Journal 11: The Accidental Career of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW)

In this journal, I reflect on my accidental career journey—from an internet cafe attendant in the Philippines to a web designer and video producer in Singapore. Over the years, whenever my bosses asked if I knew how to do photography, shoot video, or even develop an app, I always said yes. Part of it was curiosity, but 50% of it was pure survival.

There is a big difference between saying “I chose this” and “I kept saying yes because I couldn’t afford to say no.” You’re often told to just be grateful because others have it worse. But it’s also true that sometimes you get exhausted and burnt out, and there’s no easy way to say that without feeling guilty.

Living abroad provided me with stability and a lifelong passion for storytelling. But it also means you are constantly chasing a moving finish line. Should you keep chasing, or should you just stop?