Filipino artists soar high in Dubai

I felt like an OFW (Overseas Fun Wanderer) when I went to Dubai for the first time last month. “Shukran jazelan” to the gracious couple, Emad and Maryam of MonteSwati Management/Events Company and my dear Migo, Jonathan Gulmatico, for making me feel like an Arabian princess for a few days. They mounted the show of Luke Mejares, “Simply Irresistible,” at Club Seven of Park Regis Hotel on November 25 and 27.

I was very proud watching my pangga Luke do his thing as our kababayan over there swooned. He was joined onstage by Pinoy talents based in Dubai—Catherine Acebuque and Oriel Padura—and Pakistani charmer Harris Dio Smith who wowed the crowd with his renditions of Pinoy rock numbers. For a while, I thought he was Filipino because he sang in Tagalog with perfect diction and so much soul. The packed crowd at Luke’s concert only goes to show that even if our kababayan are doing well in Dubai, they still miss ’Pinas.

Next in line to spread holiday cheer is Frenchie Dy. She will have a show, “A Merry Frenchie Christmas,” at Kitakits Marco Polo Hotel on December 22 and at the Club 7 of Park Regis Hotel on December 23 at 11 p.m. The MonteSwati Group is dead-set on inviting more Pinoy artists to shine in the City of Gold.

Like the Library

I had a blast at the Comedy Capital of the UAE, Comedy Junction. I forgot I was in Dubai! CJ had the feel and vibe of Library in Malate. After a long day at work, Pinoys (and their Arab pals) troop to CJ to unwind and de-stress. Thanks a mil to the cool owners Nikki and Jed, the awesome performers, Wendell del Mar, Boyet Sanchez, Raymund Malavega and the manager, Jeff Miscual for making me feel at home.

Film festival

I was invited by Bessie Sagario to the promo event for the first Philippine Film Festival (PFF) in Dubai, organized by the Kitsch Company, a Filipino firm promoting Pinoy arts, entertainment and culture at the Kitakits Club (even the name of the venue in Marco Polo Hotel Dubai has a Pinoy touch). Kudos to Obet  Ramos and Ria Mendoza  of  Kitsch for donating P300,000 to Mowelfund as beneficiary of the first PFF in Dubai and Abu Dhabi held November 25 and 26.  It featured four award-winning films: “Rosario,” “Ded Na Si Lolo,” “Botelya” and “Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?”

The festival was a tremendous success. It was attended by Mowelfund director Boots Anson-Roa, Soxie Topacio, and “Botelya” director Manny Palo. Christopher de Leon (who happened to be shooting in Dubai with Philip Salvador) attended the gala night. Boyet felt honored that his movie “Ganito Kami Noon…” was part of the festival.

By 2012, Kitsch hopes Pinoy films will already be shown in UAE theaters to give in to the clamor of the Pinoy community. They plan to showcase the films of Vilma Santos and invite her.

The Pinoy spirit is alive in Dubai. As Luke Mejares said in jest, it’s because the city’s name is Visayan in origin—“du” for Dudong and “bai,” which is “pare” in Cebuano. There even are radio stations catering to the Pinoy audience, where OFWs can chat with their loved ones back home and request songs for each other; and also publications like Kabayan to keep them updated on the latest in the Pinoy scene.

Cebuano designer

It was such a delight to meet Cebuano designer Furne Amato, who’s making waves in the UAE. He has Hollywood stars for clients—in fact, he will be designing the wardrobe of Katy Perry for her entire concert tour in 2012.

It was so hard to say goodbye, Dubai.