Filipino Expat Overcomes Struggles to Serve UAE Community

Jul 1, 2026

71 min

Jul 1, 2026 12:31

'Every dirham comes from hard work': How this Filipino expat turned personal struggles into community service

## Starting Anew in Dubai Girley Pineda, a Filipino expatriate, arrived in Dubai on April 22, 2017, with hopes of a brighter future for her family. Leaving behind a managerial role in the Philippines, she faced the reality of starting over in a new country. Despite her experience, she began as a hostess, adapting to a multicultural environment and working her way up to a restaurant manager.

## Overcoming Personal Challenges Pineda's journey was not without hardship. She faced an ectopic pregnancy, which required emergency treatment and resulted in a significant hospital bill. Despite these challenges, she persevered, learning the value of hard work and financial discipline in the UAE.

## Giving Back During the Pandemic During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pineda's restaurant temporarily closed, prompting her to sell homemade Filipino dishes for income. Recognizing the struggles of others, she began distributing free meals to those in need, demonstrating her commitment to community service.

## Leadership Through Compassion Pineda's experiences have shaped her leadership style, focusing on community and team support. She regularly checks on her team’s well-being and organizes initiatives to assist frontline workers, believing that leadership extends beyond business targets.

## Redefining Success For Pineda, success is now measured by resilience and compassion rather than job titles. Her journey highlights the importance of remembering one's motivations and the impact of kindness, proving that every challenge can lead to personal growth and community support.

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