Illustrado Magazine – Filipino Abroad

Tag: Pinoys in the UAE

  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • ANNIE B CHRONICLES: My Christmas Wishlist

    ANNIE B CHRONICLES: My Christmas Wishlist

    Simula pa sa pagkabata, laging sinasabi ni Nanay na magpakabait lang daw ako siguradong madami akong pwedeng hilingin sa yo. Pwes, since I believe and I insist na mabait ako, here is my wishlist for this coming holidays:

     

    A fairier, clearer and flawless skin. Masyado talagang harsh ang weather at water dito sa Dubai. Miski anung gawin kong pagmo-moisturize araw-araw at gabi-gabi ay hindi pa rin ako tinatantanan ng mga blackheads at pimples. Sus naman, dalawang dekada na ang nakakaraan since my puberty days pero mala-teenager pa rin ang mga skin problems ko. Afraid ako na baka dumami ang mga wrinkles at magmistulang hand-carry luggage na ang mga eyebags ko. Kalabisan ba kung hilingin ko ang entire skin care line ng Kiehl’s ngayong Pasko? Balita ko effective daw yung brand na yun since ang mahal mahal nya sa Harvey Nichols. Can’t afford ang beauty ko – alam mo naman na pang-Karama at Outlet Mall lang ang totoong naaabot ng powers ng wallet ko. Over ba? O sige na nga, I’ll settle for Belo’s Skin Care na lang. Basta ba magiging mala-Regine Velasquez ang puti at kinis ng balat ko eh, carry na rin.

     

    A new designer bag. Okay, alam kong guilty ako for patronizing fake branded bags noon – kesehodang Grade A o Exact Replica pa man din – aaminin kong peke pa rin sila. Pero iba pala ang feeling kapag orig at authentic ang bag ko – salamat sa aking jowang si Adam at nakatikim rin ako ng Louis Vuitton Speedy Handbag na tunay at binili sa Dubai Mall at hindi sa Dragonmart. Ngayon ay mas kampante na ako na hindi na ako ide-detain at ii-interogate sa tuwing may security check sa airport at confident na kasing mahal ng presyo nito ang pagmamahal ni Adam sa akin. Kaya lang medyo nakakasawa na rin kapag iyun lang kagi ang ginagamit ko. Sa office kasi andami ko pa rin kapareho – mga kapwa orig na gamit ng mga bossing ko at mga japeyk na walang pakundangan na pinangangatawanan ng mga kaopisina kong rank and file employees. Patigasan talaga ng mukha di ba? Sasamantalahin ko na ang pagkakataon: pwede bang humiling ng Hermes Birkin? Yung kulay pula tulad ng kay Gretchen Barreto? Sana din hindi na ako kailangang magpa-reserve pa at pumila upang maghintay sa wait-list nila. Maigsi kasi ang patient ko eh. Okay, kung suntok sa buwan yun, pwedeng Fendi Peek-a-boo na lang? Kulay Green? O kaya yung Chanel Classic Handbag na lang – yung parang kay Jinkee Pacquiao? Tagal ko na kasing pangarap din yun eh. Bahala ka na, Santa – basta huwag lang peke ha? Miski Secosana pa yan, tatanggapin ko ng buong puso – atleast pwede akong mag-feeling Claudine di ba?

    ANNIE B CHRONICLES: My Christmas Wishlist

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    A new bestfriend. Nag-expire na kasi yung dati kong BFF. Akala ko, nakahanap na ako ng tunay at tapat na kaibigan na magiging supportive, loyal at understanding sa akin. Minahal ko sya at inalagaan ng lubusan, pero in the end eh dinaya, winalanghiya at tinarantado lang nya ako. Kamakailan lang, I discovered that she created a fake Fezbook account na puno ng ilusyon at kawalanghiyaan. Nagpanggap siyang girlfriend ng boyfriend kong kano, Santa. Ginaya nya lahat ng mga information sa buhay ko at nag-post sya ng mga pictures na kasama ang jowa ko. Initsa-pwera nya at gamit ang Photoshop ay nakuha nyang i-crop ang mga pictures ko with my boyfriend at palabasin na sila ang magkayakap sa mga litrato. Nakaka-Single, White, Female talaga! Que Horor!

     

    Sana Santa, biyayaan mo ako ng bagong kaibigan na hindi gagawin sa akin ang mga ito. Yung hindi rin ako ipapahiya at aagawan ng jowa. Imagine, miski mas maganda ako sa ex-BFF ko eh ang lakas ng loob nyang kumpitensyahin ako? The nerves!

     

    So there, Santa. Sana mapagbigyan mo ang mga mumunting hiling ko ngayong Pasko. Pramis, titigilan ko na ang pag-stalk sa mga crush ko noong high skul sa Fezbook at sa Tweeter. Babawasan ko na din ang pasu-surf sa Pep.ph at kay Perez Hilton habang nasa opisina para mas maging productive ako sa work. Iiwasan ko na ring mamintas at maging mapanghusga sa mga tarsier kong kabayan, afterall isa na rin naman akong tarsier, Level D nga lamang. Basta, I promise to be a good girl.

     

    Merry Christmas powh. Yazzzz!

    Take care.

     

    Xoxo. Hohoho! =)

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  • Keeping Up With the Con Gen: Of Being Consul General and the Real Me

    Of Being Consul Generl and the Real Me

    By Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes

    I reached one of the twin peaks of my diplomatic career a little over eighteen years after I took my oath as a Foreign Service Officer.  About 11 of us were blessed with the lucky charm of promotion into Chief of Mission rank, each of us pondering how our new responsibilities would change our worlds. I recall how one of my new batch mates jokingly counseled me to sing less than I often do as it would be deemed unbecoming. As Chief of Mission or Consul General or Ambassador, it is now incumbent to comport myself in a manner befitting the title His Excellency.

    What it means to be a dignified diplomat sounds outright nebulous. It is societal sequitur, many opine, that as I was already on “top of the heap,” norms on deportment is now a tad more rigid than it was for young, uninhibited greenhorns. As junior officers, we enjoyed the liberty of spontaneity, though necessarily blanketed with prudence of course, and part of that convenience, in my case, included a lot of singing. Sadly, not anymore so!

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    Singing had always been my passion. It defines me; it paints me as a unique individual. I’ve always felt happiest when I sing. Until now, it is as if I continually rediscover one of the essences of my soul whenever I serenade an audience. I am passionate about music and performing and I carried all that as I entered the Foreign Service. Though my forays into artistic pursuits and diplomacy were unplanned, their serendipitous marriage could not have been a more perfect fit. It was this unconventional side (coupled with my ever-affable wife) that brought me closer to the Filipino communities I had served, allowing me a more personal approach as I functioned as a foreign service officer.

    Advised to scale down on my singing and be a “Congen,” I thought about how much of myself I must divest to be an authentic public servant. As Consul General, I play the role of my ‘kababayans’ last ray of hope, their role model, and their de facto leader. Where does authenticity lie in the context of these roles? What does being true to oneself mean for those of us in the Foreign Service?

    I mull over almost two decades in the diplomatic circle and nothing is more crystal clear than affirming that there should be no difference in the manner I shared myself as a junior diplomat to the way I am expected to fit in my new role. I step up my plate, fully convinced that there is possibly no way I can confidently live up to the hype by being less than myself.

    Only when I am comfortable being my true self to the community can I be an effective leader. The arsenal of genuine public service is a bottomless well if filled only with truth in character. Anything less than the authenticity of oneself jeopardizes the foundation of a sustainable public trust in someone like the Consul General.

    Keeping Up With the Con Gen: Of Being Consul General and the Real Me

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    CONSUL GENERAL PAUL RAYMUND CORTES

    When not performing his duties as the head of the Filipino community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, or the obligations of a dutiful dad, passionate patriot Paul Raymund Cortes, mulls over how to further enrich the local Filipino community by promoting a more progressive mindset.

  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – FE GING GING HYDE – The Indie Film Activist

    Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – FE GING GING HYDE – The Indie Film Activist

    Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – FE GING GING HYDE – The Indie Film Activist

    Fe Ging Ging HydeFe Ging Ging Hyde Photo by Eros Goze for Illustrado Magazine

    Who would have thought that a virtually unknown Dubai-based Overseas Filipino would get the same award that marks the versatility and talents of the likes of Philippine cinema icons like Vilma Santos and Nora Aunor? Not in her wildest dreams, Fe Ging Ging Hyde would admit, and she herself was overwhelmed to bag the Best Actress title at the 34thGawadUrian, the prestigious award-giving body in the Philippines for films. Well deserving in her portrayal of the title role in the 2010 film “Sheikha”, the talented Fe GingGing Hyde had a passion for film and the arts, something that she would share with whoever would listen, even as a young girl who grew up singing in her neighbourhood carinderia in Davao.

     

    Now a full-blown Indie producer and actress, collaborating with her award-winning fellow Davaoeňodirector ArnerMardoquio, Fe has quite a string of respectable films in her portfolio – Riddles of My Homecoming (2013), The Journey of Stars Into the Dark Night (2012),  Crossfire (2011), Sheikha (2010), Hospital Boat (2009), with Sheikha, Journey of the Stars and Hospital Boat winning accolades at the Urian and Cinemalaya awards.

     

    Despite her achievements as a filmmaker, Fe Ging ging Hyde also professes that her greatest role as yet, is that of a full time mother and wife. She also does not shy away from her humble beginnings, using her modest past to inspire others for a greater future, while utilizing her privilege and talent to make films to bring attention to the harsh political realities of her beloved Minadanao.

     

    Read more on Fe Ging Ging Hyde – Illustrado Women of Substance

     

  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – FILIPINO DIGERATI CLUB (FDA)

    Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – FILIPINO DIGERATI CLUB (FDA)

    Filipino DigeratiFilipino Digerati Club Photo by Eros Goze for Illustrado Magazine

    At the Filipino Digerati Club (FDA), an organization filled with people whose expertise or professional involvement comprises of Information Technology, it is all about connecting Filipinos through technologies and skills – and sharing thoughts and minds for personal development. The group has provided personal programs, computer literacy and education classes, high-quality computing and office procedurals to around 17,000 students in the last six years. Team building activities and internal seminars and mentoring were also provided to gain more knowledge.  The group encourages cross-functional responsibilities in order to prepare and build a mere volunteer in holding higher positions in the organization in the future. “FDA sets up different branches in different Emirates and trainings are conducted regularly every Friday,” says President Lillian Bautista. “FDA has gone far to, at least, five Emirates as part of reaching out to co-Filipinos from sub-urban places instead of them going to the Dubai branch which might be considered far for them. FDA is the only group with most branches. FDA has also the most number of offered courses, including livelihood programmes.”

     

    Interestingly that has also become its main challenge – putting up different branches. During those times, there were no volunteers living on such Emirate and it took a while before establishing a new set of volunteers from the location until leaving them on their own. “Despite all the troubles or struggles FDA meets, being positive contributes to a better outlook in life,” she says. “All volunteers provide free services, not just to help others but to make themselves happy and fulfilled at the same time. It is always sweet music to the ears whenever a sincere “thank you” from Kababayans is received. It is very rewarding whenever a FDA graduate would inform that he or she was promoted at work, gained a better job or has put up his own business.”

     

    As of now, FDA has more than 15,000 course graduates – some give updates about what’s going on with them; others send messages whether they are still in the UAE or otherwise.

     

    Read about another Filipino organization helping out the community in the UAE

  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – KEVIN MURPHY – The Super Performer

    Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – KEVIN MURPHY – The Super Performer

    Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – KEVIN MURPHY – The Super Performer

    Kevin Murphy 3

    Kevin Murphy Photo by Eros Goze for Illustrado Magazine

    Kevin Murphy has carved a name for himself as one of Dubai’s most electrifying performers. He also happens to be one of the very few Filipinos with songs that ranked in the iTunes top 10, with “Fabric,” a collaboration with UAE-based EDM superstars Hollaphonics peaking at no. 4 in 2014. Additionally, Kevin was nominated for an award in the Best Local Act category of an awards show organized by a popular UAE- based entertainment publication – a truly remarkable feat, as he had only been in the country then for a little over a year.

     

    Due to his multi-ethnic background, most people who first meet Kevin do not recognize him as a Filipino. He is always mistaken for an African-American. Instead of finding offense – or riding on – this confusion, Kevin uses it as a way to celebrate his Filipino identity. “It’s always funny when a kabayan approaches me and speaks to me in English because they think that I’m not a Filipino,” he says. “I take this as an opportunity to show to people how proud I am of being a Filipino. I’ve been a performer for a long time, and I’ve travelled to many countries. I say with confidence: angat talaga ang mga Pinoy! [the Filipinos are a cut above the rest]”

     

    Check out other Filipino performers in the UAE

     

  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – DARWIN GUEVARRA – The Art Hero

    Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – DARWIN GUEVARRA – The Art Hero

    Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – DARWIN GUEVARRA – The Art Hero

    DARWIN ‘JAPAT‘ GUEVARRADarwin ‘Japat’ Guevarra Photo by Alex Callueng for Illustrado Magazine

    Darwin Guevarra had tough times in breaking through Dubai’s competitive arts circle. However, his creative mind, talented hands and passion for the arts strengthened him to pursue his great lovebeyond challenges. Now, a recognized artist in the emirates, Japat’s masterpieces has opened a space not only for himself, but where Filipino artists would be accepted, respected and honored.

     

    Despite his notable awards and accolades such as the Sheikha Manal New Signature and Young Artist Grand Prize Award in 2008 and Sony World Photography Portrait Category (shortlisted), his solo exhibition ‘Time of Humanity” in 2009, curated by SheikaLateefaBint al Maktoum, owner and director of Tashkeel Gallery, and his involvement in numerous projects around the City of Gold, including commissions for the Dubai Arts and Culture Authority, Japat’scontribution as the community’s very own “Art Hero” demonstrates that one talentedFilipino, no matter the odds, can earn respectthrough awe-inspiring works and open the doors of opportunity for others.

     

    Remaining modest through it all, Japat admitted that beyond the awards he won and masterpieces he presented, what gave him the most satisfaction was the experience of being a Filipino gaining recognition and respect in a foreign arts scene, able to closely compete with other nationalities. Deciding to move back to join his family in the Philippines this year, the artist shares his simple wish, “That when people would list down Filipino artists in Dubai, I hope to be counted as one.”

     

    Read about another Filipino artist making waves in the UAE