There was a moment when she realized that survival alone was no longer enough—she wanted direction, ownership, and a future she could shape with her own hands. Girlie Lahom Cebricos had already lived many lives by then, each one harder than the last, each one quietly preparing her for something bigger.
At 42, Girlie is a business owner in Dubai, running Catching Comfort, a home-service massage venture she built from scratch after more than a decade abroad. But her story doesn’t begin with entrepreneurship or overseas work. It begins in scarcity—and with grit learned far too early.
Growing up learning how to endure
Girlie grew up as one of thirteen siblings, raised in deep financial hardship. From a young age, she learned how to fend for herself. While still in high school, she washed clothes in the river just to earn allowance for the week. She managed to graduate, but college proved impossible. “I tried to continue my studies, but my parents simply couldn’t afford it,” she shares. With no other option, she entered the workforce.
Marriage and motherhood came early, along with responsibility. Life didn’t soften. Instead, it demanded more. Girlie moved from job to job—saleslady, factory worker, real estate agent—never staying still, never waiting for luck to arrive.
Leaving home to build something lasting
Dubai became both a testing ground and a turning point. Over 11 years abroad, Girlie worked almost everywhere she could: bus attendant, mascot, cook, supervisor, marketing manager in a construction firm, call center agent, and eventually, massage therapist. Each role sharpened her resilience.
In the last three years before fully committing to her business, she focused on customer-facing work. “I developed strong communication and problem-solving skills,” she says. “I was consistently praised for my ability to de-escalate difficult situations and find solutions that satisfied both the customer and the company.”
Still, the pull toward independence grew stronger. “Ultimately, the best reason is personal,” she explains. “It usually centers on control, impact, and the opportunity to build something meaningful.”
Betting on herself when no one else did
Her plan was clear: save, return to Dubai, and start a home-service massage business. But reality intervened. The AED 20,000 she brought back wasn’t enough. She went back to work—two more years of discipline, restraint, and planning.
When she finally launched, skepticism followed. She had only herself as staff. People doubted her. Some laughed. Girlie didn’t stop. Slowly, bookings increased. Trust grew. Effort compounded.
What once was a monthly salary of AED 1,500 became her daily income—or more. From a partitioned room, she moved her family into a two-bedroom apartment. She bought two cars to support the home-service operation. Most importantly, she brought her child to Dubai to study and live with her.
Lessons she carries forward
Dubai, she notes, offered practical advantages: favorable tax policies, a stable economy, a strong banking system, and convenient international payments. But structure alone doesn’t guarantee success.
“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start,” Girlie says.
Her advice to fellow OFWs is grounded and direct. Break dreams into clear, measurable steps. Start early. Build momentum. Be honest with family back home about finances. Set priorities together. Avoid debt by sticking to a realistic budget.
Today, Girlie doesn’t claim perfection. What she values is wholeness. The work was hard, the path uncertain—but the result is a life she built deliberately. One step, one risk, one refusal to quit at a time.
