Cover Uno Adventure and Holidays general manager Maria Javier believes in a world without borders for every Filipino
Uno Adventure and Holidays general manager Maria Javier believes in a world without borders for every Filipino
1 / 1
Tatler+
Helmed by Maria Javier, Uno Adventure and Holidays is making the world more accessible for Filipinos, one journey at a time
“My very first trip to Dubai was as a tourist,” Uno Adventure and Holidays general manager Maria Javier recalls. Landing in 2007, she only planned a short trip to visit and accompany her then pregnant sister. “While I was there, my sister, without telling me at first, began sending my résumé to different companies.” At her sister’s urging, Javier found employment in a travel agency, transforming her brief visit into a year and a half immersion in world-class travel operations.
When she returned to the Philippines in 2009, Javier founded Uno Adventure and Holidays, drawing upon the knowledge she absorbed during her time in Dubai. Aside from the technical aspects, she found out that the true measure of excellence in running a travel agency lay in personal interaction. “Travel, for us, is never just a transaction,” Javier says. “It is a personal journey from start to finish.” With offices in both Manila and Dubai, Uno features a wide range of curated domestic getaways, regional escapes and their packaged international tours. “This dual presence gives us a unique advantage as we can seamlessly serve clients whether they are travelling within Asia, heading to Europe or exploring the Middle East.”
See more: These are the most iconic skylines in Asia—see if your city made the list
Above Javier wears an Azucar top with side ties, an Azucar midi circle skirt and Pamanna Jewellery, including pearl drop earrings and slim gold cuffs; as well as her own shoes and Cartier band
Javier wears an Azucar top with side ties, an Azucar midi circle skirt and Pamanna Jewellery, including pearl drop earrings and slim gold cuffs; as well as her own shoes and Cartier band
1 / 1
Beyond crossing oceans and international borders, Uno routinely looks inward. “Every year, especially during Christmas, we make it a tradition to visit our partner charities, such as Virlanie Foundation, which cares for abandoned children and those with disabilities,” Javier enthuses. She also continues a small charity started by her late mother, which supports abandoned infants and elderly. “These initiatives may differ in scale,” she remarks, “but the goal is always the same: to create something lasting, to uplift lives and to use our platforms to share kindness and hope.”
In case you missed it: The best Christmas movies for your zodiac sign: what to watch this holiday season
Above Javier ensures all journeys taken under Uno are deeply personal
Above To Javier, travel is intrinsic to both her career and personal life
Javier ensures all journeys taken under Uno are deeply personal
1 / 2
As an individual whose work is dedicated to helping others plan their vacations, Javier acknowledges that it can be difficult to separate herself from the business when she is on personal trips. “The lines between work and leisure can easily blur,” she reflects. “For me, the key is setting intentional boundaries.” This means she fully entrusts her usual duties to her team and focuses solely on enjoying herself. “Travel fuels my creativity,” she adds, “so, a true vacation is about giving myself the space to live in the moment and soak it all in, without turning it into work.”
Interestingly, travel is intrinsic to Javier, both in terms of her career and life. “It’s more than a personal love—it is how I recharge, gain fresh perspectives and find inspiration beyond the office.
Still, she sees the importance of striking a balance between career and personal life. For the latter, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, with whom she shares an interest in fitness and wellness. They often attend fitness classes together at Bare Manila and go on long jogs. She has taken the latter, it seems, as a personal challenge. “I ran my first World Marathon Major in Berlin in 2023, joined Hyrox in Taipei in April, and I am now on a journey to complete all seven World Marathon Majors.”
Above Javier wears a Zara textured blazer, a Zara marled waistcoat, Zara textured trousers and Pamanna Jewellery, including a layered pearl necklaces and gold weave ring
Javier wears a Zara textured blazer, a Zara marled waistcoat, Zara textured trousers and Pamanna Jewellery, including a layered pearl necklaces and gold weave ring
1 / 1
Like any mother, she has her own dreams for her daughter. “I want her to aspire without limits but always stay grounded, to face challenges with strength and to treat everyone she meets with a generous and good heart. I want her to know she is deeply loved and that she has the power to achieve anything she sets her mind to.” There are also five special dogs—three in Manila and two in Dubai—that keep her happy and grounded, taking the task of walking them around the city whenever she can.
Javier’s life beyond the boardroom takes her farther than the horizon, but her heart always returns home, through simple joys and quality time with her family. “In the end, I hope Uno will shape not just how Filipinos travel, but how they experience the joy of discovery, the beauty of culture and the memories that last a lifetime.”
Find a new journey and destination at unotours.com.
NOW READ
DMark Beauty CEO Nikki Tang on her life outside the boardroom
No jump scares, no problem: this horror filmmaker can terrify you without the shocks
Inside the Tatler community’s most spectacular Halloween 2025 looks
Credits
Photography: JV Rabano
Production: James Mayo, Bianca Simeon and Johannah Reglos
Styling: Nasia Cammayo
Make-Up: Kaye Misajon
Hair: Patty Cristobal
Photography Assistant: Peter John Salazar
Stylist's Assistant: Cathlyn Guiao
Make-up Assistant: Mark Panganiban
About
Tobias wants to write things that make people think, laugh, and reflect. He’s especially proud when he can sneak in a cheeky pop-culture reference or a pun in his titles and articles.
He possesses a deep love of history, resulting from years of books, games, and museum visits. It was this fascination with the human endeavour that fostered his love of writing, spanning genres, tones, and moods. He one day hopes to write a novel—he just hasn't decided on a genre yet. A certified homebody, you'll often find him on the computer he built himself, binge-watching Seinfeld or House, playing his favourite gacha game, or reading a book.
Work
Tobias is a features writer that specialises in branded content. Reach out to him at tobias.tomas@tatlerasia.com.
