The scorching Qatari sun beat down on Ramon’s back as he mixed cement, the gritty dust stinging his eyes. It was 1997, and the Asian financial crisis was rippling across the globe, its tremors reaching even the construction sites of Doha. Back in the Philippines, the peso was plummeting, and Ramon knew that every riyal…

The COVID-19 pandemic cast a long shadow across the globe, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations. Among them, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), particularly domestic helpers in Saudi Arabia, faced unprecedented challenges. The 2020s became a crucible, testing their resilience, adaptability, and financial security. This period underscored the critical need for financial literacy among OFWs, a skillset vital…

The aroma of adobo, sinigang, and kare-kare, once confined to the kitchens of the Philippines, is increasingly wafting through Canadian cities. This culinary migration is driven by a growing number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), particularly chefs, seeking opportunities and a better future in Canada. As we look towards the future of work in 2030…

The exodus of Filipino professionals, particularly in the medical field, has been a long-standing phenomenon. For decades, Filipino doctors have sought opportunities abroad, driven by a complex interplay of factors – higher salaries, better professional development, and the promise of a more secure future for their families. Japan, with its aging population and advanced medical…

The narrative of the Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) is one deeply woven into the fabric of the Philippines’ socio-economic landscape. Beginning in the 1970s, the government actively promoted labor export as a key strategy for economic development, sending Filipinos across the globe to fill various roles and remit earnings back home. This policy, while contributing…

The aroma of adobo and sinigang hung heavy in the London air, a stark contrast to the fish and chips traditionally wafting from nearby pubs. The 1990s witnessed a surge in Filipino chefs arriving in the United Kingdom, driven by a confluence of factors, most notably the devastating 1997 Asian financial crisis. For many, the…

The late 1990s were a tumultuous time for many Asian economies. The Asian financial crisis, which began in Thailand in 1997, quickly spread throughout the region, causing currencies to plummet, businesses to collapse, and unemployment to soar. For the Philippines, a nation heavily reliant on remittances from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), the crisis presented a…

The exodus of Filipino workers seeking opportunities abroad has been a defining characteristic of the Philippine economy for decades. Among these Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), chefs have carved a significant niche, particularly in the United States. Their journey, however, has been shaped by various global and regional forces, including the tumultuous period of the 1990s…

The shimmering skyline of Doha in the early 2000s, punctuated by the burgeoning construction boom, became a beacon for many Filipinos seeking opportunities beyond their archipelago nation. The wave of globalization during this era, characterized by increased interconnectedness and the freer flow of labor across borders, saw a significant surge in Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs),…

“`html The 2020s brought a seismic shift in the global landscape, and the lives of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), particularly those in the IT sector, were significantly impacted. The United Kingdom, a popular destination for Filipino IT professionals, witnessed these changes firsthand. From the initial lockdowns to the gradual reopening and the “new normal,” OFWs…