Marissa Postre poses with the latest issue of the Expat Media Special Edition magazine at Dubai World Trade Center on June 13, 2026. EXPAT MEDIA

Wearing a tiara, a pink lace gown and one of her signature recycled fashion creations, Dubai's beloved Recycling Queen Marissa Postre was among the standout participants at the Community Unity Parade during the Philippine Independence Day celebration at Dubai World Trade Centre on Saturday (June 13). The 69-year-old Filipino expat, known for transforming discarded materials into elaborate gowns, attended the celebration with her entire family in Dubai, marking a special milestone for the household manager whose story has inspired generations of overseas Filipinos. "It's the family's first time to attend the Philippine Independence Day celebration in Dubai. I told them to come and I am happy to share this celebration with them," Postre told Expat Media. The annual celebration was organized by the Filipino Social Club and supported by Dubai’s Community Development Authority, Philippine Embassy, Philippine Consulate General, the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers and the Migrant Workers Office in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and was attended by Filipino groups, schools, organizations and companies in the UAE. Adding a touching moment to the parade, Postre was escorted by the two teenage sons of her Filipino employer. "I told them, you need to come with me this time, and I'm happy they said yes," she said. After the parade, she changed into a striking red Filipiniana-inspired ensemble decorated with hundreds of recycled plastic bottle caps and accented with fabric from a Barong Tagalog, once again showcasing the sustainable fashion creations that earned her the title of Dubai's Recycling Queen.

Reunion at the Expat Media booth

Following the Community Unity Parade, Postre stopped by the Expat Media booth at Dubai World Trade Centre, where she posed with the latest issue of the Expat Media Special Edition magazine and caught up with this Expat Media Editor-in-Chief. The conversation quickly turned to an unexpected connection dating back to last year's Philippine Independence Day celebrations. "My employer reminded me that it was you who visited our building to buy his son's old bicycle for last year's Philippine Independence Day bicycle competition and that you won!" Postre said with a smile. "I almost forgot because we just met you briefly that time. He was looking for the bicycle here, saying it might compete again." The second-hand bicycle purchased from the family eventually became part of Expat Media's award-winning entry in the celebration's bicycle competition. "Yes, we did win," I told Postre. "It was the only bicycle with a Philippine-inspired design. We used an actual banig to cover the mudguards and handlebars. We also attached a traditional Filipino woven basket on the rear rack and included an Expat Media Special Edition magazine for a local touch. The bicycle went on to win in the folding bike category." The bicycle has since been given away, but the chance encounter sparked laughter and fond memories between Postre and the Expat Media team. The exchange also reflected the close-knit nature of Dubai's Filipino community, where stories, friendships and shared experiences often reconnect people in unexpected ways.

'Take care of your health and be happy'

During her conversation with Expat Media, Postre reflected on what she believes is the secret to living a long, healthy and meaningful life. Although she now takes vitamin supplements, she said she still avoids relying on medication whenever possible. "I still make sure I eat vegetables, fruits and cassava. I don't like meat much," she said. The Filipina longtime expat credits many of her healthy habits to lessons learned from her parents. "My mother lived until 90. It would be nice to have a long, healthy life like her," she said. "In their generation, they had organic food that they picked from their backyard. I try to have fresh, organic food in my diet as much as I can." Asked about the most important lesson she has learned in recent years, Postre's answer was straightforward. "Take care of your health. It's really very important. And be happy." Postre said surviving the Covid-19 pandemic gave her a renewed appreciation for life. "After Covid, I am just grateful I get to live each year," she said. "Covid was really horrible. I couldn't go out of the house and there were times when I had a very hard time breathing. I thought I was going to die. Luckily, I survived. Maybe it means I still have a mission to fulfill." The experience has prompted her to become more intentional about how she spends her time. "This year, I have been more intentional with my time. I would like to spend it with the people and the community I love," she said, adding that she treasures opportunities to spend time with fellow members of the Filipino Senior Citizens Club in Dubai.

From domestic manager to community icon

Postre's popularity within Dubai's Filipino community stems not only from her colourful personality but also from a life story defined by perseverance and loyalty. Born in Camarines Sur, she left school at a young age to help support her farming family and later worked in a garment factory, where she developed sewing skills that would eventually inspire her passion for fashion design. In 1981, she began working for the Berdin family in Las Piñas, Philippines, caring for a young girl named Crishelle. Decades later, when Crishelle moved to Dubai and started her own family, she invited Postre to help raise her children in the UAE. Today, Postre remains with the same family and maintaining a relationship that spans more than four decades. In 2019, she received the Loyalty Award at the Gawad Kasambahay Awards after 44 years of service to her employers. "They treat me like family," Postre said in an earlier interview.

Turning waste into wearable art

Her journey as Dubai's Recycling Queen began in the same year when she entered the Filipino community pageant wearing a gown she created from recycled materials because she could not afford an expensive dress. The creation earned her the titles Queen of the Night and Best in Gown, while the Dh800 prize money helped her family establish a small farm in the Philippines. Since then, she has produced dozens of elaborate eco-friendly gowns made from discarded plastic bottles, food wrappers, fabric scraps, used curtains and other household waste. "It gives me joy to create my unique dresses whenever we have a Filipino community event in Dubai. I know people look forward to seeing me wear my recycled fashion pieces," she said. Her message remains simple but powerful: "Even trash can be turned into treasure." Today, supported by her family and admired by the wider Filipino community, Postre continues to prove that creativity, gratitude and resilience never go out of style. PIA/Expat Media
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