“Day of Sisterhood” gathers over 600 Filipinas in the UAE for a day of Pinay Power

Dubai, UAE – The free for women-only event, “Day of Sisterhood”, saw a successful end to a day filled with activities dedicated to female empowerment and self-improvement. More than 600 Filipinas gathered at the Almas Tower Ballroom in Jumeirah Lakes Towers last Friday, April 12, 2013, in no-holds barred discussions of women’s issues.

The event hoped to establish ties among Filipinas in the region, and ultimately cultivate a ‘women-helping-other-women’ spirit among them. According to Lalaine Chu-Benitez, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Illustrado, the Dubai-based Filipino lifestyle magazine and organizer of the event, “We greatly appreciate the presence of all Filipinas in this year’s edition of ‘Day of Sisterhood’. We are pleased that Filipinas are getting more aware and conscious of finding answers to their issues. We also see that they get together quite well with each other, and we’re positive that this day helped in creating bonds and friendships among the attendees.”

In her welcome speech during the event, Ambassador Grace Relucio-Princesa, the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, shared her life story and the challenges she went through in raising five children.  She also encouraged the attendees to be strong no matter what challenges life throws to them, to trust in God and nurture love for self.

After its successful initial run last year, which was graced by more than 400 Filipinas, this year’s “Day of Sisterhood” did not disappoint with a whole day affair filled with discussions on relationships, reproductive health and building self-image. Tips on health and nutrition, career advancement, personal finance and investing, conducted by topic experts were some of the highlights of the day. Additional topics on how to get out of credit card debt and how to nail interviews were also heard during the day. Aside from these, there were also workshops on style, image, grooming, color analysis and make-up.

Other exciting segments are the mini-workshops dedicated to teaching self-defense for women, dance-off, bazaars and the Nikon Portrait Shoot Out which was attended by over 100 photography enthusiasts.

The latter, an exciting photography challenge supported by Nikon, a global leader in photography equipment, tested the skills of 30 budding photographers who battled it out in a 5-minute click-and-download photography competition featuring ten of the most beautiful Filipina faces in the community. The contest that required no-photo manipulation declared the following winners – 1st Prize: Earl Dominic, 2nd Prize: Eros Goze, Best Model: Shayne Carlos Garcia, Best Make-Up Artist: Yhence Sioting; People’s Choice – Jose Giovanni Castillo and Model: April Joy Panopio.  On-the-Spot winners were chosen by Mrs. Lu Cimafranca – President, FLAG (Filipino Ladies Association for Growth) and Wife of Hon. Frank Cimafranca – Philippine Consul General (Dubai & Northern Emirates), Ramy Eldaghma – Product Executive, Nikon/Grand Stores UAE and Ramon Benitez – Creative Director, Illustrado and the shoot-out was supported by the Strobists Group, UAE.

Being a spin-off from the magazine’s Women of Substance event which is focused on honoring Filipina achievers in the Gulf, “Day of Sisterhood” also pushes for the similar values. At the same time, the “Day of Sisterhood” also provides the opportunity to superimpose the message of the Pinays Take Charge Pledge (a 10 point list which guides Filipinas on how to take care and protect themselves).

DOS was held in collaboration with Honda and Nikon.  The event was also supported by Sun Cellular (Philippines), Xpress Money, Nanay Tuneng, Avon, Nokia, Arab Beverages, Asiento Restaurant and Woman by Anna de Leon.

View City 7 News’ coverage of DOS here – 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U842ZzVkKQ&feature=share

About Women of Substance

Illustrado’s Women of Substance event happens every March in conjunction with International Women’s Day. It is a celebration of Filipina empowerment, achievement and contribution aiming to provide inspiration to boost the morale of the Filipino community, and to be a reflection of the positive and balanced international image of the Filipina. Every year, Illustrado presents Filipina honorees from the Gulf who exemplify achievement, societal contribution and exceptional character.

 About Illustrado Magazine

Illustrado is a unique lifestyle-community magazine published in Dubai devoted to uplift the morale and the image of Filipinos in the Gulf.  The slogan ‘Taas Noo, Filipino!’ [Heads up high, Filipino!] and the vision of ‘Helping the Filipino flourish – Global Vision, Native Soul’ define the substance, style and corporate ethos that has helped Illustrado gain respect and recognition in the region as a wholesome, positive, highly engaging and richly visual medium that has accorded due respect and recognition to the Filipino community.  Illustrado’s distinctive approach combines premium production values with a very down-to-earth philosophy; it is not only a magazine, but is a social enterprise that speaks and aspires to enrich a very diverse range of readers, veering off the usual media fare of gossip, scandals, sensationalism and materialism.  For inquiries on the Women of Substance Event, please contact Illustrado at +971 4 365 4543 or 365 4547, or e-mail [email protected]