Edwin Rico is the Operations Manager of Clinica Maria Medical Center in Dubai. JONATHAN YBERA/EXPAT MEDIA

For over two decades, Edwin Rico has been a familiar name in Dubai’s hospitality scene: From working as a barista in a high-end Italian restaurant to managing one of the city’s most beloved Filipino dining spots, Dencio’s. Now, this bold Filipino is on another level as clinic boss.

From serving lattes to leading a dental clinic, Rico’s Dubai story is a masterclass in reinvention. In an exclusive interview with Expat Media, he shares the highs and lows of his career, the sacrifices he made for his family, and the lessons he learned along the way. Born and raised in Tondo, Manila, Rico grew up with a strong desire to be independent. At 18, he refused to rely on his parents and worked hard to carve his own path. By 22, he took the bold step of working abroad, landing a job in Taiwan as a factory worker. “Living in Taiwan opened my eyes to my passion for food,” Rico recalls. “After my contract ended, I returned to the Philippines and started a small food business with my best friend and older brother.” However, the venture didn’t go as planned. They were scammed, losing a significant amount of money in franchising fees. To make matters worse, the property they leased was sublet without their knowledge, forcing them to close when it was affected by a road-widening project. “But we didn’t let that stop us. We found a new shop near a church and started over,” he says. The experience, though painful, only fueled his determination to pursue his dream of running a successful restaurant.

Road to Dubai

Determined to build a better future, Rico set his sights on the UAE. But finding a job wasn’t easy. “In the Philippines, most job openings required at least two years of experience. So I worked as a bartender in a Manila hotel,” he says. His dedication caught the attention of one of his regular guests—who, by chance, turned out to be an interviewer for a job opportunity in Dubai. “He told me, ‘I don’t need to interview you. I already know what you can do.’ That’s how I got my first job in Dubai in 2000,” Rico shares. Initially hired as an assistant manager for a pizza restaurant, Rico missed his training and was reassigned as a bartender in an Italian restaurant—only to be told that his salary was too high for the role. “I told them, ‘I’ve already spent so much to come here. If needed, I’ll take a pay cut.’ But the general manager said it was against the law, so I ended up working as a barista—on an assistant manager’s salary!” he laughs. Dubai’s hospitality industry was booming, and Rico quickly moved up the ranks. He became a supervisor just two weeks after joining, and later, he was offered a managerial position. Surprisingly, he turned it down—at first. “That time, we were earning a lot in tips—around Dh100 per day. If I became a manager, I wouldn’t be eligible for tips anymore. So I delayed the promotion,” he admits. But when the time came, he stepped up. During his early years, Rico had many unforgettable experiences, including serving a sheikh who once left him a Dh1,000 tip for a Dh100 bill. Another regular customer, a demanding local couple, surprised him with a Dh2,000 tip after experiencing his excellent service. Despite his success, he remained grounded. “I always shared my tips, especially with the kitchen staff, like the dishwasher. They earn less, so I wanted to help. In return, they always had my back,” he says.

A career-defining move

In 2009, when the global recession hit, Rico and his wife were financially impacted, forcing him to return to the Philippines for two years. But in 2011, a new opportunity emerged—this time, with Asiana Hotel in Dubai. Initially hired as a team leader for the pre-opening team, Rico faced a challenge: most assistant manager roles were given to Koreans. Instead of being discouraged, he worked his way up from a quiet coffee shop in the lobby to the hotel’s bustling Boracay Nightclub. “I remember the F&B director asking me, ‘Are you sure you can handle it?’ I told him, ‘If you want, I can even carry you while serving the guests!’” Rico jokes. His hard work paid off. Within two months, the hotel owner personally promoted him to assistant manager, a move that didn’t sit well with some of his colleagues. “I told them, I’m not here to impress you. I only need to prove myself to the person who believed in me,” he says. His time at Asiana also gave him the chance to work closely with the hotel owner, who valued his insights. One meeting, in particular, stood out. “I respectfully disagreed with one of his decisions. All the managers looked at me like I was about to get fired. But instead, he said, ‘That’s what I want—someone who thinks critically.’” Eventually, Rico was assigned to manage Makati Bar, where he transformed the business, increasing sales and introducing a sophisticated comedy bar concept. When the pandemic hit in 2020, everything came to a halt. Rico stayed in Dubai for several months without pay before making the painful decision to resign and return home. “That was the lowest point of my life. We ran a small convenience store, but it barely got us by. I tried applying for jobs, but my age became a factor,” he shares. One night, overwhelmed by his struggles, he prayed: “God, give me one more chance. Not for me, but for my children.”

That chance came when he landed an opportunity with Dencio’s in Dubai. Even then, he nearly missed his first interview because he was helping his daughter enroll in school. But luck was on his side—the HR team rescheduled, and he got the job.

As the restaurant manager of Dencio’s, Rico embraced a leadership style that treated his staff as family. “I want people to keep coming back—not just for the food, but for the experience,” he says.

A new chapter in a new industry

Last February 28, another opportunity came calling, and Rico took a bold leap—this time, outside the food and beverage industry. He is now the Operations Manager of Clinica Maria Medical Center, a dental clinic in Dubai owned by a Filipino doctor.

“It’s a big adjustment from F&B to a dental clinic,” he admits. “But so far, I’ve worked here for three months and I’ve been able to help the clinic improve. Eighty percent of our patients are Filipinos. My job is to manage the operations and at the same time make the clinic more known in the Filipino community.” For Rico, it’s another meaningful step in a career defined by adaptability and service.

Looking back, Rico has no regrets—only lessons. “Find the lesson in every setback. Always be grateful. And treat your staff like family,” he says. His only sacrifice? Missing out on his children’s milestones. “I wasn’t there to watch them grow. But I have always made it a point to stay connected, even if it’s just through messages or video calls,” he says. His middle child even wrote a song about how much they miss him—a reminder of the sacrifices he made, but also of the love that holds them together. Through all the ups and downs, Rico’s journey proves that success isn’t just about talent or luck—it’s about resilience, heart, and the determination to keep moving forward. MM/Expat Media A condensed version of this story also appears in the Expat Media Special Edition magazine
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