09/06/2026
FILIPINO TALENT ISN'T CHEAP.
We've just been conditioned to believe it is.
And one of the biggest reasons?
Supply and demand has been weaponized against Filipino workers.
Every day, job posts attract hundreds (sometimes thousands) of applicants.
Clients know it.
Platforms know it.
Employers know it.
When there are 500 applicants for one role, someone will always be willing to accept less.
Then someone else will accept even less.
And eventually, highly skilled professionals find themselves competing on price instead of expertise.
Not because they're worth less.
Because they're competing against desperation.
I've seen job posts asking for:
• CRM Management
• GoHighLevel Setup & Automation
• Funnel Building
• Email Marketing
• Social Media Management
• Customer Support
• Graphic Design
• Calendar Management
All for $3-$5/hour.
The scary part?
Those positions still get hundreds of applicants.
Not because the rate is fair.
Because people need work.
That's where exploitation begins.
When companies know there are hundreds of applicants waiting in line, some stop asking:
"What's fair compensation for this role?"
And start asking:
"What's the lowest amount someone will accept?"
There's a difference.
The first values expertise.
The second takes advantage of market conditions.
Not every employer does this.
I've worked with incredible clients who understand that skilled professionals create value and deserve to be compensated accordingly.
But let's stop pretending the race to the bottom happens naturally.
It happens because there will always be another applicant willing to take less, and some employers intentionally use that to drive rates down.
The Philippines doesn't have a talent problem.
We have some of the most resourceful, adaptable, and hardworking professionals in the world.
The problem is that too many hiring systems reward affordability over expertise.
So here's my question:
If hiring platforms completely removed hourly rates and applicant counts...
If clients could only see skills, experience, results, and case studies...
Would they still choose the cheapest person?
Or would they choose the person most likely to solve the problem?
Curious to hear perspectives from both freelancers and business owners.
