Success is often built on a foundation of resilience, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to one’s vision. For Amiebeth Caintoy, owner of multiple branches of Al Rigga Restaurant, the journey from being an accountant to a thriving entrepreneur in Dubai is nothing short of inspiring.
Amiebeth arrived in Dubai on February 2, 2008, on a visit visa, encouraged by her classmates from Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan. She quickly secured a job as an accountant and, soon after, brought her husband to the UAE, where they built a life together with their four children. Her career began at Al Seer Trading as an Accounts Receivable Accountant, followed by a five-year tenure at Dubai Internet City. She then spent a decade as a Chief Accountant at Bayan Medical Company in Dubai Health Care City, working closely with the owner. But despite her success in the corporate world, something else was calling her.
“I started a business while working back in 2014, but it didn’t turn out well,” she shared with The Global Filipino Magazine. “Three years ago, right after the pandemic, I decided to fully commit to the restaurant business.”
Her reason for working abroad was simple—she wanted to earn more. “I had a good and stable job in the Philippines, but the salary was not enough,” she said. Like many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), she initially thought she would work overseas only long enough to save and return home. But life had other plans.
Even before moving to Dubai, Amiebeth’s career was rooted in helping people. In the Philippines, she worked as an accountant for a nonprofit organization that supported sugarcane farmers. “The environment was not new to me because I grew up on a farm, hearing the grievances of ordinary farmers. Aside from being an accountant, I was in charge of handling the government’s sugar industry foundation’s scholarship programs and the social amelioration fund for farmer-beneficiaries,” she recalled.
Her passion for community support carried over to her restaurant business. “What I love most about this restaurant is that I am connected to the Filipino community. I know my customers, and I am very much aware of their struggles every day. That is the main reason I came up with this concept,” she explained. “There is nothing unique about our business, but we have stayed in the industry because we are true to our commitment to helping our fellow Filipinos in the UAE. I want everyone to feel that we are with them. We know how hard it is to work alone. I want everyone to think of Al Rigga Restaurant as their kitchen—we will cook for them. Whatever we save from our suppliers, we pass on to our customers by providing affordable home-cooked meals.”
Today, Amiebeth employs more than 200 Filipinos in her restaurants. Many of them started as household service workers who wished to elevate their professional standing while working overseas. By giving them opportunities, she is helping them build better lives and achieve their aspirations beyond domestic work.
Despite her success, the road was not without hardship. The pandemic was a defining moment in her journey. “During that period, I kept quiet and surrendered everything to God. Stress and anxiety hit me at the same time. I had bounced checks, I didn’t know how to deal with my staff, I had my children with me, and worst of all, the restaurant was closed. My salary was our only income.”
She described that time as a personal battle. “During those trying times, I realized that no one can truly help you except yourself. Imagine being inside a tunnel—your friends and family are waiting outside. They will congratulate you if you make it out alive, but they will cry if you don’t. No one knows what you did inside the tunnel to survive except yourself. That’s why you need to be strong.”
Although Amiebeth has built a successful life in Dubai, her heart remains in the Philippines. “Ever since, I’ve wanted to go home. There is no place like home,” she said. However, her children, who were born and raised in the UAE, see it differently. “Whenever I tell them to pack up and go home, they always say, ‘Mama, this is our home.’”
Her dream is to give back by mentoring young people in her hometown. “I wish I could spend time and change the minds of the youth in our village—teaching them to dream big regardless of their current situation. Life does not judge you by how you were born, but by what you do after you are born.”
For fellow OFWs facing struggles, Amiebeth offers practical advice. “The most important thing while working abroad is to surround yourself with the right people. The right people will motivate and inspire you to be competitive in your chosen field. Many OFWs fail because they do not understand the principle of priority. Understanding this is key to turning dreams into reality.”
Reflecting on her journey, she emphasizes that great success comes at a price. “Big dreams require sacrifices and great responsibilities. The journey is difficult. Achieving remarkable success involves deep personal sacrifice—giving up your comfort zone, sometimes even people in your life. It will demand long hours and sacrificing personal time. There will be moments when the weight of your goals feels too heavy to carry, but that’s part of the journey. You will be criticized and misunderstood because not everyone will understand your vision. People may question you and doubt your potential. You must endure all these challenges and sharpen your focus.”
Her parting words are simple yet powerful: “Each moment of effort brings you closer to your goal. Never lose sight of why you started.”
