How 26-year-old Filipina Gerryl Gaid became a CEO, actress, and advocate in the UAE

Dubai: At just 26, Gerryl Gaid is proving that age, background, and borders are no barriers to impact. A proud Filipina, Certified Management Accountant, and Senior Financial Analyst, Gaid is also the CEO and Co-Founder of Ace Gen Advanced Generation Training Center in Sharjah, UAE.

Raised in a humble province in the Philippines, Gaid’s journey began with faith, family, and fierce determination. Despite limited resources, she completed her Accountancy degree through a full academic scholarship—a milestone that ignited her lifelong mission to make education accessible for others.

After relocating to the UAE, she rose through the ranks in finance and now serves as a senior analyst at one of Dubai’s top-tier banks. But her dreams stretched far beyond spreadsheets. In 2024, she co-founded Ace Gen to bridge the gap between traditional education and real-world opportunity—creating a space where anyone, regardless of background, could build a better future.

She’s also the founder of Padagos An Misyon, a grassroots initiative that delivers school supplies and learning kits to underserved students in remote Philippine provinces. The name Padagos—which means “to carry on” in her native dialect—perfectly reflects her vision of purpose and perseverance.

In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Gaid opens up about her inspiring journey from rural Philippines to becoming a trailblazing CEO, actress, model, and advocate in the UAE—sharing powerful insights on faith, resilience, and building a legacy with purpose.

Q: You’ve spoken about growing up in a humble province in the Philippines. What challenges did you face, and how did they shape your passion for education and leadership?

A: I grew up in a quiet province in the Philippines where life was simple—but not easy. We had a lot of debt, especially at the barangay store. I remember re-routing our walk to school just to avoid passing it—choosing the long, muddy road instead—because I didn’t want to face the embarrassment or the eyes of people who knew what we owed.

My mother, with so much quiet strength, would borrow old uniforms and worn-out shoes just so we could go to school with dignity. Sometimes, she would even ask her friends for small amounts of money—never for herself, but so I wouldn’t look pitiful or feel left out at school. My father was just as determined. Every day, he traveled to far-flung areas selling sewing machines, doing everything he could to make sure the three of us siblings could graduate.

But what we lacked in material things, we made up for in love, faith, and determination. I watched my parents give everything so the three of us could finish school—and I made a promise to myself early on: I will work hard, not just for myself, but to honor the sacrifices they made for me. That promise became the seed of my passion for education, leadership, and service.

Q. Earning a full academic scholarship and completing a degree in Accountancy is no small feat. How did that experience shape your future?

A: That scholarship changed my life. It wasn’t just an opportunity—it was a responsibility. I felt chosen, and I wanted to make every moment count.

My degree in Accountancy taught me discipline, structure, and the ability to see the bigger picture. It trained my mind to be sharp, strategic, and solution-oriented—skills that later became vital in both my corporate and entrepreneurial journey.

But more than anything, it taught me how to endure. Every exam I passed, every sleepless night I survived, every struggle I overcame was a step closer to a future I could once only imagine. That foundation carried me forward with confidence—into the UAE, into the corporate world, and eventually, into my purpose.

In 2024, Gaid stepped into a completely different spotlight—as the lead actress in the UAE-based independent film “Love in Disguise,” starring alongside model-actor Daniel Matsunaga. The film, screened in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, struck a chord with the expat community through its themes of identity, resilience, and emotional healing.

Her performance, praised for its depth and authenticity, gave audiences a new glimpse of her character—both on and off the screen.

Beyond finance and film, Gaid has carved out a name for herself in fashion and modeling. She has appeared in campaigns for Amazon, Noon, and other international platforms, and walked the runway for prestigious events such as: Bride Dubai, Runway Dubai and Expo 2020 Fashion Shows.

Her style—elegant, poised, and unmistakably Filipina—reflects the unique blend of resilience and grace that defines her story.

Q: What inspired your move to the UAE—and how did you make the leap from finance to founding Ace Gen?

A: I came to the UAE as a fresh graduate—no work experience, just a heart full of dreams and prayers. My first job was as an administrative assistant, sitting at a small desk in a modest office. It wasn’t glamorous, but I was proud. I gave my best, even in the smallest tasks, because I knew it was a step toward something bigger.

Over time, I worked my way up—from assistant to analyst, from finance support to manager—until I realized that maybe I wasn’t just meant to climb the ladder… maybe I was meant to build one.

That’s how Ace Gen was born. I saw the need for accessible, purpose-driven education—especially for dreamers like me, who just needed someone to believe in them. So I took everything I’d learned—in finance, in life, in struggle—and poured it into this vision. Becoming a CEO wasn’t a title I chased… it was a mission I followed.

Q: How has your Filipino heritage influenced your leadership style and vision for empowering others?

A: Everything I do is for that little girl in slippers who grew up in a household full of love and sacrifice—and for every child like her today.

My Filipino heritage taught me to lead with heart. We were raised with bayanihan—that spirit of helping each other—and I carry that in my leadership. Padagos An Misyon is a reflection of that: it’s my way of reaching back to the communities I came from and saying, “I see you. I was you. And you’re not forgotten.”

I lead with empathy because I know what it’s like to have nothing but hope. I build with purpose because I remember what it’s like to dream of more but not know how to begin.

Q: You’ve found success across finance, education, fashion, and film—all by age 26. What mindset helped you thrive in such diverse spaces?

A: I used to think I had to choose just one path—that I had to be either the financial professional or the creative dreamer. But eventually, I realized: I can be all of me.

Finance gave me logic. Education gave me purpose. Fashion gave me voice. And film gave me courage. Every step I took was rooted in passion and guided by purpose. I stopped asking, “What will they think?” and started asking, “What do I believe in?”

I surrounded myself with mentors, embraced failure as part of the process, and trusted that every experience—even the difficult ones—was preparing me for something greater. I didn’t chase fame or titles. I chased impact.

Q. What advice would you give to other Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who want to become leaders or entrepreneurs abroad?

A: To every OFW with a quiet dream: you are more powerful than you know.

You don’t need to come from wealth or connections. You just need faith, consistency, and the courage to start. Wherever you are—whether cleaning houses, working behind a desk, or standing behind a counter—do it with excellence. Because excellence opens doors.

My advice: Invest in yourself. Learn even when it’s inconvenient. Surround yourself with people who stretch you. Honor your roots, but don’t let them limit you. And when the world tells you to stay small—choose to rise anyway.

You were not sent abroad to just survive. You were sent to build, to lead, and to shine.

Gaid’s story is more than a personal success—it’s a blueprint for purpose-driven leadership. From classrooms in Sharjah to communities in the Philippines, she continues to prove that when you lead with heart, you don’t just rise—you lift others with you.