The first years of working abroad often come with challenges that test patience and perseverance. For Desiree Tojino, who left the Philippines for the UAE in 2004, this reality was clear from the start. Like many overseas Filipinos, her dream was simple but profound: to support her family, build stability, and secure a brighter future.
Her early years, however, were far from smooth. Desiree struggled to find a stable job, hopping from one short-term role to another—four months in one company, six months in another—without the security of an employment visa. “The early days were full of uncertainty,” she recalls. Despite these difficulties, she pressed on, strengthened by determination and the support of her older sister, refusing to let setbacks derail her goals.
Finding her breakthrough
After nearly two years of uncertainty, Desiree finally landed a stable position that lasted three years. This gave her the foundation she needed to grow professionally and rebuild her confidence. When she returned home to the Philippines for almost two years, she could have settled down, but she chose to try again in the UAE.
Her challenges didn’t end there. At one company, she endured delayed salaries for months, a difficult trial that stretched on for two years. Yet she held on, believing better opportunities would come. That persistence bore fruit when she joined a family-owned Emirati conglomerate—an opportunity that would change the course of her career.
Climbing the ladder of success
Twelve years later, Desiree’s journey within the company paints a remarkable picture of growth. What began as a secretarial role evolved into a steady climb: first as Personal Assistant, then as Executive Secretary, and now as Assistant Office Manager in the private office of one of the group’s shareholders.
Her dedication was matched with continuous learning. She earned the prestigious ACEA® (Advanced Certificate for the Executive Assistant) and received the Heritage Award and the Rising Star Award, recognition of her excellence and contribution to female talent in the organization.
For Desiree, the essence of success is rooted in trust and commitment. “The most rewarding part of my work is the trust placed in me,” she shares. “No job is ever too small to be the beginning of something bigger. Every task matters. If you give your best with patience and faith, growth will follow.”
Trials, sacrifices, and resilience
Beyond her professional achievements, Desiree has faced deep personal struggles. For years, her father battled dialysis, and in early 2019, he passed away—on her birthday. She and her sister could not be physically present, but they gave their support in every way possible. It was a painful reality many overseas workers know too well.
Through heartbreak and distance, she leaned on her faith, family’s love, and her older sister’s guidance. “Family support, hard work, and faith made all the difference in my journey,” she says.
Today, Desiree carries immense gratitude—for her parents and siblings’ unwavering support, for her boss’ belief in her, and for every challenge that shaped her resilience. “Thank God for everything,” she reflects. Looking ahead, she dreams of returning home to the Philippines with the stability she has built and hopes to mentor others while supporting advocacies that uplift fellow OFWs.
Her message to kababayans abroad is both inspiring and practical: “Be patient, manage your finances wisely, choose the right people to trust, and never lose sight of why you came abroad. The path may not be straight, but perseverance pays off. One day, you’ll look back and see how far you’ve come.”
