Illustrado Magazine – Filipino Abroad

Tag: Filipino Dubai

  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Danabelle Gutierrez – Tastemaker

    Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Danabelle Gutierrez – Tastemaker

    Danabelle Gutierrez

    Poet

     

    Danabelle Gutierrez is the author of two critically acclaimed books of poetry: “I Long to Be The River,” published in June 2014, and “& Until The Dreams Come,” published in September 2015. Her readership extends from Southeast Asia all the way to the Middle East, with her books selling consistently with little to no active representation or marketing, proving that in the world of literature, one’s work truly speaks for itself.

    In 2016, Danabelle had the opportunity of performing her poetry in the Emirates Literature Festival, making her the only Filipino in the festival’s long and impressive lineup of wordsmiths. She considers the launch and exhibit of ‘& Until The Dreams Come’ at FN Designs Gallery last November 2015 as her proudest moment. Danabelle says, “I’m proud of how the show and the book was received, but moreover, I am proud of how we were even able to do it at all.”

    A consummate writer, Danabelle puts her work above her own self-interests. She elaborates: “I hope the work is remembered more than me. I would love for people to recognize the work first of all and most of all. Then they can recognize, Danabelle, the writer, the persona, as a mere afterthought.

     

    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: SONIQ – Tastemaker

    SONIQ

    EDM Collective

     

    In the pulsating, Western culture-dominated club scene of the UAE, Soniq stands as a uniquely Filipino voice – a group of young, musically gifted DJ’s on a quest to infuse the Middle East’s audio landscape with Pinoy soul. Having formed only 2 years ago, Soniq has quickly climbed the ranks of Dubai’s EDM intelligentsia, with gigs in renowned clubs such as Warehouse in Le Meridien Garhoud and Mint Leaf London. Of their swift rise to fame, Jay Carpio, one of Soniq’s founding members, attests: “As a group, we have a learner’s mindset. We strive to get better everyday by sharing new ideas & techniques. We enjoy being mentored by other DJ’s that have been in the industry longer than we have. We believe that a positive and humble character is key to becoming great.”

    Soniq is Jay, Carl, Erix, Jedd, Mika, and Angela.

     

    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: Lou & Ceasar Parroco – Thoughtleaders

    LOU & CESAR PARROCO

    Exemplary Professionals, #RelationshipGoals

     

    As a couple, Lou and Cesar sustains their happiness by helping sustain the happiness of others. This inspirational, lead-by-example lifestyle has worked wonders for this delightful duo, as they have become one of the UAE Filipino community’s #RelationshipGoals.  Of their generous spirit, Lou professes: “We live with an advocacy of sharing your blessings and inspiring people to pay forward by helping others too.  Blessings can be in a form of time, talents, opportunities, counsel, wisdom, money, food, etc.  We realized, inspiring others to pay forward the good that you have done to them makes more positive impact to the lives of many, more than the charity events that we still occasionally do.”

    Individually, they are forces to be reckoned with. Cesar has earned GCC-wide acclaim as a brilliant photographer, educator, and the Manager of Digital Media and Training for Nikon Middle East. Lou on the other hand is currently the Human Resources Director in Canadian Energy Equipment Manufacturing, has continually been considered as one of the well-respected specialist in her field and takes joy in sharing her knowledge and experiences as resource speaker in various seminars and conferences.

    Despite their multitudes of successes in the corporate world, Lou and Cesar’s greatest pride and joy can still be found closer to home. Lou says: “One of other proudest moments in our lives was when we became parents to our eldest son, Patrick.  Giving birth to a child in a foreign land without parents to help and guide us, and being able to juggle that with the challenging jobs, had been a difficult yet very rewarding an experience.  That was the phase in our life when we felt truly grateful and blessed and have vowed to work harder not only to serve our family but as well as the community.   To feel grateful and blessed is a choice that drives you to do good to others.”

     

    Special thanks to – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Mike Fillion – Trailblazer

    Mike Fillion

    Artist

     

    In Dubai’s thriving community of artists, Mike Fillion has distinguished himself as a renaissance man: he seems to be able to do anything, and he is great at everything he does. Music composer, filmmaker, writer, a now a creator of a sci-fi series called “Deciders.” Mike elaborates: Deciders is a multi-tiered project that is meant to begin as a toy franchise – but with a universe attached that opens it up to comics, and even movies. The basic gist is that a colonised Mars of the future develops a justice system where disputes are solved by Mecha battles. Sci-Fi gold. The project is in development and looking for funding.”

    In 2016, Mike played a crucial role in the development du’s Tropa For Life campaign, which was specifically geared towards the Filipinos in the UAE. The campaign was so successful, it won the Gold Award for Branded Entertainment at both the Dubai Lynx and Mid East Effies Awards. Mike recounts: “The brief was simple: win the hearts of Pinoys in the UAE, and that’s exactly what we did through humor and music. What made the campaign particularly memorable was the soundtrack. The idea for it came from the director Richard Ang, who wanted a hip hop track for the “hero walk” in the commercial. The lead actor, Twizted Martines, was practically made to perform that track. Twizted and I wrote the lyrics, and my friend Lucky Schild from The Recipe laid down the beats. We wrote and recorded that song in a burst of inspiration. The whole thing was done in two hours. It was a lot of fun. And the sheer joy of putting this campaign together was evident in the final outcome.”

    Mike may be a rain man, but he is decidedly clear on the legacy he wishes to impart to his fellow kabayans: that of a story teller. “I’ve always believed that great art stems from great storytelling. Whether it’s design or music, film or video games, when there’s a great story at the heart of it, audiences will be helplessly lured in. It’s something I learned from people like Steve Jobs, J.J. Abrams and Hideo Kojima. I’d be delighted if one day, the younger generation can learn it from me.”

     

    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: Maxxy Santiago – Thoughtleader

    Maxxy Santiago

    Journalist

     

    Maxxy is one of the most – if not THE most – highly awarded media personalities in the Gulf. As Senior Correspondent and Consultant of ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau, Reporter of the Arab Times in Kuwait, and  Program Director and Announcer of Pinoy Arabia FM in Kuwait, she eclipses most other journalists by virtue of sheer media mileage. In 2016, Maxxy was instrumental to the release of the longest serving Filipino inmate in Kuwait, Joseph Urbiztondo who was in jail for 20 years for alleged murder. From her alma mater, Claret High School in Zamboanga City, she received the “Gawad Alab ng Puso” Award – Nag-aalab na Puso sa Pamamahayag, for her work as a journalist in helping expose issues and problems of OFWs and getting the concerned government authorities to act swiftly.

  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Capt. Frank Desiderio – Trailblazer

    Captain Frank Desiderio

    Pilot

     

    Capt. Frank Desiderio was all over the news when he was named the first ever Filipino to pilot the A380 bus, the biggest commercial aircraft in the world, in 2014. As the aircraft commander, he is responsible for the safety of hundred people on board in the entire duration of the flight. His career did not start well in the beginning like what most would dream of and he had to prove himself before getting the big break in 1994 – the start of his work as a flight instructor.

    “The first A380 commercial flight that I did was the most memorable of all my experiences in life as a Pilot. I have proven not only to myself, but to many young boys and girls who loves aviation that they have a place in this career, and a Filipino can be successful in one of the world’s biggest airline.” He adds that success is imminent, but we have to make those steps forward to reach it.

     

    Photo by: Jim Guiao Punzalan

    Special thanks to – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Wywy – Tastemakers

    WYWY

    Band

     

    The Middle East teems with talented Filipino musicians, but every once in awhile, an act rises above the crop and proves to be of a different, more transcendent and audacious sort of mettle. Case in point: WYWY. Manned by the real life couple, Mckie & X, WYWY’s music is a compelling mix of electronica, synthpop, and torch singing, reminiscent of the 90’s stylings of Portishead and Bjork. There is nothing typical about it, especially in this day and age – which makes listening to it feel almost like an act of defiance.

    Of their triumphs in 2016, the duo says, “This year has been really good to us, as we were given opportunities to share our passion outside of the UAE. In June, we performed at ‘Fete dela Musique,’ which is quite a big annual music event in the Philippines. We performed in Poland, Singapore & US. Playing for audiences we are not familiar with compels us to expand creatively. Getting a lot of positive feedback from people inspires us to always improve and create our own sound.”

    WYWY has come a long way in pursuit of their sonic identity. Of their learnings, the duo attests: “You cannot impress everyone, so don’t try too hard to change for people to like you. Stay who you are and inspire them. Lesson is, ‘be who you are and don’t be afraid to try new things.’ We try to enjoy every minute of our performances and we keep telling our stories through our songs.”

     

    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: Roxanne Magbanua – Thoughtleader

    Roxane Magbanua

    Award-winning Media Practitioner

     

    Roxane Magbanua is a multi-award winning media practitioner with almost 15 years of experience in the industry. She is currently the Senior Planning Director for the media agency PhD. Showcasing the Filipino’s strong work ethic in the field of Media and Advertising, Roxane has successfully produced work for some of the most esteemed brands in the sectors of FMCG, technology, airlines, automotives, retail and real estate. Of her illustrious career, Roxane attests: “If I sum up the 15 years of my career so far, I would say that it has been a mixed bag of experiences – lots of achievements and also lots of failures. You don’t get to win all the time. What works for me is my ability to pull myself up again and have the courage to start over and over again until I get it right.”

    Back in 2014, Roxane’s won gold at the GEMAS EFFIE MENA for her contributions in a project for Nokia called “Ana, I’m coming home” – a campaign highlighting the plight of OFW’s in the UAE. Roxane elaborates: “It is one of my proudest moments because I had always wanted to exercise social responsibility on a large scale, for the benefit of the Filipino community.” In 2016, Roxane was one of the only two Filipinas awarded at the Global Women Leadership ceremony that took place in Mumbai, India.

    Of the legacy that she wishes to impart to her kabayans, Roxane says: “I would like to be known as a Filipina who dreamt big and pushed herself beyond her limits to make a difference; that I’m a fair and humane female leader who dedicated her time and energy in leading others towards achievement.”

     

    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: 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.