From domestic helper to CEO: Filipina baker Maria Paz's recipe for success in Dubai

Dubai: Maria Paz Banaag-Marquez’s story is one of unwavering strength, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her children. At 58, Maria Paz is not only a businesswoman but also an inspiring symbol of perseverance. From raising her three children alone to becoming the proud owner of seven successful pastry shops across the UAE, her journey is a testament to the power of love and determination.

Born into a poor family in Quezon Province, Maria Paz was no stranger to struggle. Raised with 12 siblings in a modest household, where her father was a farmer and her mother a housewife, Maria Paz learned early on that survival required hard work and sacrifice. But her journey truly began when she became a mother to Jamaica Mae, a daughter born with multiple disabilities, who would face years of medical challenges.

A mother’s heartbreak: Raising a child with disabilities

When Maria Paz gave birth to Jamaica Mae, her daughter was diagnosed with inborn defects that would require years of surgeries and medical attention. At the age of five, Jamaica Mae had her first surgery to repair her mouth palate. At 12, she underwent eye surgery, and later, she would need a heart surgery to address a hole in her heart. Maria Paz found herself in a heart-wrenching situation—her small bakery in her hometown, was simply not enough to cover her daughter’s medical needs.

“I didn’t have enough money for her heart operations, and it broke my heart,” Maria Paz shared, her voice trembling with emotion. “I didn’t want to see my daughter suffer, so I had to make the toughest decision of my life. I had to go abroad to work.”

In 2005, with a heavy heart, Maria Paz left her children behind and moved to Saudi Arabia to work as a housemaid. “I worked in Saudi Arabia for two years to save money for Jamaica Mae’s operations,” she says. “Every day, I thought about my children, especially Jamaica Mae. They were my reason for everything.”

A Journey fueled by love and determination

Maria Paz returned to the Philippines, but her fight for her daughter’s well-being was far from over. In 2008, she moved to Dubai, where she would continue working as a housemaid for a French couple in Umm Suqeim. For 13 long years, Maria Paz balanced the demands of her work while trying to send money back to the Philippines to support her children. Her eldest daughter, Patrice Marie, worked in Dubai for seven years before moving to the Netherlands. Her youngest son, John Patrick, was studying architecture in Manila.

But it was Jamaica Mae who remained the driving force in Maria Paz’s life. “She was always on my mind. I worked day and night to provide for her,” she recalls. “When my employer decided to return to his home country in 2021, I decided it was time for a change. I had a passion for baking, and I knew this was my chance to build a better future for us.”

A dream realised: From a housemaid to a bakery owner
In 2021, after her employer left, Maria Paz made the bold decision to open a small bakery in Satwa, Dubai—Maria Paz Pastry. “I had no capital, no business experience. All I had were my baking skills,” she says, recalling the humble beginnings of her bakery. But her dedication and love for baking paid off. She had learned the craft while working part-time in a bakery during college and had run a small bakery back in the Philippines.

Her cheesecakes, particularly popular on TikTok and Facebook, quickly became a hit, not just among the Filipino community but also among people of different nationalities. “What I love most about having this bakery is being able to share my homemade pastries with the Filipino community here in the UAE,” Maria Paz says. “It’s a way for me to show them my love through food.”

Maria Paz’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. Maria Paz partnered with her relatives to fund the shop, borrowing from financial companies when needed. “I had no salary for a year, and we only survived on the small profits we made. But I knew I had to keep going. I had my family to support,” she says. Despite the challenges, her persistence and love for baking paid off. Slowly, she built a loyal customer base, drawn to her homemade cheesecakes and pastries that were bursting with flavor and love.

In just four years, Maria Paz went from a housemaid to the proud owner of seven pastry shops in the UAE, employing over 70 workers, mostly Filipinos. The sweet success of her bakery didn’t come easily, but it was fueled by years of hard work, sacrifice, and a burning desire to provide a better future for her children. “I didn’t do this alone,” Maria Paz says, with a smile. “I had the support of my relatives, and I always had my children as my motivation.”

A mother’s victory: Healing a daughter, fulfilling a dream
Her greatest achievement came when she was able to provide for Jamaica Mae’s long-overdue surgeries. “After 23 years, I was finally able to fix my daughter’s condition,” Maria Paz says, tears welling in her eyes. “It was the biggest victory of my life. Every sacrifice, every challenge, led to this moment.”

Maria Paz spent over one million pesos (AED 100,000) for Jamaica Mae’s surgeries, all funded by the success of Maria Paz Pastry. “I’m grateful for all these blessings. Without my bakery, none of this would have been possible,” she says, choking up with emotion.

A message of hope and perseverance

Today, Maria Paz is not just a successful entrepreneur; she is a beacon of hope for anyone who has ever faced hardship. Her story proves that no matter where you start, with determination, love, and resilience, anything is possible.

“I want to inspire others to believe in themselves,” she says. “Don’t give up. Trust the process, and keep working hard. If you keep pushing, your dreams will come true.”

For Maria Paz, her journey from housemaid to CEO is not just about business success—it’s about love, family, and the relentless pursuit of a better life for her children. It’s a story of triumph over adversity, and it’s a reminder that with faith, anything is possible.