Maria Celino, a former Jollibee crew member in the Philippines, has become a registered healthcare professional under the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Celino’s journey from a working student to a licensed health professional is a testament to perseverance and determination.
While studying for her Bachelor of Secondary Education, Celino worked at Jollibee to support her educational expenses. After completing her degree, she told The Global Filipino Magazine that she decided to pursue opportunities abroad. Saving up, she enrolled in medical courses at various institutes as a stepping stone into the healthcare field.
Her journey continued as she took a significant step by enrolling in Ajman University, in collaboration with Nordic Academy, in the UAE. Despite being the only Filipina in her class, Celino worked diligently, proving her capabilities. Her hard work paid off when she passed the DHA licensure examination.
Celino recently celebrated her graduation, marking her as the only Filipina in her batch.
“I would say to always follow your dream. And dream big because my whole career, including any of the things that I’ve accomplished, I never thought in a million years that I would be here. So it proves that once you believe in yourself, and put your mind to something, you can do it,” she shared.