Filipino restaurant manager at Ming Dynasty Dubai Mall goes viral over 7-digit salary

Estimated read time5 min read

Leon Oraiz is the restaurant manager of Ming Dynasty at Dubai Mall. EXPAT MEDIA

Meet Leon Oraiz, the Filipino restaurant manager at Dubai Mall who went viral over his 7-digit salary.

For weeks, Leon’s face flashed across social media after an ambush interview caught him blurting out what sounded like an outrageous paycheck.

“Yes, I’m the guy with the 2.1 million salary,” Leon says with a laugh when Expat Media sat down with him at Ming Dynasty, the new high-end restaurant at Dubai Mall’s Fountain Views. “But, let me clarify—it’s 2.1 million pesos annually. People thought I was bragging or lying. It was an ambush interview and I had no chance to explain. It was my first time being interviewed, so I really had no idea it would blow up like that!”

Leon admits the viral video caused some personal bashing online—but it also had an unexpected upside. “Our restaurant saw more guests coming in, and some even wanted to have their photo taken with me,” he says with a grin. “One customer told me, ‘Sir, I came here just to see you and eat at the restaurant after watching your video.’”

The viral video may have put his name out there, but Leon wants to be remembered for more than a misunderstood soundbite. His real story—one of struggles, second chances, and relentless hard work—is the one worth sharing.

Just last year, Leon’s situation couldn’t have been more different. “I was out of work for at least six months,” he recalls. “I was at my lowest point. My family in the Philippines had to sell the jewelry I gave them just to send me money here.”

Flatmates and friends chipped in to keep him afloat, but Leon admits he nearly gave up. Then came a call that changed everything: a friend introduced him to the owner of a new restaurant concept at Dubai Mall.

“There were other applicants, but they picked me,” Leon says. “In my previous roles, I never just stuck to my job description. I always wanted to learn more. So I learned about HR, hiring people, F&B sourcing, costing—the ins and outs of the restaurant business. That extra effort made me stand out.”

From Cebu to Ming Dynasty at Dubai Mall

Today, Leon is leading Ming Dynasty, which he proudly calls Dubai Mall’s first international buffet with 188 dishes and its very first karaoke room. The restaurant is a feast not just for the stomach but also for the senses.

The interiors are swanky yet playful, with dining areas designed to fit every mood. One section feels like stepping into a galaxy, where the ceiling glistens in a modernized version of dragon scales. A massive buffet spreads across the floor, complete with live grill stations, while the luxury karaoke room—big enough to fit a lively group of friends—adds a uniquely social twist to fine dining at Dubai Mall.

Getting the restaurant off the ground wasn’t easy. “Before we opened to the public, I worked from 8am until 2am every day,” Leon says. “One time, I was so exhausted I dozed off at a corner table. The owner woke me up with a gentle tap on my shoulder and a cup of coffee. That’s why I love working here—there’s so much respect for employees.”

On the day of Expat Media’s visit, Leon was in the middle of onboarding a new head chef, carefully balancing interviews, paperwork, and guest experience. At one point, the restaurant’s owner—dressed simply in a white t-shirt and jeans—walked by and Leon politely asked how he found that day’s buffet. The owner responded with a thumbs up and a huge smile, a gesture that spoke volumes about the trust and camaraderie behind the Ming Dynasty team.

Leon’s journey began 12 years ago when he arrived in Dubai from Cebu City. Starting as a waiter, he worked his way up through sheer determination.

“I’m proud to be a Filipino and OFW in Dubai,” he says. “We are praised by other nationalities here. I am the first Filipino restaurant manager of this group of companies, and that makes me even prouder.”
For Leon, his role at Ming Dynasty is more than just a career milestone. It is proof that Dubai’s opportunities are wide open for those willing to push beyond limits.

Lessons from a viral life

Reflecting on the viral “7-digit salary” video that first brought him attention, Leon says he has no regrets. “It was funny, really. But I’d rather be known for my hard work than for a number that people misunderstood.”

Instead, he hopes his story inspires others facing tough times. “Don’t give up. Be strong. Whatever challenges come your way, you can handle it,” he says. PIA/Expat Media