The Rise of Online Freelancers
Socioeconomic Issue on Spotlight
As more Filipinos turn to online freelancing, some individuals have become relatable figures. Julius Jean Quizon, better known as “Marga—Your Freelance Mima” to his followers, is a Filipino content creator and virtual assistant (VA) based in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. His witty, meme-filled content about life as a VA has resonated with thousands online.
A former hotelier, Quizon faced unexpected challenges when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and caused the tourism industry to stall. Instead of giving up, he pivoted to a VA career and now shares his journey, highlighting the challenges faced by many in the growing freelance community.
When asked about the origin of “Mima Marga,” he laughed, explaining that the nickname was coined in an online VA community. “Mima” is gay lingo for “Mami” (mommy), while “Marga” is inspired by the iconic child villain Marga Mondragon from a hit television soap opera.
Quizon’s career began far from virtual work. He graduated with a degree in tourism management and held various roles in hotel resorts, sales and marketing, and travel agencies in Palawan. However, the pandemic in March 2020 drastically disrupted the tourism sector—a crucial pillar of the Philippine economy that employed 5.7 million workers in 2019. Employment in the industry dropped by 18.1 percent in 2020, leaving Quizon among the many displaced workers.
Determined to support his family, especially his younger sibling’s education, Quizon sought new opportunities. With the uncertainty surrounding his future as a hotelier, he was encouraged by his cousin’s wife, who had years of freelancing experience, to transition to the VA world. She had been an online platform worker for over a decade, with extensive experience in business process outsourcing (BPO). Soriano (2021) revealed that most online platform workers are former BPO employees who are drawn to this type of work for its freedom from long commutes, night shifts, and the physical and mental tolls of traditional office jobs.
Navigating platform work
Online platforms like Upwork have revolutionized the freelance industry by connecting clients with skilled professionals worldwide. Quizon began his journey charging USD 5 per hour—a rate that was considered competitive in a market where newcomers often accept as little as USD 1 per hour to gain experience.
The appeal of VA jobs has enticed many Filipinos. Aside from their flexible working arrangements and the advantage of earning in foreign currencies, online content creators often portray this profession as high-earning and adaptable. Platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram have glamorized the VA lifestyle, showcasing stories of financial success and work-life flexibility. Mainstream media has also amplified rags-to-riches stories of Filipino VAs. However, critics argue that such portrayals paint an overly rosy picture, potentially fostering false hope for aspiring freelancers.
Quizon emphasizes that success in this field demands hard work, sleepless nights, continuous learning, and the ability to manage multiple clients. “Yes, earning a six-digit monthly income is possible,” he says, “but you will likely need multiple clients at once to achieve that.” While Quizon successfully managed this workload for several months, the strain of handling multiple clients took a toll on his physical health.
Online communities play a crucial role in supporting remote workers like Quizon, offering spaces to share tips, seek advice, and navigate challenges in the dynamic world of virtual work. “Clients come and go,” he shared. Unlike corporate jobs, contracts can be terminated at any time, especially during budget cuts. He learned through this community the importance of managing multiple clients to maintain financial stability.
Cheryll Ruth Soriano, a professor at De La Salle University, highlighted this phenomenon at the SERP-P Knowledge-Sharing Seminar “Unpacking the Rise of Online Filipino Platform Work and the Gig Economy”. She noted that informal networks enable freelancers to exchange knowledge and re-outsource tasks often to family members and neighbors. This collaborative spirit showcases the adaptability and resilience of Filipino freelancers navigating the evolving gig economy.
Challenges, protection, and ICT disruptions
Despite its opportunities, online platform work presents significant challenges. Peña and Yao (2022) highlighted that freelancers often encounter scams and fraudulent job postings. Additionally, they bear the responsibility for government-mandated contributions to the Social Security System, the Home Development Mutual Fund (PAG-IBIG Fund), and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, as direct clients are not required to facilitate or share these costs. Oren and Serafica (2022) further observed that the lack of standardized compensation and social protections makes freelancers vulnerable to overwork and low wages. The challenge for policymakers is to ensure that online work aligns with decent work principles.
There is a pressing need for policies that address income instability while safeguarding workers’ rights and enabling businesses to thrive and innovate. Tacadao et al. (2023) emphasized that existing laws are primarily designed to protect traditional employees and fail to account for the unique needs of gig workers. For example, dispute resolution mechanisms are often limited to employer-employee relationships, leaving freelancers without adequate recourse.
For Palaweños like Quizon, power outages and unreliable internet add another layer of difficulty. Frequent blackouts force him to invest in portable charging stations and devices with extended battery life. On particularly challenging days, he even checks into nearby hotels with generators to meet deadlines.
Tabuga and Cabaero (2021) noted that limited awareness and digital literacy have prevented many from capitalizing on the opportunities presented by freelancing. The Philippines’ information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure poses additional hurdles. The country has one of the most expensive and slowest internet services in Southeast Asia, which becomes even more unreliable during weather disruptions. When faced with connectivity issues, Quizon often works at night in coffee shops with stable Wi-Fi. Studies like Albert et al. (2016) and Albert et al. (2021) have long called for urgent government action to improve ICT infrastructure to fully realize its benefits.
When asked how the government could better support the online freelance community, Quizon stressed the need for digital skills training for aspiring freelancers. He suggested integrating digital skills for VAs into the senior high school curriculum, as many foreign companies and clients prioritize skills over formal education. Albert et al. (2016) similarly recommended regular skill updates to help workers adapt to the rapid ICT advancements that shape the future of work.
Bernardo et al. (2023) revealed that the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies poses challenges for Filipino workers, particularly those lacking essential soft skills like adaptability and collaboration. General administrative tasks like emailing and calendar scheduling are increasingly handled by AI at a much lower cost with reduced human error. Even in creative fields, generative AI can produce visual content with minimal human intervention. However, human creativity, leadership, adaptability, and the ability to communicate openly among peers remain invaluable and irreplaceable.
The way we work
When asked what keeps him going despite the uncertainties of freelancing, Quizon responded with unwavering determination: “As the breadwinner of my family and with bills coming in every month, bawal sumuko dahil may umaasa sa akin” (I cannot give up because someone is counting on me). He added, “Sa freelancing, bawal ang mahina ang loob. Kailangan palagi kang willing matuto” (You cannot afford to be weak-willed. You must always be willing to learn).
In an ideal world, every worker would have the freedom to pursue a career path aligned with their personal goals and values—one that fosters both financial stability and work-life balance. This balance allows individuals to dedicate time to personal pursuits while achieving professional growth. To make this possible, policies must promote safety, security, and fairness for workers, regardless of their chosen career paths.
Unfortunately, the reality is far from ideal. Filipino workers ranked the lowest globally in work-life balance, according to the 2024 Global Life-Work Balance Index of the global human resource platform Remote. However, Filipinos continue to aspire for fulfilling lives—pursuing their dreams, providing for their loved ones, and enjoying meaningful personal experiences. Hopefully, the day will come when Filipinos work to live rather than bear the burden of living solely to work.
SERP-P has resources about online platform workers and the gig economy. Below are some of them:
- Unpacking the Rise of Online Filipino Platform Work and the Gig Economy
- DigitALL for Her: Futurecasting Platform Work for Women in Rural Philippines
- Exploring Policies and Initiatives for Online Workers in the Philippines
- Evolving a Governance Framework for Workers in the Gig Economy
Filipinos' Access and Exposure to ICT: A General Overview based on the National ICT Household Survey
