AUGUST 2022 | ISSUE 28 www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com Overcoming trials and tribulations of life flawlessly Jonarose L. Remillosa Global impact advisor making waves in Canada Thirst for knowledge led this OFW in Saudi Arabia to victory Former draftsman shares how working overseas brought him to greater heights Maiden R. Manzanal-Frank Erwin Vasquez Gilbert Brian Baysic


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Editor-in-Chief
Publisher
Global impact advisor making waves in Canada - Maiden R. Manzanal-Frank

RYAN NAMIA
Former UAE housekeeping attendant on never stop learning: Difference comes to courageous, braveMary Jane R. Estoque
ORLI GAYETA
GABRIEL JOHN RIMANDO
QASSIM QUERESHI
Distribution Officer FIND US @THEGLOBALFILIPINOMAGAZINE.COMCONTACTUS info@theglobalfilipinomagazine.comwww.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com 2423373941332921171392236384032282016128
ANGELO DUMAG Editor
JOEL LARA GENOVE
From surviving to thriving: OFW weathered all odds to build dream company - John Carlo Yabut
Sales and Marketing Manager
TABLE CONTENTsOF
Temporal Former Barista fulfills dream of becoming a photographer in Dubai - Lee Temporal
Distribution Manager
From housekeeper to bakery owner: The untold story of Maria Paz Pastry owner - Maria Paz Banaag
JONATHAN DUMAS
Multimedia Manager

Overcoming trials and tribulations of life flawlessly - Jonarose L. Remillosa
Former draftsman shares how working overseas brought him to greater heights - Gilbert Brian Baysic
EDITORIAL BOARD
Associate
RAYMART PATULOT
Former draftsman shares how working overseas brought him to greater heights - G-Expat Crew
Designer
TGFM | AUGUST 2022 | ISSUE 284 suppliedcredit:image
ALLAN CARAGAO Graphic
Senior
Cruising rough seas, seaman turned entrepreneur in DubaiJoy De Vicente
DARSHANI NIMANTHI RAJAPAKSHA Sales and Marketing
Thirst for knowledge led this OFW in Saudi Arabia to victory - Erwin Vasquez
ELAINE MARBELLA
TGFM




TGFM | AUGUST 2022 | ISSUE 288 MAGAZINEFILIPINOGLOBALTHE suppliedcredit:image Joy VicenteDe


Cruising
rough seas, seaman turned entrepreneur in Dubai

The Filipino CEO said that he is always grateful for his current profession.
“It was a great honor for me to be able to serve their family and somehow repay their kindness to all expatriates like us who are here in their country to work and help our families,” he said.
Asmooth
While exploring many opportunities in the UAE, Joy worked as a captain and marine operations manager for a very influential family in Dubai.
The Filipino arrived in Dubai in 2008 in the hopes find better work opportunities and benefits. He was first given an opportunity to work in Dubai Marina Yacht Club as a marina operation dockhand. Fortunately, his company and colleagues were supportive of him, and in a short span of time, he was able to gain sufficient knowledge about his job role. Soon after, he adjusted to the new environment and improved himself efficiently because of his colleagues.

TGFM MAGAZINEFILIPINOGLOBALTHE
When he secures his children’s education, Joy plans to go back to the Philippines, live with his family in their province, and enjoy life away from the city.“My
On the other hand, Joy and his fellow captains established the International Maritime Club of the Philipines (INMAR) to realize their vision to improve the standards of Filipinos working in the maritime sector.

“I am very satisfied with my job because the owners of the yacht spend millions to experience the luxury of life, and they are giving us the trust, and we will not fail them. Plus, we are paid to experience their luxurious yachts and small boats with them,” he added.
For Joy, meeting people of different nationalities helped him be more flexible and have a broader perspective on life.
When he’s faced with storms, he won’t be afraid anymore, for he learned how to sail his ship.
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Two years later, his journey as a yacht captain started when he was hired by a yacht company based in Abu Dhabi.
Because of his dedication to work, he, along with his other business partners, founded the Maritime Boating & Yachting Training LLC (MBYT), a company that provides training to Filipinos who intend to work in the maritime industry. The company also welcomes those currently working in the same industry who want to improve their skills and knowledge in their profession. MBYT also provides scholarships to qualified applicants to help them reach their dreams.
advice to our compatriots here abroad, no matter what hardships and problems we go through. Don’t give up; ask God for help. Always choose to do the right thing. Focus on your goal and work hard for it. In every failure, you will get knowledge for your success,” he said.
sea never made a skillful sailor. Joy De Vicente, a UAE-based entrepreneur, has sailed on rough seas before achieving his current status.


MAGAZINEFILIPINOGLOBALTHE TGFM | AUGUST 2022 | ISSUE 2812 suppliedcredit:image BanaagPazMaria From housekeeper to bakery owner: The untold story of Maria Paz Pastry owner



with them, her employers also treated her as a family member.
Fortunately,education.Maria
Her life overseas was not all about rainbows and butterflies and unicorns.
“I guess if you are honest and give love to your employer, it will come back to you. I have treated them as my family here in the UAE; it means that I work in full honesty with them,” she said.
“Bakingseparately.isa
Despite the numerous struggles she faced, she maintained to be blessed and grateful, especially today that she is now a business owner.
Reflecting on her first year in the UAE, she admits she is still emotional as she has adjusted a lot. She remembered working all-around and even longer hours just to finish all the household chores. Maria Paz has even sacrificed her rest days to do part-time jobs, including cleaning “Ihouses.needed
“Even at first, I have a lot of doubts about my skills as I know there are many professionals who have formal education in baking,” she said.
“I trust that whatever we experience in life makes us what we are now. Struggles are part of the life process. We may have made a bad decision in the past, but it does not define us. Let’s just embrace life challenges and do not stop moving forward,” she said.
long-time passion. It all started with baking for my bosses, to my bosses’ family, and my friends, and finally to my friends’ friends,” she said.
When her bosses found out she loved baking, she was provided with a small kitchen wherein she could bake
Paz’s employers were every household service worker’s dream to work for.
When her employers decided to settle back in France, Maria Paz took the leap of faith and opened a bakery shop in the UAE and continued what she loves doing: baking. The positive feedback she received with her products also impacted her decision to be a fullfledged entrepreneur.
the money for my family. As a mother, this made me stronger. The love of my family fueled me to move on. I believe that every hardship we experience, and as long as we work with honesty, great things will happen,” she
She also experienced many struggles, including being homesick with her kids in the BecausePhilippines.ofherexcellent relationship
Mariasaid.Paz,
WhenDubai.
Maria was still young and studying, she remembered taking a part-time job as a packer in a local bakery in their hometown in the Philippines. There, she was exposed to the process of baking different pastries, which eventually made her curious. The curiosity pushed her to produce her pastries and sell them to her relatives and neighbors to support her studies.
When she moved to the UAE in 2008 in an effort to secure the future of her children and family, she worked as a housekeeper for a French couple. She wanted to provide for her family and children a better future, including a decent house, food on the table, and
“I am deeply grateful for the support of my family, my partner, and all who are supporting Maria Paz Pastry,” she added.
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All

With the support of her family and friends, she and her team were able to open the pilot branch of Maria Paz Pastry in Satwa.
now 56 years old, said that when she decides to retire in the near future, she wants her family to continue the business she put up in the UAE and perhaps expand the name further. Her only wish is for the bakery to be known to all Filipinos in the UAE and put a smile on them when they hear the brand.
‘Great things will happen’
Until she got married and had kids, making pastries helped her to support her family’s needs.
dreams can come true if one has the courage to pursue them. This statement is true for Maria Paz Banaag; a housekeeper turned businesswoman in


Maiden FrankManzanal-R.
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Global impact advisor making waves in Canada



whether at the board level, staff level, or the partners or networks level.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Maiden experimented with virtual delivery of her service, including online teaching, online group coaching, and online keynote presentations. She found that if given a chance, most organizations can work virtually on some of the organizational issues they need to resolve or address without face-to-face interaction.
Maideninfluence.has
also launched her first book on global impact leadership, ‘Provocateurs not Philanthropist: Turning Good Intentions Into Global Impact’’ which is ready for order at Barnes and Noble and Amazon. The book provides distilled insights for everyday leaders who she calls ‘provocateurs’ who are making a global impact in their work in developing countries through partnership, collaboration, and service
She moved to Alberta in 2015 and calls it her home now. Presently, Maiden is a senior consultant for GlobalStakes, a management advisory organization that provides dramatic results for onpurpose organizations in Canada and
is to continue building her consultancy practice, write more valuable books, and touch more lives and organizations so that they can create an impact globally.
“Workingcommunications.withmanyproject partners, stakeholders, and volunteers of the project was a great platform to improve the community residents’ relations with their neighbors and brought tremendous goodwill and friendships

“This volunteer role made me more aware of the issues of domestic violence and the multifaceted range of support the women and children need to bring their lives back to stability,” she said.
Because of her contribution, she became a Bhichai Rattakul Rotary Peace Fellow in 2015, completing a Professional Development Certificate in Peace and Conflict Transformation from the Rotary Peace Centre at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok,

DuringThailand.her
between organizations and individuals that continued up to this day,” she said.
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Filipinos
Herprojects.dream
As an online educator, she loves to impart her knowledge to mid-level professionals in the peace, conflict resolution, and development sectors and coach them in their leadership development strategies. She touches their lives and expands their perspectives on navigating a complex environment and becoming more adaptive and effective leaders within their spheres of
Maiden has worked in the social development space in the Philippines and internationally for more than 15 years. She also travelled to more than 30 countries and worked in 15 areas of social entrepreneurship, immigration and settlement, diversity and inclusion, health and women, and advocacy.
Maiden is fortunate to have found a vibrant community that embraced her contribution. The job led her to more opportunities, meet new friends, and find faith in the community, which led her to a successful settlement and integration into Canadian life.
Asinternationally.aseniorconsultant on strategy,
stay in Abbotsford, Maiden was involved in several volunteer board roles in a non-profit organization that shelters vulnerable women and their families from domestic violence.
Filipina entrepreneur Maiden R. Manzanal-Frank belongs to the Global Filipinos worldwide who have been lifting the image of Filipinos and its Whenpeople.she

across the world have been creating significant impressions about their talent, wit, and dedication to work. They raise the Philippine flag a notch when they achieve even small things in their career and Canada-basedlife.
moved to Canada in 2010, she was told to take the first job that came her way. For her, it was not a good piece of advice. What she did was contrary to that adage. She found a job that best reflects her transferrable experience, skills, and knowledge. She has a profound experience in the nonprofit social development sector, and she used it to launch her career in the country; and then worked as a diversity coordinator for the City of Abbotsford. Through her pivotal role, she led a half-a-million dollar grant on diversity and inclusion to foster intercultural and interfaith relations with the city’s multicultural residents. The project she spearheaded achieved an award in the Fraser Valley for its outstanding outreach and
change, engagement, and impact, she can work with many diverse organizations all over the province, the country, and even internationally. With an adaptive approach, she can work at different levels of the organization,


VasquezErwin

Thirst for knowledge led this OFW in Saudi Arabia to victory

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his family’s financial needs, Erwin opted to work overseas. He chose Saudi Arabia for the following reasons: it’s a tax-free income country, a safe city with a low crime rate, and a large expat community rapidly expanding.
“These learning experiences can
ToPhilippines.providefor
added that working overseas also allows him to meet new people whom he exchanges ideas with.
“Making new friends and connecting with others can help alleviate the feeling of isolation and loneliness,” he added.
Armed with enough knowledge and skills, he transferred to Saudi Arabian Parsons LTD, a digitally-enabled solution focused on creating the future of the defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure markets, to work as a survey engineer.
Erwinsaid.
“Here, I got the highest offer in terms of salary. I was able to give a comfortable life for my family,” he said gratefully.
“Working in another country is an excellent experience as it improves your career internationally. Not only do you learn life lessons and help your career, but it also offers personal incentives,” he
Erwin described his work experience in the company as ‘awesome,’ for he has learned many things he could apply to his next company.
As a person who desires knowledge, Erwin enrolled in a professional diploma course at Filipino Institute, a leading institute in the Middle East that caters to Filipinos who wish to acquire quality yet affordable education.
team that supervised the contractor survey works, managed the digital work process, and led the geodetic network survey, among others.
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population of Filipinos in the Middle East is significantly growing. The concentration of OFWs in Saudi Arabia is also massive, primarily because the country offers good salary packages and employment benefits. Various industries are thriving; thus, it creates a perfect storm for Filipinos looking to make a move and advance their careers.
Before starting his journey as an OFW, Erwin Vasquez, 40, kicked off his career as a surveyor helper, working on buildings, bridges, and road constructions in the

increase problem-solving skills by taking you out of your comfort zone. Living abroad also teaches you how to prioritize things,” he added.
The Filipino engineer advised his fellow Filipinos abroad to learn to immerse themselves with other nationalities and learn about their cultures.

He also advised them to improve their knowledge as learning is essential.
“Be happy with your job and be friendly with your colleagues,” he added.
He started working at RTTC AlRashid Contracting Company as an assistant surveyor in 2007 in the north of Saudi Arabia. For six years, he joined the
While working abroad, Erwin enhanced his computer skills, including AutoCAD, 3D, Revit, quantity surveying, and drafting.
The

MAGAZINEFILIPINOGLOBALTHE TGFM | AUGUST 2022 | ISSUE 2822 suppliedcredit:image L.JonaroseRemillosa Overcoming trials and tribulations of life flawlessly



Trials
A major life change
she began to work as a junior cashier officer for an exchange center. Despite the struggle, he liked the idea of working and living independently.
Before starting a new life in Dubai, Jonarose worked as a VIP casino agent in the Philippines for seven years and as an LRT station teller for a year. There, she also opened a travel agency that caters to the needs of those who intend to travel locally and internationally.



One day, she woke up witnessing her life in shambles. She was drowning in debt because of her casino addiction.
Jonarose was constantly thinking about the mountain of debt she was facing daily; thus, she asked God to give her another chance to start a new life and become a better person.
Jonarose arrived in Dubai in March 2016. Her father, who was working in the capital then, assister her arrival in the host country. Starting from scratch,
She was over in her head and drowning in debt because of her casino addiction. It was the lowest point of her life.
Her love for doing business rekindled when she discovered online selling on Facebook. She sold beauty products online and sometimes to her colleagues at work and friends.
Although she had experience running a business, she faced multiple hurdles: lack of funds, few customers, and the ability to gain trust from clients.

“I wanted to start again for my family. I want to stand up again after all the mistakes and failures I have made in the Philippines,” she said.
When she met a cosmetic supplier in Korea whose product was still not widely used then, Jonarose thought of bringing it to UAE. Several years after, the same product is now her best-selling brand.

in life are not meant to make one fail but to see how far one can fly. It is a measure of one’s faith when going through trials in life. Jonarose L. Remillosa, a Dubaibased entrepreneur, said that there is no struggle that is too big that she cannot move past.
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“To my kababayan, always remember that no matter how hard your situation right now, God always has your back. If you think you’re alone and you can no longer find a solution to your problem, just give it all to the Lord. Nothing is impossible with God. Life is short so choose to be happy,” she said.
Today, her business, Flawless Beauty, has four branches in different malls while still serving her growing customers online.
“I want our customers to be satisfied with our products. I always prioritize quality over quantity because I believe that success in business follows when the customer is satisfied,” she added.

Looking back at her past, she is grateful that she was given a second chance.
“God is good, and he always makes everything possible for me. And, of course, to the overwhelming support of my family, especially my husband and my parents during those dark times,” Jonarose added.
Since she was working alone, the orders were getting out of hand. Managing the business with little supervision was impossible. Due to bulk orders she regularly received, she was not getting enough sleep. She decided to finish her employment contract with her previous company and become a full-fledged businesswoman in 2018.

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“When that brand became a hit in the market, that was the time I had big profits,” she said.

Jonarose considers herself a skin “Ienthusiast.lovetotrynew things which help me grow,” she said.
Her heart is not only to promote clear and healthy skin. She also loves to help her fellow Filipinos. During the Covid-19 pandemic in the UAE, she was able to help at least 500 distressed expatriates in the UAE by sending them grocery
“Forpacks.me, that was the most satisfying yet heartbreaking moment because I don’t have enough means to help everyone, especially those who needed financial aid,” the Filipina entrepreneur said.
Presently, she is adding more range of quality products to her Madame J brand. Once it’s settled, she aims to open more branches in the UAE and GCC countries soon.



BrianGilbertBaysic
Former

draftsman shares how working overseas brought him to greater heights

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Many
Presently, he got a permanent job in Madagascar as a plant electrical compliance inspector for the operation and maintenance of cobalt and nickel Facingproduction.ups
“Itbankruptcy.wasanintricate
Despite having a solid career as OFW, he, too, faced many ups and downs in “Ilife.have

Gilbert reached the pinnacle of success after delivering consistency and dedication to his profession in the oil and gas business for many years.
This forced him to work as a draftsman, his first paying-job, in Las Pinas in Metro Manila for about a year.
Parts, which operated from 2003 to 2008. Due to the nature of the business, many motorcycle riders invite him to join them on rides. On one of their rides, Gilbert was involved in a motorcycle accident, sustaining broken fingers and multiple bruises. His accident led him to
Early days
things have already been said about the secret to success. But for Gilbert Brian Baysic, an overseas Filipino worker for 14 years, success is the result of one’s preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.

After his five-month stint in Turkmenistan, Gilbert took specialty training as an explosives area inspector of oil and gas, mining, and petrochemicals in Singapore. Luckily, he passed the competency training, which brought him further to vast opportunities as an
When asked about his secret to saving up money while working overseas, Gilbert shared five tips: 1) Always think of the future; 2) Set goals for yourself and your family; 3) Pamper yourself, but don’t overspend more than what you earn; 4) Learn how to say no; and 5) Invest on assets, not on liabilities.
2008, he was off on a new journey in Saudi Arabia, where he worked for almost three years before receiving a job offer from an international agency to be supplied as an electrical QC inspector in one of the biggest oil and gas projects in Kazakhstan in 2001.

He thought it was straightforward for him to apply overseas back then. He found himself creating a CV online until he received a call from an agency in Manila informing him that he was shortlisted for an electrical QC engineer job bound for the Kingdom of Saudi InArabia.September
a lot of memories of inevitable Pinot crab mentalities and inggitan. The word like hindi naman lisensyadong engineer bakit may mataas na sweldo, hindi marunong those kinds of stuff, which brings me to tears. I said to myself, ganito pala ang abroad, akala ko masarap,” he said.
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BecauseOFW.
“But I am a fighter! I used all that negative comments as a challenge to become a good worker and a better person in the field I have chosen overseas,” he added.
After working on the project for 10 months, Gilbert moved to New Caledonia in 2012 to work on a mining project as an electrical QC inspector. There, he worked for six months only due to the ahead schedule of project
part of my family’s lives,” he said, adding that it came to a point when they couldn’t even buy milk formula for their kids.
and downs and how to overcome them
“It brought me to tears,” he added.
of his dedication to work, Gilbert received job offers from leading oil and gas companies worldwide.
Excelling in career
However, the situation did not stop Gilbert from continuing in battle in life. Since he is an electrical engineer graduate, he decided and discussed with his wife if he could work overseas.
Aside from being an OFW, he is also a part-owner of G&A Auto Parts Trading and the newly established Gibert’s Auto Car Center. Gilbert, who has a passion for motorcycles and cars, is also a hobbyist and a vlogger.
Incompletion.2012,he was contacted by the Bureau of Veritas in Abu Dhabi to fill their vacancy as electrical QC inspector for Gasco and Takreer Gas Plants. The indemand engineer resigned after getting another job opportunity in Turkmenistan for the same work.
Later on, he resigned and worked in their town in Pangasinan. There, he invested in a business and started Baysic Motor
He is also the founder of a car group called United Chevrolet Trailblazer Owners Group of the Philippines and the group in Facebook Quality Control Inspectors.
Hailing from Urbiztondo in Pangasinan, the strong-willed and dedicated Filipino graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 2001. When he took the board examination during the same year, he did not pass.

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Believing that dancing is the most basic and relevant of all forms of expression, the group decided to form it when a circle of friends from TikTok agreed to have a dance collaboration every time they got a chance during Ramadan this Ityear.was
Agroup
Carl added that the group’s goal is to gain more success in their dancing career and show their different techniques, determination, dedication, and teamwork, despite doing it only after work.
Krisna R. Alfonso | Pioneer/Dancer/ MariaChoreographerKristineC. Delos Reyes | Pioneer/ RalchieDancer Mc Andrewz V. Gelena | LhenardPioneer/DancerLeeP.Robillo | Videographer
“Most of us forget what we want to do because we focus so much on our work. We want to inspire people to live their dreams, but while you’re at it, stay humble,” he further added.
of young Filipinos in Dubai formed their friendship because of their passion for dancing. G-Expat Crew, composed of full-time Filipino workers in Dubai, dances love, joy, and dreams.


There may be several Filipino dance groups in the UAE, but their unique spirit sets them apart. They get to relieve their stress from work despite their busy schedule at work.
Leonita V. Cadenas | Dancer
Below are the pioneers and newcomers:
Currently, G-Expat Crew performs for various local events in the UAE. Soon, they plan to join national and international dance competitions.
Erol Mahinay Lachica | Dancer
Allyza Anne C. Juane | Dancer
in May 2022 when they officially named the group ‘G-Expat Crew’. The G from the group name is derived from the informal phrase in Tagalog ‘Tara G?’ which means ‘Let’s Go’. Meanwhile, the word ‘Expat’ came from a media entity that asked them to be the official backup dancer of Emirati hitmaker Alira during the Philippine Independence Day celebration recently. It was the group’s first exposure to the public when they performed at the annual event. They consider it as their most significant achievement so far.

Dansen Maur Combes | Dancer
Through dancing, Carl said that they get to build more of their confidence and teamwork.
“We cannot please everybody. We know we are just average dancers, meaning we are not mostly pros, but we dance with our hearts. We are happy that other people appreciate our talents and what we enjoy as well,” Carl said.
Jun B. Estomata | Pioneer/ Dancer
Maricar Marcos | Pioneer/Dancer
Joan L. Da-anton | Photographer/ AiraOrganizerMaeA. Asagra | Nurse of G-Expat JuliusCrew Richard Adrias Suelo | MarkPaulChoreographer/DancerJohnB.|DancerAnthonyGuiang| Dancer
Daniel Torres | Dancer
“We have different stories, but we understand each other so we can all communicate in one way, and that’s when we dance,” Carl, the group’s leader and choreographer, said.
These members came from different sectors. Some work in coffee shops, restaurants, and sales, while others are students or in the corporate world.
Spearheaded by Carl Michael T. Perez, a four-year resident in Dubai who currently works as a messenger, the group has eight pioneer members. The band grew and now has 13 new members.
“We also want to inspire more people to do their desire in life, not just to focus on working but at least do what they love to do,” he added.
Arvey Ignacio | Dancer
Carl Michael T. Perez | Leader/ CarenChoreographerDionglay- Jerrera | Pioneer/ AlbertDancerAldepulla | Pioneer/Dancer
Joven Moralizon Tayo(xay) | Dancer
When one of their videos made the rounds on social media, it received mixed reactions.


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Mary R. Estoque
Jane
Former UAE housekeeping attendant on never stop learning: Difference comes to courageous, brave

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com 37 TGFM MAGAZINEFILIPINOGLOBALTHE
Moreover, she extends her gratitude to her instructor Miss Nancy Malabag for explaining every topic to the class
“Shevividly.made

During her younger years, the Filipina was not able to finish college due to financial constraints back then. To support her family in the Philippines, she took the matters into her own hands and embarked on an overseas journey.
“Great things happened because Filipino Institute gave me that opportunity to grow professionally,” she further added.
“I put my trust in God that he would help me reach my dreams,” she said.
East. The idea of going back to school piqued her interest.
“Eachbefore.and
“However, my journey did not stop there because I want to dream big, change my career, upgrade, and expand my knowledge,” she added.
After getting trained for the course, Mary Jane was able to secure a job in a homecare centre in Abu Dhabi. Today, she now earns more than her salary
“Ifamily.feltthat
Mary Jane recalled a moment with a friend who told her about Filipino Institute, a leading academic institution that offers affordable and quality education for Filipinos in the Middle
After carefully searching the school online and reading the positive reviews and its clean reputation, she decided to enroll in a caregiving course.

Mary Jane’s journey with Filipino Institute kicked off last year and graduated in February this year with flying colors. She could not believe that after setting aside her dream to finish schooling, she was able to obtain a professional diploma.
For four years, she was not earning much. It was just enough for her and her family back home. The opportunity to save money while working as a hotel housekeeping attendant was slim considering the amount she sent to her
I am already stuck on this level that it made me feel anxious that I am not growing,” she said.
caregiving a fun and easy course for us,” she said.
They
every one of us has their own clock and diaries to be filled but the difference came to those who have the courage and braveness to risk
Mary Jane R. Estoque, a former hotel housekeeping attendant, highlights the importance of educating oneself.
say that life never stops teaching; thus, many successful people never stop learning.
Without hesitations, she took up the hotel housekeeping attendant job in the UAE.
and explore beyond the horizons. Fill your lives with great achievements and accomplishments. Continue to study and learn new things,” she said when asked about her advice to her fellow Filipinos abroad.
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When asked about his long-term goals, he said he plans to open another medical massage treatment spa in the Philippines or the US, where his family currently lives and who he hasn’t seen for the longest time.
His advice to his fellow Filipino abroad is to never give up.
entrepreneur in Dubai gives me a lot of opportunities to inspire and meet other Filipino entrepreneurs, influencers, and other Filipino community members who taught me many things about how they became successful in their chosen

thousands of companies have closed down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, an OFW based in UAE beat all the odds just to survive and establish a therapeutic massage center.
“Keep praying and always put God in the middle of everything you do. Never lose hope, take a deep breath, focus and start to take action one step at a time,” he concluded.
“The only solution was to take double jobs all day and night and keep on believing to Almighty God and believe to be good to your people, and you will be rewarded,” he said.
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He said that establishing an entity overseas and during the pandemic was one of his biggest challenges. His vision is to help and serve his fellow Filipinos, especially those retrenched during the Covid-19. So, he and his business partner, a registered physical therapist, conducted free massage training and provided them with free food allowances and decent accommodation. While they were training, they also got a monthly salary for a part-time job.
Johnclients.Carlo,

who only received 50 percent of his salary from his full-time job during those trying times, pursued his vision, strived harder, and made logical
“Fortunately, few Filipinos believed and tried our services, and that was the start of the business growth,” he said, noting that it gradually spread through word of mouth about how relieving and relaxing their healing touch was.
He believes that working abroad is a tough decision for every OFW, considering they are away from their loved ones. Yes, working overseas nurtured him into a mature person and maximized his inter and intrapersonal skills by developing and understanding different cultures and perspectives.

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role in the corporation.
After weathering the storm with his business partner and his team, the ‘Kabayan Healing Touch Spa’ is wellreceived by clients in the UAE and consistently received positive reviews online due to its advanced techniques and quality massage services.
Currently, the massage service center has more than 1,500 regular Filipino clients and a growing number of nonFilipino nationals patronizing and continuously recommending their services to their families and close
To strengthen his team, they conduct more training and simulation technique until they finally build trust among their
Presently working as an admin and logistics manager for a medical group in Dubai, John Carlo Yabut has a fair share of stories to tell. Still, the most impactful was during the Covid-19 pandemic in the UAE.
decisions to sustain their basic needs.
When he transferred to Dubai some seven years ago, John Carlo worked as a sales coordinator, which was way far from his previous career. The situation triggered him to get outside of his comfort zone.
Since he considers himself a nature lover, he also wants to settle in a mountainous area in the Philippines with his family and live a simple and peaceful life.

He also recounted the time when he was told by his family members and friends he considered that putting up the business was too good to be true. The first two months after opening the spa were crucial for him as he did not know how to convince people to patronize his service, primarily the negative connotation of ‘massage service’ in Dubai.
venturing into the business world, John Carlo was a certified quality assurance engineer in the Philippines for more than five years in a manufacturing company. They were processing the assembly of mobile technology while supervising more than 200 inspectors and five team leaders, among other team members who played a pivotal
MAGAZINEFILIPINOGLOBALTHE TGFM | AUGUST 2022 | ISSUE 2840 suppliedcredit:image TemporalLee FormerTemporalBarista fulfills dream of becoming a photographer in Dubai

By Sherizze Sean Acot


trials apart from the pandemic. Working with many people in the industry, he has learned how to work with those around him harmoniously and be positive about everything.
photographer Lee Temporal recalled how he is now living his dream in the Emirates. A native of Ilocos, Bicol, and Mindoro, Lee has dreamed of becoming a photographer. Working overseas was not new for him, as he had already worked in Saudi Arabia before moving to Dubai in 2013 in hopes of landing a better job.
“Let us avoid crab mentality that has become a disease to a lot of people. We must pursue being positive in life and avoid the toxicity from gossiping other people’s lives. We must focus on our own and how to help other people,” he concluded.
Filipinos, have long been known to be resilient in any difficulty we face in life. Having a strong will to fight may have been running in our veins since time immemorial it has secured a spot on how other nationalities describe our Dubai-basedkind.
Being one of many people who lost their jobs during the pandemic, Lee has thought long and hard about what he must do to survive and bounce back. He has to find a way to pay for his food, rent, and the money he must send back home to support his family. With an extra push from his close friends paired with his strong will, belief and passion, he took a leap of faith to become a freelance photographer and videographer.
When asked for advice for his fellow Filipinos, he said to always stand up for what is right and be good to others.
“I really wanted to pursue my dream not only being a photographer but also being a filmmaker and that’s what I did when I got to Dubai,” he said.
Early life in Dubai
Advice for fellow Filipinos
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Like any other OFW, he has also faced
His dreams don’t stop there, though. He continues to dream big by seeing himself having his own production company. With Dubai having a pool of Filipino talents, he is pursuing his dreams of filmmaking now by establishing OMG Entertainment which he deemed as a new journey for him.
Pandemic life
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Soon enough, he found himself working for e-commerce and product shoots as well as with notable Filipino fashion designers in the Emirates.
Being based in Dubai for the past nine years, Lee started working as a barista in a Lebanese restaurant in Oud Metha. Despite working long hours, his passion paved the way for him to go to vocational schools and use his free time to study and gain more knowledge in photography and cinematography. His determination to reach his dream of becoming a skilled photographer did not stop there, as he honed his
“I couldn’t be more grateful that I was able to overcome such challenges. I was at the rock bottom and I was really thankful to have bounced back stronger and more determined to pursue what I want in my life,” he added.
Having more confidence now to practice his craft full-time, he worked in a studio. But just when he thought he was finally getting there, the studio closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
developing skills by collaborating with Filipinos and other nationalities until he could land gigs at local weddings.
“You will get to know a lot in this world that will strengthen you as a person. You should learn to ignore those who want to destroy your dreams. Silencing their voice in your mind is the key to gain focus on your goal,” Lee added, giving emphasis on how he was able to achieve his aim.


