Illustrado Magazine – Filipino Abroad

Tag: Kabayan Middle East

  • Dr. Rex Bacarra – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Dr. Rex Bacarra – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Trailblazer – Rex Bacarra

    Educator

    Photo by: Jef Anog

    Education is power. And to Dr. Rex Bacarra, bestowing that power upon his students and emboldening them to become independent thinkers has always been at the forefront of his work as an educator. Adding to his many accolades, Rex has garnered further acclaim this year having been recognized as Outstanding International Educator for 2020 by the United Federation of Filipino-American Educators.  He was also interviewed by Abu Dhabi TV (ADTV) for excellence in teaching and his contribution to the UAE’s educational landscape. His achievements, however, are not limited to academia.  It is also evident in the love and praise his students all have for him.

    Alongside being the Dean of General Education at the American College of Dubai and a recurring Digital Faculty consultant at the prestigious McGraw Hill – an international educational publisher – Rex has given several talks on leadership and innovation to professionals in the emirates, and abroad. He was recently invited by the UAE government as the sole speaker at the Joint Aviation Command of Armed Forces in Abu Dhabi – quite a significant feat.

    When asked how one can achieve success as an educator, or as any professional for that matter, Rex attests: “Filipino educators should examine why we do what we do. When we are able to answer the why of our existence, then we demand excellence from ourselves. This mindset propels one to do things in a manner that is distinctive, refined, and quality-laden. People notice that what you do, the output that you yield, is of high quality and that should be globally appreciated.”

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  • Alex Callueng – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Alex Callueng – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Tastemaker – Alex Callueng

    Fashion Photographer 

    Elusive Alex Callueng (also known as Alex Wang) has become one of the hottest fashions and beauty photographers in the region in recent years. Fueled by his desire to grow and his diligent work ethic, his work has been prominently featured in many campaigns, as well as in editorials and cover of prestigious glossies which include, Vogue Arabia, Harpers Bazaar Middle East, Harpers Bazaar Russia, L’Officiel Middle East, Grazia Middle East, Illustrado Magazine, Haya Magazine, DOTW Magazine, Men’s Fitness Mag, Glam Mag Qatar, Crave Magazine, Weekend Magazine Dubai, as well as Ezy Health in Singapore.  He has also shot for Dubai World’s latest campaign.

    Ever the discreetly operating professional, Alex believes in marching to the beat of his own drum, and keeping focused winning over benchmarks he has set for himself as vital in succeeding in any field.  He says, “I have always been behind closed doors but I believe in order to move forward in this industry, you should stop being jealous of others and just focus on your own growth.” He adds, “Never be timid and shy in asking questions, to make sure you do things the right way.”

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  • Dr. Rommel Pilapil Sergio – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Dr. Rommel Pilapil Sergio – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Trailblazer – Dr. Rommel Pilapil 

    Academic and Philanthropist

    Photo by: Donell Gumiran

     

    Dr. Rommel Pilapil has contributed substantially to the world of academia, co-authoring over 30 research papers that were presented and won awards in a number of international academic conferences, including Harvard University. He was recognized by the Oxford Journal as one of the top 50 global educators, and received two of the highest awards given to an academic in the area of research and publication in 2018: Research-Scientist of the Year and the Research Advocacy Award International Association of Scholarly Publishers, Editors and Reviewers.

    Through his work as an HR consultant, he has been hailed as one of the Outstanding HR Practitioners by the Society of HR Practitioners Association in the UAE. As a community servant he has been providing pro bono counseling programs for distressed Filipino expats in the UAE for years, and has been supporting underprivileged students in 11 towns in Rizal Province in the Philippines via a scholarship initiative he established in 2015. A true-blue humanitarian, he remarks: “Our cognitive, intellectual faculties become futile if the vast knowledge, skills, and abilities we possess are not shared nor transferred for others to benefit. Hence, altruism as a virtue is the by-product of enriching ourselves. We become selfless as we perform random acts of kindness – which is the ultimate purpose of our very existence.”

    Last year, together with experts, he co-founded the Psychological Society of the Philippines – UAE, which aims to make psychosocial services accessible to Filipinos, with the support of the UAE’s Ministry of Happiness and Ministry of Health. The project hopes to provide preventative help, as well as crisis interventions for depression and self-harm, to those who need it the most.

     

     

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  • Art and Rachel Los Baños – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Art and Rachel Los Baños – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Thoughtleaders – Art and Rachel Los Banos 

    Communication Experts & Humanitarians 

    Art and Rachel Los Baños - Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf
    Photo by: Donell Gumiran

    Talented PR Man Art Los Banos and broadcast journalist Rachel Los Banos continue to use their God-given talents doing social development work with the CFC community in the UAE and beyond. In 2019, along with other volunteers, they had conducted seminars on value formation, mental health and depression, as well creative arts, extending their support and guidance to community members from Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, even as far as Mozambique.

    Well-known in the community for their initiatives with FEME (Filipino Excellence in the Middle East), Art and Rachel published the FEME Connect Directory project in 2016; have hosted a radio programme with Dubai Eye 103.8 for 3 years, and also facilitated FEME Forum hosting talks on topic of benefit to entrepreneurs and community leaders.

    Art and Rachel Los Baños - Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf
    Photo by: Chris Calumberan

    Art, who has lent his know-how on a variety of other projects shares what drives him to strive for the community, “I hope to further raise our public image as an enterprising, professionally-oriented, highly qualified and socially aware ethnic group in the global city of Dubai in particular and in the UAE in general.”

    For Rachel, whose stories through the ABS-CBN network has moved government agencies, Filipino organizations and private individuals to take action and provide assistance to distressed kababayans in the country, on the other hand shares, “I wish to collaborate even more with other like-minded Filipinos whose goal is to promote and protect the good reputation of Filipinos while living and working overseas.”

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  • Rozen Antonio – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Rozen Antonio – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Rozen Antonio

    Fashion Photographer & Entrepreneur

    Photo by: Rozen Antonio

    Rozen Antonio’s combination of photography mastery as well as a natural flair for entrepreneurship has allowed him to gain a most fulfilling career.  As a fashion photographer trusted by Dubai’s couture industry elite including Michael Cinco among others, and the owner of Houz of Zen, a boutique Events Management Company specializing in creative, bespoke flower designs catering to luxury hotels and brands, Rozen’s days are filled with beauty and the presentation of it.

    What he likes most about his job, he shares, is seeing the joy of his clients.  Commenting on his rise from modest roots, he says, “I feel great enjoyment in seeing the progression of my career and take pride in knowing that my achievements stemmed entirely from my own efforts. For many, carving a place in the profession requires being your own boss, and with it, your own motivator.”

    In an era where a sense of entitlement is the order of the day, Rozen knows that success should always come with being grounded and grateful.  He says, “Yes, you may have worked very hard and intelligently to get to where you are, but everything is still a blessing. It could all be gone tomorrow; it could all be gone today.”

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  • Ateneo LSE – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Ateneo LSE – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Trailblazers – Ateneo LSE

    Social Entrepreneurship Program

    Over the years, the Ateneo LSE (Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship) program has transformed the lives of many overseas Filipinos across 27 countries, empowering them with the knowledge to become the next wave of entrepreneurs who have an advocacy in helping their community. The largest organization of its kind, their accredited programs have provided entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and leadership skills to thousands of Filipinos worldwide.

    Aside from the training and lessons, Ateneo LSE in the UAE is also helping the Ateneo School for Government to expand its reach across the Middle East, with their sights set on Oman and Bahrain. The organization has also helped students in Qatar begin their entrepreneurial education journey. Through their many deeds and accomplishments, the UAE Ateneo LSE has been selected to host the upcoming 2020 Global Ateneo LSE Homecoming summit in Dubai.

    Founding President JR Papel shares his thoughts, which align with the organization’s values and aspirations, “Filipinos should find their passion or interest that they think can add value to their community. They should consistently hone, push and develop themselves to be able to push this passion that it eventually becomes their identity and life’s mission. This gives us a deeper reason to wake up every single day.”

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  • Rosemarie Tacorda – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Rosemarie Tacorda – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Thoughtleaders – Rosemarie Tacorda

    Marketing Professional

    Photo by Jef Anog

    Marketing maven Rosemarie Tacorda has led the communications initiatives of some of the most impressive world-renowned hotel brands in the emirates including the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah, The Address Hotel, Intercon Hotel Group, Jumeirah Creekside, and the Palazzo Versace – undeniably raising the bar for marketing in the luxury hospitality industry in the region.   A professional who “walks the talk”, she is a proponent of the mindset that in order to elevate Filipino branding, we must think and act as world-class citizens.

    With her definitive contributions as the Director of PR and Marketing at Palazzo Versace Dubai’s since its opening, paying off – now the hotel ranks as number two, behind the illustrious Burj Al Arab, on the Best Hotels in the Middle East list published by leading luxury and lifestyle travel magazine, Condé Nast Traveler – Rosemarie just recently moved on, leaving the brilliant team that she has built, to her next adventure.  She joined the Park Hyatt as Director of Marketing and PR, in late 2019, and is looking forward to taking part in the hotel’s future growth.

    On how Filipinos can excel in their chosen sector, Rosemarie advises, “I believe that we should just live authentically, free of pretensions. It is also important to always be a good person, free of judgments.  Be someone who strives to give the best always, and leave mediocrity behind.”

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  • Danelle Ruth Palang – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Danelle Ruth Palang – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Thoughtleader – Danelle Ruth Palang

    Marketing Professional

    A Filipina at the forefront of marketing communications efforts at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Dubai, Danelle Ruth Palang has been championing the brand’s sustained success in the last decade.  As Director of Marketing Communications, she has been the backbone of the hotel’s launch projects as well as campaigns through the years.

    In 2019, Danelle proudly notes that she has brought three of their F&B outlets to TripAdvisor’s top 50 and 100 restaurants in Dubai out of over 10,000 competitors. She has also launched two more outlets in 2018 and 2019.

    An innovator within her field, she works in order to inspire her peers, as well as contribute to the progressive representation of Filipinos in the region.  She shares, “I sincerely believe that if we remind ourselves that we are only as good as our last performance, and aim to outclass our most recent one, then our achievements would be boundless, competition will be healthier because there is no person greater than the other – only one’s self becoming better and better each time.”

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  • Izhcka Zeta – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Izhcka Zeta – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Tastemaker – Izhcka Zeta

    Fashion Designer

    Izhcka Zeta belongs to an exclusive circle of designers who have the distinction of mounting a well-lauded fashion show in the home of haute couture.  His collection “Monarchs of the Opera” was presented at the opening of the International Fashion Week in Paris in September 2018 at La Maison, Champ Elysees.   The designer’s runway debut will always be the defining moment for the eccentric designer who is the Creative Director of renowned UAE atelier Jacy Kay Couture.

    Izhcka Zeta - Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf
    Photo by: Rozen Antonio

    Not only bold, and tasteful, but also intellectual, Izhcka’s painstakingly birthed designs always combine a variety of elements, his obsession du jour, melded together beautifully to intentionally form a story.  “I would like to be known as someone who is different – able to create dresses that are unique and varied. Some designers have one distinct look, and while it marks the designer’s identity, it can also become boring and monotonous. I would like to be known as someone who is not inhibited by the limitations and expectations of society or of my own bias.”

    He adds, “Filipino designers should be truly competitive, not just inspired by others’ works, but leading and generating original concepts and ideas. There should be something uniquely Filipino embedded in our creations so our identity will not be lost. We should also align with the 2020 of Dubai: driven by technology, language-proficient, and truly competitive. This way, we understand the demands of the market and are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed.”

     

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  • Chris Calumberan – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Chris Calumberan – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Chris Calumberan

    Photographer & Entrepreneur

    Photo by: Donell Gumiran

    One of the Filipino pioneers in the photography industry, Chris Calumberan has earned respect in the field, not only for the quality of his work but also his level of professionalism and his long-standing good reputation in the market.

    Providing stills and film production for a variety of clients from various industries including automotive, industrial, beauty, retail, corporate and food and beverage, he has worked for many prestigious brands including Audi, Saks Fifth Avenue, Philips, McDonalds, Hermes, Homes R Us, Paul, Bateel, Wafi Mall, Fifa, including designers Michael Cinco, Souhad Acouri, Adam Couture and many others.

    A well-known advocate for the community for many years, Chris has always shared his art, not only to teach other aspiring photographers but also to utilize it in pursuit of advocacies he is passionate about.  He has facilitated photography workshops and courses and he has also been a featured speaker in several photography events including the Phototalks ExeLens event held at Queen Elizabeth 2 by Toshiba. He has mounted a solo exhibition – “Kumer Solo” the first photo/art exhibition held at the Philippine Consulate General – Dubai and the Northern Emirates – kicking off a series of creative events.  In recent years, he has also participated in an Alzheimer’s Awareness project and has initiated his own single plastic awareness initiative, utilizing his photography skills for even greater causes.

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