Aspire, a company based in Jordan, joined the Astek Group as a subsidiary to strengthen its global offshore delivery capabilities and accelerate its expansion in the Middle East.
“I was given the opportunity to learn and grow in HR, even though I had no theoretical knowledge and had not studied in this field.”
Where are you from?
I am from Manila, Philippines. I came to Jordan almost 14 years ago to have a better future. I used to work as a handyman in a family home before joining Aspire. I miss my country very much, but my life is in Jordan now, and my plan is to return to the Philippines only when I retire.
How was your adjustment period after arriving in Jordan?
At first, it was a bit tough, especially since I had never left the Philippines before, so it was a bit of a culture shock in the first few months. I came to Jordan with basic English and no Arabic skills, so learning the language was the hardest part. It took time, but I had the support of my sister who also lives here in Jordan. The best part of my adjustment was meeting my wife here; she is also from the Philippines, so Jordan holds a very special place in my heart.
What do you like most about Jordan?
There are many tourist places to visit in such a small country. My favorite is the Baptism Site along the Jordan River, it is truly a holy place (I’ve been there at least 4 times). I also like the people here, especially at Aspire, they are so friendly and kind.
Why Aspire?
I joined Aspire almost 10 years ago as an Office Boy. I had 3 other opportunities to choose from, but they were outside Amman, so I chose Aspire because it was the closest to my home and offered opportunities for growth within the company. It was by far the best decision I ever made!
What was your path to your current role at Aspire?
I started as an Office Boy in 2009, was promoted to HR Clerk in 2011, and in 2013, I became an HR Officer.
What does your typical day look like?
The first thing I do in the morning when I wake up is pray. I ask for blessings for the day, then I shower and help my wife get our children ready for school. I have two children here and one in the Philippines. After the kids leave for school, I come to work and the first thing I do is check my emails. After clearing my inbox, I go through my checklists and prepare contracts for new hires, along with other HR-related tasks. I handle all onboarding for new employees, which is very fun because I get to give them a tour of the company and introduce them to other employees. Throughout the day, I work closely with the Finance and Productivity Control departments. Before leaving work, I make sure everything is ready for the next day. Sometimes I take work home, however, I always make sure to have dinner with my family. I play with my children before they go to bed, and later I like to watch the news on TV to see what’s happening in my country.
What do you like most about the company?
I appreciate the trust that has been given to me. Here, we have opportunities to grow. I was given the chance to learn and develop in HR even though I had no theoretical knowledge or formal studies in the field. Everything I know was taught to me, and I learned on the job. I wasn’t very good with computers before coming to Aspire, but now I love it, and I especially enjoy working with people.
What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movies are National Treasure 1 and 2. Mainly because my favorite actor stars in them – Nicolas Cage. I think he is amazing.
What is your favorite band/singer?
My favorite band is by far the Bee Gees, and my favorite song by them is Mr. Jones. I also absolutely love One Friend by Dan Seals, which is my second favorite song.
What do you do in your free time?
I like to spend as much time as possible with my wife and children. That is the most important thing to me. We cook and eat a lot on weekends. I always try to cook traditional Filipino food for them so they can stay connected to our original culture.
What is your favorite dish?
My favorite Filipino dish is Ginataan. It is essentially a stew cooked in coconut milk that is eaten with rice. There are many versions: with chicken, fish, shrimp, vegetables, and even a sweet dessert version called ginataang mais. I love all versions because I am a HUGE fan of coconut milk.
What is something you want to do before it’s too late?
I would like to retire in Batanes. I have seen it often on TV and I think it is beautiful. It is considered the “New Zealand” of the Philippines, and the people there are very honest and friendly. It seems like the perfect place to grow old.
What is a dream you would like to achieve?
I have already achieved most of my dreams: having a family, being healthy, and having a good job. I suppose another big dream would be to become mayor of the municipality of Mahinog in the Philippines when I retire. I would love to give back to my community one day.
What is your greatest personal achievement?
My greatest personal achievement would be marrying my wife. It was love at first sight. I didn’t believe in soulmates, but when I saw her for the first time, I felt like I had known her for a very long time.
What is your greatest professional achievement?
Aspire is my greatest professional achievement. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to finish high school, and I left my country to have a brighter future. Aspire gave me the chance to learn, develop my HR career, and grow.
What is your philosophy of life?
To become a better person every day.
Your most memorable moment at Aspire?
In 2013, I received a trophy for my hard work and dedication to the company. It’s a moment I will never forget.