‘Naging pusong Pinoy’: Meet this Syrian in Dubai who wishes to be a Filipino

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Manaf Sabouni fled the conflict in his homeland of Syria and eventually found a new home here in Dubai–not quite in the company of Emiratis, but mostly with Filipinos in the working class enclave of Satwa. 

Sabouni has grown to love Filipinos so much that he has been literally telling the world–especially in Tagalog, of course–that he wishes to be one of them.

"Based on my experience, they are super peaceful and simple. They just want to live happy with no trouble, the reason why it made me wish to be a Pinoy," Sabouni told GMA News Online.

Sabouni, a 30-year-old content creator, produces vlogs in conversational Tagalog, covering everything from lifestyle to food. To date, his content on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook have a combined 31 million views.

"Natuto akong mag-Tagalog dito sa Dubai. Halos lahat ng nakasama ko, workmates, roommates, kaibigan, ay mga Pilipino. Araw-araw Tagalog ‘yung naririnig ko. Hindi ko siya pinag-aralan. Natuto ako dahil sa pakikisama, sa buhay, at sa totoong friendship," Sabouni said.

(I learned to speak Tagalog here in Dubai. Almost everyone that I have lived with, workmates, roommates and friends, are Filipinos. Everyday, I hear Tagalog. I did not study the language. I learned because of my fellowship with Filipinos, of life and of true friendship.)

"Kaya hanggang ngayon, sobrang special sa akin ang Tagalog, naging pusong Pinoy na ako (That's why Tagalog has become very special to me, I have become Pinoy at heart)," he added.

Sabouni said he did not have difficulties learning Tagalog, a process that took him over three years.

"The language was really easy on my side because I was spending more time with them than with fellow with Arabs," Sabouni said.

@manaf.sabouni Replying to @portiaasha#dubai #philippines #kabayanindubai #kabayan #uae #viral #tagalog ? original sound - Manaf

Sabouni has a rule in coming out with content for his 65,000 followers on TikTok; 72,000 on Facebook; and 55,000 on Instagram: "Only in Tagalog. Lagi kong sinasabi sa mga followers ko na bawal mag-English," he said, laughing. 

(But only in Tagalog. I'd always tell my followers that English is not allowed.)

Sabi nila

Noemi Copino, an accountant who used to live in Satwa, has known Sabouni for 11 years. Copino said Sabouni has assimilated many aspects of Filipino culture.

"Marunong din siyang tumanaw ng utang na loob. Mas may ugali pa siyang ganyan kaysa sa iba nating kabayan," she said.

(He understands the concept of utang na loob. He demonstrates this trait perhaps even more than some Filipinos.)

"If you ask him for help, he won't hesitate. He'll immediately do whatever he can. Mabait si Manaf. Magaling makisama (Manaf is a kind person. He gets along well)," Copino added.

Sabouni has an appetite for Philippine cuisine as well.

"He really loves adobo and other Filipino foods," said John Daniel Ocampo, a Satwa resident.

With his taste for many things Pinoy, Ocampo shared that Sabouni speaks Tagalog so well that others can sometimes never suspect him of being from a different nationality. 

Moving to Dubai 

Sabouni, whose day-job is head of operations and e-commerce manager, first came to Dubai with his twin brother, Modar, when they were five years old.

"But we kept going back and forth to Syria because my mom and dad were divorced. Me and my brother, sometimes we stay here for two months, then we go back to Syria," he said.

He stayed in Dubai for good when he turned 16 because of the mandatory military service back home for men who are 18 years of age.

"That's why Dubai became home for us, and we learned so much along the way," Sabouni said, saying years were lost "to war and pain" back in Syria. "There's fear, exhaustion, and no real relief yet. But we hope for the better in future… Nakakapagod talaga (It's really tiring.)"

Living and working in Dubai, he said, holds a stark difference. "Dubai is a great place to be in. Safe and many opportunities," Sabouni said.

His brother is a business development officer in an AI company, also in Dubai.

Respeto

As Sabouni grows his social media following, he has also earned the respect of some Filipinos in the local content creation community. 

"Ang hilig nya talaga sa Tagalog content. And honestly, sobrang bait n'ya. Wala kaming masabi. Trato namin sa kanya ay parang isang pamilya. Isang bagay na talagang hinahangaan namin kay Manaf ay 'yung pagmamahal at respeto niya sa mga Pilipino. Ramdam namin 'yun sa kilos, sa salita at sa kung paano niya kami pakitunguhan. Kaya sobrang proud kami na maging parte ng journey niya," said Jason Banzon.

(He really loves Tagalog content. And honestly, he is a good guy. We treat him like family. One thing we always admire in him is his love and respect for Filipinos. We can feel it from the way he acts, speaks and on how he treats us. That is why we're so proud to be part of his journey.)

Mark Daniel Ibao, another content creator, said Sabouni would always go to where the Filipinos are, like night markets, and would give away perfumes, sometimes cash.

"Namimigay talaga siya ng tulong. Pure Syrian siya pero pusong Pinoy. Sobrang bait," he said.

(He really helps. He is pure Syrian but Pinoy at heart. Very kind.)

For Sabouni, such acts are just his way of returning the favor. Filipinos, he said, are an "amazing people to be with."

"If you're sad or stressed, they will make you happy. Hospitality is their thing, no one else," he said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News