Michaella De Leon of Kubo Restaurant in Ajman. JONATHAN YBERA/EXPAT MEDIA

It all began with a bowl of sinigang—and a family dream decades in the making. At the heart of Kubo Restaurant in Ajman is 35-year-old Michaella De Leon, a Filipina who turned life’s challenges into a flourishing business that’s now become a local favorite among both Filipinos and food lovers of all cultures. But behind her success is a family story rooted in entrepreneurship, resilience, and unwavering faith. “I grew up in Pasay with our relatives and grandparents who owned a big grocery store there. Later, our family moved to Las Piñas where our family opened a cafeteria,” Michaella recalls in this Expat Media exclusive. “Our life revolved around our small family business. As kids, we learned to sell, to shop at Divisoria and Libertad—we were exposed to entrepreneurship early on.” Her parents were key influences in her love for food and hospitality. “My dad was a businessman, and he loved cooking. He would wake up early to go to the market and prepare meals for us. He loved sinigang, a Filipino sour stew, and always said, ‘If there’s soup, there should be something fried to go with it.’ My mom, a homemaker, loved to bake and make snacks,” she recalls.

Moving to Dubai

At 24, Michaella she joined her mother and brother in Dubai, both of whom were already working in the emirate. Her first job? A kitchen helper. “I wasn’t looking for a job that matched my degree—I just wanted experience,” she says. “We all think life abroad is easy. But once you're here, you realize it isn’t always like that.” She recalls walking mall to mall, handing out résumés. “I didn’t want to burden my mom or brother. I wanted to stand on my own.” Michaella used her job as a kitchen helper to learn more about every facet of the restaurant business and expand her network. However, after four years of hard work, the pandemic hit—and she lost her job. “It felt like my world collapsed,” Michaella recalls. But with her mother’s encouragement, she tried again. Two months later, she was hired as a receptionist, despite having no prior experience. “I didn’t know how to use a computer or answer a phone properly,” she laughs. “But my manager told me, ‘I like you at the front because you smile a lot.’ That gave me confidence.” Determined, she taught herself everything from customer service to telephone etiquette—thanks to Google. “I learned from experience and reading.” Her persistence paid off. She was promoted to customer service executive, and later, team leader.

The birth of Kubo

When her brother, Dan, became ill and had to stop working, Michaella knew she had to step up. That’s when opportunity came knocking. “A fellow Filipino was selling Kubo Restaurant in Ajman,” she recalls. “Honestly, we hesitated. We lived in Dubai. Ajman felt far and unfamiliar. But we took the risk.” It turned out to be the best decision they ever made. “We didn’t realize how vibrant the Filipino community in Ajman was,” Michaella says. “The people welcomed us warmly and shared their stories about Kubo—how it started, the memories attached to it.” Together with their mother and Dan, they revived Kubo as a cultural hub and dining destination. “It’s not just about food,” she explains. “Kubo is a place where families gather, friends catch up, and strangers become part of the community. That’s the magic of Filipino hospitality.” The name Kubo—derived from the iconic bahay kubo, a traditional Filipino hut—symbolizes home, simplicity, and warmth. The restaurant serves Filipino comfort food with a side of nostalgia. From kamayan-style feasts (eating with hands) to local art and music, it offers guests a slice of home. “Our parents raised us on values like generosity and respect. We say po and opo, we call people kuya and ate. At Kubo, you feel that,” Michaella says. What’s next for Kubo? Michaella dreams of expanding—not just with more branches, but also through a richer, more diverse menu. “Our goal is to make Kubo a household name among Filipinos in the UAE—and to introduce the richness of our cuisine to the world,” she says. From her humble beginnings in Dubai to running a thriving restaurant in Ajman, Michaella has proven that with faith, family, and a little Filipino flavour, anything is possible.

The man behind Kubo’s quiet leadership

Michaella may be the face of Kubo, but her brother, Dan Michael De Leon, is its soul. As Kubo’s manager, Dan believes in servant leadership. “I believe effective leading is setting an example. When your team sees you doing the hard work with joy, they get motivated,” he tells Expat Media. His leadership style is grounded in integrity and grace. “It’s important that when we set an example, we do it with gladness, so they see that it’s possible to work with joy, even under pressure.” This has helped the family and team overcome early setbacks at Kubo. “The hardest part was when we were just starting and not earning yet. We had to figure out how to pay the bills and employees. But praise God, we made it through,” Dan says. For Dan, experience—not just mentors—has been the best teacher. “I learned a lot from my past. Sometimes your mentors are not people, but the needs of the people you lead. That’s what inspires me.” The biggest challenge, he says, is maintaining a good relationship with staff. “The future of their families is tied to the success of the business. We carry that responsibility with prayer and purpose.” He continues, “We’re not just here to earn. We’re here to be a blessing to others.” MCM/Expat Media Try it Visit: Al Jurf 2 Askan Holding - Shaikh Rashid Bin Abdul Aziz Aaemi St - near Al Aqsa Private School - Al Jerf 2 - Ajman Call: 056 5970834 Order: talabat.com This story also appears in the Expat Media Special Edition magazine
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