Can Filipinos Find the American Dream in the Philippines?
Can Filipinos Find the American Dream in the Philippines?
The American Dream has long been a beacon for many across the world. For Filipinos, it’s a dream often associated with working overseas to secure financial stability and uplift their families. The Philippines has historically been one of the world’s largest exporters of labor, sending nurses, seafarers, and domestic workers abroad to power key industries in the United States and beyond. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) contribute over $33 billion annually to the Philippines’ economy, making up nearly 10% of the country’s GDP. Yet, the question remains: why do Filipinos need to leave to find success?
A growing trend known as reverse migration sees many Filipinos, including Filipino Americans and third-culture kids from places like Canada, Japan, and the Middle East, returning to their motherland. The idea of achieving the American Dream in the Philippines is becoming increasingly appealing. But what is driving this return, and are the opportunities in the Philippines truly accessible to all Filipinos? More importantly, can the American Dream really be found in the Philippines?
The Filipino Diaspora: Chasing the American Dream
For decades, Filipinos have left the Philippines in search of better opportunities abroad. Driven by a lack of economic stability at home, many were forced to endure separation from their families to find success. OFWs became vital to the global workforce, but their sacrifices were immeasurable. Families were torn apart, and children grew up without one or both parents as caregivers.
In this context, the American Dream—a life of prosperity and opportunity, often characterized by owning a home, gaining financial independence, and ensuring a better future for the next generation—seemed far more attainable abroad. Many Filipinos worked tirelessly, sending remittances home to support their families, with the hope that one day they could return to the Philippines for retirement.
But in recent years, something has shifted. A growing number of Filipinos are choosing to return to their homeland—not just to retire but to work and build new lives. This reverse migration signals that for some, the American Dream may no longer be found overseas. Instead, many are asking if it can now be realized in the Philippines itself.
Why Are Filipinos Moving Back? Economic Opportunities and Reverse Migration
Economic Growth in the Philippines
One of the primary drivers of reverse migration is the growing economy in the Philippines. Over the past few decades, the country has seen a surge in industries such as business process outsourcing (BPO), real estate, and tourism. These sectors have opened doors for Filipinos to work in their homeland without needing to move abroad. The rise of Filipino-owned businesses and start-ups has also offered economic opportunities that were previously limited or unavailable.
For Filipino Americans, Filipino Canadians, and third-culture kids from countries like Japan and the Middle East, moving back to the Philippines offers a chance to reconnect with their roots while pursuing their careers. The growth of co-working spaces, entrepreneurial ventures, and remote work options has made it easier for this demographic to thrive in the Philippines. And with a lower cost of living compared to countries like the U.S. or Canada, the Philippines offers a more comfortable lifestyle for some returnees.
Changing Perspectives on Success
Another reason for the reverse migration is the changing notion of what success means to modern Filipinos. While financial independence and stability remain essential, many Filipinos are seeking more than just economic gains—they want a sense of belonging, cultural identity, and family connection.
In the past, success was often measured by how much one could provide financially for their family, even if it meant living thousands of miles away. Today, many Filipinos are redefining success by finding a balance between career fulfillment and personal well-being. The opportunity to live closer to family, reconnect with Filipino traditions, and contribute to the development of their country has become a compelling reason for Filipinos to return home.
Challenges in the Host Countries
Filipinos abroad, especially OFWs, often face discrimination and exploitation in host countries. Despite contributing significantly to their host nations’ economies, they frequently experience racism, wage theft, and other forms of mistreatment. Recent events, particularly the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the U.S., have also prompted many Filipinos to reconsider their life abroad.
The rise in anti-Asian hate crimes has caused fear and insecurity in AAPI communities, leading some to reassess whether staying abroad is worth the risks. For Filipinos living in countries where they face racial and economic marginalization, returning to the Philippines may seem like a better option.
Is the American Dream Accessible to Everyone in the Philippines?
While the idea of returning to the Philippines is enticing, it’s important to recognize that not all Filipinos have equal access to the opportunities being touted. Many OFWs who return home still struggle to find stable employment or reintegrate into the local economy. The economic opportunities available in the Philippines are often concentrated in urban areas like Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao, leaving rural communities with fewer prospects.
For those with education, skills, and financial resources, the Philippines presents opportunities for growth. However, for lower-income Filipinos or those with fewer professional connections, the American Dream in the Philippines can still seem out of reach. Social inequality, poverty, and the high cost of living in urban centers can make it difficult for many to achieve financial independence or improve their quality of life.
Moreover, the competition with expatriates and foreign investors can sometimes leave Filipino locals at a disadvantage. This raises important questions about who truly benefits from the economic opportunities in the Philippines, and whether these opportunities are accessible to the average Filipino.
Promoting Inclusive Economic Growth and Addressing Discrimination
To make the American Dream a reality for all Filipinos in the Philippines, it’s crucial to address systemic issues of inequality and discrimination. Just as many Filipinos face discrimination abroad, they also face barriers at home. Women, indigenous Filipinos, and marginalized communities often have limited access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
Additionally, creating more opportunities for Filipinos to build businesses, pursue education, and access affordable housing are key to ensuring that economic growth benefits everyone. Collaborative efforts between the government, private sector, and civil society organizations are essential in making the Philippines a place where all Filipinos—both those who return and those who stay—can find success.
The Future of the American Dream in the Philippines
So, can Filipinos find the American Dream in the Philippines? For some, the answer is yes. The Philippines offers a growing economy, cultural reconnection, and the chance to be closer to family. For others, the barriers of inequality and limited access to resources make achieving the American Dream still a distant hope.
Ultimately, the American Dream is evolving. For many Filipinos, it’s no longer about moving abroad for better opportunities but about finding success at home. As more Filipinos choose to return to their motherland, the idea of the American Dream in the Philippines continues to grow—offering the possibility of prosperity, connection, and fulfillment. However, to ensure that this dream is accessible to all, efforts must be made to address the deep-seated issues of inequality, discrimination, and economic disparity that still affect many Filipinos today.
Stop the Hate Program Funding
The California Government Code § 8260 authorizes the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), in consultation with the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs (CAPIAA), to administer the Stop the Hate (STH) Program that awards funding to qualified nonprofit organizations to provide support and services to victims and survivors of hate incidents and hate crimes and their families and facilitate hate incident or hate crime prevention measures.
Funded Support and Services may include:
Direct services for victims and survivors of hate incidents and hate crimes and their families, including mental and complementary health services; wellness and community healing; legal services; navigation, case management, and referrals;
Prevention services, including arts and cultural work, youth development, senior safety and escort programs, safety planning, training; and cross-racial alliance work; and
Intervention services, including outreach, training, restorative justice, coordination with local government and institutional partners, and coordinated regional rapid response.
Resources
CA vs. Hate: CA vs. Hate is a way to report hate incidents or hate crimes online or over the phone and receive support and resources without necessarily involving law enforcement. People who report a hate incident or hate crime through this service will be connected with a professional trained in culturally competent communication and trauma-informed practices.
California State Library’s Ethnic Media Outreach Grant: The Ethnic Media Outreach Grant aims to build public awareness of the Stop the Hate Program. Grants are awarded to ethnic media outlets and collaboratives serving communities that are historically vulnerable to hate incidents and hate crimes.
California Department of Justice’s Hate Crime Resources Page: This page provides information on the differences between hate crimes and hate incidents, tips on how to spot a hate crime, and help for what to do if you are the target of a hate crime.
Stop AAPI Hate’s Community Resources Page: This page provides resources for mental health, safety tips, and guides to help you know your rights if you are facing discrimination.
California Attorney General’s 2022 Hate Crime Report: This report presents statistics on hate crimes reported by California law enforcement agencies that occurred during 2022 with prior years included for context. These statistics include the reported number of hate crime events, hate crime offenses, victims of hate crimes, and suspects of hate crimes.
AAPI Equity Alliance’s Resources for the Monterey Park Shootings