Amibet Keintoy, owner of Al Rigga restaurant (Dubai)
“Nothing can stop you from achieving your dream – not even failure.”
Amibet Keintoy, known to Filipinos in this part of Dubai as “ma’am Ambhing”, opened Al Rigga restaurant last March.
By December, Caintoy’s was expanded to accommodate more customers.
Caintoy is also opening two branches in Dubai and another in the neighboring emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
“Bata pa lang ako, trasera na ako (I have been in business since I was a child),” Keintoy, a graduate of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro, told The Manila Times.
Keintoy came to Dubai in 2008 and worked as an accountant.
In 2013, she ran a bakery kiosk in a hypermarket in the Murakkabat area of Deira, Dubai. However, the business only operated for a year, as the store was closed.
Two years later, she teamed up with her classmates and opened a restaurant. However, disagreements led to its closure.
“Hindi magandang magnegosyo ng may mga kasama, lalo na kung mga kaibigan, kasi mahirap i-explain. Nasira angFriendship namin (It’s not good to go into business with someone else as partners, especially friends. It’s hard to explain how the business should run. Our friendship was ruined),” Keintoy said, referring to her experience of a failed venture.
In 2018, Kaintoy opened a food stand called “Karendriya” in a supermarket also in Murakkabat. The store continues to operate to this day.
Keintoy and her husband Noel also run a Filipino restaurant at Business Bay in Dubai.
“Nothing can stop you from achieving your dreams — not even failure,” Keintoy said.
No social media account
Keintoy said Al Rigga, a 24-hour restaurant, has been successful even without the social media presence that other restaurant owners use to attract customers.
“Hindi Kami are active on social media,” she said. “Word of mouth radio”.
What might make a difference is the location of the restaurant, which sits right in the middle of apartment buildings occupied by hundreds of Filipino workers, as well as the Dubai Metro’s rail transit station.
“Alam mo naman sa mga flats – ‘yung kusina laging puno ng mga nagluluto lalo paggagaling sa trabaho. Instead, na magdhu pa sila kahit pagod na, kami na lang ang nagluluto para sa kanila (You know how it is in apartments. The kitchen) is always full of people preparing food, especially after coming home from work. So instead we cook for them),” Keintoy said.
Proof that the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach is Amibet Keintoy, who successfully opened a blockbuster Filipino restaurant that will open two branches in just a year. Photos provided
By noon, those who worked the evening shift were walking past Al Rigga for a bite to eat.
In the wee hours, especially on weekends and paydays, Filipinos who had had a few drinks and partied up in nearby bars also went to Caintoy’s for hot balbaqua, a delicacy made from softened cowhide or lanciao. commonly known at home in the Philippines as “Soup Number 5” or a thick broth made from ox testicles believed to have aphrodisiac properties.
Keintoy said balbaqua and lanciao, exotic dishes hard to find in the Middle East, have made her restaurant popular.
The Al Rigga restaurant has 37 employees, including a team of chefs. The spread features Filipino favorites such as ginataang langka, gotong batangas, bopi and chicken barbecue, among others. The restaurant also has sweets, even turon on saba.
About me
First salary
100 pesos a day in 2002 when he worked at a farmer’s cooperative in Bukidnon.
morning ritual
I am not a lark.
social media time
I can live without a phone. I don’t really like social media, but I love reading inspiring books.
Best Skills
Communication is very important. I think I can say that I have very good people skills. I can easily communicate with people regardless of status.
fact of life
If God has chosen you to be the boat, God will not let you drown. Because God does not want other people in the boat to drown with her.