The Global Filipino Magazine TGFM Issue 8 - December 2020

The top reason why Filipinos opt to work abroad is due to the fact that they want to provide their families with a comfortable life. As a provider of a comfortable life, the majority of migrant workers are dreaming to build their own ‘home’. This is why Giebeth Ellaine Laxamana, an SMDC (SM Development Corporation) international property specialist based in UAE, exists--to give overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) a chance to have their own dream house and subsequently provide a better life. Before joining the SMDC, she used to work in various industries, including logistics, manufacturing, and trading. This year, during the peak of the pandemic, she took the challenge to be part of the real estate developer. “What I love about my currency job is I have the opportunity to…

Having a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree offers a wealth of advantages. And for Ramil Solis, a Dubai-based overseas Filipino worker (OFW), despite working in the accounting and finance industry for more than two decades now, he believes that there is still a need for him to secure a degree as the competitive business world continues to evolve. Solis has recently graduated from the Filipino Institute Dubai campus and was awarded ‘best presenter’ during their business proposal defense. His group, on the other hand, has ranked first in the defense. During the in-person graduation ceremonies of the Filipino Institute on December 4, in his speech, he revealed that his father is a carpenter and his mother is a laundrywoman for almost 20 years and an elementary graduate. “But her…

Establishing Alagad is more than just creating music. The members believe that the world lacks positive and moving stories, songs that shape the minds of youngsters and unite divided people. Formed in 2004 with the goal to produce original music, the sextet, who are all songwriters, had a goal to perform for crowds. The members of Alagad are: Tristan Alintanahin – Lead Guitar/Backup Vocals Ajay Dela Rosa – Pianist/Violinist/Backup Vocals Jason Feliciano – Bass/Backup Vocals France Barcelo – Drums/Backup Vocals Maricar Alcantara – Lead Vocals/Harmonica Ace Samonte – Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitarist The band chose the name Alagad for the following reasons: they want to contribute to society and they were all members of Tinig at Himig ng Kabataan Choir. “In the early days, we already have compositions individually so we…

Changing thousands of Filipino migrants’ lives for five years now, the Filipino Institute has recently held its first in-person graduation ceremonies since March. More than 100 students have joined the ceremonies from different batches and classes. One of the students who finished the Caregiver ladderized course is Roman Duenas. Hailing from the province of Batangas, Duenas, 32, has been living in the UAE for seven years now and had spent most of his time in the F&B sector. Currently, he is working as an administrative staff at a multi-national company based in the UAE with remote offices in other Middle Eastern and African countries. Duenas, despite having a full-time and demanding daywork, was able to finish studying Caregiver classes from 1.1 until 2.2 from the Filipino Institute and graduated with…

For five years, the Filipino Institute has not only been supporting the Filipino community in the Middle East but also extending its services to non-Filipinos. Rwandan Alice Bizimana, a 37-year-old customer service executive for an events company in Dubai, has recently graduated from the training centre with flying colors. During the physical graduation last December 4, Bizimana was honored with the second rank for the classes Massage Therapy Basic and Advance under the trainership of Mr. Marlo C. Aljentera. “My experience with the Filipino Institute is very wonderful, and the best, you can’t imagine how happy I am right now. Supportive and friendly lecturers and staff. At first, I thought it will not be easy for me when I heard that it’s a Filipino school, but everything went smooth,” she…

The first and only Filipino entrusted to handle the highest position in a Saudi Arabia-based company in its entire 34 years of operation in the Middle East, Engr. Restituto S. Sibug managed to make a name for himself, his family, and the Filipino community. The fourth child of a farming couple, he graduated from the Technological Institute of the Philippines with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. An absolute achiever in his field of profession, Sibug is a professional mechanical engineer, a registered ASEAN engineer, and a fellow of the Philippine Society of Engineers. In 2011, he was awarded The Most Outstanding Mechanical Engineer (TOME) of the Year in the Field of Service to Community and the country during the 59th Annual National Convention. While working full-time,…