April 27, 2026
I’ve always loved traveling, though I didn’t expect it to become such a big part of my life.
A bit about me: I’m a single Filipina in my early 30s, based in the Philippines, working remotely. I wasn’t always in this setup—at the height of the pandemic, my company shifted to work-from-home, and three years later, I became a remote independent contractor. It was then that I began making international experiences a more intentional part of my lifestyle, as I discovered how much I enjoy immersing myself in different cultures. Toward the end of 2025, the company changed its remote policy. It became clear to me that I value my freedom to travel more than anything else, so I made another job switch. Now I have the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world.
I wouldn’t really call myself a digital nomad yet since I’m not moving from one country to another for long stays. I travel every 2–3 months, usually for trips of about one to two weeks, then come back home. Living by myself means I can’t leave my place unoccupied for extended periods. On top of that, I’m currently saving up for house renovations, which is another reason I keep my visits short.
My first experience traveling abroad was in 2015. I went to Macau with a side visit to Hong Kong for four days. The people I went with didn’t share the same interest in venturing beyond the main tourist spots. One afternoon in Hong Kong, I ended up exploring and trying local food by myself because everyone else preferred to stay in the hotel. For me, experiencing new places is about seeing life firsthand and getting a real feel for the culture. The disconnect I felt with the group left a bad taste in my mouth. When I came back home, I never imagined I would go overseas again.
Fast-forward to 2023, when my French boyfriend and I met. He visited Asia, and we spent about a month moving across the Philippines—Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Samar, Dumaguete, Siquijor, and Manila. Beyond sightseeing and outdoor activities, we explored underrated eateries and shared casual conversations with locals we met along the way. It was a full-on adventure. On his last day, things didn’t go as expected—I wasn’t allowed to enter the airport without a booking confirmation. I had pictured us soaking in our last few hours together, with room for proper goodbyes. Instead, it was cut short at the entrance, before there was even time for things to sink in. I didn’t get the chance to properly see him off to Taiwan, his final stop.
It was only later that I realized I could continue the trip with him, since Philippine passport holders can enter Taiwan visa-free for a number of days. I bought round-trip tickets as soon as it struck me. With no time to waste, I packed up after my shift and went straight to the airport. What followed was a nerve-wracking immigration experience where I almost didn’t make it out of the country. Even to this day, I can hardly believe I made it through—but I did, and I was able to join him. From there, we made the most of our last three days in Kaohsiung and Taipei. This time, we finally had the goodbyes we had missed before going our separate ways.
Since then, I’ve visited Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, the UAE, Indonesia, France, and Switzerland. Most of these I did solo, thanks to my remote work. The rest were with my boyfriend, in our effort to close the distance until we can be together.
To date, I continue building my life while experiencing all that the world has to offer. It’s not always easy—visa approvals for third-world passport holders can be daunting, and success stories aren’t common. Many people suggest relying on an agency or bending the truth, but I’ve chosen to stay genuine and navigate things on my own. In doing so, I’ve realized that approval still ultimately comes down to the application itself. Without any guarantee, uncertainty often becomes the hardest part.
This is exactly why I’m sharing my story—because sometimes, seeing someone make it through is enough to make it feel a little more possible.