My last column was about the successful reintegration of ex-Dubai finance professional Dante Herras as an entrepreneur in his hometown in Tagkawayan, Quezon Province. I thought of sharing additional case studies of people I know who have reintegrated back into Philippines society as well. Two of them before the pandemic and the other two during the pandemic.
They said that living in the UAE and Philippines is incomparable, ‘from active to laidback’ and ‘from high tech to slow tech’. They are warning everyone to be well prepared mentally and financially once home for good. There is however an encouraging side – ‘the Philippines has always something to offer’.
Let’s start with Wilma Villanueva who left in 2012, after working for 10 years as an Insurance Underwriter for NGI of the Emirates Bank Group of Companies. “It was by choice that I resigned from my job as I was admitted to the Graduate School of Entrepreneurship at Boston University in Massachusetts. I believed that I could not pursue it while working regularly for an 8-hour job. It was a difficult decision to make then as it was scary to leave your work for something that cannot guarantee you the same but then I defied the odds and braved my future, so to speak,” she explained
After her short stint in the US, Wilma went home to the Philippines and set up her own real estate company and ventured into real estate brokerage and rental business. She also bought raw lands with a little help from her friends and family, and developed them on a small scale. She added: “It was a huge challenge for a small player but if you just believe in yourself that you can make things happen, then it shall happen. Needless to mention here the depth of my battle and the cost I endured, both in emotions and finances, but at the end of the day and regardless of the cost it was gratifying that you did what you believed you should do.”
But it was not an easy road as an entrepreneur for Wilma especially during the pandemic. She said she also lost a lot ‘but I still managed to keep intact my condo which I started investing way back on my second year as an OFW and a beach property despite the pandemic’.
Wilma has this to share with you dear readers: “My advice to those coming home, especially by force or circumstances, is never lose hope. I know the feeling of drowning in insecurity and fear due to loss of income. But hey, BAYAN MO TO and there are lots of opportunities here, too. There are government agencies that provide financial assistance if you wish to venture into some small businesses. You just have to know how and where to go. There is DTI and DOLE. You might want to inquire at OWWA for a head start. But even without that assistance, you can do it, you just need to arm yourself with faith, in yourself and to Him above.”
She prefers just to be called CM. She left her job as the only Filipina Associate Account Director of the largest PR agency in the MENA region in 2017. She lived and worked in the UAE for 14 years. Currently, CM is writing for a business talk show in one of the TV networks in the Philippines.
“I left Dubai in 2017 wanting a change of scenery (read: burnt out). Interestingly enough, it might have been the universe’s way of telling me that I needed to leave. My first couple of years was marked by trips to the hospitals (for my parents and uncle) and veterinarian (for furbabies). When the pandemic hit, I was glad to be home to care for my elders (my mother was also diagnosed with breast cancer and we went through cycles of chemo during the lockdown). Looking back, I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else but here,” CM shared.
She warns returning expats that a lot of things back home are quite slow so one should be mentally prepared for the challenge. CM adds that the traffic is no joke as well as commuting. “Be flexible. Be humble. Try not to wave the ‘sa UAE kasi ganito’ card as it is hard, really,” she said.
Aside from preparing one’s mind, CM said to prepare one’s pocket, too, by investing properly, securing HMOs and insurance, and building a passive income. “What will you do in the Philippines when money has gone dry?”
CM further said to be resourceful and know where to seek help, to get IDs that give discounts, to maximize the benefits from the local government unit, SSS, Philhealth, Pag-IBIG, and OWWA. Her final comments: “Build your street-smart mentality, as that’s how you’ll reintegrate quickly. Don’t regret anything. Higit sa lahat, talagang mahal ang sibuyas.”
He went to the UAE as a bachelor and came back home after 13 years married with two children. Jason Roi Bucton is still practicing his profession in the UAE as an architect but this time as the owner of BUCTON Architecture in his hometown, Gingoog City, Misamin Oriental in Mindanao.
Jason really planned to settle down with his family in December 2020 but went home in September 2020. “We decided to go home earlier after several months of no outdoor activities for the kids. I personally felt that it will take time for the pandemic to subside. It was best for the family and our mental health, especially the kids to be in province, where it is a bit easy compared to other parts of the world,” he explained.
As the head of the family, Jason said to plan and prepare financially for one’s future. He encourages everyone: “Always envision yourself years after being an OFW; what you will do, how to do it, and how to get the best from what you’re good at. Working abroad is never permanent, you will always go home, regardless of any circumstance. But when you decide, don’t be afraid. It’s never too late to reintegrate yourself. The Philippines has always something to offer as you always have something to offer back to your country.” Jason was an active leader in the Filipino Community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
In March 2021, Anjee Realubit left her work as Project Manager for Beautyworld Middle East, which is organized annually by Messefrankfurt Middle East, one the leading exhibition companies in the UAE. Her reason for going home was to ‘be with my mom and take care of her before she totally forgets me due to her deteriorating dementia’. The second reason was due to work-related stress and anxiety brought about by the pandemic.
Besides taking care of her mother who celebrated 100 years last November 2022, Anjee franchised a Filipino-owned courier company called TRB Padala in Naga City in the Bicol Region. She also manages property rentals, just like Wilma, in Ortigas Center located within the joint boundaries of Pasig, Mandaluyong and Quezon City, and in Naga City.
Her words of wisdom to those in the UAE where she stayed for more than 15 years: “Make sure to save, get yourself an insurance, avoid having debts, and don’t forget to give your contributions to SSS and Pag-ibig (invest in MP2). Keep and save for your emergency funds. Don’t forget to help especially your parents. Travel. Enjoy. Love your work. And never forget to pray and thank God.”
Anjee encourages everyone to communicate with close friends from college/high school and join their activities as the ‘system here is still frustrating so you need to reach out for support and guidance’.
It’s never too late to start preparing and saving for your eventual reintegration dear The Global Filipino Magazine readers. And it is never too early.