OFW Interview with Amy, Head of Content for a UAE Company

She’s only 29 years old, yet our latest featured OFW has had an impressive string of achievements! Ms. Ameera Paige Suerte Teano, a.k.a. “Amy,” is currently the Head of Content for a UAE holding company that owns multiple brands. She has also been a Sound Editor, Video Editor, Producer, and Actress, with some of her productions gaining prestigious awards. What’s more, she holds a Golden Visa for Creatives!

Born and raised in the UAE, the multi-talented Amy has always considered Dubai as her home. For a few years, she only left the country to study and gain some work experience. Since attaining her Bachelor’s degree in Communication, she has worked in both corporate and freelance settings — doing marketing, research, and content creation for some of the country’s most popular vloggers!

Speaking of vlogging, Amy is also the co-host of the first anime podcast in the UAE, “The Ara Ara Channel.” Outside of work, she loves to travel, spend quality time with her family and friends, and attend social events for networking opportunities. Looking ahead, she has grand plans for her career and personal life, while aiming to achieve “work-life” balance, of course! Let’s get to know more about Amy as she shares her amazing experiences in today’s interview!

OFW Feature: Amy, Filipina Head of Content for a UAE Company

Name: Ameera Paige Suerte Teano
Nicknames: Amy
Age: 29 years old
Current Profession: Head of Content
Education: Graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication
Years in Dubai: 24 years
Achievements/Awards:

• Sound Editor for a film called “Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa,” which won Best Sound in the World Premieres Film Festival
• Video Editor for a documentary called “Hataw sa Katahimikan,” which won the 37th CMMA Best Student TV Production
• Nominated for Best Actress for a film called “MirCurrie” at the We Create Drama Film Festival (held yearly by Paramount Hotel, with this year’s competition being held in collaboration with Nikon)
• Golden Visa Holder for Creatives

1. Tell us about yourself.

Hi! I’m Ameera Paige Suerte Teano, but you can call me Amy. At 29 years old, I’m currently the Head of Content, drawing on my extensive background in communication, which I studied at university. Having spent 24 years in Dubai, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to notable projects, including my role as a Sound Editor for the film “Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa,” which won Best Sound at the World Premieres Film Festival.

Additionally, I worked as a Video Editor on the documentary “Hataw sa Katahimikan,” which received the 37th CMMA Best Student TV Production award. I was also nominated for Best Actress for the film “MirCurrie” at the We Create Drama Film Festival. Recently, I was honored with a Golden Visa for Creatives, reflecting my commitment and contributions to the industry.

2. Why did you come to Dubai?

I was born and raised in Dubai. I temporarily left Dubai for five years to study for university and to work a little bit to gain some experience. Those five years away were transformative, allowing me to grow both personally and professionally. Yet, amidst all the learning and adventures, I’ve always seen Dubai as home so I always knew I was going to come back here.

3. What were your previous jobs?

Back in the day when I was a teenager in Dubai, I’ve done a few menial jobs that were opportunities for teenagers at the time such as volunteering for film festivals and concerts and did stocktake for a really popular bookstore here.

When I was studying and needed to do internships, since my degree was in Communication, I had to do two internships, one unrelated to production within our field and one related to production. For non-production, I interned at a Public Relations firm where I helped out with a few tasks for clients like Singapore Airlines, Airbus, and Slappy Cakes. For production, it was a Production and Post-Production House (hint: they made “That Thing Called Tadhana”) where I worked on a few films, initially being in production design until I got into the sound editing department.

Professionally though, my first job was as a Regional Sales Executive for a lead generation marketing company, where I was promoted to an Account Manager, and then a Senior Account Manager. Later, I worked at the airport for Emirates Airlines where I freelanced writing SEO content for websites and also did scripts and video sourcing for a YouTube channel called “Fluctus.” I then went on to be a Senior Producer for Supercar Blondie where my job was to search for viral video ideas, interview people for feature stories, write scripts, edit videos, and occasionally be part of shoots.

After this, I worked with Khalid Al Ameri as his Head of Content. My role was to look for ideas or places for Khalid to shoot videos, travel with Khalid to shoot these videos, and edit and schedule them to be posted on his socials. Of course, aside from that, I would shoot with both Khalid and Salama for their couple videos as well. Later, I tried freelancing; one of the biggest ones would probably be doing strategy for Jeremy Ethier (kinesiologist fitness personality).

Currently, I work as Head of Content for a holding company that owns multiple brands. This is a little bit of a hush-hush on the details, but my current job is very heavily focused on marketing strategies and creatives. Aside from my full-time job though, I’m also the co-host of “The Ara Ara Channel,” the UAE’s first anime podcast.

4. How do you find your current job/business? Are you happy/satisfied with it?

My career journey has been a series of diverse experiences that have all contributed to where I am today. I am incredibly happy and fulfilled in my current job and have the privilege of working with such a talented and innovative team. Honestly, one of the most fulfilling aspects of my job is the collaborative environment, so much so that the people I work with are people I genuinely care about outside of work.

5. Are you able to save in Dubai? Or do you have any investments you wish to share?

Due to a series of unfortunate events in my life, it has been challenging to set aside funds as much as I would have liked. These experiences have taught me resilience and the importance of taking things one step at a time. Despite the difficulties, I am slowly picking up the pieces and making progress toward financial stability.

6. Is it difficult to live in Dubai? What are your struggles? What’s life like outside work?

Living in Dubai comes with its unique set of challenges and rewards. Dubai is a vibrant and dynamic city, offering an incredible lifestyle, but it can also be demanding. The cost of living is relatively high, and managing finances requires careful planning. Additionally, the fast-paced nature of the city can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially with the pressure to keep up with its rapid growth and development.

For life outside of work, I am a very extroverted person, so I thrive on social interactions and staying connected with friends even if it’s to do the simplest of things like going over to their place or having a shawarma by the beach.

However, I am also very career-driven, so I often attend events and networking opportunities outside of work hours. These events not only help me stay updated with industry trends but also allow me to build meaningful connections that can further my professional growth.

7. What do you like about Dubai?

What I love about Dubai is its incredible diversity and inclusivity; it’s a place where people from all over the world come together, creating a rich mix of cultures and experiences. I also appreciate the high safety standards and quality of life. As someone who has traveled a lot, the lifestyle here, especially in terms of convenience, is unmatched. Overall, Dubai’s unique blend of tradition and modernity, combined with its endless opportunities and high quality of life, makes it a place I am proud to call home!

8. What do you NOT Like about Dubai?

While I love many aspects of Dubai, there are a few challenges. The fast-paced lifestyle and the pressure to keep up with the city’s rapid development can sometimes be overwhelming. Additionally, the summers are extremely hot, making outdoor activities challenging during those months. Despite these challenges, the positives of living in Dubai far outweigh the negatives for me.

9. What are your plans for your career/family/future?

In terms of my career, I plan to continue growing and evolving in the creative industry, probably even focusing more on film because I feel like a lot of my awards have stemmed from there, even if it’s something I never took seriously.

For my personal life, I look forward to building a fulfilling life with a strong network of friends and loved ones. I want to continue enjoying the vibrant social scene in Dubai, making the most of the city’s opportunities for personal and professional growth.

In the future, I aim to achieve a balance between my career ambitions and personal happiness. I hope to travel more, explore new cultures, and perhaps even take on roles that allow me to contribute to community and humanitarian initiatives.

10. You have any tips for kabayans when working/finding work/living in Dubai?

For kabayans looking to work, find work, or live in Dubai, especially in the creative field, I’d say start by doing thorough research and preparing a strong portfolio to showcase your best work. Networking is crucial here, so attend industry events, workshops, and meetups to connect with other professionals.

Staying updated with the latest trends and skills in your field is also important, as the industry is always evolving. Utilize online platforms like LinkedIn to increase your visibility and connect with potential employers. It’s essential to be culturally sensitive and adaptable, as Dubai is a melting pot of cultures. Lastly, stay positive and persistent; finding the right job can take time, but every experience brings you closer to your goal.

BONUS: Would you like to share a special message?

Hey everyone! Check out our YouTube channel, “The Ara Ara Channel,” for awesome anime and gaming content! Also, don’t miss our podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, where we dive into all things anime, gaming, and some cool stories.

Connect with Amy Online

Get to know more about Amy by following her on social media!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justamything/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justamything
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameera-teano-781873b7/

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* Photos provided by Amy

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