Filipina salon worker now an award-winning hotel spa owner in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – A Filipina salon worker who lived off a modest paycheck is now an award-winning entrepreneur who owns her own spa facility, with five employees, two cars for home service, and a nice place she and her family call home in Dubai.

However, all these did not come overnight for 42-year-old Girlie Lahom Cebricos, the 10th of 13 siblings from Nueva Ecija, who saved money for four years to open her business.

At one point, she had to do massages for up to 12 people per day, from 11 a.m. to 4 a.m., on top of marketing and other business-related duties.

"At first po, hindi talaga naging madali. First month ko, nabaon ako sa utang. Dumating din ang time na di na ko makatulog sa kaka-isip kung paano ba ako makikilala sa business kung sinimulan. Ako ang therapists, ako ang marketing, ako lahat," said Cebricos.

(It really was not easy at first. I was deep in debt in the first month. There also came a time when I could not sleep because I kept on thinking how my business would become known. I was the therapist, I was also handling the marketing, I was doing everything.)

Girlie, who once had to dress up as a mascot during kids' birthdays and events to make ends meet, took a course in physical therapy in Dubai in 2023 prior to starting her practice. This was while she was working at a salon.

But this was not enough, it seemed.

Girlie Lahom Cebricos with Ambassador Alfonso A. Ver, head of the Philippine mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), during a recent courtesy visit. Courtesy: Girlie Lahom Cebricos

Turning point

Girlie thought of ramping up her business exposure on social media, then found some Good Samaratians along the way.

That's when her business started to turn around.

"After four months, nag-try akong mag-message sa mga vloggers. Pero sa dami ng messages ko, isa lang nag-reply at nagtiwala sa akin. Nagtiwala sila't ginawan ng vlog ang business ko. Hindi nila ako pinagbayad. Doon nagsimulang makilala ang business," said Cebricos.

(After four months, I tried to contact vloggers. But only one replied. They trusted me and did a vlog about my business. They did not charge me. After that, my business started to be popular.)

Soon after, Cebricos was able to hire her first therapist. "At unti-unti nabuo ko ang pangalan ng aking negosyo," she said.

(And slowly, I was able to build a name for my business.)

The vlog, run by a husband-and-wife team, has 76,000 followers on Facebook, 66,000 on Instagram and 56,000 on Tiktok as of posting time.

"Naniningil po kami pero naisip din namin na nagsisimula pa lang siya at naawa din kami kaya tulong na din. Mas lalo kami na-touch sa kuwento niya dahil medyo hirap daw ang sitwasyon niya that time sa business kasi wala pa masyadong customers. Sobrang proud din kami kay Girlie kasi nakita namin yung growth nya sa business nya. Lumaban talaga siya. At saka very grateful din talaga siya sa amin. Nakakatuwa naman pong marinig na unti-unti nag-pick up ang business after the vlog," said the couple, Jed Perpetua, a mechanical engineer, and Shiel Ann, an accountant.

(We charge fees for our services, but we thought that she was just beginning with her business. We pitied her, that is why we tried to help her. We were touched when she said she had difficulties with her situation because she didn't have too many customers. We are proud of Girlie because we saw the growth of her business. She really fought hard. And she was very grateful to us. It's heartening to hear that her business gradually picked up after the vlog.)

Girlie Lahom Cebricos being crowned Mrs. Philippines Elite UAE 20206 during the Filipinas Achievers Awards Night on August 16, 2026. Courtesy: Girlie Lahom Cebricos

Reaping the rewards

Fast forward to today, Girlie is reaping the rewards of her hard work.

Girlie was named Outstanding Wellness Entrepreneur of the Year at the Fame Global Awards 2026 held on August 30. She also bagged the Mrs. Philippines Elite UAE 2026, crowned during the Filipinas Achievers Awards Night on August 16.

"She (Cebricos) deserves it (the award). I saw how she started her business," said Andy Botingana, Fame Global Awards founder, CEO and managing director.

The AED1,500 (P25,300) she used to earn per month as a masseuse, she can now make in a single day.

Not bad for a woman who in her high school days had to wash other people's dirty laundry by the river just so she could have money for school.

'At first po, hindi talaga naging madali. First month ko, nabaon ako sa utang. Dumating din ang time na di na ko makatulog sa kaka-isip kung paano ba ako makikilala sa business kung sinimulan. Ako ang therapists, ako ang marketing, ako lahat,' Girlie recalls. Courtesy Girlie Lahom Cebricos

Girlie brought her husband and son to Dubai in 2022. Her son is in college in Ras Al Khaimah, an emirate north of Dubai.

Her husband, who used to be a supervisor at an appliance company in the Philippines, is now working as her driver whenever they have to do a home service. Most of Girlie's customers are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

Now looking for fulfillment beyond entrepreneurship, Girlie will join the Mrs. Earth International Pageant 2026 scheduled from December 1 to 10, 2026 in Manila. — VDV, GMA News