UFO Sightings - December 28, 2011

What: Pinay Painter
Where: Kuwait
When: December 28, 2011



For our latest UFO Sighting, we go to Kuwait. A Filipina painter named Janet Eve De Jesus a.k.a. "Bruha Eve" made waves as she held her first solo art exhibit in Kuwait early this month.


Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Shulan Primavera praised De Jesus for being the first Filipina artist to hold a solo art exhibit in Kuwait.

Titled "Bursts and Kaleidoscope," the exhibit was held at the Marina Hotel in Salmiya from December 8 to 9.

The exhibit featured some 40 paintings on various subjects, including women and nature.


De Jesus hails from Cotabato. At age two, she picked flowers from her mother's garden and using the flower juices to color and dabble.

"Her artistic journey has continued from her mother's garden to the world, creating colorful masterpieces in mixed media that border between impressionism and expressionism," the DFA said.

UFO Sightings - December 27, 2011

What: Pinoy Artist
Where: Australia
When: December 27, 2011


For our UFO sighting today we travel to Australia where an emerging Filipino artist and her fellow arts graduates at the Australian National University (ANU) held last week an art exhibit featuring their works.


Yuhum Garibay, a Bachelor's Degree graduate of Visual Arts, major in Painting, created five paintings entitled "Para kay Pablo," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.


The exhibit, which was opened by The Centenary of Canberra Creative Director Robyn Archer, ran from December 2 to 11.


This year's ANU School of Art Graduating Exhibition featured the works of students completing their studies in Bachelor of Visual Arts Honours, Bachelor of Visual Arts, Bachelor of Digital Arts and the Diploma of Art.

Yuhum Garibay told Philippine Embassy officials that her paintings were inspired by how Pablo, her maternal grandfather, who "showered her with love and affection during her childhood," the DFA said.

Her paintings depicted patterns of cloth put together to make a "bahay-bahayan," to recall her childhood days when her grandfather would play with her.

Garibay is the niece of Filipino painter Emmanuel Garibay. Her father is Philippine Consul General to Jeddah Uriel Norman Garibay, who was the Embassy's former Consul General. - VVP, GMA News

UFO Sightings - December 26, 2011

What: Pinoy Musicians
Where: Hongkong
When: December 26, 2011


For our UFO feature for today we look at OFW's in Hongkong. Filipino musicians recently wowed a crowd of about 10,000 at the 25th anniversary of the "Concert in the Park" at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui this month.

With the theme "Through the Years," the concert featured nine bands that played music from the big band music of the 1940s up to the present.

"Performers included the Hong Kong Musicians Union Big Band with Rita Paraiso and Gingger Kwan, Team Hero with Faro, Xplor, Impulz, Don't Panic, Suspects, Brown Sugar, Azucar with Michelle Carillo, and Fine Hybrid," the Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong reported.

The "Concert in the Park" is an annual joint production of the Leisure and Cultural Services of Hong Kong and the Philippine Consulate General, with the cooperation of the Hong Kong Musicians Union.

Among the sponsors were Barkadahan sa Smartone, Mr. and Mrs. Rubin Benny Dollano, Pinoy Tayo Sanman, LBC Mabuhay HK Ltd, Gen-Ex Cargo, Jollibee, Afreight (Asia Pacific) Ltd, Metrobank, PAG-IBIG Fund, Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation and RCBC Telemoney Hong Kong, Social Security System, and Universal Robina Corporation.





VVP, GMA News

UFO Sightings - December 25, 2011

What: Pinoy Director

Where: Singapore / London, UK
When: December 25, 2011


Our new UFO sighting for today is young Singapore-based director/scholar who has recently won in Faith Shorts, a global film competition hosted by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation.


His name is Juan Paolo Reyes, 18, in his young age has been won the film competition whose judges include actors Jet Li, Hugh Jackman and Prime Minister Tony Blair. 

Reyes received his award on December 6 at the British Academy of Film and Television and Arts (Bafta), an organization in the United Kingdom that hosts annual awards shows for excellence in film, television, television craft, video games and forms of animation.


“I had my own story to tell, and that fit well with the global competition theme of ‘Let Me Show You How My Faith Inspires Me,’” said Reyes, who is currently taking film studies at the Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore.


(Note: Mr. Reyes is not yet an OFW but his achievement abroad is certainly one that has a valuable impact to the foreign community that raises the pride and class of the Filipinos.)

UFO Sightings - December 24, 2011

What: Pinoy Scientist
Where: California, USA
When: December 24, 2011




Here is one UFO Sighting I truly admire. A Filipino scientist and academician in the United States has begun this year the process of commercializing "lunasin," an anti-cancer soy protein that he and a team of scientists discovered in 1999.


According to a report of the Asian Journal, Dr. Ben de Lumen, who headed the team that discovered the soy protein, was a professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology at University of California (UC)-Berkeley for more than 30 years.


He retired this year to focus on FilGen, a biotech company that he founded to commercialize lunasin.


De Lumen, a native of Taytay, Rizal, was named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science last year for his “contributions to natural-products biochemistry,” especially lunasin.


The name “lunasin” was coined from the Tagalog word “lunas” or cure.


He earned his degrees from the University of the Philippines (agriculture chemistry), University of Missouri (master’s), and UC-Davis (Ph.D.).


Though he spent most of his life and career in the US, De Lumen told the "Asian Journal" that his "roots are still over there,” referring to the Philippines.


De Lumen, a part of the Pilipino American Academy of Science and Engineering, told the Asian Journal that “there were not a lot of Ph.D.s and mentors available” when he graduated from UP in 1965, which prompted him to move to the US.


Hopeful cure


In De Lumen’s page on the UC-Berkeley’s Nutritional Science and Toxicology website, Lunasin is described as” 43-amino acid peptide with 8 aspartic acid (D) in the carboxyl end, preceded by a cell adhesion motif RGD and a predicted helical region with structural homology to chromatin binding proteins” that has been found in “healthy” seeds like barley and wheat.


The team is “carrying out animal experiments to demonstrate further the efficacy of diet-administered lunasin against breast, prostate, and colon cancer,” the site added.


“We found that lunasin selectively kills the cells that are being transformed from normal to cancer cells and did not affect the normal cells. It’s only killing cells that transform from normal to cancerous,” De Lumen told the Asian Journal.


Though it’s still in its “very early stages” more than 10 years later—and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to acknowledge it until further tests affirm its effect—De Lumen is confident that lunasin “will be proven effective in cancer prevention eventually,” especially since it is “something very sound scientifically.”


“I’m excited about this because the science is robust and sound and therefore we have a very good case for cancer prevention. I’m really excited about that because that is a major contribution to prevent a disease that is killing a lot of people,” he said. - Rose-An Jessica Dioquino, VVP, GMA

UFO Sightings - December 23, 2011

What: Pinoy Figurative Painter
Where: New York, USA
When: December 23, 2011



This is our UFO Sighting feature for today. 


A Filipino-Canadian figurative painter in New York City, New York landed a spot in the finale of "Work of Art: The Next Great Artist," an American reality TV show co-produced by Sarah Jessica Parker.


Sara Jimenez, 26, will compete with two other finalists, performance artist and photographer Young Sun Han and drawer and painter Kymia Nawabi.


"I started off good and then I had my downfall and then I feel like I came back up," Jimenez, known for using unconventional materials in her paintings, said during the show.


In the episode where the final three contestants were chosen, Jimenez said, "To know that taking risks and trusting my process has really paid off is amazing."


Jimenez's works center on themes like womanhood, identity, spirituality and the subconscious, as stated in her bio on the show's official website.


Although it was Nawabi who emerged as the winner of their final challenge before the finale, "Work of Art" judge and critic Jerry Saltz commended Jimenez's work during the show, saying: "She went way out of her comfort zones, started working with materials that are foreign to her... that's pretty good." 


The three finalists will showcase their final collection to the judging panel in the hope of winning a solo show at the Brooklyn Museum, a cover story in Blue Canvas magazine and $100,000 furnished by the 2012 Fiat 500. - VVP/KG, GMA News

UFO Sightings - December 22, 2011

What: Pinoy Entrepreneur
Where: San Francisco, California, USA / Los Angeles, California, USA / Singapore
When: Dec. 22, 2011


For our latest UFO sighting for today's feature, we take a look at one one Pinoy blazing in San Francisco and Los Angeles, California, USA and in Singapore in the field of entrepreneurship.


Our UFO in this feature is Gerry Apolinario. He is the eponymous founder of Gerry's Grill, the brand that has become a household name for remarkable Filipino cuisine. In less than 10 years after its founding in 1997, Gerry’s Grill branched out to San Francisco, California in 2005, then later to Los Angeles in 2007, two cities with very large Filipino communities. Its most recent international foray was a bit closer, successfully setting up shop at the luxurious Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore in December 2010.

UFO Sightings - December 21, 2011

What: Pinay Actress
Where: Seoul, Korea
When: December 21, 2011


For our latest UFO Sighting we go to Seoul, Korea.


The CICI (Corea Image Communication Institute) in Seoul, Korea.on Monday named Jasmine Lee, who recently starred in the hit Korean film "Punch" (Wandeugi), as the winner of its Korea Image Millstone Award, according to a report from The Korea Herald.

The Korea Image Millstone Award was created this year to honor foreigners in Korea who have integrated well in Korean society, like the way grains are mixed well in a millstone.


Lee played the role of a Filipina estranged from her Korean husband and son in "Punch." The film, which stars Korean heartthrob Yoo Ah-in, was a blockbuster hit in Korea, attracting nearly 5 million viewers since it premiered in late October.


Lee, a native of Davao, was also a regular panelist on a KBS talk show "Love in Asia" and has been involved in various charities and multiculturalism advocacy efforts in Korea.


In 2010, she won the accolade "People Who Enlighten the World" from Korea Green Foundation. At present, she works for the PR team at the Seoul Global Center, one of the first migrant women hired to be civil servants by Seoul City Government.


The CICI is an organization committed to helping South Korea promote and develop its image overseas. It has been giving annual CICI Korea Image awards since 2005 to recognize individuals, events, objects and organizations that help promote Korea.

UFO Sightings - December 20, 2011

What: Pinay Actress
Where: Manhattan, New York City, USA
When: December 20, 2011


For my latest UFO sighting, we will take a look in the field of acting in the international scene. Recently another Filipino has received acclaim abroad: actress-beauty queen Liza Diño. The Mutya ng Pilipinas 2001 runner-up and 2007 Miss Philippines-Earth finalist earned an Achievement in Acting plum at the 2011 International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM) Awards last Nov. 18 in New York City for her performance in the psychological thriller “Compound.” 

According to the website of the film's producer, Hubo Productions, it was the lone acting citation at the event. “Compound” was also well-received during the festival, and was the only Filipino film to have a “repeat screening.” 


Although she initially got shocked over the recognition, the California-based Diño feels honored and thrilled nonetheless. 


“There were a lot of film entries from different countries and to be given the recognition is a big honor. I am proud to represent the Philippines. It just shows as well that we have a lot of talent back home,” the Hubo Productions article quoted her as saying. 

UFO Sightings - December 19, 2011

What: Pinoy Balloon Bender
Where: Abu Dhabi, UAE
When: December 19, 2011


For our UFO sighting for today, we will take a look back at one interesting talent. If you get the chance to go to the New Souk Central Market every Thursday, Friday and Saturdays, you will get the chance to see this particular UFO in action. In the ground floor of the said mall, they roam around and children gather around this UFO to see how the Pinoy Balloon Bender transforms the long balloons to any animal, flower or toy they wished for. Wearing clown costumes and faces they trickle the imagination of the children and just like magic they make dogs, flowers, swords, anything out of the toy balloons. Even adults watch in amazement as the Pinoy Balloon Benders do their crafts.

UFO Sightings - December 18, 2011

What: Pinay Toy Inventor
Where: London, United Kingdom
When: December 18, 2011


Eureka is a term that means " I have found it!", and certainly we have found our UFO sighting for today. Let me introduce to you our UFO sighting in today's feature, Melinda Holohan.


Melinda Holohan lost her job not so long ago and she became a stay-at-home mom looking for her two children.  One Eureka moment came to her life last year after dealing with a tough question from her then 3 year old son. In the process of coming up with an answer to her son’s question, she invented a toy by accident. She calls it circa — the circular calendar.


His son wanted to know when he could go swimming again. It was Thursday evening that day and his son goes swimming on a Tuesday. Melinda find it quite difficult to explain to him that the week does continue and it does start again. While she was laying in bed she thinks to herself there must be a way of teaching kids the circular nature of calendar. She couldn’t fall asleep and she decided to just get out of bed. She then designed the circular calendar that evening using Power Point.


Holohan wanted to produce a quality toy that is tactile so she used wood.


Award-winning design


Almost two years after inventing and developing circa, an innovative toy calendar, it has reaped the following awards and recognition in the UK:

• Top Drawer September 2011: Best New Children's Product
• Rainbow Toy Awards 2011: Highly Commended – Wooden Toy Category
• British Female Inventors and Innovators Network (BFIIN) Awards: Winner – Inventors Award, Semi-Finals 2011.
• Circa was also recently selected as one of the Top 25 gifts of the Ideal Home Show at Christmas held at Earl’s Court in London.

“I always had faith in my product but every time I get recognized and awarded its just the best thing that happens, an affirmation that what I’m doing is the right thing, that it will benefit children around the world in their education and in their learning,” explained Holohan.


To Melinda Holohan we salute you.

UFO Sightings - December 17, 2011

What: Pinoy Risk Engineer
Where: Dubai, UAE
When: December 17, 2011


He is the last (but not the least) of a series of UFO sightings gaining popularity recently in the field of risk engineering. Our UFO is Engr. Manuel Mike Perito. He is one of the three Filipinos featured in a book by UAE-based writer Meraj Rizvi, the "Young Asian Achievers", a book about “the success stories of 25 expatriates from eight Asian countries” who have made a mark in various fields like business, fashion, and journalism.

Below is Engr. Manuel Mike Perito's professional background and awards:

Senior Manager- Risk Management

Oman Insurance

September 2004 – Present (7 years 4 months)

Risk Engineer

Zuellig Insurance Brokers, Makati City, Philippines

August 1999 – March 2004 (4 years 8 months)

Risk Engineer

Edward Keller Insurance Brokers

February 1996 – June 1999 (3 years 5 months)

Loss Control Engineer

Malayan Insurance Co.

June 1991 – January 1996 (4 years 8 months)

Site Engineer

Camella Homes / Household Development Corp

June 1990 – February 1991 (9 months)

2009 Bagong Bayani Award (Philippines New Heroes Award)
2008 Dubai Quality Award - IDEAS ARABIA 2008 winner - special appreciation for Super Oman Info-Comics
2008 RISK INNOVATORS 2008 Awardee - Construction/Real Estate Category
2006 OIC Awarded Certificate of Appreciation for Creative Innovation (Super Oman)
2005 Shk Mohd Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Sports Quiz Runner-Up Team

UFO Sightings - December 16, 2011

What: Pinoy Chemist
Where: Dubai, UAE
When: December 16, 2011


She is the second of a series of UFO sightings I just recently discovered. She is Mary Jane Alvero-Al Mahdi.  Our UFO is the CEO of Geo-science Testing Laboratory. She is the second of the three Filipinos featured in a book by UAE-based journalist Meraj Rizvi, the "Young Asian Achievers".

Last 2008, she was the first Filipina to win the prestigious Emirates Business Woman Award  (EBWA 2008). 


Below is her Academic and Professional Background and Awards:

Chief Executive Officer

Geoscience Testing Laboratory

September 1997 – Present (14 years 4 months)

Chief Chemist

Al Futtaim Tarmac

September 1992 – September 1997 (5 years 1 month):

Adamson University

BS Chemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering

1986 – 1991

Emirates Businesswomen Award Runner-up winner, Professional Category, 2008
Woman of Substance Honoree, 2009
Blas F. Ople awardee 2009
Bagong Bayani Award 2009
Bida sa Negosyo awardee 2009
Most Outstanding Alumna 2008, UAE Chapter
Most Outstanding Alumna 2009, Manila, Phils.
Most Distinguished Chemical Engineer 2009, Professional Regulation Commission, Manila, Philippines
One of the Young Asian Achievers 2011, Exponent Media, Dubai
Featured as one of the 20 renowned global Filipinos by Western Union

Activities and Societies: Society of Human Resource Management, USA American Management Association, USA Dubai Quality Group, UAE Emirates Women Award, UAE- Assessor Adamson University Alumni Association, UAE Chapter EFQM- Certified Assessor Filipino Digerati Association, UAE- Adviser/Founder/BOT Lead Auditor MBA