Tag: middle east

100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Entrepreneurial Success Pt. 2

 

It is not easy to establish a business overseas, but these brave souls took a leap of faith – and eventually succeeded in the process acting as Filipino entrepreneurial pioneers. Meet the rising stars of the Filipino entrepreneurial community.

 

Malou and Roberto Prado

 

 

Malou and Roberto Prado, founder of MPQ Tourism & Documents clearing service, has encountered shortcomings and failures in their business, sometimes experiencing a couple of months without revenue growth.  This is quite ironic since presently, the company now has two branches and about 10,000 clients after almost five years in the business.

 

“During those times, I already set myself to maintain my composure, attitude, energy and focus on resolving it in all aspects for I always believe that nobody is perfect,” Malou says. “So we restructured our business marketing, changed our management towards our staff and recognized their ideas, and worked hand in hand with them to achieve our goals.”

 

Robert adds, “Certainly, our success is not only because of us and our families but also because of those people who surround us, our friends and staff, our co-business competitors who give us the inspiration to go for the gold.”

 

Marianne Silloriquez and Francis Medina

 

 

Marianne is a marketing consultant and financial planner, and Francis Medina, the Head of Market Reach and Business Improvement in Hilti Middle East, Turkey and Africa is also an entrepreneur and Philippine stock investor.  Together they form ICEvents – a company with an advocacy to help Filipinos realize their entrepreneurial dreams.  “ICEvents for us in not only a business, but it is also a partnership of six people whose common goal is to become an instrument of positive change for Filipinos in the UAE,” says Francis.

 

Since its inception, the company has been busy achieving several wins in the market and the community.  They have partnered with notable speakers from the Philippines and produced highly successful and inspiring events, while their monthly run ExpatEntrepreneur meetings, as well as other financial literacy initiatives, have helped many entrepreneurial Filipinos in the country.

 

Marianne shares the team’s secret to building a successful business.  “Collaboration and building strong relationships while combining passion with purpose.  No business can be successful without a strong team who are committed to moving together towards one common direction.  Skill, knowledge and strong faith should always be in the picture.”

 

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Photography by: Alex Callueng

Illustrado 100 was made possible by sponsors: Giordano, Liali Jewellery, Mitsubishi UAE- Al Habtoor Motors, Michael Cinco Couture, Mapúa Institute of Technology, Centro – Amwaj Rotana Hotel , Max’s Restaurant Middle East and GVER – Your Friendly MarketPlace for Sharing

Co-Sponsors: Herschel Supply Co., Rove Hotels, The Medical City – Dubai , Filipino Institute UAE, MPQ Tourism, JAMES Travel and Tours Dubai, Off the Hook Seafood Restaurant, The Original Barrio Fiesta Restaurant – Dubai and Tapa King UAE.

 

Read more Illustrado 100 on www.illustradolife.com

100 MIFG: Entreprenurial Success

 

It is not easy to establish a business overseas, but these brave souls took a leap of faith – and eventually succeeded in the process acting as Filipino entrepreneurial pioneers. Meet the rising stars of the Filipino entrepreneurial community.

 

Caroline Miranda

 

 

Very determined and highly motivated, CEO and Managing Director of Dispatch Freight Caroline Miranda says that failure is part and parcel of establishing her own business – a freight and courier solutions company that serves some of the most prominent logistics brands in the country and has a growing network of 15 freight co-loaders operations centers located all over UAE Region and Worldwide.

 

“I have learnt that failure is often inevitable,” she says. “I am realistic enough to know that sometimes these things happen. However, it’s how you recognize experience as a failure and what you can learn from it that will enable you to grow as a person and as a professional. I believe without failure you are unlikely to grow and experience what success feels like.”

 

Her advice to Filipinos who want to be entrepreneurs: “Hustle is an act of focus, not frenzy. Hustle is about subtraction and addition. It’s not about doing more – it’s about focusing on the things you need to do to move your business forward.”

 

Cristina Calaguian

 

 

Cristina Calaguian founded Dagaz HR Consultancy and Recruitment Company in 2011 to guide and support people, primarily Filipinos, in pursuing their career goals and in the process, promoting equality, human rights, and inclusion. Its mission includes the recognition and contribution of People with Disabilities to the community and their rights to live. Its vision is a society that accepts and welcomes people with disability as equals.   The company which is recognized in the field of recruitment and training in the region has, to date, facilitated some 2,000 job placements in the Middle East for prestigious clients in the hospitality, healthcare and industrial sectors.

 

Her achievements in the field have accorded her recognition as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World (Global FWN100TM), an accolade which, she considers, is just the beginning of her latest life journey which is laser-focused on her professional and advocacy goals.

 

“What gives me the greatest satisfaction today is being able to support and mentor others in making the most of their full potential and opportunities, of encouraging them to shatter those false ceilings and believe that the sky is the limit,” she says. “Together, we will build a better community,” she says.

 

 

Armand Zarris Manapat

 

 

CEO and Design Director of AZM Uniforms Revolutionized Armand Zarris Manapat started his uniform designing career in 1996. Ten years later, he was commissioned to do the hotel and hospitality uniforms for the Doha Asian Games 2006. After his successful stint in Qatar, he moved to Dubai and progressively made his mark. Unique in his sector in the UAE, he has since designed world-class livery for a prestigious roster of clients, including the Emaar Hospitality Group, Uptown Cairo Golf Club, the private airlines of the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as Luneta Hotel in Manila.  Just recently, Armand established two flagship stores in the UAE under the brand AZM Uniform Place.

 

“I have seen businesses come and go, and from there I try to study and take some good learning points. With the knowledge that I have, I realized that even the most perfectly planned business, without the submission and trust in God, nothing will flourish and last long. I have submitted my business to God and fan the flame of my faith by praying that His ways will be my ways.”

 

Ultimately, Armand dreams of one day designing and manufacturing uniforms for leading international airlines.

Christine Joy Catolico-Tilja 

 

 

As a young girl, she witnessed how her parents succeeded – and failed – in their business. Right then, Christine Joy Catolico-Tilja knew she wanted to have a business of her own in spite of seeing how challenging it could be.   “I sold everything – from candies to food, to clothes,” she says. “I also worked during summer vacations. I accepted catering services and organized birthday parties for my classmates.”

 

When she decided to leave for Dubai and eventually found herself jobless, Christine revisited her first love and established James Travel and Tours, named after her eldest child.   Since she started in 2014, the company now has branches in Dubai, Makati and General Santos City.  On top of that, Christine also has rental properties, twelve of which are in General Santos and three condos in Metro Manila.

 

Christine shares what she likes the most about being her own boss, “To build a brand that adds value to the community and at the same time I get to spend more quality-time with James while growing up,” she says. “Success is a process – each experience, each mistake, each failure that I had made allows me to learn, be better and prepares me for the next chapter of my life.”

 

Michelle Guinto

 

 

Michelle Guinto’s journey in the business world is as colourful as her dreams. Once a factory worker and a sari-sari store owner, she decided to leave for Dubai to work for her family. Her jobs were storied: a telephone operator, a caterer, a receptionist, a tourist clerk, a freelancer, and finally started her own small commercial brokerage company.

 

That company has stealthily grown in the last couple of years to also include business in Dubai.

 

“In August 2016, I was able to secure a five year contract signed deal between CMG Global Cargo Inc Philippines and Allied Pickfords Singapore with an estimated additional revenue of around 5 Million USD covering around 5,000-10,000 shipments of Import & Export of Household Goods, among others,” she says.

 

Along the way, Michelle has learned some valuable lessons. “Do not grab all the opportunities knocking on your door. Learn to do due diligence, evaluate the risk and stay focused. Give time for yourself, family, socialize with friends and always talk to God for He will never forsake you nor leave you.”

 

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Photography by: Alex Callueng

Illustrado 100 was made possible by sponsors: Giordano, Liali Jewellery, Mitsubishi UAE- Al Habtoor Motors, Michael Cinco Couture, Mapúa Institute of Technology, Centro – Amwaj Rotana Hotel , Max’s Restaurant Middle East and GVER – Your Friendly MarketPlace for Sharing

Co-Sponsors: Herschel Supply Co., Rove Hotels, The Medical City – Dubai , Filipino Institute UAE, MPQ Tourism, JAMES Travel and Tours Dubai, Off the Hook Seafood Restaurant, The Original Barrio Fiesta Restaurant – Dubai and Tapa King UAE.

 

Read more Illustrado 100 on www.illustradolife.com

 

100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Brand Champions

 

Behind some of the most prominent brands in the country and the region are formidable Filipinos who lead in the fields of marketing, communications, public relations and events.  Here they share their branding hopes for the Philippines.

 

Rosemarie Tacorda

 

 

Rosemarie Tacorda has always wanted to create, contribute and collaborate. So being in the world of communications, where she had the privilege of working with some of most prestigious hospitality brands in the region including the Burj Al Arab, the Address Downtown Dubai, Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, Intercon Hotel Group, and now the Palazzo Versace in Dubai where she is Director of Marketing and Communications, is just like being in her natural habitat.  Her work allows her to express her ideas and creativity and bring them to life.

Applying her keen marketing mind, in combination with her hopes of the Philippines and the Filipino people, Rosemarie shares, “I dream that one day, sooner if possible, that we become the greatest country in Asia as we once were.”  She adds, “It has to start with our mindset. We have to think quality thoughts. We have to regard ourselves as ‘able,’ ‘capable’ ‘determined’ and not victims of politics or other previous regimes that made the economy worse. As cliché as it sounds, it’s true.  The past is the past, and there is nothing we can do about the past. Each one of us can only influence the future. So if we think we can make the Philippines better, we can. It starts with every one of us. Let’s make ourselves better individuals. Our collective success will have a ripple effect.”

 

Danelle Ruth Palang

 

 

Danelle Ruth Palang has been the driving force of Marketing and Communications for the Dusit Thani Hotel in Dubai for over four years now.  As marcomms director, she is thrilled with the launch of the hotel’s newest outlet @ViewbyDusit – a terrace lounge which had guests on waitlist right after its opening.  She says being able to transform a mere parking lot, into another potential Dubai hotspot, has taught her the possibility of creating something great out of nothing.

A very spiritual person, she believes that her success comes from dedication, discernment, charm, and favor from above.   For the Philippines, her dreams are also transcendent.  She shares, “I hope for unity in diversity. Imagine if we just embrace our differences and uplift each other’s efforts and ingenuities even just by saying a kind word or giving a nod of support – that brand will outclass any campaigns in the world.”

Danelle says that all Filipinos are brand ambassadors of the nation.  “Each one of us is our nation’s flag carrier. If we carry ourselves with pride and an unceasing desire to raise the bar; if we think first of what we can give rather than what we can benefit from; if we trust and rely on each other to make a consistently stronger brand, then the possibilities are endless.”

 

Cleo Eleazar

 

 

Cleo Eleazar is proud to be a part of one of the most aggressively growing business initiatives in the UAE. As Senior Manager for Public Relations & Events seeing the successful launch in April 2017 of RAK Economic Zone (RAKEZ) – the consolidation of two fast-growing free zones in the emirate has been quite a feat.

Having played a pivotal role in the communications for Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone since 2008, Cleo professes that hard work, resourcefulness; sociability, flexibility, and the ability to face adversity are the elements that allowed her to rise to the top of her game. “I have been beaten to the ground, but I rose because of persistence,” she says. “I understand that things don’t always go my way, but I keep moving forward by adapting to circumstances.”

This vision also applies to her brand of the Philippines. “When we work harder on how we present our country and its people, it’s all going to change,” she says. “We’ll have more tourists and people from all around the world will come to know about the world’s treasure that is the Philippines.”

 

Serving the Country: Ian Borromeo

 

 

Working with a PR agency that represents the different tourism boards of popular international destinations like the USA, Slovenia, Thailand, Kyoto Japan, and Spain, among a host of others, is a privilege for Ian Borromeo. But what he is most proud of, is being able to handle communications for the Philippine Department of Tourism through AVIAREPS.  “To serve my country, to deliberately remove the negative stereotypes of potential visitors, to show them that the Philippines can be at par with the world’s top destinations when it comes to infrastructure, technology, hospitality, science, engineering, history, culture and natural resources is an exhilarating experience,” he says.

On his hopes for the motherland, he articulates: “My dream is not only to defy the norm but to rewrite our story. And in that new narrative, we are unaware of crab mentality, and incognizant of self-centeredness. We embrace change and welcome challenges with arms wide open, and we can walk side by side with the first class world.”

 

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Photography by: Alex Callueng

Illustrado 100 was made possible by sponsors: Giordano, Liali Jewellery, Mitsubishi UAE- Al Habtoor Motors, Michael Cinco Couture, Mapúa Institute of Technology, Centro – Amwaj Rotana Hotel , Max’s Restaurant Middle East and GVER – Your Friendly MarketPlace for Sharing

Co-Sponsors: Herschel Supply Co., Rove Hotels, The Medical City – Dubai , Filipino Institute UAE, MPQ Tourism, JAMES Travel and Tours Dubai, Off the Hook Seafood Restaurant, The Original Barrio Fiesta Restaurant – Dubai and Tapa King UAE.

 

Read more Illustrado 100 on www.illustradolife.com

 

100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Kindness Champions – Nila Bandigan, Olga Barcelona, Leo Barrameda

 

Compassionate. Selfless. Empathetic. Concerned. The word kind alone already encompasses a myriad of noble qualities. Meet these three benevolent souls that bring us pride through their kind-hearted acts that make the world a better place.

 

Leonila Bandigan

 

 

For humble entrepreneur and previous Women of Substance honoree, Leonila Bandigan, investing time into projects for the greater good is a regular pursuit. She says: “The act of helping people I don’t know brings me joy, inspires me, and motivates me.” Growing up with positive figures like her Inang, Leonila was imbued with kindness as well as moral values, and early on, ideas like assisting others in need became customary. However, she too acknowledges how seeing  unfortunate circumstances helped form her generous philosophy: “One time while watching TV, I saw big family, yet the only food on the table was a plate of boiled rice and coco milk. However, only one child would eat because he has to go to school, and the leftover will be shared by the whole family. I cried that day, and told myself that while I am still capable, a share of our income will go with those children.”

 

While running several businesses in th U.A.E., Leonila extends a helping hand to a local church, providing resources and running their canteen – where all income earned goes to the parish and the less fortunate. She is also sponsoring the education, food, and clothing of underprivileged children back in the Philippines. As of now, she has been able to send over 130 kids to the prestigious Don Bosco in Cebu, Ilo-Ilo, and Davao.

 

Through it all, Leonila has learned this: “Be generous to everyone, whether you know them or not because there is somebody above who will reward you.”

 

Olga Barcelona

 

 

Olga Barcelona and her business partner, Dawn Almario, have selflessly celebrated their birthdays giving gifts to underprivileged children among several areas in the Philippines over the past couple years. As a firm believer in paying it forward, Olga considers that every single act of compassion is a step in the right direction for humanity, sharing: “There are many ways to help or volunteer. Start first within your inner circle – Through being an example to others, at least one of them will emulate your kindness.”

 

With her passion for doing good further ignited by world issues, Olga sees helping others as her true calling. During the pinnacle of conflict in Syria, together with friends, they gathered enough resources to make and send 500 relief bags for refugees, as well as provided financial support to the refugee camp in Lesvos, Greece. Not long ago, she also volunteered to help build a school for a community in Malawi. During this seven-day trek, Olga lived with the villagers with no water and electricity. She recounts: “It was great for all of us who volunteered. It opened our eyes to the unfortunate reality that people in Africa are still in dire need of educational help.”

 

Despite these saddening global issues, Olga trusts that through kindness, we can begin to resolve these matters. “It’s not hard to be kind. If everyone would think and act considerately, there will eventually be a ripple effect of kindness, and perhaps someday, factors like poverty and illiteracy would lessen.”

Leo Barrameda 

 

 

While a sense of voluntarism was already engrained in Leo Barrameda’s character, it took a profound turn of events for him to realize his life’s purpose. Encountering a sense of emptiness in 2015, he found out about the Leila Wilmer Foundation. Upon discovery, he had initially offered to sponsor the education of five B’Laan students. However, after receiving support from  friends, they are now covering the schooling fees of over 103 kids.  Being able to do so was particularly rewarding, Leo describes: “It was a personal wake-up call for me. I realized that I was special because I could make a difference.”

 

2017 has been an excellent year for Leo. He conducted a series of seminars on financial literacy, personal branding, and self-development through E-gents – an initiative he founded to advocate positivity, through uplifting the community’s spirits and spreading awareness on societal issues of importance. This coming May, E-gents is planning an overseas medical mission, through E-gents Care, in the pursuit of benefiting the B’Laans, and over 100 households. Although running passion projects like these often require quite a bit of finance, he stresses that individuals should not undervalue the power of one good deed.  He expounds: “I am not financially blessed. You don’t need to be rich or popular to make a difference. Truly, it is the simple acts of goodness that will go a long way.”

 

“Being kind is not imposed; to help others is not an obligation; caring for others is not a responsibility,” Leo explains.  But parallel to this statement, he too trusts that there lies a Good Samaritan in every person: “I believe that everyone has the innate wish to help, but they just don’t know how.”

 

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Photography by: Alex Callueng

Illustrado 100 was made possible by sponsors: Giordano, Liali Jewellery, Mitsubishi UAE- Al Habtoor Motors, Michael Cinco Couture, Mapúa Institute of Technology, Centro – Amwaj Rotana Hotel , Max’s Restaurant Middle East and GVER – Your Friendly MarketPlace for Sharing

Co-Sponsors: Herschel Supply Co., Rove Hotels, The Medical City – Dubai , Filipino Institute UAE, MPQ Tourism, JAMES Travel and Tours Dubai, Off the Hook Seafood Restaurant, The Original Barrio Fiesta Restaurant – Dubai and Tapa King UAE.

 

Read more Illustrado 100 on www.illustradolife.com

100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Ryan Arbilo – Photographer

 

Ryan Arbilo knows what sacrifice is all about. He grew up without a mother, knowing full well the extent of their hard work and the price that they have to pay raising their kids. This concept gave way to “Chicken Hands,” a photography exhibit focusing on the struggles of overseas Filipina housemaids who work abroad to provide fof their families, something very familiar to many Filipinos all over the globe.

 

“I want to promote awareness of the socio-economic situations of these women who felt the need to work abroad because of the poverty in their country,” he explains.  “The women I pictured worked for more than a decade, mostly as undocumented workers and living in fear. However, they were always smiling, never complaining as they did everything their patron demanded with little to no pay. They are working unbelievable hours for meagre wages so they can send money for their children left behind. They work tirelessly so their families can have the necessities of education, food, and clothing, among others.”

 

Conceptualized in 2009 and exhibited in September 2016 at the La Maison Européen de la Photography in Paris and the Yuchengco Museum in Manila in 2017, Ryan considers “Chicken Hands” as one of his most prized possessions. “This is a great humanitarian calling for me, to somehow inspire our people and our governments to focus on finding a way for families to stay together and thrive above the poverty line and not have the need to leave abroad,” he says.

 

Last year, Ryan’s artistry touched down in the emirates with his first local project “Tour de Force – Part 1” an exhibition of 13 photographic portraits featuring some of the most empowering Filipinos in the UAE, held at the Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel.  Lauded as an inspirational event meant to celebrate Filipino strength, the exhibit came to frutition with the help of Unicef artist Cesco Concepcion.

 

Ryan’s work has given a contrasting view of the lives of Filipinos outside the country.  On the one hand, highlighting our woes as a community, particularly poverty and the situation of our disadvantaged women overseas workers.  And on the other, it is uplifting an inspirational, exemplifying what Filipinos can achieve and become beyond the motherland.   Whatever the slant, it is clear that for Ryan Arbilo, his art sends a strong message, and that is his contribution to the people.

 

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Photography by: Rodolfo Arbilo

Illustrado 100 was made possible by sponsors: Giordano, Liali Jewellery, Mitsubishi UAE- Al Habtoor Motors, Michael Cinco Couture, Mapúa Institute of Technology, Centro – Amwaj Rotana Hotel , Max’s Restaurant Middle East and GVER – Your Friendly MarketPlace for Sharing

Co-Sponsors: Herschel Supply Co., Rove Hotels, The Medical City – Dubai , Filipino Institute UAE, MPQ Tourism, JAMES Travel and Tours Dubai, Off the Hook Seafood Restaurant, The Original Barrio Fiesta Restaurant – Dubai and Tapa King UAE.

 

Read more Illustrado 100 on www.illustradolife.com

 

100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Ricky Carranza – Street Dance Legend

 

A legend in the Philippines, Ricky Carranza’s contributions to the Pinoy dance scenes across the world have inspired the masses and pushed the boundaries of street dance itself. His recent encounter with Filipinos in the emirates has not only brought entertainment but most importantly inspired a relatively obscure community of dance enthusiasts.

 

Ricky, also known as ‘3ki Riki’, was a famous personality on dance shows “Penthouse 7” and “Dance 10” in his younger days.  His natural talent for movement, as well as his hunger and ambition, made him into one of the most prominent dancers of the Philippines.  “I was always looking for more. Call it what you want – passion, craziness, or obsession. I wanted to learn and see more of that new style of dance – that funk style.”

 

In his three decades of choreographing and teaching, 3ki Riki trained some of the most prominent Filipino celebrities, the most prominent of which is Gary Valenciano. His dance career has taken him to around the world, backing up movements in Italy and even creating his label in Finland – “Style Dance Industry.”

 

As a film director and producer, the Dubai screening of Ricky’s latest documentary, “Beyond the Block” supported by the Philippine Consulate General, and his inspiring presence via workshops, has energized and brought together the growing, but often unrecognized Pinoy street dance crowd. Ricky’s local involvement has virtually vitalized the spirit of street dance in the community, proving that indeed, Hip Hop is alive and well among Filipinos in the Middle East.

 

Ricky’s ultimate goal is one of a strengthened culture united in the spirit of togetherness. His plans include producing numerous film projects, some in the UAE and laying out the groundwork for the Philippine’s first street dance institution.

 

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Photography by: Maija Astikainen

Illustrado 100 was made possible by sponsors: Giordano, Liali Jewellery, Mitsubishi UAE- Al Habtoor Motors, Michael Cinco Couture, Mapúa Institute of Technology, Centro – Amwaj Rotana Hotel , Max’s Restaurant Middle East and GVER – Your Friendly MarketPlace for Sharing

Co-Sponsors: Herschel Supply Co., Rove Hotels, The Medical City – Dubai , Filipino Institute UAE, MPQ Tourism, JAMES Travel and Tours Dubai, Off the Hook Seafood Restaurant, The Original Barrio Fiesta Restaurant – Dubai and Tapa King UAE.

 

Read more Illustrado 100 on www.illustradolife.com

 

100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Mme Yoko Ramos – Wife to the Philippine Ambassador of the UAE

 

Beside every powerful man proudly stands a woman of grace, fortitude, and strength. Madame Yoko Ramos, the wife of Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Contancio Vingno Jr, is the perfect embodiment of that statement.  She believes that the role of women, is integral to society and shares, “Filipina women, through the practice of various professions, contribute to the economic well-being of their families, as well as to the development of communities wherever they may be in the world, through their skills and talents. One of the traits that sets us apart is our positive outlook in life, regardless of the circumstances that we are in.  In that sense, it is fair to say that we bring, wherever we may be, sunshine and joy of life.”

 

Further encouraging Filipinas to make significant contributions towards their country and community, Madame Yoko says, “I urge my fellow Filipinas to allow the world to see the best and most beautiful version of themselves. With this, we should make it a point to empower one another by equipping ourselves with eagerness and a curiosity to learn something new every day.”

 

On a mission to helping uplift the image of Filipinos in the UAE through goodwill within the diplomatic, government and community network, Madame Yoko has also devoted time towards pursuing a number causes near and dear to her.  She notes that being a part of projects such as the Philippine halal products launch in the UAE, the International Day on the Elimination of Violence Against Women event, as well as the Cancer Awareness Fashion Show, was not only fulfilling but enlightening.

 

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Photography by: Jef Anog

Illustrado 100 was made possible by sponsors: Giordano, Liali Jewellery, Mitsubishi UAE- Al Habtoor Motors, Michael Cinco Couture, Mapúa Institute of Technology, Centro – Amwaj Rotana Hotel , Max’s Restaurant Middle East and GVER – Your Friendly MarketPlace for Sharing

Co-Sponsors: Herschel Supply Co., Rove Hotels, The Medical City – Dubai , Filipino Institute UAE, MPQ Tourism, JAMES Travel and Tours Dubai, Off the Hook Seafood Restaurant, The Original Barrio Fiesta Restaurant – Dubai and Tapa King UAE.

 

Read more Illustrado 100 on www.illustradolife.com

 

 

100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Ambassador. Constancio Vigno Jr – Trailblazer

 

Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, Constancio Vigno Jr. has been the Filipino community’s pillar of support since he assumed Head of Post in 2015, and last year was a significant year with landmark achievements under his able leadership.

 

After years of negotiation, the Philippine and UAE governments have finally signed an MOU on Labor Cooperation in September 2017.  With the Department of Labor and Employment as lead negotiator for the Philippines, the Philippine Embassy played a pivotal role, with diplomats joining the negotiations and meetings leading to the signing. This year has also seen the embassy’s successful mass repatriation of some 1,500 distressed Filipinos, in coordination with the UAE government, a cause close to the Ambassador’s heart.  He shares, “I hope that with the signing of the MOU on Labor Cooperation, there will be fewer cases of our kababayans needing repatriation.”

 

A role model in his own right who maintains a close and affable relationship with the Filipino community, he is optimistic and carries out his duties for the nation while working towards his dream of an independent, unified, and self-sufficient country with many economic opportunities in the homeland.

 

Ambassador Vingno also stands firm in the belief that Filipinos are indeed resilient, determined and hardworking, and that community action and skill building will elevate the status of the community. “It would also be best for the Filipino community, specifically the professional groups, to regularly conduct skills upgrading activities with the aim of uplifting the professional capabilities of their respective members, as well as the image of Filipinos in this country in general.”

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Photography by: Eros Goze

Illustrado 100 was made possible by sponsors: Giordano, Liali Jewellery, Mitsubishi UAE- Al Habtoor Motors, Michael Cinco Couture, Mapúa Institute of Technology, Centro – Amwaj Rotana Hotel , Max’s Restaurant Middle East and GVER – Your Friendly MarketPlace for Sharing

Co-Sponsors: Herschel Supply Co., Rove Hotels, The Medical City – Dubai , Filipino Institute UAE, MPQ Tourism, JAMES Travel and Tours Dubai, Off the Hook Seafood Restaurant, The Original Barrio Fiesta Restaurant – Dubai and Tapa King UAE.

 

Read more Illustrado 100 on www.illustradolife.com