ILLUSTRADO Q1 2018

QUARTER 2 -2018

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EDITOR’S NOTE

The value of outer beauty

Photo by Rozen Antonio MUA Valentino Montuerto

Instead of discounting the value of outer beauty, we should see what is more than what meets the eye. Outer beauty encompasses not only a person’s physical attributes but the aura, and the intangibles that come with it – the power to delight and to please, the warmth and glow from somebody’s face, the smile that extends from the lips to the eyes for which Filipinos are known the world over. Most importantly, what we need to do, is to reshape our ideas and recognize that outer beauty should not be measured only by a specific yardstick, color, symmetry or proportion, and that accepting and embracing one’s look is also as important as accepting what makes us appealing from the inside.

We ruminate on the value of the beautiful face in this issue where we allow ourselves to simply celebrate Filipino beauty in its diversity, in its various forms and types, through the wonderful photography of some of the most talented Filipino photographers in the region.

Do we need to look at beauty in a world that’s already shallow?

What is the value of looking at beauty in a world where we are already constantly bombarded by filtered selfies and highly stylized magazine covers, and where we are pressured (directly or indirectly) to look a certain way – have a certain skin color, a nose shape, certain facial and body proportions, even hair type, and where at times, people would rather look like somebody else?

We all agree that true beauty comes from within. But we also need to accept and celebrate our outer representation to the world, lest our spirited claim of “beauty from within” becomes a hollow lie. For how can you accept what you are inside, but not what you are outside?

Here in these pages, you will see some of the most beautiful Filipinos in the Gulf, our people’s unique charm, in varying characters and moods, and the lightness of spirit that has made us endearing in the eyes of many.

Thank you to all those who participated in making Illustrado Faces Annual 2017 yet another tribute to one of the many facets that make the Filipino special.

Tass Noo Filipino!

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ

Editor-in-Chief

Illustrado Magazine is a publication licensed under the Creative City Fujairah - License No.: 11199/2017 BVZ ILLUSTRADO 3

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ CREATIVE DIRECTOR MON BENITEZ FEATURES EDITOR ALWEE VILLAROSA EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS ANTONINO BENITEZ PAOLO GABRIEL BENITEZ CONTRIBUTING WRITERS UAE, PHILIPPINES, CANADA ABY YAP AL MANLANGIT ALFRED ‘KRIP’ YUSON ANNA DE LEON BARNEY ALMAZAR EXCEL DYQUIANCO FRANCISCO COLAYCO ION GONZAGA KC ABALOS-ORENDAIN KENNETH EHPRAIM SURATH KRISTINE ABANTE LESLIE FIESTAN LORRAINE BALITA MAI BAUTISTA NINA PENALOSA-CARPIO PAUL RAYMUND CORTES (CON. GEN.) QUAY EVANO RACHE HERNANDEZ REX BACARRA RIAN MIRANDA ROMAN GUEVARRA ROSAN KATLEA REODICA CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS UAE, PHILIPPINES, USA ALEX CALLUENG AVERY RANDALL CEFRE BETHOVEN FILOMENO EROS GOZE FLARIDEN DELA TORRE IRVIN RIVERA JEF ANOG

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THE BEAUTY MYTH B y C O N S U L G E N E R A L PAU L R AY M U N D C O R T E S

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; the beauty that matters is what is felt and not seen; beauty is what you feel deep inside -- clichés like these have been told time and again as if to reassure everybody else that physical beauty must be the least of one’s concerns. But time and again, everybody lives by the global norm of beauty and we even allow ourselves to be judged by these qualifications – an imposing height, least amount of fat, the perfect muscular gain, jaw boned faces, high cheekbones, just about the right pupillary distance, and other criteria which, like it or not, we

ILLUSTRADO 8

all have come to accept as manifestations of beauty.

As we grow older, we see more of a person so that we see not just the physical beauty he or she is able to project. With maturity, we learn to differentiate physical beauty and inner beauty. We become less in awe of those of stunners and are more accepting of those with less stellar looks. We accept its supplementarity.

We graduate to being less focused on aesthetics yet paradoxically, everyone, to varying degrees, still attempts to approximate the periphery of the bell curve of beauty.

We continually convince ourselves that we must not factor in physical beauty as we build our social relations, look for life partners, or even benchmark

our preferences on artists – actors and actresses, dancers, singers, and theatre performers. But much as we try to live by this postulate, our underlying impressions of people remain founded on the physical.

Thus, it is easier to feel develop an initial sense of liking to handsome and beautiful actors and actresses, for instance. Those of lesser attraction, we tend to delve more deeply into their skill as thespians before reaching that sense of ease. Hurtful but the truth.

As a young adult, I felt that I needed to prove respectability by looking physically pleasing, or at the least seen as within the bounds of what society could classify as handsome. I am shorter than the average male and as such, being bypassed was normal fare. Society dictates that taller men are more imposing and hence more

respectable, looked up to (perhaps pun intended), and more easily seen as leaders of the pack. Obviously, someone of my height bracket did not appear as the first choice for any leadership roles. Shorter and less attractive looking men tend to be sidelined in comparison to taller and more physically attractive males.

The years grew on and I learned to be more confident of myself and more aggressive in proving myself worthy of the adulation showered onto others. Luckily, the older we get, those to whom we are bent to prove the fallibility of physical beauty to are likewise older and more mature. And with their maturity comes their reformulated outlook towards physical standards. For the younger and less mature individuals, however, the cycle remains, the myth perpetuated, the standards of physicality reborn for the next generation. The premium on physical norms of beauty is reasserted on the young, ready to be once again junked as the years go on.

To say that that the youth is clueless about the deeper meaning of beauty must be rectified and re-evaluated. After all, it appears that it is the older generation who feed the standards by which the youth is supposed to comply with in the first place. Otherwise, the beauty theory should have been wiped out eons ago. The supposedly wiser ones have a realization of the true meaning of beauty as the youth continue to hold onto that legacy.

Yet it is still the older folk who dictate the puerile standard which they hope time would debunk for the young, in similar measure as it was for them.

Arguably, the perspective of beauty does not change much over time. Maybe its cruelty mellows but the foundation ripples underneath. For humanity, the standards by which we judge whether one is more beautiful than another is more or less constant. Whether we agree or not, what we define as beauty is passed on from generation to generation. Sadly, the odds are perpetually programmed

against those who do not approximate that benchmark because the animal in us wire us to equate survival with norms on the physical. Being beautiful means better opportunities not just for ourselves but more so for our children. Which is why, I think, that our instinct skews towards what we term as fine, attractive, handsome, or plain good looking. We

may deny all these and insist that we look beyond the skin but the crux is, the myth of beauty is deeply rooted in everyone’s psyche, its epiphany eager to poke into one’s consciousness.

Some realities are difficult to admit, but that, I guess, is the beauty of this myth. proud.”

ILLUSTRADO 9

F E AT U R E

Island Woman Rise – Female Fil-Am Rappers Bring Their Flair to Women’s History Month

By BEHZAD SANDILLA

M

Music can evoke feelings all by itself.

But the effect amplifies when music takes a stand for something beyond just itself. Most of the best-known artists of their time have used their art as a means for representation. Following that principle is a group of talented Filipina-American rappers led by Ruby Ibarra, perhaps most known from her Mastercard commercial with SZA at the Grammy’s, and definitely a name worth watching out for.

To coincide with Women’s History Month, Ruby, alongside fellow Pinay MCs Rocky Rivera and Klassy, and spoken-word poet Faith Santilla, have released the track ‘US’, a celebration of being Filipina and the dignity that should accompany it. The music video, directed by Ruby herself, contrasts the artists wearing traditional attire and performing folk dances like Pandanggo sa Ilaw and Tinikling with the hip hop-fueled California street culture they grew up in. The point isn’t to pick one side, it is to find power and pride in

ILLUSTRADO 10

both. It’s a message that can be embraced by the numerous overseas Filipinos and third-culture kids.

The song goes: “Island woman rise, walang makakatigil Brown, brown woman, rise, alamin ang ‘yong ugat They got nothin’ on us” The hook is then punctuated with the statement “Isang Bagsak!” a reference to the famous ‘unity clap’ coined during the United Farm Workers Movement in the 1960’s.

Here on out, references in the track range from cultural idiosyncrasies like “Pullin’ up in a Jeepney” to criticisms of colonial beauty standards: “I got that, Filipino phenotype: kayumanggi, mestizo-white But give me that moreno like that Rufio or Keno type” Towards the end, Faith’s spoken-word piece decrees that “Let it be known if you don’t already.” With her calmyet-confident delivery, she emphasizes the importance of Filipina sisterhood, especially in a world where the odds are stacked against them as women of color:

“Of all the privileges that exist in this world, none of which you may be a benefactor of There is at least one you bear And that is the privilege of having been born a Filipina Your DNA contains building blocks made from the mud of over 500 years of resistance and survival And when you are ready, sis, we’ll be right here” Not only is the message clear, it’s relevant.

In a time when the media glare on women’s issues is particularly strong, and intersectionality in feminism is a proven necessity, a song like this one tick multiple boxes. Through its lyrics and visuals, it reminds of a past drenched in rebellion, a present laced with strife, and most certainly a near future where more Filipino creatives, especially women, find their mainstream respect and recognition. Furthermore, it quashes the stereotype of Asian women being seen as docile and meek (which persists in Western media despite the great work of Fe del Mundo, Yuri Kochiyama, Grace Lee Boggs, Frances Hashimoto, Thelma Buchholdt , and many more).

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ILLUSTRADO FACES ANNUAL 2018

CELEBRATING FILIPINO BEAUTY IN THE GULF CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

AIZA CASTILLO-DOMINGO www.aizadomingo.wixsite.com UAE

ALFREDO BASCONES JR. IG: @abjr.photography KSA

ANIES ANIDALIO www.aanies.myportfolio.com UAE

ARMANDO SIMPLICIANO IG: @uno5ingco.ph KSA

ARTURO RIVO JR. FB: ArtRivoJrPhotography UAE

ASTROBAL BLANCAS FB: Avidge UAE

BIM C. AMIO www.bimamio.com UAE

BRIAN DEXTER MEDIJA FB: Dexterity Studios UAE

CHRIS CALUMBERAN www.chriscalumberan.com UAE

CLYDE GABRIEL IG: @jcjgabriel UAE

DELCON CASTANEDA FB: Delcon Castaneda QATAR

DENNIS DALISAY www.denciomacher.com UAE

EFRAIM EVIDOR www.evidorimages.com UAE

ERNESTO R. HERRERA JR. FB: Ernesto.Herrera.18 UAE

EROS GOZE FB: Eros Goze UAE

EUGENE NUEVAREZ FB: ghostfighter.eughene UAE

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ILLUSTRADO FACES ANNUAL 2018

CELEBRATING FILIPINO BEAUTY IN THE GULF CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

FARYAL MANSOOR UAE

FRANCO JOHN A. APELO FB: fjapelo UAE

GERARD MAPALAD www.mapaladphotography. weebly.com_UAE

JAKE BALAGTAS FB: Jake-Balagtas-Photography UAE

JAPHETH PAUL E. LUARCA FB: japluarca UAE

JOEL ACOSTA FB: Owenshots KSA

JOEY CANLAS FB: Fudgee Canlas UAE

JOEY LARDIZABAL www.joeylardizabal.wixsite. com/cjphotography_KUWAIT

JOHN ALBERT LEGASPI FB: JALConPhoto UAE

JOHN LEI S. CABUNGCAL www.behance.net/leicabungcal KSA

JON PAUL RAPOSON FB: botchog16 UAE

JONAS SERGIO FB: Jonas Sergio Photography UAE

JONATHAN MAMOGAY OLLERO www.jonowolfollero.wixsite. com/artist _UAE

JORELL R. ARIOLA IG: @jorellariola UAE

JOSE ELMER DIAZ AQUINO www.joelaquino.com UAE

JOSE GIOVANNI CASTILLO FB: Van-Castillo-Photographs UAE

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ILLUSTRADO FACES ANNUAL 2018

CELEBRATING FILIPINO BEAUTY IN THE GULF CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

JOSE MARIAE CRUZ AGTARAP FB: jm.joieagtarap UAE

JOSEPH NASSER GORORDO IG: @mckinley_st_portraits UAE

JOYCE KIMBERLY R. TORRES www.torresjkr.tumblr.com UAE

KENNY F. ABELLA FB: Kenny Abella Photography UAE

KOREEN DELOS TRINOS www.koreendelostrinos.weebly. com_UAE

LEMUEL MUYO LAMPA www.lemuellampa.wixsite.com/ lemuelmuyolampa_QATAR

LESTER ANDREW JONSON www.lesterjonson.com UAE

LLOYD WRIGHT SEXON FB: Dsecondshot UAE

MANUEL ADLAWAN FB: Manuel Adlawan UAE

MAR DELA CRUZ cruzmard.wix.com/celoy Phillipines/UAE

MARK ANTHONY AGTAY www.marcangelseven.wixsite. com/markanthonyagtay_UAE

MARLON G. BARTOLO www.500px.com/LhonZerothree OMAN

MICHAEL TINO IG: @m_tino23 UAE

MIKE NERPIOL FB: The Coach Academy Dxb UAE

NARIZA DUBLIN FB: Shuttereality7 UAE

NAUMAN AFZAL FB: Nauman Afzal 12 UAE

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ILLUSTRADO FACES ANNUAL 2018

CELEBRATING FILIPINO BEAUTY IN THE GULF CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

NORMAN PINEDA CUNANAN www.nhorms.wixsite.com/ photography KSA

OSCAR RIVERA ROSETE FB: iClickMoments.oca UAE

PATRICK DALE A. MANOLOTO FB: Patrick Dale Manaloto Images –UAE

PAZ BLACKBURN FB: Paz Tandoc UAE

RAIMGER CASTRO FB: Seishin33 UAE

RIA MERTO FB: Ria Merto UAE

RICA SALARIO FB: Rica Gonzales Salario UAE

RICO SUMADIA FB: IamCohricz UAE

ROMMEL ROGUIN IG: @rommelroguin UAE

RONGIL SAMSON FB: RnglSmsn UAE

SALVADOR M. CODO JR. www.codojr79salvador.wixsite. com/codzlhynphotography_UAE

SHERELYN SALAZAR AZAGRA FB: Chinita Zixteen UAE

SUZETTE PEACHIE BAYONITO www.peachandpink.com UAE

VALERIANO GASIC FB: Val Gasic UAE

WAHID MUJAHI JAAFAR www.viewbug.com/member/ wadgeshots_KSA

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ILLUSTRADO FACES ANNUAL 2018

CELEBRATING FILIPINO BEAUTY IN THE GULF

ANNUAL 2018 CELEBRATING FILIPINO BEAUTY IN THE GULF

ILLUSTRADO FACES ANNUAL 2018

CELEBRATING FILIPINO BEAUTY IN THE GULF

“Beauty is an emotion Those moments of pure joy and contentment, when you are loved and accepted.

Those moments when you feel alive and you feel extremely happy.

It is in those moments you are the most beautiful.”

2018

ILLUSTRADO’S CHOICE

AWARDED BY:

Emmerie Dale CUNANAN

by Joseph Nasser GORORDO / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 17

“True beauty comes from inside, the love of a mother, the selfless sacrifice of a hero, and the laughter of children.

These are the world’s real treasures.”

Robert BLACKBURN

by Paz BLACKBURN / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 18

2018

LIALI’S CHOICE

AWARDED BY:

Keren ESPESO

by Aiza Castillo-DOMINGO / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 19

Alross Roces ALMOGUERRA ILLUSTRADO 20

by Jorell R. ARIOLA / UAE

Jona Jaira PADILLA

by Sherelyn Salazar Azagra / UAE ILLUSTRADO 21

“When you touch someone’s heart with kindness, that’s when you reflect beauty as a person.”

Ann LLAGAS ILLUSTRADO 22

by Jose Mariae Cruz AGTARAP / UAE

“Beauty lies in seeing the best in yourself and being one with the world around you, embracing life with a smile.

Rida KHAN

by Faryal MANSOOR / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 23

Angeli HERMIA

by Jonathan Mamogay OLLERO / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 24

Angelo Carlo HONORIO

by Eros GOZE / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 25

“Being beautiful means you aren’t afraid to be the whole package. Be pleasing to the eyes, the mind and the soul.”

Anna DE LEON

By Dennis Dalisay / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 26

“Beauty is a God-given gift that inspires and motivates people to be the best they can be.”

Areen GUARRA

by Efraim EVIDOR / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 27

by Marlon G. BARTOLO / OMAN

ILLUSTRADO 28

by Nauman AFZAL / UAE

Anndie Leah D. LAMBO

Babylyn FROGOSO

“Beauty lies within diversity, and the willingness to be a kind and gentle soul.”

“Always be true to yourself, inside and out. Being humble and honest person with confidence will lead you to a better version of who are today, tomorrow or in the future.”

Auggie Lou GARCIA

by Nariza DUBLIN / UAE “Beauty comes in many different forms, all of which inspire and bring happiness into people’s lives.”

ILLUSTRADO 29

“True beauty lies within the combination of your outer image and inner personality, and how you influence people towards the right path.”

Adam NERPIOL

by Mike NERPIOL / UAE

Bernette Norei A. INFANTADO

by Japheth Paul E. LUARCA / UAE ILLUSTRADO 30

“Beauty is the appreciation of life. Accepting who you are, where you came from, embracing your imperfections, being natural and true to yourself, is the greatest beauty that outshines.”

“Beauty is a unique blend of many qualities, from confidence and kindness to talent and bravery.”

Bea Robin Franchesca M. PAMINTUAN

by Alfredo BASCONES Jr / KSA ILLUSTRADO 31

“Beauty is the simplicity of you, portrayed not by anyone else but by yourself.”

Camille Maha Marie R. FABRO ILLUSTRADO 32

by Franco John A. APELO / UAE

“It’s a feeling of happiness that will reflect on you and it will show your glow that shines.”

Camille Joselle S. QUERIMIT

by Raimger CASTRO / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 33

“I believe that beauty has a lot of forms - from what you have inside you to what you see around you. Beauty is unique to all forms. It is made up of a lot of different things that make itself worthy of appreciation. Hence, it is not standard nor similar and not even specific.”

Daisyree OLID

by Suzette Peachie BAYONITO / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 34

Dan Lester DABON

by Brian Dexter MEDIJA / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 35

Chenee Pearl DAMASOLE

by Wahid JAAFAR / KSA

Eugene ESTILLORE

by Valeriano GASIC / UAE

“More than just having a pretty face, beauty emanates from kindness and inspiration.”

ILLUSTRADO 36

“Beauty is when someone can go through a life-changing event, or hit rock bottom and yet still see the brighter side of things and value the spirit of humanity.”

Clarice Joy ABOY

by Bim C. AMIO / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 37

“A genuine heart and soul is the true beauty a person can have. Looks can be easily treated nowadays, but having a real beauty is when you have a great personality and beautiful heart.”

Nina Erica GUILAS

by Lemuel Muyo LAMPA / QATAR

ILLUSTRADO 38

“True beauty resides within self-acceptance, when you can confidently face the world, standing firm, unmoved by others opinions of you.”

Geodilyn Chensie HEELS

by Anidalio ANIES / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 39

“Beauty is represented by one’s effort to be human, for one to bring positivity to wherever he or she lands.”

Jayson B. SAGUINDAN

by Wahid JAAFAR / KSA

ILLUSTRADO 40

“Beauty is not only about physically appearance but what is from within.

Having a good heart makes a person more beautiful..”

Erick Garnace BULAWIN

by Mar Dela CRUZ / UAE

“True beauty lies within the confidence in who you are, what you do, and the drive to be the best that you can be.

Eliza G. RIGO

by Marlon B. BARTOLO / OMAN ILLUSTRADO 41

“It does not always lie within one’s physical aspects. Inner beauty consists of three things: purity, modesty and empathy.”

Hasan KHAN

by Faryal MANSOOR / UAE

“Beauty attracts the eye but personality captures the heart. In addition good looks are nothing without pure heart and soul.”

Glenda PATINO

by Joey LARDIZABAL / KUWAIT

ILLUSTRADO 42

“Beauty radiates within all things. It lies within being able to appreciate all moments, and the willingness to give back to society.”

Albert Jordan MAGNO

by Astrobal BLANCAS / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 43

“True beauty comes from the heart - full of love, kindness, respect and acceptance no matter how diverse life can be.”

Hilarion Costelo OLIVER ILLUSTRADO 44

by Rico SUMADIA / UAE

“Beauty is a matter of perception.

It is laughter, sadness, joy and love. Beauty is everywhere around you, and especially within you.”

Heart Ryan C. EVANGELISTA

by Eugene NUEVAREZ / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 45

Jasmine Maierhofer

Kelsey Merritt

by Doc Marlon Pecjo

by Herson Nebaya

Manuela Basilio

by Irvin Rivera

Jennifer Gaines

Diana Carl

by Irvin Rivera

by Irvin Rivera

Bea Rose Santiago

Bea Soriano

by Melson Bolongaita

by Glenn Peter Perez & Filbert Kung

Illustrado Retro

Some of the distinctive faces that have graced our magazine

Jasmine Maierhofer

by Filbert Kung

Catriona Gray

by Doc Marlon Pecjo

“At its best, beauty is simple, and truly comes from within.”

Jomil I. HYNSON ILLUSTRADO 48

by Joel ACOSTA / KSA

2018

LIALI’S CHOICE

AWARDED BY:

“A pretty face is nothing if you have an ugly heart. Beauty is more than what the eyes can see – it is something that should radiate from one’s soul out into the world.”

Gihan McMULLAN

by Jose Giovanni CASTILLO

/ UAE ILLUSTRADO 49

“It is a cocktail of a positive progressive mind, a genuine loving heart and a courageous soul that brings light to life whatever adversity may come.

For when true beauty is worn, it conquers all.”

Maria Rizabel DEL RIO

by Salvador M. CODO JR. / UAE ILLUSTRADO 50

Jhon Linsie A. ALI-ALI

by Wahid JAAFAR

/ KSA

Jerome BIBAT FLORA

by Alfredo BASCONES Jr . / KSA “Being the best version of yourself that you can be, and not just by physical standards.

True beauty stems from one’s inborn obligation to his family and peers.

ILLUSTRADO 51

Kathleen Audrey EFONDO

by Jorell R. ARIOLA / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 52

“Intelligence is beauty.

Confidence is beauty. Kindness is beauty. Beauty comes in all shapes, colors, and sizes.

True beauty is loving yourself immensely.”

Karrel VILLANUEVA

by Manuel ADLAWAN / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 53

Jose Bienvenido BALITIAN

by Jose Mariea CRUZ AGTARAP / UAE

“Beauty is ageless.

Everyone can be beautiful in their own ways at any age. Beauty is energy.

Anybody who radiates positive energy is beautiful. Beauty is substance over form.”

Irishbeth CASTILLO NEMIS

by Dennis DALISAY/ UAE

ILLUSTRADO 54

2018

BEST in PHOTOGRAPHY

AWARDED BY:

“In its raw essence, beauty is perpetual. It’s not about a pretty face. It comes from the heart, something that cannot be taken away from you.”

Joanne SAN AGUSTIN

by Anidalio ANIES / UAE ILLUSTRADO 55

“Beauty is all about showcasing your most unique qualities and using them to inspire happiness and positivity.”

Luchie AYAP ILLUSTRADO 56

Jose Mariae AGTARAP / UAE

“Real beauty is about being simple, humble; having dignity and faith in oneself wherever life brings you.”

Ma. Christina GIMARINO NONOL

by Jose Elmer DIAZ AQUINO / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 57

by Ria MERTO / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 58

by Wahid JAAFAR / KSA

Jeaneth ANN GRAY

Kenny Mark C. LANCITA

“Real beauty is what beyond our eyes could see, that which could transform one’s life, the type of beauty that could inspire others to become the beauty themselves for others.”

“Beauty is always shadowed with clothes, make-up, and other physical materials to cover one’s uniquenesss.

It’s not about the clothing you wear or the brand of your purse. It is the way you project yourself with kindness at heart.”

Kiesha Veronica VALBUENA

by Chris CALUMBERAN/ UAE

“A smile is the most beautiful thing a person can give that is what beauty means to me.”

ILLUSTRADO 59

by Wahid JAAFAR / KSA

Jason James PALMA

“Beauty simply means having the best qualities both inside and out.”

“It is when we still see the beautiful side of life no matter what we go through, no matter how much we fail.”

Khate GRUELA

by Delcon CASTANEDA / QATAR ILLUSTRADO 60

“It’s a convention with two sides, where appearance and personality both play equally powerful roles.

Kayla Nicole M. DUREMDES

by Kenny F. ABELLA / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 61

Maria Consuelo CERVANTES ILLUSTRADO 62

by Jose Maria CRUZ AGTARAP / UAE

“Beauty is how every person is built from within.

It’s how we live, how we love, how we laugh, how we tackle each and every battles of life. Beauty is the scars that proved that we lived, it’s in our soul, in our hearts.”

Maeshell Danica CRUZAT

by Gerard MAPALAD / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 63

“Beauty for me is all about that one’s attitude, the way you behave and handle yourself.”

Mark Bernal MAGNAMPO

by Wahid JAAFAR / KSA

Mark Gil SOMBRANO MORAGA

by Wahid JAAFAR / K SA

ILLUSTRADO 64

“Beauty is confidence applied to our face, and how you feel about yourself.”

Ma. Regina PANAGSAGAN ABINA

by Michael TINO / UAE ILLUSTRADO 65

Patrick CALDITO ILLUSTRADO 66

by Clyde GABRIEL / UAE

“Beauty is a window into the inner self. It is the natural identity of an individual and manifestation of the soul.”

Marie Angeline CANLAS

by Mark Anthony AGTAY / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 67

“Respect, love, and selfacceptance. Your physical appearance will fade someday, but being content and proud of who you are will make you shine the most.”

Ma. Czarmaine Jhoy FIGUEROA ILLUSTRADO 68

by Patrick Dale A. MANOLOTO / UAE

Mariel GAPASIN

by Norman PINEDA CUNANAN / KSA

ILLUSTRADO 69

“Beauty is about confidence and bravery through showing the world your true, unique self.

Marie Rose ALONZO ILLUSTRADO 70

by Manuel ADLAWAN / UAE

“Beauty is something that cannot only be seen by the eye but also felt by the heart.”

Naima LASTIMOSO

by Rica SALARIO / UAE ILLUSTRADO 71

“The meaning of beauty has varied throughout time but for me it only means one thing: Real beauty is about having a wonderful relationship with God because real beauty reflects His heart.”

Nadia LEE CIEN SHAMI

By Ernesto R. HERRERA Jr. / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 72

“Beauty has a lot to do with confidence and just owning who you are and loving who you are.”

Marnel Ansell L. CASUGA

by Wahid JAAFAR / KSA

ILLUSTRADO 73

“True beauty for me is not only something that pleases the eyes but also pleases others’ senses and the mind.”

Michelle ESMOLADA CIENFUEGOS

by Gerard MAPALAD / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 74

“Beauty for me is loving oneself. Perhaps we should love ourselves so fiercely and that others see us, they know exactly how it should be done.

You suddenly inspire them.

That is being FLAWSOME.”

Marceline QUENERY

by Koreen DELOS TRINOS / UAE

“Beauty is natural and comes from within. It is the aura that radiates pure joy, gratitude, and happiness towards people.”

Kierven Earl DURAN TUPAZ

by Joel ACOSTA / KSA ILLUSTRADO 75

Paul Kiefer

John Spainhour

by Eros Goze

by Herson Nebaya

Jesse Somera

by Irvin Rivera

Devon Spence

Alexander Dominguez

by Irvin RIvera

by Raen Badua

Ariel Atendido

by Filbert Kung /Glenn Peter Perez

Dimitri Tolenaars

by Rozen Antonio

Illustrado Retro

The many faces of the Filipino man captured by Illustrado

Laurens Foronda

Don Mendoza

by Filbert Kung / Glenn Peter Perez

by Enzo Mondejar

Marvin John GAUCE MILLETE

By Brian Dexter MEDIJA / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 78

“Beauty is relative. It does not reflect on the flawlessness of every facial feature, nor every perfect angle and striking pose in a photo. It is what you see in the eyes of a person, the sincerity and the heart.”

“The very essence of a woman’s beauty is in the rawness of her soul and the tranquility of being unapologetically herself.”

Patricia Marie T. PATERNO

by Manuel ADLAWAN / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 79

Patrick Dale MANALOTO

by Jake BALAGTAS / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 80

by Armando SIMPLICIANO / KSA

Moh. Ben Shamier TAN KADDAM

“Beauty is simply being confident and embracing who you are and your imperfections.”

Nelly R. ELIZARDE

by Lester Andrew JONSON / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 81

“Beauty means freedom to express, and respecting others as they are.”

Princess Engelica EUGENIO ILLUSTRADO 82

by Jonas SERGIO / UAE

“Beauty is like love; it has no rules, no boundaries, no colors. It’s in the eye; it’s the character, emotion and determination.”

Quinzy T. OLIVIDO

by Joyce Kimberly R. TORRES / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 83

by John Albert LEGAZPI / UAE

Rhymerryzxiamikko FLORES LAGDA

“Beauty is when you feel the contentment of your heart by accepting who you are. This shows the beauty of you, not only from the surface but also from within.”

“Beauty is a gift from our Lord. Not only our physical appearance, nor our attitude. Always remember that we are created by God and everyone is unique.”

Reynaldo D. MAGTIRA JR.

by Wahid JAAFAR / KSA ILLUSTRADO 84

“The heart and the inner soul of the beholder - that’s where beauty lies. Inner beauty shines when we stand up for what we believe in.”

Ray CHELLEN OCHAVO

by Arturo RIVO Jr. / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 85

2018

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

AWARDED BY:

2018

STRAWBERRY NAILS’ CHOICE

AWARDED BY:

Richiel HERMOGENO

by Rongil SAMSON / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 86

by Joey CANLAS / UAE

Richelle DAVID

“Beauty is intelligence, and it is with intelligence that we strive to be better people of the world.”

“Beauty means anything that pleases not only our sight but mostly our heart.”

Rose Ann G. FARAON

by Manuel ADLAWAN/ UAE

ILLUSTRADO 87

“Although beauty is but an idea - a concept to which a person perceives the world, it has the ability to let people see how good the world can be.”

Ristelle Louise S. RIVERA

ILLUSTRADO 88

by Norman PINEDA CUNANAN / KSA

“Beauty is happiness and Happiness makes you beautiful.”

Roosevelt BARRERA

by Patrick Dale A. MANALOTO / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 89

by Lloyd Wright SEXON / UAE

Ryan BANKS

“Most would normally associate beauty with looks.

But I believe that beauty lies in a great personality.”

“Beauty is everywhere. It blooms within your heart and expands your soul.

It inspires you to be the best versions of yourself.”

Mary Rose B. GARRA ILLUSTRADO 90

by Rommel ROGUIN / UAE

Stephanie MARIE RAAGAS

by Manuel ADLAWAN / UAE ILLUSTRADO 91

“Beauty is a soul that inspires, a gift of ourselves from the heart.”

Yvonne BARTE ARQUILLANO

by Jon Paul RAPOSON / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 92

“Beauty to me is based upon how you are as a person, and how you make others feel about themselves.”

Sarah Abigail QUIJADA

by John Lei S. CABUNGCAL / KSA

ILLUSTRADO 93

by Jake BALAGTAS / UAE

Bryan Nicko PIZZARO VILLACARLOS

by Oscar RIVERA ROSETE / UAE

Vanessa Mae TUBOL

“Beauty is the impact you leave on the world. The people you touch. How you carry yourself as a person.

ILLUSTRADO 94

“Beauty is not purely the reflection of someone’s external physique. It is the clear mirror of kindness, humility, and perseverance that inspire others to be the best that they can be.”

Zuhair Jr. DELA CRUZ AL-HADDAD

by Jorell R. ARIOLA / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 95

Berlyntina SILVA

by Valeriano GASIC / UAE

ILLUSTRADO 96

“More than just physical appearance, beauty is defined by one’s good heart.

Having kindness within yourself shows, and positively impacts others.”

Lester ACUEZA BERNARDO

by Rico SUMADIA / KSA

Helbert C. SARMIENTO

by Wahid JAAFAR / KSA ILLUSTRADO 97

ILLUSTRADO FACES

TOP PICS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

Our top picks from previous years

ILLUSTRADO FACES

TOP PICS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

Dalia Varde Khattab

by Romnick Velarde

ILLUSTRADO 99

ILLUSTRADO FACES

TOP PICS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

Raphael George Durmiendo

by Alexis Fusilero ILLUSTRADO 100

ILLUSTRADO FACES

TOP PICS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

Jhoana Marcia Paras

by Lester Jonson

ILLUSTRADO 101

ILLUSTRADO FACES

TOP PICS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

Daijo Canda

by Joma Corrales ILLUSTRADO 102

ILLUSTRADO FACES

TOP PICS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

Anchell Antonio

by Royce Aldrich Centen ILLUSTRADO 103

ILLUSTRADO FACES

TOP PICS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

Irene Benn Lascuna

by Brian Dexter Medija ILLUSTRADO 104

ILLUSTRADO FACES

TOP PICS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

Jonelle Layug Tagbo

by Alfredi Bascones Jr.

ILLUSTRADO 105

ILLUSTRADO FACES

TOP PICS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

Jennifer D. Martin

by Mathew A. Rosanes ILLUSTRADO 106

ILLUSTRADO FACES

TOP PICS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

Hanna Isabelle Suazo

by Joma Corrales

ILLUSTRADO 107

ILLUSTRADO FACES

TOP PICS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

Tom Francis Pega

by Rico Sumadia ILLUSTRADO 108

ILLUSTRADO FACES

TOP PICS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

Shaimaa Hassoun

by Qash Abbas

ILLUSTRADO 109

NEWS

10 PHlifestyle companies exhibit at Index Dubai 2018 Ten Philippine exhibitors at the Index Dubai 2018 have showcased a diverse selection of lifestyle and design pieces under the Lifestyle Philippines brand led by the Center for International Trade Exhibitions and Missions, DTI’s export promotions arm, at the Dubai World Trade Centre last March 26-29, 2018.

“Index Dubai 2018 was an opportune platform for our artisans to get a better grasp of their own niche as artists as they showcase their works as an expression of themselves and connect on a creative level among international audiences,” said Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado.

“Other than world-class quality, there is a distinctness in our products that comes from every artisan putting their own expression in their works. There is no doubt that these products will connect with buyers from all over the world,” Terrado added.

This year, five local fashion and five furniture and furnishings companies have participated at the renowned.

Beatriz brought an abstraction of the tropics with a capsule series of vibrant and graphically shaped casual cuff and clutch bags with the company’s signature texture. Whereas Lally Dizon Design ILLUSTRADO 110

Concepts showcased a more exotic collection featuring bold-colored hand bags, clutches, and cuffs made from crocodile and python skins and accented with 24k gold plater brass and semiprecious stones.

All intrinsically handmade by local artisans, Mele + Marie’s collection of bags, clutches, and jewelry evoked a more classic feel, a reflection of the company’s view of the beauty of life. From carabao horns and nails to coco beads and capiz shells, Arnel Papa has become a master in transforming natural indigenous materials into bespoke internationally renowned handcrafted jewelries that elicit an earthy rawness, a trademark of his personal designs.

Betis Crafts Inc. is an expert in ornate hand-crafted Gmelina and Mahogany wood loose furniture encompassing living, dining, and bedroom pieces that showcase world-class quality and sustainability.

Sustainability and social responsibility is among the advocacies of the Philippine delegates. Fashion accessory company Larone exhibited pieces that are all made of natural plant fibers and accented with natural hand-made materials like shell and brass.

Atelier-a by Cebu Fil Veneer Corporation has demonstrated their modern aesthetics, an exemplar of modern cosmopolitan lifestyle that puts importance in the restrained use of materials and the application of austere beauty. Cebu-based home décor company Arden Classics a regular in many international shows has turned heads with their unique products that transforms legally procured shells and metals into works of whimsical art.

Recyclable and sustainable, Yvette’s Bags and Beads collection showcased their traditional crochet method to turn straws and other indigenous materials into finely made bags. Nature’s Legacy presented myriad of products, including furniture, home and fashion accessories, and outdoor and garden, provokes conscientious thoughts and environmental responsibility to its consumers.

Since its launch in 1987, INDEX has been connecting architects, interior designers, developers, and procurement professionals with the latest brands and trendsetting start-ups. It prides itself as the largest gathering for the design community in Middle East and North Africa.