stall business, particularly one with an available franchise near your home. As my partner Entrepguru Andy always says, most opportunities can be found just around your neighborhood. Look around you and observe what is it that your community badly needs? Don’t just follow what everybody is already doing.

Another good thing about franchise businesses is the business training included in the package. Usually, the training period is three months but you would need to pay 10% or PHP20,000 (subject to negotiation with the Franchisor) as soon as you sign the franchise agreement.

Here are some tips on how you can move forward: 1. After determining your preferred line of business, make sure that your chosen Franchise business has sufficient and sustainable market in your location. This is where successful and responsible Franchisors can provide you meaningful information and advice.

Illustrado Magazine

2. Validate the Franchisor’s legitimacy and claims through the Association of Filipino Franchisors, Inc., or through other Franchising Associations to which your chosen Franchisor may belong; 3. Validate the actual experience by directly interviewing the FIRST Franchisee and some other Franchisees to validate the truth or falsehood of the market and financial claims of the Franchisor. I am personally aware of situations where franchisors do not live up to their claims. Do not allow a franchisor to keep you from talking directly to his existing franchises for any reason. If the franchisees are happy, it is to for the Franchisor’s and your best interests to learn all about it.

4. Find out if the Franchisor has any pending legal cases with any of the Franchisees, and if there is any, find out why.

5. Secure serious legal advice on the merits and demerits of the Franchise Agreement. Make sure that you are satisfied with all the provisions of the Franchise Agreement, particularly on your option to terminate your Franchise Agreement for good reason, without any difficulty.

6. Be aware that anything not written in the agreement, even if promised by the Franchisor, may not be fulfilled. That being said, in the final analysis, aside from the technical know-how, the sincerity and good heart of a Franchisor will be the deciding factors on your success.

7. Make sure that all the sources for funding are in place, before you even start investing your first peso.

Will you succeed in a franchise business? I always emphasize that in any business, there are no guarantees but there are ways to reduce the risks. If you at least follow the advice already given above, you have a good chance of success.

34 ADVERTTORIAL

Splash Rocks the Runway Photos by Eros Goze In the ninth edition of the Splash fashion show, the brand channeled the diversity of styles that Rock ‘n’ Roll influence has brought to high-street fashion. It is the UAE’s best attended fashion’s big night out where 45 international models wowed over 3,000 fashion lovers.

The 20 minute power-packed show saw three prominent themes on the catwalk namely ‘School of Rock’, ‘Rock n Soul’ and ‘Rock Royalty’.

Exploring the freedom of being young and creating an identity was the ‘School of Rock’ collection which offered silhouettes in preppy overtones, pop brights, bold multi-colored effects and metallic color mixes.

Slim, cropped trousers with fitted sweaters and flat-knit turtlenecks in a riot of colors were key, while simple coats, shift dresses with dropped waistlines, neat shell tops, tunics and tabards with Peter Pan collars were catwalk standouts.

Next in line was ‘Rock n Soul’ the perfect combination of high luxury and absolute subtlety, with modern silhouettes in hyper-bright hues.

This is best used to achieve an uncomplicated look driven by clean lines, minimal detailing, and an uncomplicated palette of black and white. The androgynous elements of tailoring mixed with slim silhouettes and oversized tops and sweaters were also showcased.

‘Rock Royalty’ was the manifesto of an achievement being all about glossy satins, lace, sumptuous knits, fur, exotic skins, feathers and gold embellishments with black being the predominant color.

Inspired by the Elizabethan, Baroque, Rococo and Edwardian eras, this was the launch of the Splash designer collection with individually designed pieces. The trends combined masculine tailoring with feminine ruffles.

Lacoste Watches launches Biarritz Lacoste, the sport fashion world’s most contemporary brand has just launched an all new line of timepieces that are the epitome of chic. The Lacoste Biarritz watches will offer their wrist holders a fashionable twist with a timeless style.

The freshness and chic of the Biarritz collection is more about the materials used than just the style. With stainless steel, aluminum and other materials already standard in the industry, Lacoste designers chose ceramic to house the precise quartz clockwork, encircled with a tone-on tone ceramic bezel with the Lacoste name etched around it.

Available in either black or white, the Biarritz’s overall design is complemented with shimmering crystals on the time face enclosed by a scratch resistant mineral glass. A white or black silicone strap completes the relaxed elegance that Biarritz bestows its bearer.

Lacoste Biarritz is assembled and finished along the highest standards of quality, they are water resistant and are sold with a two year manufacturer backed warranty.

The stars of Lacoste’s coming Fall/Winter2011 collection can be found at all Hour Choice stores throughout the UAE.

Illustrado Magazine

36 KABUHAYAN MONEY

Getting a head start on your

HOLIDAY SPENDING

By Francisco J Colayco

In the Philippines, December is the time when all our finances and resolutions go haywire. If we don’t plan ahead of time, we will just wake up after Christmas waiting for the New Year to make another set of New Year’s resolution to plan better for 2012! We don’t have to wait for New Year’s Eve 2011, let’s make sure our holiday finances are in order as early as NOW! Some might even say that we should have started in August before the BER months. True, but it’s easier for us consumers to start in the BER month. So, now’s the time.

Christmas is the time for giving but life does not end after Christmas.

I always say that there is nothing wrong with giving especially when you do not expect anything in return. But, I am quick to remind you that YOU CANNOT GIVE WHAT YOU DO NOT HAVE! So, to be able to have something to give, plan for it early enough.

As a reminder on the first commandment of personal finance (Pay Yourself First), you must set aside at least 10-20% of your active income. Active income is the income you earn by working. For example, salary, overtime, commissions, bonuses or any sideline. No work, no pay.

Christmas bonus is active income because if you do not work, you will not receive a Christmas bonus. Of course, if you do not have a Christmas bonus, then, you will also not have it to spend for Christmas. However, make sure you budget your bonus mostly for

Illustrado Magazine

savings and a reasonable portion to support your December expenses.

Do not by any means spend your entire bonus for entertainment or gift giving!

Active income is to be used only for NEEDS and everyday expenses.

As much as possible, 20% must be set aside for savings and investments.

This 10-20% you set aside must be used for insurance and savings plans. As you are able to accumulate savings of at least PHP5,000 cash, you can invest in Mutual Funds, UITFs (Unit Investment Trust Funds) and retail treasury bills to earn more than the savings account interest rates. Rememver your savings income rate must be equal to or higher than the inflation rate.

What you earn on your investments is you passive income. It could

KABUHAHAN MONEY 37

Christmas gifts, and for special persons, The final amount will really depend on the number of friends you have and what you can afford.

• You could even spend less if you make your own gifts. Special cakes, candies, drawings, cards? These will even be more appreciated and will be perceived as having much higher value than commercial items. Whatever you can make, budget for the ingredients/ materials you will need to make and package them. Schedule your time to make these too. You might end up having all your ingredients/materials and no time to make them. You would then be forced to buy gifts and, worse, you are left with the purchased inventory that may just rot and lose value.

• Many join bazaars to sell their personal things but because of the many sales and tiangges throughout the year, bazaars are no longer a big novelty. Many are hardly able to get back the space rental expense. Think through this project very carefully before deciding.

• Clean your closets and set aside all the items that you have not used over the past year and that you did not miss. You can either join a garage sale or be ready to give them away as part of your Christmas charity budget.

be interest earned, rental from properties, commissions from your down-lines in case of legitimate networking. The income will come to you whether you work or not.

Your passive income should be used to fund your long term financial plan. However, if you do have to spend outside your ordinary living expenses, it is also only passive income that you should use. You just have to remember that if you use some of your passive income instead of “rolling it over” or compounding it or reinvesting it to earn more income, you will have to find a way to replace it so that you can still meet your Net Worth Goal for your retirement.

Some might feel that times are so difficult that we should not have to celebrate Christmas. This is probably true, to a certain extent. We will probably not want to spend as much this Christmas compared to previous Christmases. But we will still be swept up into the holiday mood with all the advertisements and sales that will surely descend on us. We might as well be ready.

Here are some pointers to help you be ready with spending money: • Make your Christmas gift list very early like NOW. • Set a specific amount for gifts. For example, you could have three categories, one for your friends, for those who regularly send you

• Look through the unused items that still look new that you bought or were given to you. Choose those that might be welcomed by some of those in your list. It is better used by someone rather than kept in the closet. But don’t give just to be able to give.

• Try not to give gifts that will just occupy space. Most people are trying to simplify their lives. Your gift might end up being given to others or kept in the closet. Sometimes, items that can be used for several months (if food, preferably without refrigeration) might be most welcome.

• For people who have everything, you might want to give the gift of your time. Program your schedule to be with them and let them know you do it as your Christmas gift. For example, treat them to a movie or to coffee and lots of story-telling and sharing.

• Starting NOW, you could cut down further on your everyday expenses to save for your Christmas spending. Save daily.

• Finally, let us remember what Christmas really is. The birthday of Jesus Christ who was born in a manger. All the consumerism of Christmas is man-made. Let us share with all those who are less fortunate than us.

• Let the advertisements and sales come. Let us prepare for the holidays with discipline and determination to stay within our budget!

38 ILLUMINATI

MEN in the black

By Krip Yuson

Thus, pluck. But with my luck, so far it’s been touch and go.

As the watershed mark that was the decade of the Seventies started, I found myself joining a score of beer guzzlers from UP Diliman.

We each pitched in equally modest amounts of cash for a business venture. Why, we’d have our own bar in the Ermita-Malate area that was then already associated with bohemia.

Thanks to writer-painter Lilia Amansec’s Cock ’n Bull that began it all, on Taft Avenue off Vito Cruz, thence film director Ishmael Bernal’s Grey November Café, and writer Betsy Romualdez Francia’s seminal Café Los Indios Bravos, both on A. Mabini Street in Malate, in the heyday that was the late Sixties, the area took on some sort of shine for artsy-fartsy and “slumming” types.

Illustrado Magazine

I must confess to an utter lack of understanding of how to get ahead and make money out of a business.

I suppose it’s been the dismal level of interest I’ve had in such an enterprise, fancying myself as a creature of pluck and luck — who might just stumble on some golden fields where money grows on trees, with very low branches.

We had the option of taking over a faded girlie bar on G. Apacible Street across the PGH (Philippine General Hospital) on Taft, actually on the wrong side of the proverbial tracks. But with 20 of us in on the venture — all of us in our early to mid-20s — we figured we could easily pack the place with our friends if we turned it into a trendy bar with live folk and rock bands on weekends, and served good burgers and some Age of Aquarius features.

But heck, since I was thought to be the best-versed in all things postWoodstock — such as access to artists and musicians, or signing up a Tarot card reader for a room upstairs (and have the same fellow conduct Black Mass on Friday nights as our special come-on) I was designated as the club manager.

40 ILLUMINATI

I’m easy, I said. And proved it. We had a blast at the opening, and for at least several months after, with friends in media making sure of proper promotions for Hurri-manna (named after how some friend’s lola called the stuff she suspected we were taking), our club or folk-bar went great guns. We laughed deliriously over the imagined undiminished tinkling of our cash register.

Then the so-called First Quarter Storm erupted, and as a hands-on manager I found myself opening Hurri-Manna’s door to some severe pounding. And I had to let several drenched young people in, because they looked helpless and hungry, and before they were chased farther down the streets by the Metrocom scouring the area for demonstrators.

Ourselves, at the club, I guess at that point we couldn’t care less for activism, as it was all just Abbey Road by the Beatles, and the Moody Blues albums, night after night while enjoying airspace with the proper herb.

Until summer came along and we just had to go to Baguio and Sagada, leaving the now-popular bar in the hands of the service personnel.

It was all that gallivanting that brought down Hurri-manna to a low where that cash register was concerned, and we realized we weren’t fit for it, couldn’t tend to a business with constancy — not while the spirit drove us off to mountains and beaches, waterfalls and upland lakes.

Let somebody else make money out of others’ thirst for booze and live or canned music or bohemian and Aquarian activities.

The club closed down soon enough. No one lost a shirt, just a sock or two each. And we had great memories of those golden moments to toast to and laugh about.

Since then I haven’t ever considered running any business, albeit there was a lucky streak once when savings from video-docu fees were invested in a mining issue in the stock market, which boomed for a while in the late Eighties. And that obligatory first million was made, plus plus, but quickly thrown up — that is, brought to bear for the creation of real property.

Some people have it, some people don’t. And some are smarter, or craftier, than others as far as multiplying the moolah is concerned.

While some of us couldn’t care less to keep up with those Joneses.

Well, at least for me, as long as certain indulgences are maintained, such as good food, scintillating chocolates, and various editions of single malt whisky.

I still think I’ll luck in on the Lotto one of these Sundays. Then

Illustrado Magazine

I can acquire that dream beach and build a tree house for sunrise and sunset viewing. Meanwhile, I stay as service personnel myself, parlaying skills with words and images if only to stave off the red ink when the bills come.

That appears to be my simple goal for the nonce: to wipe out all present and prospective credit, because that is the simplest level of understanding I have of what is called accounting, creative or whatnot. Show me a balance sheet and I’ll reach for the pack of tissue paper in my laptop bag.

Oh, now and then we read of impending recession or whatever, of downsizing and outsourcing and tight credit and bearish markets, or of how Warren Buffet acknowledges that financial and marketing geniuses such as he and his ilk ought to be taxed higher. Also of how activists have been gathering to protest on Wall Street, and been gassed, water-hosed, trounced and trundled off. Do they really know better than bankers, capitalists and industrialists? I don’t know, I can’t profess any bias for any human endeavor beyond providing enlightenment or entertainment.

All I know is - I want to be on the safe side, together with all other men in the black. That way, I don’t ever get to feel like a cockroach out for mere survival, dodging cosmic boot steps that could cause me to ooze red, rust, or anything else gory.

42 FEATURE

Macho, Gwapito Naman Ako: The Filipino Male

By Ana P. Santos

as an abomination. But that wasn’t the end of it. I nearly fell off my chair when he revealed that going to the nail spa is an occasional treat for him, too.

The music sounding like wind chimes blowing in the breeze, the lounge chair enveloping me in its plushness, the toes of my feet waiting in anticipation to be tickled by warm water poured over smooth stones and scented flowers.

This is one of my favorites caprices, a vanity I don’t mind sinning for — a foot spa.

It’s always a quiet, relaxing time for me — that is until an incident caused me to become so perturbed that I have yet since to return to my “sole” sanctuary.

My mortification was all due to the unexpected sight of a big burly man walking into the spa and settling into his own plush lounge chair to get a foot spa. Minutes later, his hands were wrapped up in plastic for a paraffin treatment. I looked at my own hands and fingers set for the usual, no-frills manicure and felt so… pedestrian, so plebian next to him. I suddenly felt ashamed of myself for not being more conscious of my nails.

After, I sat down my oldest straight male friend (actually, my own remaining straight guy friend), told him about my observed travesty and incredulously asked him, “What (sic) up with that?”

I was surprised that he wasn’t at all shocked by what appeared to me

Illustrado Magazine

As this friend of mine for some 20 odd years explained to me, “It (getting a foot spa) has nothing to do with sexual orientation. Us guys sometimes get jealous of all the pampering you girls are allowed to have. We don’t exactly look at it like a foot spa, but more like getting a massage for our hands and feet.”

A foot massage with bubbles and scented flowers? I was dying to ask. (Later, I was told that other spas specifically offer athletic foot spas for men. It left me wondering if they called it “athlete’s feet” or something similar.)

And that got me thinking: is all the oozing machismo and tough guy bravado just a façade for a meticulously vain side?

In drive time traffic, Manilenos are treated to billboards of Albert Martinez in a half-open shirt, flaunting his abs, brandishing a claim about how easy it is to look 30 even at 50 — with a little medical help. Other mature men are on similar billboards singing praises for how certain salons have trimmed down their waistline and added to their hairline.

In the olden days, having a number of children, preferably all being the first-born, marked a man’s alpha male status. But now, with the rising cost of education maybe, it is pampering yourself and not looking your age that are the marks of affluence and power.

John Paul Olivares, professor of art and architecture at the Far Eastern University takes on a more anthropological approach and links this back to the evolution of man and his primordial instincts to mate.

FEATURE 43 The mix of the European boldness and the Asian way of chivalry, of restraint and subtlety seems to make for a paradoxical Filipino male.

There’s the guy who wouldn’t dream of wearing pink, but doesn’t think there’s anything shameful about carrying his girlfriend’s itty bitty purse over his shoulder — he’ll even insist on it, well, that is if he has a free hand — one not carrying a clutch bag. (What is in those things?! I remember that my father’s had a comb, a mirror and some tissue.)

There’s the macho man who guzzles beer with his buddies and rough houses with them, but in a heart melting way, completely shares in matrimonial responsibilities and embraces his title of “co-parent”.

There’s the hopeless romantic who professes his undying love and loyalty, but prides himself in spreading the good news to other women, sometimes many, many other women.

“In the animal kingdom, the male animals are more beautiful, more colorful than the female animals,” explained Olivares. “It’s the male animal’s duty to prove that his genes are worthy to be mixed with that of the female.

The female has the power to choose. And it’s all up to the man to sway her opinion.”

“Man is, after all, equal parts human, animal, and divine,” concluded Olivares.

And this trinity gives rise to the contradiction of the Pinoy male’s dual personality of wanting to be a macho macho man, who also wants to be gwapito.

Maginoo pero medyo bastos A recent survey done by onepoll.com tallied the scores of 15,000 women in 20 different countries gave to male lovers. The survey ranked the Spaniards as the #1 World’s Best Lover, followed by the Brazilians. (Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/ article-1216621/German-men-worlds-worst-lovers-lazy-Englishcome-second-battle-sheets.html#ixzz1aOUu2N7n) The Pinoys didn’t make the, uhem, cut, but that didn’t stop some guys from beating their chests and drawing affiliation from our Spanish colonial past to pull up their rankings.

With 300 years of colonial rule, our ancestors must have picked up a thing or two about romancing a woman… or women.

Courtship is either referred to as “panliligaw” or “pandidiga” which is a derivative of the Spanish verb, “diga” meaning “to express”. The old-fashioned tradition of “harana” or serenading a woman is also recognized as an influence of the Spanish.

Julie Yap-Daza, author of the best selling book “Etiquette for Mistresses” probably best summarized it when she said, “Ganyan talaga ang Pinoy—hot!”

Some years ago, a song made popular by DJ Alvaro called for a man who was chivalrous, but with a bad boy side. The singer crooned Ayoko ng masyadong maginoo Dahil baka ako ay mabato Ang tipo kong lalake Ay maginoo pero medyo bastos The song was a pop culture hit and it resonated with thousands of girls at that time who said they wanted a man who could both make their knees wobble and occasionally make their toes curl for more carnal reasons.

It seems the Filipina appreciates the incongruous Filipino male, contradictions and all.

In him, she has found a lifelong partner, a provider and parent…and someone to go with her to the foot spa. If he’s enough of a gentleman, he might even spring for it.

44 FEATURE

Rowing for

GOLD AND GLORY

Photo by Marc Barcenas

It was in the early nineties when they first rowed into the racing scene, gaining critical acclaim along the way, but it was only recently when people started to take notice. The August 2011 win in Tampa Bay, Florida of the Philippine Dragon Boat Team brought the country its first ever gold medal – five, at that - and two silvers. Excel V. Dyquiangco catches up with the fastest paddlers on the planet and talks to them about bringing gold and glory to both the sport and our country.

“When we won, the feeling was just unexplainable,” said Philippine Dragon Boat Team technical director and head coach Nestor Ilagan.

“You could see people crying, some were even waving the Philippine flag. The Pinoy community started calling their friends and families, informing them of the win. It gave me goose bumps, watching all of this happen.”

“I thought to myself that this was a really good start since we didn’t expect to be the overall champion, winning the 1,000 meter race,” adds Marcia Cristobal, president of the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation. “But even before the race started, I trusted and respected our athletes because of their determination. They really have the heart to win.”

Considered the “fastest paddlers on the planet” because they excelled in short distance races, the Philippine Dragon Boat Team also had its own share of victories even before the gold medals in Tampa Bay, Florida. Way back in 2007, the team already won in the 200 meters race in Sydney, Australia and was able to set a world record.

In Prague, Czech Republic in 2009, they managed to overcome the competition as well, eventually beating its own world record.

But it was in this race, the 10th International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships, in Tampa Bay, Florida that the

Illustrado Magazine

team’s audacious win brought the eyes and ears of the public to the sport of dragon boat racing.

The Paddlers and the Crew

Some of the fifty members of the Philippine Dragon Boat are from the government: seven from the Philippine Army, three from the Philippine Coast Guard, two from the Philippine Air Force and one Philippine Navy, the rest are civilians. The youngest is 23 years old and the oldest is in his 50s.

“We got interested in them because they already have the experience – considering their background in the military,” said Coach Ilagan.

“They seemed already trained for this, and it wasn’t difficult to put them in the dragon boat.”

The team captain and paddler, Usman Anterola from the Philippine Army used to be in track and field. He is no swimmer, however, and had to be trained. When he finally made it to the Dragon Boat team, he had to manage the rigorous practice with his duties as a servant of the country. He would wake up every day at 5:30AM to train with the team then go to work in Fort Bonifacio at 8AM. “We have permission to train for the dragon boat team unless the country is on red alert status,” said Anterola. “We are recalled from the team if that’s the case.”

46 FEATURE

One of the challenges he had to face in Tampa was adjusting to the time zone and the pressure he had to endure to win, considering the tremendous support of the Pinoys. “We were so happy when we won,” he said. “We vowed that in the next competitions following this, we would train even harder and exert double effort. Many people are depending on us for the gold.”

Pinoy Bayanihan Kept Them Afloat

The victory of the Philippine Dragon Boat Team was made even sweeter because they almost didn’t make it to Tampa Bay. When news broke out that the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee would not be supporting the Philippine Dragon Boat Team in the competition in Tampa Bay, Florida, the team scrounged around for finances. They managed to pool funds together through a myriad of ways: Philippine Airlines sponsored their flight from Manila to Los Angeles (PAL only flies to Los Angeles and San Francisco in the United States), Cobra Energy Drink owned by Asia Brewery sponsored the Los Angeles to Florida leg of the flight, Accommodations and meals came from foreigners and Filipinos in Tampa Bay. And in true Pinoy hospitality, the meals started coming in droves. The team had so much stock that they shared the food with their competitors and the International Dragon Boat Federation.

“It was an amazing experience. This bayanihan boosted the morale of the team and served as motivation for us to win,” said Cristobal. “Some even as far as Houston and Maryland came to show their love and support for the team, and came to watch the game on a daily basis. I think some even had to take a leave off from work just to see the competition.”

Because of the support and unquestionable faith the Pinoy community had in them, the team felt they really had to win it for the Philippines.

The Pinoy pride and support continued even after they had already won the five gold medals. Allowances and monetary needs were provided for by some Pinoys who shopped around for clothes and pasalubong for the team to bring home. On their last day in the United States, they even had time to have fun. Members of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) fraternity chapter treated the members to a ride at a theme park known as Bush Garden, which is a must visit in Florida.

“We were very grateful for the warm support by the Filipino community so we needed to respond to this as well,” said Cristobal.

“We are thankful to those people who really believed in us. We had to give our best.”

And they did nothing short of delivering — not just the gold, but a new world record.

Illustrado Magazine

The nineteen-member contingent consisting of fifteen males and four females clocked in a world record of 4:57.13 to claim the gold.

Australia won the silver medal (5:00.09) while Hungary seized the bronze (5:03.71) in the biennial meet.

It was a win that almost didn’t happen, but with determination, resourcefulness and help from sponsors and Filipinos from various parts of the United States, the Philippine Dragon Boat Team triumphed. Victory was theirs while the gold and glory was shared with Filipinos from all over the globe who were once again reminded of what Pinoy Pride is all about.

FEATURE 47

Balikbayan,

BALIKUGAT

In a country where almost all families have at least one member settled elsewhere in the world, it is unusual to hear of successful Filipinos based abroad migrating back. The desire to live the American dream, to earn petrodollars in the Middle East, and to traverse Europe's charming little roads is more common.

Balikbayan is the term used to describe friends Filipinos who have come back to the Philippines for a short visit after having lived in a foreign country for sometime. Karen Galarpe meets four Filipinos who have returned to the Philippines not just to visit the homeland, but to settle back into their roots.

Photos courtesy of the respondents. Patricia Tumang’s photo by Jar Concengco.

But yes, there are Filipinos who have made it abroad who have chosen to live again in our beloved Pinas. For them, there is nothing compared to the joy of living with family, the pride swelling in their hearts in being home back to their roots, and the fulfillment in being able to give back.

Patricia “Patty” Tumang 32, magazine editor

Patty was born in the US, in Lemoore, California, where her dad worked with the US Navy. She grew up in Los Angeles, and then went to the Eugene Lang College of the New School University in New York for a BA degree in Cultural Studies, with concentration on Race, Ethnicity and Postcolonialism. Next, she pursued an MFA in English and Creative Writing at Mills College in Oakland, California, and earned the degree in 2006.

Three years later, Patty headed for the Philippines on a Fulbright Fellowship from the US State Department, and researched on the 20 women of Malolos during the Philippine Revolution in the 1800s and their impact on history.

The 9-month research project stirred a desire to stay. “I wanted to continue writing, researching and living in the Philippines. I felt that being back in my homeland inspired my creative work and I was learning and absorbing so much,” Patty said.

She applied for dual citizenship and found work as managing editor for various magazines. She also does freelance writing.

Illustrado Magazine

Although Patty had culture shock the first time she lived in the Philippines at 16 years old (she stayed for a year), things were better this time around. “I was independent and living alone. I met balikbayans and Filipinos who were doing great work in the country and it inspired me to stay,” she said.

To Filipinos based abroad contemplating whether to move back or not, Patty has this to say: “The adjustment is harder than you think. There's this impression of an idealized homeland where the dollar goes a long way and you can hire help. That's not the lifestyle I advocate. I work hard and though I earn little compared to what I was earning in the States, I'm much happier. I commute, I travel the

48 FEATURE country to explore the Philippines' treasures, though I had to adjust to the pollution. In some ways, by living here I realize how American I am. But in other ways, I realize that I am also Filipino.”

While based in France, Sandra would come back to the Philippines regularly for vacations, to do some work, and to renew ties with artist friends. Eventually, it dawned on her that living abroad, there may come a time she won't be by her mother's deathbed.

She married her boyfriend, a French national with Cantonese origin, in 2002, and in 2006 gave birth to a daughter.

Two years later, Sandra and her family made the big move back home.

“We decided to stay in the Philippines. Economically, it wasn't viable to live in Paris.”

She added that with today's modern technology, it is possible to work anywhere. “An artist can live and work at one place and use other media such as photography — which is democratizing — and show one's work in other places. You can work from your homeland. In this 21st century, we are more and more globalized, but ruralized as we have micro-communities now,” she said.

For two years now, Sandra has been overseeing a workshop in Antipolo, which she established to train painters. She still works for Braxton, producing the textile the Frenchwoman designs. She still exhibits her works, and helps organize shows. And she hopes to enroll her daughter, who is four years old, in public school.

“My working here is giving back to the Philippines,” Sandra said.

“It's baggage to have been given, and baggage to live with and give away.”

Sandra Palomar 40, artist

For many Filipino artists, Sandra achieved the ultimate artist's dream.

Born in Manila and having graduated with a degree in Painting from the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts, she lived, studied, and worked in Paris.

Blame it on her being restless. “I wanted to get away from my upbringing, the culture I was used to, and discover other cultures,” she said. Her parents agreed for her to go abroad on the condition that she goes to a country where there was a family member. It so happened that Sandra had an aunt who was in Paris on a language scholarship.

Sandra took her masters degree at the Paris American Academy while working odd jobs like babysitting to learn the French language. She then got accepted at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts, where she studied for two years. After that came the question of “Do I come home?” “But something would always come up,” Sandra said.

Those “somethings” included exhibits for her installation, photography, and video; opportunities to do performance art; the foundation of Sanlikha, a nonprofit art association for Filipinos based in France; and a job assisting Sabina Fay Braxton, a French textile designer. From having a student visa, Sandra got a working visa in Paris.

Illustrado Magazine

Vince Golangco 29, Radio DJ, TV host, blogger He is heard every morning on Mellow 94.7 FM as DJ Vince G, trading witty barbs with DJ Tracy on “The Wakeup Show.” Online, he lets us in on the latest happenings in the metro on www.wheninmanila. com. The techie side of him is let loose in his TV show “Tek Tok TV” on GNN on Destiny Cable. And as if these aren't enough, Vince the entrepreneur mounts events such as Blogapalooza - a business-toblogger networking affair.

Multitasking is nothing new to Vince as he held jobs while in college at San Diego State University a few years ago. He studied

FEATURE 49 communications, advertising, and business, and while doing so, he even put up a digital advertising business. He doesn't like being bored or running out of things to do — which is what drove him out of the Philippines in the first place.

Born in El Paso, Texas to a Chinese father and a Vietnamese-SpanishFilipino mother, Vince was brought back to Manila as a toddler. He lived and studied in Manila until he was 16, and, disliking the school system here, moved back to the US to live with his uncle in Los Angeles. He joined the US Navy and became an information systems technologist.

After some time, Vince left the Navy and went to college. Upon his graduation in 2008, he traveled the world, going to Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and other places. His last stop: the Philippines, where he was supposed to have stayed for only three months.

“Something happened. I was blogging at wheninmanila.com, and my site statistics started doing well. One thing led to another, and I found myself on radio, then on TV, and I met so many people. I always tell myself that I'm on an extended vacation and I'll stay for another six months. But every time I say that, something comes up again, and I stay,” Vince said.

Coming back to Manila, Vince confessed he’s still not used to the traffic and the heat. “When I see the poverty here, I feel bad. But some things are better here. I get invited to exclusive events, and rub elbows with famous people. Everywhere you go, there are pros and cons,” he said.

Financially, of course, one may earn more abroad. “It’s hard to compare pesos to dollars. I’ll never make as much as I would if I worked in the US, but I’m having fun here. In the end, you have to define your own happiness,” Vince added.

Asked if he’s a Filipino or Fil-Am, Vince, now a dual citizen (Filipino/ American), said: “I don’t care. Why label yourself a certain thing? The world is getting flatter every day. We’re all citizens of the world, and I’m human, just like everybody else.”

Roxanne Sarthou 44, businesswoman

Born and bred in Cavite, Roxanne studied Mass Communications at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. In 1996, she and her husband and their two sons migrated to Melbourne, Australia, named that year as “the most livable city in the world” by Conde Naste.

“We simply decided it was time to try something new – to look for new experiences and to explore new possibilities. It occurred to us that the world was much bigger than where we were, and what we were accustomed to,” Roxanne said.

It took some adjustment to get used to their new environment, but Roxanne said their family enjoyed it. “We all became much, much

closer as a family,” she said.

In Melbourne, Roxanne studied to become a banker and Certified Financial Planner. Eight years after they migrated, though, she and her husband started coming back to the Philippines to visit their parents, who were getting old.

Since then, Roxanne has noticed a change in the country where she was born. “Filipinos appear to have become more affluent, they seem to have a lot more disposable income now. The influx of foreign capital has helped a lot, and the development of BPO (business process outsourcing) industries is actually creating shortages of skilled manpower,” she said. “If we can generate enough investments and create enough local jobs to prevent our best talent from leaving the country, then we might just have a shot at achieving First-World status.”

Roxanne then decided to set up a company in Manila with a Canadian and a Filipino investor, to create local jobs. “This was our way of making a difference. Today we provide employment for over 100 people. We wanted to give deserving Filipinos the chance to enrich their lives — to work for a company they would be happy to spend the next 40 years. We brought in a world-class product/service combination, Australian business processes and ethical standards, and First-World compensation packages,” she said.

Since Roxanne’s two children are still based in Australia, she and her husband shuttle back and forth between Manila and Melbourne.

“We have property in both countries, so settling in Manila is not entirely out of the question,” she said.

50 ILLUSTRADO SCRAPBOOK A platform for budding Filipino creative talent

Jay Morales For hobbyist photographer Jay Morales, capturing memorable moments was the passion which led him to photography.

Jay started self study in 2007 in the Philippines. In Dubai, he enrolled and graduated from the Basic Photography class offered by community organization OPPPS and attended relevant workshops. While learning, Jay says, he didn’t only gain practical knowledge in the art, but also a lot of friends who have also become his mentors and inspiration.

Illustrado Magazine

Currently, Jay has a “365 Days of my life in Photography” project – wherein he takes one significant picture a day. His goal is to try out different techniques in lighting, discover new tricks, and to learn more, as well as share his hobby which is his outlet to relieve stress and homesickness.

Jay likes doing portraits, beauty, portfolio and fashion photographs, as well as shooting events and products. He says his style is “lifestyle with a twist or funny take” combined with off-camera lighting.

A platform for budding Filipino creative talent

ILLUSTRADO SCRAPBOOK 51

Rafael Dela Cruz Rafael Dela Cruz, also known as Bodz to his family and friends, has been doing photography for the last three years now. He was initially engrossed in architectural photography and used to practice nightly using automatic settings on his camera until a friend taught him the joy of going manual.

Rafael joined a Filipino Photography Weekend School and continued his learning through books and magazines on the internet. To further gain experience and motivate himself, he

volunteered to take photos of finished interior design projects for is company until he got so good at it that his images were used for the official company portfolio.

Three years down the road since he started, Rafael professes that he has realized that photography is a continuous learning journey. Always an eager learner, he says that he always studies and observes other photographers in action and tries to learning something new from them every opportunity he gets.

GIORDANO

54 FASHION

PHOTOGRAPHY: ENZO MONDEJAR PHOTOGRAPHER ASSISTANT: MAC EUGENIO STYLING: JEAR DE MC CUTTAC GROOMING: KRISTIN CORNEJO MODEL:DON MENDOZA

SHED THE BORING BASICS AND THE STAID SARTORIAL CHOICES. IT’S TIME TO DON THE NEW MASCULINE STYLE STATEMENT THAT’S SPOT ON FOR TODAY’S CONFIDENT UPDATED MALE – A MAN WHO’S NOT AFRAID OF COLOR, ATTITUDE AND TRENDY DETAIL.

THE NEW MALE AGENDA Illustrado Magazine

FASHION 55

56 FASHION

Illustrado Magazine

FASHION 57

Two-toned black shirt with brown sleeves by Noel Crisostomo of Myth; moss green linen pants and green snake skin belt by Randy Ortiz of Myth

Illustrado Magazine

58 FASHION Two-toned black shirt with brown sleeves by Noel Crisostomo of Myth; moss green linen pants and green snake skin belt by Randy Ortiz of Myth

Illustrado Magazine

FASHION 59 Charcoal shine suit, gray slim tie and black leather belt with silver buckle, all from Merger; white long sleeved shirt by Anthony Nocom

60 FASHION

Charcoal shine suit, gray slim tie and black leather belt with silver buckle, all from Merger; white long sleeved shirt

by Anthony Nocom; black leather shoes from Hush Puppies

Illustrado Magazine

FASHION 61 Beige linen vest and linen pants

by Vin Orias; gray long sleeved turtle neck by Anthony Nocom; overnight man bag in camel with brown trim by Bulgaro of Myth; brown shoes by Sebago

62 FASHION

Charcoal shine suit, gray slim tie and black leather belt with silver buckle, all from Merger; white long sleeved shirt by Anthony Nocom

Illustrado Magazine

FASHION 63

Illustrado Magazine

64 FASHION Black t-shirt by Francis Libiran of Myth; red python belt by Randy Ortiz of Myth; gray cotton shorts by Vin Orias; jeweled seahorse brooch from Myth; gray fedora with paisley detail from Merger

Illustrado Magazine

FASHION 65

Black pullover with neck detail and black shorts by Anthony Nocom; white long sleeved polo and silver-detailed blue bowtie from Merger; navy blue suede shoes by Ulysses King

Illustrado Magazine

66 FASHION Long sleeved denim shirt with floral details by Chris Diaz of Myth; brown suspenders and newsboy hat - stylist’s own

FASHION 67 Black t-shirt by Francis Libiran of Myth; red python belt by Randy Ortiz of Myth; gray cotton shorts by Vin Orias; jeweled seahorse brooch from Myth; gray fedora with paisley detail from Merger

68 FASHION Green and blue stripes long sleeved shirt by Randy Ortiz of Myth; black coat with zipper detail by Ulysses King

SHOPPING GUIDE: ANTHONY NOCOM - 15 ABELARDO ST., SAN LORENZO VILLAGE 1223, MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA TEL: +632 817-4753 BOBON & ULYSSES KING - 4TH LEVEL, THE PODIUM 18 ADB AVENUE, ORTIGAS CENTER MANDALUYONG CITY, TEL: +632 637 3321 E-MAIL: BOBONSTORE@YAHOO.COM HUSH PUPPIES - UNIT 254, LEVEL 2 SHANGRI-LA PLAZA MALL, EDSA COR. SHAW BLVD., MANDALUYONG CITY TEL : +632 570 6946 MYTH - 2ND LEVEL GREENBELT 5, AYALA CENTER MAKATI CITY, TEL:+632 757 0162 MERGER - GROUND FLOOR, GLORIETTA 3, AYALA CENTER, TEL: +632 894 5342, HTTP:// WWW.E-TIELINE.COM SEBAGO - 2F FESTIVAL MALL, CORPORATE AVE CORNER CIVIC DRIVE, MUNTINLUPA, TEL: +632 842 6595 VIN ORIAS - 977 MA. CRISTINA ST. SAMPALOC, MANILA, PHILIPPINES, E-MAIL: VIN.ORIAS@GMAIL.COM

Illustrado Magazine

FASHION 69

Maroon cotton long sleeved shirt

by Francis Libiran of Myth; silk red stripes slim tie by Randy Ortiz of Myth; pinstriped charcoal trousers from Merger

Illustrado Magazine

70 FASHION

ROBIN TOMAS

Launches Fall Collection at New York Madison Avenue Robin Tomas, a Filipino designer making waves in New York, launched his women’s fall collection during ‘Fashion’s Night Out’ in September at Anik Boutique, along Manhattan’s swanky shopping strip, Madison Avenue. Dubbed “Amish Chic Futura” Tomas’ latest collection features Capes and Shrugs in wools, and silky dresses and blouses in black and white prints, inspired by the Amish community, juxtaposed with modern cuts, pleating details and sophisticated silhouettes.

Tomas’ launch was held simultaneous to New York City’s 3rd annual ‘Fashion’s Night Out’ wherein designer’s and celebrities mingle with shoppers in various shops around Manhattan with their doors open until late in the night.

Tomas’ recently launched his winning t-shirt design for Supima (Superior Pima Cotton) at New York’s Bloomingdale’s Department Store last March. He is a graduate of Parsons School of Design in New York, and has interned for designers Valentino and Anna Sui.

Illustrado Magazine

The Tomas Fall Collection is now available at Anik Boutique on Madison Avenue and 83rd street in Manhattan, New York.

For more information: www.robintomas.com info@robintomas.com www.anikny.com

FASHION 71

72 FEATURE

LUXURY

ON WHEELS In the daily grind that is marked by gridlock traffic and planned obsolescence, speed is a luxury. And so is vintage. Rome Jorge examines two radically different kinds of automotive royalty.

DRIFT KING So fast, so furious.

This must be what a cinematic car chase scene feels like for real. But movies don’t hurl you to one side with lateral G-forces that would have your cheek splattered on the inside of the door window if it weren’t for the four-point harness of your bucket seat. Popcorn flicks don’t make you smell the acrid stench of burning brake fluid, deafen your ears with the screams of burning rubber, or feel the quacking of the howling engine and the feral bucking of the untamed car.

Strapped to three tons of metal filled with several gallons of flammable gasoline and propelled by continuous explosions, you quickly realize that the only thing preventing the car from slamming into parked trucks or tumbling into the air is the well-honed reflexes of its driver and owner, drifting sensei Ian King. The man specializes in verging on accidents with absolute precision.

King’s dojo is a desolate concrete wasteland tucked away in a forlorn industrial estate scared by skid marks. His students are motor heads, car geeks and speed freaks. His fuel of choice is 95-octane gasoline, beer and barbeque. Welcome to Drifting Class 101, officially known as the Car Control Clinic.

Illustrado Magazine

Strangely familiar

You may think you don’t know what drifting is, but chances are you’ve seen it in such Hollywood blockbusters as “The Fast and The Furious III: Tokyo Drift.” Even kids know what it is; on television is the drift racing themed anime series “Initial D.” When the speeding vehicle enters a curve in the road without slowing down, seemingly losing control as the rear wheels spin wildly, slide and drift out the bend, only to point the car precisely towards the fastest way out of the turn—that’s drifting. In movies, it wins audiences over. On the track, it wins races.

“Drifting is driving your car to the point of being out of control.

Drifting is the art of controlling your car using the rear wheels to guide the nose to wherever you want to go. We purposely lose traction on the rear tires so that the tail can swing out the opposite way of where you’re going so that you come around the bend in a smooth fashion,” King explains.

In conventional circuit motorsports, drivers will slow down a bit before a turn to maintain the wheels’ traction on the road, avoid losing control and prevent the car from shooting off course. But with

FEATURE 73 drift racing techniques pioneered in the 1970s by Japanese touring legend Kunimitsu Takahashi, drivers execute turns with full power, exploiting the loss of traction to make sharper turns. “That’s what drifting is all about — being on the gas all the time and hardly using the brakes,” says King.

Man with a mission

If drifting seems awfully familiar, so too is Ian King. “I work for the family business, managing Victoria Court, motel chain in the Philippines, famous for our theme rooms and Crispy Pata.”

King is also known for his better half — international model and television personality Joey Mead. He confesses, “I am turning 32 this year. I recently married two months ago. I have one kid.”

Among VIPs, King is also well known for owning one of the few auto shops that specializes in fabricating stretch limousines and bulletproof cars. Whether for work or for play, King is all about cars.

Gasoline is in his blood. His heart is fuel injected.

“We started drifting in the Philippines with David Feliciano and Paolo Arespacochaga back in the day, in 2005.Back then we didn’t know what to do. We were just experimenting,” he recalls.

“Six years forward, we’ve grown fairly quickly but not enough compared to our Asian neighbors. The Japanese who started drifting are really good at it. The Malaysian and the Thais who recently got into drifting as well are really good at it, too. The Philippine is still just a little behind,” he notes, hence the Car Control Clinic.

“Paolo (Arespacochaga) and I have been teaching since November last year. We’ve managed to graduate a hundred plus students already.

Our clinic is the cheapest you can find anywhere in the world. We actually don’t make money with the clinic per se. What we’re trying to do is grow the sport,” he reveals.

Reality versus fantasy

The “Too Fast Too Furious” automotive action movie franchise did much to bring the public up to speed regarding the new motor sport, glamorizing it with scenes of hot babes fawning over illegal street racers on cars blinged out to the max.

According to King, the ‘bling’ is real. “Drifting is the only motor sport where people care about looks as much as they do about performance. In other industries they have what they call sleeper cars — they look stocky on the outside but in reality they have about 400 horsepower. In drifting it’s the opposite. People want their cars to look as fast they really are. It’s very much a style sport. We’re not just about speed.”

Drifting isn’t just for devil-may-care types. King explains, “When I sell the program to circuit people, I call it a car control clinic. I don’t call it a drift clinic. We teach people how to control their car when it’s out of control. If you’re a circuit driver, you may think this isn’t for you. But in reality, it is. You react to the car. So if someone T-bones me and I have drift skills, I actually have a chance of recovering from the accident rather than just going into the crash barriers or the sand box. You don’t have to be a drifter to appreciate the theory and skills you learn here. You can apply it to your road driving and you can apply it to race driving. It doesn’t have to be drifting all the time. But as for us, it is all about drifting - all the time.”

THE KINGS OF OLD

Automobiles are like drinks. Some chug high-octane alcohol straight up, no chaser, for the heady rush it provides. And then there are those who savor a fine vintage. Alfred Nobel Perez Reyes, 39, vice president of the Vintage Car Club of the Philippines and proprietor of Alfred Motor Works, is of the latter persuasion.

Cars are his heritage. “At an early age, my father’s auto shop was my playground. I was his sidekick at seven years old. I was always beside him while he was working. Today he’s 75. During his heyday, it was these cars that he was working on,” he reveals, adding, “My passion for old cars came with the business. I have no other craft but this. It is just cars.”

“I own 25 cars, half of them American vintage cars. My favorite car is my Chevrolet 1918 pickup truck. It’s the oldest.” He also collects toy pedal powered cars, hubcaps, insignias, hood ornaments and other memorabilia. More than museum pieces, his works are functioning vehicles that evoke nostalgia and transport one to a bygone era.

Reyes is not just any collector. He is one of the few entrusted with the nation’s history. “I am the one who restores the historical cars of the Philippines. Usually, our presidential cars are one of a kind, specially made,” he confides. Currently, he is restoring a 1941 Packard used by President Jose P. Laurel.

Like brand new According to Reyes: “A car is vintage if it is older than 30 years.”

Like any businessman, he is all about pleasing clients, who fall basically into two categories: “There are restoration jobs where they want to make it as authentic as possible, how it rolled out of the factory during its time, which makes it more valuable. Then there are clients who want to put on modern parts but want the old style retained.”

74 FEATURE

He explains the seduction of curved steel and chrome, stitched leather and Bakelite: “These cars are their pride and glory. They collect them because these were the cars of their youth or of their parents. Once restored, they often drive it just once a week. More often, these cars are garage queens.”

But though most use their cherished chariots for the occasional Sunday drive, there are some lions in winter who still roar. “There are vintage sports cars meant for racing. They have their club. They race them in Clark at times just to ‘exercise’ the car,” he reveals.

Ownership of such fine steeds brings with it is a sense of community with fellow aficionados. The Vintage Car Club of the Philippines currently has some 40 active members. “Of course, members must own a vintage car. We meet once a month and do fun runs,” he says.

Investment manager

Vintage cars have a value beyond aesthetics, history and community.

They are worth a lot of money. “Even young vintage car collectors know that owning a vintage car is like a time deposit. If you know your way around and try to learn what the rare cars are, acquire them and restore them in good condition, you’ll get a good a return on your investment plus profit — once you sell them. The more time passes, the more valuable vintage cars become,” Reyes explains.

As with stocks and bonds, not all investments are created equal.

“It all depends on desirability. An undesirable car can be bought cheaply but to restore an undesirable car is still just as expensive. The restoration involved — mechanicals, upholstery, paint job—can be very expensive.”

The trick is to find a diamond in the rough. “Vintage car collectors source cars from junk shops, buy and sell ads and co-collectors. These can cost you PHP500,000 upwards just for a non-running car. We call that ‘enrollment.’ To get it to ‘turn-key’ — restored fully and running reliably so all you have to do is turn the key — costs about a million.”

Such costs reflect the difficulty in resurrecting vintage automobiles.

“There are cars with readily available reproduction parts. When there aren’t any, we fabricate, we manufacture, we cast. That can be quite expensive.”

“About 70 percent of clients are more inclined to have everything original. About 30 percent are into putting modern parts into vintage bodies,” notes Reyes.

The older the car, the more expensive to restore. This is especially true for those manufactured before the 1950s. “You really need to fabricate. Even if you have the money to buy parts, there are none.”

He explains, “For us collectors, a car is more valuable when everything is original, when you restore it to its original, exact to the factory specs. It has more value when you sell it.” But he adds, “You’re not a vintage car owner till you’ve experienced a car breakdown.”

Vintage car restoration involves thorough research to get the exact paint scheme and specifications for fabricating parts. “We’re lucky we have the Internet, unlike before during my father’s time. Just to restore a car, he had to write to enthusiasts from other countries, look at the details on car magazines,” he recalls.

Young drivers, old cars ‘Today, a vintage car owner can be anybody. It used to be that vintage car collectors were 40 and above, but now there are 20-year-olds. The young generation likes old cars as well.”

To those interested in owning a piece of classic automotive beauty, he advises, “Have a lot of patience. It is not considered a vintage car if it doesn’t breakdown at least once.”

Illustrado Magazine

76 BAYANIHAN CORNER

THE NEXUS OF MIGRATION AND DEVELOPMENT

By Ambassador Grace Relucio-Princesa

Migration is a complex issue. According to studies, it has both pains and gains for the migrants and the families left behind. Likewise, it has costs and benefits for the origin, transit and destination countries.

In 2006, the United Nations in New York hosted the 1st high level dialogue on international migration and development. It was meant to focus on the connection or the nexus of migration and development. One of the concrete results of that meeting was the pioneering 2007 1st Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) held in Brussels, Belgium – a migration destination country. The 2nd GFMD was hosted by the Philippines, a migration origin country, in 2008. It has since been held in Greece in 2009, Mexico in 2010 and this year the host is Switzerland.

The forum is an informal voluntary group of states that discuss how to maximize the developmental aspects of migration. One of the important issues that confront migrants is how to maximize remittances and brain gain in order to facilitate the reintegration or the temporary/permanent return of the migrants, the third stage of the migration cycle. The first two stages are pre-employment or predeparture and on-site migration.

The Philippines is considered a model when it comes to the two initial stages of migration. It is also one of a few countries with a government-led re-integration program which started in 1981.

President Aquino supported this by allocating PHP1 billion through OWWA, to help initiate projects on that front. Government banks Land Bank and the Development Bank of the Philippines also joined this presidential initiative by pledging PHP2 billion as loan funds for OFs and their families.

Atikha, a Filipino non-governmental organization (NGO) that is a participant in the civil society portion of the GFMD, studies the full cycle of migration and has focused its efforts on the third stage - the reintegration phase, and the barriers that prevent OFs from reintegration.

One of the factors Atikha discovered to be hindering OFs from fully and successfully adjusting back into the country is the lack of the financial and entrepreneurial literacy. In order to address this weakness, the NGO launched the initiative Pinoy WISE (Worldwide Initiative for Savings, Investment and Entrepreneurship) in 2008 in Italy, with the support of a UN entity, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The project is a financial literacy campaign which links

Illustrado Magazine

migrant savings and investment with agri-based cooperatives to ensure that remittances are able to contribute to the rural development of migrant source communities. It is implemented through the Financial Literacy Training of Trainers (FL-TOT) and the Financial Literacy Re-Echo. Last 28th to the 31st of January 2011 in Dubai, the UAE Ministry of Labor supported Atikha’s FL-TOT not only for Filipinos but also for the five top Asian labor origin countries, namely - India, Pakistan , Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Right after this training, Atikha, the Philippine Embassy and the Bayanihan - a network of Filipino migrant and hometown associations, conducted the first free FL-TOT for OFs on the 4th to the 5th February 2011 at the Philippine Embassy Bayanihan Hall with 45 participants. It has since re-echoed financial literacy in April 2011, both for Abu Dhabi and Fujairah. During the 2011 independence month celebrations, another FL-TOT was held in June and July at the embassy.

FL-TOT provides trainees hands-on experience in budgeting, goal setting and financial planning. The training provides the opportunity for OFs to map their dreams and reflect on what they have achieved so far.

Ideally, the seminar should be attended by both the migrant and the key family member as it provides a venue for dialogue to address financial and related family issues, one if which is strategies on how the family can adjust their lifestyle and share the burden to enable them to achieve their financial goals. Another important point of discussion is on the mismanagement of the hard earned money of the migrants by family members, as well as the root causes of lack of savings due to family issues such as dependency, which drain resources.

Apart from the rudiments of finance, the FL-TOT teaches attendees strategies on how to say “no,” when to say “no,” and why the need to say “no,” to prevent the financial problems often experienced by Asian migrants with their families. The latter usually have difficulties on refusing the financial demands of the family since culture dictates that one has to take care of the family.

OF organizations who wish to avail of the FL-TOT and Financial Re-Echo training may write the Philippine Embassy at auhpe@ philembassy.ae for referrals and scheduling.

ADVERTORIAL 77

New from Nikon and Fujifilm Nikon and Fujifilm, the top two photography brands in the world, unleashed some of the most innovative imaging products at unbelievable price tags during GITEX. Here are the brand new flagship product offerings from Grand Stores, exclusive distributors of Nikon and Fujifilm, released at the event which got photography enthusiasts excited Nikon D7000 DSLR - The Nikon D7000 is a new DSLR camera with a 16.2 Mega-pixel image sensor. It features the new Expeed-2 image processing engine. It also boasts a 100-25,600 ISO range, continuous shooting of 6 frames per second, a dust and moisture-sealed magnesium alloy body, 3-inch LCD screen and dual memory card slots. The camera is capable of full HD recording with full-time auto-focus and manual exposure control.

Fujifilm Finepix HS20EXR - The new Fujifilm Finepix HS20EXR is an advanced SLR-styled zoom camera with a 16 mega-pixel EXR-CMOS sensor. Apart from delivering high speed continuous shooting at 8fps at full resolution, the HS20 EXR can also capture full panoramic photos with Motion Panorama 360 degrees and record full HD movies at 1080p resolution. Other features of the Finepix HS20EXR include a powerful 30x optical zoom [24mm – 720mm equivalent] lens with advanced anti-blur technology, a tilting 3.0 inch high contract LCD and an electronic viewfinder featuring a ‘heads-up’ sensor that automatically changes from LCD to viewfinder. The camera can shoot in RAW, JPEG or RAW & JPEG modes.

THE One’s Autumn 2011 Collection The One unveiled its exciting new seasonal styles at an Orient Express-themed event held in its Jumeirah Theatre, Dubai.

Invited ‘passengers’ each received a passport to ‘travel aboard ‘The Oneder Express,’ which called at Autumn 2011 Style Stops such as Shanghai Sublime, SophisticAsian, East End Edge and Ranch Living. Besides The One’s signature canapés and style-related mocktails prepared with flair by a master Mixologist, the ‘on-board’ entertainment included a cool cover shot corner and wandering illusionist. As this event coincided with The One’s 15th anniversary, guests were also treated to Birthday Bargains of 15% off on a variety of products and a Gift Card Bonanza totalling Dhs25,000. However, it was The One’s inspiring Autumn 2011 Collection that stole the show!

From fabulously feminine neutrals, fun florals and delicate pastels to maturely masculine monochromes and edgy accent colors, it will be hard not to ‘fall’ for at least one of their styles this season!

Illustrado Magazine

JVC’s UX-VJ5 While you are at your desk at the office or even laidback in your bedroom, convenience of maneuverability is a much needed option to perform or de-stress. Convenience is the overbearing note in the UX-VJ5 which docks your iPad/iPhone/iPod and allows playback or recharge of the units. It even connects them to a TV set for ease of viewing or simply lay back to listen to music on your CD or USB device.

It’s an exotic blend of style and substance, just the perfect experience, that’s JVC. The UX-VJ5 is available in three colors – White, Green & Pink (price AED899)

78 SUCCESSFUL PINOY SPIRITUALITY

Changing

our mindset about

wealth

By Bo Sanchez

Money is not my definition of wealth, but it sure comes in handy. For example, every weekly romantic date I have with my wife requires money. And so are my dates with my kids. And my dates with my 83-year old Mom. My wealth is my relationships.

Not money. But I can’t deny that money helps me in my relationships.

Once upon a time, I was poor. But in the past 10 years, I’ve grown my financial wealth including a small business, real estate, and learned to work the stock market and other paper assets. From being a poor missionary, I now enjoy 16 streams of income flowing into my life.

Because of this, I now send a growing number of poor kids to school, support more missionaries, and give more livelihood to poor families.

Yes, I used to be one Pinoy who hardly had money, because I thought being wealthy is not the way to live a wholesome life. But I have changed my mindset about being wealthy. I realized I cannot help the poor if I myself am poor. Now I am the new Pinoy who isn’t afraid to be rich and who is brave enough to use that wealth to uplift my fellow Pinoys.

“That is true,” the Wind thought deeply.

Yes, the Pinoy can change. We must not be afraid to innovate, to embrace change.

“That means that you’ll become a cloud and I’ll carry you to the other side of the desert. Once there, you’ll become rain and you can become a stream again.”

Do you embrace change?

Many people are stuck but they wait for things to change on their own.

Today, I want to share a fascinating story with you emailed to me by friends about 273+ times already. I’m sure you have heard of this charming parable. If you know this tale, skip it, and read my luminous analysis after the story. If you haven’t read it yet, then enjoy.

“So what should I do? You see, I have a dream. I want to grow. I want more fish to make their home in me. I want more trees to plant their roots on my shoulders. I want happy families to have picnics on my banks. I want to bless the world with great love.”

The Wind smiled, “I can help you. I can absorb you and carry you through this desert.”

The Stream was stunned. He said, “Isn’t that terrifying? What does that mean that you will absorb me?”

“I’ll change my form? I’ll no longer be me?”

“Mr. Stream, you have three choices. Your first choice is to give up your dream and stay where you are. The Stream said, “Out of the question. My dream of love pushes me to grow.”

“Your second choice,” said the Wind, “is to cross the desert without changing anything. To dream and yet to prevent the dream from changing you.”

The Stream and The Wind One day, the Stream stared at the desert — and sighed a deep sigh.

He knew he was stuck. How could he cross this giant desert? So the Stream talked to the Wind.

“Mr. Wind, I need your advice. I want to cross this gigantic desert.

But if I throw myself to it, the sand will absorb me and I will be no more…”

Illustrado Magazine

“And what is my third choice?” “To dream and embrace change,” the Wind smiled.

“Carry me, Mr. Wind. I’m ready!” the Stream laughed.

Immediately, the Wind rushed down and blew hard on the Stream.

Bits and pieces of the Stream began to swirl upwards. It was terrifying.

Chaos ruled!

SPIRITUALITY SUCCESSFUL PINOY

79

For a moment, the Stream was gripped by the clutches of fear again.

So the Wind shouted through the chaos, “Who are you? You’re not a Stream. You’re Water! Your essence is not your form. When you know who you really are, you can be comfortable amidst the chaos. Because deep within you, you know that nothing will ever change.”

Water said, “But I am still afraid!”

“Love who you are and love your dream. Love the fish who will live in you, the trees which will be planted on your shoulders, and the families who will have picnics on your banks. And love will push all your fear away.”

Finally, at the other side of the desert, the falling rain collected itself into a Stream again. When he was complete, he said, “Mr. Wind, I don’t know how to thank you. You changed me.”

The Wind smiled, “No, my friend. Only love can change you.”

The Greatest Joy of Life Lovely story, right? I believe the biggest question of life isn’t “Who had the most fun?” The biggest question of life is “Who loved the most?” Being content with where you are is fantastic. But growth, if required by love, is fantastic too. At the end of the day, contentment and growth are important, but not the most important values. Love is!

Be content and desire growth, at the same time?

This is absurd. But this tension in fact is one of the secrets to extreme happiness. You must learn to be content with what you have, and say “Thank You” often, and take time to celebrate. Yet at the next breath, desire for better things, strive for higher summits, and embrace change. How is that possible? Love is the answer. What Is Your Path?

So what is your dream of love? Like the Stream, you too have three choices.

Disrupting Innovations. Let’s say you own a skateboard. Perhaps you transform the material to high-grade flexible plastic or change the wheels to titanium alloy. Perhaps you take skateboarding lessons from the masters of skateboarding. Disrupting Innovations are totally different.

Choice #1: Play small.

Choice #3: Dream big and embrace big changes I’ve noticed that people who can embrace big changes are those who know who they are apart from their job titles, positions, reputations, and labels. They know the difference between essence and form.

One day, a woman came up to me complaining about her husband.

“He’s not had a job for the past six years. I’m earning for the family,” she said. “What is he doing at home?” I asked. “Praying and reading the Bible and reading your books! He says he’s at a stage in his life where he’d rather be poor and close to God than be rich and far from God.” For him, life was black and white. If you’re poor, you’re close to God. If you’re rich, you’re far from God. It never occurred to him that it’s possible to be rich and close to God. Choice #2: Dream big but remain unchanged There are two types of innovations - Sustaining Innovations and

Disrupting Innovations means throwing away the skateboard and getting a 3000 cc Harley Davidson motorcycle! That’s difficult.

Disrupting Innovating believes that what took you to where you are now may not take you to where you want to go. Because Big Dreams require that you embrace Big Changes —another word for Disrupting Innovations. That leads us to the third choice…

Look at your life now. Out of these three choices, what choice have you taken? If you can change anything in your life to reach your dream, what will it be? Are there Disrupting Innovations you’ve been putting aside? Believe me. Your answers to these questions will determine your destiny.

80 SUCCESSFUL PINOY RELATIONSHIPS

TILL DEATH US DO PART? Dear Barbara, Yours is a problem that unfortunately arises all too frequently and you now find yourself face to face with the combined forces of society, the law and religion.

Starting with society, and as you would expect in a predominantly Catholic country that does not allow divorce, the traditional view has always been that a woman should stick to her marriage whatever the problems may be. If there are children, as in your case, this view is even more strictly held. Of course, there are pockets of society where more liberal views are held. Regrettably, these ‘liberals’ are still far outnumbered by the traditionalists, both in absolute numerical terms and in terms of influence.

Dear Dr. Holmes and Mr. Baer, I’d like to ask you about my husband. I recently found out that he has been having an affair with another woman and she just gave birth just last month. We have a two year old daughter. I don’t know what to do; should I confront the girl or not? I confronted my husband about it; he told me everything and said he was sorry, but when I asked him to leave the woman, he told me that he can’t because he has learned to love her.

I asked him for the name of the woman or any information about her, but he doesn’t want to tell me anything concerning her. I don’t want to lose my husband. I have always believed in the sacrament of marriage and I want to get him back. I don’t know what to do anymore. I asked him what was wrong with me and what I did to him to look for another woman. He told me nothing was wrong with me, though he mentioned that I have become too busy with our daughter and during our intimate moments he felt that I was just forced to do it.

Sometimes it’s true, but not all the time.

Thank you, Barbara

Illustrado Magazine

As for the law, while the issues of legal separation, financial support, custody of the children, inheritance rights are addressed, these protections are tantamount to worthless for as long as recourse to the courts and the ability to enforce judgments remain available only to the wealthy.

The Catholic religion also supports the “till death us do part” approach, as you would expect from an organization which opposes divorce, although it does reluctantly countenance separations and annulments.

Notwithstanding all of the above, common sense surely dictates that there are other options available to you. Looking more specifically at your case, these are the main points: 1. You and your husband have a 2 year old child, but he now has another child by another woman; 2. He has learned to love this other woman and refuses to leave her; 3. You don’t want to lose your husband; in fact you want him back.

His position is clear. He wants to maintain his relationship with the other woman and their child.

Your position is equally clear. You want him back, you want him to leave the other woman. In other words, you want the status quo ante, that is, to turn the clock back to before he met her.

Now it is totally unrealistic to think that matters can ever be the way they were now that your husband has fathered a child (let’s

RELATIONSHIPS SUCCESSFUL PINOY 81 call him Ben) by another woman. Even if his relationship with that woman were to end (now or at some time in the future), and there is absolutely no likelihood of that happening at present, there would still be Ben to consider.

I presume that if you embrace the sanctity of marriage, you also embrace the virtue of charity and are willing to extend it to Ben. That means that you cannot be blind to the obvious: Ben has become part of your family. This is because your husband has responsibilities towards Ben - in terms of time, affection, money, among other things.

As a result, he will inevitably be in contact with Ben’s mother for the foreseeable future, whether he remains sexually involved with her or not. This will alter the dynamics of your family forever and you are accepting this fully if you stay with your husband.

Turning to your child, you may wish to consider the following: one of the responsibilities of parenthood is to set a good example for one’s children. Psychologists never tire of saying that emotions are caught, not taught, meaning that children learn not from what their parents tell them but from how their parents actually behave in real life.

It is not this column’s purpose to debate the niceties of theology but to discuss the psychological aspects of people’s predicaments and possible solutions. If your conscience leads you to the conclusion that your religious beliefs outweigh all other considerations, then I accept that.

However, what lessons will your daughter, and indeed Ben, learn if you stay with your husband? How will they interpret their father’s open flouting of the ‘sanctity of marriage’? How will they interpret your embrace of the ‘sanctity of marriage’ in the face of his rejection of it?

If you are very lucky, they will grow up accepting your interpretation of your faith. However, there must be a very good chance that the lessons they draw from your joint behavior will actually be: 1) infidelity on the part of husbands has to be tolerated by wives; 2) wives have to accept the mantle of martyrdom in the pursuit of an ideal (sanctity of marriage) neither universally accepted nor, obviously, shared by their husbands, notwithstanding their altar vows.

So, in the final analysis, you are faced with some difficult choices.

Please write again if there are any other aspects of your situation that you would like to discuss.

All the best, JAF Baer Dear Barbara:

Now that Mr. Baer has shared his analysis and perspective which, I agree with wholeheartedly, allow me to focus on two specific points from a clinical perspective.

What you seem to be asking us is advice on how to get your husband to leave this woman and I’m afraid we can’t do that. There are many reasons for this, but the most compelling is that you have no bargaining power. You have nothing with which to negotiate. He has the power to grant you what you want (a faithful marriage) whereas

he, alas, doesn’t seem to want anything more from you that you haven’t given him already: the status quo.

It is this status quo which allows him to have a wife and also a mistress. You may shriek and shout, cry copious tears and/or give him the silent treatment, but in the end, he still goes his merry way because he has no doubt in his mind that you will accept his behavior.

We cannot give you any effective advice on how to keep your husband, the most important reason being our uncertainty that this is what you should be focusing on at the moment.

Maybe your focus could also include your asking yourself if you want to continue with the marriage the way it is now. What are your options?

It would be a good idea to recognize that your attempts to change him are futile. Why should he do so when, by behaving the way he does, he has everything he wants?

Instead, focus on who you can change. The only person you can change is yourself, Barbara. Find out what is really important to you: to stay in this unhappy marriage which teaches your child that the best way to keep a marriage is to compromise your beliefs OR to say “Enough is enough and even if I love you (if you still do) and want to keep this marriage, maintaining my sanity and self respect is far more important to me.”

Second, when you asked your husband why he needed another woman, he suggested that you spent too much time with your daughter and was sometimes uninterested in bed. Heavens! If these were considered sufficient reasons by men to be unfaithful, many more marriages would be wracked with infidelity.

I would call this excuses, schmexcuses…

Most women who have children spend an inordinate amount of time with them. This is what both mother and child need. Some men become parents as doting as their wives are; but even among those who aren’t, most men view this as a temporary situation. They may not be ecstatic about their wives’ time and attention being diverted to a helpless infant that they helped create. They may even try and quicken the “returning to normality” by grumbling or even threatening, but the really mature ones don’t use attention diverted from him to their baby as an excuse to fool around, much less to father a child with another woman.

If he truly believes this is why he fooled around, he is a fool. If he is doesn’t believe and merely hopes that you do, then he must think you are the fool.

Isn’t it time to move out of a situation where the only tenable solution is that 50% of the population needs to be foolish to survive? Doing this won’t be easy so write to us again if there is any other way we can help.

All the best MG Holmes

Month 5 82 TRIPPIN’

things To Do This

1

Sadly so, humidity still fills Dubai but that should not encourage you to just laze around this month. From fashion to art, from walking to planning, we have a couple of ways for you to enjoy and maximize your October. With these in your calendar, you’re October is definitely going to be a busy time.

Now, better forget your idle moments, read our recommendations, and start making your month a totally memorable one.

Think Pink

Every October, the ubiquitous pink ribbon is displayed all around the city reminding us about one of the most important things women should be aware of – Breast Cancer. In conjunction with the global campaigns for breast cancer awareness, the emirates has its own share of educational and fund raising activities to promote the issue.

There is the Pink Survivor Fashion Show happening in Bur Juman shopping mall on October 21st at 7:30pm. It’s an annual event where breast cancer survivors walk the ramp to create awareness for a cause close to their hearts, and prove that life does go on as they are living proof. The event also encourages women to sign up for a mammogram check-up for which Welcare Hospital provides a 50 per cent discount in line with the occasion.

Jumeirah Group’s Talise Spa is hosting a Go! Pink event on October 25 at the Madinat Jumeirah to raise money towards promoting further awareness and supporting breast cancer patient care. This fund raising initiative is monitored by the Red Crescent.

Perhaps the biggest event of the month is The Pink Walkathon happening on October 28 where everyone is invited to join. The 3.6 km walkathon (starting and finishing at Bur Juman) also features a live jazz band, food stalls, free drumming by Dubai Drums, a Pink bazaar for some killer bargains, a kid’s corner and much more. Monitored by The Red Crescent, the events proceeds would go towards providing free mammograms, patient care and spreading breast cancer awareness. For more information, visit www.safeandsound.ae.

Take an arty walk

Totally different from the breast cancer awareness walkathon, yet this is still a worthwhile activity that you can engage in. This month, stay away from Dubai’s gigantic and crowded shopping malls, and try to get that artsy and cultural vibe instead from the city’s local galleries. If you’re in the mood to visit Old Dubai then head to the Bastakiya area, and check out the Majlis Gallery and its pleasant courtyard. You can also have a cup of the most authentic Arabic coffee from Basta Art Café, and enjoy the sight (and even buy) of unique art pieces and accessories in this al fresco outlet. Meanwhile, if posh and elegance are what you look for in an art gallery then Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is the haven for you. Aside from being the centre of finance, DIFC is also home to Gate Village where a number of art galleries, shops and open exhibitions are to be found. With XVA Gallery, The Empty Quarter and Art Space in your list, you are simply going to have the best selections of artworks in here. On the other hand, if original and burgeoning cultural and art scene plays up in your mind then we recommend that you come by Al Quoz. Amidst its industrial surroundings, you will find quaint galleries offering the dynamic art mix. When in this area, you should not miss The Courtyard, Total Arts and The Jam Jar among the roster of art boutiques and art exhibitions always almost open for free to the public.

Illustrado Magazine

2

3

TRIPPIN’ 83

Get the Halloween vibe

Yes, it is quite early to discuss Halloween but not with Pinoys in Dubai who are in eager anticipation for this occasion to dress up, play a role (or two), and simply enjoy the wonders of a fun night.

Better be early in prepping up your costume or be sorry to look awfully unprepared during judgment night. So, go and take your time scouring the stalls in Dragon Mart, Karama or Satwa, Naif even, for the fanciest accessories, never-been-seen textiles, and totally outrageous but creative wear that you can mix and match.

If you do not have the time to stitch your own costume, we suggest that you pay a visit to the costume shops in Jumeirah Beach Centre in Jumeirah Beach Road and Al Ghazal Mall in Al Diyafah for ready-to-wear wardrobe. Take note though, Halloween fun is not just about the party – it begins with your preparation, and so we hope that you’ll enjoy the journey to the craziest, most fabulous Halloween ever.

4 Plan your Eid getaway

Busy bees like the Pinoys in the emirates need an awful lot of time preparing for getaways. Great vacations are not planned overnight so we suggest that even at this early stage you should know how you want to spend the upcoming holidays.

Eid Al Adha might fall during the first half of November, so start looking for holiday deals and tour packages to suit your budget, idea of fun and schedule. You may opt to stay in Dubai, feel the sun, laze on the beach or simply have a house party. Or, you may choose to go for a roadtrip and take an overnighter in Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah or Al Ain. Otherwise, start preparing your visa applications as there are a number of good travel packages to India, Turkey, Egypt or Nepal. Check out your friendly travel agencies or tour operators. Holidays rarely come to us here in the emirates, that’s why you should really take advantage of this extra time to get off from work, and simply enjoy a fabulous and wellplanned break.

Be in the know on fashion

Here in the city, October means Dubai Fashion Week (DFW).

The glitzy metropolis turns fashionable during the month, paving the way for the best Pinoy designers to showcase their skills and talents on the runway. This year, the one and only Furne One is the talk of the town for his upcoming Amato Couture collection in this season of DFW. After dressing the likes of Katy Perry, Nicky Minaj and Heidi Klum’s Germany’s Next Top Model contestans, Furne is back to base camp, and will put his new collection for Dubai’s catwalk. If you’re in the invite-only list, better mark your calendar. The DFW is happening on October 20-24 at The Arena at the Dubai World Trade Centre. If you can’t grab invites, then we suggest you follow our coverage of the show as well as the online blogs of our fellow Pinoy fashion enthusiasts.

5

84 GLOBAL BARRIO

Downtown Vancouver

My Pinoy Life In...

VANCOUVER

British Columbia, Canada MARIE SARABIA

Since when have you been staying there? Can Tell us something about your host city/ you recount briefly why you moved there? country.

My family moved to Canada in 1996, just after my second year in university. In order to give their 6 children better opportunities in life, my parents decided to immigrate. We first arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick, where my uncle has stayed for almost four decades.

After a few months we moved to the West Coast, to Vancouver. It was definitely a coast-to-coast journey for us.

Illustrado Magazine

Vancouver is a beautiful metropolitan city located in the province of British Columbia. It has a population of over 2,000,000 people and has consistently been named among the world’s most livable cities.

The Mild West, as it is sometimes called, Vancouver has a moderate climate and is known for its natural beauty. Its green space, which includes a network of parks, is respite for the busy cosmopolitan soul.

Stanley Park, located just amid the bustling downtown core, is the most visited by locals and tourists alike. It has an urban forest of majestic evergreen trees and a seawall popular for walking, cycling and jogging.

GLOBAL BARRIO 85

Statue of Harry Winston Jerome, Athlete of the Century

people thought my siblings and I were born here.

I love the natural beauty of Vancouver and its mild climate. Snowcapped mountains serve as the city’s backdrop, with 3 ski mountains visible from the downtown area. I wish I could say that I go skiing and snowboarding, but I have yet to engage in some winter sport. I am more into nature walks and street photography.

I love the secondhand bookstores and curio shops that dot the city. I also love the multicultural landscape of Vancouver.

I enjoy the different cultural cuisines, festivals and perspectives in this city. It brings the rest of the world closer.

Is there a Filipino community there?

Vancouver has the largest and busiest port in Canada, making the city a vital gateway for tourism and trade. Gastown, a historic site and Vancouver’s first downtown core, is a popular destination for tourists. It is steps away from Canada Place, the main cruise ship terminal in the region and one of the most recognizable Vancouver landmarks.

Filipinos, who are known here as hardworking, fun-loving, gentle and generous people, make up 1.3% of the Canadian population.

In Vancouver there are 78,890 Filipinos (according to the 2006 Census), the second largest Filipino population in Canada after Toronto (171,000).

Tell us about your life there.

There are several Filipino groups here. There’s Kababayang Pilipino, a cultural performing arts group dedicated to the promoting Filipino folk heritage through dance, music, song and drama. The Multicultural Helping House Society was started by a group of Filipinos in 1996 after some Filipino caregivers took their own lives in response to abuse and isolation. The organization exists to help newcomers settle in Canada. Then there’s the Filipino-Canadian Christian Society in BC or more popularly known to Filipinos of Visayan heritage as GIMILAMI. The meaning of GIMILAMI sounds almost tongue-in-cheek - Gikan sa Misa, (lahos sa) La misa but it accurately describes the importance of the Mass in the lives of Filipino Catholics and of food and feasting afterwards.

I worked there while I completed my Biology degree. Co-workers and customers alike were impressed by the little hardworking Filipina.

They praised my English, my work ethic and my ability to quickly adapt to life in Canada. Already during our first day in Canada some

I do not belong to a particular group right now, but I’ve participated in several Filipino events through the years. I have gone to GIMILAMI Sinulog celebrations and have volunteered with Enspire Foundation in their Bulacan Library Project, promoting their fundraising concerts and collecting books. On a few occasions I’ve designed promotional materials for fundraising events hosted by Filipino parish volunteers, including a dinner dance called Celebrating the Harvest, showcasing well-loved Filipino folk dances. I’ve also attended a very enjoyable exhibition game between PBA legends and a game between Ateneo and Simon Fraser University. It was an exciting game, and though the Blue Eagles lost, it was great listening to a crowd of Atenistas singing their school hymn with so much pride in a foreign land.

What do you there do for a living?

I work as Production Coordinator for The B.C. Catholic, the weekly newspaper of the Archdiocese of Vancouver. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of British Columbia (UBC), worked in research for a few years then decided to go back to school to pursue my love for the creative arts. I earned a diploma in Publishing at Langara College, and now I’m in charge of graphic design and production.

Shortly after arriving in Vancouver, I found a job as a cashier at a thrift store. That thrift store was like a microcosm of Canadian society to me where I interacted with people from all walks of life.

There were fashionable mothers looking for a bargain, lonely senior citizens who just want someone to talk to, sex workers, people on welfare, new immigrants, Filipino seafarers, movie costume and set designers, antique collectors, well-known hockey players, Japanese ESL students, punks, hippies, preppies, etc.

86 GLOBAL BARRIO

The mayor of Vancouver, Gregor Robertson, declared August 14, 2010 as Filipino Fiesta Day. A day which featured the first Filipino street parade - a proud moment for Filipinos in Vancouver. This year the Filipino Fiesta was celebrated last August 6 at the Olympic Village, which was home to the athletes that participated in the 2010 Winter Olympics. Also in celebration of the 113th year of Philippine Independence, a historic Philippine flag raising ceremony was held at the Vancouver City Hall on June 10, 2011.

What cultural practices/ behaviors have you acquired from your host country? Do you still observe Filipino customs and traditions even if you live in another land?

I have been here for 15 years, but I haven’t lost touch with my Filipino heritage. I still love singing Filipino songs. I love karaoke. I’ve attended the Simbang Gabi Mass at my parish.

My idea of a “fruit salad” is still very Pinoy, and it continues to be a staple at our family gatherings. I love my danggit for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We display a capiz Christmas parol and a traditional papel de hapon one at Christmastime. We show respect to our elders by doing the mano. I continue to be aware of the social and political happenings in the Philippines, at times educating others about current events. Surprisingly enough, my palate Stanley Park has become more Filipino now that I am here.

Having made friends with Filipinos who come from different parts of the Philippines, I am able to try other dishes that would be quite new to my Cebuano taste buds. My willingness to support my family here, something I have done since I got my first job when I was 18, is a very Filipino trait, as non-Filipinos would say.

Though I consider myself still very Pinoy, there are certain Canadian practices and behaviors that I’ve acquired. The use of one’s first name is certainly the norm here in Canada. I also quickly adopted Canadian spelling conventions (for example “colour” versus “color”) even after being educated in American English in the Philippines for almost two decades. I root for our NHL home team, the Vancouver Canucks though I’m a rookie hockey fan. I’m also an admirer of aboriginal or First Nations art and love the French-Canadian dish called poutine, which consists of french fries, fresh cheese curds and gravy. Then, there is the stereotype of the overly polite Canadian who says “sorry” way too often. It’s funny but I find myself saying “sorry” quite a bit, even to the person who bumps into me or to inanimate objects I accidentally bump into.

Illustrado Magazine

My message to my fellow Filipinos across the globe Every time I think about our country’s poverty that has led to the mass exodus of its citizens to work in different parts of the world, I am convinced that God has always had a great plan for our people, not only in helping to serve the temporal needs of other nations, but their spiritual needs as well. In these great nations that we now call home, the main hunger isn’t for bread. There is a certain hunger in the soul, and many times the gentle touch of a Filipino caregiver, the heartfelt performance of a Pinoy entertainer, the hug of a Filipina nanny, the quiet sacrifice of that school teacher turned domestic helper and that Filipino smile of yours can do wonders for a hurting world.

So, Pinoy, do not lose heart, live with hope, smile! I pray that you will always be close to those you love.

88 PINOY PLANET

The Forbidden City

Awe-Inspiring

CHINA

Malaysia truly Asia. Amazing Thailand. Taiwan touches your heart. China? It’s a little bit of everything – amazing landscapes and a distinctive Asian culture that has its special place in the world.

Bernadette Reyes travelled around three cities on a 7-day tour in China and brought home images and memories that would last a lifetime.

The Great Wall

Beijing There’s nowhere better to start one’s sojourn in China than Beijing.

An ancient city rich in culture that gives you a birds-eye-view of what you are about to experience around the country.

During our first day, we went to the Forbidden City – home of the imperial palace from the Ming to the Qing Dynasty. The colossal wooden structures are very old but their style, detail and craftsmanship could match some of the world’s best modern architecture. Each building is just as amazing as the next. Some may look the same but each has its own story to tell.

At night we strolled along Wafungjing, one of the most popular shopping districts in Beijing. Here, you can fill shopping bags with loads of designer brands and bargains, but also find the

Illustrado Magazine

time to fill your stomach with unusual street foods such as fried worms, crickets and scorpions from hawkers then cap the night with a cup of nai cha or milk tea at a local beverage stand.

We headed to the Great Wall on Day 2. I’ve heard about the Wall since grade school and to finally see its enormity against a backdrop of verdant grazing land was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The mere sight of its vastness was jaw-dropping and to set foot on the wall itself was surreal. We took a walk along the cobbled paths and made frequent stops if only to take in the picturesque landscape time and time again. Visitors to the Great Wall are advised to wear sneakers, hiking or running shoes and avoid high-heeled footwear at all cost, as the some parts of the walls can be very steep.

While many would book a tour package to the Great Wall, we decided to ride a bus which allowed us to save US$150 each.

PINOY PLANET 89

Olympic Stadium also known as the Bird’s Nest

That night we went to the Olympic Green Park via subway. The bright lights emanating from the Bird’s Nest Stadium made it easy to find.

Designed for track and field events during the 2008 Olympics, the stadium continues to host sporting events such as football. Beaming blue was the nearby Water Cube utilized primarily for water sports during the competition but was renovated in part to house a water park. The facility is now home to water rides and slides, wave pools and spas.

A stark contrast from the ancient walls, these structures filled me with the same awe and amazement at the artistry of Chinese people. I couldn’t get enough of the sight that we went back the following day to witness its splendor on broad daylight.

On our third and last day in Beijing, we went to Tiananmen Square.

A city square bustling with life, it was almost inconceivable that hundreds if not thousands of protesters died on this site during the 1989 Tiananmen Square Revolution. We would have paid tribute to

Rainy Xian

Mao Zedong whose mausoleum stood at the square’s center but the queue was so long. The rest of the time we spent observing passersby do their activities from tai chi to cycling to just taking photos of the world’s largest city square. A side trip to the hutongs or old alleys within a neighborhood of traditional courtyard residences provided us a respite from the raucous city as we took in the life of locals.

We spent the afternoon waiting for our train to take us to Xian. The Beijing West Rail Station was rowdy but the chaos was short-lived as soon as we reached our berth. For the next 12 hours we stayed on the train that would bring us to Xian.

Xian As soon as we reached Xian, we went straight to the Terracotta Warriors Museum. Just like a lot of the sights we have seen in the country, the sight of the terracotta warriors was simply astonishing.

90 PINOY PLANET

A tea house in Yu Yuan Gardens

Discovered only in 1974 by peasants digging a well, the incredible army of 7,000 soldiers, archers and horses are believed to be more than 2,200 years old. Emperor Qin was said to have created the army to protect his tomb even in the afterlife.

The museum was the same spot where the terracotta warriors were excavated. It is believed that these warriors took 38 years to complete with some 720,000 men at work. The loyalty of the ancient Chinese to their emperor touched my heart so much that I brought home a set of the miniature replica to remind me of the site. Before nightfall, we were back at the train station to catch our trip to Shanghai.

Shanghai Fourteen hours via train to Shanghai can test your patience, but the long wait was well worth it. On Day 6 we were welcomed by the sight of the cityscape that speaks much of the city’s wealth. We stayed at the Blue Mountain Bund Hostel which was a stone’s throw away from Nanjing Road, Shanghai’s shopper’s paradise. The streets are lined with store after store of designer brands, specialty shops and restaurants. Reminiscent of Hong Kong, the street is lively even during late evening.

More than shopping, a stroll along the Bund was the best part of my visit in Shanghai. The Bund is long stretch of old buildings on one side and the river promenade on the other that offers a fantastic view of Pudong, China’s financial and commercial hub. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower along with adjacent buildings glistened at night – a veritable eye-candy for both the young and old.

On our seventh and final day in China, we went back to the Bund for an early morning walk and headed to Yu Shanghai’s Skycrapers

Illustrado Magazine

PINOY PLANET 91 Yuan Gardens and the bazaar. Established during the Ming Dynasty, this garden, while packed with people, still lent a feeling of peace and serenity. Perhaps it was the lush trees or the huge rock formations surrounding the garden which absorb much of the ambient noise. Just outside the gate is the quaint Huxingting Teahouse characterized by a zigzag bridge supposedly to confuse evil spirits. A few steps away are rows after rows of stores selling souvenirs from snuff bottles to Chinese delicacies. Wherever you set your eyes on, is a feast of orientalia that will keep you browsing with much enthusiasm for hours on end.

Lost in China It’s a challenge to go around China if you don’t speak the native language. Aside from “Ni hao!” (Hello!) do learn a few more Chinese phrases to get by. Remember to always have your destination written in Chinese characters.

Present it to the taxi driver and learn to say “Wu qu zhe li” (woo choo juh lee) meaning. “I want to go here.” Placing orders at restaurants is another challenge. Just remember the words “Wo xiang yao zhe ge/na ge” (I want this/that) and point at whatever it is on the menu that you would like to have. Still, the best way is to find someone who can speak English to help you. Just say, “Ni hui shou ying yu ma?” (nee huey show ying you ma) meaning “Do you speak English?”

After a weeklong stay in China, we may not have learned much new phrases, but we left with a greater understanding of what’s makes it an awe-inspiring destination – its culture, its people, its natural beauty and monuments of the relentless Chinese spirit and ambition. And believe me, that is enough reason why despite the long queue at the China Embassy for a single-entry visa, you would want to do it all over again.

The Bund, Shanghai

Travel Tips Filipinos may encounter difficulties in securing a visa to China. The list of requirements is long and the consular officer can be severe. If you don’t have time to spend a whole day queuing, hire an agent for a fee.

Pack clothes for all types of season as the weather in China can be unpredictable. During our tour in May while winter has passed weather conditions varied from sunny to rainy to humid.

92 ONLI IN DA PILIPINS

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

Funnylicious

By Aby Yap

While they say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach (no, ladies, let’s forget about sparkling knives and that dark fantasy of being a serial killer for a while), these same folks presumably also think that the way to a woman’s heart is through her funny bone.

Universe, is that unfair or what?

We browse through recipe books, go to market for kumpletos recados, sweat it out in the kitchen, and end up smelling like shawarma just to come up with a decent meal for the apple of our eye. And what do these guys do? Oh, they simply have to make pa-cute as they try to get us to laugh with the corniest jokes and the lamest antics. You can blame it all on the Pinay’s mababaw na kaligayahan, but the heartbreaking news is, once the unrelenting Pinoy discovers our kiliti, we’re doomed…forever.

Now you know how Bataan was conquered.

Papa F.

Not everyone can be Papa P. (what it stands for — Pogi or Piolo — is up to you). It takes very good genes and/or Belo to become one. But, you could actually aim to be Papa F., or Funnylicious, to win hearts of even the prettiest, pickiest girls in town.

Illustrado Magazine

And who can better prove that being funny can make you as delicioso as Papa P. than our “deadly” Filipino comedians?

On top of the list is the ultimate ladies’ man, Comedy King Dolphy.

Correction: change that into the Ultimate Leading Ladies’ Man for having been a Funny Valentino to some of the most gorgeous movie stars of their time: Engracia Dominguez, Gloria Smith, Pamela Ponti, Pilar Pilapil, Lotis Key, Alma Moreno, and Zsa Zsa Padilla. Zsa Zsa, of course, is still Dolphy’s leading lady in real life and hopefully his last. (He’s 80 already. We wouldn’t want to risk his health. Go, Team Zsa Zsa!) So, how could a once patpatin, Facifica Falayfay - playing Pidol have succeeded at courting the fairest of them and have 17 children, without having to marry any one of these beautiful women? If it wasn’t classic slapstick comedy, then it must be his puruntong.

ONLI IN DA PILIPINS 93

We go to co-host Killer Vic Sotto, second to Dolphy’s throne.

Christine Jacob, Kristine Florendo, Angela Luz, Coney Reyes, Pia Guanio, plus ex-wife Dina Bonnevie are among the popular names in Bossing’s book. (We don’t know who else, though we’re pretty sure that there are still many others out there who’d find it hard to resist him. We know we can’t.)

But why do stunning and smart women go for this gymchallenged guy, you machos might ask. Hah! Have you seen him berate Pipoy and Amy, woo Faye, or mimic Ina Magenta?

It’s amusing — in an old-school way. Have you heard his kulitan with Jose or hirits to the female contestants on Eat Bulaga? He’s such a riot that girls can’t help but get kilig to the bones. We’re telling you, there’s magic in Enteng Kabisote.

Eh di si Ma-teeth!

Eh sinong may mas marami pang ngipin?

Eh di si Edgar More-teeth!

Again, accentuate the “EH DI/EH.” And the more important thing is, make sure that she was born in the 90s at the very least so she’s still familiar with Matet. As for Edgar Mortiz, there’s Wikipedia.

Use <insert word here> in a Sentence Example: TENACIOUS I went to the shoe store yesterday to buy a pair of TENACIOUS.

Still not convinced? Let’s take a look at our other Papa F’s.

Dennis Padilla, who rose to fame following his sidekick stint to then Bad Boy Robin Padilla, won the hand of a Barreto — and the Barreto sisters are among the most beautiful in showbizlandia. Tropang Trumpo and Bubble Gang genius Ogie Alcasid got himself a Ms. Universe contender and later, Asia’s Songbird. For Tsong Joey Marquez of Palibhasa Lalake, there was former presidential daughter Kris Aquino (their breakup was not such a happy ending though) and many others we’ll no longer mention for lack of space.

Willie Revillame? Okay. Pappy Willie to those who find him hilarious (yes, there are people who do) brought home a princess. Princess Punzalan, that is.

Fogi Points

Laughter isn’t only the best medicine; it’s also the best aphrodisiac. If being pogi means dreaming the impossible dream, you just might want to learn how to be funny instead.

It should give you the pogi factor you badly need. This is what we shall call Fogi Points, or Funny na, Pogi pa (*wink*wink*).

And just to give you a head start on accumulating those Fogi Points, here are various types of Pinoy jokes along with tips you could use to make your dream girl laugh so hard she’ll cry - or fart! Maybe then, she’ll stop being choosy and start seeing you in a different light, i.e. Funnylicious.

Anong Tawag?

Example: Anong tawag sa pusong mapaglaro?

Eh di Pusoy!

Eh sa dalawang pusong mapaglaro?

Eh di Pusoy Dos! Accentuate the “EH DI/EH” the way Goin’ Bulilit kids do it. It would also help if you’re as adorable as Bugoy.

Sinong Artista?

Example: Sinong artista ang may maraming ngipin?

Don’t just practice how you’ll deliver it. Know the meaning of the word.

If she doesn’t find you funny at all, grab the chance to show her that you’re bibo anyway.

Knock Knock, Who’s there Example: Honda Honda wings of love, up and above the clouds the only way to fly…

You don’t have to be another Jovit or Marcelino in the making. The question is can you carry a tune? Preferably something that’s recognizably human?

Pick-up Lines Example: Excuse me. Are you a dictionary?

Because you give meaning to my life.

Awww, isn’t this the perfect way to drop a hint that you’re truly, madly, deeply into her?

So, are you ready? Get set, look straight into her eyes, say the script you rehearsed with conviction (a la heartthrob John Lloyd Cruz, if you can), and be ready to hear how corny you are. Who knows, she might be secretly tickled pink already.

Good luck, Papa F. wannabe!

94 COMMUNITY

Click and Clean in the Emirates Amateur photographers are invited to take part in the 10th Environmental Awareness Photo Competition and Exhibition Dubai Municipality and Lightform International Photographers’ Guild (LIPG), the biggest and oldest photography club in the UAE, have unveiled this year’s Environmental Awareness Photo Competition.

Charity Concert

Members of TROPA (Trainings and Opportunities for Pinoys Abroad), family and friends showed their support at a charity concert organized by Fretsyl Ching Egnora to raise funding for her father’s gastric cancer treatment. Let Pain Be My Strength was a one-night gig for a cause held in July 2011 at the Player’s Lounge of the Country Club Hotel in Dubai. The concert was fronted by Haris Dio Smith and The Rock Spiders who showcased their music, as well as poems written by the organizer herself. More than just a fund raising activity, Egnora says the event was put together with the objective of spreading hope and strength, not only for her family, but to others whose loved ones are suffering from cancer.

This annual photography contest and exhibition, first launched in 2002, provides amateur photographers in the UAE the chance to support and participate in the cleanup campaign of Dubai Municipality, by creating environmental awareness through the lens.

Now on its 10th year, the competition is being held with the theme “Our place, Our Planet, Our Responsibility”.

Sadly, Egnora’s father did not survive the treatment. However, the proceeds of the concert benefitted a breast cancer patient, Lorelie Santos Silades, who was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer at Belhoul Hospital while she was two months pregnant in November 2010. In the midst of her medication, she gave premature birth to a baby girl in Chinese General Hospital Philippines where she is now having her chemotherapy sessions.

LIPG President Myrna Rebulanan-Anderson said: “We would like to focus on environmental awareness through the lens of amateur photographers, and thus help in our own small way in the preservation and protection of the environment, not only in the UAE but the world.”

The group aims to showcase world class Filipino talent through performances, hone members’ skills through training and seminars, and to promote unity and camaraderie as well as the bayanihan spirit.

Open to all amateur photographers currently residing in the UAE, the competition will give contestants the chance to support and participate in the worldwide appeal for environmental responsiveness and action.

Interested parties may download the registration form at www. lightform.ae. Entries can be submitted to Mrs Anderson (+971 50 108-0888; pres.lightform@gmail.com. The awarding night, which is open to the public, will be held on the 4th November at the Arabian Centre. A photo exhibition of the entries will be put up at the Arabian Centre from the 3rd to 13th November.

Prizes: 1st Place – AED 3,000 worth of gift vouchers (GC); 2nd Place – AED 2,000 worth of GC; 3rd Place – AED 1,000 worth of GC; Dubai Municipality Choice: AED 1,000 GC

FAPS: Filipino Athletes and Performers Society

Founded in 2008, the Filipino Athletes and Performers Society (FAPS) based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is a non-profit organization consisting of various performers (dancers, singers, theater and stage actors, writers, and etc.) under the auspices of the Philippine Embassy.

Illustrado Magazine

2011 is a busy year for the organization. The group has already successfully mounted the 4th Ambassador’s Cup Kalayaan 2011 a Kingdom-wide badminton tournament held at the Second Philippine International School Riyadh in September. A second project, the Labor Attaché Cup Inter-Parents Basketball Tournament 2011 in cooperation with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Riyadh is also in the works. Other upcoming events and activities include Training Program and Acting Workshop, FAPS Star Quest- Singing Competition, Inter School Competition (Spelling Bee Contest, Essay Writing, Balagtasan and Poster Making Contest).