Girl, Please! Nonsense Women Say

Women are fantastic, intelligent, magical creatures of light and love. Well, most of us anyway, most of the time. As fabulous and magnificent as we can be, there are times when women say and do the wrongest things – myself included! I’ll be the first to admit that as a woman, I say a lot of things that men probably find absurd. It’s not as if I do it intentionally. I don’t exactly go out of my way to complicate things for the opposite sex. It’s just that our minds are wired differently, in as much as our role in the society is different than the guy’s. It is almost as if women have their own language, a hidden culture of implied complexity and severity, and it’s the job of men to decode us.



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Of Being Single, Kiwi Crates, and Cassava Cakes

By Dannabelle Gutierrez


I have been single for thirteen years. Let me say that again, in case you missed it, my singleness is thirteen years old. It’s funny, because there are actual humans of the same age who are getting into relationships and here I am, tap-tap-tapping away on a keyboard, sipping my tea. A few weeks ago, I was out to dinner with two very good friends of mine and their significant others. When youʼve been single for as long as I have, third-wheeling or fifth-wheeling is nothing new.


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About Pinays Take Charge

The Pinays Take Charge campaign is an advocacy project of Illustrado in line with the Women of Substance endeavor created to contribute to Filipina empowerment. The project seeks, not only to create a more positive image for Filipinas in the region, but also to assist in addressing problems and concerns relevant to Filipinas.



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A Primer on UAE Immigration

FAQ on UAE Immigration

In this issue, Atty. Barney Almazar answers the most common questions regarding visa, immigration, deportation, blacklist and appeals, so you can maintain your legal residency status in the emirates without any complications.


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SNOWREADY: 6 Things Filipinos Need to Learn to Survive In the Cold

From the tropical islands of the Philippines to the Frigid Zone countries of the Arctic Circle – mabrrrhay!



One of the most dreaded things about migrating to another country is the prospect of having to adapt to extreme cold weather. And nowhere is that more pronounced than in the case of the tank top and flip-flop wearing, Boracay state-of-mind loving Filipinos. Still, neither below zero temperatures nor frostbite will scare the determined Pinoy expat. Alas, our compatriots have not only chosen to migrate, but our communities in fact thrive from Canada, to the Nordics, even all the way to Russia.


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10 Luhoxuries that Only Overseas Filipinos Would Understand

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


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In Search for Stories

By Excel V. Dyquiangco

Introduction:

Filipinos are storytellers. In the world of journalism and media, they serve to bring tales that revolutionize, narratives that change, and sagas that challenge.

Here are four brave souls who have managed to cultivate an environment that’s definitely rich in Filipino class, culture and talent. Armed with much love for the country, they devote their whole lives to bring honour, prestige and style to the whole world–the Filipino way.

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Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Filipino Ladies Association for Growth (FLAG)

Nowhere is the special role and capacity of women in facilitating cross-cultural understanding more apparent than in the case of the group FLAG (Filipino Ladies Association for Growth).

Composed of the Diplomatic Ladies of the Philippine Consulate General of Dubai & the Northern Emirates, and supported by a select group of prominent Filipina leaders, FLAG was founded by Mme Lu Cimafranca – wife of former Phil Consul General Head Hon. Frank Cimafranca in 2014, and is now lead by Mme Yasmin Balajadia-Cortes wife of current PCG Consul General Hon. Paul Raymund Cortes. Mme. Cortes explains, “FLAG’s main objective is to enhance the role of Filipino ladies in the UAE through active participation in community events. It focuses on women empowerment and the advancement and the promotion of Philippine culture. We hope to raise awareness among the various ethnic communities in the UAE about what the Filipina woman can contribute and achieve in this country’s multicultural landscape.”


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Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Ambassador Renato Pedro Villa

Ambassador Renato knows firsthand what it feels like to be an overseas Filipino worker. He held a post in Saudi Arabia as technical writer before moving on to work with the Department of Foreign Affairs. He was an OFW before he had to represent the OFW’s as an ambassador. This gives him valuable insights on the true plight of Filipinos abroad, and informs his decisions on how to better serve their interests.


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Feeling Mayaman: A Sensible Person’s Guide to Modern Luxury

By Nicholo Jallores


Sometimes you just gotta feel rich.

You know how it is. You work like a dog day in and day out, and come payday you just want – no, need – to reward yourself for all of your sacrifice and hard labor. The struggle is real, hence the prize must be as real and tangible. You have to see it, smell it, hear it, hold it tightly in the palm of your hand until you feel in the very core of your being that, yes, you are successful. There is a point to all of your demeaning elbow grease. You are not just another cog in the machine.  You are the toast of the town. You are made, and you have the bag, the gadget, the dress, the shoes to prove it. Viva la alta!

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Meet Consul General Paul Raymond Cortes, Dubai & the Northern Emirates

Hon. Paul Raymond Cortes, the Consul General of the Philippines in the United Arab Emirates, did not dream of working in the Foreign Service. In fact, as a graduate of Computer Science from the prestigious Ateneo de Manila University.


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GLOBETROTTER's NOTES: AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam

By Kristine Abante
 

Aside from the obvious ones like the beautiful network of canals we often see in postcards, the impressive and well-oiled bike culture, and the deliciously addictive stroopwaffels, I would say Amsterdam is unique because here, you can enjoy a kind of freedom and open-mindedness that you will not easily find anywhere else.

Read Globetrotter’s Notes – bit.ly/1UFBCCx

Filipinos in Dubai: It’s What I Do

Filipinos are known to be always happy, and I am proud to be one. I am also very lucky that I am part of a very diverse company. I make sure that I pay it forward to the Filipino community in Dubai.

http://bit.ly/1LhY8Hh

Life is Art

Chancing Upon Filipino-Belgian Painter Christian Van Maele’s 4^th Solo Exhibition in Belgium

By Kristine Abante
Photo credits: Mark Ganzon



Antwerp, a city known for its diamond trade, revealed to me during an unplanned visit that it was also hiding other gems.

It was an unusually cold summer day when we arrived at the private viewing of Filipino-Belgian painter Christian Van Maele’s solo exhibition.


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My Pinoy Life in Xiamen, China

I have been staying here in Xiamen since 2011. I was a pioneer employee of Saint Gabriel International School in Pasig City, Philippines that it began its operations in 2000, and I have been working there as a preschool teacher when it decided to open another location here in China in 2011.


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Third Culture Kids—How Pinoy Are They?

By Rav De Castro

For most of us, the concept of home is a very simple thing—it’s our permanent address where everyone we know lives. It’s the place where we grew up alongside our families, relatives, and friends. But for some, home is a complex map of different cities with different cultures.


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Filipino in Japan: My Pinoy Life In Kobe

Filipino in Japan: My Pinoy Life In Kobe from Illustrado

Photo credits:  stock images from Dreamstime.com unless mentioned otherwise

ERNIESON GANADORES

Since when have you been staying there? Can you recount briefly why you moved there?

I’ve been travelling repeatedly here for short term business trips since 2006. But since May 2010, my employer (Fujitsu Ten) sent me to our head office as an intra-company transferee. Being able to stay here in Kobe for quite a long time, I have learned to embrace the Japanese way of living.

Tell us something about your place?

Kobe, Japan is a beautiful city. I think it is the perfect combination of city and nature. I can be in the middle of the city and then hiking in the mountain trails in no time. Living here, I feel like I’m on a tour every day. Having photography as my hobby, I never run out of subjects.

If anyone is looking for a different level of experience, this place is a “must” visit with its diverse culture, superb food, endless beauty and its great people.

Here is some trivia about Kobe city:

Kobe City was completely destroyed in 1995 after an earthquake that shook the whole area.  But now, the city has been completely transformed into a beautiful tourist destination.

Cherry blossoms

The longest suspension bridge in the world, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge can be found here...

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My Pinoy Life In Danang Vietnam

My Pinoy Life In Danang Vietnam from Illustrado

Filipinos in Vietnam: Arturo Poblete Jr., Director for Les Gants Vietnam

Photo credit: Peera_Stockfoto/shutterstock

I first came to Vietnam in July 2005 to set up and assist the country director of Les Gants Vietnam. My ability to speak in Vietnamese & Japanese were a plus for me as I officially served as the Japanese and Vietnamese interpreter of the company. Eventually, I became the director for Les Gants Vietnam in 2006; a post I held on to till 2010.

I live in Danang City, Vietnam, the third largest city in Vietnam located in the central part of the country. Danang City a long coast line and as you can imagine, beautiful beaches and many ancient ruins that reflect the Chinese influence on the country.

Arturo Poblete Jr. and his family

 See full story of a Filipino living now in Danang, Vietnam http://goo.gl/jt4F0C

Filipinos Abroad: What Every Filipino Needs to Know When Moving to Another Country

Filipinos Abroad: What Every Filipino Needs to Know When Moving to Another Country from Illustrado

By Quay Evano

Photo – Dreamstime.com

Filipinos have been widely known as citizens of the world. The Pinoy diaspora dates back to the early 1900s when thousands of Filipinos migrated to the USA and ended up starting generations upon generations of Filipino-Americans.  According to AC Nielsen, Filipinos, after the Chinese and the Indians, are the third largest expatriate population scattered around the globe, with 12% of our population outside the homeland.  Our kababayans can be found working and living virtually anywhere in the world – on oil tankers and cruise ships in remote oceans from pole to pole; in unforgiving deserts in the Middle East and Africa; in the coldest places in the world, and even in jungles untouched by man in South America.

Each person has a different way of adapting and surviving in a new country. Luckily for us Filipinos, the culture that we have grown up with has given us a built-in advantage in terms of being able to more easily integrate within new communities where we choose to reside.  Not only are we blessed with familiarity with the English language, even our easy-going and mostly open attitude, unlike more conservative expats, certainly helps us adjust to life in a foreign land.

Still, sharpening our survival skills will ease the way we can get accustomed and eventually thrive in a new place.

Here are some tips that Filipinos could benefit from while trying to make it elsewhere in the world.

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Filipinos Abroad: A Filipino Expat Guide to Settling Abroad

Filipinos Abroad: A Filipino Expat Guide to Settling Abroad from Illustrado

By Kristine Abante 

They say if you haven’t dared left your comfort zone you will only be reading one page of a great book.
 
Those of us who have been lucky enough to experience the thrill of stepping into another country will tell you that there is this priceless rush that comes from the moment you first set foot on foreign soil.

Everything seems so exotic – the air, the weather, the street signs, the food, public transportation, people talking in a language you don’t understand. You take this all in as you assess the possibilities before you. It is frightening, yes, but it is also rewarding to have that chance to be a brand new person, open to new adventures ahead.

There was a time when travel was not exactly popular among Pinoys, when the word “abroad” only brings to mind three things – a) you’re family is loaded rich, b) you have relatives abroad who petitioned for you, or c) you are an OFW bound for a tough life in the Middle East, Europe or Canada.

Times have changed, however. Nowadays with cheaper international fares and better opportunities, we see Filipinos from all walks of life, not only making their way but also planting roots across globe.

Masters at the art of adapting and integrating, Pinoy expats are proving that although there might be no place like home, there is also no limit to the places you can call home.

If you’re thinking of spreading your wings and moving to certain parts of the world, we’ve gathered some insights from our fellow Filipinos living in key places around the globe to help you plan your next big move.

Yellow taxis rides on 5th Avenue in New York, USA. Photo – Andrey Bayda

Continue reading to know more Filipino Expats who are now settling abroad... http://goo.gl/TTfW7m