Sarah Lahbati

This feature was written in 2010. Needless to say, there had been a lot of changes in Sarah’s life—both in her personal and professional life. This photo shoot and interview took place when she was just fresh out of the reality show where she emerged the winner. During the shoot, the whole glam team was in awe of the young star’s no-makeup beauty—not to mention that she was statuesque (5’8”) at 16 years old. A prized talent of her network, Sarah then starred in a number of TV shows and movies.

However, at the start of 2013, news broke about the teen actress’ rift with a TV executive. Sarah then chose to stay out of the klieg lights of show business. She stayed abroad for quite a while and remained out of the spotlight.

Just recently, Sarah reconciled with the TV executive and has been working on her comeback. Anyway, it’s always good to look back at how she was almost four years ago—before all the brouhaha that derailed her journey to stardom. I just hope that she gets back on track sooner as she has definitely missed a lot in her career.

Face of Allure: Sarah Lahbati

Sarah Lahbati.
Photos courtesy of www.philstar.com

If humility has a face, then it will have the beautiful features of half-Moroccan, half-Filipino Sarah Alzol Lahbati. “It is important for me to be humble. In everything I do, I always remember that I may not be perfect but I will always be me,” says the 16-year-old. Humility, Sarah reminds herself, is essential especially now that she’s on her first few steps in the entertainment industry. After bagging the title as “Ultimate Female Survivor” in Starstruck, GMA 7’s reality search for new talents, Sarah is now realizing her dream to act and perform on national TV.

“I barely sleep now,” shares Sarah, statuesque at 5-ft.-8.-in. “But I enjoy what I’m doing because I get to meet a lot of people. And they are famous stars for that matter!” Sarah, a mainstay of the Sunday variety show Party Pilipinas, also loves the job because she gets to portray a lot of roles. Being a TV personality was something far from her mind because she originally wanted to be a flight attendant. “But after I saw what happened on Sept. 11 at the World Trade Center, I got scared,” explains Sarah, who also considered being a policewoman when she was a child.

Because Sarah is young and already in the controversy-laden world of show business, she is properly guided by her parents — dad Abdel Lahbati, personnel officer at the Kuwait Mission of Geneva, Switzerland, and Esther Lahbati. Her mom, who goes with her to her commitments including this photo shoot, reminds Sarah that as a budding actress, she has to always look her best “because you’ll never know who you’re going to meet.” Her dad, on the other hand, taught her not to compete with others but with herself. This is exactly why Sarah keeps polishing her acting and singing skills by attending trainings and workshops.   

Armed with striking features, a charming personality and talent, Sarah is being groomed to be one of her mother station’s premier leading ladies. Although she currently finds herself busy with projects left and right, the young girl in her wishes for more summer memories, like her Egypt escapade a few years back. “I went to Egypt to spend summer with my parents. We stayed there for two weeks and I really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to be back there soon.”

(Published April 18, 2010, The Philippine Star)

Bela Padilla

I got to interview this sweet young actress back in 2010 when we featured her in Face of Allure. Bela was just new in the business but she was already turning heads because of her gorgeous features. A deadringer for Bea Alonzo (and Kristine Hermosa I must say after seeing her last night on TV), Bela was starting to get big roles from her mother network GMA 7 during the time of the photo shoot and interview. Of course, this was prior to the "bathroom incident" with a bigger star of the network.

What's admiring about Bela is the fact that she is beautiful inside and out (hey, the girl's cultured and well-mannered). The creative team did not hear any complaint from her and she was polite, nice and "ma-PR" to everyone. Two months after my first encounter with her, we saw each other again in Enchanted Kingdom. I was surprised that she recognized me and even thanked me for the feature I wrote about her (although she already sent me a thank you message the day the feature came out).

Today, her movie with fellow members of the Padilla clan is showing in cinemas nationwide. With all that she's achieved so far, I just hope that she remains humble and nice.

Face of Allure: Bela Padilla

Most girls dream of becoming an actress because of the glitz and glamour of show business. That is partly the reason why half-British, half-Filipino Bela Padilla joined the industry. But when asked what is the one thing she loves about her job, the 19-year-old actress gives a rather unusual answer. “I love the people I work with. Some of them eventually become my friends,” she declares. While insiders say that there are no permanent friendships in the highly competitive world of TV and movies, Bela considers meeting people from different walks of life as a perk of the job.

Face of Allure: Bela Padilla
Photos courtesy of www,philstar.com

It is not surprising at all because the 5’6” Bela loves to be around people. The youngest daughter of banker Cornelius Gary Sullivan and wife Margarette shares: “As a family, we have traveled a lot around Europe and Asia. I think the best part is that I got exposed early on to different cultures.” Back in school at Colegio San Agustin in Makati City, she was very active and would win one contest after another. “I joined writing and speech-related contests in both English and Filipino,” says Bela, who was also a cheerleader and a member of the school’s dance troupe.

School was a big part of her life. “I started school at three and a half years old. I first went to Casa Montessori International School in Forbes Park. Then I went to the Foreigners Class of CSA. Being around different cultures and strong opinions made me very versatile. I learned how to appreciate everyone’s beliefs, respect their needs and, of course, love their food,” she smiles.

When Bela bagged the role of one of the main characters in the Philippine adaptation of the Korean hit Endless Love, the budding actress couldn’t have been more thankful. The GMA-7 talent says, “My role is very complex so I make sure to prepare days before taping. Memorizing lines is a bit tiring. It’s a very competitive field and you always have to know your game,” she muses. “But I enjoy this. I enjoy entertaining people and relieving them of their everyday pressures.” The girl also proves her hosting skills as one of the party jocks in the station’s Sunday variety show Party Pilipinas.

As Bela takes on more and more roles in the future, she promises to always remain grounded. “My mom taught me to always maintain high moral values. She never allows me to use the expression ‘I don’t care.’ She said that in whatever I do, I have to care for people and the situation,” Bela concludes.

(Published September 12, 2010, The Philippine Star)

GMA 7's Felipe S. Yalong: Leadership beyond numbers

For someone who never dreamed of becoming a top financial executive, GMA Network Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe Santos Yalong has definitely achieved a lot in his career. His climb up the corporate ladder is a badge he wears proudly.

Although his career has already been characterized by a number of accomplishments and achievements, 2013 proved to be Yalong’s best year when he was named ING-FINEX CFO of the Year. “This recognition is the highlight of my career. This is something I will remember long after I retire from the industry,” says Yalong.

Yalong was chosen to be the recipient of the prestigious award after a Search and Selection Committee assessed him and other finalists based on four criteria: Performance in terms of good governance, compliance and corporate social responsibility; reputation and stature as a CFO; contribution to the fulfilment of the strategic objectives of his organization; and excellence in the stewardship of his organization.

“I am very happy about this recognition. This is like the Oscars of our profession. It’s more meaningful because this is an award given to you by your peers,” says Yalong.

FINEX is the premier professional organization for finance and financial services executive and decision makers in Philippine business, government, academe, and professional services.

Yalong’s significant contributions in the network’s phenomenal rise in revenues and its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in July 2007 were considered to be the highlights of his career with GMA Network, which started in 2000.

Prior to joining GMA Network, Yalong also helped steer the financial wheel of ABS-CBN. He describes his decision to join GMA Network as the biggest challenge of his professional career as he acknowledges it was behind its biggest rival.

“But it has, as evidenced by my presence here today, yielded positive results both for myself and I would like to believe, through my modest contributions, for the Network as well,” said Yalong in his CFO of the Year acceptance speech.

According to Yalong, he saw the need to bring GMA Network to a level that was more competitive.

As someone who used to be on the other side of the fence,  he’s seen the advantages and the resources that GMA needs to build up to safely say that they’re in for a good fight.

“We really built the organization to make sure that when we enter the competition with them, we’re ready. I’ve seen the growth of GMA from 400 to now 2,001 regular employees, excluding the talents.”

Yalong started his career with SyCip, Gorres, and Velayo Co. (SGV) as an auditor immediately after he passed the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure exam in 1977.

While still reviewing for the board exam, he was one of only few examinees that were recruited by SGV. On his first year with the country’s premier auditing firm, Yalong was already taking on bigger responsibilities such as meeting with clients.

He took this as an opportunity to learn and acquire new skills. Yalong then moved to different companies where he held various positions.

Recalling the early days, Yalong shares that he originally enrolled in Engineering in Mapua but shifted to Business Administration, Major in Accounting in the Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA). He also took up Management Development Program from the Asian Institute of Management.

He’s always been passionate about numbers. But beyond the numbers, Yalong is known for his integrity and people skills. “Honesty is my core value. I make sure that I'm very honest with the way I deal with people, with suppliers. Honesty took me a long way—from where I started all the way up,” he says.

“People can also approach me and talk to me anytime. I have an open door policy. Anybody can come and see me.”

Although he’s used to being recognized, nothing beats an old colleague thanking him for his influence in his or her career.

“I think I have touched a lot of lives in my different companies. If I have the opportunity to help people, I try to help in my own little way.”

Yalong also performs a number of roles for GMA Holdings Inc., Scenarios Inc., GMA Network Films Inc., Unicapital Inc., Majalco Finance and Investments Inc., GMA Marketing and Productions Inc., RGMA Network Inc., Mediamerge Corp., GMA New Media Inc., RGMA Marketing and Productions Inc., and GMA Kapuso Foundation Inc.

Now on his 14th year with GMA Network, Yalong declares, “I am happy with GMA, it’s a good company. It shares my values. Going to the office is something I look forward to. I know that I’ll be able to contribute something. I’d like to think this would be my last company. It’s part of God’s plan that I end my career in GMA.”

(Published January 13, 2014, The Philippine Star)