When Oscarlito F. Madregalejo looks back at the younger version of himself, he describes him simply: an easygoing guy who was “mid at everything.”
At 18, Oscarlito left Legazpi City, Albay, and headed to the United Arab Emirates with little experience and no idea how difficult working abroad could be.
His first job was as a kitchen helper in Al Ain in 2015.
He was young. He didn't know much about working in a professional kitchen. And suddenly, he had to navigate a different language, a different culture, and a life far away from home.
“The daily struggle was the language barrier and cultural differences,” he said.
But Oscarlito had a reason to keep going.
He had gotten married and started a family at a young age. Providing for them became the push he needed to leave the Philippines and build a future overseas.
He didn't necessarily have everything figured out.
But he knew what he wanted.
“From the start of my kitchen career, I already understood what it takes and what I need to do to build a better future in the long run,” he said.
So he stayed.
He worked.
He learned.
And little by little, the kitchen that once felt unfamiliar became the place where he would build his career.
Today, at 29, Oscarlito is a chef at CÉ LA VI Dubai, one of the city's well-known dining destinations. What started as a kitchen helper job has turned into an international culinary career.
But behind the title is a journey filled with exhaustion and sacrifice.
There were days when his body simply wanted to stop.
There were moments when he was sick and had no family beside him to take care of him.
“When you are sick and you only got yourself,” he said. “Take some Panadol, deep breath, and back to work.”
Then he added something that captures the reality of working in a professional kitchen:
“In the kitchen, feelings don’t matter.”
Some shifts lasted 16 hours.
After those exhausting days, there was a small ritual that kept him moving forward.
He would remind himself:
“Everything will be okay someday.”
The hours were long. His body was tired. He missed home. But he believed that the sacrifices would eventually mean something.
“For now, I just keep going, keep working, and keep believing that better days are ahead,” he said.
And eventually, those better days started taking shape.
For Oscarlito, success isn't simply about having a prestigious job abroad.
His greatest achievement is much more personal.
Being able to provide for his family.
Being able to support the people he loves.
And, somewhere along the way, learning to take care of himself, too.
“My greatest achievement as an OFW that I’m proud of is being able to provide for my family’s needs while maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” he said.
“Being able to support my loved ones and take care of my own well-being is something I truly consider my greatest flex.”
During the difficult days, he found another way to cope.
He ran.
Running became his way of clearing his mind and finding peace after the pressures of work.
It reminded him that progress doesn't always have to happen all at once.
Sometimes, you just have to keep moving.
One step at a time.
His philosophy in life is simple:
“Focus on the input, not the noise. Trust the process and let the outcome follow.”
And he's still chasing that outcome.
He wants to continue growing in his career. He wants financial freedom for himself and his family. And beyond the kitchen, he has another goal: to stand on race podiums.
His story isn't finished yet.
For someone who left Albay at 18 with zero kitchen knowledge, becoming a chef in Dubai is already a remarkable chapter.
But Oscarlito isn't looking backward.
He's still running.
Still working.
Still learning.
Still believing.
And if he could tell other Filipinos who are dreaming of working abroad one thing, it would be this:
“The journey won’t always be easy, but if you know your purpose, keep going. Your sacrifices today can build a better tomorrow.”