Dubbed as “Rechel in Dubai,” Rechel Hoco, a 22-year-old event staff at an events and creative company in Dubai, has been weaving her dreams and crafting her path with joy and fervor. Having arrived in Dubai in December 2022, Rechel initially faced the challenges many newcomers encounter, including securing the right job.
Her journey began with a position as a restaurant staff around Jumeirah Port but soon transitioned into an event role, which she found to be more suitable and aligned with her experiences.
Rechel’s mantra, “I create my own path and walk it with joy,” is palpably evident in her daily life.
Not just confined to her day job, Rechel delves into the worlds of modeling, brand ambassadorship, and vlogging during her off-hours. Her content creation journey kicked off in 2019 in the Philippines when she was crowned Miss Oriental Mindoro, opening doors to vlogging on platforms like YouTube and Facebook.
However, the journey was not always smooth. The passing of her father in 2021 led Rechel to halt her passions, including vlogging, to focus on family. It was not until she set foot in her dream country, the UAE, in December 2022, that she reignited her vlogging career. A simple video playing Lato Lato (clackers) catapulted her back into the spotlight, gaining 1 million views in 24 hours, and reigniting her passion for content creation.
With the resurgence of her vlogging career in July 2023, Rechel introduced an online series, “Tara, Kain Tayo!” on Facebook, showcasing the diverse cuisines available in Dubai. From Arabic to Indian, Pakistani, and Iraqi, Rechel aims to give a taste of every nation’s cuisine present in the UAE, offering a glimpse into the gastronomic experiences of OFWs in the Middle East.
Her passion for vlogging and content creation extends beyond culinary adventures. Rechel’s advocacy focuses on addressing misconceptions about being an OFW. She aims to shed light on the realities OFWs face, emphasizing that while Dubai offers myriad opportunities, life as a worker in a foreign land still entails responsibilities and challenges.
The highlight of her OFW life in Dubai has been the opportunity to showcase her personality, tell stories about Dubai, and inspire others to dream big and take risks.
“The feeling of someone telling you they are watching your vlogs and seeing them happy makes me so kilig! Working with brands, attending events, and being invited to fancy restaurants was something I did not imagine when I was planning to go to the UAE,” Rachel shares.
The decision to work abroad stemmed from a desire for a fresh start and to be reunited with her brother, who she hadn’t seen in four years. Rechel faced struggles and endured hardships, but her positive attitude and the support of her brother helped her overcome them.
Dubai, for Rechel, is the “land of opportunity,” offering accessibility and a welcoming environment for expats.
Despite being a relatively new OFW, Rechel offers advice to her fellow kabayans, “Being an OFW is hard, we are away from our loved ones, and we miss them every day. Always look for a positive attitude every day, happiness is contagious. Do anything with love and passion; it will bloom and grow naturally.”
Looking ahead, Rechel harbors dreams of representing the Filipino Community in a National Pageant in the Philippines. With her resilience, passion, and joyous spirit, Rechel Hoco continues to create her path, inspiring many along the way.
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This article has been published in Volume 4, Issue 5 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.