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Filipinos can overcome any adversity: Envoy to UAE

Abu Dhabi - In an exclusive interview, the Philippine ambassador talks about what makes Filipinos stand out in the UAE and around the world.

Around the globe, Filipinos flourish in their fields. And, this October, when the world comes to the UAE for Expo 2020 Dubai, it will see the community shine in its coral reef pavilion, ‘a symphony of nature, culture and technology’. The Philippines’ Ambassador to the UAE, Hjayceelyn M. Quintana, has been working behind the scenes to make sure it will be a grand showcase of Filipino talent.

“Our pavilion, a coral reef, is a metaphor of the country and its 10 per cent diaspora who call more than 150 countries around the world their second home. The pavilion will give a sense of our community’s rich contributions to the UAE,” said Quintana, who has captured the hearts of over a million Filipinos in the UAE since she took up her post around three years ago.

Work on the Bangkóta (coral reef) pavilion has reached its final stages and it is expected to be handed over soon.

“My job is to represent the Philippines in this great country, whose wise and visionary leadership’s tolerance and openness have been exemplary. No wonder, OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) have been coming to the UAE since the 1970s, a few years after the country was founded in 1971,” said the affable career diplomat, whose happy disposition is an echo of the resilient, ever-smiling community.

The Filipino ambassador is looking to upgrade the skill sets of the community and sees synergy in several sectors, such as artificial intelligence, fintech, hospitality, etc., where OFWs could be an asset for the UAE.

“There is a distinct aspect among our people that stand out among over 200 nationalities in the UAE, who call this country their home away from home. It’s our people’s resilience, hard work, loyalty, and an ability to overcome any adversity that makes us special and wanted in any job market across the globe,” she added.

“Our nurses and those associated in the healthcare sector were among the frontline workers, who volunteered for Covid-19 vaccine trials. This is our small yet significant gesture to give back to the UAE, which has been taking care of our OFWs for over 40 years.”

Despite the unprecedented challenges brought about the raging Covid pandemic, Filipinos across the world remained resilient. Quintana, who has been reaching out to her kababayan (compatriots) to tide over the pandemic’s repercussions, debunked the misconception that hundreds and thousands of OFWs have been repatriated due to the contagion. “There is no official data to corroborate the facts. Some airlines have the data, but not all have been repatriated because of job loss. Several OFWs have decided to take a break as well,” she added.

This April, the UAE will also be restarting the recruitment of household service workers from the Philippines, after the two countries have sealed an agreement in a joint meeting held earlier this week in Manila. Quintana, along with other top officials of the Philippine mission in the UAE, took part in the negotiations virtually.

“The joint decision of the Philippines and the UAE to institute a safe, orderly, and regular pathway for the recruitment of household service workers from the Philippines into the UAE will redound to better labour cooperation between the two countries as it would further professionalise the recruitment process and protect the rights of all parties concerned,” Quintana said in a separate statement.

The UAE, which is known for its celebration of multiculturalism and diversity had recognised Quintana in 2019 as ‘Emirates Woman of the Year’, which in hindsight was “unexpected and pleasantly surprising” for her.

Such awards are a recognition of the UAE’s innate belief in meritocracy and Quintana’s compatriots are coming to this country to experience this immersive, peaceful, and prosperous expatriate way of life.

joydeep@khaleejtimes.com