A photo of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, with his three Filipino household staff has fittingly captivated the hearts of many netizens in the UAE.
The candid shot of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, uploaded by the Instagram account @emiratesroyalfamily, captured the lighter side of him.
A source confirmed to The Filipino Times that the three men in the photo with Sheikh Mohamed are all Filipino household staff of the UAE leader.
“Peter”, whose real name was withheld to protect his privacy, said the photo was taken days ago abroad. He said the staff have been working for Sheikh Mohamed for many years now.
“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 wherein he allowed us to go with 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.]Peter also revealed: “He knows most of the basic Filipino words like Kamusta ka? [How are you?], Mahal kita [I love you], ‘San ka? [Where are you?], and Halika [Come here]. Bukod dyan, alam din ni Sheikh ‘yung Korean ‘finger love’ hand gesture na katulad sa picture”. [Aside from that, Sheikh Mohamed also knows the Korean ‘finger love’ hand gesture as shown (by one of the staff) in the picture.]
The Pinoy household staff also shared about the kind treatment they all receive from Sheikh Mohamed, who has been recognized globally as a beacon of compassionate leadership: “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 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 its His Highness’ unparalleled altruism and profound kindness which 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.]Never imagined that this experience of a lifetime –working for the beloved Abu Dahbi Crown Prince—would fall into his lap, Peter said: “Isa na ito sa dadalhin kong karanasan dito sa UAE habangbuhay. [it’s one of the experiences that I will cherish all my life.]
