From cleaner to supervisor: Top student of Filipino Institute Abu Dhabi’s caregiver class shares her success story
Hamdan, Abu Dhabi—41-year-old Ruby Lacuña from Davao City was among the 700 students who graduated from the 17th batch of Filipino Institute Abu Dhabi branch last September 6, 2019.
Lacuña, who took up the 24-week caregiving class, said her life as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) was never easy. She started working as a cleaner way back in 2008.
“I do mopping, machine [sic], nagpapolish po kami ng floor [para mapa-kintab], lahat po, naglilimis po ako ng mga salamin sa labas,” said Lacuña.
But through the years, her efforts were recognized by her bosses, allowing her to advance in her career.
“After two years na-promote po ako ng boss namin at naging office girl po ako—all around. Nagtimtimpla ng kape, nagpo-photocopy, lahat,” said Ruby.
Ruby continuously embraced the nature of her work and focused on the idea that it was for her son, Robin, whom she left in the Philippines. She’s been widowed and is solely providing for her son.
Years later, she was offered the supervisor position in the government and has since been working as the Housekeeping Supervisor of Zayed Higher Organization for people with determination.
“Naniniwala ako sa kasabihan na kung ibibigay sakin ng Panginoon ‘yun, para sa akin talagag ‘yun. [Mula noong] naging cleaner hanggang ngayong naging direct employee ako ng government ‘yun paniniwala ko,” said Ruby.
She said she never questioned why she had to go through the hardships of being an OFW and just trusted the process.
“I started with 700AED (Php 9885), ngayon nasa 6500AED (91,792) na ang sahod ko,” said Ruby.
But despite the success, she continuously felt hungry for learning. As an undergraduate of Business Management, she has long been wanting to graduate, which is why enthusiastically enrolled in Filipino Institute – Hamdan.
“Noong nalaman ko ‘yung FI through my friend, nainspire po ako kasi yung certificate po niya sa logistic [course] po, nagamit niya para ma-promote sa trabaho,” said Ruby.
She looks forward to securing her future using the knowledge she has gained in her caregiving course.
“Malay mo ito yung kurso na ito ang makapagbigay sa akin ng magandang simula sa buhay ko hanggang sa tumanda,” said Ruby.
Aside from being a graduate, Ruby said that she’s also grateful for the friendship that she has gained throughout her journey in FI.
Her message to her fellow OFWs: “Wag po kayong sumuko, laban lang po ng laban. Kahit ano pong trabahong ibigay satin, i-embrace po natin. ‘Wag po tayong mamimili kasi si God lang ang may alam kung ano lang ang plan niya para sa atin.”
The founder and President of FI, Mr. Gabriel John Rimando salutes Lacuña’s hunger for learning. He wishes her success in her future endeavors and said that he will gladly support her if she wishes to re-enroll in the institution.
The institution is currently looking for Filipino scholars who would want to get certification in any of their short-courses or diploma courses across the GCC. In exchange of their life stories, FI is willing to give a hundred percent scholarship in any of the courses they offer.
Know more about the Filipino Institute by visiting our website at: www.filipino-institute.com Or email us at: info@filipino-institute.com
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6 Comments
Gusto kupo mag enroll sa Filipino institute.. gusto kupo ipagpatuloy Ang pangarap ko na Hindi ko nakuha at natapus Ang Kurso ko Sana matulungan nyo ako… Na inspire po ako sa lahat Ng pinagdaanan ni ate Ruby Lacuña.. nakita ko Yung pursige nya. Willing po ako Sana makapasok ako Jan sa school nyo at Sana Isa din ako da mga gusto makuha Ang pangarap at mapagpatuloy Ang pangarap.
Paano po ba mag aaral jan? Gusto ko pong mag aral, sa twing day off q.
Hi mam how are you? How to avail the schoolarship , what are the requirements please po i want to study .
Magandang araw.
Habang binabsa ko ang pinagddaanan ni Ms Ruby na inspire po ako. Akala ko pg pumatong kna ng 30y/o kala ko dko na pwd abutin ang gstu kong mg aral ulit.. Pero nung nbsa ko toh naliwanagan ako na c Ms Ruby nga nkuha niya ang diploma at the age of 41 kaya sbi ko pwd pa pala ako☺ Mhirap lng po kme sa lahat na 5 kong kptid aq lng po ang nkapatong ng college(Voc.Course) dhl sa pgppursige ko noon na kht anu dumidiskarte aq mgkroon lng ng pmsahe at my pmbaon sa school. Ngaun po isa po aq OFW(housemaid) dto sa Ajman. My dlawa po akong anak at ang aswa ko mtgal ng wlang trbho dhl sya ang ngbbantay s mga anak nmin. At kung ppalarin ng Panginoon gstu ko po sana mkpg aral habang ngttrbho…kht every weekend lng po. Pra sa ganun my pang padala nmn aq s pamilya ko. Need ko din po kc mgtrbho pra sknila. Mraming Salamat po. God Bless to us.
Paano po ba mag aaral jan? Gusto ko pong mag aral, sa twing day off q.
Hello po good day po ma’am and sir.. at sa bumubuo ng FI. Isa rin po akong ofw dito sa doha Qatar.. isa rin po akong ngtatrabaho bilang cleaners.. relate po ako sa story nia. Ng simula din sa mababang sahud.. pero nd ako nawalan ng pag asa. Pag asang makapag aral. Ung kahit ginagawa ko trabaho ko. Ng aaral ako sa araw ng day off. Kaya iyak talaga ko sa tuwa ng masearch ko si fi sa Facebook.. eto n ung sagut sa dasal ko.. at ngayon nga po ay ng aaral ako dito sa FI mansoura branch doha Qatar. Mabuhay po tayong lahat.. at bumubuo po ng FI. Marami pong salamat sa bukas puso niong makatulong sa mga kagaya ko ofw na handang matuto at madagdagan ang kaalaman para sa kinabukasan at mgkaron ng magandang buhay pag dating ng panahon… godbless po.