Dubai, UAE – December 14, 2025 – Strawberry Ann Villegas, a longtime advocate for the Filipino Job Seekers community in the UAE, hosted the much-anticipated event, Career Forum 2025: Ready, Set, Hired, in collaboration with the Filipino Academy Dubai. Held at the Jordanian Social Club near Oudh Mehta Metro Station, the event brought together the Filipino community in Dubai to reflect on the recruitment trends of 2025 and prepare for emerging opportunities in 2026.

Strawberry, who has personally navigated the challenges of finding employment in the UAE, founded her platform, UAE Hiring, to support others in similar journeys. Through this platform, she organizes periodic events designed to combine networking, learning, and skill development, often using interactive games to engage attendees in meaningful professional growth.

The day-long forum began with an opening prayer, followed by the National Anthems of the UAE and the Philippines, setting a respectful and celebratory tone. Opening remarks were delivered by Joelyne Hapinath, CEO of Filipino Academy, followed by a welcome address from Adnan Khalil Ahmed, Founder Director of Filipino Academy, highlighting the Academy’s ongoing commitment to career development for the Filipino community in Dubai.

One of the keynote highlights was a talk by Sohaib Hassan, Dubai’s top career advisor with close to a million followership on LinkedIn and Founder of UAEJobSeekers.com, who discussed how the job market is evolving from a resume-centric landscape to a reputation-driven economy. Sohaib emphasized that in 2026, job seekers will need to focus on building their personal brand, leveraging AI-powered job searching tools, and actively engaging in professional networks to stand out in the competitive market.

Following this, Verner Sarmiento, AI business integration expert, offered insights into practical AI applications for career growth and generating passive income streams. Sarmiento encouraged attendees to explore online AI tools, share content on professional platforms, and adopt AI-driven strategies to future-proof their careers.

Throughout the event, attendees participated in engaging games and prize giveaways that highlighted learning while fostering community interaction. A lunch break provided networking opportunities, followed by an intermission session by Sky Biscocho, adding a cultural touch to the forum.

A notable feature of the event was the mini job fair, organized by Strawberry and her UAE Hiring team, where attendees met with several employers offering career opportunities. This direct engagement between job seekers and recruiters underscored the forum’s mission to not only educate but also provide tangible employment pathways.

The event concluded with raffle draws and prize distributions, culminating in a heartfelt closing address by Sheila Mae Capistrano, Vice President of UAE Hiring, who expressed gratitude to attendees, speakers, and partners for making the event a success.

The forum received extensive media coverage, with the Pinoy News Channel capturing interviews with keynote speakers and documenting the day’s activities, further highlighting the positive impact of the Filipino community’s career initiatives in Dubai.

With Career Forum 2025: Ready, Set, Hired, Strawberry Ann Villegas and her UAE Hiring team have once again demonstrated their commitment to empowering the Filipino job-seeking community, equipping them with the skills, insights, and opportunities needed to thrive in the dynamic UAE job market in 2026.