For many Filipino professionals, working abroad is a life goal. But for Efren Pabaya, a seasoned HR Business Partner and CHRP-certified professional, his nearly decade-long experience in Saudi Arabia didn’t just advance his career—it redefined it.
As part of the corporate HR team at Almarai, the largest FMCG company in the Middle East, Efren supported a workforce of over 44,000 employees from multiple nationalities. Today, he leads HR operations remotely for a US-based company from his home in the Philippines—a transition made possible by the cultural intelligence and adaptability he developed overseas.
“Almarai was life-changing,” Efren shares with Financial Adviser PH. “I learned how to work with people from more than 40 nationalities. That taught me to listen, adapt, and lead with empathy.”
The Global HR Crash Course
When Efren joined Almarai, he started as an Executive Assistant to the Chief HR Officer. But it wasn’t long before he was promoted to Corporate Recruiter, tasked with helping the company hire 9,000 to 11,000 employees each year.
The scale alone was overwhelming—but so was the diversity. From Sudanese engineers to Indian line workers and Filipino supervisors, each team came with different cultural expectations, communication styles, and workplace behaviors.
“It pushed me to develop real-time sensitivity to people’s values, religions, and work habits. I learned to lead with clarity and kindness,” he says.
Remote Leadership Fueled by Global Insight
When Efren returned to the Philippines, he eventually took on a role as HR Business Partner and Senior Project Manager for a US-based landscaping company. Though he works remotely, his global exposure continues to guide how he leads.
From aligning business goals with people strategies to managing performance and recruitment across time zones, his ability to connect with people of all backgrounds has been a key advantage.
“My experience abroad trained me for the flexibility remote work demands. You have to be clear, consistent, and culturally aware,” Efren tells Financial Adviser PH.
Cultural Intelligence as a Competitive Edge
While many HR professionals focus on policy and compliance, Efren believes understanding people is the ultimate differentiator—especially in global and remote environments.
He applies everything he learned abroad to help his current company build inclusive culture, strong communication, and people-first systems, even in a fully virtual setup.
“You can’t copy-paste what works in one country to another. HR has to be customized—not just by company, but by culture.”
Advice for Filipinos With Global Career Dreams
Efren encourages young Filipino professionals to embrace opportunities abroad, not just for the money, but for the mindset shift.
“Working abroad makes you see the world—and yourself—differently. It teaches you how to lead across boundaries. That’s something you carry for life.”
