"We used to divide one pack of instant noodles into six portions. Today, I manage logistics across the MENA region."
There were six of us growing up, and poverty wasn't something we occasionally experienced—it was our everyday reality.
"There were days when one pack of instant noodles had to be divided into six portions. One omelet had to feed the entire family. Sometimes our meals were nothing more than soy sauce, cooking oil, salt, or whatever snacks we could find. We also moved from one rented house to another because we couldn't afford the rent."
As a child in Malitlit, Binangonan, Rizal, Kim Karl Enal dreamed of earning a college degree. But dreams often lose to survival.
"My family simply couldn't afford to send me to college. I had to let that dream go."
Like millions of Filipinos, he looked beyond the country's borders—not because he wanted to leave home, but because he wanted to change what life looked like for the people waiting there.
Dubai became that chance.
His first job was far from glamorous. He worked as a warehouse laborer, loading and unloading chemical containers beneath the unforgiving desert sun.
"There were days when the heat was so intense that my nose would bleed. But I kept working because I knew I didn't have another option."
Starting over in another country meant more than physical exhaustion. It meant proving himself in a place where thousands of others were chasing the same opportunities.
"I realized that hard work alone wasn't enough. If I wanted a different future, I had to become someone with knowledge and skills."
So after long shifts, while many were resting, Kim Karl opened books instead.
He studied after work.
He studied on weekends.
He studied whenever life gave him a few spare hours.
Every professional certification became another brick laid toward a future he was determined to build.
"The hardest part wasn't really the physical work. It was overcoming the feeling that I had fallen behind because I wasn't able to finish college when I was younger."
Instead of allowing that regret to define him, he transformed it into fuel.
Years passed, and the warehouse laborer slowly became a Warehouse In-Charge. More opportunities followed, until one day he found himself leading logistics operations across the Middle East and North Africa.
Today, Kim Karl serves as the Logistics and Supply Chain Manager for Sharmax Motors across the MENA region.
But success didn't erase the memories of where he started.
One moment still feels almost unbelievable.
"I was invited to become an instructor at the Filipino Institute, teaching the Professional Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management."
He often thinks about the irony.
"The same person who once carried heavy containers in a warehouse was now standing in front of a classroom, teaching professionals in the industry."
Then came another milestone he once believed would never happen.
He finally graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, major in Operations Management.
"Holding my diploma reminded me that dreams may be delayed, but they never have to die."
Looking back, he isn't most proud of the promotions, the leadership position, or even being featured in The Filipino Global Magazine.
He's proud that he refused to stop learning.
His family remained his greatest motivation, while faith reminded him that every sacrifice had a purpose.
"Whenever life became difficult, I reminded myself that quitting would only guarantee that nothing would change."
Today, Kim Karl continues to pursue higher academic achievements, globally recognized certifications, and opportunities to mentor others entering the logistics industry.
He hopes that by sharing his story, someone who feels stuck will realize that their current chapter isn't the end of their story.
"Never believe that your current situation defines your future.
Working abroad is not just about earning a salary—it's about investing in yourself. Keep learning, improve your skills, and never stop growing. Your greatest advantage is not your job title but your willingness to learn and adapt.
Dreams don't have an expiration date. No matter where you start, your determination can take you further than you ever imagined."