Bb. Pilipinas International 2004 Margaret Ann

Just got back from a 2-day jaunt to neighboring Dubai to attend the annual Index Design Fair. It’s been two years since the last time I attended and wanted to check out what’s going on in the local interior design field. As well as see what new things have cropped-up in the city’s ever-changing landscape since the last time I dropped by last July.

But the most interesting part of the visit was that I finally got to EB my Multiply buddy, Lalaine Chiu-Benitez, the ebullient Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Dubai-based “Illustrado” magazine. I called her and she set up our meeting at the plush Fairmont Hotel’s coffee shop at 3:00PM. Hope you don’t mind, she said, ‘cuz she was meeting other people there as well. Me, mind? I just might as well cancel the whole Index visit just to be at the Fairmont!

Unfortunately, I arrived late. I misjudged two things: the long walk to the parking lot from the convention hall and the terrible afternoon traffic through the three blocks to the nearby hotel. I should have just strolled across the pedestrian bridge that spanned Sheik Zayed Road because it was that close. Twenty minutes is an awful long time to keep a lady waiting and I couldn’t call since my mobile (actually, my son’s because I borrowed his before I left Q8) had no more load. I wouldn’t have been surprised if she had already left but, well, there she was, sitting in one corner – the cool and unruffled Lalaine, having coffee and nibbling on a piece of cake.


Maan, Moi, Nina and Lalaine

Hmmm….just as I thought – once we got to talking – she had that deadly combination of beauty and brains. But she quickly put me at ease and it seemed as though we were old friends as we ran through personal stuff, business and her baby, the illustrious magazine that’s been creating a stir in the Mideast Pinoy expat community. It’s a year old now and seems to be going from strength to strength with every issue. It’s unique, classy and at the same time, down-to-earth in the choice of subject matter that graces its pages (my favorite is the fashion shoot, actually) every issue. With a tagline - Taas Noo Pilipino! - that urges all of us to be proud of our country’s heritage, how could it get better than that.

And so, as friendly conversations go, this one went down pretty well until her other visitors came. Three, in fact. One was Andy, an old friend of hers who chaperoned the other two who were, well, quite stunning ladies who literally stood out from the crowd. I could see all the guys’ eyes in that coffee shop follow them ‘round while I had to crane my neck upwards to say hello. Both stood 5’10” thereabouts, I guess. One was Maan, a former Binibining Pilipinas International 2004 titleholder and the other was Nina; one creamy white and the other smooth morena - both statuesque beauties. They modeled in their spare time when not busy with their day jobs as flight attendants of Emirates Airlines and I assumed the meeting was to explore the possibility of a photo shoot for the mag. I was surprised to learn that most of the girls that graced the covers of Illustrado were former beauty contestants who are also Emirates crew. I thought it would be better now to switch airlines and chuck out that GulfAir Frequent Flyer that I have.



Okay, I tried my best to keep my hands to myself! ; Illustrado copies

Thank goodness, I had the presence of mind to have my trusty Nikon inside my backpack so that before we broke up the enjoyable tete-a-tete, I asked if we could have a couple of shots to which they willingly obliged. Three pretty women and so little precious time. But I was glad I spent three hours with them which – just when you’re having fun - flew past so quickly.

Now if only I could arrange something like that every time I’m in Dubai, then, I think, I’ll be back there very often!