Top 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – 2016 edition

They say knowledge doesn’t come with age; it comes with one’s pursuit for excellence. And excellence in turn paves the way to pioneer something new, to walk the road less travelled and lay the foundation for others to follow.

Illustrado magazine’s editor-in-chief Lalaine Chu-Benitez, describes such individuals as the TASTEMAKERS – they are the deviants, the explorers, the style-setters, and the innovators who push the limits of what is and should be. They see what could be, and in breathing life to their vision, they re-engineer our reality.

Exemplifying the same fierce spirit, Lalaine gave birth to Illustrado in 2006 to champion the image of Filipinos abroad – and what a journey it has been. In 2015, to celebrate the magazines 100^th issue, a Top 100 list was painstakingly compiled to commemorate the brightest, most influential and most successful Filipinos in the Gulf region. This labour of love was so popular that it deserved a voracious redux – and lo’behold this year’s edition has just been released.

For 2016, am humbled that @BubblyMiles has made it to the coveted Top 100 list of trailblazers, taste makers and thought leaders. Many thanks for bestowing such an honour on me. Pictured alongside me are visual storytelling mavericks (Herald Herrera, Jerome Rafael, Debbie Fortes and Patrick Caldito) – superstars in their own right, who challenge the norm and transform the mundane into extra ordinary. Congrats to each and everyone of you – continue to make us all proud. Click here to check out the digital copy of the Top 100 list.

So how did the journey to the 100 come about? How did the team shortlist the 100 brightest, most talented Filipinos in the Gulf? Watch this video excerpt from the editor-in-chief to know more.

Lalaine remarks “These individuals are able to shape, not only our collective consciousness, but also the way our community moves forward in this region.  Whatever fields these Filipinos excel in, they are at the forefront.  They pave the way. They represent the Filipino.”

Now that the Top 100 list has been officially announced, here is a behind the scenes video of what went on during our photo shoot for this coveted magazine. Video courtesy, the very talented Kenneth Surat (do check out his travel Vlog on his youtube channel).

In closing I can say that success is not a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire, with a single-minded focus on being better than yourself. There will be obstacles, there will be doubters, there will be mistakes, but with sheer determination and hard-work, anything is possible – only then you can live your dreams. I know, I did – and I continue to do so. And if you haven’t already, follow my journey at @bubblymiles.

Click here to check out the digital copy of Illustrado Top 100.