OFW Interview with Angel – Marketing Executive in a Luxury Car Dealership

Meet Angel, a Pinay marketing executive working in a leading luxury car dealer company in Dubai. This is her 3rd job in 4 years and she shares her struggles before coming to the UAE.

Angel used to work in a bank in the Philippines but took a chance to find opportunities in Singapore. However, there was an issue where she was tricked by a work agency. She paid a big amount as placement fee but it turns out, her supposed job in Singapore was not real. Instead of going back to our country, she made a gamble and travelled to Dubai. To think that she only had a month to look for a job and it was in the scorching heat of summer.

Like many Pinoys in Dubai, Angel had to start from scratch and is currently working her way up. We hope that you find inspiration in Angel’s story to persevere and not lose hope. Read the rest of out interview feature below.

OFW Profile: Filipina Marketing Executive in Dubai

OFW Profiles: Marketing Executive
Name: Angel
Education: BS in Commerce Major In Business Management
How long in Dubai: 4 Years

1. Tell me about yourself.

My friends call me Angel, 27 – Marketing Executive for one of the leading luxury car dealers in Dubai. I graduated BS in Commerce Major In Business Management.

I’ve been in Dubai for over four years.

2. Why did you come to Dubai?

In pursuit to find a greener pasture and to achieve my goals in life and for my mom, I left my job in one of the top banks in Philippines. I actually came from Singapore in which my struggles started. There I was completely alone with some few friends I know which were not so close to me. Imagine I only spent 3 months in Singapore with the job that I thought was genuine, but the agency which I paid for a huge amount of placement fee tricked me and other Kabayans, well a sad reality.

So instead of giving up and go back home as a loser, I came to Dubai with only dreams and hope left with me. I came with one month tourist visa during the scorching month of June 2012.

3. What were your previous jobs?

In Philippines, actually I had two (1. Engineering Consultancy firm, 2. BDO)

In Singapore, I was a Sales Consultant for a fitness gym.

In Dubai, my first job at a consultancy firm that sets up a company in UAE free zones. My 2nd job was in a company dealing with Import/Export of bearings spare parts located in JAFZA.

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

Through prayers hard work and perseverance I found my 3^rd job in Dubai. I am happy, satisfied and contented, Steve Jobs famous line that says that, “the only way to do great work, is to love what you do. I fell in love with my current profession, what I like about in Marketing field is how you connect to your audience thru creativity.

5. Are you able to save in Dubai? Why/How?

To be honest, as a starter it was very difficult coz earnings is only enough to pay rentals, little amount to send back home and debts that I left which I paid installment, a typical story of most OFW’s.

Currently, my new job is helping me to start again and invest for more important things that will save you in the future.

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

For me at first, it was like no other option, since I have to prove my self that I did a good choice leaving the life I had back home. And compared to Singapore there’s no assurance of getting another work in span of one month and the budget that you have to consider on daily basis.

Since then, when I made friends aside from my two best friends who were already here before me and had explored Dubai and other Emirates I already embraced the idea of staying longer and pursue my dreams.

There were a lot of struggles that I met along the way before I reached the turning point of my career life. Such as trusting your own Kabayan inside one company wont do good for you in the long run. When you really badly needed someone to talk to just to release your frustrations from inconsiderate boss down to the company driver who left you for being a minute late.

Its really a struggle for me to get the right tune of each person from different country but most specially your own fellow. Living independently would show you both sides of the world, since you don’t have anyone to share how your day is. But its still rewarding as you enjoy your time alone and discover what you really want to do in life.

Outside work, I hang out with friends, discover new restaurants and if I have long holidays – staycation would be ideal.

7. What do you Like about Dubai?

The tax freedom, weather (excluding the peak summer days) and a lot of new places to explore, the security level for all expats living here. The vibrant celebration of special occasions like local National Day, New Year quite feels like home.

8. What do you NOT Like about Dubai?

Becoming too crowded now and going to malls or public places wont be a good idea anymore during long weekend. Delayed bus timings and some areas that are isolated from public transportation access.

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

I have a plans of getting my Mom and sponsor her residence visa using present available means, so she can be with me all the time she wants and be with me on my future travels. Start my own business in Philippines, get a driving license, and continue our house improvements. Not to mention, a happy ending fairy tale story with my special someone would be a perfect future for me.

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

I would advise to everyone who wish to find their luck in Dubai to be equipped not only with your dreams but also with a great faith of your true purpose of betting your future in a foreign country like UAE as temptations are very rampant. Don’t trust anyone but yourself, and if possible try to be well rounded in all aspects of your profession coz nowadays competition is very tough and you must always adapt to change and open for improvements.

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*Photos provided by Angel.

Are you a Pinoy Expat in Dubai? Do you want to be featured in the website? Send us an email telling us you want to be featured at admin@dubaiOFW.com and we will send you the set of questions! Let’s help other Pinoys who want to come to Dubai understand what life in the UAE is like through your story.