Illustrado Magazine – Filipino Abroad

Tag: uae

  • Pauline Moreno Craig – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Pauline Moreno Craig – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Pauline Moreno Craig

    DJ & Aspiring Teacher

    Photo by: Ace Reyes

    One of the most influential DJ’s in Dubai is a proud Filipina who continues to break boundaries in a land far from home.

    Pauline Moreno Craig has been a mainstay in Dubai’s music and events scene since 2009, being the first female techno DJ in the city and one who landed significant events and clubs in the region. With unparalleled talent in a male-dominated industry, Pauline has earned much praise, giving her counterparts a run for their money. While she has long been a prominent name in the arena and has poured her heart out to every beat, Pauline has also followed another passion – teaching.

    Being an educator has long been her goal, and she stands out as the one Filipino teacher in her school’s primary department. She hopes to see more kababayans in international schools, proving that Filipinos can provide world-class education. “We need to stand out, be ambitious, have clear goals and be willing to put in the hard work to reach them.”

    In the future, Pauline plans to give back home and do volunteer teaching work. If the stars align, her dream is to open a school and help children reach their fullest potential back home.

    (more…)

  • Mario Cardenas – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Mario Cardenas – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Trailblazer – Mario Cardenas

    Photographer

    Mario Cardenas lives and breathes photography and architecture. As a photographer, Mario has won an astounding 350+ local, regional and international awards through his career.

    Of all these, Mario’s ‘Ani ng Dangal’ or “Harvest of Honors” award given by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts under the Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, holds a special place in his heart.

    Aside from his passion as a photographer where he was able to go places and meet likeminded individuals, Mario is an architect by profession. Currently, he is the BIM Manager in a British design company based in Dubai Media City. He has worked with esteemed companies KEO and Calatrava, and holds an outstanding portfolio.  These two passions are what makes Mario distinctly him. However, the man stresses that despite his works, he does not want to leave a legacy that is too serious. To go with the flow, embrace life as it is, and continue unleashing creative ideas for better changes are what he wanted to impart among his countrymen.

    “I would like to use this platform to send an important message to other aspiring artists – Remember to always be yourself, celebrate your strengths and aim to express yourself with courage and self-confidence.” (more…)

  • Kamil Roxas – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Kamil Roxas – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Trailblazer – Kamil Roxas

    Filmmaker

     

    Over the last 5 years, Kamil Roxas has created short films and documentaries that were screened and have won awards at festivals including the Dubai International Film Festival, Singapore World International Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival. He has also been honing his craft on the commercial front directing commercial spots and creating regional advertising campaigns for Tiffany & Co, Paco Rabanne, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, Jeep, Vivo and more, under his own production company, Hello Project Space.

    Known as one of the slickest storytellers of Dubai, Kamil is known to employ a strong cinematic approach to storytelling that creates visually striking and emotionally engaging work.  As one of the leading creatives in the community Kamil who has worked with multicultural teams and clients to great success, he attests to the abundance of Filipino talent in the country.  He says, “The Filipino community in the UAE is no short of talented artists in every creative field.” Advising future filmmakers, the artist recommends, “Surround yourself with people who are more creative than you.  Find time to collaborate with everyone. We are in a country that has over 200 nationalities. It is a missed opportunity if you only stick to a demographic that you are most familiar with. Don’t stop learning and try to veer away from the mindless telenovela and ‘noon-time show’ aesthetic. Think more globally.”

    (more…)

  • Fe Ging Ging Hyde – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Fe Ging Ging Hyde – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Trailblazer – Fe Ging Ging Hyde

    Indie Actor & Producer

    Photo by: Alex Callueng

    To multi-awarded actress and producer Fe ‘Ging Ging’ Hyde, film-making has always been a platform to highlight and tell cultural narratives as a visual art form, rather than one for making money. And it is perhaps for this sole reason that she is one of the most talented performers and artists to have come from the Philippines.

    As a force to reckon with in the Philippine indie film scene, Dubai-based Fe’s most notable feat as an actor was receiving the Gawad Urian Award for Best Actress in 2011 for her performance in Arnel Mardoquio’s “Sheika” – earning her a place amongst the greatest of the great in Philippine cinema. Alongside this, for her film Ang Paglalakbay Ng Mga Bituin Sa Gabing Madilim (The Journey of the Stars into the Dark Night), Fe was the recipient of the Cinema One Originals 2012 Jury Prize and a Gawad Urian award in 2013 for Best Picture. Furthermore, besides garnering Cinema’s 2017 NETPAC Jury Prize, her film Dapol Tan Payawar Na Tayug 1931 (The Ashes and Ghosts of Tayug 1931) was shortlisted to take part at the 47th International Film Festival, Rotterdam, in 2018 under the category of “Shadows Special Programme.” The historical docudrama gained further spotlight having been screened as one of the main feature films at the 2018 Singapore Media Festival.

    Making recent appearances in the films “Class of 2018” (suspense-thriller) and “Lakbayan” (drama), as well as co-producing Markado: Bakunawa sa Duha ka-Managlahing Takna, Fe plans to continue exemplifying Filipino excellence and ingenuity through future endeavors in film and entertainment.

    (more…)

  • Susan Villanueva – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Susan Villanueva – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Trailblazer – Susan Villanueva

    Artist and Educator

    Photo by: Donell Gumiran

    As an award-winning educator who has trained hundreds of Emirati women at the Higher Colleges of Technology – Sharjah Women’s College, equipping them not only with design skills for their future careers but also garnering honor for the university and student body, Susan Villanueva has also invested much of her energy, creativity and teaching skills to inspire Filipinos in the UAE through the years.

    Apart from holding exhibitions and sharing her works of art, Susan is also part of the POWER technical training center (Pinoy Overseas Worker’s Education and Reintegration) as a volunteer and mentor. During weekends, she spends time educating those who are passionate about learning and conducts creative art therapy, painting, and drawing sessions.

    “As an educator for the past 26 years, I am proud to share my knowledge in art and design to the Filipino community,” she says. “It is my hope for the community to elevate their skills in the creative field. I am so thankful that I was given a home (POWER) to hone the hidden artistic talents of Filipinos and other nationalities.  I am getting to know more about our kababayans through art.  I do not want to be remembered as a person; I want the people to remember my work.”

    She hopes that many Filipinos can also give back to the community and pay it forward. This, for her, is what makes life worth living.

    (more…)

  • JR Papel – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    JR Papel – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Trailblazer – J.R Papel

    Community Champion

    Photo by: Ace Reyes

    Founding President and current Chairman of the Ateneo Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (LSE) school, JR has been instrumental in supporting hundreds of aspiring entrepreneurs towards their dream of building their own business.  Within the organization, he has also introduced innovative platforms such as the Continuing Education Series to provide further training to alumni and I-Fund to support and motivate students to deliver innovative and impactful business plans.  He has also helped create the Ateneo LSE Cooperative to assist in the funding of startup social enterprises.

    In his role as Shopper and Customer Marketing Manager at Unilever Gulf, JR has initiated programs and activations that engage shoppers on environmental awareness, especially in terms of water conservation, plastic reduction, and recycling.  He is in fact, acknowledged as one of the Ambassadors of Sustainability in Unilever Gulf.

    “Businesses should not just be about profit but how they positively impact the people and planet as well,” JR says.  He adds, “We find more meaning in life when we can find our passion; we live our real purpose and share it with the rest of the world.”

    (more…)

  • PBC DNE – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    PBC DNE – Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf

    Trailblazers – Philippine Business Council – Dubai & Northern Emirates

    Non-Profit Group 

    Vanguards of Philippine business in the UAE, the Philippine Business Council – Dubai and Northern Emirates has been spearheading initiatives to advance opportunities for existing and aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs, as well as their partners in the market. Established since 2001, the non-profit organization which is recognized by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce has been benefitting the Filipino business community through various projects through the years,

    Photo by: Ace Reyes

    With the slogan “Connecting people, bridging businesses,” the group mounts multifaceted activities that provide business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as professionals, educational, as well as networking activities, beyond the Filipino community.  The PBC DNE also represents the Philippines within the larger community of multicultural businesses and councils in the emirates.

    PBC DNE’s most notable projects which run the whole year round include Sobiz (Socializing for Business), Edubiz (Education for Business), as well as Interface (a landmark gathering of entrepreneurs from different communities hosted by the PBC).  In 2019, PBC DNE also launched the PBC Fellowship, a training program for entrepreneurs looking to start up their businesses.  In 2020, the group is also looking to mount the largest Philippine art festival in Dubai.

    “We are proud of our team of talented volunteers and our initiatives on continuous education, business networking, and social events which elevate Filipinos in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, PBC DNE Director Leo Barrameda says.  He adds, “We must continuously learn, and put aside time or money into improving ourselves first then others. This will elevate us one Filipino at a time.”

    Executive Committee:  Chairman – Bobbie Carella, Vice Chairman – Lalaine Chu-Benitez, Director of Finance – Anne Orlina, Secretary – Lairene Reodica Sint, Business Dev Director – Enrique Yamzon, CSR Director – Leo Barrameda, Membership Director – Allan Bautista, PR & Comms Director – Ken Peralta, Projects & Events Director – Andy Minodin, Social Media Directors – Eden Nebreja and Renz Salada, Sponsorship Director – Marlowe Paran

    (more…)

  • Bangkota -The Philippines at the Dubai Expo 2020

    Bangkota -The Philippines at the Dubai Expo 2020

    The Philippines is slated for landmark participation at the forthcoming Dubai Expo 2020 with Bangkota – a theme representing the best facets of the Philippines and the Filipino people.

    Illustrado spoke recently to Architect Royal Pineda – Team Leader and Designer of Bangkota, and shed light on the significance of the pavilion, as well as the Philippine National Day scheduled for March 16, 2021 to the Filipino community across the world.

    Watch his interview here:

     

    Illustrado Talks: Arch. Royal Pineda on Bangkota Philippine Pavilion Dubai Expo 2020

    #taasnooFilipino Arch. Royal Pineda talks to Illustrado about the significance of Bangkota – the theme of the Philippines at Dubai Expo 2020, as well as the Philippine National Day scheduled for March 16, 2021, and how Filipinos have so much to be proud of. #proudFilipino #proudtobepinoy

    Read more about the landmark participation of the Philippines at #DubaiExpo2020 here:

    Posted by Illustrado Magazine on Sunday, October 27, 2019

    __________

    16th June 2019

    DTI Hosts Sneak Preview of the Philippines participation in Expo 2020 Dubai

    From L to R: Arch. Budji Layug, Marian Roces, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, Arch. Royal Pineda, Assistant Secretary Rosvi Geatos, and Undersecretary Rowel Barba

    The Department of Trade and Industry hosted a select group of lifestyle editors and writers in a round table lunch for a Sneak Preview of the PHILIPPINES participation in Expo 2020 Dubai last 11 June 2019. The DTI revealed “Bangkota”, the ancient Tagalog word for coral reef, as the theme of the Philippines’ (PH) participation at the Expo 2020 Dubai in October 2020 to April 2021.

    The theme highlights not only the country’s natural resources but the similarities between the coral reef and Filipinos: both grow into colonies that thrive throughout the world. Expo 2020 Dubai is the latest edition of the World Expo that started in London in 1851. Dubai’s 428-hectare Expo will feature 190 country pavilions to be visited by 25 million tourists.

    The Philippine pavilion will be a 3,000 square-meter space with a 1,300 square-meter enclosed area, designed by Budji+Royal Architecture+Design and curated by Marian Roces. It will feature five exhibits, an artisanal café, and Go Lokal! stores.  After the Expo, the exhibit will be installed permanently in New Clark City.

    “Our most important goal in participating at the Expo is to present a country brand that reflects our rich history and our values as caring, compassionate, and creative people,” said DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez.

    Although the Expo is not a trade fair, Secretary Lopez said that the government’s budget of just under PHP1 billion will be earned back through tourism, trade, services, and investments, as the DTI will also organize an investment mission to maximize the opportunity.

    He added that the interest to join the Expo came from President Rodrigo Duterte because there are around 700,000 Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates. The President since issued Administrative Order 17 assigning DTI to lead the Philippine Organizing Committee (POC) for Expo 2020 Dubai. The POC is also composed of the Departments of Tourism, Foreign Affairs, Budget, Labor, Science and Technology, and Information and Communications Technology.

    HONEST YET PROGRESSIVE DESIGN

    DTI Assistant Secretary Rosvi Gaetos shared that Expo 2020 Dubai organizers thought that the PH pavilion is “humble, honest, yet progressive.”

    Architect Royal Pineda of Budji+Royal Architecture+Design said they used mesh instead of concrete as the primary material as a way to present ourselves truthfully, rather than compete with other countries.

    RESET THE FILIPINO MINDSET

    Curator Marian Roces curated five main exhibits, namely 4,000 Years Young, Modern Becomes Filipino, The Muslims of the Philippines, The Coraline People, and Oceans Pacific, to illustrate the country’s history even before the arrival of the Spaniards. The exhibits endeavors to change the world’s mindset about the Philippines and the Filipinos’ mindsets about themselves.

    In line with this, the POC chose March 16, 2021 as the Philippine National Day to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival in PH. The celebration aims to shift the mindset of this being the day that Magellan discovered the Philippines, to the day we discovered Magellan.

     

  • The Legacy of the Balikbayan Box and the Culture of Padala

    The Legacy of the Balikbayan Box and the Culture of Padala

    If you hear the term “OFW” 10 years ago, the things that pop into your head would probably be: remittances, thick gold chains bringing to mind ‘Katas ng Saudi’, sad stories of Filipinos being away from their families, and of course, the ever-present Balikbayan Box.

    Countless generations of Filipinos have grown up receiving a big box plastered with packaging tape from top to bottom, with the sender’s name boldly written along with the receiver’s Philippine address. Opening the Balikbayan Box was always an exciting event, a big gathering of family and friends eagerly awaiting imported chocolates, new pairs of shoes, imported corned beef, big bottles of shampoo, tubes of lotion, toothpaste and of course, the always popular “I <3 *insert country of origin here*” t-shirt.

    But times have changed and the Overseas Filipino has evolved. They have become more global, more cosmopolitan, and more empowered. Their status, lifestyle and showcase of talents and capabilities in the cut-throat global arena have all taken a step up in recent years. They have ascended the corporate ladder and are dominating the creative world, the fashion industry, and even the business arena

    One thing, however, has remained constant: Global Filipinos in every part of the world will always find a way to connect with their loved ones back home. Hence, the ubiquity of the Balikbayan Box – the ultimate symbol of the Global Filipino’s tie to home and family.

    And it goes without saying that the Balikbayan Box will always be associated with LBC. For the past 70 years, LBC has been moving millions of symbols of love and care between Filipinos separated by distance and continues to innovate its products and services to meet the Global Filipino’s evolving needs.

    With the new breed of Global Filipinos, LBC understands that sending love in the form of gifts to family back home doesn’t have to be only once a year. Every special occasion requires a celebration – whether it be school graduation, Mother’s Day, a monthsary, or even just an A+ in a final exam – and every celebration isn’t complete without a little something to mark the day.

    With its Air Cargo service, LBC gives Global Filipinos a way to send an extra gift to loved ones on their special day. Below, four Global Filipinos who have decided to give a little extra to those who are close to their hearts:

     

    Faith Rodriguez who has a baby girl on the way sends the clothes of her first born son (mostly worn once) to her cousin in the Philippines. “For the past four years I’ve been hoarding my son’s clothes and shoes in case the next one is a boy too, but now that the mystery has been unfolded, it’s time to find a new home for them.”

     

    Kier Pascual who wants to help their family nanny with her pasalubongs back home. “Meet our nanny Ate Clarita. She has been with our family for years now and she’s very excited to go home and spend time with her own family back in the Philippines. But like all of us Filipino expats, we usually can’t bring everything home and there’s not enough space in our luggage for our “pasalubongs.” So I’ve decided to #GiveALittleExtra and call our friends at  #LBCUAE!”

     

    Paul Ramos who is excited that he can send stuff to his loved ones spontaneously.“Giving a little extra to my loved ones in the Philippines! Thanks to #LBCUAE Air Cargo, my family will receive this within less than a week and what’s best is they do not have kilometer and airway bill charges! How great is that?

     

    Nina Carpio who wants to lend her sister some clothes. “Sizzy in the Philippines wants to borrow some stuff from me, so here I am, sending them over via #LBCUAE Air Cargo to make sure it’ll reach her next week! No km and airway bill charges! It’s always nice to  #GiveALittleExtra so I’ll probably throw in some makeup in there too!”?

    Times change, and so have we. Even the way we make our families or friends back home feel loved. So go, seal that box with love and just #GiveALittleExtra with LBC Express’Air Cargo.

    LBC Express’ Air Cargo service is the best way to send a gift to your loved ones on their special day. Because delivery time only takes 3 to 5 days in Metro Manila and 5 to 7 days in provincial areas, it’s the easiest, fastest, and most convenient way for you to celebrate their day. With box sizes that range from 5 kilograms, 8 kilograms, and 10 kilograms, you can choose to send the perfect gift- chocolates,a toy, a dress, a pair of shoes, or even a new gadget – safely and securely.

    Mark milestones and special celebrations with your loved ones with a little extra gift now! To know more about the air cargo services, visit www.lbcexpress.com.

  • DUBLOG POWER CARD: A DISCOUNT CARD MADE FOR FILIPINOS

    DUBLOG POWER CARD: A DISCOUNT CARD MADE FOR FILIPINOS

    Dubai –DuBlog Power Card has officially been launched last August 8, 2019, at 8 PM, hence the iconic 08.08.08 theme at Burjuman Arjaan Rotana Hotel. The event was attended by various social media personalities, community leaders, press representatives, and his excellency, Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes and spouse Dra. Yasmin Balajadia-Cortes.

    Founded and headed by DuBlog CEO, Lance Japor, DuBlog Power Card was formulated for its advocacy to reach out to the Filipino community with the means of letting them experience more, by paying less. DuBlog Power Card, by the name suggests, is a discount card that entitles the cardholder a POWER to enjoy a huge range of hot deals on food, special services, beauty and lifestyle, training centres, cargo, travel, and a lot more! The card’s one-year validity from the launching month provides discounts ranging from 10 to 25% off on the total purchase, offers such as buy 1 get 1 free scheme, installments on different products, and free items and services. The card demonstrates a win-win result as the card is fully packed with favourable deals for the price of 50 AED only. It will also showcase and introduce different kinds of businesses in the market while making it accessible to everyone to experience.

    The cardholder will have the power to explore the city’s bests and indulge in your guilty pleasures without breaking their pockets. With over 750,000 Filipinos all over UAE, the power card targets to empower all OFWs of any status, while making sure that they get the most out of their needs and interests with the power brought by the DuBlog Power Card.

    As DuBlog is known for its advocacies in every event that they do for the community, the idea of coming up with this unique discount card was created in dedication to those whose monthly incomes are between below the minimum to average. By means of these special savings, Filipinos of different social status can avail and enjoy what everyone else is experiencing.

    DuBlog Power Card can be availed in 4 ways: online orders, direct purchase from partner merchants, dedicated sales team, and through resellers. More details are provided on their official Facebook page and website for the list of partner merchants and their respective discounts and offers.

    With this unique project launched and made for the Filipino community, the team aspires to continue touching lives and bring more valuable experiences to everyone in the community by using smarter ways of spending their money.