“It’s the first time the bubble has been burst,” Sarsa’s Chef JP Anglo tells Rolling Stone Philippines in a call from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), as the global city finds itself in the crossfire between Israel and Iran. “Parang na-sa-shock ang mga tao. But at the same time, doon mo rin ma-fi-feel ang sistema na gumagana.”
Over the past few days, conflicts in the Middle East have escalated to attacks that have left over one million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in danger. But Anglo, who runs Kooya Filipino Eatery in Dubai, says that Filipinos in the city are relatively at ease.
“Dito kasi, the government is so well-respected,” notes Anglo’s wife, photographer Camille Malapas Anglo.
After Israel and the U.S. carried out joint strikes on various parts of Iran on Saturday, February 28, Iran retaliated with strikes on U.S. bases across the Gulf region. So far, the strikes have caused the death of a Filipino caregiver, Mary Anne Velazquez de Vera, in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Rappler reports that in Dubai, Filipinos have chosen to stay indoors as the UAE continues to intercept missile and drone attacks. According to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), as of Tuesday, March 3, around 100 Filipinos in the city have expressed their intent to return to the Philippines.
“It’s the first time, basically, that the [Dubai’s] bubble has been burst. So parang na-sa-shock ‘yung mga tao but at the same time, dun mo rin na-fi-feel ‘yung sistema na gumagana siya.”
Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Sunday, March 1, still yielded damage to landmarks like the Dubai International Airport, the Burj Al Arab hotel, and the man-made island Palm Jumeirah. But according to the UAE Ministry of Defense (MOD), its air defense systems have intercepted 152 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles, and 506 drones so far.
Meanwhile, Dubai’s residents are keen to bring things back to normal, and Anglo says the city is already “back on its feet.” Here, the chef talks to Rolling Stone Philippines about running a business in Dubai amid a conflict, and what makes the city feel safe for its Filipino residents.
When did you move to Dubai?
We moved here during the pandemic. We got invited to a pop-up, and then we knew nothing of Dubai. And then, not to our surprise, wow, ang dami natin dito. We saw that people also wanted to eat better here and we saw that we could have that role to play here. We saw ‘yung sistema dito during the pandemic. Dubai was in full throttle, almost back to normal. We kind of just jumped at the chance and trusted ourselves. We’ve been here almost five years now and we are still trusting.
How have the people been since you moved?
The community has been supportive. We’re lucky that they’ve embraced us. In a way, given what’s happening, we can’t just jump ship because we’ve started something here already and we want to play our part. Even though it’s far from home and it’s sometimes lonely, you have that role to play.
What has it been like there given everything that’s happening?
Day Zero, everyone was shocked. “Nasakop ba ‘to?” parang ganun. For the first time, we saw missiles. And I’ve never seen a [military] drone in my life, and I never wished to see one. We all got alarms that day, and there were several blasts. Parang nasa pelikula ka. “Talaga, this is happening to us?”
I was worried. Every time our baby went near the window, I worried, but I also didn’t want to worry too much. Sabi ko sa asawa ko, there are certain things you can control and those you can’t. This one, you just have to wait it out. But you see it in people’s faces. Everyone’s kind of tense because you don’t know. It’s like that feeling of uncertainty talaga.
“It’s not like what ‘yung netizens are saying na ‘O, tignan niyo people are fleeing.’ Well, not necessarily.”
What did the next few days feel like?
It’s quiet here. We remain vigilant. Business as usual, in a way. Pero parang skeletal workforce. Things are, slowly, somehow normalizing.
What does that skeletal workforce look like, and how has business been the last few days?
Syempre ‘di maiiwasan na mababa ‘yung sales. May pagka-pandemic kasi konti lang talaga lumalabas and everyone’s kind of holding onto their money. And the government had to step in and say, “Hey, don’t panic buy.” I guess it’s a shock for the country, in a way, because Dubai is kind of like a bubble. It’s so safe. There are kids that were born here that’s never seen or heard of a bomb. It’s the first time, basically, that the bubble has been burst. So parang na-sa-shock ‘yung mga tao, but at the same time, dun mo rin na-fi-feel ‘yung sistema na gumagana siya.
For me, parang for the first time, we trust the government. For example, let me just read this out loud. This was from the government: “165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles, 541 drones, our defense dealt with them all.” Imagine ‘yun ‘yung mga binato dito tapos yesterday ‘yung Crown Prince and then ‘yung president ng UAE, nagkape in a mall just to show that, “Look, it’s okay. We got this.” It’s not like what ‘yung netizens are saying na “O, tignan niyo people are fleeing.” Well, not necessarily.
“Dubai is capable and it’s a place where everything is planned. They have contingencies. They think ahead. That’s why they were able to intercept all those missiles. Dubai is always two steps ahead.”
What do you hope to happen after all of this? And seeing what the last couple of days were like?
You really hope for peace pero once you dig deep, parang hindi rin possible e. Seriously, I hope for security. I hope for understanding and empathy. Pero ang hirap sabihin kasi parang ‘yung ibang countries wala ring empathy.
From what you’ve seen, what would you want people to know about how Dubai is like now given what’s happening?
Dubai is back on its feet. Parang siyang boxer na hindi natutumba. I guess Dubai is capable, and it’s a place where everything is planned. They have contingencies. They think ahead. That’s why they were able to intercept all those missiles. Dubai is always two steps ahead.
I mean, people say na it’s just all sand with buildings, but now you see Dubai show its true colors. When you’re pushed into a corner, what do you do? Either you fold, or you take the high road. They’ll retaliate in their own right, but still take the high road.
