Liza grew up in Cebu with a big dream, to work in a hotel. As a teenager, she loved watching videos of luxury resorts, imagining herself greeting guests with a warm smile. After finishing a vocational course in hospitality management, she applied to several hotels in the Philippines, but the opportunities were scarce. When she heard about an opening for hotel staff in Dubai, she saw it as her chance not only to chase her dream but also to support her parents and younger siblings.
Dubai was dazzling the towering skyscrapers, the luxurious malls, and the endless flow of tourists. But for Liza, the reality of working there was far from glamorous. Her first assignment was at the front desk of a bustling hotel. Every day, she checked out hundreds of guests, answered countless inquiries, and handled both polite and demanding customers.
Her smile became her armor. Even when she was tired, she greeted every guest with warmth. Some guests were kind, leaving behind compliments and tips, while others were impatient and rude. Once, a guest shouted at her because of a booking error she didn’t even make. Though she felt her eyes sting with tears, Liza kept her composure and resolved the issue calmly. That moment taught her that patience and professionalism were key in the hospitality industry.
Her duties extended beyond the front desk. Sometimes she helped the housekeeping team, sometimes she assisted the concierge, and sometimes she covered the dining area during busy hours. The shifts were long, often stretching into late nights, especially when international flights arrived at odd hours. Still, Liza found joy in her work. She loved hearing stories from travelers from all over the world, and every thank you from a satisfied guest felt like a small victory.
The hardest part, of course, was being away from her family. She missed birthdays, fiestas, and even ordinary nights when they would eat together and laugh over simple meals. Whenever she called home, her father would remind her, Anak, we are proud of you. Your sacrifice is our blessing. Those words fueled her during her loneliest nights.
One unforgettable experience came when a family from Europe checked into the hotel. Their child was sick, and the parents looked distressed. Liza went out of her way to help them find a nearby clinic and even prepared food the child could eat comfortably. A few days later, the family returned, thanking her with heartfelt words. They left a note saying, Your kindness made us feel at home in a foreign country. For Liza, that was the greatest reward.
After three years, her dedication was recognized. She was promoted to guest relations officer, a role that allowed her to focus on ensuring guests had memorable stays. The pay increase helped her finish paying off her family’s small house renovation back home and send her youngest sibling to college.
When she returned home for vacation, her family welcomed her like a hero. They saw not just the daughter who left but the woman who endured long nights, demanding guests, and homesickness all for their future.
Liza’s story as a hotel staff in Dubai shows that working abroad is not just about luxury jobs or big salaries. It’s about resilience, humility, and service. She may have been thousands of miles away, but every smile she gave at the hotel was also a smile of hope for her family back home.
