“The Empowered Filipina”

Mini-Documentary to Boost the Confidence of Filipinas Released


· The Empowered Filipina released to the community and WWW aimed to uplift the morale of Filipinas in the region.

· The Dubai-produced mini-documentary is slated to be screened in independent community events around the Gulf, Southeast Asia, Europe and the Philippines.



Under the Patronage of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Filipino lifestyle magazine Illustrado has joined forces with Dubai-based film director Kamil Roxas, Winner of the Hayah Film Competition at the Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF) in 2008, to create “The Empowered Filipina.” The mini-documentary film provides a compelling message of Filipina empowerment that is slated to create positive ripples throughout the Filipino expatriate community in the region and around the world.

Illustrado Magazine's Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Lalaine Benitez states, “This film carries the message of empowerment which is the core of our Women of Substance Project – and that is a call for Filipinas to uplift themselves despite prevalent negative stereotypes.” She adds, “The film has been created not only to make Filipinos aware of the effects of Pinay stereotyping, especially here in the Gulf, but most importantly to create that spark of positive action that will encourage each Filipina to carve a better future for herself by further enriching her talents and skills and developing love for self, confidence and self-respect.”



According to Kamil Roxas, “I think a documentary has always been a beautiful medium and a vitally necessary form of information. Even more so when the subject is something that you can really respond to. And so for my part, it was a choice to capture not only the stereotyping but also to change the incorrect mindset some people have of Filipinas and to share that with as many people as we possibly can.” He continues, “Luckily for us, the need to make it, and the need to raise as much awareness resonates with everyone involved in the production and has propelled us through the very long process of shooting this film.”

“The Empowered Filipina” which had its premiere screening at Illustrado’s Women of Substance event on the 27th March 2010 was released on the WWW today via Youtube and through social networking sites. The mini-documentary whose trailer has been the topic of lively discussion on the internet has gained excitement and anticipation throughout the Filipino community around the world, will be rolled-out in independent screenings events through links with Filipino schools, community organizations, Philippine government offices, NGOs, women’s groups, socio-civic as well as spiritual groups. To date, the film showing is already slated for the UAE, Bahrain, Thailand, Malaysia, Ireland, Norway, Canada, Germany, and the Philippines.

In the UAE, the first phase of screenings which will run from April to May includes the following Filipino schools – PISCO International Private School, Philippine National School (PNS), Pioneer International Private School (PIPS), United International Private School (UIPS), The New Filipino Private School (NFPS), The Philippine School (TPS), Far Eastern Private School (FEPS), as well as community organizations FACE (Filipino Association for Computer Excellence), Filipino Digerati Association, OPPPS (Overseas Pinoy Professional Photographers Society), Lightform Photography Club and Shootercada Photographers Circle, and Triskelion UAE Council, among other associations and events being finalized. Updated information on screenings will be issued in a follow-up release.

The Empowered Filipina was produced in collaboration with Dove Unilever Gulf, Nikon Grandstores UAE, and is supported by Emirates Airline, London Dairy and Liali Jewellery.

For more information about the film “The Empowered Filipina” and the event Women of Substance 2010, please contact Illustrado at 04-3654547 / 04-3654543.

Video Part 1:


Video Part 2:


Video Part 3:

ALLEGED RAPE OF TWO FILIPINAS IN ABU DHABI UAE

ALLEGED RAPE OF TWO FILIPINAS IN ABU DHABI

AND VIDEO OF WOMAN WITH SEVERE SLASH WOUNDS



The Embassy of the Philippines in Abu Dhabi is in receipt of numerous inquiries regarding the alleged rape of two Filipinas behind Marina Mall sometime in mid February 2010 and the video of a woman, with severe cuts all over her body, being treated in an undisclosed medical facility which has been widely circulated over the internet.

The Embassy would like to inform the public that, after an exhaustive investigation, there is no conclusive evidence of any rape that occurred behind Marina Mall, that there was no rape victim allegedly treated at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) and that there was no reported case of any rape victim who died as a result of the alleged incident.

A copy of the video entitled “Gadis Malang” was forwarded to the Embassy by a concerned kababayan on 01 April 2010. She alleged that the woman in the video was the Marina Mall rape victim who was treated at SKMC. This allegation was proven false after the Embassy received a letter from SKMC officials denying that such incident took place in their facility. The Embassy also interviewed numerous hospital personnel who disproved the allegation. The alleged rape incident and the video of the unidentified slashing victim are two separate and unrelated issues that were confused as being one and the same case.

Though the content of the video itself is not in question, it would be extremely difficult to determine the victim’s identity, nationality and date/place of the incident based on the video alone. The Embassy condemns the inhuman and brutal act and joins the public in appealing for justice for the victim and imposition of appropriate penalties for the perpetrator/s. A copy has been forwarded to appropriate UAE authorities for a more thorough investigation. The source of the video is also being verified. Further announcements shall be made public as soon as these details are confirmed.

The Embassy commends the Filipino community for its Bayanihan spirit and genuine concern to protect the safety and well being of our fellow nationals. However, it would also like to remind those concerned to practice due diligence prior to spreading news that have not been verified nor validated by either the source of the information, the Embassy, or by concerned UAE authorities. Such action will only result to unnecessary fear, confusion and misinformation.

Rest assured of the Embassy’s sincere and continued commitment in protecting and promoting the welfare and interests of all Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates.

Philippine Overseas Absentee Voting in Dubai

Dubai: To all Filipino's here in Dubai and Northern Emirates overseas absentee voting opens today April 10, 2010 at the Philippine Consulate General Office in Dubai.
Expatriate Filipinos at least 18 years old who have registered for the Overseas Absentee Voting process for the 2010 national elections can start voting at the Philippine Consulate General Office in Dubai from April 10 to May 10. Voters can cast their vote from 8:30am and close at 4:30pm weekdays, except on May 10 when voting starts at 8:30am and ends at 2pm to coincide with the closing hour (6pm) in the Philippines.


Here is a guide on how to vote:

Step 1. Locate your precinct on the announcement board

• Precincts will be arranged in alphabetical order of the surnames. Check that your name is on the list;

• Bring any ID that bears your signature and photograph;

Step 2. Locate your name on precinct's CLOAV

• Proceed to your voting precinct and locate your name on the Certified List of Overseas Absentee Voters (CLOAV), posted on the wall near your Precinct;

• If your name is not on the CLOAV, you will not be allowed to vote;

• Approach the Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEI) Table to verify your identity with the polling clerk, SBEI chairman or third SBEI member;

• If your name is on the CLOAV but you don't have any ID, consult any SBEI Representative;

Step 3. Wait for the polling clerk to verify your identity

• Give your ID or any identification document to the polling clerk or any SBEI representative who will verify this on the list of voters with voting records;

• After the verification process, approach the SBEI Chairman to secure your ballot;

Step 4. Secure your Official Ballot from SBEI Chairman

• SBEI chairman will announce your ballot’s serial no. and write it opposite your name on the List of Voters with Voting Records;

• Sign opposite your name on the List of Voters;

• Get your official ballot (folded properly so that serial no. can be seen) from the chairman;

• Make sure your ballot is empty and unmarked once you receive it. The SBEI chairman‘s signature should be the only mark on the back of your ballot;

Step 5. Fill up your ballot properly

• Go to your Voting Seat and using a ballot secrecy folder, fill ballot by writing the names of the candidates/party list of your choice; Review the names for proper spelling and make sure they are properly identified especially if they have similar surnames with other candidates;

• After accomplishing your ballot, fold it in the same manner as when you received it;

• You must not talk to any other voters and any questions must only be addressed to the SBEI;

• Return ballot to the third SBEI member. Remember: Do not detach coupon;

Step 6. Allow third SBEI member to verify your ballot

• Third SBEI member verifies your ballot and chairman checks if serial nos. match; affix your right thumb on the ballot and on the list beside your name;

• Third member shall detach the ballot coupon and deposit this in ballot box compartment for spoiled ballots and return the ballot to you;

Step 7. Deposit your ballot

• Deposit the ballot inside the ballot box compartment for valid ballots;

• Leave the voting area immediately.

Burj Khalifa observation deck reopened

Dubai: After nearly two months of closure due to "maintenance". The observation deck at the Burj Khalifa, At the Top, has been reopened. The Observation Deck is located at 124th floor of the world’s tallest building.