Innholdsfortegnelse for TGFM Issue 15 - July 2021 i The Global Filipino Magazine

After taking the basic and advanced make-up classes at the Filipino Institute, Jessie Magcamit Balodong has finally found more stable and secure employment as a regular make-up artist and hairstylist for a local TV show based at Dubai’s Media City. In a May 23 Facebook post, Dubai-based Filipino Balodong revealed that it was his first day of work–and was tasked to groom one news reporter and TV host in a morning show and a news reporter in an afternoon show. The Global Filipino Magazine spoke with Balodong about his experience with the Filipino Institute who she feels he is indebted. “I enrolled myself in the Filipino Institute because I want to explore my knowledge and skills in the make-up industry and to become a professional make-up artist,” he said. Aside…

Most Filipinos venture abroad for the same reason--a brighter future. Cashmer Buenafe has been living in UAE for 12 years now. She is a food blogger, a company founder, and a family supporter. She embarked on an overseas job to save money to fund their existing business in the Philippines. She was working in a BPO company in the Philippines, dealing with sales, and making sure she’s always topped the rank. Upon arrival to the UAE over a decade ago, she initially worked as a family driver for a local family. This gave her the advantage to be familiar with the Emirati culture and knowledge of the UAE whereabouts most locals only know. Being young and carefree, she almost completely forgot her purpose until the first company that hired her…

Christine Joy Agonos Albaniel decided to work abroad when she was only 22 years old as she believed there are not many opportunities for young individuals in the Philippines. She believes that some companies back home tend to favor those with years of experience and those who had their Master’s degree over what an employee can actually do. Albaniel arrived in the UAE in 2013 as a tourist with borrowed pocket money from her parents, including airfare tickets, among others. In the same month, she secured a job at one of the biggest British financial consultancy firms in the world in their Abu Dhabi office. There, she started as a team administrator, handling two teams with around eight financial consultants per team. She said that the work environment and work…

Donna Carpio came to Dubai with an ultimate goal to support her family in the Philippines and be responsible for her whilst exploring and living in the host country. She has long admired the diversity in the UAE and the endless opportunities it gives every individual to pursue their dreams. “It was very exciting for me to leave my comfort zone and discover a new country, find opportunities and see what I can achieve,” she said. After finishing her college degree, Carpio arrived in the country in 2013 and started working as a recruiter in one of the recruitment agencies in Dubai. There, she recruited for multinational companies that gave her great exposure and the chance to develop herself and her skill set. Due to her successful relationship with her…

Ruby Jane Giagonia-Caspe is described as an outgoing person, easy to be with, and a fun and loving individual. A graduate of Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Mindanao in Davao City, she arrived in Abu Dhabi in 2018, and in a short period of time, she was able to secure a job as an accountant at Al Naser Electrical Construction Est. under the Receivable Section. The Filipina accountant, 41, who is also a parent, said that the mere reason why she opted to work abroad is due to her three children and seek for a better opportunity. Way back in the Philippines, she worked as an administrative secretary for the Philippine Heart Association-Davao Chapter. Caspe had a colorful and active career in the Philippines. She had…

A cashier for five years in a hypermarket in Abu Dhabi, Cherish Coton Sergantes works hard to fulfill her multiple dreams for her family in the Philippines. As a cashier, she is responsible for scanning items purchased by customers, received payments through cash or card, and answering customers’ questions and complaints. She opted to work overseas as she believes it offers greater opportunities, higher salaries compared to the Philippines. Way back home, Sergantes used to work as a factory worker. She also worked at a plastic injection company as a machine operator and quality controller at the same time. Despite applying for several companies abroad, she got hired in UAE. Sergantes applied as a household service worker in the Kingdom of Saudi of Arabia. “Ilang beses na akong muntikang makaalis…

Remegio “Adel” J. Merino has been working and living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the last 27 years now. Currently, he is assigned to the Information Technology department of Marafiq Company Jubail Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The-59-year-old communications specialist is working in the same company for the last 18 years. He’s involved in management consultation, team building, professional development, strategic implementation, and company collaboration, specifically on Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN) Data and Voice Communication. According to Merino, he stayed in the same company as his employer recognizes his work and skills. Working overseas, he added that it increases cultural awareness, expands his professional network, becomes more valued by employers, gains new work experiences, earns a higher salary, offers more job opportunities. The pressure…

For the last eight years, Julie May Gancayco De Guzman has been working as expediting and inspection officer for SAIPEM Contracting Netherlands BV, a world leader in engineering and drilling activities. Here, she enjoys the challenge of coming in every day and trying to figure out how she’s going to resolve all the delays in delivery management. She also feels a sense of accomplishment when she’s up against a deadline as they only have one shot to get it right. De Guzman said that she has many reasons why she opted to work abroad, one of them is to help her family, especially her mother who has been working alone to provide them good education and life. Other reasons include fulfilling her dream of working in an international company, experience…

Geoffrey Salatan earned his degree in Tourism at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Right after graduating from college, he started working as a passenger sales executive for Cebu Pacific Air in Manila and eventually joined Thomas Cook Philippines, one of the leading travel agencies during that time, as a reservation and ticketing staff. There, he was forged to be well-rounded during his early years, handling top corporate clients and walk-in passengers. Eager to improve himself, he enrolled for a post-graduate course Masters in Educational Management degree, major in Supervision and Administration; and major in Curriculum and Instruction at the same university. Before embarking on an overseas journey, Salatan has already received a teaching offer from one of the most prestigious universities in Manila. However, he felt the challenge to…

Dr. Ian Victor M. Aquino, a dentist and medical director in a Dubai-based private clinic, is among the latest individuals who were granted the UAE’s −10year golden visa, a long-term residence visa given to special categories in the country. Aquino joined the golden visa club after a colleague of his and her friend applied and told him that they were applying for the long-term residence visa. He revealed that it took him to apply due to his busy schedule in the clinic. “I made sure that all the requirements needed are completed before I went to apply. It was a smooth transaction, thanks to the helpful people and staff in Amer and immigration office,” he added. A Filipino dentist in Dubai for 14 years, he got his golden visa in…

Christine Joy Yap Ta-ay decided to work overseas nine years ago with a goal to provide her family back home with a comfortable life and make them proud. One of the reasons why she opted to work in the UAE is due to its top-notch healthcare system. Ta-ay, who started working as a customer service representative in the Philippines, initially worked as a marketing executive for a private company that deals with fit-outs and exhibitions. For four years, she excelled in this field and became its top seller and marketer during her stay in the company. Soon after, she transferred to a new company that deals with the same services. Ta-ay stayed there for almost three years until the Covid19-pandemic strikes. They were placed on unpaid leave for three months…

Ruth O. Gawili, 39, is a proud Igorot. She is currently working as a secretary for Geap Group of Companies. Before settling in and working as a secretary, just like the majority of Filipinos abroad, she, too, was tested in life and had to go through the eye of a needle. Gawili, who was an orphan, started working at an early age. While finishing her two-year Computer Secretarial course, she was covering two shifts-working at a mall from 3pm to 8pm and 8pm until dawn for a Korean bar and restaurant. The pension she was receiving from her foster parents was discontinued as she was no longer a minor. She was able to handle her studies and working schedules as she was in her last year of completing her vocation…

Mathew Munoz, a chartered financial modeller, is the senior manager at Hitachi Rail, heading its global bid financial modeling team. The company he currently belongs to provides end-to-end rail transport solutions around the globe. His team is responsible for the financial modeling function covering the company’s bids and project proposals. In this job, a simple error could cost his company millions of dollars. “With stakes like these, I have to be on my ‘A-game’ or it’s my head. Sure, it can be stressful at times, but the upside is that it is never boring,” Munoz, who is also a certified financial manager, said. “Financial modeling is still an emerging discipline, so I quite enjoy being a pioneer of sorts and teaching my team members everything I know about this field,…