Illustrado Magazine – Filipino Abroad

Tag: Diaspora

  • It’s What I Do – Natalie Mae Misa Duhaylungsod, Jeff Anog & Aileen Fuentes

    It’s about Filipino progress and diversity at the workplace

     

    Natalie Mae Misa Duhaylungsod

    Assistant Sales Manager

    Bin Majid Hotel

    Ras Al Khaimah

    Resilience and diligence are traits worthy of admiration. And Bin Majid Hotel assistant sales manager Natalie Mae Misa Duhaylungsod says Filipinos have it.

    Living proof of this, Duhaylungsod’s describes her typical office day, which starts as early as 7:30 in the morning.  Starting the day with a hot mug of coffee, she sifts through emails and prepares herself up for meetings by 9 a.m. Administrative duties and entertaining hotel guests comes next when she returns to her office at 3 p.m.

    Duhaylungsod’s work focuses on business development and account management. She develops and maintains contact with business generators, meeting and convention planners, travel agents, corporate clients and others working in industries closely linked to the hotel business.

    She says her job allows her to meet lots of people of varying nationalities, and from all walks of life. But while she enjoys meeting people with colorful personalities, she also notes that it isn’t always easy.

    Still, Duhaylungsod insists on working hard and staying strong despite hardships.  “Resilience and diligence are just few of the most important traits Filipinos have which are very evident for the world to see. With these, I would like to encourage all of us to continue rising up to trials and pushing forward as success is surely to be within arms’ reach,” she says.

     

    Jeff Anog

    Accountant

    RSM Dahman

    Dubai

    As an accountant in RSM Dahman, Anog is responsible for the “financial issues” of private companies like small companies that cannot afford to have an accountant in their staff. His main responsibility is gathering their documented transactions and maintaining their accounting books in a computerized environment.

    “Sometimes I look at their accounting software, talk with their staff and ask if they have any issues or questions. I also liaise with external auditors and make some corrective action whenever required,” he adds.

    Moreover, he quips that he is also responsible for properly accounting the time spent by their auditors — an essential step needed to compute and analyze their cost over agreed fees of their respective clients.

    Despite the tedious job, Anog shares that it does not prevent him from pursing his love for photography. He says that as long as his assignments are done, he can work on his photography during his free time. This is one of the intangible rewards of his job, says Anog who is supported by both his boss and colleagues. Anog says he even gets clients from their referrals.

    “Being an artist and a breadwinner at the same time, this opportunity is very important for me. I can do what my heart tells me to do and I can lend a hand whenever my family and loved ones need my help,” he says.

    And keeping the passion and staying strong and firm are life principles Anog wants to share. Emphasizing the phrase “follow your passion and be resilient,” he points that passion alone is not enough as there are going to be distractions and struggles along the road to deal with.

    While reaching for personal happiness, listening to one’s heart and doing something that you love are major factors to success, he notes that a major key is to keep moving on, whenever something is wrong. “Keep in mind that success is paved with thousands of failures and each failure brings you [closer] to the place you want to be,” he says.

     

    Aileene Fuentes

    Office Manager

    DTZ – Dubai

    Aileen Fuentes describes a true Filipino as someone who is full-spirited in every way, but most especially in work.

    As an office manager, her role is to supervise daily office activities daily for the week. This includes implementing office policies and procedures, managing email correspondence and phone queries, oversee supply requisition and equipment maintenance, and communicate with suppliers.

    “A cup of coffee gets me started in the morning. Once I start doing the official work, I don’t have time for personal stuff, which is very important.  Only a call of nature will let me rest for awhile from office works,” she quips.

    But her work doesn’t end there. Being the resourceful and talented person she is, Fuentes makes singing also a part of her living. She is part of a band, which performs in private and exclusive parties. “A single parent like me has to earn extra to provide for the needs of my kids,” she says.  She says that being in this country for about 15 years “is truly being witness to an interesting and remarkable life story.”

    And she sends out a bit of advice to Filipinos to continue being wise and hardworking, because God will eventually bless their perseverance.  “Always be thankful for what you have and do not be afraid to dream high!” she adds.

     

  • The Filipino Hollywood Mafia

    The Filipino Hollywood Mafia

    Filipino Abroad: Filipino Hollywood Mafia

    By Excel V. Dyquiangco 

    Last year, Illustrado reported on the adobo and sticky rice-loving group in known in Hollywood. Known as the Filipino Hollywood Mafia, they have made Filipino talent shine in Tinsel town. Excel V. Dyquiangco introduces us to two of its additional members.

    It is no longer a surprise that more and more Pinoys are establishing a name for themselves in Hollywood. With some Pinoys taking to the limelight and others in the background, the Filipino presence is fast becoming the norm.

     Filipino Abroad: Filipino Hollywood Mafia

    The ever-growing list now includes Filipino-Mexican Jessica Sanchez who finished 1st runner-up in the American Idol competition, Matthew Libatique, Black Swan cinematographer and Dean Devlin, screenwriter and producer of Independence Day and Godzilla.

    “It brings us much joy to see Filipino talent given global recognition; truly Pinoy pride!” says freelance make-up artist Paula “Au” Mauricio who now shuttles between Los Angeles and Manila. “A lot of the globally known designers, producers, actors, singers are friends of ours, and we are privileged to know their humble beginnings. It is just heart-warming to see their works flourish.”

     Filipino Abroad: Filipino Hollywood Mafia

    Mauricio, together with her husband freelance fashion photographer Maurice, are members of the Filipino Hollywood Mafia (FHM), group composed of Pinoys working in the television, film and the fashion industry—basically those who work the entertainment scene.

    Filipino Abroad: Filipino Hollywood Mafia“It is a group that promotes awareness of the Filipino talent in the Hollywood scene,” says Au. “For FHM specifically, since it has a Facebook Group, it allows members to share their recent works, accomplishments, gigs, movies, job opportunities, among others.  It really keeps us connected.” Mau adds that it was their friends, Emmy award-winning producer Michael Carandang (whom Illustrado featured in 2011), actor and producer Giselle Tongi-Walters and news reporter and writer Yong Chavez who recommended them to be part of the group. “Having the opportunity to shoot both in Los Angeles and in Manila is awesome!” she says. “Maurice and I have both had a lot of enjoyable work.”

    Pinoy Bayanihan at Work

    In October 2009, Mau was able to hold an exhibit of his work at LA Fashion Week, dubbed as the “Passion Revealed Show”. The exhibit was also featured in Balitang America. His work can has also been featured in various advertisement campaigns and magazines.  One of Mau’s more notable campaigns was one for French cosmetic giant, Sephora.

    Au, meanwhile, has done make-up for America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) Cycle 18 British Invasion winner Sophie Sumner.  She has also headed the hair and make-up creative team of a fashion show featuring Furne One in LA Fashion week. It was no small task considering that she had to manage 30 make-up artists, 10 hairstylists, 60 models and 20 dancers.

     Filipino Abroad: Filipino Hollywood Mafia

    “Showing our bayanihan spirit is very inspiring,” she says. “It helps promote awareness that there are a lot of talented and creative Filipinos in the industry.  I love that I no longer hear ‘Where’s the Philippines or what are Filipinos?’ from foreigners.”

    Because of such achievements in the industry, FHM loves to give back to the community and share our talents with the whole world. “The more that we individually become successful in our chosen field and we collaborate with other Pinoys, the higher the chances of increasing Pinoy Pride globally!” says Au. “If we have an opportunity and an option to choose the people we work with, why not find Filipino talent?  For example, America’s Next Top Model All Stars Allison Harvard recently modeled and endorsed BenchTM in the Philippines. Through the recommendation and trust of Michael Carandang, we were fortunate to work and spend a lot of time with her while she was in the Philippines. We also did an advertisement campaign for G Fine Body Art in Los Angeles with Allison as the model.  With all of Allison’s international followers and fans, we are proud to be getting compliments all over the world because of the work we’ve done with her.”

    Filipino Abroad: Filipino Hollywood MafiaGetting Back to the Race

    And what about all those stories that we hear about race?

    “I guess we just have to live with racial indifference–I don’t want to use discrimination as it feels negative–as we see it on the news not only in the US, but also all over the world,” says Mau. “But with a lot of talents emerging from different parts of the world, it just makes you wonder if there is such [a thing as] an inferior race.  With FHM, we are reminded that we are Filipinos in American entertainment making a difference in our own fields, with the support of our fellow Filipinos in the industry.”

    “In my opinion, it’s not so much race as the issue,” adds Au. “If you were born and raised in California, I think you have the same opportunity as everyone else.  There are so many successful Filipinos in different lines of work, not only in TV, film or fashion.  I think if you moved to the States after high school or college; that seems to be more challenging.  It’s difficult because you really start your network from zero.  I’ve experienced this and the feeling of “second class citizen” is really there.  You don’t have classmates or cousins or family friends from when you were young that are now doctors, lawyers, directors, managers, CEO’s and others.  In order to succeed, you always need to work an extra mile to be noticed — although this is a blessing in itself and since Filipinos work an extra mile all the time, we have every opportunity to shine.  What’s missing is sharing this with the world, to be globally recognized, which is bridged by groups like FHM and publications such as Illustrado!”

    From MNL to LA and back

    Mau and Au have recently opened a photo and make-up studio in Manila called Bottega Studio. “After living in the States for over twelve years, we recently moved back to Manila early this year. We are now bi-coastal, living both in Manila and Los Angeles. We still maintain clients in LA and we go back every 3-4 months for 3 weeks at a time.  As individuals, through our work, we aim to continue to bridge the Philippines to the international scene.”

    Hollywood, and the movies that have entertained us for generations, has been called America’s greatest export to the world. And with the FHM growing in number and in recognition, is Pinoy talent on its way to becoming one of the Philippines’ greatest exports to Hollywood?

  • Going Solo: For these people, recession has meant SUCESSion


    by Didi Paterno-Magpali reporting from Dubai

    Mary Ann Santos reporting from Manila

    The ongoing economic recession has caused a lot of turmoil in different countries:  currency depreciation, price increases, unemployment and political unrest. Economists are bleak soothsayers, predicting that a prolonged recession will lead to an economic depression. But there are some people who have been able to make the most out of the current economic environment and have turned the recession into their own SUCESSion formula. Didi Paterno-Magpali reports from Dubai and Mary Ann Santos reports from Manila.

    LAARNI EUGENIO: HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY

    Laarni Eugenio’s talent and experience working as a set decorator in one of the Philippine’s biggest TV networks, partnered with her husband Ariel’s keen eye for detail as a props designer, along with their consistent can-do attitude have helped establish themselves as one of the go-to wedding, events planning and design companies in the United Arab Emirates. Ariel’s Designs, which started out with just one warehouse seven years ago, now has expanded into three warehouses with a staff of 15 people of various nationalities– Indian, Nepali as well as Filipino.

    It took them seventeen years of back-breaking work thousands of miles away from home: enhancing their skills, learning the ins and outs of running a business and gaining the trust and confidence of colleagues; seventeen years worth of savings and one window of opportunity before this husband and wife tandem broke free from the bonds of employment and went solo.  And that window of opportunity was when their former employers decided to close down the company. Realizing that she knew how to run the day-to-day operations and could take the company to new heights, Laarni decided to take over the business from the management through a transfer of business license. It was Laarni, who took on the reins of the arranging the transfer of business license, legal documentation and other start-up requirements, while Ariel continued on as an employee in order to retain and continue their residence status in the UAE.

    Starting business in the UAE isn’t easy for expats, as the law requires the support of an Emirati business partner on top of the many other business license requirements. But since the husband and wife team gained the trust of their former employer’s local sponsor, setting up shop was a breeze. Though the almost effortless beginnings didn’t mean that their entrepreneurial pursuit went on smoothly.

    One of the many challenges of owning and running a business in the Middle East is the racial discrimination. Eugenio shares how Filipinos are often stereotyped “Racism has been here since the very beginning (of our business). And we’ve been here in Dubai since 1988. Hindi nagbago yun. May mga kliyente na lalapit sa iyo at hihingi ng proposal pero malalaman mo na lang na pupunta sa iba dahil lang (mas pinapabor silang lahi). Ganun talaga (dito). Tatanggapin mo na lang at mag move on. [Racism has never changed. There are clients who will approach you and ask for proposals, but, in the end, you would get to know that they’ve decided to work with other suppliers just because they were of a preferred nationality. It’s really like that. You just have to accept that racism is a fact of life in the Middle East and you move on.]”

    But despite this Eugenio moved forward with her head held up high and it has paid off. Their company has gained the trust of clients, majority of them Arabs, through their natural talent, sheer determination to succeed, and more importantly, honesty.

    “Naranasan ko na kahit nagawa mo ng maganda yung trabaho at natapos na yung kontrata, pagdating sa bayaran ng balanse, magrereklamo sila, kesho panget at sasabihin sa iyo na babaan ang presyo. Hihingi sila ng malaking discount. [I’ve experienced that even if I’ve done the work well and delivered everything in the contracts, clients will complain that you didn’t do a good job at all. Then ask for a huge discount.]” Though Eugenio had anticipated this, she never had the heart to pad proposals just to secure profits for the company. She is firm in her principles in doing business “I am honest in business. (Sa mga ganung sitwasyon) either kunin mo yung pera kahit lugi ka (o wala ka makukuha). Basta (importante sa akin) meron ka makuha kaysa wala. Prinsipiyo ko na lang kikitain ko yun sa susunod…Hindi naman ako pumasok sa business para kumita ng malaking pera. [In those situations, you either get the payment even if you lose a lot of money or you don’t get anything at all. It is more important that I earn something instead of nothing at all. I just believe that I will earn that in my next projects…I did not set up the business just to earn huge amounts of money.]”

    Eugenio stresses how love for the work, rather than love for money, is more crucial for entrepreneurs to succeed “Di naman lahat ng gusto natin makukuha natin. May trials, may challenges talaga…Masestress ka, pero kung love mo ang job mo, you will take (everything) as a challenge, (whether) good or bad. [We won’t get to have everything that we want. There will always be trials and challenges…You will feel stressed, but if you love your job, you will take everything as a challenge.”]

    MILO TORRES: BAYANIHAN SPIRIT IN THE DESERT

    Unlike Laarni and Ariel Eugenio, who left employment by choice, Milo Torres had to face entrepreneurship in the UAE head-on because of circumstance. He was terminated by his former employer due to corporate restructuring and budget cutting. But thankfully, the company did not immediately terminate his residence visa, which would have meant losing his permit (along with his wife and son) to stay in the UAE. The companyactually renewed his residence visa, which was valid for three years, to allow him to find a job to replace the one he lost “It was a fresh renewal of (residence) visa as I had just finished 6 years of staying with them. It was actually a good gesture from my employer. I did not ask for it. I was a very good employee…it was just unfortunate that my services (were not required by the company anymore).”

    Torres, though was a full time employee as a senior engineer / network administrator at that time; he started moonlighting as a website designer and photographer. This, little did he know, would be the saving grace of his sudden unemployment. He was an active volunteer in the Filipino community as a computer trainer. In fact, he was one of the founders of the Overseas Pinoy Professional Photographers society and he is the publisher of the currently inactive Overseas Filipino Workers’ portal, OFW Zone (http://ofwzone.com). Torres started to concentrate his efforts on his freelance projects while job hunting. It was then he realized how he could actually make it on his own, that he was earning more as a freelancer specializing in web design and photography than what prospective employers were offering him as a senior engineer.

    After more than a year of freelancing, with the help of funds from his savings, Torres decided to register his business to make it official. Getting a business license would be a springboard to expand his business, an opportunity to work with medium to large companies, apart from his regular clientele. “And since I got my (business) permit from TECOM, I was able to (handle bigger) clients like Dubai Duty Free, Sharjah Duty Free, Patchi Chocolates, British Business Group. Maersk, Air France and Dubai Outdoor Media among others.”

    “Networking and mingling with the community plays a very important role in any business as you are actually building good (relationships) with people. In fact, until now, I still receive referrals from my computer students from as far back as year 2000.” Torres proudly shares his key learning on entrepreneurship. It was then he truly felt the Filipino Bayanihan spirit, where he indeed experienced the full on support from the Filipino community “In the first five years of the business, most of (my clients) were Filipinos or were influenced by Filipinos. Now, it is a mix of nationalities.”

    Torres thinks that being an entrepreneur is “one of the most thrilling and rewarding experiences” in his life. He is extremely proud to be his own boss: being hands on in all aspects of the business, managing his own time and using his skills and creativity to the fullest. Yet he still recognizes that going solo is not a bed of roses. “Going into business is not an easy task. You have to work extra time when the economy is low or when competition heats up. Pressure is always there, unlike being employed where (you) just have to work 8 hours a day without worrying about the business. There are lots of responsibilities and plenty of administrative details that are not fun. You can’t please everyone and have no guaranteed salary.”

    Despite the many challenges, Torres remains positive and encourages his fellow kababayans not to be intimidated by going solo. “To start and run a successful business needs a lot of information, but the basics are simple: maintain a positive attitude, stay informed with the current market, stay focused and motivated, plan well, know your customers and keep monitoring all monetary transactions. If you can take that simple advice, you can be a successful entrepreneur.”

    FROM THE PHILIPPINES

    OWEN SANTOS, FREELANCE WRITER

    Owen Santos was previously the Features Editor of Marie Claire Philippines, the local counterpart of the international magazine franchise.   When the magazine ceased its three-year publication run due to a new direction adopted by the media company, Owen became a freelance writer.  She didn’t scare off at the thought of going independent despite the trying times.

    The key to overcoming economic difficulties, Santos explains, is to “develop your resourcefulness even more. With freelancing, you not only work on being creative but also on sourcing your own projects.”  Although Santos is working independently, she advises it is best not to isolate yourself.  “Put yourself out there, and keep in close contact with your network.  You show people what you’re good at by expressing your ideas on how you can help them. You should not be greedy about your ideas and always expect a certain price on them,” Santos adds.  To be highly successful in freelancing, “you should actively pursue projects confidently.”

    To make the recession work for her, Santos adapted a different kind of attitude.  “You do not focus on the negative when you write independently.  You should also develop a different kind of discipline when you are freelancing since you come up with your own schedule as against the rigid 9–5 working hours in a company.” It was this discipline and work ethic that allowed Santos to work on a lot of income-generating projects and still have enough time with her mother who was recovering from an illness.  “I wouldn’t have been able to do that if I was employed.  It will be very stressful not only for my but for my mother as well.”

    MARTINE COSIO DE LUNA, CHIEF BLOGGER/OWNER, DAINTYMOM.COM

    Martine Cosio de Luna was previously a teacher in a progressive school for seven years, and an editorial assistant for a small publishing firm prior to that.  When she had her son whom she wanted to breastfeed exclusively, de Luna decided start a blog about her experiences as a new mother.  Her blog, Dainty Mom, began in March 2010, upon her return to the work force.  “It started off as a free website on Blogspot (the free platform of Blogger.com). It all began as a diary wherein I expressed my thoughts as a new mom,” she recounts.

    As she got into blogging more regularly, de Luna began to take writing jobs on the side, while maintaining her teaching position. She started off by working with different Internet marketing and copywriting projects that she acquired from Craiglist.com, a directory site.  De Luna eventually got repeat clients from both Australia and the U.S. that guaranteed a steady income, enough to cover for the income she gave up as a full-time teacher. In June 2010, she resigned from her job at the school and went into full-time freelance work.

    In 2011, de Luna bought her own domain, daintymom.com, and established it as a brand that is an inspired lifestyle for work-at-home moms (WAHM).  The blog serves a dual purpose:  (1) To promote values and information on how to be a practical WAHM and (2) to act as a launching pad for her freelance services of blogging and copywriting.  Currently, de Luna is also extending her blog to other platforms offline.  She is organizing an event called It’s a WAHMderful Life:  A Work-At-Home Moms 101, a one-day workshop for is for moms who want to find their bliss working from home while making a home. (The debut workshop is this October 2012.)

    How did de Luna successfully overcome the global challenges brought about by the economic recession?  First, she became part of two global phenomena: Outsourcing and WAHM-ing.  “Outsourcing is very much in-demand these days.  The Internet has crossed boundaries, enabling clients to search for service providers worldwide,” she says. “WAHMs are also increasing in number as more women are leveraging the Internet to suit their lifestyle.  They are also able to save from the reduced transportation cost and corporate attire expenses which can be allocated to more important expenses.” Through a career style that is flexible and based on her strengths, she is able to craft a work lifestyle that marries well into the family lifestyle she and her husband have agreed on. “By working from home doing freelance work, I am now able to spend more time with my son, even home schooling him.”

    Secondly, (and in line with this philosophy of location-independent work), de Luna has professionalized the services that she offers as a WAHM. With the many service providers readily available, de Luna advises potential WAHMs to “start brand building and offering your services through online platforms, such as your own website,” in order to differentiate themselves. “If you want to be a freelancer, you have to invest in marketing yourself as the right person for the job. Through your blog, for instance, you can market yourself, create a following, and get potential clients to like and trust you. In gaining their trust, you can establish an ideal work-related relationship with them.” She also advises finding clients who are able to pay for services on a retainer basis, which helps bring in a steady stream of income.

    JAYCE PERLAS, OWNER, PERLAS PUBLIC RELATIONS

    Jayce Perlas was previously employed in a large network company before venturing in a partnership in Public Relations and eventually starting his own private independent consulting firm.  “I was looking for new challenges in Public Relations and Corporate Communications,” says Perlas explaining to why he shifted from an employee to an independent consultant.  “As an employee, you are just focused on your craft.  As an independent consultant, you are challenged to extend your focus to Human Resources, Administrative work and Business Development.”

    Perlas’ business formula actually works to his best advantage. “The economic recession is working to our advantage.   With independent firms operating on the same media with huge multinational PR companies, providing the same and sometimes more superior services, we are certainly at an advantage.  We do not incur extremely high overhead costs just to support an international franchise.  We provide more personalized services to our clients.  With global clients cutting down on corporate communications, a lesser priced but more efficient PR partner is a no-brainer.”

    Perlas further adds, “A lot of companies are looking for alternatives to decrease spending on advertising but still communicate themselves.”  He therefore takes on a role of enlightening clients on how Public Relations is a cost-effective communication tool versus using mainstream advertising.  “We earn the trust of clients and establish a good working relationship with them.  This is how we measure the success of a communications project.”

     

  • Filipino Designer: Oliver Tolentino

    Filipino Designer: Oliver Tolentino

    Oliver with Emmy Rossum in his dress at Pre-Oscar Party 2012 (Photo by A Caruthers)

    Anna Paquin in an Oliver Tolentino pink wool linen cocktail dress with peplum was a winning moment not just for the Academy Award winning actress famous for her role in the TV series True Blood, but also for Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino.

    The gown, which Paquin wore for an alternative cover for ZOOEY magazine’s April-May 2012 issue, made Tolentino the third designer of Filipino descent ever to dress an Oscar winning actress. (The other two designers to have done so are Pitoy Moreno and Monique Lhuillier.)

    Other celebrities joined the pack making Tolentino’s name a regular spoken word on the red carpet.

    Golden Globe nominated actress Emmy Rossum wore an Oliver Tolentino piña cocktail dress worn to the Global Green USA’s 9th Annual Pre-Oscar Party last February in Hollywood. Tolentino was the first ever fashion designer to be featured at the pre-Oscar event with a dozen models wearing eco-Philippine fabric creations by the designer.  The New York Post chose Rossum in the piña gown as its “Look of the Week” in its Oscars weekend Sunday issue.

    Gossip Girl actress Michelle Trachtenberg wore an Oliver Tolentino printed cocktail dress at a Brian Atwood event in New York.

    Anna Paquin in Oliver Tolentino for the cover of Zooey May 2012

    Tolentino has also designed clothes for musical talents like Kelly Price, Macy Gray, Patti Austin, and Cee Lo Green.

    Not forgetting his roots, Tolentino has also dressed some of the best Filipino music talents including American Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez in her purple Oliver Tolentino gown for the “top 3 finalists” show.

    Jessica Sanchez performs in American Idol wearing an Oliver Tolentino dress

    Journey singer Arnel Pineda is also a regular client and Kirby Asunto when performing the Philippine national anthem at the last Manny Pacquiao fight wore a red terno designed by Tolentino.

    Recently, both the Tolentino name and face were part of America’s Next Top Model (ANTM).  Tolentino created 14 outfits exclusively for the British Invasion (Cycle 18) season premiere which aired earlier this year. Tolentino also appeared in that episode.

     

    ANTM Cycle 17 All-Star featuring Oliver Tolentino Creations

    ANTM exhibit Oliver’s US outfitsOliver with models at Global Green pre-Oscar party

     

    Photos courtesy of designer.

  • UAE Filipino Art Showcase

    DARWIN “JAPAT” GUEVARRA

    From winning the Sheikha Manal New Signatures Young Artists Awards in 2007, bagging the silver prize at the Red Bull Art of Can Competition, to his first solo exhibition and his fruitful association with the renowned Tashkeel gallery, Darwin “Japat” Guevarra is arguably one of the first local Filipino artists to have paved the way for other aspiring creative kababayans in the emirates.

    Tell us about your specialization: How would you call your style? Preferred medium/subject?

    My theme depends on my story. My creations are like a novel; with characters, symbols, and sentences. I use art forms that show mixed and multi-media works. I use images, paint and raw or existing materials delivered as painting.

    What is your current fixation or inspiration for your recent artworks?

    My current work is based on the place where I’m living and is inspired by my old works, too. I am continuously inspired by people around me, as well.

    Tell us about your past exhibitions and projects.

    During the “Outdoor Art Project” organized by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, my mixed and multi-media work entited, “City of the Dreamers” was exhibited.

    Here’s a list of my past exhibitions and projects: Outdoor Art Project (May 2012 Bay Avenue – Dubai Culture & Arts Authority), Fakie (Jan 2012 – Art Dexhibition by Fn at Tashkeel Gallery), As the Saying Goes  (2011 – Tashkeel), Made in Tashkeel (2010), Bastakiya Art Fair 2010, MIND – Made in Dubai (2010, DUCTAC), Fakie Dexhibition 2010 (The Shelter Gallery), MEGA 2010 (DIFC), GSIS Art Competition (2010 GSIS Art Museum Philippines), Time of  Humanity (2009, Solo Show at Tashkeel), My Name is Robot 2009  (Jamjar), Art Oasis II 2009 (Wafi Mall), Sheikah Manal – New Signature Young Artist Award 2007 (Dubai Ladies Club).

    Future projects/exhibitions/collaborations

    I’m currently planning for my second solo show.   I’m creating more artworks and also as an active member, I also conduct workshops at Tashkeel Gallery.

    What is you art philosophy if anything?

    I’ve long wanted to have a philosophy behind what I do. I just know that my duty as an artist is to continue what I’ve started. Part of being an artist is to document things – yung mga nakikita ko, buhay ko at panahon habang ako’y buhay pa [those that I see, my life and times].

    Why are you an artist?

    I’m an artist because this is what I choose, and this is what I can do. This is a gift I have received, and this is my lifestyle from now and to the very end.

    If you were not an artist today, what would you be?

    If I were not an artist today, I would be the leader of a band or an actor!

     

    TINI MEYER

    Tini Meyer, has exhibited and received accolades for her works on canvas and public art not only in the UAE, but in Canada, Spain, the UK and even China.  This citizen of the world who is of German, Filipino and Spanish heritage, was originally based in Vancouver and Madrid, but now splits her time between Abu Dhabi and Manila.  In recent years, Tini has become deeply inspired to rediscover her Filipino roots and has since been involved in promoting Philippine arts and culture. 

     How did you get started in art?

    Since high school, I loved painting during nights when I couldn’t sleep.

    How would you call your style?

    I specialize in contemporary abstracts. I do paintings, sculptures and installations. My preferred medium and subject is acrylic, working with textures.

    What or who is your current inspiration for your recent artworks?

    Her Excellency Ambassador Grace has been a huge inspiration in exploring my Filipino background. Her passion for our culture is contagious! I am very grateful for her support in promoting our heritage. I’m working on a new collection experimenting with indigenous materials from the Philippines.  I’m very excited to see the outcome.

    Tell us about your exhibitions, projects, collaborations—in the past, the present and the future.

    I’ve had shows in London through Newertown Art, a platform created by Juan Carlos Farah. My favorite exhibit was my first show in Shoreditch, entitled “External”, with artist friends such as Cyrus Mahboubian and Ruba Asfahani. This project was a collaboration with Jam Azucar on projects to promote Filipino art and culture. I curated a UAE art show earlier this year at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan.

    Why are you an artist?

    I simply couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I love what I do.

    FLORDELIZA PESIGAN

    Photos courtesy of Roxanne Cruz Ramos

    A well-known persona in the Dubai art scene who moves seamlessly between painting, sculpture and dance, Flordeliza Pesigan got bitten by the art bug early on having had the privilege to spend her childhood days at the National Museum in the Philippines where her parents worked.  She turned full time artists three years ago, leaving her corporate existence behind, to follow her bliss.

    How would you characterize your style?

    My works span lifelike portraits in acrylic and brush; abstract paintings using acrylic and palette knife; sculptures in clay or anything else I can use; live art and dance performances.

    I currently do them all and sometimes mix them. My subjects have always been anecdotes about my life and what I’m passionate about the time that the artworks are made. As my passions change and/or expand, my works also keep evolving.

    What the current inspiration for your recent work?

    My works currently have elements of dance and spirituality. It also touches on environmental issues.

    Tell us a bit about your past exhibitions and projects.

    Last June, I was part of Project Mega, the Middle East’s largest designer toy exhibition. I was among the 125 artists featured.  That same month, I was part of the live art and Filipino dance presentation during the Philippine Independence Day, Dignitaries Night, just to name a few.

    What is you art philosophy?

    An artist’s work is an extension of himself, the need to express and make his art is more important than the desire for it to be liked by others.

    Why are you an artist?

    It’s just how I’m designed to be. I breathe art.

    If you were not an artist today, what would you be?

    Honestly, I don’t know…

     

    EDUARDO YAP

    If there’s one thing that definitively stands out from Eduardo Yap’s often surrealist art, it is his images of distorted human faces gnawing at random and yet meaningful objects.  According to the artist, his trademark paintings depict angst, suppressed feelings, and sometimes, peoples’ addiction to material things.  One such painting won him the 3rd prize at the Red Bull Art of Can competition in the UAE 2006, the latter just one of the many exhibitions Eduardo has been involved in since he started painting in high school.  Formerly based in Dubai, the artist has moved back home recently, but not before leaving his indelible mark in the local art scene.

    Tell us about your specialization: How would you call your style? Preferred medium/subject?

    I specialize in depicting issues and people in my art. I use a dry brush style and acrylic paints.

    What about the current inspiration for your recent artworks, can you tell us a bit more about that?

    One of my paintings entitled, “Face the Reality” was inspired by watching my colleagues around my work area. Observing this real situation inspired me to do this kind of art work.

    Another painting entitled, “Voting Ballot” was inspired by the issues related to the Philippine government. I felt the urge to do this painting during the election season.

    I was inspired to paint “Stranger”, after seeing a poor old woman in the city, trying to cope with a new environment.

    Tell us about your past exhibitions.

    I’ve had a number of exhibitions here in the UAE, the last one being in 2010. That one was entitled, “Portrait of Generation” at the Tashkeel Studio. I had three exhibits in 2009: Art Oasis A Green Vision, “Eye of Horus” at the Wafi Mall, Silent Conversation in Tashkeel Studio and “My Name is Robot” at the Jamjar Gallery.

    What is your art philosophy, if anything?

    Art is a reflection of what a person is thinking. It is a small glimpse of what they hold inside. Every stroke has its own meaning.

    Why are you an artist?

    I didn’t choose to be this way. I guess art chose me.

    If you were not an artist today, what would you be?

    If I weren’t an artist today, I would be an engineer.

     

    ELLA ORENCILLO

    Illustrator, airbrush artist, muralist and decorative painter Ella Orencillo has certainly become “one of the boys” in the male dominated urban art scene in Dubai.  Often gracing the hippest art events in the city, her cheeky and mostly pop-surrealist works speak of dreams, feminism, love and chaos and everything else in between.

    Specialization: How would you best characterize your art style?

    I started as an airbrush artist in 1999 in Air Art Asia, but I have been joining school competitions since my elementary days.

    I can say my strong point is airbrushing, although I don’t do it as much as I used to. But, it’s like riding a bicycle, you never forget how to do it. I don’t really know how to “label” or what to call my style. I’d like to say it is semi-realism or pop surrealism. Acrylic is my medium of the moment, and I have been learning how to do watercolor, which I quite like since the result is faster. A portrait of a woman is my staple subject.

    What is your current fixation and how does it serve as an inspiration to your recent artworks?

    Not just current, but most probably, the fixation of my artworks is women. This is probably because women are capable of a lot of different emotions, and I like how a woman’s face can be so dead pan yet her eyes say a lot. I will forever be inspired by the people around me.

    Past Exhibitions/Projects/Collaborations

    Some of my past projects include Project:MEGA, Proyecto Baetulona (Barcelona, Spain), Worlds Together, 3 Keez of Illustration, SoleDxb’s Sneaker Summit, Ninh Nguyen Fashion Show (NY, USA), Spraygraphics: Fill in the Groove (Arizona, USA), Virgin Megastore’s 10th Anniversary, Sheikah Manal’s Young Artist Award 2011 (shortlisted), New Era Introducing 2011 (finalist), FAKIE2, Genius, and Chocol’art, Olympic Mural for the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi for The Domino.

    I just concluded Project: MEGA at The Dubai Mall last June 28, 2012.

    What is you art philosophy, if anything?

    Follow what makes your heart smile. Paint what your heart desires. Always be inspired and be an inspiration.

    Why are you an artist?

    I still have a hard time considering myself as an artist. I still have a long way to go. I just see myself as someone who tries to paint into a picture the images that my mind has weaved.

    If you were not an artist today, what would you be?

    I would love to say, I’d be an awesome guitar player, but more like, I’d probably be still teaching Koreans. I was an English teacher once, and that is one thing I would not hesitate to do again – that, or be a nomad.

     

    SUSAN VILLANUEVA

    When not teaching art to her students at the Sharjah Higher Colleges of Technology, or driving them to win in local and international competitions, Illustrado Woman of Substance Honoree Susan Villanueva turns to painting – her true first love.

    How did you get started in art?

    I’ve had 43 years in art. I started my career in the Philippines working on murals.

    I started at a young age.  I always sketched in the classroom.  I would sketch my teachers and any part of the room that would inspire me. I would always say that lines were my way to remember lessons taught for the day.

    I guess from the day I was born, I wanted to be an artist.  I used every opportunity to express my ideas, feeling and thoughts. I used to make art and then hide them because my parents wanted me to be a doctor.  I was born into a family of doctors so [a career in] art was difficult for them to comprehend.  They wanted me to hold a scalpel, rather that colors and brushes.

    I wanted to paint, but I didn’t have brushes so I used my fingers to paint the subjects.  It would take days to dry oil paint.  I waited patiently and used to hide them in drawers – my clothes would smell of oil paint.

    What do you consider your specialization?

     

    I started as a surrealist. I admire the work of Salvador Dali.  I am thrilled by the texture of Monet, and I am fascinated with the distortion of Picasso’s work. I am inspired by the madness of Van Gogh.

    I work with no specifics, no rules — just expressions.

    As I grew older, my work changed to become more of a more impressionism style.  I love strokes, movement of brushes and painting with no conditions. I love the large format.  I don’t like limitations.

    How would you call your style?

    Impressionism beyond expression.

    Tell us about your past exhibitions, projects and collaborations

    I mounted my first exhibition called Tag-Tuyo (dry season) in 1981. In 1985, I had a group show at the PICC. In 2009, I had selected paintings exhibited in the Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, during the Arts and Media Awards.

    What about your future projects/exhibitions/collaborations?

     

    I am currently working up with an exhibition called “Movements”.

    What is you art philosophy, if anything?

    The world is my canvas. I get inspiration from what I see, feel and what I learn each day. Art is universal, it has no boundaries and limitations.

    Why are you an artist?

     

    Later, I learned that my grandfather from my mother’s side was a painter.

    Perhaps God made me this way to allow me to express who I am, what I am, and what I can be with colors, lines, textures and thoughts.

    If you were not an artist today, what would you be?

    I would still be an artist.  Maybe I will be more vocal with colors and aggressive with my work.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Angelita Castro-Kelly: NASA’s Fearless Filipina Diplomat

    Angelita Castro-Kelly: NASA’s Fearless Filipina Diplomat
    ILLUSTRADO PROFILE – Originally published – January 2011
    By Aby Yap

    Angelita Castro-Kelly took the road less traveled. And as poet Robert Frost put it perfectly, that has made all the difference. 

    Filipina Diplomat

    In fact, it led her to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) more than 30 years ago, where she now holds two key positions, as Earth Observing System (EOS) Science Interface Manager and International Earth Science Constellation Mission Operations Manager (MOM). Angelita is the first woman and the first Filipino to have ever achieved such a feat at NASA.

     

     

     

    She quickly points out, however: “One’s success is usually attained due to a larger team of people that work cooperatively with each other in order to reach their common goal. So, any success that I’ve been fortunate to experience is the result of not only my hard work, but of the people that I work with.”

    In this multi-billion dollar program, they have three major EOS missions —Terra, Aqua and Aura — each satellite carrying several instruments that measure a specific phenomenon, she explains. Aura is dedicated to the atmosphere, Aqua to water, and Terra to land data. All three satellites fly in constellation with other earth observing satellites from France, Japan, and Argentina. Other countries, Canada, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Brazil, and Finland have instruments on the constellation satellites. These constellation satellites fly very closely with each other, within seconds to minutes at 705km to enable scientists to obtain concurrent data from the various instruments. Scientists then correlate the gathered data to study the Earth as an integrated system.

    Angelita led the development of agreements and procedures with all the member satellite teams and countries to ensure that they all fly together safely in accordance with established guidelines. She chairs a working group meeting composed of engineers and scientists, which meets face-to-face twice a year. The teams coordinate their daily and special activities via telecons and electronically linked systems.

    Prior to the launch of the satellites, Angelita, the first EOS MOM, developed the overall EOS Mission Operations Concept that became a basis for implementing all EOS missions. She worked with various flight engineers, ground system developers, scientists in the US and with international partners in Japan, United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands, and Finland to understand their requirements and develop specifications for a control center that would be able to send commands to the satellite and a ground system that would be able to capture and process data from the instruments.

    After the launch, her role evolved to that of Science Interface Manager, as she continues to act as a bridge between the scientists and the ground system and operations team.

    Reaching for the Stars

    Growing up in Sampaloc, Manila, Angelita had shown early on that she was far from typical.  With her keen interest in Math, she eventually found herself among the very few enrolling in BS Mathematics and Physics at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), where she also spent her elementary and secondary education.

    “(It) seemed like a good thing to do,” she rationalizes. “The two subjects provide a good foundation for many career possibilities, including Medicine.” Back then, her paternal grandmother wanted her to be a doctor like her departed father, who also served as captain in the US Armed Forces in the Far East.

    Angelita is the youngest among six children in a family of achievers. Her oldest brother is a doctor, one was a former ambassador and Minister of Foreign Affairs, another is a lawyer, and her two sisters were UST professors. Both their grandfathers became mayors of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. But she never felt any real pressure to follow someone else’s footsteps.

    It was her mother, a pharmacist, who “stressed the importance of having a good education,” she says, while her “siblings’ accomplishments served as an inspiration.” She even attributes her diplomatic skills to her late brother Ambassador Pacifico Castro.

    Space — stars, planets and astronauts — was another youthful fascination for Angelita. She discloses, though, that her idea of NASA during that time was very limited to rocket ships, following the visit to Manila of Friendship 7, the rocket ship of John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth.

    Conquering Space and Time

    After she earned her degree, Summa cum Laude, Angelita moved to the US to pursue graduate studies in Physics at the University of Maryland. The transition proved to be quite challenging. “It’s easy to get lost in a country such as the US,” she recalls. “I had a bit of a cultural shock, finding myself among people of diverse faiths and cultures.” It was her strong faith that sustained her all throughout. Luckily, too, her, mother and two siblings were living nearby.

    “In graduate school, the number of women was very small,” continues Angelita. “The 4-story Physics building had only one restroom for women.” She had the same experience when she first began working at NASA.

    “I was usually the only woman in a roomful of men at technical working group meetings. Most of the men treated me politely and some were even helpful; one or two had an attitude but eventually came around, Angelita recounts. “The initial challenge was to show them that I was just as capable as they were to do the job. The trust and respect came once they saw that I could contribute to the success of the mission.”

    At Goddard Space Flight Center, she also made more awesome discoveries: “the depth and breadth of the space endeavor, the diversity of scientific and engineering disciplines, and the many career opportunities to contribute to the space program.”

    One of them was being the Project Manager of the Shuttle/Spacelab Data Processing Facility, where she learned about negotiating with space personnel at other NASA centers and in other countries – a preparation towards becoming the EOS MOM.  Then, she started making history.

    One Step for Angelita

    Her contributions to the several missions she spearheaded at NASA were soon recognized by both her kababayans and colleagues.

    In 1993, she received then President Fidel Ramos’ Presidential Award, Pamana ng Bayan for Science and Technology. She was also named one of UST’s Ten Outstanding Thomasian Alumni for Science and Technology.

    Filipina DiplomatOver the years, NASA has conferred her the following honors: Goddard Space Flight Center Exceptional Service Medal, Manned Flight Program Launch Honoree, Astronauts’ Manned Flight “Snoopy” Award, GSFC Exceptional Performance Award, Flight Project’s “Mission Impossible” award, and recently, the NASA Honor Award Exceptional Achievement Medal (2007, 2009, 2010), and numerous group achievement awards including the NASA Honor Group Achievement Award for the Constellation Mission Operations Working Group. She was also acknowledged as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the US by the Filipina Women’s Network.

    Angelita emphasizes, though, that she’s also been very fortunate to work for managers who’ve given her the chance to blossom in her career because they trusted her with the responsibility of representing NASA at meetings with other organizations in the US and abroad.

    Her mother had been very helpful too. “My Mom came to live with us after the birth of our third child. (She) made it possible for me to go to work every day and be able to concentrate on my work without worrying about the children,” she shares.

    She and her husband Dr. Francis Kelly, also a physicist, consider their three children both an achievement and a blessing. “I made a decision after getting married to take time off to learn to be a wife and eventually a mother.  I have no regrets losing four years when I could’ve been working,” reveals Angelita who spends most of her free time with her grandkids. “I think women shouldn’t put off marriage and having children just to have a career.”

    One Leap for the Filipino

    Maybe she was born under a lucky star. Maybe it was written in the stars. But she’s still most thankful to God for His many blessings. “Whatever success I have today is from God, who gave me the grace of a education, and who gave me a wonderful family and a loving husband,” Angelita says humbly.

    Any advice she can give to kababayans who still hesitate to walk the road less travelled?

    For anybody to succeed in their career, she believes one needs to “develop strong skills in written and oral communication, a good attitude, a willingness to get the job done no matter what, and flexibility. Don’t do only what’s required—go above and beyond if needed.”

    But more importantly, she believes in staying true to Filipino values: being God- and family-centered, honest, hardworking, and determined.

    “Never forget to pray! Take God with you whatever you do and wherever you go,” Angelita underscores. “Trust in Him — He’ll guide you to places you haven’t even dreamt about today.”

    Even in space.

    Filipina Diplomat

  • Onli in da Pilipins: BA Filipinology

    By Aby Yap

    WARNING: This program isn’t for the unadventurous and/or the humorless.

    Many have started out zealously – as if audience to Bro. Mike’s “siksik-liglig-umaapaw” moment – then gradually ended up disillusioned and more embittered than ampalaya that they often go on a tirade about the 7,107 reasons why the Philippines and Filipinos suck.

    Others excel at it naturally and pass with flying colors, and make the world the way it is today.  Running like normal. Good.

    Then there’s the rest of us who give it our best shot, have a few misses, bounce back again, and still come across the dreaded Singko, try hard as we might to master everything. Yet we don’t drop out of the course. And we won’t ever.

    Because it’s fun learning about being Pinoy and living as one. Plus, there’s no such thing as Maximum Residency Rule. It’s all unli.

    Are you bold enough to major in BA Filipinology? See what it takes to earn a lifetime degree.

     

    F101: Family Few NOT – Required, 10 Units

    Understanding that the family isn’t just the basic unit of society; it is the society—at least for the Filipino family. A typical household consists of yourself and your parents, siblings, grandparents, and yaya who’s probably a distant kin, too. In your neighborhood/barangay reside your uncles, aunts, cousins, and relatives-in-law up to the fifth degree.

    F102: The Godfather (and the Godmother) – Elective, 2 Units

    Discovering child-rearing assistance. Since many Filipino parents believe that the more, the many-er and the money-er, you luckily have a dozen of reluctant ninongs and ninangs. So what if the priest got angry during your baptism? You’ll always be guaranteed at least two dozen Aguinaldos every Christmas.

    F103: What’s in a Name – Elective, 2 Units

    Identifying yourself. In ‘Pinas, most babies are called Baby and most little boys are nicknamed Boy. A brown dog is Brownie while a black one is — guess what? Blackie! Others use repeated names, e.g. Noy-noy. Some insert the mahiwagang “h,” e.g. Rhoy. As to why they do that, ah, there lies the mystery.

    F104: Actions Speak Louder than Words – Required, 5 Units

    Reading into the Filipino’s non-verbal language. You can point direction with your lips, either greet or provoke someone by raising an eyebrow, smile to show you’re happy/embarrassed/shy/clueless/deadma, or not have any facial reaction at all when you’re tampo. More forms – of facial reactions, that is – to be discussed.

    F105: Happy Holidays – Required, 10 Units

    Listing down the many reasons to be happy and to party. Fiestas every month, Christmas as early as September, summer vacation, no-class days come the rainy season — we have so much to celebrate! The key is filing your VL the soonest time possible.

    F106: The Road – Required, 5 Units

    Exploring the streets of Manila. Be ready to do it at a snail’s pace during rush hour. Want it or not, the city’s roads could be downright horrifying when traffic is real messy and the jeepney you’re riding is a mobile disco. Off the road, you can take the LRT/MRT but expect heavy body bumpin’ and sweat sharing.

    F107: Our Daily Bread – Required, 5 Units

    Debunking this claim because it’s rice that we need to survive. That is, sinangag for breakfast, steamed rice for lunch, lugaw for merienda, arroz valenciana for dinner, and suman for midnight snack. It’s always all you kanin!

    F108: Yummy! – Prerequisite: F106, 5 Units

    Digesting the idea of what’s yummy to the Filipino. Jollibee Chicken Joy brings us gastronomical joys. Lechon and chicharon warm (and kill) our hearts. We love what most people would find yucky: duck embryo, chicken head/neck/butt/feet/intestines, pig ears/blood/intestines, crickets, frogs, dogs… are you hungry yet?

    F109: The Latest – Required, 5 Units

    Recognizing Filipino Time. Because we’re staunch believers of the saying that “It’s better late than never,” Filipino Time means arriving 30 minutes to 3 hours late. It depends on the traffic/weather/mood or whatever reason we could think of. To help your on-time friends cope, text them “Patience is a virtue.”

    F110: Speech Power – Elective, 5 Units

    Leveling up your communication skills. It pays to be multilingual. To enter showbiz, talk like Kris Aquino. To pursue a call center career, exaggerate the American accent. To run for public office, declaim in straight Tagalog. To bond with our happy and gay kababayans, speak in Bekimon. To turn your stalker off, text him/her in Jejemon. Jejeje.

    F111: That’s Entertainment – Required, 10 Units

    Expanding your interests. There’s no dull moment in the Philippines. Visit your neighbors as soon as you wake up for the hottest news. Come home by lunchtime for your favorite variety show. Do the telenovela marathon from afternoon ‘til night. For your pampatulog, drop some P5 coins into the community videoke machine and sing a la diva.

    F112: Do the Haggle – Elective, 5 Units

    Managing your finances. Remember this: every self-respecting Pinoy can smell the nearest tyangge/ukay-ukay and he/she calls it a done deal only if a tawad has been made — even if it’s just a PHP5 discount. We head off to the mall only when there’s a mega sale, we need AC, or Coco Martin is having a mall tour.

    F113: Reel Beauty – Required, 10 Units

    Prettifying the Filipina. Is it Miss Universe, Vicky Belo, or Snow White? Whoever’s fault it is, we can no longer stop buying papaya soaps and flat ironing our hair, aargh! And now someone else is saying that you’ve got to have foreign blood to be beautiful and world-class. Please, does anyone know where to get it?

    F114: Career Orientation – Required, 10 Units

    Climbing the ladder of success. The trick is to do it slowly, strategically, and surely. Here are the options: (1) Join PBB Teens then co-star with JLC in RomCom films. (2) Hire a voice coach and upload your videos on YouTube. (3) Train hard to be a boxer and join international competitions. Once Tito Boy has interviewed you, you can launch a political career.

    F114: Practice Makes Perfect – Required, 50 Units

    As it’s been said many times, you learn by experience. So, enjoy your practicum and good luck!

  • Filipino Canada – My Pinoy Life in Canada

    Filipino Canada – My Pinoy Life in Canada

    City of Calgary skyline at night in the winter – © Stemanshot | Dreamstime.com

    Filipino Canada – My Pinoy Life in Canada

     

    After close to a decade of living in hot, sandy but flashy Dubai, Quay Evano and his family packed their bags for cold Calgary, Canada. Here, he shares the whys and hows of eventually moving from the City of Gold, to the land of hockey, maple syrup and snow.

    The Evano’s – Former Dubai Residents

    A former Dubai Filipino expat in Canada

    “You’re from Dubai?  Wow, why are you here in Canada?”

    That is the question I hear most of the time from people I meet in Canada when they hear that my family and I lived in Dubai for close to ten years.

    Dubai, I guess, has become as famous as other great cities of the world like New York and London, so much so that when you say “Dubai”, people instantly imagine the grandiosity and beauty of the city and the lifestyle that comes with it.

    Another question I am often asked pertains to my citizenship, whenever I mention that “I’m a Filipino who used to work and live in Dubai for almost ten years, but am not a citizen.”

    These two questions alone leave me with a lot of explaining to do. Though, the ultimate query has always been – why leave a comfortable life we’ve grown accustomed to in the City of Gold to settle in Canada.

    Migrating for their future

    My wife, two kids and I moved to Canada in August 2011, after about four years from our initial on-line application to receiving our permanent resident visas.

    Before finalizing our plans to migrate, we thoroughly researched about life and the job market in North America. We considered all the pros and cons between staying in Dubai versus migrating. We even thought about going back to our beloved motherland, the Philippines.

    Eventually, the decision was to migrate and the reason for choosing to, were many.

    Just like most of my friends from Dubai who migrated to Canada, perhaps the most important reason for us to migrate is to secure a better future for our children, especially in terms of education.

    Like most parents who want only the best for their children, we want our children to have first-world education so that they will have more opportunities in the future.  Education in Canada is free from Kindergarten up to Senior High School so that’s a big help to our family’s finances.

    In Dubai, parents have to pay around AED11,000 per child  for a school year at the most affordable schools.  The rate would be double, even quadruple in the US, UK, Australia or Canada-affiliated educational institutions.

    Health was another reason.  With the stifling heat most of the year in the emirates, not to mention the shuffling between the mind-boggling temperature outdoors to the 24/7 air-conditioning indoors, as well sandstorms which are common, my kids and I experienced respiratory problems often.

    My wife and I wanted our kids to live in a place where the air is fresh – where we won’t need air-conditioning. And Canada has one of the cleanest air and best water quality in the world.

    So, it was goodbye to the heat, but hello to the super cold snow. We left a city where the temperature would rise up to 50 degrees Celsius, then settled in a place (Calgary, Alberta) where the temperature would drop to minus 40 degrees. Talk about extreme opposites!

    Calgary Downtown as seen from the Princess Island, on the Bow River. – © Nelugo | Dreamstime.com

    Also, when it comes to traveling around the world, Canadian citizens like Americans, Australians, and the British get visas upon arrival in almost all countries. There is also a dual citizenship option, so becoming Canadian citizens would be beneficial to us in many ways.

    My wife and I always say that if only the UAE could give citizenship, we would have loved to stay there forever, but unfortunately, that is not the case. Even if you live and work there for 40 years or more, you will still need to leave the country at some point in your life.

    We love and miss Dubai, because it is where we met, got married and where our children were born. However, in considering our priorities in life, we have come to the conclusion that a better future lies ahead for us and our children in our new home.

    So we’re finally here for the long haul.

    Going through the motions

    Unlike some immigrants from the Middle East, we didn’t use the services of an immigration agency. Instead, we began the immigration process by applying online through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

    (www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp.)

    By asking friends and relatives, we learned that hiring an immigration agency doesn’t make any difference to one’s application as agencies do not have any authority or power to expedite applications. Going on-line also saves one from having to pay other service fees.

    Here’s a timeline of our application and migration process:

    May 2007

    Application forms filled and sent with fees to the address given in the website (for Middle East applicants, one has to send it to London, UK).

    July 2007

    The Canadian Immigration Office acknowledges, by mail, that they have received the application and that they will start processing the papers.

    October 2007

    Another letter is received informing us of our option to withdraw our application and get a complete refund until a certain deadline or, proceed with the application, which we have done.

    2009

    The Canadian Immigration Office sends us a checklist of required documents which included – police clearances from the Philippines and the UAE, certificates of employment, birth certificates, marriage certificate, educational transcript of records, financial or bank statements, etc.

    September 2010

    We received instructions to undergo a medical check-up at a Canada-immigration affiliated clinic.

    April 2011

    The Canadian Immigration office requested for our passports in view to issue Permanent Resident visas.

    May 2011

    All passports submitted to the Canadian Immigration office in London. We then waited for a month a half for the passports to be returned, with visas stamped on them.

    All approved applicants are given a time frame to enter Canada; usually it is one year after the medical check-up, so that left us with only a few months in Dubai.  After this, it was pretty much a series of saying goodbyes to family and friends in Dubai, resigning from our jobs, selling many of our things and packing our other stuff for the big move to our new home.

    Skyscrapers towering over Calgary Alberta Canada with Bow river and Centre Street bridge in foreground. – Jeff Whyte | Dreamstime.com

     

     

     

     

  • It’s What I Do

    ANNA LIZA LLAGAS

    Guest Service Agent

    Corporate Real Estate Services (MAF DALKIA)

    Standard Chartered Bank

    I work as a Guest Service Agent. My duties include event management, floor coordination as well as carrying out any other duties as directed by Management. It is my duty to provide a high level of customer service at all times, while promoting a good image and positive impression for the group with all the people we work with.

    During my free time, I also do modelling. I love to pose in front of the camera and enjoy nurturing this other side of my personality.  Modelling has also allowed me to participate in charity works which I enjoy.  I like the fact that even in this simple way, I can help others.

    My typical working day starts as early at 5 AM. I get to work at 7:30 AM and end at 5:30 PM.  Being in the corporate world, I love being active, meeting interesting people and CEO’s from different parts of the world. I’m fortunate to have wonderful people and leaders around me who have faith in me and believe that I can perform the job well. I’m more than happy to say that I’m living out my dream.

    I prefer to work for love, not for money. That principle gives me strong determination to keep on going and exploring my career. At the young age of 19, my dream was to get a regular job right after I graduated from college in 2003. My main objective was to stand as a breadwinner for my one sister and one brother. I spent five years of working successfully in Brunei Darussalam before I landed in Dubai and my dream has come true.

    While I was working in hospitality and corporate companies, I got a chance to develop my skills to interact efficiently with people.  I guess you can say that I have gained maturity from work experiences.

    ‘Discipline, strong responsibility and commitment are secrets to success. I think people should learn on how to value their character other than material things because these count the most. Love your parents and always appreciate things along the way. First and foremost, never forget to put God in every decision that you make; everything will be fine.

     

    MANUEL ALMARIO

    Community Journalist

    Gulf News

    I have been working in Gulf News as a community journalist for more than a decade now. I am very proud and grateful to be part of a leading daily English language newspaper in the UAE. It has been a rewarding and enriching experience for me as a journalist.

    Since I am managing the complaints section, I have to screen all the complaints of our readers if they are worth pursuing. Prior to publication of complaints against any company offering a public service such as banks, telecoms, airlines, and so on, I have to investigate the issue, and if required, get the comments from the management of the concerned company to present both sides of the story. I am happy to note that, in a way, I am able to help the general public resolve their issues. It is very fulfilling and heartwarming whenever I receive a token of appreciation; a simple thank you note from our readers for resolving their issues makes my day. Evidently, I am happy with what I do and this is why my loyalty is with Gulf News!

    Facebook eats up my life. Let’s face it, Facebook is addictive! Although it’s a social networking site, it’s still part of my daily routine at work; I have to look for other sources of information, interesting unique stories, news to report, and so on. It is very fascinating to learn of varying issues from personal account to group activities; they help me to stay abreast of the current news stories.

    Aside from the above duties, as a journalist, I also have the privilege of meeting different interesting people and writing about their stories. There are a lot of fascinating stories that has happened to me working here for over a decade. What comes to mind is when I covered the performance of my favorite singing pop sensations Charice Pempengco and Billy Crawford at the Dubai Tennis Stadium. It was simply amazing!

    My motto is to live life to the fullest, as life is so short. I urge Filipinos do the same to enjoy life, but always follow your heart and do the right things to be able to inspire others. And be proud of being Pinoy!

     

    CRISNA de GUZMAN

    Sales and Marketing Executive

    Kalimat Group

    I have been in sales and marketing ever since I stepped in the corporate world. When I moved to Dubai four years ago, I really wanted to work in print media, preferably for a magazine. Thank God, I got what I wanted. I am the Sales & Marketing Executive for Kalimat Group, mainly responsible for selling advertisement space in our monthly travel, car and yacht magazines. There are some editorial parts of my job, too. I give recommendations on what subjects to feature and I handle the shopping and fashion pages.

    My work revolves mostly around networking and meeting with who’s who in the travel, motoring and high street fashion industry in the UAE and overseas. My work requires me to always be on the move, I’m out of my office most of the time for sales meeting, attending press conferences, exhibitions and product launches. Where there are media and social happenings, you will find me there.

    A typical working day in my life either starts with me going directly to meet a client or going to my office at the Dubai Media City. My day usually has a lot of phone calls, emails and moving around. I am on the road 70% of the day for negotiation meetings and to close important deals. On some days, I could also be busy with my VIP invites to fashion shows, concerts, product launches and media parties. These events usually stretch my working hours until late night. But that’s the fun part of my job, I must say. I guess you can’t be in this industry without being a social butterfly.

    With Roberto Cavalli

    I’ve had the chance to travel because of my job.  I have been to London, Berlin, Vienna, Basel, Lucerne, Doha and Beirut to name a few. Most of the time, in a room where I am the only Filipino, I feel like I’m not just representing our media outfit, but our country as well. It makes me feel proud especially when people take notice. I have met a lot of very interesting and successful people because of my job – from government officials from different countries, to CEO’s and heads of big corporations, as well as celebrities like Roberto Cavalli, Kim Kardashian, Giovanna Ferragamo, and Elisa Sednaoui.

    My worth ethic is “work hard, play harder”. We are not just here to work and enslave ourselves with the complexities of our everyday lives. Let loose and learn how to enjoy life. See the world if you have the chance. Take advantage of how multi-cultural it is here.

    Make a lot of friends, learn about others’ culture, equip yourself with great memories that you will treasure forever and share with your grandchildren when you grow old.

    Lastly, be flexible with your environment. Learn how to adapt and deal with different types of people and value people that you meet along the way. Good relationships are more important than any sales or business dealings.

     

     

     

  • Pinoy Pro

    ERLEA SANTILLAN RONDARIO

    Commercial Controller – Consumer Division

    Johnson and Johnson Regional Office

    UAE

    After passing the CPA Board, Erlea Santillan-Rondario immediately joined Accounting firm, Ernst and Young as a financial auditor.  A friend told her about a career opportunity in Dubai in 2002 and since then, she has made Dubai her home.

     Currently, Santillan-Rondario is the Commercial Controller of the Johnson and Johnson Regional Hub, Consumer Division.  “Our products include household names of J&J baby products, Neutrogena and Listerine to name a few. Commercial finance is more focused on the business and operations side of the company beyond our usual financial reporting requirements. My team is responsible for building financial models to assist the Management Board’s decision making,” she explained.

    “The best part of my work is that it goes beyond the traditional finance work.  I come to the office anticipating a new project on brands or key markets for growth, evaluation and analysis of sales performance.” There is excitement in Santillan-Rondario’s voice as she talks about her job which many are either intimidated or bored by.

    She makes a similar admission saying, “Being in Finance, I always thought that we are just plain accountants who will just produce numbers on paper. Now, it has taken a new meaning because with my company I was given the opportunity to become a leader and true business partner.”

     “Now, I realize more that it is not your typical desk job but a new way of influencing decisions that are the building blocks to success.”

    Still, she finds ways to relax and unwind by doing something unrelated to her job — cooking. “Some women are glued to soap operas and reality shows, me, I’m hooked to the Food Network or any kind of cooking show,” she laughs.

    Leisure time is spent combining other interests and passions like photography and traveling. “I’m grateful for having been able to travel with my husband, Rommel who is a professional photographer. Our daughter, Catriona, is one year old and growing too fast,” laughed Santillan Rondario. “But I guess all mothers say that. We can’t wait to take her to our next travel destination.”

    ERICK CASIDSID

    Design Manager

    GEMACO Interiors

     

    Erick Casidsid’s career has been mostly about giving.

    Before leaving for The Gulf, Casidsid worked with design firms as a project management consultant. He even worked for a real estate developer.

    But what perhaps was most important to him was having the chance to be in the academe as a college instructor. “I served my alma mater for two years where I finished my course as a college scholar,” said Casidsid, a recipient of President Elpidio Quirino scholarships.

    Currently, Casidsid holds the position of Design Manager in Gemaco Interiors here in Dubai.  “As head of Design, my overall responsibility is to manage and supervise the daily operations of the in-house design team. I ensure the quality and functionality of our designs.” To do this, ocular site inspections and regular interaction with his staff is key. “I review and check all design and coordinate with the sales and operations departments.”

    Working abroad and having been in the design and build industry for the last 12 years have given Casidsid a sense of fulfillment at being able to carry out each project meeting client’s satisfaction and completing the project within budget and on time.

    He’s always cognizant and grateful at how he was able to achieve this with the help of scholarships he was awarded and which allowed him to finish college. “I guess you could say I put myself through college. That fact, passing the Board Examination for Architects and being promoted to my current post are my greatest achievements that I can consider so far.”

    The father of two calls his role as family man another favorite title. “I usually spend my free time playing basketball, watching movies or just spending time with my family. Anything that I can do with my family will always be a priority,” Casidsid.

    RUSSELL C. GONZALES

    Assistant Vice President – Middle East

    Asia Middle East Tours and Travel LLC

    UAE

    “Cross country” can best be used to describe Russell Gonzales’ work life. Having been with Asiatravel.com group for 15 years now, Gonzales started in Manila Office in 1997, and went on to become the youngest General Manager for the Philippine subsidiary in 2000. Then he was assigned to USA in 2001 to develop the Northern America inbound market.

    Finally, in 2004, he was transferred to Dubai office as Business Development Director. He has been overseeing and managing this branch, now as Assistant Vice President – Middle East (for Asia Middle East Tours and Travel LLC (Asiatravel.com Dubai-UAE).

    “I head the Middle East operations of Asiatravel.com group. I normally create and monitor business strategies for the development and growth in my areas of responsibility,” said Gonzales.

    The job, needless to say, involves a lot of travelling. “While at work, I’m able to travel and explore our product destinations to learn its culture, features and selling points and mingling and meeting interesting business partners.”

    But for Gonzales, the bigger perk of the job is seeing the fruits of his contributions to the business. “I have been able to convert Asiatravel.com’s Dubai Office from small operations into a major business contributor of the organization and one of the established Online Travel Agent in the region.”

    Shifting to a different note, Gonzales reveals his personal side saying. “I’m quite a different person outside the office. I’m not as serious,” he revealed, laughing. “My hobbies include collecting songs and mixes and DJ Mixing, doing photography, playing basketball and sometimes cooking. But most of the time I’ll be working on my laptop and just surfing the net.”

    FLORELYN SORIANO

    Senior Accountant

    Petroserv

    UAE

     

    “My mom used to remind me that I need to finish college because there’s nothing else that she could give me except an education,” was how Florelyn started her story.

    “I got pregnant two years before graduation. I broke my parents’ heart, but they stayed by my side. And in 2000, I graduated with a degree in Accountancy.”

    Soriano worked as an accountant in a number of companies in the Philippines before moving to the Gulf. She was not able to take her daughter with her at first, but instead of being disheartened, Soriano just worked harder.

    “I started as a Junior Accountant in ASIA Co – Petroserv (a construction materials company), until I was promoted to Senior Accountant which paved the way for me to be eligible to sponsor my daughter after two years. As I always say, that was the happiest day of my life!”

    “My job has given me more passion to do my very best, first because it is really my field of interest and has already brought me to an area of mastery and expertise,” said Soriano.

    In her free time, she takes Zumba and Salsa classes and is a member of the Filipino Dance Club Dubai. Mirroring contentment, Soriano said, “As a survivor of a broken marriage, raising up a daughter alone, helping my family and helping others to develop their potential. I’m in a good place now.”