After traveling the world for 17 months, one thing has remained constant ~ whenever I meet a fellow kabayan, there’s an instant connection.
It doesn’t matter if we’ve never met before; we recognise each other immediately.
👉 “Oh, kabayan! Libre na ‘tong drinks mo ah!”
👉 “Bigyan kita ng discount!”
This sense of camaraderie is something 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. It’s not just about working hard ~ it’s about how we move, how we think, and how we position ourselves in foreign countries.
Let’s break it down.
Why Aren’t More Filipinos Thriving Abroad
1. They 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: Some arrive on tourist visas and overstay, thinking they’ll figure it out later. But without the right networks or business mindset and learning the language they settle for low-paying jobs in hospitality or construction, with no way up.
📍 USA: Filipinos risk working illegally, hoping to “fix” their papers later. But instead of positioning themselves for high-income careers, they stay trapped in low-paying service jobs, unable to fully integrate into the system.
📍 The rest of the world: Many Filipinos move just because they have relatives willing to take them in. But without legal residency or language skills, they’re stuck in under-the-table jobs ~ caregivers, waiters, house cleaners, never building real careers, just surviving day by day.
The result? By moving desperately instead of strategically, they make survival their only goal.
🚀 What Smart Filipinos Do Instead:
✅ Choose a country that aligns with skills, goals, and long-term success.
✅ Use legal pathways to set up a strong financial foundation.
✅ Understand that shortcuts lead to lifelong struggles ~ but strategy leads to real success.
2. They 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 most high-paying careers, communication is everything. If you can’t speak confidently, negotiate, or build relationships, you’ll always be stuck in low-paying roles.
🌍 Example: Filipinos in non-English-speaking countries like Italy, France and Spain struggle to move beyond blue-collar jobs because they never master the language. This keeps them from better career opportunities, business deals, and leadership roles.
In America, it goes further than knowing English. American accents gives you better leverage in many roles.
🚀 What Smart Filipinos Do Instead:
✅ Invest in learning the local language or improving their English.
✅ Take online courses, join local groups, and practice daily.
✅ Understand that language = power when it comes to career growth.
3. They Stick to Filipino Communities Instead of Expanding Their Network
Filipinos love their kabayan communities, and that’s great! But if all your friends are Filipino, you’re limiting yourself.
👥 Many Filipinos abroad only hang out with other Filipinos, meaning they never build the connections that could 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 themselves with people who push them to grow.
4. They Send Every Peso Back Home ~ Without Saving for Themselves
Filipinos are known for being 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 be earning in dollars, euros, or dirhams, but if they give it all away to their families ~ who become dependent on them ~ they stay stuck in the rat race.
🚀 What Smart Filipinos Do Instead:
✅ Support family without sacrificing their own financial growth.
✅ Invest in businesses, real estate, or assets to build wealth.
✅ Teach their families to become self-reliant, instead of just relying on remittances.
5. They 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.
💸 Examples:
❌ Paying more for flights because they don’t book strategically.
❌ Wasting money on agencies for things they could do online.
❌ Buying unnecessary insurances instead of researching smarter options.
🚀 What Smart Filipinos Do Instead:
✅ Learn how to book flights, manage visas, and handle finances online.
✅ Use YouTube, blogs, and free courses to educate themselves.
✅ Stay ahead of technology trends to save time and money.
Final Thoughts: Are You Thriving or Just Surviving?
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 truly separate those who thrive from those who just survive.
If you’re a Filipino abroad (or planning to move), ask yourself:
- Are you in a country that matches your long-term goals?
- Are you upskilling, networking, and leveraging technology?
- Are you building a future for yourself, or just working to survive?
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about where you move ~ it’s about how you move.
Go figure. 🚀
