When Em Serrano saw a job posting about a private nurse in Dubai, she did not think twice. She thought: ‘This would be a start to make my dreams come true.’
She tried her luck and saw herself with her luggage and a small bag filled with her passport, diploma, Form 138, and other essentials for traveling. It was so sudden that her parents knew her whereabouts one day before her flight to UAE.
Em, who worked as an area manager in the Philippines before, fulfilled her duties as a private nurse for a local family. When her employment contract finished, she looked for another job, but the journey was not easy.
Penniless for many months, she faced many job application rejections. She had no option but to persistently wait for the job that suited her. Because she was on a tourist visa, she had to renew it when it expired in Oman.
Unemployed for six months, she did not let her parents back home know about her status. During those trying times, she would still send her small savings to the Philippines so they wouldn’t know that she was jobless.
“I was just praying hard and keeping myself motivated. Instead of giving up, I went through all the challenges with optimism,” she said.
Eventually, she was hired as a school nurse, where she enjoys working until today.
“I enjoy dealing with kids. I also love taking care of people that’s why I chose to be a nurse,” she said, noting that it was also her dream to be a doctor, but due to financial constraints, she had to set it aside.
In 2014, she started her career as a food vlogger. Equipped with a mobile camera and mini tripod, she would jump from one restaurant to another to feature what they offer. When she posted a food review about a local restaurant, Em started to gain followers and engagement on the image and video-sharing app Instagram.
Bagging the most-coveted award for food and travel vlogger
Em was recently hailed as ‘Food/Travel Blogger of the Year’ during the Middle East Hozpitality Award 2022 at the Arabian Ranches Golf Club.
Now a top-rated food vlogger in the UAE, she said she was ‘super happy, flattered, shocked’ when her name was announced during the awarding ceremonies.
“Gusto kong maiyak sa saya. Out of hundreds nominees, down to seven finalists, ako ang nanalo,” the Filipina vlogger said. She was the only finalist from the Philippines.
“[Ito’y] isang patunay na kayang makipagsabayan ng mga Filipino sa international [arena],” she added.
Em thanks her social media followers who have supported her vlogging journey in the UAE, and her family whom she considers her inspiration.
“Sa mga kaibigan kong sumusuporta at andiyan kapag kailangan ko at hindi ako iniiwan sa ere,” she said, noting that dreams do come true.
“Totoo talaga ito. With hard work and prayers, lahat matutupad. Lahat mangyayari in God’s perfect timing,” she said.
Em has been nominated for the same category for three consecutive years now.
“It takes a little patience and it takes a lot of faith. But it’s worth the wait. Mangarap at tuparin ang pangarap,” she added.