Fisherman becomes successful florist in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — From catching fish to arranging flowers, a fisherman in a remote village in Pampanga has taken a big leap and found his little place in the sun, running a floral shop that caters to this city’s expat community.

“Mula sa pangingisda ay naging florista sa Dubai, hindi man naging madali young naging lakbayin para makamit yung pangarap sa buhay, ang importante ay tuloy tuloy lang, always trust the process and pray. Lahat ng meron ako ngayon ay dahil sa habag at biyaya ng Diyos,” said 28-year-old Romaar Guevarra, who arrived in Dubai nine years ago to take his chance.

(From fishing to being a florist, the journey for my dream has not been a smooth ride. But I trusted the process and prayed. Everything that I have today was from God’s grace and compassion.)

Guevarra grew up with nothing short of a monotonous life in Barangay Batang 2nd, Sasmuan, Pampanga, an island of around 1,200 residents, approximately an hour away from the mainland by motorized banca.

“Nakita ko yung hirap ng buhay namin sa isla. Hindi Madali. Minsan meron, minsan naman wala; madalas walang wala talaga,” said Guevarra, an education undergraduate from Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU).

(I saw the harsh life we had on the island. It was not easy. Sometimes we have [food on the table],
sometimes we don’t; most of the time we don't have anything at all.)

At 15, his father started tagging him along during fishing trips, their main means to survive. The second of five siblings, Guevarra said his father relied on him almost solely to help make both ends meet.

“Ako lang po pinaka-inaasahan nila,” he said. (I was their only hope.)

Getting tired of fishing, Guevarra turned to working as a domestic help in Mabalacat, Pampanga when he was 17 to free himself of the rigorous fishing routine, having to stay in the water be it during the high sun or a downpour.

“Nakiusap ako sa aking magiging amo na tanggapin ako kahit sa murang dead dahil hindi sapat ang kinikita ng aking ama, at lima kaming magkakapatid na naghahati-hati duon,” Guevarra said.

(I begged my would-be employer to take me despite my young age because I needed to supplement what my father was making, which was not enough, and there were five of us siblings depending on it.)

Upon reaching Dubai on June 17, 2015 with a visit visa, Guevarra got a job at a Sharjah hotel’s housekeeping section, making AED750 a month, cleaning up to 40 rooms a day. After his contract expired in 2018, Guevarra got a job in sales.

Things started looking better in the next three years as he enjoyed work, making AED2,000 a month, plus commission.

The COVID pandemic turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Guevarra, who decided to stay on and not return home as thousands of other overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were opting to do.

“Natuto akong mag-negosyo. Mahirap pero tuluy-tuloy lang dahil dito ko na-enjoy 'yung freedom of time and also financial freedom kasi nasa negosyo ang pera,” he said.

(I learned to do business. It was difficult but I managed because I enjoyed having time all to myself as well as financial freedom. Business is where the money is.)

With help from his partner, Guevarra opened a flower shop on Oct. 20, 2021.

Business has been good, he said.

“We do retail and supply. Nagke-cater din po kami sa mga iba’t ibang events tulad ng weddings, birthdays, henna parties and corporate activities. Over the years, yung flower shop ay naging trusted name na. Most of our customers were people from different countries like Philippines, Canada, Japan, countries in the Middle East, Australia at iba pa na gustong magbigay ng flowers sa mga mahal
nila sa buhay dito sa Dubai,” he said.

(We also cater to different events like weddings, birthdays, henna parties and corporate activities. Over the years, our flower shop has become a trusted name. Most of our customers were people from different countries like the Philippines, Canada, Japan, countries in the Middle East, Australia and others, who want to send flowers to their loved ones here in Dubai.)

Looking back, Guevarra said his journey taught him that life is even more difficult being alone, working abroad.

“Akala ko sa Pilipinas lang ako makakaranas ng hirap ng buhay. Hindi pala. Mas mahirap pala sa ibang bansa dahil mag-isa kang lalaban sa hamon ng buhay. Ang totoong laban ay nasa labas ng bansa mo. Marami kang makikilalang tao na magiging kaibigan mo at akala mo sila ang tutulong sa’yo. Pero sa huli, ikaw at ikaw sa sarili mo pa rin ang kakampi mo,” he said.

(I thought I would experience life’s difficulties only in the Philippines. Turns out it’s more difficult when you are abroad, because you’re on your own stepping up to the plate to tackle the challenges of life. The real fight is abroad. You will meet many people who’d befriend you and you’d think they could be of help to you. But at the end of the day, you have no one else but yourself.) —LDF, GMA Integrated News