Brent Domingo – PowerUp City Magazine

The Long Run Forward

Brent Domingo — Fri, 15 May 2026 15:54:46 +0000

For many people in Bahrain’s endurance community, Michael Alfredo (Mico) Faminial represents more than athletic achievement. He represents consistency, discipline, and the quiet kind of leadership built through years of showing up long before sunrise while most of the city is still asleep.

The International Triathlon Club

The Filipino educator and triathlete has become one of the driving forces behind Bahrain’s growing triathlon culture through the co-founding of International Triathlon Club (ITC). What started as a community for athletes with a shared passion for endurance sports has grown into one of Bahrain’s most recognized triathlon groups, welcoming everyone from first-time runners to experienced IRONMAN competitors. Under Mico’s leadership, ITC was recognized as the Most Outstanding Tri Club during the IRONMAN 70.3 Middle East Championship, reflecting years of consistency and shared effort rather than overnight success.

"Sometimes the most important contributions are the ones nobody notices because everything simply works smoothly."

Running With Purpose

For Mico, sports have never been just about medals or finish lines. They are about impact.

That mindset became especially visible when he completed a 170-kilometer ultramarathon across Bahrain in more than 41 sleepless hours to raise awareness for stray animal welfare. The challenge pushed him through exhaustion, heat, and physical fatigue, but the purpose behind the run kept him moving forward. For many in Bahrain’s fitness community, it became a reminder that endurance can be used for something larger than personal achievement.

“The achievement I value most is building something meaningful that people feel proud to belong to,” Mico shares.

That growth was built through long mornings, demanding sessions, shared setbacks, and the kind of discipline that only comes from consistency over time.

The Work Behind the Community

“Seeing ITC rise is deeply fulfilling,” he says. “But beyond results, I’m most proud of the discipline, teamwork, and values that continue to hold the club together.”

What makes ITC stand out is the culture surrounding it. Experienced athletes train alongside beginners, encouraging one another through open-water swims, cycling sessions, and endurance runs. The atmosphere feels competitive without becoming intimidating. There is a shared sense of progress, regardless of pace or experience level.”

Behind the scenes, however, leading a community like this is an everyday grind.

“A typical day means managing logistics, supporting athletes, and coordinating with partners,” Mico explains. “The real challenge is balancing family, work, club duties, and my own training while still showing up fully for everyone else.”

Progress That Lasts

That balancing act is where his philosophy becomes clear. “Motivation is temporary,” he says. “Sustained progress comes from continuing even when things become difficult, repetitive, or emotionally draining.”

For Mico, continuity is not about avoiding challenges. It is about continuing to grow through them while building something meaningful for the wider community.

Bahrain’s Boldest Restaurant and Café Launches

Brent Domingo — Fri, 15 May 2026 14:57:07 +0000

Spring is usually Bahrain’s busiest dining season, but this year carried a different atmosphere. Even so, the city’s hospitality industry continued building, opening, and serving. Throughout March and April 2026, Bahrain’s dining scene continued expanding with ambitious new restaurants, packed cafés, rooftop lounges, and speciality coffee concepts that reminded the city how important gathering spaces really are.

Eating out in Bahrain is something the city never really pauses. Even during moments of uncertainty across the region, restaurants continued opening their doors, cafés kept serving coffee late into the night, and people still gathered around tables with friends, families, and colleagues.

Because life in Bahrain moves forward through its cafés, restaurants, terraces, conversations, and communities.

And honestly? Opening a restaurant during uncertain times takes confidence.

From upscale dining rooms in Adliya to packed cafés in Al Liwan and Bahrain Bay, these are the restaurants and cafés that launched during March and April 2026 and helped keep the city alive.

These are Bahrain’s bravest new openings.

NAC Bahrain

Already hugely popular in London and Dubai, NAC officially arrived in Bahrain and immediately became one of Al Liwan’s busiest social spots. Stylish all-day dining, quality coffee, brunches, and an outdoor terrace made it one of spring’s strongest lifestyle openings.

Al Liwan, Hamala @nac.bh

ZAF

One of the newer names entering Bahrain’s growing specialty coffee scene, ZAF arrived with minimalist interiors, strong coffee culture energy, and a social atmosphere built for long conversations rather than rushed visits. The café quickly became part of the city’s expanding late-night coffee rotation.

West Riffa @zafbhr

Chestnut Bakery

Bakery cafés continue dominating Bahrain’s casual dining scene, and Chestnut Bakery entered the market at exactly the right moment. Fresh pastries, artisan breads, desserts, and specialty coffee come together inside a space that feels polished without losing warmth. Ideal for slow mornings and coffee-fuelled meetings.

Harbour Heights @chestnut.bh

Guji

Already popular for desserts and café culture, Guji expanded further this spring with another opening that immediately attracted younger crowds, content creators, and dessert lovers. Bright interiors and playful presentation remain central to the experience.

Seef, Manama @guji.bh

Aflo Cafe

Aflo Cafe arrived in April with clean interiors, relaxed seating, and the kind of aesthetic that fits perfectly into Bahrain’s current café culture wave. Coffee remains the focus, but the atmosphere clearly encourages guests to stay longer than planned.

Harbour Heights @aflocafe

Where Strength Learns to Stay

Brent Domingo — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:27:19 +0000

Bahrain is slowly changing how it thinks about the next generation. It is moving away from the idea that we find strength in hard times and toward something more planned. Early on, strength is built. It is practiced, reinforced, and understood long before it is put to the test.

For Nick, one of the voices behind Young Minds Bahrain, that shift is essential. “We want to equip the next generation to be successful mentally, emotionally, and professionally for a world with new challenges and demands,” he says.

That point of view comes from what he has seen over time. “Tech, social media, and life in the 21st century have added new stresses that older generations don’t always get,” he says. “Young people are trying to figure out their future, their relationships, and even themselves, but they don’t have the right tools to do it.“

When asked how the idea of quiet srength relates to what he sees today, he draws from his background in mental health and neuroscience. “The numbers show that a lot of young people don’t feel strong or resilient. They give up more often than before. This must change, and I think it will.”

But the answer is not to wait for those moments to come. “These things need to be built into who we are and reinforced, not only in times of crisis but before times of crisis,” he says. “That is what Young Minds is all about. Building a strong mind alongside academic and social growth, it is the driving force behind success and well-being.”

At the core of the program is a simple idea. Being steady is something you practice. “We live in an imperfect world with many challenges,” Nick says. “But being steady means we don’t lose focus on who we are. Our strengths, our weaknesses, our goals.”

That clarity becomes a kind of protection. When identity is shaped with intention, it is less easily shaken by comparison or external pressure. “With the accessibility of information and social media, there is constant comparison,” he notes. “It shapes how young people see themselves, sometimes without them even realizing it.”

There is also a strong focus on the community. Not as a safety net, but as part of the base itself. Nick says, “Community is important.” “These are the things that keep us grounded and connected: family, friends, and the world around us.”

So, continuity isn’t about doing something when things get tough. It’s all about getting ready ahead of time. Helping young people develop the mindset, habits, and awareness they need to keep going, even when things are unclear.

And when that time comes, as it always does, the strength is already there.

"At Young Minds Bahrain, the work begins early, long before it is ever needed."

WHAT YOUNG MINDS BUILDS EARLY
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Structure through routine and time management
Confidence to pursue personal goals

The Art of Presence

Brent Domingo — Fri, 15 May 2026 09:31:04 +0000

In diplomacy, presence is never accidental. Every gesture, detail, and impression carries meaning long before a conversation begins. For Moira Garcia Gallaga, years of serving three Philippine Presidents shaped a strong sense of discipline, confidence, and intentional style. She expresses that philosophy through a modern Filipiniana identity grounded in heritage, structure, and quiet elegance.

When PowerUp City met with Moira Garcia Gallaga, what stood out was how naturally she carries herself. Beyond fashion, the conversation reflected her quiet confidence, discipline, and strong sense of identity. She incorporates touches of Filipiniana into her outfits in a subtle and modern way, while still respecting the culture and fashion of the country she is in. Her style is personal, elegant, and effortless rather than driven by trends or labels.

Now based in Bahrain alongside her husband, His Excellency, Philippine Ambassador Gines Jaime Ricardo D. Gallaga, she shares how confidence, intention, and authenticity shape the way a person carries themselves through fashion.

"Continuity is about staying true. It’s the discipline of showing up as the same person, present, grounded, and aligned with who you are."

Intention In Every Detail

For Moira, style has never been about excess or performance. It begins with awareness.

“It’s rooted in intention and identity,” she shares. “I dress with purpose because how we present ourselves is a quiet act of respect for the space we enter, the people we meet, and ourselves.”

That philosophy is visible in the way she carries herself. Structured silhouettes, refined tailoring, and modern Filipiniana elements come together with clarity and restraint. Nothing appears accidental. Every detail is aligned.

Her sharply defined pixie cut has become part of that signature presence, clean, confident, and unmistakably modern. It complements an aesthetic that balances strength with softness, tradition with contemporary form.

In many ways, her style mirrors the discipline required in diplomacy itself: composed under pressure, thoughtful in execution, and grounded in identity.

Carrying Heritage Forward

Moira’s sense of style is shaped by both lived experience and cultural memory. Early influences came from women whose elegance carried resilience. Over time, her professional background strengthened her understanding of detail and intention.

“Serving three Philippine Presidents taught me that details matter,” she reflects.

Her Filipino heritage remains the strongest thread running through her aesthetic. Filipiniana is integrated into her wardrobe as a contemporary expression of identity, evolving with each setting while retaining its essence.

“I consciously weave Filipiniana into my wardrobe as a modern statement. It’s my way of carrying home with me, wherever we are posted.”

A Distinct Signature

Moira’s style is shaped through thoughtful curation. She draws from Filipino designers who reinterpret traditional textiles such as piña and abaca, pairing them with structured international pieces that introduce clarity and form.

“I love mixing pieces to create my own signature,” she shares.

Tailored blazers, clean lines, and bold accessories complement the intricacy of Filipiniana craftsmanship. Her collection of Filipiniana bags adds another layer of identity, each piece reflecting artistry and cultural depth.

The Structure Behind The Style

In diplomatic settings, presentation carries meaning beyond aesthetics. Moira approaches style as both expression and responsibility, understanding the role it plays in representing identity and culture.

Her years in protocol continue to inform her perspective. Precision, structure, and thoughtful execution remain central to how she approaches both professional and personal presentation.

“Form is just as important as substance,” she explains. “Everything is deliberate.”

That balance between preparation and intuition creates an ease that appears effortless from the outside, even when built on careful consideration.

"Fashion is how I tell my story without saying a word."

Consistency in Motion

Diplomatic life is built around movement, adaptation, and constant change. Through shifting cities, cultures, and formal spaces, Moira has maintained a strong sense of continuity.

“Continuity is about staying true. It’s the discipline of showing up as the same person, present, grounded, and aligned with who you are.”

That consistency is what gives her presence its strength. Not repetition, but clarity.

In an era where personal branding often leans toward noise and visibility, Moira Gallaga represents something quieter and far more lasting: the power of intention.

Every appearance is considered. Every detail is grounded. Every moment reflects identity carried with purpose.

The Power of Showing Up

Brent Domingo — Fri, 15 May 2026 07:39:44 +0000

In a recent conversation with Mr. Wassim Elsayegh, founder of Kickstart Bahrain and Melqart Co., the focus shifted quickly from business to perspective. Against the backdrop of ongoing tension in the region, he spoke about something quieter but more defining: the discipline of showing up and why continuity matters most when conditions are uncertain.

There is a moment every founder recognizes, though few speak about it. It is not the launch day or the funding announcement. It is the slower stretch in between, when emails stall, approvals take longer than expected, and momentum feels just out of reach. Nothing is broken, yet nothing moves quickly. In Bahrain, where business culture has long favored patience over spectacle, this moment is not seen as a failure. It is part of the process, one that quietly shapes how businesses endure.

For the team behind Kickstart and Melqart, that space is where the real work happens. “Continuity is not something big or dramatic,” he says. “It’s actually very simple; it’s showing up every day and making sure things keep moving.” In a landscape often dominated by the language of scale and speed, this perspective feels almost countercultural. Yet it reflects a deeper truth: progress is rarely loud. More often, it is built through consistency, through systems that hold even when momentum slows.

Clarity over Complexity

What emerges is not just a workspace or a service model but an ecosystem designed to remove friction. Kickstart becomes the visible layer, the energy, the conversations, and the daily presence of founders building side by side. Melqart operates behind the scenes, handling the structures that make businesses real.

“Most founders don’t wake up thinking, ‘I need an office,’” he explains. “They’re thinking about how to start, how to grow, how to make things work.” When both sides are connected, the path forward becomes clearer, less fragmented, and far more human.

What has shifted in recent years is not ambition, but intention. Founders are thinking differently now, more measured, more deliberate. “There’s less talk about scaling fast and more about staying sustainable,” he notes. It shows in the way decisions are made, less experimentation, more purpose. Less urgency for speed, more focus on building something that lasts.

"Composure, not chaos, defines the modern builder."

A NEW FOUNDER MINDSET

Scaling fast to building sustainably
Chasing momentum to creating structure
From noise to clarity and control

“Continuity is quiet progress, even when things aren’t perfect.”

The Discipline of Continuity

In this environment, the role of an incubator evolves. It is no longer just a launchpad. It becomes a constant, a place that supports founders not only in moments of growth but also in moments of uncertainty.

“Sometimes what founders need most is not acceleration, but reassurance and guidance,” he says. That shift, subtle but significant, changes what success looks like. It becomes less about how quickly something rises and more about how well it holds. And perhaps that is where Bahrain distinguishes itself. There is a calmness in how businesses take shape here, a sense of practicality that resists excess. “It’s not about chasing hype,” he reflects. “It’s more about building something real, something stable, something that can last.”

In the end, continuity is not a strategy. It is a discipline. A decision made daily, often without recognition. But over time, it becomes the difference between something that starts and something that stays.