Illustrado Magazine – Filipino Abroad

Tag: Filipina Women

  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: TAG 91.1 – Tastemakers

    Joselito Echivarria

    Dubbed as the voice of the masses and Mr. Congeniality of the Filipino community in the UAE, Joselito Echivarria aka Bluebird is a senior presenter at TAG 91.1. Filipinos are so accustomed to him because of the familiarity and the “kabayan connection” they get everytime they tune in to his show “Gandang Umaga” during the morning commute. His trademark humor is a testament to how much he understands what makes the Filipinos tick. Bluebird says, “I’ve achieved the level of success that I have by initiating friendships among our kabayans and doing community-service oriented programs.”

     

    DJ Chikay

    Since she was 6 years old, Chikay always knew that she wanted to work in the media – and luckily for her, dreams do come true. Being a radio presenter for 10 years now, her voice is one of the most recognizable when you hear it on the airwaves. This familiar voice during midday doesn’t fail to catch the attention of listeners as she always tries to inject her uniqueness in her program “Chikahan Na”. She knows that forever is not such a thing in the radio industry so she wants to be remembered as someone who started young and made it big in the industry.

     

    Louie Da Costa

    One of the hosts of Tag 91.1’s breakfast show, “Gandang Umaga” and “Bandang Hapon”, Louie Da Costa is always set to brighten up the day of the listeners. She is a living inspiration to other Filipinos who struggle to make it in the cosmopolitan city of Dubai. She started as a traffic reporter in the Philippines before gaining experience in radio broadcast which eventually led her to become a primetime jock. In the UAE, Louie started as a freelancer before eventually landing the senior presenter role.
    Of the key to her success, Louise professes: “I suppose it’s all about staying humble; accepting that you don’t know everything and that you’re not that great. That way you’ll never be too complacent, you’re open to criticisms and learning, and will always allow yourself to grow.”

     

    Photo by Alex Callueng; Photography Assistant – Bethoven Filomeno Special thanks to – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Madame Yoko Ramos – Vingno – Trailblazer

    Madame Yoko Ramos – Vingno

    Wife of the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE

     

    Madame Yoko had a thriving career in public service back home before she took on the challenging role of wife to the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE. As a diplomat’s spouse, she sees her position as that of a cultural representative, and a mother to the hundreds of thousands of OFW’s in her host country. She attests: “The role of a diplomat’s spouse should be quite simple to many – provide support to your husband, move with him to his various countries of assignment, and help him promote your country.  This is, however, easier said than done because most of the time, you have to give up your own career and shift your focus to something that you are not used to at all.”

     

    Aiding her husband in carrying out diplomatic duties is a full-time job – one that she takes in great stride, as she continues to conduct various events and activities aimed at promoting Filipino culture and building strong connections with key leaders of other nationalities.  Madame Yoko expounds: ““I believe that the tolerance and understanding which developed from these interactions will, indirectly, help the Ambassador in his formal duties of forging closer ties and cooperation with the UAE and other countries as well.  The activities also contributed to developing more coherence and unity among members of the Filipino community (FilCom) in Abu Dhabi.”

     

    Photo by Alex Callueng; Photography Assistant – Bethoven Filomeno Special thanks to – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

  • Most Influential Filipino in the Gulf: Madame Yasmin Balajadia Cortes – Trailblazer

    MADAME YASMIN BALAJADIA CORTES

    Grace. Beauty. Dignity. Commitment. These are the words that best epitomize Madame Yasmin B. Cortes, Spouse of the Philippine Consul General in Dubai and Chair of the Filipino Ladies of Dubai and Vice President of the Diplomatic Ladies Group in Dubai. Ever the empowered Filipina, Madame Yasmin has taken on the immense of responsibility of watching over the welfare of the Filipino community in Dubai with the same motherly eyes that she has for her own children. As leader of the Filipino ladies of Dubai, she has been at the forefront of conceptualizing and activating various initiatives that are aimed at uplifting the image of the Filipinos in the Middle East, as well as help communities in need back home.

    This year, Madame Yasmin led the launch of the 1st Filipino Interschool Competition and helmed the Dubai Dubai Musikahan – a songwriting competition that was held in celebration of the Buwan Ng Wika in August. She also played a crucial role in launching the 1st Photography and Film Making Workshop, and the Breast Cancer Awareness Forum, which were both held at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai. Of how she hopes to be recognized and remembered by the kabayans in the UAE, Madame Yasmin says, “I hope that the community remembers me as one who actively promotes the Filipino by coming up with projects and programs that highlight who we are as a people. My focus as Chair of the Filipino Ladies of Dubai is to host activities that build on the already excellent repute of the Filipino. To me, this is both a serious responsibility and a source of great joy.”

    Photo by Alex Callueng; Photography Assistant – Bethoven Filomeno Special thanks to – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Phio Enaje – Tastemaker

    Phio Enaje

    Fashion & Make Up – Tastemaker

     

    Opening his own atelier and releasing his very first couture label, Enaje Couture, at the age of just twenty-five, Phio Enaje has forever been dressing his clients with awe-inspiring fashion masterpieces. Using his skills learnt from a background of Fashion merchandising and Brand management, Phio brings a fresh take to the world of bridal fashion as the Head Designer for Roxx.  As he seeks more innovation, he broadens the business direction by providing pieces that range from couture to prêt a porter.

    Phio attests that despite going to design school, the lion’s share of what he knows today came from self-studies. He says, “Having Yves Saint Laurent and Coco Chanel as teachers who have influenced my creative heart and mind has aided me in elevating my taste and critical eye in fashion.” Not only that, but Phio also reiterates that having the knowledge of classically great designs  has allowed him to continually set the bar higher for his own work. He adds,  “I’m not a fan of mediocrity.”

    Designing since the age of 16, all Phio wished for was to create beautiful dresses and to see his fantasies come to life. Only later on in his career did he realize that the true splendor of his job was seeing how his work makes a positive impact on the lives of his clients.

     

    Photo by Alex Callueng; Photography Assistant – Bethoven Filomeno
    Special thanks to – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Mercedes Cabral – Trailblazer

    Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Mercedes Cabral – Trailblazer

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    Mercedes Cabral

    Actress, “Indie Princess”

     

    A beautiful, young ingénue with exceptional acting abilities, it’s easy to mistake Mercedes Cabral for a “movie star,” when what she truly is amidst the glitz and the glamor of her global fame is a consummate artist. In fact, she was well on her way to becoming a visual artist – having taken up Fine Arts in college – when she was visited by the opportunity to appear in independently produced movies in the Philippines. Mercedes recounts, “I believe that if it’s your destiny, your path would make itself clear for you. My first movie with Brillante Mendoza helped me make connections outside of the Philippines. From doing local TV films and TV shows, I had the opportunity to participate in projects abroad and work with talented directors such as Park Chan-wook in South Korea, British filmmaker Isaac Julien in Dubai, Malaysian filmmaker Buddy Anwardi, and Swedish-Iranian filmmaker Samir Arabdazeh.” In 2015, Mercedes starred in Rosita, a Danish film about a Filipino mail-order bride in a small fishing village in Denmark. She considers this her biggest project to date.

    Recently, Mercedes starred in a hit TV show in the Middle East, Saq Al Bamboo. Her portrayal of a Filipino maid in Kuwait earned her countless praises, from critics and Gulf-based OFW’s. Of the show’s success, Mercedes attests: “I think my performance as Josephine made an impact because of the emotional truth that I gave. That’s the most important thing and a very vital responsibility of being an actor – to show the audience the TRUTH in your character and story to make it believable. To make them feel what your character is feeling in a given situation. This is what I find most beautiful and addicting in acting.”

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    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

    Special thanks to Illustrado 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf 2016 sponsors – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

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  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Dr. Becky Desiderio – Trailblazer

    Dr. Becky Desiderio – Illustrado Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – Photo by Alex Callueng, Asst Photog – Bethoven Filomeno

    Dr. Becky Desiderio

    CEO of The Medical City, Dubai

    Photo by Alex Callueng; Photography Assistant – Bethoven Filomeno for #illustrado100

     

    As the CEO of The Medical City Dubai, Dr. Becky spearheaded the launch of the first ever Filipino healthcare corporation in The Middle East. Her list of responsibilities includes positioning The Philippines as a medical tourism destination, and promoting The Medical City as one of Asia’s most trusted names in quality, world-class medical treatments. She says, “I am essentially a health ambassador not just for my organization, but also for my country.”

    Through Dr. Becky’s tireless efforts, The Medical City has become a major force in the region’s healthcare industry. She attests: “We participated in several international medical conferences and events, and facilitated agreements with private enterprises, medical insurance firms and health maintenance organizations all over the GCC.” 

    Above and beyond her role as a healthcare professional and The Medical City’s primary representation in the Gulf region, Dr. Becky hopes to be recognized as a Missionary Doctor. “Working in such an influential position, I want to use my work as a way of channeling blessings to others.”

     

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

    Special thanks to Illustrado 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf 2016 sponsors – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

     

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    Illustrado 100 Most Influential Filipinos in The Gulf – Illustrado Magazine

  • Men: How do I love thee? Let Me Count the Ways.

     

    Men: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways

    By Lalaine Chu-Benitez

     

    I’ve always wondered why most of my friends are men.  Or why it was always easier for me to make a connection with those of the male persuasion.  Is it because women relating to other women can be so catty and competitive?  Or that it doesn’t hurt to be treated like a princess by male friends?  There might be some truth to what author Dr. John Gray postulated – that ‘Men are from Mars and women are from Venus.’  But, I believe that the even bigger truth (if that were possible), is the fact that this world is certainly richer and a better experience shared with our male counterparts.

    But let us separate the real men from the boys.  Men, how do I love thee?  Let me count the ways…

    I love them matured, aged gracefully like smooth single malt – honed by life and softened by quiet confidence, especially if they have a wit that’s as sharp as a knife, and a devilish glint in their eyes.  I love men who don’t feel the need to demonstrate themselves, or show off their wares, knowing deep inside that greatness and confidence simply do not need to be sold – just because, it’s either there, or it isn’t. 

    Men: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways

    The handsome are kind to the eyes, but substance always trumps mere looks.  I love them immaculately well-put together, but certainly not prettier, nor better coiffured than me.  There is so much more to be said for a man who is fully clothed and does not feel the need to bare his chest (or his all) just to display his masculine wiles.  They are far more potent than the pretty vacuous boys you sometimes see on the billboards.

    I love them naughty and irreverently funny, embracing the joy of childish abandon whenever the opportunity strikes; even better, when they know where to draw the line of propriety, or employ tact and diplomacy with a deft tongue. 

    I love the gawky youngster, with just that spark – that promise of brilliance to come, the passionate self-made man with a distinct purpose in life, or even the moody and broody artsy types who ponder the mysteries of life, and art and sometimes, simply being.  

    Beware of the man with the persuasive eyes. Moreso, the charismatic take charge type.  Most of all, beware of the man who knows exactly how to treat a lady.  He is usually the one who gets his way with ease.

    Our son, a young gentleman, astounded me once when he quoted, “A man who treats his woman like a princess is proof that he has been born and raised in the arms of a queen.”

    To that I counter, “A queen can only be truly a queen, when nurtured in the embrace of a real king.”

    And so it goes, and quite rightly so – we dedicate this month’s issue to our men, who make this life so much more colorful and enjoyable. And if it weren’t for them, we would be merely half of a whole.

     

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     lalaine chu benitezLALAINE CHU-BENITEZ

    Editor-in-Chief “almost superwoman” Lalaine has been driving Illustrado’s mission to uplift Filipinos in the region for almost a decade now.  A former corporate dynamo living in Dubai for over 20 years, her natural knack for marketing and mass communications makes her a formidable authority in any dialogue regarding the re-branding of the Filipino image on a global scale.

     

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  • The Annie B Chronicles: Hello Baliwood

    The Annie B Chronicles: Hello Baliwood

    The adventures and misadventures of a ‘not so average’ Pinay trying to make it in the cosmopolitan city of Dubai.

    The Annie B (Batobalani) Chronicles: Hello Baliwood 

    Travel opportunities come only once in a full moon. To be able to see new places, learn new cultures and meet different people – especially cute boys – are the things I’ve always dream on. So when my boss ask me if I can accompany him to our company’s Global Conference in the world-class resort island of Bali. – without battling my eyelash I quickly said Yes! Libre na, may bayad pa! I get to work while being on a holiday trip – it’s like hitting two beards with one’s tone. Dizzizit, Annie B. goes globe-strutting!

    The Annie B (Batobalani) Chronicles: Hello Baliwood

    I felt something was wrong the moment I entered the Business Lounge (Yes! Naka-jackpot!), everybody was wearing shorts and t-shirts and snickers. I was in full-Working Girl outfit – pin-striped suit with matching stockings and four-inch steeletoes outfit – hitsura ni Dianne Keaton sa outfit ko. I notice that, except for this group of Koreans, everybody inside the Business Class Lounge were in casual clothes – hindi naman Safa Park ito ah? These people should learn how to dress up properly. Business class kaya dapat naka-business outfit di ba?

    An hour after we boarded the plane, I began to feel ankshoes. My boss was already in deep’s number and my seatmates looked snobbish. So I sneaked to Economy class and looked for other Pinays to chat with. Lucky for me, Manay Puring, the lady who sells pirated Tagalog VCDs in our neighborhood was in the same flight on her way to her annual vacation to the Philippines. Maricar, my cousin’s gay manicurist all of a suddenly came of the labratory. Chismisan Session na itu! It felt good to be in the company of my kabayans as we exchanged stories and laughed at jokes while killing time abored the airplane.

    At last we arrived in Bali, and went straight to Legian Resort. I was thrilled again because I got to stay in a 5-star hotel. After unpacking my stuff and preparing my boss’ presentation materials, I quickly slipped out and took a tour of the island resort. Well, well, well, what can I say? Bali is a wanderful place – it is clean and the hotels and resorts are all world-class. The locals are very friendly – too friendly in fact. I thought I could buy a pair of Bali shoes – it turns out I had the wrong brand name in mind. But the beach – can I just tell you – the beach is not that fabulous. It’s not even white sand – with lots of rocks and gigantic waves, I wasn’t able to emote and do my Rachel Lobangco Shhboom projection. I was wondering why Bali is so popular in the world because walang sinabi ang beach ng Bali if you compare it to our very own Boracay.

     

    The Annie B (Batobalani) Chronicles: Hello Baliwood

    Sayang, we only had a few days to stay in Bali – and then back to the sandpit again! As I waited for my passport to be stamped at the Dubai Airport, I look back at the things that I saw and people that I met during my trip. I have seen very high-class places and sophistication people, but I’m more happy that I met other kabayans. Can you image if there were no Pinoy OFWs around?   Kahit baduy pa sila or super ingay, or kamukha ni April Boy Regino – we’re all kabayans and we should be happy and proud of our own.  We should all have that great Pinoy spirit.  Kasi whatever anyone will tell you – iba talaga ang Pinoy!

     

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  • It’s What I Do: Lou Bunyi Pareja Engelica Yanig Pelaez

     

    LOU BUNYI PAREJA

    Hair Stylist – Teng Roma Salon

    Dubai, UAE

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    My Job

    I am now currently working as a hair stylist at Teng Roma Salon. Since Teng Roma is based in the Philippines, I also supervise the salon when he is not here in Dubai. This is very challenging to me because I encounter different kinds of people with different personalities on a daily basis. I still very much feel like I’m growing, and learning new things everyday.

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    What I do

    As a stylist, I sometimes get the opportunity to travel. I just recently went to the Philippines for a 5-day shoot. This is to promote Philippine tourism, with Maxine Medina as the model. Maxine will represent our country this coming Ms. Universe competition 2016.

    Sometimes, I don’t feel like I’m “working” because I enjoy what I do. I used to model before, and even competed in Paris for The Look of the Year modeling competition. That experience gave me the confidence to pursue my career to teach how to do the catwalk. I also have a business partner back in Manila – Patty Betita. She teaches personality development, while I teach basic makeup. Our clients were mostly hotel staff, bank employees, etc.

    Leading workshops is always a fun experience for me. The most memorable one was when I conducted a seminar for breast cancer survivors. My goal then was to show them that despite the ravages of cancer treatment, they can still look good and feel good if they truly wanted to. They were very appreciative and cooperative.

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    My message to my fellow Filipinos

    To all the Filipinos out there: don’t just settle for what you have now. Try to explore and see what the future has in store for you. Show your talent and enjoy life!

     

    ENGELICA YANIG – PELAEZ

    Head Model Booker – Gaia Modelling and Eventz FZ

    Dubai, UAE

    ENGELICA YANIG PELAEZ

    posh-exhibition-1  

    My Job

    I am a Head Model Booker at Gaia Modeling and Events. I came here in Dubai 8 years ago fresh from college. AI started out as a promoter, assistant model booker, got promoted to a model booker and finally, a head model booker. I am lucky I get to experience each and every stages. I must say, the struggles are real.

    As a Head Model Booker, my responsibility includes the refinery of every little detail to exceed the client’s expectation. From the client meetings – job confirmation, casting – booking, to implementation. The pressure of being on top of every job is extreme as I am the face that represents our company in every project I manage.

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    My typical work day

    My typical Model Booker life always starts with a professional look-through for walk- in clients and aspiring models. Daily social media updates also fall under my responsibility. I also do a ton of portfolio screening and talent scouting and or giving advice to aspirants on what kind of images they should and should not send to a model agency. I am also responsible for looking into job inquiries. Every once in a while, I attending some workshops to enhance my skills and expand my network. Lastly, I always end my day with some quality time with my family at home.

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    My message to my fellow Filipinos

    Follow your heart and choose what you think will be more substantial and beneficial for you in the future. Find a job that you absolutely love, and I guarantee you tha you will never work a day in your life.

     

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  • Artist Spotlight: SONIQ DJ DUO Filipino DJ

     

    SONIQ

    DJ DUO

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    ­What we do

    CARL: Being a DJ isn’t just about blending 2 or more songs together, it’s about having that sense of passion with music. It’s very important to have that distinctive taste that will somewhat “brand” you different among others. Let’s admit it: there are a lot of famous DJ’s out there who are more experienced than we are, but I’d say the “identity” of our music makes us “different.” We specialize in Dirty House, Tribal house & Afro house. Genres as such can only be heard live in music festivals and massive events that do require the specific genre. So penetrating the regular night scene makes everything way more interesting than playing your regular favorite song on repeat.  

    JAY: For me, being a DJ is really all about your love for music. Once you have this down, everything else will flow. You won’t even realize how much time you’ve spent on practicing and mixing. Playing in the morning would feel just as right as when you play late at night. It’s more than just performing for the crowd; it’s being with them in the journey to euphoria. As a DJ duo, Carl and I collaborate on ideas to see what works and what doesn’t, to see which mixes make sense and which ones we need to scrap. We like to play tribal house music.  Something you don’t usually hear in clubs, but is definitely a banger.    

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    How we got into it

    CARL: I have always been fascinated by the idea of being a DJ. When I came here in the UAE, I met a seasoned DJ named Andrew who introduced me to the scene and eventually became my mentor. It was overwhelming at first, since I never really thought that I had the potential for it. He taught me the basics, and I found myself hooked with the whole concept. Then I met my fellow DJ “Jay” who works in the same frequency of insanity as I do. Hence, Soniq was born, and the decks became our second home.

    JAY:  Stress! Yup, because of stress! Working can be toxic at times so I figured there has got to be a way to beat it. One of my close friends, Red, suggested I try DJ’ing. So I got my first mini DJ controller, learned how to play and I was hooked. I couldn’t stop playing. It felt good. A few months later I was introduced to Andrew who handles gigs and club events. He encouraged me to try out playing for crowds to get a feel for it and he invested his time teaching me more about DJ’ing. Andrew later introduced me to Carl who was also a DJ. We got along well so we decided to form a duo.

    14207615_1742785829308852_6211004528090487704_o carljay-cover-photo-1

    How we do it

    CARL:  I can’t say I have a formula or “process” that I stick to.  Everywhere I go, whether I’m listening to my usual playlist or accidentally stumbling into a new tune, I always tend to dissect and mix tracks in my head. We come to gigs armed with specific repertoires as our own “music library” for the night, but we often change things up on the spot and do most of the mixing live on decks. Spontaneity is key!

    JAY:   It’s all about listening to music day in and day out, exposing myself to different genres all the time so I get ideas and inspirations on what songs to play. When I find songs that interest me, I add it to my current playlist. I usually play around with it by mixing it with 2 to 3 songs to see where it fits. Once I feel the vibe, I share it with Carl to get his input. When we both agree that it’s something that we can work with, we put it on hold in our regular playlist and wait for the right moment to play it.

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    Our journey, thus far

    CARL:  It’s cool how in such a short time span, we came from just practicing at home, into doing events and regular gigs. We like playing for small, private gatherings where the vibe is very intimate and tribal, but we also like playing for packed houses, such as the one that we had in our first gig in Mint Leaf, and the crowds that we get every Wednesday in Warehouse, at Le Meridien Al Garhoud.

    JAY:   I would have to say one of the major highlights we’ve had was our first gig at Mint Leaf London, Sheikh Zayed. We were simply duo Dj’s who loved to play. We were fresh out of the oven so it was an awesome surprise that we had the place packed.

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    Advice to aspiring DJ’s

     CARL:  Always be brave and bold in doing what you’ve always wanted to do. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself.  And yes, the only way to prove oneself is to better thyself.

    JAY:  Enjoy what you’re doing. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – it’s part of life. Take risks. Grab opportunities. Ignore the critics. As the saying goes “Let whoever think whatever. Just keep getting better.”  J

     

    Follow Soniq!

    Facebook.com/Soniq2k

    Instagram.com/soniqmusic

     

    PULL QUOTE

    Being a DJ is really all about your love for music. Once you have this down, everything else will flow.

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