Illustrado Magazine – Filipino Abroad

Tag: Pinoy Pride

  • Chef Andrew Paderes – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Chef Andrew Paderes – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Gamechanger – Chef Andrew

    Executive Chef

    Photo by: Jef Anog

    Mostly working behind the scenes, Filipino talents in the fiercely competitive culinary sector in the region were largely “invisible” to the mainstream.  Chef Andrew Paderes broke through the glass ceiling, stamping not only Filipino representation but also leadership in the field.

    Having honed his skills at Chef Gordon Ramsay’s Maze in Qatar and Nobu in London – Chef Andrew has been thriving in Dubai’s cutthroat food scene, carving a path in the industry for many Filipino culinary professionals to follow. The first Filipino to be recognized alongside celebrity chefs from all over the globe at the annual Taste of Dubai – the country’s most renowned culinary event for gourmands, Chef Andrew has also served as Executive Chef at The Gramercy at swanky DIFC, then Claw BBQ Crabshack and Grill, and as Group Executive Chef for hip brand Stars and Bars.  He currently works as Executive Chef at Catch 22 – a multi-cuisine foodie hotspot with branches in the UAE and KSA, leading a multicultural team.

    Continuing to serve as a role model not only for Filipinos but also for aspirants from other countries, he has helped shape the careers of many: “For me, success is being able to impact those you work with. I was able to train both Filipino and non-Filipino talents from the lowest positions in the kitchen into leading forces in their work environments. Being true and fair with the people I work with has had a positive influence in all the workplaces I have been in.”

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  • Jay Hilotin – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Jay Hilotin – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Christian ‘Jay’ B. Hilotin

    Journalist 

    Photo by: Donell Gumiran

    Award-winning veteran journalist, Christian ‘Jay’ B. Hilotin considers his present role as senior web news editor of gulfnews.com, the leading English-language digital site in the Gulf, as both a tough and fulfilling one. “Keeping readers happy is a source of great satisfaction at the end of each working day,” he says.

    “For me, storytelling in the digital era requires the same amount of passion as, if not more than, the “old media,” he says. “Whether it’s breaking news, doing explainers and long-form narratives, we constantly question our story judgment. I’m honored to work with a great team that’s pushing innovation forward, guided by tools that keep our feet firmly on the ground, connected to our readers.”

    Serving up news and information to different communities in the UAE, and outside the country, he takes pride in delighting its readers. Then there is also the challenge of delivering properly-curated content relevant to the Filipino community.  Of his countrymen, Jay notes, “We have distinct qualities. As a people, we muster admirable resilience against terrible natural disasters. We willingly face great odds for the love of family. Our passion for music and enduring faith form part of our collective hallmark. There are many good things going for us right now. But we all fall short, too.”  He adds, “Punctuality, a drive to continuously improve our lot, combining hard work with mutual encouragement, instead of pulling each other down, a.k.a. ‘crab mentality,’ these are the things that would greatly help us.”  (more…)

  • Sahron Tamano – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Sahron Tamano – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Sahron ‘Roy’ Tamano 

    Community Champion

    Photo by: Donell Gumiran

    As the main vanguard of MARCOM, the Maranao Community in UAE, Sahron ‘Roy’ Tamano has been passionately promoting unity and mutual cultural understanding, while supporting the welfare of marginalized Filipino Muslims across the emirates, and in the Philippines.

    A victim of the tragic 2017 Marawi Siege, Roy has since helped fuel various relief initiatives that bridge the cultural and religious gaps between Filipino Muslims and their fellow countrymen. On his legacy, he shares: “My wish is to be known as one who purveys Filipino idealism by standing for what is right and defending those who are weak and oppressed.”

    Spending almost two decades leading the Filipino Muslim community, he has spearheaded initiatives like the Filipino Muslim Basketball Tournament which gathers different tribes to promote unity through sport, as well as cultural activities that preserve Islamic heritage for Filipinos.

    On the political front, Roy has also supported the Philippine government’s peace efforts, and has campaigned for the plebiscite for the ratification of the new Bangamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) last January 2019. Furthermore, through MARCOM, he also recently sent 5000 Qurans, donated by Emiratis, back home for distribution in mosques and madrasahs in rural areas, as well as tons of dates as part of their decade-old Ramadan charity project to benefit Marawi Siege victims.

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  • Juliet Solas – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Juliet Solas – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Juliet Solas

    Community Volunteer 

    Photo by: Bethoven Filomeno

    The Filipino community in Dubai is fortunate to have somebody like Juliet Solas looking after the welfare of some of our most distressed.

    An exceptional nurse by profession who was the recipient of a Dubai Excellence Award, Juliet trains newly-hired nurses for NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) at Latifa Hospital in Dubai.  She says, “As a nurse, I feel I am at the peak of my career; I am able to impart my knowledge and skills to new staff, being their trainer and mentor.”

    Juliet’s success and the respect that she has garnered at the workplace, however, is only eclipsed by the volunteer work she has done for the Filipino community through the years.  Serving as the coordinator between the authorities and the community, she helps in Filipino cases, especially in the repatriation of Filipino patients.  Moreover, as part of her work for the Legion of Mary, she has conducted hospital and prison visits, extending warmth and a listening ear to Filipinos who are in dire need of hope.  Together with other community volunteers, she has also actively participated in initiatives to help distressed Filipinos back home, especially in times of calamities.

    Juliet fervently hopes for the upliftment of Filipinos who are challenged in life.  She says, “I hope that despite all the challenges that we are usually facing, that we remain strong to hold on to our values as Filipino people, to choose the right path. I believe in the goodness of Filipino and the beauty of our country.”

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  • Rowena Niduaza – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Rowena Niduaza – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Rowena Niduaza

    Public Speaker

    Photo by: Chris Calumberan

    Rowena Niduaza discovered the beauty and power of public speaking when she joined Toastmasters International in 2004, and through this group, she was able to bring out her other strengths and provide a voice to the Filipino community in the speaker’s circuit. This led to a slew of titles she has won for the country: the Division (UAE) championship and the District Championship (Middle East). In 2013, she won the Middle East Championship, becoming the first regional representative to reach the semi-finals of the Toastmasters International World Championship in Public Speaking in Canada.

    Rowena also utilized her communication prowess and unique brand of humor and charisma to speak on female empowerment at conferences such as the Dubai Women’s Summit in 2017 and 2018, sharing the stage with other women leaders from the UK, France, Canada, etc. – inspiring audiences to bring out the best in themselves.

    Originally from a creative background, heading the design department of a regional furniture retailer, she is currently looking to return back to fashion – her original calling.  She is set to launch her fashion line in the Philippines this 2020 and focus the project until she eventually retires from the emirates.

    Nevertheless, even with her mic parked, for now, she will always be one of those rare people who successfully promoted the Filipino voice and wit, out there into the world, providing exceptional representation of our people on the global stage.

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  • Zeena Zalamea Turner – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Zeena Zalamea Turner – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Thoughtleader: Zeena Zalamea Turner

    Broadcast Journalist

    Photo by: Donell Gumiran

    A Filipino news presenter, reporter, and now a producer for Dubai Eye 103.8 FM, Zeena Zalamea-Turner is proud to be the first few broadcast journalists to read the news in Tagalog, a welcome development in the local broadcast industry reflecting the increasing importance of the Filipino population in the country.

    Since then, she has been covering breaking local news for ARN, with a focus on the Filipino diaspora in the UAE, from the ARN News Centre. She has taken stories concerning her community to the airwaves, not only to Filipino station Tag91.1 but other avenues as well, such as ARN stations Virgin, Dubai 92 and City 101.6.

    In 2017, she moved to Dubai Eye programming, producing the drive time program until she went on maternity leave. She came back late last year to produce The Agenda with Tom Urquhart, and a weekly program called Starting Up, a 2-hour show dedicated to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.

    “To borrow Illustrado’s tagline, I would like to keep ‘championing the world-class Filipino’ by giving them the media exposure they deserve, not only on a Filipino station but on an English-language station, so that more nationalities can learn about the awesome things we’re doing, helping dispel the notion that we are only capable of working in certain sectors, on certain levels,” she says.

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  • Louise Da Costa – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Louise Da Costa – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Louise da Costa

    Broadcaster

    Photo by: Donell Gumiran

    Anna Louise da Costa is one petite Filipina who’s had a massive impact on the UAE Filipino media scene.  Known to her fans as Louie da Costa, her career has come a long way. She started as a traffic reporter in the Philippines, then shifted to radio broadcasting.  Taking a leap of faith in Dubai, she began as a freelancer, who then clinched the senior presenter role. In 2017, she became the Content Director of Tag 91.1 and hosts the station’s most popular show, “Gandang Umaga,” as well as “Bandang Hapon.”

    Louie considers herself privileged to have played a hand in launching the station’s new platform that shares local Filipino talent online and on air. She was also able to help Filipinos achieve their travel goals, give financial aid, and even reunite families with various station promotions – all while refreshing Tag 91.1’s music line-up to reflect the everchanging Filipino trends and tastes.

    By leading a team that creates quality radio content that informs and uplifts the Filipino community, Louise hopes that it can inspire her fellow kababayans to put their best foot forward in representing the community in UAE. In the future, she also wants to spend more time supporting her family’s Share A Blessing program, a cause geared to help children in impoverished communities in Leyte, Philippines.

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

    Mylene Escano De Guzman – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Mylene Escano De Guzman

    Sports TV Executive

    Photo by: Alvin Paul Meraveles

    In a male-dominated industry, Mylene Escano De Guzman stands out as a shining gem.  Head of the Sports Acquisition Unit of Abu Dhabi Sports TV, and an industry professional with over two decades of experience in the field, Mylene wields confident female power that is one part feminine, and two parts tough, allowing her to succeed and add significant value to her station’s growth through the years.

    Mylene’s work has also given her a unique opportunity to help Filipino athletes. When the UAE hosted the AFC 2019, it also paved the way for her to create interesting content that showcased Pinoys in various fields of expertise – e.g., health and medical field, arts and culture, as well as fashion and entrepreneurship. This exposure has given the community greater mileage not only in the UAE but in the entire Middle East and North Africa region.

    Being in this industry for over twenty years, Mylene has met and worked with many influencers, dignitaries, federation, rights owners, producers and other key opinion leaders. Paying forward the privileges she has been given, she passes on the opportunity by connecting kababayans with her network for possible collaborations.  She shares, “I believe in collaboration to achieve and sustain success.”  She adds, “Collaboration has no hierarchy. We have to act as a unified team and treat each other equally regardless of position and benefits . We also need to help the rookies. As they say, every master was once a beginner.”

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  • Irene Corpuz – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Irene Corpuz – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Irene Corpuz

    Cyber Security Expert

    Photo by: Donell Gumiran

    An acknowledged authority in the region in the area of Information Security, specifically Cyber Security, Irene Corpuz has worked for the government’s Western Region Municipality planning and implementing strategies to achieve the organization’s objectives. She has also spoken about Cyber and Information security at conferences in Singapore, Oman and the United Kingdom.

    Of late, Irene has been working on a new initiative – Women in Cyber Security in the Middle East (WICSME), which she has co-founded with four other members from the UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.  The group’s objective is to create awareness and promote the increase of women in the sector.  At the moment, the group has 400 members and participates in a number of conferences, as well as facilitates the daily sharing of information and trends.  Apart from bolstering the representation of women in her industry, Irene is also working to increase Filipino presence within her field and advises kababayans to get certified and take full advantage of available online training.

    Taking best practices from her government background, she shares, “Working in government and federal entities show how good governance and leadership can lead to a progressive country.” she says. “I hope that we can replicate this within our country.  It’s not a one-man team, but it’s about a visionary leadership that drives the change.”

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  • Clarita de Quiroz – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Clarita de Quiroz – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Clarita De Quiroz 

    Musician   – Model

    Photo by: Donell Gumiran

    Even with so many achievements over the years such as coming out with two number one albums in the UAE and serving as a support act for Sir Elton John, Macy Gray and Kelly Rowland among other, singer, musician, commercial model, and actress, Clarita de Quiroz considers her development as a woman her most significant success.

    “It is coming out of my journey of depression and anxiety and doing it with flying colors and pride,” she says. “We live in a very materialistic, open, social-media oriented environment, and I do think my place as an influencer will be more focused on the real elements of life.”

    Given her impact on the real world as the face of Craft AC Commercials UAE, Guerlain UAE, Ultimo Lingerie, MAC cosmetic UAE, Men’s Fitness Magazine, and Val Saint Lambert Belgium crystal and Lux, Clarita has become a solid fixture within the ever-evolving regional mediascape. More than just her beauty, Clarita boasts a strong voice beyond her already powerful visage – serving as a role model and inspiration to many out there.

    “The moment you fully accept who you are as a person, stop comparing yourself to others, embrace who you are, and own all your flaws and use them to your advantage.”

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