Millions of Filipinos want to leave the Philippines to make a living, grow their careers, and pursue a higher quality of life.
Especially for those of us dreaming of working in Web3, the biggest blockchain companies from Coinbase to a16z operate overseas.
In today’s article we tackle methods of how to move abroad. We include quotes and interviews from various local Web3 professionals who have successfully left the country and made a name for themselves. To add, several of them have also returned home to contribute to nation building.
Go where you are meant to grow.
Marry a foreigner (hello, AFAM lovers)
AFAM – noun. A foreigner assigned to Manila. Slang for foreigners in the Philippines.
Before you get offended, yours truly is married to a foreigner.
Marrying a foreigner is one of the most practical ways to leave the Philippines. After legal marriage, you get to apply for a foreign visa which allows you to work and move abroad long term. If you are also willing to change citizenships, getting a stronger passport can set you up for more international mobility.
Participating in events which foreigners frequent, will increase your chances of finding the foreign love of your life. Here are some activities to take note of:
- Scuba Diving and water sports – many foreigners come here for tourism.
- Cafes in high-end cities – they love coffee and bread products.
- Dating applications – yes, they are people too whom can be found online.
This is not to say, you should go out and hunt foreigners in the country. But if you believe that love has no boundaries, then take your shot.
Study overseas to leave the Philippines
Glerren Bangalan, Head of Community at DiamondNFT Supercommunity recently announced one of the biggest highlights of her career – pursuing studies in a drama school in the UK:
I wanted to get away from that (hustle culture) mindset and find joy in discovery and learning again. I chose to do it abroad so I can be really removed from my comfort zone.
Pursuing studies abroad allows you to gain an international mindset and network with the biggest organizations. However, given the cost of living overseas, not everyone is blessed with an opportunity to leave the Philippines and study in another country.
Being an international student will already cost me, so I’ll need to make sure I’m responsible with my finances in the next 2+ years.
Financial aid and scholarships can help less privileged students to fulfill their dreams.
Sean Go, co-founder of crypto hedge fund HGR Digital Asset Group, received a merit based scholarship worth $56,000 during his stay at Emory University, Atlanta USA. He also co-founded GoFurther Careers, to help other international students with higher education applications.
Furthermore, certain organizations offer full tuition and living allowance grants:
- Chevening – United Kingdom government scholarship program.
- Fulbright – a United States cultural exchange program
- Asian Development Bank – funded by the regional development bank
- Government Scholarships – direct funding from Japan, Germany, and China among others.
Note that some of these scholarships come with the condition that you have to return to their home country upon completion of the study program. However, the invaluable experience from living abroad will greatly benefit your profile.
Pursue remote work
If you want to work remotely, then you can start your own business, jump into freelancing and Web3, or simply apply to a company that offers complete work-from-home setup.
Ron Pangyarihan, the former Head of Content at The Mega Maxi, founded Cadian Studios. The creative and media agency has allowed him to become his own boss and work from several countries such as Hong Kong, Thailand, and Taiwan. He can leave the Philippines, operate his business, and come back at his own choosing.
Meanwhile, Jhasmin Vidal and Ayah Busara, core members of the The Mega Maxi team, have been freelancing and dominating from opposite ends of the Philippines. Technically, they could work from another country and still fulfill their responsibilities.
Over 50 countries now offer a digital nomad visa which allows professionals who clear a certain wealth threshold to stay in their countries for 1 to 2 years:
- Georgia (Europe) – income requirement of USD24,000 per year.
- Malaysia (Asia) – a Philippine neighbour. Annual income floor of USD24,000.
- Ecuador (Latin America) – for a 2-year stay, income requirements are competitive at USD15,300
The examples above comprise the more relaxed countries. Some nations will have much higher income requirements.
Conclusion
Why do we need to leave the Philippines?
Learn new ideas and pursue the best for oneself wherever that may be.
The Philippines is ranked 79th in the global Quality of Life Index. The country lags behind in many national metrics such as purchasing power, traffic commute time and pollution among other categories.
We must from other countries and implement improvements back home.
Furthermore, being a Filipino has nothing to do with geography. Whether you are located in the Philippines or across the globe in Mexico, it boils down to how you carry yourself in life.
