Illustrado Magazine – Filipino Abroad

Tag: Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

  • Joan Tuaño – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Joan Tuaño – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Joan Tuaño

    Intrapreneur

    Photo by: Jef Anog

    A big part of the success of homegrown Abu Dhabi based premium meats brand La Carne is young Joan Tuaňo.  With her background in international hospitality management at Le Roches Bluche in Switzerland and training with luxury brands like Aman Resorts, the Ritz Carlton, Shangri-La Hotels and Louis Vuitton, Joan has brought with her immense industry know-how that has allowed her to craft an elevated and differentiated market positioning for La Carne putting the brand in its own comfortable niche, appealing to discerning clientele in the capital.

    Aside from La Carne, Joan is also focused on paving the way for their new project, Filfood, which aims to be a platform that will elevate and promote Filipino cuisine and Philippine ingredients in the country. She shares, “Filfood is so much more than just a festival, or a one-time event. We hope it becomes a movement that truly encapsulates the Filipino culinary spirit here in the UAE, and enabling Filipino food to get to the international level it deserves. Filfood can only achieve its full potential through applicable education, support to our Filipino producers, and communication to distributors and business owners here in the UAE. We have been so blessed with the network and potential in this country and Filfood is just getting started!”

    As an empowered Filipina, chasing her dreams and endeavoring at each step to living a full life, Joan shares her favorite quote from Nelson Mandela – “There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” (more…)

  • Andronico Del Rosario Jr. – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Andronico Del Rosario Jr. – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Trailblazer – Andronico Del Rosario

    Creative Entrepreneur

    Photo by: Rozen Antonio 

    Andronico has built a legacy out of scratch through his body of work, which has been featured in some of the world’s most acclaimed films.

    In the beginning, he collected scraps from the streets to turn into props. Today, he is one of UAE and Canada’s most experienced and resourceful creative production veterans. The leading supplier of production props, Andronico began his work in the Middle East in 1996 through his company For Art Sake.  In 2005, he established Artfx Canada.  Shuttling between Dubai and Toronto, Andrew and his team have done productions for Top Gear, Star Trek, and Mission Impossible, among other prestigious projects.  He has been involved in countless TV series, feature films, music videos and editorials.  He was nominated at the 2017 Canadian Screen Awards for ‘Best Production Design for or Art Direction in a Nonfiction Program or Series’, and counts that as one of his greatest triumphs.

    Through all his wins, as well as challenges, Andronico has always stayed true to his values adopted from the fighting spirit of the Filipino warrior – hardened and made better through adversities.

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  • Bj De Guzman – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Bj De Guzman – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Thoughtleaders – BJ De Guzman

    Creative Director

    Photo by: Jef Anog

    With more than a decade’s work in the GCC’s growing marketing and advertising industry, BJ De Guzman, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Jungle Beige has carved a name for himself, especially in propelling the social influence of lifestyle, fashion, entertainment, and hospitality brands in the region.

    As part of a multitalented team, he has developed an impressive creative portfolio. Over the years, he has embarked on a number of creative collaborations with brands like Christian Louboutin, Ford, PUMA, Coya restaurants, LEVIs, and Power Horse Energy Drink, adding Social Foot Sneaker Store and Steve Madden this year. His work has also been recognized in the international field, with brand placements with pop sensations Ed Sheeran and DJ Snake.

    With such contributions in the industry, BJ believes that platforms like Illustrado are much needed wherever there is a Filipino community in the world. “When platforms like this help identify key creatives and professionals, we can meet each other, support each other and even help the younger generation get to where we are, then go beyond.” He says.

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  • Jun Ricaforte – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Jun Ricaforte – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Tastemaker – Jun Ricaforte

    Fashion Designer & Entrepreneur 

    Photo by: Ameer Studio

    Jun Ricaforte never envisioned that his passion for the abaya would thrive in the competitive fashion industry in the emirates.

    While most of his colleagues turned into couture fashion, Jun, who was once a member of the Royal Atelier in Fujairah, has taken the road less travelled, focusing on the abaya industry through his label, Dune Abaya. And excel he did.  Now the brand is renowned for luxury pieces patronized by Arab women from all over the Gulf, made famous by their participation in various exhibitions across the region.  Jun’s creations have also been featured in campaigns for Persil Soap and Saudi Telecom, as well as for Aviation Abu Dhabi and 3rd Avenue Café Dubai Mall.

    Working towards his legacy, Jun is currently preparing his business to be taken over eventually by his daughter Patricia, who will continue to grow Dune, as well as the new brands he has recently launched, namely Miss June.ae, Alta Luxe and Abaya Asia.

    In his journey towards becoming the “King of Abaya,” in the emirates, Jun shares that going out of the comfort zone and being brave takes you to a better place.

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  • Resty Lagare – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Resty Lagare – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Tastemaker – Resty Lagare

    Fashion Designer and Community Champion

    Resty Lagare - Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf
    Photo by: Maribeth Briz Telan

    Resty Lagare will always remember 2019 as a milestone year.  The establishment of his eponymous atelier has brought immense pride and joy to this leading designer in Kuwait, not to mention his success in LA Fashion Week, as well as Phoenix Fashion Week.  A Filipino who has been making an impact, not only in the Gulf but also in the USA, he remarks, “I’m proud of my great Filipino heritage.  We should all stand proud, but not haughty. Yes, we can truly be on par with the rest of the globe.”

    On a more personal front, Resty has marked his 25th year in the business by launching his own charity projects, which combine fashion with causes he is passionate about.  His first initiative was for a show for his hometown of Butuan City for street kids and orphans as recipients of all proceeds.  The other one was a women empowerment project for the benefit of distressed Filipinos in Kuwait.   The designer comments, “It feels good to be able to give back.”

    Resty shares that beyond everything that he’s achieved and the clout he’s built in the industry, not only in Kuwait but also in the USA, he believes that his talent can also be utilized as a force for good. He shares, “I want to do more fashion events with social relevance as well as fund noble causes, and I hope that, someday, Filipino designers can eventually conquer the world stage.”

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  • Ignacio Loyola – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Ignacio Loyola – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Tastemaker – Ignacio Loyola

    Fashion Designer

    The mastermind behind Atelier Ignacio at Dubai’s illustrious art enclave – Dubai Design District, Ignacio Loyola is all about the edgy and unusual. Toeing the line between avant-garde and sophisticated elegance, Ignacio’s designs have a very strong local cult following and have been featured in many of the region’s pop artists’ music videos, as well as in collaborative projects with brands like Boucheron, as well as Art Abu Dhabi.

    A talented fashion createur on the rise, who is all about breaking boundaries Ignacio’s fashion and design background earned from studying at the renowned Instituto Marangoni in Milan, as well as the Philippine Women’s University has served him well.  The designer also carries with him a slew of achievements, including representing the Philippines at the Paris Young Designers Competition as the FCDP’s Philippine Design Competition’s winner, and the grand prize at the International Smirnoff Mule Fashion Awards.

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  • Garimon Roferos – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Garimon Roferos – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Tastemaker – Garimon Roferos

    Fashion Designer

    Garimon Roferos - Most influential Filipinos in the Gulf 2018
    Photo by: Donell Gumiran

     

    With his edgy signature on couture, the house of Garimon Roferos continues to thrive in the fashion industry in the region.  Recently, together with his successful shows at the Dubai and Abu Dhabi Bride Shows, Garimon has also dressed some of the world most glamorous personalities including Argentinian superstar Martina Stoessel for Seventeen Mexico Magazine, Ford model Konstance for Industry Magazine (US), Russian actress Katerina Shpitsa, Miss World Philippines Alyssa Muhlach Alvarez, Filipino celebrity and host Vice Ganda, and Cannes Film awardee Farah Abdulaziz.

    Garimon views couture as an art form and medium for empowerment. “As an advocate, you understand the value in expressing your core fundamentals through fashion,” he says. Garimon also believes in the power of mentorship, which he is gearing to do more of.  He shares, “By becoming a mentor to someone who would benefit from my skills, knowledge, and experience is my number one agenda, especially for my province, Davao. I strongly believe that helping others makes the world a better place, and it makes you feel great in the process. It’s a great way to contribute to your community. You will also gain a plethora of other experiences that will help you as you navigate your future.  You will never go wrong with kindness.”

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  • Phio Enaje – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Phio Enaje – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Tastemaker – Phio Enaje

    Fashion Designer

    Photo by: Ace Reyes

    He might be ‘relatively’ new to the region, but Phio Enaje is every inch a true virtuoso in the field of fashion who has obtained respect in the industry for the last 3 decades since he opened his own label in the Philippines at the age of 16.

    2019 saw Phio working for the second time with Gloss magazine, where his intricate Moroccan kaftan piece for TV personality Nadia Khan was featured.  Another highlight for him that he is especially proud of was being able to dress Philippine Ambassador to the UAE HE Hjayceelyn Quintana with a contemporary Filipiniana piece the diplomat wore for Philippine Independence Day.

    While juggling projects, Phio has also been working on the relaunch of his own brand in the UAE and in the Philippines. Currently, he is the Fashion Designer for Atelier Defile Haute Couture, Abu Dhabi, supervising the artistic creations of the company.

    “Having my own identity, artistry, and style in fashion, I think, makes up my definitive contribution to the community in the region. I was able to showcase not only my brand but the Philippines as well.” He says. “People will get to know you based on what they see and hear from you. My lasting legacy would be the principles and good values that I have always believed in since I was younger.  The same good values I continue to practice to date.”

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  • Ryan Pacioles – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Ryan Pacioles – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Tastemaker – Ryan Pacioles 

    Fashion Designer

    Ryan Pacioles’ creations, achievements, and work as a designer speak for themselves – and they speak volumes. Humble and fiercely dedicated, Ryan has gone from strength to strength, bringing his brand Atelier Zuhra to grandiose couture heights. Through putting his own unique stamp on the world of fashion, he has veritably proven what an eminent creative he is in the local and international scenes.

    Ryan Pacioles - Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf
    Photo by: Rozen Antonio

    Known for his modern ethereal aesthetic and couture masterpieces that exemplify amazing intricacy, Ryan’s scene-stealing gowns have graced runways in prestigious shows across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Moscow, Paris, and London. With his first foray into London Fashion Week in 2018, Ryan has come back for a second and third season for February 2019 and 2020, garnering overwhelmingly positive feedback from major fashion media outlets for each collection shown. In the modest pursuit of elevating global perceptions of the Filipino through design, Ryan, has cemented his presence among industry giants at shows in the world’s fashion capitals. Furthermore, Ryan’s pieces were recently worn by celebrities like Lady Victoria Hervey, Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo, Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, as well as entertainment personality Giuliana Rancic.

    Amidst the success, Ryan has kept his feet firmly planted. Behind his work exists the advocacy to inspire fellow Filipinos to go against the grain and elevate the standards within creative fields. Ryan attests: “As a Filipino designer in the Middle East, I want to push creative boundaries and be a true inspiration to other new designers, especially in the Philippines.”

     

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  • Joseph Alcantara – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Joseph Alcantara – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Thoughtleader – Joseph Alcantara

    Marketing Professional

    Joseph Alcantara - Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf
    Photo by: Jef Anog

    Joseph Alcantara exemplifies the shining image of the young bright Filipino leader, running at full speed ahead, with a global outlook, sterling work ethic, and the purpose of bringing others with him towards success.

    Heading the marketing communications department for the Middle East and Southern Europe of Emirates Airline, Joseph leads a multicultural team of creatives, PR staff, and marketing experts.  He has contributed significantly to many successes in his company since he took the helm almost three years ago.  2019, however, provided more personal milestones that he is particularly ecstatic about.  He won a scholarship to the Emirates Leadership Development Programme, which has taken his professional learning to the next level. Joseph was also a judge for the 2018 and 2019 Effie Awards, and his written pieces were featured in Campaign Middle East, Campaign UK and Gulf News.

    With a vision of contributing to the development of Filipino representation in the region, Joseph has co-founded a group of Filipino communicators, facilitating the sharing of skills and opportunities that he is hoping will lead to collective successes.

    Joseph proves that Filipinos can ‘break glass ceilings’ and that if we set our sights high enough, we could emerge on top.  He advises, “We should benchmark the best in class globally, rather than compete amongst our small community pond.  Before fighting for international representation and recognition, let’s show the goods first, as real and legitimate work. Output, mentality and contribution will speak for itself.”

     

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