In Satwa—one of Dubai’s busiest, most culturally mixed neighborhoods—it’s normal to hear Tagalog everywhere: sari-sari–style shops, late-night food spots, shared flats.
But every now and then, someone stops and turns around because the Tagalog they hear isn’t coming from a Filipino at all.
It’s coming from Manaf Sabouni, a Syrian content creator who has unexpectedly become one of the most familiar non-Filipino voices in Dubai’s Filipino community.
Online, he’s known for his Tagalog-only videos. Offline, people simply recognize him as “yung Syrian na ang galing mag-Tagalog.”
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How He Picked Up the Language
Manaf didn’t learn Tagalog from books or classes.
He learned it the way many OFWs learn Arabic—through daily life.
He grew up surrounded by Filipino roommates, coworkers, and friends in Dubai.
Tagalog was the background noise of his everyday routine until it slowly became the language he was most comfortable speaking.
He says it took him years to get fluent, but it never felt like studying. It was just friendship, shared meals, and constant exposure.
While looking into his story, we also found that GMA News Online previously featured him, noting how a Syrian in Dubai became fluent in Tagalog and connected deeply with Filipinos.
It’s a short but interesting glimpse into how widely he’s recognized — even outside social media.
From Satwa Streets to Social Media Feeds
Satwa played a big role in shaping who he is today.
It’s where he built long-term friendships with Filipinos, picked up Filipino humor, and absorbed the values he now carries into his content.
Across TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, his Tagalog videos have reached tens of millions of views.
His rule for his followers is simple:
“Tagalog only.”
And he means it—he even jokes about banning English in his comment section.
For many Filipinos, watching him feels like watching a kabarkada who just happens to be Syrian.
More Than Just the Language
People who know Manaf personally say his connection to Filipinos goes deeper than fluency.
Friends describe him as:
- madaling makisama
- helpful without being asked
- genuinely respectful of Filipino culture
He loves Filipino food (especially adobo), and strangers sometimes assume he’s Filipino because of how naturally he speaks.
A Life Shaped by Migration
Manaf first came to Dubai at age five with his twin brother.
Their childhood involved moving between Dubai and Syria until he eventually stayed in the UAE for good at 16.
Dubai became his safe place—far from the conflict and instability he experienced back home.
Today, he works as a head of operations and e-commerce manager, while his twin works in tech.
Both have built stable lives in the UAE, surrounded by a multicultural community that includes many Filipinos.
Respect Earned, Not Claimed
Within Dubai’s Filipino content creator community, Sabouni is widely respected.
Fellow creators say they treat him like family, not because of his popularity, but because of his consistent respect and genuine care for Filipinos.
Some recall seeing him at night markets, where Filipinos gather, giving away small gifts, perfumes, or cash. For Sabouni, these acts are not for show.
He sees them as a way of giving back to a community that welcomed him.
“If you’re sad or stressed, they will make you happy,” he says of Filipinos. “Hospitality is their thing.”
In a separate video, Manaf is observed engaging in conversation with another non-Filipino resident in Dubai, both communicating in Tagalog. Their discussion centers on their experiences learning Tagalog and their perspectives on Filipinos with whom they have developed friendships.