At the heart of Doha, Qatar, works a man who has made it his life’s mission to not only excel in his professional career but to also inspire and uplift those around him. Israel Gonzales Malabanan, known to many as Sky Gonzales, is the Logistics and Warehouse Manager at Nasser Bin Khaled Heavy Equipment, where he has been shaping the dynamics of equipment handling and team leadership for several years.
Sky began his international career in September 2008 as an ordering officer and climbed his way up to his current prestigious role. In this position, he oversees the intricate operations of managing stocks and ensures that equipment is ready for sale and available for customer viewing.
“Each piece of equipment that passes through our warehouse represents an opportunity not just for sales, but for building trust and reliability with our customers,” Sky explains with The Global Filipino Magazine.
Before moving to Qatar, Sky’s professional journey started in the Philippines where he served as a purchasing officer at Hotel Kimberly Manila, and later played a crucial role in the opening team of Hotel Kimberly Tagaytay as a general cashier. His transition abroad was driven by a desire to provide better for his family, being the eldest and the breadwinner.
Sky’s work overseas has been fueled by a passion for his field and the joy of leading a diverse team.
“I enjoy the challenge of bringing people together, aligning our different cultural and religious backgrounds towards a common goal,” he says.
The satisfaction of fostering a harmonious and productive workplace is what he finds most gratifying about his job.
The decision to work overseas came with its set of challenges, including cultural adjustments and the inevitable homesickness. However, Sky found strength in the support of his family, friends, and his church community, which have been his pillars during tough times.
One of the highlights of Sky’s career is his involvement in various community and business initiatives. He is a founding director of the Philippine Business Council (PBC) Qatar, and currently serves as the Head of Marketing and Events. His roles extend to being a board member of the Medical Mission Group Qatar Overseas Filipino Expatriates Hospital and Health Services Cooperative (MMGQOFEHHSC), and heading the Sponsorship Committee of the Qatar Black Gold Sapatilha Eagles Club.
Besides his corporate and community roles, Sky is also a dynamic entrepreneur. He is the CEO and founder of Sky Gonzales Sports, Entertainment Production International (SG SEPI), a filmmaker/producer, and runs a business called Manoks to GO, which offers “Sarap lusog na litson manok.”
Looking to the future, Sky dreams of retiring to a farm in the Philippines where he plans to continue inspiring young adults and sharing his extensive experience through workshops.
“I want to help others pursue their dreams just as I have,” he shares.
For fellow Filipinos working abroad, Sky offers this advice: “Help comes from the Lord, so trust in that process. Keep a close circle of trusted individuals and focus on actions rather than words.” His approach emphasizes self-reliance, spiritual trust, and cautious interpersonal relationships.
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This article has been published in Volume 4, Issue 12 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.