For many Filipinos, leaving home to work overseas is a tough decision, often driven by dreams of a brighter future and a commitment to families left behind. Riza Halili Gutierrez, fondly called ‘Zarah’ by her loved ones and friends, epitomizes this dream, journey, and transformation.
“In every road, I take there is always we – I am who I am today because of the people I met and the choices I made yesterday,” says Riza, who currently helms the Vestor Corporate Services Provider and Gutierrez Project Management Services in the UAE.
Starting her career with the much-loved Jollibee Food Corporation in the Philippines, Riza’s path took a sharp turn when she ventured into teaching.
Destiny, or perhaps the words of an angel, beckoned her to Dubai, a city renowned for its glittering skyline and vast opportunities. Yet, her early days in the city were anything but glittering.
“I struggled a lot, met different people in Dubai who were really rude and mean, and some were angels,” Riza shares candidly with The Global Filipino Magazine.
There were times of dire financial struggles, when she recalls not having money to buy milk for her niece. However, an unwavering faith, the determination of a self-made woman, and the dream of a better tomorrow kept her going.
Today, as a Marketing Manager for her two firms, Riza’s role involves extensive networking and relationship building.
“I love dealing with people, people who have different intuitions,” she says.
Her passion for her field is evident as she speaks of it becoming her “forte” and the emphasis she places on long-lasting relationships with clients.
Having spent 15 years abroad, Riza has certainly soaked in the sights and experiences.
“I can see the whole world,” she says, speaking of her overseas stint.
Yet, despite her global outlook, her heart remains deeply rooted in her Filipino origins and values.
The bitter memories of struggling nights and being ignored by affluent relatives still linger in her mind. But instead of harboring resentment, she looks ahead with a philanthropic vision.
“My ultimate dream is to help the needy,” Riza expresses with heartfelt sincerity.
When asked about her future plans post her overseas work, she humbly responds, “I don’t have plans, as I don’t hold the future but one thing is for sure, whatever excess future I have, I will make sure to share pieces of blessings for my beloved, and whoever will need it.”
For the countless Filipinos overseas who face struggles daily, she leaves behind a piece of advice that is a testament to her journey, “Opportunities in life don’t happen, we create them. Iompossible is not the ideal word for us, strive, fight, and put God in everything we do – a brighter future will come in a perfect place and with the trusted & right people.”
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This article has been published in Volume 4, Issue 4 of The Global Filipino Magazine. If you have a unique life story or know someone who does, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us at eic@theglobalfilipinomagazine.com. If you’re interested in obtaining a print copy of the magazine, please contact Mr. JP Cosico at +971 54 482 0661.