Social Entrepreneur, Global Changemaker

Illac Diaz, through Liter of Light, the first global Filipino NGO which he has founded, has brought light to millions of poor families across the globe, and in doing so has also advocated a more progressive narrative for the Filipino people – that of a benefactor nation well capable to contribute solutions to the problems of the world.

A social entrepreneur and campaigner for progress, Illac has developed sustainable technology, bringing solar – powered illumination to impoverished families with little or no access to electricity. His grass roots platform which has hubs in 30 countries, and is supported by some 1,400 volunteers has lighted some 1.5 million homes across the world.   Liter of Lights’ open source technology has been recognized by the United Nations and is also used in some UNHCR camps.  The foundation has also received the St. Andrews Prize for the Environment (2016) and the World Habitat Award (2014-2015).  In the UAE, Illac has received the Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZFEP) in 2015 and facilitated a world record ‘The Largest Environmental Sustainability Lesson’ with the support of the ZFEP.  He is set to showcase Liter of Light’s initiatives at the Dubai Expo 2020 as one of the grant recipients whose work will be showcased at the landmark event.

From creating sustainable solutions to igniting a worldwide movement, Illac Diaz tirelessly works to help the impoverished while demonstrating that the Philippines is an innovative nation, and its people, a globally competitive force that can lead.

Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf is Supported by: Kaya Skin Clinic,  Emirates Airline, and Unilever.

Special Thanks to Michael Cinco, Ezra Couture , Giordano, Darcey Flowers, IKON Solutions, Victors Freight, MPQ Tourism, Asia Gulf Companies –La Carne & Filfood, WOL Water

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Illac Diaz – 100MIFG 2019

A campaigner to bring a better life to the poor of the world, Illac Diaz has quite literally become the bringer of light not only to regions across the Philippines but to communities across the globe. Through his global grassroots movement, Liter of Light, he has brought simple and sustainable technology providing solar-powered illumination to impoverished families with little to no access to electricity.

Illac’s work has inspired and united an international group of volunteers which helped him install over 350,000 recycled bottle lights in more than 15 countries, since 2011. Drawing towards the final quarter of 2018, he began his most significant international journey called the ‘Voyage of Light.’ Backed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it is the largest Filipino–led global campaign, set to travel across the seas to countries in the Asia Pacific, Africa, and South America in collaboration with the Japanese organization, Peace Boat.

Among his other notable endeavors, Illac’s project won the Zayed Future Energy Prize (ZFEP) in 2015. With the support of the ZFEP, he also set the world record for the ‘Largest Environmental Sustainability Lesson.’ The project done in collaboration with hundreds of young students in the UAE  produced a solar portrait for the Year of Zayed utilizing over 1400 solar lanterns.  Filipinos in the UAE have even more cause to celebrate Illac’s work which is slated to be showcased independently during the landmark Dubai Expo2020 event.

A shining beacon for the rest of the world, Illac thoughtfully, but also simply summarizes his sentiments behind his advocacy. “With great privilege comes great responsibility.  And I was living too well when so many people were not.  So, I started simplifying what I want for myself, because I really didn’t need much, and started focusing on really sharing what I had.”

Read more about Illac Diaz on Illustrado Most Influential Filipinos of the Gulf 2018

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Special thanks to our sponsors: Emirates Airline, Stars n Bars La Mer, Liali, Instax – Grandstores UAE, Dusit Thani Dubai, Gver – Your Friendly Marketplace for Sharing, Meeting Dancewear , MPQ, CMG, Filbrit, and our partners Rozen Antonio Photography,  Alex Callueng Photography, Jef Anog Photography, and Ethereal Photography.

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Corporate Governance & Sustainable Finance Expert

When talking about accomplishments, Nick Nadal will not run out of things to share.  But he is a man who would rather not discuss himself. A conversation with him will just be about the causes he’s involved with and how this can benefit many.

A corporate expert who works for the government of Dubai, specifically the Dubai Sustainable Finance Working Group, he is one of the key persons behind making the emirate a global player in sustainable finance. He does this while working on advancing good governance practices in regional organizations, addressing boards and decision-makers, framing decisions related to environmental responsibility, fairness to labor and community, company stewardship, and relationship to society, among others.  He also has set-up a regional think tank on corporate governance driving research, company engagements, and program development.

With all that he has learned through the years serving various causes, Nick encourages Filipinos to elevate themselves by embracing the greater community that they belong in. “We need to realize that human dignity, environmental responsibility, and the general need to be kind transcend our communities, and that despite differences in geographies, in how each one of us were raised, in our education, and in our general outlook in life, all of us have much more in common than there are differences. So, let’s all work to elevate the place we live, work, and play, by so doing, we also elevate our communities and ourselves.”

Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf is Supported by: Kaya Skin Clinic,  Emirates Airline, and Unilever.

Special Thanks to Michael Cinco, Ezra Couture , Giordano, Darcey Flowers, IKON Solutions, Victors Freight, MPQ Tourism, Asia Gulf Companies –La Carne & Filfood, WOL Water

Get a copy of Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf Legacy Edition

NICK NADAL

Advisor at the Executive Council, Government of Dubai

Photo by Alex Callueng; Photography Assistant – Bethoven Filomeno

Most often in modern society, those who deserve recognition are the ones who desire it the least. Such is the case with the elusive Nick Nadal – a corporate governance and policy-making powerhouse who, in his capacity as Advisor at the Executive Council of the Government of Dubai, is quite possibly the most influential Filipino in the UAE outside of public office.

Nick’s work is so important, most of it is unprintable – which is no skin off of his nose, as he is always very hesitant to participate in any conversation about his immense achievements in the region. That’s just how Nick rolls: he gets the job done, and then he lets the results speak for themselves. And what amazing things this man has been ticking off his to-do list. Case in point: he is part of the core team that helped develop, articulate, cascade, and implement arguably one of the UAE’s more consequential government plans, particularly in the area of government services improvement and innovation, urban governance, and affordable housing. Through a corporate governance institute that he helped set up in the UAE a decade ago, he spearheaded the enhancements of a number of initiatives related to advocating for greater gender diversity in the workplace, thereby helping put more women in positions of top management decision-making and innovation-enabling.

But perhaps what’s really impressive about Nick is how he manages to remain resolutely grounded and centered despite his sky-high list of accomplishments and frenetic whirlwind of responsibilities. In lieu of his many triumphs in the corporate and government sector, he would much rather talk about the fancy raclette that he whips out during dinner parties at home, or how he – above and beyond being one of the most influential Filipinos in the Gulf – is first and foremost a loving son, a loyal friend, and a dutiful husband.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Special thanks to Illustrado 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf 2016 sponsors – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

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Related Article:

Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Kenneth Surath – Tastemaker

Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Bong Guerrero – Trailblazer

Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Izhcka Zeta –Tastemaker

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FROILAN MALIT

Labor Migration Expert

“Promoting global labor rights and education has always been my advocacy. I spent years as a child working for farms in Pampanga, Philippines, picking Sampaguita flowers and selling them. This experience deeply influenced my life, as well as my understanding of world politics and international affairs in the contemporary world,” shares Froilan Malit, Jr.  labor migration, diplomacy, and international relations expert in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.  He continues, “I know that I have achieved my legacy if at least one child would look me in the eye and say: “I can do better than you.”

A Filipino who has made a huge impact in the region and beyond, Froilan is an Associate at the Gulf Labor Markets and Migration (GLMM) and Population Programme, a CIFAL Research Fellow at the University of the Philippines, and an Associate Member at the Center for the Study of Global Human Movement at the University of Cambridge. He also held consulting positions at Zayed University, the American University of Sharjah, Madarek Al Khalij, and the University of Southern California, and completed graduate research work projects in Oxford, Cornell, and the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government.

Formerly the project manager and international affairs specialist at the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (UAE MOHRE), Abu Dhabi Dialogue’s Permanent Office and the Philippine government, he also completed migration policy projects for international organizations ILO, IOM), academic and think-tank institutions in the Middle East.  Recently, he has established www.rightscorridor.com, a regional platform and research entity focused on labor and human rights issues in Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.

Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf is Supported by: Kaya Skin Clinic,  Emirates Airline, and Unilever.

Special Thanks to Michael Cinco, Ezra Couture , Giordano, Darcey Flowers, IKON Solutions, Victors Freight, MPQ Tourism, Asia Gulf Companies –La Carne & Filfood, WOL Water

Get a copy of Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf Legacy Edition

FROILAN MALIT

Project Manager, Policy Researcher

Froilan Malit is a relentless academic, an Oxford-educated leader, and a wunderkind – a person of such prodigious skill and intelligence that despite being in his 20’s, he has already carved a career that most people could only dream of achieving in an entire lifetime.  He currently works as Project Manager at the UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization (UAE MOHRE)’s International Relations Department in Dubai. Through this role, he manages a scientific pilot project that aims to examine the effects of a comprehensive approach to the certification of construction and service workers’ skills – more importantly, how it impacts the workers’ productivity, welfare, and income potential. He also conducts research on special policy topics related to labor migration, mobility, and other sectoral based policy studies on the GCC labor markets. In the past four years, he has also held academic research and policy positions at the American University of Sharjah, Zayed University, and the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, with a focus on labor migration and governance.

His story is one of perseverance. He recounts: “As a child Sampaguita picker from Lubao, Pampanga for more than 10 years, I have always worked very hard to ensure that I would bring honor and happiness to my family. When I migrated to the United States more than ten years ago, I initially worked in multiple jobs, working as a gardener, a gym cleaner, and a sausage product demonstrator. These particular jobs taught me the critical importance and value of hard work, relationships, determination, patience, and preparation in life.”

His advice to his fellow kabayans: “Be true to yourself, appreciate your family and friends’ presence, and cultivate your relationships in life.”

Photo by Alex Callueng; Photography Assistant – Bethoven Filomeno
Special thanks to – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

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Executive Chef

Mostly working behind the scenes, Filipino talents in the fiercely competitive culinary sector in the region were largely “invisible” to the mainstream.  Chef Andrew Paderes broke through the glass ceiling, stamping not only Filipino representation but also leadership in the field.

Having honed his skills at Chef Gordon Ramsay’s Maze in Qatar and Nobu in London – Chef Andrew has been thriving in Dubai’s cutthroat food scene, carving a path in the industry for many Filipino culinary professionals to follow. The first Filipino to be recognized alongside celebrity chefs from all over the globe at the annual Taste of Dubai – the country’s most renowned culinary event for gourmands, Chef Andrew has also served as Executive Chef at The Gramercy at swanky DIFC, then Claw BBQ Crabshack and Grill, and as Group Executive Chef for hip brand Stars and Bars.  He currently works as Executive Chef at Catch 22 – a multi-cuisine foodie hotspot with branches in the UAE and KSA, leading a multicultural team.

Continuing to serve as a role model not only for Filipinos but also for aspirants from other countries, he has helped shape the careers of many: “For me, success is being able to impact those you work with. I was able to train both Filipino and non-Filipino talents from the lowest positions in the kitchen into leading forces in their work environments. Being true and fair with the people I work with has had a positive influence in all the workplaces I have been in.”

Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf is Supported by: Kaya Skin Clinic,  Emirates Airline, and Unilever.

Special Thanks to Michael Cinco, Ezra Couture , Giordano, Darcey Flowers, IKON Solutions, Victors Freight, MPQ Tourism, Asia Gulf Companies –La Carne & Filfood, WOL Water

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Chef Andrew Paderes

It’s not every day that you hear of a Pinoy chef with the success and leadership forte of Chef Andrew Paderes. Group Executive Chef at wildly successful Stars N Bars at Jumeirah’s hip and happening shorefront venue, La Mer, Andrew brings to the table a fresh take on American cuisine, peppered by influences from around the world.

With a perpetual hunger for excellence, Andrew says his assertiveness stems from his experience working at Nobu in London, and then at Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant Maze in Doha.  Thereon, Chef Andrew became Executive Chef at The Gramercy at swanky DIFC, and then Claw BBQ Crabshack and Grill, and was the only Filipino featured in the city’s definitive annual foodie event – The Taste of Dubai.  According to him, positivity, ambition, and humility are the qualities which determine success.

 “Deliver beyond the expected.  Keep yourself grounded and humble. No matter how high you soar in your field, make sure you can be a model for others by leading them closely and not from a distance.”

Endeavoring to exemplify Filipino talent on a global scale, Andrew is working on a collaboration with European contemporaries on a project known as 13 Chefs – the launch of which, he hosted in the UAE. He was also given the opportunity to do heritage cooking in Ukraine, sharing Filipino cuisine with the fraternity of chefs there. Of the project, he says, “I’m so excited as I get the chance to promote the food from my home, the food I grew up with, in a country where our culinary identity is not yet recognized.”

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Special thanks to our sponsors: Emirates Airline, Stars n Bars La Mer, Liali, Instax – Grandstores UAE, Dusit Thani Dubai, Gver – Your Friendly Marketplace for Sharing, Meeting Dancewear , MPQ, CMG, Filbrit, and our partners Rozen Antonio Photography,  Alex Callueng Photography, Jef Anog Photography, and Ethereal Photography.

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Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – Chef Andrew Paderes – The Gourmet Guru

                                                          Chef Andrew Paderes Photo by Eros Goze for Illustrado Magazine

When Chef Andrew Paderes was offered the role of Executive Chef by his first employer in Dubai, he had to ask himself if he could truly step up to the plate. From working at Nobu in London, then Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant Maze in Qatar, Chef Andrew found his way to Dubai as the Executive Chef at the swanky The Gramercy, located at the DIFC, Dubai’s bustling financial district, alongside international brands.  The restaurant had a famously distinguished clientele, and for a while, Chef Andrew doubted if he had the skills to live up to its high profile reputation.

But with sheer determination and perseverance, as well as his popular signature dish of seared scallops and jumbo prawns, not only was he able to meet expectations, but surpass them and move on to become a key figure in Dubai’s gastronomic scene.

Currently, Chef Andrew, who has been the only Filipino featured in the city’s definitive annual foodie event – The Taste of Dubai, is the Executive Chef for Claw BBQ Crabshack and Grill. “On few occasions when I had to go out of the kitchen and present myself as The Chef, I can’t help but notice the tone of surprise from customers,” he says. “I bet they are gladly surprised to learn I am a Filipino.”

In his years of working as the head of one of Dubai’s busiest kitchens, Chef Andrew has learned the value of being assertive. He has discovered that there is no room for being submissive – especially in the restaurant business. In fact he had to train himself to let go of the “Yes sir” and “Yes ma’am” culture that is deeply ingrained in the Filipino mindset. “We Filipinos are at par with different nationalities, if not better,” he says. “I have learned to present my accomplishments and abilities in a way that showcases my worth as a professional. It really pays off, and you gain trust and respect.”

His advice to those who want to become chefs in Dubai: “Be assertive in the workplace but remain respectful of others and their culture. Always remember that you gain respect if you give respect. Always keep your feet on the ground. It’s so easy to become overconfident and conceited as you climb the professional ladder. You have to be careful about that too.”

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Fashion Catalyst 

Bong Guerrero came to the UAE in 1990 with promising potential and an appetite to develop great projects and brands. He founded his first events company in 1999, initially producing and managing corporate events, product launches, as well as projects that helped catalyze the now booming fashion scene in Dubai. Today, Bong is the Managing Partner of BRAG – a prominent events agency in the region that also provides creative services – and CEO of Fashion Forward Dubai (FFWD) – the region’s seasonal landmark fashion event showcasing the industry’s best designers and creatives.

Having worked alongside an impressive roster of high-profile clients like Kenzo, Jimmy Choo, Mercedes Benz, Netflix, as well as the best fashion houses in the region and beyond, Bong has developed an impressive body of work that will undeniably continue to grow and diversify. Some of the recent standout events organized by BRAG include Enrique Iglesias @ The Pointe, Dua Lipa @ The Pointe, and WASLA Music Festival 2019. Bong has also steered FFWD into the direction of managing turnkey events for the fashion, beauty, and luxury industries, as well as e-commerce – allowing fashion enthusiasts to buy clothes straight off the runway.

Turning every challenging circumstance into a fruitful opportunity, Bong, like most entrepreneurs, has experienced the paralyzing fear of projects not succeeding – but has not let this fear inhibit him in any of his undertakings. He expresses that, despite the roadblocks along the way, when you have a great team, good ethics, and a focused vision that inspires you to work hard, then one can do anything.

Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf is Supported by: Kaya Skin Clinic,  Emirates Airline, and Unilever.

Special Thanks to Michael Cinco, Ezra Couture , Giordano, Darcey Flowers, IKON Solutions, Victors Freight, MPQ Tourism, Asia Gulf Companies –La Carne & Filfood, WOL Water

Get a copy of Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf Legacy Edition

Bong Guerrero – Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf 2018

Entrepreneur

Nobody has probably done anything as impactful for the fashion industry in the UAE, and perhaps even the entire region, as much as society icon Bong Guerrero.  Widely acknowledged as ‘the’ country’s fashion catalyst – Bong’s work as CEO & Co-founder of FFWD (Fashion Forward) has catapulted Dubai into global consciousness as the region’s fashion capital.  FFWD has provided a platform to bolster homegrown brands and has brought international industry leaders, talents, and media into the City of Gold to what has become the region’s definitive seasonal fashion event.  As Managing Partner of BRAG, he has also been at the forefront of significant events for luxury brands around the country.

Recognized as one of Esquire Magazine Middle East’s 100 in 2018, Bong shares of 2018, “The year has been very exciting on many levels. BRAG has continued its focus on large-scale community events as well as other corporate events, while FFWD has uniquely positioned itself to focus on providing streamlined turnkey event solutions for the fashion, beauty, and luxury industries in Dubai and the Middle East. Fenty Beauty by Rihanna, Jimmy Choo, YSL Beauty, Kenzo, Farfetch, NARS, Dolce & Gabbana among others are some of the clients that we have created experiences for in the last year.  Moving ahead, we plan to continue to expand this portfolio as well as come back with some exciting plans for Fashion Forward.”

Beyond the glamour of Dubai’s style and luxe world, Bong believes in optimist and goodness as critical traits that allow one to get ahead.  He remarks, “Positivity begets positivity. I have always believed in turning any challenging situation into an opportunity, by focusing on the good that may come out of it. All is well, that ends well.  This in addition to being a fundamentally good person, and most importantly doing your work with authenticity, love, and passion.”

“I would like to remind people to focus on doing the work that they enjoy – when you love what you do, you will succeed at it – and when you succeed at it, you will love it even more. Challenges are inevitable, but it’s how you react to them that will determine the end result. It’s a virtuous circle of positivity.”

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Special thanks to our sponsors: Emirates Airline, Stars n Bars La Mer, Liali, Instax – Grandstores UAE, Dusit Thani Dubai, Gver – Your Friendly Marketplace for Sharing, Meeting Dancewear , MPQ, CMG, Filbrit, and our partners Rozen Antonio Photography,  Alex Callueng Photography, Jef Anog Photography, and Ethereal Photography.

Browse the digital issue of Illustrado 100 Most Influential Filipinos of the Gulf 2018

 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf 2017: Bong Guerrero – Entrepreneur and Industry Catalyst.

A true Dubai society icon, entrepreneur, and fashion industry catalyst Bong Guerrero underlines happiness as a state of mind that is central to his success.  “For me, it’s always important to be happy.  To live simply.  I’m quite simple in my way of living.  I don’t need much.  As long as I’m happy with what I’m doing, who I’m with, the people I interact with, and I get a lot of joy in my work, that’s what’s important.”

And ‘simple’ could easily be the uber understatement of the year when speaking about the man’s accomplishments which have made an indelible mark and steered the trajectory of the local fashion industry to international heights.  As Co-Founder of FFWD and Brag Events, Bong has been at the helm not only of the definitive seasonal style event in the UAE which has put the Middle East in the global fashion map.  He was also part of the beginnings of the careers of several elite designers including Furne One, Ezra Santos, and Rami Al Ali, among others.  The fact that his projects are well known in the fields of luxury and corporate events is mere icing on the cake.

Still, despite being the leading man in the glamorous world he moves in, Bongs shares that his true vocation lies in being a creative force behind the events that brought out the finest in people. He says that his upbringing in Ateneo de Manila has deeply ingrained in him the value of living for others.  He shares, “Be a man for others.  Because when you do good things for others, it always comes back to you.”

Illustrado 100 was made possible by sponsors: Giordano, Liali Jewellery, Mitsubishi UAE- Al Habtoor Motors, Michael Cinco Couture, Mapúa Institute of Technology, Centro – Amwaj Rotana Hotel , Max’s Restaurant Middle East and GVER – Your Friendly MarketPlace for Sharing

Co-Sponsors: Herschel Supply Co., Rove Hotels, The Medical City – Dubai , Filipino Institute UAE, MPQ Tourism, JAMES Travel and Tours Dubai, Off the Hook Seafood Restaurant, The Original Barrio Fiesta Restaurant – Dubai and Tapa King UAE. 

Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf 2016: Bong Guerrero, Trailblazer

 BONG GUERRERO

Founder and CEO – Fashion Forward (FFWD); Managing Partner at Brag Events

As Founder and CEO of Fashion Forward (FFWD) – Dubai’s most prestigious fashion industry event, and Managing Partner at Brag Events, the Alpha male of the Dubai style scene, Bong Guerrero has not only carved a name for himself as an entrepreneur: he has transformed himself into a true society icon. With over 25 years of experience in the Gulf, Bong’s expertise in the field of events management, concert production, and fashion is difficult to match. And in 2016, he helped orchestrate a major evolution in the Fashion Forward brand – moving the venue of the shows from Madinat, Jumeirah to d3. More than just a change of space, the move signifies an enhanced focus on marrying the concept of sustainability with the fashion industry.

In an earlier interview with Illustrado, this notable Filipino sums up his simple philosophy, “I enjoy the work that I do. I truly love what I do, and I’m very passionate about what I do. I’d like to think that [passion] brings out some kind of creativity.”

Special thanks to Illustrado 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf 2016 sponsors – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

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Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf 2015: Bong Guerrero – Dubai’s Fashion Catalyst

Bong Guerrero – Photo by Eros Goze

Bong Guerrero has succeeded in an area where so many have tried and failed in previous years.

As Founder and CEO of Brag Events – creators of Fashion Forward, he has successfully facilitated Dubai’s aspiration to build a credible fashion industry event that is not only supported by local and regional businesses, but is also respected by its other stakeholders – from the media to buyers, to the discerning and voracious fashion crowd in the country.

Having spent 25 years in the country, his local history can and will always be connected to the growth of fashion and the fashionable crowd in the emirates. From heading one of the first prestigious couture houses in Dubai – Ghanati – the birthplace of quite a few of the leading haute couture designers, to being an event organizer par excellence managing glamorous projects for international brands and practically starting up the city’s clubbing culture, Bong has always been surrounded by the movers and shakers, socialites, business magnates and royalty.

His engagement with fashion seem to have escalated when he organized the first game-changing runway show of high street brand Splash in 2007 – something totally unheard of back in the day. From then on, there was no turning back. After 15 fashion shows for Splash, numerous commercial events for an enviable roster of international luxury brands, and the birth of Fashion Forward now on its 6^th season back in 2013, Bong’s reputation as Dubai’s veritable fashion catalyst has been cemented.

Indeed, Bong Guerrero’s shift from legendary party ‘machinator’ to the brains and brawn behind the definitive fashion platform for Dubai and the entire Middle East was not only a much needed shot in the arm to the previously flailing niche, but also a spectacular feat of professional success. In an earlier interview with Illustrado, this notable Filipino sums up his simple philosophy, “I enjoy the work that I do. I truly love what I do, and I’m very passionate about what I do. I’d like to think that [passion] brings out some kind of creativity.”

Related Post:

Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Izhcka Zeta –Tastemaker

Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Mercedes Cabral – Trailblazer

Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Dr. Becky Desiderio – Trailblazer

Bong Guerrero – The Elusive Life of the Party

Profile published Illustrado Magazine 2010,  Story by Sherry Tenorio

His name probably doesn’t ring a bell.  That is, if you’re just a regular Joe or a plain Jane – an “anonymous” in the city of gold’s glitzy party scene.  He’s made quite a reputation in privileged circles by being at the heart of the emirates’ glamorous events – creator, instigator and life of the party all at once, constantly surrounded by Dubai’s beautiful and influential A-listers.  As a matter of fact, sans exaggeration, you’ve got to be somebody special if you are part of the life of a certain Bong Guerrero.

Bong Guerrero cuts an image of quiet self-assurance in the midst of the “bling” and bacchanalian euphoria that usually characterizes his legendary events.  The man has quite a presence, one that is relaxed and confidently devoid of pretense – particularly refreshing especially in a world where the well-heeled and powerful coexist with poseurs, social climbers, aspiring models, the fickle fashion crowd, et al.  You would know it when Bong is running the show, because there would always be that perceptible slight shift of gravity when he appears. Though there is a price to be paid for being a significant player in such rarefied field. It is entirely conceivable why people have a number of things to say about who he is – without really knowing what he’s all about.

Bong Guerrero lives a covetable life – a life that is one huge party. As an events guru, he personifies a glamorous existence where five star hotels, champagne and fancy cars are just plain accessories. He is surrounded and loved by shakers and movers, beautiful models and socialites, movie stars and celebrities, business icons and royalty. Because of his exposure in Dubai’s social scene and his closeness to a number of influential and A-list personalities, Bong’s life has become very public to many eyes.

“I was very exposed, especially when I was doing the ‘Bong!’ parties,” he admits. “I was Mr. Party for almost three years,” he explains how people have come to know him through his exclusive guest-list entry parties – an elite concept he introduced to Dubai in 2004. His branded parties – named after how people would exaggeratedly call out his name – heated up the city’s social landscape, making him one of, if not THE, pioneer of Dubai’s clubbing scene.

If New York refers to Studio 54 as the golden days of partying, Dubai feels the same towards ‘Bong! Parties.’ “They always remember me with lots of fun and nostalgia. For a lot of people, those were the greatest parties Dubai ever had,” Bong says. ”I was a night owl then. I had an office that I never visited because I slept during the day and worked at night. I was out five times a week. I would bring DJs from Paris, London, Ibiza and we’d have fabulous parties,” he recounts.

Bong knew, however, that he cannot live on parties forever. After three years of late night gimmicks, Bong decided to move from that chapter in his life. “I woke up one day and realized I could not be doing this forever. Besides, the dynamics had changed. All of a sudden, having over 3,000 people in the event became a trend, which was not my kind of thing at all. Don’t get me wrong, I still know how to party, but I just thought it was quite too much. I can do that again but probably on limited editions only.”

The man took a few steps back from the social scene, although he never fully left. He shifted to corporate events, leveraging on the amazing roster of clients and contacts he always had. In fact, long before the legendary shindigs, Bong Guerrero was already respected in the events business particularly in terms of the live concerts, fashion shows and corporate affairs that he conceptualized and produced.

Bong’s epiphany on venturing into events management actually resulted from attending a poorly organized concert staged in Dubai sometime in ‘99. Bong admits that during that period, he was at the crossroads. From owning a perfumery-slash-fashion house for almost six years and stumbling into a momentary career on marketing building materials, Bong always knew that something was missing. He says with a smile, “While scratching my head thinking about what to do in with my career, I thought to myself, after watching the concert, that I can do this, I can do better than this.”

He then found himself flying to Manila and ended up bringing Side A and Gary Valenciano to Dubai. Concerts, one after the other, filled Bong’s busy calendar then.  But it was an invitation to organize the Dianoor Charity Fashion Show, the very first fashion show to be staged at the iconic Burj Al Arab in 2000, that marked his career as a definitive events manager. From then on, his strong portfolio grew to include prestigious clients like Motorola, Virgin Radio, Mini Cooper, Christie’s (auction), Dubai Properties, Pepsi, Puma, Chivas Regal, Rami Al Ali Couture, Aigner Munich, Diesel, Emaar, as well as Splash with their much-anticipated bi-annual fashion shows, to name a few. Bong attributes his success to – “Enjoying the work that I do. I truly love what I do, and I’m very passionate in what I do. I’d like to think that  [passion] brings out some kind of creativity.”

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Urban Art Instigator

Before urban art became popular and Dubai started showcasing graffiti with pride in its buildings, before the city’s hip art spaces came to be, one Filipino spearheaded the lowbrow art movement in the country.

Rollan Rodriguez, the founder of the art collective BrownMonkeys, can be credited for popularizing accessible street art, first through the group’s exhibitions in alternative spaces, eventually growing into commercial features on billboards, commissioned murals for creative agencies, and showcases for the Middle East Film and Comic-Con, StreetCon, the Sharjah Biennial, among others.  Rollan says of their impact, “In some little way, somehow it made a contribution to the art world in the UAE, empowering and influencing the area of art and design.”

Respected as well in the commercial design world, though his work within his own agency, Ape Creatives, Rollan has been involved in numerous projects and has also bagged two international honors from the Indigo Design Awards held in Tokyo, Japan.

Rollan professes that he is most proud of being able to usher in a new wave of thinking in the UAE, “A brand new attitude on how we intermingle with varied cultures, and also, making our community realize that it is possible to make it – that it’s okay to be different, to be weird brown and proud.”

Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf is Supported by: Kaya Skin Clinic,  Emirates Airline, and Unilever.

Special Thanks to Michael Cinco, Ezra Couture , Giordano, Darcey Flowers, IKON Solutions, Victors Freight, MPQ Tourism, Asia Gulf Companies –La Carne & Filfood, WOL Water

Get a copy of Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf Legacy Edition

Rollan Rodriguez

Visual Artist, Community Leader

To paraphrase a certain pop star, “Art makes the people come together.” That’s exactly what Rollan’s art has been doing. His talent is so immense that it has become contagious – infecting those around him with an irrepressible spirit of creativity that compels them to do bigger, better things with their talent. He has built communities around his media, and has inspired movements towards a higher appreciation of Pinoy aesthetics.

His career has certainly been exemplary: 10 years of experience in graphic design and advertising; instigator of The Brownmonkeys – a design collective that has taken Dubai’s art scene by storm; founder of Ape Collective – a graphic design studio that specializes in brand identity, illustration, art direction and event curation. Recently, Ape Collective held an exhibit at AlSerkal. Entitled “Byahe,” the exhibit drew inspiration from the hand-painted signage found mostly in the side streets and on public transportation in the Philippines, such as the iconic Jeepney.

Through the elements of typography and design on signage, the artists of Ape Creative dared to examine how people connect through their stories, their travels and experiences.

Of the highly successful, distinctly Pinoy exhibit, Rollan professes: “The core inspiration for Byahe arose out of our interest in hand-painted signage and the traditional art of lettering. We wanted to explore this dying art and its connection to our own personal histories  – a  lot of us here in Dubai came from somewhere, and a lot of us are also moving about from place to place. We wanted to take out these unique elements from our own backyard and see how these signs would speak to people from different parts of the world, from different backgrounds and point of view.”

Photo by Alex Callueng; Photography Assistant – Bethoven Filomeno Special thanks to – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

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Photographer, Entrepreneur & Brand Ambassador

In her career as an entrepreneur and photographer, Hyku Desesto has represented and now championed the new wave of empowered Filipino media personalities across the UAE.

Having founded Soul Trap Studio, she also holds personal brand ambassadorships and features with Tag Heuer for Marie Claire Arabia, Stylist Arabia, Huawei, Puma, Timberland, Nestle and Nisnass, and worked with global brands and celebrities such as Netflix, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue Arabia, Tory Burch, Van Cleef & Arpels, Ciara, Christian Louboutin, Elsa Hosk, Ashley Graham, Lewis Hamilton, Mario Dedivanovic, Maria Tash and many more. She was also listed on Harper’s Bazaar’s top 5 coolest female entrepreneurs in Dubai published last April 2019, and was featured on Tommy Hilfiger and Puma Women’s Instagram platforms, apart from other wins during the year.

A self-made woman, Hyku says, “You are the driver of your career and the creator of your own destiny.” She now uses her platforms to help fellow Filipinos secure jobs there while continuing to collaborate with big names within the region and beyond. “I want to be remembered as someone who did not just influence but inspired and helped others.” She says.

Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf is Supported by: Kaya Skin Clinic,  Emirates Airline, and Unilever.

Special Thanks to Michael Cinco, Ezra Couture , Giordano, Darcey Flowers, IKON Solutions, Victors Freight, MPQ Tourism, Asia Gulf Companies –La Carne & Filfood, WOL Water

Get a copy of Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf Legacy Edition

Hyku Desesto

Two thousand eighteen has been a monumental year for photographer turned entrepreneur Hyku Desesto. She has brought some collaborations to life, executing creative direction for luxury and fashion brands and delivering a new level of Filipino presence to international marketing campaigns in the region.

Having founded Soul Trap Studio, Hyku and her team have worked with the biggest names in the region including Vogue Arabia, Burberry, Dolce and Gabbana, Adidas and more. Hyku herself has become a brand ambassador for Nisnass and has made appearances on OSN’s ASLI show and Netflix’s Girl Boss campaign. She was also featured on the Women’s Health Middle East list of game changers and Tag Heuer’s campaign on Marie Claire middle east.

On empowering and elevating Filipinos, Hyku strongly emphasizes learning and bridging passion with work. “Never stop learning, to always be innovative and lastly, you have to love what you, because working hard and being a go-getter will come naturally.”

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Special thanks to our sponsors: Emirates Airline, Stars n Bars La Mer, Liali, Instax – Grandstores UAE, Dusit Thani Dubai, Gver – Your Friendly Marketplace for Sharing, Meeting Dancewear , MPQ, CMG, Filbrit, and our partners Rozen Antonio Photography,  Alex Callueng Photography, Jef Anog Photography, and Ethereal Photography.

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Hyku Desesto

Photographer, Entrepreneur

Hyku arrived in Dubai with practically zero connections in the photography industry. She started of what has turned out to be a remarkable career by working in a portrait studio. Eventually, she decided to pursue freelance photography, armed with just one camera body, a flash and two lenses. And by virtue of her hard work, sleepless nights, and ability to market her work, she was able to nurture her career and launch her own company: Hyku D Photography.

With a strong track record of success that spans 4 years, Hyku decided to expand her business in 2016 by setting up an office and hiring full time employees, with the objective of attracting larger, more multinational clients.  As a result of this expansion, Hyku’s company was chosen as the official photographer of the recent Tommy Hilfiger ad campaign, featuring a-list model Gigi Hadid. Additionally, Hyku was also elected as the brand ambassador for companies Huawei and Timberland.

Of her struggles and hustles as a photographer, Hyku elaborates: “The biggest lesson that I learned is no one else can make it happen for you but yourself. Be a go getter. Do whatever it takes and never settle. Be ambitious without stepping on other people’s toes. And always give back.”

Photo by Alex Callueng; Photography Assistant – Bethoven Filomeno Special thanks to – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

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Journalist

UAE-based veteran journalist Mariecar Blanco Jara is known in the local media circle for being a fearless and straightforward journalist, who doesn’t shy away from asking tough questions.  A senior reporter at Gulf Today, Mariecar, who has been a working journalist since 1983, covers everything and anything about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-countries in the UAE, health, and women’s issues.  Lately, Mariecar has also been reporting on developments surrounding the Dubai World Expo 2020.

Renowned in her own right, the daughter of celebrated former Managing Editor of The Evening News in the Philippines, Manolo Francisco Briones Jara, has carved a name for herself in the country even earning a journalism award in recent years, upholding her belief that journalists have a responsibility to dig deeper into the news, going beyond presenting merely necessary information.  She is also a very spiritual person who takes pride in sharing the good news within her community.  “I hope my writings have inspired and opened breakthroughs.” she says.” But I also want to be remembered as a woman who has learned to trust God totally fully.”

Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf is Supported by: Kaya Skin Clinic,  Emirates Airline, and Unilever.

Special Thanks to Michael Cinco, Ezra Couture , Giordano, Darcey Flowers, IKON Solutions, Victors Freight, MPQ Tourism, Asia Gulf Companies –La Carne & Filfood, WOL Water

Get a copy of Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf Legacy Edition

Mariecar Jara

Journalist

Mariecar Jara is your quintessential journalist – ever-curious, resourceful, resilient, and with a level of integrity that has become an inspiration to the Filipino community in the Middle East. Coming from a family of media men, Mariecar Jara has always displayed a natural propensity for story-telling, having started her career in her teens as a reporter for the Pauliteen, the campus paper of St. Paul College of Manila-High School Department. Since then, her beat has taken her far and wide and has earned her various recognition, such as the The Journalist Award that she received this year from a well-known Gulf-based publication.
Asked about what fuels her success, Mariecar points upwards. She says, “I would not enjoy a life of sufficiency, contentment, happiness and forgiveness if I had not realized that in the midst of all my accomplishments and failures, God is up there guiding me every step of the way. I would not enjoy life had I not known that despite all trials and tribulations, God is there with a grand design for my destiny.”

Photo by Alex Callueng; Photography Assistant – Bethoven Filomeno Special thanks to – Giordano, Nikon, Liali Jewellery, Lulu, Mitsubishi and Western Union.

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Journalist 

Award-winning veteran journalist, Christian ‘Jay’ B. Hilotin considers his present role as senior web news editor of gulfnews.com, the leading English-language digital site in the Gulf, as both a tough and fulfilling one. “Keeping readers happy is a source of great satisfaction at the end of each working day,” he says.

“For me, storytelling in the digital era requires the same amount of passion as, if not more than, the “old media,” he says. “Whether it’s breaking news, doing explainers and long-form narratives, we constantly question our story judgment. I’m honored to work with a great team that’s pushing innovation forward, guided by tools that keep our feet firmly on the ground, connected to our readers.”

Serving up news and information to different communities in the UAE, and outside the country, he takes pride in delighting its readers. Then there is also the challenge of delivering properly-curated content relevant to the Filipino community.  Of his countrymen, Jay notes, “We have distinct qualities. As a people, we muster admirable resilience against terrible natural disasters. We willingly face great odds for the love of family. Our passion for music and enduring faith form part of our collective hallmark. There are many good things going for us right now. But we all fall short, too.”  He adds, “Punctuality, a drive to continuously improve our lot, combining hard work with mutual encouragement, instead of pulling each other down, a.k.a. ‘crab mentality,’ these are the things that would greatly help us.” 

Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf is Supported by: Kaya Skin Clinic,  Emirates Airline, and Unilever.

Special Thanks to Michael Cinco, Ezra Couture , Giordano, Darcey Flowers, IKON Solutions, Victors Freight, MPQ Tourism, Asia Gulf Companies –La Carne & Filfood, WOL Water

Get a copy of Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf Legacy Edition

Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Jay Hilotin – Media’s Filipino Custodians

“To be a Filipino is to be hopeful.”

Jay Hilotin is the current Tablet Editor of Gulf News, the biggest English-language daily in the region. He belongs to that select group of journalists who occupies a special threshold between the old and the new. He is a veteran of print journalism whose biggest challenge today lies in tooling up for new media and being able to engage one’s audience through various forms of interaction.

Needless to say, the award-winning writer has nothing more to prove, what with a successful career as a professional in the global city of Dubai. But he chooses to expand his already impressive repertoire with new challenges, including his advocacies. He supports Ancop, which helps build shelter for poor Filipinos. It also sends deserving students from poor families to school and coaches the bottom 30 per cent of slow learners in some public schools. As a writer and as a Filipino who believes in that bright future, Jay is certainly an inspiration.

“Doing our part, no matter how small, in helping those who are in the margins – one child, one family at a time – can make a massive impact. I’ll probably try to do this kind of work till I breathe my last.”

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Community Champion

As the main vanguard of MARCOM, the Maranao Community in UAE, Sahron ‘Roy’ Tamano has been passionately promoting unity and mutual cultural understanding, while supporting the welfare of marginalized Filipino Muslims across the emirates, and in the Philippines.

A victim of the tragic 2017 Marawi Siege, Roy has since helped fuel various relief initiatives that bridge the cultural and religious gaps between Filipino Muslims and their fellow countrymen. On his legacy, he shares: “My wish is to be known as one who purveys Filipino idealism by standing for what is right and defending those who are weak and oppressed.”

Spending almost two decades leading the Filipino Muslim community, he has spearheaded initiatives like the Filipino Muslim Basketball Tournament which gathers different tribes to promote unity through sport, as well as cultural activities that preserve Islamic heritage for Filipinos.

On the political front, Roy has also supported the Philippine government’s peace efforts, and has campaigned for the plebiscite for the ratification of the new Bangamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) last January 2019. Furthermore, through MARCOM, he also recently sent 5000 Qurans, donated by Emiratis, back home for distribution in mosques and madrasahs in rural areas, as well as tons of dates as part of their decade-old Ramadan charity project to benefit Marawi Siege victims.

Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf is Supported by: Kaya Skin Clinic,  Emirates Airline, and Unilever.

Special Thanks to Michael Cinco, Ezra Couture , Giordano, Darcey Flowers, IKON Solutions, Victors Freight, MPQ Tourism, Asia Gulf Companies –La Carne & Filfood, WOL Water

Get a copy of Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf Legacy Edition

Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf: Sahron Tamano – The Voice of the Filipino Muslim Community

For Sahron Tamano, being a Filipino is a privilege and something to be proud of. This view has helped him achieve so many remarkable feats that is not only a testament to his character but also gives pride to his country.

As the former President for two consecutive terms and currently Senior Adviser of the Maranao Community in UAE, Roy is a much-respected leader in his community, serving his kababayans in many ways. Whether fostering togetherness within the Marcom family through social, sports and cultural activities, helping keep traditions and religious fervor alive, or providing a bridge by linking and supporting other Filipino community projects and Filipino organizations to aid victims of calamities back home, Roy demonstrates how one can provide live a fulfilling life, not only as an accomplished professional, but also as an active contributor to the community.

So it is no wonder that Sahron, who is largely acknowledged as the de facto spokesperson for his community who brings Filipino Muslims and non-Muslims together, has been bestowed various commendations for his advocacy including the Kabayan of the Year Award 2013 by the Kabayan Weekly News and recognized as an Ambassador of Goodwill and Peace by the Southern Philippines Muslim United for Development (SPMUDA-International) a UN accredited peace advocacy group.

He remarks, “Being raised and growing up in the land of promise, Mindanao, where peace is an elusive dream, and having witnessed the suffering of our own Bangsamoro people during the dark moments of Martial Law years, has given me the courage to stand for my principle that despite of our hardships and differences, we can achieve eternal peace.”

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