The Global Filipino Magazine | Issue 13 | May 2021

MAY 2021 | ISSUE 13

Gina Valbuena

OFW turned entrepreneur showcasing Filipino cuisine before the world culinary stage

Noel Eric B. Ang

‘I had to go through a massive reinvention to reach where I am today’

Chinie Jane Ching

OFW who passionately saves babies through her breastmilk completes Caregiver course

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

Global Filipinos the story of our

success

Building an empire abroad

Anz Soza

TABLE OF CONTENTs EDITORIAL BOARD GABRIEL JOHN RIMANDO Publisher RYAN NAMIA Editor-in-Chief ALLAN CARAGAO Senior Graphic Designer ORLI GAYETA Sales & Marketing Manager TREBB GOMEZ Technical Correspondent THAN DUMAS Multimedia Manager FIND US @THEGLOBALFILIPINOMAGAZINE.COM

CONTACT US info@theglobalfilipinomagazine.com www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

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Single mom, breadwinner shares journey as a laser technician in Abu Dhabi - Angelica Camille P. Ordonez From working as an assistant waiter to marketing manager - Kevinson Pineza De Ocampo Pinay area manager in UAE takes Caregiver class to take care dad in Philippines - Maila Clavecillas Mahadurage Meet this Filipina in Dubai who lost her job due to Covid-19 but chose to help her fellow kabayans Reeza Reno Saluta Worked as a waitress some 20 years ago in UAE, Filipina now founder of trading company - Fevhie “Vhie” Laurilla OFW shares journey from university editor to one of UAE’s seasoned media professional - Albert Dela Cruz Alba Former OFW finds musical inspiration during the coronavirus pandemic - Rocky Turen Using power of media and entertainment in promoting Filipinos’ welfare abroad - Rhoel Raymundo Mendoza 10-year-old Filipina in UAE bags several awards from international swimming competitions - Jaella Mische Mendoza HR professional who went abroad in her 30s, now owner of management consultancy firm in UAE Robbie Torre - Gonzales From recruitment specialist to senior specialist for world’s leading energy producer - Jose Apuyan Koska Multicolor realism painter’s art of surviving abroad - Gitter Ramirez

Building an empire abroad - Anz Soza ‘Every day dapat may progress ka’: Former dishwasher now executive chef in Dubai - Ricardo Bojador OFW turned entrepreneur showcasing Filipino cuisine before the world culinary stage - Gina Valbuena This Filipina is the key in making Middle East brands soar higher in the regional arena - Joanne Rico From shop designer to marketing director for emerging e-commerce company in Middle East - Badz Nazareth ‘I had to go through a massive reinvention to reach where I am today’ - Noel Eric B. Ang Filipina nanny in Dubai proudly graduates as Nursing Assistant - Nerissa Clacio Picones OFW who passionately saves babies through her breastmilk completes Caregiver course - Chinie Jane Ching

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Angelica Camille P. Ordonez Single mom, breadwinner shares journey as a laser technician in Abu Dhabi

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dream job,” she said, adding that she was still able to be a first aid trainer in Abu Dhabi.

“They are all now successful and I’m wondering how to become one,” the 30-year-old Abu Dhabi-based laser technician said.

In the meantime, even though Ordonez is not fully practicing the things she learned as a nurse, she is still grateful that her current work is somehow related to the medical field. She said that working in the derma field is far different from what she experienced in the Philippines.

However, she easily adjusted because she works with her fellow Filipinos who thoroughly guided her. “Later on, I found myself falling in love with this field. It became my passion and I’m enjoying what I’m doing. To the extent that I want to get ahead of my current job position,” she further added.

2017 survey revealed that around 19,000 nurses leave the Philippines abroad every year. Angelica Camille P. Ordonez, who is also a registered nurse in the Philippines, said that ‘everyone knows the situation of a nurse’ in the country so she had to jump out of the boiling water to survive. The single mother and the breadwinner of the family embarked on an overseas journey in 2016. She said that being an OFW runs in their blood: they have relatives in the US and most of their family members are either working or living in the Middle East.

She recalled her first few months in the country. The time when she was seeking a decent job that would pay her bills. Ordonez compared seeking a job to betting a game.

“There are so many things to risk. At first, I didn’t get my

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The Filipina laser technician took a laser technician course in Dubai and attained the title Laster Hair Removal Specialist. “I started to embrace my career because this is where I got everything for a living and it made me realized that I chose the right path. It’s like a roller coaster ride.

Nothing is easy. But everything is worth risking for,” she said.

image credit: supplied

Ordonez thought that having her cousins around was already enough. She, however, still longs for her son and mother. “They are the main reasons why I go abroad. So, I have to set aside my loneliness and be strong since I’m already stepping into this country. There’s no more turning back,” she said.

“There, I gradually adapted to the environment of UAE. I met different people. I learned different languages, including Arabic and Hindi. My company sends me to different emirates to conduct first aid training,” she added.

Kevinson Pineza De Ocampo From working as an assistant waiter to marketing manager

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evinson Pineza De Ocampo vividly recalled when he embarked on an overseas journey in 2015 and worked as an assistant waiter in one of the leading luxury brands of the hospitality industry in the UAE. From an assistant waiter, he rose through the ranks and soon became the lead bartender. He said that Dubai is a suitable and promising place for someone like him who is immersed in the hospitality industry.

However, he wanted something more outside of his comfort bubble. He got introduced to the badminton community in Dubai. A varsity player from elementary until college, he was able to join badminton competitions and did what he really loved. “I feel at home here in Dubai

Ocampo took his chances and decided to venture on his other passion which is to create stories, act, and make films. This passion led him to join the Facebook community page People on the Go as the marketing manager, business development and commercial manager, brand ambassador, and one of its leading actors.

“Working as a filmmaker and handling creative talents is very challenging because you have to bring unique and authentic ideas to capture the most interesting topics and trendy vibes that are very timely and relevant to capture the interest of the audience both locally and internationally. One of the best parts of my career as a talent, producer, and creator is to create wonderful stories that will bring a memorable experience to the audience and hopefully provide them with life lessons and discoveries,” he said.

Ocampo is one of the leading actors of the remake Filipino film Lamentasyon. The psychological horror film was written, acted, produced, directed, marketed, and distributed by Filipinos in the UAE. He shared that one of the most challenging times he had to endure while overseas was during the onset of the pandemic last year. The hospitality and tourism industries were terribly affected, thus their source of income was scarce. “I continued to have my hopes up and I prayed hard that it would end and everything would come back to how it was before the pandemic. I had my friends here in Dubai who kept me going and we helped each other lift our spirits and hopes high in spite of the tragedy,” he said.

Having worked in the hospitality field and having the artist’s blood, Ocampo wants to continue his advocacy which is to help his fellow OFWs to continue their passion in arts.

“I want them to keep creating and sharing stories, narratives, films, that should be heard and seen by people,” he further added.

THE GLOBAL FILIPINOS, THE STORY OF OUR SUCCESS

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Even before working in Dubai, the Bachelor of Hotel Restaurant Management and Tourism graduate was already honed in the field of the hospitality industry in the Philippines. Ocampo was a customer service representative in the Philippines, handling various hospitality industry accounts. He said it all started with fast-food chains to fine dining to three-star hotels, and then to Forbes’ five-star hotels. While at the peak of his career, he joined different competitions as coffee master, tea sommelier, wine sommelier, and mixologist.

and I consider it as my second home. Dubai has given me a lot of opportunities to earn aside from outside my job here. I joined different competitions,” he said. He added that he is grateful for having the chance to work with UAE’s leading brands and see how he can push himself to thrive as an overseas Filipino worker.

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Maila Clavecillas Mahadurage Pinay area manager in UAE takes Caregiver class to take care dad in Philippines

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aila Clavecillas Mahadurage proved that great things happen to those who don’t stop believing and learning. Despite working as an area manager in the UAE, handling all the branches of her company in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, she still equipped herself in the medical field, particularly in caregiving.

Married to a Srilankan national, the Filipina has completed the course in April, and in spite of the struggles that come with her full-time work, she ranked first.

Since the onset of the pandemic last year, and since her company is a school food-based, it was temporarily closed down. Mahadurage was still in her positive spirit even though it happened until the toughest thing hit her. It was when his father, whom he loved so much, rushed to the hospital after suffering from a stroke and stayed there for quite some time. She considered it as the lowest point of her life. She broke down, cried day and night. The strong

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woman everyone knew was shaken and had a hard time coping up with the event.

After almost a month in the hospital, Mahadurage’s father was out from danger and was released to go home.

She really cared about her father that much to the point that she opted to study a caregiver course in the Filipino Institute despite she is already at the peak of her career.

She reviewed the training institute and found great feedback about its services. Mahadurage, however, thought she couldn’t do it--juggling her time managing all Abu Dhabi and Al Ain branches on weekdays and studying on weekends.

Day by day, she started to get the hang of it and started to enjoy the lesson. She became optimistic, calling her family in the Philippines from time to time, checking her father’s health, and advising them what needs to be done in taking

care of their father.

“Kudos to my instructor, Mr. Kevin, as he did a great job in covering the course material. In this pandemic and worrying time, the class was made fun and engaging yet very informative. I especially appreciated how inclusive the instructor in keeping everyone on track and answering questions promptly. Overall, it was a very good learning experience in Filipino Institute,” she said adding that she plans to enroll for another course in the future.

Mahadurage is known as a very loving wife, hardworking, approachable, and friendly individual. She started as a frontof-the-house crew in 2012 and was awarded as the Best in Customer Service in 2013. She was later then promoted as the supervisor. In 2018, she was awarded as Best Person in Charge of the business among 32 branches all over UAE, and in the same year, she was promoted as the area manager to handle Abu Dhabi branches.

Reeza Reno Saluta R

eeza Rena Saluta, a Dubai-based overseas Filipino worker, found her prime purpose in life overseas. One of the most selfless things she did was when she had lost her job as a beauty advisor for Dubai Duty Free but chose to help her fellow Filipinos who are also in dire need. One of the most selfless things she did was when she had lost her job as a beauty advisor for Dubai Duty Free but chose to help her fellow Filipinos who are also in dire need.

Despite hitting rock bottom and feeling depressed, thinking how she would survive and go on with her dreams, she was still prayerful to God for guidance.

Saluta, who grew up fatherless, has been living now in the host country for eight years now and was directly hired from the Philippines through a recruitment agency. She started from scratch and was later on promoted to be a beauty advisor of one of the luxurious skincare brands in the world. As luxurious as the brand, she was living a comfortable life until she was laid off due to the pandemic.

Anxious, while searching for a new job, Saluta has experienced getting scammed by a recruiter.

“I experienced a lot of things which our fellow kababayans are experiencing in Dubai, and that was an eye-opener for me. Life in Dubai is not all about treasures and gold,” she said, adding that her time being on furlough became a way to lead a small donation drive for the fire victims in Sharjah last year.

Saluta, along with her friends, went to the hotel where the fire victims were housed to offer the hotel management a little help. “We saw how Filipinos are persistent, and witness their courage and determination to survive. It was heartbreaking to see the less fortunate people victimized by many catastrophes happening in this world. I would love to be a source of inspiration today and share my experiences in my little ways that in this journey, Filipinos have great faith in God and that what makes us stand tall amidst uncertainties. We value bayanihan, we don’t lose the heart and our smiles are even brighter, full of confidence in the future even during these trying times,” she added.

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image credit: supplied

Meet this Filipina in Dubai who lost her job due to Covid-19 but chose to help her fellow kabayans Early life

Being fatherless since she was two, Saluta said she had faced a fair share of hustles and struggles while living with her single mother with her two siblings. Left with the obligation to provide her child with a bright future, her mother flew to Hong Kong to work as a domestic worker. When the time her mother came back after seven years, Saluta was already 14. “Seeing my mom struggling being alone, never ask for support from my father, who abandoned us for three decades, was indeed unimaginable,” she said. Her family’s life story was once featured on the online show Buhay OFW TV. Before following her mother’s footsteps as an OFW, she worked as the branch manager for a car accessories company in the Philippines. Urged by her mother to work abroad, she decided to embark on an overseas journey in 2013. In her tenure at Dubai Duty Free, she was an active employee receiving awards for her hard work. On the sidelines, she was also doing hosting jobs, performing annually at the Irish Village almost every year for their company party. Saluta is one of the pioneer members of Dubai Duty Free Nightingales Choir that competed across the Middle East for acapella competition.

Through the same company, it led her to many roads, including meeting big personalities. Almost every year, she shared that she was able to travel from one country to another. “One of my best memories was when my mom and my brothers were able to be with me in Dubai and spent a threeday vacation in Singapore,” she recalled.

After a year of darkness, Saluta found her cup of hope by managing the concept store 971. ninesevenone in Ajman Heritage Village. According to her, the owner of the business, who is also the director of Ajman Tourism, Mr. Saleh Algeziry, entrusted her to spearhead the branch.

“My journey wasn’t all about Dubai spotlight, flying on the airplane, touring the world, performing on stage, and wearing signature brands. My discovery about myself this pandemic was a testimony, to become our own hero for our families and to help out the needy in difficult times, that’s what makes us true Filipino from the heart,” she added.

Fevhie “Vhie” Laurilla She was a waitress 20 years ago. Today, she is a trading company founder image credit: supplied

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evhie “Vhie” Laurilla vividly recalled arriving in Dubai some 20 years ago. She started her overseas career as a waitress and through her perseverance and dedication, she was able to rise through the ranks in the F&B industry and appointed as the restaurant manager, and handled six restaurant branches. When asked about why she opted to work abroad, she said that she has the same reason as many OFWs--to provide her family a better life, including a good education, enough food on their table, and to support them financially.

With her passion for organizing events, she shifted from F&B to the events industry--which became a rewarding passion for Laurilla.

Following her passion, today, Laurilla is a freelance event strategist, commentator, and social media influencer under the Dubai Media City license. She is also the founder and managing director of Filpreneur General Trading LLC, a licensed e-commerce and general trading firm.

“Since event is in my heart ever since, I really enjoy and

experience a sense of fulfillment every time I organize and execute from simple events to complicated ones. From simple birthday to wedding to corporate events--everything is unique from which I learn a lot and impart it to my next event,” she said.

I remember the days when 10 of my friends share a can of sardines because we needed to save for days to come while searching for a new job,” she further added. While seeking another employer, a new problem emerged--this time it was something to do with her family in the Philippines.

For her, Dubai is a land of opportunity despite having long summers. A resident of two decades now, the Filipina said that the place has given her family a better future.

“I didn’t know what to do during those times. I believed it was my faith and I surrendered everything to our Almighty.

I always believed God will never give you problems that you cannot handle and it is within our hearts how we will take this positively,” Laurilla said.

As glamorous as it is, Laurilla has also a fair share of sob stories to tell when she was still embarking on an overseas life years ago. “It is always a teary-eye for me to reminisce all the struggles I have been through, but it gives me the courage to work hard, I remember while working as a manager, I spent my day off cleaning houses, doing idd chores, among others. During holidays or after my duty, I also did some bartending in private events,” she recalled.

She considered her F&B days as the peak of her career.

Suddenly, they were advised to close for a month. “During those days, I and my friends started looking for another job,

When asked about her plans after working overseas, she said she will continue doing volunteerism work, and advocacies that she started years back, including empowering women, holding financial literacy and mental health seminars.

“Most of us are struggling abroad--away from our family-just always put inside in your heart the reasons why you are here, your deepest whys, and everything will be in the right place. Always save for the rainy season,” Laurilla said.

THE GLOBAL FILIPINOS, THE STORY OF OUR SUCCESS

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He recalled arriving in Dubai to supposedly become the editor-in-chief of Pinoy News. However, things did not work out well with the publishers and he had to search for other employment opportunities in the media. He then moved on to become assistant editor for several trade titles such as Air Cargo Update, DAFZA Business Focus, Logistix Review, The International Indian, and The Shipping Gazette, and then as senior correspondent for The Business Weekly.

Albert Dela Cruz Alba OFW shares journey from university editor to one of UAE’s seasoned media professional

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ust like anyone, the main and initial motivation of Albert Dela Cruz Alba why he opted to work abroad was to hopefully earn more. Coming to Dubai in 2004 was his very first stint of working abroad. However, it was not really his first time to work within a multi-cultural environment, as he has already been part of the prestigious club of foreign journalists in the Philippines for many years--the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of the Philippines (FOCAP).

Alba’s career as a journalist took off from his background as the editor-in-chief of Ang Tagapagmasid, the official school organ of the University of the Philippines-Manila during his college days. After graduating from college, he embarked on his professional career as a staff reporter for the Manila Bureau of a Japanese TV news organization--MBS News-back in 1985. Since then, he had worked with several Manila Bureaus of various foreign news organizations such as The Sekai Nippo News and The Yomiuri Shimbun.

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For Alba, the most memorable among his experiences as a media man in the Philippines include covering several important events in the country’s modern history, such as the US Bases negotiations; the Senate debates and ratification of the Bases Treaty; several presidential, national, and local elections; the EDSA uprisings; the Estrada impeachment hearings at the Senate; the I LOVE YOU trojan computer virus that had a devastating impact across the globe; among others.

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In 2008, the seasoned media and communications professional shifted careers and moved into the PR & Communications industry with a multinational PR agency wherein he was mainly tasked with English editorial content development, along with other duties such as media relations, client servicing, and account management for several key clients in the aviation, aerospace, industrial, manufacturing, trade, government authorities, oil and gas, F&B, tourism, hospitality, technology, education, and real estate sectors. By 2013, in the same company, Alba was then appointed as the Regional English Editor for all their branches throughout the GCC. “Writing has always been my passion. But to be able to write a story, there must also be something to write about. Thus, being part of several historic events and milestones, meeting new people and personalities that have shaped our history, both in the Philippines and the UAE are experiences that are not only enjoyable but truly memorable. Secondly, it is very fulfilling to know that what you are writing about can help shape and influence future business activities,” he said.

Fast forward, in 2016, he was recruited to take on the role of Digital Marketing & Communications Manager for a leading UAE-based destination management company. Three years after, he found himself back with the same PR agency he had worked for in 2008, this time as the Senior Account Manager handling key clients in the aviation, aerospace and manufacturing sectors. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, his post was made redundant.

This displacement pushed Alba to explore opportunities as a freelancer, now providing PR & Communications, journalism, and editorial content development services under a Dubai Media City license and visa. “However, the market has been very tough and has been difficult to secure clients,” he said.

The media practitioner who has been living and working in the UAE for 17 years now has also been actively immersing himself in community groups. He is among the founding members of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association-UAE Chapter, as well as the San Beda College Alumni Association-UAE Chapter. Alba is also among those who represented these organizations within FILCOM. As part of these groups, he became active in several charitable work and activities geared towards helping Filipinos in need, both in the UAE and back home in the Philippines.

“The Covid-19 pandemic taught everybody painful lessons on how something unexpected can take almost everything that we have worked hard for and cause severe and unprecedented devastation to our careers, finances, and more significantly to ours and our loved one’s health and well-being. Hopefully, we all learn from these lessons and the value of work, our income, our health, and even the time we spend time with each other. In anything and everything we do, we must be wholeheartedly committed and dedicated, and always perform to the best of our ability no matter if we may not be happy with our jobs. Instead, let us never stop learning and developing new skills and capabilities that can later prove useful in expanding our career opportunities. And most important of all, let us never lose faith and trust in God,” he further added.

Rocky Turen image credit: supplied

Former OFW finds musical inspiration during the coronavirus pandemic

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hile musicians across the world can’t perform on stage due to the pandemic, some resorted to creating one while being quarantined. One of them is Peter John Paul A. Turen, whose stage name is Rocky Turen. He has turned his art to express his feelings about the pandemic.

said that Cove Records handled the band which was given an opportunity to be their record labels. The band has released seven original songs and received three awards at the prestigious Indie Musicians Awards 2021 for being the Best Song of the Year, Best Album Cover, and the Most Underrated Musicians of 2021.

While everyone stayed home and as the world struggled to fight and put the pandemic to an end, Turen was occupied with his solo project called ‘Indie-pendently’. He recorded music from his home in the Philippines and soon after released his solo album called ‘Pandemia’. LUNAS 19, a striking song in the album, was written in February last year. After releasing the song, he was invited to perform for EuroTV Philippines and had also a chance to perform on a radio station.

Turen used to work as an amenity attendant for real estate and hotels for a year and a half in Doha, Qatar. While working as a full-time employee, he had also side gigs as a guitarist and music teacher for kids and adults and performer at various pubs. “As a musician and an artist, I always enjoy making music and sharing my talent with others. We, as a band, believe that we will succeed and become one of the most famous musicians in the 21st century,” he added.

After getting invitations from local media outfits, he decided to make a band called The MaineStream which is composed of his long-time friends Jojo Valdivia (Keyboards), Raymon Agot (Bass), Michael Valdivia (Drums), and David Melendez (Saxophone). Turner, the bandleader and vocalist,

The former chef has also faced several difficulties in life, including choosing to pursue his work or his dreams as a musician. Now that he has finally chosen the right path, he, along with his bandmates, aims to create more music for his fellow Filipinos.

THE GLOBAL FILIPINOS, THE STORY OF OUR SUCCESS

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Rhoel Raymundo Mendoza

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hoel Raymundo Mendoza’s purpose abroad is not only to work and provide his family a better future.

While excelling as an advertising and graphic design professional in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, he used the power of media and entertainment in promoting the welfare and well-being of his fellow overseas Filipino workers in the host country.

Coming from a family that instilled in him good values like honesty, living within their means, respect, and familial love, Mendoza is the eldest among four siblings. When he was in second-year college, his father left to work in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was through his being a migrant worker that he was able to graduate from the reputed University of Santo Tomas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts Major in Advertising.

He said that he didn’t have any plans to work abroad.

However, when his father told him that their company’s advertising artist was resigning soon, he was asked to apply-and that made him excited. “Young and adventurous that I was, I grabbed the opportunity,” he recalled. He traveled to the deserted country at the age of 23. His first overseas employer was Arieb Enterprises which was owned by a royal family. He was its advertising artist who took care of all design requirements of the Advertising and Sales Promotion Department. His love for photography was also utilized as it brings him to different parts of Saudi Arabia. Mendoza would take photos of the company’s infrastructure, agriculture, construction, and other projects.

In 1985, he moved to one of the kingdom’s top corporations

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back then and today’s number one as its in-house graphic designer. There, he handled all creative design requirements of the company, oversaw the production of the company’s annual report, newsletter, and product catalogs, among others. As its photographer, he covered all of its important corporate events including visits of heads of states and other foreign dignitaries, members of the diplomatic community, company executives, corporate events, and the like.

While exceeding what was expected of him in the company, he had a few activities outside of work that made his life more exciting and interesting. His talents in writing and singing were put to good use. Whenever there was an issue that he read about in the three English broadsheets in the kingdom, he would write the ‘Letters to the Editor’ section to give his opinion, especially if it was about the Philippines and the Filipinos. His replies to the broadsheets brought him to various countries, including the USA and Greece. In 1997, Mendoza had organized various activities, including the Philippine Centennial Cup Team Tennis and Bowling Tournaments, as well as the Proudly Filipinos and A Flag in Every OCW Home campaigns. These were the very first Filipino community activities in the kingdom.

Mendoza, in 1999, launched a signature drive urging thenPresident Joseph Estrada to declare the year 2000 as ‘The Year of OFWs’. Backed by Senator Loren Legarda Leviste by way of filing a senate resolution, the proposed declaration became a reality with Presidential Proclamation No. 243. To celebrate this success, he published a free publication aptly called OFW 2000 which he distributed to Filipinos in Saudi

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Using power of media and entertainment in promoting Filipinos’ welfare abroad

Arabia, including the USA, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Italy, and Greece, among others while he traveled.

After 15 years of working in the same corporation, Mendoza decided to left the kingdom in 2000 and moved to Toronto, Canada where he stayed for six months with his best friend who also used to work in Riyadh but has since migrated.

Upon his return, he planned on setting up a small business but was derailed when he fell victim to a pyramiding scam.

Devastated, he was back to almost zero. He went into designing and selling fashion accessories for a year, sold phone cards, then eventually got into talent scouting and handling and eventually into conceptualizing and organizing pageants and modeling competitions.

Even after ending his OFW journey, he remained an OFW by heart. One of the things he advocated then was the passage into law of the Absentee Voting Bill. In 2005, he published Global Pinoy, another free publication that was given out free at the Philippine international airports’ departure lounges, as well as government offices.

“I have the following advice for our kabayans: one, always keep in touch with family and friends in order to keep your sanity. Two, save save save and hold on to your hard-earned dollars. If you are investing it in something, think about it a hundred times. Third, if you are planning on returning to and applying for a job here in the Philippines, go home before you reach the age of 35. Because the older you get, the fewer chances you have of getting hired locally,” he said.

Jaella Mische Mendoza

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0-year-old Filipina in UAE bags several awards from international swimming competitions

10-year-old Jaella Mische Mendoza is a Filipino UAEbased competitive swimmer with multiple swimming records. The young Filipina, who started joining swimming competitions since she was seven, has been excelling very well in swimming in the UAE after conquering local, national, and international swimming competitions.

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Recently, Mendoza has broken the UAE swimming record for the 10-year-old age category. She is the current UAE swimming record holder for 50 meters and 100-meter butterfly, and 100-meter backstroke for the 10-yearold age group. She obtained this record at the recently concluded first Swimming Community Performance Championship competition held last April at the Hamdan Sports Complex, Dubai.

So far, Mendoza has won a total of 26 gold, 22 silver, and 10 bronze medals from international, national, local, and inter-school level competitions held in the host country in the span of three years. Last year, she defeated swimmers from different overseas clubs from Lebanon, Oman, Bahrain, and Uganda during the Middle East Open & Junior Championship 2020.

Mendoza, a student of GEMS Winchester Dubai, said her goal is to be known as an international swimmer and be able to represent the Philippines in the Olympic games in the future.

Her passion for joining swimming competitions was put on hold when the pandemic struck. Her parents were hesitant to send her back to swimming class and it took them six months before they decided to put her back to training and put her back on track. By the time she joined the competition in April, she aced it and got the record.

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HR professional who went abroad in her 30s, now owner of management consultancy firm in UAE

then, she got double promotions in four years, skipping a level in the hierarchy of promotion. Through her leadership, her company has been awarded Great Places to Work twice in a row because of the initiatives she had spearheaded. Gonzales was heading the Learning and Organizational Development Department until last year.

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In between work, she made sure that she developed herself constantly. She completed her Masters of Business Administration at the prestigious Swiss Business School, Switzerland. She is also certified in Neuro-Linguistic Programming Coaching, as well as Human Resources Manager Professional. Currently, she is working on her Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) and DISC Assessor Certification.

Robie Torre-Gonzales R

obie Torre-Gonzales was already in her 30s when she decided to work abroad. According to her, it never crossed her mind that she will be working in the UAE as she had a decent job and a good career pathway in the Philippines then.

As she has a house to manage and two growing up kids to take care of, she grabbed the chance to work abroad while her husband was working in Qatar.

Even with an OFW in the family, leaving her kids behind was still relatively difficult. “We need to have an income that will allow us to pay the educators and therapists of my eldest for her to play and behavioral therapy sessions; at the same time, we need to fund our second daughter’s overdue surgery,” she said.

Gonzales, before starting an OFW journey, has already been part of the HR team of ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation, Alexander Resources, Asia Select, and Jollibee Foods Group.

In February of 2009, she arrived in the UAE after being recruited through a manpower agency in the Philippines. She was hired as an HR Senior Executive in one of the leading electronics retailers in the UAE. Her role was purely HR operations: recruitment, onboarding, employee discipline, and grievance handling, benefits administration, employee engagement, and policy drafting. Gonzales’ first break was when she was

Leap of faith With challenges in the professional field and in the job market, Gonzales made a leap of faith. Backed with more than 40 years of HR progressive experience, she and her friend put up the People Bureau International FZLLC, a human capital, organization development, and executive search consultancy, formed in response to clients’ business needs in the current time and need for people-focused solutions and products.

The company’s goal is to become a support arm of Filipino entrepreneurs in the UAE and even those who are working professionals who would want to progress in their respective careers.

tasked to lead the implementation of the Human Resource Information System (HRIS) in the company. She spent two months of her mornings populating the system with employee data so that they could beta-test it. When the beta-testing was completed, she went to work on the other modules of the system--meeting the developer, incorporating all the necessary employee-support tabs in the system, among others. Gonzales successfully developed the content in less than six months and went running in less than a year. This breakthrough paved the way for her first job promotion abroad.

Currently, she is also the president of the Filipino Human Resources Practioners’ Association in the UAE (FILHR-DNE).

They are the only Filipino organization registered and licensed to operate in the UAE. For years, the organization has become an avenue for fellow HR colleagues to connect with a professional network, aimed to excel through career development opportunities and encourage leadership development.

According to Gonzales, their mission is to develop competent Filipino HR practitioners while promoting integrity, excellence, and social responsibility.

“I think that the HR profession has the most colorful career path amongst all the professions we have in the world. If there is an Oscar award for professionals, it should be given to HR practitioners! All the dramas are in this field. I’ve learned how to read people’s behavior and I have realized I have become their conduit to express their feelings. Imagine the flow of emotions I have to deal with in the past 19 years,” she said.

She is also one of the three Filipinos from the Hiligaynon region who showcased mastery of the art as well as vision amid the crisis brought about by the coronavirus pandemic through Hublas--an art exhibit held by the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

The seasoned HR professional had already planned to leave the company after six years in order to join another company.

However, with the constant morning tete-a-tete with her seniors, plus a pep talk with the CEO, she eventually gave in by staying with the same company for the next six years. Since

“Be with people who can guide you and whom you think can elevate you. Don’t underestimate your capability. Accept the job that will make you excited waking up every day. Spend time with your family. Take a leave and visit them. Be optimistic! And most especially, trust the Lord God!” she said when she was asked about her advice to her fellow Filipinos abroad.

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Jose Apuyan Koska B

efore working in UAE, Jose Apuyan Koska has had several projects and exposures in different countries. A graduate of Mathematics & Sociology with a Master in Educational Administration, Koska has more than 20 years of overall progressive Human Capital experience in areas such as talent acquisition, learning and development, employee relations, HR policies, workforce planning, HR metrics and analytics, market studies, leadership development and training, and business development.

Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, and UAE. “What satisfies me more than anything else is when people say that they are happy with the services or support or advice I have given them. Additionally, is the fact that we are giving jobs to people, and people will always remember you as someone who

Through his work, he has been involved in several major HR projects, market studies abroad, recruitment campaigns, career fairs, and roadshows in Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Romania, South Africa,

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Exemplary Filipino HR Professional Award-giving body and its former president.

For Koska, UAE has become his second home. Living in the UAE for the last 14 years now, he said that UAE nationals are very supportive and open. “The UAE is also blessed with leaders who believe that ‘anything is possible’ – thanks to leaders with visions of progress, this country moves forward,” he said.

When he was asked about his struggles while working overseas, he said one of the challenges he faced was ‘minor’ discrimination. “We all know that in most cases, especially when it comes to senior roles, there are specific nationalities that are more favored or perhaps “stereotyped”. Managing different people of diverse background, belief, culture, etc. was also a challenge during my initial time especially for those who were more senior than me, as well as western nationals,” he further added.

His first work abroad was in 2007 with the Abu Dhabi Polymers Company, a petrochemical arm of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). He worked as a recruitment specialist where he was given a chance to travel to various countries across the world to hire the most competent employee for their manpower needs. After two years, Koska was promoted to Senior Specialist, and then became the Section Head of Recruitment in 2012 where she was managing around 15 staff composing of nine different nationalities--UAE nationals, American, Egyptian, Jordanian, Indian, Sudanese, Filipino, Singaporean, and Chinese.

The HR professional is a Certified Strategic HR Business Partner (SHRBP), Professional Human Resource International (PHRI), DDI Targeted Selection Trainer, and Harrison Assessment Assessor. The seasoned HR professional is also a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on Recruitment and onboarding for ADNOC Group of Companies and one of the proponents of the Interview & Selection Guidelines for ADNOC Group of Companies under the PMO, and an in-house trainer of Competency-Based Interview and Selection Training in Borouge and ADNOC Group.

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From recruitment specialist to senior specialist for world’s leading energy producer

Koska was able to change this perspective after proving what he can do for the company and how competent he is in managing people. He made sure that he has the right knowledge and capability to develop, train, coach, as well as promote or terminate people and was firm on his decision. had helped them made their lives and their family better,” he said.

Before embarking on an HR journey, Koska was a high school teacher. He then moved to corporate planning, went back to teaching in the university, and then landed a job in Human Resources as a recruitment specialist back in the Philippines.

He is also the brainchild behind the Society of Human Resource Professionals and Associates’ annual HR Summit and

“Since I am an HR Professional, my advice would focus more on work and career. On a personal and financial note, focus on what you need and not on what you want, especially at these difficult times. Save as much as you can during the best days so you will always be ready during your worst days. And finally, never forget to pray and seek the Lord’s guidance in everything we do,” Koska further added.

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Multicolor realism painter’s art of surviving abroad

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reaming of a better future for his family, Gitter Ramirez decided to work overseas and landed in Dubai in 2013. He arrived in the emirate on a one-month tourist visa, so he had only a month to secure a job. According to him, at first, he struggled to look for one because he wasn’t fluently speaking in English as his previous job in the Philippines as a salesperson didn’t require him to speak the universal language.

Luckily, the Dubai-based Filipino was called for an interview for a premier handbag spa that restores luxury bags and leather goods. Despite not speaking the required language fluently, when he said that painting kept him busy, he was instantly hired for the position.

He may be dealing with luxurious goods, his life as a migrant

Gitter Ramirez

worker, was not always as glamorous as his work. Ramirez recalled restoring a leather car seat the whole day under a scorching summer. “For me, it’s nothing because I always look on the positive side--that I would learn more from this job especially in painting,” he said adding that on the sidelines he does commissioning on artworks.

After finishing his contract with the premier handbag spa, he applied for various companies.

After sending thousands of CVs, he got an interview call from Al Tayer company to fill the position of stock room assistant. After two years in the company, he rose through the ranks, with the help of his manager, and was promoted to a sales advisor.

“I would say that I really love what I am doing--assisting customers, having knowledge in fashion retail, meeting different nationalities, making friends with customers, and now I can finally provide my family’s needs,” he said.

Vlogger and multicolor realism painter Ramirez said Dubai offers an array of opportunities as long as one is willing to learn. He has also entered the social media industry by creating a YouTube channel called gitter AETV wherein he showcases his talent in multicolor realism.

Through the platform, Ramirez supports his co-vloggers and influencers who have inspiring stories and spreading positive vibes in the community by gifting them multicolor realism paintings as a form of appreciation.

When asked about his plans after Dubai, he said he will be coming home and be with his family who he hasn’t met for the longest time. He also plans to be a full-time painting artist vlogger and continue to appreciate those who spread positivity and good vibes.

“For my kabayans, keep believing in yourself, follow your dreams,” he said.

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Anz Soza Building an empire abroad

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he rapidly spreading virus forced a precipitous shift to remote work at many companies. While many have shifted to the remote working scheme, Anne ‘Anne Soza’ Michelle Peñaflorida got the ArtWear Project FZ-LLC off the ground last year during the pandemic around October 2020. Peñaflorida, through the startup, aims at making masterpieces in vast variety from luxurious outfits, shoes to bags, and more from the customers’ viewpoint.

“It was a terrifying move because building your own company involves greater tasks. More sleepless nights and endless thoughts about innovation throughout the day. At first, you are the Administration, the Marketing, the Artist, the Accounts, you are basically the one-woman show. But, I always believe that I should become my own boss. With the hard work and dedication that I put into it, I want to do it at my own business because I believe I deserve more,” Peñaflorida, who had worked as a graphics artist, financial executive, and interior designer, said.

Although her business success is reliant on her, Peñaflorida, a meraki artist and outlier, wants to equally spend her time with her kids as well.

“Success tastes sweeter too. Nothing is more gratifying to experience success with your own company, it comes with a huge amount of pride. I got paid 8 hours a day, Anything over that is charity,” she said noting that the best thing about managing one’s business is that she learns a lot about her own strength and the freedom, fulfillment, and learning it offers.

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Before embarking on an entrepreneur journey, Peñaflorida has been actively participating in various competitions. In 2016, he was one of the twelve Starbucks Holiday Red Cup Artists. One of her designs was also once featured on the iconic big screen in New York Times Square. Peñaflorida is also the grand winner of Ipanema UAE’s Flip-Flop Design Contest in 2018.

When asked about how does she see the company changing in drive years, the high-spirited businesswoman said: “The family will expand. Services will be available in other parts of the world because I am driven to change lives and in turn will improve mine.”

Doing meticulously hand-paint on mostly luxurious goods, she said work has not always been a bed of roses.

“If you have seen my post that I have accomplished something, know that I have failed a hundred times before that,” she said.

Impeccably hand-painting “Masterpieces are not limited to museums. You can get to touch it and in wearable form too. Expression is not solely for the artist. But for those that struggle, we meticulously and impeccably hand-paint everything you want. You can buy the same brand of footwear, jeans, or bag with the rest, but we guarantee you won’t come out of the streets with the same design as everyone else.

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For those who want to have their bags, shoes, or wallet customized, just visit anneartwearproject. com or call +971 50 449 5028 or email anneartwearproject@gmail.com.

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Ricardo Bojador ‘Every day dapat may progress ka’: Former dishwasher now executive chef in Dubai

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ishwasher turned executive chef Ricardo Bojador said one should not give up in life and always try to go beyond what has been accomplished the day before.

Bojador, who hails from Bicol, recalled working as a dishwasher at a five-star hotel in Ermita, Manila while pursuing a career in law and supporting himself. The 42-year-old, today, is now working at a five-star hotel--not anymore as a dishwasher--but as executive chef at a plush world-class, fine-dining restaurant in Dubai.

A college dropout, Bojador worked in fast-food restaurants and worked full-time to bring food to the table for his siblings and parents.

In 2016, he has decided to move to Dubai to have a better opportunity. “I applied for a job in one of the best Japanese restaurants and received a reply from them the next day,” Bojador told Rappler. He was accepted for the job and his initial responsibilities included washing vegetables and receiving deliveries.

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“I would come early from my usual shift so I could finish my task and have extra time to learn more. The struggle was real. My mission was to gain the skills required to be great in my field, and I worked towards that every day. I put in the hours, worked silently, and focused on my goal, hoping that my food and work would one day speak for itself,” he said.

The then kitchen helper, six months after, was given a chance to work in line with other chefs where he was taught the ins and outs of the work before he was finally given a big break. “The head chef let me work in the sushi bar. I was very happy and excited because it was what I had been waiting for,” Bojador recalled. The overseas Filipino worker was promoted twice following two and a half years of hard work.

Bojador started on an overseas journey in 2008 when he got a job as a demi chef at Jumeirah Group Hotels in Dubai where he worked for five years. “During that time, I gained more valuable experience in running a kitchen. I continued

working hard and got promoted thrice until I was given the position of sous chef,” he added.

In 2013, he joined a trendy Japanese restaurant as a senior sous chef. Before the opening of the restaurant, he attended a brand training in Los Angeles, California, the USA where he learned the culture of the brand. After the training, he was assigned to Kuwait to be a support group for the opening of the restaurant in the Middle East. Rising through the ranks, he was then appointed as the head chef and then executive chef.

Currently, Bojador is an executive chef for Wakame finedining restaurant which specializes in innovative Asian cuisine at Sofitel Hotel in Downtown Dubai.

“To my fellow OFWs, focus lang po sa trabaho. Wag susuko at higitan mo kung ano ang nagawa o na-accomplish mo kahapon. Every day dapat may prorgress ka, maliit man o malaki,” he said.

Gina Valbuena

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OFW turned entrepreneur showcasing Filipino cuisine before the world culinary stage

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n overseas Filipina worker (OFW) turned entrepreneur is proud to showcase the Filipino cuisine in Dubai, an international expatriate city and host to Expo 2020.

Gina Valbuena decided to exhibit Filipino food after her job as a Business Support Manager to the CEO for Assent Management of a giant hospitality company in the emirate and opened a restaurant called Kubyertos Cuisine at The Pavillion, Discovery Gardens.

Looking back at our favorite family meals in my hometown Davao, I remember that side by side to our Sinaing na Tulingan and Pipino Ensalada were my mother’s laughter and smiles,” Valbuena told GMA News Online.

“In many ways, I felt this similar joy in Dubai as I became part of the robust Filipino community here. This is the experience our team wanted to bring to Kubyertos Cuisine: the comfort of our homes brought together by our food,” she added.

Vabuena’s restaurant is situated close to the Expo 2020 site south of Dubai. The international event was postponed

last year due to the pandemic and will be opened from October 1, 2021, until March 31, 2021. More than 190 countries, including the Philippines, will be participating in the event.

“Dubai is an international environment. The beauty of the emirate is that the diverse cultures do not compete with each other, but work hand in hand. To complement the global community in Dubai, we designed our menu not only to the Filipino palate but to entice the international market as well,” she added.

“I have very high regard for our local culture, immense awe for Filipino talents, hospitality and congeniality and deep appreciation of delectable dishes from different regions of the Philippines – what could be better than showcasing all of these to our greatest inspiration, the overseas Filipinos, and proudly introducing the same to the rest of the world?” she further added.

Vabuena, despite having a comfortable corporate job before, said that she, along with her husband and three children, have been living abroad for the last 17 years, she ‘has become witness to the mark of the Filipinos in this country.’

“Whether we like to admit it or not, our fingerprints are all over the first bricks that built this beautiful nation. I wanted us to be proud of this fingerprint – to be proud of our presence and identity in the UAE,” she said.

Her goal as a restauranteur isn’t only to serve good Filipino food, but also to empower the Filipino community.

“Inspired by many local brands that are thriving, I envisioned our team to be part of that community. What made me decide to open Kubyertos Cuisine was quite simple: to be a part of the many great brands that bring pride to our country,” she further added.

Opening a restaurant abroad

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from the company, Rico steadily rose up the career ladder and was promoted to Senior Marketing Executive, then a year later, rose to become the Assistant Marketing of the brand.

Presently, Rico is working as the Head for Sales and Marketing at the NMC Bareen Cluster with the task to turn around the company from negative to positive profitability.

Six months after joining the largest private healthcare provider in the UAE, the branch she spearheads has reached the highest number of patient footfall, has finally achieved break-even, and most significantly, has started gaining profits months after.

“As the first Filipino in the mostly Arabic and sub-continent (Indian) leadership team of the organization, I am deeply

Joanne Rico This Filipina is the key in making Middle East brands soar higher in the regional arena

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oanne Rico’s first break in the marketing industry started when she joined Ministop Philippines as a franchise marketing officer. She accepted the position despite having no formal education in marketing or business. Her grit, passion, and thirst for learning helped her to embark on a journey she couldn’t believe would take her to success.

Rico recalled mapping a plan on how the team could grow the business and hit the target. In just three months, they nailed the process, captured the leads, and doubled the number of investor inquiries. Because of her, the firm’s franchise sales increased from an average of one investor per month to five investors per month, shelling out at least P1.5 million each to own a franchise. In less than a year, the highly-spirited Filipina received the Rookie of the Year award. A month later, the management handpicked her from a pool of over 100 equally competitive workforces to take the role of Advertising and Promotions, making her the

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youngest manager in the history of the entire organization at 23.

Journey in Qatar Her first jump overseas was in Doha, Qatar when, in 2009, one of the largest private premium hospitals in the country saw her perseverance and offered her ad administrative role. “At first, I was hesitant because I did not want to leave my growing career in the Philippines. But because I need to help my family financially and I was confident I could easily move to the marketing industry at a larger stage, I accepted the offer,” she said.

honored to play a key role in driving Bareen business, which became a significant feather on the hat not only of Bareen but of NMC Healthcare as well. Due to this record-breaking success, NMC Healthcare stepped up expansion plans, acquired more medical centers in the emirate, and winged each of the medical facilities under Bareen. In less than 2 years, Bareen has grown from managing 1 medical facility to 8 medical facilities, and counting – hence the network is now called NMC Bareen Cluster,” she said.

Rico was posted as an Executive Assistant to the Managing Director, then as an Executive Assistant to the General Manager. She said that the Arab country is a totally different ballgame altogether where being an Asian and a woman bore significant weights in winning or losing professional battles. “But such challenging dynamics did not stop me from pursuing my Marketing career. In addition to my regular work, I volunteered to help with more Marketingrelated projects. I floated campaign concepts and ideas to Executive Management,” she further added.

A year after, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer officially posted her as the organization’s Marketing Executive. Officially, Rico has become the first Filipino and woman to breakthrough in the healthcare marketing space in Doha, Qatar.

Journey in UAE UAE’s Burjeel Hospital took interest in her potential. She was pirated by the healthcare management and consultant facility in 2012. She became the first and only Filipino work market-pioneered a large healthcare brand in the capital, then in other parts of the UAE, then in the Middle East region. Her task was to launch the Burjeel in Abu Dhabi and grow its market share within the emirate, within the country, then within the region. She single-handedly managed and implemented marketing campaigns of the brands across all platforms. She was also the key in making the brand soar higher and mightier in the local and regional arena. After receiving two consecutive prestigious awards

With over 16 solid years of work experience in marketing and brand management under her belt, Rico has managed brands in local and international markets including Qatar, UAE, Oman, and the Philippines. “In my desire to grow professionally and personally, I regularly attend conferences, seminars, training, and workshops, and immerse in mentorship and coaching opportunities to sharpen and advance my Marketing métier and be at par with global standards,” she said.

“Filipinos should break free from the chains of fear of failure and start championing life with more grit and resilience. We all falter and get hurt, but it is how we deal with crises and choose to move forward that shapes our character. From a very early age until now, I have faced many problems and challenges. More than winning, we should not be afraid of failing. Failures make us wiser, bolder, and stronger,” she further added.

then you will end up eating nothing. Searching for jobs was not easy as well,” he said.

The main reason why he opted to work abroad was for his mother to go back home and let her stop working as an OFW. “She has been working as an OFW since we were in high school and for me, this is my time to repay all the sacrifices she made for us. I was able to understand how hard for her before and she did it all without any hesitations,” he said.

He found his first work when he went to Sharjah and lived with a family whom he personally knows. Nazareth tried teaching from one of the schools in the northern emirate, however, he found out that despite having a degree in the field, he felt the job wasn’t for him.

The OFW, who has been in the UAE for five years now, then worked as a designer for a shop. He accepted the offer as he has a little background in designing way back in the Philippines. Following the employment acceptance, big opportunities followed. He was given a chance to do all designs for Ramadan, dress up celebrities, conduct his first fashion show, among others. He was also able to meet and offer his creations to Hollywood stars, Lindsay Lohan and Madonna. He was also given an opportunity to meet the impalpable Michael Cinco and other famous designers through his designing career.

Careers in the Philippines, UAE Before embarking on an OFW journey, Nazareth worked as a hair and make-up artist. He considers this profession as his ‘bread and butter’ as it sustains his needs to hone himself. “It helped me so much to where I am today. I’ve met different people from different walks of life,” he added.

Excelling in this career, Nazareth was the National Champion for Ever Bilena Bridal Hair and Make-up Competition. He wore many hats: he was a pageant artist, fashion adviser, choreographer, extemporaneous champion, debater, and orator. While in the Philippines, he also worked as a customer service representative and worked in a salon.

Badz Nazareth From shop designer and hair and make-up artist to marketing director

Currently, Nazareth is the marketing director of Coupoonshop, an e-commerce company that offers free marketing to various establishments in the UAE that need marketing help. “The vision of the company is so pure and relevant to what we are experiencing right now. It is very timely, in the sense that we focus on digital forms of marketing. When I heard the vision and the objective of its core, it made me realize how impressive it is in helping companies to sustain their needs. I am very passionate about putting myself 100% because I know there is value in it,” he said.

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hen asked about himself, Baz Nazareth said he is a person who loves to dream and foresee the future based on his beliefs and understanding. To live and work overseas were his dreams after watching the 1998 sitcom Sex and the City.

With the support is his second parents and the ‘love for I have for someone’, he flew to Dubai in 2016. Amazed with the beautiful things found in the city, Nazareth, on a visit visa, realized life overseas was not as glittery as in the movie. “As a tourist, if you don’t have so much in your hand,

“In this job, I have met also different people which somehow gave me so much understanding about life, perseverance, their own choices, most especially their struggles to put up a business. It is also an eye-opener for me to see the situation of how they manage to help others as well, most especially our fellow kabayans. Coupoonshop is transformative and broad when it comes to helping others and how huge is the platform. We want to change somehow how the coupon industry runs towards other small enterprises,” he further added.

Nazareth’s advice for his fellow Filipinos is to ‘believe in your dreams, no matter how hard it is, no matter what we face in the future, just keep on going and ask for guidance to Him’.

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Noel Eric B. Ang image credit: supplied

‘I had to go through a massive reinvention to reach where I am today’

During his several stints abroad, according to Ang, he realized that there is an opportunity for him to help other Filipinos earn more hence when he got the chance to work in Dubai, he started recruiting Filipino mechanics to work for him. Some 65 percent of his 1,500 staff with his previous company were Filipinos.

Honing himself Despite being in the automotive industry for over two decades now, the overseas Filipino worker is not an engineer by profession. He is a graduate from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) with a degree in BS Medical Technology and wanted to become a doctor back then. After graduation, he decided to take a summer job in an advertising agency which eventually turned out into seven years with the same company. After that, he worked in various industries from pharmaceuticals, retail, theme parks, to oil and gas.

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oel Eric B. Ang feels like he is very blessed for where he is right now. However, climbing in this stage comes with multiple sacrifices. He said that he had to go through a ‘massive reinvention’ to reach his current status. His thirst for knowledge continued to arm him in his journey through various careers.

Currently, Ang is working at Cultivate group as the General Manager of Craft Autocare and Project Director of Cultivate Landscape & Gardening Works LLC. For Craft Autocare, he handles the overall business into the car servicing industry.

The auto company aims to differentiate itself from the thousands of garages and quick service repair centres by increasing the car’s maintenance and repair program. “We address their main concerns when they come in whole educating them in prioritizing and scheduling future repairs so that they can budget the cost and their time,” he said.

Ang has been working in the UAE for 12 years now, however, the Gulf country is not his first foray abroad as he was previously connected with Shell and was deployed across 19 countries, launching Shell’s car servicing offer to its global fuel station network. All in all, Ang is credited with launching 1,200 car repair centres.

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To further hone his skills and knowledge, he took relevant courses and event completed several postgraduate degrees. He completed his Masters in Business Administration, Major in International Business also from the prestigious UST. In 2007, he started his Doctoral Degree in Education at the University of Perpetual Help, however, it was cut short when he accepted a job offer from ENOC.

His first interest in automotive began when his former company entrusted him with an old Volkswagen Beetle.

“They are iconic and are quite sturdy. Whenever can, I would tinker with my car,” he shared adding that he even went to complete a Technical Course in Automotive Maintenance just to deepen his understanding of cars.

“But my true passion is not in the technical side of car servicing but on the people side. Being able to experience car repair from both the customer and management’s point of view, there are always glaring gaps in the industry that center around the principles of repair transparency, customer awareness, and value for money. At Craft Autocare, we have advocated these and more. We want to create educated car owners since we believe they will eventually become safer and better drivers,” Ang said.

Keeping fit and active Outside of his work, he is passionate about keeping fit and active too. Ang is into Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiujitsu and has been joining competitions in the field. Through these sports, he was able to bag the Abu Dhabi World Professional Brazilian Jiujitsu win for two consecutive years for his weight and belt category. He has also been a competitive powerlifter and bodybuilder and has won several titles both at the local and national levels in the Philippines.

“Living abroad especially if one has been apart with their family is indeed a struggle for anyone regardless of nationality or race. As such I embrace to LAUGH every day: Live each day for your family and your closest friends. Have them as your inspiration and fuel to go to work.

Acquire new knowledge or a new skill every day. Never stop learning. Read a book, watch documentaries.

Unwavering focus on your personal and professional goals.

List down 3 major goals every year.

God-centered existence. Offer to him all your struggles, all your triumphs.

Health is indeed wealth. Invest in your health. Our body is the main machine we use to achieve our goals here.

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Nerissa Clacio Picones Filipina nanny in Dubai proudly graduates as Nursing Assistant

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erissa Clacio Picones, 46, is among the over 200 students who graduated from Filipino Institute. A nanny for a British-Irish family in Dubai, Picones finished the 24-week professional diploma program Nursing Assistant.

“I have taken the course as I needed to enhance my knowledge and seek great opportunities in the field, as well as to help our fellow especially during these trying times,” the Dubai-based Filipino nanny said.

Picones, who has been in the UAE for eight years now, said the main reason why she opted to work abroad is to be able to help her family and give them the life that they deserve.

Before working in the UAE, the OFW used to work in a dress shop in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

As a nanny, she is in charge of looking after her employers’ child.

When asked about her experience with the Filipino Institute, she said: “It’s all amazing! All the staff and our trainer have been very helpful in fulfilling our dreams to become nursing assistants.”

After taking the professional diploma, Picones said she plans to find a job that is related to her course ‘perhaps’ in another country.

“Don’t stop dreaming. Always put in your mind that you’re doing this because of your family and surely you will not get lost,” she added.

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Chinie Jane Ching F

or the past 12 months, Dubai-based flight attendant Chinie Jane Ching has been passionately dedicating her time to saving newborn babies by giving her breastmilk for free. Currently, Ching is on her 350 liters of breastmilk and counting--supporting mothers who are low in supply, mothers who are under medical complications, premature babies, babies who are in isolation facilities, Covid-19 survivor mothers, and babies who lost their mother because of the disease.

and loving. Because of this, more and more mothers, especially those who are blessed with breastmilk, join this undertaking to help newborns,” she added.

The Filipina ‘hero’ has been living and working in the UAE now for nearly eight years. Just very recently, Ching was honored to be awarded ‘Excellence in Humanitarian Service Award’ by Prodigy Bureau Global and among the 15 Ordinary Women with Extraordinary Works in the Community.

Being in Dubai

Ching, who has also a toddler, has already donated breastmilk to more than 20 babies in the UAE. Aside from this advocacy, the flight attendant also advocates the true spirit of bayanihan not just to her fellow Filipinos abroad, but also to other nationalities.

“I am humbled and it makes me happy because my advocacies reveal that we, Filipinos, are naturally helpful

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OFW who passionately saves babies through her breastmilk completes Caregiver course

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“Not all superheroes have superpowers. Some just take a cooler and breast pump! This is the very reason why I am so passionate and dedicated with my advocacy because I believe that this God’s given gift, our children will be better, stronger, and healthier next generation,” she further added.

To be a flight attendant was her ultimate goal. When the opportunity knocked, she didn’t hesitate to grab it.

“When UAE opened its skies to all dreamers, I grabbed that opportunity to apply. My mother came to Dubai and witnessed how beautiful the place is. It was love at first sight. When I told my mom that I wanted to move to Dubai, she supported me fully,” she recalled.

Despite finishing a Bachelor of Science and Tourism, Ching has decided to study Caregiver at the Filipino Institute.

With no physical supervision with her mother during her pregnancy due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she finished the

24-week diploma course in the hopes to apply the learned skills to properly look after her baby.

“As a first-time mom, being away from my mother is really challenging. Although my doctor and nurses were so informative about taking care of a newborn, having her by my side is a different thing. That’s why I enrolled myself in the virtual class. I saw that opportunity to improve myself so I can give the best care that I can possibly give to my daughter,” she added.

Although she was part of the virtual classes, Ching said the class wasn’t boring as their trainer made it informative and convenient for working mothers like her.

When asked about her advice to those who are currently studying at the Filipino Institute: “Keep it going because you are doing the right thing. When we invest in education, we tend to make better decisions. More doors of opportunities will be open and it will help you to earn and help more.

Above all education is the only life-long investment. So keep on investing for yourself. Keep on investing in your education.”

Fearless Filipinas: 12 Women Who Dared to Be Different shares the stories of modern Pinay heroes in the Philippines and around the world Filipino history has a pantheon of great Filipina leaders, such as Gabriela Silang and Melchora Aquino. In addition to these historical heroes, there are many modern Filipino women that have succeeded spectacularly in their respective fields, broken the glass ceiling, and strived to give back to their communities.

These Filipinas deserve to have their stories documented at length so that other women can gain inspiration from not only what they achieved, but how they overcame the many obstacles that once stood in their way. Such was the spirit behind the new book, Fearless Filipinas: 12 Women Who Dared to Be Different.

The book opens with a foreword from Vice President Leni Robredo, who noted that the book can be a catalyst for readers.

“While all of the women featured here hail from different fields, they are all united in their demonstration of ‘fearlessness’ in the face of adversity, prejudice, or even the status quo. Celebrating

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their lives—and indeed, their individual moments of fearlessness—should serve as a rallying cry to all women: We are all capable of the courage it takes to achieve unprecedented greatness,” wrote VP Robredo.

The women featured in Fearless Filipinas come from all over the world, including in the Philippines and the United States. They also span a broad range of fields, including entertainment, sports, academe, arts, business, and more. The inclusion of such a diverse array of geographies and endeavors was intentional: At a time when many women may be pressured into a narrow definition of what success is—and is not—the book’s editorial team wanted to broaden it completely. As demonstrated by these women, success can be found in any field of your choice wherever you are, so long as you are happy and content with your choices.

The book’s representative in entertainment is none other than Angel Locsin, who shared her comingof-age as one of our generation’s greatest actresses and activists.

“By sharing my story in Fearless Filipinas, my goal was not to inspire young women to follow my own path, as an actress or even as an activist. I instead hope that my experiences—combined with those shared by the other great women I am proud to appear alongside—give young women an even more powerful message: You can accomplish anything you set your mind to,” said Locsin.

The other women featured in Fearless Filipinas include:

Dr. Reina Reyes, the Princeton PhD who confirmed Einstein’s theory of relativity; Kim Lato, the founder and CEO of Kimstore, one of the pioneering e-commerce retailers in the Philippines; Elda Rotor, the Vice President and Publisher of

Penguin Classics who brought Filipino authors like Nick Joaquin to a global audience; Kaizen Dela Serna, a Southeast Asian Games gold medalist in the burgeoning sport of obstacle course racing (OCR); Erika Legara, a physicist who founded the Asian Institute of Management’s Master of Science in Data Science program; Stella Abrera, the first Filipina American Principal Dancer of the American Ballet Theatre, playing roles such as Juliet, Giselle, and Princess Aurora Jessica Cox, a motivational speaker and the world’s first licensed armless pilot and blackbelt in the American Taekwondo Association; Jessie Sincioco, the President of The Manna Cuisine Corporation and the chef who served Pope Francis on his visit to the Philippines in 2015 Dzi Gervacio, co-founder of the Beach Volleyball Republic (BVR) and a SEA Games beach volleyball bronze medalist; Asia Jackson, a Filipina American actress in Hollywood who started the #MagandangMorenx movement to combat colorism in the Filipino community; Merlee Jayme, the “chairmom” and chief creative officer of Dentsu Jayme Syfu.

Fearless Filipinas was written by Monica Padillo, Pancho Dizon, and Mica Magsanoc; edited by Kyle Nate; and illustrated by Chloe Gaw. Mica Magsanoc, the managing editor and co-author of Fearless Filipinas, believes these stories can have a positive global impact.

“Fearless Filipinas is the perfect example of how different people from different backgrounds can all find success in their own ways. We hope that this book can reach young women globally who struggle with finding positive representation and content as they grow up and find their identity,” said Magsanoc.

APRIL 9, 2021 GRADUATION Several students have recently joined Filipino Institute’s inperson graduation ceremonies at Radisson Blu Hotel Deira, Dubai last April 9 and May 7.

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MAY 7, 2021 GRADUATION The students who have graduated were from the second batch of face-to-face professional diploma programs. They were graduates from the following 24week programs: Accounting, Business Management, Logistics, Architecture, and Interior Design, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Graphic Design, Baking, Culinary, Caregiver, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Medical Coding.

THE GLOBAL FILIPINOS, THE STORY OF OUR SUCCESS

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Share your story, be on the next issue of

The Global Filipino Magazine

The Global Filipino Magazine is looking for individuals who have unique, inspiring, and motivating stories to be published on its succeeding issues.

Now on its 13th issue, the UAE-based publication continues to champion the success of Filipinos across the world and share interesting stories that matter to the global Filipino community.

According to Mr. Gabriel John Rimando, the publisher,

the magazine has been an avenue to boost the morale of Filipinos across the world.

“We have already featured more than 150 stories so far and we are inclined to feature more in the coming issues. We have been doing our best to look for the best story to be shared in our platform,” he added.

Recently, the publication has revealed the first Global Filipino Icon Awards which aims to recognize the country’s outstanding and exemplary overseas Filipino workers who have shared notable contributions in the international arena.

in fostering goodwill among peoples of the world, enhancing the promoting the image of the Filipino as a competent, responsible, and dignified worker. It also aims at providing proper recognition to deserving finalists, thus setting up examples for others to emulate, and for the country to be proud of,” Rimando said.

Do you want to have your story published in the next issue of The Global Filipino Magazine? Email eic@ theglobalfilipinomagazine.com to get the form, or visit their website at www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com and find ‘Publish Your Story With Us’ tab on the website’s bottom area.

“It also pays tribute to OFWs for their significant efforts

THE GLOBAL FILIPINOS, THE STORY OF OUR SUCCESS

37

This short film made

by Filipinos in UAE is gathering international attention, recognition

image credit: supplied

A short film led by Filipinos in the UAE is gathering international attention and recognition, particularly in Algeria, India, and Austria.

The film 1820 Mga Pabulong na Balingawngaw is screenplayed by Renato Nicdao and directed by Gilbert Belleza.

The story revolves around a man named Mathew whose child was waiting for him in the basement. He waited for his child only to be met by his own illusions. After learning what happened to his daughter, he got trapped in his own paranoia–his mood, mental state, and behavior deteriorated to a point he perceives everyone as his enemy.

Michael Deo Macaraig, the short film’s lead actor and a Dubai-based eventologist and freelancer, told The Global Filipino Magazine

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that it hasn’t been shown publicly as it’s being sent to some festivals for competition.

According to Macaraig, shooting the film was ‘extra’ challenging as they needed to abide by the local protocols to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 and prevent themselves from getting afflicted with the virus. He further revealed that the film, which was entirely shot in two places in Dubai, was filmed in one week only.

“There was a deliberate effort to limit the location to two places only without sacrificing the essence of the story that we would like to tell. We conducted a lot of pre-production meetings, workshops, and practice via Zoom to make sure that everything is set and in order to have less contact in the set,” the actor added.

As of this writing, the 1820 film is the winner in the Bronze Gate’s Best Short Film Category in Algeria; second Best Director in the Gully International Film Festival in India; and officially selected for Best Actor and Best Horror Film in Vienna, Austria.

Along with their previously produced films Abo, 17:14, and Bahaghari, which have also received international accolades, the team is planning to showcase these films in a bigger venue when the Covid-19 safety protocols have been relaxed.

Other cast members include Sherizze Seam Cirate Acot, Lianne Jhuriz Sauler, John Michael M. Manalo, Jolrean Salao, Jennifer Jereos, Emmanuel Domdom, and Patricio Miguel Tuyo.

FI, NMC Specialty Hospital Al Ain enter agreement; students to receive medical benefits The Filipino Institute and NMC Specialty Hospital Al Ain, both dedicated to providing services for the Filipino community in the UAE, have entered a memorandum of understanding and cooperation in all their endeavors with the community in the southeastern part of the UAE. During the signing of the agreement, Mr. Gabriel John Rimando, the founder and president of the Filipino Institute, along with his team, met with the officers of the NMC Specialty Hospital Al Ain.

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Citing the memorandum of agreement, both parties have agreed to deliver the following conditions: •

•

•

•

Both parties have agreed to cobranding in all the events between NMC Speciality Hospital Al Ain and Filipino Institute subject to requisite approvals, in any.

Filipino Institute shall provide privileges for NMC Specialty Hospital in promoting its hospital services and facilities.

Special discounts will be provided to NMC Specialty Hospital in all events organized by Filipino Institute.

Filipino Institute ID cardholders are entitled to get a 30% discount for hospital services that are not covered by insurance (cash basis).

The privilege card is not valid in conjunction with any other discounts,

offers, and special promotions.

•

NMC Specialty Hospital Al Ain shall offer its basement conference hall to Filipino Institute for events and training subject to availability.

•

NMC Specialty Hospital Al Ain shall provide free medical assistance subject to approval in case of events requiring medical supports that are organized by the Filipino Institute.

•

Both parties to communicate the offer on their social media platforms– WhatsApp, and SMS communications.

•

For PCR Tests, a special discount rate of 15% is applicable.

•

Fastrack appointment facility for all members on a case-to-case basis.

4 internship posts opened

by Filipino Institute

In an effort to help Filipinos prepare before taking the plunge into the corporate world, Filipino Institute has opened four internship posts for its Dubai and Abu Dhabi campus. It’s open for both Filipino Institute and non-Filipino Institute students.

Its Accounting, Social Media, Creatives, and Sales and Marketing departments will accept internships and provide hands-on training for the interns. The training institute, which is one of the leading Filipino-owned educational institutions in the region, requires interns to complete 100 hours of onthe-job training on flexible timings.

“We produce thousands of graduates quarterly and apart from giving them quality education, we are also open to provide them real work scenarios,” Mr. Gabriel John Rimando, the founder and president of the Filipino Institute, said.

UAE may be a hub of opportunities, however, many companies seek an applicant with relevant work experiences.

“We understand that this is the dilemma of our fellow kabayans here. And with this program, they will be able to experience and learn first-hand,” Rimando said.

Interns, after successfully completing the required number of hours, will be receiving a certificate of proof that he or she has interned in the training institute, an acknowledgment letter, and a recommendation letter for a price of AED315.

To know more about the internship program, please coordinate with Mr. Trebb Gomez at +971 54 306 2150.

Filipino Institute reopens Sharjah campus in July; starts accepting enrollees in June The Filipino Institute is all set to reopen its campus in Sharjah this coming June to cater to the needs of Filipinos in the area who want to excel in their respective personal and professional careers.

Meanwhile, enrollment in its campus in the northern emirates will accept enrollees in May. “We have been receiving inquiries on when are we going to reopen the Sharjah campus. We have a large Filipino community in the area which’s why we are reopening this location. We want to cater to them the best and affordable education,” Mr. Gabriel John Rimando, founder and president of the Filipino Institute, said.

Sharjah campus is located at 1905 Belresheed Tower 1, Al Majez Area, the same building NMC Medical, Sharjah.

For inquiries, please contact Dean Cheryl Delim at +971 56 113 0989 THE GLOBAL FILIPINOS, THE STORY OF OUR SUCCESS

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Filipino Institute ID holders to get special rates from these restaurants, salon, etc in Dubai Filipino Institute’s ID is not only used to enter the training institute’s campus in Dubai, it can only also be used to avail special discounts from nearly 50 establishments in the country upon purchasing goods or services. The ID, which consists of a QR code along with the student’s personal information, is given to current and alumni Filipino Institute students in the emirate.

The laminated identification card is being given for free on its campus 604, Al Zarooni Building, Al Rigga, Deira, Dubai (the building is opposite of the ADCB buildingADCB Building, just beside the Avenue Hotel, and in the same building with Al Azaem Iraqui Restaurant). It’s valid for one year.

Below are the Filipino Institute’s merchant partners along with ID holders’ perks: Merchant Partners

Address Burjuman

Multiple Discounts, including FREE health assessment

Pancake House

Burjuman

15%

Gerry’s Grill

Burjuman

Buy 1 take 1 on selected items

Coral Perfumes Al Rigga

Al Rigga

10%

Radisson Blu Hotel Creek

Deira

10%

Off the Hook

Deira

10%

Zutto Suki

Deira

10%

Kubyertos Restaurant

Discovery Gardens

10%

O Leary’s Spots Restaurant

Al Barsha

10%

MPQ Travel

Al Satwa

Upon purchase

Kabayan Jewellery

Al Satwa

15%

Novotel World Trade Centre

World Trade Centre

AED75 Iftar Buffet

Hot Palayok

Karama

15% - Ala Carte | 10% Buffet

Smile Essentials Dental

Karama

15%

Joy Bubble

Al Qusais

25% on all large milk tea series

Coral Perfumes Muraqqabat

Murraqabat

10%

El Batangueno

Murraqabat

10%

Swissotel

Deira

10%

Avenue Hotel

Al Rigga

20% Corporate Rate

Manila 21

Al Rigga

15%

Manhattan Restaurant

Al Rigga

15%

Pilipinas Cargo

Karama

15%

Makati Express Cargo

Karama

10%

Veno Care

Sharjah and Dubai

25%

K Fit Gym

Al Rigga

10%

Clover Medical Center

Burjuman

Free registration & small X-ray | 30% dental

Hilton Hotel

Hilton Hotel

20% to all F&B outlets

Toufan Tyres

Murraqabat

15%

Chinese Star Restaurant

Karama

10%

Alab Gold and Diamond Jewellery

Al Fahidi

10%

Blush and Bloom Salon

Al Qusais

15%

Indulgence Beauty Salon

Murraqabat

10%

Miki Pao Restaurant

International City

10%

Barako Café

Al Rigga

10%

Time Onyx Hotel Apartments

Al Qusais

Upon transaction

St. Zita Cleaning Services

Dubai

Upon transaction

Golden Dragon Restaurant

Oud Metha

10%

Slab

Mercato Mall Ground Floor Free coffee on breakfast

Miss Wang

Majestic Retreat Hotel P1

Aaronic Atelier

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Discount

Right Health

20% Upon transaction

Blue Tree Clinics

Al Wasl Rd

30%

Vision and Style

Al Qusais

Free frame and consultation

Fiery Hotpot Restaurant

Burjuman

5%

Cancios’ Restaurant

Murraqabat

10%

Classy Missy Fashion

Wafi Mall

Upon purchase

Crystal Cargo

Deira

10%