ILLUSTRADO Magazine Jan 2007

The Magazine for the International Filipino

JANUARY 2007

Breaking Out of the Box PINOY BIG BUSINESS Paplano Plano...Papaano BARONG BEDLAM Out of the Box with Epy ROXASBLVD-TheSunRisesAgainonManila’sSunsetStrip SURVIVING MANILA’S STREET FOOD The Annie B. Chronicles ASTIG KA KUNG...

© 2 0 0 6 E l i zabeth A r den, I nc.

EDITOR’S NOTE

RELEASE YOUR INNER ‘ASTIG’… w chapter, a new story;

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turn of an The New Year signals the ain. ag er to start afresh - all ov

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it happen. my dear Illustrados! ss you are in making le ar fe 2007 is a great year, w ho on s nd mes really depe And how great it beco Lalaine Chu-Benitez Publisher / Editor

Publisher & Editor Lalaine Chu-Benitez Associate Editor Ina Elle Crisostomo Art Director Paula Lorenzo Ron Perez Contributing Writers Philippines Carlito Viriña David Llorito Bernadette Reyes Cesar Viriña Mike Martin Jan La’O David Poarch United Arab Emirates Maripaz Febrero Giselle Estrada Dawn Almario Sonny de Guzman Antonella Andrada United Kingdom Cecile Samson-Aquino Contributing Photographers Philippines Ben Chan Unite Arab Emirates Pot Ph Joel Guerrero Contributing Stylists Zekundo Chu Advertising & Retail Sales Michael Maguigad Publisher Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2nd Floor, Building 2 P.O. Box 72280 Office 20C Dubai Media City, U.A.E. Tel: + 9714 365 4547 Fax: + 9714 360 4771 email: admin@illustrado.net Website: illustrado.net Distributors Emirates Printing, Publishing & Distribution Co. Dubai Media City, U.A.E. Copyright Illustrado Communications 2006.

All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Send your letters to: editor@illustrado.net

Ako, ikaw, tayo … OFW* *Overseas Filipino Workers Kay sarap pakinggan ang ika’y mangibang bayan Puno ng pag-asa umahon sa kahirapan Bulag sa katotohanan ano man ang kahihinatnan Hirap na mararanasan sa bansang patutunguhan.

Ang lumisan sa bayan ay di ko kagustuhan Ngunit ang maging saksi sa maraming kahirapan Isa lamang itong paraan pagmamahal sa bayan Tumulong sa bansa para sa kaunlaran.

Hindi biro ang malayo sa ating bayan Dala ang lungkot huwad na kalayaan Pilit na pagsasaya problema’y makalimutan Konting tiyaga sa maayos na kinabukasan.

Sana minsan karaingan namin ay pagbigyan Mabigyan ng kaukulang pansin ng pamahalaan Sa mga kabayang saan man ang patutunguhan Ano man ang kapalaran ay di kami pababayaan.

Dear Lalaine, Thank you for your Christmas issue!

I cried when I read Illustrado this time. I was so touched to see your Christmas articles and suddenly felt nostalgic, missing my family sa Pinas. I miss being with them and the family pics you had, were really heartwarming…

More power to you and your team. Please keep on giving us good stuff!

Marie Quintana Abu Dhabi

Ang hiling ko lang pagbalik sa ating bayan Makita ang kaunlaran tunay na kalayaan Limutin ang politika maayos ang hidwaan Mamuhay ng tahimik at di na mangibang bayan.

Ang paalala ko rin sa mga nagingibang bayan Kahit saan man sulok ng mundo naninirahan Sana tayo ay magkaisa at magmahalan Malayo sa tukso, inngitan ay iwasan.

Isa lamang itong pagmumulat sa aking mga kababayan Di ka nag-iisa kahit nasaan ka man Karama’y mo sa ginhawa’t kahirapan Lahing Pilipino, tunay kang maaasahan Likha at titik ni ka Noel Malicdem Dubai, U.A.E.

Dear Editor, Congrats for finally giving the community a great magazine to read.

I read your article Batang Pinoy with much interest.

I am a mother of 3 young children. I know that even for us adults, adjusting to life in a foreign country is hard – but especially for the children. I felt a bit sad, when I realized that my kids life is not simple here. But it’s good that you include a topic like that to give us parents more information which is very important for us to know.

I hope all Pinoy parents will be more conscious about their children’s situation.

A Concerned Pinay Mom Sharjah

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Wow, Illustrado! Galing naman your contest!

Thanks for letting me win a super-FAB beauty pack.

My friends could not believe that I actually won.

Thanks a mill! Sana more contests and prizes to come!

Winnie Cruz Dubai

Please can you publish my poem in your magazine?

I compose poems because it is one way of expressing the pain in my heart. I hope you can. Thank you so much. Happy New Year.

AALIS KA NA Sabado Enero asais Aalis ka na Iiwan na ako Punta pinas ating bansa Ilang oras na lang Sakay ng Qatar na eroplano Paano na ang puso ko Sinugatan mo Walang pangakong babalik Pagkat sa aki’y ayaw na Masakit tanggapin Di ko makayang gawin Pilit kong lilimutin Alaala mong kimkim Pagmamahal ko syo Iisipin kong naglaho na din Sa aking pagiisa Na tanging sakit at luha Ang laging kasama Haharapin ang buhay na may kaba Mahal kita kahit di mo nakikita Nagbago ka man ako’y andito lamang Umaasa, aasa at aasa na BABALIK KA… Katy Dubai Congratulations to you and the whole team behind Illustrado magazine!

It is about time that something like Illustrado comes out to highlight what really truly makes an international Pinoy! We have a lot to offer to the world - in terms of talent and entertainment, arts and fashion, culture and natural beauty...the list is endless! Hope you will continue to champion this and highlight them in every issue of Illustrado..

Dong Dimal Dubai

FEATURE Everywhere in the world you go, you will hear of the prosperity generated by our enterprising Asian brothers. Most significant of all is how our companions in the international diaspora haveestablishedthemselvesoutsidetheirhome countries and how they have broken through mainstream business categories – succeeding beyond the traditional‘mom and pop stores’or ‘teastalls’whichexemplifiedthesmall-scaleAsian business models of the old days.

TheChineseareintoallsortsofincomegenerating endeavorsandaremainlyengagedininternational trading, whether they are in the US, Europe or in South-EastAsia.WorldwidethereareChinatowns -significantcentersofcommercialism,asymbolof theirlonghistoryofindustriousnessandeconomic clout even in countries other than their own.

Ontheotherhand,standtheNon-ResidentIndians (NRIs), who like the Chinese, have made their business presence felt in their host countries.

Even in highly competitive markets such as the US, Indians are in various sectors from the hospitalityindustry,toretailing,tofoodandmost recently establishing a foothold in the business oftechnology. Accordingtoa2003MeryllLynch study,theIndianSiliconValleyentrepreneursalone havegeneratedUS$250Binwealth,makingNRIs one of the most affluent migrants in the US. Here in the Gulf, it’s hard to miss the signs of theIndianentrepreneurialspirit–it’spractically everywhere,especiallyintheretailsectorwhere homegrown chains like Lulu’s, Landmark and Jashanmal’s, amongothers, leadthe sector.The Chinese, most of who have started setting up residence in the Gulf only 10 years ago, is not to beleftbehind.SmallChinesebusinessendeavors abound and a testament to their clout is the establishmentofDragonMart-anexhibitionand commercialvenuedevelopedbylocalcompany Nakheel, for over 3,000 Chinese companies - a uniqueplatformforChinesetraderstodobusiness with partners around in the region. One look at theirbiggesttradehuboutsideofMainlandChina, andonecantellimmediatelythattheChineseare, indeedhere,andthattheymeanseriousbusiness.

Illustrado 6

The Emergence of Local Pinoy Enterprise HowaboutFilipinoexpatbusiness?Thirtyyears sincewestartedmovingtotheblueshoresofthe Gulf,onecanfeelthatFilipinoentrepreneurshipis alreadyblossoming.IntheUAEinparticular,there arequiteanumberoflocallyestablishedFilipinoowned businesses such as small restaurants and stores, catering services, cargo companies anddoor-to-doormoneyestablishments,salons, barbershopsandtailorsalmostexclusivelyserving the ‘kabayan market’.

In the last five years, some Filipino businesses have also started making inroads into the mainstreamcategory,servingabroaderclientele, otherthanourimmediatecommunity.Afewgood examplesofsuchgroundbreakingendeavorsare establishments such as Maid 4 U – a successful cleaning service company established by feisty entrepreneur Emelie M. Nuque two years ago with less than 10 staff. The company now has 50 well-trained service personnel catering to a growing number of corporate and private clients. Family-managedDeLaSalleMontessori InternationalNurserySchoolandCréche,anearly learningcenteranddaycarefacilityestablishedby RemediosChusevenyearsago,nowhasstudents from32differentcountries.While,inthebusiness ofcreativity,MindmillAdvertisingafirmownedby coupleEsmeraldoPangilinanandEmilieBarredo areservicingdiversecompaniesintheUAEcapital.

TheconstructionboomintheUAEhasalsogiven rise to Filipino interior design consultancies, furniturecompanies,includingModernTrading Co., a construction supplies firm established by

husband and wife team – Architect Porfirio and LindaClimaco,whichhasalreadygarneredsuccess countingTotalOilCo.andNationalPaintsamong its list of local clients, even in its mere one year of existence. At the retail front, an example in bold entrepreneurshipisthesuccessofRedSeaTrading.

OwnedbyIsabelWarren,thecompanywentinto aggressivecompetitionwithlocaldominantretail distributorstomakePhilippineproductswidely available in mainstream retail outlets.

Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Libran Cabactulan, an ardent promoter of private enterpriselaunchedhisentrepreneurialadvocacy program almost two years ago – calling it a top prioritywithinhisdiplomaticagenda.Together withthehelpofcommunitygroupPBC(Philippine BusinessCouncil),thedynamicdiplomathopes tokindletheentrepreneurialspiritwithinthelocal communitybyprovidingmotivation,informationand assistance. Hesays,“Wehavetolearnnottoearn fromoursweatonly,buttobenefitfromthefruits ofourlaboraswell. Filipinoshavetolearntomake their money work for them. We still have a long way to go.”

FEATURE

The Chinese have it made; the Indians have earned their fair share, too. What about the 3rd largest ethnic expat force in the world - the Filipinos? Do we have what it takes to make it big in business outside our home turf?

siness

By Lalaine Chu- Benitez Photography by Mac Antonio

Illustrado 7

FEATURE

Entrepreneurship in the Philippines

By Bernadette Reyes Photography by Ben Chan

In a country where people are fond of eating rice and tapsilogs and are almost always the healthy breakfast choices, a group of young, savvy entrepreneurs took a bold move to introduce cereals as healthy alternative. Bernadette Reyes introduces us to the group behind the success of cereal cafes in the Philippines and reports on the burgeoning movement of entrepreneurship in the country and the escalating enthusiasm among youths to be a part of it.

Twenty six-year-old Crissy Balatbat recounts how she and four of her friends whom she met during her high school and college days thought of putting up Cerealicious despite the fact that they are all doing well in their respective careers under the employ of some of the best companies in the country.

Cerealicious is the Philippines first and only cereal cafe in the country. With over 30 cereals, 40 toppings and a variety of milk, customers have the freedom to choose what goes into their cereal bowl. Aside from the unique products, the cereal bar banks on its healthy ambience to do the selling. “Cereals remind of childhood and happy thoughts. Our marketing strategy is focused not just on the products and its healthy benefits but also on is the experience that

Illustrado 10

Cerealicious’ range of cereals

our customers will feel upon entering the store,” she explained. The products such as Nutting Hill, Jelly Mgguire,Jumango,Monakissa,OreoandJulietare named after blockbuster Hollywood movies, which really are attention-grabbing.

Crissy admits their college degrees are not business courses but they manage to keep the ball rolling for Cerealicious. In fact, barely a year after the opening of their first branch, they have already recoup their investment. “We opened our pilot branch in Espana in January this year, by September we were able to recover our investment,” Balatbat told Illustrado.

Aside from the fact that the group has their business earning profits amongst themselves, they recognize their part in nation building as young and idealistic entrepreneurs. “We help in employment. Also, we pay our taxes in full. With the idealism that we have as young entrepreneurs we give the government what is due to them,” Crissy said adding that they would want to serve as good examples to young minds that “it can work”.

Only 11 months after their first store opened, Cerealicious now has seven outlets around the metro.

The government through the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) supports the likes of Crissy who

believe that entrepreneurship helps prop up the economy. DTI has always viewed entrepreneurship as a major driver of the country’s economic growth. The National SME Agenda for example, which promotes entrepreneurship, is President Gloria MacapagalArroyo’s key strategy for poverty alleviation and job creation. Under this program, entrepreneurs can receive financial and product and development assistance.

DTI also said that many young entrepreneurs are encouraged to try exporting their products and services in order to cash in on bigger profits.

DTI’s export promotions agency CITEM (Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions) recognizes that entrepreneurs are the backbone of the economy thus it helps in cultivating entrepreneurs who wish to export by laying down support strategies to them.“Our entrepreneurs who are in the export business for instance help create jobs and increase our revenues,” CITEM Executive Director Felicitas Reyes-Agoncillo said.

FEATURE Agoncillo recounts the success of entrepreneurs who export their products. She cited Kenneth Cobonpue, a young designer from Cebu who took over his family business and developed furniture designs that earned him international recognition abroad. Cobonpue is able to hit two birds in one stone by gaining appreciation for his craftworks at the same time earning export revenues for the country. Cobonpue’s masterpieces have even caught the attention of Hollywood actor Brad Pitt who happens to be one of his regular clients to date. “Our exports have achieved double-digit growth for the past several months and with this, we have improved our economic performance and provided new growth prospects for investors,” Agoncillo said.

are only a handful of large companies, if we have three million entrepreneurs imagine the multiplier effect in term of job creation,” she explained.

Inton said there are microfinance institutions who are willing to lend capital for the small entrepreneurs.

PTTC is another attached agency of the DTI that was established in the late1980s to invigorate an export industry needed for the country’s economic recovery.

The Go Negosyo Entrepreneurial Summit lead by Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Jose ‘Joey’ Concepcion III is another tool that helps budding entrepreneurs to make their dreams come true.

Go Negosyo heightens the awareness of students.

Consequently, many are encouraged to draft business plans while some go a step further by developing their own products.

As of DTI’s latest count, there are only about one million entrepreneurs in the country but in the 10-point agenda of the President she wants to develop three million entrepreneurs by 2010. DTI and its attached agencies are convinced this figure is realizable as exhibited by the growing clamor of youths to put up their own businesses. Philippine Trade Training Center Executive Director Adelaida Inton told Illustrado how even elementary students are sending them letters of intent to undergo training and seminars. She underscored that youths of today from high school and college levels as well as many fresh graduates are enticed to enter businesses instead of becoming regular employees.

We are expecting this clamor to intensify especially now that module on entrepreneurship has been integrated in the curriculum of high school students. “The students are very enthusiastic during lectures which is good because it implies the entrepreneurial spirit within them,” Inton said.

As a response to this clamor, PTTC (Philippine Trade Training Center) is also working on incubating high school and college students and fresh graduates to become entrepreneurs by helping them develop business plans and cultivate product ideas. The program seeks the participation of the youth in transforming the economy from generally a consumption to a production economy where people are encouraged to mobilize savings and turn them into productive capital and jobs through innovation, creativity and industry. “The future of our economy will not depend on the big businesses but it’s really the small and medium enterprises that will oil the economy.

More livelihood would mean more job creations. There

Entrepreneurs School of Asia chairperson Vivienne Tan mentors entrepreneurs as her way of helping prop up the Philippine economy. “I believe that entrepreneurship will be the country’s engine of growth. It’s a simple formula. More entrepreneurs implies more jobs, more investments leading all in all to a better economy,” she said. ESA graduates in their early 20s have reportedly set up profitable businesses and have provided employment for many.

Another testimony to the potentials of entrepreneurship in the country is the creation of a school that caters to developing future entrepreneurs. The ESA (The Entrepreneurs School of Asia) is the region’s first academic institution, which focuses entirely on the education and research of entrepreneurship.

In ending, entrepreneurship holds the key to national recovery and sustainable development. Through the

The Go Negosyo Entrepreneurial Summit lead

by Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Jose ‘Joey’ Concepcion III is another tool that helps budding entrepreneurs to make their dreams come true. Go Negosyo heightens the awareness of students. Consequently, many are encouraged to draft business plans while some go a step further by developing their own products. growth of entrepreneurial undertakings in the country new products have been created and needed services has been delivered, contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of the Filipino people.

The government along with private institutions has rolled out these plans towards the true path to economic independence and freedom from poverty.

President Arroyo in one of her speech revealed her strong belief about the prospects of entrepreneurship in the robust economy. “Let thousands of enterprises grow and hundreds of thousands of jobs will bloom. Let three million new enterprises develop and this country will be on its way to attaining full employment.”

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FEATURE

Inspirational Filipino Entrepreneurship If we are to look for best practices from kababayanswhohavesucceededbig,notonlyin settingupabusiness,butthekindofendeavorthat has made it to the mainstream in a foreign land, expandingbeyondthetraditional‘kabayanmarket’, it is good to look at examples in the US - the countrywith100yearsofFilipinomigrationhistory.

AccordingtoatheUSSurveyofBusinessOwners (SBO) in 2002, there were over 125,000 Filipino ownedcompaniesintheU.S.,employingnearly 132,000workersandgeneratingnearlyUS$14.2 billion in revenue. Similar to the Gulf, a lot of thesebusinessesweregearedtowardstheFilipino community.

Mostsignificantly,however,isthatwithinthisgroup oftraditionalcommunityentrepreneursemerged Filipinos who were able to break ethnic barriers and crossover to mainstream, expanding their opportunitiesviaamultinationalconsumerbase.

Seafood City, a full-service supermarket in CaliforniaownedbytheGofamilyfromCaloocan, changed the paradigm of Filipino retailing in America. In the 15 years since its opening, the companyexpandedaggressivelywith13outlets, the biggest of which is 21,000 square meters, comparable to American supermarket giant SafewayandbiggerthanregionalchainsCarrefour andLuluwhoselargestbranchesstandat17,000 squaremeters. Mostimportantly,SeafoodCity’s latest opening inside a mainstream mall, Eagle RockPlaza,isthefirsttimeanAsiansupermarket, notjustFilipino,hasopenedinsideanAmerican shopping center, alongside retailersTarget and Macy’s,exposingFilipinoproductstomainstream American shoppers.

But perhaps more important than their hefty Former investment banker Josie Natori, started herownlingeriebusinessin1977,usingdelicate bank accounts is Philippine embroidery. Now after almost three the trail that these decades, Natori has become one of the world’s recognized luxury brands patronized by Filipinoentrepreneurs most an elite clientele. Natori’s line of lingerie and accessories are sold globally in high-end are blazing for the rest home departmentstoreslikeSaksFifthAve.andNieman of us in the global arena, and the example and inspiration that they are providing to Pinoy expats who dare to take the plunge into the uncertainty of self.employment

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Marcus.WithitsheadquartersinNewYork,Natori has a manufacturing plant in the Philippines and uses resources from other South East Asian countries.

The Philippines also has its own exceptional entrepreneur in SiliconValley. Mapua graduate DadoBanataoiscreditedforseveralpatentsthat contributed to the development of the PC and networking. He gained prominence in the 80s, when he co-founded Chips and Technologies, later sold to Intel. He also founded several other companieslikeS3(DiamondPCcomponents)and Mostron. Dado’s latest venture is as chairman of Marvell Technology Group Ltd., a leading communicationssolutiondeveloperandsupplier.

Heisnowaventurecapitalist,includedinForbes Magazine’s Midas List, a ranking of the best dealmakers in high-tech and life sciences fields.

Dadohasbeen estimated byForbes tobeworth US$100 million as early as 1997.

Then there is the poster girl for Filipino expat entrepreneurship-LoidaNicolas-Lewis,aUPLaw Graduatewhohasthedistinctionofbeingthefirst AsianwomantopasstheNewYorkStatebarexams withouthavingtostudylawintheUS. Loidagrew upinanentrepreneurialfamilyinthePhilippines, andwasthrownintorunningthebusinessshehad with husband Reginald Lewis when he died an untimelydeathin1993. Now,theFilipinatycoon isChairmanandCEOofTLCBeatriceInternational holdings,aUS$2billionempireof64companies based in 31 countries, successfully establishing herselfasaforcetoreckonwithintheUSbusiness scene.

But perhaps more important than their hefty bank accounts is the trail that these Filipino entrepreneursareblazingfortherestofusinthe globalarena,andtheexampleandinspirationthat theyareprovidingtoPinoyexpatswhodaretotake theplungeintotheuncertaintyofself-employment.

Abovetheirintelligence,hardworkandresilience, what sets these Filipinos apart is their boldness to go beyond the realms of the ‘kabayandream’ beyondthesari-saristoresandcarinderiaswhere opportunitiesforthetrulyenterprisingabound.

Theyprovideproofthatdreamingbig,andtaking risks has its rewards. As Ambassador Libran Cabactulanaffirms,“Youhavetobreakthebarrier.

Youhavetohaveadream–avisionofyourfuture andyourpotential.Thenit’samatterofputtinga thesistogetherandalotofhardworktorealizethat dream.”

Indeed, the achievements of our enterprising kababayans prove that making it big, in the larger world of mainstream business, even outside our home country, can be done – and can be done well by Filipinos.

CONTRIBUTORS

Bernadette Reyes Currently a TV news reporter for GMA Network Inc., and an active contributor in various local business publications, Bernadette Reyes was a former business reporter for Today Independent News where she covered the Philippine Stock Exchange and the Securities and Exchange Commission. In this issue, Bernadette shares with us her keen insights on entrepreneurship in the Philippines.

Dawn Almario New York Ad Festival silver-awardee Dawn Almario is a diligent Senior Art Director by day and a professional gimikera by night. As our Pinoy About Town, Dawn samples the joys of living in a cultural melting pot that is the UAE, and steps out of the proverbial ‘kabayan box’, beyond Pinoy cafeterias and videoke. In this issue, Dawn gives us a taste of an enduring Spanish past time, on The Manileño Tapeador.

Pam Quinones

Jonie Jose

A product of Instituto Marangoni, one of Milan’s foremost fashion schools, Pam is a trailblazing stylist at 25. She was Illustrado’s stylist for its Fashion Feature last November, and now shares with us once again her revolutionary approaches to styling on Barong Bedlam.

He’s the man with all the provocative questions. For Jonie Jose – it’s buzz or nothing. Our Usapang Kanto and Community Spotlight contributor has got the pulse of the Pinoy community and enjoys contributing his talents for good causes.

That’s why he’s a Jonie good fellow.

Mike Martin

Cathy Cheng-Dona

It’s madness over method for this mercurial angst-ridden poet, aspiring author and ‘closet writer’. Each month, Illustrado lives vicariously through Mike, while he checks out the quirks of metro nightlife in ‘Manila Trippin’, to give you an account of the cool, weird, and wacky goings on in the city’s nooks and crannies.

Copywriting for the past seven years in Manila and now Muscat, Cathy churns up ideas to sell brands for a living. But in between slaving at an advertising agency and catching some ZZZs at home, she mines words that “sparkle like diamonds”. Her articles on Oman gives us a glimpse of that brilliance.

FEATURE

By Ina Cruz Photography Joel Guerrero

Do you have an expat plan? A strategy, a design or a point of focus to ensure that the time you spend working outside the Philippines, probably away from your loved ones, becomes as productive as possible?

The adage goes that having a plan is half of the success. So, whether you’re a newly-arrived expat, or someone who has been here for many years, the way you pursue these essential plans will determine the success of your OFW years.

Savings Plan Research has consistently confirmed that the desire to have a dispensable income has always been a primary motivation for expatriate workers, regardless of nationality. So how much have you saved since coming to the UAE? Experts say that one of the most effective ways of saving is to adapt the ‘pay yourself first’ system. It’s something you should do even before you deduct anything from your salary. The amount is entirely all up to you, but must be realistic; and can range from as little as 5 - 10% of your gross income. What you eventually earn from this is what you can call your very own; something that you can use to buy anything you want.

Another effective way to save is to set a salary cap.

For example: for new kababayan expats who have just signed a contract, consider your salary as 10 – 15 % lower than what it is, and consider that amount as spent. Who knows – this saving might just turn out equal to a plane ticket by the end of the year.

As for many of our veteran kababayan expats, try not spending the salary increase you’re getting this year. Never be too eager to spend money that was never there in the first place. Ipako n’yo ang sweldo n’yo kahit isang taon man lang, you’ll be surprised to know what it can do to your bank balance.

Now all this may be easier said than done, but if you can actually share a big chunk of your income with many of your relatives, why not allow yourself the benefit of your own generosity?

Career Plan Kukuha muna ng mababang bayad na trabaho, tapos will hope for a better one later, entry level baga – sounds like a good plan for many of our kababayans. A realistic plan, in fact, dahil kahit exclusive school ka pa nanggaling, dito sa abroad,

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yourealizenapantay-pantaytayo,walangkumpadre or ninong system at bihira ang wasta.

For many of our new kababayan expats it is important however to realize one’s limitations in accepting a job offer. Gaano kababa ang mababa? Will that job give you an opportunity for growth, or at least lead you back to your original profession, or field of occupation? Or will it just allow you to pay back the utang that you have incurred just to go abroad? Whichever one chooses, one must seriously weigh the consequences. This is why the worse thing one can do is to apply that famous ‘bahala na’ attitude of ours when making a career decision.

To our veteran kababayans, wherever you are in your chosen work/career and whatever reason you have for being there, always know that no work/career is worth losing your sight of what is important in life. Hindi ngayon at mataas na ang sweldo mo, mas magaling ka sa iba nating kababayan; or kung mababa man, mas kawawa ka.

Pardon the cliché, but we all know that in the end, it all boils down to character, not career.

Insurance Plan Hindi sasapat ang POEA insurance mo pag nagkataon. And that’s the hard, painful truth. Sa dami ng umaasa sa atin, it is important that their lives are not disrupted drastically just in case the inevitable happens.

the premium quite high. If your budget will allow, add on riders to your life insurance policy, like full or partial disability, or critical illness covers: potential scenarios that will hamper your ability to earn a living.

A lot of our kababayans don’t believe in the insurance system; some of them fear that their policies won’t be valid elsewhere; or they won’t be able to sustain their contributions, just in case they lose their jobs. But these concerns are all hearsay. Check out big global insurers, chances are you’ll have all your doubts answered. But no matter what cover you decide on; decide on what you can afford; decide on something that will cancel your premiums once your ability to earn has been curtailed; and most importantly, watch out for insurance agents that dazzle potential clients with multi-million coverage. Remember that your insurance cover must be a reflection of what you can afford to pay today. It’s not meant to fast-track your loved ones’ trip to retirement.

Investment Plan So how much of your hard-earned money has gone into something tangible?

So how does one prepare for the inevitable?

Whether it’s been channeled to financing your children’s or sibling’s education, or buying that piece of real estate or jewelry, make sure that a portion of your earning while you’re an OFW goes into something you can see or feel when you finally decide to come home.

Major companies in the UAE offer life insurance to their employees, on top of the standard government health card or corporate health cover. If your employer is not one of those, make sure that you set up something of your own. Some of the leading insurers will provide you a good cover for less than AED1000 a year. Opt for flexible payments, if you find

It is also important to ensure that your money does not go to a venture that will merely provide you or your kamag-anak with a source of activity rather than a source of realistic income. Avoid common pitfalls that require big cash outlays but low returns: “Magtatayonalangakongpaupahansaprobinsya or mag-ta-tricycle na lang ako.”

FEATURE

Look out for production and service-oriented businesses, like cottage and farm industries; food and beverage businesses, trading, etc., businesses that have growth or even export potential. Because no matter how much you hate working now, you will come to realize that working is an integral part of who you are as an OFW; and managing your own business is your just reward.

Exit Plan Hindi ito‘yung exit sa Kish - ito yung exit from UAE for good - to either Pinas or another country.

First rule of engagement - ‘Wag tatakbo sa utang. Unless tao kang walang konsensya, and who wants to live your life looking over your shoulder forever.

Secondly – Decide on where you want to go, review your financial resources, then set a date. Focus on it like you’ve never focused on anything. Every day you live after setting this goal will change the way you live your life as an expat.

Whether it’ll take a year or five, it doesn’t matter, what is important is you’ve realized it’s time to move on. They say we Filipinos live only for today. We’re such carefree people that we sometimes forget to learn from this observation.

Maybe we do not need to spend or send all our money home; maybe it’s time that we come face to face with the fact that eventually a more permanent home will call out to us…and when that day comes one must either be ready or have the resources, and most of all the will to plan.

This New Year, look back at the things that have happened to you during the past year; goals you’ve achieved; things you’ve bought; lessons you’ve learned; decisions you’ve made; and ask yourself whether any of these have contributed to having a Plan or have, at least, brought you closer to achieving one.

Your honest answer to these questions will help you decide on what has to be done moving forward.

On our next issue: Your What if Plan, among others

Illustrado 13

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Famous Filipinos

By Maripaz Febrero

Let’s start the year right by looking back at 2006 and the Pinoys around the world who made it such a stellar year for our country. Here are fine examples of Pinoy courage and creativity. To all of you: Salamat for making our country proud. Mabuhay!

Filipinos Fly High…

Pinoys reach summit of World’s Coldest Mountain On June 23, 2006 - Reggie Pablo of Olongapo City, Carina Dayondon of Bukidnon and Noelle Wenceslao of Manila, scaled their place into history books, when they reached the top of Mt. McKinley in Alaska.

Considered as one of the coldest mountains in the world (with temperatures ranging from -15 to -65 Fahrenheit), Mt. McKinley is also the highest peak in North America, rising 20,320 feet above sea level.

While there are just few successful climbers who have experienced the thrill and glory of reaching Mt. McKinley’s summit, many have died pursuing it. Since 1913, 92 men and women have perished along the mountain’s icy trail. But our three brave Kababayans were undaunted by casualty figures… physically and mentally prepared, they climbed to the top…equipped with indomitable Pinoy courage AND CONQUERED! Mabuhay!

All three climbers were also members of the Art Valdez’s expedition team that set out to scale Mt. Everest, the world’s highest mountain, last May. They got as far as the Island Peak of Mt. Everest, before returning to the Philippines to prepare for their Mt. McKinley climb.

...and Higher!

Three Pinoys reach summit of Mount Everest Leo Oracion It could be best described as a hat-trick! A three out of three! What a feat indeed! Three top Filipino climbers scaled the slopes of the Himalayas to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. On May 17, 2006, Wednesday, at about 5:30 p.m. Manila time (3:30 p.m. Nepal time), Leo Oracion became the first ever Filipino to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

“The Philippine eagle has landed on the summit of Mt. Everest”, Arturo Valdez, leader of the First Philippine Mount Everest Expedition quoted Oracion as saying.

The next two days witnessed a repeat of the same mind-blowing feat when Erwin Emata became the second Filipino to reach the summit; followed by another one of our own - Romeo Garduce, to complete a spectacular triangular triumph!

Alcano is 2006 World Pool Champion Ronnie Alcano Filipino Ronnie Alcano beat German Ralf Soquet 17-11 to win the 2006 World Pool Championships at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila, last November 12, 2006.

Alcano, was the last Filipino standing on the eight and final day of this prestigious 9-ball tournament.

He won handily, winning the 28th and final rack on a breathtaking one to nine combination.

The 34 year old Alcano clinched the tournament’s biggest first prize of $100,000.

“I am very happy, because all of this has happened in my country,” Alcano said.

Illustrado 16

FAMOUS FILIPINOS

Global TOYP Award for Two Pinoys Ilac Angelo Diaz and Juan Sajid Imao

were among 10 outstanding young people awarded as The TOYP (Outstanding Young Persons of the World) at the JCI World Congress in Seoul, South Korea, held November 12-16, 2006.

Ilac Angelo Diaz

An entrepreneur with a vision, Ilac’s pioneering social work was recognized under the Business, Economic and/or Entrepreneurial Accomplishment category. He built Pier One Seafarer’s Dormitory, a housing facility that provides safe and affordable temporary housing for thousands of Filipino seamen who are in Manila looking for jobs; he also established the My Shelter Foundation, an NGO arm that builds clinics and classrooms and creates sustainable housing solutions in rural areas.

Combining social relevance with business savvy, Ilac had earlier won business ideas competitions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston for a coral regeneration project using a turbine powered by sea currents; a low-cost, easily replicable cement peanut sheller; and an ‘earth classroom’ that uses locally available materials like soil to build lowcost classrooms in rural areas.

Diaz has a Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship from the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and an MBA from the Asian Institute of Management.

Next year, he will enter the Mason Fellow Program at

Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Not even weakening eyesight can blur Juan Sajid Imao’s will to produce award-winning works of art. The son of National Artist for Sculpture Abdulmari Imao, Sajid’s bronze and brass sculpture (cast from age-old ‘lost wax’ method) has won him accolades under the ‘Personal improvement and/or accomplishment’ category.

Gradually suffering from a rare degenerative eye disease, retinitis pigmentosa, Imao has created exceptional public art pieces including a brass sundial monument entitled History at Every Hour, life-size statues of Juan Luna, Lapu-Lapu and other historic Filipino figures; as well as the Marikorea monument, the first monument honoring the 7,000 Filipino soldiers who fought to defend South Korea during the Korean War in the 1950s.

With no peripheral vision and very little eyesight, Imao has also shown exceptional achievement in classical portraiture despite his disability. In the face of debilitating odds, Imao demonstrates that it is possible to overcome physical disability and continue to pursue lofty goals.

Pinay youngster wins international stamp design Eight-year-old Lea Anne R. Rulloda bagged the top prize in the youth category of the 2006 International Postage Stamp Design Contest, sponsored by the South Korean Ministry of Information and Communication in October, 2005.

An incoming grade three student at Regidor Elementary School, Rulloda is the first Filipino to win the top award besting over 1,679 contestants from all over the world.

Lea Anne’s winning work depicts a computer showing the smiling faces of two little children on top of a globe. The stamp with the design began circulation in South Korea on April 21, 2006.

Besides Lea Anne, 18-year-old Jessy L. Salas of the Technological University of the Philippines received an honorable mention for his design in the same youth category.

Lea Anne’s award-winning stamp design

Hanep! When Filipinos really set out to do something, no mountain is high enough and no competition is tough enough. These kababayans may not have started out as celebrities, but they crossed the finish line amidst resounding applause and cheers that reverberated around the world, setting new records for other nationalities to follow. Happy New Year to you all. And may 2007 be another year of world-class achievement for Pinoys around the world.

Illustrado 17

FASHION

Neglected. Decrepit. Crumbling. Recto and the ‘Barong’. One, a dying district – the cradle of the nation’s young minds, the other, a fashion institution as cold and forgotten like an heirloom locked away. Yet so vibrant, so promising. The contrast overwhelms.

Illustrado deconstructs the norms of place and fashion with irreverence – stoking the flames of chaos to give birth to a pulsating fashion credo that is rebelliously brilliant and alive. The greasy sidewalks reveal a life of their own, and our national shirt an alternative edginess never before seen…

Text: Mike Martin Overall Coordination: Marcus Maguigad Photography: Louie Aguinaldo Styling: Pam Quinones Models: Epy Quizon, Ria Bolivar and Kiko Escora

Fashion: Barongs by designer BARGE RAMOS, Manila

Illustrado 1

FASHION

Good Morning

Rusted grills, bubblegum on the sidewalk and the stale warm smell of a city waking up the morning after. Who cares? As long as you can sprint. Welcome to Recto rush hour.

OnRia:Jusislitdressprintedwithethnicsymbols,layeredwithabluegreen deconstructed jacket and cinched with a black studded waist belt

Illustrado 19

FASHION

Ped Xing

Brakes screech as they pass. How about flipping pride for a living? It’s all about taking it to ‘them’. Have a nice day.

OnEpy:Flesh-coloredbarongwithtribalwritings, layered with a stripe hoodie

OnKiko:Graphiccarnivalprintbarongwornoverarock shirt and paired with slim tuxedo-style jeans

What’s the fuss about? Tropical countries are for chill out sessions. The drones are out for the daily grind. Seriously, these people ought to hang - just hang.

Cool to hang - just hang …

FASHION

FASHION

ered

cov ys? f soot- !” a s o e n l k g i r e spa The s , Fraile

h age - t d my fingers r i m e a th chase ow about “re o t ff o s rde i d I? H The ho Will I? Shoul gold.

FASHION

On Epy: Watercolor-inspired leaf barong worn underneath a stripe shirt and paired with black slim jeans with checked belt.

On Kiko: Silver gray barong with pink abstract prints worn over a camo shirt and paired with gray slim jeans.

FASHION OnEpy:Silvergraybarongwithpinkabstract prints layered with a pin-stripe vest

I am ‘Me’

Luna? Picasso? Van Gogh? Kidlat Tahimik? How could revealing yourself be so difficult? Why be chained to conformity? “Up your turned noses, you soulless husks!

I AM ‘ME’.

“Step right up.” If you’ve got a use for it, we have it. If not.

We’ll find someone who does. So tell me stranger: “what do you need?”

Seal the Deal

FASHION

On Ria: Abstract jeepney print barong layered with a gray sleeveless hoodie and paired with leggings

FASHION

God Bless Manila Majestic and noble in its decadence. A city in transit between death and rebirth.

The city of dreams and nightmares. God bless Manila.

FASHION

On Ria: Jusi coat with printed icons and faces worn over an electric blue tube dress On Epy: Tribal print button-down barong paired with argyle arm bands and painted-on jeans On Kiko:Watercolor-inspired leaf barong over a black rock-inspiredshirtpaired with red slimjeans

FASHION

The ‘Barong’ is hung

The morning drags on for ordinary folks.

Chaos is exciting. Rebellion is a virtue, and dreams are for today. Liberation is all about how you wear it.

On Epy: Silver gray barong with pink abstract prints layered with a pin-stripe vest (On Ria: Flesh-colored barong with tribal writings (worn as a shrug On Kiko: Tribal print buttoned-down barong worn as a coat

ILLUSTRADO CELEBRITY There’s nothing perceptibly ‘average’ about actor/ entertainer Epy Quizon, from the way he wears his wild curly hair, to his love for ukay-ukay finds in Baguio, to sleeping on the floor instead of a bed, to his arts and inevitably even his choice in film roles.

Epy is almost distinctively known for his unusual choice of offbeat parts which have ran the gamut from comedian, to a Green Goblin-like villain (Lastikman), a psychotic radio listener (Radyo), pervert voyeur (Boso), a gang member (Utang ni Tatang) and even a ‘comfort gay’ in Markova - his most critically acclaimed performance to date for which, on top of accolades from the Philippine film industry, together with his father Dolphy and brother Eric, they won a triple tie in the 2001 Brussels Film Festival. The three bagged the Prix de la Meilleure Interpretation, the equivalent of a Best Actor-Best Actress award – the first time in international film awards history where the Best Actress award was given, not just to a man, but to three. Now how awesome is that?

Call him eccentric, call him unconventional, call him weird (which he actually prefers), but don’t call him ordinary - offbeat artist Epy Quizon is one unique Pinoy who is all about ‘breaking out of the box’.

Regardless of the dictates of mass marketing, the very talented Epy is also a big supporter of indie (independent) and experimental genres that stand out for their unorthodox stance in an industry driven by formula films, but have yet to earn commercial success in the Philippines. He has had several alternative film projects with Cinemalaya, Unitel and Crazy Angle Productions, and has even starred in some ventures for free – something that has astounded his family and friends.

“I do these films for the adrenalin and the intellectual pursuit, and because it’s also about educating myself – doing a movie is like going to a class and your director is the teacher.”

Epy is also dead serious about supporting the growth of the alternative film industry in the country. “Though these films do not sell very well today, I believe that it is something I should do. I know that in the future, people will be learning from movies like this. We are in the age wherein we have to educate filmgoers, if not, we will be left behind. And it’s amazing how behind we are,” he laments.

“I really want to break out to the other side. Break those barriers and walls and keep on breaking them because it (film making) is a dying market. I will keep on trying until we find an alternative - those greener pastures for Philippine cinema.”

Epy is part of what he calls a ‘small revolutionary movement’ in the business, “There’s a small group of young directors who are focused on digital filmmaking.” A contradictory term according to Epy, “It’s the digital age of film-making. I don’t know if we can even call them films, because they are filmless movies – digital movies. It’s new age.”

Unsurprisingly, Epy’s artistic inclinations extend from being a mere actor to the different facets of entertainment. “I was bred to become an entertainer. Everything I do, I do for art to entertain.

The mere fact that you can make people laugh, smile or cry, to me is success. And if people see that as a contribution, I would gladly accept the compliment.”

Apart from acting in movies, TV and theatre, Epy has also trained as an assistant director and scriptwriter to brother Eric. “I learned everything from writing, directing, changing film magazines, to cleaning cameras and shooting - virtually everything on film making. I call it - from a blank piece of paper to the finished product.”

Epy also has a keen interest in photography – he had an exhibition in 1998 entitled ‘Unmasking Dreams’, a collection of distinctive ‘ultravioleteffect’ photographs. “I live by the motto - When we unmask ourselves, ripples of self–expression are created, then dreams become real, where truth and life are related,” he explains. The artist had to put his photography on hold due to his busy schedule, but is planning to publish a photography book with the risqué title ‘Colored People’, explaining that “Any color really, is all part of the big thing we call life.”

Music is another area Epy is enthusiastically involved in. He has a band Makatha – a society of individually accomplished poets, songwriters and musicians who are united for the love of music. He writes songs and performs with band members Gio Alvarez, Norris Lopez, brother Ronnie Quizon, and godfather of Pinoy Rock Alex Cruz, among others.

“Makatha’s album is very interesting because it features many musical genres, and a bit of experimentation. In something so offbeat, Makatha’s first album contains a song called Rituwal featuring chants of Hang Kubeta, an

experimental number Epy concocted with is band mates while jamming in the banyo. “In my house, you can only smoke in the banyo, so we all ended up humming and chanting and noticed that the acoustics there was good. Of course, there’s nothing as natural as that daily ritual of going to the toilet,” he mentions in feigned seriousness.

I asked Epy how he would describe himself and his art. “I guess, I’m not your typical Pinoy. My art is always on the edge. Always leaning towards the edge of the cliff, towards the dangerous side, but balancing with the safe side. I’m an old soul who goes beyond the normal – thinking ahead of what should be done today.”

As for nationalism, Epy had this to say, “We can wear barongs and call ourselves Filipino but we’ve been ‘de-glammed’. We dye our hair blond; we wear products, which are not made here. We’re so brand conscious that you’re baduy if you’re not wearing the trend - and the trend is usually not ours. That’s why I break rules, because I hate following the trend.” So I asked him what his message would be to Filipinos out here, “Love our own. Love our culture. We have to be proud.” He affirms.

“Now, if we go back to wearing the bahag…” his voice trailing off into laughter.

Certainly, the most ordinary comment one could only expect from someone so out of the ordinary.

Illustrado 29

ILLUSTRADO BEHIND THE SCENES

ILLUSTRADO BEHIND THE SCENES

What happens when you bring an A-listercelebrity,aManilasupermodel andaLevi’scharactermodelforashoot in the very bohemian district of Recto?

Traffic-freezing havoc, what else?

Illustrado’sManilafashioncrewcomposedof coordinatorMarcusMaguigad,photographer Louie Aguinaldo and stylist Pam Quiñones, togetherwithwriterMikeMartinsampledgrungy sidewalk action, Pinoy-style, with models Epy Quizon,RiaBolivarandKikoEscoraforIllustrado’s January fashion feature.

Definitely a jaw-dropping experience for Recto’sregularsandfun-funedgyfunforthe crew-speciallytherun-inwiththelocalpolice.

Photography by JL Santos

LETTERS FROM THE EDGE OF THE TEEMING METROPOLIS

Yeah, the people are fed up and would like a change because of the cha-cha, but they just can’t imagine themselves dancing the maskipops with some of the names and faces of the opposition.

By Carlito Viriña Photography by Ben Chan

Happy New Year, Bro! Or as my Kiwi friend cleverly put it Happy Double O-7!

A week before Christmas I thought we’d have a new administration by now because of the chacha issue. But when civil society and the church called for a pom-pom rally, most got gun-shy and avoided the little soiree at the Luneta grandstand called by the good Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales himself. He even slipped out of his hospital bed at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital just to officiate the mass and just as quickly checked back in after the event.

El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde was there providing most of the warm bodies made warmer still by the afternoon sun. Tita Cory was there beside Franklin Drilon. Ex-veep Tito Guingona, was seen moving Tim Conway-like through the crowd. Roilo Golez was there, too. So were the young opposition congressmen Escudero and Cayetano. Hard to pick out Makati Mayor Binay with his big, brawny security detail around him.

Think World Wrestling Federation. Ping Lacson was also there. His staff was distributing ‘Be Not Afraid’ stickers. Guess the election campaign has started.

Yeah, the people are fed up and would like a change because of the cha-cha, but they just can’t imagine themselves dancing the maskipops with some of the names and faces of the opposition.

It looks like the biggest firecracker we could place at the gates of Malacanang went kaput before we even brought a match close to it.

Well, till the next firecracker, right?

So, how does the new year look to you? Think it’ll be better than last? It’s the year of the pig. It’s my year. Maybe it should be better. For me, at least.

What’s on your new year’s resolution list, this time? Same old, same old, I suppose.

I didn’t bother making another one for this year. As customary near the close of the year I cleaned out my desk drawers (almost didn’t put desk before the word drawers there), chucked to the bin business cards of people I don’t even remember meeting or those I wished I hadn’t bumped into last year, crumpled, yellowed fast food receipts and scraps of paper with mystery phone numbers, land and mobile, whose owners may not even remember me, when I saw this neatly folded piece of paper – my new year’s resolution circa 2002! And on top of the scribbled list: I will stop smoking.

And you know what? I’ve kicked the habit. Yup! Been smoke-free for over 4 months now. I should say cigarette-free, because I’ve not really stopped smoking, if you know what I mean.

Can’t imagine it? Yeah, me, too. Me without a cigarette between my fingers is like Anna Nicole Smith without her mammary glands.

Not by choice, man. I still feel I’m too young to quit but what to do. One minute I was puffing away on my Marlboro Lights and the next I was chewing Nicorette gums and feeling miserable.

I took advantage of my medical insurance and had my blood examined. Numbers that were supposed to be high were too low and numbers that were supposed to be low went up the roof.

My doctor also asked me to drink moderately now. Like two shots a night. Two shots?!? Told him that’d be tough considering the business I’m in where champagne breakfasts, martini lunches and long cocktail hours are pretty common.

She told me that if I were 70 years old or thereabouts, she’d even light my cigarettes and pour me my drinks, but I was still young (yeah, right!). If I were still young how come I’ve got so many doctors telling what to do?

Okay, I surrender. Two shots, huh? Guess I’ll have to shop around for a bigger shot glasses, then.

Hah! Saw Casino Royale, the new James Bond movie.

Enjoyed it immensely. This new Bond looks tougher than any of the other Bonds combined.

Daniel Craig played him with angst. Agent double-O7 with angst. Unimaginable! So I’ve been looking for the old Casino Royale movie to compare. No luck. Read somewhere that it was a comedy. If you find one there buy it for me. Pay you when you get it… NOT! Have a good Double-O7, my friend. Till my next dispatch.

Illustrado 32

REEF MALL-DUBAI • ABU DHABI MALL-ABD • MARINA MALL-ABD • CITY CENTER-MUSCAT • HYATT PLAZA-DOHA • GARDENS MALL-DXB • AJMAN-BENCH AL-BAHAR CENTER-KUWAIT • LE MALL-SAUDI ARABIA • DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY (OPENING SOON)

ILLUSTRADO FACE OF THE MONTH CELEBRATING PINOY CHARM

FAYE TURLA SPIRITED YOUNG BEAUTY Photography by Mac Antonio Plays tennis, basketball, swims, a serious fan of alternative, rock and punk music; an avid reader; edits images on her computer; even plays the clarinet, guitar, and now learning to play drums... all this and more, makes Marion Faye Turla quite a handful yet a spirited and energetic 12 year old young girl.

Known to her friends and family simply as Faye, our beautiful Face of the Month is almost a lady nonetheless. Born to a Filipino immigrantfamilybasedinAuckland,NewZealand,Fayecurrently goes to St Dominic’s College at Henderson, and is just as crazy and deep into pop culture like any modern day 12 year old, but can also be so sure with what she wants to be when she grows up. “When I get older I would like a career in competitive tennis or be a dentist, she muses.”

At school, Faye dabbles on her favorite subjects like Art, Physical Education and Material Technology. But like any other girls her age, she can be fun loving and naughty at times. “I love setting pranks on people and joking around, and going to parties; I like to ‘porma’ for any occasion, and I’ve been told that I’m pretty ‘makulit’ and weird, but in a good way,” she admits with a giddy smile.

On top of all this seemingly endless list of things to do, Faye is always in touch with the latest pinoy pop culture, and counts movies like Click!, Jologs and D’ Lucky Ones as her faves. She also enjoyed watching Sukob. Oh yes, Faye has the gritty nerve for scary movies as well: quite a pretty tough cookie, isn’t she?

Illustrado 35

A collage of Philippine facts bringing you closer to home PINOY TRIVIA

By Maripaz Febrero

The Philippines has many things to offer the visitor: a mixture of the old and the new, a diversity of art and culture and a warm, friendly people. Blessed by nature, the Philippines has something to offer every sportsman too extraordinary dive sites, forests to roam, mountains to climb, caves to It’s good to know: Diving paradise Anilao, in the province of Batangas, is the theme of a picture book that bagged the International Prize for Underwater Images at the 27th World Festival of Underwater Images in France in November 2000. ‘Anilao’ book creators and Filipino scuba divers Scott Tuason and Eduardo Cu Unjieng defeated big names in underwater photography such as Jacques Mayol, Pascal Kobeh, Monique Walker, and Alessandro Tommasi.

We commonly recognize the Philippines as the Philippines, which is correct. Or is it? Well, yes it is, however the official name is The Republic of the Philippines or in Pilipino Republika ng Pilipinas. Which means the same thing, but we all refer to The Republic of the Philippines as the Philippines or the Philippine Islands and the reference to islands is quite fitting as there are 7,107 islands in The Republic of the Philippines, officially. The Philippines was named Las Islas Filipinas after the Spanish King, King Felipe II in the 1500s.

The Philippine Madrigal Singers bagged the 1997 European Choral Grand Prix, the choral olympics of the world’s best choirs. The group, being the only Asian choir, bested five regional champions from all over Europe, earning them the title as the ‘world’s best choir’.

The World Cup of bowling, instituted in 1965, is contested annually by the national champions of the FIQ (Federation Internationale des Quilleurs). The highest number of wins is 4, by Filipino bowler Rafael ‘Paeng’ Nepomuceno: 1976, 1980, 1992, and 1996.

Filipino Eriberto N. Gonzales Jr. consumed 350 chilis in three minutes at the annual Magayon Festival chili-eating contest held at Penaranda Park, Legazpi, Albay on May 27, 1999, making it to the Guiness Book of World Records for the most chilis eaten.

In 1916, in the Philippines, an offensive style of passing the volleyball in a high trajectory to be struck by another player (the set and spike) was introduced. The Filipinos developed the bomba or kill, and called the hitter a bomberino.

Angono Petroglyphs – this cultural heritage site dates back to circa 3000 B.C. and is the most ancient Filipino, or more aptly, pre-historic Filipino work of art. Besides being the country’s oldest ‘work of art’ it also offers us an evocative glimpse into the life of our ancestors. The site has been included in the World Inventory of Rock Art under the auspices of UNESCO, ICCROM and ICOMOS and nominated as one of the ‘100 Most Endangered Sites of the World’.

There are 12,000 or so species of sea shells in the Philippines. The Conus Gloriamaris or ‘Glory of the Sea’ is the rarest and most expensive in the world.

There are 500 known coral species in the world, 488 are found in the Philippines.

Of the eight species of marine turtles worldwide, five are reported to be found in the Philippines - the Green Turtle, Hawkbill, Leatherback, Olive Ridley, and Loggerhead.

There are only eight known species of giant clams in the world, seven are found in the Philippines.

The world’s largest pearl was discovered by a Filipino diver in a giant Tridacna (mollusk) under the Palawan Sea in 1934. Known as the ‘Pearl of Lao-Tzu’, the gem weighs 14 pounds and measures 9 1/2 inches long and 5 1/2 inches in diameter. As of May 1984, it was valued at US$42 million. It is believed to be 600 years old.

Seahorses are small saltwater fish belonging to the Syngnathidae family (order Gasterosteiformes), which also includes pipefish and sea dragons. Most seahorse species, probably the most peculiar creatures in the water, live in the Coral Triangle. There are at least 50 known seahorse species in the world. They inhabit temperate and tropical

waters but most of them are concentrated in the warm coastal waters of the Philippines.

Donsol, a fishing town in Sorsogon province, serves as a sanctuary to a group of 40 whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), which are considered as the largest fish in the world. Locally known as butanding, whale sharks visit the waters of Donsol from November to May. They travel across the oceans but nowhere else have they been sighted in a larger group than in the waters of Sorsogon. They measure between 18 to 35 feet in length and weigh about 20 tons.

The Philippine Eagle is the second largest bird on the planet next only to the American Condor.

The antibiotic erythromycin — used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, such as respiratory tract infections, middle ear infections, and skin infections — was formulated by Filipino scientist Abelardo Aguilar, and has earned American drug giant Eli Lilly billions of dollars. Neither Aguilar nor the Philippine government received royalties.

On January 18, 1995, Pope John Paul II offered mass to an estimated four to five million people at Luneta Park, Manila, Philippines, making it to the Guiness Book of World Records for the Biggest Papal Crowd.

The largest bell in Asia hangs at the belfry of the 221-year old Panay Church. It is seven feet in diameter and seven feet in height, and weighs 10.4 tons. Its tolling can be heard as far as eight kilometers away. It was casted from 70 sacks of coins donated by the townspeople as a manifestation of faith and thanksgiving.

Camiguin province holds the distinction of having the most number of volcanoes per square kilometer than any other island on earth. It is also the only place in the Philippines which has more volcanoes (seven) than towns (five).

Calbiga Cave – The Philippines’ biggest karst formations and one of the largest in Asia, the 2,968-hectare cave system is composed of 12 caves with wide underground spaces, unique rock formations and sub-terranean watercourse.

Philippine Airlines took to the skies on March 15, 1941, using a Beech Model 18 aircraft amid the specter of a global war. It became Asia’s first airline.

Illustrado 37

ILLUSTRADO PROFILE

LongbeforeFilipinoswereabletobreakthroughthecorporate‘glassceiling’ intheregion,a‘go-getter’fromAteneowasalreadymakingwavesaroundthe Gulf. AGroupDirectorforHR(HumanResources)fortheInterContinental Hotelgroupattheveryyoungageof34,themanwiththeboomingvoice andcommandingpersonawasalreadyinadistinguishedpositioneveninthe early ‘90’s, when Pinoys were mostly limited to service jobs.

Now a jet-setting entrepreneur, traveling 200 days in a year and currently a direct report to Forbes’ 335th richest man in the world, billionaire Khalaf Al Habtoor, Jun del Rosario is responsible for the Al Habtoor Group’s organizational development function involving over 24,000 employees; and continues to exude the drive and curiosity which propelled him to world-class professional success.

tor in my life. Life is not just limited in Muntinlupa, you know”, he jokes. “I’ve learned a lot from traveling. I became more confident and at ease with other nationalities.” He says his natural curiosity and penchant for ‘picking at people’s brains’ always gave him fodder for conversation with other people. “You learn a lot when you talk to others. You compare and contrast. You also create interest in yourself.”

“It was a chance meeting with a British couple in the early 80s in Manila, which brought me to Dubai. I was merely entertaining them and before I knew it, they were inviting me to this obscure place in the Middle East.” His friends derided him when he decided to go – most of them eyeing the U.S. But Jun, a firm believer of carpe diem (seize the day), took the plunge. “Life is a string of choices, you see,” he says with a glint in his eyes.

Having trained many nationalities, I asked Jun, how we Filipinos stand in the global arena. “Filipinos are very good and dependable. We communicate very well. We are educated and flexible. But we have to get away from the Pinoy psyche of ‘okay lang’.

We’re a very coping people. This is a virtue, but sometimes it becomes a disadvantage.

We are also quite laid-back, sometimes sweeping things under the carpet – saying ‘okay lang yan’, when in fact, we shouldn’t be settling for less. We should do things right from the beginning.” Jun also mentions that we Filipinos have to learn to work as a team, “Throw away that ‘crab mentality’. He also adds, “As a Global Filipino, you don’t get discriminated, if you don’t allow yourself to be discriminated.”

Jun first arrived in Dubai in 1980, and from then on had the opportunity to work for several fivestar hotels around the Gulf region and in Asia.

He came back to the emirate in 1991, landing the prime posting with InterCon, achieving his immediate career goal.

“It was a combination of circumstances, hard work and perseverance,” he comments simply. At the time when Filipinos were limited in career choices, I asked Jun how it felt like to be in a position where he had to oversee so many nationalities. “My working paradigm was of an international professional” – in the sense that I was more preoccupied with driving the productivity of the 24 nationalities I was responsible for.”

Jun was given the accolade title Middle East Master Trainer, tasked with projects in the Middle East, Africa and Europe Division under the auspices of the corporate office in US. The company also invested on furthering his potential sending him for education all the way to Scanticon, Princeton.

Jun says that the opportunity for extensive travel benefited him tremendously. “Travel is a big fac-

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At the height of his corporate career, Jun del Rosario embarked on another episode in his life. “I have been very successful but I became a ‘realist’. I realized that, as a Filipino, I can only go so far in the corporate ladder” - a very surprising comment coming from a man who has broken the ‘glass ceiling’ at such an early stage, a common sentiment, however for many Filipinos in the rat race. “You might have credentials and experience, but it’s all about how others see you fitting in. So after being very comfortable in the corporate set-up, I decided to go on my own.”

Jun established his company in Manila in 1996 - Critical Options and Decisions, a Management Consultancy firm providing services for multinational companies. His company’s main focus is organizational development, to improve bottom line.

Jun admits that shifting into entrepreneurship was not easy. As many entrepreneurs would have experienced, he says that the move from corporate to entrepreneurial, from a structured environment to a non-structured one, and from being salaried to being profit-driven is a huge challenge.

“Starting up was very difficult. I found myself asking whether I made the right decision or not.

Moving from Dubai, to set-up base in Manila was quite frustrating, it was like driving all this time in fifth gear, then moving down into third gear, first gear, then neutral, even reverse,” he explains.

I asked him what kept him going. “I owned up to my decision, I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.” He then adds, “Once you decide to go into business, you expect the best, prepare for the worst, but you take whatever comes.”

After a difficult first six months, things started to improve, “I realized the approach was wrong.

I found my right lane, where people were also running in 5th gear.” He then emphasizes, “You have to find your correct lane.”

Jun says that his most important breakthrough as an entrepreneur was realizing that he could actually do it. “After the challenging start, I then realized that my skills are usable everywhere, it’s a universal process and sky is the limit.” He also stresses on the importance of long-term vision and aligning one’s decisions and behaviors in pursuing that goal.

Since then, the entrepreneur extraordinaire has taken on international assignments for prestigious companies, making him a huge success in a field where his trade relies solely on his skills and expertise And his consultancy services, originally intended for the hospitality and service industries, were extended to companies such as Total Petroleum, the fourth largest publicly-traded integrated oil and gas company in the world, as well as banks and trading houses, not to mention one of the region’s most successful and respected local conglomerates - the Al Habtoor Group.

ILLUSTRADO PROFILE

Jun del Rosario: On the Crest of the Biggest Wave

By Lalaine Chu-Benitez • Photography by Mac Antonio

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COCONUTER A young Pinoy rediscovers his roots

Of Chickens, Farming and the Golden Coconut David Poarch’s discovery of his homeland continues…

I’ve been in the Philippines for a month now, and after having lived most of my life in the U.S., I have now begun to appreciate the simple life in our homeland, more and more every day.

It was a luminescent cloudy day, which seemed to create a glowing ambiance of cool hues of blue and green. As I sat on a concrete wall overlooking the rural surroundings, I felt awkward and a bit unsettled by the serenity of my environment. Being accustomed to constant self-occupation and the daily grind of work and school, I was not used to such tranquility.

It almost seemed that I should reprimand myself for being so materially unproductive. But the simplicity of the pastoral setting seemed so naturally alluring that I felt obliged to sit there for a little longer and just do nothing but take in the beauty around me. A cool wind was blowing that had the grassy fields dancing and the coconut palms swaying to the breeze. The carabaos looked like they were more used to the calm way of life as they indolently chewed on grass and wallowed in the gray mud. Despite their rigid movements, even the chickens seemed relaxed.

These particular chickens were colorful natives and free-ranging, unlike the typical white and caged 45-day chickens. Observing these chickens freely roaming the countryside, I noticed an analogy to humans. I realized that people who live in modernized areas are much like the 45-day or caged chickens.

They are imprisoned to serve, and pumped with antibiotics to ensure they live. They don’t have to fear predators hunting them down, and they don’t have to worry about food because they are given plenty to eat, and they don’t have to work hard either being cooped up in cages. But unlike their wild counterparts, the native chickens are healthier, free, and are able to pursue whatever makes them happy in the vast open countryside.

I learned that it was rice planting season. Some of

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the palayans were muddy and filled with a thin layer of water that appeared to be shallow square ponds, while others already had carpets of bright green sprouts. As a whole, the fields looked like they formed a large checkerboard, though lacking an even pattern.

I saw a farmer tilling his land from afar. Curious, I approached his palayan to get a closer look. I zigzagged along the narrow ledges bordering these fields that feed masses. I observed him for a while.

He basically just kept the carabao in line, so I thought the task seemed easy enough to give a try. So I asked the farmer if I could. He was a little hesitant at first to let me try it out because he said that his carabao is tarantado, but he let me give it a go eventually. Well, after being hauled around by what seemed more like a tamaraw, I found out that tilling or pag-aararo was harder than it looked, requiring skill in positioning the plow and effective communication with the carabao.

After that muddy experience, I roamed to other parts of the bukid.

I came upon a particularly tall coconut tree. It seemed like a challenge presenting itself to me, and so I felt compelled to climb it. There were sliced crevices on the sides of the tree, so initially, I used those. However, around the middle of the tree, the stepping crevices came to a halt. I briefly wondered why someone would stop halfway, but I kept on climbing in a manner that felt most natural to me, which was using both feet together to propel myself upwards and using my hands to keep me from falling. My hands, arms, feet, and legs were shaking once I approached the top due to the intense strain on my muscles. I was now just under the palm fronds of the coconut tree. I didn’t think I had the strength to continue and I was risking falling off as my muscles felt like giving in, but I had

gone so high that it would have been disappointing if I was not able to get at least a single coconut for my efforts. So I pushed my fatigued muscles beyond their limit and made it to one of the palm fronds. I held on with a strained grip, almost as if for dear life, but also for the coconut.

I thought the hardship was over, but the coconut was bound to the tree by a tough vine. I pulled on the coconut vigorously and almost lost my balance in the process. I pulled and pulled, but to no avail. I paused for a moment to rest and looked around. I was awed by the magnificent view from atop the coconut tree. I was so mesmerized that I had almost forgotten about the coconut. I grabbed hold of the coconut once again and pulled again with great vigor, battling with the vine as if this was the miraculous perfect golden coconut that would solve all my problems and provide me with purpose and meaning in life. I clenched my jaws, and gave one final tug out of desperation and extreme yearn for the coconut that was to die for.

At last, the vine ripped and the coconut broke off.

I practically slid off the tree, longing to be on solid ground once again.

Once on the ground, I immediately thrusted the coconut onto a rock and cracked it open. It was, of course, a typical coconut. But I craved for its water, and drank it heartily to its last drop. And then I laid down on the spot, almost as if collapsing. I closed my eyes. And I dreamed. I dreamed of the native chickens roaming happy and free in the vast countryside, the feeling of soft mud on my bare feet, and the golden coconut that will tell me my purpose in life in this beautiful land I am drawn to.

ARTS & CULTURE

It’s all in the

The Burgeoning Photography of Parc Cruz

By Giselle Estrada

Fresh Peaches

ARTS & CULTURE

“Eyes are the windows to the soul.”

- Proverb He may be just be a self-taught photography hobbyist, a serious one at that, with no formal training, but two years since he has taken to the camera, 34-year old Parc Cruz has developed a distinctive style which has earned him respect in various Philippine and international photography circles.

His first published work entitled Manong was featured in Digital Photography Philippines magazine in July 2006, while his other works were chosen as photos of the week for Photo Camel, Flickr, as well as Philippine-based Club EOS. Due to his penchant for rural subjects, some of Parc’s works have also been used by NGOs, including Philippine-based Hope Worldwide Philippines for their SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) campaign. Two of Parc’s photos also made it to the shortlist in a competition for National Geographic and Sony. He has also been able to win some commissioned works in Manila.

Parc’s works are photography effectively combined with digital art, imbued with a style which he calls ‘cinematic’. He explains, “A lot of it is inspired by images from movies. I’m actually a film and TV enthusiast. I’m in love with the colors and images of what I see in movies and I try to capture and mimic that in my photos, whatever drama or emotion there is.”

And true enough, his subjects distinctly stand out from obscure backgrounds commanding your undivided attention, drawing you into its provocative, sometimes disturbing realities, and face-to-face with your own. “Because it’s dramatic,” he elaborates, “some images may be simple but using cinematic colors, like subdued blue or aqua tones which I love to use most of the time, or highlighting some parts of an image, turns the mood around, giving the photograph a whole new evocative ‘personality’. It really speaks in volumes and tells a story. Which is, in hindsight, what I try to aim for.”

eyes Illustrado 43

ARTS & CULTURE

Even more extraordinary is the way Parc portrays the eyes of his subjects – deep and luminous, they convey a plethora of emotions – mystery, innocence, suffering, joy, mischief, even sadness. “As they say, eyes are the windows to the soul. They’re also very expressive; they drive the whole mood of the photo, which is what I would like to ‘speak’ for me.”

Parc’s choice of rural subjects as well as his dramatic treatment has resulted in a great deal of images with a certain surreal melancholic air compelling and tragically beautiful in the same breadth. “Maybe in some ways this is a reflection of how I see the world now since photography has opened my eyes to the realities in life”, he reflects. “To be honest, I was once not bothered about poverty or kids who are asked to work at a young age for food, because I was sheltered in my own little world and had a myopic viewpoint of that kind of living. Photography became the medium that would expose me to the bad and good side of it. If not for photography, I would probably not give a street child a second look or a different perspective.”

Angelique

That Sweet Longing

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ARTS & CULTURE

Tribal Art

ARTS & CULTURE

Innocense

Uncertain

ARTS & CULTURE

Eye-Catching

Parc’s photography also opened opportunities for him to be a part of noble causes…and witness country life in a whole new perspective. “I have never refused an invitation, usually from an NGO or charitable organization, which would later use my photos for fund-raising or something similar, to go to rural places even on pro bono basis.” After all, Parc’s photographic ‘adventures’ has given him other rewards, probably more precious than his craft. “The people I have met and photographed during my NGO stints have a lot of stories and lessons to tell. I learned how they cope and survive, despite limited economic opportunities, and how they have learned to make the best such unfavorable conditions.”

Parc finally adds, “Photography has turned me around in different levels.

It has changed my outlook, my personality and how I view things. Some people usually equate beautiful images with someone clean, well made up and maybe even good-looking. That’s used to be my view as well.

But now I see beauty even in the most destitute of subjects; and that’s a different level of beauty, that>s the beauty of life.”

Peek-A-Boo

ARTS & CULTURE

Paving the Way for

By Giselle Estrada Photography by Joel Guerrero

Philippine Fine Arts in the Emirates Nothing could have prepared Aelred Hernandez more for a career in the arts than being born into it. Aelred’s father, painter Jose ‘Boy’ Hernandez was one of the most recognized Filipino artists of the 20th century, and an apprentice of Philippine master painters Amorsolo, Buenaventura and Manansala. His distinctive impressionist paintings depicting rural Filipiniana festivities can be found, not only in prestigious art galleries in Manila, but in the luxurious homes of the Philippine elite, including the Marcoses, as well as government and corporate institutions.

Now a gallery owner himself, Aelred recalls his early years as having been filled with books, metal works, sculptures, and academia, in a family compound where the faint smell of oil paints lingered in his father’s ground floor atelier, while conservatory-quality piano music drifted in the air. “It was interesting growing up with a painter for a father, a grandfather who was a lawyer and another who was a sculptor, as well as a pianist, military man, a teacher and a journalist for your aunts and uncles.

Art and academics were so natural for us because it was just all around,” he comments.

“I remember my father’s daily painting ritual,” Aelred reminisces. “He would go into his workshop every morning after breakfast, as I went to school with my brother and sister.” Aelred apprenticed with his father from the tender age of six. “I would prepare Tatay’s canvas with a wooden stretcher, and pencil in whatever he needed to paint.” And like his mother, Elvira, who managed the business side of his father’s profession, Aelred would look after the commercial side of fine arts, helping out in selling and delivering his father’s highly-valued creations to galleries and discerning buyers.

So it was only natural that the young Aelred started his own attempt at drawing from elementary to high school – winning art contests along the way. As a young man, however, he fell in love with music, redirecting his attention to the performing arts. “I wanted to be a session guitarist and did not think much about art at that time – because it (art) was just something ordinary for me.”

Now a resident of the UAE for the last 13 years, Aelred’s natural inclinations for fine arts has been re-awakened. “I’ve seen the emirates grow. I’ve noticed the growth of high-rise buildings and malls, which needed decorating. There is a lot of potential for fine arts,” he says with excitement.

In checking out the local art scene, Aelred realized the marketability of good quality Philippine fine arts, “I felt challenged to go back to my roots. I can see that we Filipinos can compete with the rest here.”

“We might not be popular yet, but Filipinos are well-known internationally when it comes to art. You can bring our paintings to any country in the modern world and you will see that they have real value. The works of our great painters are regarded highly even by internationallyrenowned art auction houses like Christie’s,” Aelred says with conviction.

Driven by his renewed passion, Aelred opened Gallery Jamila in June 2006. “I met up with my father’s old friend, Fernando Amorsolo III, the grandson of our National Artist, who helped him secure the works of well-respected artists back home.” Now, apart from his father’s works, Aelred has a considerable collection of valuable Philippine paintings depicting varying styles and subjects from such ‘high demand’ and published artists such as Manuel Baldemor, Amado Hidalgo, Oscar Salita, Lino Acacio, Jose Hombrebueno, Abe Lucas, and Vincent Ramos, among others.

Aelred says, “This project is not only about business, but also about being able to make a patriotic contribution to the prestige of our community. When I retire someday, I want to be able to say that I made a mark. I would like to pioneer the introduction of Philippine fine arts here in the UAE and give credit to our artists, who are also our heroes.”

“Para makilala ang kagalingan ng Pilipino.”

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ARTS & CULTURE

Forviewingandinquiries,pleasecontactGallery Jamila, located at 1502 Thuraya Bldg., Buhaira Corniche, Sharjah, telephone number: 06 - 853 7619. Open daily from 9 am to 7 pm.

Part of Aelred’s collection is also available at the DubaiMarina’sWeekendSouqattheMarinaWalk everyFridayandSaturday,untilthemonthofApril.

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PINOY PLANET Places and faces, through the eyes of a Pinoy Viajereo. It’s a small planet, a Pinoy Planet

After nine hours of flying straight from Manila, I landed in one of the world’s hottest cities- Muscat. Inhabited by over 650,000 Omanis and expats, the capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Oman is a tranquil metropolis. Slowly awakening from its deep sleep and more eager than ever to open itself up to the world.

Three decades ago, Oman underwent its own renaissance under the leadership of Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. Like the great Da Vinci, Michaelangelo and Rafael, Sultan Qaboos painted the city with the enthralling colors of modernization. Since then, the world saw a boom in its infrastructure. Buildings, highways, bridges and even malls mushroomed all over the sultanate.

Urbanization has taken hold of the city. But unlike its Arab neighbors, Oman retained the magic and mystery of its ancient civilization.

Instead of flashy skyscrapers, your senses will feast on beautiful Omani architecture. From intricately designed mosques down to wonderfully decorated homes, the beauty of Oman unfolds right before your eyes.

But the city is not just a sight to behold, the hospitality of the local residents is the kind of warm welcome that a bagong salta like me hopes for. From the Seeb International Airport to the hotel, it was smooth sailing all the way. And because it was way past midnight when I arrived, I was left to explore the city the following morning.

The next day, like a young bird that is about to walk out of her nest for the first time, I went out. With curiosity as company, I strolled down a few blocks from my hotel. The cold December wind was unforgiving but the rays of the sun seem to shine forever. My humble abode was located in central Muscat, in a place called Al-Khuwair. From what I heard, this district is the counterpart of Makati back in our country. Numerous establishments line up the streets. You can smell the kebab and shawarma roasting in the Turkish restaurants, the strong smell of curry will invade your nostrils from Indian restos and even Filipino and Chinese cuisine is available here-- ready to spice up your palate. But because I am not gastronomically adventurous, I decided to eat Pinoy food. Picking out sinigang na hipon as my ulam and a cup of white rice to relieve the pangs of hunger at the pit of my stomach. After such a satisfying meal, I continued my journey. Still by foot because the taxi fare here costs a fortune.

As I wandered around the city, my thoughts drifted back home. I guess every Overseas Filipino Worker experiences this unexplainable yearning to fly back the minute he lands on the distant shores of another country. Some call it homesickness, others boredom or depression. To me, it’s a matter of adjusting. But this so called adjustment phase is not a walk in the park. For some, it’s baptism by fire. And I agree.

It takes time to get used to seeing men wear dishdashas – the floor-length dress of white sometimes blue, brown, gray and black color that Omanis don daily. And for women, black abayas adorned with multi-colored sequins or beads are already considered a fashion statement. The Pinoy’s sense of style is far more diverse, colorful and wild than the conservative Omani.

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PINOY PLANET

The Chronicle Of A Pinay Working In Oman

By Cathy Cheng-Doña And if we Pinoys bang our heads to American rock and roll, groove to the beat of house music and relax with romantic or chill out songs, the Omanis’ ear take delight from their local tunes. Filled with a thick Arabic beat that would want to make you belly dance.

Surprisingly though, there are things that also bridge the cultural gap between the locals and Pinoys. For one, they share a common love - and that is food! Yes, our love for food is almost equal to an Omani’s passion for cooking. When I got tired of walking around the streets of Al-Khuwair, I decided to take a trip to Lulu’s Hypermarket in Al-Ghubra. It’s one of the city’s largest malls that is roughly 5 to 10 minutes away from Al-Khuwair when you take a cab. It’s in this hypermarket that I discovered the gates to food nirvana.

Black olives with feta cheese, sliced turkey, chicken mortadella and beef paprika pastrami are all sold per gram. Loaves of freshly baked bread lined the aisle. Fresh fruits and vegetables of all sorts are situated in one corner. Yummy pistachio, vanilla and dark chocolate ice cream from London is chilling in the freezer. Almond, chestnut, walnut and dates can also be found. And to top all of that, one lane is solely devoted to exotic Indian spices that I myself have never seen in the Philippines. It’s truly a wonderland of produce that makes you wonder how all of those fresh ingredients will explode in your mouth once they are cooked.

After playing Alice in food wonderland, I decided to head back to the hotel. The sun slowly begins its descent towards the golden mountains that embrace the city. The wind that is unforgiving during daytime turns utterly cruel at night. The whole city plunges to a low 13 degrees Celsius. It’s my first day in Oman and the day starts fairly early in the local ad agency I work for. So getting some rest is not a whim but a necessity.

At exactly 8 am the following morning, I reported for work. I think it’s pure luck that 95% of the workforce consists of fellow Filipinos. But it’s also quite a blessing to mingle with Omanis, Pakistanis, Egyptians, Indians, and Moroccans at the workplace.

We are a mixture of different races and that makes life in a foreign country enriching and challenging at the same time. Though misunderstandings arise, it’s attributed more to language barrier than bad work ethic.

Today, I’ve been living and working for almost a month in the city. And I admit there is still a lot to learn about the country and its culture. But so far, Oman has been a friend to a stranger like me. It’s a place where you can get to know yourself better amidst the quiet hum of the Metro.

So to all the bold and brave spirits who are looking for their own place under the sun, Muscat can just be the city for you. I know, it has been the place for me.

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BAKASYON GRANDE

Roxas Boulevard

Known as Dewey Boulevard during the American colonial period, and later named after the Philippines’ first postwar President, Manuel Roxas, Manila’s own Sunset Strip was a crime haven for many years. Mike Martin visits this 10-kilometre long oceanfront boulevard, and shares with us the re-birth of a captivating promenade.

Roxas Boulevard - renowned for its heart stopping sunsets that have inspired Filipinos, expatriates and tourists alike for generations. Otherwise we steer clear of it, all the more when it’s dark. Did you ever wish they (meaning Manila’s local government) would do something about it?

Well believe it or not, they already had, and they haven’t even finished yet. Not only is our beloved boulevard, well-lit these days, courtesy of gaudy multi-hued neon lights the city government put up on both sides of the boulevard from Baclaran to the

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Intramuros area. It is also fast becoming a favorite hang-out not only for tourists but for most of the metro>s residents as well. You will see people from different walks of life. From different age groups as well. Senior citizens, families, young couples, office and school barkadas. I mean everyone.

Reason?

The local government is in the middle of a drive to revitalize the city and Roxas Boulevard has been one of the major projects (fondly called The Baywalk nowadays). Restaurants abound, almost all of them are sort-of-like kiosks, and are as varied as the people who go there.

Everything from Fruit shakes, Hotdogs, Chinese, BBQ and Grill to Filipino delicacies or just plain coffee, you crave for it, and it’s there. Plus most of the restos have bands, ranging from rock to acoustic. Just walk around until you find the desired combination of food and music. There are coffee shops as well, open in the morning and evenings, for the varied generations of coffee addicts. Business and the clientele are brisk, mainly due to the strip having something to offer round the clock. Ambulant vendors are abundant, and their goods are a surprise

– fishing poles, hats and car phone chargers.

The fun starts right after you get past the American Embassy if you are coming from Manila and the PICC if you are coming from Paranaque. Parking spots are aplenty as long as you arrive early in the evening. I would recommend taking a cab, to soak up the experience. For first-time visitors or for those who have been away for a long time, you definitely need to ride the tour jeep to help you reconnect. If you’re walking, this would be a pleasant surprise: there are mimes (yes, mimes you read right) who will move if you put coins in their cans, a man in stilts, a midget, and some odd characters from Filipino folklore. The fiesta is all out as you would guess by now.

This renaissance was tailored for the strip to be accessible to the masa or common folk. As such the food and booze is relatively inexpensive. The service and the crew are something to behold, as most of the establishment owners may have expected more than a handful of tourists and foreigners to grace the area. Most of them are wearing a semblance of a uniform, which deviates from the carenderia setting. I took a leisurely stroll on a Friday evening

BAKASYON GRANDE

By Mike Martin Photography by Ben Chan

and got more than I bargained for. What had been initially planned as an hour and a half tripping at most became a party-all-night proposition. I voluntarily drowned myself in the sights and sounds of my city.

There were young couples sitting on the breakwater or having a romantic dinner, looking like the world was theirs alone. Heads craned towards each other; a woman throwing her head back so her hair frames her face and laughing with her soul, someone else with a smile growing on her lovely face as she listens intently. Entire families with grandparents included taking a leisurely stroll, kids and grownups with their dogs walking at their heels, not askals mind you. Flashes of light here and there intertwined with laughter, from tourists or reunions, maybe of relatives or long lost friends.

Quiet spots occupied by someone with a fishing pole or a book, or maybe a phone, texting like mad.

Uniformed policemen are somehow always within earshot and unbelievably courteous. You feel the city’s heart and soul beating with intensity here, this is Manila as we dream of her, joyful, vibrant, humming, multi-cultural, and peaceful.

I sampled the food and booze while hopping from one cozy table to another, listening to the different genres of music and losing myself in the cool sea breeze. Time passed by slowly and the light sense of enjoyment stayed in the air, the way we Filipinos love it. Indolence is a virtue in certain instances.

We’ve always had in one form or another, a romantic link with the storied boulevard. It has been part of songs, of prose, of films, and of our culture. I grew up with stories of long walks and proposals, of love lost and love found, of inspiration and of the norms and mores of my people in the stretch of land beside the breathtaking Manila Bay. The stories of old have been recast and retold, for a new generation to discover and explore by its rebirth.

Drop by if you are home, and rediscover your romantic side. Who knows, it may become the clearest picture of the motherland you take back.

Maybe when it’s winter and you’re lonely, you can stand and look out your window, to find yourself smiling in the cool summer breeze of Manila Bay.

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MANILA TRIPPIN’

MANILA TRIPPIN’

ONCHOMPING WALKMANSAND CHEWINGANADIDAS Surviving Manila’s Street Foods

Mouth-watering or stomach-churning? Manila’s street foods are among the most bizarre in the world. Carlito Viriña explores the outer limits of the city streets’ gastronomical menu to give us a double-edged advice: “You have to taste it to believe it”. Photography by Ben Chan.

To try them all is like going through a sort of rite of passage. Like from boyhood to maturity, or from innocence to downright foolhardiness. After ‘graduation’ we instantly proclaim our expertise to anyone, mostly to women, who are too squeamish to even imagine standing beside a food stall in Manila.

it’s quite understandable why we Filipinos just love our ‘dirty street food’. We love them so much we even give nicknames to some of them. And the monikers are so funny and appropriate that they’ve stuck. A stick of barbecued betamax in Libertad, Pasay is also called a stick of barbequed betamax in any friendly ihawan on Naguilian Road in Baguio.

I usually call them ‘Third World Food’ whenever I try to scare-coax the giggly collegialas passing through our office during the summer months on their practicum, to go ahead, live a little and try these delectable pedestrian delights. “Theres always a first for everything, ladies! Where’s your joie de vivre?!? A couple of pieces of squid balls won’t hurt you!!”

For those who don’t know what the betamax is, it’s grilled coagulated pig’s blood. It’s very dark brown to almost black in colour, about three to a skewer and shaped like mini betamax cartridges, thus the name. Some folks make the common mistake of referring to skewered chicken intestines as betamax thinking that the appellation stands for bituka ng manok, which is pretty good, though I must say erroneous, supposition. If you must know, bituka ng manok is known as ‘IUDs’.

I must admit I derive some pleasure tempting these wide-eyed lasses out of their strictly First WorldFood-only diet to suspend even for a brief moment their prejudices on what we downtown guys binge on when we suddenly get the munchies on the street.

Our balut, or fetal duck eggs, often rated by many travel and lifestyle shows as one of the top ten most disgusting things a Western tourist can put in his mouth in a third world country, has put our country on the map long before People Power did.

Popular Lonely Planet traveler / World Trekker Estelle Bingham threw up when she attempted to try balut while visiting the country. New York chef Anthony Bourdain finished one, in Vietnam, in one A Cook’s Tour episode. Apparently our Vietnamese neighbors enjoy fetal duck eggs as much as we do.

I’m sure it’s called something else in downtown Saigon.

For a population who grew up on ‘dirty ice cream’

I must confess my minor addiction to street food.

There’s something wickedly immoral about them.

And like many men with questionable predilections, I am almost always attracted to things wicked and immoral - “Masarap (daw) kasi kapag bawal.”

No BFAD certificate. No DOH seal of approval. No rating from the DOT. Not even a blessing from the local parish priest. Everything about them is suspect. From the barbecue sticks and the grilled items themselves to the vinegar dips and sweet and sour sauces. How many had double-dipped, even triple-dipped, their barbecued goodies into these greasy, slimy jars before your turn. 10? 20? 100s?

Are the sticks even new?

Every bite is like a game of Russian Roulette. Will you get acute food poisoning with bloody diarrhea?

Cholera? Amoebiasis? Typhoid? Hepatitis A? Maybe you’ll be lucky and just discover later on that you’ve ingested something harboring eggs of parasites like tapeworms or ascaris. But always, quite foolishly, we throw caution to the wind and ask for a hit.

Maw! Maw! Maw! Aside from the fish balls, squid balls, turons, lumpias,kamoteques,bananacuesandbarbecues, here are some must-try goodies.

Toneknek or tokneneng are quail eggs dipped in an orange batter and deep fried. Kwek-kwek are chicken eggs prepared the same way. Or is it the other way around? The jury’s still out on that one.

Goes well with vinegar and crushed chili peppers.

Adidas, of course, are grilled chicken feet.

Walkmans are pig’s ears. ‘Helmets’ are chicken heads. Proven or proben are chicken proventriculus, that front part of a chicken’s stomach containing digestive glands that grinds food. And there’s my personal favorite, crunchy one-day-old duck chicks.

I strongly urge anyone with an adventurous spirit and a life insurance policy, to try some of Manila’s street food. Here’s a tip, though not a surefire one, on how to enjoy them without getting hospitalized or, God forbid, croaking three days later.

Case the food stalls first. If you see healthy-looking office workers, secretaries with their bosses patronizing them, your chances of contracting something that could prove fatal are greatly diminished. But when the customers beside you resemble zombies from a Wes Craven movie, run!

Illustrado 55

Stepping out of the kabayan box beyond videoke and Pinoy cafeterias

PINOY ABOUT TOWN

Four hundred years of Spanish influence can do a lot to a nation’s culture. We have adapted most of their ways, habits and even their language. But what we seem to have embraced the most, aside from religion and the arts, is being a tapeador - a ‘bar hopper’ sampling tapas while we hop from watering hole to the other, as we meet friends along the way.

The Manileño Tapeador

By Dawn Almario

Being in Manila is just perfect for practicing tapeo (tapas tapas bar hopping) - whether it be on the busy stretch of Jupiter in Makati, around the bohemian district of Malate, or at the home of stand-up comedy bars that is Q.C., where rounds of San Mig lite or Red Horse Beers are a staple, and sizzling sisig, crispy pata, gambas or crunchy calamares overflow to our heats content. No Filipino would ever think of having drinks without at least four or five plates of different pulutans - our own version of Spanish tapas. And that is, undoubtedly, a Spanish way of life.

But what really is tapa? Tapa means ‘cover’ in Spanish. Although there are a number of theories, it is believed the name originated from a card material, which used to be placed on top of your drink to protect it from flies. At some point in time, it became a habit to top this ‘cover’ with a snack.

Tapas evolved. Now, true tapas are very much in the spirit of modern eating -- nibbling, grazing, enjoying a wide variety of Spanish appetizers, such as mixed olives, cheeses, or elaborate creations like battered and fried baby squid - puntillitas. puntillitas And in Spain,tapas are usually given for free to accompany a drink before dinner.

And if you’re keyed up to find a bit of Spain here in Dubai and unleash that natural tapeador in you, there is Seville’s – the Spanish Tapas Bar, centrally located in Dubai, overlooking beautiful rooftop gardens at the heart of Wafi City.

Seville’s has a great selection of tapas to cater to your tapeador inclinations. Start with their signature

ceviche de pulpo y bacalao (octopus and cod, marinated in lime and cilantro) – this is their version of our very own kilawin. After trying this with a glass of rose wine, you can go for the traditional but all time-favorite gambas al ajillo o ala plancha (fresh prawn sautéed or grilled with garlic and olive oil) but never miss out the fresh mussels poached in a lemon and white wine sauce – mejillones al vino.All served in small portions but really big on taste.

Not only will you be seduced by tapas of Seville’s, this restaurant-bar exudes casual warmth with its Andalusian décor and terracotta tiling. The atmosphere is really lively, with the distinctive Spanish guitar music, topped by the vibe of a lively crowd.

Seville’s also offers dining ‘al-fresco’ style with a terrace area perfect for a relaxed drink with friends or more intimate areas for private dining. And if you’re a passionate dancer, visit every first and third Wednesday of the month, for a three-course dinner and salsa class for only Dhs 85. And to round off the Spanish experience, be serenaded by their resident flamenco acoustic guitarist, while sipping in abandon, a light and delicious sangria.

Whether it is in Spain, Manila or Dubai, there is no stopping you from enjoying being a tapeador.

Search for the new tapas, especially in a place like the UAE, which offers so many diverse cuisines. Our pulutans, are just like antipasti for Italians, dim sum to the Chinese, hors d’oeuvres to the French, and even mezze to the Lebanese. Immerse your taste buds with interesting appetizers and succumb the Spanish mañana way of life -- live for today, as who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Illustrado 57

MANILA TRIPPIN’

Dream ONE

By Mike Martin

Location: Timog Ave. Quezon City

Pinoys have acquired this odd habit of keeping the party strictly at their tables. I’m still in the process of figuring out if this is caused by space considerations in the metro or if it’s the reason why a lot of recently opened bars are too snug for comfort. Either way, old school machismo oriented guys have it good with this set-up; not needing to worry about good-looking, sweet-talking, loaded guys with jaw dropping rides stealing your blind date on the dance floor. The not so nice thing about it – you get to let your hair loose, party like crazy, and not meet anyone. Fret not dear ladies and gents the party deities listen after all.

Take a right turn before Delta if you are from Quezon Avenue, and continue after the first stoplight. Please disregard all the other nightspots you’ll see as we have not dissected them yet.

You’ll run into a huge neon sign announcing the bars existence sandwiched between a BPI Maestro Cirrus ATM facility and a Shell Station.

I stumbled upon the spot on a Wednesday while on my way home. As usual, it was past midnight and I was well on the road to inebriation, having had the rounds of six other bars in the strip. I liked the place off the bat, with its courteous receptionists and valet parking. Nothing beats customer service in my book.

The entrance fee is 150 clams; I shell it out and get my wrist marked. Welcome to Dream One. I step into the eardrum shattering darkness; and felt my grin grow in direct relation to the space as I parted the thick curtains.

Illustrado 2

Boy was the place huge! The dance floor was spacious, with high tables set on the left side and the bar on the right. There’s a raised, circular semi-enclosed space at the far left end - yep, VIP parties. Mirror balls, strobes, laser lights, the works baby. Getting to the bar required skill, because boy was the place packed to the brim and thumpin’, the crowd looked like they were a dozen giant millipedes writhing on their backs from all the limbs that were swaying! Here’s the killer: mirrors line the entire length of the club, which heightens the fun of course!

Booze and food are run-of-the-mill bar fare and so are the prices according to the menu. I order a shot of Jack and onion rings for starters. A nonchalant survey reveals the crowd; Women: 18 to 20-something, low-end designer outfits, some thrift shop threads and a hell-of-a-lot of skin and cleavage. Nice. Men: too few and the same age set. I was getting the idea that this joint was in season when school was on.

I was ordering my third drink when someone crashes into me. She mumbles a giggling apology and leans in, trying to catch the bartender’s attention. I offer to buy her a drink which she cheerfully accepts and introductions are exchanged. Miggy as it turns out, is a regular, has friends in tow and yes, I got invited to join.

Monica, Anna, Brandy and Jamaica were wonderful company; it was a blast to see them mingle; weaving in and out of the dance floor, drinks in tow. Guys were approaching them endlessly and with those blinking phones to check numbers are valid for later use.

I excuse myself and head to the restroom. Where I find another surprise: tucked behind the VIP area is a quieter enclave with about five tables and another bar! Aside from being roomy the restroom was impeccably clean. Toiletries were available for sale and there’s a mini barber shop inside. For hot towels and a quick massage maybe? I conduct my business and rejoin the gals. Drinks on me for this round.

As we got back to the main bar, Miggy bounds from an empty stool, straight up to the bar and starts to jiggy there! Bedlam ensues with some other women getting hoisted beside her; until the counter was filled up with women shaking their booties like there was no tomorrow. My jaws were agape drooling like a caveman, and tilt my head for a quick scan to see the entire place shouting their appreciation!

Dream One is all about dance music and party till dawn! Hip-hop, techno, house and everything else you can swing your booty to.

With the joint packed with swishing manes, sweat glistened skin, and mush pit intimacy, who wouldn’t have fun? It’s a let-your-hairdown because it’s a no-one-cares kind of place.

I stumbled out into Timog Avenue and the civilized world at around 4:00 am with feedback ringing in my ears, cotton in the back of my mouth and jello in my head. Three stars to Dream One for a hellacious party experience!

ENTERTAINMENT

Around Your Fingers by Sting into her own unique and unexpected piece. Ever thought a kundiman can be turned into jazz? Well, Frankie has her own version of Imelda Marcos’ fave Dahil sa ‘Yo, to which the bossa nova classic Girl from Ipanema pales in comparison.

Aries explains, “It’s all about improvisation. You have to be creative and not imitate others.” He adds, “We don’t want to be in a box. We ‘play’ with the song.” Frankie smiles, “That’s why sometimes, it takes long for a song to finish because we only know where we will take it at that moment, when we are feeling it. Aries and I are so in-tune and familiar with each other that we know, just from a look or the way each one is performing, what note we have to hit or where we have to take the song.”

FRANKIE

ARIES

For music enthusiasts looking for a more sophisticated alternative to the usual pop rock and ‘bubble gum’ repertoire dished out in Pinoy music venues around the emirates, the duo’s dynamic and irreverent improvisation of the jazz genre, is definitely a ‘eureka! experience’.

event, performing side-by-side internationallyacclaimed jazz acts like Dave Valentine and the GRP All-Star Big Band, as well as Pinoy greats Mon David and Jake Cayuca, among others.

Free-spirited Francesca ‘Frankie’ Alcala is a statuesque morena with a playful attitude to songs and a very strong stage persona. Tapped

by Baby O’Brien in 1986, the former Yamaha girl, learned about the art of jazz from mentor Aries Dancela. Musical partner Aries, is a piano virtuoso with a penchant for ‘free forming’. He has 22 years of experience playing for both small and big bands, including a distinguished stint with the Kuala Lumpur Orchestra, playing for Radio and TV Malaysia.

Long before the two found their way to Dubai, they were already making waves in South East Asia. In 1991, in a bid to pursue their calling for jazz, Frankie and Aries broke away from the Top 40s band they both performed for in Manila, and boldly ventured around South East Asia, struggling at first, but eventually gaining prominence in five-star hotels for their own brand of music. They even earned the distinction of being the opening act for the first Asian Jazz Festival, held in Kuala Lumpur in 1993, with Frankie the only Filipina singer in the premier

During the past four years, the duo has been performing at the Wafi Pyramids, nightly except Fridays and Sundays at the popular watering hole Carter’s, and Fridays as the main act in the hip Peanut Butter Jam by the Wafi rooftop, amidst beanbags and a cool crowd, with their complete brass band – as Frankie & the Boys.

Even more interesting than their jazz standards, acid and fusion repertoire is the effortless skill with which the duo re-invents classics to their own take, or how they would not compromise their music for the sake of commercialism.

“Music is supposed to be free – you can do anything with it, and yet a lot of talented Pinoy musicians copy virtually everything from a CD,” Frankie laments. We don’t do ‘cover versions’ per se; we always make a song our own,” she says. Definitely agreeable considering how she can turn pop staples like I will Survive, the Gloria Gaynor anthem, and Wrapped

Aries, whom Frankie refers to as a ‘musical Einstein’ explains, “People sometimes think I’m a fussy musician. But actually we’re just looking for people with the same level of performance. There are some musicians who can read and play music but don’t have the ‘feel’. They can’t join us because we don’t rehearse. So if they can’t jump on-stage with us and improvise, it’s very difficult.”

Perhaps it is the confident spontaneity that gives the duo’s performance its electrifying fluidity, and feeds the audience’s contagious energy. Add to this Aries’ virtuosity and dynamism on the piano, topped with Frankie’s inexhaustible verve onstage and you get a show, which is fresh and absolutely engaging. “We’re live performers; we’re artists,” Frankie remarks. “And of course, when I’m onstage, I’m on a high.”

The duo’s act is hugely patronized by a multinational audience who keep coming back for more; quite a pity though for most Filipinos who are not aware of their existence. “We have a huge following mainly from non-Filipinos. It’s a bit sad that not a lot of Filipinos know about us yet. We’d definitely like to see more Filipinos who appreciate jazz and our own unique style, in the audience.”

Aries adds, “We’re setting a standard, and we’re giving Filipinos an alternative which is very creative and original.”

Simply put, Frankie concludes, “We want to take music to another level, and proudly show the world that Filipinos got class.”

Illustrado 59

ENTERTAINMENT

Frankie

Aries

AND

Jazzing it up with Class

Inside the stylized walls of the Wafi Pyramids, Dubai, where swanky Porsche Cayennes, Hummers and splashy sports cars litter the parking lot every night, is a place frequented by different nationalities, but very few Filipinos know…our community’s best kept music secret – Frankie and Aries.

By Antonella Andrada • Photography by Mac Antonio

Ngayon, may RCBC TeleMoney kang maaasahan sa anumang klaseng padala.

Walang kaba dahil siguradong kuha mo ang perang padala---saan ka man sa Pilipinas.

Choose from a wide rabge of RCBC remittance products and services: -CREDIT Tele-CREDIT

Safe na Safe! Diretso sa RCBC or RCBC Savings Bank account mo ang perang dineposito.

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Convenient! Pwedeng i-claim ang perang padala sa iyo sa kahit saang RCBC or RCBC Savings Bank business center, nationwide!

-CASH CARD CARD Tele-CASH

Parang cash na rin! Ito ang RCBC Tele-Cash Card na pwedeng bilhin ng kamag-anak mo abroad. Mag-load lang s’ya...good as cash na!

-DOOR 22 DOOR DOOR -DIRECT Tele-DOOR Tele-DIRECT

Siguradong tanggap!

Diretso sa bahay ang perang padala sa iyo, nationwide.

Accessible 24/7, on line crediting!

Mag log-on lang ang kamag-anak abroad sa www.rcbc.com para mkapag-remit ng pera.

-PAY Tele-PAY

Walang problema sa pag-babayad ng bills!

Pwede nang bayaran ng mga mahal sa buhay abroad ang mga bills sa Pilipinas.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

A fitting climax to the much-heralded Dubai Shopping Festival, The Global Bride is set to enthrall at the Global Village Amphitheatre on February 2, 2007. In line with Dubai’s dynamism and reminiscent of Scheherazade’s A Thousand and One Arabian Nights, The Global Bride will showcase a hundred and one gowns in what is envisioned to be the ultimate in wedding fineries, created by Filipino fashion stalwarts in the emirates, further establishing the legacy of Filipino artists in the Middle East’s fashion industry.

The Global Bride is a brainchild of the mercurial Butz Fuentes and a coterie of equally fiery and talented Filipino fashion designers, like Albert Andrada, Michael Cinco, Joseph Curioso, Jimmy Buenconsejo and Edgar Sulit, among others. This elite group collectively known as the Filipino Fashion Designers of the Gulf (FFDG),, has been involved not only in fashion-oriented ventures but in civic activities as well, foremost of which their recent gift-giving exercise that benefited many distressed kababayans at the Philippine Consulate in Dubai.

Industry insiders have long confirmed that behind the biggest fashion houses and best gowns worn by the most discerning women in the region have always been the artistry and the craftsmanship of the Filipino fashion designer.

Butz Fuentez proudly says, “The genius of Filipino fashion designers has been widely known in the region for decades, and it is the vision of FFDG to reinforce this supremacy. The 50-strong member group with its alliance in various interests is committed to the welfare and prestige of Filipino designers not just in the Gulf but throughout the world.”

FFDG Members

Butch Fuentes FFDG President

The Global Bride Global Village Amphitheatre February 2, 2007

Illustrado 61

FILIPINISMS

By Sonny Guzman

ASTIG as-teeg (noun, adjective, adverb) - Tigasin; binaligtad na ‘tigas’; strong, cool, impressive, great Example: “Uy,...astig yung ka-date ni Gardo – FHM Cover Girl!”

So, you be the judge - score yourself if you can relate to the

following -

spoiler, neon Naka-super lowered tsikot ka with matching mag-wheels, gigantic the back glowing lights sabay kumakabog ang base ng super speakers mo from Greenhills sa ka yride nagjo-jo habang seat to the tune of Salbakuta’s Stupid Love Shopping Arcade - 3 points

May car sticker, I.D., calling card o ‘Lett er of Authorization’ ka mula sa kamaganak, kakilala, kaibigan o kapitbahay ka na nagtra-trabaho sa DILG, sa PNP, sa Malacañang, sa Customs, sa Munisipyo, sa Senado, sa Army o sa Navy (you’re invincible, dude!) - 3 points

naman sa May picture ka na naka-pose sa tabi ng sportscar (lalo na kung hindi iyo) - 5 points Life ng Bon Kaya mong mag-headbang sa kantang Sweet Child Of Mine or It’s My points 3 nahihilo Jovi from start to finish na hindi ka (halatang)

Hinahatid at sinusundo ka ng buong pam ilya at baranggay n’yo sa airport tuwing magtra-travel ka (miski overnight ka lang sa Hongkong) - 2 points May dekorasyon na malaking kutsara at tinidor, Last Supper o mga asong nagto-Tong-its/nag-bibilyar habang nanin igarilyo na naka-display sa dining room nyo...design innovation yan! - 1 poin t Naka-display sa living room n’yo naman ang mga naka-laminate na College Diploma ng buong pamilya n’yo (plus fifty points kung pati mga High School Diploma kasali) - 1 point

liliit sa sukat Ang sound system mo sa living room n’yo ay galling Saudi at hindi na 1 x 3 meters (the bigger, the astiger...) - 3 points dang Laging up-to-date ang celfone mo sa lahat ng usong models (keseho EDGE, Wifi, th, Bluetoo 3G, yung ba ano kung ang ng-muw kamuwa kang wala memory at 1GB Script, Java r, Expandable Memory Type, GPRS, USB, Web Browse points 5 nito) kung anu-ano pang hi-tech features nA “Z” sA gNi2 kA mGtXt, mGSLiTa o mGsULaT – LaLu nA kPG mAy additional points 3 mGa words mO…hOw’z Ur dAy? C U L8ErZ!!!

Ang gimmick outfit mo ay maong na jacket with matching maong jeans ka sa kapal (especially kung same shade), naka-Nike Air Jordan ka at kumikinang points 5 Bling!)

(Bling! mo ngipin sa at ng gintong alahas sa leeg, sa daliri sman, Ang mga Ninong at Ninang mo sa kasal at sa binyag ay Mayor, Congres close) kayo naman hindi at magkita Senador o Presidente (miski first time nyo - 3 points Bhaby...) - ‘di May dagdag na “h” sa nickname mo (Bhoy, Rheggie, Jhay, Mhalou, point pa...1 mo te ka lang astig, ang cute-cu - 3 points Tambay ka sa Starbucks all day miski hindi ka naman nagka-kape astig, May nakadikit na sticker ng Philippine Flag sa kotse mo (‘di ka lang sobrang patriotic mo pa....) pero bakit? bakit?...5 points

So, gaano ka ka-astig?

If you scored 1 to 5 points: Dude, you have to work on your social skills - time to meet new friends who can show you coolness in terms of being a Pinoy. Either sa ibang bansa ka lumaki o foreigner ka. Pa-different ka siguro no? I suggest panahon na to create your Friendster account - para naman lumaki nang konti ang mundo mo!

6 to 10 points: marunong kang makisama, madami kang kaibigan, you’re openminded. But may konting hesitation ka po about your pagiging Pinoy – konting effort pa. Sa next EDSA revolution, try mo mag-participate. Believe me, madami kang learnings na mapupulot doon!

10 to 15 points: Astig ka! May personality ka, ika nga ni Simon Cowell - bukod sa aso nyo. You>re a joy to be with - cool kang kasama, mahilig kang

Illustrado 62

May ka-Friendster ka na artista (lalo na kung over 300 na ang Friends list mo) - 3 points Madalas kang lumabas sa mga magazine – nasa sikat kang party, birthday ni bossing, friend mo yung organizer (or yung club bouncer), o invited ka ni kumareng bigtime sa binyagan ni baby.

Plus points kapag kita sa picture ang mga buto-buto ng fried chicken at mga tirang chopsuey rice at leche flan sa foreground. Eh ano kung may hume-he llo pang na eeek! sa ngipin mo?

Buenang Buena ang arrive mo, mare! 2 points Kaya mong magsuot ng damit na three sizes smaller sa actual size mo. Uso naman ngayon yan – ang suman look – i-display ang bilbil at stretch marks at pilitin mag-XS miski pang XL ka nam an talaga – babelicious ka naman eh - 1 point Kung astang hip-hop ka miski saan: overs ized jerseys, baliktad na bullcap (minsan may tag pa para mas cool), lawla w na baggy pants (nasa tuhod na ang punja), aviator shades, mala-pansit na yellow gold jewelry (daig mo pa ang model ng Gold Souq), tapos with matc hing leather sandals (formal?) – eh ano kung lampas 30 years old ka na? Mag pa-agua oxynada ka pa ng hair mo para totally Eminem homeboyz ang look mo. Wazzzaaaap, Dude?!!! - 1 point gumimmick. Lemme guess - tambay ka ng Ratsy ano? O ng Padi’s? Cowboy Grill?

Wazzzap, ‘Pre?!!!

20 points and above: Isa kang dakilang Pinoy – dapat kang ipagpatayo ng monumento for enriching our culture. Now a name, soon a legend kang tunay.

Pinaguusapan ka, hinahangaan, kinaiingitan ng karamihan - lingid man sa kaalaman mo. Ang payo ko sa ‘yo: uminom ng litro-litrong Sprite upang patuloy na“Magpakatotoo Ka!» Dapat magkaroon ng commercial o pelikula o kanta tungkol sa yo. Kung sasali ka ng Pinoy Big Brother, siguradong ikaw ang magiging paborito ni Kuya! Hanep sa wow sa grabe to the max ka, ‘Tsong!!! Pwede ka ba maka-Friendster? Asteeeeeeeg!

FILIPINISMS

The Annie B.(Batobalani) Chronicles Working Girl

The adventures and misadventures of a ‘not so average’ Pinay trying to make it in the cosmopolitan city of Dubai.

Guess what? After sending out thousands of my CV thru the internet, signingupwithmorethanadozenheadhuntersandgoingthrunever-ending interviews…………I FINALLY HAVE A JOB!!! Mabrook to me! Dizzizit!!!

The beginning of my life-long dream: to become a professional executive worldwide. At last, my inborn talent – the gift of have or chika in our native language. I am now officially a P.A. - not Production Assistant, not secretary, not public administration and definitely not secretary – but a Personal Assistant – to the Managing Director of Media Minds, a leading Public Relations company in the far, up, up and away Dubai Media City.

My British boss looksalike Harrison Ford – as in the Indian Jones. He’s not only handsome, but also very kind and appreciative. He values my work and is always satisfied with everything I do. The best things he like about me is my coffee. He’s still drink Starbucks every morning, but after the original coffee is finished, he tells me to refill his cup with my very own Annie B. Coffee Mix. How clever noh?!!!

As my boss is always out of the office – either travelling or during presentations or checking out the latest sale in the mall – I barely have anything to do.

Honestly, my work is petiks – comfortably manageable for the eight hourwork everyday. I can actually finish everything within 3 hours. The rest of the day is just busy-busy-han for me. Most of the time, to kill time and meet new friends at the same time, I chat online and actively signed on to Friendster.

This, I believe, improves my communication skills, boost my confidence level, and increase my chance of getting a new boyfriend and – promote world peace. Yes, hitting all birds with one tone.

Chatting is fun – not only do I meet new people from different cultures, but I also get to re-invent myself. But don’t get me wrong – I do not lie in chatting – I only enhance my already pleasing personality.Whenever asked, I do a little subtraction with my waistline and some addition with my bustline- hahaha – fun it isn’t it? There are times I get too passionate and chat with three to five different people at the same time while typing some documents for my boss. That’s what you call multinational-tasking, I guess. Sometimes I mix my chating with my boss’ documents. One time, I typed, “Our campaign aims to target 5’2”, smooth but chubby Filipina in the U.A.E. which covers more than 75 % of the population.” Hahaha – it totally didn’t make sense.

My boss noticed my mistake but I quickly told him I was carried away with his marketing plan. I know it was a big boo-boo and I’m being careful now in juggling my chatting versus my official work.

Anyway, among the seven different guys that I chat with online, there’s this Filipinoguythathascaughtthefancyofmyeyes. He’sreallycatchmyattention because not only he’s a kabayan, but we have a lot of things in common. His profile reads, “175cm tall, 75 kilos, a resident of the UAE for five years now, mestizo, a hopeless romantic and a rebel without a cause…..”I’m picturing Robin Padilla in my mind already. And he listens to jazz music like Kenny G – such a sensitive soul! I bet he’s the type who showers women with dozens of flowers and takes them to candlelight dinners. We haven’t swapped pictures yet but something tells me he’s the one. We’ve been chatting for almost three weeks now and he’s suggesting that we finally meet in person thru an E.B. (EyeBall). I haven’t said yes coz I told him my waistline is 23” and that my bustline is 36”. I have to lost weight really fast and look for a triple wonder bra before I say yes to his EB invitation.

Tick...tock...tick…tock…It’s still 10 minutes before 6:00pm – more time to kill before my carlift arrives and be able to go home. My boss is also pretending to be busy. I could see the reflection of his computer monitor thru the window beside him. It’s an online poker site. Whew! More guys are buzzing me for a chat already. It’s really true: When it rains, it’s force. Why not? The more entries you send, the more chances of winning – the more, the many-er!!! Time for some Annie B-loving again:

Illustrado 63

The view from your regular Juan dela Cruz on the street

Usapang Kanto

By Jonie Jose

Enough is enough

Mynewyear’sresolutionistochangemyattitudeofbeing too kind to others and sacrifice myself as a “sacrificial lamb”.... as always. I realized that in the end I made them morestubbornandspoiled.Iamdoingthistosetmyselfasa good example and for others to change. That’s it.

Patience is a virtue

My new year’s resolution is to lengthen my patience especially while I’m at work. Because if there is a lot of pressure,reallyIcaneasilygetirritated,andeveryoneis affectedwithmybehavior.Also,Ipromisetoalwayswear a smile to brighten up other people.

- Ella Valondo

- Rizel Medrano

Be more responsible

Changing lifestyle

Inthiscomingyear2007,Iwouldliketoimprovemytalent andskillsinthefieldofwebandgraphicdesign.Beingthe eldest, I would like to be more responsible in the family. I wish to have a successful career and good health.

1. Mental diet - use the language of conciliation not the language of confrontation 2.Tamethebulge-trimawayexcessbulkinthetummy area and firming up my flabby arms 3. Shop wisely - before making a purchase ask myself, “Does this match my wardrobe in terms of color and style? Do I need this? How many ways can I wear it?”

4. Save money - enough for my Euro trip 5. Drink less alcohol - never get drunk!

- Roy Orbase

My passion

Every year is always a new beginning for me. For 2007, Iwouldliketohavemoretimetodiscoverthingsbeyondthe “ordinary”.IhavesomethingtoproveasaFilipinoworkernot justtoourcountrybutaboveallnationality.Iwouldliketo establishabusinesswhichsuitstomypassion.Continuous successandafruitfulyearformylovedones.Goodhealthall year long.

- Hennessey

Building confidence

Well, I would like to build up my confidence in this competitiveworld.AndIwillmakeeveryefforttoeasily getusedtothecultureinthiscountry.Iwishgoodhealth for me and for my family back home.

- Krisnalene Anibigno

- Gerald Gregorio

Time Management

Iwouldliketofocusontimemanagement-setmypriorities inlife -spiritually, financially, emotionallyandphysically.

These are the factors for me to develop and mold my personality.Iwouldliketolearnmorefromthiscountryin termsoftechnologyformycareergrowthandtobeableto contribute to its economy.

Help at hand

ForthepastyearsthatI’vebeenworkingIhavenotfully extendedfinancialassistancetomyfamily.Thiscoming 2007myresolutionistobeabletohelpsendmysiblings to school so they can in turn give our parents a welldeserved comfortable life.

- Roland Broqueza

- Rhea Neria

Figure conscious

Lessshopping,driver’slicense(pleaseGod),size8clothes (dietmorediet),moreincentives(staying12hoursatwork), and once a week date lang (diet din sa mga boylets) - Cherry Pablo

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FILIPINISMS

Pinoy ka ba o ‘Pinoy Pero’? Sa dinami-dami ng kumplekasyon natin sa buhay – why does a simple question like that have to be oh-so complicated?

Bato-bato sa langit… ang tamaan, huwag ‘a-araaay’!

Ina Elle Crisostomo takes us through a sanity check and some frank insights into our Pinoy world, to keep us from falling into a ‘superior or colonial’ mindset.

Photography by Joel Guerrero.

Miss ‘Passport Holder’

May amnesia sya sa pasaporteng green. Ang favorite line nya ay “When I used to be a Filipino.” I’m not kidding!

Just for Joe

She saves her biggest smile for foreigners. Kung nakatao siya sa shop iisnabin ka nya, pero di magkanda-tuto sa pagsunod sa foreigners.

Exclusively ESP - English-speaking Pinoys

Malakas talaga ang ESP ng mga ito. If you speak to them in Pilipino, they will answer you correctly, sa English nga lang. Mmmmm. Kung wala rin namang ibang lahi na ma-a-out-of-place - ESPs should loosen up a little bit.

Pinoy but hindi Kabayan

They don’t like being called Kabayan, especially in public… masyado raw masa. Fine! But how about kuya o ate?

“Dream ko talagang makapag-asawa ng foreigner”

Ssssssh. No need to tell the whole world.

Amnesia or dyslexia, or both

A few years away from home will not make anyone forget his language… kahit pa nasa solitary ka for 10 years.

Missing color of Benetton

Fave line nya: “Puro foreigners ang friends ko, hindi Pinoy.” Tsk...Tsk...Tsk....

“Ay grabe ang itim ko na, nawala na ang pagka-tisay ko!”

To whiten or not to whiten, that is your dilemma.

Kabayan nga – di naman Kapuso

Ok lang kung wala kang TFC o GMA cable connections. But makibalita ka naman!

Kahit through Filipino news or BLOG sites. Baka mamaya maging Presidente na lang si Pacman, di mo pa alam.

“Yes, I’m an OFW, but I’m a professional…I work in the office”

Bakit defensive ka?

So, next time you find yourself in a situation where napag-uusapan ang iyong pagka-Pinoy: wouldn’t it be wonderful to realize that you know who you are and where you stand? Sabi nga nila: Magpakatotoo ka!

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FOOD

Ensalada

Pinoy

By Cecile Samson-Aquino Photography by Joel Guerrero

there is a whole universe of lettuce varieties beyond the iceberg. And an equally great variety of combinations – from all leaf to sweetish ones (think beetroot) to kinda spicy strong tasting ones (rocket or strong herbs).

Besides sort of ‘wiping’ your palate as a starter or as an accompaniment to a main course, eating vegetables raw maximizes your intake of the nutrients and vitamins that vegetables have to offer. It’s a truly healthy way to partake of vegetables. With that I offer you these two simple Pinoy-inspired salads. Enjoy!

Kesong Puti Salad

Kesong Puti Salad • 1 yellow bell pepper* - deseeded and cubed • 1 orange bell pepper* - deseeded and cubed • 1 cucumber • 3 medium tomatoes • 100 gm kesong puti or any crumbly cheese like feta • Salt to taste

It’s that time of the year again when we just finished indulging ourselves in more than a week of bacchanalian-like feasting. What have we seen? Tables-agroaning, fridge-overstocked, kitchen-overflowing, munch-a-minute, drinks-a-plenty, sweets-galore… and a partridge in a pear tree. Makes me feel bloated just thinking about it.

That puts us squarely on the subject of salads. Haven’t you noticed that the traditional Pinoy cuisine does not have much fresh salad in its repertoire? It must have something to do with food spoiling easily in the heat.

But with the advent of refrigeration, there shouldn’t be anything stopping us now concocting fresh chilled salads that very much suits our climate.

If you feel sluggish and weighed down, like your body needs a break from the constant influx of rich fatty food what you need to do is repent for the holiday overindulgence. It’s best to slow down (eating-wise), cut down on rich, fatty food, renew your gym membership, and detox. How to do the latter? Cutting back on alcohol (especially the bloat-inducing beer) would certainly help as much as having meals leaning more to lots of veggies and fruits.

I have to admit when I was growing up I wasn’t too fond of salad. Maybe because I don’t encounter it often gracing our dining table. Vegetables were always ginisa or part of a stew. It was only when I started college when I began eating raw veggies. Even then what I usually get was the insipid tasteless iceberg lettuce with little bits of almost equally tasteless carrots. It’s only in the last few years that I have appreciated the virtues of different varieties of fresh salads. Finding wonder that

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1. Cut the ends of the cucumber. Cut in half lengthwise.

Scrape the center of the cucumber and remove the seeds then slice into small cubes.

2. Slice the tomatoes crosswise and remove the seeds.

Cut into small cubes.

3. Mix all the vegetables in a serving bowl. Season to taste with salt*. Then crumble the kesong puti on top. Chill.

4. Before serving toss the vegetables with the cheese. *Note: If you can’t find these colours in bell peppers, just choose two of different colours – red and green for example.

Put less salt for salty cheese like feta and more salt for blander cheeses like kesong puti or cottage cheese.

FOOD

LonganisaSalad Longganisa Salad 250 gm longganisa 1 medium onion – sliced 2-3 medium tomatoes – sliced into quarters 1 tbsp vinegar or red wine vinegar (optional) 1 tbsp water (optional) About 250gm of mixed leafy salad of your choice* 1. Place longganisa in a non-stick pan and add enough water to make about ½-inch deep.

2. Bring to boil then lower heat and simmer until all the water has nearly evaporated.

3. Keeping the heat to low, drizzle about 1-2 tbsp oil.

4. Pan fry the longganisa until golden and sticky, mak ing sure that the residue does not get too burned.

Cut the longganisa into about ½-inch slices (you may use scissors) and return to the pan.

5. Add the onions and fry for a few minutes.

6. Add in the tomatoes, cook until the tomatoes are

coated with the sweet sticky residue but still firm and not mushy.

7. Remove the longganisa mixture and put on top of the leafy salad in a serving bowl.

8. (Optional) Remove most of the oil from the pan leaving only about ½ tbsp. On a medium heat, add the vinegar and water to the pan and with a spatula scrape the residue, stirring to dissolve it in the vinegar. Drizzle this mixture on the salad. Serve immediately. *Note: You may use any combination of leafy salad here – all lettuce, lettuce-cucumber, lettuce-rocketherbs, etc.

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Colonial Pathologies: AmericanTropical Medicine, Race, and Hygiene in the Philippines

Imperial Grunts: On the Ground With the American Military, from Mongolia to the Philippines to Iraq and Beyond

- by Warwick Anderson Colonial Pathologies is a groundbreaking history of the role of science and medicine in the American colonization of the Philippines from 1898-1930. Anderson describes how American colonizers sought to maintain their own health and stamina in a foreign environment while exerting control over and ‘civilizing’ a population of seven million people spread out over seven thousand islands. In the process, he traces a significant transformation in the thinking of colonial doctors and scientists about what was most threatening to the health of white colonists.

- by Robert D. Kaplan It is the dawn of the 21st century, and the United States has appropriated the entire Earth. So journalist Robert Kaplan writes in his paean to the American fighting man and woman, Imperial Grunts. This book is Kaplan’s account of his travels to the frontiers of the U.S. imperium. From the dustbowl of northern Yemen to the coca fields of Colombia and the insurgent hotbed of Fallujah, Kaplan takes readers to the war-torn edges of the U.S. empire and visits with front-line grunts who guard it and try to expand its reach.

Memories of Philippine Kitchens -by Amy Besa, Romy Dorotan

The Governor-General’s Kitchen - by Felice Prudence Sta. Maria

The essence of Filipino food has always remained somewhat secluded in the family kitchens of Filipino homes, passed down through generations, melding native traditions with those of Chinese, Spanish, and American cuisines. With Memories of Philippine Kitchens, Amy Besa and Romy Dorotan, owners and chef of Soho’s popular Cendrillon restaurant, present a fascinating look at Filipino cuisine and culture. They have spent years tracing the traditions of the food of the Philippines, and here they share the results of that research.

This book gathers interesting and little-known stories from historical sources about the Philippines’ culinary culture from 1521 to 1935. Read about the circumnavigators’first picnic in the Philippines, efforts to stem hunger in a pioneering Spanish colony, carabaohorn spoons to maintain quiet during meals of nuns loyal to a vow of silence, banquets and balls of the well-heeled and the noble, devil’s ice, Christ’s food, seditious plottings at the King’s bakery in Intramuros, mythical pygmy Dinahon who introduced kalan and palayok, early lumpia, the origins of carinderia, and much more.

Books available at Powerbooks, Phils. www.powerbooks.com.pH CDs available at Tower Records Phils. www.Tower-records.ph

Lani Misalucha Lani Misalucha Lani’s first all-revival album which is a concoction of easy listening tracks featuring her unparalleled ability to blend tempo, emotion and musical color into14 soothing covers of well-loved classics. Includes her own version of ‘Hold Me’ as popularized by Whitney Houston, ‘Never My Love’

by Kathy Troccoli and a special track just for the Christmas season, ‘Christmas Won’t Be The Same Without You’

Various Artists - VST & Co.: Bossa Nova Collection Sitti started it all, now it has swept the country like a supernova. The VST & Co. Bossa Nova Collection takes old Pilipino pop songs, by one of the most important groups of the Manila Sound era, mostly composed by Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon and turn them into bossa masterpieces.

With the additional dose of bossa nova, you can bet that the music of VST & Co. will be around for a longer time.

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Manila High - Kala A 12-track Pinoy Rock A new band classified as a rebirth of the famed ‘Manila Sound’ of the 70s -- classic style OPM. They’re reminiscent of the old greats like Hotdog, VST, and Juan Dela Cruz Band and has got tunes to groove and funk up their sleeves. Kala is a group of guys that got together to make original music that even rockers can dance to. Check out their catchy single ‘Jeepney’ which is currently at the top of the charts.

Tulad Ng Dati - The Dawn The New Wave 80s is back, literally, ‘just like the good, old days’ as The Dawn celebrates their 20th anniversary with an album that’s a must-have! Travel through nostalgialand with the original version of the single ‘Tulad Ng Dati’, then to a new frontier with ‘Ang Inyong Paalam’.Truly a commemorative album exploring the band’s own authentic brand of rock music yesterday, today and tomorrow.

2StepMarv A 12-track Pinoy Rock sophomore album that will take you on an exhilarating ride. Explode with their classic guitar-driven and big riffed first single ‘Pintura’, trip out on the funky 2-step beat garage sounding ‘Two Step Marv’, and then melt with the deep emotion filled lyrics of ‘Focus’. A fusion of all the members’ personalities, feelings and experiences transformed into rock music that everyone can digest.

Pano Nangyari Yun Mayonnaise Red Horse Muziklaban band champion, Mayonnaise, is back with a second album bringing their fans a steady mix of love, hate and sadness, still filled with that touch of comedy. Their guitar-driven tunes with ultra-catchy hooks and compelling lyrics makes this new album another sure-fire hit just as their debut. Check out their first single ‘Panaginip’ and you’ll see why Mayonnaise is here to stay.