A Filipino-owned computer repair and custom PC shop in Abu Dhabi is offering free laptop reformats to displaced kababayans this month, as the ongoing regional conflict continues to push more Overseas Filipino Workers out of employment.
MasterTechie Computers, run by John Christian Magallanes and his wife, has relocated to Electra — one of Abu Dhabi’s busiest commercial districts — after operating from a quieter location since the business launched. The move, which the couple completed in January 2026, was not without difficulty. “It wasn’t easy,” Magallanes shared with TGFM. “There were many challenges and unexpected obstacles even before we opened. But we held on to our faith, stayed committed, and pushed through.”
The Electra address carries weight beyond its foot traffic. It is the same district where Magallanes once worked as a technician earning AED 1,800 a month, years before he had any business of his own. “Electra has always been special to me — it’s where I started as a technician,” he said. “Having our own shop here now feels like everything has come full circle.”
The relocation coincides with a community initiative the shop is running on April 17, 2026 — a one-day free reformat service aimed at Filipinos who have lost their jobs and cannot afford technical repairs. The initiative grew out of a longer-standing practice of monthly community service that MasterTechie had already been running, which included free tech check-ups, cleaning, and basic assistance.
Magallanes pointed to a specific encounter that shaped the direction of the outreach. A jobless Filipino came to the shop with a laptop that had stopped working entirely. The device was old, but the team managed to reformat it and restore its function. “After that, he told us, ‘Thank you — at least now I can apply for work online. I can use my phone, but it’s much faster and easier on a laptop,'” Magallanes recalled. “Moments like that remind us that sometimes, a simple repair can make a big difference in someone’s life.”
Beyond the one-day event, MasterTechie will continue offering free tech check-ups and basic computer assistance as part of its regular community service. Magallanes acknowledged the financial weight of absorbing those costs as a small business but framed the decision plainly. “It may seem small to some, but for someone who has no job and no money, it can mean everything.”
The couple’s longer-term ambition extends past repairs and reformats. Magallanes described a vision of MasterTechie functioning as a community resource — potentially offering free training for aspiring technicians or anyone wanting to learn basic computer repair. “Our vision is not just to be a computer shop, but to become a support system for the community — especially for Filipinos here in Abu Dhabi,” he said.
MasterTechie Computers is located behind Lulu Express Fresh Market in Al Danah, Abu Dhabi. The shop can be reached via WhatsApp at 054 487 8894 or through its website at mastertechiecomputer.ae.
To learn more about MasterTechie’s monthly community service initiatives, follow their official accounts:
