When life demands you to grow up faster than most, some crumble under the weight — but others rise. One of them is Jhon Rose Sen Espena, who now works as a supervisor at a Japanese restaurant in the UAE. Her journey, marked by hardship and determination, began far from the glimmering towers of Dubai — in the simple markets and alleyways of the Philippines, where she first learned the value of perseverance.
Working instead of schooling
Jhon Rose only reached Grade 6 before deciding to stop school. “Mas pinili ko na agad mag work para hindi na ko dumagdag sa responsibilidad ni Mama,” she shared. Her mother was the family’s breadwinner, and young Jhon Rose wanted to help rather than add to the burden. She recalls being scolded for this choice, but her mind was made up.
Even as a child, she had already started working — selling fish, mangoes, and anything she could find to earn pocket money. “Sabi ko sa sarili ko kailangan ko ibahin yung landas ko,” she said, driven by the poverty she grew up in. At age 14, she faked her resume to land her first job at a mall in Divisoria as a saleslady. From there, she took on a string of humble jobs: clown, cook, janitress, catering staff, street vendor — anything to survive.
Pursuing her dream abroad
At 19, she told her mother, who was already working in the UAE, that she wanted to join her. Despite her lack of education, she stood firm: “If hindi mo ko kukunin dyan, magugulat ka nasa Saudi na ko.” True to her word, she flew to the UAE. Within 15 days, she was hired as a cashier. One month later, she had her visa sorted. “Risk taker ako pag pangarap or future ang usapan,” she said.
Now, six years into her overseas journey, Jhon Rose serves as a floor supervisor — a position earned not through degrees, but through grit, loyalty, and hard work.
Creating a better life for her family
“Hindi man paldo, pero at least hindi na nag uulam ng toyo,” she said with pride. Her sacrifices have paid off in small but meaningful ways — being able to give her child new clothes without waiting for hand-me-downs, buying shoes even when it’s not Christmas, and providing meals beyond soy sauce and rice.
For Jhon Rose, the goal is not wealth but dignity. “Maybe you’ll see me struggling, crying, and sometimes nagrereklamo sa responsibilidad… but you’ll never see me give up,” she said.
She may have started life with little, but today, she walks forward with purpose — one step closer to the future she once only dreamed about. “Malayo pa, pero malayo na.”
