Ex-Pinay nanny in Dubai becomes operations manager of Doha-based logistics firm

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – A former nanny who grew up in Surigao del Sur selling anything from ice candy to vegetables so she could get through school has just recently been appointed to head a Doha-based logistics company.

“I know this is a huge role to fulfill. And I am sure that along the way, I am going to learn more. I am well prepared. I already have an idea how to get it done,” an optimistic Cresilda Serenado-Avenido, 40, said in a mix of English and the vernacular. 

Prior to her new role, Avenido worked at the logistics company’s Dubai hub for four years as customer service representative and marketing assistant since 2022.

“I will use this experience for the new job given me. But I know there will be lots of adjustments being operations manager. The task is bigger,” said Avenido.

Qatar is the company’s first branch. There are approximately 300,000 Filipinos in the country. 

“As the economy there grows, I’m sure the Filipino population in Qatar will increase, which is good for our business. The success of our company in the UAE is the benchmark. This (new task) is a challenge for me. But I am very optimistic that we can also make it there. My team and I will work together on this,” said Avenido.

Nanny for 13 years

Avenido arrived in Dubai in April 2007. Her first job, which she got through agency placement, was as nanny for an expat family. This went on for eight years after which she moved to another expat family for a  year. Her third job also was as nanny for yet again an expat family, where she worked for four years.

After 13 years of being a nanny, Avenido decided it was time to move on.

“I was already doing financially well in my comfort zone. I have already saved money while working as a nanny,” said Avenido. “But then, on the other hand, I was also seeking some professional growth. I knew I can do better other than just being a nanny.” 

And so, the customer service and marketing assistant job at the logistics company where she honed her inter-personal skills dealing with difficult people on the one hand, while levelling up by taking eight courses on the other, including logistics, basic psychology and business management, among others.

Avenido had completed a two-year course in computer science at the Asian College of Science and Technology (ACST) in Cubao, Quezon City before she went abroad for work. She was also cashier and sales clerk at a meat shop before she left.

Working student woes

Avenido, who comes from a poor family, was a working student at the age of 10. She also had to move from one relative to another for support.

“We belonged to the poorest of the poor in the Philippines. At a very young age, I already understood the family’s situation. But I had a dream – I wanted to be educated. During elementary days, I had to sell anything from vegetables to ice candy and kakanin (rice sweets), which were owned by people I know in our village,” she said. 

She sold them during school recess and would get a commission, which she used to buy school supplies for herself.

“When I was already on my 5th grade, I moved to another family. I looked after their only child, and in return, I went to the same school with her. I accompanied her to school and brought her home after classes. I experienced crossing rivers and trudging for miles,” Avenido shared.

When she was in 6th grade, Avenido moved to her grandfather, during which she sold plastic bags at the market after class to make extra money for school payments. She once sold bags to a woman, who turned out to be mother of her classmate. The next day, that classmate was ridiculing her.

In high school, Avenido again moved to another relative, a distant one who paid for her expenses; in return, she worked for them and looked after their children.

In college, Avenido’s auntie helped her through. But she had to work at her clothing shop and small eatery from 5 a.m. until 11 a.m. before going to school from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., after which she goes back to the shop and the eatery.

“It wasn’t easy but I made it. And I am proud to say that I did great despite the situation I had from elementary to college. I completed everything with flying colors. All those struggles and experiences made me so strong, independent and grateful,” said Avenida.

Single mom

Avenido is also single mom of an 18-year-old nursing student at Southwestern University (SWU) in Cebu.

“As a mother, it’s difficult to be away from my child. The worrying is always there, especially so because she’s a lady. But I am grateful as she has been a good and very responsible daughter,” she said.

Her daughter was just one year old when Avenido left for Dubai. She turned her over to her mother-in-law because “I knew she can be better taken care of in case something wrong happened to me,” Avenido said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News