Issuu

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

JUNE 2022 | ISSUE 26

Ofelia Zabala Untalan Head nurse turns successful beautician and entrepreneur in GCC region

Kristine ‘Bengs Hyu’ Escano Getting to know more about Bengs Hyu, a Dubai-based social media star

Glorianne Montefrio

Multi-awarded Filipina excels in innovation and sustainability creation in UAE

Bethoven M. Filomeno

An educator and advocate making waves in the creative media production industry

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

FIND US @THEGLOBALFILIPINOMAGAZINE.COM

TGFM | APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 24

8 9 12 13 16 17 20 21 22 23 24 28 29 32 33 36 37 38 39 40 41

Getting to know more about Bengs Hyu, a Dubai-based social media star - Kristine ‘Bengs Hyu’ Escano

Filipino teacher in Abu Dhabi on a mission to help fellow educators - Marlon G. Dalgo

A story about a ‘third culture kid’ - Carla Corsino

Filipina professional shines bright in UAE - Irene Liwanag Villaroya

Head nurse turns successful beautician and entrepreneur in GCC region- Ofelia Zabala Untalan

Filipina nurse chases UK dreams despite obstacles - Jonalyn L. Castro

Multi-awarded Filipina excels in innovation and sustainability creation in UAE - Glorianne Montefrio

Being compassionate while being disciplined is the essence of teaching - Grace Gaviola

A warehouse worker turns into a logistics and supply chain manager - Kim Karl Delariarte Enal

An educator and advocate making waves in the creative media production industry - Bethoven M. Filomeno

Bengs, who rose to fame by creating funny and relatable skits, is also an instrument for small and medium businesses in Dubai to prosper. Either she makes funny or customized videos for them, she is always on the go. “Sobrang saya ko ngayon sa work ko kasi ginagawa ko ang passion ko, nakakatulong din sa mga companies, nag-earn ako ng pera. Dahil dito, nakakapag-provide ako ng pang gastos sa family ko and pang bayad ko ng bills dito sa UAE. At pangbayad ng loan,” she told The Global Filipino Magazine. She said that she could not believe that uploading prank videos on social media platforms would be a reason for her to save money. She added that although she was not that ‘intelligent and active’ in school, she can say that she is creative enough to create engaging videos online.

Kristine ‘Bengs Hyu’ Escano Getting to know more about Bengs Hyu, a Dubai-based social media star

he doesn’t use social media to impress people; she uses it to impact people. Kristine Escano, who goes by Bengs Hyu on social media, has been making waves in the social media world for years now. Her far-reaching presence touches millions of lives online–from creating engaging content to guiding her fellow Filipinos abroad who intend to travel.

TGFM | JUNE 2022 | ISSUE 26

The Filipino social media influencer who has been living and working in Dubai for eight years now is currently connected with Pinoy Tourism and Unicorn Studio as their brand ambassador and social media influencer. With nearly 1 million followers on Facebook as of this writing, Bengs recalled starting from humble beginnings. She worked as a sales promoter and beauty consultant of a perfume brand in a mall for four years. A graduate of BS Cruiseline Operations Major in Hotel Services, Bengs said that she needed at least two-year work experience in a fine dining restaurant or hotel to work on a cruise ship. However, her plans didn’t materialize because her brother had suffered a severe illness. “Dalawa lang kaming magkakapatid. Yung papa ko nasa Qatar pero pa-senior na kaya need din niya mag tapos ng work at yung mama ko naman ay plain housewife nag-aalaga sa aming magkakapatid. So, basically, ako yung kinakailangang mag abroad para ma-sustain namin ang pangangailangan ng pamilya at para mapagamot yung kuya ko,” she added. Fortunately, Bengs’ aunt was working in Dubai. Her aunt assisted her in coming to Dubai to work. Arriving in Dubai on a visit visa, the Filipina was hired as a sales promoter. Although the salary package was more than enough for entry-level, it wasn’t still enough for her family. She still had to take up a loan to pay her family’s debt back home. Perks of living in Dubai When asked about the things she likes about working in the city of Dubai, Bengs said it’s the opportunity to get competitive salaries every month, even for regular workers, and the multiple job opportunities that await those who are hardworking and strategic individuals. “Kaya hindi ako masyadong na-homesick kasi madaming mga Filipino dito lalo na sa mga ibang lugar dito sa UAE na puro kabayan. Feeling ko nasa Pilipinas ka din eh. Ang dami ding groceries at restaurant dito na may Filipino

products and food,” she added. She also commends companies in the UAE for offering airline tickets to their employees and the government for its healthcare system that delivers one of the world’s highest standards of care. Living through storms Her reason for working abroad had already vanished when her brother passed away in 2016 after battling for his life for two years. “Sobrang lungkot ko kasi siya lang nag-iisa kong kapatid, sobrang close namin para ko siyang bestfriend. So that time, nakaramdam ako na mag-isa na lang ako. Wala akong asawa or boyfriend, wala na din akong kapatid. Nasa ibang bansa pa ako,” she further added. A year after, she tested again after her grandmother passed on. This time, Bengs suffered from anxiety and depression linked to her life events. “That time kung ano ano ang pumapasok sa isip ko. Parang ang bata ko pa para magkaresponsibilidad sa lahat ng bagay. Nagta-trabaho ako para lang magbayad ng utang. Tumatanda na ako, hindi ako magka-jowa noon kasi puro iniisip ko trabaho para magbayad ng utang,” she recalled. Bengs wanted to escape her plight, so she prayed to seek solutions. She thought of her loved ones to keep herself motivated. Despite all the struggles she was facing, her career on social media continued. She regularly produces funny skits that involve her nonFilipino colleagues who speak Filipino, which eventually went viral. The online fame paved the way to meet the members of Filipinos in UAE Content Creators (FUCC). On the platform, they upload funny OFW videos that Filipinos can relate to in the UAE and in the Middle East. Conquering online and offline world While her career online continued to elevate, her professional career was soaring. She was hired to be a content creator by Pinoy Tourism, a leading travel and tour company headquartered in Abu Dhabi. Being part of Pinoy Tourism and FUCC opens many doors for Bengs. She became more known, and various companies approached her to promote their services and products. Ecstatic, Bengs said that she is now a licensed content creator in the UAE and is about to pay off his loans entirely in just a few more months. “Unti-unti ko na din napapagawa yung bahay namin. At kahit papaano, nakabili na rin kami ng sasakyan kahit second hand sa tulong ng mga paid collaborations,” she said optmisitically.

Overseas retirement plan The social media star said she wanted to have her own family soon after settling back in the Philippines. Now 30 years old, she said she would continue to produce content online, this time involving her family members. She will also create motivational videos and pieces of advice for jobless Filipinos in the Philippines. “Para sa mga nakakakilala sa akin, ang tingin niyo sa akin ay masarap ang buhay. Pero sa kabila ng masarap na buhay na yan, madaming sakripisyo at hirap ang pinagdadaanan ko. Sa tuwing hindi ka pinapalad sa mga ginagawa mo, huwag mong isipin na malas ka. Meron lang landas na nilaan sayo si God na hindi mo pa lang alam kung ano yun. At hindi mo malalaman yun kung susuko ka. Kaya dapat tuloy tuloy lang. Huwag susuko, dadating din yung para sa’yo,” she said.

T G F M

Bengs left a Bible verse to ponder: “Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

T G F M TGFM | JUNE 2022 | ISSUE 26

True humility is staying teachable, regardless of how much you already know. Abu Dhabibased officer-stock control and returns Marlon G. Dalgo lives with this anecdote. He has always been described as the hardest worker in the room. Marlon, now 39 years old, looked back on how his life was before achieving his current state. Being the ninth among 10 siblings and coming from a poverty-stricken family, he had to support himself in college. He recalled working as student aid, construction worker, school guard, and other odd work he could find just to support his schooling. While juggling school and work, he also a scholar of their Local Government Unity (LGU) in Quezon, Palawan. “I was determined to complete my studies against all the negative expectations that go from being from poor beginnings, and the hardships I endured during those years made me the man I am today,” he said.

Marlon G. Dalgo Filipino teacher in Abu Dhabi on a mission to help fellow educators

Frustrated for failing the LET exams for educators in the Philippines, Marlon, who has a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education degree, decided to work overseas in 2008. When he arrived in the sandpit, his first job was as a merchandizer in a leading retail shop in the UAE. Three months after, he was promoted to controller. When his employment contract had finished, he decided to apply to another company. Armed with enough knowledge and skills, Marlon sought another opportunity, this time with the Abu Dhabi Farmers Services Centre (ADFSC) as a supervisor. In the government agency, he handled various store branches, employees, and paperwork, including reports. Presently, the Filipino is connected with SILAL Food & Technology, handling the stocks, supervising the labor force, and doing reports.

work because he has ample time to serve his fellow teachers and his kabayans through the non-profit organization, Filipino International Teachers’ Society (FITS) UAE. “Until now I’m enjoying my passion to serve my kababayans even though I’m not working in the classroom. I learned a lot from the community. Especially, handling the organization, event or group is not easy compared to handling the students inside the classroom. Here we need a lot of patience but just enjoy and always be grateful; because of these, I developed my selfconfidence to do my best and became a strong person,” he added. Marlon served as their public relations officer (PRO) and organization chairman. Today, he is now one of their advisers. As of now, Marlon is waiting for his item to teach back in the Philippines. He has two offers already in Sa Pinas, Ikaw ang Ma’am at Sir (SPIMS), a government program for OFW LET passers to return to the Philippines, find employment, and practice their profession as teachers. “I told them to give me more time because my mission in Abu Dhabi is not yet finished. If God’s will, hopefully, next year, I will stay in the Philippines to continue my passion for teaching or for working in-home care for the elders or the home for abandoned children,” he added. Marlon advises his fellow OFWs who are currently struggling abroad to keep fighting. “Have faith in God and always ask for His guidance. Always save money and make a goal every day for the future because working abroad is only temporary,” he said.

Even though he is not working in the field of education, he is still happy with his current

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

Carla Corsino

T G F M

A story about a ‘third culture kid’

TGFM | JUNE 2022 | ISSUE 26

elonging to the ‘third culture kid’ or a child who grows up in a culture different from the one where her parents grew up, Carla Corsino faced many major challenges. The biggest for her was, and still is, having an identity crisis on a cultural level. She could not answer a question as simple as ‘Where is home?’ when asked where she’s from as there was never an easy or direct answer. Whenever she explains it, she usually goes with: “I was born in the Philippines, but I was raised in the US.” It was the most straightforward reply she could throw back when being asked by the question. Growing up in the US Carla grew up in the US in the 80s as the youngest child of two Filipino immigrants who moved overseas during the 70s. Her parents are descendants of mixed races: his paternal side had Spanish (possibly Italian), and Chinese origins; while her maternal side had BritishAustralian and American.

said. Her second international move from the US to the Philippines was more than a culture shock. It was extremely distressing, she described. They moved back to the Philippines because her father was assigned to be the Director of Consular Affairs in Zamboanga City. It was a great career move for his father; however, she had to leave her life in the US. “It felt like my world was turned upside down. For years, I went through severe depression, anxiety, insecurity, and my relationship with my parents deteriorated,” she said. When she was finally adjusting to life in the Philippines, her father was then assigned to Turkey as a consul general to the Philippine Embassy in Ankara. As a minor (17 at that time), she had no choice but to go with her parents. “Moving can sound so simple, but it never is, especially when it’s a totally new country you’ve only read about,” Carla said.

Her parents moved abroad when then-President Ferdinand Marcos ruled the Philippines, who is very infamous for his corruption and brutality. His father spoke about openly opposing Marcos and how it affected his career as editor-in-chief of a national newspaper and endangered their lives while living in the Philippines. Carla’s parents experienced how it was to live under a Marcos administration.

New life in Turkey

In 1985, the Corsino family was the only Filipinos in Stoneham, Massachusetts. When his father got recruited into the Philippine Embassy as Phd Consul in 1987, she was the only Filipino child in the elementary schools she attended. It wasn’t until in the eighth grade that she met other Filipinos in the middle school she went to.

When she turned 18, she returned to the Philippines to live independently in a country that still felt foreign to her. Throughout her stay in the country, she fell in love with it, where she attended university.

Carla didn’t learn about Philippine heroes or its national anthem when she moved to the Philippines at 15. By then, she was so American that Filipinos treated her like one. She could not speak the language and could only understand bits and pieces of the dialect if the locals said it slowly. She got ridiculed for wearing make-up, nail polish, and dying her hair.

Carla met the love of her life while she was still studying. Her beau’s family lived in Dubai and wanted him to live with them.

“My Filipino classmates looked at me like I was an alien. And this killed me,” she said. She thought that since she had already encountered bullying in the US, she would be spared in the Philippines. “It was the same,” she

She described her life in Turkey as ‘miserable.’ Although it’s a breathtakingly beautiful place, she was lonely. She was homeschooled and made friends with children of the Embassies around her: the Philippines, Brazil, and Hungary. Like her, they were also forced to live there because of their parents’ diplomatic careers.

Moving to Dubai

“We talked about it for a couple of years. We realized that we were getting older and that it was time to be responsible adults. We thought we could try Dubai out for a year and if we didn’t like it, then we’d decide where to go from there. When I told my parents, they hated the idea at first. As well-traveled as my diplomatic dad was, he didn’t know the Middle East very well. It scared him. My whole family tried to talk me out of it. But I was 24 and stubborn. So off I went for my fourth major international move,” she said.

Carla said that moving to the UAE was a different ballgame as there was no place like Dubai. Like many newbies in Dubai, they immediately looked for jobs. Working with non-Filipinos did not intimidate her; however, she had to acclimate and learn to respect and value the different cultures and behaviors of nationalities around her. A year after moving to Dubai, she was still adjusting with some difficulty, but she and her partner stayed a bit longer and saw how their respective careers would lead them. In 2006, she and her husband decided to tie the knot since the law in the UAE at that time did not allow unmarried couples to live under one roof. They were married at the Philippine Embassy in Muscat, Oman, by her father, who was serving as the consul general. When her second child turned 2, Carla received an official notice from the US Immigration Department that she needed to act on her green card, otherwise it will be forfeited. That news meant that she was expected to move back to the US within a short period of time, and that she would need to uproot her husband and kids and create a new life in the US from scratch. “And along with that came many anxieties. If I became a US citizen, I would need to start paying taxes. I would be giving up the properties that I own in the Philippines, or else I would need to apply for dual citizenship,” she said. At the end of it all, Carla made her decision with her husband. She let go of the green card and opted to stay with her loved ones in Dubai. “I told my parents and my sisters. They weren’t happy, but they weren’t surprised or shocked. They understood that this is who I am. After almost 40 years filled with living in 5 different countries, visiting over 15, exploring nearly all 50 states in the US, experiencing different cultures, and learning to adjust through four major international moves, I had finally embraced my third culture kid self. I will always view myself as a proud Filipino and take pride in my American past, but I’m an international person. I don’t need to fit into or belong to only one country,” she added. Carla now works as the Senior HR Business Partnering Specialist for AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software, driving digital transformation and sustainability.

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

info@jrsexpressglobal.ae

+971 4286 55 25 +971 56622 0787

Irene Liwanag Villaroya

T G F M

Filipina professional shines bright in UAE

TGFM | JUNE 2022 | ISSUE 26

er journey as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) is a story shared by all others like herself because it is a story of perseverance and dreams–dreams of a better life for her family back home and herself. Irene Liwanag Villaroya serves as the light to her only son and her family members back home. Irene embarked on her career in Philippine television when she was 13 years old by joining TV dance competitions in the long-time noon time show Eat Bulaga. A professional dancer, she kicked off her OFW journey in Japan as an entertainer from 1991 to 2005. It was 2013 when she thought about working overseas again; this time, it was in the UAE. She recalled being asked by her brother and sister-in-law to visit Dubai as they needed someone to look after their two kids while waiting for the next nanny. She was asked to come to Dubai since she was only working as a freelance event organizer in Manila at that time. Seeing the vast opportunity in the city, Irene stayed. Her first job in the emirate was secretary to the CEO for a small fit-out company in JLT but didn’t stay long due to personal reasons. Since she has knowledge of makeup, she tried her luck in the beauty industry and became a part-time trainer in a training institute in 2014. Irene considers herself a jack of all trades but master of none.

“The eagerness to learn and being a survivor are always on my mind and priority,” she said. In 2017, she was given a break to be a document controller cum procurement specialist for a construction company in the emirate. “This is not an easy job and a challenging to me, document controller was to keep and maintain all the documentation of all projects. The procurement specialist’s role is to procure and deal with all the suppliers. Dual designation keeps me busy for everyday routine and enhances my personality dealing with all kinds of people,” she said. She said that she suffered almost endless struggles before she settled and found her new current employer. Ups and down came along with her but being resilient and with the full support of her family, she surpassed all the trials. “During these trying times, my family and close friends are with me through ups and downs. They never left me; instead, they supported me all the way. I’m so grateful to have my family and close friends in times of trouble. The most important tool is my faith in God. Never lose hope and faith in Him,” Irene continued. When asked about her plans, she said she would put up a small restaurant and build a resort in her hometown in Sorsogon, Bicol, as they reside adjacent to a beach. Since she is an active member of the Filipino community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, she also plans to establish a foundation or a charitable institution that benefits the elderly and children whose families have abandoned them. “My advice for our Kabayans is just don’t lose hope and faith in God. Everything has a reason and always be good to humanity. Prioritize your family,” she said. Michael Cinco, Ezra Santos: Couture Gown Carla Fuentes: Glam, Hair & Makeup Styling: Ronan Opina Photography: Bethoven Filomeno Studio by: MakKcee Shots.

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

2021, another chance arose when one of Dubai’s premier hospitals opened its doors to the First Hospital Salon in Dubai.

Ofelia Zabala Untalan, a 37-year-old businesswoman and owner of Laundry Heroes and Ofelia Untalan Ladies Salon LLC, is one of these talented and accomplished kababayans. This woman has been in the Middle East for over a decade, pursuing her goals.

She added, “I believe the new calling is a unique concept, and I am so happy and excited to give pride and honor to the Filipino Community in the UAE.”

ilipinos throughout the world are thriving in a variety of disciplines. Studies show Filipinos are the finest caregivers, nurses, and skilled workers globally. It is most visible in Middle Eastern nations, particularly the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has over 600,000 Filipinos.

Ofelia Zabala Untalan By Archie Reyes

Head nurse turns successful beautician and entrepreneur in GCC region

In 2010, she began her career as a nurse in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). She created a modest company providing prepared meals, mobile loads, face care items, and operating a salon in addition to being a nurse. Ofelia was eventually promoted to Head Nurse, but this did not deter her from continuing her business. She was always thinking like an entrepreneur. She intends to supplement her salary with this sideline. She began her own business in KSA in 2020 after franchising a skin care product she had sold for a long time. This beauty had a growing company and a plan to open a branch in the UAE, her ideal nation. Business Establishment in the UAE After much planning, Ofelia launched Laundry Heroes in the UAE in 2021, with two branches while also operating another firm in KSA. This woman is fortunate because, by the end of

“I took the challenge in the beauty industry in Dubai because I am a Registered Nurse and have been in the beauty industry for a decade,” she explained.

She said that two months after, she is pleased that Ofelia Untalan Ladies Salon in Al-Zhara Hospital- Al Barsha is continuing to extend its wings to Filipinos and people of all countries. It was well worth Ofelia’s risk when she became an entrepreneur. According to her, working as a beautician keeps her in the same field of work as working as a nurse. “This is my calling. I can still use the promise of my nursing career that as a nurse, I should always be kind,” Ofelia explained. She was named Marilag Awardee and Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur a few months ago in KSA. Beauty with a purpose Aside from having a lovely face, Ofelia is a young “Beautynurse” with many life experiences that have enabled her to be tough and a fighter. She had been through many hardships since she was nine years old. Until college, she had experience looking for ways to survive.

T G F M TGFM | JUNE 2022 | ISSUE 26

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

She seizes the opportunity to work overseas, and her only support is a strong drive and focus. Her motivation was her father, who died because her family could not afford to send him to the hospital. That encounter strengthened her resolve. “We choose to work overseas because we have a major mission or purpose in life, and that goal is to offer a brighter future to our kids, family, and ourselves; the hardships abroad are far different when we are in our native nation, why? It’s because we would confront difficulties in other lands alone, “ she stated. She also shared that she intends to take on the challenge of establishing other enterprises in the GCC region. And one of his aims is to provide more positions to kababayans in a fair firm where they can be heard and realize their potential. Finally, she advises Filipinos not to lose sight of the core reason for working abroad. They should stay focused, save as much as possible, and work longer hours to make more money.

TGFM | JUNE 2022 | ISSUE 26

registered nurse for 12 years with licenses in the Philippines, Qatar, and the UK, Jonalyn L. Castro proves that one can achieve his or her dreams with full determination and dedication. Having worked in the Philippines from 2010 to 2015 as a registered nurse, she advocated for health promotion, educated the public and patients on preventing injury and illnesses, participated in rehabilitation, and provided care and support. She also worked in the operating theatre, specializing in general surgery, ENT, ophthalmology, plastic, and orthopedics while playing the role of scrub nurse, circulating nurse, and oftentimes recovery nurse.

Jonalyn L. Castro Filipina nurse chases UK dreams despite obstacles

In 2015, Jonalyn thought that her income in the Philippines every month was way too low compared to nurses working overseas. Equipped with the proper knowledge and skills, she took a leap of faith and worked in Al Ahli Hospital’s theatre department in Qatar. Three years later, she transferred to West Bay Medicare as a theatre nurse, which paved the way for her to work for various departments. While fulfilling her duty as a nurse, dispensing comfort and compassion to patients, Jonalyn actively participated in various Filipino events in the Philippines and Qatar. In the Philippines, she was a volunteer trainer for Community Health and Nursing Services and Disaster Nursing in Philippine Red Cross. Meanwhile, in Qatar, she joined several organizations such as Bantay at Kasangga and The Filipino Community Organization. To share her knowledge in nursing care with

her fellow Filipinos in the region, the Filipina nurse spent three years teaching Caregiver and Nursing assistant courses at Filipino Institute, a leading training institution for Filipinos in Qatar. “Nursing is one of the most important jobs in the world, especially at times of pandemic,” she said. While adjusting to the new environment overseas impacted her life, facing major obstacles overseas alone tested her. In 2019, Jonalyn underwent Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy surgery at Hamad Hospital. “Being alone without your family was very depressing; however, some of my friends and colleagues stayed with me during that difficult time. Also my family, although they’re far, they were there for me,” she added. Moving to a new environment Last year, Jonalyn took the Occupational English Test and computer-based test (CBT) for nurses in preparation for her migration to the UK. Luckily, she passed all the examinations, which signal her to start applying for leading hospitals in the UK. Shortly after sending her portfolio, three companies showed interest in hiring her– two in London and one in the countryside. Of all the options, Jonalyn chose to work at the Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, a leading hospital and community-based healthcare, research, and education provider in the UK. “When I arrived in the UK, I had to adjust to the weather–sometimes it’s sunny, other days are windy, and sometimes it’s rainy,” she said.

T G F M TGFM | JUNE 2022 | ISSUE 26

In June this year, Jonalyn took the OSCE exam, a type of examination used to test clinical skill performance and competence such as communications, clinical examination, medical procedures, clinical decision making, clinical thinking and reasoning, and interpretation of clinical outcome results, among others. Successful examiners will be given a nursing license in the country. She was nervous when she received the result after taking the exams, as her future depended on it. Ecstatic, her effort paid off when she received the result of the examination that she aced it. “At that time, I really prayed and thanked God for all the success and achievements I had accumulated this past few years,” Jonalyn said. The frontliner has just completed her thesis defense for her Master of Arts in Nursing with a specialization in Administration and Management. When asked about her advice to fellow Filipinos overseas, Jonalyn said: “Don’t give up, just chase your dreams. There’s no age limit on success; continue to study and broaden your knowledge as this will help you in the future.”

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

s Filipinos, we are always there for our kababayan in whatever manner we can, especially when they succeed in a particular sector. And at this time, let us shine a light on a 43-year-old Project Gateway Managing Partner who has been cultivating love and generosity in an international community. Glorainne Montefrio has lived overseas for nearly two decades and worked in various industries and businesses. She is the Project Gateway’s Innovation and Sustainability Community creator.

Glorianne Montefrio

Glorainne has received several awards. She was one of the top ten Filipino human resources (HR) professionals that attended the IHRC at the Armani Hotel. This talented woman has also received the UAE Kabayan Award for Job Moderator, Toastmaster, ACES Nomination for Promising Startups in Asia, and Community Segment. In addition, she was named HR Leader of the Year 2019 by Employee Happiness Awards and HR Outstanding Performer- Kaplan in January 2020. Her accomplishments motivate all Filipinos who are recognized for their hard work and dependability. Work and Life

By Archie Reyes

Glorainne has been away from her family for 19 years, and the primary reason for leaving the Philippines for work is to assist and pleasantly raise her family.

Multi-awarded Filipina excels in innovation and sustainability creation in UAE

Her experiences built her repertoire and earned her a name in several industries and sectors worldwide. Glorainne works for Light It Forward, a private or semi-government organization that assists persons from the Philippines, Singapore, Oman, and the UAE with legal, strategy, sales, media, human resources, and finance.

TGFM | JUNE 2022 | ISSUE 26

Glorainne is passionate about empowering and informing people of all nations. Thus, “I enjoy managing chaos, generating business outcomes, enabling great and unforgettable events, creating creative content, designing presentation slides, solving difficult challenges, taking calculated chances, and developing longterm partnerships.” Her job experiences characterized these motivational foundations as a service crew in the Philippines until she became the proprietor of an event and project management firm. Struggles create possibilities Glorainne says she enjoys her present job because she meets various types of individuals. Some of them are both inspiring and impactful. Engagement with multiple businessmen and women might also allow her to strengthen her connections and learn more about innovation. When questioned about her troubles before settling, she told Global Filipino Magazine, “I was alone in Dubai for more than seven years, lost jobs, and battled sadness and anxiety.” To overcome these obstacles, she decides to learn how to love herself to restore strength. She also stated that family would always be her foundation, and God would always be the best protection. “Being a Philanthropist does not entail only offering riches, but also spreading positivism, embracing diversity, and believing in the goodness in others,” she explained. Finally, she says that to be successful, one must have a lot of patience, persistence, enthusiasm, hard effort, and gratitude.

T G F M www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

Grace Gaviola, a 38-year-old assistant teacher at the Falcon British Nursery, has spent a decade pursuing her ambitions and objectives in Abu Dhabi, serving multicultural entities in the teaching sector. Grace’s zeal for working and helping people never stops conquering the world. She is doing everything she can to provide a comfortable life for her family back home in the Philippines, even though living overseas has never been easy. One of the joys of her career was discovering the concept of independence on her own. Like any other Filipino, being independent is one of the most challenging aspects of living overseas.

Grace Gaviola By Archie Reyes

Being compassionate while being disciplined is the essence of teaching

On the other hand, Grace overcame it thanks to her friends, who became her family, and her self-motivation, which keeps her striving for her goals. She considers herself fortunate to have individuals who support her efforts to realize her aspirations. When she arrived in Abu Dhabi, she tried her best and was given the finest chance to work in a school as an assistant teacher at the National School for Girls. According to her, the compassion she possesses may be why those around her are similarly attentive and caring. Her motivating factors Her primary motivation for working overseas was to support her family financially, particularly her sister’s schooling. She hopes that her sister will be a successful professional eventually. But all of this is possible due to her love and commitment to her sister, who also has a big ambition in life. To make ends meet, she does side jobs such as babysitting and tutoring in her spare time and working at a school. Unfortunately, her full-time work did not last long due to the development of Covid-19 two years ago.

I did my best to get a part-time job to help us meet our financial obligations. Because I enjoy sketching, I created some sketches in school,” she explained. According to her, her current employment is somewhat enjoyable, primarily when she can assist and share excellent manners with pupils and school personnel. “Taking excellent care of a child and teaching them positive attributes as they grow up is incredibly fulfilling. I appreciate and cherish my job,” she continued. When The Global Filipino Magazine questioned her about why she stayed in Abu Dhabi, she answered that her current employer’s management is extremely good to her, the environment is relatively calm, and the people are really welcoming. Overcoming difficulties Grace’s conflicts and tribulations helped her become magnificent and courageous throughout time. She saw herself as fortunate to have a loving spouse and family who were there for her every step of the process. She is constantly motivated by folks with ragsto-riches tales and those who have suffered all of life’s agony and challenges till they achieve. “Right now, my mind is still in Abu Dhabi because I just finished my studies at the Filipino Institute. I still wanted to work here and explore this new professional path. However, I am not ruling out any new chances outside of Abu Dhabi,” she said. Finally, she advises her fellow kababayans that every day is an opportunity to be courteous and friendly to everyone. And discipline will always be the key to success.

“When the pandemic began, I lost my job. So,

T G F M TGFM | JUNE 2022 | ISSUE 26

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

T G F M TGFM | JUNE 2022 | ISSUE 26

man like Kim Karl Dalariarte Enal would be the ideal person to approach regarding workplace leniency and seamless supply transactions.

Karl, the Logistics and Supply Chain Manager of Maimoon Papers Industry LLC, is 33 years old. He’s been in the UAE for 10 years. And he’s always chasing his aspirations for the future and his family.

Kim Karl Delariarte Enal By Archie Reyes

A warehouse worker turns into a logistics and supply chain manager

He arrived in the UAE in 2012 and began as a warehouse worker. After a year, he was promoted to warehouse manager and logistics operations executive after two years of hard work. After gaining expertise at his first firm, he was hired as a logistics manager by a multinational supply chain organization in 2015. He became a logistics and supply chain manager after seven years of pure effort, and he regarded it as the pinnacle of his career. Working in another country Karl feels that his trip to Dubai is part of God’s plan for him. According to him, his brother got him out from the Philippines due to misbehavior. When he arrived in Dubai, he found both luck and change. “To be honest, my elder brother just took me because I was so obstinate in the Philippines. I think the Lord prompted me to come here and change my life,” he explained His first job was never simple. He was a laborer with expertise in putting loose chemical bag cargo into 20-foot-over-40-foot containers, driving forklifts, and physically dumping open chemical drums. Karl claims that he pushed himself to work

harder and was delighted that the management of his former employer noticed his excellent work and finally promoted him. They are required to be detailed in their field of work in logistics, and delays have no place at work. Discipline is usually a top concern in his line of work. “Most fulfilling for me is when you solve a problem or issue at work that no one else can handle, and every time I continued repeating myself, that joy,” he stated. Struggles to achieve perfection His goal in continuing to work overseas is to better himself while helping his family. His family is his drive in life, and he does not want them to be concerned. One of his difficulties, he claims, is homesickness since he constantly misses his family in the Philippines. He also had work-related issues, financial difficulties, and the typical hardships of overseas Filipino employees. Karl taps himself anytime he is about to quit. “And I keep telling myself to do my best, never quit, and keep going no matter how difficult the conditions are,” he explained. He is now loving his employment and hopes to start his own business one day. He says he wants to outperform the previous year by accomplishing something important. When asked for advice to our kababayans, he said: “Keep viewing positive movies; this will shift your mind towards positive things. I hammered the nail through. It’s like your dreams; if you don’t do it, they won’t come true. Keep going. Small things add up to huge things.”

www.theglobalfilipinomagazine.com

ne of the most brilliant Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is Bethoven M. Filomeno, a professional photographer and Media Studies Instructor at one of Dubai’s top universities. He began his journey and life in the Emirates eight years ago and has had a wonderful experience with the city since then. His first job was as the Department Head for Music, Arts, Physical Education, and Health at the Philippine School Dubai. He is currently employed as a Media Studies Instructor at Amity University Dubai, where he teaches journalism, mass communication, film, and television production, fine arts in animation, and a few creative and communication-based courses in the Fashion Design Department.

Bethoven M. Filomeno By Archie Reyes

An educator and advocate making waves in the creative media production industry

City. His photographic adventure began in the Philippines, where he studied at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines and established contacts in the fashion world. “My passion is teaching and learning from the next generation. Being in academia also allows me to share my interest in photography and other forms of creative media,” he said. Bethoven believes that educating young people is his destiny; he enjoys preparing pupils for the actual world of working professionals. This excellent individual is constantly interested in meeting new people, learning from experiences, and discovering new ideas. He feels fulfilled when interacting and working with individuals who share his enthusiasm and drive.

His educational interests stem from his enthusiasm for fashion photography, creative media production, and design-related industrybased activities, which he shares with his pupils by exposing them to the actual world of the media industry.

Sculpted in science, handcrafted in arts

He says his career highlight is when he helps students and others achieve their life objectives as media practitioners. He continuously encourages, enables, and empowers individuals to be the most excellent version of themselves to achieve their life objectives.

He also feels that every venture will always have ups and downs. “When I came here with a good track record of work experience and academic credentials, I expected too much, only to discover that as a newcomer in this country, I need to accept the fact that starting from zero is an important life experience that I should embrace,” he said in an interview with Global Filipino Magazine.

Making a living overseas Bethoven stated openly that he had no plans to work overseas. He left the Philippines to push himself to live outside his comfort zone. And, according to him, he never regretted it. “The UAE provided several chances for me as an educator and creative practitioner. It has been my home, where I feel safe and protected, as a nation that values variety and tolerance. Working here is something I’m always proud of. I developed as a person and as a professional,” he explained. He spent ten years in the Philippines as a faculty member at St. Mary’s Academy in Caloocan

Bethoven, a talented man, saw Dubai as a city of opportunity. According to him, residing in Dubai provides him with greater confidence, stability, and a more holistic outlook on life.

He also stated that his future ambitions include equipping more students and inspiring them to pursue their aspirations. In addition, he is looking forward to exhibiting his work as a photographer in Dubai in partnership with various Non-Governmental Organizations. He encourages his fellow kababayans to preserve their faith and belief in God’s purpose. Furthermore, he recommended being modest and giving credit to those who shaped one’s character.

T G F M TGFM | JUNE 2022 | ISSUE 26