ILLUSTRADO Magazine September 2015

9

SEP-OCT 2015

CHAMPIONING THE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO

9 YEARS 99 ISSUES IN PURSUIT OF LUXURY Is your lifestyle too costly?

ADOBO CONNOISSEUR The Art of Filipino Food

Feel Rich!

EZRA

Enraptured

FASHION’S ORIGINAL SIN

Deconstructing the Myth of Originality

THE COUTURE COLLECTIVE Feast your eyes on the works of over

30Filipino

Top Designers!

#TheNewLuxe

PHOTOGRAPHY by EROS GOZE

EDITOR’S NOTE

Looking back at 9

Back in September 2006, we have taken on a very important undertaking – something that we deemed of intrinsic value to our kababayans in this part of the world. And that is to offer a beacon of positivity and progressive thinking as an alternative to the typical “masamang balita” and “tsismis” that seemed to follow our community - whether through our own media outlets, or on international news platforms.

Back then, as professionals who have made Dubai home for almost two decades, we’ve witnessed how the mostly negative press shaped and influenced how we were perceived out here – as third class citizens, from a third world country that was too corrupt and plagued with misfortune, that it couldn’t take care of its own affairs. And although, there is so much more to the Filipinos and to the Philippines that is good and worth celebrating, this association with the bad, the scandalous and the uncouth, has mostly defined what we were to others. Like it or not, unfortunately, perception is reality.

I remember being asked then by an influential Filipino (who would turn out to be one of our strongest supporters and mentors), “Don’t you think this magazine is too high quality for the community?” To which, I replied, “Just because we are masa, it doesn’t mean we deserve any less.”

Some of our own kababayan journalists even called it propaganda then. The strange thing is, most of us were just not used to reading good things about ourselves, because, none of whatever we have published in the last 9 years were biased or misleading. Without need for exaggeration, the stories on Filipino talent, achievements, successes and triumphs were all real.

The awe-inspiring visuals depicting Filipino design

and ingenuity, as well as the beauty of our people and country were all genuine; ready to be captured. All we had to do was to hold a mirror to reflect that greatness.

A social cause is not exclusive to solving problems on poverty, migration, crime, politics and corruption, etc.

Sometimes, a social cause can be as simple as giving dignity to a people by showing the world how great, how worthy and deserving of respect they are.

This is our cause.

It has been a very challenging 9 years, a roller-coaster ride of sorts. But we are thankful that we remain and that we are allowed to contribute our small bit to our community and to this world.

It’s been 9 years, but excuse us if we don’t evolve and talk about the latest “tsismis;” that we don’t sensationalize news; or don’t promote dreadful stories that continue to paint our kababayans in a poor light, whether for financial or popularity gains.

We intend to remain the reflective beacon for the Filipinos that is all about the good, the beautiful, and the triumphant.

Maraming salamat po sa inyong pagtangkilik at walang sawang pag-suporta.

We remain…

Taas Noo, Filipino!

Lalaine Chu-Benitez Editor-in-Chief

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CHAMPIONING THE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO

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SEPTEMBER 2015

CONTRIBUTORS MICHAEL CINCO ALFRED “KRIP” A. YUSON Highly esteemed Filipino writer Krip Yuson has published a myriad of books, including novels, poetry, short stories, children’s stories, biographies and screenplays. He has been elevated to the Hall of Fame of the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, the Philippines’ most prestigious literary distinction. He regularly regales Illustrado readers in his column, ‘Illuminati,’ with stories and musings on the Filipino zeitgeist.

This month, he shares with us his thoughts on the politics of superstition, and how it relates to the ghost month of August.

ABY YAP Aby Yap captures the Pinoy way of life so well with her column, Onli in da Pilipins. Her stories celebrate the quirky uniqueness, honesty, and humor of Filipinos, where everyone can easily relate to the characters she sketches. In this issue, Aby regales the different things that redefine the concept of luxury for Filipinos living and working abroad.

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FRANCISCO COLAYCO Francisco Colayco is an entrepreneur, venture developer and financial advisor who has written many books that advocate Filipinos to financially prosper. He is Illustrado’s resident money expert and personal finance guru, and this month, he writes about the importance of knowing that debt and money is not a good combination, especially if you want to prosper.

Michael Cinco joins Illustrado this month as Creative Director for the fashion editorial “Amor Vincit Omnia.” This celebrated international haute couture designer has brought high acclaim to the Filipino flair for style around the world – with his creations featured in runways, red carpets, and on international TV, adorning the world’s most beautiful women - from the Middle East to the US, to Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia.

BARNEY ALMAZAR, ESQ Atty. Barney is a director at the Commercial Department of Gulf Law in the Middle East, Philippines and United Kingdom. A lifetime member of the Philippine Bar, he holds a UAE legal consultancy license, as well as Juris Doctor and MBA dual degrees on International Business and European Union Law from the University of London. In this issue, Atty. Barney tackles the pros and cons of franchising a business.

NICHOLO JALORES Nicholo Jallores is an advertising account executive, writer, singer, dancer, cardio junkie and a wannabe theoretical physicist. When he was young, his grandmother convinced him that anything is possible, and gullible child that he was he believed her. He engraved that mindset so deeply on the core of his being that now he walks around the city thinking that he can be anything and everything — a dangerous man. He eats his steak rare and mooing, because he believes that if one wants to have the best things in life, he must not be afraid of tasting a bit of blood in his mouth.

RAV DE CASTRO

JEF ANOG

This month’s fashion editorial was shot by Jef Anog. The rising fashion Rav De Castro is a marketer photographer has done covers by profession and a writer for Eluxe Magazine – Paris, MUSE by heart. He used to run Arabia, Zara’t Al Khallej, Arabian marketing campaigns for Woman, Chance for Travelercompanies like Microsoft and Autumn 2014, Tvoje Svatba, Czech Google, all while writing poetry Rep; shoots for Forbes Woman, and memoirs on the side. It’s Velvet, Lamasat and Illustrado been a long time coming, Couture; as well as campaigns for but he has finally taken the Michael Cinco, Ezra Santos, Amato jump—Rav is now a full-time Couture, and Mona Al Mansouri writer and magazine editor. among others. He says that his For this month’s issue, he training as a theater actor, and love braved the waters of the rather for poetry and art has given him sensitive topic of originality deep appreciation for dramatic and authenticity in the fashion editorial images. industry, and interviewed several designers to pick their creative brains on the matter.

CHAMPIONING THE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO

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PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lalaine Chu-Benitez CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mon Benitez ASSOCIATE EDITOR Rav De Castro COLUMNISTS Aby Yap Alfred “Krip” Yuson Barney Almazar Bo Sanchez Francisco Colayco CONTRIBUTING WRITERS – UAE, PHILIPPINES, CANADA Mary Ann “Maps” Santos SWITZERLAND Nephele Kirong Angela Mapa Nikka Sarthou Anna Oposa Nina Terol-Zialcita Barbara Marchadesch P.A. Escalante Candice Lopez Quimpo Princes Nedamo Dante Gagelonia Quay Evano Didi Paterno Rache Hernandez Excel Dyquianco Regina Layug-Lucero Kara Santos Sherry Tenorio Mary Ann Marchadesch CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS – UAE, PHILIPPINES & USA Alex Calueng Eros Goze Cristina Linaza Raen Badua Rozen Antonio Irvin Rivera Herson Nebaya Jef Anog CONTRIBUTING FASHION CREW UAE, HONGKONG, PHILIPPINES Ginno Alducente Jessie Tabla Jojo Padua Valentino Montuerto Jasmin 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.net Web: illustradolife.com, illustrado.co Facebook: Illustrado Magazine Twitter: Illustrado Magazine PRINTERS Printwell Printing LLC P.O. Box 18828 Dubai, UAE STOCK IMAGES Shutterstock.com (Unless otherwise specified) Copyright Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2006 – 2015 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.

SEP-OCT 2015 CONTENTS Ezra Santos’ divine haute couture creations grace our September 2015 issue fashion editorial, especially directed by the ‘impalpable’ Michael Cinco.

FEATURES Borrow, Copy, Steal or Share? 10 Feeling Mayaman: The Sensible Person’s Guide to

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Modern Luxury 16 Meet Your Consul General: Hon Paul Raymund Cortes 44 Mastering the Filipino Flavor 48

FASHION Amor Vincit Omnia 20 Ezra Enraptured 40 Couture Gallery 52

REGULAR COLUMNS Editor’s Note 1 Contributors 4 Community 6 Illuminati: The Politics of Superstition 8 Scrapbook 42 Things to Do 76 It’s What I Do 78 Pinoy Entrepreneur: Dowell Deligos 82 Filipino Traveler: Cleo Eleazar in Berlin, Germany 84 My Pinoy Life in Romania: Donnie Ray del Rosario 90 Money: Debt and Luxury may Not Mix 96 Law: Franchising as a Shortcut to Success 98 Onli in Da Pilipins: 10 Luhoxuries that Only Overseas Filipinos Would Understand 102 On the Prowl, In the Know 104

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COMMUNITY

RAS AL KHAIMAH FREE TRADE ZONE UNVEILS ITS STARTUP CHAMP COMPETITION

Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone (RAK FTZ) has announced the launch of the RAK FTZ Startup Champ Competition.

This is open to aspiring entrepreneurs who aim to seek funding for their innovative and unique business plans.

According to Ahmad Numan, Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications of RAK FTZ, the organized the competition in order to “encourage creativity and innovation among startup entrepreneurs.” This initiative is focused on nurturing new innovators,

and helping them become tomorrow’s business leaders.

The most promising candidate will be rewarded with a business set-up package at RAK FTZ, which includes a business license, world-class business facility, and comprehensive business support services specifically designed to sustain startup growth.

The competition is open to all aspiring entrepreneurs who can submit their business plans beginning August 17

NEW FILIPINO ENTREPRENEURS TARGET DHS3.6 MILLION ‪IN SALES The Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai spearheads a six-month course on Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (LSE) that seeks to challenge its participants to become leaders and change-makers by conceptualizing a social enterprise over a traditional business.

The best business plan of the program will be rewarded with more than Dhs4,000, or PHp50,000, as seed money. Designed to provide additional income stream to all overseas Filipinos around the world, the LSE program’s various social enterprises will be launched on October 1.

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This year, the LSE program is joined by 46 entrepreneurial individuals.

They are targeting to generate Dhs3.6 million, or more than Php45 million, in total sales. According to Dennis Belgrado, group leader of OFEX or www.tarakabayan.com, the projected amount will be achieved once the ‘students’ properly implement all of the 14 business plans that were formally presented at the start of the programs.

“The program has opened a lot of opportunities for all of us and I’m confident that there would be successful entrepreneurs from LSE26-Dubai,” LSE Batch 26 president Arlene Pulido explains. They will also campaign for

until September 17, 2015 at www.rakftz.com/champ. The awarding ceremony will be held at the free zone’s newly opened Boulevard Business Centre in Downtown Dubai.

Mr. Numan said, “We have the utmost respect for small and medium-sized enterprises as they have always been a major contributor to the diverse economy of Ras Al Khaimah and RAK FTZ. The RAK FTZ Startup Champ Competition is our way of showing relentless support to existing and future SMEs in the region.”

awareness and realization of this program through continuous education in Financial Literacy and Social Entrepreneurship.

The ASoG started the LSE in 2008 in Milan, Italy,and this year’s batch is the 3rd one to commence in the UAE. About 800 Overseas Filipinos (OFs) have enrolled in the program.

ILLUMINATI

for the foreigners’ lives lost, even if police forces appeared to have exacerbated the situation with their clumsy efforts.

It is still said to have proven ominous for the Aquino presidency, at least as far as police operations were concerned. Similarly botched PNP operations over four years later, this time in the infamous Mamasapamo “misencounter,” still stand as a blemish on his administration’s record.

In 2010, the DILG was headed by Sec. Jesse Robredo.

Upon his tragic demise in a plane accident, the department was taken over by former DOTC Sec. Mar Roxas. Now, he’s the officially anointed one to continue the much-ballyhooed Daang Matuwid program.

A

August would have come and gone by the time this comes out as the second in a series of monthly assessments of the Philippine political scene, specifically on the run-up to the crucial presidential elections of May 2016.

August was the Month of the Hungry Ghosts, traditionally regarded in the Eastern world as a time to avoid making important decisions and announcements, sealing communication programs and contracts (even conjugal ones, so that marriage is frowned upon), and engaging in any travel, especially that involving water, or even having seaside vacations.

Socio-political observers in Manila who are astute enough to factor in everything, and ignore nothing in terms of recall, even what may be called superstition, still point to the unfortunate episode that transpired in Rizal Park in August of 2010. President Noynoy Aquino had barely warmed up his seat, after taking his oath in that same park, when tourists from Hong Kong suffered terrible consequences aboard their travel coach that was commandeered by a desperate gunman. An international flap ensued when PNoy refused to offer an official apology

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Maybe it is the memory of the Rizal Park incident that made the President avoid waiting till August to make the longawaited announcement of his choice for LP presidential candidate; it came only a few days after his last SONA—on the very last day of July, which happened to be a blue moon, or second full moon of the month.

But since that fullness occurred in the early hours of the day, and the announcement at historic Club Filipino later at around noon, the purists among celestial or pie-in-the-sky observers can’t be too placated about the excellence of its fortuitous timing.

It was a foregone conclusion. PNoy owed Mar a favor. As an LP stalwart, he was the natural choice, despite the show of courtship with regards the frontrunner in the early polls, Sen. Grace Poe. All her suitors simply wanted her as a partner for the Veep slot. And when they were spurned, out came the guns with sights set on ruining her own presidential chances.

Questions on her citizenship and residency became so heated that some unknown individual actually filed an official protest, gaining more than his 15 minutes of fame when he managed to raise the paltry sum involved as filing fee.

On the other hand, Poe supporters, and presumably she herself, welcomed the protest action; the legal questions would have a chance of being settled early enough, rather than having these raised at a later, more sensitive time.

ILLUMINATI

The Politics of Superstition

By Krip Yuson

But will she really run for the top post? She has kept everyone waiting. Insiders say that indeed she will, and that she’ll just wait out the passage of Hungry Ghosts month before she declares her intentions. As far as I know, the season of sheer superstition takes place from August 14 to September 12. If what her intimates say is correct, then her announcement will likely be made by midSeptember.

The dilly-dallying may continue to lose survey points for her the next time the results come out. Already, the partnership with Chiz Escudero has cost her much, as is generally conceded. And with the President’s choice of Mar, it will certainly cause a spike in his own positive ratings.

The only question left is how significant that upturn will be.

Most centrists, especially of the middle-to-upper classes, seem to be more than ready to abide by PNoy’s support for Mar. A backlash has hit Grace Poe’s numbers, with her now being seen as arrogantly turning her back on PNoy and the mighty LP, while threatening to divide the votes to be cast against the only true oppositionist, Jojo Binay.

For all the bluster accompanying his continuing striptease dance of now-I’m-in-now-I’m-out, Duterte couldn’t have gained ground. As with the suspense factor being played

by Sen. Grace, impatience over the apparent indecision has been costing him.

Meanwhile, Binay must also be losing points, with his counter-SONA only drawing more attacks. The Makati Business Club has just assessed his office as the worst performing of government agencies. And his reported courtship of Bongbong Marcos as May 2016 teammate will only consolidate the supposed “thinking-man’s vote.”

Meanwhile, too, Mar has been glorying in his endorsement by a still popular President. And while he has yet to officially give up his DILG post, he continues to campaign early with provincial sorties and media ads.

What could still hold him down is the Metro Manilan’s increasing disgust over horrific urban traffic, which is seen as yet another failure of DOTC, the agency he headed and passed on to a similarly inclined buddy, no less than the LP President, himself evidently guilty of the analysis-paralysis syndrome.

Still, he must be gaining points for the next survey, while his contenders may have been pulled down. It’s up to the Hungry Ghosts to conduct unpredictable mischief on any or all of them. August has also been traditionally seen as a bloody month for Philippine politics and politicians. We’ll see what ominous custom holds in store for everyone, including pundits and forecasters.

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FEATURE

Borrow, copy, steal or share?

By Rav de Castro

What makes a fashion design original? What warrants an accusation of being a ‘copycat?’

And what makes something tiptoe the fine, gray lines of ‘inspiration?’

he little black dress. So simple, so straightforward. Yet so Coco Chanel—everyone knows that it was her who designed it. But to be painstakingly accurate, Coco Chanel was not its original creator; she was merely the one who made it ubiquitous.

It is hard to wrap one’s head around the fact the Coco Chanel might indeed be the first designer to ever think about creating a short-skirted black dress. And as it turns out, the ‘LBD’ is not her original idea. Like many other designers, she was inspired by what she has seen on the streets.

The structure and the overall look of the little black dress has already been going around for quite a time, but it

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was her version that was published in an issue of Vogue magazine in 1926 that officially crowned her as the official purveyor of the classy and sophisticated women’s uniform. And as years went by, the world saw many iterations of the LBD from countless designers from all over the world.

Yet on top of our heads, the LBD is quintessentially a Chanel creation.

To this day, many designers, both couture and retail, are still selling their own versions of the LBD, with their logos sewn on it, of course. And women love the LBD. In fact, it was a general consensus that the LBD is a must-have in every fashionably discerning woman’s closet. Coco Chanel seems to have started a movement.

But if Coco Chanel was not, by the strictest sense of the word, the original designer of this garment, then what made it acceptable for us to crown her as the LBD’s creator? And how come it’s okay that other designers are creating their own versions of it without Chanel spewing out cries of infringing copyright laws?

We picked the brains of several international Filipino fashion designers to get their insights on the creative process that goes behind the runway curtains of their respective field, an industry that was touted to have a rampant ‘culture of copying,’ as proclaimed by one Johanna Blakley, the Deputy Director of the Norman Lear Center, a media-focused think tank at the University of Southern

FEATURE

”

Originality in fashion is always a point of contention. Pointless, as a matter of fact. I think originality doesn’t exist anymore at this time.

The challenge these days is to be able to give a fresher take on what’s out there, and a sincere interpretation of one’s inspiration.”

MICHAEL CINCO

California, whose TED Talk discussed the free culture of copying in the fashion industry.

Design aesthetic and signature look If the wrap dress is synonymous to Diane von Furstenberg, what kind of design or style is embedded in the public’s collective minds that will instantly attribute a certain piece to a particular designer? We asked designers about their design aesthetic, or that je ne sais quoi that differentiates their style from the rest of the pack. In this post-modern age of recycle, reuse, and repurpose, they have learned the importance of imprinting their signature on each of the designs that they put out on the runway.

Tell us about your design aesthetic and describe your signature look.

Michael Cinco: I would like to think that my design aesthetics lean towards

modern classics with just the right amount of edginess. That being said, I endeavor to create clean, beautiful clothes that are timeless.

A Michael Cinco dress is oftentimes described as very rich in details yet stunning in its light weight; it floats, even. Adroit cutting, precision tailoring, and exquisite embellishments are hallmarks of the Michael Cinco brand.

Avel Bacudio: My aesthetic has evolved over the years. Today, I favor clean lines and fine details that evoke wealth. It could be some beading here and there for women, or sportif accents for men. My designs are always well-tailored and polished. I like my women to look feminine, even if they are wearing a sharp jacket. And I like the men to look very urban and modern. I always look forward.

Joseph Domingo: My design

aesthetic consists of wearability, comfort and longevity. My signature style is modern yet classic.

Yen AB: Textured, backless and bodyhugging silhouettes. Fusion of luxury fabric and elements with recycled plastic and rubber artwork.

Jun Ricaforte: I enjoy taking the phrase ‘pop of color’ to the extreme. I love bold patterns and graphic elements in my simple but elegant designs, which has a Middle Eastern touch and an Asian influence. My signature design is modern and contemporary abaya with matching pants. Now, the trend is colored abaya that Arab women wear when they travel.

Inspiration, imitation, or a sly mixture of both?

How much of inspiration is considered copying, and how much of copying is stealing?

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FEATURE

”

Originality is about being true to myself, and doing a collection is to express a point of view, not just to impress an audience. There is a big difference.”

AVEL BACUDIO

able to get the most recall—and respect—out of the garment that they put out on display.

According to an urban legend, Miuccia Prada once went inside a Balenciaga store and picked out a jacket from a rack, and shamelessly told her friends that the reason she’s is buying it is because she is going to copy it.

The story did not tell about the reactions of her friends, but if we were to make any educated response to this story, we must know that in fashion, there are no copyright laws that protect a designer’s intellectual property. Sure, there is trademark protection in the fashion industry— the very reason why designers and style houses splatter their products with labels—but there is no copyright protection and no patent protection to speak of.

Perhaps, this is why designers do not get catty when they see their designs so obviously copied by another designer. At the end of the day, it all comes down to which designer was

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Please tell us about your design inspirations, and whether you get inspired by the work of your fellow designers. And are there any designers in particular that you can say influenced your work?

Michael Cinco: I am inspired by what is beautiful in my eyes, be it a building I see on my way to the office, or a wild flower, or a designer’s trunk show that did not merit Anna Wintour’s attendance. I fall in love, too, get hurt maybe, move on and get inspired.

Influenced is rather a strong word.

Get inspired, maybe, or just simply admired a designer’s collection. I love the works of Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, and John Galliano.

Avel Bacudio: I like Alexander Wang.

I also admire the greats: Valentino, McQueen and Versace. I admire the business sense and longevity of Ralph Lauren. That inspires me. I have

learned that being smart and being business-savvy are as important as being creative. I have loved fashion for a very long time, so of course I have been influenced in some way. Still, I try my best to make my collection original.

Joseph Domingo: I mostly get inspired through my travels, architecture, history and people from different cultural backgrounds. Of course, contemporary designers are inspirational if they put an effort with the thought process that they put in their work, and they were not lazy about it. There are three designers that, for me, are influential: Valentino, Armani and Gianfranco Ferre.

Yen AB: Anime, manga, reading Chekhov, Brinton Wolbarst or Tolkien, listening to death metal, playing DOTA 2, and most recently, the provenance of Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Starry night’ inspire me. As an artist, you get inspired by art in all its languages and expressions. So when you’re in an airport or somewhere banal killing time and you flick open a magazine, all of a sudden, you’re like, ‘Wow, that’s a cool design!’ It’s like a light bulb moment—it just strikes you. Back when I was starting in 2008, I fell in

FEATURE

” [Originality] It’s very important to me. I think every designer is proud of his or her craft, and it’s a matter of standard and execution.”

JOSEPH DOMINGO love with the classic Dior, but these days, I see myself gravitating on the Lego wedding dress designed by Rie Hosokai, and I am currently obsessing over Takashi Nishiyama.

Jun Ricaforte: Yes, I get inspired by the works of other designers. I love the way they play with colors, mix and match materials in a way that it comes out differently. Sometimes, when I mix materials, I discover new patterns and new ideas and I become ecstatic because it’s so fresh! It’s something I’ve never seen before!

And the abayas I design usually have the kimono sleeves, so I would say Japanese-inspired abayas. Some of my inspirations are DVF’s wrap, Alber Elbaz’s draping, Dior’s classics, Valentino’s romance, Cavalli’s animal prints, and Anna Sui’s orientalia, and many more.

The post-modern era and the irrelevance of being ‘original’ Our generation has seen the comeuppance of many forms of artwork and innovation that coming up with an original idea is not as

viable anymore as it was before. Many things have been there, and many people have done that, so to speak.

Today, it is about making an already existing idea fresh once again, be it through adding a little bit of novelty, or by mixing and matching known and proven ways to instill beauty in the beholder’s eye.

So how do designers claim their stake at a certain design? And are they constantly conscious to come up with something that has never been seen before? We ask these designers about how they view originality and its importance in their creative process.

What is originality for you? And how important do you think it is in your craft?

Michael Cinco: Originality in fashion is always a point of contention. Pointless, as a matter of fact. I think originality doesn’t exist anymore at this time. The challenge these days is to be able to give a fresher take on what’s out there, and a sincere interpretation of one’s inspiration.

Avel Bacudio: Originality is about being true to myself. And doing a collection

is to express a point of view, not just to impress an audience. There is a big difference.

Joseph Domingo: [Originality] It’s very important to me. I think every designer is proud of his or her craft, and it’s a matter of standard and execution.

Yen AB: Well, this is very tricky. The big brands are copying each other from couture to retail to maintain a particular look, or color per season, and to appeal to a broader spectrum of buyers. In my own point of view, rediscovering something new in fashion is comparable to the world of theoretical physics—nothing drastic or significant has been produced after the 50’s. It’s just the variation of cuts, but it’s the same silhouette.

In doing custom-made couture gowns and dresses, some designers just put their own spin on it just so as not to look completely identical. But some clients are different. If they say you have to photocopy a design, they would expect you to do so. And they pay good money for it. But this is made in full confidentiality between my client and me. I would never release nor publish it in social media, in print,

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FEATURE

”

Even the big brands are copying each other from couture to retail, to maintain a particular look and to appeal to a broader spectrum of buyers.

Rediscovering something new in fashion is comparable to the world of theoretical physics — nothing drastic or significant has been produced after the 50’s. It’s just the variation of cuts, but it’s the same silhouette.”

YEN AB

etc., and I will never claim ownership; a simple courtesy and respect to the original designer.

Jun Ricaforte: Originality for me entails having the quality of being new and original and not deriving ideas from something else. However, most people generally have inspirations for their ideas, but does this mean that their ideas are not original? Inspiration initiates creativity, but originality means having the creativity in the first place. They both have different meanings, but can come together and create a sensation. Inspiration for me comes from my experiences.

Inspiration can come from anything I can relate to. I get inspirations from my clients. I get to know their color preferences, the cutting they like and materials they love. I put my own touch on each design for it to become original. I have a story to tell for each design I create.

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The copycat and the copied cat If it is commonly believed that there is a ‘culture of copying’ in the fashion industry, then at what lengths do designers go in order to validate their authenticity? We hear stories, or even see for ourselves, how one fashion designer takes a sample from his or her peers’ designs, and just add a little something extra to make it especially his or her own. And because there are no actual laws that prevent them from doing so, they can take any element from any garment from the history of fashion and incorporate it into their own design.

We asked these designers their views on when getting inspired crosses the line, and when it becomes downright copying.

Do you think it’s fine for designers to get inspired by other designers’ ideas?

What level of ‘inspiration’ would you consider as outright copying? How should designers limit themselves?

Michael Cinco: It’s a free world out there. Copyright is not even a guarantee. But a poor copy is a poor copy. Would it then justify the means if someone makes a copy that is better than the one copied whose originality is likewise suspect, and so on and so forth? A designer must not only have an eye but also a discernment to his limits.

Avel Bacudio: That’s a very sensitive topic. I think any good designer would know where to draw the line. If you’re honest to yourself and to your craft, you will know at which point when your work is already a copy.

Joseph Domingo: It’s totally fine to get inspired by others, but a verbatim copy

FEATURE

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Originality for me means being new; not deriving ideas from something else. However, most people generally have inspirations for their ideas, but does this mean that their ideas are not original?

Inspiration initiates creativity, but originality means having the creativity in the first place.”

JUN RICAFORTE

or lack of respect to the original idea is outright unacceptable.

Yen AB: If it’s within the privacy of your paying client and your atelier, copy all you want. But if you’re going to make a collection or publish a piece, make sure to put your aesthetic spin on it.

You can copy a sleeve from Lacroix, but put an artwork or use a different fabric, treatment or cut, in such a way that you are still discovering something new. Don’t photocopy a design, publish it and claim full rights.

Major general no, no, no!

Jun Ricaforte: As a designer, I see to it that I’m only inspired, and not copy other’s designs; I should respect my colleagues. In the abaya business, a lot of people copy a lot. Most people have no designers, so what they do daily is go to Instagram and just search for ‘abaya,’ and lo and behold!

They get free designs to copy! So,

the branded abaya companies do not post their new collections online.

Inspirations abound. I get inspired by everything I see, touch, and smell. So why copy?

The culture of copying and the amicable co-existence in the fashion world We all heard about the case of a designer trying to sue another designer for copyright infringement, and we all heard the collective groan of those in the know: it’s futile. It’s the classic tale of the boy who cried wolf.

And since it has happened many times, designers have learned how to deal with it best: with chins up and their pinky finger flicked while calmly sipping tea.

Let’s say you see a design put out by another designer that resembles one of your previous works. What would your response be?

Michael Cinco: Being copied is the best form of flattery.

Avel Bacudio: I would laugh. It’s happened to me, but I just laughed it off. It’s flattering. But it also reminds me that I have to keep innovating.

That’s the beauty of being an artist.

Joseph Domingo: I would feel flattered and vindicated.

Yen AB: Been there, done that.

Jun Ricaforte: I am flattered and happy! I’ll worry more if they don’t copy me anymore. It means I’m not a good and original designer anymore.

It’s their problem, not mine.

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FEATURE

Feeling Mayaman A Sensible Person’s Guide to Modern Luxury

By Nicholo Jallores

Sometimes you just gotta feel rich.

You know how it is. You work like a dog day in and day out, and come payday you just want – no, need - to reward yourself for your all your sacrifice and hard labor. The struggle is real, hence the prize must be as real and tangible.

You have to see it, smell it, hear it, hold it tightly in the palm of your hand until you feel in the very core of your being that, yes, you are successful. There is a point to all of your demeaning elbow grease. You are not just another cog in the machine. You are the toast of the town. You are made, and you have the bag, the gadget, the dress, the shoes to prove it. Viva la alta!

And then comes the credit card bill.

And the phone bill. And a message on Facebook from a relative back home, asking you for another loan. And as you pace around the room that you share with four other bedspacers, you realize that you just do not have the wherewithal to maintain the luxe life you have been trying to portray

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on Instagram. Your last name is not Kardashian or Mayweather. You do not have a Porsche; you have a metro card. You don’t have a crib; you have the upper bunk of a rickety double deck in one of the least desirable areas in the city. You want to feel rich, but the reality is that you are far from it, and playing at the life of the rich and famous is only making you poorer.

No one is going to arrest you for wanting to feel wealthy, lavish, and comfortable. It’s perfectly within your base nature to strive for a sense of security and stability. But if lusting for luxury is forcing you to live way beyond your means, then you only really have two choices: 1.) don’t, or 2.) rethink your definition of extravagance. Luxury does not always

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have to equate to designer bags, the latest gadgets, or expensive cars – not if you stop using the Vanderbilt’s as your benchmark. The trick is to go for experiences, not things - memories, not material trappings. You can reward yourself in other more sensible and conscientious ways, without having to break the bank and making yourself look like a frivolous try-hard.

1.) Sleep more As a diligent and ambiguous fellow you always find yourself running on top speed and not having enough time to rest and recover from a day’s work. Sleep then becomes a scarce commodity – a luxury. And when you do get the opportunity to have more of it, you find that it feels like a real treat. Start thinking of yourself as a movie star who is contractually obliged to have a full night’s rest. Your body needs it, you can’t always have as

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much of it as you would want, and it’s free. There’s just no downside to it.

2.) Be your own gourmet cook Not everyone can afford to eat at a fine dining restaurant every day, but that shouldn’t stop you from preparing your own Michelin star-worthy meals in the comfort of your own home.

With just a few minutes looking at recipes on Youtube or food blogs, you can turn simple ingredients into a sublime dish fit for royalty. Learn to appreciate the fact that despite your hardships in life, you can still afford to eat better than most people in the world. Do not take that for granted.

3.) Sign up for volunteer work Social responsibility tends to be a sophisticated concept, and those who are quick to lend a helping hand tend to be people who have achieved a significant degree of financial stability.

Of course, the reality is that the spirit of volunteerism transcends socioeconomic classes, but on those funny days when you really just want to feel like Bono or Angelina Jolie, sign up

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for your neighborhood fundraising drive, or join a non-profit organization that is geared towards a cause or advocacy that you care for. After all, the wealthiest people in the world are also big time philanthropists.

4.) Invite your friends for a night in Is your disposable income too fragile to bear the brunt of your weekly party binges? Instead of going on another exhausting and financially draining night-out, invite your friends over

for dinner and drinks at home and practice your act as the host with the most. You won’t spend as much (especially if it’s a potluck or BYOB), you’ll have your own private space to enjoy quality time with people that you like, and you’ll look like the Alpha of your group.

5.) See something new in the city You don’t always have to go out of town to feel like a tourist. There is always something new to see and

discover in your locale. When was the last time you looked at the city map, went to a museum website, saw a play, or walked leisurely in the park? If you’ve seen it before, see it again, but from a new set of eyes – one that is more ready to look beyond the obvious and find grandeur and majesty even in the humblest things.

Enrich your life with new experiences and knowledge. You define luxury. Do not let it define you.

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FASHION CREATIVE DIRECTOR: MICHAEL CINCO PHOTOGRAPHY: JEF ANOG HAIR & MAKE-UP: VALENTINO MONTUERTO JASMIN MODELS: LUNA OF MMG MODELS, KARO AND NIKOLA OF THE AGENC STUDIO: CAPITAL D – DUBAI HAUTE COUTURE: EZRA SANTOS

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FASHION

EZRA

Enraptured

By Lalaine Chu-Benitez

If Michael Cinco is all about grandiose beauty, Furne One the master of dark drama, and Rocky Gathercole continues to play shock and awe, Ezra Santos’ domain is firmly placed on the altar of refined elegance. t has been a decade since we started Ezraspotting - watching and imbibing this Filipino designer’s divine definition of fashion. From the time he unveiled the startling Ezra dress – with string upon strings of pearls draped as a bodice, to his first gala held for the Middle East glitterati, his debut in New York at the Couture Fashion Week, and through his various shows at Dubai Fashion Forward, and Philippine Fashion Week.

butterfly sleeve emulate the terno. The collection is an astounding exercise in merging both traditional and contemporary fabrics, as well as old and new techniques that typically won’t find themselves side-by-side on the same runway. Abaca, piňa, and tulle, including space age neoprene, in a barely there palette of blush, soft pinks, and peach with an unexpected smattering of deep fuschia, provided the canvass to hand painting, 3D laser-cutting, as well as laborious beadwork.

If Michael Cinco is all about grandiose beauty, Furne One the master of dark drama, and Rocky Gathercole continues to play shock and awe, Ezra Santos’ domain is firmly placed on the altar of refined elegance.

All in all, elements were deftly combined to make up a collection that is on one hand, fresh and current, but on the other, rooted in timeless elegance.

His signature style nestled on a foundation of clean elegant lines, consistently pushes boundaries with a fresh point-ofview, and is blessed with just the right touch of dainty, as well as mindful and measured use of embellishments and detailing. Nothing more that will make the piece look the least bit ostentatious, yet nothing less to make it another generic and safe fashion rehash.

Flawless. Disciplined. Beautiful.

That definitive aesthetic is no more pronounced than in his collection this year. Stamped with Filipiniana inspiration featuring contemporary interpretations of the Maria Clara dress of another era – Ezra’s current style assemblage showcases incarnations of the baro with its voluminous sleeves, as well as the ultra feminine paňuelo. Curve hugging serpentina dresses with a new version of the

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Interestingly enough, this the second time Ezra has brought Filipino style to the international runway.

The first instance was when he unveiled his Imeldific revolutionalized terno at his Dubai gala in 2010. What is pleasantly surprising though is that even in this second display, his inventive streak has been successful yet again, at churning out something that is new, albeit built on the old. Quite an edge, compared to other Filipiniana-oriented designers who somehow seem shackled to the dictates of tradition.

Perhaps, even more admirable, is that fact that the inspiration for his collection is deeper and goes beyond the mere creation of another fashion moment, a new trend, and opportunity for more business for his atelier.

Asked why he keeps on campaigning for Filipino style, a risk averse to commercial considerations, Ezra Santos shares, “I feel it is my duty to promote our country through fashion. If we won’t do it, who else will?”

SCRAPBOOK

EUGENE SANTOS Dubai, UAE www.eugenedsantos.com

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SCRAPBOOK

JOBT DELOS REYES Dubai, UAE www.flickr.com/photos/jobt www.facebook.com/JobtphotographyJDdreamworks

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FEATURE

Meet Your Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes PCG Dubai and the Northern Emirates

By Rav de Castro

Hon. Paul Raymond Cortes, the Consul General of the Philippines in the United Arab Emirates, did not dream of working in the Foreign Service. In fact, as a graduate of Computer Science from the prestigious Ateneo de Manila University, he thought he would be working in the IT industry. It was not until he met some Foreign Service officers during an event in the early 90’s at the Department of Foreign Affairs that he considered living his life around the world serving his country.

Two decades later, having earned a Master’s Degree in Public Management from the University of the Philippines, taking the Foreign Service Officers’ and the Career Ministers’ Examinations and postings that have taken him and his family to live in Europe and in the USA, Consul General Cortes has become accustomed to thriving, wherever his job takes him.

He shares, “Life in the foreign service has opened my perspectives to a much wider scale. It has complemented my Jesuit foundation and made me a much more compassionate and humane soul. The DFA has been very good to me and my family.

It has provided us opportunities we never would have come across if not for that brief moment at the DFA 21 years ago.”

Currently the highest ranking Philippine official responsible for Dubai and the Northern Emirates, Con Gen Cortes meets his new

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FEATURE

”

I have always made it clear in my mind that I am first and foremost a husband and father to our three boys. This is my way of keeping myself grounded, and preventing myself from floating to the cloudy traps of authority and power.”

adventure in the Middle East with much aplomb, despite the emirates’ reputation as a challenging post owing to size of

His new home away from home

the Filipino community here and the work that entails. As

Moving to Dubai early this year, Con. Gen. Cortes has

Head of Post, he shares that his main priorities include - his

learned to love the city, and says, “Dubai is such a gem.

work for the Filipino community, the effective management

Being here validates everything one has read about the city

of the sizeable consulate personnel, and together with his

– the wealth, the glam, the lifestyle, the diversity, the rich

family, being able to understand Islamic culture.

international flavor of the place, the people, the opulence,

Fortunate to have a supportive family able to see the

the pomp, and of course, the heat!!“

positives in a life of travel beyond the grueling process

What he and his family love most about Dubai though,

of packing and unpacking, Con Gen Cortes and his

other than its thriving atmosphere is the incredible spirit

wife, Yasmin, implanted in their kids that moving from

of community among Filipinos that makes it easy for them

one country to another is not necessarily a process of

to feel like Dubai is really home. Con Gen Cortes enthuses,

uprooting; instead, it is a rare opportunity that shapes a

“I have always been a social animal. I thrive on people

human being — the exposure to many different cultures,

gatherings and enjoy every bit of meeting and exchanging

languages, mindsets and perspectives. The couple is very

views with everyone. I have made it a point to be a very

grateful that they were able to guide their sons to view

active player in community affairs in my previous postings

moving in an optimistic light. Thankfully, their sons are

and intend to be so in Dubai. I would like to be engaged

open—even eager—to reboot their lives in yet another new

with community affairs and be a part of the Filipinos’ lives

country.

in the UAE.”

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FEATURE

cloud traps of authority and power.” He also adds, “The title Consul General comes with utmost obligation as our community look to our office as the prime resolver of issues, the limitless source of hope, and the repository of answers to all their concerns, legal, consular, moral, and even financial. I am not dismissing this as an outright misperception but because I am the highest ranking government official in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, I take the role of everyone’s last resort seriously.”

Seeing the many faces of the world Con. Gen. Cortes has seen the many faces of the world, and through his profession that required him to move from one country to another, he has learned some valuable lessons.

“We’ve seen the world and lived the lives of other people.

Con. Gen. Cortes is proud of his heritage, and for him, being a Filipino abroad means being hardworking, adaptable, and flexible to take on any challenge. He takes pride in the work ethic and in the efficiency of Filipinos, and thinks that our sense of commitment to our professions is legendary. He also admires our sense of optimism that allows us to smile through the hard times, and more often than not, sing our hearts out no matter what problems there are.

He himself loves to sing. Like most, if not all, of Filipinos, he considers singing as his greatest passion. He shares, “I have always been on stage singing for whoever and whatever occasion. Some have told me that as Consul General I should limit my singing but if this is what defines me as a person, then I take all I am as a person as factors that I must capitalize on to play the role of Consul General to the fullest. I cannot pretend to be someone else and expect to lead the Consulate and serve the Pinoy Community here effectively.”

Beyond being a Consul General and his passion for belting out tunes, his role as head of the family is of utmost importance. He says, “I have always made it clear in my mind that I am first and foremost a husband and father to our 3 boys. This is my way of keeping myself grounded and preventing myself from floating to the

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It has made us realize that way beyond the political, economic, and geographical boundaries, we are simply all the same.”

He believes therefore, that as human beings, what’s important for us is to belong in a community that helps each of its members to grow and thrive, and be given support and guidance.

As the Consulate General of the Philippine Consulate in Dubai, he encourages everyone to extend their hands to lend him support so that he may perform his duties in the best way that he could. “To my fellow Filipinos in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, I look forward to meeting many of you as I undertake my role as your Consul General here. I know there is much expectation and I extend my hand to everyone who wishes to lend their expertise, their thoughts, their opinions, and views, on how we could make our community here as vibrant and productive not only for the UAE community but also for our motherland.”

He humbly acknowledges that the Consulate does not know the answers to all of our questions, and that it may not have a ready solution to all of our problems. With that, he warmly invites everyone to be a part of the Consulate. He believes that everyone has a stake in the Consulate, and more importantly, that our strength lies in our numbers.

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FEATURE

Mastering the Filipino Flavor

By Rav De Castro

MasterChef Australia’s John Carasig shares his experience on the beloved reality cooking show, and his vision of putting Filipino cuisine in the global culinary scene.

F

Filipinos also love showing off their food. Whenever a visitor from another country pays our home a visit, we make sure that we let them savor our most prized dishes: be it karekare, dinuguan, pancit, or lumpia. And of course, it will not be a real Filipino feast without the lechon.

Filipinos abroad are known to squeal in delight whenever they discover an Asian grocery in their neighborhood, because finally, they can cook in their home away from home, their favorite Filipino dish. Nothing beats homesickness better than a steaming plate of rice and a bowl of your favorite ulam.

But despite the sheer number of Filipinos scattered all around the world, Filipino cuisine seems to take the backseat in the international food scene. While our Southeast Asian

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neighbors continue to gain popularity with their pad thai’s and their pho’s, we have yet to bring our beloved adobo to the center stage.

This is exactly what prompted John Carasig to join MasterChef Australia, a popular and well-loved TV program that features amateur home cooks competing for the title, each with his or her own food dream. And for John, his food dream is to finally bring Filipino cuisine to the limelight.

“My vision is to modernize our cuisine, but at the same time, respect its history and allow the flavors to come through—like it did the classic way,” John says.

A Filipino-born home cook who migrated with his family to Australia when he was a kid, John was a contestant in the 7th season of

MasterChef Australia. He was known for creating Filipino dishes with a twist, and has wowed both the show’s judges and viewers with his creative take on Filipino food.

One of his signature MasterChef dishes is “Cheese and Crackers,” a dessert made of blue cheese ice cream, goat’s cheese ice cream with spiced poached pear, Botrytis Semillon caviar and a butter pecan tuille. Essentially, this is his version of his favorite ice cream flavor back when he was a kid in the Philippines—cheese. Cheese is not a very common ice-cream flavor in Australia, and in this dish, he showcased the palatable dance between his two cultural backgrounds, Filipino and Australian.

John gets a lot of inspiration from his travels abroad. Being a flight

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”

Cheese and Crackers

I never thought in my life that I would join a reality TV show, but I’m glad I did. It’s a one in a million experience.” attendant, he has sampled many different cuisines from many parts of the globe, and for him, Filipino food has what it takes to delight diners all over the world, if given the right treatment. In MasterChef, he has learned restraint of technique and respect for ingredients.

In one of the episodes, he was criticized for overcomplicating his dishes, and using too many elements.

But for him, having a myriad of culinary experiences sometimes made it a challenge for him to translate his vision in one simple plate. John is full

of flavor, and he is rarely apologetic for it. Just like Filipino food, he could be appallingly spicy at first, then delightfully savory towards the end— just like our favorite Bicol express.

A lot of people named John as one of their favorites in the show, and this lot includes not only Filipinos. He became known as a top contender, and in one of the show’s team challenges, John’s team’s winning dish, Roast Chicken with Prosecco and Grape Jus, was touted by the judges as the “best chicken in MasterChef history.”

Although John may have cooked some of the best dishes in the show, and presented the judges with Filipino food done with a modern aplomb, he faltered somewhere along the way, and got eliminated. He was in MasterChef Australia’s Top 13, and he exited with memorable dishes that introduced Filipino dishes to the Australian palate.

In one episode, he came up with a modern and classy rendition of our beloved halo-halo, and the judges were amazed by the dish’s novelty and its surprising symphony—they never thought that a mixture of milk,

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”

My vision is to modernize our cuisine, but at the same time, respect its history and allow the flavors to come through—like it did the classic way.”

Roast Chicken with Prosecco and Grape Jus

ice and fruits could create such a lovely dessert. His halo-halo may look different from our regular halo-halo served in a tall glass, but its exciting and refreshing flavors were there. John used milk granita with sweet cannellini beans, poached pear, peanut brittle, crème caramel, and soft meringue to recreate the unofficial Filipino national dessert.

He also did not hold back, and brought a new version of our adobo to the table. Adding a very Asian coconut rice on the side, it instantly became a favorite among the judges.

Now that he is out of the MasterChef Kitchen, John decided that he will continue pursuing his food dream. He has started a pop-up venture called Adobo Kitchen, an online-based food business where he creates his version of Filipino food that he loves, including ice cream with flavors that we Filipinos consider ‘normal,’ but Australians and the rest of the world would call ‘exotic,’

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Halo-Halo

such as avocado, coconut, ube, and of course, cheese.

Adobo Kitchen will be mainly distributed in Australia where he is based, but since he is also travelling a lot, and has made many friends in Dubai, he is planning to do a pop-up event here in 2016. John’s Adobo Kitchen is his personal take on Filipino food with a modern twist, a great way to introduce the pomp of Filipino flavors to the global culinary community.

John is grateful to become part of MasterChef Australia, and he considers this as a truly amazing experience, not only for himself, but for Filipino food as well. It is about time that someone with a Filipino heritage show Australians and the rest of the world what our dining tables are made of; we Filipinos cook with much flavor, much hominess, much heart.

Pork Adobo with Coconut Rice

“The television is an amazing thing, and editors can pull out things and make a story or drama out of any scenario,” John shares. Indeed, it was.

And finally, the world has seen that Filipino food is more than our different versions of adobo, or our sauce-based iterations of the Spanish-born afritada.

Filipino food has all the drama and the colorful story that could get any discerning diner hooked.

Sure, there are many Filipino restaurants that pepper many cities around the world where there is a Pinoy community present. But the wide reach of the television is an effective way to let the world know about our beloved cuisine. Hopefully, John’s version of adobo and halo-halo is appealing enough for the rest of the world that people will also start craving it. And when there are more Pinoy restaurants in the world, the less homesick we become. Because after all, home is where our favorite food is.

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Jewelmer Joaillerie: The Union Between Two Wonderful Worlds

Pure Gold Jewellers Launches Delightful Zeeanagold Collection for the Little Ones Children’s love for sparkle and glitter and a mother’s love to adorn her little ones is the true inspiration behind awardwinning jewellery retailer Pure Gold Jewellers’ new Italian made Zeeanagold collection.

“Our latest Zeeana collection features a variety of cute, attractive and lively designs that will definitely cheer up any child. They are carefully crafted and are child-friendly,” says Karim Merchant, CEO & MD of Pure Gold Jewellers. “Aimed at the age group of three to seven, each piece is created with no sharp edges and uses non-hazardous metal alloys that are entirely child safe.”

Zeeanais crafted in 18k with enamel and semi-precious beads, featuring funky shapes in an assortment of colours.

There is a wide selection of earrings, bracelets and pendants to choose from.

It features charms in adorable designs of butterflies, hearts and delightful expressions.

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Established in 1979 by Filipino entrepreneur Manuel Cojuangco and French pearl farmer Jacques Branellec in their pearl farm in Palawan, Jewelmer commits to excellence by going through a meticulous selective process that takes about five years and at least 377 individual steps to produce a single pearl.

The golden South Sea pearl is a symbol of the partnership between the pearl farmer and nature—each pearl unique and a gift from Mother Earth. The brand’s emblematic cobalt blue and gold square pays tribute to the union of the pearl and water. This symbolizes the essence of Jewelmer: The blue of the life-giving sea that brings forth the golden pearl.

This living gem also serves as the inspiration of Jewelmer Joaillerie’s international team of designers. With the brand’s mission to create fine pearl jewellery, it has produced collections that have a harmonious combination of French tradition of haute joaillerie and genuine Filipino sensibilities for the past 35 years.

The brand has grown steadily to operate 12 showrooms in the Philippines to date, and has retail presence in North and South America, China, Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, and Japan.

Jewelmer goes beyond pearl culture and fine jewellery; it is about the relationship between man and nature in order to create the only living gem in the world. It is the journey of two forward-thinking individuals to create an original, respectful and fully-integrated brand with a strong sense of humanity that the Philippines can be truly proud of.

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THINGS TO DO

Things to do The city is filled with countless activities for you to revel in, so be a social butterfly and enjoy life more—pick one (or two) activity from our list, and start enjoying life.

We’re sure that these fun-filled activities will keep your month’s calendar full.

By Sherry Tenorio

Enjoy the jungle on center stage

The popular movie, Madagascar, rocks Dubai this month as it goes onstage at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Catch Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo in an exciting stage performance that brings the animated film by DreamWorks to life. In their quest for crazy adventures, get to know them more as well as the other characters, including the plotting penguins and the incredibly hilarious King Julien. Recreated according to the laughs and thrills of the hit movie, this live entertainment will bring you to sing and dance with the characters. Taking place twice daily at 2:30pm and 7pm, from August 28 to 29, this show is a must-see for the whole family. Tickets are priced from AED 125 to AED 650.

Marvel at the arts Known for its burgeoning arts scene, Dubai is a birthing place for countless of talented artists. One of the city’s most popular havens for the arts is the Alserkal Avenue in Al Quoz. One event in the Alserkal Avenue that is not to be missed is the Galleries Night happening on September 14. This event will gather the creative community for the unveiling of the contemporary art exhibitions that will mark the opening of the 2016-2017 arts season. The Galleries Night at the Alserkal Avenue will open for free public viewing from 6pm to 9pm.

Put on your dancing shoes The

Dubai International Dance Festival, the biggest dance craze in the metro, is returning this month. It is a unique multi-arts event, and has a reputation for attracting some of the renowned dance companies, classical dance academies, youth orchestras, bands and music groups from around the world. The Festival has served as the platform for the creative, particularly including educational programs and artistic collaborations among the groups in the region. In its 8th season, the annual festival will feature four days of live entertainment, dance performances, workshops, themed dance parties, dance competitions and more. The event will take place at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa from September 14 to 21. Tickets cost AED 250 per person.

Sing with Spandau Ballet The ‘80s sensational British band returns to Dubai this

September to give another night of heartwarming live entertainment. Considered as one of Britain’s iconic bands, they will bring their ‘Soul Boys of the Western World’ tour to Dubai World Trade Centre on the 17th of September. Known for their hits such as ‘Gold’ and ‘True’, the band has sold over 25 million records, scored numerous multi-platinum albums and amassed 23 hit singles across the globe since the beginning of their music career in the late ‘70s. The ticket to the one-night only concert of Spandau Ballet costs AED 350 to AED 650 per person.

Take your kids to Wonderland Want your kids to enjoy this month? Or maybe you’d like to rekindle the joy of the kid inside you? If that’s what you want, then the place to be is the Wonderland Theme and Water Park located alongside the Dubai Creek Park, near Al Garhoud Bridge. The park offers roller coaster thrill rides, bumper cars, water slides, lazy river, pools, paintball and arcade games. With a prominent location within the buzzing city, it makes having fun all the more easy. Wonderland Park includes both the Wonderland Theme Park and Splashland, a water park spanning 22 acres. Massive as it is, the Main Street offers unique attractions like the Water Mist show, while the Theme Park boasts a challenging roller coaster and cart race. On one hand, the Splashland is a realm of wonderful aqueous activities. The park also flaunts a 3D Theatre where spiders crawl up your leg or the wind blows through your hair, even monsters breathe on your neck. In the park, you can also try the camel ride, a genuine Middle Eastern experience for the whole family.

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THINGS TO DO

Create fun memories at the Aquaplay A unique concept designed and

Go for a weekend getaway to Ice Land You have more time to travel?

Well, then drive to Ras Al Khaimah, and visit its famed Ice Land (from Dubai/Sharjah take exit E311, turn left at the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Roundabout and drive for approximately 4.2 kilometers and you’ll see the huge sign board of Ice land Water Park). The Ice Land Water Park comes as the first offering of WOWRAK, a 120-acre family entertainment destination being developed in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, 80kms north of Dubai. Besides traditional water park attractions, Ice land offers unique attractions including the Penguin Falls, Rocky Polar Mountains with the largest assortment of waterslides, Penguin Bay with 6000 square meters of Rain Dance Pool, Aqua Soccer, Coral Isle, a snorkeling pool and other thrilling experiences at the Arctic Wave Pool, Tundra Baths, Eddy Pond and the Kids Cove, a dedicated area for the kids. There is a Food Village as well as Snow Castle, gourmet restaurants cited at the head of the Arctic Wave Pool, overlooking the Arabian Sea. To top it all, the park presents Platter that offers Filipino dishes from ‘Kusina ni Nanay.’

developed by Majid Al Futtaim Leisure to push the boundaries of in-mall entertainment, Aquaplay in Mirdif City Centre is aimed to make a big splash with children. It is conceived to mix learning with pleasure, featuring interactive ‘aquatraptions’ where visitors can fully interact with water, experience the dynamics of water or really get going in the Mad Lab while they discover the way the mechanics of the centre work. Aquaplay will also play host to the region’s first gemstone digging facility. The shopping mall’s Aquaplay is designed for fun in water no deeper than an arm’s length. It incorporates the marine themes of sandy beaches and palm trees along with an ambient blue and beige color scheme. Entertainment attractions include a tworamp/two-chute indoor flume ride, a tugboat swing ship and a dedicated pool for 12 bumper boats.

Refresh your energy at the Dreamland Aqua Park Located at Umm Al Quwain,

Dreamland Aqua Park is set on an amazing 250,000 square meters of land. The park is accessible from Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road through Exit No 103 while driving towards Ras Al Khaimah. It is a well-designed landscape of green oasis, and has natural features interlaced with over 30 thrilling rides, crazy slides and a lot of other wet rides and dry attractions. Visitors can watch out for the 1,250,000 liters of water at the gigantic wave pool which is the largest in the region. They can also slide down a 40-meter long tunnel, or take a 2-meter dive. There’s the ‘not to be missed’ wild rafting river that showcases 2 gigantic body slides: the Hippos Island and Twisting Dragons or Kamikaze. Dreamland also features inflatable aquatic amusement structures where kids can bounce, slide, crawl and splash down while racing down the finish line. The park has dry attractions like amphitheatre, tennis, volleyball and basketball court in addition to the kids’ favourite mini pet land.

Spend a day at the Dubai Museum

Thought to be the city’s oldest building, the Dubai Museum has once served as the official residence of Dubai’s rulers and the seat of government until it was retired as a museum in 1971.

Traditional Bedouin tents greet the visitors, providing a picturesque view of the olden city dwellers. Inside, visitors are taken to a series of show scenes mimicking the old Dubai from the Creek, traditional Arab houses, mosques, the souk, date gardens, desert and marine life. Some of the most interesting exhibits portray the underwater world of pearl-diving including sets of pearl merchants’ weights, scales and sieves. Also, colorful and evocative dioramas complete with life-size figures and sound and lighting effects that vividly depict everyday life in pre-oil days at the museum.

The museum also displays a fine collection from ancient history including copper, alabaster and pottery artifacts found in graves up to 4,000 years. Fees to the museum cost AED 3 per adult and AED 1 per child.

Learn local culture at the Jumeirah Mosque

Learning the culture and heritage of the city is one way of opening minds to something new. Here in Dubai, the most elegant and famous building of faith is to be found in the towering structure at the Jumeirah Beach Road: the Jumeirah Mosque. Also known as the Grand Mosque in Dubai, this dominant landmark was built in the medieval Fatimid tradition, now playing a tribute to modern Islamic architecture. For the past years, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) organizes visits to the Jumeirah Mosque for non-Muslims, aimed at promoting cultural understanding and first-hand experience as an insight to the Islamic religion. Lasting for almost one hour and a half, participants to the tour are expected to pay respect to basic clothing requirements as well as customs adhered in entering the mosque. The tour would prove to be interesting and educational for non-Muslims, opening minds and hopefully bringing down barriers.

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IT’S WHAT I DO

FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORK PLACE

It’s What I do

”

It is never all about the comfort and luxury you see that makes the life of an OFW, rather, it’s a mixture of hardwork, resilience and openness.”

GLADYS MAE VILLA Architect – Design Consultancy Firm Abu Dhabi My job Residing in the UAE’s capital since 2008, I am blessed to have been practicing my profession as a design professional in varied contractor and consulting capacities to clients from all over the Emirates. To put words to what I do, I am involved in designing and executing architectural plans in building construction. In a more simplified way, I work with creativity and numbers to make a place for people to call a home, office, or a place to gather.

More than using both the left and right brain at work, I am opportune to be social. I lead a design team and meet with people in their Excellencies (or ‘sheikhs’), the government, and the private sector, and plan projects that showcase what the UAE has to offer to the world—luxury and comfort.

I feel favored to be able to say that I love my job, not only due to its perks, but also because of the experience to work in a multicultural environment.

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Once there was a time that my understanding of the local norms as applied to building interiors has been put to a test. I had met a VVIP client in a prominent building in

My working day The body of my career was built mostly here in Abu Dhabi.

It is, however, in no way different from others across the globe. I do check my emails first thing in the morning, do the bulk of my task and meet deadlines, and occasionally go out of the office for site visits (even when I was pregnant), with lots of caffeine breaks in between.

Message to Filipinos out there.

To all aspiring Filipinos hoping to start anew abroad, it is never all about the comfort and luxury you see that makes the life of an OFW, rather, it’s a mixture of hardwork, resilience and openness. Hardwork is what would bring you to what you need; resilience will keep you to where you want to stay; and, openness will lead you to what you dream of.

IT’S WHAT I DO

FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORK PLACE

It’s What I do

”

Success is reaching your goal and helping others to reach theirs at the same time.”

MARCUS SHEEN MESTIDIO Commercial Quantity Surveyor – Metallic Equipment Co LLC Dubai, UAE My Job I am a Commercial Quantity Surveyor Engineer. Generally, I deal with quantity of items ordered and bill items installed which in between requires processes of notifying clients regarding variation and claiming its additional cost.

My working day On a daily basis, I assess tender documents, review and recommend amendment on contracts, prepare quotations, billings and invoices, evaluate payment certificates, and liaise with clients. But the thing I love the most about my job is looking at the bigger picture of what my tasks entail, which is process development and staff management.

This is what I try to pitch in every now and then when I get the chance. Dealing with people in different ways after profiling them interests me, and it makes me happier when I influence them to do better things.

Being professional does not equate to being successful.

You need to be self-motivated and work more than what is expected of you.

So what really makes a person successful? Is it after you got the position you wanted and earn the amount of money you want in able to provide for your family? Probably.

Your message to Filipinos out there For me, “Success is reaching your goal and helping others to reach theirs at the same time.”

Never forget that other people bring you nearer to your success, and so it is essential to be the same to others in return.

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IT’S WHAT I DO

FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORK PLACE

It’s What I do

”

Believe in yourself, work smart, study more, learn from people, involve yourself, be courageous, challenge yourself.”

MARICRIS LIMBO

Marketing & Communications Manager – Al Manshar-Rotana Dubai, UAE My job I am the Marketing and Communications Manager of the only five-star Rotana hotel in Kuwait, the Al Manshar Rotana Hotel. Rotana currently manages a portfolio of over 100 properties throughout the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe, with an aggressive expansion plan in place.

As Marketing and Communications Manager, I am responsible on promoting the hotel brand name through formulated advertising and public relations campaigns and plans, as well as reinforce its corporate identity. It is also my responsibility to develop and execute promotional and brand-building exercises in conjunction with some other marketing department as required. Another part of my duties is to handle online content management, seeking online marketing opportunities, as well as managing the SEO of Al Manshar Rotana website and web traffic.

In addition to the abovementioned, I am also part of the revenue-generating activities of the hotel, making sure that the promotions are not only well marketed, but also meets the budget.

I have also spearheaded Corporate Social Responsibility projects, which is one of my favorite activities to work

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on. This is the time where I get to meet different kinds of people from different areas of societ. Being able to help others makes me even more motivated.

My working day My day starts with reading newspapers, checking on what’s going on in the market and what our competitors are currently up to. After that, I meet with all of the department heads of the hotel to discuss important things that need to be done.

Of course, email is my very best friend. I continue my day reading my emails, and liaise and coordinate with advertising agencies and media companies. I make sure that the promotional materials follow the hotel’s guidelines.

I also oversee all press releases and maintain a constant supply of articles for our media partners. I make sure that there is always something to talk about the hotel.

Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator are also my best buddies; I use them for all the related artworks that I might need for social media posts.

Message to Filipinos Believe in yourself, work smart, study more, learn from people, involve yourself, be courageous, challenge yourself—all of these are just few of the things that we should have in order to reach our goals in life. Sometimes things get rough; don’t lose hope. Instead, make it your motivation to obtain what you really want to achieve. Every Filipino has his or her own talent to show-off, so keep on shining!

PINOY ENTREPRENEUR

”

diligence, patience, hard work, sheer dedication, and perseverance are the qualities which are the ‘order of the day’ for any budding entrepreneur.

Why did you establish your own business?

Can you tell us when and how you started?

We started off with a staff of three, including me, and as

I started Adobo Restaurant in March 28, 2014. I worked

staff with three more people coming in, after we get the

at Muscat Duty Free when I came to Oman as a marketing

Ministry approvals for visa availability.

executive and decided to establish my own business along with the help of my Omani business partners, Ibrahim and

the business grew, we were able to hire one staff more after five months. As of now, we are planning to increase our

We are located in the Seeb area of Muscat, on a quiet street

Salim.

off the main road. The interior set up of the restaurant is

I wanted to serve authentic Filipino cuisine to the Filipino

the atmosphere of dining in a bahay-kubo. There is also a

community, locals and foreigners in Muscat and the

collection of Filipino ornaments like ukulele, sungka, native

surrounding areas, and to introduce Filipino cuisine to

fans and hats, lamparilya, and native plates.

other nationalities. We concentrate on dishes from the southern regions of the Philippines so as to offer something different from the usual fare of Filipino restaurants in Oman. These are dishes that I would normally cook at home. As our aim is to extend our customer base beyond the Filipino community, we are endeavouring to cook and present our dishes to a high standard of home cooking

very typical and traditional Filipino style where you will feel

What obstacles did you encounter?

The core problem is having to wait an entire year before the business plan could be practically implemented. There was also the issue of business partners; these were changed three times during the course of events. Next, we had to

quality and family-style serving.

overcome the bureaucratic hassles involved in procuring

What was your start-up capital and your basic operations set-up?

various municipality approvals regarding such issues. Also

The seed money for a business here in Oman is quite high compared to that in the Philippines. One has to raise major capital paid for the essential infrastructure of the business, such as the restaurant seating setup, and kitchen and cooking equipment.

work visas for our Filipino staff contingent and securing the of prime concern was ascertaining tastes in the line of food and beverages.

Where are you now? How far have you gone?

We started the business with four Filipino staff, including myself, and we are planning to soon employ more staff this year as the business grows and the number of our guests

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PINOY ENTREPRENEUR

Pinoy Entrepreneur Dowel Deligos Photo credit: Jordan Zuniga

We have a menu which offers a great variety of meat, fish, noodles, and vegetarian dishes, along with an assortment of desserts. As well as offering traditional Filipino drinks, we have been innovative in our concoctions by devising a number of unique blends based on different Filipinoinspired themes, such as the Mt. Mayon Lava, Boracay Island and Sandugo drinks.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being an entrepreneur?

The disadvantage is that you’ll never know whether or not you will succeed. The risk factor is always there, as well as the vagaries of the marketplace.

However, there also advantages, such as being able to set my own high standards and striving to achieve goals. It feels satisfying to see what you have accomplished. We at adoboAFC Restaurant are in the process of perpetual improvement and innovation, and we aim to provide quality service to our valued customers. increase. In God’s will, we are targeting to expand in the next two years.

We are now in the stage of promoting the traditional Filipino way of eating—‘kamayan’ style. Along with this is the use of banana leaves in lieu of plates. We are proud to share Filipino food and culture to locals and foreigners, and to our kababayans who miss this style of eating now that they are away from our homeland.

Would you encourage Pinoys to go into business? What is your advice to budding Pinoy entrepreneurs?

Yes, I would encourage my fellow Pinoys to go into business. For those who are willing to take a calculated risk and run the bureaucratic gauntlet, the rewards are great. But diligence, patience, hard work, sheer dedication, and perseverance are the qualities which are the ‘order of the day’ for any budding entrepreneur.

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FILIPINO TRAVELER

CLEO ELEAZARININBERLIN Berlin is known for a lot of landmarks, but the most popular ones are the Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate.

Both are known for their historical significance. I can understand the sentiment behind these structures, especially after standing next to them and listening to the stories behind them.

I had the privilege of travelling with a friend and colleague who is originally from Berlin, and I had a personal tour courtesy of her father who is not only knowledgeable about the city’s history, but has personally experienced some of the events that shaped the city, including the construction and the subsequent fall of the Berlin Wall.

We all know the story of the Berlin Wall. We watched it on television when it was taken down during the reunification of East and West Germany. Now, you can walk along the city and find pieces of the wall that used to divide East and West.

Some are still intact and have been preserved, like the Eastgate Gallery wherein you can see mural paintings and graffiti done by different artists around the world.

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Brandenburg Gate is probably the most famous symbol of the division of the city. Today, it shines in all its earlier glory on Pariser Platz. This is a very popular site visited by a lot of people from all over the world.

How to get there Getting to Berlin is very easy since all the major airlines fly there. I flew from Dubai to Hamburg first, then took a train to Berlin.

If you want to travel direct to Berlin, you can fly via Emirates Airlines or Lufthansa. Comparing airline prices is easy; you can try using Skyscanner. com or Cheapflights.com.

If Berlin is not your first stop, then taking a train from any city in Europe is very easy and sometimes more economical than flying, even with low cost airlines– that is if you have time to spare, of course–since taking the train will take you longer than flying. I took the train from Hamburg to Berlin and booked my tickets on www.db.de.

If you book your train tickets just a few days before your travel dates, you can get discounted ticket prices from

this website. My train ticket costs more than 50% cheaper than the normal price.

A lot of times, researching your destination and finding the best way to get there can give you great results and save you a lot of money. With the Internet, we don’t have any excuses nowadays because everything is at our fingertips.

Where to stay Because Berlin is a major city, you can have a wide range of accommodations, each one catering to your budget.

After I left the hotel industry, I have started using Airbnb.com to book my stays. Airbnb is great especially if you are travelling in a group because you can rent a whole apartment for a lot less than a hotel room. It also gives you an option to cook, if you prefer, since the apartments are fullyfurnished. For our stay, for example, we rented a whole apartment with two bedrooms, a full bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room—all for three people.

The whole apartment costs us only

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EUR51 per night. You have the liberty to choose the neighbourhood location and adjust your search according to your budget, so everything is under your control. Otherwise, if you would like to stay in a full-serviced hotel, then I suggest checking the rates on Booking. com.

Now, if money is not an issue, then I would suggest staying at the Hotel Adlon Kempinski. The hotel is located next to the Brandenburg Gate. The Adlon, dubbed by The Hollywood Reporter as the ‘The Berlin Hotel Where Hollywood Sleeps,’ has a long colourful history and has been a favourite among movie stars

and the rich and famous.

From a historical perspective, Hotel Adlon in Berlin is one of the most glamorous purpose-built hotels in Germany since it opened its doors on 1907. The Adlon survived the war mostly unscathed, but Soviet soldiers, drunk on looted wine, accidentally torched it in May 1945. Part of the hotel remained in operation, but it was a shell of its former glory. Finally, in 1984, the East German government tore it down. The Adlon wasn’t rebuilt until after German reunification, but it quickly regained its mythic appeal. Tsars, Maharajas, Presidents and movie stars have stayed

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in this hotel. So if you want to splurge, this hotel fits your bill.

If the price is too steep for your budget, I still suggest a visit to the hotel even just to gape at the amazing façade and majestic reception lobby and soak in the history. And find an excuse to use the toilets!

monuments, places where events actually happened, look at architecture and experience the real vibe of the city. To do this, I would suggest going on foot and do a city walk.

Berlin is a big city so be ready to walk a lot.

Transportation abounds but if you want to explore the city, then it is better to do it on foot.

I was given a book about Berlin by my friend’s father, and we followed some of the city walks suggested on the book. Below are two examples that will give you almost a full tour of the attractions and important landmarks in Berlin—from the historic facades to the stunning new constructions in the government district around Reichstag and on Potsdamer Platz. Along the way, you can also enjoy shopping and dining in fine restaurants and cafes.

When I visit any city, the first thing I do is book a 24hour hop-on hop-off bus tours. It gives me an overview of the city and its history, pick the places that interests me the most, then explore those places on foot the next day. I am also not a museum person; I prefer to visit

• From the Zoo to the Palace. This city walk starts off from the Elephant Gate at the zoo entrance on Budapester Strasse, then to the Gdächtniskirche where the remains of the church built at the end of the 19th century and its new part lined with thousands of blue stained glass

Must do/must see

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that fill the interior with blue light when the sun hits the glass is a must-see. From there, walk along the Kurfὒrstendamm Boulevard, which was built along the road to Grunewald; now it is known as a shopping mile lined with designer and high street stores. From there, walk to Savignyplatz, which is known as the central meeting points for artists and intellectuals in West Berlin. This is also where you can stop for coffee as cafes and bars line the square. You can also check out some interesting galleries here if you’re an art lover. The Deutsche Oper is your next stop, the façade of the opera house is not very striking but inside lies one of the great stages of Berlin with outstanding acoustics and space for an audience of 1,900. Continuing your walk, stop at the Sammlung Berggruen and Bröhan-Museums or continue on to Schloss Charlottenburg, the largest and most beautiful palace in Berlin and Schlosspark where you can rest your tired feet and enjoy the baroque garden and landscaped English-style park.

• From the Reichstag to the Museumsinsel. This walk starts at the Chancellor’s Office, Reichtag Building or the Parliament, The Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial or Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe – this controversial memorial houses 2,711 concrete slabs of different sizes. According to my guide, each slab

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represents one concentration camp. You can also visit a museum on the same site. From there, you can walk to the Gendarmenmarkt, a beautiful square surrounded by beautiful classical buildings. Then proceed to the German State Opera House, Humboldt University, Kronprinzenpalais. Originally built as a palace for the heir to the Prussian throne, the building became more historically important as the place where the unification treaty between the former East and West Germany was signed in 1990. From here, you can go on and visit the Zeughaus or the German History Museum, Altes Museum, the Berlin Cathedral, and end your city walk at the Museum Island.

The city’s best kept secret?

Visit Viktoriapark, an urban park in the locality of Kreuzberg in Berlin. The park has an artificial waterfall at the foot of a national monument commemorating the battles of the War of Liberation built by Karl Friedrich Schinkel in 1821.

On a sunny day, you can see Berliners relaxing and walking around the park with their children, or just laying

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down on the grassy grounds reading a book or sunbathing. It is a very serene place in the middle of the city where you can hear the water gushing from the waterfall. When we visited the park, we were blessed with a hot sunny day so we took a nap on the grassy ground before heading for a night out in the city.

You should also visit Berlin’s Hackesche Höfe just off S-Bahn Station Hackescher Markt. It is a heritage site consisting of eight communicating, restored rear courtyards accessible through Rosenthalerstrasse 40’s main arched entrance. The area, also known as the Scheunenviertel, is one of Berlin’s top entertainment hubs, popular with Berliners and visitors alike and a magnet for club-goers since the 1990’s. Here you can visit shops, cafes, and clubs. Around the area are restaurants, bars and small shops that sell both designer and second hand goods.

What to bring Berliners are very casual, you can walk-in to a restaurant in shorts and no one will care. If you’re planning to go during the summer months of July and August, be ready for both rainy and sunny days; make sure that you pack clothes for both weather. Take a foldable umbrella with you, or buy one here once you arrive. You have to be ready that the weather will change from sunshine to downpour anytime during the day. Unfortunately, when I was there in July, it rained most of the days, except for a few hours of sunshine and one day where we had a glorious sunshiny day.

As for your clothes, I suggest you bring lots of T-shirts, shorts, two to three long pants (jeans and lightweight creaseless pants), sundresses, cardigans, and pashminas, so when the weather changes, you can just add or remove an item of clothing easily. A light waterproof jacket and walking shoes are also important; trainers, flats, a pair of Toms, slip on slippers or ballet flats—whichever is comfortable for you. There is no need to bring your wedges and stilettos, unless you have a chauffer to drive you around the city.

If you don’t want to get sunburnt, bring sunblock with you and apply it every time you go out. For some reason, I get tanned more when I am in Europe than when I am in the UAE. Bring a good camera or your iPhone to take loads of photos, an open mind, and get ready to soak in the culture.

How to budget for the trip It depends on how long you plan to stay, of course. If you have already pre-paid your hotel accommodation, as well as your train or airline tickets, then on a modest budget, you can live with less than EUR50 per day, excluding your shopping expenses. If you like going to nice restaurants, then I suggest increasing that budget to EUR100 per day per person.

Welcome Card for EUR19.50, or a 72hour pass that includes entrance fee to the Museum Island for EUR40.50 per person.

When in Berlin You definitely have to eat Currywurst!

Curry 36 on Mehringdamm in Kreuzberg is the epitome of Berlin Currywurst, according to a popular Berlin website. The legendary snack stall has been serving its customers for more than 30 years. The place is busy with both Berliners and tourists, and have seen a host of celebrities dropping in for a taste of this popular snack. I had the classic Currywurst without the casing, and I must say it lived up to my expectations!

If you plan to visit the Reichstag and go up to the Dome, then I suggest you book this in advance. You will need to send your identification or passport copy in advance for security check prior to your visit. To avoid disappointment, make sure you plan ahead for this visit.

Public transportation is easy and accessible, and depending on the length of your stay, you can purchase a day pass that you can use in all the public transportation around the city for only EUR6.90 per person. You can also purchase a 48-hour Berlin

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My Pinoy Life in

ROMANIA Donnie Ray Del Rosario Tell us something about your place.

I started travelling to Romania in January of 2014, as part of my job back in Dubai. I attended some meetings, did some training for the local employees and led program implementations.

Then, the company offered me a temporary job for three months in October 2014. In January of 2015, I was told that they will give me a work permit and hire me as their permanent employee here in Romania. So happy!

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Because I have visited Bucharest several times in the past, I already had an idea on what it would be like to live in the city – i.e. how bad the traffic could get, how it gets too crowded, and noisy. So, I chose to stay in an area called Bulevardul Apicultorilor which is in the outskirts of Bucharest.

I have a small furnished apartment in a quiet area. I like the area since it is in the middle of the old city (where all the fun stuff happens) and my office (where all the work serious stuff happens).

Romania can be a great tourist spot in the Eastern Europe region. It is the mini Paris. The world’s 2nd largest building is here: the Palace of the Parliament, also known as the House of the People. They have the Black Sea that is a perfect destination during summer. They have the mountains that are ideal for off-road ATV, hiking and skiing during winter. And of course,

one’s experience of Romania wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the different castles that the country is famous for, like the Castle of Dracula.

The people are friendly and can speak English. With a bit more advertising from the government, Romania can be one of the world’s top tourist destinations.

What do you do for a living?

I am an M3 Coordinator for a Power Generation Company. We rent out big machines to different companies. Our biggest customer is from the largest oil and gas company here in Romania.

I am responsible for reviewing contracts, purchasing, and supervising the stocks and logistics area of the business. I do training for the office employees and technicians as well.

It sounds complicated and seems that I have a lot of responsibilities, but it is what it is. I need to work hard to establish a good career.

PINOY PLANET

The Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest, Romania.

The palace is the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon.

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Is there a Filipino community there?

When I stayed at the Howard Johnson Hotel in the city, I found out that there was a Benihana Restaurant inside the hotel. I was craving for teppanyaki at the time, and had heard of the lively shows they had there, so I went in to check it out. I was surprised to discover that some of the chefs were Pinoy. There is also one Pinoy Sushi Chef at a Japanese Restaurant in the old city itself. For sure, the people working in the Phil. Consulate are Filipinos too. I’ve been told that there is a Filipino community here, but I’ve yet to meet them. There aren’t as many Filipinos here as there are in the UAE.

Tell us about your life there?

My life here is simple. If I am not at work, I’m just at home, cooking and surfing the net. When friends invite me to go out, that’s the chance for me to try the different restaurants and clubs in the area.

Week nights here in Bucharest are like the weekends also - the old city gets just as crowded. At first, I wondered if all the week-nighters have work the following day.

Apparently, they do!

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Night cityscape , Bucharest, Romania, cityscape,

PINOY PLANET

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PINOY PLANET

What cultural practices/behaviors have you acquired from your host country?

I haven’t been here long enough to be able to say that I’ve fully adopted any of the Romanians’ unique cultural traits, apart from partying until 3am on a week night.

What I really appreciate is how accommodating and hospitable they are. They are very interested to meet and learn new things from us Asians. Like Filipinos, they like karaoke as well. You can’t imagine how many karaoke pubs and events they have.

They like rice too, so it was not hard for me to look for Jasmine Rice.

Your greeting to Filipino across the globe?

Keep on smiling!

Just remember that even if we are in a different country, we shouldn’t forget where we came from. We can enjoy the new stuff and maybe acquire some traits from the country we live in, but we must not forget that we have our own unique traits that we can be proud of – like constantly having a positive outlook in life. Filipinos, no matter what happens, good or bad, still manage to smile and put smiles in the faces of others.

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PINOY PLANET

Romanian Athenaeum is a concert hall in the center of Bucharest, Romania

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MONEY

Debt and Luxury May Not Mix

By Francisco Colayco

Craving luxury is normal, especially in the consumer-oriented world that we have today. But before you even start thinking about luxury, you must get down to the basics on your financials first.

F

irst and foremost, you should

aspect of it but rather on the potential

You can only use it up to your limit,

prepare your Statement of Assets and

cash generation you will embark on to

so why will you want to increase your

Liabilities (SAL), Personal Income

clean up your debt. This is a technique

limit if your capacity to pay has not

and Expense Statement (PIES), and

to develop a positive mind set. And

changed? Of course, if your original

Personal Financial Plan. In this manner,

a positive mind set tends to attract

limit was so much lower than your

you know exactly where you are in

positive things to happen. More often

capacity to pay, then by all means,

terms of your financial life, and where

than not, with a positive mindset, your

request for the increase. Usually, the

you want to be at a certain age.

mind gets focused on opportunities

credit card company will increase your

rather than problems.

line if you always pay on time. They

Thereafter, your most important

might also ask for your Income Tax

formula is: Income minus Savings

Credit card is another matter. One

Return (ITR) to prove your capacity to

equals Expenses. Then work on a

serious concern is the desire of some

pay.

realistic budget after this formula.

for their credit card limit to increase,

Debt is not necessarily bad. If you use

even when their salary remains the

Regarding your income issue, if your

same. Again, back to basics.

salary is not increasing, credit card

debt to buy real needs or to leverage

usage is not the answer. You need to

an asset acquisition, debt can really

Credit card limits are set up to 1) make

increase your income and/or to cut

help increase your wealth. In fact,

sure that you have the capacity to pay

your expenses some more. But, in

good debt helps to increase your

for your usage, and 2) protect you in

either case, remember to ‘pay yourself

wealth. The key is to be able to pay

case someone else gets a hold of your

first.’

your debt. One other note, it would be

credit card.

best not to focus on the debt burden

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MONEY

What To Guard Yourself Against From our informal surveys, the single

found when the income cash flow is

The fundamental principle that should

insufficient to cover debt repayment?

never be violated when it comes to

More borrowings!

incurring debt is quite simple. The source of repayment to cover the

This is not so bad if it were only a

incurred obligation of debt payment

temporary shortfall. The sad part is,

must be determined and secured

acquisition of long-term assets.

because there is a mismatch from the

before any debt is incurred. Have

very beginning, the borrowing incurred

long-term income to cover long-term

Most people dream of owning their

is short term and more expensive, and

debt. Use only short-term income

home; this is top priority and is

thus further pulls the household into

to cover short-term debt. There is

almost always grabbed as soon as

a downward financial spiral. Hope and

no room for mismatching. Certainty

there is enough money set aside for a

aspiration, both positive by nature,

of the source of repayment must be

downpayment. Not enough attention

turn into a heavy burden. Inability

established before the debt is incurred.

and study is made whether or not

to keep up with payments leads

the incurred liability of a monthly

to foreclosure. The downpayment

The nature and character of debt must

amortization can be matched with an

and amortization payments already

be fully appreciated. Money received

assured income stream over the same

made would have been an excellent

from debt is not our money. It belongs

period of debt payments. The common

source for wealth generation. With

to someone else and must therefore

comment is always “gagawan ng

foreclosure, all that and more is lost.

be repaid. The interest we pay is for

paraan” (We will cross the bridge when

Debt after debt after debt is a surefire

the privilege of using someone else’s

we get there and surely we will find

formula for bankcruptcy.

money. This is the cost of borrowing.

biggest factor that causes the most financial problems is premature

a solution.). And what is the solution

The principal of the loan is what

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MONEY

we really owe. Likewise, it must be

long-term credit and sell for a shorter

in their credibility as reliable business

returned on due date. Unfortunately,

credit term. In either case, they use

performers. The principle is simple:

this basic truth somehow gets lost in

their suppliers’ money (OPM).

financial support comes only to those

the manner that debt is incurred.

who are financially responsible. This This is just one example of proper

does not always mean being able to

In credit card debt, most who have

use of credit. The point here is that

pay on time. But it always means being

fallen victims and found themselves in

they are able to borrow and use the

able to face your creditors in both

deep trouble usually did so because in

borrowed money to produce returns

good and bad times, and in the case

their minds, the credit limit was cash

higher than their cost of borrowing.

of the latter, being able to propose

they already own and could be spent

They were able to do so because they

solutions when debt problems arise.

as they pleased.

have established a credible track

The Blessings of Debt

record of debt repayments.

My new book, “Wealth Reached.

Money Worked. Pera Mo, Pinalago

Credit worthiness can bring countless Successful entrepreneurs pride

Mo!” is now available on www.

blessings to those who deserve

themselves of achieving their

colaycofinancialeducation.com and

it. Other entrepreneurs start up

successes using “other people’s

National Bookstores.

their business using only their

money (OPM)”.

intellectual capital and use OPM for

If you want investment options, visit

both permanent and working capital

www.kskcoop.com and http://www.

requirements of their businesses.

ustream.tv/channel/dzxl-online-tv

Traders employ this tool everyday of their commercial lives. They buy on credit and sell for cash. Or, they buy on

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every Monday at 11am for my program Again, in this case, their success lies

“Pera Mo, Palaguin Mo!”

LAW

Is Franchising

your shortcut to success?

By Barney Almazar Esq

When it comes to starting a business, most entrepreneurs think that a franchise is their fast track to success. But the key to success is to look first before you leap— outline first the pros and cons, and learn more about the franchise business

Is franchising for you?

Although majority of franchised businesses turn out to be profitable, potential investors must be wary that not all franchises are created equal. Moreover, not everyone is cut out to be a franchisee. Like any other business model, investing in a franchise needs a background check or due diligence. Franchising has its benefits and drawbacks, and there’s no way to know for sure whether buying a franchise is right for you until you evaluate its pros and cons in the context of your resources.

> Turnkey operations A good business must have the proper systems on place.

Your franchised business comes with a proven operations system geared towards generating profits. This is especially useful if you lack business management background or experience in sales and marketing.

Advantages of Getting a Franchise

When you buy a franchise, a dedicated franchise team will help you in the pre-opening, acquiring equipment and supplies, as well as providing training and skills needed to efficiently run the business. In most cases, you will also reap the benefits of the brand’s international or regional advertising campaigns.

> Higher chance of success

> Franchise support

Statistics show that franchisees stand a much better chance of success than independent startup businesses.

By getting a franchise, you are banking on an established concept that has been tried and tested by the market.

Small business startups often have very little support from professional staff. It will be too costly to take a full time accountant, lawyer, or other professionals to support the non-core business functions of the company. Buying

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LAW

a franchise allows you to tap these professionals who are maintained under the parent company’s payroll. You will find that you are in business for yourself, but not by yourself. > Brand recognition It is definitely a lot easier to market a well-known product or service. Buying a franchise is similar to acquiring an existing business with loyal customers. A more established brand translates to huge savings on customer acquisition costs. > Economies of scale The collective buying power of a franchise group allows for lower costs in purchasing inventory, supplies and equipment compared to an independent business buying on small quantities. Suppliers are more inclined to give preferential pricing and payment terms to bulk buyers.

These savings make your business competitive. > Access to best talents Employing competent staff is crucial to sustaining business operations, especially for many independent small business owners. A franchise business with a recognized brand will attract the best talents than an unknown business entity.

to share financial books and observe standard operating procedures supplied by the franchisors. You cannot purchase supplies from non-approved suppliers. > Higher investment costs Buying a well-known franchise will mean having the ability to pay high franchise fees. This can be very expensive and may even require bank financing. The high capital outlay may appear to be financially unrealistic especially for a small independent business owner.

On the other hand, buying a less-established brand may be inexpensive but can be a double-edged sword. A new business being offered for franchise for the first time may not have a good system in place yet, and you do not want to be one of its guinea pigs. It is no guarantee that a franchise business is always successful. Some are just interested in selling franchises and do not really focus on building a long-term relationship with the franchisees.

Beware of them. > Ongoing costs

Disadvantages of Getting a Franchise

In addition to the franchise fee, you may also be subject to royalty payments in return for operation and marketing support. Royalty is usually in a form of a percentage of your business revenue. In certain arrangements, you may also be required to purchase advertising and in-store marketing collaterals from the parent company.

> Limits your creativity

> Poor service delivery

This is probably the main disadvantage of buying a franchise. As there are already systems in place, you as the business owner will have very little or no flexibility on how to run the business. As a franchisee, you are under the control of the parent company. All decisions must have approval from franchisors. Franchisees are required

Some franchisors only offer startup assistance and will leave you as soon as the business has been opened. At the end of the day, it is your business and the only person you can count on is you. You might be frustrated if the parent company does not have the ability or resources to solve your operational problems.

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LAW

How to franchise?

After knowing the ins and outs of franchising and doing your due diligence, you have now identified the brand that appears to be a match for your new business opportunity.

The next step is for you to proceed with the franchise application.

Applying for a franchise The franchisor or the brand owner will require you to submit a letter of intent before you are given a franchise application. This is usually in a questionnaire form detailing your qualifications, and more importantly, your finances that will justify your ability to carry out the business in case of economic difficulty.

Your application will likewise be evaluated based on your experience, background, and even personality, as the franchisor is interested to determine whether or not you fit into the franchise model.

Interview and Home Visit If you meet the application requirements, the next step is usually a meeting with the franchisor and/or a home visit to give the franchisor the opportunity to know you personally and assess your level of commitment to this new endeavor. On the other hand, this is also your chance to get to know the business model more before you invest.

Contract signing If you are considered as a franchisee, you will be offered a franchise contract which provides the terms and conditions of the business franchise. It will contain the rights and obligations both parties will assume.

In the UAE, a franchise is primarily governed by the Commercial Agencies Law. There is no existing specific regulations on franchise as of the moment, and the court will apply the provisions on distributorships, commission arrangements, dealerships and other forms of sales representative or sales agency relationships.

Registration of the agreement with the Ministry of Economy is optional, but must be considered by the franchisee to be accorded special protection. Unregistered franchise agreements are under the scope of the Civil Code and the Commercial Transactions Law, just like the any other commercial contracts.

You should seek legal advice about the franchise agreement and go over it carefully before signing on the dotted line. A qualified lawyer will be in a best position to negotiate the terms of the franchise agreement, taking into consideration the specific local issues that must be dealt with for your protection.

The Essential OFW Guide to UAE Knowing what an expatriate can and cannot do in a foreign land is the first step to avoid being in conflict with the law.

Gulf Law, together with the Philippine Embassy, distributes free copies of The Essential OFW Guide to UAE, the first and only guidebook dedicated to the Filipino community in the Emirates. Authored by Atty. Barney Almazar and highly endorsed by Ambassador Grace Princesa, the 150-page book contains all the information on investment, business start-up, banking, marriage, employment, family and immigration rules every OFW needs to know to reach their dreams and make it big in the United Arab Emirates. To reserve a free copy, email gulflaw@gulflaw.info.

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ONLI IN DA PILIPINS

10 Luhoxuries

that Only Overseas Filipinos Would Understand

By Aby Yap

#blessed. That’s what people back home are, since the best things in (a Pinoy’s) life are just within their reach. (Forget the traffic, 2016 elections, and pabebes for five minutes. Don’t ruin the good vibes.) And while many take this for granted, most of our kababayans abroad choose to suffer in silence, counting the days when they’ll finally return to Pinas to indulge in these luxuries (luho) or counting cash until they can afford them at last—whichever comes first.

1. Haircut

2. Home Service Spa

3. Household Help

Some Pinoys in the Middle East and Europe aren’t trying to form a hippie boy band to rival One Direction. Far from going groovy, they simply want to save a thousand pesos monthly to put into the balikbayan box they’ll send their clans by Christmas time. Their freak flag AKA long hair can wait ‘til they get home and have a P50 haircut from the barangay’s official barber.

That already includes a free head and back massage, blow dry, and the latest showbiz/politics/neighborhood tsismis.

For several Pinays working outside the country, this alone is a grave sacrifice.

Imagine missing the works—a onehour massage + facial + manicure + pedicure + bonding with your trusty therapist right inside the comfort of your home for only P500—every month! Then you find out how much you’d have to pay if you avail of each service overseas. Now we know why our blood sisters are considered modern-day heroes. We salute you.

They could be Yaya, Ate All-around, or Kuya Driver, who makes everything at home so much easier to handle for just P2,000 each. (There’s even a discount when they’re relatives.) The kids are well cared for. The house is in order. There’s ready food at mealtimes.

Everyone’s clothes are clean and pressed. It’s effortless to go places.

The paradise exists, though, only in the Philippines. Living abroad means you have to be your own housekeeper to keep your wealth together.

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ONLI IN DA PILIPINS

4. Jollibee This one deserves its own spot—it’s not just Filipino food; it’s a taste of life in Pinas. So, it awfully stirs memories of home that anyone easily gives in to Chicken Joy craving. Except that Jollibee in several parts of the world isn’t as omnipresent as 7-11. And if there’s one, the only and nearest store could be an airplane and a lot of bucks away. The saddest part? It might even taste like McDonald’s. Adieu, langhapsarap.

5. Pinoy Food A meal of rice with adobo, sisig, lechon, or any lutong-bahay dish with unlimited nilaga soup can be had at a carinderia in ‘Pinas for as low as P50.

Isaw, betamax, helmet, adidas, and balut can be happily enjoyed without prejudice. It’s a different story, of course, for those who are miles away.

Rice becomes mashed potatoes, fries, or pasta while ulam is a choice of burger, steak, or fried chicken. And life gets boring.

6. Pinoy Movies Any true-blooded Filipino watches their favorite love team’s films on the first showing day. That’s what loyal KathNiel, JaDine, and LizQuen (and soon AlDub) fans painfully endure

when they leave the country to work or live elsewhere. They miss out on all the feels seeing the couple do pakilig moves on the big screen, which only fellow devotees would stand understand. Their lone resort is an online shaky video with a shrieking audience, a few heads blocking half of the screen.

7.Holidays That’s nearly 20 holidays a year in the Philippines, particularly when Christmas and New Year don’t fall on a weekend. Ouch. It doesn’t even include possible school or work cancellation come the rainy season. Sob, life is unfair. Because it’s more work and less play in other countries, tsk. And all our kababayans can do is to check their Facebook notification to know what their family and friends have been up to during the long weekends. #inggits

8. Christmas There are two options: (a) Fly home with your luggage bursting with presents for everyone and your wallet ready for the balikbayan’s mandatory libre challenge amid the kantyawan. (b) Be an absentee Santa Claus and let your gigantic balikbayan box do the traditional gift-giving while you spend the merriest season alone wondering what’s for Noche Buena. We hear you:

Pasko the Pinoy way is expensive. But the experience is priceless, too. Just charge it to Christmas cheer.

9. Space That “I need space” cliché can’t get any truer than when you have to share space with a dozen people from all walks of life, from different countries across the globe (some you can’t even pinpoint which planet they come from). Because accommodation is costly abroad, partition partnered with a huge dose of patience is the solution! Thin plywood and curtains for a room, housemates’ thunderous snores and annoying quirks—how you survive these every single day is a feat, kababayans.

10. Love A long distance relationship (LDR) takes so much time and effort to make it work that not everyone can afford it—only those who are willing to invest. It’s not according to Papa Jack; it’s the gospel (bitter) truth that anyone who wants to go on LDR should learn by heart. If posting daily “I <3 U” and lovey-dovey memes on each other’s FB wall could help you, then do it even if all of that cheesiness is unforgivably cringe-worthy. We support #mayforever.

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ON THE PROWL. IN THE KNOW.

The true meaning of luxury

By Tracy Ley - Dubai

Gordon Ramsay, and shop-till-youdrop in Gucci or Chanel.

However, it’s amazing that the definition of comfort or extravagance changes depending upon one’s time in history, one’s circumstance, one’s personal situation, as well as the world’s. Now let me share with you my list of ten other luxuries; some are tangible things and some are those that can only be experienced.

When I was young, I have always dreamt of having a big house with a big pool, and at least 3 cars. When you say luxury, I always thought of grand things, and living a life of great comfort. This sounds extravagant or unnecessary, but I would be a hypocrite if I said that I don’t want to live a lux life or that I don’t want any material things. Some of my friends seem to have similar ideas, too. Luxury to them is staying at the penthouse of a 5-star hotel, flying first class to new York City, dining side-by-side with Chef

1. Clean air, access to potable water and having food on the table.

2. An undisturbed good night’s sleep.

3. Having a few days (or weeks!) off from work to enjoy good quality time with your family.

4. Having financial stability and knowing that you can provide for your family and for yourself.

5. Witnessing your favorite singer

perform from the front row.

6. Eating pizza and ice cream and not gaining more weight.

7. Finally getting that handbag you have been saving for.

8. Being able to travel and meet new people.

9. Sleeping next to the love of your life.

10. Feeling comfortable in your own skin and being able to love yourself first.

After all, human beings want to create a better life for themselves. And while we may not always know it, it is when we are comfortable that we are happiest. As Coco Chanel said, ‘Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it isn’t luxury.’

Follow Tracy – www.misstracyley12. blogspot.com

The Kids are Alright

By Kristine Abante – Dubai was generally better during their time — that life was much simpler, that our generation is losing sight of the more important things, that our music sucks, that they just couldn’t understand our fashion sense and the things that are currently uso.

When we were teenagers, our elders would always tell us about how life

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Now that we are older and our generation, Generation X, has already paved the way for the so-called Millennials, I noticed that most of my peers (including myself) are also quick

to judge the new kids on the block. We find that kids today are too liberated, too vain, too easily distracted, too materialistic, too attached to their smartphones, too crazy for cheesy music… The list goes on and on.

Although I definitely disagree with their taste in music and frown at their penchant for taking much too much selfies, I would also want to highlight some of the good qualities of these new breed of humans called Millennials.

ON THE PROWL. IN THE KNOW.

1. They tend to be very vocal; it is so easy for them to share everything and anything. Theirs is a generation of openness. Of course, there is the tendency of over-share, but I find that being vocal is a good sign that this generation is more open to discussion and more accepting of criticism.

2. They are totally at ease with technology. They are not afraid to embrace change. Because things happen so fast, kids today are quick to adapt to the latest technology trends; they seem to have an innate understanding of how Uber, Spotify and Instagram work. And with open source access to a staggering wealth of information, it is easy for them to learn anything off YouTube. The mastery of these modern tools also allows them to create more at much less time.

3. They like to travel and with technology, kids today are aware that there are other places to explore, other ways to live, other ways to see things—and most of them are open to exploring these.

4. They are more community-friendly and socially-aware. They are more concerned about their impact on their community and the environment; a lot of them would prefer riding bikes and eating organic produce in order to lessen their carbon footprint. There is also some kind of increased awareness on social issues. I suppose the offshoot of being online all the time is learning more about what’s going on in the world. Awareness is always a good thing.

regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation. They are less likely to be judgmental, and are increasingly becoming more sensitive and more open-minded.

I guess what I am trying to say is that perhaps we older people should try not to dismiss this generation of hipsters and One Direction fans.

I know, one can only take so much melodrama on Facebook and a barrage of pouty selfies and unlimited hashtags, but think about it, we all did crazy things when we were younger, yet still most of us turned out alright.

Right?

Follow Kristine on www.band-aid-blues. blogspot.com

5. They are more tolerant and open to diversity and accepting other people,

MY KIND OF LUX: Sleep, Food, Exercise

By Rian Miranda – Riyadh than the expensive organic fruits and vegetables. Here’s a win-win tip though: plant your own herbs, fruits, and vegetables. This will cut down a sizable amount in your budget. Then plan on raising a few chickens and rabbits in your backyard; this way, you have an almost complete control over your food cycle—from farm to a fullmeal course.

“Luxury to me is not about buying expensive things; it’s about living in a way where you appreciate things.” – Oscar dela Renta Eight hours of sleep Getting a proper eight hours of uninterrupted sleep every night is pretty difficult for professionals who work more than eight to ten hours daily. For some business moguls like Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com, however, good sleep is an integral part of success. They believe that the more well-rested you are, the better you will perform. Just as fitness and organic food commitment is essential among the upper class, so is the appetite for sleep.

Getting in shape

Healthy eating Most of us know that with healthy diets comes a hefty price tag. Healthy food costs more than junk food, that’s why it’s easier for people to sustain themselves on rather unhealthy food

A friend once made a fuss about how expensive it is to get fit. Fitness holidays that provide holistic services to travelers redefine splurging. This may be a common commodity among the rich, but deciding to save and treating yourself once in a while to these extravagant getaways could help you regain self-awareness, as well as

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ON THE PROWL. IN THE KNOW.

combat stress. As we age, our health becomes more at risk, especially if we are mostly inactive. We need to aim to boost our body’s metabolism, endurance, be vigilant about it.

Finally, I personally define luxury as being able to have time — either trivial or profound — with the people I

love and can’t live without. Those are priceless moments that can never be taken back nor bought at any cost.

Follow Rian - Instagram: msrianmiranda, Youtube: www.youtube. com/rianmiranda

The Language We Know

By Leslie Fiestan - Riyadh

not a Muslim, I automatically and constantly say ‘Insha Allah,’ ‘Yallah,’ and ‘Esh.’ There are common Tagalog words that I am not familiar with. Sometimes, I would pronounce a word incorrectly and I get laughed at and get corrected by my peers. This does not insult me; instead, I find it funny. We all need a good laugh every once in a while. Right? But why do some people get offended when their incorrect use of the English language gets corrected by others?

Nakaka-conscious nga naman tuloy minsan magEnglish, with all those “grammar Nazis” lurking in social media.

It always irks me when some of our kababayans claim to have forgotten how to speak Tagalog the moment they set foot in a different country.

I would understand it if they moved when they were just toddlers; but for an adult to tell me that he or she has forgotten their native tongue entirely, is simply pure kayabangan.

I grew up in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but I made sure that I didn’t forget how to speak Ilocano and Tagalog. Along the way, I also learned English, and we were taught how to read and write Arabic in school. I have always thought it was cool to know various languages.

There are a few problems though, when one is multilingual — I, for instance, can’t speak straight Tagalog or Ilocano. Also, even if I’m

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We are made fun of when we can’t speak English perfectly, tapos ganun din ‘pag tayo’y ‘di gaanong bihasa sa Filipino. Paano ba ‘yan?

Aside from Filipino, English and our native dialects, we have also started to add beki-speak and jejemon to our daily conversations. In fact, some of our politicians use these dialects in their speeches. Our language is evolving so quickly. I just hope that I will be able to keep up with it.

Sabi nga ni Dr. Jose Rizal, ‘Ang taong hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika ay masahol pa sa malansang isda.’

Follow Les - http://lesfiestan.multiply.com/, http://lesfiestan.daportfolio.com/