After traveling the world for 17 months, one thing stayed constant ~ whenever I meet a fellow kabayan, there's an instant connection.
“Oh, kabayan! Libre na ‘tong drinks mo ah!” ~ “Bigyan kita ng discount!”
That sense of camaraderie is uniquely Filipino. I've met wealthy kabayans ~ entrepreneurs who built businesses and now travel in luxury. But most of the Filipinos I meet abroad aren't thriving ~ they're just surviving. And the more I observe, the clearer the patterns become.
01They let the country choose them
For a lot of Filipinos, moving abroad isn't about choosing the best opportunity ~ it's about getting out as fast as possible. Instead of planning for long-term success, they take the first chance they get, even if it means being undocumented or stuck in low-paying jobs.
Spain, the USA, and the rest of the world all have the same trap waiting: if you move without legal residency, language skills, or a real plan, you end up in low-paying service work or under-the-table jobs, never building a career ~ only survival.
What smart Filipinos do instead
- Choose a country that matches your skills, goals, and long-term plan.
- Use legal pathways to build a strong financial foundation.
- Remember that shortcuts lead to lifelong struggles ~ strategy leads to real success.
02They don’t improve their English or the local language
Many Filipinos abroad settle for jobs that don't require strong communication skills, thinking they can get by without improving their English or learning the local language. But in high-paying careers, communication is everything.
If you can't speak confidently, negotiate, or build relationships, you stay boxed into low-paying roles. In countries like Italy, France, and Spain, language is often the wall between blue-collar work and better opportunities. In America, even your accent can shape how far you go.
What smart Filipinos do instead
- Invest in the local language or sharpen your English.
- Take online courses, join local groups, and practice daily.
- Treat language like power ~ because that is exactly what it is.
03They stay inside the Filipino circle
Filipinos love their kabayan communities, and that's great. But if all your friends are Filipino, you're limiting yourself. Hanging out only with other Filipinos can feel comfortable, but it often means you never build the connections that lead to better jobs, business opportunities, or mentorships.
What smart Filipinos do instead
- Network with locals and professionals outside the Filipino circle.
- Join business groups, meetups, and industry events.
- Surround yourself with people who push you to grow.
04They send every peso home without saving for themselves
Filipinos are family-oriented, which is both our greatest strength and our biggest weakness. Many overseas Filipinos send everything they earn back home, thinking it's their duty. But in doing so, they never build their own savings or investments.
A Filipino working abroad might earn in dollars, euros, or dirhams but still stay stuck in the rat race if every paycheck disappears into remittances and dependency.
What smart Filipinos do instead
- Support family without sacrificing your own financial growth.
- Invest in businesses, real estate, or assets that build wealth.
- Teach your family to become self-reliant instead of only dependent.
05They don’t leverage technology to their advantage
Filipinos abroad often pay more than they should for simple things just because they don't take advantage of technology and online resources. Flights, visas, finances, and everyday logistics all get easier when you learn how to use the tools already available.
The difference between surviving and thriving is often just a better system.
What smart Filipinos do instead
- Learn how to book flights, manage visas, and handle finances online.
- Use YouTube, blogs, and free courses to educate yourself.
- Stay ahead of technology trends so you save time and money.
Are you thrivingor just surviving?
At the end of the day, it's not about where you move ~ it's about how you move.
If you're a Filipino abroad,ask yourself:
- 1. Are you in a country that matches your long-term goals?
- 2. Are you upskilling, networking, and leveraging technology?
- 3. Are you building a future for yourself, or just working to survive?
Filipinos are some of the hardest-working, most resilient people in the world. But hard work alone isn't enough ~ strategy, mindset, and execution are what separate those who thrive from those who just survive.
