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Meet the actors behind TFT’s Valentine’s Special videos

Many netizens were put on an emotional roller coaster when The Filipino Times last week released its two short films as part of the Valentine’s Day celebration. From making their hearts tingle with the romantic social media encounter of Megan and Albert in ‘From Fans to Forever,’ to the heart wrenching separation and eventual reconnection of an OFW couple in ‘A New Chance,’ The Filipino Times has truly entranced the hearts of many OFWs in the UAE.
But the story wouldn’t be captivating if it weren’t for the amazing actors who took part in this special project—four Filipinos based in the UAE who, in their own way, have had their share of emotional ups and downs as they navigate the life of a Filipino working abroad.
Kim Fernandez, Eduard Matro, Dexter Dalisay, and Sherizze Acot charmed the audiences not only because of their talent, but also because of the vibe they exuded in the films—a sort of relatability that made the netizens feel like they know these four too.
The Filipino Times has spoken to these actors about their lives as OFWs in the UAE, and how their love for the Philippines has helped them thrive as professionals in this country.
1 Sherizze Sean Acot
Sherizze Sean Acot: The Young Dreamer
Sherizze, a 24-year-old after sales professional in an oil & gas and petrochemicals company in Dubai, perfectly exemplifies the modern OFW—young but ambitious, a dreamer, and an achiever.
She went to the UAE to seek greener pastures, to see what the world has to offer her. And after almost three successful years of living in Dubai she genuinely believes she made the right choice.
“I wanted to further my career and see what the world has to offer to me. I don’t want to get stuck in my comfort zone and I just know that Dubai has something in store for me,” she said.
Aside from her current profession, she also made her name known in the country’s modeling and beauty pageant industry. In 2019, she represented her home province of Bacolod in Mutya Pilipinas UAE.
In addition, true to what she notes as her passion for act of service, she also started an advocacy called “Don’t Limit Me: A Down Syndrome Awareness and Education Campaign” in memory of her brother with Down Syndrome who passed away nine years ago.
“These people need a voice and I strongly felt that I could be that one. Up to now, I still continue to do volunteer works in the Philippines and in Dubai,” she said. The campaign has just celebrated its fifth anniversary.
Sherizze added that while she is currently abroad, her love for the Philippines remains intact. She said that since there are so many Filipinos in the UAE—almost 1 million—the Filipino spirit is still alive, albeit in a foreign land.
And as for the latest collaboration with The Filipino Times, she said she is happy to be a part of yet another exemplary project to serve the Filipino community.
“As an expat, I rely to the news I see from credible sources such as The Filipino Times. The newspaper bridges the gap between UAE and the Philippines, which is why I was so happy to be part of this project for Valentine’s day. The staff were easy to work with too, which made the entire process enjoyable. Plus, I get to do the the project with my beau, which made it more meaningful,” she said.
2 Eduard Matro
Eduard Matro: An Entrepreneur that Inspires
The name Eduard Matro is no longer unfamiliar in the Filipino community in the UAE. This 28-year-old businessman, who owns Tribu Cafe in Abu Dhabi, is already known for his widely watched inspirational and motivational vlogs about the lives of OFWs in the country.
He braved the UAE to provide a better life for his family, but he ended up gaining more—a successful business and great following of OFWs who constantly get motivated with his vlogs.
“Ang passion ko sa buhay ay gumawa ng motivational vlogs kasi gusto ko mapukaw ang puso ng mga Pilipino. Alam naman natin na bilang OFWs, madami tayong pinagdadaanan kaya naisip ko, bakit hindi i-share ang pinagdadaanan natin para lalo din silang ma-inspire,” he said.
Through his vlogs, Eduard has indeed served and showed his love for Filipinos and the Philippines as a whole. However, he added that he makes sure to show it further by supporting local products. In fact, in his café, he gets his products like coffee from places such as Kalinga, Sagada, and Banaue, among others.
“Bilang isang OFW, I make sure to support the Philipines through using local products. Mahalin natin ang sariling atin,” he said.
And since he is in passionate about serving the community, Eduard said he is honored to partner with The Filipino Times—a newspaper he believes sincerely serves Filipinos in the region.
“Masaya akong maging kasama sa project na ito ng TFT kasi nakapagpakilig tayo ng mga kababayan natin. Nawala ang pagiging homesick nila. I’ve always admired the initiaives of TFT kasi pinapakita nila kung ano ang Pilipino sa ibang bansa, na madami tayong natutulungan, at madami tayon kayang ibigay. Ika nga, world-class tayo,” he said.
3 Dexter Dalisay
Dexter Dalisay: An actor in love with numbers
Dexter is one of those achievers who believes that if you want to succeed in your chosen career, you do what it takes to make it happen and you get your eye on the prize. This is the reason he went to the UAE, to avoid any distractions and concentrate on his chosen field—engineering and mathematics.
Five years later, the 31-year-old OFW is now a successful quality health safety and environmental engineer. He did what he set out to do. He was able to prioritize his career in a foreign land, but in the process, he was also able to fulfill his other passion—his advocacies and acting.
“May passion in life is engineering and mathematics. However, I also really love to do commercial modeling and acting, ‘yon ang passion ko on the side. I also engage in any advocacies and activities related to animals. I go to shelters and volunteer in taking care of many of them,” he said.
His love for acting is the reason he decided to participate in one of the short films of The Filipino Times. In addition, the plot is somewhat relatable to his experience. “Natutuwa ako sa collaboration na ito kasi aside from the fact na real couple kami ni Sherizze, very realistic din ang scenes. It’s partly based on my experience,” he said.
Even if he has fulfilled his goals in the UAE, he still admits nothing beats his love for the Philippines.
“That’s my country, I grew up there and my parents and most of my friends, who I love, are there. Even if I’m staying here for a while now, I am still looking forward to spend some time with them. Even if there are a lot of negative things happening in the country, I still love it. Mahal ko ang bansa ko because it’s my home,” he said.
4 kim fernandez
Kim Fernandez: The traveler next door
The millennial traveler who has probably seen it all, 28-year-old Kim Fernandez’s love for adventure is what led her to pursue a new life in the UAE—having fallen in love with it the first time she saw it.
“One of my closest friends in college invited me to come here for a vacation, I loved it so my then happy-go-lucky self decided to try to pursue a career here, and the rest is history,” she said.
She is now an HR and Administrative Officer in a company in Dubai, but she said her real passion is really traveling—as it’s in this that she really gets immersed in other culture.
“Being in a different county, observing the natives, and learning about other cultures is something I would always do in a heartbeat. Hence, I really make sure to squeeze in a few quick travel getaways every now and then,” she said.
However, no matter how many countries she has been to, her heart still yearns for the Philippines—the country she still considers the most beautiful among the rest. “The love I have for my country is something that comes out naturally. Philippines is my home, what’s not to love?” she said.
It’s also this love for the Philippines that she has decided to take part in The Filipino Times’ Valentine’s Special short film—to be able to serve the community by making them happy, even for a few minutes.
“The Filipino Times serves as a bridge that links every Filipino in the UAE, providing a platform where Filipinos feel closer to home. This is why I am so glad to be a part of this project. It was a fun experience, from the shoot, to the reception of the netizens. I am glad to take part in this video that made many OFWs happy,” she said.

Staff Report

The Filipino Times is the chronicler of stories for, of and by Filipinos all over the world, reaching more than 236 countries in readership. Any interesting story to share? Email us at [email protected]

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