For many people, the dream career doesn’t happen overnight—it unfolds one unexpected opportunity at a time. At 31, Keith Pereña has learned that life abroad can be both unpredictable and empowering, and his journey as a creative storyteller and producer proves that purpose can often be found in detours.
Keith, a Dubai-based content creator and producer for an international media company, has lived overseas for 12 years. He first arrived in the UAE in 2013, just a week after graduating from university. “My parents, who have been living in Dubai since 2003, bought me a ticket. Back then, I wanted a different life—to teach in public school in the Philippines. But my parents had bigger plans,” he shared.
His first job was far from glamorous: selling branded ballpoint pens as corporate giveaways. “Then I got fired because I was on Facebook,” he recalled, laughing. But that setback opened doors to bigger opportunities and eventually led him to where he is now—working behind and in front of the camera, sharing stories that resonate with thousands.
Finding purpose in storytelling
While his job title is officially “creative storyteller and producer,” Keith says the core of his work is connection. “I get to tell stories. I get to talk to people to tell their stories,” he explained. “Because for me, each story is a debt I have to repay. How? By making sure that story is crafted in a way that the person will be proud of it.”
Keith believes storytelling is not just a skill, but a service—one that allows him to inspire, motivate, and give others a voice. His stint with Emirates Loves Philippines brought unexpected recognition, making him a familiar face among Filipino communities in the UAE. “I never wanted to be on camera, but turns out, I have the aptitude for it,” he said with a smile.
His previous roles shaped this path. From working as a junior editor at a sports magazine to becoming a web journalist at Khaleej Times—where one of his first assignments was interviewing Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach—Keith gradually found his rhythm. He later contributed to Tag 91.1’s social media content and took on side gigs as a musician, performing at Dubai Metro stations, Global Village, and Expo 2020.
Struggles that became turning points
But Keith’s journey wasn’t without hardship. Just as he thought he was leveling up by accepting a job offer in Abu Dhabi in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the opportunity evaporated. “I went back to Dubai and slept on my parents’ sofa,” he said. “For six months, I felt like a failure. I thought nobody would want to hear what I had to say.”
More challenges followed. Keith and his wife were scammed twice—losing a total of AED 62,000. “It was a test of our faith in God and each other,” he said. With a baby to raise and financial pressure mounting, the situation could have broken them. But support from friends and family helped them weather the storm. “Now, it feels humbling that I was once at that point in time.”
These experiences gave Keith the clarity to focus on what mattered most: his passion for storytelling and his desire to empower others.
Building dreams and giving back
Today, Keith is carving his own space in the media world. He’s working on building a company that will focus on telling the stories of everyday Filipinos. “I’ve always wanted to teach,” he said. “If I can pass on my learnings to others and they become better than me? That’s great!”
His long-term vision is to share his knowledge and help others create effective, impactful content. He cites actor-turned-chef Marvin Agustin as one of his role models. “When he was a star, he saw that the gig wasn’t forever, so he planned ahead. I want to do that too,” Keith added.
Living in the UAE has also allowed him to create a life he once only dreamed of. “I found my wife, had a daughter, bought my dream car, and been to places that were once just on my bucket list,” he shared. “I found my footing here.”
Asked what advice he would give to struggling kabayans abroad, Keith keeps it real. “First lesson I learned in Dubai: never get a credit card,” he said. He also advises taking short-term loans when absolutely necessary and making down payments to avoid long-term burdens.
But more importantly, he encourages others to pursue their real passion—gradually, if not immediately. “Ask yourself: in your heart of hearts, what do you really want to do? Then just do that. Make small decisions that bring you closer to that dream,” he said. “Hindi kailangang big move agad. Small small moves build up over time.”
And finally, he offers this line—something he lives by: “Live the questions now, because one day you’ll eventually live your way to the answer.”
For more of his motivational content and latest projects, Keith invites people to follow him at @keithslessons. “Abangan niyo ‘yon,” he said, referring to his upcoming company, “this year na—2025.”
