Domestic Helper-Turned-Tech CEO: Myrna Padilla's Story
Myrna Padilla, born in a small coastal village in the Philippines, once worked as a domestic helper in Asia to support her family. But today, she's the CEO of Mynd Consulting, a tech company she founded in Davao City—built on years of grit, heartbreak, and hope.
A childhood shaped by poverty and survival
Growing up in a bamboo hut by the sea, Myrna experienced hunger, bullying, and hard labor early in life. At just 10 years old, she was already diving for fish and selling seaweed to help feed her family. Despite being teased for her appearance, she learned to win people over with her personality, jokes, and songs—skills that would later help her navigate life far beyond her fishing village.
From trafficking survivor to overseas worker
As a teenager, Myrna was tricked by a recruiter who promised her a singing job in Japan. Instead, she ended up working unpaid in Manila as a domestic worker. Eventually, she escaped and found a support system that gave her a new start. Her journey led her to become an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), working as a helper in Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong for nearly 20 years.
The emotional pain of leaving her children behind was her greatest burden, but she pushed forward to give them an education—and succeeded.
Her big break: A computer and a little boy
In Hong Kong, Myrna worked for a kind family who entrusted her with caring for their son, Jonathan. That young boy taught her how to use a computer. What started as a way to keep an eye on him soon became a powerful tool that opened a new world of possibilities.
She also founded the Mindanao Hong Kong Workers Federation, where she helped fellow OFWs and grew passionate about empowering women through community and technology.
A dream fulfilled back home
When her daughters graduated college, Myrna returned to the Philippines and launched Mynd Consulting, a small outsourcing company that began with just two staff and one old computer. Today, her business serves clients across the U.S. and Europe and provides local jobs—keeping Filipino families together.
For Myrna, success isn't just about profit. It's about giving others the chance she never had. Every job she creates is one less Filipino forced to work overseas.
Giving back through tech
Myrna is also behind OFW Watch, a tech-driven advocacy network designed to combat human trafficking and protect migrant workers through digital tools and community volunteers. It's her way of using technology not just to build a business—but to save lives.
From the shores of poverty to the frontlines of the tech industry, Myrna Padilla's story is a testament to resilience, courage, and the power of hope.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
6 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
India's $2.4 trillion gold stash outshines global central banks
India's cultural and economic fascination with gold has turned the country into the world's largest private gold vault. Households, including religious institutions like temples, collectively hold an estimated 25,000 tonnes of gold, valued at approximately $2.4 trillion at current market prices, according to the World Gold Council (WGC). This massive stockpile equates to nearly 56 per cent of India's projected nominal GDP for FY26, underlining the metal's central role in the nation's financial ecosystem. A recent report by HSBC reveals that Indian household gold reserves have surpassed the combined official gold holdings of the world's top 10 central banks — including the US, Germany, Italy, France, Russia, China, Switzerland, Japan, Turkiye, and India itself. While these central banks hold strategic reserves as part of their monetary policy frameworks, Indian families have long embraced gold as a personal hedge against inflation, economic instability, and currency depreciation. India ranks second globally in annual gold consumption, just behind China, and consistently imports between 700 and 900 tonnes of gold each year. In 2023 alone, India imported over 800 tonnes of gold, significantly contributing to the country's current account deficit. Despite its negative impact on trade balances, gold continues to be seen as a safe, inflation-resistant store of value, especially in rural and semi-urban households where access to formal banking remains limited. 'As the world increasingly turns to gold amid geopolitical tensions and inflation fears, India's quiet gold hoarding may offer both a challenge and an opportunity — a symbol of trust in tradition and a vast untapped reserve in the global financial landscape,' JK Bhaskar, a Dubai-based precious metal analyst, said. Gold is also deeply embedded in Indian social and religious customs. From weddings and festivals to donations in temples and religious trusts, the demand for gold remains culturally robust. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), Shirdi Sai Baba temple, and Padmanabhaswamy Temple are among India's largest institutional gold holders, with combined assets running into several hundred tonnes. Much of this gold remains idle or locked in vaults, although various schemes have been introduced by the government to monetise these holdings. In recent years, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been steadily expanding its own gold reserves, in line with a global trend among central banks diversifying away from US dollar-denominated assets. RBI's gold reserves currently stand at around 820 tonnes, reflecting a 14 per cent increase over the past three years. Analysts see this as a prudent move to bolster financial stability amid global economic uncertainty and de-dollarisation trends. While successive Indian governments have attempted to reduce gold imports through higher duties and gold monetisation schemes, the metal remains deeply entrenched in household balance sheets. With gold prices hovering near all-time highs, many see the asset not just as jewellery or tradition, but as a strategic long-term investment.
Zawya
8 hours ago
- Zawya
The Saudi Arabia pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka achieves 1 million visitors
A significant milestone was reached on May 14, 2025, with the Pavilion recording 17,969 visitors in a single day. Irth Restaurant and Café welcomed 58,135 guests with over 45,000 cups of coffee served. The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is open daily from 09:00 – 21:00, inside the West Gate in the Connecting Zone (C14-01). Osaka, Japan — The Saudi Arabia Pavilion has celebrated a historic milestone by welcoming over one million visitors at Expo 2025 Osaka. Since opening on April 13, 2025, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion has hosted 1,137 events, with 1,021 held inside the Pavilion and 116 within the Expo 2025 Osaka venue. The Saudi Arabia Pavilion, the second largest after the host country, Japan, is designed by Foster + Partners to showcase Saudi Arabia's rich heritage and culture and demonstrate the country's goals of fostering sustainable and empowered societies. Made from lightweight Saudi stone, the Pavilion design creates a spatial experience that echoes the exploration of towns and cities throughout the country, reflecting the country's deep-rooted cultural heritage. Providing a multi-sensory experience that showcases Saudi Arabia's transformative journey under Vision 2030, the Pavilion shares the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing the quality of life through innovation and technological modernisation. The Pavilion has also been recognized for its innovation, style and impact at the 2025 New York Architectural Design Awards by winning Gold under the 'Cultural Architecture - Interactive and Experiential Spaces' category. Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Japan and Commissioner General of the Saudi Arabia Pavilion, 'We are honored to mark this significant milestone and the Saudi Arabia Pavilion's success in reaching 1 million visitors, which underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to showing its transformation under Vision 2030 and inviting the world to experience its heritage and foster cultural exchange. As we move towards reaching the next million, the Pavilion remains committed to inspiring visitors to learn about Saudi Arabia's achievements, and we look forward to deepening impact and welcoming the world. Our participation in Expo 2025 Osaka embodies our strong relationship with Japan, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations this year. As we journey towards Expo 2030 in Riyadh, we will leave a legacy here in Osaka. Expo 2030 Riyadh will be a testament to Saudi Arabia's transformation as a global destination – and we are eager to welcome the world to Saudi Arabia.' Featuring over 700 events through the Expo program, ranging from live performances, dances and traditional shows, visitors to the Saudi Arabia Pavilion can experience a wide range of Saudi culture, heritage and art through programs. These include Ahlan Wa Sahlan, We Are Saudi Arabia, The Botanist Augmented Reality experience, and musical and artistic performances at the Cultural Studios and signature events celebrating Saudi Arabia's most important milestones, including Saudi National Day on September 23. In addition, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion offers an exciting visitor journey across seven immersive rooms and galleries, from The Evolving Cities, Sustainable Seas, Unlimited Human Potential, and The Pinnacle of Innovation, where every visitor can see up close the Kingdom's global impact. The full program of events for the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is available on the official website: Media Contact: Email: Media@ Website & Social Media Handles: Instagram: @ksaexpo2025 X: @KSAExpo2025_ YouTube: @KSAExpo2025 LinkedIn: Saudi Arabia at Expo Facebook: KSA Expo 2025 TikTok: @ksaexpo LINE: KSA 大阪万博2025 Website:
Khaleej Times
8 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE emerges as global leader amid rising geopolitical tensions, says expert
As global power dynamics evolve in unpredictable ways, the UAE is emerging as a model of resilience and opportunity in a rapidly transforming international environment. Experts in the UAE highlighted the country's 'nimble approach' to global disruption — fuelled by investment in knowledge, climate solutions, and cross-border partnerships — is positioning the UAE as a pivotal player in an era marked by volatility and competition. Amid escalating conflict and mounting tensions in the Middle East, Trevor McFarlane, Founder and CEO of Emerging Markets Intelligence & Research (EMIR), said, 'President Trump comes to power in this second term and he recognises that we are in this multi-unstable, multi-polar period… you have a geopolitical, geo-economic, technological, environmental, even from a sociological perspective, you have a 'volcano world'.' He made the statement while speaking at the 'News9 Global Summit UAE' on Thursday, June 19. McFarlane added, 'And this completely changes the chapter of where we're in (one that challenges conventional assumptions about stability).' Strategic alliances drive UAE's global relevance However, he reiterated that rather than retreating in the face of such uncertainty, the UAE is leaning into its global role with a future-ready strategy focused on innovation, sustainability, and smart diplomacy. The country's expanding partnership with India — one of the world's fastest-growing economies — is just one example of how it's turning disruption into opportunity. 'You have two countries, India and the UAE… there is a remarkable opportunity as a result of this… and you have a country like the UAE, which is admirably nimble,' McFarlane added. He emphasised that future global leadership will be shaped not only by geopolitical strength but also by advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and decarbonisation. Meanwhile, as McFarlane emphasised on the UAE's global agility in the face of sweeping disruptions, another expert had similarly pointed out how this approach was mirrored in the country's evolving geopolitical alliances. Kristian Patrick Alexander, Lead Researcher at Rabdan Academy, in an earlier interview with Khaleej Times underlined the UAE's emphasis on regional cooperation and stability through practical, forward-thinking agreements. 'Trump prioritised (in his first term as President) bolstering ties with key allies like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, seeking to counterbalance Iranian influence in the region through a combination of sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and arms deals. His administration's hallmark achievement — the Abraham Accords — focused on fostering economic and security cooperation between Israel and several Arab nations, marking a shift toward a Middle East strategy rooted in coalition-building against common adversaries.' 'The UAE's commitment to innovation and security fits Trump's pragmatic approach, which values partnerships with nations willing to bolster regional stability and economic development,' he added. Specialists also noted that as the international system confronts increasing complexity, the UAE's blend of strategic foresight, innovation-driven policies, and global partnerships offers a roadmap for how nations can thrive — even in the most uncertain of times. From launching AI-powered government initiatives to hosting global sustainability forums, the UAE continues to invest in long-term relevance. 'The race for knowledge supremacy… AI would be one, decarbonisation and climate change would be the other,' McFarlane said. 'There will be parts of the world that will experience great instability… but the UAE's positioning gives it an edge.'
