Illustrado Magazine – Filipino Abroad

Tag: Tastemaker

  • Valentino Montuerto Jasmin – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Valentino Montuerto Jasmin – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Tastemaker – Valentino Montuerto Jasmin

    Make-Up Artist

    Makeup artist Valentino Montuerto Jasmin is committed to showing off what a true Filipino artist can be while paying homage to his roots. In 2019, he added a number of prestigious global fashion brands to his roster of fabulous achievements in the industry, working on projects with Sandro Paris, Diesel, Faces and being a part of the Dolce & Gabbana runway show among others. His work has also been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, L’Officiel and Emirates Woman.

    Valentino aims to touch emotions, move people, empower, and inspire them not only through his craft but also with his new passion project. Recently, he formed Kalo, a new venture that means a lot to him.  “I have been dreaming of being able to incorporate my love for fashion, with sustainability and being able to help my local community in Samar.”  With Kalo, the artist is set to design and produce 100% organic, oversized hats made of tikog and romblon, fibers that are indigenous to Samar. Woven by local artisans, each hat is meant to contribute to the livelihood of local women. While his project is still developing, Valentino believes that this is his way of giving back and providing an opportunity to showcase extraordinary Filipino craftsmanship to the world.

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  • Kristine Abante – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Kristine Abante – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Thoughtleader – Kristine Abante

    Entrepreneur

    Photo by: Jef Anog

    Former entertainment industry professional, Kristine Abante spent over a decade facilitating music releases across the region, as well as promoting the Filipino musicians in the local scene.  These days, she spearheads content creation at Sandbox Creative, collaborating with fresh creative talents to delivering high-quality marketing content for some of the UAE’s top-rated luxury hotels and high-end lifestyle brands.

    Just recently, Kristine has also collaborated with TFC for a web series – the first Filipino produced mini-series in Dubai and the Middle East, as well as numerous entrepreneurs and their networks, even collaborating with social enterprise Skills 3.

    Kristine says that it is a privilege to work alongside some of the best artists, content creators, and photographers in town.  “It would be nice to be thought of as a good friend and a true fan of creative work,” she says. “I would say my value would come from having helped amplify great artists and their awesome work and having helped my friends connect and collaborate, all while enjoying the process.”

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  • Anna Llagas – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Anna Llagas – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Tastemaker – Anna Llagas

    Model – Entrepreneur 

    Ann Llagas is a woman on a mission to add diversity to the local modeling scene as well as provide opportunities to fresh talents aspiring to walk the runway and be in front of the camera.

    Since she started her company “Anna Model Management” in 2016, Anna has played a crucial role in contributing to the development of the region’s modeling industry and is now known for providing a platform for upcoming, ethnically diverse models for both runway and editorial purposes.  Anna’s models have graced various affairs, including the region’s definitive annual fashion event Fashion Forward, as well as publications and commercial projects.  2019 also marks the agency’s first exclusive international Filipino model, Carlo Lee’s initial foray into Fashion Forward.

    To date, the model-entrepreneur continues to pour out her own style, as well as her own hopes and dreams into her initiatives. “My modeling agency is not just about business, but a legacy to,” she says. “It gives the opportunity to new and rising talents, so that together, we all journey towards success.”

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  • Michael Amazona Del Mar – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Michael Amazona Del Mar – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Tastemaker – Michael Amazona Del Mar

    Casting and Show Director

    Events Producer & Entrepreneur

    Photo by: Jef Anog

    Michael Amazona Del Mar, a passionate casting/show director, and events producer, always takes on a project with fierce perfectionism – making him a respected figure within the regional industry. Armed with extensive experience and know-how, he has handled projects for the likes of Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana.

    For Fashion Forward Dubai (FFWD), he is the exacting casting director behind the region’s most reputed fashion event.  For the last 11 seasons, he has helped the platform grow and come back even bigger and better in 2019. Aside from this, Michael has also styled Michael Cinco’s Spring/Summer 2019 campaign, produced an event for Meraas’ ‘The Outlet Village Comes Alive’ campaign, and handled casting and backstage management for Splash’s Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter 2019 fashion shows.

    Michael takes pride in having curated a strong and diverse group of models, especially for FFWD: “As the casting director, my challenge is always curating a cast that is “fashion-forward,” i.e., diverse, young, on-trend. It involves a lot of research, brand understanding, while also satisfying the FFWD board, reaching out to local and international agencies and fostering alliances. Globally, there is a clamor for cast diversity and I think Dubai should follow suit as well! I am proud of my cast this season!”

    Michael believes that Filipinos are significant assets wherever they work and have the ability to make an impact especially as creative forces: “We are resilient, law-abiding, and productive constituents of society. We possess creativity and passion and these traits always make us stand out!”

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  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Kenneth Surat – Tastemaker

    KENNETH SURAT

    TRAVEL BLOGGER

    Photo by Alex Callueng; Photography Assistant – Bethoven Filomeno

     

    Kenneth has gone for every traveler’s dream scenario – that is, to quit one’s day job and make a living out of seeing the world. Of this transition, he attests: “Some people might not think of it that way, but being a nomadic traveler is challenging. Not knowing if I will be able to afford my next accommodation or if I’ll get some money to survive for the next month can be bitter sweet. But it’s still mostly sweet because you might be thinking about this while you are in an island staring at a majestic sunset.”

    Before pursuing a career as a full-time travel blogger, Kenneth worked as a senior interior designer and events production manager for 10 years in Dubai. He also handmakes and markets artisan leather journals called Surat Journals, which are available in the UAE, the Philippines and other parts of the world.   

    This year, Kenneth was able to work with different tourism offices from around the world and, and was recognized by Huffington Post as one of the Top South East Asian Influencers to Follow. He says, “I would like to see myself as someone who inspires young Filipinos to see the world out there. Sometimes we feel inferior as a race, and even if we have big dreams, we keep them only as dreams. I know many Filipinos dream of traveling, but are hindered by poverty mentality (and also the strength of our passport), but I hope that I can show them that one doesn’t need to be rich to feel rich in experience.  

     

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

    Special thanks to Illustrado 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf 2016 sponsors – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

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    Related Post:

    Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Bong Guerrero – Trailblazer

    Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Mercedes Cabral – Trailblazer

    Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Izhcka Zeta –Tastemaker

  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Rosan Katlea Reodica – Tastemaker

    Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Rosan Katlea Reodica – Tastemaker

    Rosan Katlea Reodica

    Writer, Cookbook Author

     

    It took about ten years of courage and practice for Rosan Reodica to finally realize that she was great at writing, and that she wanted to pursue it in some way. With an exciting career in the design and events industry, Rosan is grateful to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who espouse creativity with the same level of gusto as she does. She attests: “I have been put in a position to experience great opportunities to work and collaborate with the cream of the crop, along with being able to push for the inclusion of Filipino talents in events we organize, as we want to be a multicultural platform for artists.”

    Rosan is the author of a cookbook entitled “The Practicing Misis: Skills Muna Bago Feels.” It is a collection of recipes written in the font of self-love, her fondness for her family’s passion for cooking, and her wanting to be able to cook for her fiancée. Going beyond the usual cookbook format, Rosan injected her heart and soul into each recipe, writing it in the style of prose, poetry, and narrative. In the process of creating the book, Rosan realized that one’s development of knowledge is never-ending. She expounds: “Aptly, as how I call myself ‘practicing,’ I realized that learning is continuous and circular, that one cannot be a master without being inspired by others and in turn work towards yourself.”

    Still on a journey where she hopes to find more things to love and do in life, Rosan shares: “I would want to be known not as an author, or a food blogger, but THAT woman you can’t put your finger on to confirm what she is. I want to keep myself guessing what I am and what I can create next.”

     

    Photo by Alex Callueng; Photography Assistant – Bethoven Filomeno Special thanks to – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Joy Caasi – Tastemaker

    Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Joy Caasi – Tastemaker

    JOY CAASI

    Blogger – Tastemaker

     

    Joy Caasi is a digital marketing executive, and a rising star in the blogosphere. Joy compiles travel, lifestyle, food and even DIY ideas via bold, bright and punchy images. Many of her shots are fly-on-the-wall style. These photos give an honest insight into her unique style sensibilities, which are mostly centered around being fashionable whilst being cost-conscious. Her content is so fresh and fabulous that it won her an award for the Best Use Of Photography from a popular women’s magazine in the UAE. Oh, and she is hilarious too!

     

    Photo by Alex Callueng; Photography Assistant – Bethoven Filomeno Special thanks to – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Louise Monique – Tastemaker

    Louise Monique

    Beauty blogger, Makeup Artist

     

    Make-up artist.Beauty blogger. Brand ambassador. Triple-threat Louise Monique is a well-rounded beauty specialist who has the cleverness and marketing savvy to match her incredible talent. Propelled by her innate charm, plus her background as an advertising creative, Louise Monique has become one of the UAE’s go-to makeup artist, and a brand ambassador to popular international brands. Asked about the legacy she wishes to impart to community, Louise Monique’s message is that of sisterhood. She says, ““I would love to be known as a woman who lifted up other women. I just want to help women actualize the power that they possess, which is their own beauty.”

     

    Photo by Alex Callueng; Photography Assistant – Bethoven Filomeno Special thanks to – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Ryle Tuvierra – Tastemaker

    Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Ryle Tuvierra – Tastemaker

    RYLE TUVIERRA

    The Fierce Walker

     

    No one can represent the inimitable, totally captivating Ryle, The Fierce Walker, better than he can represent himself. Case in point: “What I do is slay the fashion scene of UAE with my fierce attitude, which begins with me being authentic and real.” And slay them all, Ryle does. This year, he was able to work with well-known brands such as Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Tiffany & Co., and made campaigns for Birkenstock Aspinal of London, and Canon Middle East.

    Of his legacy, Ryle attests: “I would love it if people would remember me for being fabulous yet humble. My advice to my fellow Filipinos – stay grounded and always follow your dreams. Make sure that you’re not just trying to achieve a dream for the sake of having a purpose, but also for your family and those who are important to you.”

     

    Photo by Alex Callueng; Photography Assistant – Bethoven Filomeno Special thanks to – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

  • Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Boyet Sanchez – Tastemaker

    Boyet Sanchez

    Comedian

     

    With all the pessimism that lingers in our world at present, what we need are individuals who can lift the atmosphere and lessen the burdens we bear – and that’s precisely what comedian Boyet Sanchez chooses to do: “I never thought of how much income I would get from doing Stand-Up Comedy. It was more of the fact that I enjoy a lot seeing my audience almost crying because of the non-stop laughter I generated.”

    Placing this initiative at the top of his priority list, Boyet brought to life the first ever sing-along/comedy bar in the Middle East in 1996, at Sampaguita Club, Zakher Hotel, Abu Dhabi, and later in 2008, at the Comedy Junction, Al Mamzar, Dubai.  More recently though, he has brought his business to the Comedy Junction in Doha with the mission of bringing solidarity, modernity and inter-cultural understanding.

    As a Filipino who also suffers emotional distress and understands the sacrifices that OFW’s have to make for their families, he also realized whilst performing that no amount in life could parallel happiness; hence he regards bringing joy to the lives of Filipinos a matter of great honor. Boyet contentedly shares: “With or without the spotlight, I can say that I have helped our fellow OFWs in making their lives light and easy through my passion.”

     

    Special thanks to – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.