“One of my favorite memories of Australia,” says Nick Grassick, managing partner at ph Real Estate Brokers, a Dubai-based property expert, “was spending six months in Byron Bay, a coastal town near the border of New South Wales and Queensland…that place really is God’s country.” 

“This was a stay much longer than the originally planned seven days,” Nick, born and raised in Birmingham in the United Kingdom (UK) and has worked in real estate for nearly 30 years of his life, said.  

 “My favored mode of travel while backpacking was contacting the camper van rental companies and inquiring about ‘relocations,’” Nick, who calls Dubai home for the past 12 years, during which period he has become a husband and father, added.    

He further explained that recently-rented camper vans, essentially, had travelled from point of origin to their destination, and somehow needed to be returned to their point of origin.

“I became that driver to return it.  The fact it cost roughly AUD1 per day to hire on the return run was eclipsed by the fact I never knew which city I would be returning it to until I was booked.

“The sense of adventure travelling like this was incredible,” Nick said.

Nick knows the real estate world like the back of his hand, having worked selling residential semi-detached homes in the quiet suburbia of Birmingham, to being based in Sydney, Australia where he was engaged in the city’s commercial real estate, and now Dubai.   

“The most enjoyable difference working in Dubai (compared) with other cities is the vast diversity of nationalities and cultures we work with.  Marketing and selling property is largely similar the world over, the opportunity to engage with and work alongside the diverse client base we have in UAE provides an enjoyable challenge, assimilating to nationality and cultural nuances,” said Nick.

He added: “Over the past 12 years, I have seen the Dubai property market mature and become much more robust in terms of both legislation and process management.  Arguably the most important part of the home-buying process has evolved from decentralized, independent broker-created contracts to a system in place today, whereby contracts are created, reviewed and approved by a smartphone-based application.  This level of sophistication is yet to be seen in markets considered much more mature.”

Nick said few people are able to purchase their dream home from a cold start, “so I’d recommend taking incremental steps and buying a home which suits their needs.  

“We’re fortunate to live in a city which is as dynamic as Dubai, both in terms of advancements and the incredible fluidity of property values.  Everyone has an opportunity to reap profit from buying and selling property in such an environment, a process we have managed for many long-standing clients, contributing to their personal wealth and resulting in much broader purchasing power,” he said.

Over the years, Nick has lived in most of the expat communities in Dubai.  

“Initially, I lived in Downtown (at a time when) Burj Khalifa wasn’t quite finished, Dubai Mall hadn’t opened and the only developments were Burj Residences, South Ridge and 8 Boulevard Walk.  

“From Downtown, I moved to Dubai Marina and when I became a father, moved to The Lakes.  Home is now Palm Jumeirah, the more relaxed beach lifestyle perfectly suits what I now look for when not at work,” he said. 

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates: There has been a significant decrease in Covid-19 infections of 62%  in August 2021 compared to January 2021,according to  Dr. Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson for the UAE Health Sector,  

At a UAE government media briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Al Hosani also said 87.19 percent of the population have taken their first vaccine dose while 76.12 percent has taken both doses.

“The health sector has harnessed its efforts and capabilities in terms of research and clinical trials to ensure vaccine efficacy. Today, we have achieved satisfactory and safe results in terms of national vaccine distribution rates. Therefore, we appreciate the public’s trust in the work of the health sector,” Emirates News Agency (WAM) quoted Dr. Al Hosani as saying.

“From January to August 2021, we have witnessed a significant decrease in infections, amounting to 62 percent,” she further added, noting infections in January totalled 95,787 cases while August recorded 36,516.

She attributed this decline to several factors, most notably the readiness of the health system and its rapid response, as well as the expanding scope of national COVID-19 testing aimed at reducing infections and providing adequate treatment on time, in addition to promoting a culture of regular testing.

The price of PCR tests was reduced to AED50, and safe vaccines are available for all age groups and all segments of the community, she further said.

Dr. Farida Al Hosani pointed out that vaccine booster shots, which is an additional dose taken after the first two doses, also helped strengthen people’s immunity and decreased the number of infections.

The UAE has adopted flexible strategies, noting its fast and proactive decision-making process aimed at addressing the pandemic’s repercussions and reaching full recovery.

The country’s initiatives and efforts have led to the adoption of necessary measures to ensure the return to a new and safe normalcy, she added, noting the health sector is continuing its efforts to and acquire immunity by offering vaccines to eligible people.

By Jojo Dass

They say curiosity killed a cat. 

And for Dr. Rex Bacarra, who holds a Ph.D. in philosophy, that might have been a warning that came a little too late back in his younger years when, raring to be in Manila despite the odds, he left his impoverished Catbalogan, Samar to, in his words, “dive…plunged head on” to the big city.

“I was young and I was unthinking; I was rash. All I wanted was to see what’s in Manila,” Dr. Rex tells Dubai Vibes Magazine.

Blame it on the follies of youth. Dr. Rex was 19, fresh out of Sacred Heart College in Catbalogan; and restless.

Manila proved unkind. The next five years upon arrival was spent living a life one heartbreak story after another.

He managed to get a part-time job selling glass cleaners but could not close a deal because of his thick accent. “I went from one house to another. I couldn’t sell. I just couldn’t pronounce Tagalog words correctly,” Dr. Rex said, referring to the vernacular Filipino language in the city. 

He said he thought he finally got it made when he went to a rich relative’s house in Laguna to sell his merchandise.  But he was very wrong.

“She told me I needed to show her if it was effective and asked me to clean her huge house’s enormous glass panels and windows. I did my best and sweated a lot, trying to prove it was the best glass cleaner. She didn’t buy,” Dr. Rex narrated.

He was staying with his sister back in Manila and could not bear the thought of being a burden to his kin as he has been jobless for quite some time and she was working while studying, aside from having a family of her own.

Luneta

And so he left her, not knowing where to go, and ending up in Luneta – that historic park where the monument of the Philippines’ national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal stands proud –  with just the clothes on his back and a little money. 

The place back then was known was being a vagrant’s paradise, with prostitutes and drug-dealers, not to mention pick-pockets, prey on unsuspecting victims, one of which unfortunately happened to be Dr. Rex.

“I saw a group of boys around my age; one of them approached and offered me  Pepsi soda in a small transparent plastic bag with a straw in it. He was friendly. I drank it, then I got dizzy, fell asleep, and woke up the following day to a banging on the door. 

“A man was shouting, telling me that I have already extended my time. I couldn’t make sense of where I was. I didn’t even know why I was in the room. All I remember was that I was in Luneta. I was feeling groggy. I opened the door and walked out, apologizing to the man and trying to make sense of what happened. Finally, I realized that my bag was gone, that I have become a victim of the Ativan gang,” Dr. Rex said. 

The Ativan gang is a notorious criminal group in Manila victimizing people by lacing their drinks with the drug used as medication for anxiety and sleeping disorders.

Slept on the streets

Dr. Rex went back to Luneta, spent the night sleeping on the grass and waking up to another day of futile job-searching.

“I remember having only Php5 pesos in my pocket. I got so hungry I bought steamed rice, again in a small plastic bag. I went around the streets of Sampaloc in Manila, eating, aimlessly wandering. I experienced sleeping on the streets of Paco, Singalong, and Tondo while trying to make both ends meet for whatever job I could get into,” Dr. Rex said. 

It was taking its toll on him. He remembers encountering people shunning him because, to them, he “looked broken and unkempt,” Dr. Rex said.

Dr. Rex met a friend from Samar who took him in. But again he left after some time because he overheard his friend’s mother scolding him for bringing in another mouth to feed.

“The same episodes happened. Sleeping in Luneta. Getting odd jobs in the markets, taking a bath in public gyms… I was homeless,” Dr. Rex said.

Tondo

The same episodes indeed as he would meet yet again another acquaintance from Samar running a beauty parlor in Tondo, who took him in – but not for long.

The salon, said Dr. Rex, was a “box,” but at least he had a place to stay. “Our sleeping area was the floor; and I was grateful. It was a place I could safely sleep at night. So, that became my routine, applying for jobs in the morning and helping in the salon after lunch until nighttime. Then one day, after another tiring day of seeking job, I saw my bag outside of the salon,” Dr. Rex said.

A ray of hope

Finally, a break: Dr. Rex met still another old friend from Samar, who pointed him to the direction of a couple in need of an English tutor for their three children. 

A ray of hope.

“That family changed my life. They accepted me as their own, and I started teaching the three children. After two years, I became interested in the spiritual life. I would go to mass every day in Tondo very early in the morning. I would read spiritual books, and the father of the children noticed it,” he said.

The road his life was travelling on led him to a monastery in Malaybalay, Bukidnon in the southern Philippines, where Dr. Rex accepted a monk’s life.

And this chapter in Dr. Bacarra’s life subsequently led him to where it all began: Manila.

“The head of the monastery asked me to go to the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat in Manila since the monks there run and administer the San Beda University. 

“Eventually, I went back to Manila and became an active monk involved in the administration, and a teacher at San Beda. After that, they asked me to study for my master’s and Ph.D. at De la Salle University,” Dr. Rex said.

In the summer of 2008, Dr. Rex went to Dubai where soon after, he was teaching at one of the city’s universities.

“My life took a different path henceforth,” he said.

Dr. Rex said he had wanted to be a lawyer, but due to financial considerations, he shifted to teaching. 

“The influence also mostly came from the fact that both my father and mother were school teachers. If God has other plans, I will continue to be playing the role of an excellent educator, uncompromising on quality and impacting the young to be responsible leaders of the world,” he said.

Dr. Rex also has a Ph.D. in Management Research with concentration in Organization and HR from King’s College London.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates:  Dubai is gearing up to host the region’s first official Snow Volleyball tournament in the second half of October this year in Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates.

Held under the auspices of Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), the four-day tournament is being organized by Esperia Volleyball Academy in cooperation with Dubai Sports Council and Ski Dubai, according to Emirates News Agency (WAM).

Hosting the event is aligned with the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, to strengthen Dubai’s position as the world’s most preferred venue for international sporting events.

As the first event of its kind in the Middle East, the tournament will contribute to reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as one of the region’s top supporters of snow sports and a premier destination for snow sports enthusiasts.

To familiarize sports enthusiasts with Snow Volleyball, a sport played by two teams on a snow court divided by a net, Ski Dubai will open its doors for the public to register for training sessions at its Snow Volley courts on 31st August, 1st and 3rd September, 2021.

Expert coaches from the Esperia Volleyball Academy will be on hand during the training sessions to provide participants tips to master the game.

The Snow Volleyball tournament is being organized under the framework of Dubai Sports Council’s plan to popularize snow sports in Dubai and the UAE, in cooperation with Ski Dubai, and provide all the necessary means for its growth and development, based on the Council’s desire to create a diverse sports environment that caters to the needs of all members of Dubai’s community.

Under this framework, Ski Dubai has hosted several events recently, including the world’s first indoor edition of Red Bull Jump & Freeze on 9th July this year. The unique competition saw more than 20 teams in custom-made costumes and vehicles slide down the slope of Ski Dubai, hit the kicker and jump into a pool of freezing water before a panel of judges, who selected the winners.

Ski Dubai is going to be a busy venue this year as well, with more than 10 events scheduled to take place at the venue, including national and international tournaments like the UAE Alpine Ski Championship, UAE National Ski and Snowboard Freestyle Championship and the 12th edition of Ice Warrior Challenge, which is one of the favorite events of the country’s obstacle-challenge enthusiasts.

All the events will be held following the Covid-19 precautionary measures and protocols as outlined by relevant authorities.

“I was hosting a charity event and there were technical difficulties, so the organizer pushed me on stage and shouted ‘Do something funny!” recalls Mina Liccione.

And so, she made fun of the situation, shared some funny stories, did some “crowd work” and the rest, as the cliché goes…is history.

Born in Rochester, New York, Mina moved to Manhattan when she was 17, with  big dreams of getting on Broadway. 

“Thankfully I was casted in the show ‘Stomp’ and was able to tour the world performing for a few years,” she says, referring to the iconic New York stage show that’s full of dance, music, theatrical performance and visual comedy blended together.

“Then the show ended up taking me to San Francisco, California where I stayed for four years before moving to Dubai in 2008. It’s been quite an adventure!” Mina said.

“I love Dubai. It’s where I met my husband and where my twin baby boys were born. I love the diversity, the safety, and of course, the food!”

Comedy runs in the Liccione family.

“My father and grandfather are hilarious. You got to have a sense of humor living in New York and boy, did they! We always watched comedy shows and movies and then would reenact them at home. We’d sing, dance, cook marinara sauce and laugh! Comedy has always been my way of life. And now, I’m even married to a fellow comedian,”  Mina says.

But there’s more to Mina’s comedy than meets the eye.   

“My favorite type of comedy makes you laugh and then it makes you think. Comedy is such a great outlet for social commentary. Every day is filled with new observations, experiences, mishaps. Life reflects art. As long as I’m alive, I’ll be writing jokes and sharing stories! 

“You never know what the audience is going through, so to make them laugh is a beautiful thing. Many times, folks have stayed after the show and said a loved one recently passed or they’ve been going through a tough time and really needed a good laugh. It’s humbling and an honor to be able to lift people’s spirits,” she says. 

What does she get her energy? “Caffeine, lots of caffeine! And the continued love and excitement I have when I get to take the stage and be on-set,” Mina says.

Mina went to Dubai to help pioneer a comedy scene and launch “Dubomedy” with fellow comedian Ali Al Sayed, who is now her husband. The mission was to use comedy as a tool to bring people of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds together for a good laugh and better understanding, she says. 

Asked what keeps her going, Mina said: “Faith and my undying passion for making art and spreading laughter. When I start to feel that I’m losing my faith everything else starts to crumble, so it’s essential that stay focused and connected through the madness.”

Her life philosophy is encapsulated in the great Muhammad Ali’s famous quote: “The service you do for others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.”

“Follow your heart in all that you do, and try to see the humor in life. On those days whether you don’t know whether to laugh or cry, choose to laugh!”

On weekends, Mina spends time laughing, playing and making pizza with her three- year-old sons. “They’re so full of life and love. They’re our everything,” she says.

Mina has an upcoming show dubbed, “Growing Up Ringside.” 

“I created and debuted this multimedia solo show earlier this year and it shares funny and heartfelt stories from my childhood in New York, boxers and wise guys, Broadway dreams and broken bones all the way to my move to Dubai and adjusting to life and performing comedy in a Muslim country,” she says. 

She’ll be doing the show one more time in Dubai on September 18, 2021 at the Mall of the Emirates’ (MOE) The Theater before bringing it home to New York.

“I’m so happy to say that it’s been chosen to close out the KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival as well as be part of Frigid NYC’s Fall Season. It’s all full circle! Best homecoming ever,” she says. 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Fine-dining restaurant Wakame is delighted to announce new dishes to the menu. The restaurant will continue to offer customers all the signature dishes, but expand the menu to include choices that cater to new tastes and more adventurous palates.
 
“The changes in our menu have been planned for several months now” explains Alawi Al Braik, owner of Wakame Restaurant, who has been working very closely with Executive Chef Bajador to create and implement some of the new dishes. “We wanted to make sure that our menus continue to inspire and satisfy our fine-diners, while still offering something for everyone. Customers can expect everything they’ve come to love about Wakame, with a few culinary surprises!”
 
The restaurant will still serve signature favorites like wagyu truffle dim sum and crispy lobster bao. However, diners can now also enjoy innovative creations like Wakame ceviche, (a delicate flavor combination of tuna, salmon, hamachi, citrus soy and tapioca crackers) or tamarind-baked seabass served on a bed of pomelo salad.
 
The restaurant’s vegan menu has a new sweet potato and beetroot maki, a mushroom bao, and a dedicated dessert section that includes mochi ice-cream wrapped in rice paper pastry and a decadent raspberry chocolate cake.
 
For those with a sweet tooth, Wakame’s regular dessert menu has new tempting entries like molten cake served with dolce sauce and vanilla ice-cream, and honey cake served with cream and honey crumble.
 
“It’s our hope that loyal Wakame customers will continue to enjoy all their menu favourites, while perhaps making new ones.” says Al Braik. “For new customers, we hope the variety we offer will keep them coming back for more.”
 
Located in the Sofitel Hotel in Downtown Dubai, Wakame is open for lunch and dinner, and also provides private catering, culinary master classes and delivery options. It specializes in fine-dining and offers an innovative take on traditional Asian cuisine. To learn more about Wakame, visit www.wakame.ae or @Wakamedubai.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates:  In theaters 9th September, “Malignant” is the latest creation from “Conjuring” Universe architect James Wan (“Aquaman,” “Insidious,” “Saw”). The film marks director Wan’s return to his roots with this new original horror thriller.

In the film, Madison is paralyzed by shocking visions of grisly murders, and her torment worsens as she discovers that these waking dreams are in fact terrifying realities.

“Malignant” stars Annabelle Wallis (“Annabelle,” “The Mummy”), Maddie Hasson (YouTube’s “Impulse,” TV’s “Mr. Mercedes”), George Young (TV’s “Containment”), Michole Briana White (TV’s “Black Mafia Family,” “Dead to Me”), Jacqueline McKenzie (“Palm Beach,” TV’s Reckoning”), Jake Abel (TV’s “Supernatural,” the “Percy Jackson” films) and Ingrid Bisu (“The  Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” “The Nun”).

Wan (“Aquaman,” “Furious 7”) directed from a screenplay by Akela Cooper (“M3GAN,” upcoming “The Nun 2”), story by Wan & Ingrid Bisu and Cooper. The film was produced by Wan and Michael Clear, with Eric McLeod, Judson Scott, Bisu, Peter Luo, Cheng Yang, Mandy Yu and Lei Han serving as executive producers.

Behind the scenes, Wan was joined by his frequent collaborators, director of photography Don Burgess and editor Kirk Morri (“Aquaman,” “The Conjuring 2”), production designer Desma Murphy (art director, “Aquaman,” “Furious 7”), as well as costume designer Lisa Norcia (“Insidious: The Last Key”). The music is by Joseph Bishara, who has composed the score for all seven films in “The Conjuring” Universe, among many others.

New Line Cinema Presents, in association with Starlight Media Inc. and My Entertainment Inc., An Atomic Monster Production, a James Wan Film, “Malignant,” will be released in theaters across the region on Sept. 9, 2021 and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

“It’s really tough managing everything at once,” says Omnia Abdelhalim, co-founder and in charge of marketing and communications at Koala Picks, a kids’ healthy food company.

“Spending enough time with the kids, getting them ready for school, keeping them entertained and then also getting work done,” Omnia added.

And that’s just a part of it, she says.

“It’s usually much more hectic when we’re launching new products or during busy seasons like back to school and Christmas. But we’re really lucky to have each other’s support,” Omnia, who’s from Egypt, said.

Three years ago, Omnia and two friends, Aya Assaf and Ahmed Mobasher , both Egyptian nationals, too, launched Koala Picks,  which promotes healthy lifestyle habits for families. Their products range from healthy sweet and savory snacks, which can be purchased in single boxes or as part of a subscription service, and delicious breakfast and baking items which can be purchased on their own. 

All Koala Picks recipes were made from scratch in-house by the talented team in their licensed kitchen, with all items approved by a certified nutritionist.  

“We love how excited our customers get about our snacks. We’re always receiving such cute photos of kids and families enjoying our snacks, making our breakfasts at home and getting super creative – it makes us really happy to see. We also love launching new, innovative products – we’re always looking for inspiration from our own kids,” says Omnia.

Her kids keep her extra busy but Omnia doesn’t mind.

“Our kids and our customers who have become such loyal friends and a big part of the Koala Picks family are what keep us going. Our kids are always asking for snacks they can munch on all day, and we always get our innovations from their crazy ideas.

“We spend a lot of time with our families. We love spending the day out by the pool, planning fun crafts at home to keep the kids entertained, and visit our relatives who also live in Dubai,” she says.

Omnia arrived in Dubai four years ago. “At first,” she said, “Dubai was a bit intimidating; lots going on and so many different people and cultures to meet!”

“Once we’ve settled in and found our way, we found Dubai to be a great city to live in.”

“It’s a very diverse city, kind of like New York,” Ziad Tariq says, referring to Dubai. “I’ve seen Dubai when it was just a desert. So, it’s amazing to see the city develop through the years.”

Payam Honari shares Ziad’s thoughts about this international city that never sleeps. “I was able to see Dubai as a desert and I saw it thrive into the city it is today. Business in Dubai in particular is easier than in other countries as the government makes rules and regulations favorable to a company’s success,” Payam says.

Aside from their views about Dubai, Ziad and Payam have another thing in common: both are business savvy.

To this end, the two launched Adasat, which means “contact lenses” in Arabic,  two years ago in September 2019. Adasat is an e-commerce platform offering premium and high-quality eyewear in the UAE.  

Ziad is an ambitious entrepreneur with a strong work ethic. Having multiple businesses in different fields such as real estate, marketing and e-commerce, he graduated from American University Dubai in 2008 with a degree in marketing and business administration. 

As a young boy, he helped his father’s optical business after class every day where he learned the ins and outs of the field. Shortly after graduating, he started working in a Dubai bank to sharpen his finance and customer service skills while simultaneously helping with his father’s optical business. 

He then later co-founded bonavenue.com in 2011 until 2014 selling designer clothing brands and was the marketing manager for the company. In 2015, he opened an optical store called Optoline Optics, which still stands today, selling eyewear and performing RTA eye tests and in 2019, he co-founded adasat.com with Payam.

“I love making customers happy – to receive comments from them saying that we helped them with what they were looking for and that they were very satisfied with our company just brightens my day,” Ziad says.

“Good things are worth waiting for. The world is an open market place –  there’s a job for everyone out there. You just have to go and find it. Choose a job that you love, something that allows you to innovate and think every day yet also something that keeps you happy,” says Ziad.

Payam, for his part, says it’s all about team work.  “We are like a family. We are very comfortable with each other but of course we have boundaries to make sure that work comes first. When you enjoy your job and have fun with your colleagues, you actually move forward faster and accomplish goals quicker,” he says.

“Everyone has a lot of ups and more downs. I have gone through a lot,” Payam added.

Payam is a passionate businessman. He has vast experience in retail and real estate in the Gulf. 

Like Ziad, Payam also learned the value and principles of earning money from his father when he was a small kid. The most important thing that he remembered was the one his father used to say – “No matter what business you`re in, always make sure to keep your priorities focused on people”. 

Payam majored in Business Administration at Emirates Aviation College in 2004 to 2007. In 2010, he worked in Honari Trading in the business development department until 2013 dealing in Honari Rice which is sold in all supermarkets today. In 2013, he started a mixed martial arts gym called Positive Fitness and in 2019, he co-founded the adasat.com.

Even though he is currently involved in several other businesses, Payam never stopped pursuing self-development. He is continuing his education in Business Administration doing Master’s Degree in Anglia Ruskin University, UK. 

Payam believes that we should always seek to expand our boundaries whether it is in business or in life. 

“Do good things for the sake of it and not in search of something in return.

 Don’t complain, you won’t get anywhere that way. You have to work hard to reach your goal. We all make mistakes, that’s normal. But make sure to stand up to what you did wrong and learn from it,” he says.