The Filipino Times Awards (TFT Awards), the annual glitterati gala event, highlights the achievements and world-class prowess of Filipinos here in the Middle East in its aim to uplift the image of Global Filipinos in the international scene.
Now on its fifth year, the award-giving body will see 16 individuals rise to prominence from 47 shortlisted candidates out of more than 600 submissions and nominations from all over the GCC region across 16 distinct categories as their stories of hard work, persistence, and perseverance will be on the spotlight to inspire their fellow Filipinos to achieve their dreams.
Among the criteria that this year’s jury will be looking into each of the finalists will be their Leadership & Innovation, Professional Excellence, Community Service, Values & Work Management & Winning Advantage to determine who will take home this year’s title on their respective fields.
Here are this year’s finalists:
2019 TFT Awards Advertising Professional of the Year
Janine Alyssa Navarro is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Glimpse Digital Agency. She has spearheaded several social media campaigns reaching millions of impressions, reach, and engagement for couple of movies across the GCC and EU regions distributed by Gulf Film, FrontRow, TFC and more.
Rufino Natividad Jr. is the Social Media Manager for Bates PanGulf Group where he handled a string of successful digital campaigns included MyBeautyFest for beauty vloggers, macro-influencers and beauty enthusiasts, the mobile app launch for Aujan Coca Cola, social media reactivation for Marmum, Melt Water’s influencer campaign and others.
Tricia Rachelle Jimenea is the Partner and Engagement Director for Katch International. Her collaborations on multiple industries have led her to work with over hundreds of events including Expo 2020 Dubai YouthConnect, Dubai Jazz Festival, and personalities including Roberto Cavalli, Khloe Kardashian, Paris and Nicky Hilton, Mariah Carey, and more.
2019 TFT Awards Architect of the Year
Christian Vasquez is a Project Architect for National Engineering Bureau known for his project involvement with UAE’s Marina 101, Intercontinental Fujairah Hotel & Resort, Dubai’s Flame Tower, Dubai’s Al Bateen Twin Towers – Hilton Double Tree Hotel and Residences, and more. He also leads the United Architects of the Philippines in Dubai as President.
Christine Espinosa-Erlanda is an Associate for Godwin Austen Johnson Architects responsible for providing design solutions and concepts for projects including Dubai Creek Harbour’s – Retail District, Saudi Arabia’s Diplomatic Quarter: Celebration Hall, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, Singapore’s Alba Residences, Oman’s Hatta Mountain Lodge, and Dubai’s Al Seef area.
Jason Roi Bucton is a Senior Architect for MAQYAS Interior Design Consultants who is instrumental in interior design and supervision for projects including Dubai Silicon Oasis’ Silicon Park, Blue Tower, and the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority. In the community, he’s also known as ‘DJ John Luna’ of Pinas Music Zone and Vice Chairman of the Fil com group of Dubai and Northern Emirates.
2019 TFT Awards Artist of the Year
Andronico Del Rosario Jr. is the Art Director and Production Designer behind hundreds of projects of well-known celebrities and brands in UAE and Canada including The Amazing Race, Paramount Pictures, Expo 2020, Imagine Dragons, Rita Ora, Michael Cinco, Sony, Emirates Airlines, Michelin, Volkswagen, Dubai Tourism, Atlantis, The Palm and more.
Elliezer ‘Ely’ Caluag is a visual designer for government institutions and local Emiratis. His works include pieces for the UAE’s royal family and leaders – Emirates’ ‘From the Heart of Zayed’, Sheikh Mohammed 2018 Journal – The Journey Book, World Air Games Dubai 2015, Mubadala Exhibition, and others.
Larry Carumba is a visual artist who works in Meiserv- Medical Supplies and Services based in Saudi Arabia. He is known for his captivating works which were exhibited and purchased by Her Royal Highness Princess Ghada Bint Abdullaziz Al Saud during his 1st solo exhibit in Saudi. He has since gained several accolades and has been invited to display his masterpieces in several countries.
2019 TFT Awards Educator of the Year
Fernando Reyes, Jr. is the Head of Organizational Development for the Mohammad Omar Bin Haider Holding Group. From working as a fast food service crew in his younger years, Reyes now synergizes teams from different cultures through his distinct approach in executive coaching across over a 5,000-multinational workforce.
Marjorie Nazaret is the Principal and Founder of Al Alfiah Filipino Private School. A seasoned educator who began as a Mathematics Teacher from Muntinlupa, Nazaret now takes care of hundreds of young Filipino students in an affordable, high-tech educational environment that is at par with international school standards.
Rex Bacarra is the Dean for General Education at the American College of Dubai (ACD). He wears many hats which include being a Faculty for the campus’ diverse student body; the Head for Faculty Professional Development; a Facilitator for ACD Online learning and Digital Faculty Consultant hired by McGraw-Hill Education.
2019 TFT Awards Engineer of the Year
Darwin Neil Morano is a registered Naval Architect and Marine Engineer working as a Concept Design Engineer for Al Fattan Ship Industry. Among his career milestones include the completion of a 16M Combat Boat for the International Defense Exhibition in 2017 which he and his team build within seven months.
Florencio Lopez Jr. is a petrochemical expert with almost two decades of experience working for Abu Dhabi Polymers (Borouge) for more than 10 years as Chief Process Engineer. He has been instrumental in spearheading projects including Borouge’s 4 FEED, ANTEO RETROFIT, PE3 REVAMP, applying innovative, groundbreaking chemical engineering techniques.
Henry Agsaullo Jr. is a Supplier Quality Engineer Manager for General Electric Co for the MEA region with almost two decades of solid experience in the field of Electrical Engineering. Over the course of his career, he worked for the government clients including DEWA, TRANSCO, TAKREER, SKPC, POGC and more.
2019 TFT Awards Entrepreneur of the Year
Khrista ‘Hyku’ Desesto is the owner of Hyku D Photography & Videography and Soultrap Studio, an agency that focuses on filmmaking, design and events. Her company has worked closely with international brands including Marriott International, Puma, Reebok, L’oreal, Burberry, Christian Louboutin, Hilton, Hyatt Regency, Namshi, Radisson Blu, and more.
Jeffrey San Juan is the Founder of San Juan Engineering as well as the firm, Quadro Verde. He oversees the comprehensive interior design and decoration services for residential and commercial establishments in the UAE including interior and landscaping for palaces, VVIP villas, mosques, and more establishments outside UAE.
Veronica Bofill Tuano is the owner of several businesses including Infinity Beauty Lounge & Spa and Tisai’s Gourmet in Dubai, with two more businesses in the Philippines. Starting out as a receptionist, she managed to balance her time, launching her business on the side. Today, she manages all businesses fulltime.
2019 TFT Awards Filmmaker of the Year
Gilbert Belleza is a filmmaker in Dubai with more than a decade of experience in his belt. In 2019, his first direct short film entry ‘Heart Between Us’ was hailed as the 2nd runner up for Emirates Staff Employee Category at the 6th Emirates Short Film Festival in Dubai.
Paul Aggarao is a videographer and content creator who has worked with top international brands and events across the UAE including Chanel, Dior, Nikon, MAC Makeup, Transgulf, Dubai World Central, Warner Bros. Films, Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority, Mcdonald’s, Nespresso, Arabtec and more.
Seigmond Abad is the co-founder and film director of On Distinctive Designs. An authorized financial planning consultant by day, he manages to channel his creativity by creating compelling commercial ads, narrative bios, and event highlights, taking home the Grand Prize for Nikon Z6’s #EventZ Videography Competition for BRIDE Abu Dhabi.
2019 TFT Awards Healthcare Professional of the Year
Cipriano Mayor is a Magnet Program Director and Nurse Manager for Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. The Magnet Recognition Program from the American Academy of Nursing achieves transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, new knowledge, innovations, improvements all leading to empirical outcomes for the team of nurses that he leads.
Jose Arnold Tariga is a Clinical Resource Nurse for Salma Rehabilitation Hospital. Through his years of accumulating knowledge from esteemed institutions, he is now instrumental in developing and delivering lectures and workshops recognized by the Department of Health free of charge to healthcare professionals from different disciplines.
Red Capuyan is a Quality and Training Officer for Emirati Canadian Home Health Care Services known for his presence in the UAE Filipino nursing community as the founding president of the Philippine Nurses Association – UAE chapter. He spearheaded the conceptualization and implementation of “Ang Nars ni Juan” program for Filipino nurses.
2019 TFT Awards Hospitality Professional of the Year
Andrew Paderes is an experienced chef who, even without formal culinary education, has travelled from Philippines to England and the Middle East, bringing with him his passion for cooking great food. He currently serves his fine dishes as the Group Executive Chef for Monaco Stars and Bars Restaurant.
Bianca Litonjua is the Head of Events at Rove Hotels known for spearheading multiple partnerships across six hotels with international brands and events including Google, Netflix, DHL, World Art Dubai, YSL, and more. She has also worked for Emaar Hospitality Group as Events Coordinator prior to her current position.
Jade Saducas is the Pastry Chef for Madinat Jumeirah’s Conference Center and Jumeirah Hospitality. From her stint in the corporate world, her passion for creativity and the arts took her to get Cake and Pastry experience from different schools. Today, she oversees all customized cakes across Jumeirah’s resorts.
2019 TFT Awards IT Professional of the Year
Jason Lopez is the Head of Information Technology at Hutchison Ports UAE. He’s now responsible for the innovation, expansion, management and strategical execution of Hutchison Ports’ business units in the country. He’s also instrumental in planning and setting up IT National Operating Centers for UAE and Pakistan.
Jewel Lisbe is the IT Service Delivery Manager for the Gargash Group which serves over a thousand entities including the Gargash Enterprises LLC, the authorized general distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. She led both strategic and technical projects across over two decades of experience in UAE.
2019 TFT Awards Marketing Professional of the Year
Alan Jambaro is the Regional Digital Manager for Al-Futtaim Group, Festival City Malls. He manages the brand across digital channels to ensure the malls are on top-of-mind of its target market. He has also worked with Toyota, Al Ghurair Group, Landmark Group and more to build their online visibility and presence.
Allan Bautista is the Sales and Marketing Senior Manager for LBC Express Inc. in the Middle East. He has been part of the original set-up team that has been instrumental in growing LBC’s international retail service portfolio in 2010 from Dubai towards the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and more.
Allan Ramos is the International Marketing Manager for Max’s Group in the Middle East, bringing and managing well-known Filipino dining brands to the UAE’s streets and malls with over 30 casual dining and quick service restaurants including Max’s Restaurant, Yellow Cab, Pancake House, Teriyaki Boy and Sizzlin’ Steak, and more.
2019 TFT Awards Media Professional of the Year
Nathalia Cermino, popularly known as ‘Chikay’, is one of Tag 91.1’s Radio Presenters, Digital Content Creator and an Associate Content Producer. Her voice on the airwaves shares life advice for fellow Filipinos as well as sharing juicy celebrity news and playing the latest OPM songs on air.
Jay Hilotin is the Senior Web News Editor for Gulf News, one of the longest-running broadsheets in the UAE with almost two decades of experience as a journalist for the region. Under his supervision, the social media reach of the publication currently averages around 1million user engagement daily.
Victor Ortiz is an Online Editor for T3 Middle East where he contributes daily news stories for the website including product reviews on technology components and video games as well as feature articles and video content on the latest tech in addition to managing its social media and web content.
2019 TFT Awards Most Promising Fashion Designer of the Year
Angello “Angel” de Jesus is the Managing Partner at Marosha Ricco Fashion in Al Hanaa Center in UAE with plans to expand to St. Petersburg in Russia and in the Philippines. He worked together with Michael Cinco in Montenegro and his works were featured during PIDC’s Ystillo at Moda.
Benjamin “Benj” Dela Rosa is a Senior Fashion Designer for Dubai International Knittingand the owner of Calivo Couture, a homage to his hometown in the Philippines at Kalibo, Aklan. He has dressed celebrities including Lani Misalucha, Martin Nievera, Jed Madela, and had his works featured in PIDC’s Ystillo at Moda.
Jose Allen Villena is the owner of Bella Donna Haute Couture. He has dressed up celebrities including Ruffa Mae Quinto, Miss Earth 2019 Janelle Tee, and diplomats of the Philippine Embassy including Her Excellency Ambassador Hjayceelyn Quintana, and Consuls Rowena Daquipil and Anna Guerra.
2019 TFT Awards New Media Professional of the Year
Cristina Magallon is the Editor-in-Chief of UAE DNA Blogazine with a social media following of 95,000+ on LinkedIn at her page, UAE DNA. She has interviewed several personalities, including Dubai Police AI Department Smart Director Khalid Nasser Alrazooqi that had a reach of 600,000+ in LinkedIn on just one article.
Darbie ‘Darbs’ Estrebilla, known in Facebook as ‘Real.Talk.Darbs.’ is a vlogger who discusses relatable topics including life, love, and relationships, gaining accumulated millions of views with his content. Apart from his 55,000 organic followers in Facebook, he is also a co-founder of The BillOut Night (TBON) with 315,000+ organic followers.
Eduardo Matro is a ‘KTizen’ Host for The Filipino Channel in the Middle East. He has a following of almost 200,000+ on his Facebook page ‘Edward Matro’ where he posts inspirational and motivational vlogs have reached millions of views from Filipinos around the world.
2019 TFT Awards Photographer of the Year
Charles Liban Jr. is an instructor for Nikon School Instructor for Nikon Middle East and Africa with more than a decade of experience in the field of photography. Prior to joining Nikon, he has worked with reputable e-commerce websites including www.boutique1.com, www.sivvi.com, and www.bysymphony.com
Grace Montives is a freelance photographer whose works have been published in the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Awards (HIPA), Fujifilm Magazine as well as other publications. She has participated in over 30 competitions with her photography works and has since gained international accolades.
Khrista ‘Hyku’ Desesto is a photographer who has launched her own business – Hyku D Photography and Soultrap Studio who has since held personal brand ambassadorship and features with international brands including Tag Heuer for Marie Claire Arabia, Stylist Arabia, Huawei, Puma, Timberland, Nestle, Fishtail Rides, and more.
2019 TFT Awards Top Executive of the Year
Aisha Madanay is the business owner of Aladdin Kids Saloon. From working as a Cashier in Dubai in 1995, Madanay managed to break the chains from being an employee to a full time entrepreneur beginning in 2004. Today, she manages over 16 branches of her kids’ salon across the UAE.
Renelyn Glitzy Robles is the CEO and Founder of Niche Modelling Agency. She, together with COO Ingrid Aureada, are veterans in the UAE on model and image management with over 15 years of experience, partnering with publications, personalities and brands including Vogue Arabia, D&G, Michael Cinco, Amato, and more.
Ronin Endozo is the Hotel Operations Manager for Fraser Suites in Dubai. He has more than two decades of experience in managing five-star hotels, with experience in working with luxury brands including Burj Al Arab, IHG, Raffles Hotel, Millennium, Hilton, Jumeirah Group, with projects in UAE, Bahrain, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
