{
  "id": 12533405,
  "title": "From mascots to aviation: Filipino expat in Umm Al Quwain builds a new future in the UAE",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/from-mascots-to-aviation-filipino-expat-in-umm-al-quwain-builds-a-new",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T02:45:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/uae-success-stories/from-mascots-to-aviation-filipino-expat-in-umm-al-quwain-builds-a-new-future-in-the-uae-1.500700529"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dubai: Expatriate MJ Tenchavez, born in the Philippines, has made a name for herself in the UAE, transforming from a receptionist to a photographer and now aspiring to become a pilot. Tenchavez, the eldest sister, chose to work abroad to support her family. After moving to Dubai in 2010, her career took diverse turns, including entrepreneurship and education. Despite challenges, Tenchavez's unwavering determination led her to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a pilot.",
  "summary": "Dubai: For years, MJ Tenchavez has made children smile by bringing colourful mascots to parties and community events across the UAE. But behind the costumes and celebrations is another dream. Tenchavez, a Filipino expatriate based in Umm Al Quwain, is now pursuing Aviation Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) studies, working towards becoming a pilot. It is a destination she could hardly have…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}