Pinoy PRO – Celebrating the Professional Filipino

ALBERT ALBA

Public Relations Manager

Action UAE – Dubai

A Public Relations Manager at Action UAE, Albert is an ex- journalist who worked at various foreign news organizations and publications, both in the Philippines and in the UAE, for over 20 years.

Having shifted to PR in July 2008, Albert has been focusing on developing substantive editorial materials for a wide variety of clients from different sectors. However, not totally letting go of his links with the journalism profession, Albert also serves as the UAE news stringer of GMA-7.

Outside of work, Albert is also active in Filipino community activities and charity work particularly through the various organizations such as UPAA-UAE (founding member and president in 2007-2009) and SBCAA-UAE.

A firm believer in a united effort towards a common goal and aspiration, Albert also initiated the formal establishment of FILCOM Dubai and N. Emirates, with emphasis on ensuring equal stake and opportunity for all Filipino community organizations.

For relaxation, Albert’s hobbies and interests include tenpin bowling, cycling and photography

JAIME B. TAZARA

Senior Architect

National Engineering Bureau

Dubai

Jaime is a Senior Architect at the National Engineering Bureau (NEB) a leading Architectural and Engineering Consultant in Dubai, with responsibility of Design, Visualization and Presentation of major projects local and abroad.  James came to Dubai and joined NEB in 2004 as a Junior Architect – the first Filipino in the company.

Prior to joining NEB James worked as Designer at the Environments Collaborative for five years, and as CAD and Graphics Instructor at Crescent Technologies for four years teaching AutoCAD, 3D Studio Max, and Adobe Photoshop. Jaime is a Certified Autodesk Professional from Autodesk System in the USA.

Jaime is a Graduate from the Far Eastern University Manila, and holds a Bachelor Degree in Architecture. He is also a photography enthusiast and won 3rd place at the “Burj Khalifa Photo Competition” sponsored by Gulf News,

A resident in the UAE for the last seven years, Jaime lives in Dubai with his wife Marinel, who is a Civil Engineer. Seeing the importance and need for Computer Aided Design in a developing country, Jaime plans on putting up a CAD Training Center in Manila in the future. While still in the UAE, he constantly strives to exhibit his creativity at and perseverance at work, with the belief that any good example shown by Filipinos create a very good impression to employers and other nationalities, proving that Pinoys can really compete and go global.

SOCRATES ALVARO

General Manager – Nuran Serviced Residences

Emaar Hospitality – Leisure & Hotel Residences General Management

Dubai

Socrates Alvaro started his career in the retail industry and never envisaged that he will move to Dubai and meet people from such a diverse background.

With over 20 years in the hospitality industry, competencies in financial, sales and marketing, operations, HR, asset and project management, as well as professional experience in both London and Dubai, Socrates is now managing 2 deluxe hotel residences, and fully appreciates the work ethic and values learnt when he started his career as a receptionist.

A General Manager with experience in Leisure and Hotel Operations, from a city corporate hotel, a volume airport hotel and beach resort hotel, Socrates feels that everyday is still a learning opportunity and wishes one day to continue his career in his place of birth the Philippines. With the growth and drive in tourism in the Philippines, Socrates feels that he could make a valuable contribution to the future development of young hospitality professionals in the country.

AUREA NOREEN TOLEDO

Sales Manager

Prosperity Insurance Brokers LLC

Dubai

With a Degree in Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from San Pedro College in Davao City, Noreen Toledo took a surprise spin in her career when she pursued, instead, the world of finance.
Her true potential in the world of finance started in 1997. She started as property consultant, excelled on the job and was promoted in less than a year to Senior Property Consultant in the Quadrillion Group of Companies. Two years later, she took the same position in Asia Plus Corporation where she was consistently awarded monthly as Top Property Consultant.
With those achievements early on in her career, she took a more challenging role as Business Manager and Currency Trader/ Financial Analyst in Eurocom International where she handled manpower development, training of Investment Consultants and provides research and technical analysis of currency movements. All her expertise and dedication paid off and she was recognized as Top Producer in Management and Top Incentive Manager.

Born a true leader, she wanted to pursue her vision and mission of helping her fellow Kababayans achieve financial independence. She was carefully selected as a Life Planner in Pramerica Life Insurance in 2004, where she gained the Bronze Winner Life Planner and Presidential Trophy’s Convention awarded in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. She helped protect three families per week and build their foundation for wealth building.
Her personal goal of reaching out into international markets brought her to Dubai in 2006 and joined Nexus Insurance Broker, former Zurich International Life in Middle East. There, Noreen won over six awards of prestigious recognition of excellence and top performance.

A true woman of substance, Noreen is currently a Sales Manager in Prosperity Insurance Broker LLC, one of the top financial brokerage in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. She heads a team of Financial Planners who share the same mission of helping OFs in Dubai, plan and achieve their dreams for themselves and their families.