Illustrado Magazine – Filipino Abroad

Tag: Pinoy

Pinoys in UAE: It’s What I Do

IT’S WHAT I DO – April 2015

STEVE PADILLA

Architect & Coordinator –
Control Contracting & Trading Company
Abu Dhabi, UAE

My Job

I am an Architect/Coordinator for one of the oil and gas companies based in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi. As architect and coordinator, sometimes I visit our site/yard to check if the design of barges, cabins and offshore structures are properly followed, meeting with our clients and consultants requirements (NPCC, ADMA-OPCO, GPC, Technip, ADGAS etc.). I also make sure that all our design and engineering deliverables are properly coordinated – checking all the drawings before submitting them to our client, coordinating with the vendor, draftsman to Discipline Engineer to Project Manager until construction. In my work, I collaborate with a multi-cultural team and professionals from all levels.

My Day

I’m just a typical professional with a lot of friends. My day starts with prayers with my wife right after waking up. We start our day thanking God for another day, another exciting day. At the office before work, we have some tea first and chat with fellow Filipino staff. After work, I fetch my wife at her workplace just across the street. In the evening we eat together and chat about the day’s events. Then, I do some small household chores to help my wife who is due to give birth in May. My wife prepares our food (breakfast and lunch) and clothes for the next morning. Thursday is our family day and date day. I always make sure to ask my wife to go out and relax and have fun – even if it’s just a coffee date, sometimes. Friday is our favorite day as we go to church together.

Career and Life Advice

My message to my fellow Filipinos is simple. Put God first, enjoy your family, family bonding is very important. If family is lost, then there is no reason in working hard. Be happy for what you have, be humble and work hard even though nobody is looking at you. Enjoy your work. Don’t make enemies at work and try to be friendly and in times of need your fellow staff will be the one to help you. Make friends, a lot of friends and go out with them sometimes. Always smile in the work place. Learn the culture of other nationalities and, at the end, you will earn their trust.

Don’t be afraid to dream high. Don’t be afraid to talk to your boss. Talk to them and learn from them. At the end you will earn their trust as well. If you earned the trust of your officemates and your boss, that means promotions and salary increase. Be wise in saving money. We don’t know until when we will be working in this country. Try to learn the 10 20 70 savings system – 10% for God or whatever your heart wants to give, 20% for savings or much bigger depending on your situation, and 70% for the rest (rent, clothing, shopping gadgets etc.).

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CHRISTIAN MAGADIA

Head Structural Engineer – Ted Jacob Engineering Group, Beca
Dubai, UAE

My Job

I am a structural engineer by profession. As a structural engineer I design buildings and infrastructures. I work closely with architects and other engineering professionals in addition to dealing with local authorities and decision makers. We are the mind behind all the magnificent structures and iconic monuments that make up a civilization and our responsibilities include designing comfortable houses for all of us to live in.

One of the most remarkable events in my career was when I passed the chartered structural engineering examination given by the Institution of Structural Engineers in the UK. Having a degree not recognized in the UK, I had to write a full technical report to prove that my academic knowledge and experience are at par with the UK Standards and is equivalent to a Masters Level in the UK. Achieving chartered engineer status opens a lot of career opportunities not only here in Dubai but anywhere in the World. The certification allowed me to accept a role in New Zealand to help in seismic design and retrofit of existing structures affected by the 2012 Christchurch Earthquake. I take pride that the quality of our education and trainings back home are at par with the best in the world.

My Day

As the head of the structural department in our company my day starts with planning and administrative stuff, to make sure the team has enough work and that they perform each task efficiently. Internal meetings will soon follow to monitor the progress of each project and follow up issues, programs, and deliverables. The next half will be occupied by external meetings with architects, clients, local authorities, and contractors. My day in the office will not end until I have a daily catch up discussion with our management to talk about finances, resources, and direction of the company. If I get lucky I may be involved in some hard core engineering work the following day!

Career and Life Advice

My message to our fellow Filipinos is to reach for the sky whatever role or position that you are currently in and enjoy while doing it. And the most important message is that we should all be proud to be Filipinos everywhere we go! Mabuhay!
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CLEOFE RINGOR

Office Manager – DSM Technology FZCO
Dubai, UAE

My Job

I am an Office Manager working in the oil and gas Industry in the Middle East. I have worked in the same company for quite a few years now and I’ve been enjoying since. As an Office Manager, you have to ensure that the office is running smoothly, overseeing the workloads of your co-workers. It’s never been easy to delegate tasks to your team, but I always see to it that everyone is happy and enjoying their work, and I try to create a healthy work environment for all.

My Day

There are busy days, and there’s time to chill, as well. My role on a daily basis is to check and complete pending matters, to recruit, screen CVs, liaise with agencies and authorities, meet with the clients, suppliers, lawyers – there are too many to mention. At the end of the day, your main challenge is your employer, how they are satisfied with your accomplishments and performance, and whether your tasks have been executed properly. Your aim is to impress them, to keep your job in the long-term and once you’re at the peak of your career, make the most of it and make yourself useful all the time, feed your brain so you won’t get obsolete in the market.

Career and Life Advice

I have started in a rank-and-file position, yet I told myself then that my career will not end there. I had many sacrifices, I have pushed myself to the limits in order to succeed and achieve my dreams, from being a receptionist to an office manager. My goal was to become a manager at the age of 35 but that didn’t happen. Because God is good! He answered my prayers earlier than I least expected and I became a manager when I was 32. It’s really not about how many trophies or medals you have earned in school, but how determined you are to produce a golden egg.

“Your dream will stay a dream if you don’t work hard for it.” Remember that – “knowledge is power.” You can do almost everything if you are smart, but refrain from doing bad. The one thing I have learned is to be fair to everyone, be kind and honest even if no one is watching you and share your blessings if you can. I must say that I am truly blessed that I am living the life of my dreams. To my friends, relatives and family who inspire me, thank you for your tremendous support, and to my Papa this is for you. I just hope you were here to see the person that I had become. I know you’ll be proud.

June 2, 2015
Pinoy+

By Nicholo Jallores

The Global Pinoy.
The New Mestizo.
The Half Filipino, Half something-something.
Illustrado examines the new generation of mixed-race Filipinos and finds that the colonial rules no longer apply.

Ode to the New Yorker in Tondo, this is not. Perish the thought of adding to the tiresome and laborious Purebloods vs. Half-Breeds debate. Far be it from a media entity named Illustrado to dig a deeper divide between the indio and the mestizo– it is our stand that the worth of a Filipino cannot be compartmentalized to brown and white. Fact: the Philippines has been a melting pot of cultures since time beyond memorial, and this is readily evident in the Filipino gene pool. We are a tapestry of colors, mindsets and perspectives. The mestizo’s and mestiza’s are so 1800’s – revenants from a time when colonial mentality haunted our cultural zeitgeist. It’s time to transcend the stereotype.

What Purity?

The Spaniards landed on the Philippine shores in 1521 and proceeded to systematically reengineer the Filipino identity on a cellular level. Religion played a pivotal role in Spain’s campaign to define Juan and Maria, but the cultural transference was made even more absolute by the Spanish Government’s progressive policy on interracial coupling. Unlike the British and the Dutch who implemented strict anti-miscegenation policies in their colonies, the Spanish government actually encouraged the mixing of the races.

However, a close examination of our history reveals that the diverse nature of the Filipino identity predates the Spanish occupation. Trade relations with neighboring nations such as Malaysia, China, and India — which flourished as early as the 1300’s — also resulted in cultural transference. Fast-forward to the 20th century and you have the Americans and the Japanese adding their heritage to the mix.

The 100% pure Filipino is not as common as most people think. Purity is a rarity. You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who could directly trace his lineage to the Callao man of Cagayan, or the Tabon man of Palawan. Saying that a Filipino-American is 50% Filipino and 50% American is inaccurate and misleading. In the same vein, one cannot also simplistically quantify mindsets as X amount local and Y amount foreign – not without dipping his foot into xenocentrism. It would be easier to just accept impurity. As they say, the more the merrier.

The New Breed of Mixed-Breed

Gone are the days of the lionized tisoy’s and tisay’s, and the Kikay’s of Tondo who allow Western perspectives to override their local sensibilities. In the matter of adopting cultures, globalization has taken the place of colonization. We are in a time where ideas are shared rather than enforced, and differing belief systems are synergized without one having to cannibalize the other. This is evident in the new generation of mixed-race Filipinos, who manage to find the balance between celebrating their ethnicity and embracing foreign ideologies.

Singer Cassie Ventura photo from cassieventura.com

Glee’s Darren Criss – Photo from his Facebook Page

In an interview for the book Blended Nation: Portraits and Interviews of Mixed Race America, Luzviminda Carpenter, an American citizen of Filipino and African American descent professed, “I identify as Filipina and black. I do this to give honor to the struggles both my Filipina mother and my black father have had to endure. I give respect by learning both heritages and never denying one or the other.” She goes on to state that her identity is heavily influenced by both the society and her parents, and that the two factors intersect to make her the woman that she is today.

Rob Schneider – photo from Rob Schneider’s Facebook page

When asked about how he got to be so funny, Rob Schneider, world famous comedian and star of blockbuster hits such as Deuce Bigalow and The Hot Chick, revealed that his sense of humor is deeply rooted in his multicultural upbringing. “My mom being Filipino and my dad being Jewish, it was a good mix. So, we had good laughing people,” claimed Schneider, in an interview with The Filipino Reporter. “When you’re Filipino, as soon as you’re done eating, you’re laughing. Usually, they’re laughing while they’re eating. It was a great place to practice.”

Hailee Steinfeld – Photo Facebook Page

Touted by American film critics as Hollywood’s Next Big Thing, Hailee Steinfeld dazzled the world with her top-notch, Oscar-nominated performance as Mattie Ross in the 2010 Coen Brother’s film True Grit. In an interview with the Manila Bulletin, Steinfeld talked about her close relationship with her mother Cheri Domasin, a former interior designer from Bohol. “My mom and I are so close. She travels the world with me and I could not do what I am doing without her by my side.” She also revealed her pride in identifying with the Filipino community. “I found that the best thing when I am in a group of people, I would have one or two people come up to me and say, ‘You are Filipino! I am Filipino, too.’ And I am like ‘Yes, this is awesome!’ So it is sort of this one thing that connected me with many people that I find is really interesting.”

Dreamgirls’ Sharon Leal – Photo from her Facebook Page

Pinoy+
Mixed-race Filipinos and even OFW’s often struggle to find the sweet spot between adopting the prevalent mindsets of their host countries and holding on to their Filipino heritage. To a disorganized mind, one thing will have to give. But the truly global Pinoy, the world-class Filipino, the Illustrado doesn’t have to make such a choice. He understands the value in diversity in viewpoints and opinions, and thereby veers away from any archaic notions that risk marginalizing his identity. He will forever be a child of the Philippines, but he is a man of the world.

Say goodbye to Tisoy, Tisay, and Kikay.

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Model Paul Kieffer – Photo by Eros Goze

PAUL KIEFER
Pinoy + Slovak, German, French, Polish, and Lithuanian

Even with Slovak, German, French, Polish, Lithuanian blood in my system, it seems my Filipino side is the most dominant. I think the Filipino thing that stands out in me the most is that I love rice! It’s actually quite funny but I can’t live without it. I think after the year 2013 I have never felt so close to my Filipino nationality than I do now. I spent 4 months in the Philippines last year after 20 years abroad and I really got the sense of who I really am and where I come from. Filipinos really treasure their families and stick together through the hard times. The country has been through so many calamities. After the super typhoon and earthquake you could really see how resilient and strong the Filipino spirit is. It’s amazing and I can only hope I have also been blessed with these great characteristics of a Filipino. I love the Filipino people and I’m proud to be a Filipino too!

P.S. The one Filipino trait that is not in me, I must add, is that I would never eat balut!

Shaimaa Hassoun by Qash Abbas

SHAIMA HASSOUN
Pinoy + American and Iraqi

Being an American of mixed Iraqi-Filipino ethnicity, I consider myself a global citizen with an international outlook. I have great pride and love for my roots, cultures, traditions, and fellow compatriots; this is what makes up who I am as an individual. I am half yet also a wholehearted Filipina!

KATRINA ILMING
Pinoy + Austrian
I’m definitely more Filipino now than I was a year ago because I’ve been living here for that long. I’ve adapted to the Metro Manila traffic (which still drives me nuts, but not as much as before) and eat rice a LOT. I’m closer to my family now (which is really important in Filipino culture) and I’ve learned how to commute and speak Tagalog (semi-fluently)! Lastly, I’m alright with losing my tan since everyone here wants whiter skin anyway.

Laurens Tolenaars – Photo by Filbert Kung

LAURENS TOLENAARS
Pinoy + Dutch
Although I was born and raised in Europe, my mom always made sure that I don’t forget my Filipino roots. She used to bring me and my brothers to Manila every year for vacation to see our family and experience a different lifestyle and culture. I consider myself European because of the environment where I grew up but I always felt that my heart belonged to the Philippines and I knew from a very young age that I wanted to live there. My mom and I have always been told that we are very similar, not only physically but especially in terms of personality and because of that I could adapt myself to the culture and lifestyle of the Philippines very quickly. I’ve been living in the Philippines for about 2 years now and I have been really satisfied about my life here. I honestly think that the education I had from my mom helped me reach my expectations and blend into the Filipino culture.

February 24, 2014
Filipino Photographers: Ozki Realubin & Robert Castro

A platform for Filipino photographers from around the world. Robert Castro

Robert Castro took up photography as a serious hobby back in 2010 and since then, it has become a passion for him.

“Through the lens, I am able to express a creative side I never knew I had. It is a personal outlet. Whenever I capture a face or a scene, I become a part of it–not only as a spectator but also as a sort of storyteller. I guess that’s what every photographer becomes when we “click” the shutter. Our individuality comes out in how we convey that story.”

Castro started shooting simple portraits during the weekends as the official family photographer and later discovered that his heart lies in landscape photography. “Here, I can creatively express my love for the beauty of nature and all of God’s creations,” he says.

Ozki Rialubin

Ozki Rialubin describes himself as an artist and graphic designer who stumbled upon the infinite world of photography. That was way back in 2008.

“Since then, it has been a journey of continuous discovery. I embraced photography, applied my passion as a digital artist and focused on my main interests on architecture, urban landscape and documentaries,” he shares.

Rialubin’s degree in Architecture and previous work as an architectural renderer/designer helps in being a photographer. Currently, he is a 3D graphic designer for an international engineering firm.

August 21, 2013
Pinoy Entrepreneur: Freddie dela Torre

Freddie dela Torre is just your average humble OF based in Dubai. As a struggling Service Engineer, he always felt under-compensated and discriminated against, despite his capacity and hardwork. That is, until he became a Pinoy Entrepreneur with a flourishing restaurant in Roxas, Palawan.

FREDDIE DELA TORRE

Non La Aromasit Restaurant

Roxas, Palawan

Please describe your business.

Non La Aromasit Restaurant, is situated at the very heart of Roxas, Palawan along the national highway. It welcomes guests into a contemporary Southeast Asian-style dining setting. The location is ideal for travelers and tourists from Puerto Princesa City en route to the world class tourist destinations of El Nido, Taytay, San Vicente and vice versa.

It has an indoor and outdoor dining facilities suited for different types of requirements. The finishing touch of the venue is crafted using locally available materials such as native wood, bamboo and rattan gently illuminated by simple yet elegant lighting. We have the deluxe Silica Hall, an air-conditioned hall, with a vibrant ambiance ideal for private dining and small business functions. There is a Main Hall which features an elegant dining set-up with locally crafted furnishings, as well as the balcon and the sleek gazebos encircling the garden overlooking the picturesque church and the carefully manicured garden for those who prefer to eat al fresco.

We offer wide array of authentic Vietnamese and classic Filipino cuisines. Vegetarian dishes, tropical drinks and shakes are also available. Everyone can experience fine dining at very reasonable price, all served with tender love and care.

Why did you establish your own business? Can you tell us when and how you started?

Being an OF for more than 10 years, I used to hate working so hard and not getting properly compensated. I have also experienced discrimination, and was not given the opportunity to show my capacity, even if I was more qualified for a certain position just because we belong to a third world country. I remember lots of sleepless nights thinking about my work, breaking my head on possible solutions to the problems arising every day.

So one time I asked myself, why don’t I start something to call my own? With my dedication to work as an OF, I thought, If I start my own, there is no reason why I should not succeed and prosper. That motivated me to open Non La Aromasit Restaurant in May 2008 with my sister and brother-in-law, who helped me with their expertise in the operations and management of a restaurant business. They where both working in the first Vietnamese restaurant in the Philippines in Puerto Princesa City, where they have been for more than 10 years but still their earning is only enough for daily household expenses and monthly bills payment.

So in 2007, my sister and brother-in-law resigned from their jobs and we finalized plans to open the business. With my modest savings we started procurement, construction, renovation and beautification of the area.

On May 13, 2008 our business officially opened. Unfortunately, five days before opening my company in Dubai asked me to return immediately to UAE for an emergency and I was not able to attend.

What was your start-up capital, and your basic operation set-up?

We started with a capital of PHP1M, including all expenses (procurement, construction, renovation, permits, kitchen equipments, kitchen wares and operating expenses). We were able to stretch our funds because the cost of labor in our town and the locally available materials was far cheaper compare to the big cities or in metro manila.

We are operating in a partnership system; I am in charge of the financial and technical aspect, my sister and brother-in-law take care of operations and management. Aside from them, we have six regular crew members working as kitchen helpers and waitresses.

What obstacles did you encounter?

I don’t remember any major obstacles in our business, there are some minor issues like government permits, but all this has been acquired prior to operation. Another thing, people in our town were not used to the concept of an a la carte restaurant – they are more familiar with seeing ready-to-eat food like in ordinary carinderias. So we had a lot of explaining to do in the beginning and made strategies to make our customers’ waiting time more comfortable. One of the things we have done is to put one table with lot of valuable reading materials – one of those is a complete one year edition of Illustrado Magazine – and we saw it work!

Where are you now? How far have you gone, what are the landmarks in your business so far?

Our business is still in its early stage, but we have already seen promising results, and great potential growth in the near future. We have also increased our staff due to greater demand. I am also proud to say that since we started operations, I never had to rescue the business financially as it was able to generate its own income to pay the salaries, as well as the lease for the land we occupied business. At this stage, we still have some minor things we need to fine tune, before we eventually expand. For me, an ideal restaurant is not only about the food, it must have good ambiance and a truly relaxing atmosphere as well.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being entrepreneur?

As an entrepreneur, you can help a lot of people by providing jobs, especially in rural areas where there is only little opportunity. Secondly, you can do everything that you think will help grow your business and devote your full time as much as you like, without thinking that you are not properly compensated. Finally, it’s also good to be known and acknowledged in society. The only bad thing is that you have very little time for yourself and your family.

Would you encourage other Pinoys to go into business? What is your advice to budding Pinoy entrepreneurs?

Yes, I would encourage all the Pinoys especially OFs, to try to study the possibility of starting your own business in the Philippines. It is a good move to start while you are still working abroad so if there are any financial obstacles, you will not be affected directly because you will still have other sources of income and anytime you can rescue your business. That’s why I am still here working and waiting for another couple of years observing the situation. If I see that my business can already stand by itself after that period, then maybe it’s time for me to wave the UAE goodbye.

For budding Pinoy entrepreneurs, don’t be discouraged if sometimes you feel your business has become stagnant, don’t lose hope. Treat is a challenge for you to discover new possibilities to achieve growth. Business is a continued learning process and you should become more determined.

If more and more OFs became entrepreneurs in our country, the Philippines will be well off in no time. Let’s start right now my kababayans!

May 11, 2011