The Global Filipino Magazine | Issue 24 | April 2022

APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 24

Aris Varias Niere Striving for never ending improvement: OFW fulfills dreams in UAE

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

Filipino couple in UAE out of work for seven months due to Covid-19 now business owners A woman of influence: Filipina bridges the gap for students with special needs Filipino Institute recognized as LPU-Batangas’ industry partner

T G F M TABLE OF CONTENTs EDITORIAL BOARD GABRIEL JOHN RIMANDO Publisher RYAN NAMIA Editor-in-Chief ANGELO DUMAG Associate Editor ORLI GAYETA Sales and Marketing Manager ELAINE MARBELLA JOEL LARA GENOVE DARSHANI NIMANTHI RAJAPAKSHA Sales and Marketing ALLAN CARAGAO Senior Graphic Designer JONATHAN DUMAS Multimedia Manager RAYMART PATULOT Distribution Manager QASSIM QUERESHI Distribution Officer

FIND US @THEGLOBALFILIPINOMAGAZINE.COM

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

4

TGFM | APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 24

8 9 10 12 13 16 17 19 22 23 24 25 27 28 29 32 34 36 39 40 41

A woman of influence: Filipina bridges the gap for students with special needs Engr. Li H. Schonberg Seasoned Filipino journo among team of in-house media at just-concluded Expo 2020 Dubai - Jojo Dass Meet this Filipino from Dubai who collected 400 Expo pins with massive Expo canvas - Ronald Gelacio ‘Give your best shot in whatever you do, it will all be worth it’ - Maricel V. Abastillas Journey of kabayan food guide in UAE - Mico Banua From pizza delivery guy to owning swimming, surfing school in Dubai - Bimbo ‘Coach Bo’ L. Calitis Filipino couple in UAE out of work for seven months due to Covid-19 now business owners - Jayme and Miguel Valle Filipino in UAE living life in the sky - Justine Claire S Alfonso

Striving for never ending improvement: OFW fulfills dreams in UAE - Aris Varias Niere Filipino content creators and food connoisseurs using platform to champion Filipino dishes in UAE - Chuck ‘Chakoy’ Vosotros and Mark Anthony ‘Chef Mark’ Talavera Filipino in UAE living life in the sky - Fea Mariz Go

Filipina artist making waves in Dubai - Maria Elsa Eman Bacharpa ‘Finding a way to survive’: OFW in Dubai drowned in debt shares ‘golden’ rules of success - Ayah Lacanaria Fuentes ‘Life won’t be easy, but keep going’ - Kriselle Hazel Marce

OFW proves one can be better with second chance - Rosebel Ann Bejasa Balitaan Autism awareness month: How to spot if your child may have special educational needs.

2-year-old Filipina kid learns the value of sharing during Eid Al Fitr in UAE Atarah Kate Dalupan OFW in Dubai gives back to fellow Filipinos after getting ‘second life’ - Camilo Jordan Dignos Dreaming of migrating to Canada from UAE? Here’s the answer

Filipino Institute recognized as LPU-Batangas’ industry partner

T G F M

Engr. Li H. Schonberg A woman of influence: Filipina bridges the gap for students with special needs

K

ids progress at different rates and have various ways in which they learn best.

Others go through normal growth and development, and others have learning problems that make it harder for them to learn than most children the same age. This is where Engr. Li H. Schonberg, a mechatronic Robotics Engineer with a degree in Social Psychology Master of Studies in Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), bridges the gap for students with special needs in the UAE. Through her QAT Kid’s Development Centre, an Abu Dhabi-based specialized centre for students on the autism spectrum, they transform hopelessness into hope for parents. They work wholeheartedly with all children to achieve their full potential.

According to Engr. Li, in their QAT’s SPED department, they have trained teachers using a variety of techniques to teach students with varying levels of autism academic skills with innovative teaching styles in communication and STEAM, an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.

“Our goal is to provide innovative support for children with developmental disabilities and their families. We help them build independence, achieve personal goals and strengthen community participation. We want to dedicate the SPED department to helping students and their families with disabilities towards a brighter future,” the entrepreneur, a SEND certified and ABA therapist, said.

Composed of a professional team, QAT Kid’s Development Centre comprehensively

8

TGFM | APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 24

described as ‘parents-in-denial.’ addresses each individual’s learning program and emotional and social needs in a proactive concept. The centre has two key personnel: Miss Hiyas H. Nora, an expert in auditory-visual integration, and Miss Doaa Farghaly, a STEAM expert.

Engr. Li’s knowledge in robotics for autism is a significant boost to integrating the designed lesson inside the classroom into STEAM activities. This approach helps kids with autism to conquer challenges in particular and enjoy the engagement with other kids at school.

Apart from having interactive teachers, they also have robot assistant teachers to facilitate the required modified lessons for every child.

‘Parent-in-denial’ Engr. Li said that there are still parents who are in denial about their kids probably being on the autism spectrum or lack of autism’ acceptance’.

These are parents who won’t and can’t accept the situation of their kids. They are often

“They must understand that the repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviors or no interests in learning and oral-motor impairment are not normal. And this is the reason why we provide interventions to parents as well because it should be a unity between them and us,” she said.

She added that it is vital for other parents to accept that their child might require special help or education.

“Parents’ acknowledgment, support, and participation are key to the success of our program,” she further added.

She admits that one of the issues parents with a special child faces is financial constraints.

Parents would think that a centre for kids with autism comes with a huge amount.

But in reality, there are still centres that offer a high standard of service at an affordable cost, one of which is the QAT Kid’s Development Centre.

Jojo Dass Seasoned Filipino journo among team of in-house media at just-concluded Expo 2020 Dubai

A

seasoned Filipino journalist was among a diverse team of in-house media practitioners who constantly informed the world about the events and developments unfolding every day at the just-concluded Expo 2020 Dubai.

There also was Alejandra Fuentes of Honduras, who was actually scheduled to represent her country in the Miss World beauty pageant, but chose to come to Expo 2020 Dubai instead to be director of their pavilion. Dass said he got a chance to talk to her on another assignment.

“It was an experience of a lifetime, a career milestone, and I’m forever grateful to Expo 2020 for the wonderful opportunity and to a wonderful team at the News Service bureau to which I was the only Filipino member of,” said Jojo Dass, who arrived in the city to become editor of at least three Dubai-based international magazines simultaneously from 2008 to 2015.

Dass said he likewise may not forget his interview with Martin Strel, veteran longdistance swimmer from Slovenia who has bragging rights to a number of Guinness World Records for swimming across major rivers of the world, including the Amazon.

Sharing his experience, Dass, born and raised in Manila, Philippines, said: “There never was a dull moment.

“No two days were the same. From being in a room with royalties and heads of states, interviewing New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta or Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema for instance; to rushing backstage for a quick pre-concert Q&A with Pinoy music icons Ely Buendia, PNE’s Chito Miranda, or the wild-hearted sons of Kamikazee, my six-month stint at the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’ - - the justconcluded Expo 2020 Dubai - - was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Expo 2020 Dubai brought 192 countries together for over 182 days from Oct. 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 in the midst of a pandemic, to discuss and promote anything from climate change and women’s right to the latest smart technologies, space travel and beyond. A total of 24.1 million visits were recorded.

Each country had a pavilion showcasing their national pride as well as investment opportunities back home.

The theme of the world fair was, “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” which could not have been more appropriate as world leaders

gravitate to that 438-hectare piece of desert land converted into a state-of-the-art city that served as a global meeting place from which to chart the course of history.

Among his memorable experiences, Dass said, were a visit by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parlin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State on the occasion of the Holy See’s “Honour Day,” and that of US Commerce Secretary Gina M. Raimondo, who attended the USA “National Day” at the global fair.

Aside from these, Dass said he also had the opportunity to see “Lucy,” whom he “met” at the Ethiopia Pavilion on assignment. Lucy is the nickname given by archaeologists to skeleton fossils, one of the oldest known human ancestors, which was discovered on Nov. 24, 1974 in Hadar, Ethiopia.

He said he was also fortunate to witness the jaw-dropping Alter 3, a humanoid robot, conduct a human orchestra and sang with the music before a huge crowd at one of the Expo’s concert grounds – the Jubilee Park.

Dass shared that a UK-based human resource company invited him for a stint with Expo 2020 Dubai. He said he went through a remote and timed, written exam on editing, another on essay writing, and two interviews by the heads of what he would later on come to know as the Expo Communications Team (ECT).

“I’ve noticed how diverse we were as a team.

There was a Dutch, an Irish, a French, a Cambodian-Russian, an Indian national, lots of British, lots more Arabs – Egyptians, Syrians, and an Algerian, among others – and me, a Filipino,” Dass said.

Dass joined the Filipino diaspora in 1996 and pursued his career as a journalist. He had written for the Manila Chronicle and the Manila Times before going abroad.

Dass currently provides content services.

consultancy

and

The World Expo is a global event celebrating advances made in various fields. It was supposed to be held in Dubai in 2020 but was a moved a year later due to the Covid pandemic.

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

9

T G F M

Ronald Gelacio Meet this Filipino from Dubai who collected 400 Expo pins with massive Expo canvas

I

t has been almost a month since the world’s greatest show, Expo 2020 Dubai, closed its curtains. Many stories have already been told about its guests, regular visitors, and organizers.

Visitors from across the world relished the moments they had experienced during the six-month-long event. Long-time UAE resident Ronald Gelacio has been playing a significant role in the Expo 2020 Dubai’s formation. He has

10

TGFM | APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 24

to kids and adults who wanted to have one. His passion for collecting pins led him to be friends with Michael Angelo, Allen, Ryan, Aireen, Yska, and many more.

been working as a delivery management system specialist for five years now at the Expo 2020 Dubai.

He is one of the in-charge of the online scheduling system utilized by suppliers, participants, and internal Expo 2020 Dubai departments. They also regulate the flow of all vehicles carrying goods and vehicles performing maintenance work at the site.

Before being part of the mega event, Ronald’s first job was as a professional tour guide. He then worked as a sales executive for different tourism and construction companies until he became a UPS deliver package delivery man.

“Nakaka-proud as a Filipino na maging part ako nito, lalo na sa operations side ng Expo 2020 Dubai. And yung ma-meet mo yung ibatibang tao from different parts of the world, yung engagement mo sa kanila, connections, regardless of their age, cultures, races, and beliefs. Parang iisang family lang,” Ronald, who has been working and living in the UAE for 16 years now, said.

Expo 2020 Dubai’s biggest fan The Filipino could be one of the biggest fans of Expo 2020 Dubai after collecting memories and memorabilia at the event. During his free time at the venue, he collected pins to be given away

Ronald has more than 400 pins collected during the entire six-month-long event.

“I am not keeping all the spare pins for myself, mas gusto kong i-share ang pins sa ibang tao lalo na sa mga late na nag-collect, until now I am still collecting,” he said.

The Filipino also has a 1 metre by 1 metre canvas of the site’s map. He started doing it in February which now has more than 200 stamps and 192 flags of participating countries.

The canvas was also signed by His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and His Highness Nahyan nin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Expo 2020 Dubai General Commissioner.

The Expo 2020 Dubai map is now safe in a frame and displayed in his home.

“Nakita ko yung groundbreaking, hanggang sa pagtatayo ng mga pavilions. It’s a bittersweet experience kasi natapos na siya. Pero I can say na nag-enjoy ako sa Expo 2020 Dubai talaga and looking forward ako sa Expo 2025 sa Osaka, Japan,” he added.

When asked about what he missed about the event, Ronald said it was the concert, food, people, and collecting memories of the event.

“Madami ako nakakausap na tao. We shared stories, I gained many friends, and until now nakakausap ko pa din sila.” he further added.

T G F M

from time to time and feels nostalgic for remembering good and not-so-good memories, she is happy with the direction that she is going as she found the perfect balance of doing what she loves being happy with it.

Maricel V. Abastillas

Moving to a foreign land does not come without its challenges. She recalled filing a complaint against a previous employer and had to present herself before the labor office in the capital, wherein she won the case over; losing a job and having to wait for months to get a new one, and traveling to the farthest emirate for an interview; walking in the scorching heat to attend walk-in interviews; losing funds and unable to send money to family, getting chased by banks and individuals unable to pay debts and bills on time; and overstaying for four months because her employer did not secure her an employment visa.

When asked about her plans after working as an employee, Maricel said she would pursue her dream to settle in countries such as Canada or Australia.

‘Give your best shot in whatever you do, it will all be worth it’

“It is important to live within our means and avoid overspending. Avoid getting engaged with credit cards and bank loans. I am guilty about it and had struggled as well. While working overseas and able, save, get insured and practice tithing,” her advice for OFWs on finances.

M

aricel V. Abastillas has recently bid goodbye to his 13 years of expatriate life in Abu Dhabi. She joined the Philippine government’s repatriation efforts to be reunited with her family back home. In the UAE, she has immersed herself in the oil, gas, and energy industries for many years.

The many years of working overseas in a diverse and multi-cultural environment helped her fit in quickly when she joined Shell in the Philippines last year as the senior document and data controller.

Maricel, a licensed forester by profession, has worked with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Philippines for a decade before pursuing an opportunity overseas.

She went to the UAE on a tourist visa in October 2007 and after two exits to Iran, she landed a job in January 2008 as a secretary to the managing director of a local company in the capital of the UAE. In 2014, she was given a good career break by joining the oil and gas industry as a document controller. She was part of the management team that executed one of its major EPC projects in 2018 called the Taweelah Gas Compress Station Project.

Maricel almost shifted to Hong Kong when she was interviewed and eventually invited to attend a three-week training to join their team.

Considering the job continuity and longevity, she decided to stay with her Abu Dhabi job.

12

Her personal advice to her fellow OFW is to live their lives as if it’s their last.

addicted to the “stress” and pressures given to me by the team, especially during those-end of those month closing days,” she said.

Working with multinational companies had been her dream. She is thankful that she was given a few opportunities in Abu Dhabi to work with these companies.

“Yet, while working overseas, we were anxious about how long our employment would be, not to mention the unpredictable market situation or the fear of being retrenched when the company will be needing to downsize its number of employees,” she continued.

Maricel said that it was not an easy decision to give up her UAE career, but considering the years she has been away with her children and her family, she felt it was high time to settle in the Philippines while getting a good position with a company like Shell.

Working as the licensing and sales administrator for the sales team with ADCO-OPCO offices was her biggest break and challenging role.

“Looking back, I’ve just been working every day, I didn’t know what a weekend was. I associated success with work. For me, I am not successful or happy if I do not work. I missed birthdays and milestones, I missed real-life experiences because I would choose work over that, and then realized during the pandemic, years went by, and I missed a lot,” she added.

“I loved being challenged though and got

Although she misses her life in the UAE

TGFM | APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 24

“To me, this sounds difficult to follow considering our fluctuating emotions. Just give your best shot in whatever you do – one day, it will all be worth it,” she concluded.

Mico Banua Journey of kabayan food guide in UAE

G

journey taught me to always believe in myself with utmost humility,” he further added.

Mico is described as a very adventurous person even at a younger age. He recalled being fascinated by cookbooks and food magazines.

He has already worked with over 400 food brands in Dubai. he is also the brand ambassador of Dubai’s flagship water bottle brand Mai Dubai.

rowing up in the Philippines, Mico Banua has always loved staying in the kitchen, helping his grandmother prepare Filipino dishes in a wide variety. This made him passionate about food as this paved the way for his curiosity about different types of delicacies.

“I guess I am an artist by heart--I used to cut out the photos and create a collage out of it,” he said.

However, he took a different path in college and studied a course that was not in line with his passion. He finished Chemical Engineering to pursue what his parents wanted him to be.

Before embarking on an overseas journey, most of Mico’s professional life revolved around the BPO industry, leading and managing operations.

Fast forward, he came to Dubai in hopes of better opportunities. He worked as an account manager in a maintenance company for four years and got promoted to client services manager.

“Working overseas, of course, sets bigger financial opportunities but more than that, getting to know new people across the world and learning from them is something I really appreciate,” he said.

Mico’s food journey started amid the Covid-19 pandemic. One day, while he was planning to post something on social media, he realized that there wasn’t any content to post until he found some of the food photos he had taken during his previous trips or in just some of his regular dine out in the UAE. “I was surprised when I got really good feedback

from my followers, from a huge number of likes to hearty comments, so I continued posting food photos and videos,” he said.

During the lockdown period, he took advantage of it by honing his cooking and photography skills, which he happily shared on his social media platforms.

Mico said that his main objective is to uplift the spirit of the Filipino community in the region that they can excel too. He also wants the other nationalities to see that Filipinos are skillful and talented individuals.

Until one day, a food brand reached out to him and offered delivery in exchange for featuring their product on his page and other platforms.

“And of course, being the giddy me, I accepted the offer,” Mico said.

Since then, he started getting more collaborations and dining review invites, even more after the lockdown period.

“My inner foodie prince just wouldn’t let me stay at home. I am very fortunate to have been invited for a restaurant review or visit on a daily basis,” he said, revealing that there were even times when he had to attend two food reviews in a day.

Mico would like to think that he can help restaurants and brands showcase their specialties through his platforms in his humble little ways, especially during these trying times.

“Amidst the meaningful experiences, this

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

13

T G F M

died when he was only nine, the responsibility to look after his family became his top priority.

He worked odd jobs, including being a barter, cigarette vendor, gasoline boy, carwash boy, newspaper vendor, construction worker, balot vendor, puto bungbong seller, bus conductor, salesman, pizza delivery guy and dishwasher, tricycle driver, and many more.

Bimbo ‘Coach Bo’ L. Calitis

Bimbo has only studied until first-year high school, but that didn’t hinder him from running as the youth leader in their Barangay. From that time, he knew that he was always born a leader.

Life as an entrepreneur According to him, as a businessman, one will always face all sorts of struggles--from family members, friends, and even oneself.

“You will experience rock bottom in your life emotionally and financially because not everyone will understand the path that you decide to take alone. And I chose to be with my own, to have a control of my own life, time, and happiness. And not be just an employee for the rest of my life overseas,” he said.

“I know that every hardship is a process to reach the top. To overcome this, I learned to love myself more. And when you take care of yourself, you will have a healthy mind and body. And everything will follow,” Bimbo further added.

From pizza delivery guy to owning swimming, surfing school in Dubai

L

ike surfing on the endless ocean, life is all about wave selection and finding balance. When Bimbo ‘Coach Bo’ L. Calitis realized that his income after hustling some jobs in the Philippines was insufficient for his family, he decided to work abroad.

He accepted to work as a pizza delivery guy in Saudi Arabia in 2005. Two years after, he ran away from his employer for treating him unfairly, which promoted him to work illegally in Jeddah as a coffee maker for a car distribution company.

Undocumented, he then worked as a taxi driver in the same area to make ends meet. One day, Bimbo was caught by the authorities for having incomplete documents. He was put behind bars for almost a month until their provincial governor in Cavite in the Philipines had sent him a letter that he would be helped to get back home. He recalled his experience, both of his hands and feet were shackled like a criminal before he was let go at the immigration.

Traveling back to the Philippines with literally nothing but his clothes on, a fellow Filipino asked what happened to him. Out of concern, the good samaritan gave him P500 that he used to ride a bus from Manila to his place in Cavite.

He was also advised by the stranger to try his luck in Dubai.

Trying his luck one more time overseas, he returned to the Middle East. This time, in Dubai. He worked as a basketball referee,

16

TGFM | APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 24

waiter, lifeguard, swimming instructor, standup paddleboard instructor, head of a water sports company, then surfing instructor.

“Surfing is my happiness, and it keeps me strong and healthy inside and out. I enjoy being connected to nature, and it made me humble and thankful in life,” Bimbo said.

When he was fully equipped with skills and knowledge from his previous works, he decided to build his own company in Dubai, the Amphibious LLC, which focuses on water sports and fitness activities. Bimbo’s swimming and surfing school is passionate and committed to helping and teaching Filipinos and everyone else to have a healthy and sustainable lifestyle and environmental awareness.

I am deeply passionate about encouraging individuals to embrace the surfing culture. The most satisfying thing about what I love to do is when I help them change their way of life for the better. When you become a surfer, you will be an environmentalist at the same time because you want to protect the thing that makes you happy, “mother nature,” the environmentalist said.

Life back in the Philippines Before achieving his current status, Bimbo had suffered and sacrificed a lot. When his father

concerned and we try to do what’s best for our employees and customers. As the saying goes, “You can not pour from an empty cup.” That’s why it’s important that we take time to rest and take care of ourselves,” Jayme said.

Jayme and Miguel Valle Filipino couple in UAE out of work for seven months due to Covid-19 now business owners

L era.

ife can’t beat up those people who won’t give up. Filipino couple and fighters Jayme and Miguel Valle lived a peaceful life together during the pre-pandemic

They both started working in one of the leading nightclubs and restaurants in the UAE. Jayme was food and drink runner at first before she was promoted to waitress a few months ago.

There, she received some recognitions and awards from the company. Hard work really paid off—she was paid well and received a lot of commissions.

After being together for five years, Jayme and Migue finally decided to tie the knot in Dubai.

It was all harmonious until the pandemic distracted the world from greater threats–both in business and health. Both of their salaries were cut by 50 percent for almost a year, and they were out of work for seven months.

For them, it wasn’t an easy phase. They were left with two options: (1) apply for another company; (2) or go back home for good.

The married couple is now happy and working full-time in their business that they call Potaters.

They are planning to expand the business through franchising to other major cities in the UAE and soon outside the region.

Their goal is to have many stores so they can bring more people on board and provide business opportunities for their future franchisors.

Jayme, who is part of the usher ministry in their church, and Miguel, the ministry leader, aim to support their families, employees, and church by donating a portion of their profits to a charity.

“What I enjoy most about this business is the fact that every time you come to work, you make someone’s day a little better. This business is all about people. It’s about making people happy,” Miguel said.

“There are ups and downs, but that’s the beauty of it: there’s always room for innovation, and there will always be innovators,” he added.

“We were very confused, yet we did not want to make impulsive decisions. While we waited, we focused on serving God,” Jayme said.

During those unprecedented times, they were actively serving in their church and leading life groups.

Believing in the omniscient’s perfect timing, their calling for their lives was finally revealed to them.

“Truly, true obedience brings blessings,” she said.

In April 2021, they opened their first food kiosk.

When they announced it on their social media channels, they received inquiries from their families and friends, but some of the messages they received were discouraging.

The Filipino couple did not let the negativity overpower their aim.

They admitted that opening a business amid a pandemic was challenging as it requires quick, calculated steps, not to mention the new regulations imposed by the government from time to time.

“We all experience a lot of intense emotions in these ever-changing times, and we entrepreneurs are no exception. We are

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

17

Justine Claire S Alfonso Filipino in UAE living life in the sky

B

orn and raised in Manila, Justine Claire S Alfonso learned to play the piano at age 7. She was also introduced to ballet at a young age, shortly after her sister.

Afterward, she ventured into sports, specifically figure skating.

Her love for the sport has materialized until she competed in Skate Asia in 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand, and won a gold award in her category. It was that time when she decided to focus more on her education, as per her choice and her family’s.

In 2018, shortly after graduating, she went to Dubai for a quick vacation. She tried the tandem skydive in the emirate, a form of skydiving that allows people to experience the thrill of freefall while securely harnessed to an experienced instructor.

The adrenaline rush of falling free at more than 100 miles per hour made her decide to secure her skydiving license. When she got back to Dubai to enroll in Skydive Dubai, she eventually fulfilled her dream to be a licensed skydiver.

Justine, who is currently based in Abu Dhabi, said that the emirate has been an amazing place to live in, in the sense of safety and security.

Apart from skydiving, she also skates from time to time to keep in shape.

“There will always be ups and downs, there are some who will agree and disagree with you, but at the end of the day, you will just have to keep things fair and just,” she said.

On top of her struggles living overseas is the homesickness. Until now, according to her, she is yet to overcome it as she still suffers from homesickness when she misses her family back home.

Her ultimate dream is to just live her life to the fullest, make her family happy, proud, and enjoy life.

“We are not defined by the things we own. I want them to be happy and have fun, but not by giving luxurious material things, yes, it’s nice to have high-quality things once in a while.

But what I would invest in more is for them to experience what life has to offer apart from the designer bags, shoes, wallets, etc,” she added.

Justine has been training for the past few months for a skydiving competition in Abu Dhabi. She and her fiance, who is also a licensed and professional skydiver, were under the 2-way skydiving formation category and were up against six other teams on which they placed first. Their team scored a total of 52 formations in the sky over a series of six jumps.

In each jump, they were given a starting exit altitude of 10,500 feet and a time limit of 35 seconds upon exiting the plane to complete as much formation as possible.

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

19

T G F M

Aris Varias Niere Striving for never ending improvement: OFW fulfills dreams in UAE

U

ndoubtedly, moving abroad is a challenge. For some, it could be the biggest one they will ever face.

However, working overseas can also launch one’s international career and open doors for new opportunities, while crosscultural competencies will go through the roof.

Aris Varias Niere climbed the corporate ladder with the right formula and now plays as a customer service manager at Sika UAE LLC, a 100-year-old Swiss company that branched in Dubai.

Before fulfilling his dreams in the UAE, Aris started as a humble high school teacher like his mother, then as a college instructor for four years. After getting married, he sold tiles and marbles for homes to support the family’s needs. Because life with a family has higher demands, Aris needed to leave the teaching profession and venture into the world of the BPO industry.

“It was a different experience as the working time is opposite where you need to work at night and sleep during day time. It wasn’t easy because I saw my wife early in the morning as I came home as she was already preparing

22

TGFM | APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 24

for work. The only time we can have a meal together is during breakfast. When she comes home at night, I already left to work,” he recalled.

Although his wife had a good-paying job back in the Philippines, she wanted to work overseas to add financial support to the family. His wife explained their situation if both of them worked abroad and what future they could give to their children. With strong will and determination, they were motivated to move forward and take the risk for them to have a better future by embarking on an overseas journey in 2006.

Diamonds in the rough “It was not easy, not so easy at all like how we see it before in the newspapers or movies.

Looking for a new job/career abroad is different as we need to strife to our best,” Aris said when asked about the first few months in the UAE. Living with total strangers in a shared apartment was not something Aris would have thought of experiencing. They used to live in their own space, and having privacy is paramount for him.

“It was shocking at first, but then we need to learn and understand why the situation is like that. Then the job hunting was also difficult because there are also many job hunters and we need to be picky to make sure that the job we landed is what we can do, we like and have good pay,” he said.

His first work was as a website salesman, where he knocked at the doors of offices, introduced himself, and presented their services while walking on a scorching summer. It also took him three times back and forth before he landed a decent job that gave him a break as a logistics in-charge cum IT admin and PRO. His journey in the corporate world started with Worldwide Marketing Consultants, which allowed him to bring his kids to Dubai. This is where he enhanced his skills and took the supply chain route as a career.

Presently, his work as a customer service manager allows him to do things differently on how to handle various situations.

“What I like about my work is the decisions we made to make things happen. Sometimes or most of the time, we work beyond our tasks to ensure things will be done to our standards,” he added.

Aris advised his fellow Filipinos abroad to be brave as struggles are always part of growth.

“Don’t stop till you’re satisfied. Create your standards and never fall out of them. Lastly, do not forget the people who helped you when you struggled. That never left your side when you were starting. Be grateful to them, and for the life you are having. Look up and say, ‘thank you, God, for everything I have’,” he said.

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

23

T G F M

Chuck ‘Chakoy’ Vosotros and Mark Anthony ‘Chef Mark’ Talavera Filipino content creators and food connoisseurs using platform to champion Filipino dishes in UAE

A

bu Dhabi-based Filipinos Chuck ‘Chakoy’ Vosotros and Mark Anthony Talavera share the same passion in life: to create content for social media, and the other is to eat and cook food.

Chakoy, who initially worked as a receptionist for a five-star hotel in Dubai in 2005, currently works at a renowned private community management company. Meanwhile, Mark, fondly called ‘Chef Mark’, works at a private telecommunications and maintenance company in the capital of the UAE.

24

TGFM | APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 24

year turned out for us and Wandering Kusina,” Chef Mark said.

After working hard for a couple of years, their platform--Wandering Kusina--has started getting invitations from different restaurants in the capital, wanting to be featured by them.

On their platform, they have a segment called Restaurant Raid. They vlog their first visit to small and medium restaurants, give their honest opinion about their food and service, and further promote it to the growing community in Abu Dhabi. As part of their advocacy, they prioritize restaurants that serve Filipino food.

“Being content creators help us contribute to the society by way of expressing our creativeness and giving our audience ideas on how to prepare a dish, and provide information on where they can enjoy a meal with their family and friends,” Chakoy said.

When Chakoy was still young, he knew that he would be a food connoisseur. He recalled preparing food for his siblings with whatever food he could find in their kitchen or edible he could find inside their fridge.

Working overseas, he developed a strong desire to return to those things, and they linger on him.

As soon as he came back to Abu Dhabi, he started thinking about it. The regained enthusiasm gave him a new reason to keep on living. Chakoy entered the world of vlogging.

Equipped with all the materials for vlogging, he thought of the things that were sensible in front of his camera, but he didn’t know how to deliver them.

He then remembered all the printed materials about recipes he had kept for many years. He thought it was a start.

Chakoy then decided to shoot his first food vlog.

At that time, he cooked the famous chicken adobo. “It was a continuous learning,” he said.

On the other hand, Chef Mark started as his vlog’s regular guest. Hailing from Pampanga, the culinary capital of the Philippines, he definitely knows his things in the kitchen.

When it comes to making dishes, baking, and preparing Filipino desserts, he is innovative and skilled.

When the two clicked and developed chemistry in front of the camera, the Wandering Kusina vlog started making the rounds of social media.

“We were all ecstatic and so grateful for how the

“Now that we have started to fulfill our passion for cooking through vlogging, we can confidently express our skills and our food ideas with different recipes by being creative and innovative. These give us fulfillment.

These gave us new directions and paths to take. It helped open doors for us and meet new opportunities. It saved us from being idle in life,” Chef Mark said.

Their vision for the platform gives them more hope for themselves and as Filipinos.

When asked about their plans for Wandering Kusina, they said it is to expand their reach, not just in the UAE but also in the Philippines.

and modeling industry, she, too, experienced many struggles, including self-doubt.

“It was very difficult to be a young model in an industry where one has to slowly work their way to being confident and find one’s worth, especially as an Asian and a young girl. There were many standards or ideas of beauty before diversity came into the modeling industry,” she said.

Fea Mariz Go

Fea, however, understands the beauty of being an Asian, especially being a Filipina. Asian models and Filipina beauty queens are the people she looks up to, but most importantly, seeing Asians in magazines on billboards inspired her and gave her hope to love her skin more.

“This gave me the ability to overcome a struggle and learning the impact of the fashion industry on young girls will affect them greatly, like me at a young age,” she added.

Filipina teen in Dubai making waves in the fashion and modeling industry

Fea wants to be an advocate for young girls to find their beauty within.

A

“As a young Filipina living abroad, I am beyond proud to represent the Philippines to the world,” Fea further added.

t the age of five, Fea Mariz Go, now 15, started a modeling career in Dubai. She was involved in several projects, including conquering the international arena by being an extra actress for the Hollywood film Startrek Beyond.

Her appearance on the e-commerce platforms and participation in the hit film has paved the way for greater heights. Not only did it open new doors of opportunities, but it also became the beginning of her new journey at a young age.

Her parents brought her to Dubai to be part of a world where one can expand their horizons and look for better opportunities.

At first, modeling was just a hobby for her, but she learned to appreciate the field as she grew into the work.

“Modeling and being a model taught me the power of image and the impact of the modeling industry to society,” she said.

“I enjoy the creativity and artistry of modeling through photography and fashion. I enjoy working and making acquaintances with talented international photographers, makeup artists, stylists, and other models, who taught me the beauty of their work and mine,” she added.

The teen has done interviews that focused on raising awareness for growth and self-esteem through her experiences as a model. In one of her TV interviews, she focused on diversity and learning to appreciate one’s capability regardless of one’s ethnicity and looks which is a message to young kids, especially young girls.

“Working overseas taught me a lot about the world. It taught me how to be open-minded about people. I like how I learned about diversity, cultures, and languages,” Fea said.

Despite her flourishing career in the fashion

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

25

“I have to learn from my mistakes and become a better person. I see the need back home, and I have continued to support my parents out of love for them. It is hard to be far away from my family, and my devotion to God is the only one that gives me strength and joy to face every situation,” she said.

Maria Elsa Eman Bacharpa

During the pandemic, her dad died due to the virus. She wasn’t able to go home to say her last goodbye. Since it was one of the most challenging phases of her life abroad, she had contacted all of her friends in the emirate, asked to say a little prayer, and he accepted any help they could offer.

When asked about her plans after spending years overseas, Elsa said she would carry all her experiences and has learned over the years in arts and fashion wherever her fate takes her.

A person who is passionate about teaching, she also wants to share her knowledge with the youth on how to hone their skills in arts further.

“I learn a lot of things here abroad, some of it is undesirable, but I grow as a person. You will know a true friend when you’re in the hardest times of your life, and keep them with you and be grateful. Keep your spiritual anchor in God when there are times of testing, He is always full of grace and mercy to bring you out of temptations. Stay humble, and do not be pretentious in what you have,” she said.

Filipina artist making waves in Dubai

B

orn to a family of artists in Davao City in the Philippines, Maria Elsa Eman Bacharpa is an established visual artist and has worked on many commission projects, including interior design in the Philippines. For 13 years now, she has been working as a painter, illustrator, graphic designer, and interior designer in the UAE. From an early age, Elsa was trained to paint with her parents and aunt. Most of her training was refined when her family opened a fabric painting business led by one of her aunts.

There, they were contracted by a local fashion designer to produce fabric paintings on a variety of clothes, from casual dresses to elegant formal wear.

She traveled to Dubai in 2009 after receiving an offer to work as a multi-functional artist. The three-month contract opened an opportunity for her to work as a full-time graphic artist, interior designer, and draftsman in a company.

Elsa became part of many fashion houses, and in her free time, she is privileged to work with leading fashion designers in the emirate. Since 2011, she has collaborated with fashion icon Michael Cinco for his fashion collections by producing fabric paintings on various fashion pieces.

She is best described as a person with big ideas and an overachiever in everything that comes her way. She thought that Dubai would be a better place and opportunity for her talent. She never thought she would stay in the emirate for very long, but here she is, 13 years later,

conquering the fashion world in the region.

Presently, she works as a visual merchandiser in a furniture company. She is passionate about in-home styling and making their retail store feel cozy and elegant. The experiences she has gained over the years working as a visual merchandiser gave her the confidence to make a brilliant and effective design for every home interior business and for the customers who require furniture, concept, and styling in their homes.

Life, for Elsa, is not always as glittery as seen on fashion runways. She recalled when she was not paid for her job well and got cheated with her paycheck.

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

27

T G F M

her advocacy to help less fortunate students in the Philippines by providing them with educational supplies. And since she and KD both love dogs, they are also planning to set up a shelter for them.

Ayah Lacanaria Fuentes

In a span of six months, through her dedication, she was able to purchase her first car. She also bids goodbye to bed space as she can now afford a two-bedroom apartment that can house her family.

“I am very grateful to every person in my circle right now, my staff, my family, and especially KD,” she said.

Find a way to survive Ayah advised her fellow Filipinos abroad who are currently struggling not to lose hope.

“Keep moving and find a way to survive. We come abroad to try our luck and make it work.

You just need to believe in yourself and put some effort to do it,” she said.

She also urged those who love shopping to invest in gold instead.

‘Finding a way to survive’: OFW in Dubai drowned in debt shares ‘golden’ rules of success

A

yah Lacanaria Fuentes lost her work even before the pandemic took a toll on the world economy with more than AED200,000 in debt from the people she knows. She faced many struggles when she pitched her business plan and asked for their support. None from her circle helped her, especially since she was jobless at that time.

Ayah, who arrived in the UAE in 2014 to work in a leading jewelry company, met with other people to realize her dreams. When she was about to start with it, the Covid-19 pandemic happened, leaving her with piles of debt. Apart from having debt, she had to buy her visa as well.

“I got so depressed, especially my husband, because we have a loan to pay and so much interest to pay from creditors,” she said.

At that time, they were fighting for their lives just to survive. The couple fought almost every day when the lockdown was imposed on the country.

“That was the time I will never forget, slowly, I was losing hope for everything,” she said.

Ayah recalled eating instant noodles for days as they were out of groceries and money to support them.

Good things happen

28

TGFM | APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 24

“Finding the right people to trust is very hard, especially here abroad. I got a lot of friends here, but as time passed by, people changed.

But now I can really see that I am with the right people, especially in business,” she said.

“To all the online sellers like me, we are all doing a good job,” Ayah further added.

The Filipina, who worked in a canteen near a school in Manila as an auditor, finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. He vividly remembered when a guy reached out to her, and it was the owner of the jewelry company she was getting accessories from to sell. The entrepreneur, KD, asked her for a favor, and it was the start of their business relationship and the development of their trust bond.

Because of their partnership, Ayah was able to pay off her debts. KD then let her borrow some cash and jewelry to sell in the market so Ayah could further pay off her existing debts.

In December 2020, Ayah decided to be relocated to Dubai, but to make that happen, she needed to settle the AED117,000 debt she had from her previous company.

“I was very shocked at that time. I didn’t know I had that much credit. But the magic happened.

I think KD is my angel in disguise because I paid all my credit,” she said.

Today, Ayah is now spearheading her Gold Invest business in Dubai, catering gold accessories for expatriates in the country.

She said that she is grateful to all the people who have supported her all the way.

The businesswoman said she plans to continue

Kriselle Hazel Marce ‘Life won’t be easy, but keep going’

L

ife is not easy. One must have perseverance and, above all, confidence.

This is the exact formula that Kriselle Hazel Marce, a resident of Dubai for eight years, used to keep herself afloat while living overseas.

The 36-year-old Filipina worked in a multinational flavor company in the Philippines as a quality control assistant and quality control technician for two years.

the Middle East and Africa. She researches food flavorings and develops a food product with an acceptable taste profile for their market. She has learned how the other side of the world has different taste preferences and how a strawberry flavor can differ from one country to another.

At work, Kriselle deals with various projects and customers. She treats each project as a challenge that she aspires to win over.

It was 2014 when she received a message on her LinkedIn account by a fellow Filipino working in Dubai. She was offered to work in a flavor company. At that time, she was just a fresh graduate with a master’s degree and had been on a hiatus in her professional for almost two years. It was also the year when her father died.

“Working abroad makes me see people from different walks of life; it has shown me the different cultures and traditions of other people and nationalities. In the UAE, the majority of the population is expats. I am better off working overseas; living abroad has molded me into an independent, competent, and compassionate person,” she said.

Kriselle thought that, perhaps, that was the best time to work abroad to help herself recover from the loss of her father and start again with her career.

Overcoming struggles

She accepted the job offer since it’s also in line with her previous work experiences. Fast forward, through her perseverance, she is now an application specialist for a leading supplier of food and beverage ingredients, dairy and agro commodities, and hospitality products in

In 2020, she was tested by fate. Her mother started undergoing dialysis for her kidney disease. It was tough for the Marce family financially as they had to keep up with their mother’s medical expenses. The worst was when their mother contracted Covid-19 last year and the rate of her dialysis treatment per session tripled because she had to go at a different time from the non-Covid patients.

The Marce siblings started a fundraising drive among their relatives, and sold some of their properties in the Philippines for her medical bills. Today, fully recovered, their mother undergoes dialysis three times a week until they can organize a kidney transplant.

“Though we are far from one another as my elder sister is also overseas, this battle makes us closer than before with constant communication and our faith in God stronger,” she said.

Kriselle said when she retires soon, she will be back to the Philippines to fulfill her dream of establishing a coffee-bake shop, a dream of hers since she was a little girl. She also plans to join her mother in her non-government organization that empowers women by teaching them livelihood education, such as food processing, so that they can start small businesses for a living.

“Never give up. Life won’t be easy but keep going; there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Keep open communication with your families back home and make them your inspiration in achieving your dreams,” she said when asked to advise her fellow Filipinos abroad.

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

29

T G F M T

hey say that second chances are not given to make things right but to prove that one can be better even. This was the case for Rosebel Ann Bejasa Balitaan, an Abu Dhabi-based assistant store manager and visual merchandizer.

The optimistic Filipina, fondly called Bella, arrived in the UAE in 2014. A single mother with two boys, her goal was to give them the life that her parents let her experience. She tries all her best to support them unconditionally.

She thought this could be the least thing she could do since she hadn’t been home for three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

When she arrived in the country, she realized that one doesn’t have much of an option but to work hard. Bella recalled working as a barista for a coffee shop and then returning to her place only to cry her heart out because she missed her family back home.

She then learned how to enjoy life overseas

32

TGFM | APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 24

Rosebel Ann Bejasa Balitaan OFW proves one can be better with second chance

with friends. She befriended her colleagues until they became families.

Her network had expanded when she transferred to another company, a leading apparel group in the country. As a sales associate, she was tasked with maintaining customer relationships in order to build long-term brand loyalty.

After all the hard work for two years, Bella was promoted to assistant store manager; subsequently, the company gave her another responsibility to handle, which is visual merchandiser.

From being a burden to championing in life When Bella was in college studying Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management, she was determined to finish the course. However, she got pregnant, so she had to stop going to school and tend to her pregnancy.

Her OFW mother decided that she would only

go back to school after giving birth. Another unplanned baby came, which kept her from getting the college diploma her mother aspired for.

Bella’s parents decided to take her to the UAE. “She’s my inspiration from the beginning. We always thought that working abroad was easy until we did not experience the way they have been through we will not know the life they have been through,” she said.

Working for 12 to 16 hours per day, she assumed she wouldn’t be able to secure a diploma. However, when she enrolled herself in a crash course at the Filipino Institute, a leading educational centre in the region, she did not only successfully obtain a professional diploma, she also graduated as class’ top one.

Bella advised her fellow Filipinos overseas to find the right people to trust as everything would follow.

T G F M

Autism awareness month: How to spot if your child may have special educational needs.

M language

any children with special education needs show developmental differences when they are babies, especially in their social and skills.

Engr. Li H. Schonberg, a mechatronic Robotics Engineer with a degree in Social Psychology Master of Studies in Special education need and disabilities (SEND) and whose advocacy is to hone the roadmap of innovative education. She aims to build a stronger system for students of special needs who require support and amplify community voice for them to be recognized and be heard, shares what the early signs of kids with special needs.

“Usually, you can recognize the autism behaviour series between the age of 12 to 18 months or sometimes even earlier. It will show as developmental difficulties, and this can especially be seen in their social and language skills. There will always be an early sign in their behaviour, and it will be obvious while growing up,” the Abu Dhabi-based Filipina entrepreneur said.

She further added that before experts categorize kids on the autism spectrum or children with special needs, they would be diagnosed with a ‘complicated condition’ that included problems with communication and behaviour.

“But actually, that’s autism. Facts state that experts believe that there are no more children who develop autism today than 50 years ago.

Instead, they say the increase in cases is due to changes in diagnostic criteria and more awareness of the condition of autism,” she said.

Engr. Schonberg said that the most prevalent signs of autism in children include repetitive movements, no eye contact, non-verbal communication, rocking their body, and finding it hard to express what they want and feel, among other things.

Autism, she added, is considered a lifelong condition with no known cure; however, as the kids mature, they can outgrow a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

“And that’s one reason that continuous ADL

34

TGFM | APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 24

(activities for daily living) and errorless teaching are very important for the child’s development,” she further added.

When asked about the most common treatment for children on the autism spectrum, Engr. Schonberg, the expert on the matter, recommends applied behavioural analysis (ABA) therapy that improves social, communication, and learning skills through reinforcement strategies among youngsters.

“Parents with special kids can benefit from the program as well. They will learn the techniques on how to handle their child’s difficulties.

One very important factor that they should know is ‘generalizations: from ‘task analysis’, ‘prompting’, up to ‘fading’. These are the techniques needed by every teacher and parent to deal with special kids while at home and school,” she said.

Based on her knowledge and research, a genetic test cannot diagnose or detect autism as there are many genes and environmental factors that may underline the condition. However, there is now a routine prenatal ultrasound that can identify early signs of autism that obstetricians usually do during the pregnant mother’s trimester through a blood test.

Spearheading the QAT Kid’s Development Centre that caters Special Education Department (SPED), Engr. Schonberg said that the institution aims to aid kids of determination to have a day to day development.

Highly trained teachers and therapists are running the development centre to provide children the support they need to ensure that they can reach their full potential. It also uses robot assistant teachers to facilitate the required modified lessons for every child.

“Children with such special needs are usually entitled to receive additional assistance through establishing a routine intervention. Kids with special needs can present many challenges to their daily life. In particular, it can impact how

they engage with their learning at school. Our position as a teacher and therapists gives them the perfect opportunity to help them overcome these barriers and get the most out of their education,” she said.

Their dedication to improving the quality of life for children on the autism spectrum along with their families is their main goal. Their approach is more on innovative education, and one example is the use of robot assistant teachers to capture the child’s focus.

“Our hub is a safe and stimulating space for students with disabilities to explore sensory input and programming their daily activities.

Such as brain gym, exercise breaks, low distraction activity area. Students will learn and experience appropriate tools to organize Visual Cues from their speech, music and art teacher using the latest approach of STEAM,” Engr.

Schonberg asserted.

T G F M A

two-year-old girl in Abu Dhabi is learning the value of sharing at an early age, thanks to her very thoughtful and generous parents from the Philippines and working in the capital.

Sharing is definitely a way of showing love; and at 2, Atarah Kate Dalupan has already learned this during a gift-giving she participated in and spearheaded by her parents during the Eid Al Fitr celebrations in the UAE. In a short vlog shared on her YouTube channel, Atarah was seen preparing hampers to be given to the residents of Al Ghadeer Community in the capital last April 28, 2022.

“We always admire the courage and the dedication of Muslims, especially during

36

TGFM | APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 24

Atarah Kate Dalupan 2-year-old Filipina kid learns the value of sharing during Eid Al Fitr in UAE Ramadan. We admire how they practice selfdiscipline and sacrifice,” Atarah’s mother, Jill Dalupan, told The Global Filipino Magazine.

Jill, who works in an oil and gas company as a secretary, said that she and her husband, Ian, who works as an IT engineer, always remind Atarah to be kind to people and always share her toys with her playmates.

Before the Eid Al Fitr break, she recalled asking Atarah if she would like to give food to people in their neighborhood.

“She said yes and even told us that we have some water and cupcakes in the kitchen. We are actually surprised that she’s aware of what food to give at her very young age,” Jill said.

Atarah excitedly asked her parents to prepare their Eid gift-giving drive right away.

“In the middle of preparation, I once asked her that maybe we can just eat it instead of giving it to the people just to know how dedicated she is and we are not wrong. As parents, we are happy and proud that at her age, she knows how to share and care for people; she inspires us,” she added.

Jill hoped that her daughter would carry on this good deed as she grew.

“It is also a reminder for us parents that you don’t need to be wealthy or rich to be able to help others, it is totally ok because even small help matters,” she further added.

Camilo Jordan Dignos OFW in Dubai gives back to fellow Filipinos after getting ‘second life’

Covid-19 that he thought was just normal as he was only experiencing mild symptoms.

His initial plan was to stay at his friend’s apartment since he was not feeling anything serious. They thought he would remain in a separate room until he recovered and got a negative Covid-19 result. However, he changed his mind, called a cab, and requested to be taken to a Covid-19 facility in the Al Warsan area.

Upon check-up, the medical team advised him to be admitted to a hospital. Last thing he knew, he was already being assisted by an ambulance and transferred to Dubai Hospital.

“The last time I remember before I felt asleep was when a kabayan nurse declared all my belongings while I was having trouble breathing,” he recalled.

For nine days, he was put asleep while he recuperated from the deadly disease. His family was already informed by the medical team in the hospital about his situation resulting in outpouring prayers for his immediate recovery.

After gaining consciousness, Camilo made a promise to himself and God that he would share his blessings with others. While in the hospital for another month, he underwent dialysis and hemodialysis until his kidney started functioning again. He could also not walk after losing 23 kilos, which prompted him to undergo physiotherapy.

After months of battle, Camilo was finally permitted to get discharged on February 11 this year.

A pledge for people and God Camilo promised that he would do two simple things for having a second chance in life. One is to provide grocery items in his place in Halayhay Tanza in Cavite to 200 beneficiaries. The other is to distribute food meals to 200 people during the Holy Month of Ramadan in Dubai.

He said that his way of giving thanks would not stop there as he has plans to launch charity drives soon.

T

hey say that the best gift in life is a second chance. For Dubai-based OFW Camilo Jordan Dignos, nothing is more rewarding than being given a second chance in life.

Unconscious for nine days due to Covid-19, he promised that he would give back to the community by providing grocery packs in the Philippines and hot meals in Dubai.

The agony It was December 19, 2021, when the estimation engineer for a facilities management got

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

39

T G F M

Dreaming of migrating to Canada from UAE? Here’s the answer OFW in Dubai gives back to fellow Filipinos after getting ‘second life’

T

housands of expatriates from the UAE migrate to Canada for many reasons, including citizenship, universal health care, high-quality education, job opportunities, as well as a plethora of nature and wildlife.

Canada is set to welcome over one million new immigrants by the end of 2022.

Canada is for jobseekers The job market in the country has a popular demand for skilled professionals seeking jobs. Being one of the leading nations in the world, Canada offers a wide range of job opportunities. Working in Canada is also an excellent first step for those who are trying to look out to immigrate to the country permanently.

40

TGFM | APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 24

Canada is for visitors Canada is also perfect for those who want to explore the rich country. It has a visa given to people who want to enter the country for short-term purposes, whether for a vacation, medical treatment, attending a conference, or any other purpose.

Canada is for business-minded people In the age of globalization, foreign countries are encouraging business travelers. More business travel is more profitable. Canada is one of the leading countries in the world financially and industrially. A business visa to this country aims to create an attractive environment for businesses and one’s own economic growth.

Vlinks Group Immigration Investment has helped thousands of expatriates in the UAE to immigrate to Canada. Through its services, it helps applicants look for job, work on their CVs, verify their skills, prepare for interviews, and serve offer letters.

They have been headquartered in Dubai for more than five years and registered their office in India since 2013.

Their office is exactly located in VLinks Group Office No. 106, First Level, Business Atrium Building, Near Oud Metha Metro Station, Dubai, UAE and can be contacted at +971508626625 and +971-43889593.

Filipino Institute recognized as LPU-Batangas’ industry partner

T

he Filipino Institute, a leading educational centre based in the UAE with satellite campuses in Bahrain and Qatar, has been recognized as one of the industry partners of Lyceum of the Philippines University in Batangas during an awarding ceremony on Thursday, April 21, in the latter’s Freedom Hall.

Filipino Institute representatives and LPU officials, including the deans, were present to award the plaques of recognition.

The Filipino Institute has tied up with the LPU-Batangas to help OFWs in the Middle East acquire a bachelor’s degree through the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP). The program is a comprehensive educational assessment program at the tertiary level that recognizes, accredits, and gives equivalencies to knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values gained by individuals from non-formal, informal educational experiences, and relevant work.

“These partners from government and private institutions provide internship opportunities, academic-research-community extension tieups, valuable academe-industry linkage for curriculum development and placement, and scholarship opportunities that are instrumental in our commitment to providing word class education and service to our students,” the LPU-Batangas campus said in a statement.

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

41