Illustrado Magazine – Filipino Abroad

Tag: proud to be pinoy

Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: (FCC) Filipino Computer Club

Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: (FCC) Filipino Computer Club

(FCC) Filipino Computer Club – Photo by Eros Goze for Illustrado Magazine

FCC or the Filipino Computer Club, a non-profit organization, provides free computer training classes – and even facilities – to the underprivileged society in Dubai and the Northern Emirates in the hopes of their students securing higher-paying jobs in the future. The FCC is also the first and only Filipino Club that conducts Speech Craft Workshop in cooperation with Toastmasters International. “The series of interactive workshops help individuals build their confidence and sharpen their communication and leadership skills,” says FCC President and Head Trainer Cherry Pye Zablan-Torres. “This is the first step to overcoming their fear of Public Speaking. FCC delivers quality result-driven training solutions in the UAE. We focus on the end-result – the win for our students. With a proven track record, our main strength is our ability to work in tandem with our students as this is the only way to fully understand the practical and realistic solutions that aims to create a stimulating environment. Poised to provide the necessary skills and flexibility, we strongly believe that we will meet and exceed the expectations and objectives we have set for ourselves.”

FCC President – Engr. Cherry Pye Zablan – Photo by Eros Goze for Illustrado Magazine

Of course like any other organizations there are challenges – the biggest of which was the lack of funding and manpower. “But with the magnanimous dedication, commitment and hard work of the officers, members and students along with the support extended by the Philippine Embassy, POLO/OWWA in Dubai, community leaders, volunteers and private companies that help keep our noble project, we go from strength to strength,” she says.

As of the moment, FCC has trained more than 33,000 and the club’s future plans include conducting web-related seminars and workshops, putting up their own library of books and CD-ROMs and installing a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL).

November 9, 2015
Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Lou & Cesar Parroco – Philanthropic Couple

Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Lou & Cesar Parroco – Philanthropic Couple

Lou and Cesar Parroco – Photo by Eros Goze for Illustrado Magazine

One person can make a difference. Two can change the world. This adage perfectly describes Cesar and Lou Olvido Parroco.

Both seasoned professionals working for esteemed multinational companies – Cesar, a Web Marketing and Technical Communications Manager and Lou, a Human Resources Director, the couple is well-known in the Filipino community for initiating various charity projects, not only to help ‘kababayans’ in need, but also to inspire others that they can help in their own unique way. Their first project was “Shoot and Shelter,” a series of photography workshops, which intended to raise enough funds to provide a house for one family through the Gawad Kalinga Foundation. The couple embarked on another charity concept, “Color for Her” to realize Lou’s dream of providing an emotional boost to Filipinas unable to afford themselves the smallest measure of vanity: lipstick. This was work that was very close to Lou’s heart since it was inspired by her mother. Other projects followed including Hearty Party, a health-oriented dance party that raised funds for the Anawim Foundation, among others. Ulitmately, Cesar and Lou dream of putting up a scholarship program in the Philippines someday. They hope that their endeavors would encourage other Filipinos to look for opportunities to help those in need.

“We do not need to be rich to help. An abundance mentality and a grateful heart is something we both share and we are both committed to seek every opportunity to pay forward all the blessings bestowed upon us by helpings others in need.”

November 8, 2015
Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – Marian Nelson – The Music Maven

Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – Marian Nelson – The Music Maven

Marian Nelson made her stage debut in Dubai as the Dew Fairy in an international production of Hansel and Gretel alongside principals from the UK, USA, and Canadian opera companies. For this same production Marian was also the chorus director. Dubbed “Renata Tebaldi of the Philippines” she has achieved significant milestones in her chosen areas of performance and education.

In performance she has appeared in recitals, concert and operatic engagements across the Philippines, UAE and Australia. Highlights include solo appearances with the Dubai Singers, Art Song Perth, and Vivaldi’s Gloria with the Dubai Chamber Orchestra and Choir. Marian has sung with the Madrigal Singers and the UP Concert Chorus. Other concert performances include Mimi/Musetta (La Bohème), Micaela (Carmen), and Pamina (The Magic Flute).

Having won the National Music Competition for Young Artists award for solo voice category inspired her to concentrate her tertiary studies in the field of music.

Here in the UAE, she also founded the Jumeirah Music Centre (JMC) in 2004 with children in mind she crafted her own music and movement program to create a progressive curriculum to develop young musicians. Starting with just a handful of teachers and students, JMC now has 20 teachers and over 400 students, and a subsidiary in Perth, Australia where Marian currently spends most of her time. Now in its 11^th year, JMC remains one of the most prominent music teaching-service providers in Dubai.

As a busy teacher, performer and an entrepreneur, Marian is thankful that she has not lost sight of what most important in life. “With so many years in the business, I have learned that a great career and a great family must balance,” she says. “It feels more triumphant to have a successful career if there is a family to celebrate it with.”

November 8, 2015
Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Ambassador Renato Pedro Villa

Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Ambassador Renato Pedro Villa

Philippine Embassy – Kuwait

Ambassador Renato knows firsthand what it feels like to be an overseas Filipino worker. He held a post in Saudi Arabia as technical writer before moving on to work with the Department of Foreign Affairs. He was an OFW before he had to represent the OFW’s as an ambassador. This gives him valuable insights on the true plight of Filipinos abroad, and informs his decisions on how to better serve their interests.

His tour of duty took him to countries that were predominantly Islamic – UAE, Jordan, Malaysia. And now as the Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait, he is able to use his on-ground experience of OFW concerns and formidable wealth of knowledge of the Islamic culture to implement crucial reforms in the Embassy.

To Ambassador Villa, President Benigno Aquino III’s mandate is clear as day: advance the national interest of the Philippines, and reinforce the country’s bilateral relations with Kuwait. But upon assuming his post in June of 2015, he discovered the need to brace the OFW community itself by building stronger ties between the many organizations and social factions that dilute the unity of Filipino population in Kuwait. He also saw the need for an enhanced focus on attending to Filipino welfare, so he is adopting an “open-door” policy for the Embassy, which will give the kababayans in Kuwait a bigger platform from which they could express their needs and concerns to the Government.

November 6, 2015
Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes

Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes

Philippine Consulate General – Dubai & Norther Emirates

It isn’t easy being the Philippine Consul-General – and it sure is doubly more difficult when you are assigned to one of the busiest, most demanding OFW epicenters in the world.

Filipinos in the UAE number at close to 1 million, and an estimated 450,000 of them are concentrated in Dubai and the Northern Emirates; the area of responsibility of Philippine Consul-General Paul Raymund Cortes. Of the gravitas of his responsibility, he says, “Dubai’s reputation as a challenging post among us in the Philippine foreign service has been reinforced by several of my colleagues who have been fortunate to have Dubai as a posting. The large community and the volume of work does make others wince and look the other way when it comes to the prospect of being assigned here. Add to that the comparatively bigger personnel complement we have here. Personnel Management becomes a daily learning exercise.”

Administrative duties aside, the Consul General also considers community building as part of his priorities, seeing the need to reinforce the government’s involvement with OFWs in the region. “I would like to be engaged with community affairs and be a part of the Filipinos’ lives in the UAE,” he says. “I also believe that when Filipinos feel good about themselves, when they become more confident of who they are, and what they are able to contribute to the global community, we gain the respect of the international community and other peoples and we are able to instill a deeper sense of pride among ourselves.”

Filipinos are sometimes notorious for being clannish and working in silos, moved by the tendency of “kanya-kanya”or “tayo-tayo lang.” Philippine Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes emphasizes on the need to bring the many OFW community groups in the UAE together under the banner of advancing national interest. He says, “Many Filipinos tend to perceive their interests as only within the confines of their most immediate concentric circle beyond their sphere of influence – their family, their immediate neighborhood, their small community, and at most their region. We’ve been told by many political analysts and many sociologists that perhaps what is still to be nurtured is our capability of thinking as a country, as a united people, defined by over 100 languages and dialects. That we will think of Philippine interests in terms of a nation should be forthcoming and something I eagerly look forward to.”

November 6, 2015
Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – An Homage to the Best of the Best

Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – AN HOMAGE TO THE BEST OF THE BEST

Illustrado salutes the Filipino trailblazers, tastemakers and thought leaders of the Gulf

For over four decades, the Filipino has made his presence felt in the Gulf Region. Early on as contract workers – petroleum industry employees, nurses and hospital personnel, service crew and hoteliers, retails staff, as well as domestic helpers. Humble cogs that have worked to help propel the great machinery of change and prosperity in the region.

But as the Gulf has grown, not only in economic and socio-cultural importance, but also global significance, so too has the contribution and stature of the Filipino.

Now, over two million expatriates from our fair archipelago, are spread out across the region – from the mountains of Abha to the boulevards of Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia; from Doha, Qatar’s Sports City to the financial district of Manama, Bahrain; from the petrochemical companies of Kuwait, to the hospitals and universities of Oman; and from Dubai’s glittering skyscrapers, its glamorous malls, and creative think-tanks at the Dubai Media City and D3, to the cultural centers, investment houses and the spectacular Yas Island of Abu Dhabi in the UAE.

They are gaining ground in various fields – oil and gas, manufacturing and other industrial endeavors, architecture, construction, interior design, fashion, advertising and media, retail and other consumer industries, among others, stamping their own palpable presence. And this presence has gone beyond the workplace, spilling over to occupy an integral part in the region’s rich mosaic of multi-cultures.

The Filipino has become an essentials co-contributor to this exciting melting pot that is the Gulf – participating in its color, diversity, eclecticism, as well as its ambitious drive for success.

Illustrado’s landmark 100^th issue pays homage to the many men, women and groups who have not only made us proud as Filipinos, but who have also made an indelible mark in the region.

These are the men and women who are pioneers, who have broken through glass ceilings, excelled in their fields opening doors of opportunities for our compatriots and have also risen to privileged positions of influence in their various niches. They are also the ones who have exceptionally contributed to our community, changing the lives of others for the better. These are the Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf.

With this issue, we also thank all those who have helped and supported us through the years, giving us the privilege to be active contributor towards empowerment in our community.

To Team Illustrado and our family of contributors – writers, photographers, fashion crew members, bloggers, to Eros Goze for his amazing portraits featured in this issue, and to outgoing Ambassador Grace Relucio-Princesa who has always reminded us about the importance of chronicling the impact of our compatriots here in this country –

Maraming salamat po.

Always and ever – Taas Noo, Filipino!

Lalaine Chu-Benitez

Editor-in-Chief & Publisher, Illustrado Magazine

November 5, 2015