Illustrado Magazine – Filipino Abroad

Tag: most influential Filipino

  • Nick Nadal – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Nick Nadal – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Gamechanger – Nick Nadal

    Photo by: Bethoven Filomeno

    Corporate Governance & Sustainable Finance Expert

    When talking about accomplishments, Nick Nadal will not run out of things to share.  But he is a man who would rather not discuss himself. A conversation with him will just be about the causes he’s involved with and how this can benefit many.

    A corporate expert who works for the government of Dubai, specifically the Dubai Sustainable Finance Working Group, he is one of the key persons behind making the emirate a global player in sustainable finance. He does this while working on advancing good governance practices in regional organizations, addressing boards and decision-makers, framing decisions related to environmental responsibility, fairness to labor and community, company stewardship, and relationship to society, among others.  He also has set-up a regional think tank on corporate governance driving research, company engagements, and program development.

    With all that he has learned through the years serving various causes, Nick encourages Filipinos to elevate themselves by embracing the greater community that they belong in. “We need to realize that human dignity, environmental responsibility, and the general need to be kind transcend our communities, and that despite differences in geographies, in how each one of us were raised, in our education, and in our general outlook in life, all of us have much more in common than there are differences. So, let’s all work to elevate the place we live, work, and play, by so doing, we also elevate our communities and ourselves.”

    (more…)

  • Bobby Caparas – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Bobby Caparas – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Bobby Caparas

    Hair and Make-Up Artist

    Working in the region as a Filipino make-up artist is a challenging yet rewarding experience for Arulfo “Bobby” Caparas.  A veteran in the industry known for his unapparelled professionalism at work, Bobby worked with many celebrity clients, publications, models and designers in the region over the years.

    In 2019, he was involved in the wedding of renowned luxury real estate developers in the Gulf. He has also been the hair and make-up artist for Nat Geo TV Kids in Abu Dhabi, and has worked on projects for FRAMESI (Italy), Citizen K Arabia 100 Magazine, Gucci, Dior, Louis Vuitton and more.

    While doing the things he loves, Bobby aspires to bring home his learnings, eventually establishing his own hair and make-up seminars through Kawit Tourism in Cavite. He shares, “Through volunteering and getting involved I’ve expanded the quality of my life in ways I never once thought possible.”

    Bobby is also gearing to launch his own make-up line this year. (more…)

  • 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.”

    (more…)

  • Most Influential Filipino in the Gulf: Jacob Alcala – Trailblazer

    Jacob Alcala

    Film maker

     

    Jacob is a 15-year old film maker with an eye for imagery that belies his young age. In 2016, his film was nominated for Best Picture and won Best Editing at the 2016 Thimun Qatar Northwestern Film Festival. Entitled “Connectedly Disconnected” the film tackles the pitfalls of seeking comfort through temporary connections. With all the success that he has achieved at his age, he says that his father keeps him grounded by constantly reminding him that “It’s not enough to rely on talent alone, you have to have passion. You must love what you do and not treat it like it is ‘work.’ Most of all you have to treat yourself as an “amateur” because no matter how good you are, there is always room for improvement.” He adds that he wants to someday represent the Philippines internationally and lend his talent in raising the standards of quality film making in the country.

    His advice to his fellow, young Filipino artists: “Never let the fear of not being good enough stop you from trying something new. If I had let that fear stop me, then I would not be where I am and who I am today.”

     

    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 Filipino in the Gulf: Eric Elnar – Trailblazer

     

    ERIC C. ELNAR

    Commercial Attache
    Philippine Trade and Investment Center I Philippine Consulate General

     

    As the Department of Trade and Industry’s frontline mover in the Middle East and Africa Region, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center –Dubai  is primarily tasked to promote exports of Philippine products to the region, as well as encourage  investments to the Philippines from the Middle East and Africa. Leading this endeavor is Commercial Attache Eric C. Elnar. He is at the helm of promoting  Philippine exports to the Middle East and Africa by strengthening the  market access to key export sectors that were identified for their high potential for growth in the region: food products, franchising, furniture/furnishings, and health and wellness products. His office also promotes the Philippines as an investment destination by building business linkages with various entities to generate ventures into key sectors such as agribusiness and agriculture, energy, infrastructure projects, and tourism. They also make representations during negotiations  for market access and provide commercial intelligence reports and policy  recommendations.   
    Of how they surmount the challenges of representing the Philippines in the creation of stronger economic ties, Commercial Attache Eric C. Elnar professes: “Despite the many obstacles we encounter as we strive to function effectively with the limitation of our resources, we also count the times we are heartened by words of encouragement  and  appreciation received from those we have assisted.  The recognition that we are doing things right makes the journey less arduous. Being recognized by our compatriots and our work being appreciated by our clientele are the rewards that we look forward to the most.”

     

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