The Top 10 finalists of the Dakilang Manggagawang Pilipino sa UAE 2026 (DMP 2026) gathered for the first activity of the competition’s journey series, a day-long program of reflection, cultural learning, and entrepreneurship organized by Pinas Group of Companies.
The session was held at the home of Marlyn Castro, who hosted the finalists and the DMP team for a program built around personal growth ahead of the Grand Finals.
The day opened with a “Getting to Know You” activity, giving the finalists — who come from a range of backgrounds and professions — a chance to find common ground as Filipino workers building lives for their families in the UAE.
One of the more emotional segments was a “Talking to Your Younger Self” session led by Rumelyn Aribon, one of the proponents of the initiative. Finalists were asked to revisit their earlier dreams, struggles, and sacrifices, and for many the exercise turned into a tearful reflection on how far they had come.
The finalists were also introduced to Baybayin, the pre-colonial Filipino script, in a lesson led by artist Gino Banola. The session framed the writing system as part of the cultural heritage that Filipinos carry abroad.
The afternoon shifted to business, with a session on starting a company in Dubai facilitated by Edwin Duria, managing director of PLAY ME. Duria walked finalists through the practical realities of entrepreneurship and the opportunities open to workers who want to move beyond employment.
Pinas Group described the journey as its way of recognizing the finalists beyond the contest itself, an effort to honor their sacrifices and contributions to their families and communities. Activity 1 marks the first of several experiences planned as the countdown to the Grand Finals continues.
