Illustrado Magazine – Filipino Abroad

Tag: Tastemaker

  • Rollan Rodriguez – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Rollan Rodriguez – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Gamechanger – Rollan Rodriguez

    Urban Art Instigator

    Rollan Rodriguez - Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf
    Photo by: Ace Reyes

    Before urban art became popular and Dubai started showcasing graffiti with pride in its buildings, before the city’s hip art spaces came to be, one Filipino spearheaded the lowbrow art movement in the country.

    Rollan Rodriguez, the founder of the art collective BrownMonkeys, can be credited for popularizing accessible street art, first through the group’s exhibitions in alternative spaces, eventually growing into commercial features on billboards, commissioned murals for creative agencies, and showcases for the Middle East Film and Comic-Con, StreetCon, the Sharjah Biennial, among others.  Rollan says of their impact, “In some little way, somehow it made a contribution to the art world in the UAE, empowering and influencing the area of art and design.”

    Respected as well in the commercial design world, though his work within his own agency, Ape Creatives, Rollan has been involved in numerous projects and has also bagged two international honors from the Indigo Design Awards held in Tokyo, Japan.

    Rollan professes that he is most proud of being able to usher in a new wave of thinking in the UAE, “A brand new attitude on how we intermingle with varied cultures, and also, making our community realize that it is possible to make it – that it’s okay to be different, to be weird brown and proud.” (more…)

  • Cromwell Ojeda – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Cromwell Ojeda – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Tastemaker: Cromwell Ojeda

    Artist & Musician

    Photo by: Eros Goze

    Cromwell Ojeda balances two passions at the same time. By day, he is a senior graphic designer for the first nuclear energy power plant in the region. At night, he turns into a passionate artist pushing the boundaries of locally-produced music and elevating the Filipino brand in the process.

    His passion project, the Blacksheep Production which started in 2008, gave birth to the Filipino underground music scene in the emirates. With him at the helm, Blacksheep provided a platform for Filipino bands to play original music, shunning the stereotypical notion of Pinoy groups doing only covers. Blacksheep gave birth to its spin off – the Rocktoberfest, which is the longest running Filipino rock event in the Middle East.

    Under his own brand, Muhaisnah Four Cromwell produces synth pop and chill wave music. He has performed with the region’s top artist from Lebanon, Egypt and Bahrain, and has played with international artist Princess Nokia, Daedelus, Dam Funk, Knxwledge, Jessy Lanza, Earl Switshirt to name a few. Cromwell has also worked with top brands such as RedBull, AlexanderMcqueen, Moscot, and Palladium Shoes among others, and was chosen as one of the first Adidas Original ambassadors in the Middle East.

    Cromwell hopes that through his initiatives, he can push to better the platform for Filipino talents in the region.  He says, “I hope to keep inspiring and pushing Filipinos to rise as world-class top acts in the creative and music industry.”  (more…)

  • Nina Peñalosa Carpio – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Nina Peñalosa Carpio – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Nina Peñalosa Carpio

    HR Professional & Lifestyle Influencer 

    Photo by: Jef Anog

    Proudly kayumanggi beauty Nina Peňalosa-Carpio is one lifestyle influencer who is using the power of social media to make a positive change in the narrative on Filipinas in the digital space.

    Nina’s goal is to elevate the image of Filipinas by highlighting success stories of those who have broken virtual barriers to become leaders and influencers in their respective fields.  She also promotes the celebration of Filipina beauty, providing a great representation for kayumanggi-skinned Pinays, through her platforms.

    Prominent as a lifestyle influencer in the UAE, Nina is currently the Human Resources Director at Jollibee in the emirates.  Recently, she has also taken on a new role as TFC’s regional host in the online show KWorld, covering different community events and featuring Filipino achievers in the country. She had interviewed a roster of Filipino talents, including Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.

    Nina shares, “One of the reasons why I’m doing what I’m doing is to change the narrative about Filipina beauty and being a Filipina in general. I believe that through my works, I have encouraged many Filipino women to celebrate the kind of beauty they have. I wish that I have also inspired them to elevate the image of a Filipina and embrace the idea that it’s not uncommon for Filipino women to be CEOs, presidents, directors, and country managers in companies.”  She adds, “I want the world to know the Filipinas through their beauty, intelligence, and passion in pursuing positive change. We can blaze the trail – not just for ourselves, but for generations of other women.”

    (more…)

  • Paul Ramos – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Paul Ramos – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Tastemaker: Paul Ramos

    @thestylechoreo

    Photo by: Donell Gumiran

    Fashion and lifestyle blogger Paul Ramos of “The Style Choreo” has been a very prominent fixture in Dubai’s fashion scene as well as the digital landscape.  His commitment to the dapper sartorial style is memorable and hard to miss.

    Paul’s feed has been peppered with numerous exciting projects with an enviable roster of brand collaborations.  2019 was equally jampacked with initiatives that cement his name as a top blogger in the region.  The year’s highlights include his interview with 50’s Inside, a French TV show in Paris about Zaya Nurai Island, the most Instagrammable place in the UAE.  He has also worked with international fashion brands, hotels, restaurants, malls, supermarkets, and barbershops.  One of his recent fave gigs is his partnership with Coach on their latest Naruto–inspired collection.

    For Filipinos aspiring to make an impact out there, Paul has this to say, “Focus on your passion and be determined to achieve your goals.  Most importantly, do what you love and love what you do.”

    (more…)

  • Ion Gonzaga – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Ion Gonzaga – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Trailblazer – Ion Gonzaga

    Blogging Pioneer

    Photo by Jef Anog 

    Known as ‘Boy Dubai,’ Ion Gonzaga has been one of the earliest bloggers in the UAE scene and has now gone on to reinvent himself and his career. Currently, the Lead Digital Transformation Consultant of Accenture Middle East, Ion, leads the UX design of the region’s would-be first highly interactive B2B platform. This year, he also formed BXDNOW.COM, a network of content co-creators and writers around the world committed to empowering GLOCAL communities through stories shaped in a meaningful perspective and encouraging context.

    At present, the website has contributors from UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Qatar, Philippines, Singapore, and New Zealand. “We have just started bi-monthly workshops about blogging, vlogging and about online tools to use in creating digital content,” he says.

    Ion has represented the UAE in different blogging events, written for magazines and dailies, spoken at blogging conferences, and partnered with major brands for commercial collaborations – earning several awards in the process such as the Rotary Youth Leadership Award.

    Always the storyteller, he encourages his peers to reach out and share people’s stories with the world. “I believe it’s about time to ‘unlimit’ ourselves when it comes to our concept of community,” he says.

    (more…)

  • Junie Sorsano – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Junie Sorsano – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Trailblazer – Junie Sorsano

    Pioneering Vlogger

    Photo by: Bethoven Filomeno

    Junie Sorsano is a pioneering vlogger who gave representation to ‘everyman Juan de la Cruz’ on the web since he debuted on his Youtube channel in 2011.  His wholesome and down-to-earth blog, has since become an invaluable source of information and advice, and sometimes comfort, for Filipinos in the UAE and beyond.

    Now, as the head of Megaworld International in the UAE, Junie, who started as a vlogger in the UAE, gives credit to the experiences he had as an influencer on social media.  Considered as one of the earliest personalities in the region, Junie has received numerous accolades.  The most recent once being his inclusion in as a Finalist for Hospitality Excellence Food/Travel Blogger of the Year for the Middle East Excellence Awards 2019.  He also landed a gig at GMA Pinoy TV as a host for the show Trending Pinoy which is now in its second season.

    Having worked with brands such as LBC Express, UAE Exchange, The Visa Center, Style MNL, MPQ Travel and Tourism and others as a brand ambassador, Junie believes that his professional ethics and integrity have been vital in gaining trust in the sector.  He also gets inspiration from people who send him words of inspiration and gratitude for promoting Filipino presence in the multicultural scene.

    As a message to aspiring Filipino vloggers, Junie says, “If you love what you are doing, you will definitely elevate everything that you do, and become better and become successful.”

    (more…)

  • The Pink Tarha – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    The Pink Tarha – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Trailblazers – The Pink Tarha

    Lifestyle Bloggers

    Photo by: Robby M. Reyes

     2019 was a monumental year for Janelle Vales-Yasay and Reina Tejano-Beriña, who run the respected Saudi-based platform the Pink Tarha. They celebrated their blog’s 10th year anniversary with a grand public event, while also collaborating with the Saudi Seasons Initiative (under the Saudi Commission on Tourism and Heritage) as the only Filipina bloggers approached for the project.

    As online influencers who have received honors in Saudi Arabia which are not usually bestowed on expats, Janelle and Reina understand that they have the power and responsibility to provide compelling content to their followers; hence their commitment to delivering language and visuals that are not only interesting, but also factual, and mindful. Their early work in the kingdom has contributed to the positive imagery of the city of Riyadh, garnering the two Tourism Excellence Awards from the Saudi government as well as a well-earned feature in regional TV MBC.

    Of the current digital scape, the duo shares, “With the most recent changes in KSA, we’re proud to be at the forefront of helping spread correct and credible information about Saudi Arabia through our platforms.”  They also recognize the pivotal role communicators like them play in contributing to how people perceive the country, as well as spreading positivity and bringing pride to the Filipino community.  “It’s an honor for us to give Filipinos in Saudi Arabia an avenue to see the brighter side of things, uplifting their spirits and enabling them to enjoy life in their second home.”

    (more…)

  • Kier Pascual – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Kier Pascual – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Tastemaker – Kier Pascual

    Social Media and Content Specialist

    Photo by: Rozen Antonio

    It’ll be hard to erase the endearing image of the cute boy next door of “Lo’s Closet” fame even as Kier Pascual turns a new leaf evolving from a renowned blogger to a professional who’s now focused on his social media management and digital marketing career at an agency in the capital.   He says, “I’ve made peace with it, and I’m ready to pass the baton to those whom I have inspired to do blogging and let them shine.”

    While he recalls the incredible journey he had as an influencer, Kier believes that there are more opportunities in store for him – and even more valuable lessons that deserve his focus.  Excited with the huge career leap he has taken, Kier carries with him the burning passion for taking up challenges that come his way, consistently rising to the occasion and learning new things.

    Nevertheless, even as he steers his path to another direction, the image of the ever-positive blogger, another significant Filipino face in the digital space who earned positive attention and admiration, is sure to endure.

    (more…)

  • Bettina Micu – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Bettina Micu – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Bettina Micu

    Social Media Professional

    Bettina Micu’s exposure to the fashion and blogging scene as an influencer in recent years has served her well.  At 21 years old, she has handled the social media campaigns of some 30 clients within the beauty, fashion, hospitality, F&B, and events industry.  She considers 2019 as the most exciting year of her life, wherein she had the privilege to execute campaigns for large scale initiatives such as Club Social & Wasla Music Festival.  She also shot her first campaign for Real Techniques, produced and directed three YSL beauty assignments, landed a project with Fashion Forward October Edition, and is now set to become the Creative Lead at her agency.

    Taking time off from being in front of the camera to work behind the scenes, wasn’t easy, she admits. “It’s extremely intimidating to stand next to so many talented creatives in this region. I’ve been absolutely terrified, but I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing. In the end, I don’t want to be remembered as someone who was fearless; I want to be remembered as someone who constantly practiced courage.”

    As a Filipino born and raised in the UAE who had to grapple with her identity growing up, Bettina also says, “My biggest motivation at work is knowing I am representing Filipino women. I am a proud, courageous-Filipino woman, and I want to show my colleagues and the people I meet just how intelligent, hard-working and passionate Filipinos are.”

    (more…)

  • Bobby Caparas – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Bobby Caparas – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Bobby Caparas

    Hair and Make-Up Artist

    Working in the region as a Filipino make-up artist is a challenging yet rewarding experience for Arulfo “Bobby” Caparas.  A veteran in the industry known for his unapparelled professionalism at work, Bobby worked with many celebrity clients, publications, models and designers in the region over the years.

    In 2019, he was involved in the wedding of renowned luxury real estate developers in the Gulf. He has also been the hair and make-up artist for Nat Geo TV Kids in Abu Dhabi, and has worked on projects for FRAMESI (Italy), Citizen K Arabia 100 Magazine, Gucci, Dior, Louis Vuitton and more.

    While doing the things he loves, Bobby aspires to bring home his learnings, eventually establishing his own hair and make-up seminars through Kawit Tourism in Cavite. He shares, “Through volunteering and getting involved I’ve expanded the quality of my life in ways I never once thought possible.”

    Bobby is also gearing to launch his own make-up line this year. (more…)