MANILA UP MAGAZINE 2018 Vol 3 #3

DUBAI LONDON MANILA LOS ANGELES NEW YORK LAS VEGAS WASHINGTON DC HAWAII FLORIDA THAILAND GERMANY CANADA

VOL. 3

Connect to your culture Bangkok

Fashion Week

Be A Disruptor

Style

Fashion

Week

Grace Aguilar’s

#3

INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

London St. Paul’s Cathedral Women’s Guide on How to be Strong

Special Mother’s Day

EXCLUSIVE ON

of Rising Stars Performing Arts

INTERNATIONAL

MAGAZINE

T

his time of the year is the most celebrated month for our mother, Mother’s Day. The time to honor the most influential person that most of us have, or had who made a big impact on our lives. The one who loves or loved us unconditionally. The mother who sacrificed and will

sacrifice anything, even their own lives, for us. Our needs come first before theirs.

As a mother, and now a grandmother to baby Isabel, I was the happiest and it gave me an indescribable feeling of joy. “Lola” sounds so endearing to me now, and I cannot wait until my 9 month old “apo” will utter that sweetest of words, “Lola”.

In this month’s issue, we feature Gemma Aurora Belverol who is so loved by her kids, Mia, Lulu and Lorenzo. They planned and contributed to honor their Mom, lovingly and generously showing their great appreciation for her. In return for their mother’s love, they concocted a surprise gift, for her to be on the cover of

Sonia Dionela Bermejo Publisher/Executive Editor

the Manila Up! International magazine with the theme ‘Tribute to Mothers’. What a priceless gift!

I would like to congratulate our columnist/contributing writer, Melody Garcia, who is also one of our hosts on Manila Up! TV Entertainment. She was recently chosen as one of 30 women in the #1 National Best Selling Book, “Women Who Influence”. The book found its place in the Library of Congress. It is an honor to have her in our team and family of Manila Up! Magazine. For her to be successful and use the magazine as a platform to rise above the rest is our honor.

Additionally, we have a teacher and contributing writer, Jhoanna de Guzman, who released her first book, “What to do on your First Salary”. A publishing company bought the book that they will publish and also distribute internationally.

I am like a mother watching her offspring grow and learn to fly. And as I watched Melody and Jhoanna soaring and reaching their goals, was much happier to be part of their journey. Feeling of fulfillment how God uses the magazine as their stepping stones to achieve what God plans for their destiny.

ERRATUM: VOL 3 #2 Issue Cover story of Emmy von Seyfried was written by GRACE AGUILAR

www.manilaupmagazine.com manilaup@gmail.com @ManilaUp_mag manilaupmagazine

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2018 – VOLUME 3 #3

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Edith Y. Pendleton Editor

INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

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Vol. 3 No.3

inside

INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

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GEMMA AURORA BELDEROL Gemma Aurora Belderol, is an extraordinary woman who has found a higher level of joy, contentment and awareness. She believes that when we are true to ourselves and to others, we are fulfilling what we are here for. When we are guided by pure love, our ego loses its power and we find total peace

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“Resorts World Manila Honours Industry Partners in 2017 World of Winners Awards” Resorts World Manila (RWM) recently paid tribute to its partner organizations for a fruitful 2017 during the World of Winners (WOW) Awards at the Marriott Grand Ballroom.

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MAY May is about flowers, the promise of Spring time and the emergence of nature from its winter hibernation. It also has Mother’s Day as the main theme for celebrations in many parts of the world.Our writers in this issue will fill in on the subject further so we shall allow more diverse points of view on what this means to them.

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St. Paul Cathedral London Aesthetic and Grand Church Building St Paul Cathedral’s dome is famous at 111.3 metres high, one of the largest cathedral domes in the world. It weighs approximately 65,000 tons. It can be climbed, having 528 steps.After the pain of going up, the reward is that of panoramic views of London that includes the River Thames, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the streak of light from Millennium bridge.

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BE A DISTRUPTOR Just because we have different perspectives doesn’t mean that any of us are wrong in our thinking. Quite the contrary. You being right doesn’t make someone else wrong.

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Christian Women’s Guide on How to be Strong in life “The world is a hard place to live in, accept it but decide to be strong.” - Mom My mom used to tell me, that as a woman, I would certainly experience a number of physical and emotional pain. True enough, as I flourish I have grasped that those pains escalate as my age progresses.

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IMMIGRATION PROFESSOR’S CORNER by ROBERT PERKINS, ESQ

President Trump and The Migrant Caravan of 2018

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LOS ANGELES

n Central America – El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico -- there is a high level of violence and political unrest. Several hundred people from there are now at the border trying to claim asylum. Asylum is a remedy under immigration law, actually based on the experience of refugees during World War II who fled Nazi Germany because they were being persecuted and massacred. The St. Louis, a ship transporting Jewish refugees to the U.S. was turned away. With nowhere to go, many of the 937 refugees aboard the ship died in the Holocaust.

The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees was signed by 160 countries, including the United States. The Refugee Act of 1980 created procedures to claim asylum here. It is our legal obligation to give due process to legitimate refugees, who have a fear of persecution, death, jailing, torture, like the Jews of the Holocaust.

Should they be returned to their country?

We are concerned that President Trump wants

to deport these people so quickly. If immigration judges are pressured to deport, it may mean cases are heard too quickly, without due process. If mistakes are made, people could be sent back in a rush and face significant harm. This is contrary to our laws. All have the right to due process, a trial before an immigration judge, and protections to make sure we don’t make a mistake.

We feel that these people have been delayed at the border. They are entitled to the same protections that people seeking asylum have had for years. They deserve our respect and consideration. We would want to be treated the same way. This is the Law of Our Country, and of many others.

For information about immigration matters, contact Robert Perkins: www.ImmigrationProfessor.com 888-439-4560

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IMMIGRATION PROFESSOR’S CORNER

by Robert Perkins, Esq

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COVER STORY

A MOTHER’S LOVE AND

Passion for Music

By Grace Aguilar

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s we celebrate Mother’s Day on the 2nd Sunday of May, it is time to celebrate Motherhood. Time to appreciate mothers and mother figures.

A day of gift-giving with cards, flowers, candy, a meal in a restaurant or other treats to celebrate.

The subject of our cover story, Gemma Aurora Belderol, is an extraordinary woman who has found a higher level of joy, contentment and awareness. She believes that when we are true to ourselves and to others, we are fulfilling what we are here for. When we are guided by pure love, our ego loses its power and we find total peace. She is grateful that her children and grandchildren have embraced these values through her guidance.

Learning to let go of things that are beyond her control, moving through life with ease and grace, trusting that everything is working for the highest good for each and everyone sums it up.

A mother and grandmother, she is also an entrepreneur, the owner of “Rising Stars Music and Performing Arts” for 20 years, beginning in 1998.

She grew up taking piano lessons at 7 years old and became good at it, making her parents proud. Her father, who was once mayor of Tagbilaran City, Philippines, (where she hails from) encouraged her to perform for dignitaries and at fundraising

concerts. She loved music all through her life and started teaching music as she still does today.

Her clientele grew and she decided to branch out into the performing arts, dance, etc... Most of her clients have stayed on for 10 years. Some students started since they were age 8.

She encourages others to discover their talents with “Rising Stars Music and Performing Arts”.

With a dedicated staff and experienced teachers, it will help to build confidence, enhance self-esteem, encourage creativity, and teach leadership skills revolving around teamwork. The studio offers lessons to include piano, voice, guitar and other genres of music. There are group classes in ballet, hip-hop, zumba and other dance forms. When asked the secret or formula for being successful in business, Gemma Aurora simply replied, “sincerity, do it out of love, let people see it so it gravitates towards you and that’s how it spreads out.”

Being a vortex of joy with an appreciation for life, and while in the state of bliss, she has a vision to share the gifts of wisdom that life has taught her.

Having just turned 70 years old is a big milestone for Gemma Aurora. She intends to make this year special and meaningful. She doesn’t feel, act nor look 70. To her, age is just a state of mind.

Her belief is that when you embrace the wisdom

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COVER STORY

life gives you, you feel ageless. Your body ages gracefully, while others burden themselves with challenges in life, Gemma Aurora chooses not to grow old even as she sees some people age or carry on with bitterness and unhappy faces. “The secret to looking young and beautiful at your age is to dance with the rhythm of life. Music holds a major key. It’s all about attitude. Go with the flow of things”, she declares. Every experience taught her to treat bumps on the road with grace and dignity.

She is grateful for every blessing and believes that everything is all about choices one makes in life.

Gemma Aurora is blessed with 3 successful children and 6 adorable grandchildren. Her 3 children Mia, Lulu and Lorenzo are all very active with the studio. Most especially, Lulu, who teaches dance for ballroom cotillion and Quinceanera.

And voice lessons too. Mia being the eldest daughter is a very good singer and composer.

Lorenzo on the other hand is also a great singer who is more involved in theater. Our subject is very grateful for her life, as well as the things she has achieved and wanted to do. She sees her children and her family as God’s gifts and all are her gifts to the world. Thankful to have her best friend and spiritual partner, Marty, who she met at a right time in their lives, both of them continue to feed their souls with their love for life, music and spirituality. Gemma Aurora and Marty often attend 10

workshops to quench their thirst for growth. They enjoy concerts, Broadway musicals and dancing.

They love to travel the world to appreciate culture, most especially to Europe. They see themselves as soul mates having two opposite personalities, different backgrounds and lifestyles, and yet, are aligned with each other - one in heart, mind and spirit. They have learned to look at everything in life as a blessing and any challenge as a source of wisdom. They look for the best outcome from a situation and believe that things work out for the common good. They are living life fully every step of the way. There’s no retiring soon for her, music is her life and she loves her students. Aside from her busy schedule teaching music, she loves reading subjects on metaphysics.

Gemma Aurora Belderol is currently writing a book about her journey titled “The Journey of Love”. She describes writing this book as cathartic, healing and a joyful creation. It is all about leaving behind a priceless legacy to her loved ones from all the experiences and lessons learned in her lifetime.

This book celebrates life and the path followed.

The couple is inspired to share their story to all, readers from ages 17 to 70 and beyond! To quote part of the epiphany about the book, she says “What is life all about and what are we here for?

I, as a professional musician often looks at life as a concerto. You are the soloist, the creator of your

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own melody of life, the theme of your song that makes you unique. With confidence, you walk your own path that is for you, not anyone else’s. As you use your God given birthright to choose what’s best for you, you tap into your own inner wisdom for guidance in your life. The performers in the orchestra of your life are the people and mentors supporting you in your journey. I was fortunate to be born into a family which taught me about God and was raised in a school that enhanced the values that I had learned from home. In my latter years, I have taught myself self-improvement skills by studying the wisdom of Abraham-Esther Hicks, Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, Louise Hay, Sonia Choquette, Doreen Virtue, Eckhart Tolle and Don Miguel Ruiz, among others. These spiritual gurus have helped shape me into being the evolved person I am meant to be. God, the higher power is the divine conductor of our life.

When we follow his lead, life becomes a beautiful masterpiece of art. Life is about living our truth, and having love - love for ourselves, others and above all, our divine source. We are all part of this divine energy and this energy is the source of our power. When you embrace the divine in you, your life will become heaven on earth, for you will find love, peace and joy within. No matter how smart you are, if you are not connected to our source of energy, you can’t fully express who you truly are.

Life gives us the ability to manifest what we want if we allow the source to flow through us, not our ego self. An example is when I perform in concerts, I would let this divine energy channel through me and by doing so, I would feel the divine energy expressing through my music. Loving yourself is about honoring your true self and your values.

You know who you are, what you want and you do what you are here for. When you live this truth about yourself, you feel secure and are able to love others freely without any agenda. You surround yourself with people, places and things that inspire you to live your highest potential and release those that drag you down and do not serve your higher purpose.

With all that’s been said and more as to where all that came from, watch out for more of Gemma Aurora Belderol’s stories in her book, “THE JOURNEY OF LOVE”. It was such a joy to have listened to Gemma Aurora’s story. She sets a good example for all mothers out there who are hard working, full of positivity, love, compassion and exude so much passion for life in their music. For Mother’s Day she doesn’t expect any surprises. But knowing her children and family, they always seem to surprise her with something. She’s thankful for having loving, thoughtful, caring children and grandchildren.

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COVER STORY LORENZO CAUNAN Graduate of the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, Lorenzo has been singing, acting, and dancing since the age of 3. Inspired by a vast array of world music, Lorenzo enjoys performing a wide range of styles from Pop to Broadway and from Jazz to Classical.

Lorenzo has entertained thousands from the Pacific to the Atlantic as a Headlining Vocalist.

He performed in Boublil and Shonberg’s Epic Broadway Musical, Miss Saigon.

Some of his favorite on stage moments includes singing the Lead Role of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel for Broadway Legend, John Raitt, as well as singing the role of Disney’s Aladdin opposite Leah Salonga. Lorenzo most recently opened for Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid (“Mr. & Mrs. A” concert) at the Los Angeles Theater. He also performed for the 2nd anniversary celebration for Manila Up Magazine at the LA Hotel Downtown.

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LULU WILLIAMS Lulu Williams has been singing and dancing since the age of 4. She won several gold medals at her elementary school talent shows, and won a national singing competition for the Rustan’s Department Store in Manila, Philippines. She was featured in a national TV show as the winner of this competition, where she had the chance to sing a duet with Lea Salonga.

She also opened for Marco Sison’s concert in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. When the family moved to the U.S., Lulu continued her love for performing. In high school, she formed a singing and dance group with her sister, Mia, and their group of friends, called Allure. They performed for several talent shows, car import shows, college friendship games, and night clubs. As one of the most popular girl groups of their time, they had the opportunity to open for famous rappers, including Jay-Z. Lulu is very involved with Rising Stars Performing Arts, as a choreographer, vocal coach, event planner, emcee, and entertainer. She choreographs wedding dances, debuts, quincineras, and many different dances for special events. She is well-known for her funny humor as an Emcee, and her ability to entertain audiences. Last year alone, she choreographed and emceed over 50 different events.

This summer, Lulu and her sister, Mia, are establishing their own Talent Agency, Allure Talent & Entertainment, “A.T.E.”, named after their singing and dance group. They plan to develop and manage the multitalented talented students of Rising Stars Performing Arts, and specialize in promoting children with minority backgrounds.

Lulu is a certified intellectual property paralegal, and works for one of the largest fashion retailers of the world. She has a Master’s Degree in Business, with an emphasis in Marketing. She is married with four children.

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MIA HUMPHREYS Mia grew up playing classical music on the piano, and won several competitions during her elementary school years. She discovered her love for contemporary music (Jazz, blues, pop, and R&B), and started writing her own songs when she was 15.

Throughout high school, she performed with different bands as a keyboardist and a back-up singer, and spent several years performing with the singing/dance group that she and her sister (Lulu) formed, Allure. After college, Mia was also part of a duo girl group that was signed by an independent label. They performed for several local shows, colleges, and night clubs.

During this time, she also started co-producing music along side seasoned producers who have worked with famous rappers. Mia also sang lead vocals for a hip-hop band who opened for Phife Dawg (from A Tribe Called Quest).

Today, Mia loves performing with her family, and often sings duets with her brother, Lorenzo. She has worked in the financial industry as a Client Manager for many years, and helped establish a successful behavioral therapy business. Mia received her MBA from Pepperdine University. She and Lulu look forward to establishing Allure Talent & Entertainment (A.T.E.) this summer, which will highlight their multi-talented family and students of Rising Stars Performing Arts.

TERI WILLIAMS At the young age of 10, Teri has already won the hearts of many, as a regular soloist at St. Stephen’s Baptist church. Teri inherited her mom’s vocal ability (Lulu Williams), and is able to deliver powerful renditions of Whitney Houston’s songs, “I have Nothing” and “One moment in Time.” Teri loves singing and dancing, and performs for many local talent shows, concerts, and fundraisers for Rising Stars Performing Arts. Teri is also a gifted athlete, and plays for an elite softball team who has won several championships.

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COVER STORY

CATALYST Catalyst is a group of multi-talented individuals, who were handpicked by Lulu, to sing and dance for events. As the first act being developed and produced by A.T.E., they have already opened for the Birit Queens at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and Ogie Alcasid /Regine Velasquez at the Los Angeles Theater. They are scheduled to perform with Ariel Rivera this July. Catalyst consists of young dancers, singers, DJs, and actors. One of the members, Chasity Sabas, is currently running for this year’s Miss Philippines USA-Young competition.

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ALANA PINE Alana Danielle Pine is a twenty year-old, half Filipino and half African-American beauty who is emerging into the modeling scene. Alana entered Miss Philippines USA 2016, as her first pageant ever, and was named one of the top 10 finalists. She was blessed with the amazing opportunity to participate in New York Fashion Week in Fall 2016, walking for the very talented Willfredo Gerardo, where she experienced the ins and outs of runway modeling.

She was also asked to walk for L.A. Fashion Week in the Spring 2017, where she modeled for both Willfredo Gerardo and his collaboration design, Arzamendi Style. She was also a featured model during Willfredo’s live interview on Univision. She recently modeled for the Manila Up’s 2nd anniversary celebration at the LA Hotel Downtown.

Alana is currently concentrating on furthering her modeling career, as well as finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Business. She is a full-time student, and works part time for Behavioral Autism Therapies.

She was featured in Manila Up Magazine’s November 2016 issue.

Rising Stars Music and Performing Arts Studio 18856 Amar Road, Unit #2 Walnut, CA 91789 Hours: Mon-Fri 12:00-8:00PM Saturday 9:00-5:00PM Sunday - CLOSED

Studio - (626) 854-2091 Cell - (626) 512-5393 Email : aurorarisingstar@aol.com http://risingstarsperformingarts.com

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METRO SCENE BY JOY FONG

Marawing Salamat

M MANILA

arawing Salamat Marawing Salamat is the Opera & Fashion show for the benefit project of Duyog Marawi, at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo Cultural Center of the Philippines, a project whose aim is to help reconstruct the lives of the people of Marawi, especially the traumatized children who are the innocent victim in this fight against terrorism.

A small project has now Marawing Salamat a show of humanitarian effort of the different talents and volunteered designer, opera singers, top models, beauty contestant winners.

Executive producers are Lorli Villanueva, Lito Perez, Zardo Austria & Sherwin Sozon and overall Directors are Carlito Siguion Reyna.

Email joyfong@rocketmail.com Photos Lorna Llanes Laurice Guillen, Raymond Villanueva

METRO SCENE

By Joy Fong

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Sam Kerrosamot, Cecille Aspect, Mhel Pechera, Dir. Carolos Siguon Reyna, Dr. Mel Omar, Gigi Yonzon

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Cory Navarro, Mhel Pechera

Gela Cornelissen

Wynwyn Marquez

Nini Layug, Roselle & Ria Rebano, Martin Lopez

Maru Go, Rene Salud, Connie Garcia

Tingting Cuangco, Rolando Arnaldo, Rose Licup

Rose Licup, Marina Benipayo, Eddie Baddeo

Rosemarie Basa

Tessie Agana, Fides Cuyugan, Irma Potenciano

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IN OTHER WORLDS BY BECKY GARCIA

Party Girl Turns Golden Girl T MANILA

his lady really knows how to party and if there is an award for Party Girl of the Year, it should go to bubbly and lovely Agile Zamora, wife of Lights and Audio King Wopsy Zamora. When she turned 50 recently, she invited more than 200 friends to party with her like there was no tomorrow.

Her purple and gold invite which said no standing, only dancing shows a lot how the party people that she invited know how to enjoy life. For 2 years now, she closed the Sage Bar of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel which was filled to the rafters enjoying the unlimited drinks and bar chows of Agile’s favorite canapés and assorted cheeses.

Agile just duplicated what parties she went to during her disco days where she transformed Sage like the greatest discos of the 80’s ... Faces and Stargazers where night owls used to hang out. And a disco party will not be complete without the best

IN OTHER WORLDS

By Becky Garcia

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The birthday celebrant and hubby, Wopsy Zamora

Elsie Pascua and Gela Cornelissen

Denise Carreon

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Butch Lagdameo, Maurice Arcache, the celebrant and Louie Ysmael

Jennifer Weigel, Ofelia Wadle, Agile Zamora and Connie Haw

DJ’s. Of course one of the top Dj’s came from Wopsy’s famous Audio Company during the 80’s.

They all came to provide the top disco sounds at Agile’s party... Elmer Dado and his Gruppo Tribale who flew in just for her, popular DJ now TV Host Boyet Sison, Jon Tupaz and Dickie Tan. The highlight of the party was Wopsy’s limited performance, especially for wife Agile who danced with gusto to his sounds.

Agile so pretty in her Albert Andrada outfit swayed gracefully and gyrated to the disco sounds together with her equally gorgeous friends.

Nobody wanted to leave, but as in any celebration the party must end and only in the early morning at 5 am. Incredible party animals. And because of the success of Agile’s party, they want to duplicate this party once a month.... Only if Agile and friends are present.

Philip Cruz, Bing Carion, To Agile Happy Nene Leonor and Atty. Sal Panelo birthday and party on!!!!

Joy and JV Rustia

Hans Sy and Wopsy Zamora

Raymund Limcaco, Cora Dee, Lilibeth and Paqui Campos

Mario Katigbak, Nympha Valencia n Rene Puno

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THE DISRUPTORS – THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH KAT SCHULTE

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BECOME A Distruptor

debuted this column last month, and this month I wanted to get into where this column has gotten its inspiration from by answering the question: “Why be a disruptor?!”

I have been a truth seeker and a healer my whole life. I grew up in a huge family where, on the best of days, the chaos that surrounded me felt like being one of the lost boys in Neverland. I had a jungle of children around me, as I grew up in a household of 8-12 people. It was loud and chaotic and in my small community, alcoholism and abuse was rampant. Not that any of us talked about it a lot. We all just lived and played.

My dad himself was an “eff the man” kind of person. He has suffered from addiction my whole life and is now a man who is homeless. I watched, throughout my life, as this beautiful human being became a shell of himself, agitated and depressed.

I also grew up in a very multicultural family. I myself have Japanese, Russian, and English. My father is half Japanese, half Russian and various other pieces of European descent. My mum is English. One of my brothers is half native, I have a sister who is adopted from Guatemala and one of

THE DISRUPTORS – THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH

By Kat Schulte

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my non-blood brothers is half black. We are very multicultural.

I grew up having siblings, in our care, that have autism, mental disability, and cerebral palsy. All this has led me to have an incredibly interesting perspective on the world. As I have no indication in my personal looks that I am Japanese, I do have this perspective in my family. It breaks my heart to hear when someone asks one of my cousins where he is from, being fully Canadian but looking Japanese. The question can be innocent, but the implications are painful. When this happens everyday, it can make someone feel like they are being told they do not belong.

So I searched for a better way to communicate, to love, to respect and to acknowledge each other. Why are we so afraid of the things we don’t understand? Does the old proverb “Seek first to understand, not to be understood.” hold no weight anymore? We are all so afraid to listen to each other’s perspective because we think we will hear that our perspective is wrong.

Just because we have different perspectives doesn’t mean that any of us are wrong in our thinking. Quite the contrary. You being right doesn’t make someone else wrong.

So how did this all lead me to the disruptors?

In 2014 my father went onto the street. It was one of our worst fears coming true. With addiction and mental illness, one of the greatest fears is that your loved one will die. Was this the first step to that? We didn’t know. But it happened, and he is alive and well and accepted in a community that I think he really likes.

I saw him for the first time on the street in 2014,

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my little brother and I went to go visit him and something else happened that day.

I went home, broke down and all my anger melted away.

All I had was compassion. I saw so clearly that we do not hold each other at a high enough standard. It was not about feeling sorry for someone’s path in life. It’s about having compassion for the divine self that they do not see in themselves.

Holding someone at a high standard means seeing their HIGHEST selves. Their DIVINE selves. Trusting that there IS a reason for all of the pain and suffering. Without the dark, we cannot know the light. So as a world, I believe we are doing our best to shift from seeing each other as separate, and classified into race, religion, sexuality, nationality-- and we are starting to see that we don’t WANT to be separated from each other. We want to be equal, we want to love, we want to care for each other and be cared for. We want equality and to not place people in different categories and

we are striving to live in an equal society with no restrictions.

Not everyone agrees with my views, and I am not asking you to, but I always say consider everything and anything for a moment. Do the due diligence, if something is triggering you, irritates you, if it’s something that you are totally against, take a moment to make it true for you, consider the perspective, and FEEL into what is right for you. That is the way to know what your higher self wants. FEEL into a topic. Contemplate a subject. Become exceptionally curious.

From there you will understand YOUR truth and you can share what that truth is. When you create a life and business around your truth, then you realize you have the power to change lives.

Together we have the power to shift the world into an equal, peaceful world, one person at a time.

This is my truth: We all have a great purpose in this world. And that those of us that are privileged enough to explore that purpose, and are able to step into it, can disrupt each other and together

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THE DISRUPTORS – THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH KAT SCHULTE

we CAN change the world. We can create a world that is based on the good for the majority. We can heal from trauma and addiction. We can step into the powerful divine being that we are.

When you speak your truth then your reputation grows and you can begin to influence millions of people at a time.

THAT is when you have INFLUENCER status. That is when you become a disruptor by speaking YOUR truth, and sharing YOUR thoughts that help people have BETTER lives. That is when you become living proof! You become an influencer like Ben and Jen Rode (who I featured in my last article), their slogan for their institute is “Better Together”. Or like the local influencer in my city, Danielle LaPorte, who has her #truthbombs and helps millions of people embrace their creativity and explore their own truth (hopefully I’ll get to feature her here in the coming months!). There is also Brendon Burchard, Oprah Winfrey, Elizabeth Gilbert, Simon Sinek, Joe Rogan, Iyanla Vanzant, Malala Yousafzai, The Dalai Lama--you get the picture.

These are people that have REALLY gone into critical thought, after years of being conditioned in our society-- something that happens to everyone in every society-- you are taught to believe what the people that raise you believe. As you get older, sometimes it doesn’t feel right and you have to start to explore YOUR OWN TRUTH-- I believe there IS universal truth for most of us. Treat each other with kindness, love deeply, trust everyone’s path.

There is a quote I love: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”- Plato.

It’s interesting how so many philosophers through the ages brought wisdom into our world that resonates across time. Plato, Socrates, Rumi…

The message runs through. Be kind to each other.

Spread messages that are for the GREATER good for all, not your own personal greater good. BUT don’t sacrifice yourself to do it either. You can create a life that is abundant AND shifting!

I want to challenge everyone to believe in each other. Believe in recovery. Recovery from addiction, trauma, heartache, violence, rage, and 22

inequality. We are moving towards that, and when YOU can hold someone in their highest light, they CAN shift. WE can shift. Turn that into working from a place of service and changing hundreds, thousands and millions of people’s lives and THAT is when you become a Disruptor. You can start this journey anytime. But I encourage you to start it today. To start it now. Start loving more than you have ever loved before and start speaking your truth and holding people in their highest light. This is the essence of what I do as a Transformational Healer and a Spiritual Mentor. I have seen this healing at a deep level in hundreds and thousands of people. I have seen people shift their lives, heal traumas, create more incomeset yourself free income! I have seen people step into their power as a leader, as healers, as change makers, and disruptors. I know it is possible for EVERYONE to do.

This is where The Disruptors was created. A lifetime of exploration, a lifetime of watching the beautiful audacity of truth. So why become a disruptor? Because it is how we change the world.

How will you become a disruptor by honing in on your truth, your message, and shifting thousands and millions of lives for the better?! I encourage you to start, and you start with one life at a time...starting with you.

Much Love, Kat Schulte

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IV Technologies Inc. NRO PD T 0118 5323 E

METRO SCENE BY JOY FONG

Shom

By Joy Fong

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Photo by Lorna Llanes

Colombia Amb. Victor Echeverri , USA Amb. Sung Kim, Thailand Amb. Thanatip Upatising

Amb. Harald Fries and Mme. Susan Fries of Sweden

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Czarina Ablaza, Zambia Consul Luis Ablaza, Guatemala Consul Amelia Ablaza, USA Amb. Sung Kim, Georgette Wilson

he Spouses of Heads of Mission of the Diplomatic Corps (SHOM) presented the Circle of Styles, a unique fundraising Fashion Show at the Marriott Hotel, featuring Ambassadors and their spouses and prominent members of the business community braved the catwalk as models.

With the generous support of Resorts World Manila and Rustan’s, SHOM officers and members Headed by its President Susan Fries of Sweden

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together with Event Chairperson Monaco Consul Gen Fortune Ledesma and her Co-Chairperson Gambia Consul Agnes Huibonhoa began the challenging work of mounting this event.

The beneficiaries of this project will go to the underprivileged women and children.

The show was kicked off by the Female models, including the Ambassadors of Austria, Netherlands, Sri Lanka and Venezuela, wearing beautiful dresses by different designers represented

by Rustan’s. This was followed by the Male

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Georgette Wilson, Mme. Mervat Ezzat, Amb. Ahmed Ezzat of Egypt

Seychelles Consul Felix Ang and Patrick Jacinto

Sweden Consul General Carla Limcaoco, EU Amb. Franz Jessen, Monaco Consul General Fortune Ledesma

Monaco Consul General Fortune Aleta-Ledesma Event Chairperson, Mme. Susan Fries of Sweden SHOM President, Gambia Consul Agnes Huibonhoa Co-Chairperson

Maritess Tantoco- Enriquez, Nedy Tantoco, Dra. Loi Ejercito, Jackie Ejercito

Sweden Amb. Harald Fries, Israel Amb. Effie Ben Matityau, Czech Republic Jaroslav Olsa Jr., Denmark Amb. Jan Top Christensen, Chile Amb. Jose Miguel Capdevila

models dressed in Rustan’s casual wear, including the Ambassadors of Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, India, Israel, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Sweden, Thailand, and the USA. As the Ambassadors sauntered down the runway, the audience greeted them with loud cheers, thundering applause.

In the second half of the show, the models changed into “barongs” for the men and gowns by Ditta Sandico for the women. As everyone paraded together down the runway, they were met with a standing ovation.

Email joyfong@gmail.com

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SIAM LIVING BY MARICEL DIAZ

Bangkok’s Fashion Destination @ Siam:

The 11th Bangkok International

Fashion Week

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t is that time of the year again for Thai fashionistas! This year, Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery shopping malls once again converged as“One Siam” and delivered, yet another, fresh, stylish and glamorous event: The Bangkok International Fashion Week 2018!

Twenty-nine international and local brands including Palmer//Harding, Issue, Vatanika, Friday 27 Nov., Rotsaniyom White Label, Asava, Nagara, Boys of Bangkok, and Cazh, Gin and Milk, The Wonder Room graced this year’s BIFW 2018 runway at Parc Paragon. This most anticipated fashion event was presented under the creative concept called “Bangkok’s Fashion Destination @ Siam”.

This year, I, once again, got the chance to sit front-row at ISSUE and ASAVA’s Spring/Summer

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2018 Collection shows.

Issue’s collection called “The Invisible” put an emphasis on natural fibers and silk in decorating a contemporary set of colorful designs with a hint of the 70s, tropical vibes and tribal influences accentuated with feather fringe, flowing chiffon and sparkly beads. The show was presented incredibly with its runway transformed into a long sandbox-like trail where models did their catwalks minus the high heels. The show started with few figures standing on sandy runway and then the entrance of two other more figures representing “the invisible” – this is when the show started to roll. The audience was obviously delighted by the entertaining presentation of this equally vibrant SS collection created by PupawitKritpalanara (also popularly known as Roj Issue), the designer and creative director of Issue brand.

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SIAM LIVING BY MARICEL DIAZ

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SIAM LIVING BY MARICEL DIAZ

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SIAM LIVING BY MARICEL DIAZ

Another popular brand among Thai fashionistas, Asava – owned by Thai celebrity designer PolpatAsavaprapa (a.k.a. Moo Asava), presented his collection for this season called “Subliminal”. This emphasizes with a deeper look 32

through philosophy of aesthetics. The garment of this summer season presents the brand’s philosophy through symbolism, not purely beauty, but also reflects the identities and values of those who wear it.

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Shades of classical tones are used such as black and white, beige, blue and tones that compliments spring like Ultramarine-green, Parisian blue, and Haute red, giving more depth and dimension to the collection. The use of Thai silk and tweed fabrics also gave these creations a luxurious, delicate and breathable result compliment for summer time.

BIFW 2018 supports young and upcoming Thai designers and gives them the opportunity to learn more about the fashion industry and show their capability in stepping up and becoming future leaders of the Thai fashion industry. One of these is a show organized by Prof. Anothai Cholachatpinyo of Kasetsart University, Department of Textile that featured Kaset students’ creations. They launched and introduced a new course program called “Fashion as Business”, which teaches how to make fashion and creativity a profitable business.

For those who instantly fell in love with the featured collections, you don’t need not to wait for it to officially come out in the market as these are now available on sale at theBIFW Pop Up: See Now, Buy Now. It is a pop up store on M floor, Siam Center that offers the latest designs with up to 15% discount to boot!

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KINGDOM ADVENTURES BY GILDA PINEDA DIONELA

Tribute to

Great Apostle, Paul (St. Paul Cathedral London)

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s we turn our backs to London’s Millennium Bridge, facing towards Saint Paul Cathedral is like a journey going back to the Christian Heritage of United Kingdom and the world.

The term “Church” is at times misconstrued as the physical building. Different organizations or groups of people (based upon their beliefs) have different terms for the buildings they encounter. The Jews have synagogues, Muslims have mosques, Buddhists have temples, Jehovah’s Witness has its kingdom hall, Christians (Protestants and Roman Catholic) have the church and, the Atheists and Secularists may consider malls as their place of worship.

The word “church” was meant to be the “Gathering of people called

by God” and did not refer to the building. The Lord said “The heaven

is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? And where is the place of my rest? For all thosethings hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” Isaiah 66:1-2 (KJV).

KINGDOM ADVENTURE

By Gilda Pineda Dionela

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These words alone are enough for anyone who reads this to kneel wherever they are in holy fear not only inside the church building because every inch we step on belongs to Him.In London the most iconic church building used for formal gatherings of Christians is St. Paul Cathedral. Another destination for you to consider when you visit.

St. Paul Cathedral London – Aesthetic and Grand Church Building St Paul Cathedral’s dome is famous at 111.3 metres high, one of the largest cathedral domes in the world. It weighs approximately 65,000 tons. It can be climbed, having 528 steps. After the pain of going up, the reward is that of panoramic views of London that includes the River Thames, Tate Modern,

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KINGDOM ADVENTURES BY GILDA PINEDA DIONELA

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the streak of light from Millennium bridge. St. Paul Cathedral was the masterpiece of great mathematician, astronomer, anatomist and physicist Christopher Wren. This is where Prince Charles and Lady Diana got married. A Cathedral stood on this site in London as far back as AD 604. Several church buildings were built then destroyed by fire on this site.The current building is the fourth to have stood on the same site in the span of 1400 years.A building dedicated to the great Apostle Paul was where the Roman temple to goddess Diana is believed to have stood on the site before that/ Londoners back then who knew the scripture inside out, decided that in place of the temple of Diana, to build a church dedicated to Saint Paul instead.This goddess Diana is the same goddess mentioned in Acts 19:27. The Roman idol having silver shrines worshipped in Asia and the world. It was Paul, by the power of the Holy Spirit delivered the people from worshipping this idol or image of Diana.

Paul’s Love for the Nation of Syria Does it sound bizarre that a tribute to Paul will be connected to Syria? Not at all. Syria is an ancient, small country but immeasurably rich in history since antiquity. Damascus, its capital was first mentioned in Genesis 15:2 by Abraham when he mentioned his most trustworthy servant Eliezer to God. Today Syria which stood against almost all the powerful empires in the history of the world is currently experiencing the worst humanitarian catastrophe.

Let me tell you why Syria has a special place in the heart of Paul. It was in Damascus where Paul, the former leading persecutor of early Christians was converted. On his way to persecute Christians, a light from heaven suddenly shone around him, he fell to the ground and heard the voice of Jesus Christ. He was blinded for three days until a believer from Damascus named Ananias was commissioned by Jesus Christ to lay his hand and 36

pray for him. Instantly, something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Today the Chapel of Ananias is still preserved in Syria to commemorate Paul’s conversion in Damascus.

It was in Syrian Antioch that Paul began his missionary journeys. Paul lived, learned and taught in Syrian Antioch for 14 years. The conversion of people in Antioch was remarkable so that they were the first followers of Jesus Christ called to be “Christians”.

When there was a great famine across the entire Roman world, it was the Christians from Antioch who sent relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea.

Syrian Christians were good people.

Today Syria is predominantly Islam converted around the 7th century when it was conquered

by Muslim Arabs. The enormous Christian heritage of this nation was hidden and preserved under the sand until the oldest Christian Church building Dura-Europos were unearthed in 1934. It dates from AD 235 nearly, 1800 years old. There are remaining Christian areas threatened by current civil war such as Maaloula that still use Aramaic, the language of Jesus.

St. Takla’s monastery, one of the oldest in Christendom is located there and dates to the First Century. Its founder was a disciple of St. Paul.

Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Paulin Syria Jesus Christ did not personally preach in Syria, but while in Galilee His teaching, preaching the gospel of the kingdom and healing the sick spread all over Syria. Sick people and those who were demon possessed were brought to Him and He healed them. After Jesus ascended to Heaven, there were severe persecutions of the Christians. The first martyr was Stephen.

While he was being stoned to death, Paul was there as one of the persecutors. The believers were scattered to different places including Antioch of Syria. The Holy Spirit was with them and large numbers of people were converted. Barnabas was sent to Antioch, he then looked for the converted

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Paul and that was the beginning of their Holy Spirit charged teamwork - converting Syrians and other Gentiles to believe in Jesus Christ. That was the highest calling of Paul, a witness to the Gentiles that became only possible when he believed in Lordship of Jesus in Syria.

Today, the official number of casualties in Syria is not yet clear. But it was internationally accepted that around 470,000 have died. More than a million fled out of the country to save their lives from this devastation. Syrians are people loved by God. Yes, it was prophesied

by Isaiah about 700 years before the birth of Jesus that Damascus will become a heap of ruins.

Let us always remind ourselves, more than the place, city or village Jesus is far more concerned with the people. The earth is only His footstool, but for people He died a shameful death. On the third day He rose for the people to believe that what He promised about the Kingdom in heaven is true. There are principalities working not only in Syria, Christians should not wait until the people perish without taking any action as ambassadors of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit moved with the moving brave believers that even when Stephen was martyred they preached boldly despite of the threat in their lives. Christians must fight to the end not with metallic swords

and arms but with the armour of God. The Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God is the sharpest of all. It is good to know that going to a church building is an important thing, but doing something like what Barnabas and Paul did is the first step and the Holy Spirit will do the rest. Jesus and Paul loved Syrians, so we must too.

Next time you visit any St. Paul building you know something more about him from this.

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VEGAS VIBES BY ESMERALDA PADILLA-GOULD

Life as a

Casino Employee (Not for everyone but there’s something in it for anyone)

LAS VEGAS

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y husband and I have been casino employees for over 40 combined years. The hours may be haphazard, holidays non-existent, and unrelenting angry/drunk gamblers abound. That being said, the pay is exceptional, medical benefits very adequate, work in a relatively clean, safe, air conditioned atmosphere, and many yearly weeks of paid time off. My husband arrived in Las Vegas as a journeyman union electrician, but having an affinity for mathematics, was intrigued by the mathematical odds and concepts which govern and

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control gaming’s guaranteed edge over the casino gambler. I got into casino employment thru the advice of a friend for the positive reasons stated above.

My small family (husband and one child) has settled into a reflectively stress free, upper middle class, rewarding family life.

As we know, most of the populace is not indigenous to Las Vegas, therefore, casino employment constitutes a profound VEGAS VIBES change in the lifestyle of

by Esmeralda Padilla-Gould

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whoever dares take the plunge into what I believe is a safe, permanent, lucrative, and rewarding endeavor.

Many, including my husband, found himself a constituent of a “dream job” in of itself. Coming from many years in the construction industry, and later accomplishing the elite status of a skilled journeyman wireman electrician out of IBEW local 673 Electricians Union, he couldn’t believe how fortunate he was to work in an environment which affords him breaks every hour, free food, air-conditioning, paid time off, medical benefits, and most of all, a job where one can’t lose his/her life on any given day in an accident as with a job as an electrician.

Conversely, there are those who joined this

casino career straight from high school and never experienced any strenuous or backbreaking, low paying job. I hear complaints of sore feet or aching backs, or long hours. These lucky people have no idea how good they have it.

Wherein lies the point of this whole article, my husband and I often reflect on how good we have it to be here and be a part of such a dynamic environment, with pleasurable weather, good housing and many, many exciting things to do just a dozen or so miles away from anything we can think of experiencing. Although casino work may not be for everyone, I can’t think of anyone who can’t find a suitable niche for them completely unavailable from within this industry.

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PROVERBS 31 JHOANNA DE GUZMAN

Christian Women’s Guide on How to be

Strong in life “The world is a hard place to live in, accept it but decide to be strong.” - Mom

My mom used to tell me, that as a woman, I would certainly experience a number of physical and emotional pain. True enough, as I flourish I have grasped that those pains escalate as my age progresses.

She would tell me that pain is inevitable. She will be by my side but I have to decide to be strong.

She added that society would always tell us that women have the right to be vulnerable.

But, being vulnerable is not a right, it’s just one’s preference. That conviction that my mother possesses made me admire her even more. If not

PROVERBS 31

By Jhoanna B. de Guzman

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because of her, I wouldn’t learn how to be strong. I am a young Christian woman who is choosing to believe that amidst all this emotional bumps, I am left with choices.

And just like our earthly mother, God, wanted to showcase a kind of love that teaches young women like me to be as tough as we can possibly be.

I felt and realized that God permitted collisions, not to punish us but for us to know and learn who to depend upon.

Not our mom, not our dad nor our best friends. But ultimately, to lean on ourselves and on Him. In Exodus 5:1 , God told Moses to tell Pharaoh, “Let my people go..” It doesn’t mean that God is abandoning his people. It means that, we have to go out there, learn and be tough. God wouldn’t have presented us with anything if He had not already given us everything we need to handle whatever comes our way.

There may be times when we will be needing help, but we must not let someone do for us what we can do for ourselves, don’t become too dependent on others, be your own kind of hero.

I figured, these are the sources of our pains..

When someone hurts us “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” - Psalm 147:3 Loneliness, rejection, guilt, loss, trauma, failure.

All these lead to pain. But God promised that He will bind up our wounds. Life is filled with emotional bumps. Constantly talking about it only demonstrates a lack of faith in God’s promise.

When you talk about your pains and hurts all the time, you tend to magnify it. What we have to do instead is while we wait on God, let’s believe that we will recover and start to rebuild our self-worth.

When we think we’re getting left behind He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority” - Acts 1:7 Timing, seasons... This is the reason why there

is no point of comparing ourselves to others, we have to understand that God has a divine assignment and seasons for our lives.

We must learn how to confront the future with calm confidence. Fight pessimism ! When people tease us, trying to make us feel inadequate, reframe things so that we can see their attacks as motivational fuel for our own self-improvement.

When we feel nothing’s going right “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” - Isaiah 40:31 It is all the more you must continuously seek God. These circumstances are temporary but the fortitude that we will develop along the way is the key to move forward along the right path.

You may feel all of the above at the same time, but then again just like what our mom says, DECIDE to be strong.

Being strong involves believing that you don’t need your friends to speak for you, you don’t need your parents to drive you on, you don’t need anyone to tell you what to do.

You are equipped. There is no addendum or asterisk to that statement. God has given you wisdom to run your own life, grow up and be anything you want to be. This is your life and you owe it to your truth to be strong and live with it.

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MAUI MANIA by EDITH PENDLETON

May A single word titles my column this month. May conjures so much, it is a basket full of blooms. This time last year, I returned to this, my spiritual home after a hiatus in the mainland to attend to affairs of the family, my late Mother especially who is now home with the Divine.

M HAWAII

ay is about flowers, the promise of Spring time and the emergence of nature from its winter hibernation. It also has Mother’s Day as the main theme for celebrations in many parts of the world.

Our writers in this issue will fill in on the subject further so we shall allow more diverse points of view on what this means to them.

Why is it called the merry month of May? Ever asked why this is so? Not to define and dissect it too deeply, I ventured to find out. So I decide to go for a walk along the stretch of beaches in my neighborhood. Closer to home is a good

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starting point. Even on a weekday there are tents set up early in the day in parks where smells of barbecue smoke with savory scents of luscious meats eventually rising, filling the air. Enough to make the mouth water, I hang on to my increasing appetite. Music blaring from pockets of picnic clusters lend to the festive atmosphere. Laughter rings out in tandem, as if a chorus of rib ticklers were ribbing as the ribs were cooking on the fire. May makes one smile. The glorious sun kissed white sands, beach combers, sun worshipers, stand up paddlers, canoeists, MAUI MANIA By Edith Pendleton kids squealing in delight add

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a cacophony of delight and bliss under the same canopy of skies. I take a spot under the shade of spreading trees, my natural umbrella, to simply take it all in, the breath of fresh ocean air, birds chirping, the sound of waves crashing on the shore.

Ahhh...

As the first day of May wears on, I tread on towards the town center. Yes, it’s walking distance in most directions to most anywhere here in this part of the island. There are quaint souvenir shops, local “Da Kine” food offered at Da Kitchen (okay, this is unsolicited advertisement, and for good reason) with lots of people watching spots along the way. The characters I see around often seem to have wider smiles, is it the infectious nature of the fact that May has arrived? Food for thought... now, back to talking about real food... “which do I choose from the menu”?

There is the Kamaaina (meaning local or resident) special, so I go for it!

Tummy filled, I head back to check on what I missed at the beach in the meantime. There, like a flock of birds were the beach volleyball teams ready to smash the ball upon the opponent.

I see some less fortunate, shelter less folks convene in one of the public picnic tables, oblivious to the world of eager, wide-eyed visitors swirling around them. May or not, these intrepid souls make it a point to make the most out of dire circumstances.

They are nomads who come and go with the least disturbance to others.

May is a ‘neutral’ month it seems, for these displaced souls, it’s simply open season all year round, every month, to it eke out.

May. I can open the subject about how the term “May Day” came along

but that’s for another time, maybe. Today, I celebrate the good aspects of it. The sunset is breathtaking as it is magnificent with hues both powerful and gentle juxtapose with the fading sun in celestial dance. I sit along the seawall awash with gushing tourists, and, as if in collective silence a hush overcomes. It is the end of the first day of May and a stunning Maui sunset is there to welcome the cool evening to usher in tomorrow.

Another May day!

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UK NA UK by ELA HIDALGO

Resorts World Manila HONOURS

Industry Partners in 2017 World of Winners Awards

The RWM International Marketing and Hotel Sales Team hosted a jazz-themed party at the Marriott Grand Ballroom for its industry partners. The event was attended by RWM president Kingson Sian (fifth from left) and COO Stephen Reilly (center).

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esorts World Manila (RWM) recently paid tribute to its partner organizations for a fruitful 2017 during the World of Winners (WOW) Awards at the Marriott Grand Ballroom.

“Our business partners definitely boosted our 2017 performance,” says Kathy Mercado, Senior Director for International Marketing and Hotel Sales of RWM. “We look forward to achieving greater things with them in the years ahead.”

Mercado and other top RWM executives personally thanked and awarded the company’s online travel agency, wholesaler, corporate account, airline, travel agency, and banking partners. The top performer was named as the Ultimate WOW Awardee and treated to a luxury sunset cruise aboard RWM’s private yacht.

RWM is the first onestop, non-stop entertainment and leisure destination in the Philippines that features recreational thrills, world-class UK na UK performances, unique events,

By Ela Hidalgo and exciting lifestyle options.

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Conveniently located across Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, with a direct connection via the RUNWAY MANILA footbridge, RWM is an instant gateway to worldclass Philippine hospitality. It is home to four lodging brands, (MAXIMS Hotel, MARRIOTT Hotel Manila, HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS MANILA NEWPORT CITY, and BELMONT Hotel Manila), a three-story convention center housing the country’s largest hotel ballroom (Marriott Grand Ballroom), and three more hotels (SHERATON Manila Hotel, HILTON Manila, and HOTEL OKURA Manila) currently under construction.

Also home to RWM is NEWPORT Mall which features international luxury brands, state-of-theart movie theaters at Newport Cinemas, an awardwinning, ultra-modern Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT), and a cozy, 24/7 entertainment hub at Bar 360. Dine in one of almost 50 restaurant outlets offering a diverse selection of local and world cuisine, prepared by top Filipino and foreign chefs and paired with a wide selection of the finest wines and popular liquors.

Resorts World Manila— Nothing Compares.

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Gloria Uy

BY RANELLA FERRER

any people say I’m just like my Mom. She’s very social, very pretty and people love her. As much as I would like to take all the credit there are still things that I have yet to achieve to even be close to being compared to my mother. This woman gave birth to five children and still looks as good as ever with the most beautiful skin. She is really a giving mother and we call her classy and ghetto at the same time because she transition and be around people from all walks of life and get along with them. She is a great businesswoman and loves her children very much. She will do anything and sacrifice herself just to make sure that they are happy.

Mom works very, very hard and has many friends. And, lots of “chismis” (gossip) to talk about.

I consider her the Asian Kris Jenner, because all her children have talents along with different personalities. This woman will wake up at 5 in the morning to clean the entire house and not go to bed until 11:00 at night watching her ‘teleserya’ (drama anthology series in Filipino).. manilaupmagazine.com

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GINA RONQUILLO MY

IS A MODERN DAY WARIOR

E

by Carla Regin

very time I introduce my Mom to any circle, people get shocked all the time. They couldn’t believe that this beautiful woman in her early 40’s is my mother. She’s not the ‘typical Filipina’ Mom, I guess, that makes her stand out.

She dresses like a beauty queen, but performs like a soldier at work. Anyone who really knows her and her story would agree that she’s really a hard working person.

Not because she’s the bread winner of the family, but because she always strives for the best, always looking out for the people she loves, and because she has the most generous heart.

My Mom as a mother is not perfect. But I love her perfectly!

I learned a lot from her, about how to be and how not to be.

I myself am a mother. I picked up a lot of good things from her and I took note about those that

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she lacks so could be a better Mom to my beautiful daughter. I’m very thankful to my mother for everything. She deserves everything good that this world has to offer because of her sacrifices, with blood and sweat. She deserves a beautiful life. She gave me and my brothers, everything that she’s got.

Despite her being sick, this doesn’t stop her from working and giving us everything that she can. And, she wants nothing from us but to see us happy. She’s my warrior.

And I’m proud to say that Gina Ronquillo is my Mom.

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Lalaine Soliven

BY RICHIE ANNE SOLIVEN AND AJ SOLIVEN

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alaine, my mother is the best woman in the world. She is always there when we need her. She loves me and my brother unconditionally. There are so many words to describe my mother, but only three words that make her the best mother for me is that she is humble and loving, and specially a hard worker.

She always tells me to share our blessings to the others either big or small. She teaches me to ask for criticism and accept failures in order to better myself. She constantly guides me onto the right path of life, which is evident whenever I make a mistake she encourages me to do everything with sincerity and be the best I can be. I will always know that she loves me with all her life no matter

what. She works so hard to make sure my brother and I are well taken care of so that we can have a better life than what she had.

At times, I wonder how can she work two shifts in a day, come home from work, take a shower, prepare our meal for the day and walk out the door to go to work again. I admire her hard work throughout the years as she always puts us before herself. She is always willing to lay down her life for our family.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! Thank you for everything! I am truly grateful for everything!

I love you! One day AJ and I will repay you for everything that you have done for us.

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Joy Wambangco Rustia

M

y mom is definitely one of a kind. She is someone we cherish in the family because she truly cares for each and every one of us. With her constant mentoring I and my sisters can really feel how much she only wants the best for us.

Even with her busy schedule, she tries to make time to talk to us about our day. This is something I find so remarkable about her. It’s quite difficult for others to get her attention considering how much she thinks about with work, but with us, she truly devotes her time to help us out. Our mother knows us too well to know when we’re trying to hide our struggles and don’t feel at ease.

Some people may not know about it, but another thing I love about my Mom is she is an amazing cook. When we find out that she’s the one cooking, it becomes the only time the whole family gets hyped up to all eat at home. Every time we eat in restaurants though, she can identify the ingredients in each dish so well, and surprisingly, whips it up at home!

These are just some of the few things that makes our her so great. I honestly hope that in the future, I am able to possess the same compassion and love she gives to our family.

She is truly one of a kind.

By Keana Rustia

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S

ome may say a mother is just two things, your best friend and a shoulder to cry on.

For me, I would call that an understatement to whom my mom truly is. Joy Rustia plays so much more than just two roles in the Rustia household.

My mother is a doctor.

She has the ability to cure every sickness with lemon water and Vicks. “Anak, kaya ka nagkakasakit kasi hindi ka naglelemon water! IT CAN CURE CANCER.” This is probably the first thing you’ll hear her repeatedly saying if she hears anyone in the family cough or sniffle. Her medical abilities were born the moment she discovered google.

My mother is a therapist. If you follow her

advice, you can never go wrong no matter how ridiculous it may sound. Her most important advice to me: Don’t get fat. (Why? Kasi walang mangliligaw sayo).

My mother is a Chef. There is literally nothing to complain about her cooking. No, literally. You’re not allowed to complain. If you do, you’ll have to skip a meal for the day.

My mother is a Teacher. She will teach you everything you need to know about life since she is older and wiser. If you hear information

contradicting to any of her philosophies, they probably need to speak to her and correct themselves.

Although she has many shoes to fill at home, we are fortunate to see her go through them with ease.

Joy Rustia is so many things, but one thing’s for sure, she’s definitely not your typical mother.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom! - By Tara Rustia

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Virgelia Villegas

M

y mother has been a major influence in my life, especially being that she is a single mother having raised three kids. If I were to describe my mom in one word, it would be “Strong” woman. She embodies the word in every sense. She has proved it over and over from the challenges she has overcome and the way she deals with challenges daily. She has taught my brother’s and me to be loving, independent and hardworking, but if we, or anyone else ever needed anything, she was the first person to help. She has been known to be very passionate and generous when it comes to family, friends and her business associates. I feel very lucky to have a mom like her because some of her qualities have rubbed

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off on me. Her advice has helped me get through personal challenges and given me perseverance to become the best I can be. She has taught me that, the only limit is yourself and you should not let any obstacles prevent you from reaching your dreams. My brothers and I have also watched her teach these same values to the hundreds of women that she has come across through her business in fashion and pageantry. It’s a great feeling to know the positive impact and influence she has done on women of all ages and races. I must say, it’s very cool to have a mom like her.

Happy Mother’s Day mom! Thank you for everything you do for me, our family and the communities! We love you!

By Angela Macapinlac

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“M

y mother is one of the strongest women I know.

She is independent, hardworking, and passionate about everything that she does, and she raised me to be just the same. Growing up the youngest of 3, my mom, a single mom, would go to work every single day, sometimes even bringing me with her. Working in the hotel industry and as an entrepreneur of her own, she took me to so many places, letting me experience many of the things that I’ve come to feel very passionate about today.

Fashion shows and red carpet events were always a big part of my life because of her, and I’ll always attribute my own career and interests to those exact experiences. In building my career in the fashion industry, I can definitely say that I look up to my

mother in so many ways. Her drive and ambition as a woman and a mother, qualities that I admire so much about her, are just some of traits that I’m so thankful for taking on. She inspires me to work hard every day, stay focused on my goals, and remain resilient in the face of strife. In all aspects of my life, and all of the amazing things that I achieved thus far, I have my mother to thank for.

So thank you mom - thank you for inspiring me, for encouraging me to always do better, for advocating my passions in life, for nurturing my happiness, for staying by my side all these years, and for all the sacrifices that you’ve made to help me be the man I am today. Thank you mom.”

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By Patrick Barcarse 51

Imee

ONGMAGHANOY

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BY SHANNEN MAGHANOY

know everybody says this, but I think for me it’s really true – My mom is the best mom there is! She’s really caring and thoughtful.

Even now that I’m almost graduating from college, she always thinks about whatever necessities I need at my apartment and she always brings me my favorite snacks (ha-ha). Another thing I’m really thankful for is that my mom prays for me daily – that’s probably the best thing. She doesn’t just extend out this kind of love and care for me – my mom also tries to help others and especially those in need in whatever way she can, and I know she is constantly praying for other people and their needs too. The thing I’m the most

thankful for is how relational my mom and how easy she’s made it for me to be close to her and to be able to confide in her. I know whatever I’m going through in life, she’s always willing to listen to me and support me. She’s my best friend; I love you, Mommy!

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PULSONG GOTHAM by CASTELLANES GKN

Tagsibol! (Spring!) at the Brooklyn

I

Botanical Garden’s Sakura

NEW YORK

t is with much anticipation, albeit may well be induced, that New Yorkers await to usher in spring after a long thaw. Come to think about it, sunny days are “technically over” after the Labor Day weekend with days increasingly getting shorter and temperatures progressively dipping down such that by February (the coldest month), everyone is psyched up for a change in season. From this April’s last snow still showing its presence after a day’s tease of spring-like weather, patience lost its bearing and the clamor for the hope of rebirth becomes inevitable, more aptly prescriptive.

Last weekend (April 28-29) marked the Garden’s 37th yearly Hanami , “cherry blossom viewing”. This is marked by an exodus of locals and beyond in this Prospect Park, Brooklyn neighborhood with the queue piling hours before the opening at 10 AM ($30 admission). Families

play together with fathers carrying their kids up to sniff through the flowers’ subtle fragrance. Also on view are different individuals in their anime costumes, some even in Japanese kimonos, with a few of the men donning their styles for the day.

Cultural shows also included traditional dances and a more familiar “Taiko” (drum) dancing using age old trees to create “Wadaiko” drums.

The Cherry Esplanade consists of two rows of cherry trees, landscaped in grass, with seating areas on the side. This was where the weeklong Sakura Matsuri celebration occurred. This event is by all means a celebration of all things Japanese with wares offered to guests in a flea style market with vintage kimonos for both genders, tenugui, which are elaborately printed and brightly colored traditional rectangular towels, the use of which evolved beyond hand drying and aproning; dark chocolate cakes, pins, and preserved fruits and jellies.

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PULSONG GOTHAM by CASTELLANES GKN

With only very few cherry trees at their peak, the anticipated spectacle is by no means in full bloom. But the waft of breeze, allowing for the showering of their silvery pink petals, with some guests willfully positioning themselves under them to be lost in their spell, at least compensates for that needed transition. Further, the flowering trees asserting their presence in the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, without a doubt, stood tall for the others which would peak in the next week.

The garden was a gift from one of the Garden’s early benefactors, Alfred T. White, and was constructed in the early 1900s, designed by a Japanese immigrant Takeo Shiota (1881-1943).

Through its winding walkways, various landscapes get to unfold. Our tour guide was very succinct in describing its architectural elements which include a central pond that symbolizes the seas (a far cry from a former ash dump during that period which was the primary means to warm during winter). Koi and turtles further add color to the landscape. Welcoming the visitors is the viewing pavilion that simulates a room for tea ceremonies whose unpanelled windows un-obstructively frame the vista from without. Nothing less of utter simplicity and yet of beauty.

There is also the wooden bridge, and a conspicuous red Torii (gateway) to a Shinto shrine yards away perched on a hill. The waterfall, all artificially constructed with employed Italian artisans, also have stamped their own design of cascading effects, in contrast to a more sublime and quieter Japanese version. As its main ethos, Japanese 54

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style garden incorporates the natural vegetation and a sense of permanence with evergreens, contrasting to that of a traditional English garden with prominent rows and hedges in symmetry, and showy florals. Cherry blossoms are by themselves not a fixture of the traditional Japanese garden due to its ephemerality. Westerners’ association of this flowering tree to Japan makes them easy choices to

dot the landscape.

The weekend communing again reminds us of the diversity of our society and how that enables us to be part of this growing community where differences are celebrated and championed.

Very astutely needed in such challenging times nowadays‌

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STYLE FASHION WEEK IN PALM SPRINGS (COACHELLA) Glaudi

by Johana Hernandez Photos by JOE GARCIA

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STYLE FASHION WEEK IN PALM SPRINGS (COACHELLA)

by Merlin Castell Photos by JOE GARCIA

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STYLE FASHION WEEK IN PALM SPRINGS (COACHELLA)

by David Tupaz Photos by JOE GARCIA

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