Ian Sardoma Dable

Meet Ian Sardoma

Dable: A tale of hard work and triumph abroad

Living in a foreign land can be daunting, especially when you are away from family and friends. But for Ian Sardoma Dable, it was an opportunity to excel in his chosen field and reach his goals.

Ian, 35 years old, is an Email Support Representative for Etisalat UAE and Global Business Customers. He started working for the company in August 2015 as a Customer Service Representative and was later promoted to the position of NonVoice Support Associate for Business Customers in UAE. He is responsible for handling billing issues, inquiries, and technical problems faced by Etisalat customers around the clock through email. Ian is considered an escalation point or second-line support in place to investigate and fix incidents and requests that cannot be resolved by Frontline Customer Service.

As an SK Chairman at the age of 18, Ian learned the importance of serving the community and helping out-of-school youth. He also spent almost five years employed in the Call Center industry, catering to the needs of Australian clients. With his strong desire to succeed and establish his own business, Ian ventured overseas, leaving the comforts of his home country, the Philippines.

For Ian, working abroad provides him with the luxury of being able to indulge in his desires and travel to his heart’s content. During public holidays or annual leave, he has explored a variety of foreign destinations that he may not have had the chance to see otherwise.

However, it was not an easy journey for Ian. He had to endure struggles, especially when he started his business, IncreDable Café, in Leyte. Ian was low on funds, but with the unwavering support and generosity of his family, aunt, uncle, sister-inlaw, friends, and colleagues, his café went on to achieve great success.

Despite the challenges, Ian remains passionate about his work. Working at Etisalat, the leading telecom provider in the UAE, has been a source of pride for him. Having the opportunity to serve both UAE and international clients under the prestigious Etisalat brand is a privilege. While the job can be challenging, working in a multicultural team still brings a sense of camaraderie and enthusiasm to the workplace, inspiring them to work hard towards their goals.

Looking ahead, Ian sees himself managing both his villa and café business, IncreDable Café, while embarking on travels around the world with his family. He firmly believes that time spent with loved ones, creating cherished memories, is time well spent.

To our fellow kabayans struggling abroad, Ian’s advice is to prioritize working smart over working hard. This approach will help you find solutions to even the most challenging tasks. It’s also essential to make time for something you genuinely enjoy. Take a break from your oh-so-busylife and include quality leisure time. Travel while you’re young. You don’t have to be rich to travel well, and you won’t resent it later in life.

Ian also emphasizes the importance of being mindful of your spending. At times, you have to say “no” to good things to be able to say “yes” to important things. You can’t do it all. Be mindful and choose wisely.

Lastly, Ian suggests making more room for people who inspire you, people you can learn from, and people who are your role models. Focus on the good qualities you want to mimic. Remember, you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. When you know your circle, you never have to worry about people drilling holes in your boat.

Jasmin

C. Garcia

Working abroad has been a dream for many Filipinos as it gives an opportunity to learn about different cultures, traditions, and work ethics. Filipinos are known to be hardworking, dedicated, and passionate about their jobs. Jasmin C. Garcia, a Filipina Business Consultant and Lead Manager, is a perfect example of how Filipinos excel and succeed in their respective fields while working overseas.

Jasmin C. Garcia, a 48-year-old Filipina, has been working in the UAE for almost 22 years. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Adamson in Manila, Philippines and her Master’s degree in Child Psychology from De La Salle University in the same city. She also completed her Human Resources and Administration Diploma Professional from the Filipino Institute in Dubai, UAE. Her educational background has been instrumental in shaping her career path in the industry of Business Development, Customer Service, Account Management, and HR Management.

With a 20-year history of surpassing high sales quotas within highly competitive markets, Jasmin is an exceptional communicator with a consultative sales style. She has excellent account management skills, exceptional problem-solving abilities, and a keen client need assessment aptitude. Her core professional competencies include Strategic Sales and Marketing Campaigns, Executive Presentation and Negotiations, Budgeting, Forecasting, and Planning, Prospecting and Lead Generation, Key Account Acquisition and Retention, Cross-Functional Leadership, Staff Development and Management, and Customer Relationship Management.

Jasmin has worked with several companies in the FM industry in UAE, including Al Shirawi Facilities Management LLC, Portadata Solutions JLT, Coreserv Building Contracting, and Al Ikhaa Contracting Co. LLC. Currently, she is a Business Consultant and Lead Manager for Marina FM, a SemiGovernment organization in the UAE. Her role includes business development, customer service, account management, and HR management.

Jasmin’s exceptional skills and dedication to her work have earned her several recognitions and achievements. She is one of the chosen ten resilient women in the UAE FM industry for the year 2022. Her existing successful clients include Le Reve Residence Marina, Horizon Tower, Grandeur Residence in Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah Heights Residence, Landmark Hospitality, Hyatt Hotels, Rove Hotels (Emaar Properties), Movenpick Hotel, The Retreat Palm Sofitel, DAMAC, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment-Business.

Living and working abroad is an amazing way to learn about the world, oneself, and what it means to be a global citizen. However, working overseas also has its everyday struggles, and Jasmin has faced them with resilience and determination. She believes that the key to overcoming these struggles is to have a positive mindset, a passion for one’s work, and a strong support system.

When asked about her plan after working overseas, Jasmin shared her future plans and advocacies. She wants to inspire and help fellow Filipinos to achieve their dreams and pursue their passions. She believes that education is the key to success and wants to create a foundation that will provide educational assistance to underprivileged children in the Philippines. She also wants to promote mental health awareness and help people struggling with mental health issues.

Jasmin’s piece of advice to fellow Filipinos who are struggling abroad is to never give up on their dreams and to always strive for excellence. She emphasized the importance of staying connected with loved ones and finding the right people to trust. She also advised keeping a positive mindset, being open to learning and adapting, and pursuing one’s passions.