A recent photo of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, with his household staff has captivated the hearts of many netizens in the UAE.
The candid shot of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince captured the rare “human moment” of Sheikh Mohamed grinning widely while embracing his staff cheerfully.
As of this posting, the photo uploaded by the Instagram account @emiratesroyalfamily has garnered more than 16,400 likes.
A source confirmed to The Filipino Times that the three men with Sheikh Mohamed in the viral photo are all Filipino household staff of the UAE leader.
“Peter”, whose real name was withheld to protect his privacy, said in an interview that the photo was taken days ago abroad.
“Kuha ‘yan sa isang bakasyun kung saan ay pinaunlakan nya na makasama kami. Nakaraang tatlong araw palang po ‘yang litrato,” Peter said.
[It was taken in a vacation; he allowed us to join him. The photo was only three days ago.]
He continued: “Matagal na po kami nagwowork sa kanya. May ibang Pinoy na more than 20 years na. ‘Yung iba naman 15 years.”
[We have been working for him for many years now. Some have reached 15 to 20 years already.]He shared about the kind treatment they all receive from Sheikh Mohamed, who has been recognized globally as a beacon of compassionate leadership: “Sobrang bait. Tinatrato nya kaming kapamilya nya. Never sya nagalit o nanigaw man lang sa amin. Kahit na kaninong staff mapa Indian, Bangladeshi, at lalo na sa mga Pinoy.”
[He’s very kindhearted. He treats us (his staff) like family. You’d never see him getting mad or shouting. It’s the same kind of treatment he gives to everyone whether they’re nationals from India, Bangladesh, especially the ones from the Philippines.]
As a Filipino staff, he couldn’t feel prouder for the Sheikh after lots of inspiring praises dedicated to him after the photo went viral. He added that His Highness’ unparalleled altruism and profound kindness endeared him to them throughout the years.
“Napakataas na lider pero may malambot na puso sa mga tao, hindi lang sa mga staff nya na tulad namin. Nakakataba ng puso dahil maraming Filipino dito na naka-appreciate sa mabait at down to earth na lider at kita naman hindi lang sa litrato kundi maging sa mga ginagawa nya para sa mga tao,” Peter said. “Bilang staff po nya, proud din kami na napakaraming humanga at nagpapuri kay Sheikh Mohamed.”
[He’s a prominent leader with a humble heart for his people, not only for us his staff. It also makes us flattered that most Filipinos here do appreciate such a kind and down to earth leader which is obvious in the photo. As one of his staff, we’re proud that a lot of people look up to him and praise him.]
Peter shared that Filipino workers in the UAE are never far from the heart and mind of Sheikh Mohamed. “May special place ang mga Pinoy sa kanya kasi naipapakita namin bilang staff kung gaano tayo kalinis at kasipag sa trabaho. ‘Yun bang kahit hindi natin toka basta sa ikakasaya ni Sheikh at ng pamilya nya ay ginagawa namin. Proud Pinoy po talaga kami,” Peter shared.
[Filipinos have a special place in his heart because we always show him how tidy and hardworking we are as workers. We do more than what is expected, as long as it would be of service to him and his family. We’re really proud to be Filipinos.]
