The Global Filipino Magazine | Volume 1 Issue 2 | May 2020

‘KAPIT BISIG’ AND ‘BAYANIHAN’ PREVAIL AMONG OFWS IN MIDDLE EAST DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

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‘THANK YOU, UAE!’

GLOBAL FILIPINOS

UAE SENDS 7 METRIC TONS OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO THE PHILIPPINES

SHINING

DURING CRISIS www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com | Vol. 1, Issue 2 | May 2020

CONTENTS 05 Editor’s Note:

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Call Centre Agent Turns to Business

Development Executive

The Go-To Lawyer of Filipinos in the Middle East

Vagelyn Tumbaga-Pacio

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Charles Rollon

Global Filipino Achiever On A Mission To Inspire, Motivate, Engage and Develop People

Living The Life: Vlogger Making The Most Of His Work To Embrace New Culture

11 Amy Miranda

Junie Sorsano

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Enrico Cardoniga

Wendell Mandocdoc

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Roy Lance Japor

From Being A Supermarket Staff To Becoming Danube’s Concept Manager

HR Professional Utilizes Social Media To Help OFWs Looking For Jobs

Filipino Exceptional Art Director Raising The Philippine Flag In The Middle East

Dean Empowers Filipinos In Bahrain To Secure

Opportunities Overseas

Supply Chain Manager Upgrading Status Of Filipino Electrical Practitioners In Saudi Arabia

18 Jonathan Paul Aggarao

19 Gimmarie Bassig-Reyes

20 Engr. Bernardo Allayban

A Nurse With A Pasion For Caring And Helping Others Even Outside Medical Facility

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Filipino-Bahraini Content Creator Using The Power of Words To Change And Influence Lives

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Atty. Barney Almazar

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Mark Joseph Guevarra

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15 Shereen Ahmed

Thank you for the flattering response

Successful Filipino Vlogger Now A Business Person

How A Broadcaster Turns To Social Media Influencer To Book Author

The Master of Artm Design, Branding and Photography

14 Donell Gumiran

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Abdulhamid Omar Bandon ‘Shawarma Boy’ To Becoming One Of The Most Followed Content Creators In The Middle East

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‘Kapit Bisi’g and ‘Bayanihan’ Prevail Among OFWs in Middle East During Covid-19 Pandemic

Changes In Employment Law In The Middle East

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32 Filipina Frontliner Based In UAE Given

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A Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity To Converse With Sheikh Mohamed

Stuck Duba-based ‘International

Make-Up Artist’ In The Philippines Makes The Most Of Lockdown

Scan Me!

The Global Filipino Magazine The story of our success

PUBLISHER’S

NOTE I

ALWAYS believe that arriving at one goal is the starting point of another.

Words I’ve written here will not suffice to thank all the individuals and groups who have supported and trusted The Global Filipino Magazine which aims to champion the greatness of the Filipinos across the globe through quality writing and give inspiration to those people who need their spirits to be uplifted.

To our readers, we’ve added five more feature stories under The Global Filipino | The Story of Our Success so many inspiring stories of Global Filipinos will be covered and give inspiration to the growing number of our readers in and outside the Middle East.

I would also like to thank the Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Hjayceelyn M. Quintana, thank you Amba for allowing us to put you as the cover story of the first issue. Your story has obviously left a mark on our readers. You, as a true Global Filipino, will be looked up to by the 700,000 strong Filipino workers in the UAE. As the world continues to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, many ‘true heroes’ in times of crisis have been recognized. In the second edition, we have decided to highlight OFWs who have defied travel restrictions just to help their ‘kabayans’ who are displaced due to the virus. May your good deeds be heard globally so we’ll continue to spread the socalled ‘bayanihan spirit’ amid a pandemic.

Additionally, I, and the rest of the TGFM team, would like to thank you for patronizing our contents on Facebook which has an average of 1.8 million organic reach every month.

Mr. Gabriel John Rimando Editor-in-chief and Publisher

EDITORIAL BOARD GABRIEL JOHN RIMANDO Publisher and Editor-in-Chief KIPPER VILLALON Desk Editor KROM VILLANUEVA Layout Artist ORLI GAYETA Marketing Manager CAMILLE JOY RIMANDO Production Manager HERMES GABRIEL Photographer GLOBAL CONTRIBUTORS UAE DENNIS ALEJANDRIA ALBERT DELIM CHERYL MARIE DELIM CHARLOTTE IBANEZ BAHRAIN GEMARIE REYES QATAR ANTONNIETE CONCEPCION PHILIPPINES GIBSON RIMANDO

CONTACT US +971 50 319 6856 info@theglobalfilipinomagazine.com www.filipino-institute.com

MARK JOSEPH GUEVARRA Call Centre Agent Turns to Business Development Executive

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e describes himself as a happy-go-lucky guy who knows his limitations while being ‘well rounded.’ 30-year-old Business Development Executive Mark Joseph Guevarra has been working with Travelwings for years now. It’s a Dubai-based tourism brand online, and Mark, as his primary duty, is tasked to grow their business up to its potential.

Guevarra, a Batangueno, considers being a business developer to be the highlight of his career in the host country. He also considers himself as a ‘lover of challenges.’

Before venturing in the desert of UAE, he was part of a BPO company in the Philippines, taking unending calls for over six months until he was finally promoted in the recruitment department where he was tasked to source and conduct interviews of new customer service representatives.

A Psychology graduate, he said that his previous BPO job is in line with the course he had taken during his college years.

“From here, I started to enjoy and love the industry so I prolong my stay in the Philippines before I finally decide to come to Dubai,” he said.

Months before deciding to go to Dubai, he was also a sales executive for manpower to logistics to travel industry, selling different products and services.

But what does urge him to work abroad despite having a stable job? He said that he was never independent in the Philippines because his ‘big’ family was always there to support him, which he was thankful for.

“My parents, siblings, relatives and my friends have always been there for me. I am a lover of challenges, so I wondered what it feels like to be alone and independent,” he said, thus going abroad and trying his luck.

He added that being dependent with other people was one of his struggles.

“I thought I was weak and I lack goals in the Philippines because I was pampered and my family was just there for me whatever happens. I went with the flow and enjoyed every day. One day, I questioned myself ‘What would I be 5 years from now?’, so I made a decision and worked for the answer,” he said.

He was awed the moment he arrived in the UAE, he was amused

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SUCCESS with great facilities, from edifices, carefully-built highways and of how disciplined the citizens and expats are.

Joining Travelwings Joining the current company, he said that he was able to widen his networks in the country, met a few people that truly inspired him to be the best he can be.

“Through my job, I was also given an opportunity to put smiles on people’s faces through creating events, launching promotions, prizes and delivering the utmost customer service,” Guevarra said.

After spending more time abroad, he plans to either go back home with his family in the Philippines or migrate to other countries as long as he is with his family.

“My advice to my fellow kabayans is we all fail many times but the goal is to ultimately succeed, so don’t stop,” he said.

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ATTY. BARNEY ALMAZAR The go-to-lawyer of Filipinos in the Middle East

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ilipino lawyer Atty. Barney Almazar is just one of the foot soldiers of the Constitution abroad. Aside from being a great lawyer, he is also actively holding and providing free legal aid to the Filipino community through the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai.

The director of the Gulf Law has been in the Middle East for seven years now, but the amount of people he had helped in the past is immense.

Be it problems on salaries, debt, bouncing cheques, divorce and annulment and amnesty issues, Almazar is always the trusted lawyer of Filipinos in the country.

One of his greatest achievements recently was assisting a Filipino mother and her three children to waive a total of AED 712,400 in overstaying fines. The amount in peso that he had waived is approximately Php 9,852,556.

And right after winning the case of a Filipino who had fallen into an investment scam, many expats were also given hope to get their investment restored.

Previously, he wrote legal advice on the ‘Sagot Ka ni Attorney’ column published in a Dubai-based weekly newspaper. To further help his ‘kabayans’, he developed a legal portal called ‘Ask Atty.

Barney’ that answers legal inquiries--including legal, labor, financial, and even marital problems.

His very popular book ‘The Essential OFW Guide to UAE’ designed for new and long-time OFWs in the UAE who needs to know the local rules and regulations has 80,000 free copies distributed all across the seven emirates. The book was put together by Almazar and Grace Princesa, former Philippine ambassador to the UAE. In 2015, the same year he published ‘The Essential OFW Guide to UAE’, he was also awarded as one of ‘The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM)’ for law and commended by the Philippine Senate for his contribution in protecting the interests of more than three million overseas Filipinos in the Middle East.

Almazar is not only protecting OFWs in the UAE, he is also one of the most sought lawyers by Filipinos across other GCC countries. To date, he has already assisted more than 40,000 OFWs in his monthly free legal aid clinic at the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates since 2014.

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VAGELYN TUMBAGA-PACIO Global Filipino Achiever On A Mission To Inspire, Motivate, Engage and Develop People

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f there’s one phrase that can perfectly describe her, it would be ‘a global achiever and a modern-day hero.’ Vagelyn Tumbaga-Pacio, only 39-years-old, has become an icon of womanhood, a trailblazing lady of charity, community patroness and a world-class hotelier.

From being a humble farm girl, Pacio is now the Human Resources Director of Dusit Thani Dubai hotel, a five-star luxury hotel in the emirate. She rose from the rank of human resource secretary to the youngest general manager in the Middle East of a four-star hotel in UAE at the age of 28.

Among her achievements include being listed on the 8 Women Of Substance 2018, making her the first Filipina and Asian awardee to grace the award. Just recently, she was also recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Global HR Leaders and HR Global Excellence Award as cited during the World HRD Congress in India.

To this date, Pacia is the International Ambassador of the United Hotelier of the Philippines (UHP) in the UAE. The UHP group is the organization of all Filipino professionals working in hospitality, restaurants, travels and airlines. Part of her work involves initiating activities and training that enhance the knowledge and skills of the members as well as inspiring and motivating them to become successful in their chosen field.

“I reached the epitome of success at a very young age of 28 when I was named the General Manager of Acacia Hotel in 2008. I established a name overseas as the only Filipino and youngest general manager of a four-star hotel to participate in the Middle East Great GM Debate during that time,” Pacio said, adding that no other Filipino has ever participated in such a prestigious award and record reveals that she was indeed the only Filipino to have ever assumed the post of a general manager of a posh hotel in UAE at a very young age.

Various institutions and publications acknowledged her in the field of human resource and hospitality industry for her sincere involvement in promoting the positive image of expats in the Middle East.

Her word doesn’t stop inside the office. Pacio has organized great initiatives for her fellow countrymen by providing jobs especially during pre-opening of hotels. She also provides free training and seminars about UAE labor and employment regulations as well as career development training.

Like most overseas Filipinos in the UAE, she started her career on a small-paying job.

“I started my career as a secretary cum HR assistant with AED 1,000 monthly salary in a construction company, shared a bedspace with more than 10 people in one room and took public transport services in the midst of the hottest season,” she said.

The 2005 film ‘Dubai’ has inspired her to venture and work abroad and it was also at that moment that her family was in a deep financial crisis.

Pacio, who remains to be grateful for the people who have helped her to succeed, has the ultimate dream to own a hotel and resort in San Fernando, La Union.

“If that time comes, I will give and do my best to deliver Exceptional Filipino Hospitality and be known locally and internationally,” she added.

Her advice to Filipinos abroad is to go out of their comfort zones.

Echoing Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s famous line ‘it’s a risk not to take a risk,’ she said Filipinos should explore and see beyond the horizon as they have so much they can do and the future’s so bright and ahead of them.

“We have to always raise the bar and continuously grow and develop ourselves. Learn and invest in education and training to be better that we were yesterday,” Pacio said.

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CHARLES ROLLON Living The Life: Vlogger Making The Most Out Of His Work To Embrace New Culture

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ravelling around different parts of the world makes him a storyteller. Charles Rollon, or known as dboywhogotlucky on Instagram, has been working as a supervisor for an airline company based in Dubai for years now, and through this, he is able to voyage places he has never set foot before to embrace new culture.

Aside from travelling across the globe, he is also passionate about vlogging, cameras and gadgets, thus making him a popular ‘Instagrammer’. So far, Rollon has over 131,000 followers on Instagram, making him one of the most followed Filipinos in the UAE on the image-sharing app.

“My vlogging has brought me to many different places. Most importantly, through my vlogs I have met a lot of Filipinos in the Middle East of different walks of life. To be able to explore places I have never been and meet different people are exactly what I want to be doing,” Rollon said.

Before securing a managerial position, Rollon was a customer service representative for a BPO company based in Ortigas, Manila.

Prior to that, he also did a bit of modeling for print ads.

“I used to work from 9pm to 6am for almost two years in my previous job and I found it really difficult to work on night shifts. But I now understand that I need to go through that in order to be where I am right now,” he recalled.

Rollon, being the friendly that he is, got help from friends to apply for work abroad.

“I like Dubai because I found my means here to be able to help my friends and family back home. I commend the rules and regulations set by the national government here and I feel safe working and living here,” he added.

His plans after working overseas include being with family back home and opening a business either in UAE or in the Philippines.

“My advice to my fellow Filipinos is to expand your network and always be open to opportunities because you will never know who can help you to make it through. Bad times are temporary and your determination will be the key to your success. Pray to God and ask for his guidance. Help yourself first before you help others,” Rollon said when asked his advice to Filipinos who are currently struggling.

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AMY MIRANDA - RN; RM; BSN; MBA

A Nurse With A Passion For Caring And Helping Others Even Outside Medical Facility

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he believes that success isn’t just about what accomplishes in life, it’s what she inspires. Amy Magracia-Miranda, a registered nurse, has been fulfilling his late mom’s dream by being a successful medical practitioner by taking care of mothers and children.

Currently, the seasoned nurse is working as a nurse consultant in a private company in Sharjah for a project to open a new maternity and children’s hospital. Prior to becoming successful in his career, Miranda has to endure obstacles she had never thought of overcoming along the way.

Being the youngest among six siblings and belonging to a broken family, she recalled those dark days where she described life as ‘very hard’. Miranda being sickly, grew up shy and timid because of their life situation.

“It was difficult to even have food on the table that we often asked and beg for food from our neighbor’s store to spare us even a piece of bread to eat,” she added.

Although the situation was depressing, she looked on the brighter side and was still thankful for having a loving and caring mother.

“She had helped me overcome my inferiority complex as she advised me to keep myself proud and happy because although we are poor, yet we are sincere, grateful, and happy with what we have and we are honest people,” she said.

Miranda’s mother was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1985 and four years after, her ‘inspiration’ lost the battle with the deadly cancer.

It was his mother’s vision for her to become a nurse and be a help to others in need. Equipped with her mother’s words, she graduated in high school with honors and eventually became a registered midwife and nurse.

“Although she didn’t see me fulfilling her dreams for me, I studied hard and reached the goal of becoming a nurse and since then, caring has become my passion,” she said.

Her first overseas work stint was way back in 1998 where she got to work in Maternity and Children’s Hospital in of Saudi Arabia as junior nurse under the Kingdom’s Ministry of Health. During her stay in the Islamic country, not only did she enrich herself with clinical training and medical experiences, she also learned the Arabic language considering that it was imperative in her field.

“I enjoy taking care of the mother and child. I have always been close to my mom as the youngest in the family. I can fully comprehend their experiences, problems and concerns related to women’s health and child care,” Miranda said.

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As her husband in Dubai found a secure job, she decided to continue working in UAE in 2002 and started to build a family. For about 10 years, she has worked in Zulekha Hospital in Sharjah where she handled various nursing positions from being a staff nurse to out-patient department (OPD) charge nurse, then later promoted as the nursing supervisor.

Working as a successful nurse in the country, she later applied at the Sheikh Khalifa General Hospital in Umm Al Quwain in 2013 and was offered a senior nurse position for the OB-gyne department.

“It was a very challenging journey as not only did we handle unit preparation but we also managed the fast track nursing recruitment in which I was also assigned as a nurse human resource to process the whole nursing recruitment back then,” she added. She left her work in 2019 to pursue another journey to become a nurse consultant for a private company.

Help outside medical facilities Miranda has also been an active volunteer since she arrived in the country. She and her husband joined several Filipino organizations and volunteered in their various activities. In 2016, they joined the Philippine Healthcare Professional Association (PHPA) and conducted several medical missions to the distressed overseas Filipino workers inside the Philippine missions in Dubai.

Through the help of a few nurses, they finally established their own group called United Filipino Club-UAQ (UFCU) with the aim to provide help and care to the Filipinos in need.

UAE, being her second home for about 18 years now, advised OFWs to work with passion as they will enjoy their work and become productive as they apply it.

“Save for the rainy days, yes you can help others but ensure that you’ll keep something for yourself. Plan ahead, remember your situation now is not your final destination,” she added.

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JUNIE SORSANO Successful Filipino Vlogger Now A Business Person

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e is taunted as the first ever Filipino vlogger in Dubai, providing useful information about what to expect when living in UAE. If one searches for how it’s like to live in Dubai if you’re a Filipino, Junie Sorsano will probably appear on YouTube’s recommendations in the first five pages.

Sorsano has been living and working in Dubai since 2009 and his first job was a regular staff member in an ice cream company inside the Dubai International Airport for four years. While working, he does vlogs on the video-sharing platform. He shares tips, guides and talks about how to make a high impact curriculum vitae, how to prepare for job interviews, save money, among other things that normal OFWs would ask.

Through vlogging, he receives various recognitions and awards and is nominated by different award-giving bodies for Filipino community and international awards for many times already. His life-story has been published in various newspapers, magazines and blogs. His story appeared on ABS-CBN via K-World segment and GMA Pinoy TV via Trending Pinoy. He was later hired as one of the main hosts of the latter program.

For two consecutive times now, he has been part of Illustrado’s Top 100 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf and included in the recent Top 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf 2020 Legacy Edition as a pioneering vlogger in the UAE. “What I love about vlogging is that I can be the source of information, inspiration and hope to my viewers. I vlog with a purpose that I can be of help to Filipino entrepreneurs and businesses by promoting their products and services online,” Sorsano said.

Owing to the fame of vlogging, he is now doing brand ambassadorships and social media support to different brands and by doing featured vlogs. The 40-year-old Filipino does hosting as

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well for big events.

Currently, he is an industrial business partner for KayaKo watch, which is the first Filipino brand for watches being sold in the UAE. He believes that through selling the KayaKo watches, he empowers and recognizes the strengths of Filipino women.

The influencer said that his biggest struggle was when his father passed away and he had to send all his remaining money for hospitalization and funeral purposes and couldn’t go back home to attend the funeral.

“The family that I was staying in was fully supporting me. They have provided me financial support just to be with my dad for the last time,” he recalled.

Sorsano plans to migrate to Canada after working in Dubai as he has family relatives living there and has offered him a ‘good opportunity.’

“I am planning to focus on opening a business that is related to brand influencers and provide students with proper training and improve their skills and educate them how to get clients on board for social media purposes,” he added.

He added that his advocacy is to always give inspiration to OFWs through vlogging.

“Always remember that if you have a problem, it doesn’t mean that it’s the end of the world already. For those who have employment problems, stop the blame game. Always make time to improve and take your skills and knowledge up a notch,” he said when asked what is his advice to Filipinos who are currently struggling.

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ENRICO CARDONIGA How A Broadcaster Turns To Social Media Influencer To Book Author

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nrico Cardoniga, popularly known as ‘Kuya Rico’ in the Filipino community, has always been optimistic amid challenges in life as what an overseas Filipino worker should be. His face is popular among OFWs in the UAE as he is considered as a ‘local celebrity’. He is seen on television for an advertisement and on social media as he conducts food reviews from time to time.

Cardoniga is currently working as an ad and promo manager for Day to Day Chain of Stores where he strategically implements advertising campaigns and connects with other companies every time they have upcoming events.

Prior to working in the UAE, his first OFW stint was in Saipan where he worked as a resident disc jockey in a club and at the same time as an events coordinator. Cardoniga’s current job allows him to use his skills as a broadcaster and advertising practitioner back in the Philippines.

It was 2008 when he arrived in the UAE, the same time when the country suffered from a financial crisis. A newbie in Dubai, he was fortunate enough to meet a real friend who he helped to implement local events while being jobless. During the course of securing a job in the midst of a recession, Cardoniga has had to change his tourist visa seven times and went out of the country as a prerequisite to get the visa stamp.

Unable to find a job that would suit his competency, he decided to make a career shift to the health and safety field upon the recommendation of a friend. Finally, after taking up a course related to safety and fire engineering, he was hired by the North

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American Safety Consultants in Abu Dhabi. As the star aligns and his fate comes together in a positive way, Cardoniga landed a job in a safety and health consultancy company and upon expiration of his contract, he accepted the training manager position for a safety training centre prior to joining Day To Day Group.

‘Side Activities’ Aside from his work-related routine, he’s very much exposed to community-related events. He also founded the Facebook page Tatak Pinoy Loud & Proud three years ago to serve the community in terms of promoting companies owned by Filipinos in the UAE and those companies targeting Filipino expats. His Facebook Live sessions attract thousands of engagement and this makes him a popular vlogger. He also delivers motivational speeches and conducts personal development training.

Very recently, he published his ‘The 12 Habits of Highly Successful OFWs’ book in Dubai. The highly praised book contains lessons that OFWs should apply in their lives to become a successful individual.

“It is our habits that will determine our number of years working as an OFW. The main culprits are lifestyle change, overspending and over-sending, not able to separate between needs and wants, and no plans at all,” the book author said when asked about his advice to the OFWs. Cardoniga said OFWs should always think and make sure of the things or tasks that they do on a daily basis as it will lead them to where they want to be 10 years from now.

“If there are barriers or challenges along the way, don’t give up. Your burning desire to achieve what you truly desire plus perseverance or persistence will be the key factors to success,” he added.

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is knack for sharing his stories is captured through the lens. He and his camera have already won numerous awards both local and international. As a matter of fact, Donell Gumiran, a Dubai-based internationally-acclaimed photographer is also a photographer and contributor for the Asian Geographic Magazine.

Gumiran, the design director and co-founder of Deerect, an advertising agency based in Dubai, has an extensive background of more than 20 years in art, design, branding, and photography.

The entrepreneur has been a design director for branding, always up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in regards to international design to accustom himself to any culture and region in an innovative style generating distinctive, memorable and remarkable work that it thought of from many different solid angles to provide multi-directional yet suitable outcomes.

Photographer by passion, he sees himself as an image-maker who captures and tells a story in a photograph. Known for his evocative portraits, his favorite subjects are those that capture human conditions and emotions in everyday life.

Living in the host country for over a decade now, Gumiran said that he chose to live and work abroad to learn and hone new skills and for personal growth.

“I like to work in Dubai because of its multicultural experience. I am able to mingle with people from different walks of life, learning their culture and everyday life through photography,” he said.

But for him, although he is being recognized as the ‘master of arts’, he has also to endure struggles such as spontaneous pangs of homesickness and a lot of ups and downs.

“Make it as a passion not as a profession in everything you do. Do something beyond your limitations and beyond rules.

Keep being positive and appreciate the moments everyday. It has something to do with dreaming plus positive actions that make you successful,” Gumiran’s piece of advice to his fellow kabayans abroad.

DONELL GUMIRAN The Master of Art, Design, Branding, and Photography

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SUCCESS DONELL GUMIRAN’S RECENT RECOGNITIONS • 1st prize winner in the 6th edition of Fine Arts Photography Awards in London, 2020 • 1st prize winner in Arts Photography in the 8th Annual Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, UAE, 2020 • Best Cover of Asian Geographic 2019 as part of the 20th Anniversary Celebration • Photographer of the Year 2019 in the 14th Annual Photo Show Black & White Spider Awards, LA, CA, United States of America • Gold in Le Prix De La Photography de Paris 2019 • Winner in Moscow Foto Award 2019 • Gold Prize Winner in Tokyo, Japan Photo Award in 2019 • 1st Prize Winner in Documentary Category 2018, International Photography (IPA) Awards in Los Angeles, United States of America • 1st Place Winner 2018 The Independent Photo Travel Award, Berlin, Germany

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SHEREEN AHMED

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Filipino-Bahraini Content Creator Using The Power of Words To Change And Influence Lives

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riting, for her, has always been her source of strength and transparency when certain life ordeals tend to get in the way. Being a writer has always been Shereen Ahmed’s dream. It started when journaling took its precedent as the form of her expression, which turned into a growing passion for poetry, being inspired by the works of Hemingway and Bukowski; then making her realize that she would have been completely content doing anything for career so long as it involves putting words together.

After arriving in Dubai in 2015, she secured a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media while working as a freelance model both in the emirate and the Kingdom of Bahrain.

“My Filipino mother had modeled in Bahrain and I remember being so fascinated watching her walk on the runway, as a young girl, and with a height of 5’9” the career path of modeling wasn’t strange news to me. The only thing that came in the way was my extreme shyness; however, once I managed to secure my first runway show for a teenage clothing brand at a mall in Bahrain, it led to a long line of work that I kept on doing, pretty much until today,” she social media specialist said.

Owing to her natural Filipino-Bahraini beauty, Ahmed has been in three music videos ranging from local and international artists.

She has also taken part in countless fashion and beauty campaigns, lifestyle shoots and commercials. During this time, Instagram had just started becoming a new platform; and so she sought this opportunity to ensure that social media would by her means to a digital portfolio and attain more freelance work, eventually leading to content creation and working as an influencer before the term was coined. Currently, Ahmed has over 10,000 followers on the imagesharing app.

During her final year in the university, she was offered an internship position at the popular social media content producer Lovin Dubai.

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Little did she know that internship would turn into a full-time position. She curated contents in various formats for the digital platform, including writing and presenting for massive brands like McDonalds, Redfest DXB and many F&B outlets in Dubai while content and copywriting on all things in UAE: community features, interviews with hollywood celebrities as well as news writing. She worked as for Lovin Dubai for three years.

“There’s something about forming words that can either sell, influence or change life that’s so inspiring to me. The most satisfying thing about being recognized for online content, additionally is being recognized by our fellow kabayans in Dubai who are always excited to hear that I speak fluent Filipino. There’s no better joy than being able to represent the other half of me, one that I’m proud of,” Ahmed added.

One of the reasons why she chose Dubai over other cities is because of its diversity.

“Not only do I get to share both my cultures to those from a whole different continent, but what comes with that is the greatness of getting to try delicious food you wouldn’t otherwise consider (or be aware) or eating, knowing a few phrases of different language and the Emirate’s tolerance towards all religion and race. I’ve never once felt judged being a Bahraini or Filipino because everyone’s got a keen curiosity on other cultures, plus an open mind,” she added.

The social media influencer and content creator also mentioned that homesickness is a struggle she has to cope up with.

When asked about her future plans, she said she doesn’t have plans to leave UAE just yet because she feels the myriad opportunities of freelance writers and creatives are immense and would like to stay in the region to find a platform that she’s most passionate about that can contribute to the wellbeing of her fellow Bahraini and Filipino nationals, single mothers, and animal care centres.

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WENDELL MANDOCDOC From Being A Supermarket Staff To Becoming Danube’s Concept Manager

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ust like any other newbies in Dubai, Wendell Mandocdoc’s dream is to be part of top workplaces in the Middle East. He arrived in Dubai around 2003 and was only 25 years old.

As experienced by most OFWs abroad, he started at the bottom first. His first overseas job was in a supermarket in a struggling mall in Sharjah, spending time in the Filipino food, fish and vegetable sections, a job he had availed from a recruitment agency in the Philippines.

“It was for many a very degrading circumstance but I just did what I was told and worked with pride,” he said, noting that passion and determination urged him to do all the tasks.

It wasn’t passion and determination only that pushed him to do things he didn’t usually do and work abroad.

“It was a decision where there were no other options for me after failing to recover from my small construction business. I was in a huge debt at that time at the age of 24. At that time, I couldn’t blame anyone nor could I ask help from anywhere. I need to disappear because of shame I had brought unto myself. I had no father to turn to and my mother had so many disappointments already,” Mandocdoc said.

He added that he was already planning to accept any types of jobs at that time after losing his construction business.

“Maybe it was a tough job, being transferred from the sales floor to the fish and vegetable sections, oftentimes as a bagger and the cashier. It was tough for me, and very degrading not because of the level of work but because I was dealing with a very unpleasant and disorganized team. But it was in this instance that I learned how the retail industry works, from warehousing to display and sales until documentation and delivery and after services,” he further added.

A year after that, he came back to Dubai holding a visit visa only looking for a more stable job, the one that would support him and his family back home. Unprepared, he had endured sleeping from one friend’s room to another, waiting for them to help him .

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He may be unprepared financially, but he was always ready for possible job interviews.

“Once there was a walk-in interview for a top brand retailer.

The whole ground floor parking was jam packed waiting to be interviewed. I was interviewed as a salesman and the interviewers were very pleased. They asked me to come back the following day for a higher job post, which is as a visual merchandiser,” Mandocdoc recalled.

It was at this moment his life was about to change.

As a Global Filipino, he had to work harder and push his limit to be more productive while being passionate as well with the job.

Today, Mandocdoc is now handling the posts Senior Visual Merchandiser and Concept Manager for Danube Homes.

“Dubai is a place where you can be whoever you want to be regardless of your financial and educational background. This is a place where there is a common ground for everyone. You just have to decide if you want to do it to stay as you are used to,” he said.

When asked where he wants to be after working in Dubai, he said he doesn’t want to be anywhere except from his home province in Batangas.

“Through the years, I have saved and still saving to live a decent life in the Philippines with my wife and daughter. I have invested in a few properties,” he added.

Mandocdoc is now gearing up for his upcoming beach house that he had already paid for and can’t wait to live the life he has been dreaming of.

Giving pieces of advice, Mandocdoc said that Filipinos should dream, invest and focus.

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ROY LANCE JAPOR

HR Wizard Vlogs To Help OFWs In To Get Right Information On Recruitment, Leave Benefits, Gratuity Calculations, Etc

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f there’s one word to describe his attitude, it would be ‘strategic.’

Roy Lance Japor has been working in Dubai for a decade now and has spent almost half of his life in the human resource department, particularly in recruitment operations.

Working as the regional talent acquisition partner for Otis, a leading provider of elevators and escalators in the world, he is tasked to handle the recruitment operations for Middle East countries and travel to nearby Asian countries to do market research and hire new talents. He is now working for the same company for over six years.

“The most rewarding part of this job? Having the new candidates onboard and placing them in the right position. It’s like giving birth over and over again and making sure that my babies will be delivered properly and that they will grow as good individuals,” he said.

Before joining this massive company, he was part of a BPO company for more than five years and he considered it as one of the most exciting times of his career as he continuously jumped from one promotion to another, until he became the team manager.

Japor is also applying his work in his newly launched company called ‘DuBlog’ where he publishes blogs for food, lifestyle, promotions, among others, and HR segments wherein he helps his fellow OFWs in UAE to get the right information on anything and everything about things related to HR, from recruitment, leave benefits, gratuity calculations, grievances and more.

DuBlog is also popular with its hit ‘Online Job Fair’ that airs once every week where Japor announces job vacancies in the UAE and where jobseekers can send their CVs. “It helped a lot of kabayans find a new job and opportunity,” Japor said.

Before getting into the HR world, he also struggled working in

the Philippines, mostly finding the right career in the beginning, but through getting consultation from his family and friends, he was able to find the right field for him.

“My enemy was myself when I decided to come abroad. I didn’t know how to assess things in the beginning until I learned about the hard war which taught me to become more responsible,” he added.

Future plans include going back to the Philippines to put up a business related to the host country, such as sending manpower and giving future OFWs a brighter future.

“If possible, I would like to keep a business in Dubai where I can incorporate Philippine products and services so I can still go back to this country anytime and stay and work in the Philippines at the same time,” the HR expert further said.

Understanding the current situation of OFWs, he said life can be tough sometimes or most of the time but there’s no escape but to face them and come up with long term solutions and not a short lived one.

As he discusses getting employed in the UAE through his Facebook page, he oftentimes receives messages from Filipinos who are on visit visa.

“I tell them to make self-assessment before anything else which also applies to all. Why are you here? Why is this happening? Will this hurt me when I face it? What’s the worst that can happen to me if I tackle it? Then go for the solution,” he said, noting that mistakes are there and it’s unnecessary to hating oneself.

“Instead, move on with the solution and learn from it. And still the best solution above all these is to pray,” he added.

Japor believes ‘happy days are coming.’

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JONATHAN PAUL AGGARAO

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pending 29 years of his life in Dubai, Filipino art director Jonathan Paul Aggarao considers the emirate as his second home. He works in a company called Q&A Advertising LLC, a business run by his family members who are also into creative content production.

His father worked for a top advertising agency in UAE for decades and his mother is an accountant and is tasked to look over the financial side. He, along with his siblings, followed their parents in Dubai in 1991 and lived here ever since.

Immersed in creative contents, he and his friends who he grew up with in Dubai, co-founded the Record Box Production, a videography department under the umbrella of his parent’s company. They aim to be part of the era of creative cinematography using small DSLRs. “We first started with one wedding and one corporate event. They say great work travels fast. And just by word of mouth, we have gained great clients-turned-to-friends,” Aggarao said, noting that they’ve produced contents for big brands such as McDonald’s, Nikon, Ritz-Carlton, Chanel, and Dior, among others.

Before focusing on the family business, he was first part of a leading film distribution company wherein he was given a chance to work with Warner Brother Films. Part of his work includes reworking on huge film posters and artworks such as Batman - The Dark Knight, Harry Potter films, and almost all the approved released films in the region.

“Being in the creative field is a rush. It’s all sort of euphoria. It’s far from boring. Sure, it’s hard. Imagine a perfectionist bride, or sometimes groom. Or a very detailed client or a hard-to-please boss--it’s all part of the game,” Aggarao said.

He added that although some requirements are really demanding, but once the final outcome has been approved and they see their hard-work paying off, they always feel the satisfaction bliss that every creative loves.

“That pushes us to excel all the more and look forward to the next challenge,” he further added.

For almost three decades now, he chose Dubai to work and live among other cities. Agarrao describes Dubai as a ‘buffet of world’s best cuisines’ as he gets to taste different ‘recipes.’

“There’s the local Arabic flavor clients, then there’s the familiar Asian flavor of clients and there’s the Western as well. It’s so exciting to work here, you’ll never know who the next client or company will be,” the content creator said.

When asked about his plans after working in Dubai, he said that he’d choose a country that can give the same quality of life as what Dubai has given him and his family.

For struggling overseas Filipino workers, his advice is to find passion and push for what they enjoy doing as nothing in life is easy.

“We need passion in everything that we do. If not for passion, then push for your families. And I think that’s what Filipinos excel in, we are well-known for being cheerful and hardworking--whatever troubles us, we live excellently, and we continue living with a smile on our faces, glad to be given an opportunity,” he added.

Aggarao further added that a lot of countries hire Filipinos due to the quality, professionalism and positivity so OFWs should be proud of being a ‘global Filipino.’

Filipino Exceptional Art Director Raising The Philippine Flag In The Middle East

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GIMMARIE BASSIG-REYES Dean Empowers Filipinos In Bahrain To Secure Opportunities Overseas

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ilipino Institute of Bahrain’s Academic Director and Dean Gimmarie Bassig-Reyes has been living in the Kingdom for about two years now. Aside from being the dean of the institution, she also teaches human resource and admin classes and does supervisory management.

Prior to working as an educator in Bahrain, she spent about nine years in the United Arab Emirates from 2008 to 2017, wherein her first work was a procurement officer at the Arabtec Construction LLC. Reyes was then transferred to Tyco Fire and Security in the capital as a procurement supervisor.

Before finally moving to Bahrain, she resigned from the procurement supervisor post and was hired to another company, Al Jaber Group, as personal assistant to the group chief executive officer for almost five years.

Reyes chose the Filipino Institute in Bahrain as the school focuses on empowering Filipino workers abroad by educating and exposing them to opportunities overseas. The school has established branches in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and UAE. “It’s obvious that many new overseas workers find it hard to adapt and begin to make ends meet. Mostly, they need guidance from more experienced people who have been in place much longer,” she said.

“As an academic director and dean of the Filipino Institute Bahrain, I spend most of the time looking at things on the big picture, institute perspective is a big challenge of grappling with complex problems of the broad scope and significant impact-and that leverage the active trainers participation or students,” Reyes added.

One of the reasons why she left the Philippines is due to its wobbling economic condition and political situation.

She recalled that during her stay in the United Arab Emirates, she loved the culture and ambiance as a whole.

“I consider overseas Filipino workers as the modern day heroes. As one, he should be brave even if the working conditions are harsh, long hours or low wages. Just be positive and always save for the future,” she said when asked about her advice to the growing OFWs in the Middle East.

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WORLD COMMENDS UAE’S FIGHT AGAINST DEADLY COVID-19

DESPITE the number of total Covid-19 cases in the country, people across the globe commend UAE’s efforts in making sure its residents are safe while they fight and curtail the spread of the deadly virus.

In an article published by TGFM on Facebook with title ‘HIGHTECH: Dubai is using drones to sanitize the city’, it garners more than 43,000 shares with 254,000 impressions and has gone viral not only in the UAE but also in other parts of the world.

“UAE has always been in this game! Making its residents safe by using new technology. What do you expect?” one Facebook user comments.

The drones have been used across Abu Dhabi and Dubai during the National Sanitation Program period. The capital has equipped mechanical robots to heighten its sanitation drive.

And in just over a month, Dubai has already sanitized 100% of its city!

The Dubai Police force has also used horses to access those roads that cannot be accessed by cars to tell people to stay home and be safe. Its ‘supercars’ have also been spotted roaming around the city, helicopters are also used to send a ‘stay home’ unified message.

‘Manatili sa Bahay’ messages have also been plastered on Dubai Police’s fleet. Some say it’s for Filipinos who are stubborn, but in reality, Dubai Police is just recognizing the Filipino community in the emirate.

The ‘tagalized’ phrase did not only appear on police cars, it also appeared on the tallest tower in the world, the Burj Khalifa.

Apart from this, the country has also been extending help to its neighboring country by sending medicines and goods. The World Health Organization has also commended the leaders of UAE for sending help to Africa during the fight against Covid-19.

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‘THANK YOU, UAE!’ UAE SENDS 7 METRIC TONS OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO THE PHILIPPINES HUNDREDS of thousands of Fiipinos are thanking the government of the United Arab Emirates for sending an aid plane containing seven metric tons of medical supplies to the Philippines that will be used by the frontliners to combat the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus.

The medical supplies can assist approximately 7,000 medical professionals as they work tirelessly to contain the spread of the virus and treat patients who have been afflicted with Covid-19.

“Through the provision of critical medical aid, the UAE affirms its commitment to offering a helping hand to the Philippines. Our two countries share a deep partnership between our governments and peoples, and it is our sincere hope that such assistance enables the Philippines to take the necessary action to defend itself against Covid-19,” Hamad Saeed hamad Obaid Alzaabi, UAE Ambassador to the Philippines, said in a statement.

He added that the Arab country stands in solidarity with all nations working to contain and face the pandemic.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Hjayceelyn M. Quintana thanked UAE for the ‘much needed’ medical aid for use of the frontliners in the Philippines fighting Covid-19.

“The Philippines has proven, time and again, that the UAE is a genuine friend at crucial times and therefore our leaders and the Filipino people will always remember UAE’s gesture of kindness, generosity and humanity especially at this time when all countries have their own challenges,” she added.

The medical aid arrived in the Philippines on April 29, 2020 via a special aid plane. Both embassies of UAE in Manila and Philippine Embassy in UAE worked together to coordinate the delivery and acceptance of the humanitarian aid.

In November 2013, UAE donated $10-million or AED36.7-million to victims of Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines, as directed by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

And this 2020, UAE’s Emirates Red Crescent launched a campaign

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in partnership with the Philippine Embassy in the UAE to aid 200,000 displaced families affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano, upon the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

In the same year, the same organization has partnered once again with Philippine Embassy to distribute food boxes to Filipino residents affected by Covid-19 crisis.

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REALME LAUNCHES ITS ALL NEW 6PRO AND C3 REALME, the fastest growing smartphone brand in the world, unveils the latest in the UAE with realme 6Pro and realme C3. realme is known for its vibrant and fun smartphones designed especially for the younger audience upon the trifecta of strong performance, trendy design, and affordable pricing.

After a huge success of realme 6 & 6i, realme has come up with a brand-new succession model realme 6 Pro with the classiest and most exquisite design possible. realme for the first time bought a quad camera design on the rear and dual camera on the front of the Pro series, making it truly magnificent with top-notch performance. The realme 6 Pro comes with a 16.6cm wide 90Hz Ultra Smooth Display Pro design and features the powerful Snapdragon 720G with Kryo 465 CPU with a maximum clock speed of 2.3GHz alongside sturdy Adreno 618 GPU for a thrilling gaming experience. This machine is fuelled with a massive 4300mAh battery and newly

upgraded 30W Flash Charge which significantly reduces the charging time. The realme 6 Pro is equipped with Dolby Atmos high-resolution audio technology for all your immersive movie experience and music listening.

Coming to the cameras, the realme 6 Pro has 64MP Ultra Resolution The Pro Quad Camera System which produces four times the clarity of 4K TV resolution. The Pro Quad Camera System comes with a fresh Super Nightscape 3.0 and Ultra Nightscape Mode for a super crisp shot in low lights.

With the new Tripod mode feature, you can shoot magical nightscape photos that capture details beyond human vision.

The Pro Quad Camera System comprises a powerful 119° Ultra Wide-angle camera which captures 4X more views in a more expansive frame.

The realme C3 is the first triple camera set up phone in the price segment. The device pack 5000mAh huge battery pushed to give super long battery life and reverse charging.

The realme C3 features 16.5cm (6.5’’) HD+ Mini-drop display with a screen-to-body ratio of 89.8%. The realme C3 is powered with ultra-powerful Helio G70 Processor with HyperEngine technology features multiple optimizations for a seamless gaming experience. For the imaging needs, the phone offers a 12MP AI Dual camera with an updated portrait lens algorithm for beautiful bokeh portraits of you and your loved ones. When it comes to connectivity part, realme c3 has 3-Card Slot featuring Dual SIM + dedicated MicroSD card slot, expandable up to 256GB for more storage space This Game Monster comes in 2 colors - Blazing Red and Frozen Blu, inspired by the hot lava and cold glacier. The Sunrise Design looks beautiful and features an anti-fingerprint surface, which makes the phone easier to hold and prevents unwanted scratches and fingerprints

Availability and Price: Both the realme 6 Pro and C3 will be available online at noon.com and offline. realme 6 Pro 8+128 GB priced at 1199 AED and C3 at 499 AED.

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CHANGES IN EMPLOYMENT LAW IN THE MIDDLE EAST

By Charlotte Ibanez (29 April 2020) THE global health crisis poses unprecedented challenge for private and public sectors in the Middle East. Keeping track on the latest employment law changes in this region is critical at this point in time for HR practitioners, in-house lawyers and business owners.

Governments continuously adjust their legislations and issue guidelines with the aim to alleviate the current condition of employers and employees badly hit by the pandemic. To offset the negative impact to businesses, government entities also actively monitors the impact of the outbreak and to come up with measures to regain commercial viability and economic stability.

Employment law is one of the focus areas of governments for amendment this past quarter. Let us look at the developments so far: The UAE government implemented the remote working system in the private sector except for companies in the food and health industries. It also issued a resolution for reviewing the process in the recruitment of locals in the private sector. Similar measures were taken by the KSA, instructing private sector to activate work from home system with exemption from food, medicine and logistics industries. Furlough programs were also granted to KSA nationals.

In Bahrain, work from home was encouraged instead of mandating it for the private sectors. For Qatar, aside from the financial assistance accorded to the private sector, it also implemented the remote working system. It also posted on one of its websites, a Guidance Note for employers and employees to mandatorily adhere to various conditions to properly handle the impact of the coronavirus.

Oman also provided financial aid to its constituents who suffered from reduced wages. It also adopted work from home system, encouraged employed to reduce staffing costs and permitted to

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postpone the payment of social insurance contributions for private sector employees and Omani nationals.

On the implementation side, apart from the law, employers and HR practitioners need to revisit the individual employment contracts of their workforce. We can expect changes on the provisions for leaves, travel, financial aid, visa, compensation and benefits, etc. Any change in their terms of employment has to be agreed in writing to avoid any confusion or complications in the future.

We can expect that more legal updates will be issued by governments as it tries to adapt to the current market and business climate in the region.

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EUROCAKE PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTED TO RESIDENTS ALONG AL RIGGA STREET

A GROUP of Filipinos based in Dubai has been spotted along Al Rigga street distributing Eurocake products to Filipino and non-Filipino residents in an effort to help those in need amid Covid-19 pandemic.

The group was seen on Friday, May 29, handing the baked snacks, including croissants, cupcakes, muffins, Swiss rolls and morem while maintaining social distancing protocols.

The Filipinos were identified as Roman Duenas, Viena Luansing, and Jorge Maningding.

According to them, the baked snacks came from Eurocake and were given to the Filipino Institute. They’ve volunteered to help those in need through small acts of kindness.

“What we have done is just a small thing.

We hope it helps them now that life has been very difficult due to the effect of novel coronavirus in the economy,” Duenas said.

Eurocake products include a premium lineup of baked snacks and distributed in over 50 countries.

JOBLESS FILIPINA IN UAE GAMBLES LAST AED50 MONEY IN LOTTERY, WINS AED333,333 A JOBLESS Filipina in Abu Dhabi has recently spent her last money on a lottery in the country without knowing that it will change her life forever.

Remedios Bombon has lost her job, housekeeping attendant, due to the effect of Covid-19 in the economy and spent her last money, which was AED50, at the Emirates Lotto last May 16.

She was one of the three people who shared the AED1-million prize at the lotto draw.

Living in Baniyas in Abu Dhabi, Bombon said that the school where she was working has closed due to the novel coronavirus.

At the height of pandemic, apart from losing her permanent job, he has also a paralyzed husband and three children to support in the Philippines.

“I had AED50. This is the last money. I will try. All the numbers I choose is my birthday and my kids’ birthday. I told God only four numbers is enough for me,” Bombon said in a statement.

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FI FOUNDER LAUNCHES

‘TULONG NG FILIPINO INSTITUTE’ TO AID OFWS IN MIDDLE EAST IN NEED OF FOOD AND SHELTER

THE founder and president of the Filipino Institute has recently launched an online portal wherein Filipinos in the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar can register if they are in dire need of assistance such as food, shelter and/or if they have governmental issues facing.

The ‘Tulong ng Filipino Institute’ initiative will benefit displaced overseas Filipino workers due to Covid-19 pandemic.

To register, please type https://bit.ly/2Mz3AA1 in your browser or go to the Filipino Institute and search for the post.

“The Filipino Institute is not only committed in helping Filipinos through giving quality education and opportunities to go abroad, it is also committed Filipinos in need, especially these trying times,” Mr. Gabriel John Rimando, founder and president of the Filipino Institute said.

The company started to distribute grocery packs on June 7 to its trainers and students.

For the past years, the Filipino Institute has been actively participating in donation drives organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai which benefits the distressed OFWs. “We’ve also participated in Tulong Para sa Taal drive wherein we have donated sacks of rice and other essential needs by the Filipinos affected by the Taal eruption in February this year,” he added.

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FILIPINA FRONTLINER BASED IN DUBAI GIVEN A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO CONVERSE WITH SHEIKH MOHAMED

A FILIPINA frontliner in Dubai has gone viral online after having a once-in-a-lifetime experience to speak with one of the rulers and members of the Royal Family in the UAE. Jessa Dawg Ubag, who works as a licensed nurse under the Dubai Health Authority, was able to speak with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

In the viral video, she tells the crown prince her experience as a frontliner and tasked to look after patients who caught the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).

Ubag, a Dumaguete native, one of her patients who was in her 20s and her health deteriorated to the point that she needed to be on a ventilator.

“With no visitors allowed, I would constantly update her family back home on her general medical condition,” she said.

She further shared that the PPE or personal protective equipment that is required to be worn inside the hospital is always coupled with prayers to face her tasks as a nurse.

Working tirelessly day and night, Ubag said that wearing protective gear to prevent herself from getting the virus was already exhausting but the determination drives her to save the lives of the patients from the virus which killed thousands of patients across the globe.

“I choose to bravely put on my shield and enter the war zone with an unseen enemy because I believe this is my calling as a nurse to be of great service to most people more needy than I am,” the Filipino frontliner said.

After getting proper treatment, her patient has fully recovered after three weeks. She further shared that although being a frontliner may be tiring, it’s the smiles and the faces of patients who have recovered that keep her going.

“I believe this pandemic has totally changed our lives.

My work may be physically, sometimes mentally and emotionally draining--but stories of hope and successful recoveries from my patients prove that there is always a light at the end of a dark tunnel. I believe that we shall all get past through this ordeal and together we will heal as one,” Ubad said.

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FILIPINO INSTITUTE GOES GLOBAL, OFFERS VARIOUS ONLINE COURSES FOR OFWS OUTSIDE MIDDLE EAST AMID a pandemic, the Filipino Institute (FI) continues to provide quality education to Filipinos across the globe and help them boost their career and self-development.

Responding to the UAE government’s call to temporarily shut schools and institutions, the FI, Filipinos’ first choice in getting high-quality education in GCC, opted to adapt to a remote learning system.

Through Zoom, FI’s trainers connect, train and share knowledge and insight to the students who have enrolled online. According to FI Founder and President Mr. Gabriel John Rimando, around 800 have enrolled in the first batch when they have started to roll out the courses online on April 3.

Among the online courses that FI has been offering online since March are Caregiving 1.1, Basic HR and Admin, Nursing Assistant, Document Control, Web Designing, MS Office, Bookkeeping, and Arabic Language.

“Since the government of UAE imposes the suspension of classes in the country, which by the way is also applied to almost every country to curtail the spread of the new virus, we’ve opted to do online classes,” Rimando said, noting that movement restrictions shouldn’t stop their advocacy in helping overseas Filipinos in growing.

Adapting interactive online learning systems, Rimando added that their trainers are teaching ‘as if in an actual classroom’ so students are indeed learning.

The certificates that the FI are giving are attested by Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and Ministry of Foreign

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Affairs and International Cooperation.

Enrollment is still ongoing, just type bit.ly/firegistration on google and fill-in the document.

Payment can be deposited on any ADCB bank or via online banking with their official bank account. Complete details can be accessed here bit.ly/firegistration.

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PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR TO THE UAE THANKS UAE FOR TAKING CARE OF OFWS AMID COVID-19 OUTBREAK

PHILIPPINE Ambassador to the UAE Hjayceelyn M. Quintana has thanked the host country for taking care of the Filipinos amid Covid-19 outbreak.

“Ang United Arab Emirates ay naging second home sa 650,000 Filipinos at ito ay itinuturing nilang isang bayan na nagkakalinga sa kanila at nakikita namin ito sa arawaraw na nagkaroon nitong mga pag-iingat sa pandemic ng Covid-19,” Quintana said in a video posted on the official Twitter account of UAE Government.

She also praised the country as a model of multiculturalism.

“Isang kahanga-hangang makita na about 200 nationalities ay naririto at naninirahan at nakapagbuo ang United Arab Emirates ng isang lipunan na nagkakaisa at may kauyusan,” she added.

ONLY 17,000 OFWS IN DUBAI WILL RECEIVE THE AED730 CASH ASSISTANCE, POLO TOP OFFICIAL CONFIRMS A TOP official from the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Dubai announced in a Facebook live interview that only 17,000 displaced OFWs in Dubai shall receive the AED730 one-time cash assistance.

So far, the agency has only given the cash assistance to 6,924 OFWs in Dubai and the Northern Emirates who have been either terminated due to Covid-19 or on a no-workno-pay scheme.

“We have to consider that everything would all depend on the budget kasi yung iba, sinasabihan kami na paasa but that’s why we are telling that we are only good for the 17,000 Filipino workers until such time that we can receive or meron tayong matanggap ulit na instruction na madagdagan. But at the moment, tayo ay nasa 17,000 Filipino workers allocation,” Labor Attache Felicitas Bay said.

She also clarified that the Php2.5 budget that was recently announced by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is not solely for Dubai.

“Nabbibigla kami doon sa sinasabi na ‘Nasaan na yung Php1.5 billion? POLO Dubai, ilabas niyo yung Php1.5 bullion!’ Wala po kaming ilalabas kasi wala naman pong

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pinadala sa amin na Php1.5 billion. Wala ding padala sa amin na Php1 billion. There are so many labor offices worldwide, I think there are 38 or 39 offices worldwide and some offices have their oversight jurisdiction. Alam po natin na maramig nangangailangan ang ating mga kababayan at alam natin ang sitwasyon. Ramdan na ramdam po namin ang sitwasyon. Subalit kailangan din po naming sumunod sa patakaran at proseso na ibinigay sa amin ng pamahalaan,” she added.

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Yerevan, Armenia

Turtuk Village, India Pakistan Border

Northern Pakistan

Nyagatom, Ethiopia

Mursi, Ethiopia

Chitral, Pakistan

Pushkar Festival, India

Kalash Valley, Pakistan

Aryan Race, Northern India

Intramuros Manila, Philippines

Ladakh, India

Donell Gumiran is a photographer by passion. He sees himself as an imagemaker who captures and tells a story in a photograph. His photography is an art form, borne from his desire to create on canvas and professional training in design.

Fez, Morocco

@instagram.com/donell_gumiran_photography

About the photographer

HERE ARE THE COMPLETE GUIDE AND PROCEDURE IF YOU’RE ARRIVING IN NAIA THE Philippines is expecting some 300,000 returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) throughout the whole year due to the Covid-19 crisis.

As many countries ease the travel restrictions and as the government continues with its repatriation efforts for the displaced OFWs, many don’t know what to expect upon arrival in the airports in the Philippines.

Upon arrival in NAIA, all passengers will be queueing for thermal screened, however, pregnant women, senior citizens, and persons with medical conditions will be prioritized. Meanwhile, business class passengers are always first in line for the whole process in NAIA. The passengers will now be proceeding in the holding room while maintaining social distancing. Drinking water will be provided and going to the restrooms is allowed but their passports must be surrendered to officers.

While inside the waiting room, OFWs will be required to fill out the arrival, health declaration forms, case investigation, and infectious disease form. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will brief the newly arrived Filipinos of the process of swab testing, mandatory

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quarantine, and when to be discharged. A form will be given to applicants after the swab test and must be shown to the immigration officers.

Once in the immigration area, OFWs must submit his passport and the infectious disease form.

Baggage can now be claimed after submitting the form. Meals will now be provided by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Non-OFWs are not included here. Before claiming the meal, OFWs must fill-out a form that will be distributed by OWWA. After getting the meal, the OFWs will then wait for the transportation service that will take them to designated hotels. Before getting inside the hotels, OFWs will be individually disinfected in a full-body disinfection channel.

OWWA will pay for the hotel stay and swab test of all returning OFWs. Going outside the hotel is strictly prohibited. Room-sharing is not also permitted except for married couples and/or couples.

Grocery deliveries will only be allowed if coordinated with the OWWA representative. Food ration is also provided three times a day.

The swab test result will be available in three to five days but can be extended to seven days. Meanwhile, the results will be made available on PCG or Philippine Red Cross’ website or Facebook pages.

If an OFW test negative for Covid-19, a certificate of clearance will be issued by the Bureau of Quarantine. Meanwhile, if an OFW tests positive for the virus, the name won’t appear on the agencies’ website and Facebook pages and an ambulance will pick-up the OFW from the hotel and will be taken to a treatment facility.

If the results are already released for OFWs who tested negative, they are to stay further in the quarantine facilities until the certificates are issued.

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DUBAI-BASED FASHION DESIGNER MICHAEL CINCO UNVEILS PPES FOR FRONTLINERS IN UAE DUBAI-BASED Filipino and worldrenowned fashion designer has recently unveiled a set of personal protective equipment (PPE) he and his team designed for the frontliners fighting against the novel coronavirus in the UAE. In an Instagram post, he said that the PPEs are not an actual dress and he was just bored and has decided to drape on mannequin a plain protection lab gown for ‘the amazing frontliners fighting for Covid-19 in UAE.’ “The #AThread4Cause project is initiated by Arab Fashion Council founder @jacobabrian with D3 Dubai @d3dubai and Dubai Health Authority @dha_dubai…This is my own small way of serving the Dubai community and giving back gratitude to the UAE Government,” Cinco added.

UAE-BASED FILIPINO DOC SAYS ‘PHYSICAL BARRIER’ VITAL IF HOUSEMATE IS COVID-19 POSITIVE A FILIPINO physician based in the UAE said ‘physical barrier’ is important if someone living in shared accommodation showed symptoms or tested positive for Covid-19.

“Basic recommendation ng international guidelines sa home quarantine is to have a separate room,” Dr. Alvin Torres said in a Facebook live interview at the Kalayaan 2020 page.

He recommends that instead of using curtains to maintain privacy in double bunk beds, they should use shower curtains as it’s easier to clean and disinfect compared to cloth curtains.

Torres cited some research that the virus can easily lodge itself in clothes.

“There have been studies showing that the virus doesn’t stay long in the air if the room is well-ventilated,” he added.

He further added that social distancing must always be observed especially in common areas like the kitchen.

Those who have close contact with patients with Covid-19 are advised to get tested for the virus as per the guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

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FILIPINOS IN IRELAND RAISE

AED1.4-MILLION FOR 4 KIDS

WHOSE FATHER DIED OF COVID-19 THE Filipino Community in Kildare, Ireland has raised more than €283,258 for the orphaned children of Miguel Plangca, a Filipino factory worker who died of COVID-19 in Ireland on 13 May 2020. The overwhelming support from more than 8,000 donors from Ireland and other countries helped the Filipino community in Kildare exceed the initial target of €5,000.

Aged between 12 and 21, Plangca’s children, Mikee, Michael, John, and Chekie, joined him in Ireland in 2015 after their mother, Gliceria, lost her battle to cancer. Plangca’s recent passing has left the children in the care of their aunt, Fely Moore and to the County Kildare community.

Plangca, 55, moved to Ireland as a factory worker in Bird’s Eye Foods more than 20 years ago. Since then, he regularly sent money to support his family in Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental. Those who know him describe him as a hardworking man who always wanted the best for his wife and children.

“I remember saying to Mikee on one of our phone calls, ‘I am here for you and your siblings and I won’t leave you until Papa is back home,’ but 41 days later, we didn’t see him home alive,” said Aina Dugenio Conway in a Facebook post celebrating the latest milestone of the GoFundMe page she started for the Plangca children. Conway currently leads the Filipino community in Kildare while at the same time serves as the Education, Arts, and Culture Officer of the Philippine Consulate in Dublin. “The outpouring generosity of everyone in Ireland and around the world is astounding. I cannot thank you all enough.”

Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Antonio M. Lagdameo lauded the efforts of the Filipino community in Kildare in swiftly extending support to the Plangca children even before their father’s passing. “The initiative of the Filipino Community in Kildare is an outstanding example of the Filipino spirit of bayanihan. We at the Embassy offer our deepest sympathies to Miguel Plangca’s children, and we hope that they are comforted by the kindness and generosity of so many people who stood by them in these difficult times.”

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OFWS IN MIDDLE EAST, HONG KONG, SINGAPORE, TAIWAN CAN NOW BARTER PRE-LOVED ITEMS FOR ESSENTIALS

A BUNCH of Facebook groups have been launched on Thursday, May 28 for Filipinos abroad to trade their pre-loved items for essential needs now that almost everyone is affected by the crisis brought by the novel coronavirus.

After the successful launching of the Amicable Barter Community in Dubai (ABCD), the President and Founder of the Filipino Institute Mr Gabriel John Rimado mirrored the initiative through Filipino Barter Community (FBC). This time, the coverage gets wide.

“In times of crisis, most of the people don’t have the means to buy food and groceries. You only have your pre-loved items that can be exchanged with grocery items so you’d survive for another day,” Rimando said.

OFWs from Al Ain, Dubai, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Oman, Sharjah, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Ajman, and Saudi Arabia.

Pre-loved items will be exchanged without the use of any currency.

However, a few set of rules shall be followed by the members: 1. Items being bartered shall include actual photos.

2. Be honest with what you’re bartering–state if it’s brand new, authentic, worn out or extensively used.

3. Mention what you want your items to be exchanged for.

4. In the caption, the one posting shall include their specific location, preferred date and time.

Join the group by searching the following Facebook group names on Facebook: • Filipino Barter Community Al Ain • Filipino Barter Community Dubai • Filipino Barter Community Qatar • Filipino Barter Community Abu Dhabi • Filipino Barter Community Quwait • Filipino Barter Community Abu Dhabi • Filipino Barter Community Kuwait • Filipino Barter Community Oman • Filipino Barter Community Sharjah • Filipino Barter Community Bahrain • Filipino Barter Community Hong Kong • Filipino Barter Community Singapore • Filipino Barter Community Taiwan • Filipino Barter Community Ajman • Filipino Barter Community Saudi Arabia

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STUCK DUBAI-BASED ‘INTERNATIONAL MAKE-UP ARTIST’

IN THE PHILIPPINES MAKES THE MOST OF LOCKDOWN

FILIPINO make-up artist Ramie Seron has been stuck in the Philippines due to the travel restrictions imposed by airports and airlines as a precautionary measure against the spread of Covid-19, but this didn’t hinder him to reach out to his constituents who are severely impacted by the economic effect of the virus.

Seron, known as ‘international make-up artist’ and ‘queen maker of the UAE’, went to the Paniqui, Tarlac in Philippines to spend time with his family in March and since UAE airports closed its runway on April, he had no choice but to prolong his stay in his home country.

As ‘Bayanihan’ rekindles almost everywhere today, the make-up artist helped his neighbors through distributing grocery packs and essentials and feeding program for children.

“Through the help of y friends, I was able to reach out to my neighbors here in Paniqui and somehow help with this simple act of kindness. I’ve seen that some of them are not qualified of the cash assistance being given by the national government,” Seron said.

He added that his friends are always with him to assist him from packing the goods to distributing it.

Following the strict protocols on social distancing, Seron and his team are able to go to far-flung areas and help the neediest ones.

“The smile on their faces are just so heart-melting. Distributing these grocery items is enough to exhaust the team, but it all fades out when you them smiling and giving you a sincere ‘thank you,’ he added.

Seron is planning to go back to Dubai ‘once normalcy is restored’.

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OFWS THANK PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT FOR AED730 CASH AID FOR DISPLACED WORKERS

OVERSEAS Filipino workers (OFWs) around the world who have received cash assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLO) are thankful for the ‘big’ help given especially to those who were displaced from work due to the impact of Covid-19 in the economy.

POLO has started to roll out the one-time financial assistance of AED 730 or $200 for displaced land based and seabased Filipino workers due to Covid-19 in April.

As of May 12, DOLE has received more than 400,000 applications from OFWs worldwide, three times more than the agency’s target of 150,000 OFWs. Of more than 142,000 approved applications, more than 100,000 OFWs around the world have received the cash assistance by filling-out an online form on POLO’s website.

Applicants need to send passport and visa copies, accomplished form, proof of employment including verified contract or OEC, and proof of loss of employment.

One of the posts from an OFW based in Abu Dhabi claimed that one should just be patient.

“Mahabang pasenysa po ang kailangan kabayan sa pagkuha ng ayuda galing sa gobyerno. Tiyaga lang sa paghihintay kasi daan daang libo po tayo dito sa Dubai at hindi lanh ikaw ang nawalan ng trabaho at apektado,” a post on Facebook read.

In a separate post, a user on the same platform said that he has received the same assistance from the government in just two weeks after sending all the requirements.

“Malaking tulong na po itong ayuda ng gobyerno satin ditong mga apektado ng Covid-19 sa ibang bansa, lalong lalo na doon sa mga nawala ng work,” the post added.

DOLE has requested for an additional Php2.5-billion from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), but only Php1billion has been approved.

The agency is not only giving cash assistance to OFWs, they have also been distributing food packs to those who have been displaced from work.

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Jen AL Rabe | OFW in Kuwait

Janine Neones Tingchuy | OFW in Milan

“Thank you po POLO-OWWA! Nakatanggap din kami ng relief goods ninyo, God bless you!”

“Thank you POLO-Milan, Philippine Consulate in Milan and President Rodrigo Duterte! Totoo ngang hindi tayo pinapabayaan ng gobyerno natin!

Kailangan lang ng pasensya at tamang proseso. Malaking tulong ito para sa aming mga hindi makapagtrabaho dahil sa Covid-19.”

Chokie Grey | OFW in Dubai “Thank you so much, POLO Dubai!”

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