ILLUSTRADO Magazine June-July 2014

PHOTOGRAPHY by EROS GOZE

EDITOR’S NOTE

Independence?

On a recent trip to Georgia, I was amazed to find out that the Eastern European country only gained its independence in 1991. Really? I thought. With much ignorance and naivety, I found it amusing that some nations only rose to sovereignty in recent times. Georgia in 91 - the same year Arnold Schwarzenegger popularized the line “I’ll be back” and Madonna tinkered with S&M with the release of “Justify My Love.”

But us Filipinos, we’ve had the privilege of gaining our freedom from foreign rule way before you and I, our parents, our grandparents and even their parents were born. In 1898 to be exact. Thanks to the fortitude of our heroic forefathers, we can proudly say that we have all of 116 years of freedom.

Take that world.

Then again, like all good things left to stew in the ‘great Crock-Pot of time,’ sometimes thing get neglected, worse, they even disintegrate over the years. Whilst we know that the Philippines is a sovereign nation with a democratic government, I wonder how are forefathers would react to the current state of our country.

I don’t mean to rain on our kalaayan parade, but if we were truly free, why are a lot of us virtually in exsillium, preferring to live outside the homeland whether due to a lack of choice or specifically by choice? A common sentiment I’ve heard even as a child was the wishful thought, “Sana sinakop na lang tayo America.” [We should have just been colonized

by Amercia]. And then, even after 21 years of Marcos dictatorship, at this day and age, some of us wish for the iron hand of Martial Law.

I am in no position to judge whether those sentiments are well placed or not. But while we celebrate our independence year after year, we also have to be mindful that our country is enslaved by a different kind of oppressive rule – that of corruption, moral degradation and to a significant extent, ignorance. We know all too well how these ills not only affect our government, but our very society, and our everyday life.

Let me not be a party pooper, but a facilitator of what should be, for each Filipino, a continuing dialogue and endeavor on how can move our country forward. And moving forward means knowing the truth. Then again, being able to admit to our maladies is only worth something, if we will effectively contribute to finding the cure.

Every year, as we look back at our centuries old independence, let us not sit on our laurels. Instead, let us assess what more needs to be done and how we can contribute, so that we can propel the Philippines forward and one day, celebrate a deeper kind of freedom -an even better sort of independence.

While we have so much to be thankful for today, let us also not forget that so much work needs to be done. And all of us are needed in this one.

Taas Noo, Filipino.

LALAINE CHU-BENITEZ Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

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T A L K I N G L O U D Write to us at: admin@illustrado.net or join the discussion at IIlustrado Magazine’s

that plants give us flowers when they are taken good care of and watered. ~Maricris Gallos Gapi I think it is because even our school supported this idea of being clean, having a shower everyday, combing your hair before you go to school, brushing your teeth. Advertisements about deodorant also helped. The abundance of water everywhere, too. In the Philippines, even poor people have access to water, compared to Africa.

We had a number of interesting and lively discussions on Facebook this month— mostly about stereotypes. From the stereotype (and stereotyping) of smelling good or laging mabango to the stereotype of being DHs as purported by a Hong Kong textbook, we asked ourselves: what do these stereotypes say about us?

Gee, your kabayan smells terrific: Bakit nga ba kailangan laging mabango tayong mga Filipino?

According to research here in the Middle East, one of the biggest buyers of fabric conditioners like Downy and Comfort are Filipinos. It goes to show that we love a good, clean scent – just check out your kabayan’s grocery cart! ~Maria Aranda I’d rather be poor than be stinky. ~Joselito Estrada Chu II Mentalidad ng Pinoy: Ang pagiging mabango ay kalinisan. ~Stujanteng Medico My father always told us to take a bath early in the morning because our body is like a plant that needs water to bloom. Our bodies need water too in the same way

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~Cecille Smago Let’s face it, noong panahon na teacher ang nanay ko sa grade 1, may checklist kung naligo ka, nag brush ng teeth at nag trim ng nails. Bata pa lang, may personal hygiene na sa school. And culture wise, we frown upon people who are not particular sa cleanliness. ~Lorna Castillo-Wong Hindi lang ito part ng kultura natin, nasa tropical country kasi tayo. Kaya naman nakalakihan o nakasanayan na ng mga Filipino ang mga malinis at mabango. Hindi para sa iba, kung di para sa sarili na rin. It’s a way of respecting, not only yourself but also other people around you. ~Nessa M. Rizarde It is part of our culture to be mabango regardless of one’s status class in life-affluent or not. Since birth, I was taught to be very prim clean and proper all the time.

It reflects how we were brought up by our parents. ~Gerry Ereñeta Sunga

A textbook in Hong Kong is being criticized for encouraging racial stereotypes. Sa librong ito, ang mga Pilipino ay binansagang “Domestic Helper,” na labis

na ikinainis ng maraming mga netizens. Tanong: is this really something that we should be mad about?

Stereotypes are wrong but I think majority of netizens are overeacting in this issue, eh ano ngayon kung DH? Marangal na trabaho ang pagiging DH, yan ang dapat lagi nating isipin. Nagagalit ang iba dahil sa tingin nila mababa ang mga DH well, isn’t that racism against your own people and people from other countries who work as a DH? My Mom was a DH in Dubai for almost a decade and my siblings are now all professionals, that’s all because once she was a DH. Tuwing maririnig or mababasa ko ang statement na ang mga Filipino ay DH, I just think that what they are saying is, “Filipinos are honest, clean, hardworking and they teach our kids good values so we prefer to have them at our home looking after our family.” Isn’t that better? What I’m trying to say is, it’s just how we see things and it’s always better to focus on the positive than the negative. ~Beverly Bolaños Ang problema siguro sa ating kultura.

Mababa ang tingin natin sa mga trabahong ganyan. Bunga siguro ng impluwensya ng mga Espanyol. Baka ipinalalagay na katumbas ng domestic helper ang pagiging alipin. Sa ibang kultura, may dignidad sa bawat matino at marangal na trabaho.

Ang malala pa, yung ibang mayayamang Pilipino, sila rin ang nangmamaliit sa kapwa Pilipino. Ipinamumukha sa iba na mas angat sila sa iba.

Ang nakakatawa pa, mas inilalagay sa pedestal yung mga sosyal kahit nangungulimbat sa kaban ng bayan. ~Liezel Napenas Mendoza

CONTRIBUTORS

BO SANCHEZ

ALFRED A. YUSON

Bo Sanchez wants you all to be eternal students. By constantly being on the look out for learning opportunities and new knowledge, we become the best we can be in the eyes of our Maker and those around us. This preacher, book author and motivational speaker certainly knows a thing or two about knowledge acquisition—just ask the thousands of attendees of his events and conferences.

Esteemed writer Krip Yuson graces this Illustrado issue not once, but twice. His regular Illuminati column is, of course, part of our line-up but his piece on “independence: are we Filipinos ready for it?” is pure ascerbic wit and biting as well as thought-provoking. Krip poses some difficult questions about handling democracy and even proposes how to determine who gets the right to vote.

Controversial. Bold. Cutting. Illustrado has Yuson at his finest.

ABY YAP

ANA OPOSA

BARNEY ALMAZAR, ESQ.

June is back to reality for Aby Yap, Illustrado’s resident funny girl columnist.

Aby laments the coming of the end, as school kids and traffic jams once again filling the Manila streets. But only Aby can make the travails of every day life in Manila bearable and even humorous.

Laughter may not get you through a traffic jam on a rainy day, but it will help keep you sane just a wee bit longer.

Anna had her feet on the ground just long enough to write about 20somethings like herself who are starting their own business. They are COOs (child of owners) taking over family empires; they are typical 20-years olds who have a vision, a dream product and mean business when it comes to building a brand and a name for the Philippines.

Want to get behind the wheel and cruise along Dubai’s Sheik Zayed Road? Hold that thought – at least until you’ve read Atty Barney’s rules and regulations about Dubai’s driving laws.

DIDI PATERNO-MAGPALI

EXCEL V. DYQUIANGCO

Didi, who calls herself the OFW wife, once called Dubai her home. Now, she lives in the good ol’ US of A with her husband, doing what she loves best – going on food trips and blogging about it.

Didi lists free websites where you can get anything from a crafts lesson to a tech course at an Ivy League university.

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We have Excel Dyquianco speaking in tongues this month as he looks at the ever-growing market for multi-language speakers. Speaking English fluently is a given; now employers and new trends in the tourism and hospitality industry are opening doors for French, Spanish and German speakers.

AMBASSADOR GRACE Career diplomat, doting mother of five and servant leader, Ambassador Grace Princesa is the first female Philippine Ambassador to the UAE. Having spent over two decades in Philippine Foreign Services, she had previous postings in Chicago, Cairo, Geneva and Baghdad.

This month, Ambassador Princesa pays tribute to our Filipino heroes.

Atty. Barney is a director at the Commercial Department of Gulf Law in the Middle East, Philippines and United Kingdom. He holds Juris Doctor and MBA dual degrees with concentration on International Business and European Union Law (University of London). He is a partner at Avanti Gulf, a recruitment company with access to 400 firms and 16,000 recruiters across six continents.

CHAMPIONING THE WORLD CLASS FILIPINO

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lalaine Chu-Benitez CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mon Benitez ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ana Santos COLUMNISTS Aby Yap Alfred “Krip” Yuson Bernadette Reyes Bo Sanchez Francisco Colayco CONTRIBUTING WRITERS – UAE, Mary Ann “Maps” PHILIPPINES, CANADA Santos SWITZERLAND Nephele Kirong Angela Mapa Nikka Sarthou Anna Oposa Nina Terol-Zialcita Barbara Marchadesch P.A. Escalante Candice Lopez Quimpo Princes Nedamo Dante Gagelonia Quay Evano Didi Paterno Rache Hernandez Excel Dyquianco Regina Layug-Lucero Kara Santos Mary Ann Marchadesch Sherry Tenorio Sonny Guzman CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS –UAE, PHILIPPINES & USA Eros Goze Alex Calueng Glenn Peter-Perez Cristina Linaza Dr. Marlon Pecjo Donald Rosales Raen Badua Irvin Rivera CONTRIBUTING FASHION CREW - UAE Ginno Alducente Jessie Tabla Jojo Padua PUBLISHER – UAE Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC 2nd Floor, Building 2, Dubai Media City United Arab Emirates P.O. Box 72280 Office 20C Tel: +971 4 365 4543, 365 4547 Fax: +971 4 360 4771 E-mail: admin@illustrado.net Web: illustradolife.com, illustrado.net Facebook: Illustrado Magazine Twitter: Illustrado Magazine PRINTERS Printwell Printing LLC P.O. Box 18828 Dubai, UAE STOCK IMAGES Shutterstock.com (Unless otherwise specified) Copyright Illustrado Communications FZLLC 2006 – 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Illustrado Communications FZ-LLC.

JUNE 2014 42 CONTENTS

Model Sandra Naranjo channels the unabashedly indulgent spirit of the “Iron Butterly” in this month’s fashion editorial “Imeldifique” shot by Melson Bolongaita.

features IIndie Blues: Getting the Democrazy We Deserve 6 Crab Mentality & STD 10 Wired to Learn 12 Learning a New Language 18 Get Hired! 24 Enterprising 20’s 38 Katutubong Filipino Project: Images of a slowly fading culture 76

regular columns Editor’s Note 1 Editor’s Note 1 Talking Loud 2 Contributors 4 Bayanihan: Great Filipinos: Our Heroes, Our Models 16 It’s What I Do 22 Illuminati: Schooling under Seige 26 Money: Back to School 28 Spirituality: 10 Signs to Know If You’re an Eternal Student 30 Scrapbook 32 Law: Dubai Traffic: Expect the Unexpected 40 10 Things to Do 62 Pinoy Planet: Cruising Kerala 64 My Pinoy Life In: Houston, Texas 68 On the Prowl, In the Know 88 Onli in da Pilipins: Back to Reality 90

fashion Fashion: Imeldifique 42 Real Style, Real People 56

places My Pinoy Life In: Houston, Texas 70

70 64

ILLUMINATI

Indie blues: Or, Getting the democrazy we deserve

by Krip Yuson

Do Filipinos deserve democracy? Are we fit for the system? Does the system suit us?

Well, I’m not exactly the right fellow to ask, since my views can often be either too bold or bizarre, sometimes both.

On this subject, my studied reply would be negative — to the questions cited above.

It’s obvious to me that one essential feature of democracy — one person one vote — doesn’t quite jibe with the kind of wild and woolly demographics we have.

Oh, the rest of the features are okay: democratic rights, entitling everyone to be heard, freedom of speech, the right of representation…Oops, wait, that last one also entails serious problems.

To my mind, the most successful democratic states have been the Nordic countries — which are small or compact, of mature societies, and with a strong middle class, in fact with hardly a wide spectrum of citizen types when it comes to intelligence and financial wherewithal.

In our case, that spectrum is so broad it’s almost like a rubber band that can be extended to a breaking point.

I’ve proposed, while aware that it’ll be considered a wild notion, that electoral exercises throughout our archipelago should best adopt a unique feature, however contrary it may seem to democracy’s equalrepresentation clause.

We are not equal. Some are so much more equal than others, if I may burlesque La Imelda’s infamous “Some are smarter than

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others” remark. But that is so very true.

Some Filipinos may make mincemeat of rocket science, while others, certainly a greater number, can think only of the most asinine rackets to try their enterprising hands on. Or have the ability only to mince beef and pork to supply wet markets and burger stands.

We have so many Filipinos with doctorate degrees, and so many more who had to drop out from elementary schooling.

We have thousands of lawyers, hundreds of whom passed the Bar on their nth try.

It’s quite a range. We are not equal in terms of inherent or trained brain activity. So why should each one of us have exactly the same power of wielding one vote for the present and future of our country?

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power of wielding one vote for the present and future of our country?

It may sound ridiculous, and it must be impossible to apply, I know. But wouldn’t it be a more efficacious system if a habalhabal driver in the boondocks who’s only minimally literate can have his one vote, while those with academic pedigree or a much higher IQ or corporate wherewithal or social media savvy or who pays much higher taxes (or actually pays taxes) — and thus have a larger stake in nation-building — are entitled to more votes per person?

Say, the poor fellow who can only apply an X as his signature but who managed to register as a voter in his far-flung barangay can have his vote counted as one, while all college degree holders have their votes counted as 2 or 3, same with practicing journalists or writers who have authored books, and say, someone like Henry Sy be entitled to as much as 10 votes.

In basketball you have the three-point shot, rewarding the more extraordinary skill. In giving points to Olympic platform divers, the degree of difficulty is observed and rewarded.

I know my proposition will never see the light of day, unless I somehow manage to pull off a coup all by myself, and install myself as a benevolent, most sentient dictator. And oh, I’ll retain democratic traditions, just give ‘em a tweak.

But there it goes. A country of 100 million people of diverse origins, backgrounds,

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aptitudes, skill sets and interests just doesn’t cut it with democracy’s equal-vote system.

— a numbering system that remains questionable, given the gaps created by imperialist imposition or interference.

We will continue to have senators voted in for the name recall they generate as candidates, because the majority of our electorate aren’t mature enough to realize that these senators are supposed to craft important laws, and lead in providing a balance of power in our tripartite government. And not simply be rewarded with a Senate seat on account of their household names because they’ve appeared in so many films and television shows, or were basketball stars. Or have the same surname as a former senator or president.

But for pride’s sake, okay, let’s go along with the flow, help preserve our identity as the first to declare itself a republic in Asia, never mind that for 48 of those 116 years, we weren’t free in terms of national sovereignty, or that since we were granted political independence, we have not been truly free — from poverty, ignorance, corruption and government ineptitude as well as mismanagement and abuse.

You have a guy out there in some mountain barrio who doesn’t read the newspapers but relies on radio and television and the occasional DVD, and you ask him to choose 12 names from a roster, and of course he’ll check those that have become familiar — never mind if they’ve been putschist bandits.

With regards congressional representation, as well as electing town, city and province head honchos, that one vote is perennially subject to influence — from outright peso bills to a deeply ingrained padrino system.

Quid pro quo rules, rather than the ideal exercise of discernment shorn of emo or gratitude baggage.

On June 12, we commemorate (the euphemismists would say “celebrate?) our 116th anniversary of independence

Whenever we speak of independence, I am reminded of the putdown joke applied to indie filmmakers, of which we now have ten centavos a dozen. While several have crafted terrific films, short features or extralong, the majority still rely on simplistic concepts and threadbare narratives as much as on cliché stylistic art-siness.

And so it’s said, if it’s indie, “’indi na dapat panoorin” (if it’s indie, it’s not worth seeing).

I hope we don’t get so similarly inured to the bogus idea of independence when it comes to our Philippines — so we say that indisputably, it’s not worth saving.

It is. But only better education that leads to maturity in general for so many people of such a spectrum of diversity can help us. Meanwhile, pundits can also keep saying that what we have — a still inchoate democracy, one characterized by organized chaos — is more of “democrazy.”

FEATURE

CRAB MENTALITY: AN STD (Socially Transmitted Disease)

By Nichollo Jallores

Here’s a peachy story. It’s called “Crabs In A Barrel.” Put a sack load of crabs in a barrel, and none of them gets out. Not one of them ascends to the surface because as soon as one crab shows signs of rising, the crab next to him pulls him down. None of them escapes. They all die. A sack load of dead crabs in a barrel - imagine the funk.

Unfortunately, this is the same kind of funk that befouls the outlook of the average Juan and Maria. It is a subtle, sinister sort of fishiness that hides beneath a top note of niceties and politically charged politeness.

It is a slimy, stinky cancer of the mind. Crab Mentality is an STD – a socially transmitted disease – and if we do not address it, it will lead us all to our collective demise.

What Goes Up Must Come Down The summation of the Crab Mentality philosophy: “If I cannot have it, neither can you.” It is the twisted, short-sighted line of thinking that is often attributed

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to individuals who pull others down – by word or by deed – instead of letting them progress and move forward in life. Too easy it is to charge it to garden variety malice, but Crab Mentality has more facets to it than common wickedness and affinity for seeing things crash and burn. At its core, Crab Mentality is an unsavory mix of ambition and greed, heightened by a dose of insecurity and inferiority complex. It’s not that you do not want others to go places; you just don’t want them to get there before you.

The crab-minded folk reasons that no bars are held and no punches are pulled in the race towards survival, hence one must do all in his capacity to ensure that he is ahead of the pack – even if it means clawing at his competitors. At its best, Crab Mentality is curiously Darwinian, but at its worst, it all comes down to paltry inggit, or jealousy. Envy takes root in the heart, grows branches that infiltrate the mind, and bears

foul fruit to be forced down the mouth of others. The backhanded compliment, the rumor mongering, the subversive sabotage of a colleague’s shot at promotion – all manifestations of what is, in essence, the fundamental aversion to admitting that someone else may in fact be better than you. In so many words, inggit ka lang.

But why has Crab Mentality become so closely associated with Filipino mentality?

Don’t say it isn’t. You know it is. It appears, strangely enough, in our elementary curriculum – often discussed in Sibika at Cultura classes alongside common Pinoy transgressions such as Manana Habit, Ningas Cogon, and Filipino Time. Fact: if you google the term “Crab Mentality,” the word “Filipino” appears high on the search results. Generations of Filipinos were trained to believe that our cultural DNA is part-crustacean, but is there any truth to this widespread dictum?

FEATURE

How did the crab bury itself so deeply in our identity?

Well for one thing, the term was actually coined by a Filipino. Ninotchka Rosca, a Filipina feminist, author, journalist, human rights activist and American Book Award recipient used the term in an interview that appeared in The Philippine News. Of the interview, Rosca said “Neither of us [ Cielo Buenaventura and I] was prepared for the phrase’s instant popularity; it seems it was a reflection of a truth about the culture of Pinoys, whether born or raised here or over there.”

By forming the words, Rosca shone light upon a demon that has been lurking in the Filipino mindset for generations since the Spanish regime. Everybody knew what it was, but no one had the gall to recognize it, all the more claim it as an innate character flaw.

The Crab Mentality phenomenon is often observed in countries that were once colonized. The Philippines is a seasoned veteran in the field of foreign occupation.

350 years a colony of Spain, 48 years of political micromanagement orchestrated by the US, invaded and pillaged by Japan – our country has often been twiddled under the thumbs of stronger nations with bigger and better equipped armies, and Juan and Maria, in a bid towards survival, have had to adapt. In colonial times, the Philippine society was divided into a rigid ethno-religious and economic stratification scheme that saw the Indios, people of pure Austronesian ancestry, at the bottom of the social ladder. For most of our ancestors, the only way to move higher in life was to stay in the good graces of those atop the social value chain. This didn’t just entail

absolute subservience, but also a perverse sort of competition akin to dogs fighting over their masters’ leftovers. The ordinary Indios competed for the spot of Principalia Indio – blinding themselves to the fact that to the eyes of the Insulares, they were Indios all the same.

line and run like crazy, instead of wasting your energy wishing a rock would magically appear in the path of your opponent and trip him.

The Philippines has been an independent sovereign state for decades, but most of us still operate within the same colonial frame of mind. For 116 years we have been extolling our freedom, but how much freedom can we claim if we are unable to purge ourselves of the same socio-cultural disease that had been the bane of our forebears? That Filipinos are inordinately susceptible to Crab Mentality is moot – what’s beyond argument is the need for us to rid ourselves of this affliction, root and stem, before we end up dead and funky in the bottom of the barrel.

If a person you know hits a milestone achievement, be the first to witness his glory, applaud him, and observe. See what precipitated his success. Learn from his triumph, and use it to fast track your own. If you cloud your mind with thoughts of how undeserving he is of his time in the sun, then you are denying yourself of the opportunity for true and practical learning.

Breaking The Barrel Crab Mentality is a deep-seated intellectual cancer, but it is not terminally malignant.

It can be extricated, but doing so requires strong commitment and a radical shift of focus on the part of the afflicted. We are no longer the Indios of days gone by, so why must we think as such? We need not claw and step each on other to escape the barrel; we need to break it.

1.) Build your own standard.

Much can be said about healthy competition, but if all you do is benchmark the quality of your work against those of your colleagues, you are operating solely on their standards – not your own. Educate yourself. Reinforce your skills set. Build a higher standard. If life is a race then keep your eye on the finish

2.) Learn to appreciate the achievements others.

3.) Remind yourself: it’s okay to be jealous.

What’s not okay is to be bitter and contemptuous. You can look at a person who has done better than you and wish that you had more, without wishing that he had less. Envy is within our base nature, but it needs to be managed lest it runs amuck.

4.) Expand your horizon.

We are no longer the Indios trying to curry favor from our masters. We are free. And as once we were conquered, it is now our time to conquer the world. This is especially true for the Filipino expat communities. We are in the prime position to assert the power of the Pinoy on the global stage. Let us not waste it on jealous fits and petty squabbles.

We must not allow Crab Mentality to lead us to our collective downfall. The Filipino is better than that. Our country is better than that. The Philippines is worth uniting for.

Break the barrel.

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FEATURE

BAKIT NGA BA USO SA MAG PINOY ANG

Crab Mentality? #UsapangIllustrado We asked our fellow Illustrados on social media to share their views on the subject of Crab Mentality. The response was quite overwhelming! Here are some noteworthy contributions: Cheneil Monreal Marquez I guess a whole history of being conquered by this and that country has formed a culture of revenge. Filipinos have always tried to resist the powerful. And at some point, people in the bottom of the social hierarchy will fight the whims of the powerful. Jealousy and envy becomes a natural instinct. One must always get even. Nobody gets ahead. And everybody ends up becoming underdogs altogether, because nobody tries to pull each other up, believing that nobody deserves to be more powerful than the other.

Babytesmanago Invento Pag matayog ang puno at hitik sa bunga,binatabato. Pero kung ang puno’y hitik sa bunga, kusa itong yumuyuko sa lupa. Abot kamay mo lang ito kaya hindi ma kailangan batuhin. Meaning to say, kung laging nakasayad ang paa mo sa lupa, hindi ka babatuhin.

Ronan Ledesma Lalis

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Maybe it’s been ingrained in our minds through hundreds of years of colonial subservience. “Crab Mentality” is about jealousy and envy. It’s a human frailty, evident from the dawn of time, not a generic trait passed from parents to child. So, what you call pinoy crabs are just “Jealous Pinoy” who don’t know how to deal with the fact that another person is living the life they can only dream of.

Mark Cruz Diaz Historically, before our independence, if you were doing well, may connect ka sa mananakop. Long story short, if you were rich, you were a traitor. Unfortunately, we were never able to get that out of our systems. To make it worse, sorta like a subconscious revenge sa tagal ng walang wala ang Pilipinas.

Paul Kristianne Hidalgo Positive spin: it’s not that we don’t want others to succeed, it’s that we filipinos are a very family-oriented people and we don’t like the feeling when we get separated from our loved ones. the idea of someone moving on without you can be unbearable.

FEATURE

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FEATURE

In today’s wired world, there are almost no excuses to not get education

By DIDI PATERNO-MAGPALI

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? The Internet offers a wide selection of highly credible education resources that you can engage in for free.

All you need is an Internet connection, dedicated time -- a number of hours a day over a number of weeks -- motivation and a fierce commitment to learn.

Here are five (5) online learning platforms you may want to explore to further yourself in your chosen path:

1. Coursera http://www.coursera.com Founded by Stanford University professors, Coursera works with a number of

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prestigious universities around the world including Yale University and University of Pennsylvania, international bigwigs like National University of Singapore and IESE Business School of Spain, and non-university partners like the National Geographic Society and The World Bank, to offer short courses for its students.

Courses are varied from law to computer science to education, but a fifth of their 570 course offerings are geared towards the study of Humanities.

All courses are free, but you can avail of certificate that is officially endorsed by the participating university and Coursera, verifiable and shareable to potential employers for US$49.00* They also offer a

specialization certificate, which is a set of courses designed to deepen the student’s expertise in a particular subject for a cost ranging from $166 to $490.

2. Craftsy http://www.craftsy.com If you want to sharpen your hand skills, instead of your mind, pursue a possible entrepreneurial venture or are working in the arts and crafts industry, Craftsy is the website to visit. This arts and crafts focused learning platform was created by four tech guys, who seriously took the suggestion of one of their moms, a passionate quilter, to provide quilting instructions online.

Apart from quilting, one can choose to

FEATURE

take classes in sewing like embroidery, crafting, fine art & photography, home & garden, fiber arts like crocheting, and food & cooking, which are conducted by masters of their specialized craft. Craftsy also sells craft supplies, kits that include all materials like a set of patterns, fabrics and thread or yarn, and books to jumpstart your projects, where you further apply your newly acquired skills.

Once enrolled in a class, your access to your course of choice never expires; so you can freely take your course at your own pace and time.

3. MIT OpenCourseWare http://ocw.mit.edu/ The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is one of the most prestigious physical science and engineering research universities in the world. This institution is more than generous to offer all its courses on OpenCourseWare (OCW), especially for those who do not have the resources or are not lucky enough to pass the stringent entrance exams to enroll in the university.

Though the MIT has expanded out of its expertise, offering courses in linguistics, biology, economics and management, it is best to stick to their core competences in physical science, mathematics and engineering. MIT OCW is most recommended for those who are working in the said industries.

As there are regular advancements in these fields, the lectures and courses are continually updated.

All courses are offered for free including access to selected video and audio lectures, lecture notes, assignments (without answers / solutions) and access to online study groups, though other materials like textbooks and access to required readings

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are not. So you may need to invest a modest amount for textbooks, where some of which are offered at a discounted price for MIT’s OCW users.

4. Open2study http://www.open2study.com Unlike the aforementioned learning platforms which are all US-based, Open2study is an initiative spearheaded

by Open Universities Australia All lectures conducted are done by education professionals of affiliates in Australia as well as other universities from the Middle East and New Zealand.

Open2study is best for students who are seeking very basic introductions to specialized subjects without any prior education, knowledge or work experience, for professionals who want to refresh their knowledge on a subject or for those who are simply curious about a particular topic.

The absolutely free courses, with no need to spend for additional textbooks or other learning materials, can be taken as soon

as you create your own account using your email address or any of your existing social media accounts like Facebook, Google or LinkedIn. Courses can be taken at your own at your own pace over a period of four (4) weeks.

The downside of this learning platform is that it is not an accredited education provider, which cannot provide you with recognized certification or qualifications that employers may be looking for.

5. EdX http://edX.org EdX is a non-profit learning platform founded and governed by Harvard and MIT. Similar to Coursera, EdX also partners with prestigious US-based universities including the founding universities, Dartmouth and Berkeley College of Music among others and other globally known institutions like University of Tokyo, offering a wide range of courses from music to business & management to environmental sciences and more.

FEATURE

LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE

By EXCEL DYQUIANCO

ILLUSTRADO 20

FEATURE

English isn’t the only foreign language spoken in the classrooms and in the Philippines.

In high school, students in Metro Manila already have their eyes set on learning Spanish, German, French and even Chinese. Known as the Special Program in Foreign Language (SPFL) launched in 2009, the program helps Filipino students develop their communicative competence skills in reading, writing and speaking, listening and viewing other forms of speech aside from English.

The goal of the program is to add to the students’ skills set and secure a high paying job in the future.

“This is also in line with the thrust of K to 12 which is to prepare our future workforce for the global arena,” Education Secretary Armin Luistro says.

More than the English Language Penny Bongato, Director for Talent Management, IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) believes that the passion and the drive of Filipinos in learning different languages is still a case-to-case basis, depending on the industry that they want to be in. “For the IT-BPM industry, there is a need for multilingual speakers,” she says. “Clients are looking for locations where they can do their multilingual accounts such as Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese. There are also other companies which are looking for people who speak French and German so there is definitely a need for multilingual people.”

She says that many large companies in the Philippines have many accounts in the country. “The only thing that stops us from looking into these accounts is the availability of talents so when we have a pool (which means a multilingual speaker), we put them right here – and straight to work.”

As for higher pay, speaking in a foreign tongue will allow you a language allowance or premium. “The language premium may vary from P20,000 – P40,000 a month as compared with other positions, definitely much higher than the average” Penny says.

“This is because learning new languages is similar to having a new set of skills which means additional pay, depending again on the complexity of the language.”

Speaking the tourists’ language French-speaking tour guide Pearl Joy Caritativo took up nine units of French in her college days but decided to learn more about the language after university.

Wanting to work in the tourism industry for a long time, she believed that learning a new language would give her the break she had always desired. And it did. “There are only a few French-speaking tour guides in the whole country, considering that the arrival of the French people here is downright unstoppable,” she says. “Definitely the pay is higher and you get to be more indemand. Foreigners who come into the country rarely speak English, and they want to converse in their native tongues.”

For tour guides, she says that Russian, Spanish, French and German are the most sought-after languages.

The Benefits of Learning a New Language Depending on the kind of industry that you work in, the benefits of learning a new language are flow across borders and across industries, as Penny says. Aside from finding work easily or having a higher pay (just like with Pearl Joy), learning a new language can keep you on your toes, especially when you decide to travel to another country and learn their traditions and cultures. “You don’t really know when you’ll be using your language,” Penny says. “For example, you are eating at a French restaurant and the French chef comes to you to start a conversation.”

Penny is quick to add that this becomes beneficial only when you use your language often which starts with a genuine interest.

Otherwise, you’ll be likely to give up sooner or later. “I studied Japanese before but I don’t use it now – I have almost forgotten it – simply because I don’t have anyone to talk to,” she says. “When you study a foreign language, you need to make sure that you use it often. It’s also important that you really have a desire to speak and to continue the language.”

According to Penny, there are many opportunities in the BPO industry (not just call centers but HR Shared Services or backoffice work as well) and the tourism sector for multilingual speakers such as working in the hotel and restaurant industry or being employed at embassies.

“There are many opportunities in varied industries and in your personal life,” she says. “Make sure, though, that before you learn a new language, have the desire first – and then work can come knocking down your door.”

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BAYANIHAN

Great Filipinos: OurHeroes Our Models

By Ambassador Grace Relucio-Princesa

T

he National Historical Commission of the Philippines chose the following theme for the 2014 116th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence: “Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino, Tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago.” In English, it reads: “ Following the Footsteps of Great Filipinos Toward Permanent and Widespread Change. “ Indeed, our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, who chose to give his life for our country leads the list of our hero and models. As a migrant student, he wrote about the social ills of our society then and incurred the ire of the powers that be that led to his early demise. The Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo are a must to read for us Filipinos and our friends.

Gat Andres Bonifacio, likewise, shed his blood for the cause of our Independence from the country’s colonizers. His wife, Gregoria de Jesus, was a strong woman, and with other women, were supporters of their husbands, during our early years of struggle against the yoke of tyranny. His symbolic tearing of the cedula is forever remembered in his Caloocan monument, a place fondly and aptly called Monumento.

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The first president of the revolutionary Philippine government, Emilio Aguinaldo, raised the Philippine flag , a labor of love by three great Filipina women, namely, Dona Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina Herbosa.

The paralytic, Apolinario Mabini, our first Secretary of Foreign Affairs, printed a pamphlet called, “The True Decalogue”, a basic documentation for the programs pertinent to the then revolutionary government.

Tandang Sora is a place in Quezon City that is named after 84-year old revolutionary Melchora Aquino de Ramos. She became known by her aforementioned name because of her age when the Philippine Revoution broke out in 1896.

Gomburza or Fathers Gomez, Burgos and Zamora is a sculpture that inspires in the garden of one of the churches in the University of the Philippines. They are three Filipino priests who gave their lives for the cause of independence from the colonizers.

The power couple, Diego Silang, a datu who was replaced by his Babaylan wife, Gabriela, in the struggle for freedom are , also, an inspiration.

In our recent history, Ninoy Aquino’s legacy and famous words, “The Filipino is worth dying for “ resonates in my heart and mind.

His death gave life to our nation.

Another role model is the man who dreamed the impossible dream, Evelio Javier, of Antique.

Nowadays, I only have to see the Overseas Filipinos and their families to remember the heroism of our great ancestors/heroes and role models.

At so much cost to life and limb, they venture out to care for their loved ones’ needs and indirectly help our beloved country.

We appreciate and salute what you are doing. We pray that the Philippine leadership, will likewise, emulate the sacrifices of our great Filipinos and thus, make it easier for Filipinos to migrate out of choice, not out of necessity .

Together, in the spirit of bayanihan (collective heroism for a common cause or common causes that we identify) we can work together and become greater.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas. Mabuhay tayong lahat.

IT’S WHAT I DO

It’s what I do

FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORK PLACE

EDWIN RICO MAKATI BAR MANAGER ASIANA HOTEL

For almost two years now, I have been managing Asiana Hotel’s Makati comedy bar. As a comedy bar manager, I have to maintain the energy of happiness in our outlet.

When I took over, there was a big challenge to improve daily sales, as well as the concept of the bar. It was not easy, but I never stop listening for suggestions and comments from my guests.

Every day I maintain the required daily sales and relationships with our clients. My task is to talk to different Filipino groups and organizations like the FIL COM community. I am active in social media to update them about our daily promotions and activities.

I involve our outlets in all events and activities, especially charity projects of Filipino volunteer groups in Dubai.

ILLUSTRADO 24

Working in a high pressure environment makes me organized and efficient. My favorite part of the job is planning daily promotions and monthly events, especially if I see my guests satisfied with my idea.

Training my team and making them feel that they belong are keys to our success. I always have or make the time to listen to them, to support them in their dreams and to make a decision for the good of everyone.

With such an opportunity, I thought on how to give back the support of our friends, regulars and walk-in guests. The idea was to have a charity mini solo show of my Makati Master. Through the support of the management, we decided to get a percentage of the sales revenue from every show to raise enough money to buy a return ticket to the Philippines for distressed Filipinos in POLO - OWWA. The response of our kababayans and foreign guests surprised me. After our three shows, we got tickets, which were awarded during a January 19, 2014 show at the Philippine consulate. We cannot explain what we felt that day when we saw the laughter, tears and excitement of the awardees to see their family back home. That was a heartwarming moment for all of us and we will not stop in doing shows to help them.

For my kababayans, my advice is to make GOD as the center of everything in our life. God for me means G- Goals in our life, OObedience to do it and D- Determination to achieve our dreams.

We should believe in ourselves, be honest all the time and give our hearts in all that we do. Success in life will start in one’s self and to achieve it, share your happiness with others.

IT’S WHAT I DO

JHOANA NELISSEN Freelance Make-up Artist/Stylist

I was a flight attendant for almost nine years with Qatar Airways before moving to Dubai to live with my husband. Currently, I am a freelance makeup artist/stylist and a contractual private flight attendant catering to VIPs, diplomats and celebrity clientele, based in Abu Dhabi.

My fascination for cosmetics and beauty made me decide to enroll in Makeup Designory School (MUD) back in the Philippines.

Since then, I have been enjoying every transformation I make.

I even had the privilege to be part of the Damac Akoya project launch, where I had the opportunity to meet Donald Trump and his entourage. I was also lucky to work with a Bollywood singer shooting a music video in Dubai.

It’s what I do

FILIPINO PROGRESS AND DIVERSITY AT THE WORK PLACE

The best thing about this job is not doing the same thing every day. One day you’re in a studio doing portfolio shoots and the next, you’re outdoor doing advertisements.

However, the desire to fly is still very much a part of me and that’s why I don’t want to fully give up on that. It’s too close to my heart! It was the job that has taught me to be independent and see the world in a different way.

Seeing my creations on billboards, print ads, TV or on runways gives me a different feeling of fulfillment. Being an artist is a never ending journey. Every day you learn new tricks and techniques and that’s how I continuously sharpen my skills. I continue to attend workshops with top makeup brands to keep up with current fashion and trends.

ILLUSTRADO 25

CAREER

Get Hired!

Ana P. Santos

Don’t nix your dream job with a nightmare interview or resume.

“Well, to be honest, I’m just waiting for my boyfriend to propose to me. I actually don’t know what to do if he won’t. Maybe I’ll just go abroad.”

That was an actual answer I got during a job interview for a Marketing Officer for my team. I politely ended the interview shortly after that. Her desperation and lack of career direction set off alarm bells. I didn’t want someone like that on my team.

There are just as many ways to ace a job interview as there are to kill it. Be aware, be conscious so you don’t sabotage yourself.

Job interviews, performance assessments, and presenting yourself to prospective clients are a lot like going out on a date. You want to put your best foot forward, make a good impression, and be invited back for another interview or a followup meeting.

That is, you want to score another date— with a mutually beneficial and fulfilling relationship being the end goal.

ILLUSTRADO 26

CAREER

WHAT TO DO Do your homework.

Absolutely nothing can compensate for doing your homework and researching about a company or client before a meeting or interview. Some important things to check on are: the company’s business standing and performance, as well the various businesses they are in. “Corporate social responsibility” is a new a buzz word, so you might to look into how the company balances profit and social consciousness.

This can give you insight on the company’s corporate culture.

“There is no excuse now for a job applicant not to research about a company’s background or vision. Not when everything is Google tab away,” says Reese Fernandez, president and co-founder of social enterprise Rags2Riches.

Watch your body language.

Make a good first impression with a confident yet friendly smile and a firm handshake upon introduction. Don’t slump or slouch in your chair since this can give the impression of laziness or lack of enthusiasm; neither should you fold your arms in front of you when asked a tricky question since this comes off as aggressive or defensive.

interviewer whether you have understood it correctly—this way you can be sure you’re giving them the information they want to know, and it will show them you are both careful and thorough.

“If you’re not comfortable with using English, then – unless you’re applying for a call center agent post -- speak in conversational Tagalog. Nothing is more awkward than carrying on a conversation with someone who is trudging and struggling with English,” advises Dee.

Know what your strengths and weaknesses are.

“I love asking a candidate what their strengths and weaknesses are because most people don’t know how to answer,” says John Williams, a recruitment officer at a development agency. “They either downplay their achievements or oversell themselves. When a candidate knows how to balance their reply, it impresses me.”

As a basic rule of thumb, John suggests learning how to spin a positive note into a weakness. For example, “I may appear like a laid back person who doesn’t speak much, but my work attests to my being resultsoriented.”

Balance competence and confidence.

Speak clearly and confidently.

Don’t be afraid to pause for a seconds to compose your thoughts before answering a question. “One good way to buy some time is to repeat the question and then segue to your answer,” says Dee Santiago, a human resource specialist. Contrary to what you might think, it’s not fast talking that will make you appear glib, but clarity and enunciation. It’s also a good idea to reword the question and ask the client or

While competence is a given, the amount of confidence that is considered acceptable rather than cocky will depend on the nature of business you are in.

“I actually look for a slightly higher level of confidence because I’m in the IT consulting business. Clients come to us with problems and expect us to have solutions. I need people on my team who believe they know more than the clients,” says Dona Marchadesch, a technology specialist.

WHAT NOT TO DO Don’t ask presumptuous questions.

Questions about payment, salary benefits, or other details about remuneration are not to be asked until you are sure you are going to get the job or you have sealed the deal.

Instead, focus your questions on the company’s future plans and programs that were discussed with you. This shows your interest in the company and indicates your sincerity about how you can be of value.

Don’t forget the details.

Come well-groomed. Take the extra five minutes before the interview to go the ladies room and check on your hair and make-up and smoothen out what you’re wearing. It’ll leave you relaxed and more confident.

Have extra copies of your CV on hand for interviews. Make sure your CV has a cover letter is not longer than one page and is addressed to a specific company or person rather than the generic: Sir/Madam.

Don’t disparage competitors or past employers.

This is just in bad taste, and it doesn’t say much about your professionalism and work ethic. If asked about your work experience with other companies or past employers, stick to positive answers. At best, just so you avoid lying, stick to a neutral response.

Don’t get too personal.

Unless asked, do not volunteer information about your family and personal relationships.

ILLUSTRADO 27

ILLUMINATI

SCHOOLING

UNDER SEIGE

by Krip Yuson

When we say “back to school,” shouldn’t it mean in June as it has always been? I haven’t researched on whether this was so since our Spanish colonizers established a school system in our islands, but I presume it was. And it was certainly so — school starting in June — when the Americans sent their idealistic educators over on the S.S. Thomas, earning them the sobriquet of Thomasians as well as our eternal gratitude.

There was a reason for the choice of month in which to start school in our tropical country of two basic seasons in those times: dry and wet. For the most part, despite climate change wreaking havoc on natural calendars, these two seasons are seen to be basic.

Oh, the Spanish had “Cuatro meses de polvo, cuatro meses de lodo, cuatro meses de todo” — meaning “Four months of dust, four months of rain, and four months of everything” to refer to its Southeast Asian colony’s climate — expanding our proverbial seasons to three.

“For whatever it’s worth,” culture historian Felice Sta. Maria writes, “the early Spanish called our weather a ‘glass furnace’ and indeed that is how it feels during the hottest days.” She also says that we actually have three seasons: “Tag-init, tag-ulan, taglamig” (hot, rainy, and cool), with which I agree.

Of course these days one can’t tell anymore where the parameters lie, with rains and storms occurring as late as December, or as early as March.

But on the whole, our Philippine summer remains — despite what one foolish if much-admired novelist who’s a National

ILLUSTRADO 28

Artist for Literature contends: that we don’t have summer, simply because the English word is alien to us. What the heck, we’ve adopted it to refer to our tag-init, or season of extreme heat. And this basically refers to the months of April and May. That’s our Philippine summer.

It stands to reason, then, that given the torching-up starting on the last week of March, and the vacation extension through the first week of June, that’s the season when students can rest for 10 to 12 weeks, recharge themselves with family bonding and recreational involvement with countryside, with islands and mountains — so that upon resumption of schooling in June, they can detail the glories of their summer vacation in essays titled “What I Did Last Summer.”

In then President Diosdado Macapagal’s term in the early 1960s, his Education Secretary, the otherwise knowledgeable artist, writer and culture honcho Alejandro “Anding” Roces (who would also become a National Artist for Literature), decided to alter our school calendar to have it conform to the Western one — never mind that the weather in temperate countries allowed for a summer vacation in the months of July and August.

It was conducted as a calibrated adjustment.

For the first year, the school opening was deferred to July; on the second year, to August, and so on. I can’t recall now if the planned shift to a September start was actually accomplished in full. Likely not, since increasing if belated protest forced the Education Secretary to give up on the plan and revert to the traditional calendar.

Now and then other implacable fools would propose that same adjustment to conform with the Western school calendar.

The last I recall to have expressed the idea was Senator Frank Drilon some years back.

Again, it didn’t fly.

Why? As I’ve argued in writing in the past, there are several reasons why our school calendar has long been fixed to cover June to March.

One: It gets too darned hot in April and May to expect students to slog it through those months in warm, humid classrooms — which would be about 95% of the number of classrooms in our country that do not enjoy air-conditioning.

Two: Traditionally, kids of the proper age who leave home for schooling in bigger towns or cities are expected back in the old hometown or barrio or mountain hamlet not only so their parents can see them again and enjoy their company for over two months, but also because they can then help in the farm, or in any labor in the countryside that has to be conducted during the dry season.

Three, and perhaps most importantly since it also applies to city folk, the traditional summer vacation turns into family and clan bonding time. Town fiestas are calendared almost daily during those weeks, inclusive of traditional homecoming. Families go home to their roots, at least for a spell, or motor north to Baguio, the country’s “Summer Capital,” if they’re in Luzon.

Wherever they’re from, they go to beaches in Batangas or Zambales or the Ilocos, or to Boracay, Palawan, Bohol and other sunsand-and-surf destinations to record yet

ILLUMINATI

another summer escapade with family or clan or barkada.

These are what the current proponents of an academic calendar shift are going against — blithely, recklessly, infamously. That they happen to be the presidents of four of our top universities, having been suckered into a paradigm shift by their respective sets of advisors, only adds to the frustration over misguided mindsets despite all that supposed learning.

Their reason: ASEAN integration. Since universities in Singapore start in August or September, we have to do the same, so that degree holders can pursue higher education without missing a beat.

Oh my goodness. I say: PSHAW! I say: Balderdash! I say: Bollocks! I say it’s stupidity, because that integration cannot ever involve more than, say, two percent of

our student body all over the archipelago.

Really now, how many of our students go on to take further courses in other ASEAN or even Asian universities? As against that, these university presidents of ours — certainly not our four wise men — would like nothing better than have our other universities follow their fool footsteps, and can’t care less if our high schools and eventually our elementary schools would have to do the same, for the sake of our own total academic integration.

Terrible, this decision, which the CHED has refused to endorse, its Chair saying quite rightly that individual educational institutions have the right to adjust their calendars any which way they want. But for our own State University to collude in the show of ill-conceived arrogance of three other universities is nothing less than the pits.

If I were the Tourism Secretary, I’d advise the President to tell off the UP President, since the possible ruin of family bonding time during summer will affect the usual resort destinations. If I were the DOTC Secretary, I would argue the same, that airlines and shipping and bus companies will eventually suffer owing to this mangling of summer recreation time.

And because college schooling in the hot summer months would likely increase power costs for air-conditioning, why, even our Energy Secretary and Environment Secretary should argue down this fait accompli.

Back to teachers’ dirty looks only in June, I say. For learned men, that shouldn’t be too hard to comprehend.

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MONEY

Back to School by francisco J. colayco

Sometimes life calls for another shot at school.

T

here are different circumstances in life that will make you think about going back to school. Your company may have downsized, your job position may have been declared redundant. Whatever the reason, looking for another job may call for thinking about going back to school.

You might look at the possibility of college (for another degree perhaps) or graduate

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school to improve your chances for a better career or job. Or you could take some classes to improve your skills if you cannot risk too much time out.

You could be challenged by three realities.

One is that you are already older than most students. Second is your family’s support for your decision. Third, and possibly the most challenging, is that you will need money to pay your tuition and to support your living expenses while you are not working. But that is precisely where you are now.

Regarding age, no one is too old to study. It is all a matter of attitude. Initially, choose close friends who like your idea and get their emotional support. It is likely that students who are younger than you will accept you if you have a positive outlook and above all, you show your willingness to be part of the student team without being a “know-it-all.”

They can in fact, use your experience to help them if you are approachable. Of course, it goes without saying that you will use your maturity not to be involved in activities that could hurt you and your studies.

MONEY

If you are single, your parents will probably be happy for you. If you are married but without a child with an earning spouse, your spouse will probably support your endeavor. However, if you have children, you need to discuss the matter thoroughly with everyone.

Everyone will have to make a sacrifice in terms of time, effort and let’s face it, the money you will use for yourself will be diverted from other family needs.

In the case of money, the first thing to do is estimate how much your course will cost.

In addition to the actual school expenses of tuition, books, dues, make sure to add in expenses like transportation, snacks and meals. Compute your living expenses during the time that you will not have a job while you are studying plus the time it will take you to find a new job after your studies.

We will discuss your source of funds in the next article.

After you have a good estimate of what it would cost to go back to school, where will you get the money? Do you have

savings that could cover a portion of your expenses? Could you sell some assets? Just remember that you should not use your retirement funds because you will lose the compounding growth of the fund’s earnings and will have difficulty recovering this to meet your retirement objective. In fact, if you have any source of income, no matter how small, continue to live within what is left after the formula Income minus Savings equals Expenses.

If you have not yet lost your job but you want to go back to school, another option is to apply for scholarships and/or ask your company if they are willing to give you some kind of scholarship. It could be that you are such an important employee to the company but the company can spare you for a few years to improve your skill. Take advantage of the opportunity. You could ask your company for tuition reimbursement.

There could be strings attached, though (e.g., you may need to certify that you’re not retraining for a new career, or you may need to promise to work at the company for a number of years after you graduate).

You could enter some kind of apprenticeship in a company or institution to learn some skills that you still do not have. Perhaps, you could be paid an allowance for this too.

Another option is just take part-time nighttime and weekend classes and/or Internet online education. In this way you can still keep a job and reach your educational goal, albeit possibly longer. You could use your superiors and peers in the office as advisors and counselors. This will certainly help you move faster in your academic goal.

Additional education will improve your chances for a better job and possibly a higher salary. It will improve your personality and bring both personal and financial rewards.

For your personal financial education, check out www.onewealthynation.com.

For your family and friends back in the Philippines, ask them to watch our new educational entertainment (edutainment) program “Nang Magising si Juan” on GMA News TV every Sunday at 8am.

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SPIRITUALITY

10 Signs To Know If You’re an Eternal Student

By BO SANCHEZ

Do you want to succeed in life? You need to be an Eternal Student.

Put a check mark before each of these 10 Eternal Student Statements if they describe you: 1. I try to learn one new thing a day.

2. I enjoy a sense of wonder; I am like a child when I am before something new.

3. I know I’ve got some talents that aren’t fully developed yet and I’m taking steps to make them grow.

4. I love to read great books, listen to audio talks, and attend seminars and

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conferences; I love to expand my intellect by reading from other fields and disciplines I know little about; I love to listen to good teachers; I wear down the door steps of the wise.

5. I always try to find new ways of expressing love.

6. I make it a point to listen to any person I meet, to enter his world and learn something about his life, be he a king or a beggar.

7. I’m adventurous when it comes to trying new things—as long as they are moral, such as going to new places or dipping into

new cultures that will enhance my spiritual journey, and healthy, such as eating new food according to my prescribed diet.

8. I am open when my friends and mentors correct me. I admit when I am wrong, and have the ability to laugh at my mistakes.

9. I share my thoughts and opinions with joy and humility, knowing that I can be wrong and right at the same time. I’m not stubborn or obstinate.

10. I’m not ashamed to answer, “I don’t know,” when I really don’t know. I’m not ashamed either to ask, “Will you teach me?”

SPIRITUALITY

Scored a 10?

The Missing Link of Success: Who Are Your Mentors?

Now, if you’re a student, it follows that you have teachers. And if you’re an Eternal Student, you continue having teachers or mentors even after you’ve graduated from college or even post graduate school.

When I got married at 32, my life changed.

From a single missionary wandering around the country (and the world) without a centavo in my pocket, I then needed to make serious money fast. The Bible doesn’t say, “Man doesn’t live on bread but on every Word that comes from the mouth of God.” One word is missing. The Bible says, “Man doesn’t live on bread alone but on every Word…”

That means I still need to eat bread even if I have the Word of God! But I knew next to nothing about money.

And boy, did I need to change my psychology of money in my brain. Because deep inside, I knew I was programmed to be poor.

I had to unlock my brain from a distorted theology of wealth—that money was bad, that rich people were crooks, and that God wanted me to be poor.

Once my psychological wallet grew, I was ready to earn money. But how?

Immediately, I knew my missing link to success: I had mentors for every area of my life. But I had no financial mentors.

First, I searched for successful entrepreneurs among my friends. I made a bee-line towards a few multi-millionaires I knew and invited them for lunch. I picked their brains and took down copious notes.

I then put up my small businesses, lost money, tried something else, failed again, until I found my niche. Today, my little businesses are doing well.

Try Something New The Eternal Student quiz above suggests one of the keys to success is daring to be adventurous.

For this Back-to-School issue, I’d like to share something adventurous, especially to parents: Homeschooling. For the longest time, homeschooling wasn’t even in the radar of most parents’ thinking. It was unthinkable. “Give the education of your kids to the experts,” we were told.

My wife Marowe and I dared try homeschooling our eldest son, Bene. And my son loves homeschooling. Here’s why-• He’s able to spend more time with his Daddy and Mommy each day. His relationship with us is tight—and for this alone, I thank God for homeschooling.

• He loves his younger brother, Francis, and cares for him a lot.

• He can read any book he chooses, he reads five books a day.

• He speaks fantastic English.

• He’s able to follow his passions with more freedom. He joined a painting course—and has produced 12 lovely paintings so far.

He hosts a kids’ TV show each week and is having so much fun. He also writes for a kids’ magazine, Mustard.

Because of our success with Bene, we are also now homeschooling our second son Francis.

I started the Catholic Filipino Academy to help parents homeschool their kids. Hey, I’m not putting down regular schools.

There are great schools out there. But what I’m doing is making parents consider homeschooling as a valid alternative.

I’m not going to kid you. It’s not easy.

The sacrifices are huge. But I think it’s a wonderful option to consider.

For more information about the Catholic Filipino Academy, log on at www.

CatholicFilipinoAcademy.com.

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SCRAPBOOK

BORDZ ABRASIA

www.bordzabrasia.com A graphic designer by profession, photography dovetails very well with the interests of Bordz the Artist. He loves portraiture because he sees in the human form the epitome of beauty. The ability to capture it and hold it forever is a thing of joy for him specially when the subject is that of a beautiful woman.

He dabbles in old film photography with his 35mm analog and medium format rigs and has an enviable collection of lomo and vintage Polaroid cameras.

However, his main arsenal is a Canon 5D Mark II backed up by prime and zoom lenses he has collected over the years.

“I am inspired by many things in music, film and poetry but travel is the one thing that really gets my creative juices flowing,” says Bordz. Whether it is a long sojourn in Europe or a quick tour in the backwaters of Asia, you will see him at his most imaginative form as well as at his best when on the road.

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SCRAPBOOK

MICHAEL MALAG

http://my-name-is-myk.blogspot.com/ Myk was born and raised in Baguio where the cool, fresh air is conducive to creative pursuits.

Myk graduated with a degree in Electronics and Communications degree at St. Louis University before teleporting himself to Kuwait where he now works as a voice network engineer. Somewhere in along the road between Baguio and Kuwait, he took up photography.

His main interest lies in nature and landscape photography where he dabbles in the genres of infra-red as well as 360-degree panoramic shots. He feels that these give him free rein to interpret the beauty of nature on his own terms specially because they have a surreal quality that he is fascinated with.

He also chases clouds during the few months that they are available in this part of the world. He finds clouds interesting because they come in shapes and forms and there is so much to learn from them since they keep on changing. “You have to be quick on the draw to capture the essence of what you see in the clouds in relation to the fixed foreground,” says Myk His mantra to improve his craft is to shoot, then shoot some more. Like the rock music that he loves to listen to while on the hunt for that next picture, Myk says, “You just have to rock on!”.

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SCRAPBOOK

MARICRIS FABI CARLOS

https://www.facebook.com/krisfabicarlos Maricris Fabi Carlos loves portraiture and landscape photography, but her creativity is boundless. With an SLR camera as the easel and Photoshop as the canvas, Maricris breathed life into Amorsoloesque; a series of photographs inspired by the work of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo. The collection has witnessed such success that Maricris now conducts photography workshops based on her unique and highly detailed techniques. Her Amorsoloesque workshops were a great hit in Singapore and Middle East, attended by audiences of diverse nationalities. Soon she will be visiting Europe, Canada and the US to share her unique brand of photography.

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SCRAPBOOK

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ADVERTORIAL

Pure Gold Jewellers successfully completes ten years of ISO 90012008 compliance and obtains re-certification Award winning jewellery retailer Pure Gold Jewellers has successfully completed a recertification audit by global certification company Intertek.

The company was the first jewellery company in the UAE to be awarded ISO 9001-2008 ten years ago, ISO 9001:2008 specifies requirements for a quality

management system where an organization needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide product that meets customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. It aims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for continual improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Gopal Tiwari, Head of Business Assurance, Intertek, said, “According to our audit, Pure Gold Jewellers has continued to exhibit strict adherence to customer service and product quality required for ISO 9001-

2008 re-certification. They have ensured compliance with local, and international legal requirements and we are pleased to re-certify the company.”

According to Karim Merchant, CEO & Managing Director of Pure Gold Jewellers, “Meeting the requirements for ISO recertification underlines our commitment to the highest quality customer service and product standards. Our global customers can be assured of the quality practices we maintain. We are pleased to have met the auditing requirements and we will strive to maintain our standards.”

ESMOD’S 6th Annual Fashion Show ESMOD Dubai is the only French Fashion Institute fully dedicated to professional fashion training in the Middle East.

Over 60 models will display the creations of ESMOD students to a wide audience of fashion enthusiasts and a high-profile jury panel.

The 6th Graduation Ceremony will display over 15 different themes from poetic with delicate fabric embellishments, avantgarde athletic smart, urban with edgy cuts, all the way to gender fusion and optical illusion.

Tamara Hostal, Director and Founder of ESMOD Dubai said,“The international brands now established locally are part of our daily life. They are raising consumer’s fashion awareness, “sharpening” their eyes for edgy styles and manufacturing quality.

Dubai, slowly but surely gains recognition as an emerging fashion hub.”

“The UAE needs professionally trained Designers to feed a demanding fashion market. Since 2006, ESMOD has proven to

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be the most reliable source of local talents.

We keep on training and supporting our Home-Grown Graduates in order for this generation to flourish and succeed in the Fashion Industry while remaining in the region,” Hostal added.

Mark you calendar, as the expected 6th Graduation Ceremony will take place on June 23rd 2014 The Main Atrium, Wafi Mall, Dubai at 7:00 PM. For the fashionistas, who cannot attend the show, ESMOD Dubai is giving you

the opportunity to watch the show live on:esmod-dubai.com For those who dream to learn everything about fashion in an amazing and inspiring fashion atmosphere, you will be thrilled to know that registrations are now open for all ESMOD courses.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Enterprising

20s

by Anna Oposa

Francis Sollano, a budding fashion designer

Youth is not wasted in these 20something entrepreneurs.

To be 20-something is tough. It’s the phase where you’re expected to build your career, climb the corporate ladder, and prepare for the future. There are several existential crises to go through—much of which is probably self-inflicted drama.

To be a 20-something entrepreneur in the Philippines is even harder. Elders and peers alike will say things along the lines of, “Why bother trying?” and “Just get a real job.”

Throw in the volatile economy, unstable politics, and lack of resources and it’s easy to see why there are so few 20-something entrepreneurs in the Philippines.

But what they lack in number, they make up for in passion. The young entrepreneurs that the Philippines is nurturing take on the country’s challenges for breakfast, every single day.

Meet two of them: Francis Sollano, a budding fashion designer, and Stephen Co, a bio-entrepreneur.

Francis Sollano: Trashion (trash + fashion) is the new black Francis Sollano embodies the saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

In a few months, Francis is launching the 2014 Fall/Winter collection of his line FRANCISSOLLANO. It will showcase necklaces and earrings made out of plastic wastes and recyclable materials.

Through FRANCISSOLLANO, the 26-yearold designer hopes to re-ignite a culture that values the environment and takes responsibility for solid waste management.

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Stephen Co, a bio-entrepreneur.

“It was never a difficult decision to choose trash as [my] material,” Francis says. “It’s painful for me to see garbage littered all over our cities. It’s much worse seeing Filipinos throw their garbage on the streets as if our country is a huge trash bin.” he exclaims.

Francis, born and raised in Cebu, has always been interested in creative arts, design, and the environment. “When I was young, I was doodling trees, flowers, and butterflies on our walls. At 8 years old, my sister and I would play with my grandmother’s bakya collection. In school, I would gather candy wrappers from classmates and sell them as trinkets,” he remembers fondly.

“However, it was odd for our family to have a male member playing with anything related to women’s wear,” he points out. “My attention was diverted to my grandfather, a furniture-making artisan. Later on, my mother, a civil engineer, taught me some ideas about designing buildings, looking at different architectures, and constructing bridges.”

In college, Francis majored in Economics and Finance at the University of the PhilippinesCebu, but he never let go of his love for the creative arts. After Francis graduated, he became a marketing officer for Kenneth Cobonpue’s line, KENNETHCOBONPUE. Working under the renowned Cebuano furniture designer taught Francis a scope of important lessons, from being trained to assess pieces aesthetically to running businesses efficiently. According to Francis, Kenneth also taught him “the importance and value of people.” He shares, “We should always put our relationships with people as the heart of our initiatives. This is now

greatly applied on my community work.”

In 2012, Francis joined Youth for a Livable Cebu and is now one of its leaders. Being part of the local movement introduced him to sustainability efforts and upcycling, which later became his platform to introduce his art pieces and network with commercial establishments. His pioneering work also earned him a spot as one of the founding members of the Global Shapers Community’s Cebu Hub, the youth arm of the World Economic Forum that recognizes youth leaders who have the potential to play bigger leadership roles in society.

Despite these milestones, Francis’s intentions remain true to the values he was raised with. “The preservation of our natural environment has been my driving force,” he says. “I envision FRANCISSOLLANO to make a mark in the global fashion industry with sustainable pieces that are highly artistic.”

Stephen Co: marrying biotechnology and entrepreneurship Stephen Co, 27, is passionate about biotechnology and entrepreneurship. This passion clearly manifests in Nipa Foods, his 6-month-old venture that sources the best Filipino food and sells them under one brand.

Nipa Foods’s current product lineup includes chili garlic oil, palapa (a traditional Maranao condiment made from indigenous scallions, ginger, coconut, and chili), cashew butter, trail mix, and tamarillo jam. They also carry wines made out of honey, wild berries, passion fruit, and marang.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The seeds of Nipa Foods were planted in Stephen’s mind when he was taking his masters in Bioscience Enterprise at the University of Cambridge as a Chevening scholar. “I noticed that the one thing we [Filipinos] love giving our foreign friends are dried mangoes,” Stephen recalls.

“While I must admit that foreigners love them, I believe that the Philippines has more to offer.”

After obtaining his degree, he headed back home to fulfill his vision: to establish a biotech company that focuses on natural products and offers employment opportunities to science graduates of local universities.

Selula Hayagham Corporation was incorporated in December 2013. The etymology stems from Filipino words: selula (cell), haynayan (biology), and agham (science).

Nipa Foods is its first enterprise. With his lean team, Stephen scoped local food fairs for potential products and suppliers that would pass their tests of conscience.

They get to know the manufacturers and proprietors personally to make sure that “the ingredients of the product are sustainably sourced, and that the customer cannot find a better or healthier alternative out there,” he says.

Nipa Foods is just the beginning. “From Nipa Foods, we will determine the high-value crops that are in demand

and venture into agriculture,” Stephen reveals. “Ultimately, we will engage in the production of Philippine natural products that global businesses need.”

A tall order, you might think. But Stephen appears undaunted by his goals.

He describes being an entrepreneur in his ‘20s as “interesting and extremely challenging.” “There is creative tension between the pragmatism that comes with age and the idealism that one carries right after graduating from university,” he muses. “While I do try to listen to as many business-savvy people, I can’t help but take some risks and mix in some crazy into Nipa Foods, hoping that it will work.”

Stephen tells Illustrado that his next steps are to continue building the Nipa team, increase their distribution channels, and develop new products from other parts of the Philippines.

“My ultimate dream in life is to lead in the establishment of bioscience entrepreneurship as an industry that significantly contributes to the Philippine economy. Before I die, I want my company to be the largest employer of Filipino scientists,” he shares. “With a critical mass of young, bright Filipino scientists, the Philippines might someday take part in the global arena of cutting-edge innovation.”

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LAW

Dubai Traffic: Expect the Unexpected In this issue, Atty. Barney will share the rules of the road to avoid falling foul of local traffic laws, etiquette, and customs

Umar Shariff/shutterstock.com

Don’t drive in Dubai unprepared. Most inexperienced drivers in Dubai find themselves burdened with additional requirements and legislation. With drivers from different countries and local driving styles, you need to expect the unexpected.

Obtaining a UAE Driver’s License Only those on a tourist visa can drive using an international driver’s license. Once you’ve secured your residence visa, you will need to obtain a driver’s license from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

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According to Article 51 of Federal Law No. 21 of 1995 as amended by Federal Law No.12 of 2007, a person driving without a valid license or driving a vehicle not specified in the vehicle category of his license may be sentenced to jail for a maximum term of 3 months and or fined. In certain cases, violators are banned from driving in the UAE. Unfortunately, holders of a Philippine license are not allowed to transfer or exchange their valid license to a UAE license. They must take and pass a theory

and practical driving test after completing 20 lessons for those driving for more than 5 years, or 40 lessons for beginners or with less than 5 years driving experience from an authorized driving school.

You should carry your license when driving.

If you fail to produce your driving license during a spot check or road accident, you run the risk of being sent to court and have your car impounded. The fine is AED100 which can be reduced if you can take your license to the police within 24 hours.

LAW

Black Points The Traffic Police deals with violations of traffic offenses and fines enforced by the RTA. In addition to fines, a certain number of black points will be issued against your license for a particular violation such as illegal parking, over speeding, non-renewal of vehicle registration. For instance, if you put a child below 10 years of age in the front seat, you will get 4 black points. If the number of your black points exceeds 24, you will be banned from driving any vehicle for a year. Take note of the following essential rules of the road: • The driver and front passengers must wear seatbelts.

• Do not jump red lights.

• There is zero tolerance on driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

• Do not use your mobile phone while driving.

• Park properly and observe time limits.

The fine for illegal parking is AED200, while exceeding time limit is AED150.

• Vehicle registration card must be in your possession while driving.

• Observe speed limits which are clearly indicated on signs. You will be fined for over speeding as well as driving below

the minimum speed limit. There are fixed and mobile radar traps to catch unwary violators.

• Always give way to pedestrian.

• Maintain your car in good condition. You will be fined if your lights are broken.

• Always keep your cool. Never make any kind of gestures even if someone cuts you up on the road.

• Do not exceed maximum seating capacity of your vehicle.

• You must get a Salik tag for your car. You will be fined if you pass a toll with no Salik tag or credit on your account

Road Accidents If you are involved in a road accident, you must call the police on 999 and await their arrival. You and the other driver will be asked to produce your respective licenses and car registrations. The police will do their investigation and determine who is at fault.

If you receive a pink slip, it means you are at fault. On the other hand, a green slip means you are not at fault.

It is important to report an accident as car repair shops are forbidden to repair any damage, even a minor one, without a police report. Moreover, your insurance will

likewise need the report when you claim for compensation.

If the accident involves injuries, loss of life, or driving under the influence of alcohol, the police may arrest the offender and recommend a filing of a case with the public prosecutor.

Paying Fines To find out if you have been fined, you will need to visit the RTA eServices website (www.rta.gov.ae) fines inquiry and payment portal. You would usually receive a notification by SMS from the authorities within 24 hours of being fined.

Before renewing your vehicle registration or driving license, you will need to clear all outstanding fines plus overdue penalty charges that are logged under your car plate and license.

2103 statistics show that more than 100 people died and about 800 others were injured in road accidents, most of which are caused by motorists driving at excessive speed, beating the red light and not giving way to pedestrians.

Always drive within the law not only because you will be fined but also to watch over your other road users’ safety.

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FASHION

IMELDIFI

PHOTOGRAPHY: MELSON BOLONGAITA MODEL: SANDRA NARANJO STYLIST: AUSTEEN SORIANO SET DESIGN HAIR AND MAKEUP: GINNO ALDUCENTE

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FASHION

QUE

Yellow laser cut detailed scale dress: John Herrera

C’est magnifique!

The life of the beautiful and unapologetic. A ruthless devotion to style that’s unabashedly indulgent. Relentlessly pursuing perfection.

Detractors be damned.

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FASHION

Brown satin corset with bow butterfly sleeves shoulder piece: John Herrera

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FASHION

Mint Green pleated gown: Paul Herrera

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FASHION Black appliqué detailed gown: Leo Almodal

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FASHION

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FASHION White ruffled gown: Leo Almodal

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FASHION

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FASHION Gold ruffle terno with gold appliqué: Leo Almodal

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FASHION Black sequined cut out gown: Leo Almodal

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FASHION

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FASHION White ruffled gown: Leo Almodal

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FASHION Silver Bracelets HAATI CHAI Blue Assymetric one shourldergown: Top TOPSHOP Albert Silver SkirtAndrada ROCKY GATHERCOLE Silver Spine Suspende RAFAEL BRUNO / 214 DESIGNS Shoes CHINESE LAUNDRY

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ADVERTORIAL

Honda announces the all new 2014 Honda CITY for the Middle East

The 2014 Honda CITY lineup offers three car types or grades with an introduction of a new base grade namely, DX followed by LX and the top of the line EX.

Honda Motor Co. (Middle East Office) announced the launch of the new 2014 Honda CITY for the Middle East and Africa market. The new CITY, which has been developed as a global sedan, encompasses the best of Honda’s technologies to deliver advanced sporty design, best comfort and best fuel efficiency in the category.

In addition, the All New CITY’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body enhances self-protection while mitigating damage to other vehicles in the event of a collision. The CITY features a host of Honda’s active and passive safety technologies including pedestrian injury mitigation technology, driver and front passenger SRS airbags, Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) which prevents wheel locking, and electronic brake distribution (EBD) which enhances braking performance and impact mitigating headrests reducing possibility of neck injury in rear impacts.

Compared to the previous generation CITY which was launched in 2009, the all new 2014 Honda CITY has undergone a complete design change based on a grand concept of an “advanced cool sporty car” with a stunning presence, outstanding fuel efficiency, comfortable and spacious interiors that reflects sophistication and vigor while in motion.

Max unveils the latest Summer Collection Summer is coming and so is the latest collection from Max which brings an infusions of colors and prints for men, women and children. Lace, tropical, safari, monochrome and island luxe are all trends that can be found throughout the collection offering customers affordable ways to update their wardrobe. Max’s latest offering provides ready to wear items and accessories suitable for the office, vacation getaways, as well as affordable basics and wardrobe staples.

Max’s 2014 women’s collection is mainly inspired by runway collections showcased in the world’s fashion capitals. The collection features crisp white fabrics with bright floral placement embroideries, lace overlays and subtle neon highlights. Dresses, jumpsuits, harem pants, safari shots, skirts all feature heavily throughout the collection.

Bluetooth HFT phone controls are standard features on the New City.

Honda CITY will be available in six exciting colors: white orchid pearl, alabaster silver metallic, modern steel metallic, crystal black pearl, carnelian red pearl and newly introduced golden brown metallic.

The new 2014 CITY also comes with a 3-year or 100,000 kilometer warranty.

The 2014 Honda CITY boasts of advanced interior equipment, equipped for the first time in its class. Cruise control and

comeback as do neon details and graphic prints. Bandana accents on t-shirts and shorts feature in the collection as do bold varsity t-shirts and gingham shirts.

Key colors for this season’s kids summer collection consists of ivory, warm browns, neon’s, orange greens and sea blue in playful grown-up silhouettes like maxi dresses, shorts, polo shirts and cute summer dresses. This collection takes on a more geometrical form than traditional tribal prints setting it off with hints of neon and animal faces.

Teen girls who are also hugely influenced by festivals such as Coachella and road trips will love our fringed tops and denim shorts in pastel pinks and lilacs. Accents like dream catcher prints and webbing back details on tops are key. It’s all about being relaxed, taking it easy and having fun.

This season, the menswear’s collection taps into four big trends: tropical varsity, animal remix, mono varsity and indigo tribe. Striped tropical printed vests make a

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REAL STYLE. REAL PEOPLE.

Absolutely hot styles from real Pinoy fashionistas online to take you through the steamy summer.

ANNA LUMAGUE knows how to put a fresh spin to her minis. See more of her sassy and flirty style at http://thealister.tumblr.com

BEA BENEDICTO from Manila claims to be a ‘fashion bamboozle.’ Here she is with her quirky style. Follow her at http://beabenedicto.tumblr.com

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REAL STYLE. REAL PEOPLE.

MARCELLA knows a thing or two about how to make sporty-smartcasual work – and definitely in the most fab way! Follow this New Zealand based blogger at http://www.fashiondistraction.com

PATRICIA P. Effortlessly stylish and oh-so-feminine. That’s Manila based Stylist /Blogger –Patricia. Here she shows us how to make the most of summer with colors and a lot of leg. Follow her on its paradigma.com

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REAL STYLE. REAL PEOPLE.

ANDRE JUDD . Did we say we love genius of the genre Andre Judd? We revisit the AvantGardien’s mind-boggling styles, yet again. Here he amuses us with a black suit and denim ensemble. Follow his revolutionary style at http://avantgardien.tumblr.com

KARL PHILIP. Manila based fashion blogger, Karl Philip gives the basic white and gray palette a twist with a pinstripe high waist trouser and yes, an oversized key chain ring as a neckpiece to top it all. http://www.inkarlcerating.com

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REAL STYLE. REAL PEOPLE.

PAUL JATAYNA. Ever the rebel, accessory designer Paul Jatayna is anything but ordinary. Here he does his own take on the sheer bandwagon, and sports “just another night” look. See more of his edgy stuff at www.paulhighness.com

Dubai resident, KHEL RECUENCO does tongue-in-cheek chic with a drop crotch black-out ensemble and a silly mustache tank with panda kicks. Talk about style and ageless fun in a neat bundle!

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REAL STYLE. REAL PEOPLE.

JEROME CENTENO. Milano-based blogger and visual merchandiser Jerome “Chic Styler” Centeno spells smart summer whether in a full suit or wearing his shorts with requisite leather sandals. Very la dolce vita! Check him out at www.thechicstyler.com/

HELIELY BERMUDEZ. California-gal Heliely gives summer a well-deserved embrace with these fresh and feminine numbers. www.heliely.blogspot.com

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10 THINGS TO DO For many, summer in Dubai means going away from the city. But for those who decide to stay in the heat, a number of activities are available for choosing. From participating in the traditional iftar to watching football matches, the metro is sizzling with numerous things to do.

1 2 4 3

Take your kids to Modhesh World

It’s not easy to find activities that are both educational and entertaining for kids. But over the years, Modhesh World has been synonymous with family entertainment during the summer in Dubai. It has grown to become a destination in itself, attracting around 500,000 visitors. This 2014, Modhesh World is opening its doors from June 12 to September 8 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. For more information, you may visit the website: www.modheshworld.com.

Photo: http://www.modheshworld.com/

Follow FIFA

Are you a football fanatic? Here in Dubai, fans can go to various bars and restaurants to celebrate and support their favorite FIFA team. Barasti by the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi is an amazing choice for the football action.

You can also check the 2014 FIFA World Cup Tent at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre.

Photo: Brasil 2014 - Jefferson Bernardes / Shutterstock.com

Learn how to belly dance

Explore another dance craze – a dance that’s been buzzing in this region for thousands of years. Belly dancing has reached popularity way back then, and is being taught again to anyone who’d be interested. In Dubai, there are various fitness centers that offer the class, and you might want to check out Exhale Fitness in Jumeirah Beach Residence, and Nora at Dubai Marina Mall.

Go to the Ramadan Night Market

Dubai’s only night market during the holy month of Ramadan is back and offers unique shopping opportunities. With over 350 plus retailers offering everything from clothingto art and to a variety of seasonal and festive food, the market will be a buzzing place to fulfill the needs of the entire family.Other attractions at the market include pavilions that are specially designed to offer a complete family package and night out entertainment.The night market will be held over the 11 nights of Ramadan from 17th – 27th July 2014 at the Dubai World Trade Center. The entry to the consumer fair is free and it’s open to one and all from 8 p.m. till 2:00 a.m.

Photo: http://www.dubaicalendar.ae/

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10 THINGS TO DO

6

Mark yourself with henna

Another fitting activity this month is gifting yourselfa henna tattoo.

Considered as an ancient practice in India and the Middle East, henna tattoo is one body art that now extends from the fingertips to toes, even shoulders and at back of the body. The exotic look the canvas provides in the body is not considered harmful as opposed to the permanent tattoo that is actually forbidden. Get yours done in heritage centres or even in the nearest beauty salons.

Photo: NJB Photography – Shutterstock.com

Get a taste of Cultural Iftar

57 To those who may not be aware, Iftar is the meal partaken by Muslims after a day of fasting. With a number of hotels offering Iftar buffets, one worth checking is the annual Iftar at the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding, which aims to educate people more about UAE’s traditions and culture. Held in the courtyard of the wind-tower house in the heart of the Al Fahidi Historic District of Old Bur Dubai, the evening begins with the Athan (the call to prayer) followed by the breaking of the fast with the Emirati hosts and some good Arabic coffee and dates. The gathering for the Iftar events will commence approximately 15 minutes before the call to prayer every evening from Tuesday the 1st of July until Saturday the 26th of July. Children under 12 can attend for free. For more information, call 04-3536666.

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Plan your Eid in Dubai Eid al Fitr is an important celebration on the global calendar. The word literally means “festival of breaking of the fast”and marks the end of Ramadan each year. If you think of going away for few days, make sure you’ll book within the possible time range.

Otherwise, be one with the many who’ll wait on the announcement, and plan what to do accordingly. To those who are in the city, the malls will be filled with interesting food and sale promotions.

8

10 THINGS TO DO

Pay a visit to the Grand Mosque

Known as a landmark in the UAE capital, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a must-visit destination for visitors and a fitting spot to discover this Holy Month of Ramadan. This work of art is one of the world’s largest mosques, with a capacity for 40,000 worshippers. It features 82 domes, over 1,000 columns, 24 carat gold gilded chandeliers and the world’s largest hand knotted carpet. The main prayer hall features one of the world’s largest chandeliers.

Reflective pools surround the mosque, amplifying its beauty.To check the current Ramadan times, visit http://www.szgmc.ae/en//ramadan-timings.

Photo: Luciano Mortula – Shutterstock.com

10 Bum by the beach

Enjoy the sun and sand this summer. Make sure you’ll lather yourself with enough sun screen and you’re good to go. Visit the Jumeirah Beach Park or Mamzar Beach Park, and do the summer picnic you, your friends, and your family would enjoy. Most important thing is that you get to enjoy despite the sizzling heat.

Photo: Vladimir L. – Shutterstock.com

Enjoy the low hotel rates

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If there is one thing to do this summer in Dubai, it would definitely be checking in to the luxury five-star hotels in the city. With various summer rate offers, a staycation fit for the rich-and-famous is easily affordable this season. Cutting more than half of its normal rates, hotels like Atlantis The Palm, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Sofitel The Palm Dubai, and many others would give you the same posh amenities and world-class service at amazing discounts. You may check the hotels’ websites for more information, or wait for the next Groupon newsletter to tell you more.

Photo by: Zhukov Oleg / Shutterstock.com

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TRIPPIN’

Houseboat in the backwaters of Kerala. Photo by Redchanka/shutterstock.com

CRUISING THE WINDING BACKWATERS OF KERALA Photos and Text by Al P. Manlangit unles otherwise specified

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TRIPPIN’

do was to go on a boat cruise around the famed backwaters, a labyrinth of waterways and lakes which crisscrossed the land.

The opportunity came after attending a colleague’s daughter’s wedding in Delhi.

We boarded IndiGo Airlines for a three-hour flight headed south to Cochin.

Kerala. The name rolls out of your tongue easily. I had become familiar with it through Indian friends who came from that southern state of India. Looking at the pictures, it reminded me very much of my hometown in Albay - verdant rice paddies, swaying coconut trees and banana plantations everywhere. But what they said was a must-

I made a booking for the whole 2 nights/3 days package for a boat that would sail around just with us onboard complete with a 3-man crew. After spending a night at the Holiday Inn, a car fetched us for the 2-hour drive to the staging point in Alleppey where the boat was docked along with many others on the riverfront.

Our kettuvallam or houseboat was about 25 meters long and 5 meters wide and had a viewing deck at the top where you could

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PINOY PLANET

Church in the backwaters of kerala. Photo by: Jool-yan/shutterstock.com

watch the world glide by while sitting on reclining chairs. Traditionally built out of a wooden hull and thatched/bamboo roof, it was quite a marvel with its indigenous design. They used to ferry cargo between remote villages accessed only by the rivers and streams but when backwater tourism took off, they were redesigned to carry passengers. Aside from the main airconditioned cabin which was like a typical hotel room, there was a wide open sitting area just behind the pilot house where you could lounge and watch TV or dine as well.

At the back was the kitchen, engine room and crew quarters. Along with the captain

we had a cook and his assistant who took care of our meals and general cleaning for the whole duration of the trip.

We set sail at 12:00 noon slowly drifting out into the huge Vembanad Lake. Swaying palm-trees lined the waterways, which glistened like silk in the afternoon sun while a fresh wind cooled the surroundings. It was quiet except for the humming of the engines. We passed by several beautiful resorts right by the shoreline as well as fishermen trawling the waters in their small boats. Pomfret fish were teeming in the lake along with water hyacinths.

After about two hours, we docked in one of the islands which had an abandoned church. Our cook served us fried pearl spot fish (a local delicacy which was so tasty), huge prawns, vegetables and assorted fruits including buko for dessert. As we continued to sail down the middle of the lake, we passed by numerous houseboats heading in various directions all carrying tourists, mostly westerners. It is a huge industry and the captain told us there are approximately a thousand plying the waterways. Each one costs about $35,000/ with a 25 horsepower Yamaha outboard engine.

Left: An elephant relaxes after a tiring day pulling coconut trunks.

Right: An old abandoned church in the middle of the lake.

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Photo by Sergemi/shutterstock.com

We entered one of the huge canals surrounded this time by rice paddies and coconut plantations. The canal’s elevation was higher than the land around it making irrigation flow easier since they only opened prepositioned gates to let the water in. Quaint farmhouses lined the route and every now and then children ran up to the shoreline to wave at us. It was typical bucolic countryside complete with many water herons feeding on the fishes that were in the paddies and river snakes making an appearance in the boat’s wake every now and then.

The reddish glow of the sky heralded sunset and before it got dark, we moored alongside one of the houses where electricity could be hooked up to keep the lights on when the engines were shut off. We had fish curry with vegetables for dinner as darkness fell and soon our surroundings were plunged in pitch darkness. The quiet was only interrupted by the lapping of water stirred up by the wake of a commuter boat that occasionally passed by. The stars slowly came out but heavy thick clouds hid them from view a little while later so to keep ourselves entertained, we watched a movie from the collection of DVDs that I brought. It was still early in the night when we retired to our cabin and fell asleep right away lulled by the slow rocking of the boat gently pushed by the current that flowed downstream.

We woke up to the sound of hard pelting rain on the canvass flaps that were put up to cover the boat for the night. There was nothing to be seen outside but a white sheet of water and this went on for over half an

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hour but then, as if by magic, it suddenly stopped and the sun came out bathing the landscape with bright sunshine. This is a natural occurrence at this time of the year, commented the captain. Kerala, so close to the sea and with so many waterways is prone to have sudden, heavy downpours in the morning due to the moisture accumulated in the atmosphere during the night. We lifted anchor and set sail once more, this time through turbulent waters.

The rain raised the water level and the canals had become swollen with brown water that swiftly flowed down to the lake which we were headed for.

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After finishing up our hearty breakfast which we ate in silence while watching the scenery slowly glide by amidst the myriad boats that crisscrossed our path, we docked in Kuppappuram to visit the famed Kerala Ayurvedic spas. There were many treatments available and we chose a full body massage for about an hour and half that cost something like 1,500 rupees. The whole exercise is supposed to cure aches and rejuvenate your body but also it was quite a heavenly experience that I felt sad when it was all over after being awakened from my stupor to take a shower to wash away the oil that coated my body.

The rest of the day was spent reading in the upper deck while enjoying the changing scenery along the lake with flights of birds buzzing overhead waiting to dive and pluck any unfortunate fish that happened to swim too close to the surface.

Late in the afternoon we entered the wide estuary in Alappuzha lined with colorful houses and row upon row of houseboats.

The place was jam-packed with tourists who come to watch the annual Nehru Trophy Boat Race where 120-foot long boats with about a hundred rowers vie to win the cup.

But this time, the lake was empty except for several kettuvalams cruising up and down the serene, glass-like waters.

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That night we dropped anchor near a village and watched a fiery sunset that turned the sky red and set the river afire. We took a short walk around the coconut plantations that had elephants used as work animals to carry logs and other heavy equipment. It was fun to watch them going about their chores like heavy payloaders.

Next morning there was a heavy drizzle as we sailed back to where we came from. As we stood on the familiar viewing deck, we couldn’t help but be surprised how time had slipped by without us being bored out of our wits even though we had spent almost all of the three days onboard the houseboat.

They say that Kerala is “God’s Own Country”. I think it’s not far off the mark.

Photo by Rafal Cichawa/shutterstock.com

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My Pinoy Life In

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Houston, Texas

Neneng Marasigan and family

Houston is the fourth most populous city in the USA. My family and I have been living here since 2006 when my husband found an opportunity to work here.

For both of us, Houston is the ideal place to live compare to other states. The cost of living here is not that high, the school for our children has exemplary ratings. In summer, the weather here is just like Philippines; we do not have snow during the winter which means we don’t have to shovel mountains of ice before going to work or school. We don’t experience blizzards, but sometimes the temperature is freezing. Houston has upscale shopping malls, buildings, and work sites especially in oil and gas companies.

There are also of things Houston is famous for, too. There’s there NASA Johnson Space Center—an interesting tidbit that I found out was that “Houston” is the first word that was spoken on the moon. Texas is known as the Lone Star State and we do have Texas cowboys who are always toting a rope or riding a horse.

I’m a housewife and a mother of 4 children. My husband, Ruel is a Senior Piping Designer. He drafts mathematics calculations to create piping lay-outs with the help of engineering software.

For me, life here is not that easy but it’s comfortable. Not easy because, at the start, we had to learn to survive without

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the help of others--no parents, no relatives, no acquaintances, just the two of us, helping each other decipher how to live in what the “land of milk and honey”.

middle-class income. That’s why it’s easy to adjust here. The kids love the place, they love their school, they love what they have right now.

It’s comfortable, because almost everything and anything is automatic, that’s includes dishwasher, washer and dryer, an air-conditioning system for the entire house and even the garage door.

These are privileges we cannot have if we are in the Philippines, surviving on a

Ruel and two of our kids regularly participate in basketball games hosted

by Philippine Sports Association of Texas, Inc. This is a non-profit organization that organizes basketball leagues, tournaments and clinics.

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As a family, we love travelling. We like to explore places and see the main attractions of every state. We like to go camping, visit the beaches and resorts or simply hang out with other Filipino friends to eat, chat and play. We let our children become busy in sports activities like basketball and lacrosse.

The best thing about living here in the US is they have more advanced technologies especially in medical fields. There are a lot of philantrophic and charitable institutions to help the needy.

As parents, we try to instill Filipino values in our children. We try to teach our kids to be respectful by saying “po” and “opo” even they are all speaking in English. I think one of the traditions that we still practice at home is eating dinner together. Whatever we are doing, we sit down on the dinner table and eat together. Life is always made better with family around.

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FEATURE

Katutubong Filipino Project: Images of a slowly fading culture

Whang Od Giving a Traditional Tattoo Whang Od (Fang Od) is the last Kalinga tattoo artist still practicing the art. In 2010, she was featured on the Discovery Channel television show Tattoo Hunter which helped set the stage for other shows and documentaries all bringing much needed attention and recognition to the art. Today, at the age of 93, she is well known within the tattoo industry and gets

It was some years ago when Illustrado first featured the work of freelance photographer Jacob Maentz featuring the indigenous cultures of the Philippines.

Figures from the National Commisson on Indigenous Peoples estimate that there are 110 indigenous groups reside in the Philippines, with roughly 10% of the country’s population slipping from the general public’s consciousness.

Jacob was fascinated by their culture and the way they have preserved many of their time-old practices and way of life.

Through his lens and his pictures, Jacob takes visitors on a journey through the lives of his subjects, as they strive to keep their cultural identities--formed centuries earlier--intact.

numberous local and foreign visitors traveling to her remote village of Buscalan to receive tattoos. Whang Od is training one of her nieces to learn the craft in hopes to continue the tradition after she passes.

Whang Od uses a pomelo tree thorn which is attached to a piece of bamboo. The bamboo is then hit with a piece of hard wood to drive the ink into the skin.

The ink she uses is the black soot that collects on the bottom of her cooking pots.

Kalinga, May 2013

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FEATURE

Tagbanua Women Pounding Rice Tagbanua women pounding palay (rice in its shell) with a large mortar and pestle to remove the outter husks. In this Tagbanua community in Busuanga, palay must be bought as there is limited rice cultivation in the area. Chores such as this are typically done by women in many of the indigenous communities throughout the country.

Palawan, April 2012

Manobo Women Sifting Rice A Manobo woman and child sifting rice in their home to remove small stones. In this Manobo community, rice is only eaten when available as it is relatively expensive and must be carried up the mountain for six kilometers. In the mountains, Manobo families plant root crops (kamote, ube) as a substitute when rice is not available.

Bukidnon, February 2012

Mother Carrying Her Children Across a Small River In the Bangon Mangyan culture, if a married man wants to leave his wife for another woman he simply has to pay his current wife a set amount of money. The man and woman will agree on a price, which isn’t generally too much, and then the man can leave. It is a fairly common practice and many men in this community had two or three previous wives. Many children end up having a number of step brothers and sisters.

Mindoro, November 2012

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FEATURE

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FEATURE

Agta Women and Children Walking Home “We need to work harder to ensure that indigenous peoples are not marginalized.

Indigenous women are among the most marginalized groups in the world. They face multifaceted discrimination within and from outside their society including gender-based violence. Indigenous women play a key cultural role, passing on traditional knowledge, skills and crafts to future generations. Often they are the custodians of bio-cultural diversity, and of sustainable land and environmental practices.

They also play a critical role as peacemakers, mediators, healers and leaders.” (UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, May 2013) Isabela, July 2011

Grandfather and Grandson An Agta grandfather and his grandson coming home in the rain from collecting fire wood on a nearby beach.

Isabela, July 2012

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FEATURE

Portrait of Landrey Landrey, a native Tagbanua fisherman, on Coron Island. Like many other lowland indigenous groups in the Philippines, the ocean provides a significant food resource and numerous other services. Northern Palawan is still rich in marine life which is vital to the Calamian Tagbanua’s way of life.

Coron Island, April 2012

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FEATURE

Tagbanua Fishermen Arriving Home on Boat There are prescriptions for fishing and foraging among the Calamian Tagbanua.

Certain areas are protected as fish sanctuaries while others are carefully avoided or respected as taboo such as the panyaan, an area in the sea

where the Tagbanua believe giant, humanlike octopus or pugita dwell. The inland lakes of Coron Island as well as deep areas in the sea that are unusually pristine are considered panyaan. (PAFID) Coron Island, April 2012

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FEATURE

Live Bats Caught in Native Catcher Tumihay, a Tau’t Bato man, frequently hunts for birds, bats and other wildife in Singnapan valley. Although blowguns were traditionally used to hunt in the forest, shotguns and airguns are now the more practical means for the Tau’t Bato. Blowguns are still used on occasion, but guns are now the weapon of choice for hunting in the forest.

To catch bats, a traditional bat catcher is made using rattan. The spiny leaves of the rattan are attached to one end of a long rattan pole. The spines are very sharp and clasp to anything that touches them. At dusk the pole is brought to a valley where bats pass and their wings get stuck in the catcher. To cook the bats, they are slightly charred over a fire, cut up and then fried in oil.

Palawan, April 2012

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FEATURE

Lobster Catch Early Morning Many Agta communities on the coast of Isabela still have access to strong fishery resources, unlike many other areas of the country.

The Philippine coral reef area, the second largest in Southeast Asia, holds an extraordinary diversity of species. Scientists have identified 915 reef fish species and more than 400 scleractinian coral species, 12 of which are endemic.

A large coastal population, rapid population growth of about 2.3 percent per year, high poverty rates, and fisher overcapacity have resulted in major overexploitation of Philippine reef fisheries. Demersal fish stocks are biologically and economically overfished in almost all areas other than eastern Luzon, Palawan, and the southern Sulu Sea (BFAR).

Isabela, July 2012

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COMMUNITY

Flag-raising ceremony Consulate General premises.

Thanksgiving mass officiated by Fr. Tom Veneracion

Philippine Consulate General- Dubai and the Northern Emirates The Consulate General of the Philippines in Dubai celebrated the 116thAnniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence last 12 June.

The celebration started with Consul General Frank R. Cimafranca leading the flag-raising ceremony at 8AM at the Consulate General premises followed by oath to the flag led by Assistant Labor Attache Venus N. Abad.

The Consul General said that this year’s theme of “Pagsunod Sa Yapak Ng Mga Dakilang Pilipino, Tungo Sa Malawakan at Pemanenteng Pagbabago” is a tribute to the memory of the fallen heroes in the past and the migrant workers, who are modernday heroes, for their sacrifices to their families and for the country.

He also stated that this year is unprecedented in that messages from President Benigno S. Aquino III, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay , Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario, Secretary of Labor and Employment Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz, and Secretary of Agriculture Prospero J. Alcala were received by PCG Dubai and were clear indications that our leaders value the hard work of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), particularly those in Dubai.

In the evening, a Diplomatic Reception was held at the Atlantis, The Palm Hotel with H.E. Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al-Owais, Minister of Health of the UAE, as the guest of honor.

In his speech, the Consul General stated that it is our solemn duty to always honor the memory of the struggles and sacrifices of our fallen heroes by paying tribute to their toils and heroic deeds that won us the freedom we now enjoy.

The following day, the Consulate General continued the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day with the Filipino Community at Al-Nasr Leisure Land.

The whole day festivity proved to be another memorable event with the job fair attracting more than a thousand Filipinos and other nationalities looking for better opportunities. Bazaars also featured with attendees flocking to each and every booth for souvenirs and other free items. The Little Mr. and Ms. Philippine Independence 2014 competition was a hit with Filipino kids between four and six years exhibiting their talents.

The Consulate General also took the opportunity to put up a booth for Overseas Voter’s RegistrationThe event was also graced by celebrities Jed Madela and JessyMendiola. An estimated 5,000 people joined in the festivities

H.E. Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al-Owais, Minister of Health of the UAE and other dignitaries at the Diplomatic Reception.

Filipino Fashion Designers from Dubai and Abu Dhabi exhibited their fabulous creations at the Diplomatic Reception held at The Atlantis Hotel, The Palm

Filcom Dubai and North Emirates led the festivities at the Al Nasr Leisureland.

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COMMUNITY

Ambassador Grace Relucio Princesa together with His Excellency Thareq Ahmed Al Maidan, Assistant Minister for International Organizations from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other guests from the diplomatic corps, business and media sectors.

Ambassador Grace Relucio Princesa

116th Philippine Independency Day Celebration in the UAE

from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was His Excellency Thareq Ahmed Al Maidan, Assistant Minister for International Organizations.

Philippine Embassy - Abu Dhabi

In her speech, Ambassador Grace Relucio Princesa honored the Philippines’ forefathers, heroes and models, and President Benigno Aquino III for leading the Filipinos in a journey towards the straight path and echoed the President’s words in the just concluded World Economic Forum in East Asia that “good governance is good economics”. She compared the recent gains of the Philippines with the experience of the United Arab Emirates which she highlighted is also a product of the visionary leadership of its founding father His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi led

by Ambassador Grace Relucio Princesa celebrated the 116th Anniversary of the proclamation of the Philippine Independence with a flag raising ceremony and diplomatic reception on 12 June 2014.

This year’s celebration began with a flag raising ceremony followed by a simple breakfast especially prepared by the officers and staff of the Embassy. It was attended by members of the Bayanihan Council, comprised of the leaders of the Filipino organizations registered in the Embassy.

That evening, the Embassy hosted the diplomatic reception to celebrate the momentous event. Two hundred guests from the diplomatic corps, business and media sectors and Bayanihan Council attended the reception.The guest of honor

She also emphasized the excellent relations between the Philippines and the U.A.E. highlighting the following milestones in the past year: official visit of the Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario to the U.A.E. in September 2013 which coincided with the signing of

the Philippines-U.A.E. MOU on Political Consultations, official visit of UAE Minister of Economy H.E. Sultan Al Mansouri to the Philippines in February 2014, and the meeting between Ambassador Princesa and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on 02 June 2014. She also acknowledged Mr. Salem BakheetAlmarar and Ms. Fatima Abdullah Farah, two of six Emirati young adults who went to the Philippines for 15 days as part of the show Beyond Borders: From UAE to the Philippines, a documentary series shown in MBC. Singing painter Tom Alvarado gave a rendition of “We are the World” while painting and portrait artistJohn Paul Faderogao did some portraits of guests while the reception was ongoing. A Philippine jeepney, courtesy of Image Nation, the outfit behind the documentary series Beyond Borders, was displayed outside DusitThani.

Singing painter Tom Alvarado performs at the diplomatic reception

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COMMUNITY

Filcom Dubai and North Emirates

The Philippine Ambassador with Embassy Officials in Abu Dhabi

ABA opens 3rd InterSchool Tournament for Season 4 The Architects Basketball Association (ABA) recently launched the 3rd Interschool tournament for Season 4, held last May 23 at Zayed Bin Sultan Boys School in Dubai.

The modest event was graced by Consul General Frank Cimafranca of the Philippine Consulate of Dubai. He was joined by UAP (United Architects of the Philippines)Dubai Chartered President Arny Lana, who provided inspirational remarks.

The on-going league comprises 10 teams which are grouped according to each

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respective Philippine University/ Colleges or the region the school belongs to. The teams are Adamson/UST, FEU 1 and 2, State U, Metro, South A and B, North 1 and 2 and TECH. “ABA acts as a venue for continued interaction among Architects and fellow professionals through the sport whilst maintaining its heartfelt commitment to the society through charity works, social drives and community awareness programs,” said Arch. Josh Claveria, ABA founding chairman.

All the exciting games are presently being held every Thursday night, 7pm onwards at Zayed Bin Sultan gym until end of September.

COMMUNITY

9th Rayan Sports WPBC Pioneers Cup HWith the spirit of sportsmanship and healthy lifestyle advocacy in mind, the Wow Pinoy Badminton Club (WPBC) is inviting all badminton enthusiasts in UAE on their 9th Rayan Sports WPBC Pioneers Cup on June 13, 20, and 27.

The three-Friday event will run from 8AM – 7PM at Salahuddin Sports Hall at Al Mamzar, Dubai.

since 2006. One of the pioneer Filipinobadminton groups in the UAE, the club is conducting weekly games that are open to all.

For more details on the tournament, please contact Donnie De Dios – 055 788 8485 and Karen Enselay – 056 106 9849. You may also email them at wpbcuae@gmail.com or visit their official Facebook page: Wow Pinoy Badminton Group.

This year’s event is in partnership with Rayan Sports, sole distributor of Victor products in the region, and in association with 7Days, Ayala Land, Fitness 360 and NTDE. WPBC is a non-profit group that has been organizing badminton tournaments

Tropang Badminton Summer Badminton Challenge 2014 Filipinos are known to be highly adaptable, resilient and fun-loving, These attributes, combined with intense focus and passion for sports, laid the foundation for what is now Tropang Badminton (Tropa)— a culturally diverse group of badminton enthusiasts in Dubai.

Tropa’s story goes back to 2007 at its home court, Al Ittihad Private School.

As membership grew, Tropa moved to Al Mehzar Sports Hall at Al Twar in Dubai. Right now, the group has over 100 active members smashing shuttlecocks

every Friday. Tropa’s family has grown— embracing other nationalities as well.

For years now, Tropa has been organizing regular tournaments to promote fun and sportsmanship among its members. The latest was the recently concluded “Tropang Badminton Summer Badminton Challenge 2014” held last May 30. The tournament’s highlight was the presence of Filipino badminton icons Kennie and Kennevic Asuncion, representing Dome Piece Audio (www.domepieceaudio.com) as endorsers.

Those who emerged victorious were Hashim Haleem and Clayton Cutinha for Men’s Level A; Leslie Lopena and Julius Villete for Men’s Level B+; Jhapette Villanueva and Marlon Guzman for Men’s

Level B; Kyle Lopez and Jerson Marcial for Men’s Level C; Anna Liza Diaz and Alma Corazon Quirao for Women’s Level B; MM Guarino and Thea Borja for Women’s Level C; Vince Reyes and Marian Nipal for Mixed Doubles Level A; Gerald Makilan and Nips Guarino for Mixed Doubles Level B+, and Myron Verano /Lorena Lopez for Mixed Doubles Level B. For membership, please contact: Sheila Francisco | +971 50 253 2568; Julius Villete | +971 55 589 4906; Alma Quirao | +971 50 298 3163 ;Vincent Lemos | +971 50 251 2928; Jhapette Villanueva | +971 50 990 1455

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ON THE PROWL, IN THE KNOW

TAPA KING IN DUBAI

It goes well with vinegar. The sisig is appetizing as always, especially when crispy. The tangy daing na bangus portions, may not be the best, but tastes like a good home-cooking.

The royalties have arrived! Tapa King just celebrated the opening of their second overseas store and their first in the UAE with a grand program.

There’s a whole lot more to try. The restaurant will open to the public on May 19 and I’ll definitely be back for Manila’s best-selling Tapa Flakes, TK Wrap, lumpiang shanghai and sinigang. And oh, crispy danggit, halo-halo and mais con hielo are on my list, too! I just hope Tapa King will have some baby chairs to make them more family friendly.

By Ion Gonzaga - Dubai

A viral Facebook campaign, “Tapa King, Tapa Sing,” ushered the successful launch.

Among the guests were Consul General Frank Cimafranca, Labor Attache Delmer Cruz and representatives from media organizations. They were all served the “ultimate Pinoy comfort food.”

Tapa King is the original classic recipe, while Tapa Queen is a mix of sweet and spicy.

Tapa Prince is sweet. I still have to wonder though why there’s no Princess Meal.

Tapa King started in 1987 in Gallardo Street, Makati City, Philippines. The idea was to give customers a rice meal alternative to hamburgers, hotdogs and pizza. The idea clicked and more stores were opened in Metro Manila and provincial areas. The first overseas store opened in Singapore. There are also plans to launch franchises in New York, Las Vegas and Rome after Dubai. The Dubai franchise is handled by LMZ Cuisines.

LMZ Cuisines is part of the Landmark Zenath Group.

All dishes were tender and perfectly seasoned, but I prefer the Queen meal.

Tapa King is located on the G/F, B-block of Ansar Gallery in Karama.

Choose Philippines

country where a woman can be a pilot if she can and wants to.

The tables were filled with chicken skin sisig, daing na bangus, chicken afritada, and of course, the Tapa King, Tapa Queen and Tapa Prince sets to go with garlic rice.

By Kristine Abante - Dubai

On my most recent trip back to Dubai, I decided to fly with a low-cost Philippine carrier. I was seated near the cockpit, and I thought I saw a glimpse of a woman at the control boards. When the flight announcement came, my hunch was confirmed; a woman’s voice came on.

The captain was a Filipina named Myra Florencio.

Holding a book about abused women in Afghanistan, at that moment, I just felt so grateful and blessed to have grown up in a

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Elated, I shared the story with Pinoy friends, many of them dubious about taking a Philippine carrier, more so, a female pilot. I can’t blame them. Years of sub-par standards have plagued the Philippines, and no one I know has really flown with a female pilot, Filipino or otherwise. But as they say, “If you never try, then you will never know.”

Despite our so-called “Pinoy Pride,” a lot of us who have left the country believe that the Philippines is hopeless.

In my recent trip to Manila, I saw usual problems of traffic jams and poverty.

However, there was a lot of construction going on, mostly prime condominiums,

Follow Ion Gonzaga - http://www.boydubai. com/ or on Twitter @ionGonzaga

ON THE PROWL, IN THE KNOW

shopping mall extensions and new restaurants. There were also more expats working in the city. Things looked positive.

Above all, I flew to Dubai on a low-cost Philippine carrier with a Filipina pilot. I think that alone is progress. Dubai may have their high-rise buildings and everything money can buy, but I still think the Filipinos are leagues ahead. If only we learn to give credit to ourselves and only if we can be free of this old “colonial” mentality that everything else from “abroad” is better.

Understanding Your Woman: PMS

By Rian Miranda – Riyadh

The real revolution begins in the mind. We should break free of the old chains and believe that the Philippines can soar to greatness if we want to.

Let’s choose Philippines. Happy Independence Day!

clean up. It’s the worst time to be around a woman, because she becomes irrational with rage and seeks to destroy anything which stands in her way.”

While there’s no recorded treatment for PMS, a woman can try to alleviate the condition by acknowledging it. From a personal experience, exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet helps improve one’s aura. Avoiding alcohol or caffeine can also help since it contributes to the alteration of your energy levels and feelings.

PMS happens at least 1-2 weeks before a woman’s monthly period. Its effect differs for every woman but in most cases, an occasional mood swing is a common sign.

To be honest, this condition is worse than menstruation itself, with the latter offering discomfort due to cramps. While there may be unverified factors causing PMS, this undesirable anxiety has been associated to hormonal shifts. Stress and depression may not be associated with this, but it has been acknowledged that it can make it worse.

My girlfriends and I always joke around about this vicious cycle we go through each month.

Here are the symptoms you need to watch out for:

Urban dictionary humorously defines PMS or pre-menstrual syndrome as “the transformation of a woman to beast, occurring once every month. Similar to the werewolf, a PMSing woman becomes a dog-like creature capable only of eating, sleeping, barking, annoying others, and leaving messes that she expects you to

*acne *feeling tired *restless *low self-esteem *bloating *headache or backache *food cravings *mood swings, tension or crying spells *memory lapse

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

If all else fails, you can always try to find humor in the little things like the other possible definitions of PMS: • Pass My Shotgun • Psychotic Mood Shift • Perpetual Munching Spree • Puffy Mid-Section • People Make me Sick • Provide Me Sweets • Pardon My Sobbing • Please, Must Shop!

• Pimples May Surface • Pack My Stuff • Potential Murder Suspect • Prepare to Meet Satan Follow Rian - Instagram: msrianmiranda, Youtube: www.youtube.com/rianmiranda

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ONLI IN THE PILIPINS

Back to Reality

By ABY YAP

Say goodbye to la-la land, kids. Happy days are over and you’re going back to school—whether you like it or not. All together now: No more petiks, No more Facebook, Only teacher’s deadly look.

Though if you’re from UP or Ateneo, you still have two more months to party like never before, thanks to ASEAN integration, globalization, and your school administration. And we say to you: Boo! Just wait

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until next year when your summer will all be spent studying for the finals while we laze around on the beach having a good laugh at you ha-ha.

That’s what you call reality. It bites sometimes, too.

Like this school season’s little facts of life, which you should now have already learned by heart.

ONLI IN THE PILIPINS

• Traffic makes for a bad trip.

You had your traffic-free commute to work for the past two months, therefore zero tardiness in your attendance records for a change, so stop wishing for more. Your teacher will understand—he/she better should—because it’s not your fault that EDSA badly needs a facelift, major road repairs are due within the next two years, and the queue at the MRT station is longer than the queue to Coco-Sarah’s “Maybe This Time.

Maybe next time, commuters should be consulted about these plans first, especially when you’re competing with millions of students to public transportation access once classes start. And with the Pinoy’s penchant for rallies and motorcades for all sorts of reasons, expect the worst. Bring a pillow. Sleep can keep you sane during rushhour traffic.

• When it rains, it pours.

It only means two things: flooding and class suspension. No, the entire student population in the country need not perform a rain dance to make it happen (even if they really want to for very obvious reasons).

It has always been this way as far back as you can recall. You start going to school during the rainy season, so you’ll be thrilled every time PAG-ASA issues a “no classes” announcement when you’re already in school.

As to why this has become the norm, no one knows. We can’t help but wonder if Filipinos are indeed born to brave any storm

that comes our way with the aid of our rainy season kit—umbrella, boots, jacket, raincoat, improvised boat—and our waterproof sense of humor.

• Parents are the happiest this season.

As much as they love you, they’d rather have you out of the house, so they can finally enjoy a tidy home and some quiet time. Well, who can blame them when all you did during your summer vacation was to transform into a couch potato, littering their spotless floors with junk food wrappers and wearing their patience thin with your pasaway ways?

So don’t be surprised if they zealously rise at the crack of dawn just to cook your breakfast, prepare your packed lunch, iron your uniform, and wake you up even if you’re playing the dead log bit to the hilt.

Mommy and Daddy want you to leave the nest. They also expect you to study hard and pass with flying colors. Deal?

• When there’s baon, there’s a will.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a Monday, there’s a raging typhoon, or the tamaditis (read: laziness) epidemic is all over the place. As long as there’s baon or allowance, students will always have the will to find their way to school.

save up for their monthly gimik will do; they’re not going to Beverly Hills to hang out anyway. Parents, you had been there before. You know how homework and recitation can be tedious and nerve-racking, and that baon can make a lot of difference when it comes to shifting perspectives.

• It’s all about the real world.

Writing an essay about what you did last summer for the nth time is annoying. Going to school thinking that you’re seated next to a snatcher or hold-upper can drive anyone praning. Math is a constant headache. The teachers terrorize you with their pop quizzes and knitting projects. The class bully keeps demanding for one-half crosswise, one-half lengthwise, and one-fourth sheets of paper.

And the worst of all: you can no longer post your daily #OOTD on Instagram because you’re wearing a uniform like everyone else.

School can be a pain. But think about your weird classmates, the ones who can make you laugh without being funny. Remember how you and your friends argue about who’s got better lines, Monica or Nicole. And why not steal a glance at your new lab partner?

He could look like Daniel Padilla if he took a full day’s bath. He was eyeing you while you were taking a secret selfie with the dissected frog. For real.

Lesson learned: life is a lot more exciting than Facebook.

Though baon may be directly proportional to the amount and/or quality of effort they exert in school, it doesn’t have to be Napoles-gargantuan (simply because you can’t afford it). Just enough for them to

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