Never in my entire life I thought I’d be talking to a beauty queen, much more to a crowned Miss Universe – probably the most memorable winner of ANY contest.
It’s an honor to be covering Philip Stein’s event as they formally introduce our very own Pia Wurtzbach as the newest face of the renowned global brand.
I had a short list of questions and here’s what she had to say about the watches, Filipino Time and Miss Universe’s relevance to men:
Thanks to New Perspective Media for the invitation.
You must have been hearing Money Talks UAE for quite some time now. This is a brainchild of Randell Tiongson – one of the most sought-after motivational speaker in finance and investment. He’s been going in and out of the UAE for 15 times already, and don’t you wonder why? This event is on its 4th season now. I bet many of you want to find out the real story behind this annual conference.
Let’s get straight to the point. Here are 6 facts you ought to know about the event and the group behind it:
Yes, because the group only brings the best and most inspiring financial speakers who share the same vision to help transform the lives of Filipinos overseas. Not just the good, but the best resources who can connect with OFWs. They always bring new faces and new minds year after year that tap in the greater areas of finance and investment.
This time, Randell will be joined by stock market experts Marvin Germo and Tony Herbosa, personal finance queen and ANC’s On The Money host Salve Duplito, and Real Estate investment guru Carl Dy.
Yes and they are proudly committed. This advocacy-driven group is powered by volunteerism. The volunteers are products of the first and previous Money Talks conferences who felt a calling to become advocates and continuously promote financial literacy to the Filipino community, beyond the Money Talks conference.
They travel from one emirate to another, conduct house-to-house or coffee sessions to share what they themselves have learned from their coaches and mentors. Because of their untiring dedication, they’re able to empower thousands of lives to this date, and counting.
They don’t want you to be OFWs forever. The ultimate goal is to help OFWs define the path that leads to the way back home with a healthier financial status and fruitful investments.
The volunteers, who are also certified AFP and RFP (Associate & Registered Financial Planners), will eventually go back home as well. But a good succession planning is in place so somebody will continue what the pioneers have started.
The principles you’re gonna learn from the sessions are not as cozy as those get-rich-quick schemes. They don’t give you the “power.” They help you to be empowered by unleashing your potential.
They won’t give you fish for a day, but will teach you how to fish so you could feed yourself for life.
The man is not only a financial advocate. He is also a very dedicated steward of biblical finance. Everything he preaches, from the practical life principles to the technical investments tactics, are motivated by what the bible says. He never fails to give us reminders full of wisdom to stay connected to our Creator.
That’s one of the reasons why many people call him “coach.”
Yes. You’d definitely be encouraged to invest in yourself right away – time, finance and effort to continue educating yourself until you gain that elusive financial freedom.
So how do you feel after discovering the truth behind this event?
We are blessed to have access to these kind of learning from passionate and purpose-driven mentors, unlike the OFWs of previous generation.
Bottomline, if you do not want positive financial changes in your life, do not attend Money Talks Conference.
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| Ain Dubai, Blue Waters Island |
My previous post, 101 Things To Do in Dubai, written couple of years ago, may now have a place in a museum. It just quickly became outdated.
New attractions sprout like mushrooms in the city. They come quick. Almost every month there are new places to see and new experiences to try. Some of us could easily miss what’s happening around if we’re not following major news and bloggers on social media.
This is just a list. However, I’ve linked the significant ones so it can be handy for you to get more info. So let me start with the newest spots that are currently making a buzz in the city:
See the New Sights and Hangout Destinations
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| One of La Mer’s beautiful spot – T-shirts by Eternitee |
1. La Mer
Situated by the beach, this place offers uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai’s iconic skyline.
2. Al Seef Waterfront
The destination includes a marina, traditional souk, a floating market and pontoons with space for floating restaurants, art galleries, and shops selling locally made Emirati crafts.
3. Riverland
A fun-themed dining and retail destination, inspired by “Modern Old Europe” architecture
4. The Yard
The Yard is home to Dubai’s first Promise Bridge. This place situated at “The Last Exit” in D89 also offers a rustic courtyard, a farmer’s market, a bakery, a lake and shaded walking trails.
5. Box Park
A riot of green, yellow, orange blue and grey container boxes, Boxpark is a mall unlike no other. It’s uniquely very urban and provides a different soul of the city.
6. Dubai Frame
Dubbed as world’s best new attraction, this new concept takes the visitors to a journey through time on three different levels: old Dubai, present Dubai and future Dubai. The two towers are connected by a 100-square-metre bridge, which has a 25-square-metre glass panel in the middle offering a great 360 degree view.
8. IMAGINE Light Show
It is Dubai Festival City’s record-breaking new attraction, which offers unique sensory experience, harnesses the power of light, water, and fire, combined with giant aqua screens, 30 fountains and surround sound to connect with audiences and produce a show like never seen before.
10. Last Exit Food Truck Park
A unique food truck destination with a wide selection of awesome street food
11. Queen Elizabeth II luxury cruise ship
After 10 years of docking in Dubai shores, the world famous cruise ship is set to become a hotel and museum
12. La Perle Aqua Theater Show
La Perle’s mysterious storyline, incredibly talented performers and one-of-a-kind stage concept is making major waves as the city’s very first in-residence theatre show.
13. Dubai Opera Tour
Embark on an adventure to discover Dubai’s iconic cultural destination, blending visionary architecture with moments of magic. Listen to stories about Dubai Opera’s unique heritage and breathtaking design. View exclusive VIP hospitality suite. Access unique multi-format auditorium
14. Ain Dubai / Blue Waters Island (see cover photo)
Not yet 100% completed, but it’s taking shape already and is opening soon. The observation wheel is set to become the largest and highest in the world. Ain Dubai will tower high above Dubai’s coastline with its dimensions far exceeding any similar existing structure. The observation wheel will open up never-seen-before 360-degree views of Dubai and its renowned landmarks and skyline.
15. Etihad Museum
The museum is focused on inspiring its visitors with the story of the founding of the UAE.
Explore the Theme Parks
16. Dubai Safari
17. IMG World of Adventure
18. Legoland Theme Park
19. Legoland Waterpark
20. Motion Gate
21. Bollywood Parks
22. Global Village (November to April)
Experience the Old and New Mix
23. Dubai Fountain Water and Light Shows
24. Dubai Aquarium
25. Dubai Miracle Garden (Winter)
26. Dubai Butterfly Garden
27. Aventura
28. Amphibious Bus
29. Ride the self-serving autonomous pods (driver-less cars)
30. Go up to ‘At The Top‘ (124th floor) ot ‘At The Top SKY‘ (148th floor) of Burj Khalifa
31. Skydive over The Palm for the extremes
32. Alserkal Contemporary and Modern Arts
33. Dine and high tea in the sky
34. Dubai Garden Glow and Dino Park
35. Helicopter Tour over Dubai or Seaplane Tour
36. Hot Air Balloon flight over the desert
37. Emirates A380 simulator at Dubai Mall
38. Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates
39. Spot the world’s most luxurious police cars patrolling in Jumeirah or in Downtown
40. Watch films at the largest screen in Middle East and Asia at Meydan Theater IMAX
41. The Walk & The Beach
42. SALT BAY Aqua Pod – Floating Food ‘Truck’
43. Chill Out – Middle East’s first subzero lounge and restaurant
44. 4Two – world’s smallest restaurant – maximum of 2 guests only.
Cruise on Local Waters
45. Dhow cruise Dubai Creek / Bateaux Dubai dinner cruise
46. Dubai Canal cruise
47. Ride the Water Taxis
48. Abra
49. Cruise past The Palm, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Marina with The Yellow Boat
Discover Simple Nature
50. Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary bird watching
51. Desert safari at Al Marmoom
52. Watch a camel race, or ride one
53. Al Qudra Lake camping
54. Hatta Dam & Heritage Tour of Dubai’s Mountain Town
Be Amazed with Fancy Buildings and Hotels
55. Burj Khalifa
Light show
56. Burj Al Arab
57. Atlantis
58. Maze Tower
59. Cayan Twisted Tower at Dubai Marina
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| Take the road and sway by the creek – Dubai Wonderbus – the amphibious bus |
Immerse in The Old Dubai
75. Shisha along Dubai Creek
76. Dubai Museum
77. Saeed Al Maktoum House
78. Heritage Village
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| Mushrif Park – T-shirts by Eternitee |
Chill at the Open Parks
81. Burj Park at Downtown
82. Bay Avenue
83. Zabeel Park
84. Mushrif Park
85. Dubai Creek Park
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| Flyboarding in Dubai Marina |
Be Adventurous in Water
93. Citywalk Malls
There you go! You have no excuses not to go out on weekends anymore. Plan ahead to spend more quality time with friends and family in different places. You don’t really have to spend much also. Many of the places don’t require you to splurge to enjoy.
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More upcoming attractions are set to open this year, including the following iconic ones:
Madame Tussad’s Museum in Blue Waters Island
Mohammed bin Rashid Library
Cityland Mall
Deira Night Souk
Aladdin City
Azizi Riviera
I’m a fan of Spongecola. I follow every deep and straightforward songs they release that both ways touch the heart of every Juan Dela Cruz anyway. Their profound music is always relevant to us.
Here’s my short conversation with Yael, Armo and Ted (Gosh already hit the bed – it’s 12 midnight, 4am Manila time and they just almost landed Dubai)
Many thanks to Chef Richelle Ortiz (CRO) Restobar for inviting Boy Dubai to do an interview with the band. CRO is the newest and one of the coolest nightlife destinations in Dubai. In addition to a vibrant rustic ambiance, the restobar offers unique twists to your favorite drinks. Food is awesome as well.
You can still get tickets to the show tonight at the entrance. They are located at Holiday Inn, Al Rigga in Deira.
I am grateful to be in the 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf for the 3rd consecutive year.
As long as my stories have relevance to you, I won’t get tired writing about these experiences and learnings from my typical day struggles and successes… the fun and the pun of life.
Boy Dubai will remain committed to changing perspectives one story at a time.
Team Illustrado Magazine, thank you for seeing the goodness in people and for promoting excellence in the community.
Mabuhay ang lahing Filipino! To God be the glory.
When Junie talked to me, what was planned to be a 10-minute length video became 4-part – “sabi nya yun!”
We talked about blogging, life in Dubai, work-life balance and the upcoming business ventures. Here’s my story in a our fun conversation with Junie:
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
Part 4:
Salamat Junie! Mabuhay ang Buhay sa Dubai!
Aya witnessed a wedding for the very first time. She was a flower girl to the beautiful wedding of my high school friend Cheoby and her pretty wife Kristine. I was the best man.
She was very observant all throughout the ceremony and reception party. She looked intently at ever part of the event. She’s full of smiles and charm, never got cranky.
Apparently, something’s going on in her mind.
She tells us, “Mommy I want to marry you,” “Daddy I want to marry you.” And she repeatedly says this same thing again and again for the next few days, along with the gesture of walking, dancing and facing the altar.
I feel great that my daughter, by means of her own little understanding about the word, wants to marry me and her mommy. From a dad’s perspective, her very young mind simply tells me that she don’t want life to change – that she wants her mom and dad to stay in her life forever. 🙂
I’ve read in so many parenting blogs in the past that this question will eventually pop up during their preschool years. It’s very amusing. But of course we explained to her what marriage is and how it happens.
It’s good to cherish moments like this. We’ll never know when this perspective would change, right?
I’ve done silly things in the past and I was stupid. I’m broke and I live in a dysfunctional world. I’m not perfect and at times I feel not deserving to be carrying out a sacred mission. I am a sinner. But with God’s unconditional love and unending grace, he has made me WORTHY to carry on.
“Doing business with God” does not entitle us of a smooth sail. As they say, it’s tough to live a real Christian life, albeit a doable one. Striving to live a righteous life is an everyday agenda. It’s a joy to use our God-given rationale to discern things accordingly. While we are not spared from challenges and struggles, we allow ourselves to be lead by His direction so we would be equipped with the right principles and perspective in facing the tough road ahead.
I will continue to witness for the goodness and kindness of the Lord in my own challenge-filled life.
Philippians 2:13 says, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
Dubai is almost an extension of the Philippines already. Sooner or later, homesickness might just be a thing of the past.
With so much Filipinism happening in the past few years in the UAE, there are still great things coming ahead. Here are 18 more to look forward to in 2018:
FOOD
‘za and mojos anyone? One of the first pizza parlors Filipinos loved is setting foot in Dubai. Watch out for updates from the Facebook page.
Finally! After years of ‘planning,’ Gerry’s Grill will open it’s first restaurant outside Philippines and US. I wonder how our favorite sisig, crispy pata, lechon kawali will be done “Dubai style” – chicken or beef. And shall we add non-alcoholic bevs to it?
Chef Richelle Ortiz Restobar which officially opened its doors late this year plans to bring in bigger acts to perform at the bar. They just had Ebe Dancel for their grand launch event. More big names to come this year. Para ka lang nag-19 East or Club Dredd, or nasa Eastwood or BGC.
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| SRO at CRO when Ebe Dancel started to play |
The Philippine Business Council in Dubai has a Filipino food expo in the books. It aims to promote the goodness of Filipino food not only within our community but across other groups of nationalities as well. It will be participated by topnotch Filipino restaurants in the country from fine dining to street foods setup.
Shall we see manong shouting taho or balut? Or a banana Q and samalamig stands?
Paluto by Chef Boy Logro formally opened this month. He promised us that he will be flying to Dubai at least quarterly to personally see the restaurant and eventually do a live cooking from time to time. Ping ping ping!
The only Filipino food chain shortlisted among the best seafood restaurants in Abu Dhabi at the 2017 Timeout Awards, OTH is set to capture the hearts of seafood lovers in Dubai.
BUSINESS, FINANCE & EDUCATION
Filipino shirt and merchandise print brand, Eternitee is expected to revolutionize the way we do online shopping. The advocacy-driven business also aims to produce relevant campaign videos that highlights scenarios from the untapped situations of OFWs and how wisdom and an active spiritual walk can transform lives.
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| One of the many t-shirts you can buy at weareternitee.com |
Randell Tiongson, together with Money Talks UAE group is bringing the best financial event for OFWs back in Dubai. This time, they’ll be also featuring, Marvin Germo, Toby Herbosa, and ANC’s resident financial adviser, Salve Duplito.
ICE Summit can be likened to TED Talks, focusing on stories and humble beginnings of Filipino achievers in the UAE. With the success of its first edition, a second staging is already in the works (at least, the last time I checked).
Ateneo is set to continue its popular enrichment program and advocacy for OFWs – the Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship short course. Yearly, it sees business projects from its students growing and going to the next level.
Philippine Business School had a great first year in Dubai, and it promises to continue providing quality short courses in the coming year – even financial and business programs for kids.
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
The postponed concert this year was announced to push through in 2018. We are waiting for further updates from the Voice International Events page.
How would you like to hear LAKLAK live in Dubai? Teeth will have a reunion along with Moonstar 88, 6 Cycle Mind, and the returning Kamikazee as they are set to rock the 2018 edition of Tag Fest.
Dubai will be the first overseas venue of the much anticipated comeback of future hall of famers Kamikazee. The band will surely highlight Tagfest with their frolics and wacky acts as they showcase once again their energetic flare at the stage.
With the success of Lamentasyon, the production team is already cooking something new for the coming year. It may not be a sequel of the hit movie, but definitely another masterpiece worthy of the Pinoy pride.
SPORTS
The newly crowned NCAA champion, San Beda Red Lions lead by Finals MVP Robert Bolick will represent the Philippines in the annual Dubai Invitational Basketball Tournament in January.
An official PBA game in Commisioner’s Cup or season-ending Governor’s Cup is in the pipeline.
FESTIVALS
If you had fun in Sinulog and Bayanihan 2017, watch out for more colorful fiestas prepared for 2018.
AND POSSIBLY
He has planned to visit at the beginning of 2017, but it was pushed until it became indefinite. Again internal reports say it is planned next year, but still unconfirmed, that our beloved president will finally be visiting Dubai next year.
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Top photo is Gerry’s Grill Tagbilaran, photo courtesy of Bohol Guide. Other photos are sourced via Google image search.
AVERAGE READING TIME: 5 min 52 seconds | 1,888 words
I tried several business ideas with different people but failed. Maybe the focus was wrong. Maybe we were looking more on the self-centered gains and only on the money. I took short courses about business but done nothing really afterwards.
Then this happened…
“Any goal that causes you to love God more brings glory to God. Any goal you set that causes you to trust God more, brings glory to God. Any goal you set that causes to you obey God, to love God, to serve God, any goal that causes you to want to brag on God and tell unbelievers, ‘Look what he did for me’ — that’s the goal that brings glory to God.” – Rick Warren | Daily Hope
It was 2:30 in the morning, 1st of March 2017, when I received God’s answer. I woke up and was lead to reading a featured story on my 2017 planner. It was about an entrepreneur in the Philippines who put up stores to sell t-shirts and other merchandises with printed words from the bible.
For years, I’ve been persistent on my prayer for God to use me in any way he wants me to bring him honor and glory. When I read about the entrepreneur’s story, I realized God brought me to where I am right now – the kind of work I do, the things I’m passionate about, the technology, the influence, the place I am right now.
Sort of. I was asking for a business idea, and God gave me a “spiritual” thing to do. Will it work? There’s not too many Christians in Dubai; and we are in an Islamic nation.
That very morning of March 1, driving to work, I tuned in to a podcast of Rick Warren, “How to make the most of every opportunity (God is giving you).” In just less than a minute, Rick talks about the population of Christians in the world:
And what was I thinking to do again? An online store! That means the reach won’t be limited to the country I’m currently living in.
I am not a saint. I’m a sinner. I’ve done silly things and I was stupid. I’m broke and I live in a dysfunctional world. I’m not perfect and at times I feel not deserving to be carrying out a solemn mission. But with God’s unconditional love and unending grace, he has made me WORTHY to carry on.
Philippians 2:13 says, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
As a visionary, I was able to foresee what the road ahead could look like. It’s busy and it’s fun. Running a business while working pose some serious challenges. Time is number one. Customer relations should be good at all times. Doing these without affecting our daytime jobs and our family time is on top of our checklist.
One good thing about this kind of business is that priorities are always on check. To this date, time with family is never compromised. Our 5-year old daughter is “involved” in what we do – in fact, we are already seeing signs that she absorbs some good business principles at a very young age. And she understand that we are “spreading God’s words though our t-shirt business.” Raqz and I have also had deeper conversations since we started.
We talked about the need of doing this business with a partner. For some time, we pondered who could we possibly invite. Who would share the same vision and principles with us. Who else could be willing to be used by God?
Here’s a video talking about this whole story in 3 minutes:
