Maricel Alvarez grew up in Laguna, the eldest daughter of four siblings. Her family owned a small sari-sari store, and from a young age, she learned how to handle money, give the right change, and greet customers with a smile. She didn’t think much of it then, but those early lessons would later shape her career far from home.
After finishing a vocational course, Maricel found herself hopping from one job to another sales clerk, office assistant, part-time cashier in a local grocery. Though hardworking, her salary was barely enough to cover her family’s needs. Her father’s health was failing, her siblings were still in school, and bills kept piling up. The pressure to provide pushed Maricel to make a difficult decision: to work abroad.
Through a recruitment agency, she landed a job as a cashier in a popular supermarket in Dubai. It wasn’t the glamorous kind of overseas work some dreamed of, but for Maricel, it was an opportunity.
Her first few weeks were overwhelming. The supermarkets was huge, with long queues of customers from all nationalities. Some spoke Arabic, others English, and many used different currencies or payment methods she wasn’t familiar with. She often worried about making mistakes at the register. Once, she accidentally gave the wrong change, and a customer complained loudly. Maricel was embarrassed, but instead of giving up, she studied harder. She memorized exchange rates, practiced English phrases, and even learned a few basic Arabic greetings to make customers feel welcome.
In time, Maricel became known for her efficiency and warmth. Her smile and polite greetings made regular customers seek out her lane, even if it was longer than the others. You’re always so cheerful, one customer said. You make shopping less stressful. Those simple words made her realize that her job was more than scanning barcodes and counting bills it was about giving people a pleasant experience.
Despite the friendly atmosphere at work, life as an OFW was never easy. Maricel lived in a shared flat with six other Filipinas. They supported each other, cooking meals together and sharing stories of their families back home. On nights when homesickness crept in, Maricel would look at her siblings photos taped to her wall and remind herself of her purpose.
Her sacrifices bore fruit. Every month, she sent money to pay for her father’s medicines and her siblings tuition. Slowly, she noticed how her efforts transformed their lives. Her sister graduated from nursing school, her brother became an engineer, and the youngest was on track to finish college.
One day, her manager called her to the office. Nervous at first, Maricel was surprised when he told her she was being promoted as a cashier supervisor, thank to her excellent record and customer service skills. It was a proud moment proof that even a humble cashier could rise through dedication and preserverance.
Years later, when Maricel finally returned home for good, her family welcomed her like a hero. They renovated their old house using her savings and started a small grocery store this time bigger than the sari-sari store she grew up with. Maricel managed the cashier’s counter herself, just like old times, but now with the confidence and experience of someone who had faced the challenges of working abroad.
For Maricel, the job of a cashier was never just counting money. It was about responsibility, trust, and building dreams one transaction at a time.
