100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Filipino Ambassadors to the GCC

Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain – Alfonso Ferdinand Agbayani Ver

Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain, Alfonso Ver brings with him a wealth of experience in Foreign Service before his first ambassadorial posting in the country.  His first foreign assignment was as Vice Consul, then promoted to Consul, in Guam (1996 to 2002). He later became First Secretary and Consul General, then Minister, Consul General and Deputy Head of Mission, in Ankara, Turkey (2005 to 2009), before he moved to San Francisco, USA as Consul then Deputy Consul General (2009 2012). At the Department of Foreign Affairs, he was Executive Director of the Office of Personnel and Administrative Services (2012 to 2015).

As the head of the 60,000 strong Filipino community in Bahrain, the Ambassador has made his people’s welfare integral in his function.  This year, a community center slated to further improve bilateral ties, is expected to rise in the country in time for the embassy’s 40^th anniversary.

Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia – Adnan V Alonto

Ambassador Adnan Villanula Alonto comes from a family of politicians.  He is the son of the late Senator Domocao Alonto and brother of Lanao del Sur Governor Soraya Alonto-Adiong.  Since passing the bar exams in 1985, he has worked in many different law offices in the Philippines.

In 1996, Ambassador Alonto and his family left for the US. He then worked in several companies as a legal professional until 2016 before accepting his assignment from the President as Philippine Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

With a little over two months in his position, he has already made strides in bridging the connection between the Philippine government and Filipino residents of the country.  He says, “I am here to fulfill the mandate given to me by the President to ensure that the rights and well-being of our people are protected while they are working here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

Philippine Ambassador to Oman – Narciso Castañeda

A seasoned diplomat having carried out Foreign Service posts representing the Philippines in the US, the UK, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Indonesia, France, and Chile, Ambassador Narciso Castañeda, now stationed in Oman, notes that all the work that he does is ultimately rooted in helping Filipinos, and solidifying the motherland’s associations internationally with other countries.

Last year, a significant advancement in the bilateral ties shared by Oman and the Philippines was made when Ambassador Narciso paid a courtesy call on Oman’s Minister of Justice, Sheikh Abdulmalik bin Abdullah bin Ali al Khalili. In the meeting held at the office of the Justice Minister in Muscat, Castañeda discussed ways of which the liaison between the two nations could be enhanced. Acknowledging the importance Filipinos towards the development of Oman, the success of the conference resulted in the Justice Minister conveying a willingness to help improve the significant bilateral bond.  Not only is this triumph indicative of the Ambassador’s influence in the nation, it too highlights his commitment to his home and its people.

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Illustrado 100 was made possible by sponsors: Giordano, Liali Jewellery, Mitsubishi UAE- Al Habtoor Motors, Michael Cinco Couture, Mapúa Institute of Technology, Centro – Amwaj Rotana Hotel , Max’s Restaurant Middle East and GVER – Your Friendly MarketPlace for Sharing

Co-Sponsors: Herschel Supply Co., Rove Hotels, The Medical City – Dubai , Filipino Institute UAE, MPQ Tourism, JAMES Travel and Tours Dubai, Off the Hook Seafood Restaurant, The Original Barrio Fiesta Restaurant – Dubai and Tapa King UAE.

Read more Illustrado 100 on www.illustradolife.com

Filipinos have always regarded education as one of the most important facets of life. Wherever they are in the world, they strive hard to learn more, to know more and to apply what they have learned – and in some instances, they make it a point also to help others learn more.

Ateneo Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (LSE) Program

A flagship Executive Education program of the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG), the Ateneo Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (LSE) is a non-profit six-month empowerment program that seeks to build the capabilities of Filipinos overseas to be change agents for their families, communities, and their home country.  This capacity-building initiative consists of 12 full-day sessions covering four sessions each for Leadership, Financial Literacy and Social Entrepreneurship facilitated by highly-qualified resource speakers from ASoG and the ALSE consortium. By the end of 2017, the program has seen over 1,993 graduates, from a total of eleven countries.

Led by highly committed volunteers, the 2017 local secretariat is spearheaded by Benjamin Datinguinoo, Paul Moralde, Manuel Canlas, and Jr. & Leopoldo Garcia. The group is guided by its core advisers Jasper Adviento, Gina Valbuena, Armand Fernandez and Marian Celeste Carella. The group is futher supported by the LSE Alumni Association, led by JR Papel, along with the Alumni Council.

“Volunteerism is undeniably far from easy, especially when the intention to leave our home country is to explore opportunities for a better future,” says Gina Valbuena. “When you volunteer, your actions become focused outside of yourself, reaching out to where there is a greater need to serve without the thought of receiving in return. Though often an option difficult to undertake, this is an advocacy that every member of the Ateneo LSE community shares.”

Jr Papel adds, “The best way to create the new breed of entrepreneurial Pinoys is to educate and sharpen their current skills, challenge the employee mindset and encourage them to become social entrepreneurs. This refining of capabilities will eventually prepare and sustain them for their return and reintegration.”

Kababayan NPO

A group of Filipino volunteers whose sole objective is to share their priceless time, skills, talents and professional expertise towards the betterment of kababayans in the UAE, Kababayan NPO (KNPO) has grown since its inception in 2015. The group which has trained some 5,000 graduates to date is composed of 60 volunteers coming from all walks of life. Lead by Elgene Bautista (President), Karen Bautista (Vice Pres), Jaymark Pangilinan (Audit), Jhoana gerologa(Finance), Charlene Josue & Micheal Pangilinan (Marketing), and Essa Puentespina (Deputy VP), KNPO’s majority is composed of trainers, as well as other volunteers working relentlessly to ensure a seamless operation.

“Education plays a vital role in our professional careers,” says KNPO President Elgene Bautista. “It helps open doors to better opportunities. With many Filipinos here in the UAE who would like to improve their skills but cannot afford the high cost of education, Kabayan NPO is here to help. KNPO exists for a goal, and that is to live up its mission statement: Advancing knowledge, transforming lives.”

KNPO’s work as organization is greatly validated when their students have excelled. Among their projects including the CCNA Boot camp for which a student garnered a perfect score of 1000/1000, twenty-two of its Massage Therapy students also took the TESDA NCII certification and brought home an unprecedented 100% passing score.

The Philippine Business School

Launched in June 2017, under the visionary leadership and advocacy of its Chairman, Lyndon Magsino, the Philippine Business School (PBS) has a mission to shape Filipinos to become global business leaders of tomorrow. The success of PBS can be measured not based on the number of programs they have rolled out but based on the number of successful Filipino business tycoons who are dominating the business world.

Lyndon has envisioned that through PBS, Filipinos can be effective CEOs, CFOs, and owners of big global conglomerates.

“Filipinos are under-recognized by most employers while being left behind in the business world,” says Lyndon. “Recognizing the limitless and great potential, PBS paves the way to equip the hands and educate the minds of Filipinos to become industry ready, field experts, and global business leaders, believing that there is great potential in every Filipino to keep the competitive spirit and excel in their careers.  When the time comes for them to make that daunting decision to either migrate to another country or come home to the Philippines for good, they have all the necessary learning and competencies to sustain a stable future not just for themselves but the nation as well.”

In its pursuit of excellence, PBS continues to collaborate with top tier institutions both internationally and in the Philippines such as the De La Salle University for its MBA programs. With barely a year in its operations from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, PBS remains positive that with perseverance, more and more Filipinos in the Gulf would recognize PBS as a premier and trustworthy institution.

“PBS will continue to share knowledge, and perhaps be an example to our fellow Filipinos in thinking and striving to go beyond the glass ceilings,” says Lyndon. “To strive to excel in everything that we do so that other nations will see us as a nation of brains;  where Filipinos are valued as influential in the workplace, in the Gulf and where success is not only possible but inevitable for everyone.”

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Photography by: Alex Callueng

Illustrado 100 was made possible by sponsors: Giordano, Liali Jewellery, Mitsubishi UAE- Al Habtoor Motors, Michael Cinco Couture, Mapúa Institute of Technology, Centro – Amwaj Rotana Hotel , Max’s Restaurant Middle East and GVER – Your Friendly MarketPlace for Sharing

Co-Sponsors: Herschel Supply Co., Rove Hotels, The Medical City – Dubai , Filipino Institute UAE, MPQ Tourism, JAMES Travel and Tours Dubai, Off the Hook Seafood Restaurant, The Original Barrio Fiesta Restaurant – Dubai and Tapa King UAE.

Read more Illustrado 100 on www.illustradolife.com

100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Dr. Michael Purugganan – Scientist.

A leading authority on plant molecular evolution and genomics, with over 130 research papers to his credit Dr. Michael Purugganan is a distinguished Biologist, who, through his undertakings has contributed a wealth of knowledge to the domain of Science. He reveals: “In my science, it is always part of our contribution to humanity’s knowledge.  But I am conscious that this is also part of the Philippine contribution to world knowledge.”

Born and raised in Metro Manila, Michael earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry at UP Diliman and pursued further studies finishing his Master’s in Chemistry from Columbia University in New York City, and his Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Georgia. He serves as the Silver Professor of Biology and Dean for Science at the esteemed New York University, USA, and is an affiliate professor here at NYU Abu Dhabi. He was also the director of the NYU New York Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (2010-2012) and the NYU Abu Dhabi Center for Genomics and Systems Biology (2012-2017).

In his laboratory at NYU Abu Dhabi, Michael leads a group of scientists who study the different date palm varieties, investigating their origin, evolution, and genetic makeup, hoping that they may encounter new ways to enhance date palm fruits. His work has earned him the Khalifa International Date Palm Award, bestowed on him by His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan in 2015.

Through his breakthroughs, Michael shares that if not for curiosity, hard work, and persistence, he would not be where he is today. He tells us: “What allowed me to achieve is not thinking I couldn’t do something – if I thought it was worth doing, I would go for it.  Also, not taking shortcuts and always doing more than what is necessary to get the work done.  Finally, always being focused on excellence and making sure our work is world-class.”

Michael has these wise words to share with fellow Filipinos: “To compete in the global arena, you have to be ready to compete against the best in the world.  And we Filipinos can do it, no matter what we do, if we put our minds to it and if we are never satisfied but always working to do better.”

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Photography by: Avery Raandall Cefre
Grooming: Rachel Clark

Illustrado 100 was made possible by sponsors: Giordano, Liali Jewellery, Mitsubishi UAE- Al Habtoor Motors, Michael Cinco Couture, Mapúa Institute of Technology, Centro – Amwaj Rotana Hotel , Max’s Restaurant Middle East and GVER – Your Friendly MarketPlace for Sharing

Co-Sponsors: Herschel Supply Co., Rove Hotels, The Medical City – Dubai , Filipino Institute UAE, MPQ Tourism, JAMES Travel and Tours Dubai, Off the Hook Seafood Restaurant, The Original Barrio Fiesta Restaurant – Dubai and Tapa King UAE. 

Read more Illustrado 100 on www.illustradolife.com

100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Illac Diaz – Social  Entrepreneur

‘There is no darkness so dense, so menacing, or so difficult that it cannot be overcome by light.” – Vern P. Stanfill

Illac Diaz, might as well be called ‘Ilaw (light) Diaz.’  His endeavors have illuminated hundreds of thousands of poor families’ homes across the globe, and have also enlightened and inspired a generation of eco-warriors hoping to change the world for the better.

Illac Diaz is the Founder and CEO of Liter of Light – a global grassroots movement committed to providing affordable and sustainable solar lights to people with limited or no access to electricity. Starting modestly in the Philippines under the MyShelter Foundation in 2011, the initiative has since benefitted over thirty countries, recruited 1400 participants, and brought light to poor communities with some 350,000 bottle lights.

Illac’s project won the Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZFEP) in 2015 at the first United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. He has also recently facilitated a world record ‘The Largest Environmental Sustainability Lesson’ with the support of the ZFEP, creating a solar portrait in celebration of the “Year of Zayed” with 1400 solar lanterns made through the efforts of 280 young students from around the UAE. A milestone he considers as a great honor.  At the moment, he is also preparing for the Dubai Expo2020 as one of the grant recipients whose work will be showcased at the landmark event.

A patriot with global aspirations for his country, Illac shares, “I would like to create a story of hope for the way young people see Filipinos; that as much as we receive so much charity and aid, we can also give solutions and contribute our share in making life on Earth better for people who need a helping hand.”

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Photography by: Alwee Villarosa

Illustrado 100 was made possible by sponsors: Giordano, Liali Jewellery, Mitsubishi UAE- Al Habtoor Motors, Michael Cinco Couture, Mapúa Institute of Technology, Centro – Amwaj Rotana Hotel , Max’s Restaurant Middle East and GVER – Your Friendly MarketPlace for Sharing

Co-Sponsors: Herschel Supply Co., Rove Hotels, The Medical City – Dubai , Filipino Institute UAE, MPQ Tourism, JAMES Travel and Tours Dubai, Off the Hook Seafood Restaurant, The Original Barrio Fiesta Restaurant – Dubai and Tapa King UAE.

Read more Illustrado 100 on www.illustradolife.com