Filipino Digerati Club Photo by Eros Goze for Illustrado Magazine

At the Filipino Digerati Club (FDA), an organization filled with people whose expertise or professional involvement comprises of Information Technology, it is all about connecting Filipinos through technologies and skills – and sharing thoughts and minds for personal development. The group has provided personal programs, computer literacy and education classes, high-quality computing and office procedurals to around 17,000 students in the last six years. Team building activities and internal seminars and mentoring were also provided to gain more knowledge.  The group encourages cross-functional responsibilities in order to prepare and build a mere volunteer in holding higher positions in the organization in the future. “FDA sets up different branches in different Emirates and trainings are conducted regularly every Friday,” says President Lillian Bautista. “FDA has gone far to, at least, five Emirates as part of reaching out to co-Filipinos from sub-urban places instead of them going to the Dubai branch which might be considered far for them. FDA is the only group with most branches. FDA has also the most number of offered courses, including livelihood programmes.”

Interestingly that has also become its main challenge – putting up different branches. During those times, there were no volunteers living on such Emirate and it took a while before establishing a new set of volunteers from the location until leaving them on their own. “Despite all the troubles or struggles FDA meets, being positive contributes to a better outlook in life,” she says. “All volunteers provide free services, not just to help others but to make themselves happy and fulfilled at the same time. It is always sweet music to the ears whenever a sincere “thank you” from Kababayans is received. It is very rewarding whenever a FDA graduate would inform that he or she was promoted at work, gained a better job or has put up his own business.”

As of now, FDA has more than 15,000 course graduates – some give updates about what’s going on with them; others send messages whether they are still in the UAE or otherwise.

Read about another Filipino organization helping out the community in the UAE

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It’s been four years since Engr. Mary Jane Alvero Al-Mahdi has been hailed as one of Illustrado’s Women of Substance.

But through all the recent accolades – her recent Emirates Woman – Visionaries Award, the Bagong Bayani, her inclusion in the 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the World, among other commendable developments in her life.

Her story remains the same – that of an empowered Filipina who has shown the world that she can compete, excel and eventually lead, with sheer talent, determination and hard work – as well as a generous helping of good old Pinay charm.

We look back at Mary Jane’s past (from Illustrado’s Women of Substance 2009) –

Engr. Mary Jane Alvero Al Mahdi

Outstanding Professional-Trailblazing Filipina

from ILLUSTRADO WOMEN of SUBSTANCE 2009

Story by Lalaine Chu-Benitez; Photography by Mac Antonio

She led us through chemical labs smelling of foul waste water, through to dusty corridors where concrete slabs were stacked and tested for torque, weather resistance and other technical parameters mere mortal like us do not understand. Along  the way, she stops and points to a nuclear  test  lab in one corner of  the complex. All this time, her elegant abaya was fluttering  in her stride as technical staff, mostly male, acknowledged the presence of  ‘madame’. Taking in the surreal scene, I had to make a mental note to remember that this confident  lady before us, is in fact a Pinay –  a simple Filipina who has managed to break quite a few stereotypes in her trailblazing professional life.

Engr. Mary Jane Alvero Al Mahdi, is quite the picture of female empowerment – a role model not only for Filipinas but for Emirati women as well. The San Pablo, Laguna native is the first Filipina to have won in the prestigious Emirates Business Women’s Award (EBWA) in 2008, the first runner in the Professional Category – now part of an elite group of females lauded by the UAE government in lieu of their professional excellence, exemplary works and leadership. CEO of Geoscience Testing Laboratories (GTL) a multi-discipline testing company, Mary Jane runs a multimillion company with over 700 employees, with 4 branches around the country and 54 laboratories. GTL counts the prestigious Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Metro as but a few of their impressive projects.

A Chemical Engineering graduate, she started as a humble chemist in Al Futtaim in 1992, armed with a hard work, patience and typical Pinoy talent for fostering good relationships, not to mention putting a premium on her professional education by earning two masters degree, one in Quality Management and another in Engineering System Management, the GTL in 1998 – before her birthday. She was eventually promoted to CEO in 2003. Mary Jane admits that she has been very fortunate to have been nurtured by the company which has puts so much trust in her abilities. She also explains the definitive reason for her success _”My failures. If I didn’t make mistakes, I will probably not be successful as I am today.”

Married to an Emirati man and mother of two, the self made top executive says that she is also lucky to have a husband and in-laws who have welcomed her to their family and have given her support in her endeavors. “My mother and father-in-law were the proudest parents when I received my award last year,” she remarked.

With the EBWA just recently concluded, Mary Jane has been occupied with invitation to high profile events, speaking engagement, interviews, and has been featured in a documentary on local TV channel City 7. Through all the flurry of activities, she confesses that she’s surprised with all the fuss and how much attention has been given to her because, according to her, she still feels the same normal person. Truly, it is quite refreshing to see that despite success and good fortune, Mary Jane does not exude an air of arrogant self-importance and instead retains her sweet Pinay persona. She also still finds the time and motivation to support the Filipino community as one of the founders of the Filipino Digerati Association providing free computer application training to kababayans in the emirates.

Whether she is making a groundbreaking statement of empowerment for Filipina and Emirati women, or showing that a simple girl can carve out her own hugely successful future, or debunking the myth  that money and power corrupts, the story of Engr. Mary Jane Alvero Al Mahdi serves as an inspiration from quite a number of outstanding angles.

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Illustrado threw a community event for Filipinas in the UAE on the 6^th April 2012, at the Almas Tower, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai.

Dubbed the “Day of Sisterhood” the whole day affair dedicated to celebrating “Pinay Power” saw a gathering of 400 Filipinas from all walks of life, who came together for a whole day of learning and bonding.

An offshoot of Illustrado’s Women of Substance campaign, an advocacy devoted to the empowerment of Filipinas in the region, the Day of Sisterhood’s became a venue where attendees were provided useful information on topics that could help them enrich their lives.  The event also became a platform where the women were able to fearlessly discuss personal concerns and issues, especially those related to reproductive health and sexual empowerment.

 The affair was graced by Ambassador Grace Relucio-Princesa who opened the event with a non-denominational prayer.

Most awaited during the affair was the open forum session with renowned psychologist, author and TV personality, Illustrado columnist Dr. Margarita Holmes who flew to Dubai especially for the Women of Substance and Day of Sisterhood events.

Digerati’s Lilian Lee Bautista (L) looks on with a smile

During the discussion, Dr. Holmes, together with host Lalaine Chu-Benitez, Illustrado’s Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, highlighted the message that women should make the right decisions for themselves and see to it that they protect their well-being – especially when it comes to their own sexuality as well as reproductive health.

WOS Honoree Engr Mary Jane Alvero Al Mahdi shares some insights

Lending their expertise on other useful topics for Filipinas were Engr. Mary Jane Alvero Al Mahdi (career advancement), Financial Consultant Bey Celso (financial literacy and planning), Style Consultant Agnes Aquino-Briggs (style, image and grooming), Sherwin Lim (investing and Philippine real estate) and Jhasmin Cipriano (Pinays Take Charge Guideline).  Also adding to the educational and fun aspect of the event were the demo on Self-Defense for Women conducted by Ibrahim Rubel Beltran, a mini make-up workshop led by locally renowned make-up artist Ginno Alducente, as well as the live painting session by artist Flordeliza Pesigan.

Other elements such as the hourly Titan Watches give-away, displays from local Filipina entrepreneurs and Pinay Make-Over, as well as the free bone scan from Anlene, give-aways from Dove, Ayala Land, Xpress Money, Dunia, Giordano, as well as refreshments from Al Ain Dairy, Arab Beverages and Galang LLC made for an enjoyable day of bonding the attendees will not forget.

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CEO – Geoscience Testing Laboratory, UAE

As the CEO of Geoscience Testing Laboratory, I am responsible for the success or failure of the company. Operations, marketing, strategy, financing, creation of company culture, human resources, hiring, firing, compliance with safety regulations, sales, PR, etc. — it all falls on my shoulders.

My contribution as a CEO is in building a superb business with the money raised. Setting strategy and vision is my main duty. The senior management team helps me develop strategy. I ultimately set the direction – which markets the company will enter, against which competitors, update of technology, training and innovation. Making the organization different from its competitor is one of the big challenges I am facing. Decision making, setting budgets, and building a team to steer the company accordingly, are all important functions and responsibilities I exercise.

My other duties include building a healthy corporate culture – a great place to work that can attract and retain the very best, as well as to facilitate team-building ensuring that my team works together in a common direction.  Every activity in my job is challenging.

I rose up from a Junior Chemist to CEO in the same line of business in a span of 19 years. My achievements were all appreciated and eventually, this inspired me more to give my best. With my success, I have made my country proud of me and my failures helped me to conquer the fear of being a loser. As I’ve learned in the past, my failures guided me in continuing my journey. They were not easy to accept but the pain made me a better and stronger person.

A typical working day for me

I start early. I wake up at 4:30 am to take bath. Then I pray, spend an hour on emails, read the news online, exercise, have breakfast with my family and then get my children ready for school and drop them off.  I do all that and still get to work by 8am to 8:30am.

At the office, I hold a meeting with my key staff to discuss major issues and make assignments accordingly. Here, my executive assistant would detail my agenda for the day including any meetings or upcoming travel.  I then spend part of the morning on emails and phone calls that must be returned. With the help of my assistant, I sift through all of the correspondences and reply to those items I consider most pressing.  Technology has helped me stay connected no matter where I am in the world. Even when I am not in the country, I still answer emails and return phone calls.  At lunchtime, some important meetings will likely take place. I meet with potential clients and other important people. My job will include being able to make people feel comfortable as much as anything else.

After work, I pick up my kids from school; check the homework of my son, look after my baby, plan for the dinner and bond with my husband by watching TV – our way of relaxation.  In the weekends, I go to the spa, visit relatives and friends, shop and watch a movie with my husband on Friday night.  I also do charity and organizational work for the community.

Career Advice

Let us give praises and glory to God above all. We Filipinos should be proud of our roots. Let us show the world our professional excellence. Never stop educating ourselves, continue learning, share what we can, be humble and not to forget the good values that our parents have instilled in us.

MARK ALVARO

Operations Manager, Retail Sector –  Transguard Group

 My job

I’m currently working as an Operations Manager (Retail Sector) for the Transguard Group. I am managing and overseeing over 300 security personnel at various high profile locations, so there’s never a dull moment! So far in my two years in this role, I’ve travelled to India for a recruitment campaign and trained new recruits to a high standard, sharing my 15 years or so experience in the security field. As an Operations Manager, I am expected to do site visit at various locations, hold daily briefings for the staff, as well as have weekly meetings with the client. When I’m not in operations, I address administration issues at the office. So many issues may arise; anything from staff welfare or staff discipline is always on the agenda.  Then of course, we’re always on the lookout for new businesses, promoting and selling Transguard as a company.

Side story

Last year, I had the opportunity to participate in White Collar Boxing, an event organized by Transguard where executives turn fighters in the ring. It’s an experience that will always stay with me. Never won the fight, but once you’re in that ring and you’ve experienced the whole thing then you have nothing but admirations for the pros that do it for a living! The eight week training was gruelling but well worth it in the end. I’ve never been so fit in my whole life! The best way to describe how you feel afterwards, well…it’s like being in a car crash, your whole body is aching!!! But, I would definitely recommend it to anybody.

A typical working day for me

First thing in the morning, I’m usually at one of the sites holding a morning briefing before the start of the shift of my staff – addressing any issues they may have in regards to security matters, or their own personal issues. Then, I have a walk-through with the senior supervisor or supervisor of the site. After that, I meet with the client and make sure that their happy with the service we are providing. At times, we also do sites audits – checking that the high standard is kept by our onsite staff. If time permits, I would head back to the office, to deal with administration issues, if any.

Career Advice

In general we’re a very proud nation, but I feel at times that we’re too polite and nice in the working environment. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that, but we should be more assertive and confident in our own abilities because we are a nation filled with enormous potential and talent – we are at a par, if not better in some things compared to others.

The post It’s What I Do – Pinoy Talent On-the-Job appeared first on Illustrado Magazine - Filipino Abroad.

Over the years, Filipina’s working overseas have been greatly stereotyped and put in a negative light. This documentary follows a collective group of global Filipina’s who have been deeply affected by these issues and how they chose to respond by sharing the positivity, and the advocacy of a common mission – uplifting the morale of Filipinas everywhere.

A Film by Kamil Roxas

Watch the trailer and complete film in 3 parts:

The Empowered Filipina Trailer

The Empowered Filipina Part 1

The Empowered Filipina Part 2

The Empowered Filipina Part 3

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