Inventive Pinoy hitting it huge as expertise in Saudi, Egyptian TV

OFW Elyson A. Armado is a advertising and marketing specialist by day and a expertise for movies, industrial, and TV advertisements by evening

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – An abroad Filipino employee (OFW), employed in Saudi Arabia as a advertising and marketing specialist for well being care merchandise previously six years, is lastly hitting it huge in that nation and in Egypt, however in a totally completely different discipline, working as a expertise in movies, commercials, and TV advertisements.

Elyson Armado began his profession showing as an additional in a world movie shot in Saudi Arabia, and later turned the lead expertise for a Center East industrial of a web-based flower and items supply firm.

“I’m concerned in industrial initiatives, the place I take part as an actor and additional in ads and promotional shoots,” mentioned 38-year-old Armado, the eldest of 4 siblings.

Commercials

Except for the flower firm, Armado has additionally performed commercials for a Saudi government-run telecom firm, an airline agency, and a studying establishment primarily based in Riyadh. 

He has additionally appeared as an additional in Japan Expo 2025 and in a film co-produced by Egyptian and Hollywood studios.

“I’ve additionally carried out for different nationalities as singer in malls and personal occasions. I additionally host engineering summits and different Filipino occasions,” Armado mentioned.

Turning level

He moved to Dubai in 2008 and labored as a salesman at a division retailer in dusty Al Qouz earlier than transferring to Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, in 2011, the place he labored as an HR coordinator for eight years.

“It turned a major turning level in my life and profession,” Armado mentioned.

In 2019, he made a leap to being a advertising and marketing specialist. 

“After a number of years in human assets, I made a decision to problem myself and discover new alternatives aligned with my tutorial background. I transferred to a different firm and transitioned into my present position as a advertising and marketing specialist, the place I’m able to apply my creativity, strategic pondering, and keenness for storytelling and branding, whereas repeatedly studying and rising in a aggressive discipline,” Armado mentioned.

It wasn’t sufficient. He wanted to channel that “creativity, ardour for storytelling, and branding,” which is why he began doing commercials in June 2024. And it went nicely.

Having established himself because the go-to expertise every time producers want actors, Armado mentioned he usually receives calls about his availability.

“Minsan biglaan yung tawag, want journey agad dun. Pero pinapa-tapat ko weekend kasi may go po,” mentioned Armado.

(At instances, the decision could be abrupt, must journey. However I ask that or not it’s performed on a weekend as a result of I’ve work.)

Hailing from Cavite, Armado can be energetic within the Filipino group in Saudi Arabia, organizing singing and dancing occasions like iDance KSA Philippines Saudi Arabia and The Best OFW showdown. 

“For me, organizing and collaborating in these actions goes past leisure. They’re significant methods to construct unity, have a good time Filipino creativity, and provides again to the group that continues to encourage and help me,” he mentioned.

Working pupil

Armado made the dedication to proceed his schooling whereas working overseas. He earned his diploma in enterprise administration from the Cebu Institute of Expertise (CIT) – College. 

Whereas within the Philippines, he labored in quick meals chains, Jollibee and McDonald’s, and in addition at an SM mall.

“I accomplished my bachelor’s diploma whereas working abroad, balancing work tasks with my research,” he mentioned.

Armado did so beneath the Philippine authorities’s Expanded Tertiary Training Equivalency and Accreditation Program, which lets an OFW earn a bachelor’s diploma by changing in depth work expertise and abilities into faculty credit, bypassing conventional education. 

“My life journey has been full of challenges, sacrifices, and fixed development. Life was by no means simple, however I realized early on that perseverance and arduous work are important. Whereas I used to be nonetheless learning, I labored in quick meals chains to assist help my schooling and every day wants. Balancing work and research was tough, nevertheless it taught me self-discipline, time administration, humility, and the worth of hard-earned success,” he mentioned. – Rappler.com