Em Serrano: A Filipino Influencer’s Rise in the UAE

Margarete Serrano

Em Serrano
Filipino Content Creator | Influencer | Host | Brand Ambassador | Entrepreneur
Based in Abu Dhabi since 2014

Em Serrano is a dynamic Filipino content creator and digital influencer who has become a prominent figure in the UAE’s lifestyle and social media scene. Since moving to Abu Dhabi in 2014 to pursue a career in nursing, Em’s journey has transformed from healthcare professional to award-winning influencer, host, and entrepreneur.

Her story is one of resilience, passion, and creativity—a journey that continues to inspire thousands across the UAE and beyond..

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Discovering a Love for Food and Travel

Em’s foray into content creation began with her love for food and travel. She explored local restaurants, tasted diverse cuisines, and documented her experiences with authenticity and attention to detail.

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Over time, her storytelling expanded to travel and lifestyle, showcasing destinations in the UAE and abroad. What set her apart was not just the visuals, but the heartfelt stories behind them—lessons learned, emotions felt, and experiences shared. Her authenticity resonated deeply, building a loyal community that trusted her voice.

Awards & Recognitions

Em Serrano’s dedication and influence have earned her numerous prestigious awards, including:

Excellence Woman Awards 2025 – Asia Award Media (Indonesia)

Zomato Top 1 Food Blogger (2018–2023)

Illustrado 100 Most Influential Filipino

Food & Travel Blogger of the Year – Hozpitality Awards

Gawad Pinoy Awards (2022 & 2023)

Filipino Influencer Award (2023)

Korean Beauty Influencer – GCC Region

Recognized Korean Influencer – South Korea

Media Representative – Expo 2020 Dubai

Guest Influencer – PPIE 2022

Brand Ambassador – Leading brands across the UAE

Empowered Woman of Purpose and Impact – Global Filipino Icon Awards 2025

These accolades reflect not only her popularity, but also her professionalism, authenticity, and consistent contribution to the influencer and media industry.

Entrepreneurship and Brand Collaborations

Margarete Serrano is more than just an influencer; she is a thriving entrepreneur. She has partnered with numerous brands in the UAE, taking on roles as a brand ambassador, host, and endorser. Her collaborations range across lifestyle, travel, fashion, and food, showcasing her versatility and strong personal brand.

Her entrepreneurial journey reflects her keen understanding of the industry and her ability to innovate. She doesn’t just promote products; she integrates them authentically into her content, creating stories that resonate with her audience. Margarete has demonstrated that influencer work, when done strategically and passionately, can become a powerful avenue for entrepreneurship.

Commitment to the Community

One of the defining aspects of Margarete Serrano’s career is her commitment to giving back. She actively participates in community initiatives and volunteer projects, using her platform to spread positivity and inspire others to contribute to social causes.

Margarete frequently highlights stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things, encouraging her followers to uplift each other. Her dedication to supporting the Filipino community in the UAE is particularly noteworthy. She serves as a role model, showing that success doesn’t mean leaving your roots behind, but rather using your platform to strengthen and support your community.

Struggles and Resilience

While Margarete’s journey appears glamorous today, it was not without struggles. Like many overseas workers, she faced long hours, financial challenges, and moments of self-doubt. Transitioning from nursing to social media wasn’t easy. She had to learn about photography, video editing, content strategy, and digital marketing from scratch.

Margarete often shares these challenges with her audience, emphasizing that success comes from perseverance and hard work. Her transparency about failures and setbacks makes her relatable, reminding followers that obstacles are a natural part of any journey, and overcoming them is what shapes true success.

Margarete Serrano

Personal Life and Lifestyle

Despite her busy career, Margarete maintains a balanced lifestyle. She values her personal time and frequently shares glimpses of her life, including her family connections, daily routines, and travels. This humanizes her brand and allows her followers to connect with her beyond her professional achievements.

Her lifestyle content is not just about luxury or travel; it reflects experiences that many people can relate to, such as finding joy in small moments, exploring new hobbies, or discovering the beauty in everyday life. Margarete’s approach demonstrates that content creation can be both aspirational and relatable at the same time.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Margarete Serrano has become a source of inspiration for aspiring influencers and entrepreneurs, especially among young Filipinos in the UAE and worldwide. She demonstrates that with passion, persistence, and authenticity, it is possible to create opportunities, even in a foreign country.

Her mentorship, workshops, and interactions with upcoming content creators have empowered many to pursue their dreams. Margarete emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself, consistently delivering value, and never losing sight of personal goals.

Looking Ahead

As Margarete continues to grow her brand, she plans to explore more entrepreneurial ventures, collaborate with international brands, and expand her influence across different media platforms. Her vision extends beyond personal success; she aims to inspire, educate, and create positive change in her community and beyond.

Her journey from a dedicated nurse to a celebrated influencer exemplifies that hard work, authenticity, and courage can open doors to opportunities beyond imagination. Margarete Serrano’s story is not just about fame or recognition it’s about resilience, passion, and making a meaningful impact.

Margarete Serrano’s journey is a reminder that anyone, regardless of their starting point, can achieve greatness with determination, creativity, and a willingness to embrace challenges. She continues to inspire people across the UAE and beyond, proving that dreams are achievable when nurtured with persistence and heart.

Do follow her on Instagram

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