In the world of hospitality, few careers progress in a straight line. For many, it is a climb marked by long hours, resilience, and the constant demand to deliver excellence under pressure. For Marie Loreles Madrigal Gregorio, better known to her colleagues and friends as Lora, this climb has stretched across 22 years, five pre-opening roles, and countless lessons in leadership and perseverance. Today, she serves as the Restaurant General Manager at SO/ Uptown Dubai, overseeing three vibrant venues and a team of 16, a role that reflects both her professional growth and her personal strength.
“I am currently working as a Restaurant General Manager handling three venue outlets at SO/ Uptown Dubai, UAE, a position I’ve held since April 2023 where I was a part of the pre-opening team,” she shares with TGFM. “This is my fifth pre-opening role in Dubai. I’m responsible for managing three food and beverage outlets — the signature restaurant, a mixology bar, and a night venue bar that also serves as a private events space. My job demands precision, adaptability, resilience, hard work, and commitment.”
Her work requires balancing daily operations with client relations, guest engagement, and team leadership, all while ensuring that guests walk away with an experience worth remembering. The pressure is constant, but for Lora, that pressure has been the foundation of her career’s upward trajectory.
Building a career through resilience and sacrifice
Lora’s journey began in 2003, when she took a leap of faith and left the Philippines to pursue her first overseas role as a restaurant hostess in the UAE. It was here that she got her first taste of the challenges and opportunities of working abroad. “That experience was both challenging and eye-opening,” she recalls. “It taught me how to adjust to a new culture, communicate across language barriers, and build connections from the ground up. It laid the foundation for my career abroad and helped me develop the confidence to pursue further opportunities internationally.”
Just a year later, she moved to the United Kingdom, where she worked as a bartender at a five-star hotel near Paddington Station in London from 2004 to 2005. The experience broadened her horizons even further and gave her exposure to a new cultural setting. From there, she returned to the Middle East and began steadily working her way up through the ranks of the hospitality industry.
Her progression was not just about climbing the corporate ladder. It was also about proving herself, time and time again, in an industry known for its high demands. “Starting from an entry-level position, I worked my way up through various roles, gaining valuable experience and proving myself in every step,” she says. “My dedication was ultimately recognized in 2016 when I obtained a huge accolade of being awarded the Restaurant Manager of the Year, Caterer Middle East Award.”
That award became one of the highlights of her career, a recognition not just of her professional excellence but also of her resilience and leadership. “With that award, I had the privilege of being recognized by our country’s ambassador — a proud moment that reminded me how far I had come while abroad,” she says.
But behind the achievements was a story of sacrifice. Lora is a single mother, and the decision to work abroad was driven by both ambition and responsibility. “I chose to pursue employment outside my home country because I wanted to challenge myself, grow professionally, and gain broader life experiences. But more than that, as a single mother, I made this decision to provide a better future for my son,” she explains. “It wasn’t easy to be away from him, but I knew that this sacrifice was my choice to build a stable and secure life for both of us. I see it not as a loss, but as a decision made from strength, love, and long-term purpose.”
Finding fulfillment in leadership and service
For Lora, hospitality has never been just a job — it has been a calling. Her passion for service and leadership shines through in the way she speaks about her role. “What I appreciate most about my current job is the opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life and create meaningful experiences through service,” she says.
One of her favorite parts of the job is problem-solving, especially when it comes to guest satisfaction. “It’s always rewarding for me whenever there is a guest unhappy. I have to make sure the guest doesn’t leave the venue unhappy. I have to turn it around somehow,” she says. “And it does work.”
Equally fulfilling for her is the opportunity to mentor and guide her team. “Another thing that really makes me feel rewarding is when I see my team also progressing as I help them mold themselves, nurture and develop them — and get promoted,” she adds.
Beyond her professional duties, Lora has always found ways to integrate her personal passions into her work environment. She has served as a fitness ambassador within her company, promoting health and wellness among staff, and she is also a proud Zumba fitness instructor. “I have recently done my first triathlon and will attempt the second one in November,” she shares with excitement. These personal pursuits not only keep her motivated but also inspire those around her to balance work with wellness.
Working overseas has provided Lora with invaluable lessons, both professionally and personally. “One of the most appealing aspects is the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and adapt to new cultures,” she reflects. “It helped me to challenge myself to be more open-minded, resourceful, and resilient. Being in an international workplace teaches me how to be more inclusive, understanding, and effective as a team member.”
On a personal note, she says that the journey has shaped her independence. “As a single mother, it’s been a bold step — but one that has allowed me to build a better life for my son while also setting an example of courage and perseverance,” she says. “I had to swallow a lot because I missed the crucial part of my son growing up. It’s a journey that continues to shape me in meaningful ways every day.”
Lessons from challenges and hopes for the future
Despite her current success, Lora is candid about the struggles she faced along the way. The early years abroad were marked by emotional sacrifices and cultural adjustments. “Settling abroad was far from easy,” she admits. “One of the biggest hurdles I faced early on was being away from my son and family. That emotional sacrifice was one of the hardest things I faced, but it also became my greatest source of motivation.”
She explains that while language was not a barrier, cultural differences and the pressure to prove herself in new environments were significant challenges. “But I knew giving up was not an option,” she says. “I overcame these challenges by staying focused on my goals, maintaining a positive mindset, and reminding myself why I started this journey in the first place.”
Her support system — friends, mentors, and family back home — played a crucial role. “I leaned heavily on the support system I built over time — friends who became like family, mentors at work who guided me, and regular calls with my loved ones back home who reminded me that I wasn’t alone,” she says. “Throughout this journey, I looked up to strong women — both in my personal life and in the workplace — who showed grace under pressure, led with kindness, and succeeded through integrity and hard work.”
Looking ahead, Lora has aspirations that extend beyond her current role. “Once I’ve completed my tenure abroad, my biggest aspiration is to return home and use everything I’ve learned to create a positive impact — both in my personal life and within my community,” she says. She envisions starting her own business, mentoring young professionals, and empowering others who dream of working abroad but don’t know where to begin.
Her passion for fitness will also continue to play a role in her future goals. “One of my long-term goals is to be involved in fitness and be an inspiration to many,” she says. “If we have a healthy lifestyle, it helps us think more positively and be more productive every time, even in the face of trials.”
Lora also has a message for fellow overseas Filipinos navigating challenges. “To my fellow kababayans who are facing difficulties overseas — whether it’s in love, finances, employment, or building trustworthy relationships — I want you to know: it is normal to encounter these but you are not alone, your struggles are valid,” she emphasizes.
On relationships, she offers heartfelt advice: “Remember to protect your peace. Be wise with your heart, and never lose your sense of self-worth just to feel accepted or needed. Real love will never require you to sacrifice your dignity.” On finances, she stresses discipline: “Be mindful and plan for the long term. I always apply the 50-30-20 rule. Don’t be afraid to say no to unnecessary spending or pressure from others.”
Above all, she reminds her fellow Filipinos abroad to protect their mental and emotional well-being. “Don’t carry everything alone. Reach out, connect with people, and vent if needed,” she advises.
As she reflects on her two decades abroad, Lora leaves behind a message of encouragement: “Don’t give up on yourself, no matter how hard it gets. Life abroad — and life in general — will test you in ways you never expected. But through all of that, you must hold on to the reason you started.”
She continues, “Two of my favourite essentials at work: ‘You can’t make diamonds without pressure’ and ‘Grow through what you go through.’ I always apply them in my everyday life.”
