Dubai was only the beginning: The journey of a young iKalinga chasing a dream beyond home

FEATURE

"Narigat ti requirments dita... Dubai is just my stepping stone."

For many young Filipinos, graduation is supposed to mark the beginning of a career. For 25-year-old Tarahmae "Tarah" Bacullo of Rizal, Kalinga, it became the start of a much longer journey—one that would take her thousands of kilometers away from home.

Fresh from earning her Bachelor of Science in Criminology, Tarah dreamed of wearing a uniform and serving her country in law enforcement. Like countless graduates before her, however, she soon discovered that getting there was not as simple as earning a diploma.

The competition was intense. The qualifications were demanding. The opportunities were limited.

Instead of waiting indefinitely for a chance that might not come soon, Tarah made a difficult decision. She would become an Overseas Filipino Worker.

Not because she had abandoned her dream, but because she wanted to build a stronger future while keeping that dream alive.

Choosing uncertainty over waiting

When people hear about Overseas Filipino Workers, many imagine experienced professionals leaving for better salaries overseas.

Tarah's story is different.

She admits that part of her hesitation to pursue a criminology career immediately was the lengthy requirements and her own uncertainty about whether she was ready.

"...kayat ko abroad, new place din kasi... nagrigat nga iyusar nga dagus metlang jay in-graduate ko. Maybe awan talaga ti confidence ko nga mang push through. Narigat ti requirments dita. Nu about board exam, puwede pa naman ako mag-take after contract ko siguro."

Instead of seeing Dubai as her destination, she saw it as a beginning.

"Dubai is just my stepping stone... uray nu haan kadakelan sahod."

The salary may not be among the highest available abroad, she said, but the opportunity to gain experience, become financially independent, and explore a new environment was enough reason to take the leap.

A journey delayed by war

Just as everything seemed ready, world events intervened. Tarah and dozens of fellow Filipinos were scheduled to leave for Dubai on February 28, 2026. Then conflict erupted in the Middle East. Flights were cancelled. Deployment stopped. Instead of beginning their new lives overseas, the workers found themselves stranded in Manila, waiting anxiously for nearly a month.

Every passing day brought uncertainty. Would they still leave? Would their jobs remain available? Would the conflict worsen?

Finally, on March 28, they boarded their long-awaited flight to Dubai. For Tarah, the delay only strengthened her determination.

No time to rest

The journey did not become easier after landing. After arriving in Dubai around four o'clock in the morning, Tarah expected at least a day to recover from the exhausting trip. Instead, reality came quickly.

"...sinabak na kami agad. Funny part pa is nag-duty na kami ng 11 a.m. dito. Galing lang kami ng flight ng 4 a.m. Manu lang oras turog mi. We hardly had any sleep."

There were no welcome breaks. No time to adjust. Work began almost immediately. It was her first lesson about life abroad: opportunities often come with sacrifices.

Learning a new world

Working overseas meant more than adjusting to a different job. It meant adapting to an entirely different way of life. Dubai's scorching temperatures, which often reach 40 degrees Celsius, were unlike anything she had experienced in Kalinga. Simple errands required planning. Daily routines changed. Even grocery shopping became an eye-opening lesson. 

At first, every item seemed expensive when converted into Philippine pesos. Eventually, she learned that constantly comparing prices only made living abroad more difficult. Another surprise was working alongside people from different cultures. Every day, Tarah interacts with colleagues from India, Pakistan, Iran, Nepal, and other countries. The multicultural workplace taught her lessons that no classroom could offer—patience, adaptability, and respect for different cultures.

Holding on to the dream

Although she now works as a Sales Officer, Tarah has not forgotten why she studied criminology. Working abroad, she says, is not the end of her story. It is only one chapter. She still plans to take the Criminologist Licensure Examination after completing her overseas contract. 

The dream of serving in law enforcement remains. For now, Dubai is simply preparing her for what comes next.

A story shared by thousands

Tarah's journey reflects the reality faced by many young Filipinos who leave the country shortly after graduation—not because they have given up on their ambitions at home, but because overseas employment offers a faster path toward financial stability, professional growth, and the ability to support their families.

Her story also mirrors that of many iKalinga migrant workers.

According to the Department of Migrant Workers–Cordillera Administrative Region (DMW-CAR), the Cordillera has more than 36,000 documented Overseas Filipino Workers, although officials believe the actual number is much higher because many workers process their overseas employment outside the region.

Behind every deployment is a personal story of sacrifice, uncertainty, and hope.

For Tarah, every long workday under Dubai's desert sun is another step toward the future she still envisions—a future where she returns home not just with savings, but with new experiences, greater confidence, and another chance to pursue the profession she first dreamed of as a college student.

Dubai, after all, was never the destination.

It was simply the first step.