JULY 2012
THE FIRST MAGAZINE IN THE REGION TO USE MOBILE TAGGING THE WIDEST CIRCULATED YOUTH AND COMMUNITY FOCUSED MAGAZINE IN THE UAE
ARE YOU READY? pg.12
WE LOVE UAE VIDEO COMPETITION
+ PLUS
REVIVING THEATRE PAUL D’ LIGHT AGAINST ALL ODDS DUBAI ABULHOUL
contents
ed’s note:
www.tempoplanet.com
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notes to the ed uspace what’s hot the bottom bottom line tech talk / game hedz tempo’s top 10 songs / on my ipod my style blueprint cover story: we love uae - video competition city bites time capsule youth talk people calendar reviving theatre paul d’ light the planetarians against all odds campus view doc in the house media tamakkan knowledge hub mini minx horoscope just a thought
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One of my personal highlights of 2011 came at the end of the year when we announced the winner of the ‘I Love UAE’ video competition as part of the nation’s 40th birthday celebrations. What started out as a germ of an idea snowballed into an outpouring of love and gratitude for our wonderful country, and anyone who saw the two-minute video submissions was suitably moved. One piece of feedback we received, particularly from students, was that more time was needed to prepare the submissions, so when we decided to launch the revised ‘We Love UAE’ competition this year, we took this on-board and have opened entries a month earlier. The UAE is a gracious and peaceful place for all of us to grow up in, and the ‘We Love UAE’ competition allows those with creative talent to express their appreciation in a meaningful way. We hope you embrace the positive spirit of the competition.
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Sana Bagersh Managing Editor bagersh@tempoplanet.com
MANAGING EDITOR Sana Bagersh SUPERVISING EDITOR Ian Mason FEATURES WRITER Alma Kadragic
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Angeli Castillo Shamma Al Suwaidi Ahmed Samir
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Sharon Carvalho
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Manar Al Hinai Azza El Masri Shahid Saeed
MARKETING COORDINATORS Manjul Abhishek Laskar Laipubam
Blakniss Alia Youssef Dr. DMS
MAGAZINE DESIGN Mark De Castro
Justin Thomas Rohith Bhat
DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Melaku Muluneh
Emma Kirkman Hana Makki
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ADDRESS To reach editorial at Abu Dhabi Tempo email: editorial@tempoplanet.com. If you need to find out where you can pick up your copy call: 02 491 8624/25 or check out the list of Tempo distribution points on our website. NOTE TO ADVERTISERS Advertisers can request brand tagging with all advertisements. To reach advertising call: 02 491 8624/25, fax: 02 491 8626 email: advertising@tempoplanet.com DISCLAIMER Tempo is a publication of BrandMoxie. Although Tempo Magazine does its best to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of its contents, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for errors, mistakes and inaccuracies. The publisher reserves the rights of this product and no part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the permission of the publisher. MEDIA LICENCE NO. 1/105866/24295
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NOTES TO THE ED
POST YOUR VIEWS AND COMMENTS ON OUR FACEBOOK AND TWITTER PAGES
Tweet: @abudhabitempo
Thank you so much Tempo! We love your magazine! Keep up the great work and writing :) - Dubomedy Arts
One of the reasons I love to read Tempo is because of the Top 10 and the bits here and there about food. Everything published in every issue of the magazine is very informative and helpful. You guys have it all covered! From people’s photography to latest travel destinations to the best places to eat to the latest on technology and gaming! This is quite hard to find in other magazines so keep up the good work.
YEMEN APPEAL The humanitarian crisis in Yemen has reached catastrophic levels. With half a million people displaced and much of the country in famine, Tempo shares the global concern about Yemen and sympathizes with the Yemeni people. We urge readers to donate food, clothing and other relief supplies at Red Crescent Authority collection points. There are over 200 locations and 10 RCA branches all over the UAE so please do your part and help as much as you can. For more information, visit www.rcuae.ae
- Mohammed Wolf Miraj
@AbuDhabiTempo, this is the perfect magazine for us youngsters! I love reading every bit of this magazine! Thank you so much! :) - Amal Naseem
I loved June’s issue! It was an eye opener to us all. Really hope I can make a change to this world and help people just like those mentioned in the magazine did! Cheers! - Areeba Ahmed
Hats off to all those volunteers who spend their time helping and bringing smiles to people’s faces! Great work Tempo! - Adiba Hasan
My all-time favorite part of this magazine is the ‘City Bites’ section! Being the foodie that I am, I eagerly wait every month just to know what’s new and hot when it comes to food! - Aamir Hashmi
RESULT OF LAST MONTH’S VOTE:
Tempo asked you, Which is your favourite charity in the June issue of Tempo?
50.0%
OPERATION SMILE
14.3%
ABU DHABI CAUSE CONNECT
14.3%
CLOWNS WHO CARE PROJECT
7.1%
BRAILLE BOOKS FOR THE BLIND
7.1%
ANIMAL ACTION
THIS MONTH’S QUESTION: What do you love most about the UAE? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Diversity of people Lifestyle Harmony Security Rich culture and heritage
TO VOTE GO TO tempoplanet.com
TO ADVERTISE IN THE WIDEST CIRCULATED YOUTH AND COMMUNITY FOCUSED MAGAZINE IN THE UAE, CALL: 02 491 8624
04 | www.tempoplanet.com
TALKING BOOKS
USPACE SUMMER BEAUTY TIPS
By Azza El Masri
By Alia Yousseff
Always wear sunscreen. This might seem pretty simple and easy to do, but lots of people forget. If you want to add a bit of a glow, I recommend using a tinted sunscreen. Drink PLENTY of water! I cannot emphasize how important water is especially since we become dehydrated very quickly and only drink when we’re thirsty. Carry a water bottle with you.
Summer is finally here and we all know what that means! Long lazy days at home and tanning on the beach all day long. We’re always exposed to the sun or trying to get the sun’s glow to shine on our bodies. Whether you’re staying in the UAE or travelling, here are some beauty and skincare tips to help you feel your best this summer:
SUMMER READS Summer has finally knocked on our doorstep, readers, and it feels good – what’s better than relaxing at the beach with a book in one hand and an ice cold beverage in the other? Here are two books that will surely make the cut.
Bronzer is your best friend. Ladies, even though we all want that sun-kissed California tan, sometimes it’s just easier to fake it with a good bronzer. My favorite is Sephora’s Sun Disk Bronzer in shade no 2. Use gold eye shadows in the corner of your eye. It brightens up your whole look and gives you a natural-looking tan as well.
The Jane Austen Marriage Manual Author: Kim Izzo
Put lots of moisturizers and body shimmer lotions on your arms and legs to give them a nice glow.
(St. Martin’s Griffin, 2012)
Finally, eat plenty of fruits! Summer time is the best for yummy fruits like oranges, berries and, of course, watermelon.
TEMPO MAGAZINE PRESENTS
DRAMA MOVES
During a recession, Kate loses her freelancing job, and has to cope with an ill grandmother and a financial crisis on the brink of her 40th birthday. She is left with nothing except a title gifted from her friends and a last assignment to test Jane Austen’s theory about finding the right husband. Her assignment takes her around the globe from Palm Beach to St Moritz and finally London in her search for Mr. Right. Secretly convinced that all she needed was Mr. Rich to relieve her problems, Kate encounters various men that put Mr. Darcy to shame. Extremely witty, this novel will keep you on your toes and you’ll find yourself asking the one question that matters: is Mr. Rich enough to replace Mr. Right?
A DRAMA WORKSHOP FOR THE COMMUNITY By Maggie Hannan, founder and Artistic Director of Resuscitation Theatre in Abu Dhabi
Tempo has teamed up with Resuscitation Theatre to bring you this exciting workshop. We all know that drama builds self-confidence, develops self-discipline, enhances concentration and improves the ability to communicate ideas. But did you also know that it also teaches humility and offers many opportunities to learn about human behaviour and reflect upon and evaluate achievement.
THE WORKSHOP INCLUDES:
Participants will be encouraged to find abilities and qualities they never knew they had!
• • • •
DATE: Sunday 15 July 2012 TIME: 7.00 – 8.30pm LOCATION: Innovation@Work, Abu Dhabi COST: AED 150
Theatre games Improvisation Working with text An opportunity to create original work
For more details and bookings, call Sharon on 02 491 8625 or email: sharon@tempoplanet.com Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment!
Cinder Author: Marissa Meyer (Macmillan Publishers, 2012)
The tale of Cinderella has been told so many times in so many ways, but trust me when I say you haven’t seen Cinderella like this. Imagine a futuristic dystopian Beijing where androids and humans live together. Mix in a deadly plague to spice things up, magic-wielding aliens preparing to invade the Earth, a cyborg mechanic with an evil stepmother and two sisters that have the ability to rescue them all. And to save the best for last, sprinkle a little romance with the heir of the Empire, Prince Kai, and you’ve got Cinder. Fast-paced, full of twists that will shock you, a prince guaranteed to make you swoon and an ending that’ll make you ache, Marissa Meyer succeeds in bringing true science fiction back into the young adult world with Cinder, the first of the Lunar Chronicles.
www.tempoplanet.com | 05
WHAT’S HOT WH
KIDS’ THEATRE WORKS! July 1 – September 6 DUCTAC Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
RAMADAN AND EID FESTIVAL 2012 July 19 – August 19 ADNEC, Abu Dhabi
If your child longs to be on the stage, the ideal place to start is at Kids’ Theatre Works! They are offering fun and inspiring creative drama classes for kids aged 3-18 these school holidays, covering all aspects of performing arts including acting, singing and dancing. At the end, your children will come away with a growing sense of self-belief, achievement and awareness of their creative abilities.
Combining a consumer show with a traditional celebration, the Ramadan and Eid Festival 2012 showcases family-friendly consumer goods, unique gift items, Arabic food and games, and features local song and dance festivities to create an ambiance of togetherness during the month of Ramadan.
Kids‘ Theatre Works! is located at DUCTAC at Mall of Emirates in Dubai from Sunday July 1 to Thursday September 6 2012. For further information call 04 341 4777 ext 234 or visit http://kidstheatreworks.com
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The Ramadan and Eid Festival 2012 is a month-long event from July 19 to August 19. The Festival hours will coincide with Ramadan timings from 8.00 pm – 3.00 am and during Eid from 4.00 pm – 12.00 am. For further information, visit http://abudhabievents.ae and click on My Events.
CATS THE MUSICAL July 10 -14, DUCTAC Mall of the Emirates, Dubai In 2010, it was ‘Hairspray’. Last year, it was ‘West Side Story’. This year, the Spotlight Academy’s production of the multi-award winning masterpiece ‘CATS’ is sure to be summer’s mustsee event in Dubai. Based on T.S. Eliot’s ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’, this enduring musical takes place in a magical junkyard where the local cats are auditioning to be chosen by their leader, Old Deuteronomy, to journey to the Heavyside layer to be re-born. The tunes of Andrew Lloyd Webber are worth the price of admission alone! Performances every night at 8pm from July 10 to 14 at DUCTAC at Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Visit www.ductac.org for booking information.
TO ADVERTISE IN THE WIDEST CIRCULATED YOUTH AND COMMUNITY FOCUSED MAGAZINE IN THE UAE, CALL: 02 491 8624
HAT’S HOT SHEILA AND ABAYA FASHION SHOW July 11 – 14 The Dubai Mall
MUBADALA RAMADAN FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT July 29 – August 7 ADNEC, Abu Dhabi
The Fashion Catwalk at The Dubai Mall is hosting the Sheila and Abaya Fashion Show from July 11 to 14.
Mubadala is encouraging kids to get active with the first edition of its ‘Fit for the Future Ramadan Football Challenge’ to be held in a special stateof-the-art indoor arena at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi.
This unique Dubai Summer Surprise signature event will present three different 20-minute fashions shows at 6.30pm, 7.30pm and 9pm. The first show will be dedicated to retailers, the second to aspiring designers, and the third to established designers. For more information, phone 800-DUBAI-MALL (800 38224 6255)
The tournament will provide a platform for young players to stay fit, get involved in the community and learn new football skills. The tournament runs from 29 July to 7 August. For more information, visit www.adnec.ae
SEEKING
SPONTANEOUS ACTORS AND STORY-TELLERS
THE DREAM PLAYERS LAUNCHES THE SPONTANEOUS MOVIE: THE SPOVIES This is an experiment in creative story telling. We invite audacious story tellers, intrepid performers and adventurous actors to join us in a unique and inspiring project. Send in a short paragraph about yourself and what makes you special, along with a high-quality photograph of yourself, and we will select the participants who will take part in this unique experimental artistic work. The work will be produced over a few days. We will contact you with further details including schedules. The work is unpaid; however all credits will be given along with coverage in YouTube, Tempo and other media. Email your profile and photo to contact@thedreamplayers.com before 19 July 2012, or contact us with any queries.
THE BOTTOM BOTTOM LINE MODHESH BECKONS Dubai Summer Surprises is in full swing, and so is advertising for the festival. Concierge was amused to hear the radio ads talk about ‘Modhesh”… with “Modhesh” pronounced as “mode –ish.” But talk to any Arabic speaker and you’ll know that “Modhesh” is pronounced in two distinct syllables: “mood” (rhymes with ‘good’) and then “hesh” (which starts with a very strong ‘h’ sound). EMIRATI CULTURE ON SHOW If you are partaking in the DSS celebrations, a colourful event you can check out is the Min Blad Al Emirat event at The Dubai Mall. It offers visitors a glimpse of Emirati culture and lifestyle from the past and includes traditional craftsmen, a heritage oasis and a hospitality tent. Forget retail therapy and embrace cultural enlightenment. PUTTING ON THE RITZ Heard a whisper that the new RitzCarlton hotel on the Abu Dhabi island side of Bab Al Bahr will be opening on September 1. Not sure how accurate that is, given extended works times, but certainly one to watch out for. A hotel, or rather a resort, that is definitely open for business is the new Anantara Eastern Mangroves on Salam Street. We can only see the front side, but Concierge understands the mangrove views are quite delightful. Can’t wait to visit! HEAT BREAK Concierge applauds the government’s summer midday work ban to protect the rights of outdoor workers. The rest is up to us in the form of community compassion. It’s still hard to watch street cleaners at 11.30am, dressed in heavy costumes, soaking wet and looking like they’re on the verge of passing out. How about companies doing the right thing and deterring activities such as street cleaning to late evening? GATORADE VS WATER While on the topic of summer, how about the debate on water versus electrolytic juices? That’s one discussion that rages in every household with Gatorade-guzzling teenagers! There’s a lot to be said for both perspectives, but the BBL is that heat can kill, so hydrate any way you can (and for a more learned angle on this topic check out Doc in this issue). So drink up, cool off and enjoy the pleasant indoors…
The Concierge
Send me your rants, raves, gripes and grumbles: concierge@tempoplanet.com
TO ADVERTISE IN THE WIDEST CIRCULATED YOUTH AND COMMUNITY FOCUSED MAGAZINE IN THE UAE, CALL: 02 491 8624
www.tempoplanet.com | 07
tech talk
Follow me on @shahidaasi
Shahid Saeed | Talker for the Non-Techies
NEWS & GOSSIP SAMSUNG GALAXY S III Samsung’s latest phone has just come out and, with Android 4.0 and a better camera included, it is more powerful than ever. The Galaxy S III has a 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED screen (1280X720 pixels) which makes the device universally appealing. It features Android 4.0 ICS with TouchWiz making the phone navigable and easy to use. The most impressive feature is the 1.4GHz Samsung Exynos 4 quad-core processor which means it very fast. Something new for Samsung is a 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, an 8-megapixel camera which can shoot 1080p HD video and a 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera which supports shooting 720p HD video. Equipped with a micro SD card slot and the famous large 2100mAH battery which gives it almost 10 hours for playing video and voice usage, I think this latest model is a worthy and welcome upgrade from the Galaxy S II in every way.
SAMSUNG TABLET XE700T1A Samsung Series 7 Slate PC combines the portability of a tablet with the power of a laptop and should attract business users who are constantly on the go. The Series 7 weighs about 1.8 pounds with a 11.6-inch 1366 x 768 HD LED Backlit Display. For the geeks, it is equipped with a 1.6 GHz Intel Core i5 processor, a 4 GB RAM, 128GB SSD (solid state drive), Touch Input, Pen Input, Keyboard, microSD card slot, USB 2.0 port, mini HDMI port and a 3-megapixel rear-facing and 2-megapixel frontfacing camera. The slate runs on a 64-bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium and has more than 5 hours of battery life. It is the best choice for business users and professionals, and is available on sale at Carrefour UAE for AED 4,999 compared to the original price of AED 5,299.
New In-Game Social Network Nintendo recently showed off Miiverse, a new In-Game Social Network that lets you communicate with other players in real-time using a Wii U Game Pad. In addition to real-time communication, Miiverse will also allow for in-game posting so you can leave messages and tips for friends who might play a game later. A spoiler checkbox in the messaging system can help prevent you from finding out more than you want to know about a game you play. Both the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS will support Miiverse. Turn Any Surface into Touchscreen Startup Ayotle and agency Digitas want to turn everything — even a piece of paper — into an interactive surface. The two companies have partnered to develop AnyTouch, a prototype that transforms objects into touchscreens with special software, a 3D camera and sensors. AnyTouch’s concept resembles other surface computing products such as the 40-inch Microsoft Surface 2.0 and the Draqie interactive table which has a touchscreen with a menu on it.
game hedz Blakniss | Original game head from Atari to XBox! Halo 4 - Who hasn’t been biting their nails waiting for the next Halo installment? Master Chief is back in a Covenant-less universe at peace with itself but not for long. A new enemy has arisen on the planet Requiem, and the Master Chief is adrift on a shipwreck headed for the planet. Serious butt kicking will ensue. The game promises split-screen and co-operative gameplay, new weapons, upgrades, vehicles and all the various goodies. »» Release November 6 2012 Xbox 360 HIGHLIGHTS OF E3 2012 The year’s most important gaming event, Electronic Entertainment Expo or E3, revealed some juicy gaming gems to look forward to later this year and next year. Here are some highlights and a little extra tidbit on a wonderful iOS/PC/Mac game you’ll absolutely adore. E3 The Last of Us - A Sony Playstation exclusive, this dark TPS from the makers of Uncharted made waves at the conference with gritty characters, fluid gameplay, detailed environments and an engaging storyline. It’s 20 years after a zombie apocalypse and you play a grizzled Joel accompanied by a young Ellie fighting your way across a country reclaimed by nature and riddled with Zombies, bandits and the remains of better years. This is at the top of our ‘to get’ list. Check out the gameplay and cinematic trailer footage on the gamehedz blog or Facebook page. »» Release 2013 PS3
08 | www.tempoplanet.com
Gears of War Judgment - We just wanna say WE CALLED IT! Search the gamehedz blog and see that we predicted the next Gears game would feature Cole Train and Damon Baird. Aww yisssss! Not much on the story is known, but it’s a prequel to the Gear series though, still after E-Day. It’s scheduled for release later this year. A new multiplayer is also due out in a year or so. Called OverRun, this is a project from the makers of Bulletstorm but will fit right into the Gears universe. Otherwise, we can’t wait to be chainsawing locusts yet again! »» Release 2012 Xbox 360 South Park:The Stick of Truth - The appearance of South Park creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker was the highlight of the Microsoft press conference. They introduced this RPG which is a rollicking ride through the SP universe in a Lord of the Rings-like quest, where you are the chosen new kid - the only one who can save the world. This will no doubt be a raucous, profanity-laced journey of hilarity. »» Release March 5 2013 PS3, Xbox 360, PC
iOS joint Machinarium I found this little gem on the recommendation of an acquaintance and couldn’t put it down. Made by Czech studio Animita Design, Machinarium is their first full-length puzzle game and it’s a revelation. Whimsical art direction, charming characters and challenging puzzles keep you going. Set in a robot city, you play a kind-hearted little mechanoid on a mission to save his city and true love. Get it, get it, get it. »» iOS, PC, Mac
MY FAV APP Songify Turn Speech into Music: Songify turns speech into music automatically. Just speak into your Android, iPhone and iPad devices, and Songify will magically turn your speech into a song. It is very simple to use the app - record your speech, choose a track (there are many tracks available) and the app will songify it for you.You can also share the music on social media by email or text. It’s just fun and a great app!
by Jaide Bustamante
1 We Are Young by Fun ft. Janelle Monae 2 Payphone by Maroon 5 ft. Wiz Khalifa 3 Chasing The Sun by The Wanted
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye ft. Kimbra Payphone by Maroon 5 ft. Wiz Khalifa Wide Awake by Katy Perry We Are Young by Fun ft. Janelle Monae What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction Starships by Nicki Minaj Where Have You Been by Rihanna Wild Ones by Flo Rida ft. Sia Boyfriend by Justin Bieber
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Call My Name by Cheryl Whistle by Flo Rida Sing by Gary Barlow and the Commonwealth Band Princess of China by Coldplay and Rihanna Feel The Love by Rudimental ft. John Newman We Are Young by Fun ft. Janelle Monae The Power by DJ Fresh ft. Dizzie Rascal Scream by Usher Payphone by Precision Tunes Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
4 Drive By by Train 5 Glad You Came by The Wanted 6 Wide Awake by Katy Perry 7 Boyfriend by Justin Bieber 8 Where Have You Been by Rihanna
Mohamed Ali Chaouch, a 25 year old Banquet Sales Coordinator, likes music that isn’t commercial; music that relates to who you are and not just four sentences repeated over a looped beat. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Body In A Box by City and Colour Breath Of Life by Florence and the Machine Blackbird by Alter Bridge Your Body Is A Wonderland by John Mayer Profane by Dhafer Youssef Eden by Tesseract Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson Hope Leaves by Opeth Sama Cordoba by Le Trio Joubran Shiver by Vildhjarta
9 Whistle by Flo Rida 10 Can’t Say No by Conor Maynard
View the #1 song in the UAE
www.tempoplanet.com | 09
YVONNE HADDAD A 25 year old Marketing Executive at Abu Dhabi Media believes that style is made by our distinctive characteristics and is, therefore, deeply individualistic and unique. Photo credits: Angeli Castillo
FASHION STATEMENT:
ABU DHABI STYLE
Some people living here do not try to get out there with their fashion but some have the guts to stick to their style. I think that fashionistas need to push their way through to fight for their own unique style.
EXTREMELY COLOURFUL, FUNKY, VIBRANT, UNIQUE, COMFORTABLE AND ALIVE! FAVE BUY OF THE PAST MONTH:
SUPER DUPER RAINBOW COLOURED FEATHER EARRINGS FROM ALDO. FASHION PET HATES FAVE STORES IN ABU DHABI:
My favorites stores are Bershka and Adidas. I usually shop at Bershka, Adidas, Zara, Aldo, Desigual and H&M. 10 | www.tempoplanet.com
I might dislike a few, but that’s just my opinion. I demand my own unique style be accepted and appreciated so I pay the same respect to others too and avoid disliking their choices.
cover story By Sharon Carvalho
CALLING CREATIVE TALENTS!
“WE LOVE UAE” VIDEO COMPETITION OPENS One of the creative success stories of 2011 was the ‘I Love UAE’ video competition as part of the nation’s 40th birthday celebrations.
Last year’s “I Love UAE” video competition finale
Tempo challenged amateur filmmakers to create a two-minute video about their UAE inspirations, and the entries flooded in. In fact, it was so successful we’ve decided to do it again in 2012 and call it ‘We Love UAE’. In this special feature, Tempo reviews last year’s highlights, asks a local filmmaker for her tips and gets an industry insider’s perspective on the importance of the competition.
Hana Makki speaking at the finale
Simon Hunter presenting Alina Mustafina with her award
NOTE FROM THE MANAGING EDITOR “WE’RE HAPPY TO BE RUNNING THIS COMPETITION FOR A SECOND TIME AND HOPE THAT THIS YEAR IS BIGGER AND BETTER. THE COMPETITION PROVIDES A CREATIVE OUTLET FOR THE COMMUNITY AND OFFERS US THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS OUR VOICES IN APPRECIATION OF THIS GRACIOUS LAND.” 12 | www.tempoplanet.com
- SANA BAGERSH
2011 HIGHLIGHTS Last year's judging panel commented on the high standard of the entries, and the whole competition garnered amazing coverage on Abu Dhabi TV, Dubai One and print and online media. To support the entrants, Tempo conducted a prize giving ceremony and hosted a roundtable debate about the film industry in the UAE and the opportunities and challenges faced by emerging film makers. Panelists and judges came from New York Film Academy, Image Nation, Abu Dhabi Media Company, British School Al Khubairat, Zayed University and the American Community School. In particular, the competition attracted considerable interest from young people who took up the artistic challenge and produced some beautiful videos, including Shabari Shankar from the Abu Dhabi Indian School who won the ‘Me and My School Category’. Last year’s winner of the main ‘Me’ category, Alina Mustafina, told Tempo in June about the life-changing impact of the competition for her. “I would like to thank the ‘I Love UAE’ video competition team for changing my life in a positive and creative direction. With you and the education I received at the New York Film Academy, I realized that we should all follow our dreams no matter what people say or what you are afraid of. I believe that we should just give it our all, otherwise we will always regret it.”
JUDGES’ VIEW Jesse Remington said he was honored to be one of the selected panelists and judge for last year’s ‘I Love UAE’ video competition. “Tempo has provided a wonderful opportunity for young people around the Emirates to show off their creative talents through video. Opportunities like this allow young people to express themselves in a positive manner and allow them to be engaged and have a voice in our society.The first year did not let anyone down with the number and quality of videos that were submitted for judging.This year we hope even more videos are submitted, and we are looking forward to seeing how creative kids can be and what their vision of the UAE is.” Local filmmaker Hana Makki, another of last year’s judges, said she was so proud to be part of the ‘I Love UAE’ video competition in 2011. “The best thing for me was the diversity. Everyone interpreted the theme so differently. I still remember runner-up Saadiq’s short documentary. It really stayed with me as did runner-up Billy Stuart’s “Amazing Flags” video. I’m wondering how people will interpret the theme this year.”
INDUSTRY INSIGHT Michelle Nickelson, co-founder of Women in Film and Television UAE and a Hollywood producer, watched the final submissions for last year’s ‘I Love UAE’ competition. “There were some great entries and Alina Mustafina ended up winning the prize of a filmmaking course at NYFA in Abu Dhabi. I recently read in Tempo magazine that her winning and subsequently getting involved in the NYFA class had a profound change on her life. She ended up changing her major to get her Masters degree in filmmaking. Winning this contest gave her the courage to make a decision to follow her dream of being a filmmaker.” “I believe that this is the best example of how important filmmaking contests are. It is an opportunity for people to put their projects out there, to get the concept from being an idea, to something that people can see, and hopefully touches them. Winning is not as important as taking that first step to put your ideas down.”
“Tempo is now launching its ‘We Love UAE’ contest and has opened a call for entries. If you feel that you have something that ‘has the right stuff ’ I would encourage you to participate,” says Michelle. “Working with Women in Film and Television UAE, I get the opportunity to meet lots of fledgling local filmmakers. Many times the issue with people who are considering getting into a creative field like filmmaking is the fear of public failure. What happens if “no one likes my film?” The answer is to keep trying and make more films. Experience is an amazing teacher. Sometimes the important thing is not that you learn what to do, it’s that you learn what not to do.” “Nothing works like taking that first step. It’s usually the hardest one, but it is a step than can change your direction in life, or at the very least, give you the opportunity to express yourself creatively. I am looking forward to seeing this year’s group of entries and good luck to all the future filmmakers participating in the ‘We Love UAE’ video competition.”
EXPERT TIPS Hana Makki has extensive experience in producing and directing short films and documentaries in the UAE. She offers her top 10 filmmaking tips for this year’s entrants: 1.Think AUDIO and VISUAL! Try to put across your message or story by being creative with what you HEAR and what you SEE. 2. Be HONEST to yourself. The best filmmaking arises out of the soul of the person making it. Don’t copy anyone else - do what YOU think is good, interesting, funny, meaningful. 3. Filmmaking is TEAM work. Don’t be afraid to get people involved. Be good to each other and do your very best to help your team mates. 4. Create a SHOT LIST. Think of everything that could work in your edit and plan a great shot list. Think in terms of themes for what should go in your shot list. Remember, you tell your story visually. 5. SCHEDULE your shoot. Do you have different locations to shoot in? Schedule it. Make sure you get all the shots you want from one location before going to the next. 6. DAY/NIGHT SHOTS? If you are shooting outside in the day, remember the sunlight and shadows are at their most beautiful just after sunrise and just before sunset. If you’re shooting at night, do a test. How dark does it look on camera? 7. EDIT. This takes longer than any filming or planning. Leave plenty of time for your edit - this is where the real storytelling happens. 8. SOUND. Make sure your sound sounds okay! Do a test beforehand. There is nothing more annoying then listening to someone speak with noisy cars in the background. Make sure you record the sounds you want in quiet areas. 9. FRAME. Pay attention to the composition of the picture you create in the viewfinder of your camera - is it beautiful? Would it be better to use a tripod? Take your time to make sure each shot is as great as it can be. 10. WORK HARD! Don’t cut corners. The more you put into a film, the more excellent your end result will be. Remember, you want to be proud to show it to an audience.
WE LOVE UAE VIDEO COMPETITION
HOW TO ENTER
Simply film an original video no longer than two minutes in length that expresses what you love most about the UAE. Submissions close 1 October 2012 at 5pm. Email your submission to sharon@tempoplanet.com including a brief note with your name, age, nationality and contact details. To view last years’ entries, go to www.tempoplanet.com
www.tempoplanet.com | 13
city bites
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT FOOD
RAMADAN FEASTING
By Justin Thomas
Ramadan is of course a time for fasting, but much feasting also takes place with the setting of the sun. My recollections of Ramadan dining are always special, and in preparation for this year, I will share my reflections on one of Abu Dhabi’s great Iftar restaurants. Families, extended families and friends gathered to break fast. Despite the restaurant being over-full, there was no animosity, no snarling, and no berating of table staff. A genuine, if rather ineffable, sense of community hung in the air. Fasting had not only reawakened people’s gastronomic appreciation, but at some level it had also heightened their appreciation of our shared humanity. There is an Arabic proverb that goes something like “the cure for toothache is to set fire to the house”. The idea being, big problems distract us from relatively trivial issues, thereby affecting a cure. In some subtle way I think fasting achieves However the idea of an all-you-can-eatthe same end. It’s harder to be overly buffet does have its disadvantages. For upset about trivial things or one, it seems to encourage dissatisfied with ones’ lot in over-consumption, even Ramadan life when you’re weak from gluttony. For some people should never hunger and thirst. the ‘all-you-can-eat’ prefix
be a time when
is taken as a statement of Last year my Iftar venue both waist and challenge. Plates are heaped was Sadaf on Muroor Road, waste increase and re-heaped with gravityAbu Dhabi, a restaurant defying mounds of meat as that I hope to visit this well-fleshed diners the limits coming Ramadan. Sadaf, I’m told, is an of test their stomachs. Arabic word for ‘pearl’. They offer an extensive Arabic menu featuring some of my favorites such as chello kebab and the princess of all desserts, Falooda Shirazi, a kind of ice cream but so much more. I’m no expert on Arabic cuisine but for me, Sadaf offer an exotic array of palette pleasers and I’m a huge fan of pomegranate which features as an ingredient in every other dish. Along with being fairly affordable, Sadaf is also a buffet specialist – throughout the year, they operate an all-you-can-eat spread. A la carte is still an option, but not one that I imagine is exercised much during Ramadan.
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The real issue for me at this particular Ramadan Iftar was not how much food people ate, but rather how much food people wasted. One table of six diners left behind enough food to comfortably feed a party of 20. This was sadly not the exception, but rather the rule. There is a well-known and often repeated verse from the Quran pertaining to dining: “Eat and drink but waste not by excess”. It’s wisdom worth remembering as the holy month approaches. Ramadan should never be a time when both waist and waste increase.
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Motto:
LIVE EVERYDAY AS IF IT WERE YOUR LAST Your most valued possession: My High School Yearbook One thing you cannot live without: Music The person who inspires you the most: My beautiful mother What car would like to own? A black Range Rover Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Running my own family business and having my family and the people I love around me at the end of the day What item do you keep buying even though you have plenty? PERFUME! Who in your life deserves a big old thank you? My wonderful parents for supporting me and what I love for all these years and Ellen DeGeneres for bringing laughter into my life and teaching us all to be kind to one another Have you found your purpose yet? I feel that I am on the right path, but it might take a while before it is fully defined.
Name:
R SAHA SHWA ALHA Age: 21 ent n: Stud Professio Palestinian lity: Nationa
What was the most recent movie that made you cry? The Vow If today is the last day, where would you rush to? Las Vegas
the jungle while dangling from a wire up to 50 meters high from the jungle floor. An EPIC experience!
What is your idea of a perfect weekend? Bonfire on the beach, good music, good company, good atmosphere
What is your earliest memory? Dancing on tables, dance floors and stages at every birthday party or wedding or gathering when I was 3 years old.
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be? My home, Palestine
If your life was a book, what would it be called? Ups and Downs, Smiles and Frowns If you wanted to look absolutely great, how would you dress? Black cocktail dress, gold accessories and red heels What’s your current Last Song Syndrome? Blackened - Metallica If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose? Friends
If you could have witnessed one event in history, what would it be? Led Zeppelin performing live at Royal Albert Hall in 1970 If you could select one person from history and ask them a question, whom would you select and what question would you ask? Dr. Martin Luther King and ask him “Why weren’t you wearing a bulletproof vest?” What was the best thing before sliced bread? Mama’s Fatteh & Molokhia What is your favourite dessert? Raspberry Cheesecake
What is the craziest thing you have ever done? Flying Fox in Phuket, Thailand. Basically a tree top adventure on a flying fox across
Photo credits: Angeli Castillo
www.tempoplanet.com | 15
youth talk SUMMER’S HERE:
BOYS IN BLACK
By Shamma Al Suwaidi
By Ahmed Samir
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?
When I hear the word ‘summer’ the only thing that comes to mind is the vacation, the getaway, the peace of mind and the serenity that comes with it. A break from life in Abu Dhabi doesn’t seem like the perfect getaway, with the sun shining at its brightest and the heat draining us at the speed of light. I picture it on the shores of an island in the Seychelles, listening to the sound of the waves as they hit the beach, surrounded by every colour you can imagine, with the taste of harmony on my lips, nothing occupying my thoughts and no one to answer to or worry about. Bliss! Summer means so many things to different people. It can be a word that reminds you of the weather or a past memory. It can be tied to a future dream. It can fill you with the dread of facing the coming days or maybe an excitement to discover what you’re ignorant of. It can mean spending more time with family members who haven’t seen so much of you lately, or it can mean extra work to achieve a certain goal. To some it can mean absolutely nothing. Summer to me means so much more than a plane ticket out of the UAE. It means letting go of all the negativity that I’ve kept in and basking in a bath of positivity. It means giving myself the time to look back on the past seasons, stripping the lessons learnt and placing them on a pedestal. It means giving myself the attention and love I’ve been deprived of due to busy schedules and deadlines and waking up to a morning of nothingness with countless hours ahead of me to do as I please. Stepping outside after being indoors for so long is, literally, a breath of fresh air. What does summer mean to you? What pictures do you draw in your mind? Let the rays of the sun fill your life with all that’s beautiful this summer. Do something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t done yet. Make that change you’ve found so hard to adapt to or accept. Take that trip you deserve but never found the time to fit into your schedule. Picture it. Embrace it. Let it flow through you. Just do it!
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HOW I BECAME AN OLD ONE Throughout my school life, I was treated to two recurring sights. The first was in the schoolyard. At the start and end of every school day, and during recess, I would see them – The Old Ones, the seniors who to someone out of their social clique seemed an embodiment of all mystery and enigma. Probably the most prominent of their features was their height. They were so tall! Well, at least, taller than me. And their studies, I surmised, must have the same calibre of difficulty as rocket science and theoretical physics! I looked up to The Old Ones, metaphorically but also quite literally.
Probably the most prominent of their features was their height. They were so tall! Well, at least, taller than me.
The second occurred towards the end of every school year. For a day, The Old Ones, the graduating class, would be adorned in smiles (doubtless an offshoot of the completion of secondary education) and, more importantly, formal clothing. The boys wore black suits on the day of their graduation ceremony so in my head they were designated as the Boys in Black. A few days ago, I had a run-in with an unyielding reality, a realization that was like a brick to the face: I am an Old One now. This realization completely hit home when again something wholly unexpected happened - I joined in the long tradition of abandoning the school uniform, replacing it with a suit I rarely ever wear, and became one of the Boys in Black. It was more a stark, screaming shock than anything else. The reality of it had eluded me for the longest time. I don’t know what other graduates feel, but what I felt most was shock. And awe. And shock again, with a bit more awe, served with a side of incredulity, and a final sprinkling of disbelief – a job well done, and a shock well delivered. Reality has a way of shocking you and when it does, it does it well.Very well.
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JULY
tempo’s people calendar
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Kids’ Theatre Works! Summer Drama Camps 1 July- 6 September
Kids Fashion Week @ Deira City Centre 8-14 July
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World of Puppets @ Mirdif City Centre 6-14 July
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30 Mubadala Ramadan Football Tournament @ ADNEC 29 July- 7 August
Made in Tashkeel @ Nad Al Sheba, Dubai till 30 August
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10 Cats the Musical @ DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates 10-14 July
17 Summer Salon , Dubai @ Art Centre, JBR
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31 Ajivasan Bollywood singing summer course 1-31 July
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Abu Dhabi Tourism Youth Summer Camp @ The Westin Golf Resort & Spa 1-19 July
s iend of Fr City bai Mall u @D
15 Summer Sports Majlis @ DICEC till 15 July
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29 Ramadan and Eid Festival @ ADNEC, Abu Dhabi 19 July till 19 August
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Brigett Velarde
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Ice Age @ Modhesh World, Dubai
Sheila and Abaya Fashion Show @ The Dubai Mall 11-14 July
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12th Asia Pacific Conference on Giftedness @ DICEC 14-18 July
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my july eco pledge
Jovit Baldivino Live in Concert @ Al Nasr Leisureland, Dubai
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Liwa Date Festival @ Western Region, Abu Dhabi 12-18 July
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Coffee Mornings @ Café Arabia, Abu Dhabi
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Teletubbies Show @ Dubai World Trade Centre 5-14 July
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Ramad a to all o n Kareem ur rea ders!
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Mind Pleasure Seminars @ Dubai World Trade Centre 15 June- 13 July
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my july to do list
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Arjun Suria
d Hamley’s Summer Islan @ Dubai Mall
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The Green Community Family Day Out @ The Green Community, Dubai
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Abu Dhabi Sports Festival @ ADNEC Abu Dhabi
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Maggie (front left) and her crew
The Rivals was a hit at the Abu Dhabi Festival
REVIVING THEATRE ART
GIVING NEW LIFE TO PERFORMING ARTS
By Sharon Carvalho
Maggie Hannan lives and breathes theatre. Growing up with a grandmother who was a Shakespearean actress, a mother who was an opera singer and other family involved in the arts, she was destined for a career on stage. “I did some fringe work and then danced in the big shows in Las Vegas. I also did a Broadway national tour of A Chorus Line. Later I produced and choreographed my own cabaret show which I took to the Middle East in 1981.” “When the legs stopped kicking, I turned to teaching and directing and became Director of Drama and Dance in a variety of schools in the UK. I originally founded Resuscitation Theatre in the UK and brought it with me when I accompanied my husband to Abu Dhabi.” SETTING THE STAGE The formative years for Resuscitation Theatre in the UAE were particularly challenging, but things are slowly changing. “The theatre scene in Abu Dhabi is in its infancy. There is good support for the film industry, but theatre is not widely performed or, I think, valued. Resuscitation Theatre has produced four plays in Abu Dhabi and all were sold out.” “We were especially grateful to the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation for including us in this year’s Abu Dhabi Festival where we performed The Rivals in a tent on the Corniche. This gave theatre high visibility and earned a new respect for the art form.” FINDING THE CAST Maggie realizes there are cultural taboos to overcome, especially amongst Emiratis and some Asian groups, and has begun adapting classic
Resuscitation Theatre performing The Rivals
western texts for the local market through costume, language and gesture. “Many families object to their offspring performing, so we are trying to educate and change mind-sets with our new initiative of Anglo-Arab plays. This shows there not such a big difference between the cultures and perhaps if more people see the plays, they may be more willing to let their family members get involved. The company is quite culturally diverse, so it reflects the international tapestry of Abu Dhabi.” Resuscitation Theatre will start a full programme of drama classes for adults and children later this year in its own studio. “The youngest will be introduced to the basics through the course ‘Let’s Make a Play’, mid-age children will learn to work with text and there will also be a teenage performance group. A very exciting initiative will be ‘Under Wraps’, an allfemale group that can explore drama in a private, comfortable ladies-only environment.” INVOLVING THE AUDIENCE For Maggie, drama is a practical artistic subject which involves the whole person intellectually, physically, emotionally and spiritually. “It is unique among the arts because it involves the creation of imagined characters and situations which are enacted within a designated space. As an art form, theatre is immediate; the audience is right there with the actors, on the journey with them.
Theatre requires a communication between the actors and the audience. There is an emotional exchange, and sometimes it’s hard for an audience to make that commitment.” THE NEXT PRODUCTION As always, Maggie is dreaming big and has firm ideas for the future of theatre in the UAE. “I would like to have a troupe of professional actors who are paid so that we can rehearse eight hours a day for three or four weeks, take a show around the Emirates and elsewhere, have two weeks off and then start the process again. We could create four or five works a year that way.” “However, a sustainable professional theatre needs proper funding and the recognition of the value of theatre. It requires the understanding that acting is a job, just like any other, so that actors are paid, have health insurance and so forth.”
GET INVOLVED! Tempo is hosting a drama workshop with Maggie Hannan on Sunday 15 July from 7– 8.30pm in Abu Dhabi. For details, see page 5. To find out about Resuscitation Theatre’s drama classes and upcoming productions, visit www.resuscitationtheatre.com www.tempoplanet.com | 19
PAUL D’ LIGHT ART
RAPPIN’ WITH AN AWARD-WINNING POET Watch Paul D performing ‘Colour Me Lovely’
By Sharon Carvalho
There are two sides to Dorian Paul Rogers. By day, he is an English teacher in Abu Dhabi; at most other times, he morphs into award-winning poet Paul D. Born in 1982, Dorian has always had a way with words, and his earliest memories are of growing up in the USA during the hip-hop era of the mid1980s. “My only talent was that I remembered raps, so I’d be up there, rapping the latest songs while my dad pretended to be the DJ. Rap was cool and I always loved music but it didn’t provide the respite I needed.” “It wasn’t until I joined Florida State University and found out about ‘Black on Black Rhyme’ that I realised that poetry could be cool and thoughtprovoking at the same time and I got hooked.” After graduating, Dorian became a teacher and chose to teach the inner city public schools. “I taught those schools because I felt the kids had a lot of potential but were just neglected. But even that became too much as I realized that I was not able to affect a mass group of students.” Pondering his next move, Dorian quit teaching to follow music and almost got signed by Atlanta Records. “While chasing my music career, I was able to perform my poetry a lot more and even found a teaching opportunity in the UAE which was when I moved here.”
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POETRY REVOLUTION BEGINS Arriving in Abu Dhabi, Dorian found the Middle East had a rich poetry history but there was still a void to be filled.
years. Poetry helps with releasing the aggression and angst that every teenager has pent up inside.”
“I teamed up with Ben ‘DJ BlackWolf’ Mays to bring a music element to an open mike night and that was how Rooftop Rhythms started. We had our first event at Café Arabia and expected about 50 people to turn up. We ended up hosting 100 people and it was incredible! “
FINDING INSPIRATION For Dorian, poetry creates many powerful emotions. “My poetry is very spiritual to me. I come from a bi-racial family and there’s almost a genetic yearning to speak out. In Georgia, my home town, you are either black or white but I was both and it was hard to come to terms with my ethnicity until I found ‘Black on Black Rhyme’.”
“I was introduced to Bahareh Amidi, a fellow poet who was organizing Speak Abu Dhabi, an event that celebrated some of the masters including Rumi, Khayyam and Gibran.”
“I find inspiration in the daily struggles and the need to speak out for people who don’t have a voice. I believe that artists have perspective and we see meaning in things that others don’t see.”
“The poetry revolution snowballed after this and open mike nights were being organized everywhere. New York University, Women in Film and Television and the Paris-Sorbonne University each did one and the buzz just kept building! “ MAKING POETRY COOL As Paul D, Dorian has achieved a lot in a short space of time but the real challenges come back to the classroom.
STAYING POWER As the poetry revolution grows in the UAE, Dorian hopes it has staying power. “There is so much collaboration between the artists and even audience members that people who are typically separated come together and enjoy the art form as one. The people that head the artistic movement need to keep an open mind about bringing the different art forms together and if this continues, the revolution will keep growing.”
“I teach English to senior school students so I have to find a way to make poetry and the language cool. The cool factor is what got me hooked and that need to be cool hasn’t changed through the
Paul D conducts regular poetry workshops in Abu Dhabi.To find out more, join the Facebook group ‘Rooftop Rhythms- Abu Dhabi’.
THE PLANETARIANS
By Emma Kirkman
A panel of experts discuss the Green Economy at an EAD event for World Environment Day 2012
SUMMER SAVINGS
REDUCE ENERGY, SAVE THE PLANET As the weather heats up, the temptation to turn up the air conditioning also rises. However, before touching the switch, consider how much you are impacting the environment. Dr Rula Qalyoubi from The United Nations Environment Programme was on a Green Economy panel organised by Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi as part of World Environment Day and Rio+20 Summit commemorations. During her presentation, she outlined the environmental benefits gained from upgrading to energy-efficient household appliances. Savings of up to US$150 per ton of CO2 (even after initial installation costs) can be generated through more efficient heating or cooling energy usage, as the table below shows.
ADVANCED LIGHTING SYSTEM »»» -ve cost $150/ton CO2 EFFICIENT WATER HEATER »»» -ve cost $100/ton CO2 EFFICIENT AIR CONDITIONING »»» -ve cost $75/ton CO2
Dr Rula was joined by Dr Richard Perry in showing how the principle of a Green Economy only works when sustainability, economy and environment are in cohesion. These three aspects of daily life must be balanced and not consuming more than the earth’s resources can handle. The way of life in the UAE is one that devours a lot of energy just to function in a comfortable environment. Air conditioning, petrol cars, imported food, lighting, manufacturing and construction all contribute to our carbon footprint which is one of the largest in the world. Although the UAE may be small in terms of carbon emissions on a global scale, all countries and citizens of the world must work together to reduce emissions and improve their personal impact on the environment. Hopefully the Rio+20 Global Earth Summit produces some progress on global emissions targets, directing society towards increasing levels of sustainability. EASY CHANGES TO REDUCE ENERGY COSTS AT HOME Use Less Hot Water • Take a short shower instead of a bath. In New Zealand, a simple shower timer has been installed to limit water flow to five minutes and save finite water resources. • Fill the kettle with only as much water as you need. • Only put the dishwasher on when it is full.
Reduce excessive cooling It is estimated that for every one degree cooler you set an air conditioning system, there is a 1-2% increase in energy consumption. Set A/C thermostats to 23-24 degrees Centigrade during the summer to minimise consumption, and if possible turn the A/C off during the winter if it is not needed. Replace lightbulbs with energy efficient CFLs Regular incandescent lightbulbs convert up to 95% of energy input into waste heat. Instead, install compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) which are 60 – 65% more efficient and have a 10-times longer life.
Emma Kirkman is a freelance production and communication professional, and passionately devotes her spare time to helping The Planetarians to spread the environmental message. Post a message to Emma at www.facebook.com/ theplanetarians or www.twitter.com/ theplanetarians
www.tempoplanet.com | 21
Photo credits: Ellaine Fatima
AGAINST ALL ODDS
ONE WOMAN’S INSPIRATIONAL STORY COMMUNITY
By Hana Makki
Hamdah reciting ‘Tear on the Cheek of the Moon’ in Arabic and translated by Sara at Speak Abu Dhabi
There are many times in all of our lives where we find ourselves knowing exactly where and what we should be, yet our world and circumstances, through no fault of our own, seems to build walls and barriers to our dreams. I met Hamdah Khalfan Al Mansouri at the rehearsal for a poetry show I worked on called Speak Abu Dhabi. We sat down with Bahareh, the poet and founder of the show, and went to work translating Hamdah’s poem ‘Tears on the Cheek of the Moon’. Within a couple of lines I could feel my professional exterior cracking and my eyes began to fill with tears. Hamdah’s poem described her desperation looking for help; help to take away her loneliness in her isolated living quarters. She wrote the poem when she was eight. “I’ve always written poems. Before I just wrote words, and when I got older it became sentences. I wrote when I felt sad. I used to speak to animals and my pets a lot. My family used to laugh at me and say – do you think this bird understands you? I would reply, actually it is enough for me that he just listens.”
who wouldn’t amount to anything. I proved otherwise.”
immense, but she believes the hardest part of her work is with the parents.
Hamdah grew up isolated in what she describes as a “tiny world”. She didn’t sit with the rest of her family, she didn’t have friends, but she did have the internet. “I learned there were other worlds out there, like the USA, and there I found people like me. Everyone laughed when I said I was going to America.”
“Some parents complain that they don’t have money to take care of their child and they have other children. Some even say they will put their special needs children in the hospital because it is too much for them. I try to convince them not to. I say love them and teach them how to live their lives. Then you will find that they can do anything.”
At 20, Hamdah left the UAE to study in the US which created barriers between her and her family but gave her the inner strength to prove she could do it.
On 7th May, Hamdah was married. She was introduced to her husband while trying to give away a motorized wheelchair. “His cousins have special needs and that is how we met. We became friends, we understood each other. Each of us told our stories, there was a lot of sadness and we found we had a lot of things in common. It was difficult because my family did not agree to the marriage as he is not local. For me these things are just not important. It’s important that he accepts me for the person I am”.
Hamdah has what is known as special needs. She has spent her entire life in a wheelchair and, like a lot of families within the Emirati culture, she was hidden away from the world.
“I learned and loved being independent. I could go to the supermarket alone, to the bank, use public transport. I felt like I could fly like a bird.”
Hamdah has what is known as special needs. She has spent her entire life in a wheelchair and, like a lot of families within the Emirati culture, she was hidden away from the world.
During her vacations from college, Hamdah spent her time travelling through different states. Three years later she returned to the UAE. “I cried and cried and ended up in hospital. I thought I would never have that freedom ever again. Then my teacher visited me and told me to get a job.”
“They looked at me, they would see a sick girl, they saw someone who couldn’t move. Someone
Hamdah began working in a centre for special needs children. Her love for the children is
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I’m looking forward to the next rehearsal of our poetry show, as spending time with Hamdah is always inspirational. This impressive woman is certainly no longer the little lonely girl in a tiny room, and although joyful, it’s very clear that there is still a burning frustration that she is not reaching her dreams. “Hospitals are just not good enough. They sometimes don’t understand what we need. I want to manage my own centre for special needs. There are a lot of people here who cannot afford the help they need, because they are not local. I want to help these people. This is not an easy goal, it’s hard for me, but Insh’Allah.”
CAMPUS VIEW
By Rohith Bhat
DINNERTIME HORROR ATTACK OF THE DAILY SOAPS
The Bold And The Beautiful, Days Of Our Lives, Saas Bhi Khabi Bahu Thi and Balika Vadhu - these are but a few of the evil TV soaps that plague my dinner time existence. Our family is a typical one – 7.50pm sharp dinner is served with the family gathered around the table, facing the TV of course. For 10 minutes, we face the usual ‘mum asks how was your day to me and my sis’, Dad grunts his approval - or, in my case, mostly disapproval about our achievements that day, and then at the stroke of eight, the torture begins. It’s the time when my mum decides that her reward for cooking the family a delicious, nutritious and healthy (read horrible tasting) meal is complete and utter dominion over the TV during dinner time and since Dad believes that a family should eat together, escape is impossible!
Hamdah (right) with Bahareh Amidi and Bahareh’s mother at Speak Abu Dhabi
TEAR ON THE CHEEK OF THE MOON by Hamdah Khalfan Al Mansouri
I ask the moon to help me There is a lot of tears in my eyes My heart is in pain, please take the tears out. I feel more lonely. The pain surrounds me. The pain is deep in me. And the fear lives inside me. The silence hears my feelings. The lines have all disappeared in the forgotten corner. I scream and nobody hears it except God. I live in a sad city. The city she lives inside me without permission She covers me with a lot of feelings of pain My city without people Like the tears on the cheek of the moon Moon, wipe away my pain I feel like I am a prisoner Feel pity on me, hug me, you are my city There are not enough lines or words to explain how I feel.
And it’s not like its once a week for just a half hour or so... oh no, this happens for a full two hours every day!! It amazes me how every family in the US and India seems to have problems involving scheming in-laws, demonic-natured exgirlfriends, clueless elders and bad cops and IRS agents on their backs. What amazes me further is how the doe-eyed protagonist seemingly falls into one obvious trap after another and miraculously escapes them without the help of talent, luck or even common sense, all thanks to the power of plot holes and writers. Another thing I don’t get is why the manipulative relative is never just thrown out of the house? Why is it that the basics of courtroom etiquette are so easily tossed out the window? For example, raising your voice at the judge is acceptable and not punishable with a night in jail, evidence is always accepted at the last minute without verification or even question, a defendant representing him/herself can easily beat a court-appointed attorney who has years of experience with the law, and so forth. But most mystifying of all is the character switch. You know how it goes: the lead character gets into an accident, is taken to a nearby hospital (a general hospital with a specialized doctor, mind you!) to be met by a remarkable plastic surgeon who, without even knowing who the patient is or if they have medical insurance, decides that a facial reconstruction has to be performed immediately without waiting for the patient to regain consciousness and provide their informed consent. Then poof! The patient bears no resemblance to their previous incarnation whatsoever and, along with his or her face, their accent, mannerisms, skin tone and even height suddenly changes. Of course, the whole possibility of a medical malpractice suit does not ever cross anyone’s mind! And the worst part is that it’s addictive. On those rare occasions when it’s just my dad and me having dinner - if mum’s away - the TV still gets tuned into the daytime soap, and the only explanation I get is “your mother may want to know what she missed”!!
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doc in the house Dr. DMS | A doc from the Bronx
HOT IN THE CITY
KNOWING HOW TO SURVIVE
It’s that time of year. I fear it. Each year I can’t quite remember just how brutal it really is until it hits me again. The hot months. When I explain it to folks back home, they don’t get it. It’s hot, kids, and it’s only going to get hotter. I know this is the status quo for many of you, but let’s learn a thing or two and stay safe. This hot topic (sarcastic laugh) definitely deserves a huge mention right about now. I am pleasantly surprised that we don’t see the serious illnesses more often. Everywhere, I see guys in jumpsuits outside doing hard physical labour in this extreme temperature which is a total recipe for disaster.Yet they ‘survive’. Are they hydrating? Do the enforced rest hours help? Are they so well acclimatized? Or are they dying and will never make it to the hospital? The (real) truth is out there, somewhere. Heat related illnesses have a wide variety of presentations and severity, from the simple prickly heat rash to devastating complete body-organ shutdown. I suspect that most
people know a little first aid for overheating, right? Avoid prolonged exposure and hydrate. Excellent start! Pop quiz time. Think you have ever had heat stroke (someone is saying ‘yes’) or know someone who has? Let’s find out:
HEAT CRAMPS
The name says it all - muscle cramping, typically in muscles affected by heavy work. This is not dangerous, and commerciallyavailable electrolyte sports drinks are usually sufficient.
HEAT EDEMA
Shows up as swelling of the legs and feet, but it is usually seen in folks who have some underlying disease which may be predisposed to the swelling. To treat this, elevate the leg and move to a cooler environment.
HEAT EXHAUSTION
This is a symptom of either inadequate fluid replacement resulting in dehydration or drinking too much free water without replacing the electrolytes lost in the sweat. As the name implies, you feel exhausted with various muscle aches. The key features for us are: • you still sweat • your mental status is intact (some of you
•
no doubt act out when you feel ill, but we can tell the difference, trust me) your body temperature is only mildly elevated, usually less than 40C.
How to treat it? Come to the hospital and get evaluated.You may not have to stay but it’s better to be safe than sorry (and don’t ask how long it will take, please).
HEAT STROKE
This kills. Come to the hospital ASAP! Key features we look for include: • elevated body temperature beyond 40C • mental status changes (note: dizziness is NOT a mental status change) • in some cases of heat stroke, despite the body heat, you will not sweat. These patients are dying and need to be cooled and resuscitated immediately to prevent multi-organ failure (and possibly death). So, you still think you had heat stroke? A little knowledge about the various diseases is to respect their relative severity.
If there is anything to remember from this, it’s that ‘an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure’. Now, drink!! www.tempoplanet.com | 25
media Alma Kadragic
FINAL CUT
FILM FESTIVAL DEADLINES, DATES AND DUTIES
If you’ve been working on a film – and these days it seems like many people, even the very young, are – then you should keep track of some key dates this summer. To submit a short or long film, documentary, or other category, check the rules on the website listed below for each festival. Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) - www.abudhabifilmfestival.ae/en/festival/regulations Submissions due July 1, but have announced an extension to August 7 if ADFF knows work is in progress Doha Tribeca Fim Festival (DTFF) - www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival/submit-a-film Submissions due August 10 Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) - www.dubaifilmfest.com/index.php/en/submissions/rules-regulations Submissions due August 31 If you’ve missed or expect to miss a submission date, contact the organizers to explain the situation; you may be granted additional time. In past years, deadlines have been extended so it’s always worth trying. If you like to be around big events and have time to spare, remember that each festival requires many volunteers in a variety of positions, most of them unpaid. Contact them as soon as possible to get your name in. I know serious professionals who volunteer year after year at one or more of these events, taking time off from their paying job to be part of the film festival season. It’s also great for students and anyone else who’s simply interested in film. To plan your social calendar after the summer, consider these festivals as good times for visits by friends from outside the UAE. Not
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only is the weather much cooler, but the festivals are accompanied by special events like receptions and lectures, and many of the films screened here never become available in other countries. The 6th Abu Dhabi Film Festival comes first and runs the longest; this year’s dates are October 11-20. It’s not clear yet whether ADFF will again hold outdoor screenings at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr by the creek in Abu Dhabi but that was a highlight in 2011. Screenings have also been held at Emirates Palace, the Abu Dhabi Theatre and VOX cinemas at Marina Mall. The 4th Doha Tribeca Film Festival, from November 17-24, requires a trip to Qatar, but if you’re thinking of a short break, it’s hard to find a better one. Unlike ADFF and DIFF,
the Doha festival is compact, mainly using the Katara Cultural Village for talks, screenings and special events. Films can also be screened at City Centre. The organizers provide a free bus from some of the hotels so it’s easy to get around. UAE festivals might try something similar. The 9th Dubai International Film Festival closes the year of festivals, running from December 9-16. Usually organized at Madinat Jumeirah, it involves screenings at VOX Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates and other venues. It’s the most widely dispersed festival but that’s not surprising, knowing Dubai. Residents and visitors alike can look forward to some good films after the summer holidays when we all get back to serious work.
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tamakkan knowledge hub
TAMAKKAN KNOWLEDGE HUB By Ian Mason
The Tamakkan Knowledge Hub is a roundup of tips, hints and advice for entrepreneurs and start-up businesses. It also keeps you updated on Tamakkan activities.
TEAM BUILDING AND TRAINING
TAMAKKAN SEMINARS
HIGHLIGHTING: BRANDING
Summer is an ideal time to consider training and team building in your business. Some people may be on vacation but quite often there is downtime for the employees that work through. Business should pick up quickly after Eid al-Fitr so this is the perfect opportunity to upskill your staff or give them new skills in readiness for the busy period.
The popular Tamakkan seminars are currently in summer recess and are scheduled to recommence in September.
Many people new to marketing think that branding is a logo. A logo is an element of branding but it is not the full story. A brand is what your business stands for, its essence, the image you portray to your customers and the wider public.
Perhaps they need a customer service refresher course, an update on how to answer telephones, some sales training or a workshop on business writing. There are many courses available to ensure your team are fully skilled to meet the business challenges of the post-summer period. Similarly, if your team needs a lift or you have had a number of staff changes, perhaps a departmental team building event can lift spirits and generate some office cohesion. Team building is a great way to introduce new team members or improve communication between departments. This is also the right time to start planning executive retreats, those essential strategic planning getaways for management, in preparation for the new financial year which will come quickly once Eid is over.
If you have any topics you would like covered at a future Tamakkan seminar or have suggestions for guest speakers, email me at ianmason@brandmoxie.com
TAMAKKAN 2 MINUTE TALKS Have you read the Tamakkan 2 Minute Talks on the website? Tamakkan has taken two minutes to interview some successful entrepreneurs about a current business topic.
Soaud Al Hosani President of Nexus Business Services talks about setting up a business
Hermoine Macura CEO of Straight Street Media talks about leaving full-time work
Melissa Rancourt Managing Director of Greenlight talks about managing projects
SOCIAL MEDIA Keep in touch with the latest in entrepreneur and SME news. Follow Tamakkan on Twitter @tamakkan and don’t forget to send us tweets about what’s happening in your business. We’d love to retweet them to our followers. You can also read business articles for entrepreneurs and start-up businesses on our website at www.tamakkan.org
Faisal Al Hammadi Co-Founder of Slices talks about dealing with finances
Read the Tamakkan 2 Minute Talks at www.tamakkan.org
A brand is a mix of physical attributes, values and attitudes. Think of some great global brands – Apple, Nike, McDonalds, Starbucks and Virgin - all leaders in their category because they clearly understand about the power of effective branding. Each of these brands has a strong and distinctive personality, and these traits are communicated very clearly and consistently in everything they do. Brands can have many attributes – they can be socially responsible, luxury, fun, evolutionary, cheeky, quality, innovative, emotional, green. But whatever brand attributes you identify, you must follow them in every aspect of your business, from the colour palette to the retail fitout to staff recruitment to marketing, and yes, even the logo. A brand is the sum of all the parts. It is your business DNA. The best time to start developing a brand is during the set-up phase of a business. Find a marketing company that specializes in branding and have them work on your brand from the outset. Chat to them first to make sure they understand what brand you want to develop, and make sure you see samples with their work.
Ian Mason is CSR, PR and Training Manager at BrandMoxie and Tamakkan. Tamakkan offers a range of professional skill workshops and team development events for companies, covering areas such as customer service, social media and communication. Email Ian at ianmason@brandmoxie.com for further details, or call (02) 491 8624. TO ADVERTISE IN THE WIDEST CIRCULATED YOUTH AND COMMUNITY FOCUSED MAGAZINE IN THE UAE, CALL: 02 491 8624
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mini minx Angeli Castillo | Making minutes out of molehills
MAKE A DIFFERENCE START IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD Saher at a grocery donation drive
Saher says that creating or supporting such causes can start in your own backyard. “Take an interest in the lives of your maid, gardener, security guard, cleaners and so on. Treat people with respect. Charity doesn’t need to be about grand gestures. It is as simple as people being kind to each other.”
Saher Shaikh
Saher with some of the many labourers she’s helped
Saher’s mother taught her that true charity involves making sacrifices. “She left it to me to discover for myself that the rewards that come with the sacrifices are far more precious.” “It’s a unique opportunity to be part of something bigger than our own lives. To make a substantial difference in the lives of those who don’t have the same blessings we do.”
Ever had those days where you’re aimlessly cruising around in your fullyoptioned air-conditioned car and still complained about the heat? How about waiting inside the bus stop shelter for the bus or taxi to whisk you away from your heated troubles? Not every one of us can afford such simple luxuries in life which is where Saher Shaikh comes in. Saher is the founder of Adopt-a-Camp and Care Packages for Labourers. This brave and compassionate woman was inspired to form the movement after a chance meeting with a labourer seven years ago at her local Spinneys supermarket. The encounter changed her life forever. Adopt-a-Camp currently assists over 32,200 labourers in 43 labour camps across UAE.
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The next Care Packages event, for a camp of 5,000 men, happens during Ramadan on August 9th at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Saher feels privileged to lead one of the largest community events in Dubai. “It’s beautiful to see thousands of people from all walks of life, nationalities and backgrounds coming together for the selfless purpose of helping others.” It is refreshing to find good people in this fast-paced world. We all need to be a little more sensitive, or at least be aware and curious, of our surroundings and take notice of what amazing blessings in disguise are around each corner. Be it a man in worker’s overalls carrying a small loaf of bread and a bottle of laban, a little boy carrying a basketful of his favorite goodies or a curious mother waiting in line at a grocery store. Such flitting moments of realization come and go, and it is up to us to take notice and be brave enough to take the first step to changing lives.
Saher’s mother taught her that true charity involves making sacrifices. “She left it to me to discover for myself that the rewards that come with the sacrifices are far more precious.”
WHY GET INVOLVED IN ADOPT-A-CAMP? 1. You get to meet the most wonderful people in the UAE at the event. 2. It’s the only care packages drive (as distinct from box campaigns) where you get to be a part of the entire process, from sourcing supplies to packing them to distributing them into the hands of the labourers. 3. You see the end result of your generosity and kindness - the smiles on the mens’ faces when they get their care packages are priceless.
Follow Adopt-a-Camp’s journey. Like their Facebook page at AdoptaCamp, visit their website www.adoptacamp.ae or follow them on Twitter @AdoptaCamp.
TO ADVERTISE IN THE WIDEST CIRCULATED YOUTH AND COMMUNITY FOCUSED MAGAZINE IN THE UAE, CALL: 02 491 8624
horoscope Aries: You have vibrant health this month with the Sun and Mars in your 6th house of Health and Employment.You could gain some huge personal satisfaction for your job as well.You will also be supported by the committed other in your life in these endeavors.You will however, have to mind closely what you say this month, especially around the 22nd, when you could step in it up to your knee. Taurus: Romance is all over you this month with the Sun and Mars in your 5th house of Romance and Creativity.You’ll be feeling very romantic with that Mars influence. Just be careful it doesn’t get out of control around the 22nd. An interest on the job could sweep you off your feet on the 4th, but it can fall apart just as quickly. Gemini: With the Sun and Mars in your 4th house of Home, you may feel the need for redecorating. This could be a sword that cuts both ways this month. Pluto, the planet of rebirth, isn’t all that happy with your plans and could work against you on the 7th and the 22nd. On the 22nd when you may feel completely frustrated with yourself. Cancer: With the Sun and Mars in your 3rd house of Communication and Short Trips, you’ll be the busy little beaver this month running here and there and talking all the time. Endless chatter. Careful around the 7th as something you say on the job could get you into hot water. Be especially careful on the 22nd, as taking your eyes from the road for just a moment could result in an accident. Leo: You’re a busy person this month with the Sun and Mars in your 2nd house of Money and Values. They may be up for review at this time and you could find yourself in a bit of a re-vamping mood. This could cause problems on the 7th and 22nd as people around you may react with resistance to those changes. Virgo: This month you are enlivened by the Sun and Mars in your 1st house of Self.You will be filled with energy.Your mind will probably be on money matters and how to accumulate more through your employment. There could be some surprises in that category as well. Libra: With the Sun in your 12th house of ‘behind the scenes’ activity, you may choose to sit back and relax. Time to reflect on the past year. Having Mars there as well could mean your energy level is truly at low tide.Your ruling planet Venus is in your 1st house of self and this could draw romance to you. Scorpio: July should be a very happy time for you. The Sun and Mars are in your 11th house of Hopes and Wishes firing the imagination with thoughts of the future and the possibilities it could bring. Look for surprises around the home front this month. Sagittarius: The career sector of your chart is ablaze this month. The Sun and Mars, both fire planets, light up the fireworks in your 10th house of Career for a great time and a time for real advancement.Your mind is going with the possibilities for the future with Mercury and Venus planted firmly in the house of Hopes and Wishes. Capricorn: If you are looking for that vacation, now is the time. Pack those bags and don’t look back. Plan well, so that after the 14th you make it home without incident. More than likely, the call to return will come for obligations in the employment/career area. This will be a time for you to shine especially after the 21st, when the Sun enters you house of career. Aquarius: Have you been watching the family budget? If you haven’t, you will. It will be your key focus this month, but not in a burdensome way.You may surprise yourself at your own creativity when it comes to juggling the checkbook and financial responsibilities this month. Pisces: The Sun and Mars occupy your 7th house of committed relationships this month and you will have ample energy in that area. Problems or old grievances could surface and you will have to deal with them.You’ll do just fine if you keep your head. TO ADVERTISE IN THE WIDEST CIRCULATED YOUTH AND COMMUNITY FOCUSED MAGAZINE IN THE UAE, CALL: 02 491 8624
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just a thought Manar Al Hinai | A Khaleeji girl who overthinks a lot and loves to write
DUBAI ABULHOUL TALENTED YOUNG AUTHOR
This month, I am proud to interview a young Emirati author from Dubai, whose name is also Dubai. Dubai Abdullah Abulhoul is a 15-year-old high school student who earned the title of ‘Youngest Emirati Director’ at the age of 11 when she participated in the 2008 Gulf Film Festival. Dubai is also an author and recently launched her first series of novels entitled Galagolia: The Hidden Divination. Dubai spoke to Tempo about her writing and directing experiences. When did you know you wanted to be an author? Since I was eight! I’ve always been into writing and reading and I would always imagine story lines and try to put them down on paper. I didn’t actually realise that I wanted to be an author until I wrote the 80th page of Galagolia! How would you summarize Galagolia? Galagolia is the story of a ten-year-old Emirati girl who inherits the throne to an unknown world outside of ours. She discovers that, all along, her family has been ruling Galagolia and now it’s her time to do so. What inspired you to write this novel? I was watching a Harry Potter movie one night and it just hit me. I saw characters in my head and I knew that even though they didn’t make sense at the time, I had to write them down. Did you face any difficulties launching your book? Definitely! Especially since I was 12 when I first started looking for a publisher. Not many publishers believe in a 12-year-old with a manuscript, so it wasn’t easy.
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And you directed a movie for the 2008 Gulf Festival? It was actually a two-minute animation of a scene from Galagolia. What were the main reasons behind the success of your book? The massive support from my friends, family, and even the people I’ve met through Twitter! I have surrounded myself with very supportive people who didn’t allow me to stop or give up, and that is very important. Another reason is my parents who never once doubted my sanity when it came to dreaming big. Is it hard to juggle school and your writing and directing career? Not really. There is definitely an element of stress, but I’m not the kind to crack under pressure. And between you and me, I even write a few chapters during Calculus and Physics classes! What is your most memorable writing experience? There were a lot of times when I felt like giving up, when I got one too many rejections and I thought I wasn’t good enough. I think those moments are the most memorable since they motivated me to go further. What are your plans after graduating from school? It’s an open road. I still don’t
have a clear idea, but I want to work in a creative field, such as animation or writing. Where can we find your book? It is available at all Magrudys book stores across the UAE and in Kinokuniya at The Dubai Mall. It will be available online on Amazon very soon! Any tips for aspiring writers who want to be published? Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer, literally! I know how clichéd that sounds, but really, do what you love and answer to no one but yourself. I believe that when people tell you that you can’t do something, it’s because they can’t do it themselves. Find out more about Dubai Abulhoul and her novel Galagolia on her website www.galagolia.com
What do you think? Follow me on Twitter: @manar_alhinai
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