ILLUSTRADO GO> ISSUE 17

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PINOY+ #PinoyAkoPinoy Tayo

Byahe Guide to Cancún

Styled by IG An Instagram-curated fashion guide

Angas Pinas!

May YabangTayo!

Artistahin Pinoy artists who are rocking the global art scene illustrado go>1

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EDITOR’S NOTE/ CONTENTS

ISSUE 17

15 • April • 2017

#Pinoy+

Onwards and upwards with our advocacy to inspire and motivate our kabayan expats to do more and be more! This issue is packed with insights and tips on how to level up many aspects of your life and times in the Middle East. May they brace and galvanize you as you continue to strive for excellence and in the process, bring great pride to your motherland.

As always, Taas Noo Filipino!

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Editor-in-Chief

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PINOY PROGRESSIVE

POWER TO THE PINOY: IS THERE A POINT TO PINOY PRIDE? > 6 KEEPING UP WITH THE CONGEN: RUMINATIONS OF A SUMMER ESCAPADE> 8 FEATURE: PINOY +> 10 PINOY BYAHE GUIDE: CANCUN, MEXICO> 12 LAW: 5 LAWS EVERY FILIPINA IN THE UAE SHOULD KNOW>21 ANGAS PINAS: LEO CONSUL> 32

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: MOREEN AUSTRIA> 22 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: NORLITO “NORELIE” MEIMBAN> 24 SCRAPBOOK: EDCEL CABALAN & MARLON BARTOLO > 26

FASHION

ILLUSTRADO RUNWAY: MICHAEL CINCO FASHION FORWARD 2017 > 16 ILLUSTRADO RUNWAY: FURNE ONE FASHION FORWARD 2017 > 18 CURATED FASHION: ALYSSA GIBBS > 28

JUST BECAUSE

ANNIE B: WOW PHILIPPINES> 32 ILLUSTRADO STUFF > 20 COMMUNITY > 31

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Contributors

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Editor-in-Chief “almost superwoman” Lalaine has been driving Illustrado’s mission to uplift Filipinos in the region for almost a decade now. A former corporate dynamo living in Dubai for over 20 years, her natural knack for marketing and mass communications makes her a formidable authority in any dialogue regarding the rebranding of the Filipino image on a global scale.

ALWEE VILLAROSA

Savage PR savant. Social Media guy. Bangkok advocate.

Hoarder of 3AM songs that are too cool for anyone.

Strongest proponent of the #WastedYouth campaign on Instagram. Alwee Villarosa could be your typical, garden variety switched-on millennial Internaut, except that he’s infinitely more. He is also a cunning marketing strategist, a burgeoning writer, and an account manager and leader with an unshakeable sense of integrity and worth ethic that belies his young age. See more of his POV at his IG: @ alweevillarosa.

CONSUL GENERAL PAUL RAYMUND CORTES When not performing his duties as the head of the Filipino community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, or the obligations of a dutiful dad, passionate patriot Paul Raymund Cortes mulls over how to further enrich the local Filipino community by promoting a more progressive mindset.

EROS GOZE

ATTY. BARNEY ALMAZAR

The ‘People’s Lawyer’ Atty.

Barney Almazar advises UAEbased Filipinas on important laws they can use to protect and advance their interests at work, family and community in general. “Men, their rights, and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less” Susan Anthony, social reformer and feminist who played a pivotal role in the women’s suffrage movement.

BETHOVEN FILOMENO

The Filipino Paolo Roversi who calls Illustrado Magazine his ‘home,’ photographer Eros Goze is known for his distinctively dramatic/edgy style and visual flair which plays up on the beauty of ‘chiaroscuro’. His works have graced countless Illustrado covers, Middle Eastern magazines, and have been used for the campaigns of regional homegrown brand Splash, as well as reputed regional and local haute couture and pret-a-porter houses. Moreover, Eros who has an uncanny gift for revealing in photos beauty that is typically unseen, has been the muchwanted photographer who has captured some of the country’s most prominent and interesting faces – from models, to fashion savants, socialites and personalities.

Up and coming events and fashion photographer Bethoven is an educator by profession and an avid lensman at heart.

Making his way from the Philippine runway to the fashion ramps of Dubai, Bethoven has gained his experience in the field with the support of wellknown Manila-based fashion photographers Raymund Isaac, Rxandy Capinpin and Xander Angeles. Always on the ready to click his camera, he is also an active community volunteer working on projects to support fellow Filipinos.

RVIN RIVERA (Graphics Metropolis)

California-based Irvin Rivera’s background in writing has trained him to be very adept at storytelling. And indeed, his brand of fashion photography conveys so much more beyond the clothes. Irvin has worked for notable stars like Kobe Bryant, Jojo, Shaun Ross, Chantelle Winnie, Mark Kanemura an, etc. including star-makers like Ford, Next, Wilhelmina, Italian Vogue, W, The British Journal of Photography and Zink Magazine, among others. For the cover, Irwin captures the expressive features of Fil-Am model Diana Carl. illustrado go>4

From The Publishers of Illustrado Magazine

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ CREATIVE DIRECTOR MON BENITEZ ASSOCIATE EDITOR NICHOLO JALLORES COLUMNISTS ABY YAP ALFRED “KRIP” YUSON ANNA DE LEON BARNEY ALMAZAR EXCEL DYQUIANCO FRANCISCO COLAYCO SPECIAL QUARTERLY EDITION KRISTINE ABANTE CONSUL GENERAL PAUL RAYMUND CORTES TRACY LEY ORENCIO LOUISE MONIQUE SORIANO CONTRIBUTING WRITERS – UAE, PHILIPPINES, CANADA AJ MARASIGAN ALWEE VILLAROSA ANTONINO BENITEZ DANABELLE GUTIERREZ JOSEPH ALCANTARA KENNETH EPHRAIM SURAT MAI BAUTISTA NINA PEÑALOSA-CARPIO RACHE HERNANDEZ REX VENARD BACARRA ROMAN GUEVARA ROSAN KATLEA REODICA CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS –UAE, PHILIPPINES & USA EROS GOZE RAEN BADUA IRVIN RIVERA JEF ANOG ALEX CALUENG ROZEN ANTONIO HERSON NEBAYA CONTRIBUTING FASHION CREW - UAE, HONGKONG, PHILIPPINES GINNO ALDUCENTE JESSIE TABLA VALENTINO MONTUERTO JASMIN

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BI-WEEKLY

PUBLISHER – UAE ILLUSTRADO COMMUNICATIONS FZ-LLC 2ND FLOOR, BUILDING 2, DUBAI MEDIA CITY UNITED ARAB EMIRATES P.O. BOX 72280 OFFICE 20C TEL: +971 4 365 4543, 365 4547 FAX: +971 4 360 4771 E-MAIL: ADMIN@ILLUSTRADO.CO WEB: ILLUSTRADOLIFE.COM FACEBOOK: ILLUSTRADO MAGAZINE INSTAGRAM: @illustradomagazine PRINTERS ATLAS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS FZ-LLC PO BOX 14833 DUBAI, UAE STOCK IMAGES SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED) COPYRIGHT ILLUSTRADO COMMUNICATIONS FZ-LLC 2006 – 2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS MAGAZINE MAY BE USED OR REPRODUCED IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF ILLUSTRADO COMMUNICATIONS FZ-LLC.

POWER TO THE PINOY

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Towards empowering Filipinos.

Is there a point to Pinoy Pride?

By> Lalaine Chu- Benitez

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n a time of rampant fake news, internet trolls, a community rambunctiously warring about political factions, for all the world to see; when words like “bobo,” “dutertards” and “yellowtards” are hurled from one kabayan to another because “it’s a democracy and one can say what one wants to say”; while high and mighty foreigners lecture our government on how to manage our sovereign nation’s affairs - may silbi pa ba ang Pinoy pride?

What Pinoy pride? Some would ask, why do you have to call somebody’s achievement your own? Porke’t Filipino?

Why do you need to claim every American Idol contestant or Hollywood celeb with a drop of Filipino blood as one of us, if they were not even born in the Philippines? Why even boast of Manny Pacquiao’s and Lea Salonga’s triumphs when you had nothing to do with it?

Perception is reality. Perception is reality. Perception is reality.

And so, if we should not celebrate the wins of our own compatriots, what is there to define us? What value do you think are our people accorded if what is mostly known about us is derogatory? A decade ago, the most common words associated with Filipinos are “Sick Man of Asia”, Ondoy, rape, domestic helper abuse, now it is illustrado go>8

@lalaine_chubenitez

EJKs, Abu Sayyaf, “hopeless and helpless,” among others. The law of propaganda attributed to Nazi Joseph Goebbels says “Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth.” This works for us the same way - “Repeat a negative often enough, and it becomes the ONLY truth.”

of goodwill for our country and our people.

Because remember, whether we like it or not, we are all in this together. We are the summary of our individual efforts and our own collective drive. We might as well use the cards that are stacked in our favor for our own betterment and advancement.

One could argue that there is a measure of verity in all that. However, that is only one part of the whole. The other side is that -

Let Pinoy pride inspire and motivate Pinoy pride is about empowering people, not a license to be lazy while resting on somebody else’s laurels. There is nothing wrong about thriving on reflected glory.

What is wrong is wasting the positive impact or utilizing it for something negative. Pinoy pride also does not exclusively reside in the Philippines or within the “purong Filipino.” It is in the hearts of all Pinoys and Pinoy+ scattered beyond the motherland, who feel connected, despite the distance.

We have a lot to be proud about.

There is no denying that our country and our people are blessed. We have been bestowed a myriad of assets from places of natural beauty, to talented compatriots making a mark whether they are based back home or elsewhere, Filipino brands and businesses that have given the world a beautiful taste of our culture, and common values that have endeared our people to others - our friendliness, hospitality, our resilience, our orientation to service.

We are in this together.

If we cannot see the positives ourselves, how else can we contribute to the promotion, let alone the upliftment of our own people? Surely, you don’t think someone else is going to take it upon themselves to promote our community? On the contrary, each of us have a role to play in this equation, as de facto ambassadors

We Filipinos need to start looking kindly, more positively and progressively at ourselves and each other, and utilize the successes of our kababayans to help us forge onwards.

So claim it, claim them all. Take that Pinoy pride and use it to fuel your confidence and aspirations. We have all to gain from being “Taas Noo, Filipino.”

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KEEPING UP WITH THE CONGEN > Tales from your friendly neighbourhood Philippine Consul-General.

By > Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes

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spent most of my young summers in Baguio -- hiking mountain trails, biking, and just plain basking in the chilly mountain breeze and the energizing scent of pine. The refreshing climate of the Cordillera plateau was a respite from Manila’s oppressive summer heat. Moving to Europe as a young family was a slight departure from all the summers I ever knew. I learned early on that Europe was a place where everyone just took off in summer --- the whole continent transforming into a wanderlust paradise. Our definition of summer would be in the manner Europe did — travel galore, road trips, family outings, excursions, and all. June, July and August, the torrid summer months, provided us ample time to roam about places not too many Filipinos cared to explore.

Once it was Rome or Vienna, in another it was Prague or Berlin. But truly unforgettable was magical Salzburg, a place that would evoke the most affectionate of memories of my wife’s and my childhood favorite movie, The Sound of Music. The drive towards the AustroGerman border, some 450 kilometers away from Budapest, was a treat and a story in itself. Our trip would begin at dusk at 5 am and while German sports cars would traverse the distance in less than five hours, our family mini-van would take

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us there in a little over seven - pit stops, gas stops, screaming children, and all.

While we drove at a cautious 120 kms per hour, the rest of Europe’s humanity would furiously pass us by at race track speeds, their momentum causing the wind to nudge us slightly off our lanes. In those days, our Nokia phones were bereft of the apps we now are so dependent on. Thus for directions, we relied much on map reading, on those thick European Atlas publications which, no matter how hard you study the route the night before, always seemed to deliberately mislead you elsewhere.

Driving time across Europe for as long as 12 hours was the norm and watching the boys glued to the little screens for a considerable portion of those trips were priceless memory gems. These were the times my wife and I began unconsciously memorizing all of Barney’s and The Wiggles’songs and all sequences of Toy Story (yes Parts 1 all the way to 3) as they played in our portable DVD player over and over until exhaustion. In the times when the boys dozed off, we would quickly play the old songs of the 80s, from Original Pilipino Music or OPM to cover songs done by our favorite Filipino artists to pop jazz and fusion, music that would instantaneously spark nostalgia, amidst gazing at the rolling knolls and perfectly manicured hills of the Alps.

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Ruminations of a Summer Escapade

When the boys were a little older, summers meant gallivanting over America’s famed Disneyland, Universal Studios, and amusement theme parks. California was 6 hours by plane away from Hawaii (Florida, some 13 hours) and these sojourns took a little bit of meticulous planning —from rental cars, to 7-day park passes, hotel bookings, and all. For my wife and I, it meant careful budgeting and the smart maneuvering of our trip itinerary; but for the boys, it was simply about which rides and which attractions to focus on.

As far as my older boy, who was nearing 10 at that time, was concerned, trying out those daredevil roller coasters and thrill-seeking rides became a fascination, an obsession even. Old enough to plan our park visit, he would first take us on the mandatory family rides (Autopia, Buzz Lightyear, and the like) and then queue for those heart-pounding attractions (California Screaming and Indiana Jones, et al). Funny how, for a consecutive number of summers, my younger boy inched his way to the minimum height requirement for all those rides his older brother got to enjoy. Once, we thought that he would be allowed to ride The Mummy, only to be told by the Disney staff who accurately pointed out that his Heely’s-assisted height could not be accommodated. My mother had to accompany him to a face painting

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KEEPING UP WITH THE CONGEN > Tales from your friendly neighbourhood Philippine Consul-General.

There most probably will be more adventurous summers to come but with our children metamorphosing into adults and men of their own, ours will never be the same again. I suppose I have to brace myself for the rains to come. stall situated just beside the ride gates, its locationprimarily meant for children left behind by their siblings and family.

And when he was tall enough to try out all those rides he had been refused for the past years, one could easily tell that there couldn’t be more joy in his eyes as it was definitely payback time!

The theme park summers continued until the boys were in their early teens, able to go about the whole park on their own -- my wife less adventurous and less welcoming of the death defying rides, content with more “wholesome” park moments such as the light parade, electric light shows, and the like. For 15 years, summers meant flying across oceans, continental road trips, rental cars, pension homes and hotels, and blistering adventures until the summer of 2012, when fate decided that we slow down a bit as we awaited our youngest blessing.

Our baby joined us in the winter of 2013 and the summer thereafter was preparatory to our life back in the Philippines. And just as the summers my wife and I knew, it was Baguio all over again. This time, it was not just me or my wife but a complete family

of 5, two teenage boys and an infant. The two summers back home in the Philippines allowed our older boys to reconnect with the extended family, aware that by the time our third posting rotation ended in 2021, they would, by then, be new adults, free to determine their own version of summer.

The summers we have had hitherto opened for us the door to a collective experience of the world —how marvelous man’s creations can be, how diverse people are, how vast the differences our perspectives of reality are, how varied the world’s topography is, and how far we have come as a family.

Escapades were times when we had each other for ourselves, when we retreat from sharing each other with those from school or work or even the community. It was our little nook in the vast thread of communal existence that allowed us to define for ourselves how we planned to take on the world that would welcome us back at the end of our brief journey. Every time we approached the outskirts of Budapest at the end of the summer getaways, there was an eerie silence that permitted a time for self-absorption of all that had occurred in the trip that was. Every time our plane descended onto Honolulu International,

it seemed as if everyone had undergone a soul-searching exercise, recalling the wonderful sequence of events on that brief holiday.

For those of us who grew up in the Philippines, summers meant the humid months of April and May, timed just before the rejuvenating torrential downpours of June to October. The scorching heat of Philippine summer preps us for the incoming rains that would bring floods, landslides, and quite often destruction of property and other infrastructure. Summer, for all its lackadaisical dazzle, arms us with the newfound resolve to survive the onslaught of rain and its hangers-on. This forthcoming summer, my golden summer, is when my wife and I send off our oldest son to a university far away from home. At that juncture, I will muse over the glorious summers of Europe, the electrifying summers of America, and the refreshing summers of Baguio. There most probably will be more adventurous summers to come but with our children metamorphosing into adults and men of their own, ours will never be the same again. I suppose I have to brace myself for the rains to come.

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FEATURE >

PINOY + By> Nicholo Jallores

Rob Schneider

The Global Pinoy.

The New Mestizo.

The Half Filipino, Half somethingsomething.

Illustrado examines the new generation of mixed-race Filipinos and finds that the colonial rules no longer apply.

Ode to the New Yorker in Tondo, this is not. Perish the thought of adding to the tiresome and laborious Purebloods vs. HalfBreeds debate. Far be it from a media entity named Illustrado to dig a deeper divide between the indio and the mestizo– it is our stand that the worth of a Filipino cannot be compartmentalized to brown and white.

Fact: the Philippines has been a melting pot of cultures since time beyond memorial, and this is readily evident in the Filipino gene pool. We are a tapestry of colors, mindsets and perspectives. The mestizo’s and mestiza’s are so 1800’s – revenants from a time when colonial mentality haunted our cultural zeitgeist. It’s time to transcend the stereotype.

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What Purity?

The Spaniards landed on the Philippine shores in 1521 and proceeded to systematically reengineer the Filipino identity on a cellular level. Religion played a pivotal role in Spain’s campaign to define Juan and Maria, but the cultural transference was made even more absolute by the Spanish Government’s progressive policy on interracial coupling. Unlike the British and the Dutch who implemented strict anti-miscegenation policies in their colonies, the Spanish government actually encouraged the mixing of the races.

However, a close examination of our history reveals that the diverse nature of the Filipino identity predates the Spanish occupation. Trade relations with neighboring nations such as Malaysia, China, and India — which flourished as early as the 1300’s — also resulted in cultural transference. Fast-forward to the 20th century and you have the Americans and the Japanese adding their heritage to the mix.

The 100% pure Filipino is not as common as most people think. Purity is a rarity.

You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who could directly trace his lineage to the Callao man of Cagayan, or the Tabon man of Palawan. Saying that a Filipino-American is 50% Filipino and 50% American is inaccurate and misleading. In the same vein, one cannot also simplistically quantify mindsets as X amount local and Y amount foreign – not without dipping his foot into xenocentrism. It would be easier to just accept impurity. As they say, the more the merrier.

The New Breed of Mixed-Breed

Gone are the days of the lionized tisoy’s and tisay’s, and the Kikay’s of Tondo who allow Western perspectives to override their local sensibilities. In the matter of adopting cultures, globalization has taken the place of colonization. We are in a time where ideas are shared rather than enforced, and differing belief systems are synergized without one having to cannibalize the other. This is evident in the

FEATURE >

Sharon Leal

Darren Criss Hailee Steinfeld new generation of mixed-race Filipinos, who manage to find the balance between celebrating their ethnicity and embracing foreign ideologies.

In an interview for the book Blended Nation: Portraits and Interviews of Mixed Race America, Luzviminda Carpenter, an American citizen of Filipino and African American descent professed, “I identify as Filipina and black. I do this to give honor to the struggles both my Filipina mother and my black father have had to endure.

I give respect by learning both heritages and never denying one or the other.” She goes on to state that her identity is heavily influenced by both the society and her parents, and that the two factors intersect to make her the woman that she is today.

When asked about how he got to be so funny, Rob Schneider, world famous comedian and star of blockbuster hits such as Deuce Bigalow and The Hot Chick, revealed that his sense of humor is deeply rooted in his multicultural upbringing.

“My mom being Filipino and my dad being

Jewish, it was a good mix. So, we had good laughing people,” claimed Schneider, in an interview with The Filipino Reporter. “When you’re Filipino, as soon as you’re done eating, you’re laughing. Usually, they’re laughing while they’re eating. It was a great place to practice.”

Touted by American film critics as Hollywood’s Next Big Thing, Hailee Steinfeld dazzled the world with her topnotch, Oscar-nominated performance as Mattie Ross in the 2010 Coen Brother’s film True Grit. In an interview with the Manila Bulletin, Steinfeld talked about her close relationship with her mother Cheri Domasin, a former interior designer from Bohol. “My mom and I are so close. She travels the world with me and I could not do what I am doing without her by my side.” She also revealed her pride in identifying with the Filipino community. “I found that the best thing when I am in a group of people, I would have one or two people come up to me and say, ‘You are Filipino! I am Filipino, too.’ And I am like ‘Yes, this is awesome!’ So it is sort of this

one thing that connected me with many people that I find is really interesting.”

Pinoy+

Mixed-race Filipinos and even OFW’s often struggle to find the sweet spot between adopting the prevalent mindsets of their host countries and holding on to their Filipino heritage. To a disorganized mind, one thing will have to give. But the truly global Pinoy, the world-class Filipino, the Illustrado doesn’t have to make such a choice. He understands the value in diversity in viewpoints and opinions, and thereby veers away from any archaic notions that risk marginalizing his identity.

He will forever be a child of the Philippines, but he is a man of the world.

Say goodbye to Tisoy, Tisay, and Kikay.

PINOY BYAHE GUIDE > See the world, kabayan! Here’s how.

Guide to

Cancun Mexico By >

Cancún very well known for its preeminent beaches with impeccable weather and bright sapphire waters of the Caribbean Sea. Apart from this, your night life will never be boring as it offers a wide variety of nightclubs like Coco Bongo, Palazzo and Daddy ‘O with drink-till-you drop treats. The parties will only end when the sun comes up!

Cancún is located just north of Mexico’s Caribbean coast resort band known as the Riviera Maya.

HOW TO GET THERE There are two ways to reach this place: either via North America thru NYC, USA where connecting flights are available through Emirates or Etihad.

The other way is of course thru South America which is thru Sao, Paolo Brazil. Again Emirates and Etihad has direct flight. Brazil could be a good option for our kababayans who want to visit Cancún since we are visa upon arrival, but of course you will need to apply for Mexican visa.

But if you have a US visa then you don’t need to apply for it.

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C H I N O & K Y L E N E Z A B A L A - B AT I N

PINOY BYAHE GUIDE > See the world, kabayan! Here’s how.

WHERE TO STAY Cancún is a tourist friendly city. All hotels are located in their “hotel zone” where they share one coast line which is the Yucatan peninsula.. Our advice is to just stay in a 4-star hotel. We stayed at The Royal Islander hotel. Price per night depends on the season and view (sea view or beach front). We booked the beach front view which is just AED500 night but if you want the standard room it will only cost AED350 a night. This hotel provides everything that a 5-star hotel has. They have 2 big pools with beach view, good restaurants, a nice white sand beach and a friendly staff.

MUST SEE AND DO Naturally, the beach is the main highlight of Cancún. Both sunrise and sunset are amazing! Eating tacos is certainly a must do. We had it for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as it is totally different from the commercialized Tacos we are familiar with – they never put CHEESE on top but more of guacamole. You can find a lot them of along the streets that offer authentic TACOS with a good price from 5 Pesos to 15 Pesos which is approximately AED3.

Chichen Itza is a must-visit since it is now one a UNESCO world heritage site, and one of the 7 wonders of the world. It is approximately a 2-hour drive from the city.

We suggest you buy a ticket that includes buffet lunch so you can enjoy all traditional

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PINOY BYAHE GUIDE > See the world, kabayan! Here’s how.

Mexican food while being entertained by the local dancers and singers.

For party goers like us, your night life in down town Cancún will be a blast! The streets are full of open disco bars. And when we say “open,” we do mean “open” as you are able to see what’s inside of the bars from the street. Some even just enjoy partying outside. The entrance fee for most of the bars is $100/person that includes unlimited drinks.

Playa de Carmen is the perfect place for shopping which stretches from Calle 1 to Calle 40, from high end brands to the local brands. A pedestrian walkway located just one or two blocks in land from the beach and while strolling around you will

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be entertained by some locals dressed in different costumes for tourist who wants to have some photos with the. It is an hour drive from the city.

dropping into this breathtakingly clear waters. We also tried jumping into it from a 45-meter height. An adrenaline rush, indeed!

Isla Mujeres is another island in Cancún which is only 15minutes by ferry. Here you can enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling and other water activities. You can also see the underground museum with over 500 sculptures with three different galleries submerged between three and six meters.

Cancún’s best kept secrets are the cenotes - natural pits or sinkholes that are formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater underneath. Never leave this place without going to one of these cenotes, especially the one in Puerto Morelos. We enjoyed zip lining then

You may also try going to one of their popular ecological and archeological theme parks where you can swim with dolphins, ride horses, explore the Mayan ruins and the underground river.

How to Dress Beach Wear! You can stroll around in your swim wear and flip-flops. It is an island so you don’t have to wear fancy clothes, unless of course if you want to dine in a fancy restaurant. All tourist attractions don’t require dress code. They will allow you to enter with your walking shorts.

PINOY BYAHE GUIDE > See the world, kabayan! Here’s how.

If you haven’t been to Cancún, then it is about time to pack your things as you’re definitely missing out on a lot of things. So if want to experience a magical wonderful paradise, consider including Cancún in your bucket list!

What to bring Mosquito repellent! Well aside from your usual “travel kit” make sure you apply this before going anywhere. Especially if you’re going to the cenotes.

What to avoid Last minute booking, always make sure that you have pre-booked your flight, hotel and car – yes it is advisable to rent a car so you can travel anywhere with convenience.

If you choose not to, then taxi will be a bit difficult due to the language barrier, plus not every taxis is metered, unlike here in the UAE. You will need to bring out your Spanish skills.

Approximate Budget Flight per head UAE – NY (round trip): AED4,785

NY – Cancún: AED1,112 Hotel AED310-AED500 a night The royal islander Car Rental AED130 a day (it’s advisable to rent a manual transmission, as automatic is more expensive).

Full tank of fuel AED201

Food and shopping For food you may allocate AED250 per day. For your souvenirs AED300-500 should be fine, depending on what you want to bring home with you.

Other Notes Stay out of your hotel as much as possible, you have to enjoy what the city can offer!

Be aware of the speed limit when driving as most of the streets have 60km/hr. speed limit, you don’t want to pay unnecessary expenses when.

Toll gates 144dhs return.

Chichen Itza entrance with lunch buffet AED185 per head

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ILLUSTRADO RUNWAY

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FASHION FORWARD Michael Cinco Fall/Winter 2017: Reimagining the Glory of Versailles Baroque architectural details reminiscent of the Château de Versailles and the opulent reign of Le Roi Soleil (Sun King) Louis XIV took to the runway at Michael Cinco’s Fall Winter 2017 show at Fashion Forward Dubai. The haute couture collection of gowns, cocktail dresses, as well as coats, featured a soft palette, baroque prints, and sumptuous embellishments, atop the designer’s signature feminine silhouette. Always a master at creating grandiose style delicately tempered by refinement, Michael Cinco consistently delivers awe-inspiring fashion on the runway - imagining and then giving life to wearable works of art, fit for women who are meant to be queens and princesses.

Photos by: Bethoven M. Filomeno for Illustrado Magazine

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ILLUSTRADO RUNWAY

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FASHION FORWARD Amato Haute Couture Fall/ Winter 2017: Furne One’s Eastern Fascination Furne One took the Dubai fashion crowd to revisit his continuing fascination with the east with his Fall/Winter 2017 offering at Fashion Forward Dubai 2017. Set to Shigeru Umebayashi’s haunting soundtrack to Wong Kar Wai’s critically-acclaimed art flick 2046, Furne One’s show sought to depict post-war stylish drama in pieces featuring lavish detailing including stiff geometric highnecked tops, intricate embroideries and floral appliques, topped with sumptuous fascinators – all decadently unabashed elements that exemplify the designer’s maximalist style. Ever the crowd-pleaser, Furne One, with his uber theatrical shows, the much-awaited finale to FFWD for the last couple of years, remains one of the strongest haute couture players in the Middle East.

Photos by: Eros Goze for Illustrado Magazine

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ILLUSTRADO RUNWAY

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ILLUSTRADO STUFF >

MANIC PANIC

There are only a few things in the world that are legitimately Punk Rock. For example: the Ramones, Vivienne Westwood, and Manic Panic.

A tried-and-true staple for any style reprobate seeking to live a life outside the box, Manic Panic is a decades-old company that manufactures hair dyes in a stunning array of loud and proud colors.

You know that mermaid hair trend? Manic Panic jumpstarted that aesthetic tens of years ago. It’s as relevant then as it is now. Order yours online.

Money can’t buy happiness, but admit it - sometimes you just gotta have your stuff! Get a load of these interesting, very Illustrado sundry.

Can’t live without ‘em!

TROYE SIVAN’S “BLUE NEIGHBORHOOD”

Young South African-born Australian singer, songwriter, actor, and YouTube personality Troye Sivan is a breath of fresh air in an industry that seems to have gone off the deep end of plastic. His style of music is furiously introspective and mature. His debut album “Blue Neighborhood” displays an advanced level of musical wisdom and restraint, whilst keeping aligned with today’s popular sonic aesthetics.

CHALLENGING ADVENTURE AT RAS AL KHAIMA

Before the heat of the Middle Eastern summer goes full throttle, now would be the best time to check out Challenging Adventure –an outdoor adventure camp nestled in the valleys of the magnificent mountains of Ras Al Khaima.

Test your physique in many of CA’s awesome activities such as rock climbing, abseiling, hiking and trekking, even archery! Check ‘em out at www.challengingadventure.com.

WORLD TRADE CENTER MALL, ABU DHABI

The UAE is the Land Of A Thousand Malls, but one behemoth stands to be the most impressive, at least for us in Team Illustrado: the World Trade Center Mall in Abu Dhabi. It’s not as so much as the shops or the facilities, as it is just being a triump of architecture and design. To say that it’s beautiful would be trite. It’s modern but historic, cultural but also youthful. We can spend hours just walking inside this mall and admiring the construction and the interiors.

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CLINIQUE SUPER CITY BLOCK OILFREE DAILY FACE PROTECTOR BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 40

We don’t care who you are, where you’re from, or what you did, (Come through, Backstreet Boys!) – you need sunscreen in your life. And you don’t just need any ol’ sunscreen: you need one that combines high SPF, broad spectrum protection, and maximum blendable-ness so you don’t end up looking like a pantomime in the middle of the afternoon. That’s where Clinique Super City Block Oil-Free Daily Face Protector comes in real handy. Sheer and lightweight, but heavy on the good stuff!

LAW > Get right with the rules. Here’s how.

5 Laws Every Filipina in the UAE Should Know By> Barney Alamazar, Esq.

can be filed by the mother even if both of them are outside the Philippines.

4. UAE Personal Status Law

Marital Problems & Family Disputes – how to deal with them • File a complaint against your husband at the Family Courts • Bring passport and marriage certificate (attested) • A counsellor will help you reach an amicable settlement • If settlement is not possible, you will be referred to the judge for divorce 1. UAE Labour Laws

A working woman can sponsor her husband’s visawhich is renewable annually.

Equal pay for equal work – Article 32 A working woman shall be entitled to the same wage as that of a working man, if she does the same work.

A mother can request the court to transfer the visasponsorship of her children from their father to her.

Night shift prohibition - Articles 27& 28 Except those holding managerial, technical and medical positions and during emergency situations, women may not be made to work from 10 pm to 7 am.

Wife’s visa depends on the validity of her husband’s visa Giving birth in UAE • You will need to apply for your baby’s UAE birth certificate within 30 days of delivery

Maternity Leave – Article 30 • 45 days with full pay if she has completed 1 year of service; otherwise, 50% pay

•To obtain Philippine citizenship of your baby, register the birth with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate.

• Up to 100 days of unpaid maternity leave if there complications resulting to pregnancy or delivery

• You can apply for passport for your newborn at the same time you register the birth

• Maternity leave is not deductible from annual leave

• Apply for a residence visa for your newborn upon completion of the steps above

Paid Nursing Break – Article 31 18 months from delivery, a mother is entitled to 2 additional breaks each day (maximum of 30 minutes each) 2. UAE Immigration Laws

Visa sponsorship Daughters, regardless of age can remain on their father’s sponsorship as long as they are unmarried (sons can only be sponsored by their parents until age 18, unless they are enrolled in a university).

3. Family Code and Civil Code of the Philippines

Article 15 of the Philippine Civil Code provides thatlaws relating to family rights and duties, or to the status, condition and legal capacity of persons are binding upon citizens of the Philippines, even though living abroad.

A petition to terminate the father’s parental authority over the child pursuant to Article 229 of the Family Code of the Philippines

Last Will and Testament If you do not have a will in the UAE, the default rule is your son will get twice more than your daughter.

If your husband dies leaving no children, the wife gets 25% inheritance but if the wife dies leaving no children, the husband gets 50% inheritance.

5. UAE Penal Code

Crimes against honor - Article 359 A punishment of confinement for a period not exceeding one year and a fine not exceeding ten thousand Dirhams or either punishment shall be inflicted on any person who obstructs a female in such a manner as to violate her prudence by word or deed, on a public road or at a frequented place.

Child Support – Article 330 Shall be punishable by confinement for a period not exceeding one year and by a fine not exceeding ten thousand Dirhams or by one of these two penalties any individual against whom a self-executing judgment is rendered, imposing upon him the payment of alimony to his spouse, any of his relatives or legal dependents, or the payment of salary of the guardian or foster-mother or rent of a house and who, after three months from the day on which he has been warned to pay, refrains from performing the obligation although he is capable of fulfilling it.

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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

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Celebrating Filipino artistry, passion, and cleverness.

MOREEN AUSTRIA Visual Artist

to the local art scene. But it was not until 5 years ago that I realized that doing art is my greatest passion. After weighing things over, I resigned from my corporate job to keep learning about art and pursue it.

My Art I’m a visual artist. I paint and sculpt mainly but I feel that expression should be allowed its own dynamics so I work across multiple media: from works on paper using watercolor, charcoal, ink and prints, acrylic and oil on canvas. I also do metal sculptures and installation. The themes have usually been on women, local culture and events, either in my life or my community, and the world that made an impact to me.

As human beings we express ourselves in different ways. My art becomes the visual diary of my experiences; a tool of commentary on the society and time I live in. To be able to communicate to other human beings beyond borders of geography, language, belief, age, and time I think is the greatest thing about art.

As a child I always painted and “daydreamed.” I always turned to painting as a hobby and a catharsis and I met some artists along the way who introduced me

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My Process The thing that I learned about inspiration is that you never know when you’ll get it. It just hits you. When an idea strikes me, I become restless until an art form comes out of that idea — some inspiration turn into paintings, or sculptures. But lately, when I get inspired, the idea that turn into a full concept, and from there I create series of artworks. That concept becomes the soul of a particular exhibition or project.

I pour a part of my soul in each piece of art that I do. Each artwork holds a piece of my experiences, my belief, my advocacy.

And since no artist has the exact same life I live, I guess that makes each of my work my own.

My Journey Thus Far The art residency in Abu Dhabi ArtHub has been one of the highlights of my journey as an artist because it had changed my perspective on a lot of things. Working in a culture very different from ours and living with my fellow Filipino artists have became an impetus for me to be sensitive to what is happening in my community, and be true to my identity as a Filipino and a woman. The time I spent in Abu Dhabi made me more grounded but it also made me recognize that the only limits we have are the ones we set for ourselves. ]

I pursue art because I love it so much.

I just think about transforming an idea, advocacy and inspirations to art forms and to keep outdoing myself each time. But my greatest hope is that someday, through these, I can say that I made significant contributions to Philippine art and culture.

My advice to fellow artists There will always be reasons to discourage one from pursuing art. Rejection is a constant. But like in any aspect of life, if you love something deeply, and want something badly, you won’t let anything put you down.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

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The thing that I learned about inspiration is that you never know when you’ll get it.

It just hits you. When an idea strikes me, I become restless until an art form comes out of that idea.

> Melrish Photography > MelRish Photos and Films > www.melrish.com

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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

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VISUAL ARTIST

MEIMBAN

“NORLIE”

NORLITO

Celebrating Filipino artistry, passion, and cleverness.

My Art Maliit pa lang ako, mahilig na kong mag drawing. Nakikita ko sa tatay ko kung papano sya magpinta, hangang sa matuto ako at pinasok ako sa UP. Nag-work ako sa company as assistant animator; naging supervisor, tumagal ako ng 12 years pero hinahanaphanap ko pa rin ang painting, hanaggang sa dumating ang mga computer animation. Doon ako nag-decide na bumalik sa tunay kong gustong gawin: ang pagpipinta.

Sa sobrang tagal kong nawala sa circulation ng art sa Manila, kung anu-anong idea ang nilabas ko, pero gusto ko pa ring gumawa ng mga figurative paintings. Until I decided to collaborate with former company and went into the style of combining figurative painting with animation. I called it “animated paintings.”

My Process Well, una, pag gusto kong ma inspire pumupunta ako sa mga exhibits at iniinggit ko ang sarili ko para sipagin akong gumawa ng paintings. After that ire-relax ko muna ang isip ko para pumasok ang mga bagong ideas, then I start searching for subject matter. Yung process ko ng painting medyo matagal kasi kailangan kong i-animate muna yung character na gusto kong pagalawin or to make an animated movement, then gagawa ako ng pattern para i transfer ko sa canvas. To keep myself motivated, I always make sure that I plan my show ahead of time, kasi kapag may mga schedule ka na ng show, maiinspire kang gumawa. I think you must always be busy, pero dapat may time ka din sa family and parents mo, and of course to pray.

What makes my work very different is that I use line drawing to represent the movement of the animation. Yung iba, ginagamit nila yung Photoshop pero ako, I use traditional animation drawing.

My Journey, Thus Far When I was young, my father always had an apprentice.

Minsan doon pa sa amin nakatira. Hindi sya madamot sa pagtuturo, lalo na kapag alam niya na interesado yung tao na matuto. Siguro na-adapt ko sa father ko yung hindi dapat ipagdamot ang talentong binigay sa iyo. As I was pursuing my passion, I met this group of artists who looked up to my work. At the time, I was organizing collective shows, and this group of young, freshly graduated artists asked me for guidance. So I put together another show, with 10 artists including myself. Doon na ako nagsimulang magkaroon ng mga “anak” sa art scene. Until now, marami akong artists na sinasama sa mga group exhibits ko, and I also have a

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‘Pag gusto kong ma-inspire pumupunta ako sa mga exhibits at iniinggit ko ang sarili ko para sipagin akong gumawa ng paintings. After that ire-relax ko muna ang isip ko para pumasok ang mga bagong ideas

fund raising show yearly. Every year, nagpapakain kami ng family ko sa mga street children. Almost 7 years na namin ginagawa ito.

Until now, I promote young artists here and abroad.

This year I had a project in the Singapore Art Apart Affair, held last January of 2017. I sent out two artists, and now I’m schedule to the same in August. I’m also organizing a project for the Asian Contemporary Art Fair in Hongkong. 2017 is shaping up to be branching outside of the Philippines and promoting Filipino artistry in other countries.

Advice to my fellow artists Follow your heart and your passion, pagbutihin mo hangga’t maging masaya ka sa ginagawa mo. Pero dapat huwag kang manglalamang sa kapwa para lang umasenso. Be patient. Learn everyday. Don’t stop.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

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Celebrating Filipino artistry, passion, and cleverness.

Norlie Meimban

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SCRAPBOOK >

EDCEL CABALAN DUBAI, UAE https://www.facebook.com/edcel.cabalan

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SCRAPBOOK >

MARLON BARTOLO MUSCAT, OMAN https://500px.com/lhonzerothree

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CURATED FASHION

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Tips and tricks from the Internet’s best Pinoy style savants!

Alyssa Gibbs @chiiloyzagagibbs

Here’s to the girls who are fashion-obsessed and always on the lookout for a new OOTD inspo. For those who are looking for their IG style animal, and to those who are seeking to find some elements that can add flare and flavor to their grid. We are giving you full disclosure on how to master the chicest color combos and how to put together a foolproof ensemble that you can also reinvent from time to time courtesy of @chiiloyzagagibbs.

Here’s an Insta-cheat sheet on how to achieve a full-blown glamour look that can help you up your game on the digital fashionsphere and in real life too!

When you get presented with a green and yellow palette, some people might freak out and say “WHAT THE FROCK?” But if you are a fashion girl with a strong will, we know you’d be down to try out this combination.

Green and yellow are two of the hottest colors this year and maybe you’ve already seen this in fashion shows or style blogs. If you have a lighter complexion, you can go for a fresher green and pair it with a bright yellow. However, if you are rocking a sun kissed “morena” skin tone, go for a bolder and darker shades of these colors.

Now you are just one filter away to scoring those likes!

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CURATED FASHION

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Tips and tricks from the Internet’s best Pinoy style savants!

A real fashion girl knows how to eat too! Our choice of food should not limit our choice of wardrobe. We Filipinos know the value of statement pieces and good outfit basics but we also love to play around casual cool.

For this look, you can quickly add some punch to your outfit by using a scarf. This is a very simple but trendy look that can go well with anyone any day. Because we are never the ones to back out on a trend!

Your outfit can be as hot as the weather. You just need to find pieces that can help you find the right spin. If you’re planning to do a stroll around the city but don’t want to bother yourself with big outfits, go for bright colored tops like this one and balance it with washed jeans.

A very laid back outfit can take you places, especially with a nice flat sandals that are feet friendly.

And that’s it for today’s weather report!

Animal print is one fashion trend that is for sure to stay. It has glued its spot in the racks of boutiques and in the set of of clothes of style stars. This one is so wild it can be both trendy and tacky.

This specific print is so tricky and might not play well with everyone’s aesthetic. It’s so fierce that if you’re are not 100% down to wear it, it might eat you up (alive)! So how do we really wear this?

The rule of thumb is simple: stick to one print. Do not mix zebra with leopard or else everyone would be staring at you as if you’re a walking zoo.

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ANGAS PINAS

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Pinoy Pride. Kabayan Yabang. Ganyan tayo eh!

LEO CONSUL: A PINOY ARTIST IN INDONESIA B y > E x c e l V. D y q u i a n g c o

Once clad in tattered and nasty clothes while mopping the floors of provincial buses coming in for their final stop in his hometown of Bolinao in Pangasinan, a young Leo Consul had always dreamt of living the good life.

“I would wait, along with my friends, for those buses to come until midnight just so we could clean them and get a 10-peso cleaning fee,” he says.

believe my talents brought me to where I am now. I believe I belong in the business where I can make use of these God-given talents.”

He remembers that when he would go hungry, he scavenged some leftovers found in the trash bin because he was famished and didn’t have money to buy decent food.

He recalls. “Leftover burgers, chicken, cold fries, name it - these helped us made it through those painful nights. Coping with this kind of life wasn’t easy. I had to remind myself over and over again that I couldn’t just quit and let these things happen again in the future.”

His stint was short-lived, however, as he had to focus on his education first. While taking up his last semester at UP Diliman, he auditioned for StarStruck only to find himself queuing up at 3 in the morning and going home at 7pm as a failure. He also auditioned for Pinoy Dream Academy but unfortunately, didn’t make it, obviously.

Handling Criticisms and Rejections His dream, though, of escaping such an impoverished state never left him. Although he never imagined becoming a TV actor or host, in college, he decided to audition at ABS-CBN Baguio since he had some previous hosting experiences before. The program was looking for local hosts for their travelogue show and he eventually landed a spot. That piqued his interest about this business. “I remember our boss telling me that they chose me because of my skills and not necessarily because of my looks, I swallowed it with pride. I wanted to prove them that I do belong in this business. I illustrado go>32

“It was horrible!” he says. “It was hours and hours of thirst and hunger as I queued in to meet up the judges, along with those thousand hopefuls, only to be crushed at the end of the day.”

Growing with Indonesian Actors When Leo learned that Eat Bulaga was opening its own version in Indonesia, he – once again - auditioned as one of the hosts. He got the part. “I was one of the Sugod-Bahay gang, Indo version,” he says. “I got to meet people up-close and personal from all walks of life. It was the ultimate validation that Indonesians really accepted me as a foreign artist who eventually became a household name.

When I was starting, I didn’t have the car to bring me to our locations so I had to take public transportation. I would hear people say what I was doing riding the bus. I just brushed those off my shoulders. I didn’t let those comments get to me. Instead, I used them as my motivation.”

Although EBI helped him with his career as a TV host, what catapulted his career was his soap opera. Now more than five years later as an actor and a host in Indonesia, he still enjoys every minute of working in front of the cameras. He says that working with Indonesian actors is quite easy too.

“Learning the language was quite easy,” he says. “I didn’t have formal lessons. I learned from conversing with locals most of the time. My love for languages also played a great role.”

For those who want to follow in his path, he shares some advice, “Don’t ever give up on your dreams! If they didn’t happen today, they will tomorrow! And if it didn’t happen tomorrow, there’s always another day!

Point is, you don’t just give up just because you failed once. There are going to be a lot of hurdles along the way but you should use those dreams as your strength to jump over those hurdles.” > Rudy Hary

ADVERTORIAL >

CONSULATE CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH

Madam Yasmin Balajadia-Cortes during her inspirational talk at the celebration of the International Women’s Month.

Madam Yasmin Balajadia-Cortes during the awarding of Memento by the Thumbay Hospital Dubai.

26 March 2017, Dubai, UAE. The Philippine Consulate in Dubai and the Northern Emirates and the Filipino Ladies of Dubai led

by Madam Yasmin Balajadia-Cortes opened its doors to over 100 women in celebration of International Women’s Month at the Philippine Consulate on 24 March 2017.

Ms. Krishnakali Mondal, Senior Physiotherapist at the Thumbay Hospital.

The one day celebration, which drew the participation of women of the Filipino community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates -Consulate staff, entrepreneurs, housewives, members of various organizations, and the ladies being assisted at the Consulate’s and POLO’s Migrant Worker Center, included a short seminar on Physical Stress Management and Ergonomics conducted by

In her Inspirational Talk, Madam Yasmin Balajadia-Cortes emphasized that even while we celebrate March as International Women’s Month, every day is, in fact, Women’s Day because the most basic structure of our society rests on the nurture only a mother can give. She also reiterated that women are an equal force in our community and the fight for recognition of the rights as human beings of many millions of other women across the world exist and must continue used to be fought for.

ASEAN LADIES CIRCLE – ABU DHABI FORMAL LAUNCH HELD

Madame Farida Husin Bagis (Indonesia), Madame Yoko RamosVingno (Philippines), and Madame Alice Ho Tan (Singapore) (left to right) cuts the ribbon to open the exhibit in celebration of Mothers’ Day alongside the formal launching of the ASEAN Ladies Circle – Abu Dhabi 29 March 2017 – Good food and camaraderie marked the formal launch of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ladies Circle – Abu Dhabi on 23 March 2017 at the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The photo exhibit featured the spouses of the ASEAN Ambassadors, in their roles as mothers.

The event was attended by spouses of ASEAN Ambassadors and diplomats in Abu Dhabi, female Embassy officers, female members of the respective local communities, as well as the Ambassadors and chargés d’affaires of ASEAN Embassies in the UAE capital. A photo exhibit in celebration of Mothers’ Day, featuring the spouses of ASEAN Ambassadors – Madame Yoko Ramos-Vingno illustrado go>33

ANNIE B CHRONICLES

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T h e ad v e n tur e s a n d mi s ad v e n tu re s o f a ‘ n o t s o a ve ra g e ’ P in a y tr y i n g to ma ke i t i n th e c o s m o po lita n c ity o f Du b a i

“WOW Philippines” While updating my Facebook and Instagram accounts nakita kong bumulaga ang banner ad ng Emirates Airlines: “Fly direct from Dubai to Manila now for as low as AED 1,670” Wow, ang mura na pamasahe ha?

Samantalang last Christmas eh halos apat na libo ang dapat mong bunuin para lang makakain ng authentic puto-bumbong with matching background of Christmas Carolers habang nasa Simbang Gabi ka ng alas kuwarto ng madaling araw. Not bad na itong promo ng Emirates huh?

So habang isa-isa kong vini-view sa Facebook ang mga cool summer pictures ng mga dati kong officemates sa Pilipinas, magbabalik-tanaw na lang ako sa mga unforgettable vacation memories ko – predigital camera days.

Boracay! The ultimate summer place to see and be seen – madaming artista at mga papable lalo na kapag Holy Week, rampa from Station 1 to 3, walang humpay tomaan sa Cocomangas Bar, Epic at.

Sandbar Beach Club , shopping at lafang sa D’Mall, rides sa Jetski, Banana Boat at Fly Fish.

Baguio City at Banaue! The undisputed summer capital of the Philippines. Saan pa ba tumatakbo ang mga utaw kapag lumalampas na ng 32 degrees celcius ang illustrado go>34

weather? Miski crowded pa hindi pa rin papapigil ang mga bakasyunista to go canoeing at Burnham Park, ang maghot chocolate sa Café By The Ruins, and makipag-posing while kodakan with overly enterprising Igorots sa Mines View Park, at syempre ang mag-Disco dancing sa Cactus Bar at Padis Point at mamili na souvenirs at pasalubong na strawberries at fresh vegetables sa Wet Market at mag-hakot ng peanut brittle at strawberry & ube jams sa Good Shepherd.

projection ang buong lugar.

Tagaytay! Isang mabilis na gimmikan from Metro Manila….ilang minute lang eh kakaiba na ang projection mo sa ganda ng tanawin at weather dito – at sa dami ng lalafangan! Kodakan sa Taal Lake, dining at Josephine’s, Leslie’s, Rojonet, Mushroom Burger, Antonio’s, Sonia’s Garden, funtimes sa Picnic Grove, tapos paguwi, stopover sa Enchanted Kingdom! Maasahan talaga lagi ang Tagaytay sa lapit nito sa Maynila.

Puerto Galera! Kapag Holy Week at instant public holiday – at wala kang budget magBoracay, dito sa White Beach matatapguan ang kalahati ng mga gumigimmick sa Maynila. It’s hard not to recognize a familiar face here lalo na kapag madalas ka sa Malate at Makati tumambay – dahil nandito rin sila during these days. Sobra kasing reasonable at budget friendly ang bakasyon sa Puerto Galera. Ilang oras lang mula sa Batangas Pier eh nasa bonggang beach ka na – at punong-puno rin ng

Cebu! Kapag nagpunta ka dito, you’d know why it is called the Queen City of the South.

Bukod sa ang gaganda ng mga beaches, ang dami ng mga nag-gwagwapuhang mga fafa – talagang magaganda ang mga Cebuana. At ang lafang? Hindi ka makakatanggi sa Lechon De Leche, at sa mag-food trip sa Larsian Fuente Osmeña at Sutukil (Sugba, Tinola, Kinilaw or grill, stew and eat raw).

Palawan! Now this is the place to be kapag: a. bongga ang budget ng company outing nyo, b. may super rich kang papa na willing mag-splurge for a quickie holiday, c. willing kang ubusin ang 13th month pay mo for an unforgettable vacation experience. I’m talking about the buena Northern Palawan experience - the areas of Cuyo, Busuanga and Coron in the Philippines’ largest island.

Safe, pollution free and paradise-like.

Ayan, na-homesick na tuloy ako! Kasi naman eh! Gosh, miss ko na Pinas! Pero hindi pa ako ready i-give up ang comforts of my life here in Dubai. Blessing pa rin ito eh. Alam ko na! Para mawala itong feeling ko eh kakaladkarin ko na lang ang mga flatmates ko mamaya na manood ng Pinoy movie sa Al Ghurair at ililibre ko na lang sla ng halo-halo sa Chowking pagkatapos.

Ayos? Dizzizit!

Illustrado Go> Pinoy awesomeness on-the-go for the progressive Filipino.

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