Dr. Caryl Sosa Malou
JULY 2022 | ISSUE 27 www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com Licensed pharmacist conquers real estate business in Middle East Flordeliza Suba-Elep OFW dentist making the world a better place, one smile at a time How a Filipina doctor in UAE juggles work and duty as mom Award-winning Filipina making waves in travel industry in UAE and Philippines
Dr. Catherine Bañas
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TGFM | JULY 2022 | ISSUE 274 TABLE CONTENTsOF 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.COMCONTACTUS info@theglobalfilipinomagazine.comwww.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com 2423373941332921171392236384032282016128
OFW dentist making the world a better place, one smile at a time - Dr. Catherine Bañas Filipino doctor in Abu Dhabi on a mission to help fellow kabayans - Dr. Harold Sosa How a Filipina doctor in UAE juggles work and duty as mom - Dr. Caryl Sosa Award-winning Filipina making waves in travel industry in UAE and Philippines - Malou Prado
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Going the extra mile to climb the ladder of successJefrey Cafe Climbing the F&B industry ladder with the right formula - John Carlo M. Biteng
Filipina pursues dream in UAE as artist and singer - Rhona May Nollan Reyes Filipino who came to UAE as accident now CEO of Dubai company - Michael Amazona Del Mar Filipina nurse chases the American dream - Gladys P. Ong
Licensed pharmacist conquers real estate business in Middle East - Flordeliza Suba-Elep
Dr. Catherine Bañas
OFW dentist making the world a better place, one smile at a time suppliedcredit:image
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But when she started to carve her overseas journey, the clinic where she worked was poorly managed, as she described it.
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Dr. Catherine admitted that completing the dentistry course was difficult despite having dentists in their family: one works in the US, and the other was in a province, so she didn’t receive much support.
Doctors are known to make the world a better place, one smile at a time. This is the profession of Abu Dhabi-based Dr. Catherine Bañas, a general practice dentist at Ahalia’s Kabayan Clinic.
It was 2018 when a UAE-based company directly hired her. She went through the right channel to employ Filipinos from the Philippines in the UAE, so when she arrived, she was already on her working visa.
“It was here for a very long time. But then, it was poorly managed,” she said. In 2021, she took a leap of faith and joined Ahalia, a hospital that started from a small clinic in 1984 that turned into a conglomerate that now has two multi-specialty hospitals and 20 satellite medical centers in the peripheral areas of the country along with 35 pharmacies.
“Lahat na ng mga bata doon mayroon nang stainless steel na crown kasi pasyente na naming lahat,” Dr. Catherine Afterquipped.successfully completing her studies, she immersed herself in various clinics and hospitals. In the Philippines, she was trained in hospital dentistry. They bring patients into the operating room and treat cancer patients for clearance. Her career flourished when she became a part of St. Luke’s Medical Centre and other clinics after that. After more than a decade of practicing dentistry, Dr. Catherine wants to pursue studying, perhaps specializing in something she has yet to decide. Sometimes, the Filipino dentist gets torn between setting up her clinic in the future and continuing to look after her patients.
“Sometimes I get too attached to the patients, and I don’t want to leave them because the kind of practice I want is that I will be able to take care of them,” she said.
In her free time, Dr. Catherine skis in Dubai after learning she could when she visited Georgia. She plans to ski on a snow mountain soon after taking lessons on how to do the sports perfectly.
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“Mostly, I get support from my teachers. So, it was nice even if I took longer to graduate. But then, it was a nice experience because you learned many things. The goal of the school is for you to learn as much as possible because you grow up, most of the time, you are going to be on your own,” she Shesaid.recalled fulfilling many requirements and being asked to present specific cases for their study. She said other schools are allowed to hire agents to get patients, but in their case, they are tasked to look for their own. They would go to San Andres to convince kids to participate in their undertakings.
A University of the Philippines graduate, Dr. Catherine has above ten years of clinical experience in dentistry. For many years, she has been putting on her clients’ best smiles every day.
Dr. Harold Sosa
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“I always protect my family because I care about my family,” he said. One of the advocacies he wants to promote further is protecting oneself and others from getting afflicted with the Covid-19 virus. His initiative starts with his family, who always follow the set health protocols to avoid catching the virus.
Adoctor should possess talent, energy, resolve, and character.
However, it was put on hold due to ‘some challenges’ he faced when he passed the medical licensure examination.
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Oneadded.of the challenges he faced was establishing his practice, as he never envisioned practicing away from the Philippines. His dream was to specialize in cardiology. He promised that after medical school, he would train himself to be a specialist, particularly in cardiology.
Abu Dhabi-based Filipino doctor Dr. Harold Sosa has been living and working in the UAE for 10 years, playing a massive role in promoting a healthy lifestyle in the country and helping residents with their health-related problems.
Currently, Dr. Harold is working at the Al Ahalia Hospital and is one of the original Filipino doctors who opened the Kabayan DuringClinic.
“Because no one will ever– I mean, people tend to neglect their health, and I have seen people who really don’t care about themselves in terms of health awareness.
“You would find out that it’s really hard to earn money even if you’re in the medical field because of these things or system back home. So, what I told myself ‘I need to earn money’, and at the same time, I could serve our kababayan back in the Philippines,” he said.
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Dr. Harold admitted that he was ‘culture shocked’ when he moved to the UAE because of the strict laws and how they maintain peace and order.
“It was really hard because I witnessed people dying in front of me, without having the capability to buy medicines they need. And sady, even the government couldn’t offer the basic needs of these patients,” he added.
Although helping the poor was selfgratifying, he realized he could do more and start his own family. It would be challenging if he started a family with the kind of job and salary he was getting every month. So, he took a leap of faith, married his wife, had a child, and ventured on an overseas journey.
“Medical career is one of the toughest careers out there, and pushing our children to take the same career that we have right now, it’s not one of our priorities, but most of the time, we would ask them what they wanted to be, but they will tell us, “We’ll think about that, daddy”. But we’re still praying that, you know, just- we are giving them choices what they want to be when they grow up,” he said.
With the bountiful blessings he receives today, he has already achieved the things he only wished for before. When about what he wants, Dr. Harol said he still wants to give back to the community through a small clinic or hospital he wants to spearhead in the future.
Being part of the first Kabayan Clinic, which serves the Filipino community in the capital, is another way for him to help fellow Filipinos who need medical attention.
“As compared back home, UAE is stringent in terms of following the law here,” he
the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, he was too busy curing thousands of patients. His dedication to work left a mark, literally, on his face after wearing multiple face masks that is still present on his nose bridge. He attended to different types of patients who manifested Covid-19 symptoms and needed utmost medical attention.
“I could say that success is having satisfaction and contentment in life,” he Comingsaid. from a family of doctors, Dr. Harold said he is not forcing his two children to take the medical field.
When he was asked to define the word success, Dr. Harold said it is only God who can give it to someone.
To fulfill his advocacy, he applied for a government-run hospital in Manila. For almost four years, he met different walks of life and the poorest who only depend on the government’s aid.
“Maybe in the future, I want to go back again. I want to go back home again, serve my own country, and give back to my fellow kababayans,” he said.
And sadly, I’ve seen some people like going back home or sick and even some of them died because of this pandemic or some other incidents,” Dr. Harold said.
TGFM | JULY 2022 | ISSUE 2716 Dr. Caryl Sosa How a Filipina doctor in UAE juggles work and duty as mom suppliedcredit:image
Kabayan Clinic for Filipinos
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Adoctor is not defined by his or her medical school GPA. They work towards becoming practicing physicians and develop more qualities that equip them to be successful in the field.
The Kabayan Clinic set up by Alhalia Hospital has given Filipinos in Abu Dhabi the confidence to interact with their fellow Filipinos. Since the doctor is a Filipino, they get to communicate about their illness and express themselves well.
“We also set an environment for them that we are not just their parents, we are also their friends. They can open up with us, even their problems, and they have started to have crushes in school,” she added.
To monitor their gadgets and bond as a family after work, she and her husband set a schedule for them to play or use their computers. Afterward, they spend time together playing board games so they can interact with the kids.
“Mas madali yung communication and napapalagay sila agad sa’yo kasi when you’re seeing a patient, they need to feel na sila. Para mas makakapag-open sila ng freely at masabi nila kung ano yung nararamdaman nila,” Dr. Caryl, who started practicing as a general practitioner in 2004 in the Philippines, added. Her advice to her patient is to have a personal relationship with God.
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“There are different stages on how you take care of your kids. For example, during their formative years, you need to give the authority that you are the parent,” she said.
With 17 years of clinical experience and eight total work experiences in the UAE, Dr. Caryl Sosa’s good qualities as a general practitioner at Alhalia Hospital’s Kabayan clinic are shared by many successful medical practitioners.
year 2012 when she decided to follow his husband, who is also a doctor, in the UAE. She brought their kids to the UAE because she believes parents should be present during their kids’ formative years. She also wants to witness their children’s milestones in life as they grow beside them.
“If you are in your winning seasons, you should thank God for his blessings. And if you’re in your waiting season, you need to be patient and thankful. When you are in your setbacks and opposition, you need to trust him,” she said.
When approaching a patient, according to Dr. Caryl, she calls them by their names. She treats them not as a patient but as a friend or family member. She said when she interacts as a friend, the flow of communication between the two parties becomes more relaxed.
Her family and friends best describe her as a person and colleague with compassion, a strong work ethic, professionalism, knowledge about work, confidence, and Ithumility.wasthe
TGFM | JULY 2022 | ISSUE 2720 Malou Prado Award-winning Filipina making waves in travel industry in UAE and Philippinessuppliedcredit:image
Dubai-based Filipino entrepreneur Malou Prado believes that selfbelief and hard work will always earn one’s success. Growing up in the town of Cavite in the Philippines, her parents would always tell her that education is the only ticket to stay away from poverty. In an effort to surpass financial constraints, she assisted her mother in selling ‘tinapa’ in the local Withmarket.her determination and gusto to end the cycle of poverty, Malou was able to finish a Baccalaureate course in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the prestigious Lyceum University Manila.
Today, Malou is now reaping what she sowed. The MPQ Travel & Tourism has been receiving accolades from various prestigious award-giving bodies in the UAE and in the Philippines. Malou, on the other hand, is also recognized by these award-giving bodies as an and trailblazer influential female entrepreneur. Her latest legacy is the latest branch of her company in the Philippines that is set to promote the Philippines’ tourism and assist Filipinos who want to travel outside the Philippines.
Despite asking for referrals and meeting new people, she was unlucky to obtain a stable job. Her goal to be hired by a company that would offer her an employment visa was subsiding. She recalled getting tired of eating ramen noodles because she could not afford to buy a decent meal. She also experienced worries about having no money for the next rent payment on her rented single Herbed.problems thickened while trying to survive and thinking about how she could send money back home to support her family financially. A blessing in disguise Malou always trusts the timing of everything. She believes that just because it was not happening right then didn’t mean it never will.
“It wasn’t as much a decision to become an entrepreneur as it was just a realization that is what was meant to do. Starting to sell tickets, visas, and group tour packages were just the next steps as I explored and uncovered new possibilities.
“Theseyears. years were torturous, that I am wide awake 24/7 in attending incoming phone calls from Kish where the base of exit is placed,” she added. By the year 2013, the Filipina entrepreneur negotiated with a buzzed investor to recapitalize the company, touting a new ‘direct response’ business that could give help with more chances to expand her services. To further strengthen the empire she was building, she attended a series of seminars, paid phone calls to interested bigger parties, explained the products, offered discounts and coupons, and negotiated profits, alas! she then ultimately convinced them to build a network of hundreds of ticket agents.
“Failure is always a part of life, if fear or failure is always holding us back; we cannot walk to move forward. In any kind of business, building products isn’t easy, sometimes things happen that are out of control. Let’s just throw bad things on the wall, pick good things and keep working on them by heart for the benefit of all.
To pursue a career, she opted to work in Taiwan where she met her lifetime partner, Robert Prado, and got married afterward when they went back home to the JustPhilippines.likeany typical Filipino dreamer, she also aspired to seek a country where greener pasture is. The UAE was her first choice. Without hesitation, she landed in Dubai using a visit visa only. During the first three months of her stay, Malou found it hard to look for a permanent job. She flew to Kish many times for visa extension purposes and continuously worked odd jobs, such as a cleaner, helper, and food server, among others.
I found purpose in growing a business that produces useful things and creates meaningful jobs for many fellowmen,” she Alongsaid. the way, Malou dealt with the ups and downs of start-ups for the entire five
In the same year, she decided to quit managing that company and launched her own business. As expected, her business, MPQ Travel & Tours, significantly raised and become a top-notch agency inside and outside the UAE markets, which offers affordable, honest, and reliable tourism services.
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Anyway, reputation is all on what I am selling for,” she said.
After praying for guidance, her phone rang. One of the agency’s clients where she had a part-time job looked for her number. She was offered to sell UAE visas and tickets with a freelance agreement. As a person with enthusiasm and optimism, she took up the challenge. At first, earning a commission felt difficult, but little did she know she was already building scores of big customers. That was the time when Dubai started the lurking tourism industry. She never gets satisfied. She always aims for more. Malou realized that the financial situation was so dire, until such time an Arab friend offered her to run a ready company but without giving her cash for any means of salary. She was so reluctant to say yes but she thought of herself as unreasonable if she backed off from what was presented on the table. So, she looked back from the road of her journey in the UAE filled with odds and people trying to drag her down, and she realized that that was her chance to prove to them that she was truly a challenger and a fighter. Knowing that she had no single amount of money in her hand to finance any business, abruptly, she accepted the offer and poured herself into work. She also voiced her concern to help many of her fellow kababayans on how they would earn a living without having capital on hand.
TGFM | JULY 2022 | ISSUE 2722 Flordeliza Suba-Elep Licensed businessconquerspharmacistrealestateinMiddleEast suppliedcredit:image
Liza, fondly called by her family and friends, embarked on her corporate journey as a compliance officer for a pharmaceutical company to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health (DOH). At one point, she was convinced to join a multi-level marketing business which opened her horizons in the field of sales and marketing. This paved the way for her to expand her network in the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Singapore, where she learned the value of Asmentorship.abusiness-minded person, she also ventured into a resto-bar in Cabanatuan City, where she held various shows and events, such as trans show, mini concerts, and bartender exhibitions, while partnering with other local businesses.
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She was able to climb the corporate ladder of success through her determination and persistence in work and the consistent hard work she pulled off.
Liza, who is now at the pinnacle of success, was promoted to regional sales head in the Middle East of Century Properties Group.
“The motivation to succeed is like a burning fire within me; a challenge grew from within and not because of pressure dictated by people or situations. You will succeed if you’re happy with what you’re doing when you can no longer identify work and fun,” she said.
“I must say that the business was ‘experimental’ at first and out of fun. But eventually, I gained experiences, widened my contacts, and developed my managerial skills,” she said. Embarking on a real estate journey Liza vividly recalled when she joined the real estate business in the Philippines. Like many newbies, she started from humble beginnings. She described herself as the usual agent scattered around the area, giving away flyers, making cold calls, attending company events, and meeting with potential clients to achieve sales.
To become a full-fledged real estate professional, she took a real estate licensure examination and successfully became a broker in the Philippines and Dubai. New journey in Dubai It was 2007 when she visited a friend in Dubai. She could still vividly recount the time she was walking along Deira when she saw one fellow Filipino who wanted to ask her something and addressed her as kabayan, an endearment used by Filipinos to their fellow overseas. For Liza, it was not usual for her to be called kabayan; however, she found it warm, and it made her feel ‘home’. She moved to Dubai in an effort to be with her husband, who is working at an airline company in the capital. Apart from that, she also found the Middle East, where an immense concentration of Filipinos is found, as a great opportunity to market real However,estate.she faced many difficulties while adjusting to the host country, especially during the recession in 2008. Through her husband’s unwavering support and her team, who never failed to believe in her abilities and talents, she stood tall in the face of adversities and successfully overcame them.
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Finding your passion is figuring out what you want to do, what inspires you, and gets you up in the morning eager to seize the day. And figure out how you can get there and what it would take to be that person. Flordeliza SubaElep, a licensed Filipina pharmacist, found her passion in the real estate business back in the Philippines, which became her profession for more than 18 years.
Fast forward to 15 years, Liza is still living in the UAE, conquering the real estate sector and doing her to help the unsung OFW heroes to find quality homes and investments back home. For many years, she has helped her fellow Filipinos realize their dreams of having their own homes and giving them solid investments in Throughproperties.her work, she also promotes the Philippines to non-Filipinos who wish to visit and retire to the Asian country.
“Life overseas is just one of the opportunities or a vehicle to achieve our dreams, but always remember to value first the most important in life, something that money cannot buy---relationships, integrity, time, and health,” she concluded.
The realtor said that her work is not routinary as she has the freedom to execute ideas while managing the risks.
“Set a timeline to yourself because being OFW is not a lifetime opportunity. The good thing about working in the Middle East is that we are all aware that expats will all go back to our native lands upon reaching retirement age, therefore we can plan and set our goals earlier depending on how long we want to work overseas and achieve our target,” she said.
“There is a feeling of accomplishment when your clients treated you as a friend or family because they are happy with their investments; when your team addressed you as their mentor rather than a boss; when you see your agents achieve goals and making their dreams come true; when the company you work with trusted and respected you; when your family is proud of your achievements... these are my shining moments,” she further added.
“My goals are simple: to satisfy clients on their investments, to help agents achieve their goals, and to deliver to the company what is expected,” she added.
Having stayed overseas for more than 15 years, Liza still considers the Philippines her home. Pursuing real estate will still be part of her future because helping Filipinos building their wealth through real estate investment has already become her Sheadvocacy.believes hardworking OFWs deserve to retire in a secure future and decent home.
Liza advised her fellow OFWs abroad to play their cards well since they’re just steps closer to their goal.
When asked about the best part of working overseas, Liza said it’s the opportunity to meet people from various cultures and backgrounds. This also allows her to function outside her comfort zone and prove to herself that she can excel in another land.
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Filipina pursues dream in UAE as artist and singer suppliedcredit:image
Rhona May ReyesNollan
Rhona aims to grow more as a person and as a performer in Abu Dhabi and, simultaneously, save enough money to visit her family back home and her six-year-old
“Bedaughter.wisein everything that you do. Set goals and focus on them. Work hard because opportunities are not given to everyone. Save money because we are not sure what the future holds for us. And, you’ve got no one to trust but yourself. Lastly, you must never forget to always believe that you can,” she concluded.
The Filipina entertainer finished her degree in Music in 2011 at the Universidad de Sta. Isabel. After completing the course, she tried other jobs besides singing and “Butperforming.I’malways willing to learn new things and open to experience different paths that may be able to help me grow as a person,” she added.
To share her talents with a crowd is always her dream. She always aspires to entertain and inspire other people, especially her fellow Filipinos, so that they may also believe that with perseverance and hard work, dreams definitely do come true.
In April 2021, Rhona tested positive for Covid-19 and was quarantined for three weeks despite being asymptomatic. She was again inflicted with the same virus on Year’s Day in 2022. This time, it was different. She seemed to be fine; however, she had lost her golden voice, the voice she had cared for since she was young and the same voice that feeds her and her family in the Philippines.
Rhona said.
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Much has been said about following dreams. But for Rhona May Nollan Reyes, dreams can be challenging. Nine years ago, she decided to pursue her dreams in Malaysia as a band vocalist. She traveled to various places in the country. After building her professional profile, she traveled to many countries she had never been to before, like Cambodia, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Myanmar. In 2018, her band went to Abu Dhabi to work on Raskery Bar; however, it was just a short stay as they flew back to Malaysia the next year and stayed there for three Shemonths.then moved back to Abu Dhabi and signed a contract to perform in Cheers Bar in Al Ain Place Hotel before the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic, which had disrupted businesses across the world, was also the cause of why they were disbanded. This also caused her to be jobless for almost a year because of the travel restrictions. Rhona, a resourceful person, tried her luck in live streaming, which supported her throughout the pandemic. She recalled that singing and performing online became her only source of income back Tothen.further support her financial needs, she joined various online competitions that promised cash prizes. Her passion for singing in the virtual world made her the Worldstage Champion 2020 winner, 1st Uplive Asian Singing Champion 2021, and Agency’sAgency’s Pride Champion 2021 Herwinner.life challenges did not stop there.
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“I was so afraid because my work relies on my voice. When I recovered, I returned to work, but it was still tough for me to sing. I remembered that there were times I had breakdowns during work breaks. I couldn’t help myself but cry. Singing has been my first love, and I can’t imagine a life without being able to do what I love. Despite everything, I’m so thankful for the presence of those people who stood with me during those difficult times. My friends and family are always with me during pains and gains. And especially to God, who has never left me behind,” she said. Despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, she is still grateful for working as a solo singer and performer in the New Bar Arcadia last November 2020 up until to date. “It has always been my dream to become a performer, and at the same time, I wanted to support my parents financially,”
“It may be a long process, but the good thing is that we are already one step closer to it. Therefore, I can definitely say that I really love my work because I’m so passionate about what I do,” Rhona said.
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Michael
Whensaid. asked about his plans, the Dubaibased business owner said he plans to move to the US and join his American mom and sisters and happily live with them.
“You can always pull off anything you set your heart into. If you see past the silver lining, you can overcome any adversity. It always pays to be humble. Help out your community, and it will come back to you hundred folds,” he added.
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Michael admitted that he, too, was immensely affected by the pandemic, business-wise. He recounted laying off a couple of loyal employees from his events agency as well as limiting the company’s expenditures to a minimum to keep it afloat.
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“Literally, there were no physical events; hence there were no fashion shows as well,” he remembered. His company was able to bounce back right away; thanks to the UAE government’s Covid-19 response, normalcy was gradually restored.
Michael recalled the reason why he opted to work overseas. “I came here to escape the island life in Cebu City and to seek new opportunities in a country that has always been a champion for supporting expatriate careers,” he said. As envisioned, he realized his dreams using the right formula in life to be a successful Throughoutperson. her professional career, from a hospitality worker, he then worked as the head of agency for Diva Models; and the casting director for Fashion Forward Dubai.
With enough experience, Michael ventured into the business world and put up his IKON Productions Dubai, a leading experimental agency that focuses on delivering unique activations and residential destinations.
“The challenge now is to sustain the work we get and make sure that we deliver so that it would translate to repeat jobs. It has not been financially rewarding, but at least we can still manage to make ends meet. Looking ahead, we need to make sure that we market ourselves to a broader audience and try to diversify our operations so we can close more jobs,” he
The Filipino entrepreneur said that he likes that Dubai offers equal opportunity for every worker.
The company’s key solutions are fully customized family-oriented activations, bespoke entertainment, seasonal décor, and fashion shows. They service leading shopping mall groups in the UAE, including Dubai Holding, Meraas, Al Futtaim Group, Burjuman, and Nakheel.
“I enjoy my current work because I get to be creative and at the same time be able to execute my creativity in the activations that we organize,” he added.
Michael also delved into fashion show direction and backstage management, which allowed him to work with iconic brands like Chanel, Dolce and Gabanna, and Boss, among other leading brands.
Bouncing back after pandemic
Michael advised his fellow Filipinos overseas to always focus on their goals.
“Being an entrepreneur in a city like Dubai poses many potential personal opportunities for growth. They say that Dubai is the New York of Asia, and to make it here means you can make it anywhere,” he said.
Coming to Dubai, according to Michael Amazona Del Mar, was just an accident. Some 18 years ago, he happened to tag along with a friend who went to a local job fair in Dubai. He took the same interview and got the position to work at the front office of the four-star Millennium Airport Hotel. Little did he know that his accidental visit to the region would change his life forever.
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John Carlo M. Biteng
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One of the reasons why he opted to work overseas is his family. He also wanted to find his purpose and build a professional Tocareer.realize these dreams, he followed his mother to Dubai and carved his fate.
Asaid.person with a strong personality, he, too, waded many storms in life. Last year, he hit rock bottom because of problems related to his work and personal issues. This almost prompted him to quit his work; however, thankfully, his mother and his family backed him.
John Carlo said he aims to start his own business in the future after saving money and learning the ins and outs of putting up a business.
From starting to work as a server for a restaurant in the UAE, John Carlo demonstrated the qualities of being an efficient leader, which paved the way for him to be promoted to assistant manager.
Climbing the F&B industry ladder starts with being more charismatic. UAE-based Filipino John Carlo M. Biteng has this quality, which makes him more confident and influential.
“No one will judge you even if you didn’t finish studying. Everyone has an opportunity here with perfect timing and hard work,” the young assistant manager
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John Carlo said working overseas offers unlimited challenges, which fuel his energy to do more. One of the things that he liked about the culture in the country was its tolerance.
A varsity player during his college years, the sports basketball helped him learn life lessons, such as accepting the inevitability of failure, the value of teamwork, fitness and physical health, patience, hard work, and determination, among other things.
The 23-year-old newbie in Dubai said he likes the idea of meeting different kinds of people of different nationalities. As a person who chose the F&B career, he also likes the idea of providing service to their guests as seeing them happy is satisfaction for him.
“Without them, I cannot achieve anything in my life,” the grateful Filipino said.
TGFM | JULY 2022 | ISSUE 2738 Jefrey Cafe Going the extra mile to climb the ladder of success suppliedcredit:image
His family members and friends close to him always describe him as someone who always goes the extra mile. This was tested when he was asked by one of his aunts if he was willing to work overseas, particularly in the UAE. Being adventurous that he is, Jefrey Cafe took the golden opportunity despite being a fresh graduate and 21 years old at that time. Without anything else but his visit visa, he tried his luck and applied for various companies in the country. A month after searching for the perfect job, he was tapped by the leading retail store ZARA. For eight years, he consistently climbed up the ladder of corporate success. Today, he now works as a senior sales assistant.
“It’s a long journey to be who I am today. And I never give up so easily. It’s just that, we need to face it,” he said.
As a family-oriented individual, he always looks after his family, siblings, nephews, and nieces.
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“What I enjoy more is when I’m assisting and interacting with our clients by providing them my excellent customer service to provide and satisfy their needs and wants; by giving them proper and correct information about our products; mixing and matching outfits, new collections and promotions,” he added.
The Filipino senior sales assistant had conditioned himself that he won’t stay in the UAE for more than 10 years, although he couldn’t tell what was in store for him in the future. All his siblings are now with him, carving their fate as well. He further added he still also plans to travel and explore his dream countries and give himself a push to pursue his dreams of working and living in Canada.
“I love my job, and I chose to be in this field because I am confident and passionate about it. Working in a multicultural environment makes me feel so empowered. I can even properly understand and communicate to everyone through body language no matter what nationality, age, gender, or culture they’re from,” he said.
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Jefrey said that he can’t confidently say that he is now settled because he is still single at 29 and has loads of priorities, especially with his mother.
“I am always open to my family, and they are the reason why I always have to win the fight, to work hard to lead for greater success in life,” Jefrey added.
Jefrey also loves the idea that he gets to have more time to further harness his knowledge and skills in other fields by studying short-term courses and traveling to other countries.
The skills that he manifests in his work today were the fruit of his labor when he was studying while working during his college years. He juggled his time by studying and working as a service crew for a fast food “Evenchain.if it was hard, I managed my studies and career, although I did not have much time to mingle with my friends and attend special occasions. It was fulfilling,” he Facingrecalled.adversities in life at a young age also prepared him to be a stronger person today. He struggled half his life when his father died and left his five siblings.
TGFM | JULY 2022 | ISSUE 2740 Gladys P. Ong Filipina nurse chases the American dream suppliedcredit:image
As the family’s breadwinner, Gladys P. Ong decided to work overseas. With this title, she was tasked to send her siblings to school and support her mother financially.
asked about her long-term plans, Gladys said she wants to pursue a career as a nurse educator. To realize this goal, she takes certification courses to be a qualified nurse educator. Her willingness to help fellow Filipinos in the US extends to her new colleagues in the OR. She teaches them about the work to quickly adjust to the new environment and culture.
In 2015, Gladys finished her Masters of Science in Nursing Major in Adult Health at the prestigious St. Paul University Philippines. This paved the way for her to be a clinical instructor at the Manila Tytana College of Nursing, where she taught firstyear students the fundamentals of nursing. She embarked on her OFW journey in Oman, wherein she worked as an OR nurse for two years at a private hospital. After two years of working in the Gulf country, she continued her journey in the US to chase her American dream. Earlier last year, Gladys obtained her US immigrant visa and is presently working as an OR nurse specializing in neuro, spine, surgery, orthopedics, general surgery, robotics, and vascular surgery.
“I love what I’m doing inside the operating theatre. I love every successful operation we’ve done and how we can change many people’s lives after the surgery is done. They may not remember our names when they’re inside the OR after they are anesthetized. Still, they can always remember how we made them feel inside the OR and how they will share with us the success of the operation can make their lives even better and happier,” she said.
“Any age, any circumstances, and any struggles, as long as you believe you can do it, have faith, and always doing good for the benefit of other people,” she said.
Gladys also plans to permanently stay in the US and have her own family. She advised her fellow kababayans abroad not to stop dreaming as ‘there is no limit’ achieve them.
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“You can choose what field you want to do and what specialty you want to pursue. I learned so much new and advanced technology in the US every surgery as they are already facilitating robotics surgery.
I learned a lot while working abroad--not only about being inside the OR but also on to view myself as a person and a nurse.
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Gladys completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at the Centro Escolar University in Manila with flying colors. She finished with a 1.82 general weighted average. She then became part of various leading hospitals in the Philippines.
Working overseas for nearly four years now, Gladys said that there’s a big difference between working and living in the US and the Middle East, from adjusting to their preferences, wants and needs, and their cultures and religious beliefs. She also noted the vast opportunities abroad compared to the Philippines.
Gladys also admitted that working overseas for various reasons, like fighting homesickness, fitting into a different lifestyle, adapting to a new place, and joining a community to be a part of it, among others. When faced with these struggles, she thinks about her family and friends back home who always got her Whenback.
