ABU DHABI // The past year has been eventful and rewarding for Mary Jane Alvero-Al Mahdi, who supported the UAE’s bid to host the World Expo 2020 in Dubai.
She was named one of the 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the World, and accepted the award in California on October 26.
Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi, 43, chief executive of Geoscience Testing Laboratory, was the only Filipina in the UAE to win a place on the prestigious list compiled by the Filipina Women’s Network in the US.
In the same month she won in the Visionaries category of the Emirates Woman of the Year, which recognises women who “have challenged the norm and became trailbrazers in their chosen field”.
“My life story here in the UAE has been an inspiration for every Filipino who believes in striving to reach their goal,” says Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi.
“With all the awards I received in the past few years, I realised that God never left me alone as I encountered challenges along the way.”
In 2008, she was runner-up in the professional category at the Emirates Businesswoman awards.
The next year she was honoured as one of the Women of Substance by Illustrado magazine in Dubai.
The same year she also won the Bagong Bayani (New Heroes) Award for most outstanding employee and the Blas F Ople Award for Natatanging Bagong Bayani, known as the highest and most coveted recognition given to exemplary overseas Filipinos.
And in December 2012 she received the Presidential Pamana ng Pilipino Award from Benigno Aquino, the Philippine president.
“Winning all these awards has opened me more doors for exciting prospects, and added more value to my name and social reputation,” Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi says.
“My life has been more rewarding because I’ve created opportunities for others as well.
She now looks forward to opportunities for growth after Dubai's successful Expo 2020 bid.
“Our company supported the bid for Expo 2020, which we consider an important equation in our business strategy for the next three to six years,” Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi says.
“We’ve forecast the growth of our business within the six-year preparation in the run up to Expo 2020. I can visualise a lot of roads and other infrastructure rising at Dubai Industrial City, where our central laboratory is located.
“And if this is the case, we can serve our customers better, without delay, because our laboratory is just within the Expo 2020 site.”
On the personal front, she is keen on continuing her doctorate degree in business administration this year, and establishing a foundation for homeless children in the Philippines and providing them with proper education.
“After Typhoon Yolanda, I realised that it’s time to give back to my country,” she says. “I would like to be involved in re-structuring the risk and disaster control plan of the Philippines.”
Super Typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda, swept across central Philippines on November 8. It was the most destructive on record, with at least 5,796 people killed and another 1,779 missing.
“I am willing to share my expertise as an engineer and share the knowledge I acquired from my experience here in the UAE,” Mrs Alvero-Al Mahdi says.
rruiz@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8
Power: 712hp at 6,100rpm
Torque: 881Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km
Price: Dh380,000
On sale: now
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Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 180hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 3,00rpm
Transmission: 5-speed sequential auto
Price: From Dh139,995
On sale: now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Recipe
Garlicky shrimp in olive oil
Gambas Al Ajillo
Preparation time: 5 to 10 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
180ml extra virgin olive oil; 4 to 5 large cloves of garlic, minced or pureed (or 3 to 4 garlic scapes, roughly chopped); 1 or 2 small hot red chillies, dried (or ¼ teaspoon dried red chilli flakes); 400g raw prawns, deveined, heads removed and tails left intact; a generous splash of sweet chilli vinegar; sea salt flakes for seasoning; a small handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Method
▶ Heat the oil in a terracotta dish or frying pan. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the garlic and chilli, stirring continuously for about 10 seconds until golden and aromatic.
▶ Add a splash of sweet chilli vinegar and as it vigorously simmers, releasing perfumed aromas, add the prawns and cook, stirring a few times.
▶ Once the prawns turn pink, after 1 or 2 minutes of cooking, remove from the heat and season with sea salt flakes.
▶ Once the prawns are cool enough to eat, scatter with parsley and serve with small forks or toothpicks as the perfect sharing starter. Finish off with crusty bread to soak up all that flavour-infused olive oil.
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Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Company%20Profile
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Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
