Cherry S. Cruz

Growing up in Bulacan, Philippines, Cherry S. Cruz understood the valued of hard wor and determination from a young age. Despite having to work part-time while completing her education, she never let circumstances define her.

Her ultimate goal was to always finish her studies and support her family. This drive led her to pursue international opportunities, beginning with her first overseas job in Taiwan at the age of 21.

“Working abroad has always been an aspiration of mine, as it presents a unique set of opportunities and experiences that cannot be found in one’s home country. I believe that by relocating to different countries, you not only gain a deeper understanding of different cultures but also learn how to navigate and adapt to a diverse work environment,” she said.

As a Filipino, she has always been aware of the strong competition in the job market back home, with many workers possessing the same skills and qualifications. She saw working overseas as an opportunity to stand out and compete on a global stage.

“I knew that by working in a diverse workforce, I would have a fair distribution of opportunities to showcase my skills and abilities,” she added.

Two years later, Cherry moved to the UAE and joined Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa in Dubai as a Human Resources and Quality Training Coordinator, the profession that laid the foundation for her passion for human resource management and the hospitality industry.

The Filipina professional added that working abroad allowed her to develop a broader perspective on the world, greatly enhancing her leadership abilities. Because of working overseas, she learned how to address cultural and behavioral differences and new business practices, which have been invaluable in her personal and professional life.

In 2006, Cherry was offered to work as an HR Officer and Executive Assistant to the Senior General Manager at the prestigious One&Only Reethi Rah Resort in Maldives, a member of the ‘World’s Leading Hotels.’

From there, throughout her career, she had the privilege of working for some of the most renowned five-star resorts and hotels both domestically and internationally. She excelled in various senior roles and has been fortunate enough to progress through the ranks in several firms.

Cherry, who has been working overseas for two decades, is currently working as the Director of Talent & Culture (Human Resources) in Sofitel Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Residence.

One of the things that she enjoys about her job is the opportunity to train, coach, and mentor others.

“I find it incredibly rewarding to inspire and influence the development of my team members. Additionally, protecting the welfare of the workers is a critical aspect of my job, and it is fulfilling to know that I am making a difference in the lives of others,” she said.

Even though she had insecurities and low self-esteem from high school all the way through college, she never imagined herself working in the HR field; however, for years, she developed a greater passion for the industry because it has transitioned her into a professional who can have an impact on people every day.

One of the highlights of her overseas career was being nominated as one of the 100 Most Influential Global HR Professionals in the World during the HRD Congress in 2017.

“This recognition has been a source of motivation for me to continue to help and mentor aspiring HR professionals in their journey to becoming leaders in the field,” she shared.

She is committed to giving back to the community in her current and previous roles. Cherry has been involved in various volunteer activities and charity works that benefited and made a positive impact in their lives.

She added that anyone could achieve career aspirations in the hospitality industry with hard work, dedication, and commitment to personal and professional development.

When asked about her plans, Cherry said she intended to start an HR consultancy firm back home, with the goal of using her professional background and experience to assist Filipinos in finding employment opportunities. As a passionate advocate for workplace diversity and inclusion, she also plans to develop and implement numerous initiatives back home to promote these values in the workplace.

“I believe that creating a diverse and inclusive environment is crucial for the success of any organization and I want to be a part of the movement towards creating a more equitable society,” she added.

Cherry has also highlighted the importance of investing in a retirement or pension plan for Filipinos working overseas, stressing that working abroad is not a permanent source of income.

“While it is important to support our families and enjoy luxuries and travel, it is also crucial to save for retirement. A pension plan can give us peace of mind and financial security, even if we become unemployed. Investing in a retirement plan is not only important for financial stability but also for personal peace of mind so that you don’t become a burden to others in the future,” she said.

She also advised Filipinos to surround themselves with the right people and look after their mental and emotional well-being.

“I would like to remind everyone that where you came from, which Universities you went to, whether you graduated with honors or not, or if you had a privileged or difficult upbringing, doesn’t define who you are or your potential for success. What truly matters is our willingness to attempt and our determination to succeed. Success depends on us and we have the power within ourselves to turn our insecurities, frustrations, and heartbreaks into triumphs. With hard work and perseverance, we can achieve our goals and aspirations. It is important to believe in ourselves and our abilities, no matter what others may think,” she added.

THE GLOBAL FILIPINOS THE STORY OF OUR SUCCESS

For her, success is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.

Catherine Binafif, an overseas Filipino worker in Dubai who rose through the corporate ladder, believed in this principle.

Being far from her family was the biggest struggle she had to work hard to overcome when she moved to UAE in 2011. Jumping from one job to another, seeking the best opportunities that would benefit her financially and professionally, and meeting new people contributed well to who she is now.

For almost six years, Catherine worked as an archive clerk for an art gallery in Abu Dhabi. When she moved to another company, she learned the ropes of accounting, human resources, reception, and executive assistant before embarking on a journey in the academe, particularly at the Filipino Institute, a leading educational institution for Filipinos in the Middle East.

From working as a dean, she was promoted to academic director for virtual courses. Catherine said that having been part of the Filipino Institute is both an honor and a privilege because they get to help OFWs who wish to advance in their personal and professional careers.

As time passed, the young Filipina worker realized the importance of working in an environment that gives her peace of mind while giving her the opportunity to accomplish her goals.

Catherine was also able to pursue her studies and finished a diploma course that had been set aside for a long time.

“It opened the door of opportunity for learning while at the same time learning,” she added.

For her, the best part about working overseas is the chance to meet different people and witness various cultures in one place, while understanding and bridging unique differences with respect.

“Being independent, appreciating myself more and the experience that mold me to become a wiser and better person are the best part of working overseas,” she added.

After her two-year stint in the company, she returned to her previous work, a 3D printer distributor where she had worked for over two years prior to joining Filipino Institute, to play the role of logistics manager. In the position she currently holds, she ensures that the right products are delivered to the right location on time and at a good cost. She is also involved in transportation, stock control, warehousing, and monitoring the flow of their products.

She advised her fellow OFWs to dream and achieve them one by one.

“A dream does not become reality overnight; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work,” she further added.

THE GLOBAL FILIPINOS THE STORY OF OUR SUCCESS Romeo Atole

‘Be practical on the situation in life and career’

They say that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

Romeo Atole, an OFW based in Abu Dhabi, believes that not getting what he intends to have does not mean he was inefficient, rather it happened because he deserved something better than that.

His first plan for why he wanted to work outside the Philippines was to have a chance to find a job on a cruise ship and UAE was his first stepping stone. He heard a lot of positive stories about working on the passenger ship and at the same time one can go around the world while working.

But before deciding to work overseas, Romeo taught in a public school as a volunteer teacher. There, he did not only teach his students textbook lessons but also impart valuable life lessons. His noble job allowed him to empower his students to be more confident. Coming from a family of educators, he was also actively participating in school organizations and even in a church group.

He arrived in Dubai in 2007 on a tourist visa, hoping to land a job that would support him and his family back home. Romeo, who stayed in a friend’s apartment while searching for a job, is a graduate of bachelor of science in secondary education major in agriculture and fishery arts at Bicol

University College of Agriculture and Forestry.

The Special Professional Licensure Examination (SPLE) exam passer took three months to land a regular job. He came to Dubai with a limited budget because he was told that it was very easy to secure work, which was the opposite.

Fortunately, Romeo was hired by the company where he is currently working now, Microsoft Gulf FZ LLC, as a lobby host and admin.

“In my workplace, most are professional and treated me well, that is one of the factors I like in our company. They treated you as family and gave you a chance to grow. The distance from my house to my work is a walking distance and I do the walking as part of my exercise, that is why I always walk going to work every day,” he said.

Romeo does not only excel in his profession. He is also actively participating in and spearheading various organizations. He is a member of the Filipino International Teachers’ Society since 2016 and is the current chairman of the National Organization of Professional Teachers-Filipino International Teachers’ Society.

Romeo plays a crucial role at the Bayanihan Council Abu Dhabi which regularly organizes events that benefit the Filipino community in the locale.

He also graduated with a Masters of Arts in Education Major in Educational Leadership and Management at St. Paul University Manila in 2021.

“At my retirement age, my plan is to manage a business while teaching in a private school, I feel that the vocation for being a teacher is still there in me. I dream of having a farm and managing it. I want to travel to visit my cousins in different provinces, I want to enjoy my hard-earned savings,” he said when asked about his plans.

He advised his fellow OFWs to be wise, practical, and have a positive outlook.

“Time flies very fast here and there are a lot of temptations. If you are weak and you give in to temptations, you will fail at your goals in life. We must be wise in spending our hardearned resources, be practical on the situation in life and career, and always be positive at all times,” he said.

THE GLOBAL FILIPINOS THE STORY OF OUR SUCCESS

John Paolo

Tatlonghari

Former restaurant buzzer tells story about surviving and thriving in Dubai

In his over three decades of existence, he can say that growing up independently is a big challenge.

When John Paolo Tatlonghari resigned from his previous company in the Philippines in 2015, he decided to work overseas. Like many Filipinos who take risks in finding job opportunities abroad, it also took him time to find a fit job in Dubai.

It was difficult for him to land a job because the majority of companies in the emirate look for an employee with work experience abroad. However, it didn’t stop John Paolo from applying for different work positions he saw posted online.

After looking for the perfect job for him, he landed a job at a restaurant as a buzzer with a very low salary. The low salary was not only the problem he faced while working as a buzzer. They also experienced not getting paid for up to four months, which forced him to leave it.

When he transferred to his second job, he was so glad that he was getting a ‘quite high salary’ every month. For two years, John Paolo felt that he didn’t have a work-life balance. This prompted him to look for another job.

For almost four years now he is playing the role of an administrative officer at Move One Relocations, a storage and removal service provider in the region.

John Paolo will be joining another firm in March this year.

“I chose to work abroad so I can provide the needs not only for myself but for other people as well,” John Paolo, who was waiting tables at a fast-food chain during his college years to support his studies, said.

Living and working in Dubai for over six years, he recalled being a supervisor in a supermarket in the Philippines. There, he learned how to handle people, how to manage complaints, and how to value people. He also became a medical coder for an insurance company back home wherein he received a number of accolades.

Working in Dubai was difficult at first for John Paolo because he is away with his loved ones; however, his family fuels his desire to succeed in what he does.

When asked about his life battles, he recounted growing up in a broken family, an experience he thought taught him to be an independent person.

“I learned at a young age how to live all by myself without the supervision of my parents. I never see this as a hindrance to becoming who I am today. I chose to be a good and responsible man because I wanted my parents to be proud of me especially when I finished my studies with the help of being a working student and at the same time being a school varsity at my university,” he said.

Despite having a broken family, he told himself that would never hate his parents because he knew there was a reason behind the separation.

“I have my other relatives and friends who were there during my lowest point in life. I got their back so I strive hard, still striving and proving to everyone that someday I can achieve more than who I am today,” he added.

Should there be a chance to settle back home, John Paolo considers building a business that he is very passionate about, which is cooking.

Currently, he and two of his friends launched a small food business in Dubai that they call ‘Budgetarian’, which is located in the seasonal Night Market on the outskirts of the emirate.

“I, as one of the owners, am very proud to say that putting smiles on the faces of our customers is a great achievement for me. I know we are giving the best quality of the foods, a better service which is can be the reason for them to come back again. And who knows, maybe this might be a good start to pursue one of my dreams and that is to own a restaurant one day,” he said.