The Global Filipino Magazine | Vol 3 Issue 8

Leen Samson

Filipino businesswoman in Dubai continues to embrace challenges

Businessman elevating Filipino professionals in Middle East Filipino dance group in Dubai dance for passion, creativity, and dedication

OFW soaring high in UAE: From airport staff to Philippine Airlines’ key account manager

Jover Nino De La Cruz

Elite Force Dancer Khristine Teves

Businessman elevating Filipino professionals in Middle East - Jover Nino De La Cruz

Filipino Covid-19 response nurse in Dubai, a beacon of hope to fellow nurses - Mark Anthony Gimeno De Vera

How a former internet shop attendant turned into one of the most respected ink masters in Dubai - Noel Sy Alarcon

Building a career as a flight attendant in Saudi ArabiaDivine Grace Venci

Filipino businesswoman in Dubai continues to embrace challenges - Lyn Samson

Filipino content creator in Dubai inspires online followers to embrace imperfections - Arvin Santos

Filipino dance group in Dubai dance for passion, creativity, and dedication - Elite Force Dancer

OFW soaring high in UAE: From airport staff to Philippine Airlines’ key account manager - Khristine Teves

OFW highlights continuous learning and personal growth while living overseas. - Mary Luver V. Rabor

Jover Nino De La Cruz

Businessman elevating Filipino professionals in Middle East

Moving to Dubai was not Jover Nino De La Cruz’s plan. He flew to the emirate with the initial purpose of tourism; however, he saw a brighter future waiting for him, so he stayed.

It was 2016 when he embarked on his overseas journey as a sales assistant with a famous sporting brand. The job was a pretty challenging journey for him, but he was thankful for the opportunity. Jover knew in his heart that he could do more and do better.

He decided to fuel himself by studying while working overseas. He took up international courses in human resources, and luckily, everything paid off. It wasn’t a walk-in-the-park experience, but through perseverance and dedication, he was able to clinch his first HR assistant role, then officer, until he reached the HR position handling various award-winning

hospitality groups.

“HR profession is really close to me because I can help in my very little way. Helping job seekers land better job opportunities is immensely rewarding. Seeing them growing professionally is one of the most priceless achievements I am very proud of,” he said.

Seeing things and appreciating the Dubai market awakened his sleeping passion for venturing his own business amid the Covid-19 pandemic. For Jover, the pandemic has taught him a lot of things.

As the world recovered from the pandemic, he was also building more profound platform to showcase Filipino professionals in all aspects of back-office consultancy job in the field of HR, accounting, marketing, PR, and many more corporate services.

In 2022, he established his company ‘Phil Pro Consultancies’ with the help of other professional business partners with the goal of elevating their fellow countrymen in the region. He named the company to give back to Filipino professionals--known to be ‘the best right hand’, ‘the best employee’, ‘the best staff’ but never been addressed to be ‘the best mind behind any concept’--which he believes best describes Filipinos.

The Filipino entrepreneur envisions Phil Pro Consultancies as the best representation and image of a Filipino professional working all over the world that ‘we are not just a Filipino’ but ‘we are a Filipino.’

Currently, they are working on different international and local projects.

Managing his consultancy firm open

image credit: supplied

different doors for Jover. His scope is always unpredictable and challenging.

“Helping businessmen have the best support in any back-office field, witnessing their journey to have a dream business, being part of their growth and success is something I am always thankful for,” the nurse by profession said.

Gaining clients’ trust is their goal and will always be their priority but achieving their expectations is their motivation. Now, he is not only representing himself but also the whole team and the rest of the Filipino professional consultants out there.

For him, working overseas allows him to work with a diverse community. Learning curve is broader, and growth is faster than usual, especially for people with perseverance and commitment, he added.

When asked about his plans, Jover wanted to be part of a nongovernmental organization to enhance the education system in the Philippines. Should he be given an opportunity, he wants to collaborate with training centres in the UAE where he can share his expertise and knowledge.

Jover is also gearing up to open a new business venture in the UAE that deals with modeling and scouting talents next year. He is also planning to open an HR consultancy firm back home.

Jover opened Kooya Filipino Eatery in Dubai, owned by celebrity Chef

JP Anglo; and the first branch of Germany’s famous cafe Cafe buur.

He advised his fellow OFWs to take every challenge as opportunity to excel.

“Setting up a clear vision and working with your mission is the most important process. In my perspective, we should never settle for something that ‘you just have to do because it’s needed’, always strive to make yourself better and be open to trying new things,” he said.

A risk taker, Jover said he is always accompanied by a backup plan.

“Trusting someone is always a personal discretion. You can always tell and feel if the right people surround you--consult your heart and mind,” he concluded. image credit: supplied image credit:

THE GLOBAL FILIPINOS THE STORY OF OUR

SUCCESS

Mark Anthony Gimeno De Vera

Filipino Covid-19 response nurse in Dubai, a beacon of hope to fellow nurses

Since then, Mark Anthony Gimeno De Vera has wanted his legacy to be a beacon of hope to his fellow nurses and people with similar aspirations.

When in the Philippines, he was privileged to work in a prestigious review center as a reviewer for future licensed nurses and a freelance lecturer. In 2016, he took a leap of faith by working overseas.

He initially worked as a nurse in a home care facility and, after that, became a liaison officer doing office jobs for home care companies, including training nursing employees. Until such time, he also participated in giving lectures and a series of training.

Today, Mark Anthony works simultaneously as a training and development manager at Al Resalah Consultancies and Training and

nursing supervisor/auditor at Dubai Parks Vaccination Center. He is in charge of running the training center and handling nursing operations in the vaccination facility.

“What I like about what I do is I get to be part of something bigger, which I always believe I am here for,” he said.

As A Covid-19 response nurse and nurse and safety educator, he believes that he is already part of the history, and for him, that is a great deal.

“As the saying goes, people will not remember what your name is, but they will remember what you’ve done for them and how you made them feel,” he added.

Mark Anthony also likes the cultural diversity that Dubai offers workers as it makes him appreciate life in its very sense and how beautiful it is to be

nurtured in an environment with such a diverse culture.

Being away from his family, whom he has been with for more than two decades, was never easy. Homesickness was one of the struggles he had to endure when he was new to Dubai.

“Thank God for technology. It made my day-to-day communications a lot easier. It helps ease the solitude,” Mark Anthony said.

In the time of distress, he tries to get a breath of fresh air by traveling to other countries and always coming back with the same goal: to be better from yesterday and be his best tomorrow.

He aims to be financially dependent and retire with an investment. As of now, he has yet to set a specific plan for his future, as he is focusing on the

image credit: supplied

present and dreaming of expanding what he has now.

Mark Anthony advises his fellow OFWs to love their parents and not forget God is always there to protect and guide them.

“If you’re on the verge of giving up because your work here is hard, always remember why you’re here in the first place. Focus on your dreams and work on it, don’t let anyone take away the light in you. Keep your desire to be successful burning, it will help you,” he added.

THE GLOBAL FILIPINOS THE STORY OF OUR SUCCESS

Noel Sy Alarcon

How a former internet shop attendant turned into

the most respected ink masters in Dubai

Being a tattoo artist was more than simply a way to make money. It was what Noel Sy Alarcon was meant to do all along, as he genuinely fell in love with what he was doing.

Before becoming one of the most respected tattoo artists in the emirate, Noel worked as a customer service representative for a local bank in the Philippines after he graduated from college in 2000. He tried looking for job openings and other ways to help his family with the expenses. He realized that even if one graduated from a prestigious university in the Philippines, securing a decent job was still challenging.

The anxiety of not having a job stressed him, especially when he thought about how much his parents sacrificed to see him graduate.

To help with the expenses at home, he and his grandmother sold snacks and cold beverages in front of their garage to kids on their way home from school. The routine lasted four years, earning just enough to cover their bills. Noel understood that selling snacks and cold beverages wasn’t enough to cover everything.

A cousin asked him if he would be interested in working overseas, particularly in Dubai.

“I weighed my decision so many times, not only because I’ll be overseas but also because of our financial difficulties.

“Eventually, my cousin left for Dubai without me. Then, one day, a package arrived addressed to me. When I opened it, it contained a visa from Dubai, supporting paperwork from my uncle and cousin, invoices for

all payments made in Dubai, and a note saying, “This was all the documentation that Lola had paid, so please show it to her as proof of all the fees that she had paid for.”

“So yes, I went to Dubai because of my Lola’s love, trust, and blessing,” he recalled.

Moving to Dubai

When he moved to Dubai, he worked as an internet shop attendant. He worked there for a year before being hired as an appliance sale demonstrator. He would wear a microphone while selling various appliances before a crowd. His career in sales lasted for over a year, but as time passed, he wanted to improve and change his career.

In 2007, Noel applied for a leading electronic store in the UAE as a

one of

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visual merchandiser with no idea what the work entailed. Fortunately, he got the job and has since helped open the second to 21st shop in the UAE. After 11 years of hard work, he was promoted to the senior visual merchandiser.

In between his full-time job, a work colleague encouraged him to become a tattoo artist, something he had

no inkling he would be doing for the rest of his life. His initial motivation was the extra money he would make from the side hustle. Initially, it was all just for the money.

As time went on, tattooing evolved into his passion and creative outlet. And what a joy it is to be able to earn a living doing something he really enjoys, he thought.

When the tattoo was at its peak, several clients were availing of his tattoo service. He was compelled to make one of the most difficult and perhaps terrifying decisions of his life.

Noel resigned from the electronic shop after 13 years as a senior visual merchandiser and secured a friend’s visa to work for them and be more

flexible with his time. Today, he now works as a tattoo artist full-time while also editing catalogs for their company.

“I never saw myself as a tattoo artist, much alone in an Islamic country. To be honest, tattooing here in Dubai is still underground. And since I’m working with the client’s health and their desire to have a beautiful piece of skin art, maintaining the SOP of a reputable tattoo shop—one that’s underground—is critical,” he said.

Being an ink master has been Noel’s creative outlet. It enables him to express his love for art in ways he never imagined possible.

“When I make them for my clients, I get to witness their various emotions. And everyone’s feelings are different from one another, so it’s like watching different movies all the time,” he added.

Like many expatriates in the country, he, too, had a fair share of drawbacks. He recounted when he faced credit card issues and found himself locked away behind cold and hard bars. When he was released and time passed, he regained his footing and met a special woman who would change his life.

The worst and most painful day of his life was when his grandmother died of Covid-19, and he was never there for her. His grandmother was the first person who believed in him.

Noel’s dream is to have the first legal tattoo shop in an open Islamic country to help and connect artists who are hiding to make a fair living and disseminate art through their work on skin. He believes that legalizing the business would draw tourists.

“I just want to say to all my fellow artists, old and new, that money shouldn’t be your top priority; instead, think about how you will grow and evolve as an artist. Great outcome comes great income. Never stop learning, and always follow the advice of your mentors. Whatever you have learned, share it with others. Respect is earned, not given,” he said.

THE GLOBAL FILIPINO

THE

Divine Grace Venci

Building a career as a flight attendant in Saudi Arabia

Her global exposure as a flight attendant for a Middle Eastern airline has been the pinnacle of her career, considering a multicultural setting and the chance to meet people from all walks of life.

Divine Grace Venci has been a flight attendant for a Saudi-based airline for over 12 years. The 38-yearold’s ambition of becoming a flight attendant came true in 2010 when she discovered a job opportunity abroad.

The former customer service representative for a US account quit her job in the Philippines to work for a low-cost airline. Changing careers was a mixture of exhilaration and fear because it was a major change for her.

Four years after, she went on to a global airline and has since liked and enjoyed her career in the aviation

industry even more.

“The safety of the passengers is my top priority on board, followed by hospitability. They must be content, comfortable, and joyful the entire time they travel, and I must ensure that,” she said.

“Interacting with different passengers every day is enjoyable for me. I adore exploring other cultures, picking up new languages, tasting new delicacies, experiencing all four seasons, and traveling the world. The ability to surreptitiously pray for people is the component of my job that I find most satisfying,” she added.

“I’ve never stopped telling God that I want to fly and see all His beautiful works around the globe and realize that my position as a flight attendant is the only one that I can find rewarding and enjoyable. After waiting seven

years, I am incredibly grateful that God heard my prayers,” she added further.

For Divine, working overseas provides her with a different perspective on life. It made her understand why people behave in such a manner and that they are all different in their unique way.

“It made me more open-minded in general. Greater opportunities are provided, in addition to the income that is provided,” she added.

Most of her emotional and sentimental issues are related to leaving her home country and loved ones, especially her mother. It was a decision she made on her own.

“Nobody pushes me to work as a flight attendant or to leave the country, respectively. I had enough strength to

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continue since I exclusively relied on and clung to God’s word. This, in my opinion, is my calling. I am, therefore, content and honestly joyful,” she said.

After working overseas, the Filipina flight attendant still intends to return to the Philippines. She plans to move to the province of Cebu and lead a straightforward life with her husband. If the odds are with her, she would like to start her flight attendant training facility to help other young women realize their dreams of becoming fullfledged flight attendants.

She wants to use her experiences and path to inspire people who are still optimistic about their ability to accomplish.

LeenSamson

THE GLOBAL FILIPINOS THE STORY OF OUR SUCCESS Filipino businesswoman in Dubai continues to embrace challenges

At the age of 16, Leen Samson has already engaged in doing work for a living. She started working as a service crew for a leading fast-food chain in a mall in Romblon. She believes optimism is essential to achievement and the foundation of courage and actual progress.

Believing that nothing can be done without hope and confidence, she continued working in the Philippines until she was assigned to a cosmetic shop, wherein she learned to take a good look at the beauty industry.

However, an almost-catastrophic event happened--she had an unintended pregnancy that almost crushed all her dreams. Leen held on to her goals and focused on her kid, whom she considers her lifeline.

Her enthusiasm for the industry paved the way for her to work overseas. She has many reasons why she opted to work in Dubai--on top of the many reasons was to provide her child a brighter future. She knew that there were lucrative opportunities in various sectors of the emirate, making it a popular destination for expatriates.

Being the risk taker she is, she has worked for different companies since she arrived in the emirate in 2012. Six years after her stay, she finally plucked up her courage to penetrate the world of entrepreneurship. Leen knew she was born to be a businesswoman.

To make her dreams come true, she attended seminars and training sessions where investors go. She would pitch her salon business idea, hoping one or two investors would be impressed and fund the business plan.

Leen recalled those times when she worked for various companies and learned the ropes of every job she held.

Reaping she sowed, an open-handed investor wholly trusted her skills in managing a business. From there, Leen started to realize her dream salon business.

Her second beauty salon, Chic Future Beauty Salon, was opened a few years ago at the Dubai World Trade Centre, catering to primarily European clients and rendering hair, eyebrows, lashes, and nail services. Leen has a vivid mission: to make her clients happy and satisfied. She also aims to create an excellent workplace for her employees, mainly composed of Filipino nationals.

“We believe that a healthy company with happy clients and staff will be the best for everybody,” she said.

Filipinos who wish to avail of their services are also given a 50 percent discount.

She advised her fellow Filipinos abroad to always focus on their goal and be humble.

“Follow your dreams and do not give up. Make your family your inspiration,” she said.

Chic Future Beauty Salon regularly announces new promotions and discounts on its social media and website.

Arvin Santos

Like many OFW stories, Arvin Santos came to Dubai to seek a better opportunity to secure his family’s future. However, it was also his way of exploring things out of his comfort zone.

Fondly called ‘Yhan’ by his loved ones and friends, he used to work as a teacher in the Philippines.

The 31-year-old ‘proud PWD’ has been working in Dubai for six years in an insurance broker company as an admin executive. He is the general support to the life department of the company, ensuring smooth day-today operations. Their team applies and issues life policies and provides client support throughout the process.

Through his full-time work, he gets to meet new people and learn from them, especially from successful individuals.

“Hearing how they built their empire from scratch and how they want to shape their future through investments is truly inspiring,” he said.

Aside from excelling in his fulltime work, he also shines in the content creation business as a social media influencer. The photography enthusiast gets to work with various brands and create content to promote them.

Apart from enjoying his daytime job, one of the highlights of his career is when he started gaining a presence on social media, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It gave me the opportunity to explore my creative side while promoting brands,” Yhan said.

As a content creator, he is also able

to express his creativity and reach out to a lot of people. Initially, he just enjoyed what he did, but he didn’t realize the impact of his action on his followers. As of this writing, he has nearly 25,000 followers on Instagram, 11,000 followers on Facebook, and almost 23,000 followers on TikTok.

“I didn’t know I could also inspire by simply doing what I love. Not only my fellow PWD but regular followers telling me they love my work, and I inspire them to embrace their imperfections. There is something special when you know you made an impact on people’s lives,” Yhan added.

The Filipino employee recalled when he struggled to land an overseas job as the competition was tight. He got rejected multiple times, felt hopeless, and almost gave up.

Filipino content creator in Dubai inspires online followers to embrace imperfections

image credit: supplied

“Homesickness was really a great factor back then. It was trying times, too, during the pandemic. It was an emotional rollercoaster being isolated and hearing all the sad stories around. But God is good all the time. I survived, we survived,” he further added.

When asked about his plans, Yhan said he wants to continue doing what he loves and improve his craft so he can share more of himself. When the time comes to settle back home, he hopes to be with his family and return to the academe and focus on a business.

Yhan would always say that champions are not those who never fail but never quit. He advised his fellow Filipinos abroad to be strong.

“Walang bagay na permanente. Even our struggles are not permanent. Kung ano man yung mga natutunan mo during these difficult times, embrace them and learn from them. Walang permanente, even the good times. Matuto tayo mag ipon dahil hindi habang buhay magtatrabaho tayo dito sa ibang bansa.”

“Make sure while you are saying yes to people, you are not saying no to yourself. Surround yourself with positive people. The ones that truly support and uplift you. People that inspire you to be a better version of yourself and inspire you,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Filipino content

creator advises his fellow PWDs: “Nobody knows your true worth but you. You just need find it within you. You are worthy of everything you aspire. If you can think of it, you can do it.”

THE GLOBAL FILIPINOS THE STORY OF OUR SUCCESS

Elite Force Dancer

Filipino dance group in Dubai dance for passion, creativity, and dedication

For Elite Force Dancer, dancing is about more than just being a good performer on the dance floor. It’s about passion, creativity, and dedication, as well as being responsible and learning the importance of teamwork.

A group initially composed of seven members who were known for being active on the video-sharing app TikTok in terms of dancing, it is now making a lot of appearances at different concerts and events across the UAE and special performances with international artists.

The group was formed unexpectedly by Filipinos working in art, marketing, logistics, education, and F&B industries. At first, they were selected to perform during the UAE National Day celebration in 2021, which featured Michael Learns to Rock, Boyce Avenue, and Emirati

singing sensation Alira. They served as backup dancers for Alira during the event. Their special appearance paved the way for them to perform during the Paskong Handog Pinoy featuring several prominent Filipino singers, including Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray.

The group has been encouraged to form an official group. Spearheaded by Mr. Ferdie Arana, they’ve decided to call the group Elite Force Dancers under the events company Eye Candy Media & Events through Mr. Rey Delante.

Eventually, the group expanded and currently has 22 official members.

Last March 2022, they hosted the Mash-Up TikTok Challenge for their fellow Filipino dancers with the aim to help participants express their passion in any form of skills and

talents through dancing.

Apart from regularly gracing Filipino community gatherings, they also have a regular gig every Saturday at the Le Meridien Hotel Dubai Airport, which started last October.

“The good thing about us was, we build our second family here where we are constantly learning so many things as our journey continues. We learned how to adapt to any changes, the discipline we must have to keep the group alive,” Ferdie said.

One great thing about the group is that each member contributes and collaborates with ideas to find a cohesive way to create creative concepts for their performances. Also, continuing to practice and persevere helps them improve their techniques over time, which is their primary goal.

image credit: supplied

“We don’t think of just performing in front of the crowd. We always consider a way how to get the heart of those people watching us. Their reactions and feedback are very important because this builds us as Elite Force Dancers,” the team leader added.

Through dancing, the group is also helping others to learn dancing. In such a way, they are not only supporting, but they are also improving, gaining,

and enhancing their knowledge on it, and they consider it as well as their achievement not only as a group but also as an individual.

Dancing has been the group’s source of strength and relaxation as they always have fun during their rehearsals, and it helps them relieve their stress from work for a while.

Elite Force Dancer plans to host their first anniversary in January 2023.

FILIPINOS THE STORY OF OUR SUCCESS

Khristine Teves

OFW soaring high in UAE: From airport staff to Philippine Airlines’ key account manager

One of the many reasons why Khristine Teves worked abroad was her daughter. As a loving and single mother at that time, she wants to give her more.

The salary she was getting in the Philippines was insufficient to provide her with a decent life. She also came to Dubai to navigate where her future career would be headed.

She arrived in the emirate in 2005, full of dreams. Khristine started as an airport check-in staff for top US and European airlines. Five years later, she moved to Singapore to work as an airport supervisor for a Dubaibased airline company but decided to return after a year as she missed the lifestyle in the emirate and its glitz and glamour.

Khristine also had an opportunity

to work for various top GCC airline companies; however, the most rewarding part of her career was when she became the sales and key account manager for Philippine Airlines.

“Serving our fellow kababayans [through Philippine Airlines] feels so rewarding for me,” she said.

Being in the airline industry for almost two decades gave her travel opportunities and decent earning potential, which she couldn’t have in the Philippines.

Before spending her life in the aviation industry, Khristine’s first job was in the hospitality industry. She used to be a front desk officer in one hotel in her hometown in Tarlac City. When she moved to Manila, she had the chance to work as an airport staff member at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for an Asian airline. Her

experience with the airline has paved the way for her to land a job in Dubai as a check-in staff.

While checking in passengers, she was trying her potential in sales by challenging herself to sell all the exit and premium economy seats on the flight. She was able to sell these seats daily. Little did she know, the airline was monitoring her performance as almost all the seats were sold out on every flight. Her impeccable performance was reflected in the ‘best employee’ award she received during her tenure. It also helped her achieve a position in airline sales.

Because of her dedication and burning passion to excel, she has been received multiple awards and commendations from the company she works with.

“Not only myself, but my family can

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also enjoy my travel perks. They can travel anywhere and anytime they want. I did not experience being a stranger to my family as they could travel here anytime to see me. The most satisfying part of my work is that I can help our kababayan and other nationalities who are not happy with their current job and looking for greener pastures through my referrals. I use my connections with numerous travel agencies and airlines to help them move from their current company to a better one,” Khristine said.

After working in the emirate for several years, she realized that there are many other benefits when working abroad; an example was how her career development opportunities prospered.

“Working internationally gave me an edge over others. It gave me the interest to see things from a different angle. My current position opened the doors to great benefits and perks. My cultural awareness was increased due to working in such a diverse environment,” she added.

One of the most difficult decisions

she has ever made was leaving her daughter with her mother to work overseas.

“I was an absent parent for a time. Didn’t get to see my daughter growing. She was only 3 years old when I decided to work abroad. A decision I have thought, cried and prayed hard about. A decision I’m at peace with now. A decision I don’t regret,” she added further.

Khristine doesn’t want to go back home empty-handed, so she started investing in real estate business and life insurance. She also started a business in the Philippines and partnered with trusted relatives so that when the time comes that she needed to go back home, she would have something to start with.

“The only advice for our kabayans who are struggling in any way is not to stop trying until you reach the winning line, even if you lost your balance. Keep working while we are strong. Working abroad, especially in UAE, is not forever. Work hard and save for your retirement. Manage your finances well and only spend according to your means,” she concluded.

Mary Luver V. Rabor

For Mary Luver V. Rabor, working overseas is the first step to moving forward to accelerate herself. In 2014, she decided she wanted to learn new things, acquire new skills, and expand her outlook on life abroad.

When she moved to Dubai, she was initially hired as an MEP technician. As a first-time OFW, she experienced a lot of adjustments to her surroundings, workplace, and workmates, and dealing with different cultures and traditions. Each day for her felt like an opportunity to learn new things, from troubleshooting to repairing any equipment.

Mary Luver worked as a movie cleaner in the Philippines. Driven by her passion for improving things in any aspect, she believed that she still had a long way to go.

Today, she excels in the maledominated industry as a female technician.

“I enjoy working as a female technician although it is not that easy, simply because it is a type of work that is typically for men. But I am grateful because I learned a lot specifically in modern technology, like latest model including heavy duty equipment.”

“Such an honor to have this kind of opportunity, very unique. Ika nga ay never stop learning because the world never stops teaching,” she said.

Continuous learning

Like many OFW stories, she was also affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The immense impact of the global pandemic on many businesses forced her to take a medical coding course at the Filipino Institute, a leading

training centre for those who wish to develop personal and professional career advancement through various programs.

“At first was hard. Imagine from technical work and say hello to the medical field. I felt pressured and even had a feeling of giving up. Lucky that I’m with someone who kept helping me, my study buddies, and Mr. Alvin Nacasi, my mentor,” she said.

She said that their trainer for the 24week professional diploma program gave them hope and encouragement to pursue other career paths.

“He opened my eyes to the world of medical coding. The sacrifices, hard work, and dedication. I had to work in the morning and attend class / Review until midnight.”

“I let my heart and mind understand

OFW highlights continuous learning and personal growth while living overseas.

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to explore anatomy, terminology, and definitions. Perhaps in this life, everything is not easy; it is just how you handle it,” she added.

All her efforts paid off when she passed the medical coding examinations recently.

Currently, Mary Luver plans to start looking for a new opportunity where she can prosper as a certified medical coder.

“Find a new passion for exploring new things to keep up with trends and rediscover what else I can do. A new door has opened for me, and I look forward to a better future. I keep trying to be a better person every day,” she added.

She advised her fellow OFWs not to be afraid to try something outside of their comfort zone.

“Be patient, and trust the process. Have faith in God. Always remember that “With God, all things are possible”,” she said.