The Global Filipino Magazine | Issue 16 | August 2021

AUGUST 2021 | ISSUE 16

FILIPINO INSTITUTE now a recognized ATHE centre

Inspiring! OFW of 11 years shows two concrete houses, resort, grocery

Empowered by will to achieve entrepreneurial excellence

Marge Gomez

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

Galing ng Pinoy, Para sa mga Pinoy!

Failed several times in business, OFW takes business courses to restart

Shop No.4, The Code Building Umm Hurair 1, Dubai UAE

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T G FM TABLE OF CONTENTs EDITORIAL BOARD GABRIEL JOHN RIMANDO Publisher RYAN NAMIA Editor-in-Chief ORLI GAYETA Sales & Marketing Manager-Dubai & Northern Emirates JOEL LARA GENOVE Sales and Marketing Manager-Abu Dhabi ALLAN CARAGAO Senior Graphic Designer THAN DUMAS Multimedia Manager-Dubai HERMES SERANTES GABRIEL II Multimedia Manager-Abu Dhabi FIND US @THEGLOBALFILIPINOMAGAZINE.COM

CONTACT US info@theglobalfilipinomagazine.com www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

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Filipino seasoned educator crosses globe to conquer Middle East- Dr. Arturo C. Basbas Filipina pursues passion after getting terminated due to Covid-19 pandemic -Irene Datulayte Bustamante Former Waitress works her way up, now sales manager in Abu Dhabi - Ma. Luisa Barruga Former team member climbs through the ranks to become assistant manager - Jamila Kristine Al Shayeb International professional make-up artist extends support to fellow kabayans in Saudi - Jelmar Aragon Orig From admin assistant to client support int’l manager for global innovator, business services - Cherry Leay Maliwanag-Sumugat This Filipino ‘baby genius’ in Dubai, 2, is a math whiz and can count in 6 languages! - Neo Castiel Araula Bawag Pinoy executive secretary in Saudi actively immerses self in community services - Andy Anoche Cauyan Filipino film director, artist making waves in UAE - Gilbert Belleza Filipino multi-genre band ‘The MaineStream’ releases first debut studio album - The MaineStream Cadenas brothers, UAE’s fashion rising stars - Aaron & Ahquiben Cadenas Regional manager pursues to reach more Pinoys, investors across the globe - Karenza Madonna J. Puertollano

Empowered by will to achieve entrepreneurial excellence - Marge Gomez

Former call centre agent now a multi-business owner in UAE - Donna Mae Josephine Magno Carillo From salesperson for electronics to founder of confectionary company in Dubai - Mhon Lee Filipino Institute now a recognized ATHE centre, a global awarding organization in UK Filipino Institute K-12 team introduces scholarship grants for talented, bright students ‘If you can do better, then do better’ - Matthew Munoz - CPA, AFM, CFM Filipino Institute culminates Dubai learning camp first batch Filipino Institute inks partnership with Philippines’ Emilio Aguinaldo College Manila

GALING NG PINOY, PARA SA MGA PINOY!

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native of Calbayog City, Samar, Dr. Arturo “Arthur” C. Basbas is the fourth child out of six siblings of a mediocre family. Through the CKSP-ISKO scholarship program of the City Arts & Culture Office in Calbayog City, he was able to complete his degree, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

ropes like a fresh grad, working his way up and earning enough to be able to send money back home. Along the way, he started to feel at home--meeting new people from different races, working with Arabs, Asians, and having Filipino friends. There, he began to practice his passion for teaching through private tutorials, training, and part-time teaching jobs.

To further broaden his knowledge and skills, he pursued advanced studies so he could move ahead in the field, so he finished his Master of Arts in Education major in Educational Management, and after 14 years of hard work, he was deeply thankful to have upgraded himself with a Doctor of Philosophy degree that befits his passion for a better future. “Though the road to my Ph.D. was steep and perilously winding, but the challenge was profound as it was unyielding,” he said.

After working for more than a decade in Saudi Arabia, he was soon offered another contract by the same company for their branch in Bahrain. In 2019, he was relocated to Bahrain with the fondest hope of radical change in his OFW journey.

Right after graduation, he was hired as an elementary grade teacher at the institution where he graduated for nearly two years. He then worked for the Department of Education as an intermediate teacher for another two tears. His life revolved around the four corners of the classrooms--writing lesson plans, checking assignments, computing periodical grades, preparing instructional materials, and attending seminars. At 24 at that time, with adrenaline flowing through his veins, he knew that he was doing exactly what he wanted to do.

In 2008, a friend urged him to visit Singapore in search of a greener pasture, but it was not what he had imagined being in Singapore. He believed he could get the same job description he had in the Philippines, but he discovered that the pre-requisite is formal teacher training within the host country.

Unfortunately, he was not hired as a teacher there.

Nonetheless, he considered himself fortunate to have landed a position as an administrative assistant with an engineering firm wherein he was assigned a variety of administrative and logistical chores, as well as other associated functions. “To cut a long tale short, Singapore was not for me. After a few months, I went home and continued my teaching post in the Philippines,” he said.

DR. ARTURO C. BASBAS Filipino seasoned educator crosses globe to conquer Middle East

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In 2008, Basbas’ application for a working visa to Saudi Arabia was approved. He was excited about the new country, but deep inside, there were different speculations that came to his mind about the Middle East and how they treat expatriations.

He was bothered by media reports about Filipinos escaping their employers, domestic helpers being sexually abused, Filipinos who were on death row, among others. “I was hesitant to leave the country for fear that the same thing might happen to me. But I stood brace to face this challenge and crossed the globe to savoir-faire of what the other side of the world awaits me,” he said.

At first, he didn’t like the Kingdom as he was not free.

“You’ll have a slight culture shock if you’re a Christian at first. I thought this was a place where I could go with the flow of the warm desert sun, without feeling trapped by what I thought I wanted to do with my life,” he said.

Basbas considered it as serendipity after he was hired by an Australian consulting firm. Just like many overseas Filipino workers, he started at the bottom as an administrative assistant and tried to learn the

Today, Basbas is the system administrator of an Australian consulting firm while being a freelance instructor on the side.

He added that his current host country has provided him with numerous opportunities to put his proactive enthusiasm for teaching into reality. He thanked the Filipino Institute Bahrain for giving him an opportunity to be an IELTS preparatory class instructor for over a year now. “This wonderful endeavor provided me with the opportunity to express myself and inspire others, particularly the Filipinos in Bahrain, to build their confidence to achieve their dreams by learning the necessary knowledge to improve the image of Filipinos as a whole,” he said.

Struggles as a child Basbas’ first twenty years were not romantic. He was tested by time and fate. At 10, during school break, he used to help his grandmother grate cassava for cake.

He would also ground the glutinous rice that she had soaked in water to make kakanin which was sold in the village. When he was in grade school, he would go to school in flip-flops and with a plastic bag for his minimal school supplies. He also recalled the time when he had no chance to refuse those unblemished hand-medown clothes from his brother, even though they were already old and tattered. “Despite all the pleasures of my childhood, I felt the pain of being poor. I remember the pain of that realization until today,” he said.

These dire circumstances challenged him to complete his education and shaped him into the person he is today.

“I noticed that by the very nature of OFWs’ status is temporary. It is mainly dictated by the work contract, which is usually renewed yearly. This annual work contract precludes non-permanent work, the ultimate effect of which is the conscious awareness that the OFWs may go back home to the Philippines at any point in time. Therefore, it is imperative to save for rainy days.

If at all feasible, do not send your entire salary to your loved ones. You should keep something for yourself.

Learn how to say “no”. Invest your hard-earned money in a reputable company. On top of that, provide your family with a micro-business back home so they are not entirely reliant on you,” he added.

“Sometimes life will hit you in the head with a brick, but never lose faith. Enrich every new experience in life. These are the elements that will teach us the best lessons which we did not learn within the four corners of a classroom,” he further added.

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rene Datulayte Bustamante has been living in the UAE for nearly 10 years now. Her very first work here was handling Ajman perfumes for three years. And then worked in Coty distribution under the Chalhoub Group and proceeded to be a beauty advisor, handling high-quality brands for make-up inside a pharmacy and lifestyle centrepoint.

Like many Filipinos overseas, the main reasons why she opted abroad are to help her family, relatives, and to reach her dreams. “As an independent woman, I want to see myself, where I will reach a few years from now, and what I can do without depending on anyone,” Bustamante, who is also a model, said.

Dubai, for her, is a guarded and safe environment.

She said that residents are respectful, disciplined regardless of their nationality.

In the middle of the pandemic, the company she was working for told her that she would be laid off due to the effect of Covid-19 in the local economy. At first, she struggled on how she could pay her monthly bills, send her remittances to the Philippines, as her gratuity pay did not suffice. Six months after, she received a notice letter from her bank, she pleaded with the bank ‘to pause all my bills’ for at least three months until she got back on track.

Saddled with multiple responsibilities, Bustamante said that she was still emotionally okay. After seeking for job and being offered low salaries, she took a leap of faith and started following his passion for inline skating. “I took some rest and enjoyed it for three months. I needed it to release all my stress from my previous job,” she said.

While she was training for inline skating, a parent approached her if she could teach her kids because she was amazed at what Bustamante was doing. At that time, she didn’t have any self-confidence as she was also new in the field, but the parent trusted her and that gave her courage. “I tried my best to teach but I didn’t ask for fees. The parent was so happy with the result so she gave me a small amount of help because she knew that I was jobless,” she said noting that the two kids were with her for four months to train and get recommended by the parent to other parents.

While they were training, some guardians in the area saw how well she got along with the kids and were encouraged to have their kids enrolled in her inline skating. After one year and a half, nearly 190 kids have joined her classes.

“Inline skating is one of my passions. It boosts my self-confidence, and just by doing it, you will be physically, mentally, and emotionally fit. Playing skates and doing some exhibitions is a way to express myself. I decided not to keep my talent for myself. I and the kids are not only meeting and training, but we are also building a good company every day, establishing a friendship, trust, and love,” she said.

When asked about her plans after her UAE stint, Bustamante said she plans to manage her own business in the Philippines, or even anywhere, after getting married. She also plans to pursue an inline skates academy so that she could share her passion more with inline skate enthusiasts.

GALING NG PINOY, PARA SA MGA PINOY!

Irene Datulayte Bustamante Filipina pursues passion after getting terminated due to Covid-19 pandemic

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GALING NG PINOY, PARA SA MGA PINOY!

Ma. Luisa Barruga

Former Waitress works her way up, now sales manager in Abu Dhabi

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a. Luisa Barruga came in the UAE in 2010.

Being the eldest in the family, she felt like it was her responsibility to help her mother with their financial needs. At that time, she recalled her father was sick and needed medical assistance.

With a goal to find a way to give her family a better life, she applied for any job in Abu Dhabi, “These were struggling times since money was limited, not many familiar faces and worries of my father’s health condition,” she said, adding that luckily she landed a job in a health club in Al Bateen as a receptionist and a waitress at the same time.

After obtaining all the legal documents for her residence visa, unfortunate news shook her world-her father died. She said that she was devastated, however, she realized that it was her call--either to go home and see her father one last time but throw away all her chances to help her family or to stay and just focus on her goal which is to provide for her family and to grow professionally.

She decided to stay. “Being in a foreign country proves a lot of challenges but with the help of my friends and prayers from my family, I was able to adapt and thrive in this place,” she said.

A year after, she has decided to apply to a hotel in the same emirate since that is where her passion is.

Barruga thought that God has a better plan for her.

She landed a job as a waitress in the Emirates Palace, one of the world’s most luxurious hotels.

“I had so much fun working there but I felt like that I can do so much more. Then one day, a random guest appreciated my service and out of the blue offered me a job as a sales coordinator in a newly opened

hotel in the city,” she said, noting that at first, she was hesitant because she liked working in the Palace but can’t also turn her back to an offer that could drastically change her life.

She decided to attend the job interview and realized that the job has a lot of growth potential both in her personal and professional career. It was 2014 when she started her journey in Majlis Grand Mercure as a sales coordinator. After a year, she got promoted to a sales executive, and a year after that their management has shown their full support for her potential that they promoted her to assistant sales manager.

Continuously and consistently rising through the ranks, Barruga then got another promotion in 2019 as a sales manager. “I am so thankful to them for their support and trust. They had accepted me like their own family and had supported me throughout the years. It may not always be sunshine and sunflowers especially during the pandemic but amidst all that, I have proven that this company will never turn its back on their employees,” the grateful employee said.

As a person who works in the sales field, she gets the opportunity to meet various types of people every day, allowing her to build professional relationships with anyone she deals with. She said that it is satisfying if the client or the company has chosen their property amongst other hotels. “Amazingly, some of these clients will remember you even after years of being away in the UAE and would still try to reach out whenever they came back,” she added.

“My advice to our fellow kabayan is to always be kind to all the people you meet regardless of race and position and to keep your feet on the ground because you’ll never know who will be able to help you in the future.

Sometimes, the strangest of strangers proves to be your ally in times of need,” she further added.

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Jamila Kristine Al Shayeb Unlocking potential: Team member climbs through the ranks, now assistant manager

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efore coming to Dubai, Jamila Kristine Al Shayeb was a subject matter expert (SME) call centre agent back in the Philippines for about four years. And just like almost every else out there, he ventured abroad to provide a better livelihood to her families and loved ones, given that there are better opportunities and salary rates overseas compared to the Philippines.

again chosen and was trained to be an assistant manager of the same chain but now for a branch that will open again in Dubai airport, however, this time will be in Terminal 3.

Al Shayeb came to Dubai in 2016 and started her career as a team member in a known coffee shop and restaurant in Dubai International Airport Terminal 1 that has originated in the United Kingdom. During her first year, she was recognized as one of the employees of the month and was promoted as a hot food chef in her second year working in the coffee shop. Two years after she was once again given an opportunity to level up her career to be a flood director on a branch that opened in Dubai Mall. Continuously reaping what she has sown, Al Shayeb was then chosen to be sent as a trainer to a branch that was supposed to open in Changi Airport in Singapore, unfortunately, her visa was denied due to some issues.

Al Shayeb’s main job is to make sure that the organization’s rules and regulations are followed and understood by her team. She also assists, supports, and develops strategies that can help the company on its target goals and assess employees’ capability and how to help them boost their confidence in dealing with customers.

Climbing through the ranks, in 2019, she was once

‘I’ve been through a lot’

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“Though my job is not that easy and is stressful working both on operations and part of the managerial team,” she said.

“It is hard to work overseas, away from our loved ones, but in terms of economic stability and progress of other countries that are far away better than our home country. We can earn more or get more than what we get if we work in the Philippines. This way, we can provide a better living for our families,” she added.

Al Shayeb said that she has been through a lot in life. She recalled when she was only eight when her father was deported from the Philippines back to his home in Jordan; her mother had to work overseas to support them together with her siblings. She and her siblings grew up under the custody of her aunt. “At a young age, I was already fully aware how difficult life is when you work abroad going out to your comfort zone which is the Philippines,” she said.

At 25, Al Shayeb was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism that almost stopped her application to work abroad.

Her doctor could not issue her a fit-to-work certificate due to her condition. “It gave me a lot of stress back then, but knowing myself that I am not the kind of person who just gives up easily and I always take hindrance as a challenge, I prayed to God that the result would be negative. And because of faith, the result came out negative and gave me another chance so here I am, living and working in Dubai for five years now,” she said.

She advised her fellow Filipinos not to give up on life’s challenges

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orn and raised in Pagbilao, Quezon with six siblings, Jelmar Aragon Orig is described as a bubbly person who is usually seen with a happy crowd. He is also an art lover, international professional make-up artist, beauty director, choreographer, and an emerging vlogger in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

GALING NG PINOY, PARA SA MGA PINOY!

Currently, Orig, who has been living overseas for the last 13 years, is assigned to Al Bilad Catalyst Company in Jubail Industrial City as an executive secretary. In his free time, he is also a professional hair and make-up artist and beauty director for Studio Twelve Magazine and Cool Philippines Magazine, doing fun and fashion and photoshoots.

The Filipino make-up artist is also an active member and officer of the Filipino Community organization in the Eastern Region of the Kingdom, extending support and assistance to his fellow Filipinos.

Orig recalled when he first arrived in the Kingdom and started to work as an EDP clerk in 2007. “‘I want to be an office boy like my uncle’ my answer was when my elementary teacher asked me. At a very young age, I idolized my Uncle Mario who worked in Saudi Arabia for more than two decades. I said to myself when I grow up, I will be like him,” the eldest among the siblings and a son of a jeepney driver said.

“I promised myself that I would finish my study and work abroad to lift my family out of poverty,” he said.

A huge responsibility was passed unto him when he was just seven years old. It was at that time when his parents decided to leave them to work abroad.

Before working overseas, Orig started earning money when he was just a third-year high school student and worked as a ballroom instructor. He didn’t go to college right away after graduating from high school as both of his parents didn’t have sufficient money to send him to school, hence he decided to go to Manila to seek greener pasture.

Right after entering college, he recalled those sleepless nights just to catch on his sidelines after school hours, including evening rehearsals, early wedding make-up, costumes, and props deadlines, among others. He embraced all these struggles just to survive his study.

Fortunately, he passed the audition for Bellestar Promotion as a member of Bellestar Dancer, performing on national TV at the noontime show ‘Alas Dose Trese’ of IBC Channel 13. However, the stint didn’t last long as he was not into city life, and at that time, the salary of a dancer wasn’t enough for him and his family.

Orig came back to his province and pursued a career in make-up. “Thank God, I am a fast learner. In a snap, I gained the trust of my customers and I’ve been to many places,” he said. Due to this newly found career, he became the vice president of a beauty organization in their town--the Binibining Pagbilao Charity Inc. which organizes beauty pageant search that helps less fortunate residents.

Living abroad According to the OFW, living and working abroad has improved his communication skills as he has to communicate daily with people from several

backgrounds. He said that learning more about their language and culture is very important in the world today as he is now more connected than ever.

“From all these reasons, I gained much confidence, competency, and mainly my effectivity in working relationship to others. Apart from that, life abroad is a dream for many, you can go to beautiful places that you have never been before to, you can eat delightful food, among others. And of course, you can extend more financial support to your family,” he said.

In his work, he is fascinated with new learnings. He treasures fruitful knowledge and he gained from day one up to this very moment, most especially the knowledge from his marketing and sales experience, which has been very useful to their new food business in the Philippines, the ‘Beth na Beth Tapsi Lugaw’.

The darkest part of Orig’s life was when he was demobilized from his work last 20017 due to the Saudization program, and he was not ready to go back home at that time. “But somehow, that instance served as a blessing in disguise. At that time, my father was suffering from an illness, and I’ve got a chance to be with him for at least a month before he passed away. I felt lost half part of my life. But I need to stand still, so I just prayed to God and leave it all to him and pretend that I am strong in front of my family because they are taking strength from me,” he said.

Orig plans to work another four years in the country for four years to save up for the expansion of their food business in the Philippines and put up his own fashion studio. “And if fate is on my side, I will try to apply in the entertainment industry as a celebrity make-up artist,” he added.

Jelmar Aragon Orig International professional make-up artist extends support to fellow kabayans in Saudi

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‘Do good things and good things will come to you.

Mindset is everything.’ Cherry Leay MaliwanagSumugat uses this mantra to remind herself that there are many things in this world that are beyond her control, but one thing that is always in her control is her mind.

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orking as a client support international team manager for NTT DATA, a digital business and IT services leader for the past 14 years, her role involves change and project management and she has been associated with many complex projects. Her ability to deal with ambiguity, being confident and curious have been key to her success. Through this work, she has been able to leverage her strong skills in being an influencer, and her communication and facilitation skills, business acumen coupled with her analytical insight and experience.

Sumugat is considered a well-established service professional with the ability to lead a team to victory, helping achieve process excellence, and profit contributions for the organization through people development, performance, and training.

Over the last 14 years, she has gained valuable experience, knowledge, and skills in leadership management and customer service.

The Filipina worker manages team members from Jordan, Spain, Brazil, Kyrgyzstan, and Italy which consist of certified global deployment project analysts managing customers’ implementation and deployment projects. In this job, they provide multilingual global operations support services for one of the largest hotel franchisors in the world and support their technology needs and operational tasks.

Sumugat is also part of a team that leads employee engagement initiatives for India, the Philippines, and the UAE, managing activities and projects that help their employees feel passionate about their jobs, be committed to the organization, and put exemplary efforts into their work.

Sumugat recalled joining the company as an administrative assistant in 2007. Back in the Philippines, she managed several project accounts and led people engagement programs, such as winning culture, talent development, corporate social responsibility, and rewards and recognition programs. Back home, she received multiple awards, including Winning Culture Award, On The Spot Award, BPO Silver Award, Champion Awardee, and the prestigious Employee of the Year Award.

Two years ago, she decided to move to the UAE and take the challenge to represent the Philippines in the global arena. In a span of two years, she has already received two prominent awards in May 2021, she received the Project Hero Award, an award given to celebrate their vendors including changemakers, innovators, and discoverers who have achieved industry-leading and transformational outcomes for their businesses.

Just recently, Sumugat was one of the recipients of the NTT DATA Annual BPO Awards, an award given to employees to recognize and honor individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the achievements of BPO’s goal in 2020. As BPO’s

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Cherry Leay MaliwanagSumugat From admin assistant to client support int’l manager for global innovator, business services

highest awards, the nominees were distinguished through their extraordinary dedication, ingenuity, intelligence, and leadership. She received the Leadership in People and Culture Award.

“Working abroad was not really part of my plans. This opportunity came my way and I immediately took the chance,” she said adding that her former manager back in the Philippines informed her about the job opening for a new account in their UAE office.

“I was interested and applied for the position and luckily, I got the job. As much as I really loved the new position, my biggest deciding factor was my family. I was really blessed that with the country-to-country transfer program of my company, I was able to bring my family as dependents with me,” she added.

Through her previous jobs, she immersed herself in several CSR activities which engaged long-term commitment to bringing the digital divide. After moving to UAE, Sumugat continued her mission of helping others as much as she could by leading some fundraising activities to help some impacted members of their community in the Philippines.

Before the pandemic, she kicked off a program for her UAE team to socialize, and share time with neglected, abandoned, orphaned, and dependent children in

the Philippines. “It was one of the best activities I’ve ever done with my team. The kids had an opportunity to interact with other foreign nationals, which gave them joy. I hope that I will be able to do this initiative again. Covid restrictions limited us in doing such activities, but we will do for sure this again in the future,” she said.

When asked about her plans, she said that she plans to stay where she is currently. She believes that she will be able to give more opportunities to her kids while they are all in the UAE. “As long as my organization needs me here, I would love to grow with them. I would love to continue to inspire our team members, and our kabayans as well with my story. I would love to continue to touch others’ lives,” she further added.

Sumugat said that if one wants to win, one should expect to win. “Those who struggle with life often lose their ability to believe things will ever be different. Imagine your future by wrapping that vision with a belief system. Every day offers another opportunity to change our circumstances. Every day, we can start our journey towards personal greatness.

We see and believe. Have faith,” she further added.

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wo-year-old Neo Castiel Araula Bawag has been doing incredible things that kids his age could not. As young as he is, he can perform basic mathematical problems, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and a bit of subtraction. He can also read words and sometimes read his storybooks alone and the instructions in his activity books.

GALING NG PINOY, PARA SA MGA PINOY!

At 18 months, he can already identify international flags. He knows all the eight planets, including the dwarf planets.

Both of his parents are working for the e-commerce firm Namshi. His father, Johneil, is a senior panner; while his mother, Diana, is a merchandize planning manner. Both of them were engineering graduates.

“During pregnancy, I listened to classical music, including Mozart and Beethoven, every day especially at night before and while I was sleeping.

I’ve read this before that this will enhance the baby’s brain development so this might have helped him a lot,” Diana said.

Aside from performing mathematical equations, identifying international flags and planets, Neo can also count in six different languages, including Japanese, Korean, French, Filipino, Arabic, and Spanish, and name continents.

Neo’s Aunt, Jonaliz Tandog, told The Global Filipino Magazine that her nephew can also name the shapes and the polygons too, draw shapes, and write numbers and letters in his own way as he doesn’t like to be guided when he’s writing.

“He’s very advanced in Math, in fact, even us couldn’t believe it sometimes! Because sometimes we would ask him a random math problem like 6+2+2+1 or 7*3, then he will give the correct answers within seconds.

When he’s not sure about the answer, he would seek help and ask us for the right answer,” she said.

She further added that they initially bought him some flashcards and charts to study, however, they did not force him to learn all of it. “He is just a normal kid who loves to have new toys. So, we often bring him toys and stuff for pasalubong. Last month, I bought him a multiplication chart and just posted it on the wall. He just looks at it for seconds or minutes, without saying anything while he was planing with his other toys, we never told him to memorize it, but after a few days, I asked him to tell me about 1, 2, and 3 times table and he answered it perfectly,” she added.

In her observation, Neo loves learning while playing.

When the kid asks about anything, they would explain in a way he could understand.

“Just a tip, if the kid doesn’t want it, never push them to like it. And if the kid likes it, support it, and supporting doesn’t mean spoiling them,” the aunt said.

Neo’s remarkable talent and wit were discovered when he was 18, during the lockdown period in the UAE. Since his mother and father and his aunts were all staying at home, he would keep on saying ‘aral’, which means identifying the flags of the world. In the following weeks and months, he learned the names of the dinosaurs, planets, and continents.

Though he could not speak properly yet, when he turned two, one of his aunts introduced him to Japanese counting and memorized the Japanese translation of 1 to 10 after a week. He then learned Korean, French, and Arabic counting.

“We want him to live a happy, healthy, God-fearing, and normal life. And professionally, we would love him to be a doctor. But, it’s totally up to him. We will support him on whatever he wants to do,” Diana said.

Neo Castiel Araula Bawag This Filipino ‘baby genius’ in Dubai, 2, is a math whiz and can count in 6 languages!

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For the last 11 years, Andy Anoche Cauyan has been working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the corporate world. He promised himself that he’d only work overseas for five years just to get international exposure. However, understanding that life is unpredictable, Cauyan stayed in the same country and continues reaching his dreams and follows his passion.

Cauyan, popularly known and dearly called ‘Masterhostman Andy’, is currently working as an executive secretary to the operations manager of Arabian Pipeline Services Inc. in Jubail City. The 43-year-old Filipino is involved in administrative support for C level executive management and has vast experience in multi-cultural and dynamic oil and petroleum, industrial, and maintenance industries.

He recalled arriving in the host country in 2010 and worked as a simple office assistant for Al Suwaidi Industrial Services, where a year after, was promoted as a document controller in the same department. Four years after, he was given an opportunity to supply manpower in SABIC, an organization ranked as one of the largest petrochemical manufacturers in the country. Due to Saudization, he left the company in 2017 and transferred to his current company where he was able to secure a post as a personal assistant to the CEO. “Working overseas, it increases my cultural awareness, expands my professional network, becomes more valued by employers, gains new work experiences, earns a higher salary and it offers me more job opportunities,” he said noting that the pressure of his responsibilities to his family back home urged him to work overseas.

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GALING NG PINOY, PARA SA MGA PINOY!

Andy Anoche Cauyan

Pinoy executive secretary in Saudi actively immerses self in community services

Life in the Philippines Before he finished his Mass Communication degree, worked as a personal assistant in ABSCBN with ‘Superlaffin’ gag show program. When they first met with the production team, they’ve discussed the idea of being a personal assistant and a writer as contractual so they worked to put the project together. Cauyan loved the experience wherein he travelled within the country for research and shoots while working with other celebrities.

Later on, he received a job offer from MTV Asia as a segment producer for a program. They worked together to shoot some 25 episodes.

“It was a great job and I loved what I was doing, but I knew that it wasn’t my calling. I had a moment where I realized that if I continued to put my dreams on hold to help build someone else’s dream, it would just become harder and harder to launch his own career in the showbiz industry,” he said.

He then shifted to a new career path and entered the retail industry. Cauyan became the CRA of Pilipinas MAKRO Inc. wherein he did some store and promo spiels and PA announcements as well as customer relations. Five months later, he received another supervisory job offer from Puregold Price Club Inc to work as a store supervisor. His

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Photographer: Uno Singco Designer: Emil Besitulo HMUA: Angel Orig

experience in store events skills while handling store concerts, celebrity meet launching, fashion events, events, among others.

developed his hosting opening events, mall and greet, products and client-sponsored

“Thus, such meagre income could suffice to meet the basic needs of my family coupled with my goal to give a better life to my family. I decided to work abroad hoping that my dreams will come true. True enough, I was able to give a better life to my family, support my niece and nephews to school, and help others,” he added.

Hosting and helping fellow kabayan Aside from excelling in his work, he also immerses himself in hosting various Filipino community events in the Kingdom. He is also a member of Filpop Family Club; the director-general of Arts and Entertainment of OFW 8th Congress; a member of Fashion Runway in the Eastern Region; adviser for Fun and Entertainment of UFCER; a freelance feature writer of Cool Arabi and Cool Philippines Fashion Magazine;

and currently one of the members of Performing and Comedienne Group ARA Force.

Furthermore, he extends help by shelling out his personal money and supporting the charity group in Navotas City, The Loving Care of Tanzanians Charity Group, which helped sick elderly and children who need medical assistance.

Throughout his career, he received multiple notable awards from various organizations, including Outstanding Alumnus in Arts Category, Outstanding OFW Men in Community Service by OFW Congress in the Eastern Region of KSA, and for three consecutive years, he bagged the Outstanding OFW Male Host of the Year if Linsfip Music International Inc. in the host country.

“For my fellow kababayan who are currently struggling abroad, we may all be living through an unprecedented moment in our lives right now, but always remember that these are all temporary, it will be end soon. Just like a rainbow after the storm, and ending after the beginning of the movie,” he said.

Gilbert Belleza Filipino film director, artist making waves in UAE

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Reels International Film Festival, ‘21 Best Philippine Film Nawada International Film Festival, ‘21 The JURY Special Mention Award The Digital Gate International Film Festival, ‘21 1714 Best Covid-19 Film Best Director Reels International Film Festival, 2021 Top 20 Finalist - Blackbox RAD Film Competition 1820 Official Selected for Best Horror Film Vienna International Film Festival, 2021 Best Director Gully International Film Festival, 2021

digital and traditional artist from the Philippines, Gilbert Belleza has been living and working in the UAE for 16 years now. The Dubai-based overseas Filipino has a lot of things under his belt, including being a cinematographer, photographer, graphic designer, film director, videographer, editor, and creative designer for print, web, and 3D graphics.

He has been utilizing Adobe line of products and Autodesk 3D Max and Maya for his artworks since he graduated from college in Subic Bay, the Philippines as a multimedia artist and graphic designer.

The Bronze Gate Winner in Best Short Film Category The Digital Gate International Film Festival in Algeria

Belleza initially worked as a graphic designer in a printing shop. At that time, he was only dealing with designing artwork since photography and videography were still not that popular. He remembered transferring from one company to another every year since the competition in the field was still not toe to toe.

“There are other people involved in the creation of the film, every one of them has their own personality and artistry. In short, they have their own topak. But that is what makes it exciting and fun. Although we have our own creative differences, we see to it that we work together as a family and that we are enjoying what we are doing,” he further added.

“I worked for a couple of years in a creative agency.

I saw how they support me when my mother died and they paid for my travel expenses to and from the Philippines and Dubai,” he said adding that he also found the person that he will be spending the rest of his life in the same company.

“From there, I focused on my work. Meanwhile, I continued learning photography and videography until it became popular on social media and my skills became in demand,” Belleza, who has been working as a personal photographer, videographer, and graphics designer for a CEO of a huge company in the UAE, added.

An award-winning Filipino director Belleza is not only excelling in his work. He is also actively immersed in creating short and feature films in the country. He is a member of the MerakiOGS, a group of Filipinos in Dubai.

Below are the films directed by him along with his accolades: ABO Foreign Film Message

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2021 Best Short Film Story Nawada International Film Festival-Best “I like the challenges in making these films. As a film director, I am tasked to combine together all the elements of the film--from story conceptualization to post-production and entering to various film competitions,” he said.

Another challenge that Belleza sees is their meagre resources, thus they are pushed to be creative and resourceful. He added that finding a location alone to shoot some scenes is already a challenge, so in the story development stage, they are already taking into consideration not to include difficult to find or different to recreate locations.

“The entire flow of filmmaking is really fun. There are a lot of memorable real-life experiences that are not shown in our films but these are the real scenes that we are going to remember when everyone decides to go back to the Philippines for good,” he further added.

Pieces of advice for fellow Filipinos “Sa kahit anong larangan ang suungin, mas mahalaga ang maging mabuting tao. Maging mahusay sa pakikisama sa kahit anong lahi. Huwag isipin ang mga bagay kung paano ka pupurihin ng iba bagkus ay kung paano mo ipagkakapuri ang saril mo sa pamamagitan ng pagiging mabuti sa kapwa, sa sarili at sa Diyos. Isa pa, hindi pwede ang salitang “tama na yan”; dapat tama yan! Gamiting ispirasyon ang mga mahal sa buhay,” Belleza said.

GALING NG PINOY, PARA SA MGA PINOY!

Filipino multi-genre band ‘The MaineStream’ releases first debut studio album

GALING NG PINOY, PARA SA MGA PINOY!

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ilipino multi-genre band The MaineStream has recently released its first debut studio album ‘All That and a Bag of Chips’.

Produced by COVE Records, the album, which is composed of 14 songs, was released on all digital platforms worldwide last July 26 following the success of the band’s first two singles ‘Bineybinitawan’ and ‘I Need You More Than Yesterday’ and as well as their song called ‘Nadarama’ which won Song of the Year award.

The band has also bagged Best Album Cover and Most Underrated Musicians at the Indie Musicians Music Awards 2021.

The album reached more than 20,000 streams on the audio streaming app Spotify three days after it was officially released.

Aside from their already released singles, The MaineStream recorded the majority of songs from ‘All That and a Big of Chips’ in one long recording session at the COVE Records in Sampaloc, Manila from September last year up to April this year and did the final mixing and dubbing in June this year.

The MaineStream’s bandleader and vocalist Rocky Turen wrote all the songs in the album with the help of his bandmates: Rhymes Agot, who is on bass and vocals; Michael Valdivia, on drums; David Melendez, on saxophone; and Jolo Valdivia, who wrote the first track song called ‘Ikaw Palagi’ and on keyboards and vocals.

Songs in the album include: 1. Ikaw Palagi 2. Kahibangan 3. Lunas 4. Nadarama 5. Ang Pag-ibig ko 6. Friendzone Delight 7. Kasing Ganda ng Buwan 8. Apart 9. Crying Tonight 10. I Need You More Than Yesterday 11. Lunes 12. Bineybinitawan (B.A.B.Y) 13. I.N.Y.M.T.Y SAX 14. That’s What I Get

Write Away in the United Kingdom cited their song ‘Crying Tonight’ as one of the best instrumentation songs and ‘can feel the masterstroke of classic genres in the millennial era. Meanwhile, Vintage Journal Magazine UK credits the band for one of the best indie albums that contain various flavours.

US-based publication Lazie Magazine credits their invention of ideas, self-contained multi-genre, and writing their own hits not only in their country but all around the world.

“The album was created with a truly poignant, bohemian, memories, and gem masterpiece with no boundaries. The songs are classy but can jive different people and races. The band gave their contribution with one another as a whole,” Turen told The Global Filipino Magazine.

He added that listeners can expect the unexpected when they hear the whole album.

The album can be purchased on all digital platforms worldwide via YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, and Anghami, among others.

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

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T G F M GALING NG PINOY, PARA SA MGA PINOY!

Aaron & Ahquiben Cadenas Cadenas brothers, UAE’s fashion rising stars

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win brothers Aaron and Ahquiben Cadenas are among the Filipino fashion rising stars in the UAE. They chose this career path to showcase their talents and creations that speak a true work of art for women who want to live their fairytale dreams.

Working in Dubai, according to the siblings, has opened doors for them to excel in the fashion industry. “Behind the silhouettes, couture dresses with unexpected unique surprises and lavish masterpieces of exceptional quality designs that come in flattering hourglass heavenly shape enhanced to perfection, those ideas were all made by love. We believe that everything is perfect if it’s made with love,” Aaron said.

The fashion designers sat with The Global Filipino Magazine to speak about their colorful and exciting overseas journey. At the age of 15, the brothers went to Manila to work as assistants to a fashion designer and there, they’ve both discovered their talents in sewing and designing. Three years after, they moved to Laguna to seek a new job. In their second job, they were able to work with Victoria’s Secret, Calvin Klein, and DKNY, among other brands that gave them an idea and determination to carve an overseas journey in 2012.

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Aaron was the first to arrive in Dubai. After settling in the emirate, he worked as a tailor operator and was soon promoted as an assistant fashion designer in a fashion factory in the emirate of Ajman. He revealed that he tried to quit his job as the company didn’t run well. “They don’t want me to quit since they saw that I could bring something to the table and learn easily. Later on, I found out that my employer filed a case against me,” he said.

The incident, however, did not stop him from reaching his goals in life.

“I believe that setting goals and achieving them is hard. There are no shortcuts or easy routes, but that’s what makes the experience so rewarding,” he said.

Through the help of her relatives, he was able to bring his twin brother, Ahquiben, to Dubai in 2015 and worked together in Adore Boutique in Galeria Mall. Aaron worked as an assistant designer, while Ahquiben worked as a tailor operator. The company has unfortunately closed down.

The Filipino brothers did not let the situation stop chasing their dreams. Since they both enjoyed

working together, they came up with their own brand Aaronic Atelier. Instead of giving up and quitting, they reevaluate their goal, examine the progress, identify roadblocks that come up, and figure out what’s helping them move forward and what’s holding them back.

“Success is a concept that is different for every person. Whether it means having a great career, a home, or a family, success is something everyone strives to achieve. It makes you feel proud, it gives you excitement and it lets you know you have made an impact in a competitive world,” Aaron said.

In a few years time, according to the siblings, they will go back home to their family and bring their brand to Bohol. They also plan to build an institute by teaching and sharing their knowledge with the young generation who want to be in the fashion industry.

“I and my twin always believe that God’s perfect time is always the best time. As a designer, I’m proud that I choose to be unconventional,” Aaron further added.

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arenza Ydonna J. Puertollano, since she was a child, has always dreamt of travelling the world. Today, she is pursuing her passion to reach more Filipinos and investors across the globe as the regional manager of real estate projects of Ayala Land International Sales, Inc. In the company, she is in charge of promoting and marketing their projects and their subsidiaries in assigned territories like Australia, the Middle East, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the USA. Aside from being a passionate property seller, she also mentors a group of international property specialists who have arrived in Dubai in April this year to promote and showcase land investment portfolios to their fellow Filipinos.

Prior to working as a salesperson, Puertollano used to work as a customer service representative for an electronic company in the Philippines. She then entered the corporate world by working as an account specialist for Megaworld wherein she moved up the ladder to become the company’s senior account specialist and got promoted as the assistant manager. Her customer skills and real estate knowledge deepened as she continued to work as the team leader for the accounts verification team of Century Group Properties and soon enough an unexpected yet life-changing opportunity was given to her as she accepted an offer to be the senior director of sales of the same organization.

Puertollano started her career as an international property specialist in 2017 and her very first deployment abroad was in Singapore.

“My previous experiences allowed me to realize my desire and passion to meet, help, and take part in fulfilling other people’s dreams like finding the right home and investments for my clients. Aside from that, my current job paved the way for her to become a better leader to my team members as I mold and enhance their skills too,” she added.

Although she only arrived in Dubai a few months ago, she already considers the city as a ‘place where anyone would love to work in, as this place offers safety, security, including superb tourist destinations.’

“Before making it here, I had to overcome a lot of challenges knowing that passing through a border during this pandemic would mean that I had to go through a lot of requirements. Also, working here during these times of economic uncertainty has been more bearable because of my team who are with me,” she said.

Puertollano, a seasoned international property specialist, advised her fellow Filipinos to do what they love and continue pursuing their passion.

GALING NG PINOY, PARA SA MGA PINOY!

Karenza ydonna J. Puertollano Regional manager pursues to reach more Pinoys, investors across the globe www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

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GALING NG PINOY, PARA SA MGA PINOY!

Empowered by will to achieve entrepreneurial excellence

Marge Gomez 22

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aria Margarita Gomez, dearly called ‘Marge’, believes that failure is another stepping stone to greatness. Making a lot of mistakes--stumbled and fell down--she knew that growth takes time as even the brightest diamonds are formed under intense pressure.

In 2008, Marge began her journey in UAE in the fashion industry. She arrived in the host country when the place was still a diamond in the rough.

Her brother invited her and entered the country on a tourist visa for two months. She never thought of working outside the country as she was comfortably working as a public school teacher with a degree in Commerce Marketing and Master’s Degree in Supervision and Administration and manning a boutique in Davao at the same time.

She walked away from what she had in the Philippines to seek greener pasture overseas. The moment she arrived in Dubai, she instantly knows what she wanted to venture into--the fashion industry. In a high fashion firm, she further improved her skills; and during her day off, she would go to the flea market to sell and look for suppliers and small entrepreneurs so she could learn more about the ins and outs in the field of fashion.

While working and earning enough money from her full-time job, she also accepted other works that paved the way to open her own rental apartments.

Marge then successfully opened her boutique ‘Mix & Match’ in 2011.

“My passion for doing business made me fulfilled.

And I find it enjoyable and the most satisfying thing about it is when I dress my customers and make them fabulous,” she said.

Dubai, for her, has been her second home. A very sophisticated person, Marge also immersed herself in various Filipino community groups in the emirate, supporting events for Filipinos organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai. She has

also established the United DDS group which aims to support the Philippine’s chief executive Rodrigo Duterte; and United Davawenyos, a group she created a few years ago with a goal to unite Filipino expatriates in the UAE who hail from Davao.

Burnt out, in 201__8 she went back home--business was declining, things were falling apart, her visa got expired. After paying all her debts, she went home empty-handed. “When I came to Dubai, I have a lot of dreams but when I went home, I brought shattered dreams. My dream to travel the world was all in vain,” she said, noting that the only official ‘travel’ she had was when she went to Kish for a visa change.

Being always determined and motivated as she is, she was offered a government post and be part of the Balik Manggagawa program which aims to facilitate the arrival of overseas Filipino workers to the Philippines. However, she did not grab the opportunity. Instead, she followed her heart and worked for a marketing company. “I didn’t want to be tied up as a government employee where I would work and be contented for the rest of my life. I am a very ambitious woman, I still have a lot of dreams and I will not give up and I will persist until I succeed,” she added.

“I came back to Dubai for a meeting. Supposedly, I was only staying here for two weeks but the company opened its office in the Media City and monthly convention happens regularly so I have to stay in the emirate,” she revealed.

During the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, the company did not only help her but also other people in the Philippines and in the UAE. Through the help of the company, Marge was able to give hundreds of sacks of rice and goods, millions of cash to displaced Filipinos.

Six months after coming back to the country, Marge opened her own Margex, a group of companies she spearheads. Through Margex, she also founded a cleaning company that gives employment to many displaced Filipinos. Next year, she plans to reopen her Mix & Match with her brand collections.

“Believe in yourself, listen to your gut and do what you love. To my fellow OFWs, don’t give up,” Marge concluded.

Millionaire in 2 months After staying in the Philippines for six months, she had a chance to deal with a European digital company that instantaneously changed her life.

While earning euros and spending pesos, she was also able to start travelling around Asia in 2019.

Pre-pandemic, through hard-work and smart work and giving her 100 percent, in just a span of one year and three months, she was able to purchase seven high-end houses in cash, three hectares of sugarcane in Bukidnon, a resort in Samal Island in Davao and Bohol, three cars, and open three companies.

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

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T G F M worked as a cashier. Carillo has stayed there for six months only.

With the help of her friend, without hesitation and fear, she transferred to Dubai. She was only 23 years old when she worked in Dubai in a waterproofing company as a secretary and a receptionist at the same time. She then transferred to a different company as a sales representative and to a popular and now-defunct e-commerce company.

Unfortunately, her father got sick so she had to go back to the Philippines and see him. After returning to the UAE, her father died from an illness and she never had a chance to bid goodbye for the last time. “At that time, I felt I was so broken and a piece of me was lost and nowhere to be found,” she said adding that she lost focus on work, and started not going to the office until she found herself back in the Philippines.

Donna Mae Josephine Magno

The time when she decided to go back to the UAE, she got offloaded three consecutive times. In her mind, it shouldn’t have happened to her as she is not yet finished with what she wanted in life.

She returned to the country with full strength and determination and immediately worked for various online companies until such time she realized that maybe, just maybe, she could do so much better.

Carillo took a risk, invested AED1,500 and AED2,000 from her life partner to start a buy-and-sell business and use her skills in selling products online.

Together, they created the D&R Pure Jewels, a gold jewel business that operates both in the UAE and in the Philippines. They were able to manage and build it from scratch and currently, they have several

employees who are well-trained in the field.

“As a company owner, a lot of responsibilities are entailed but I am glad that I am not alone because I have a long-time partner with me all throughout. He is the brain and I am the heart of it all. What I enjoyed about having this kind of business is that I never stop learning--learning from people, from employees, from customers. We enjoyed every single day interacting with different kinds of people,” she said.

Carillo never thought to be her own boss. She’s a frustrated doctor but due to lack of finance, she was not able to pursue medicine.

Passionate about what she’s currently doing, they also offer a competitive price to their fellow Filipinos, especially to those who are unable to shop outside.

“Their happiness is our happiness. This gives me the courage to continue and help OFWs in the UAE,” she said, noting that during the pandemic, her team has launched an initiative to provide the needy with some food and essentials.

Carillo, now 32, said that she looks forward to building her own family a community full of love. She also intends to promote her advocacy, which is to never stop chasing dreams, to those who have goals and wanted to be better.

“For my fellow kabayans struggling abroad, do not be afraid to dream, set your goals upfront, and never stop believing that you can do it. God will always be there for you from light even to the darkest hours of your journey,” she concluded.

Carillo

Former call centre agent now a multi-business owner in UAE

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ight after taking a Bachelor of Science in Biology and graduating from Central Philippines University, Donna Mae Josephine Magno Carillo has already intended to work in Iloilo City. She worked in an immigration consultancy firm for nearly four years.

Coming from a ‘not so perfect family,’ Carillo’s parents were never married. She has several siblings from both sides, however, she is still thankful to have them as her family members in spite of negative comments that come from other people saying that she is a ‘fruit of wrong and mistaken love.’

After hearing successful overseas stories, she started to move out of her comfort zone. She left the Philippines in 2013 to work in Qatar as his brothers helped her to find a job in his company. In Qatar, she

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GALING NG PINOY, PARA SA MGA PINOY!

GALING NG PINOY, PARA SA MGA PINOY!

Mhon Lee From salesperson for electronics to founder of confectionary company in Dubai

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fter working as a salesperson for an electronics company in the UAE for five years, Mhon Lee moved to a confectionary company that paved the way to open his business, TheKakaoGuy. The company, which was conceptualized in 2018, sells sweets and pastries online.

In his last company, he was tasked with assisting the operations manager in making sure that everything went smoothly for the day-to-day operations. Before moving out of the company, he created a customer service department that he spearheaded for two years.

Lee said that building his own company is the high point of his stay in the UAE as he creates and grows the company according to his vision and goals.

The person behind TheKakaoGuy further added that he enjoys creating different kinds of desserts and finds fulfilment when people enjoy his creations.

“Bringing joy to our customers through our desserts and being part of their celebrations gives fulfilment like no other,” Lee said.

Like many Filipinos who chose to work outside the Philippines, Lee also wants to be better off financially. He said that working outside the country gave him the opportunity to learn new things and to be exposed to new ideas and possibilities.

“I think I have faced the same struggles as everyone when they are starting here. We all missed our home and our family, your finances are still not at par with the standard of living that you want and adjusting with the weather and the community takes time,” he said adding that having his partner and future wife with him made it easier as he had someone who pushed him to reach into his untapped potential.

“I had always admired different entrepreneurs like Bill Gates and Elon Musk. I have read about how they failed a lot and learned from those failures to make great companies and have an impact on how to make the world a better place,” he further added.

Although Lee has no plans yet to go back home in the future, he plans to establish a branch in the Philippines so that whatever sweets that they offer here in the UAE can be offered in his home country.

He believes that bringing business to the Philippines will create new jobs and can help the country’s economy get back on its feet however small the contribution is.

Advice for fellow Filipinos A piece of advice that he can give to his fellow Filipinos is to learn a skill that they like. “You can learn a skill that doesn’t interest you and I will be sure that you will forget it immediately. Learn a skill that you like, enhance on it, enjoy it and eventually, you will profit from it,” he said.

“Always remember that being employed is not the end goal, being employed is a necessary step to make something for yourself. Start a new hustle while you are still employed and from there you can gauge if that something is what you would want to do as a business in the long run. Train your mind to always see the good in everyone and to make the most of the situation, this would sound cliche but there is always a silver lining, use all the rejections and failures to your advantage,” he further added.

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

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Filipino Institute now a recognized ATHE centre, a global awarding organization in UK

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The recognition signifies that Filipino Institute is now accredited to offer certificates and diploma programs from level 3 to 7. Below is the level of qualifications as stated by the UK’s National Qualification Framework (NQF): Level 3 – a qualification equivalent to A level.

Level 4 – a qualification equivalent to Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) Professional Diploma.

Level 5 – a qualification equivalent to Higher National Certificates (HND) or foundation degree level.

Level 6 – a qualification equivalent to Bachelor’s Degree level.

Level 7 – a qualification equivalent to Master’s Degree level.

Level 8 – a qualification equivalent to Doctorate level.

Below are the programs that Filipino Institute are accredited to offer in its campuses in the Middle East: ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Accounting ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Applied Statistics ATHE Level 3 Diploma In Business ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Business and Management ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Business English and Communication ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (2020) ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Information and Digital Communication ATHE Level 3 Diploma In Law ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Small Business and Social Enterprise Start-up ATHE Level 4 Diploma in Accounting ATHE Level 4 Diploma in Business and Management ATHE Level 4 Diploma In Computing ATHE Level 4 Diploma In Management for Health and Social Care ATHE Level 4 Extended Diploma in Accounting ATHE Level 4 Extended Diploma in Business and Management ATHE Level 4 Extended Diploma in Law ATHE Level 4 Extended Diploma in Management for Health and Social Care ATHE Level 5 Diploma in Accounting

Filipino Institute, under its license Success Wisdom Professional and Management Development Training LLC, has now been a recognized ATHE Centre, a global awarding organization regulated by Ofqual and other UK and international regulators.

According to Mr. Gabriel John Rimando, after a rigorous process of accreditation for the past couple of months, finally, Filipino Institute is now recognized by the Englandbased organization, which has been offering a wide portfolio of vocationally oriented and internationally recognized qualifications– such as business and management, law, computing and healthcare, among others.

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ATHE Level 5 Diploma in Business and Management ATHE Level 5 Diploma In Computing ATHE Level 5 Diploma In Management for Health and Social Care ATHE Level 5 Extended Diploma in Accounting ATHE Level 5 Extended Diploma in Business and Management ATHE Level 5 Extended Diploma in Business and Management (Gen Ed) ATHE Level 5 Extended Diploma in Law ATHE Level 5 Extended Diploma in Management for Health and Social Care ATHE Level 6 Certificate In Healthcare Management ATHE Level 6 Diploma in Management ATHE Level 6 Extended Diploma in Management ATHE Level 7 Certificate In Healthcare Management ATHE Level 7 Diploma In Healthcare Management ATHE Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management ATHE Level 7 Extended Diploma in Accounting and Finance ATHE Level 7 Extended Diploma in Strategic Management

Filipino Institute K-12 team introduces scholarship grants for talented, bright students

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fter announcing the employee dependents scholarship grant for its fulltime employees and adjunct trainers, Filipino Institute has bared a new type of scholarship grant–this time, it’s for talented and bright students or those who consistently excel in the class.

In its latest announcement, the K-12 team bared three new scholarship grants: Talents and Skills Scholarship Grant (TSSG), General Academic Scholarship Grant (GASG), and School Year Top Academic Performer Scholarship Grant (TAPS).

TSSG is a special scholarship grant awarded to a student that showcases talent and skills.

“These attributes should be duly recognized by the company and will have to undergo approval from the K-12 Administration, Marketing Team, Human Resource, and the Office of the President,” the announcement read.

A student under this privilege is expected to support the company’s campaign, including social medial platforms, among others. A TSSG student is awarded a 100 percent tuition fee scholarship excluding the admission and miscellaneous fee.

Meanwhile, GASG is divided into two categories.

In the first category, a student will be offered a 50 percent tuition fee discount excluding admission and miscellaneous fees. A candidate under this academic scholarship grant must have a general average not lower than 95 percent general average and is part of the top 5 percent of the total class population from the previous school year or previous school. They are also required to maintain an average of 95 percent general average and an average not lower than 90 per subject area to maintain their academic scholar status.

For the second category, a student will be offered

a 25 percent tuition fee discount excluding admission and miscellaneous fees. A candidate must have a general average not lower than 90 percent general average and is part of the top 10 percent of the total class population from the previous school year or previous school.

They are also required to maintain an average of 90 percent general average and an average not lower than 85 percent per subject area to maintain their academic status.

Under TAPS, this privilege is only granted to students enrolled in the Filipino Institute, from the start of the school to the end of the school year. Transferees after the end of the first quarter are not entitled to receive this particular grant.

The criteria to avail TAPS are slated below: y y y

The Top 1 of each grade level shall receive a full 100 percent scholarship excluding the admission and miscellaneous fees.

The Top 2 of each grade level rankings will receive a 50 percent scholarship excluding the admission and miscellaneous fees.

The Top 3 of each grade level rankings will receive a 25 percent tuition fee scholarship excluding admission and miscellaneous fees.

“This scholarship grant is subjected to termination at the end of the school year and will be granted depending on the results of the year end’s overall rankings per grade level.

Scholarship under this grant must maintain a certain quarterly average of at least 95 percent and strive to achieve the class top rankings to avail the grant for the following school year. If they are not able to do so this grant shall be void and thus be able for any candidate of the grade level able to comply with the scholarship grant requirement,” the K-12 team noted.

Filipino Institute, in partnership with Garden Angels Integrated School, Inc., is gearing up to offer the K-12 program here in the Middle East, boasting extremely qualified and skilled academic teachers, on August 29 this year.

The school is offering three learning methods: Regular Online Classes (5 times a week of Online Classes) y 100 percent of the class is done online via Zoom with a teacher interaction for five days. y The class hours will run for five hours every day from Sunday to Thursday with the teacher’s assistance. y Learning materials will be given using the provided learning platforms.

Alternating Online Classes (3 times a week of Online Classes) y 100 percent of the class is done online via Zoom with a teacher interaction for three days. y Two online learning with the teacher for five hours each meeting with the provided learning platforms. y One day Assessment Day. Home-Based Online Classes (Once a week Online Class) y 80 percent of the classes with the provided learning platforms are done at home or any student-preferred convenient place of learning for the student and 20 percent will be online via Zoom with teacher interaction. y The student will receive and submit their learning modules and activities through the provided learning platforms. y The students will be on an online learning one a week, every Sunday for five hours for the weekly assessment.

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OFW of 22 years in Saudi thanks Filipino Institute for free online courses A Saudi Arabia-based overseas Filipino worker (OFW) thanked Filipino Institute for offering free online courses and helping him upgrade his knowledge in his field of work.

Devoh Lazarte, 47, has been working in the Kingdom’s construction industry for over two decades. He has recently decided to take two free online courses offered by the UAEbased training institute: Project Management Fundamentals and Purchasing Procurement Basics. “[The program of the Filipino Institute] is really

Former Filipino Institute student now healthcare assistant in England

beneficial. It is a brilliant idea for individuals who want to improve their knowledge but don’t have the time to attend a class and meet in person. In my situation, I have been doing online training to upgrade my knowledge before discovering the Filipino Institute,” Lazarte, a procurement engineer for instrumentation and control, said.

Upon seeing the courses on the website, he found it interesting as they offer courses that were in line with his present work. As he’s been working in a construction company, he enrolled himself in Project Management Fundamentals.

“Because of the excellent selection of courses and subjects, I am gaining valuable information from this course,” he further added.

And since he presently works as a procurement engineer for instrumentation and control, he enrolled himself in Purchasing and Procurement Basics.

“I am very excited upon seeing this course as I am working in the procurement department without any basic knowledge in procurement and purchasing. This training taught me all I needed to know about conducting procurement and purchasing efficiently,” he said.

“Thank you to the Filipino Institute and its administration for making this free online course available. Continue to assist my fellow OFWs in attaining their goals by offering quality training and education,” he further added.

France Sanchez Ramos, a ‘proud’ Filipino Institute Sharjah branch graduate, said that he was able to use what he has learned from the educational institution when he decided to work as a healthcare assistant for a hospital in England.

Ramos, whose on a wife’s dependent’s visa, said that one of the factors he is now working in the United Kingdom is his wife nurse. For the past two and a half years, he has been working as a healthcare assistant.

Before embarking on a journey in England, Ramos was a production supervisor in SAIF Zone.

“Filipino Institute taught me the basic skills that I needed to work as a healthcare assistant here. I didn’t have any previous knowledge regarding the healthcare field before. Initially, I chose it because was the training centre closest to where I lived. The training fee was also affordable. Then I found that the teaching was also of really good quality once the course started,” Ramos said.

Through the years, Filipino Institute has been helping thousands of Filipinos in the Middle East to advance in their fields by offering certification courses and professional diploma programs.

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In the hospital that he is currently working on, he gives direct care to patients, this includes taking vital signs, blood glucose level, ECG, and venepuncture.

Aside from continuing to work in England, Ramos also plans to gain citizenship.

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Filipino Institute culminates Dubai learning camp first batch Filipino Institute Dubai has concluded the culminating activity for its first Learning Camp batch on August 5 at its campus in Al Rigga.

Some 10 students have successfully finished the learning camp which has kicked off in July.

The camp offered more progressive and solid psychomotor activities from ages 3 and 16.

The goal of the camp is to create a unique, sustainable centered safe setting for the young ones to explore new ideas while they interact in all fun activities offered to them. It also includes Reading, Writing, Numbers, Arts and Crafts, Hip-hop, and Ballroom.

Loreli Lepalam, the parent of Tamaro James, said that she enrolled her kid so that she could further develop her social skills.

“Feeling ko din ako yung nag-aaral. Every

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morning pumapasok. At the same time, masaya ako na yung anak ko na yung pumapasok at na-experience niya na yung na-experience ko,” Lepalam said.

She added that, hopefully, she’d enroll her child in the K-12 program of the Filipino Institute.

“Sa lahat ng mga nanay jan, hindi mawi-waste yung money niyo dito sa Filipino Institute. The best experience!” she further added.

Filipino Institute is gearing up for its K-12 program which is scheduled to start on August 29.

“Our goal is to instill leadership qualities in our students, creating them successful leaders, learners, and critical thinkers,” Mr. Gabriel John Rimando, founder and president of Filipino Institute, said.

Filipino Institute’s certificates, professional diploma can now be attested by Kuwaiti Embassy Filipino Institute’s completion certificates and its professional diplomas can now be further attested by the Kuwaiti Embassy in the UAE after being attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the UAE. The new milestone was brokered by the Filipino Institute and Success Wisdom Professional and Management Training LLC with the Kuwaiti Embassy in the UAE just recently.

Attestation is important in order to understand if a document is genuine.

This attestation is perfect for those students who are currently enrolled in the Filipino Institute and are living in Kuwait and for those who are planning to work in the GCC country.

To have your completion certificates or professional diplomas get attested, just visit Filipino Institute’s office at 604, Al Zarooni Building, Al Rigga, Deira, Dubai or call 04 234 0401.

Filipino Institute offers 100% K-12 scholarship to full-time employees Good news for full-time and adjunct trainers working for the Filipino Institute!

The K-12 team has recently introduced the Employee Dependents Scholarship Grant (RDSG) or privilege exclusively for Filipino Institute full-time and adjunct trainers.

Under the K-12 program, dependents of fulltime employees, including spouses or children, are entitled to a 100 percent tuition scholarship as part of the employee benefits agreement. In an announcement made by Lideline Lariosa, Filipino Institute’s director of academic services, the privilege does not include the miscellaneous and admission. “However, corresponding fees shall be collected if the employee is terminated or has resigned from their designated position. The corresponding payments will be calculated from the date of resignation/termination up to the last day of the school year based on the school calendar,” Lariosa added.

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Meanwhile, dependents of adjunct trainers and employees are entitled to a 50 percent tuition scholarship as part of the employee benefits agreement. The scholarship does not include the miscellaneous and admission.

“Corresponding fees shall be collected if the employee is terminated or has resigned from their designated position. The corresponding payments will be calculated from the date of resignation or termination up to the last day of the school year based on the school calendar,” she further added.

The academic director urged the team to fill out the enrollment form online and identify the scholarship as EDSG FT for full-time employees; and EDSG PT for adjunct trainers and employees through this platform.

‘Learning is limitless.

Filipino Institute proves that you can achieve anything’ Another Filipino Institute pride!

From hotel receptionist to certified medical coder Another Filipino Institute student has recently passed the rigorous Certified Professional Coder (CPC) of the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC).

Yasmine Ayessa Eco, a hotel receptionist and a former Filipino Institute student, is now a CPC-A after taking the exams for professional coders

After taking an online free course at the Filipino Institute, Erik John Villanueva, a UAE-based overseas Filipino worker, said that the training institute proves that if one is focused and motivated, he or she can achieve anything.

Since it was his first time to take a Filipino Institute service, it was quite refreshing for him to attend an online training course once again.

Villanueva arrived in the country in 2013 and his experience working in the oil and gas business, mostly in terminal operations and commercial services, gave him the determination to expand his expertise in other areas, specifically in logistics.

This was the reason why he took the Logistics and Supply Chain Management course. He hopes that after taking his certificate, which was attested by Dubai’s Knowledge of Human and Development Authority (KHDA), it will lead to better job opportunities as well as the development of his skills and the other confidence to broader his horizon.

“The advantage of the free online courses that Filipino Institute offers is that you can learn at your most convenient time without compromising your work. Since this is a free online course, I will take this opportunity and maximize my free time in taking other courses that Filipino Institute offers in the coming weeks,” he further added.

and getting an 84 percent total score on the examination that consisted of 150 multiplechoice questions and that took five hours and 40 minutes.

The exam for medical coders is the gold standard of coding certifications.

“When I discovered the medical coding course, I was not sure and I was so hesitant to enrol because I doubted my capability, my availability, my finances, will I be disciplined to study? Commit and finish? Then I discovered Filipino Institute through social media--all those hesitations turned into perseverance cause I know it was God’s will and Him making a way,” Eco said.

The UAE-based Filipino took an online course and was part of Mr. Patrick and Phoebe Delos Reyes’ class.

She recalled Delos Reyes pushing and encouraging her and the rest of the class through her ‘hugot lines’.

“I found studying fun even after tiring work.

Looking back, I’m grateful that I did not allow myself to be discouraged/to quit and I’m grateful for the people behind praying and wishing me success,” she said. www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

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Filipino Institute inks partnership with Philippines’ Emilio Aguinaldo College Manila Filipino Institute has recently inked a partnership with the Philippines’ Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Manila to offer three programs to the growing number of Filipinos in the Middle East at an affordable rate.

The partnership signifies that Filipino Institute is now accredited to offer EAC’s Teacher Certification Program, Masters Degree Programs, and Doctorate Degree Programs.

Teacher Certification Program is offered to those who want to be a licensed professional teachers and be qualified for licensure examination for teachers (LET) in just one semester. Students must complete 18 units of course of work and must be a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree holder from a higher education institution that is recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

In the Master’s Degree Program, students must complete 18 units of the core course, 12 units of an elective course, a comprehensive exam, and a six-unit thesis. Students must have a bachelor’s degree program in any discipline from a recognized post-secondary institution. Meanwhile, non-degree students are required to have completed a Bachelor’s

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Below are the Doctorate Degree Program being offered by the Filipino Institute in partnership with EAC: y

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Management Major in › Educational Leadership › Physical Education › English

y

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Criminal Justice

y

Master in Hospital Management (MHM)

degree prior to annulment.

Below are the initial documents needed upon enrollment for all programs:

Below are the offered Master’s Degree Programs:

1.

Copy of the following documents: a. Transcript of Records b. PSA Birth Certficate c. Marriage Contract (If applicable) d. Passport, Visa, and Emirates ID copy e. 3 copies of 2×2 colored ID picture

y y y y y y y y y

Masters of Arts in Education Major in Administration & Supervision Biological Science English Filipino Guidance and Counseling Health Education Mathematics Science Education

y y y

Masters of Arts in Nursing Major in Medical Surgical Nursing Maternal and Child Nursing

For more information, visit www.figais.edu.ph, or email them at eacrecords@figais.edu.ph, or call the following representatives:

y y y

Masters in Business Administration Master in Public Administration Master of Science in Criminology

Miss Nina – +971 50 275 5700

Under the Doctorate Degree Program, students must have a master’s degree with at least 15 units that are aligned with the field of specialization being applied for.

2.

Online application: click the link here: http:// aims1.eac.edu.ph/eacmnl/applicants/

Mr. Hubert – +971 54 451 1614 Miss Lyza – +971 56 867 1569 Image Credit: EAC-Cavite Centre for Counseling, Career, and Student Development

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Failed several times in business, OFW takes business courses to restart

Overseas Filipino worker Caryn Osero, 34, has failed several times in business. Despite all the hurdles, she is a person who does not give up easily.

The household service worker discovered the free online courses being offered by the Filipino Institute, so she started to study and enrolled herself in business and accounting-related courses.

After work, she dedicated some time to pursue the online courses she has taken for free: Project Management Fundamentals, Accounting Skills for the New Supervisor, and Business Process Management.

Osero is also currently enrolled in a virtual diploma course for civil engineers in the same training school.

“I’m studying while I’m working, and with the aid of these free online courses from the Filipino Institute, I’ll be able to restart my business with expertise.

I am not going to give up until I achieve my goal.

Regardless of our age or life’s challenges, it is never too late for anyone. We need to seek a brighter future, which the Filipino Institute may help us find,” she said.

She added that she is very much thankful to Filipino Institute for its assistance in achieving her dreams.

“I can proudly say that I will be able to use my education and qualifications to begin looking for and working in reputable firms in Dubai. I hope that this certification will serve as an example for us to pursue our ambitions and that it is never too late. I advise everyone to enrol and never give up on their dreams,” Osero further added.

Want to be a licensed teacher?

Take Filipino Institute’s Teacher Certificate Program With the recent partnership of the Filipino Institute with the Emilio Aguinaldo College, Filipinos in the Middle East, especially those who want to be licensed teachers, may now expand their career options through their newest Teacher Certificate Program (TCP).

The program provides a sound theoretical foundation and experiential learning in professional education which are required by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Professional Regulations Commission (PRC). It’s designed for non-education professionals and industry practitioners who wish to pursue a teaching career and become Licensed Professional Teachers through the Licensure Examinations for Teachers (LET).

Students need to complete 18 units of course of work and must be a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree holder from a higher education that is recognized by CHED. Citing the RA 783 of The Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994, TCP provides noneducation degree holders with an understanding of the cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical

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characteristics of children and adolescents and how they develop; knowledge of subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students; skills for managing and monitoring student learning; a reflective attitude about their practice, and an openness to adapt their teaching to new findings, idea, and theories.

Below are the initial documents needed upon enrollment for TCP: y y y y y y

Copy of the following documents: Transcript of Records PSA Birth Certificate Marriage Contract (If applicable) Passport, Visa, and Emirates ID copy 3 copies of 2×2 colored ID picture

For more information, visit www.figais.edu.ph, or email them at eacrecords@figais.edu.ph, or call the following representatives: y y y

Miss Nina – +971 50 275 5700 Mr. Hubert – +971 54 451 1614 Miss Lyza – +971 56 867 1569

Filipino Institute employees undergo basic life support training to use in emergency situations Filipino Institute’s full-time employees and adjunct trainers in Dubai have recently undergone basic life support training that can be used in emergency situations until patients are placed into the care of medical professionals.

Highlighting the importance of the program, Mr. Gabriel John Rimando said that the techniques taught in the five-hour-long seminar can be used when victims appear to be choking, drowning, unconscious or suffer from cardiac arrest.

According to Mr. Rimando, the training, which is being conducted by Mark Neil Sardenia, Director

for Training and Development and Percivic Delantar, Operations and Managing Director of Prime Experts, consultancy and training firm with top calibre trainers with vast years of experience in the healthcare field.

“Nobody knows when there is a life-threatening situation and preparing them is the plan here,” he added.

The participants also learned about other important measures on a first aid training course, such as recovery position and the correct use of an automated external defibrillator device.

Filipino Institute now offers ALS program for elementary, high school dropouts UAE-based training centre and internationallyaccredited centre Filipino Institute is now offering Alternative Learning System (ALS) program to elementary and secondary dropouts, and young and adult in-school but overage.

traditional classroom setting to obtain academic credit, career exploration activities, vocational work experience, and extended teacher and peer support in an alternative setting where the ultimate goal is that of obtaining a diploma.

The program is a parallel learning system in the Philippines that provides a practical option to the existing formal instruction. It fits with those who didn’t have or cannot access formal education in schools.

This is done through methods aimed at helping and encouraging at-risk students many of the methods utilized to attempt to:

According to Mr. Gabriel John Rimando, many Filipinos did not have a chance to attend and finish basic education from grades 1 to 6 in elementary and year 1 to 4 in high school as some of them are dropouts while others did not have schools in their communities, thus he, along with his team, brings the program in the country.

The major goal of an alternative school is to provide opportunities for the students not succeeding in the

Reduce alienation and improve the self-concept of at-risk students.

Provide at-risk students with increased access to desirable social roles.

Increase community and parental participation in the education of at-risk students.

Provide a flexible and integrated academic and vocationally oriented curriculum that emphasizes the importance of school in preparing for later life.

Provide students with a success-oriented program to obtain academic and employability

skills in a school environment.

Provide a competency-based, self-paced program with clear quantifiable objectives.

Instruction will be provided in a variety of ways best suited to the individual student’s needs.

Foster within students the responsibility for their own learning and the expectation that they will take an active role in setting their own goals.

The ALS program is intended for out-of-school youth and adults that want to study or finish elementary and secondary education provided that the gap has a span of at least two years above.

For more information, call or WhatsApp the following numbers: +971 56 867 1569, +971 55 859 2570, and +971 58 959 2668 or email info@figais.edu.ph or visit their website www.figais.edu.ph to know more about the program.

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#ParaSaBayan: Awards received by Philippine Consulate in Dubai under Cortes’ leadership Philippine Consul General Paul Cortes, the longestserving Filipino diplomat in the UAE will bid adieu to the Filipino community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates in October. He serves a total of six years as the consul general for nearly 680,000 Filipinos in the region.

Under his leadership, the Philippine Consulate in Dubai has received multiple accolades, including being adjudged Best Organization for 2020 (Consular Section) at the recently concluded 123rd Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Anniversary, marking their second Best Organization award.

In a Facebook post, Cortes mentioned the accolades his team has achieved during his term. Below are the awards: 2017 > DFA Best Organization Award > Presidential Award Gawad Mabini Rank of Dakilang

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Kasugo > Best ATN Employee Award > Best Employee 2018 > DFA’s Best Assistance to Nationals Unit Award > Best ATN Employee Award > Best Employee 2019 > DFA Best Performing Unit > Best ATN Employee Award 2020 > Best Organization (Consular Section) > Best Employee Award Apart from these awards from the DFA, Cortes has also facilitated the repatriation of more than 1,000 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from 2016 to 2021.

This nurse in UAE is the only Filipino named in global Top 100 Healthcare Leaders Dan Lester Dabon, 32, is the youngest and only Filipino included in the Top 100 Healthcare Leaders by the International Forum on Advancements in Healthcare (IFAH) during the ceremonies recently held at the MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas, USA. Dabon is the chief executive officer and founder of DLD Healthcare Consulting Service, a healthcare consultancy firm in Abu Dhabi that he opened two years ago.

“I feel so honored because I had the opportunity to represent my advocacy on a global platform while carrying the badge of being a dignified millennial Filipino. Looking back, I still couldn’t believe it took me a decade to work on something I didn’t even dream of becoming one,” he told GMA News Online.

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He started out as a hospital nurse assistant in Abu Dhabi in 2012. It was also learned that IFAH award recipients are in their 50s.

“My goal is to slowly administer change in the paradigm to internationalize the healthcare standards, especially in my country, the Philippines,” Dabon, who has extensive experience with world-class healthcare facilities in the capital, said.

Apart from spearheading his consultancy firm, he is also working as a risk management officer at a government-owned organization in the capital.

Image Credit: Dan Lester Dabon’s Facebook account