Illustrado Magazine – Filipino Abroad

Tag: Trailblazer

  • Most Influential Filipino in the Gulf: Madame Yasmin Balajadia Cortes – Trailblazer

    MADAME YASMIN BALAJADIA CORTES

    Grace. Beauty. Dignity. Commitment. These are the words that best epitomize Madame Yasmin B. Cortes, Spouse of the Philippine Consul General in Dubai and Chair of the Filipino Ladies of Dubai and Vice President of the Diplomatic Ladies Group in Dubai. Ever the empowered Filipina, Madame Yasmin has taken on the immense of responsibility of watching over the welfare of the Filipino community in Dubai with the same motherly eyes that she has for her own children. As leader of the Filipino ladies of Dubai, she has been at the forefront of conceptualizing and activating various initiatives that are aimed at uplifting the image of the Filipinos in the Middle East, as well as help communities in need back home.

    This year, Madame Yasmin led the launch of the 1st Filipino Interschool Competition and helmed the Dubai Dubai Musikahan – a songwriting competition that was held in celebration of the Buwan Ng Wika in August. She also played a crucial role in launching the 1st Photography and Film Making Workshop, and the Breast Cancer Awareness Forum, which were both held at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai. Of how she hopes to be recognized and remembered by the kabayans in the UAE, Madame Yasmin says, “I hope that the community remembers me as one who actively promotes the Filipino by coming up with projects and programs that highlight who we are as a people. My focus as Chair of the Filipino Ladies of Dubai is to host activities that build on the already excellent repute of the Filipino. To me, this is both a serious responsibility and a source of great joy.”

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

  • Most Influential Filipino in the Gulf: Eric Elnar – Trailblazer

     

    ERIC C. ELNAR

    Commercial Attache
    Philippine Trade and Investment Center I Philippine Consulate General

     

    As the Department of Trade and Industry’s frontline mover in the Middle East and Africa Region, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center –Dubai  is primarily tasked to promote exports of Philippine products to the region, as well as encourage  investments to the Philippines from the Middle East and Africa. Leading this endeavor is Commercial Attache Eric C. Elnar. He is at the helm of promoting  Philippine exports to the Middle East and Africa by strengthening the  market access to key export sectors that were identified for their high potential for growth in the region: food products, franchising, furniture/furnishings, and health and wellness products. His office also promotes the Philippines as an investment destination by building business linkages with various entities to generate ventures into key sectors such as agribusiness and agriculture, energy, infrastructure projects, and tourism. They also make representations during negotiations  for market access and provide commercial intelligence reports and policy  recommendations.   
    Of how they surmount the challenges of representing the Philippines in the creation of stronger economic ties, Commercial Attache Eric C. Elnar professes: “Despite the many obstacles we encounter as we strive to function effectively with the limitation of our resources, we also count the times we are heartened by words of encouragement  and  appreciation received from those we have assisted.  The recognition that we are doing things right makes the journey less arduous. Being recognized by our compatriots and our work being appreciated by our clientele are the rewards that we look forward to the most.”

     

    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: Hon. Ofelia B. Domingo – Trailblazer

    HON. OFELIA B. DOMINGO

    Labour Attache

     

    It ain’t easy being Labour Attache, but through her hard work, experience, and results-oriented leadership style, Madame Ofelia Domingo almost makes it look easy. A reformist at heart, she has implemented several strategic changes that vastly improved the operations of POLO-OWWA on a cellular level. One such accomplishment: she initiated the development of POLO-DUBAI portal that houses the online submission and evaluation of documents for the accreditation and approval of job orders of principals and agencies. She also conceptualized  and implemented the Dubai EntrePinoy Reintegration Program that involves both the OFWs in Dubai and the returned OFWs in the Philippines.  The organic rice project of the Reintegration program is a social project aimed to liberate the famers from the bondage of debt. It also promotes savings and investment with social responsibility among the OFWs in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
    The Labour Attache’s challenge to the Filipinos abroad: to live up to the image of a Modern Day Hero. It shouldn’t be so difficult, with role models like her around.

     

    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: Hon. Elmer Gozun Cato – Trailblazer

     

    HON. ELMER GOZUN CATO

    Charge d’Affaires, en pied, of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Baghdad

     

    Elmer Gozun Cato assumed as Head of Post on 24 May 2015. He joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1998 after passing the Foreign Service Officers Examinations. Since then, he had served in various capacities in the Home Office in Manila, including as Special Assistant for National Security, Migrant Workers, Consular and Media Affairs of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs; Special Assistant for Special Projects of the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs; Director for Intelligence; and Executive Director of the National Council on United Nations Peace Operations of the Philippines in Manila.

    Of his and his office’s accomplishments in 2016, Honorable Elmer Gozun Cato professes: “Our efforts this year were focused on the third pillar of Philippine foreign policy—protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of Filipinos abroad. In 2015, illegal recruitment and human trafficking was the most serious challenge confronting the Embassy. This problem was particularly pronounced in Kurdistan where most of the more than  3,000 Filipinos in Iraq are working. The problem was challenging not only because those victimizing our kababayans were also Filipinos but also because the Filipino Community had the impression that some Embassy personnel were involved in these illegal activities. Through our joint efforts with Republic of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Erbil, we succeeded in disrupting the operations of human trafficking syndicates operating in Kurdistan and rescued and repatriated 30 trafficking victims. Two Filipinos wanted in the Philippines for grand-scale illegal recruitment and estafa were unmasked, arrested, jailed and deported. We also went after several foreign spa owners accused of exploiting and abusing our women and had their establishments shut down with the help of Kurdish authorities.”

    Of the legacy he wishes to impart amongst his kabayans, Honorable Elmer Gozun Cato says: “I would like to be remembered as the go-to person to get the job done. As someone who helped make a difference in improving the lives of our people; someone our people could run to and count on.”

     

    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: Ambassador Narciso Castaneda – Trailblazer

     

    Ambassador Narciso Castaneda

    Philippine Embassy – Oman

     

    Ambassador Narciso Castaneda has had a career in diplomacy that spans more than 3 decades. He has served in the United States, United Kingdom, South East Asia and Europe. As the Philippine Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, his focus is on developing and sustaining mutually beneficial relations between the Philippines and Oman.

     

    He assures that the three main pillars of the Philippine Foreign Policy – the preservation and enhancement of national security, promotion and attainment of economic security and the protection of the rights and promotion of the welfare and interest of the OFWs – are always injected in all efforts done to maintain and improve the quality of service for the Filipino community.

    He desires to expand the economic relations between both countries and ensure that the needs and concerns of the Filipinos in Oman are attended to without fail. He says that the determination of the Filipinos inspires him to always deliver the kind of service the Filipino community in Oman deserve.

     

    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: Ambassador Alfonso Ver – Trailblazer

     

    AMBASSADOR ALFONSO VER

    Embassy of the Philippines – Bahrain

     

    Ambassador Alfonso Ver moved to Bahrain to assume Head of Post for the Philippine government in 2015.  This was his first assignment as an ambassador.  Just over a year hence, the 60,000 strong Filipino community has warmed up to his hands-on leadership style that has made him a much-loved figure in the island nation.

    As the head of the community, Ambassador Ver shares that his work is focused on further strengthening all aspects of relations and mutually-beneficial ties between the Philippines and Bahrain.  This includes initiatives in growing economic relations, fostering greater exchange and cooperation in trade investments, tourism, as well as culture and education.  The Ambassador adds, “At the same time we shall continuously strive to do our best to respond to the needs of Filipinos – from rendering efficient consular services to the promotion of their welfare and protection of their rights.”

    Known for being an open and approachable diplomat, the Ambassador has made interacting directly with Filipinos integral in his function as the primary custodian of the community’s welfare.  He says he likes to mingle directly with clients at the Embassy, helping out in any way he can to get a first-hand understanding of what people think and feel.   The Ambassador also underlines the importance of the role played by the Embassy for the Filipino people – that of a partner which will remain committed to safeguarding their interests and rights, while they do their best to achieve their hopes and dreams for themselves and their families.

     

    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: Ambassador Wilfredo Santos – Trailblazer

     

    AMBASSADOR WILFREDO SANTOS

    Philippine Ambassador to Qatar

    Ambassador Wilfredo Santos has over 24 years of experience as a diplomat. His capabilities and achievements are beyond question, and yet he cautions about the folly of resting on one’s laurels. He says, “In my years of service in the Home Office and the Foreign Service, I’ve learned that you should never stand pat on your accomplishments. You should continue to become better in your work by undergoing training, attending seminars and learning not only from your superiors but also from your subordinates. Experience is indeed the best teacher as they say but being able to work within a team is also a skill that one should cultivate.”

    This attitude of constant evolution has always done wonders for Ambassador Wilfredo’s service record, as evident in his current tenure in Qatar. In 2016, the Philippine Embassy in Qatar achieved numerous milestone accomplishments, such as receiving the “Best Community Award” at the Labor Welfare Awards 2016 during the Third Annual Labor Rights Protection Conference. Philippine culture was given a brighter spotlight, with the inauguration of the Sentro Rizal in Qatar – a showcase of Pinoy art, language, and culture, exhibited in various media formats. The Embassy also launched Kulinarya Qatar  – a program that aims to reinforce cultural and economic ties and promote tourism through the celebration of Filipino cuisine. For 2017, Ambassador Wilfredo endeavors to continue laying down the groundwork for more high level visits, as well as the signing of several agreements in the key areas of health, culture, education, visas and investments.

     

    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: Ambassador Renato Pedro Villa – Trailblazer

     

    AMBASSADOR RENATO PEDRO VILLA

    Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait

     

    They say “It takes one to know one.” This certainly holds water for Ambassador Renato Pedro Villa, Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait. Having been a migrant worker himself, he has firsthand experience on the true plight of the OFW’s – an advantage that informs his decisions as he looks after the welfare of the more than 200,000 Filipino expats in Kuwait.

    All throughout 2016, Ambassador Renato stayed resolute in carrying out his original mandate: that is, to advance the national interest of the Philippines, and reinforce the country’s bilateral relations with Kuwait. He launched various activities designed to unite the Filipino community – a massive undertaking, given the many factions and cell groups that the kabayans in Kuwait have formed through the years. He also endeavored to adopt an open-door policy for the Embassy, which gives the Filipinos in Kuwait a bigger platform from which they could express their needs and concerns to the Government.

     

    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: Jovy Tuano – Trailblazer

    Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Jovy Tuano – Trailblazer

    Jovy Tuano

    Entrepreneur

     

    A master in food innovation and distribution, Jovy Tuano of La Comida Express Gourmet is a true Filipino success story in the food industry of the UAE. He is living on a mission that goes beyond the call of duty to help build a viable business ecosystem that can provide livelihood to industrious people in the community. Just this year, he was able to sell over 200,000 units of his UAE home-grown brand across the emirates, but it was not an overnight success. Jovy has been studying the industry’s ins and outs for the last 12 years which made him very effective in what he does. Of the entrepreneurial journey that he has had in the UAE, Jovy professes: “It’s not about being great or famous in what I do.  It is about planting the seed or foundation of my enterprise wherever it is needed by the community.  The fruit of the seed is not limited to money or currency alone.  The real fruit and greatness lies in the immeasurable value of our product – from the people who make it and to the people who consume it. I trained myself to patiently listen and engage with them day by day to keep and grow relationships.”

    Of how he wants to be recognized and remembered, he says, “…nothing other than someone who lived as a simple human being – someone who performed his God-given role and purpose in the family and community, for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer. It’s like being married to my mission in life.”

     

    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: Mercedes Cabral – Trailblazer

    Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Mercedes Cabral – Trailblazer

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    Mercedes Cabral

    Actress, “Indie Princess”

     

    A beautiful, young ingénue with exceptional acting abilities, it’s easy to mistake Mercedes Cabral for a “movie star,” when what she truly is amidst the glitz and the glamor of her global fame is a consummate artist. In fact, she was well on her way to becoming a visual artist – having taken up Fine Arts in college – when she was visited by the opportunity to appear in independently produced movies in the Philippines. Mercedes recounts, “I believe that if it’s your destiny, your path would make itself clear for you. My first movie with Brillante Mendoza helped me make connections outside of the Philippines. From doing local TV films and TV shows, I had the opportunity to participate in projects abroad and work with talented directors such as Park Chan-wook in South Korea, British filmmaker Isaac Julien in Dubai, Malaysian filmmaker Buddy Anwardi, and Swedish-Iranian filmmaker Samir Arabdazeh.” In 2015, Mercedes starred in Rosita, a Danish film about a Filipino mail-order bride in a small fishing village in Denmark. She considers this her biggest project to date.

    Recently, Mercedes starred in a hit TV show in the Middle East, Saq Al Bamboo. Her portrayal of a Filipino maid in Kuwait earned her countless praises, from critics and Gulf-based OFW’s. Of the show’s success, Mercedes attests: “I think my performance as Josephine made an impact because of the emotional truth that I gave. That’s the most important thing and a very vital responsibility of being an actor – to show the audience the TRUTH in your character and story to make it believable. To make them feel what your character is feeling in a given situation. This is what I find most beautiful and addicting in acting.”

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    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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