One of Dubai's well-known photographers, Khrista Francis "Hyku" Desesto, was named as one of the honorees for the 2023 Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Awards. She is the first Dabawenya to be named as TOYM and was recognized as an OFW empowerment advocate.

TOYM is an annual national recognition awarded to Filipinos, 18 to 40 years old, who have made significant contributions to their fields and their communities. The prestigious award is organized by JCI Philippines with the support of the TOYM Foundation.

Hyku said the award highlights her struggles and achievements. From a so-called high school brat to a person who has grown and matured, she persevered as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) and a single mother in a distant land. She dedicated the award to her parents who have supported her amidst the immaturity and turmoil she brought to them in her younger years.

“The significance of this award is giving honor to my parents and my family, kasi (because) it is having to prove to them also that I've grown up and I’m matured.  And this is a great way of honoring what I did and what my parents did for me -- their love, their patience, and support,” says the 35-year old Hyku.

The acclaimed Dabawenya photographer is currently the owner of Hyku D. Photography and Videography, a Dubai-based professional photography and videography studio whose list of clients includes big multinational brands (Netflix, Vogue Arabia, Louis Vuitton, Adidas, Dolce & Gabbana, Puma). Her company has also worked with A-List celebrities such as supermodel Gigi Hadid, pop superstar Mariah Carey, Hollywood actresses Eva Longoria and Lindsey Lohan.

and getting kicked out of school. Hyku’s father came back from Saudi Arabia with a plan of taking the family with him to the Middle East.

She became pregnant at 19 and after giving birth to her son Vitto, Hyku decided to shape up and become more mature. She went to Dubai in 2010 as an OFW, and her first jobs in the United Arab Emirates were far from her current field.

“I tried being a receptionist, then a digital marketer. Had desk jobs, but I was not happy. Hindi talaga to para sa akin kasi nakaupo lang ako (This is not for me, I am always sitting),” Hyku recalled her early days in Dubai.

She remembers her father’s work as a People’s Television cameraman and editor, where she would accompany him in his different coverages across Davao City.

“Papa would be tired after his coverage but I could sense that even if he is tired there is joy; he is enjoying his job. I wanted to have a job like that where I would love and be happy while working,” she said.

Hyku decided to try her luck and applied to a photography studio owned by an Indian national.

“They had no Filipino photographer in the team, when I was hired they just kept me at the back until one day the studio had a double booking and they lacked photographers. They had no choice but put me in front facing the clients and it worked out,” she recalled her beginnings as a photographer.

A year later, she gambled by leaving the studio and becoming a freelance photographer. After learning about the business from her previous employer, she would flourish as a female photographer in Dubai.

Among these accolades are being named Photographer of the Year by the Filipino Times and XPedition Magazine, and being named among the 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf by Ilustrado Magazine. She was also named among five of Dubai’s Coolest Female Entrepreneurs by Harper’s Bazaar Arabia.

Her advice to young people going into business is to develop genuine connections and relationships and learn how to sustain those connections.

“Yun ang nakita ko na nag work out with me. Dapat genuine ang relationship mo sa tao, hindi ka makipagfriends dahil meron ka makuha sa kanya or para lang maka-network it has to be sincere and real,” Hyku said.

(That is what I see that worked out for me, your relationship must be genuine, do not just befriend because you can benefit from that person or for a network, that friendship must be sincere and real.)

She said those clients will cherish and remember you, and when they climb up the ladder, they will also bring you up.

And as a piece of advice to OFWs, Hyku said they must be tough and strong and also kind at the same time.