Philippine Business Council Dubai Chairman Emeritus Edwin Duria. ARCHIVE

When Edwin Duria took on the role of chairman of the Philippine Business Council Dubai and Northern Emirates (PBC-DNE) in 2023, it wasn’t out of ambition—it was out of necessity. What followed was a transformative two-year term marked by sweeping reforms, transparent leadership, and a legacy of service that has set the bar for future councils. “I wasn’t even supposed to be chairman,” Edwin tells Expat Media. “I actually declined when the previous board recommended me.” The then-outgoing chairman had chosen Edwin to succeed, but under new bylaws of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry requiring a board election, only licensed business owners or designated company representatives could run. Many of the old guard no longer qualified. Edwin, who owns business consultancy firm PLAY Middle East, fit the bill. “People believed in me and voted for me. That’s why I accepted the role. Because leadership is service,” says the Filipino business leader, who is now Chairman Emeritus of PBC-DNE as his term ends. He looks back with pride at his time leading PBC-DNE. Edwin, who joined the council in 2015 as a new entrepreneur looking for community, steadily rose through the ranks. He was a board director by 2018, launching the Executive Club and overseeing "Sobiz"—a networking initiative that combined socializing with business building. Edwin’s term as chairman was nothing short of transformative. One of his proudest accomplishments? Seeing PBC recognized as one of the top 5 business councils out of 157 under the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. He also instilled full financial transparency in the PBC. “For the first time in PBC history, we required board members to submit an audited financial report prepared by a licensed and accredited auditor. No receipt, no reimbursement,” he explains. “We had nothing to hide, and we had to lead by example.” He also ended a long-standing practice of accepting complimentary food, beverages, and even memberships. “I told the board: no more freebies, even the simplest taho. If we’re a business council, let’s be a business council. We pay our way.” The results spoke for themselves. Under his leadership, membership grew from 113 to 258 members. Events surged from one per month to as many as four. The PBC hired full-time staff and for the first time, ran like a professional organization. “I’m proud I left a system that future leaders can inherit. Structure matters. And now, the PBC runs on accountability,” he says. Despite his executive role, Edwin never made it about himself. “It’s never ‘I’, it’s always ‘we’,” he says. “I want everyone to shine. I assign tasks and give them the spotlight. I believe recognition creates repetition.”

Lessons and legacy

His leadership was not without sacrifice. As chairman, he had to step back from other commitments, including his church service as a lay minister at St. Mary’s Church in Dubai, mountain biking with UAE MTB, and even mentoring through Couples for Christ. He also saw his business numbers dip. “That’s why I didn’t run for a second term,” he admits. “It’s fulfilling work, but you can’t pour from an empty cup. You have to take care of your own success, too, if you want to keep giving back.” Amidst all of this, his biggest support came from home. Edwin shares how his wife—once skeptical of his involvement in PBC—had a change of heart. “Before, she didn’t want me to take the PBC chairmanship. But just before my term ended, she told me, ‘If you want to continue, I’ll support you.’ That meant everything.” One of the most eye-opening lessons came during a business training session with Business Network International where he is the director. “Our BNI national director once told us, ‘How can you give back to the community if you are broke?’ It stuck with me. You have to build yourself up so you can give more.” He also helped shatter misconceptions about the council. “People said the PBC was arrogant, that there was no money. But the truth is, there was money, we just weren’t managing it right.” He helped build strong relationships with other business councils and government entities, with the PBC-DNE becoming one of the most visible at inter-council events. They also secured scholarship grants with three UAE universities and launched a successful social media segment, "Member Stopover," that paid full price for meals as a show of support to PBC businesses. Edwin’s term may be over, but the ripple effect of his leadership will be felt for years to come. “The best compliment I received?” he smiles. “At our last meeting, members told the newly elected board members, ‘If you can’t surpass what the outgoing board has done, at least match it.’ That’s how we knew—we really did a good job.” Would he ever return as chairman? He pauses. “You don’t need a title to serve. You just need the heart.” As Chairman Emeritus until June, Edwin remains a guiding presence. “I’ll always support the new board. I’m praying for them to carry on what we’ve built and push even further.” Now freed from the daily grind of council leadership, he’s looking forward to recalibrating his life—growing his business, expanding his network through travel and spending more time with his family. “I’m still the same man with 48 hours in a day,” he laughs. “Even when I had up to 11 events in a week, I always made time for my wife and children. We have our Tuesdates and Fridates. I drive them wherever they need to go. That’s something I’ll never give up.” ICA/Expat Media A condensed version of this story also appears in the Expat Media Special Edition magazine ALSO READ: Meet the man with 48 hours
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