Illustrado Magazine – Filipino Abroad

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  • Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf 2020

    Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf 2020

    Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf 2020

    CONSUL GENERAL PAUL RAYMUND CORTES

    Dubai, UAE

    Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes epitomizes the best of the Pinoy spirit as a leader who is optimistic, hardworking, compassionate, and selfless – and the UAE’s entire Filipino community can attest to this without hesitation. Beyond fulfilling his role in the diplomatic service, he has worked tirelessly to support the community through a diverse range of avenues.

    In 2019, under his leadership the consulate was able to help over 6000 Filipinos in Dubai and the Northern Emirates from January to November alone, extending court assistance, facilitating hospital services, and police station and jail visits through assistance to national services. Beyond consular duties, and with the support of community volunteers, he has spearheaded initiatives in the areas of education, sports, arts, and culture, not only to foster a stronger sense of community camaraderie but also to uplift the status of the consulate is a venue for learning and Pinoy pride.

    The year also saw some of the most memorable milestones for the local Filipino community.  One initiative that Consul General Cortes helped realize was the illumination of the Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building, as well as the Dubai Festival City, with the flag of the Philippines during the Phil Independence Day celebrations.  It was an occasion of sheer Pinoy Pride which stood to symbolize the UAE’s recognition of the Filipino people, as well as the strong ties between the two countries.   The same occasion also saw the biggest Filipino gathering in the history of the UAE, at the PID 2019 celebrations attended by some 50,000 kababayans from Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

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    Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf is Supported by: Kaya Skin Clinic,  Emirates Airline, and Unilever.

    Special Thanks to Michael Cinco, Ezra Couture , Giordano, Darcey Flowers, IKON Solutions, Victors Freight, MPQ Tourism, Asia Gulf Companies –La Carne & Filfood, WOL Water

    Check out our recent candid unfiltered interview with Con Gen Paul Raymund Cortes in Illustrado Talks:

    Get a copy of Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf Legacy Edition

    Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos Legacy Edition 2020

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    ILLUSTRADO MIFG 2018

    Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes

    Dubai & Northern Emirates

    Photo by Rozen Antonio

     

    Juggling his time between improving services and operations at the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and Northern Emirates, whilst performing his duties as the most hardworking supporter of the local Filipino populace, and inevitably playing the role of de facto problem solver for some of the most challenging expat issues, Consul General Paul Raymund Cortez has closed yet another productive year with a resounding vote of confidence from the people he so diligently serves.  UAE-based The National newspaper referred to him as the “The Filipino who will never leave a fellow kabayan behind” – in their feature entitled UAE Portrait of a Nation, published in November 2018.  And quite rightly so, because the Filipino community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates have been blessed with his kind of involvement and enthusiasm which has not been seen previously in these parts.

    Con Gen Paul has always had a heart for supporting Pinoys across the country, and with the support of his leadership team composed of Vice Consul Marianne Bringas and Vice Consul Elizabeth Ramos, his beneficial programs barrel through to 2019.   These include more effective and efficient consular services; more proactive engagement with the community on sports, as well as revitalized programs for the youth via the Philippine schools;  the continuation of vigorous economic and cultural programs, as well as initiatives on business and entrepreneurship in coordination with the Philippine Business Council of Dubai; and a deeper engagement with the UAE government authorities.

    Always pushing to serve and to underline Filipino excellence in the Emirates, he affirms, “Things always get better.” With the growing, dynamic Filipino presence in the region and on the international field, he views the current moment as the perfect vantage point from where we could all aim for even more progress.

    He urges to “Continue working on improving your skills, talents, and knowledge and strategize the road towards entrepreneurship.”

     

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    Special thanks to our sponsors: Emirates Airline, Stars n Bars La Mer, Liali, Instax – Grandstores UAE, Dusit Thani Dubai, Gver – Your Friendly Marketplace for Sharing, Meeting Dancewear , MPQ, CMG, Filbrit, and our partners Rozen Antonio Photography,  Alex Callueng Photography, Jef Anog Photography, and Ethereal Photography.

     

    Browse the digital issue of Illustrado 100 Most Influential Filipinos of the Gulf 2018

    100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes – Trailblazer

    He’s easily the busiest Filipino in the emirates.  With almost all of his waking moments spent in the service of the people, it’s typical to see him whizz through, albeit thoroughly, his duties as a diplomat, as well as pull in double, nay, triple, maybe even quadruple duty during the weekends to fulfill his obligations to the community.  He also finds the time to write a column to inspire Pinoys via Illustrado on a regular basis.  But for Consul Paul Raymund Cortes super public servant and all-around ‘rockstar,’ it’s just how he chooses to serve.

     

    100 MIFG - Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes - Trailblazer
    Photo by Alex Callueng

    He reflects, “I would like to be a positive role model for my children, showing them in practice what it means to be a leader of the Filipinos here; what it means to be an inspiration for Overseas Filipinos to continually improve themselves and keep competitive in the global arena, and what it means to be a God-fearing soul in this sea of humanity.”

    On top of his drive towards continually improving the Consulate General’s service to the community, Con Gen Cortes is most upbeat about other achievements in 2017.  These include the staging of Dubai Dubai Musikahan which opened doors for Filipino artists, the partnership with Filipino Educators in providing pyscho-social training and services to the PCG staff, as well as their enhanced partnership with the community in mounting events that focus on Filipino communal spirit in Dubai.

    With his work intended to inspire, the Consul General says, “I hope Filipinos here can harmonize the visions of different organizations into a united one. I also hope we become more aggressive in showing the rest of the other ethnicities in the UAE the richness of our culture and our soul as a nation.”

     

    ________________________________________________________________________________Photography by: Alex Callueng

    Read more Illustrado 100 on www.illustradolife.com

  • Jef Anog – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Jef Anog – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Tastemaker – Jef Anog

    Fashion Photographer

    Jef Anog – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

     

    Meticulous and exacting – these two words describe fashion photographer Jef Anog’s work ethos that allows him to churn out some of the industry’s most fabulous and polished imagery.

    With his relentless passion for capturing perfect images gaining the trust of a distinguished list of clients in recent years, Jef has done projects for prestigious couture houses of Michael Cinco, Ezra Santos, Mona Al Mansouri and Furne One.  He has also done commercial work for the Apparel Group and EMAAR, and Arab celebrities like Joumana Murad and Halema Boland, among many other names within the region, while his fashion editorials have been featured in numerous leading international glossies in Paris, Singapore, Canada, and the Philippines.

    “I believe that every Filipino should elevate their career through their passion,” he says. “Your passions are your legacy. Passion comes from an outpouring of the interests and ideas that make a difference in your life. Finding and pursuing your passion allows you to see your destiny clearly. No one succeeds on their own. You have to bring on your talent to take tasks off your hands so you can actually grow.”

    He believes his gift for taking good photographs was given not just for himself but to help those around him. “This brings a tremendous sense of fulfillment,” Jef shares.

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  • Michael Cinco – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Michael Cinco – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Michael Cinco

    Fashion Designer

    Michael Cinco’s ingenuity for concocting couture fantasies that inspire one to dream is truly unparalleled, earning him and his brand consistent international acclaim; his gift, however, to fascinate the world – well, that’s just icing on the cake.  Inarguably, he is ‘the’ most notable and prolific Filipino designer on an international scale, of this generation.

    Adding to an endless list of A-list celebrities and royalty who have donned his pieces in the past, Michael’s creations were once again brought to the media forefront at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival when Thai-Danish actress and model Sririta Jensen turned heads in two-tiered masterpieces from his ‘Impalpable Dream of Swan Lake’ collection. Creating another iconic red carpet moment was American actress Laverne Cox, who wore a bold orange gown from his same collection at the 2020 InStyle and Warner Bros. Golden Globes After-Party.

    Moreover, Michael’s indelible influence on the world of fashion was recently immortalized at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Museum of Art (SCAD). The solo-exhibition in Savannah, Georgia, curated some of Michael’s most opulent signature creations worn by his star-studded clientele – of which include Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Beyonce.

    While Michael continues to outdo himself in ways bigger than before through reinvention that stays true to his awe-inspiring aesthetic, he also brings our country’s creative geniuses to the forefront with him and his work, as a further consolidation of how the Filipino is a global force to be reckoned with.

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  • Illustrado Editor-In-Chief among 7 Dakilang Bayani Recipients

    Illustrado Editor-In-Chief among 7 Dakilang Bayani Recipients

    Seven Dubai-based Filipinos were awarded with the prestigious Dakilang Bayani award last Friday at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai as part of the 123rd Philippine Independence Day celebrations.

    Dakilang Bayani (translated to Noble Hero) is the highest award given to Overseas Filipinos by the Office of the Philippine Consulate General in the UAE. It honors the deeds of overseas Filipinos who’ve gone above and beyond to uplift the Filipino community, while showcasing exceptional talent along the way.

    This year’s awardees were comprised of International Couturier Michael Cinco, CEO of Prime Group Dr Mary Jane Alvero Almahdi, Senior Gulf News Reporter Angel Tesorero, Entrepreneur Fevie Laurilla, Financial Consultant Ace Quijada, Community Leader Josie Conlu, and Editor in chief & Co Founder of Illustrado Magazine, Lalaine Chu Benitez.

    Michael Cinco, Internationally renowned Couturier

    “Dakilang Bayani is a Filipino who inspires the community not just locally but also in the international scene. It has been my passion to elevate our identity and redefine how Filipinos are known in the global fashion industry by the creations impalpably seen through my eyes. I have created and transformed the Filipino aesthetics by dressing up known celebrities, royalties, beauty queens and supported worthy causes that propel who we are: Filipinos who are proud of our artistic heritage and unfettered by challenges. It is with great humility and transparency that I am able to say that what I have done in the fashion industry and will continue to do, inspired and will inspire generations of young designers to follow their impalpable dreams.”

    Lalaine Chu Benitez, Editor in Chief & Co Founder of Illustrado Magazine

    “From the simple desire for a more progressive representation for Filipinos in the media, my team and I created Illustrado Magazine in 2006. For the last 15 years, we have been championing the world-class Filipino through aspirational and empowering content. We have not only supported thousands of talents, but also inspired millions of our compatriots across the globe to aspire for advancement. Most importantly, we have elevated the way our community is seen, while setting the gold standard for Filipino communications in the region. We have done this despite many sacrifices, commercial challenges, and limited resources — because this is our calling.”

    Mary Jane Alvero Almahdi, CEO of Prime Group of Companies

    “To be a Dakilang Bayani means creating a difference, making invaluable contributions to society and to helping other people realise their worth. Receiving a recognition from a reputed institution means a validation of one’s works. I’m honoured and I vow to continue to take responsibility for every choice and decision I make, and commit to continually improve myself to do more.”

    Angel Tesorero, Senior Gulf News Reporter

    “As a journalist, I deliver the news to my kababayans (compatriots) truthfully and with urgency. The pandemic has brought disinformation in mass media and I would like to believe I did my role in battling the ‘infodemic’ by providing the public — through Gulf News — with accurate information they needed to make informed decisions.”

    Josie Conlu, Community Leader

    “I’ve served the Filipino community by organising various community outreach programmes, medical missions, job fairs, and others. I’ve also showcased the strength of every successful Filipino in various social media platforms and spent time helping distressed overseas Filipinos by seeking assistance from government, semi-government and private organisations.”

    Ace Quijada, Financial Consultant & Community Champion

    “Helping anyone without any reservation, willing to take risks to fight for what is right, preserving integrity and personal values at any circumstance, being determined and committed to accomplish an endeavour for a good cause; even at the expense of sacrificing own time, goals and personal priorities. These have been my guiding principles over the years, and if these were the same parameters used in the evaluation for Dakilang Bayani, then perhaps these were the primary reasons why I was considered for the award by the selection committee and our beloved consul-general.”

    Fevie Laurilla, Entrepreneur & Community Leader

    “I am an ordinary Filipina who consistently helps my kababayans (compatriots) in my own little way. Others may think it’s a cliché, but when I help my kababayans who are in need, I also feel blessed. Helping others bring me joy and blessings come back a hundred-fold. And when you do good with a clean heart and sincere intention, I think that qualifies you to become an exemplary Dakilang Bayani.”

    Taking on the immense task of shortlisting awardees, this year’s selection committee was composed of Consul General Paul Cortes, Mme. Yasmin Balajadia Cortes, Vice consul Aleah Gica, and Drs. Rommel Sergio Pilapil, Nino Decenorio, Rex Bacara and Ben Lebig. Five community leaders were also selected as runner-up candidates for the award: Francisco Boton, Emelina Parcia, Richard Zulueta, Ion Gonzaga and Lou Parocco.

    Members of the committee and attendees of the event also paid special tribute to Consul General Paul Cortes, who is set to finish his Tour of Duty soon.

    Under his leadership as the top Filipino diplomat to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, the consulate has received a number of awards and recognitions through its outstanding service.

  • Illustrado Couture

    Illustrado Couture

    COUTURE 2019 FASHION LIVES

  • Illustrado Couture

    Illustrado Couture

    FASHION LIVES

  • Mme Yasmin Balajadia Cortes – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Mme Yasmin Balajadia Cortes – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Trailblazer – Mme Yasmin Balajadia Cortes

    Community Patron

    Adored by many, Madame Yasmine Balajadia Cortes, supportive diplomatic spouse to Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes, has, through the years, given proof to the invaluable capacity of women as effective ambassadors of culture and understanding.

    Representing the hard-working, optimistic and inspirational contemporary Filipina, she has been a leader within the Filipino community and the diplomatic corps as the head of the Filipino Ladies of Dubai, and the Vice President of the Diplomatic Ladies Group in Dubai.  Serving under the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) of Dubai and the Northern Emirates, she has dedicated her time initiating and spearheading many cultural initiatives that cultivate and introduce Filipino talent to the rest of the multicultural community in the emirates, in turn also continuing to elevate Filipino presence and morale. Among the notable events, she has espoused art exhibits and stage plays at the PCG, Dubai Dubai Musikahan, the Interschool Debate Competition and other community events.

    A proponent of Filipino excellence, Mme Yasmin Cortes constantly encourages her kababayans to pursue individual growth, stating that “One’s development should never be in comparison to other individuals are but more on how they’re able to rise from their previous benchmarks.”

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  • Shareefa Al Bloushi – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Shareefa Al Bloushi – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Gamechanger – Shareefa Al Bloushi

    Pilot

    Originally a banker by profession, Emirati-Filipina pilot Shareefa Al Bloushi made the career shift to one 40,000 feet up in the air, after a need arose to reach her fullest potential. Initially joining Etihad Airways as one of the only Emirati female cadets in 2009, Sharifa now pilots her dream plane, a Boeing 777. After many years of relentless persistence in a majorly male-dominated field, her journey of shattering the glass ceiling is a true testament of how one can succeed and later thrive despite the odds that may be stacked against you. “My greatest achievement is having the courage to do what I love,” Shareefa attests.

    Wearing both of her nationalities with utmost pride, Shareefa shares that knowing one’s roots is integral to the future successes of any endeavor one undertakes. She expresses that the greatest facet of being Arab is the camaraderie felt and upheld by her countrymen, as well as how the UAE feels like one big family that works to keep HH Sheikh Zayed’s vision alive. Furthermore, she attributes her values of humility and love to her Filipina side, as well as the importance of being hardworking. The culmination of both cultural experiences have molded Shareefa into who she is today.

    “As a woman, I see no difference between my work and my fellow male peers’ work. There will always be some who look at your gender as a weakness. If they see weakness, I see the fear in them.” While many may be easily fazed and intimidated by the challenges, and even contemporaries, associated with one’s line of work, Shareefa remains steadfast in her pursuit to strive for excellence and help women ascend to higher heights in every field.

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  • Candy Couture: An OTT Ode to the 80s with Illustrado’s Ones to Watch in Fashion

    Candy Couture: An OTT Ode to the 80s with Illustrado’s Ones to Watch in Fashion

    CANDY COUTURE

    An OTT Ode to the 80s with Illustrado’s Ones to Watch in Fashion

    CREDITS

    Producer: Mon Benitez

    Creative Director: Michael Cinco

    Photographer: Rozen Antonino

    Hair and Makeup: Valentino Montuerto, Jhajha Rivera, Mau Piodena, Ivy Kep Peralta and Darwin Perez

    Models:  Paulina and Sandra of Wilhelmina Dubai; Bruna, Gigi, Elena, Eduardo, and Adam of Niche Modelling Agency

    Special Thanks to: Glitzy Ranya Robles, Ingrid Aureada, and Amyr Sean Kaiser of Niche Modelling Agency, and Michael Gomez of Wilhelmina Dubai

    Production Team:  Rony Aquino, Alwee Villarosa, Paolo Benitez and Antonino Benitez

    Production Support: Chris Daymon and Ace Sagario

    Shot on location at Lighthouse Studio, Dubai

     

     It’s 2019s final stretch, and yet it’s like the 80s once again!

    The era of big hair, big shoulders, new wave, funk, Dallas and Madonna has been feeding the frenzy of fashionphiles, especially with shows like Pose, The Get Down, Guardians of the Galaxy and even the nerdy Stranger Things gaining in cult following in recent years.  Nowhere in the last decade has cheesy nostalgia and vintage aesthetic been so uber cool with a revisiting of the era laced with all the funkiness and OTT (over-the-top) touches, but minus the awkwardness and the bad hairdos.

    Just as the 80’s style and cultural inspirations have crept surreptitiously into pop consciousness lately, Illustrado’s Ones to Watch in Fashion this season have been steadily building up their couture cred in the international, regional and local circuits conquering hearts and runways steadily.  Currently, in varying stages of their careers, these UAE-based Filipino designers share something in common in that together, they are a rising force to reckon with slated to earn their space with the best names in the business.

    Alexis Carrington, dahling!

    Gigi channels ferocious 80’s screen vixen in this strong-shouldered piece with draped-front by Izhcka Zeta

    IZHCKA ZETA

    Francis “Izhcka” Zeta Creative Director at Jacy Kay, grew up dreaming about dressing his elegant muse Audrey Hepburn from as far as he can remember.  But for us, if there was a significant fashion icon from the past who surely embodies his fashion values it would be an edgy Marie Antoinette – unabashedly opulent, elegant, rooted in the classics but with a fresh spin, unique, grand.

    Izhcka’s fashion statements are inspired by a myriad of curious things from baroque details to the unusual like dark butterflies, moths and lizards, translated masterfully into works of art with intricate embellishment that demand painstaking manhours.  He shares his design philosophy – “It is hard to pinpoint what makes my design style as it can vary according to mood and necessity. My artistic sensibility is such that I can capture a classical Baroque style and also finds myself pondering and working on a modern dress that can be an abstraction of the 21st-century look and feel. I can be working on a stylish floral-themed wedding this week and a goth-inspired theme for a royalty’s daughter. Flexibility, I guess. Or probably just being non-dimensional. Design for me is not just pitting different elements together to form a narrative, but it is about the polyphonic coming together, like the beautiful music coming from an orchestra in the opera house. Each instrument is unique and different, yet the harmony produced creates a story that is understood and is worthy of a standing ovation. Design mirrors that. The coming together of all unique elements in sometimes elegant, minimal, often grand manner, producing awe at the present moment and remembered as a beautiful memory that may become the standard.”

    With his eye for detail, the instinct for the unique and his natural predilection for the tasteful, he could easily belong to a couture house in Paris.  Hence it was no surprise when he wowed the discerning Parisian couture crowd with his first-ever runway show with his collection “Monarchs of the Opera” which was equal parts stylish and intellectual.  His new collection is set to appear at two other major fashion shows abroad this year.

    His eyes and hopes fixed firmly on the international couture scene, while his work is already well-known and highly sought after in the region, Izhcka’s career path is quite distinctive compared to his peers, just as his eccentric persona and dramatic demeanor cut a different figure from everybody else.

    Drama in the Opera

    Exaggerated opera coat in cerulean blue, over a deep purple fully-embellished gown on Bruna, by Garimon Roferos

    GARIMON ROFEROS

    A number of prominent Hollywood and Bollywood stars, international beauty queens, Filipino celebrities, including the Philippine President’s first granddaughter all share one couture label in common – Garimon Roferos, which they have worn during some of their most notable fashion moments in the public eye.

    Slims Fashion School-educated Garimon, who was also the 2004 winner of the Concours International Des Jeunes Creatures de Mode in Paris France, has gone a long way since he first got his break in the industry in Riyadh in the ’90s.  Now with his fashion house firmly established in Dubai, Garimon takes pride in creating gowns and other custom garments in his signature style characterized by a feminine silhouette with an artistic edge, realized through distinctive crafting.  Well known in the local and regional market, Garimon has been dominating recently in the bridal show circuit and has received acclaim not only from clients in the Middle East but also requests from discerning brides in Europe and Asia.

    Beyond his success in the region, Garimon dreams of staging his own show within the prestigious fashion weeks of Paris, New York, and Milan.  With his distinctive artistry and skills, as well as his pragmatic sensibilities and ability to deliver in his field, that aspiration is a viable reality in the very near future.

     

    Flower Madness

    Bias cut royal blue dress featuring heaps upon fantastic heaps of laser cut flowers and royal blue acrylic by Ryan Pacioles, worn by Sandra

    RYAN PACIOLES

    Funneling creative steam behind the rise of Atelier Zuhra is the modest designer with a cheeky mien Ryan Pacioles.  As the creative force behind the glamorous UAE-based Omani fashion house, Ryan known for his lavish, elegant and ultra-feminine designs always steeped in luxury, has won over royals and celebrities alike.  With an impressive ascent since their debut in Fashion Forward in 2017, Ryan’s designs have been worn around the world from parties of the elite, celebrity red carpets to prestigious runways including Dubai, Paris, London, and Moscow.

    Of his process for creating, Ryan explains, “I always wanted to change things, to develop my own aesthetic whether it be based on a painting, a film, or an abstract concept, inspiration is all around us.  I believe in lightness, fragility within the couture capsule. I create dreamy and luxurious dress confections for a woman who wants to feel like a real queen or a princess, with glorious whimsical details to cure and feed everyone’s romantic soul and fantasies.”

    Serving as a guide throughout his career, Ryan swears by this quote by American playwright, raconteur, and entrepreneur Wilson Mizner: “Be nice to people on your way up because you’ll meet them on your way down.”

    High Voltage High Fashion

    Elena in an electric red 80s ribbons-inspired dress with architectural collar and hand-painted floral embroidered appliqués by Angel Villiar de Jesus

    ANGEL VILLIAR DE JESUS

    Angel Villiar de Jesus pays homage to curves and the female silhouette as the basic foundation of all his creations, earning him a distinct identity as a designer.  The Managing Partner and Designer at Maro’Sha Ricci Fashion, he opened his couture house in Dubai with business partners nine years ago, after gaining experience working for a prominent couturier in the emirates.  He considers having the privilege to grow his fashion business and prosper in the very competitive market in the UAE his modest achievement.

    Ever the wanderluster, the soft-spoken and thoughtful designer shares he finds inspiration in nature and its different seasons.  He says, “Whenever I travel, I feel my ability to create is renewed.”  He adds, “The people around me, whether good or bad, also inspire me to be the best version of myself.”   Asked what is it that will make him feel that he’s reached the zenith of his chosen career and passion, he remarks, “When I’m sitting at my beachfront in Palawan with my family, close friends, and my dogs, while my brands are moving strongly and enabling me to support my travels and adventures, that’s when I’ll feel I’ve finally made it.”

    Tulle Confection

    Sublimely swathed in candy floss green tulle, Paulina in Harvey Cenit

    HARVEY CENIT

    Steadily on the rise and reinforcing his name among the UAE’s fashion elite at each turn, designer Harvey Cenit has garnered a following in the UAE and beyond the Middle East. He has become a designer of choice for many of the country’s affluent and fashionable and has also dressed a handful of prominent Filipina muses including reigning Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, indie actress Mercedes Cabral, Barbie Imperial, and singer Morisette Amon.

    In less than half a decade, he has achieved a level of success in the industry – a feat that would often take more than double the time for many others. He is the head couturier of Al Aroos Aniqah – a highly revered label among Emarati women, famed for its opulent designs and forte within the bridal field.

    His creations are conceived to uplift not only the female form but also the female psyche – all at once feminine and powerful. His pieces are elegant, sophisticated and tastefully embellished catering to the fancies of his discerning wearers.  To Harvey, the ultimate muse is a woman who is strong, independent, and sweet at the same time. He says, “Like an orchid, the Harvey Cenit woman does not need bees to pollenate it; nor a man for her to feel like a woman.  She is always empowered and graceful.”

    The New Funky Dandy

    Eduardo and Adam in the fresh and irreverent version of the classic blazer by Ronan Cabrito Opina

    RONAN CABRITO OPINA

    Ronan Cabrito has been a key talent in helping shape Michael Cinco Couture’s burgeoning menswear line working under the creative direction of “The Impalpable” designer himself.  Having been a pivotal member of Michael’s team for the last seven years, Ronan’s keen sense of style coupled with his deep understanding of production as well as fabrics has made him an invaluable member of one of Dubai’s most prominent fashion houses.

    With his love for timeless classics and the desire to always find within it, its fresh expression, Ronan delights in working with vivid colors, textures, and embellishments turning what is familiar and expected into pieces that look totally new and current.  “My dream client is Leonardo di Caprio,” Ronan shares.  “His style is classic, timeless, and yet he is very much contemporary.”

    As a rising designer in one of the country’s most celebrated ateliers, Ronan has been able to elevate his technical knowledge and experience within the field, placing him in an exciting position ahead of most of his peers.  Undoubtedly, the industry will see more brilliance from this up and coming designer in the years to come.

    See what happened behind-the-scenes!

     

    Check out more Illustrado Fashion

    Read more about Filipino designers

     

  • Dr. Michael Purugganan – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Dr. Michael Purugganan – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Gamechangers – Michael Purugganan

    Scientist

    Internationally-renowned scientist Dr. Michael Purugganan has contributed to the global pool of knowledge, especially in the area of plant molecular evolution and genomics.  His work has also become a valuable resource for the UAE to help in the improvement and preservation of one of the region’s most important plant species – the date palm.

    Dr. Michael Purugganan - Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf
    Photo by: NYU Media Services

    A leading global authority in the field, Michael is the Co-Director for the Center for Genomics and Systems Biology at the New York University (NYU) in Abu Dhabi.  There he heads a group of scientists who study palm varieties—from the origin, evolution up to their genetic makeup. His work was recognized by the UAE government earning him the Khalifa International Date Palm Award in 2015.  Michael also serves as the Dean for Science at the NYU’s main campus in New York and has published over 130 research papers contributing to global scientific knowledge.

    Michael, who graduated from the University of the Philippines in Diliman and earned his Masters at Columbia University and the University of Georgia, is a representation of virtuosity in any field, as well as the ability of the Filipino mind to compete and contribute at a global level.  He believes in always setting challenging benchmarks in order to excel.  He remarks, “We should keep ourselves to a high standard of excellence in whatever we do.  We should always aspire to be the best, not because of what others think, but for our own satisfaction.”

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