Bernadette and Charlotte Estanislao are the co-owners of Joy Bubble in Abu Dhabi. JONATHAN YBERA/EXPAT MEDIA

Walk into Joy Bubble on Khalidiya Street in Abu Dhabi, and you’ll instantly sense it—the energy, the warmth, the laughter. A playful swing in one of the dining nooks and various board games hint at the lighthearted nature of its owners, sisters Bernadette and Charlotte Estanislao, both flight attendants and now among the UAE’s youngest Filipino restaurateurs. Their bubble tea shop-slash-café-slash-restaurant feels like a cross between a cozy cabin and a happy childhood memory—a reflection of two sisters who turned life’s turbulence into a smooth and sweet journey. “Before we created Joy Bubble, we already had so many discussions on how to bring flavours from different countries we visited,” Charlotte tells Expat Media. “We wanted people to feel that joy to experience something global but still feel at home.” Their restaurant isn’t your typical café. It’s cozy and youthful, filled with board games, books, and comforting aromas. And the menu? It’s a passport stamped with creativity. There are various kinds of bubble teas plus a playful menu with standouts such as Dubai Chocolate Champorado, a Filipino childhood favourite reinvented with UAE flair; Rabokki, a fiery Korean ramen and rice cake fusion; and Cyn Crispy Pancit and Crispy Kare-Kare, Filipino classics reinvented with crunch. “It’s a mix of everything we love — Filipino, Korean, Japanese, and Middle Eastern influences,” says Bernadette. “We want our customers to feel like they’ve traveled the world in one bite.” Their most sentimental creation, however, is Uncle Jon’s Champorado, a tribute to their late uncle who was a father figure to them. “We like to think he’s our guardian angel bringing customers our way,” Charlotte says.

Serving joy

Growing up in Bulacan, Philippines, Bernadette and Charlotte were practically inseparable. Their closeness would become their greatest strength in life—first as daughters helping their single mother, then as colleagues in the skies, and now as business partners on the ground. Their mother, a former flight attendant for Saudia Airlines, was their first inspiration. “Her bedtime stories were about her flying days,” Bernadette recalls. “That’s where the dream began.” Now, the sisters juggle their roles as flight attendants and entrepreneurs; flying by day, serving smiles by night and during their days off. Even as they flew around the world, the entrepreneurial spark never left Bernadette. “I kept telling my sister, we need to do something with our savings,” she says. “Being cabin crew isn’t a forever job.” The idea of Joy Bubble was born during the pandemic, a time when many dreams were grounded. “We wanted a business that reflects who we are: fun, warm, and full of love,” Charlotte says. They approached several brands but chose Joy Bubble because it allowed them to add their own menu items like their crispy palabok, crispy pancit and their popular chocolate dome champorado. Their flight attendant experience also seeps into everything they do, from customer service to the global-inspired menu. “We want people to feel like they’re traveling the world through flavors,” Bernadette says. Now, even while juggling their flights and business, the sisters handle everything from marketing to accounting themselves. “We sleep only three hours sometimes,” Charlotte says. “But we don’t mind. The joy makes it worth it.” The Estanislao sisters are proof that dreams—when shared and pursued with love—can land exactly where they’re meant to. “People say it’s hard to work with family,” Bernadette says. “But I can’t imagine doing this without her.” “Joy Bubble is for everyone who believes that dreams can be sweet, even after a rough flight,” Charlotte adds. And perhaps, that’s the secret ingredient behind Joy Bubble’s success: faith, sisterhood, and the courage to dream with open wings and full hearts. PIA/Expat Media

Quick fire

Who’s the pilot at Joy Bubble? Bernadette: We’re both pilots. Dessert that best describes you Bernadette: Anything matcha! Charlotte: Dark chocolate. Most unusual passenger request Bernadette: Someone once said, “Can I take you home?” Charlotte: Pizza mid-flight! If you could serve one celebrity Charlotte: Kim Taehyung. I’d serve him pistachio kunafa bubble tea. Bernadette: Tom Holland. He needs to try our champorado. Finish this sentence: Joy Bubble is... Charlotte: Sweetness meets smiles. Bernadette: Exactly that! This story also appears in the Expat Media Special Edition magazine. Visit Joy Bubble in Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi (near Etisalat Building) or contact 056 821 9714. 
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