Gerryl Pedragosa Gaid was only 20 years old when she decided to go directly to Dubai to be an overseas Filipino worker (OFW). A fresh graduate, she started working as a marketing officer for a real estate company in Business Bay. Although it was not in line with what she had studied, she pursued it because, like many OFWs, she was afraid not to get any good job offer back then other than what’s served on the table.
She may consider herself a risk-taker, but working overseas is a whole different arena—the competition is stiff. Admittedly, during that time, she didn’t have any job experiences that she could share with her employer except for her scholastic achievements.
The real estate company trusted her potential. She was trained and exposed to people from myriad cultures and different backgrounds. While working full-time, she made herself productive by studying and reviewing for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) examination, a licensure examination for management accountants issued by the US that is considered one of the most demanding professional accounting exams.
At 21, Gerryl passed the examination and sought another job. She took the leap of faith and applied for Commercial Bank International (CBI), and another company trusted her, where she became the youngest employee of the bank.
Today, Gerryl is working under financial operations management at the same bank, where she deals with money and wire transfers, both local and international transactions.
A banker and a model
The 21-year-old Filipina does not only excel in her work. She is also conquering the fashion industry in Dubai. When she was only 18, she joined beauty pageants and clinched notable titles. There, she developed an interest in pageantries and the glitz and glamour of the fashion industry. However, as much as she wanted to continue the pageantry life, she went abroad to help her family and seek greener pastures.
Her love for the industry rekindled when she joined the Miss Filipino Institute while studying an introductory make-up course to further her skills.
In 2020, when she was finally enjoying her new life in Dubai, her mother suffered from a brain stroke. So, she went home immediately to look after her. However, she got stuck in the Philippines for about eight months due to the travel restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. After staying in the Philippines for almost a year, her mother’s situation went well, and she could finally leave without regrets.
When she returned to Dubai, her photo received positive feedback, and she started receiving modeling offers. Initially, it was just collaboration shoots, but she thought it was still for exposure and additional activity for her portfolio. Gerryl is a banker during the weekdays and a model during weekends or after her 9am to 5pm job.
While she was in the process of embracing her newfound life in modeling, she joined a modeling competition wherein she poured her heart. Unfortunately, she lost and didn’t make it to the cut, which affected her self-esteem.
“As a believer, I’ve always been taught that for every “No”, there will always be a better “Yes”,” she said.
After losing the competition, she received modeling opportunities she never thought would come. She started receiving e-commercial modeling shoot offers that have given her exposure to platforms like Amazon.ae and Noon. Additionally, she was also tapped by The Gulf Bride- Middle East, Runway Dubai, Top Models Dubai, and many more.
A banker and a model with a heart
Back in her hometown in Albay, she proactively supported a group of kids in far-flung areas through feed programs, recreational activities, and gift-giving programs. She is also a part of a group that goes to hospitals, clinics, and even jails to give some hope to the vulnerable through singing and praying.
In Dubai, especially during the Ramadan period, she joins non-profit organizations’ activities to distribute food during iftar, making her fellow Filipinos housed at the consulate happy through programs and conducting medical missions in areas for laborers.
“I see myself as a woman who will always choose to help the needy. Volunteering is where I see myself in the end. I want my life to be filled with purpose. Through helping and touching other people’s lives, I truly feel alive and fulfilled,” she said.
“There will be times in our life that we will give our heart, soul, and mind into something but failures or disappointments are meeting it. Do not let that get into you and stop you from chasing your dreams. Instead, let that fuel you in gear towards becoming the best version of yourself,” the Bicolana pride further added.