Marie Loreles Madrigal Gregorio, also known as Lora, is a proud Filipina and single mother who has built a successful career in the hospitality industry abroad. Starting in 2003 as a restaurant hostess in the UAE, Lora is now the restaurant general manager of three food and beverage venues at SO/ Uptown Dubai.
Her journey wasn’t easy. As a single mom, she made the tough decision to leave the Philippines to give her son a better future.
“It wasn’t easy to be away from him, but I knew that this sacrifice was my choice to build a stable and secure life for both of us,” she said. “I see it not as a loss, but as a decision made from strength, love, and long-term purpose.” Lora also worked in London for a year before returning to the Middle East, where she slowly moved up to the top.
Lora also worked in London from 2004 to 2005, gaining experience at a five-star hotel near Paddington Station.
Through hard work, dedication, and leadership, Lora earned the 2016 Caterer Middle East Restaurant Manager of the Year Award. This award recognized not just her skills but also her sacrifices and commitment to her work.
“With that award, I had the privilege of being recognized by our country’s ambassador — a proud moment that reminded me how far I had come while abroad,” she shared.
In her current role, Lora manages a team of 16 staff and oversees a signature restaurant, a mixology bar, and a night venue bar. She is known for her problem-solving skills, leadership, and passion for excellent service. She also enjoys training her team and watching them grow in their careers.
“It’s always rewarding for me whenever there is a guest who is unhappy. I have to make sure the guest doesn’t leave the venue unhappy. I have to turn it around somehow,” she explained. “And it does work.”
Lora finds fulfillment in mentoring others. “It’s rewarding when I see my team progressing — I help them mold themselves, nurture and develop them — and see them get promoted,” she added.
She also has a message for fellow OFWs: “Don’t give up on yourself, no matter how hard it gets. Life abroad will test you, but through all of that, you must hold on to the reason you started.”
Aside from her role at work, Lora also brings her personal passions into the workplace. She promotes health and wellness as a fitness ambassador and enjoys being a Zumba instructor. Recently, she even completed her first triathlon and is preparing for another one in November. Her active lifestyle helps her stay motivated — and encourages others to live a healthy and balanced life too.
Lora’s story is a reminder that with the power of determination and courage you will become what you want to be and that little hope will bring you to succeed in life. Dreams can become reality — even for a single mom working thousands of miles away from home.
