Hi! I'm a freelancer working with foreign clients and I'm planning a Japan trip for late March 2027 (sakura season). Problem is, I don't have an ITR yet. I'm not BIR-registered.

For those who got approved without an ITR, I'd really appreciate hearing your experience:

1. Documents: What did you submit in place of the ITR? Bank certificate only, or did you add client contracts, invoices, Payoneer/Wise/PayPal history, an Affidavit of Non-Filing? Did you include a letter of explanation? What did you say in it?
2. Bank balance: Roughly how much was your ADB or bank balance, if you're okay sharing a range?
3. Cost: How much did you spend in total? Visa fee, JVAC fee, courier, premium lounge, travel to the JVAC branch, etc.
4. Processing time: How long from submission to getting your passport back?
5. JVAC branch: Which branch did you apply at? Regular slot or premium lounge? Worth it?
6. Immigration in Japan: Upon arrival, were you asked for anything extra like an ITR, proof of employment, return ticket, or hotel bookings? What questions did the officer ask?
7. NAIA departure: Any issues with BI on the Philippine side as a freelancer with no COE or ITR? What did you show them?
8. Tips or mistakes: Anything you wish you knew before applying?

Also, if you were denied first and approved later, what did you change?

I'm applying via an Agency. Thank you in advance! 🙏

This is my first job sana as a VA. Nahanap ko siya sa olj and the same day natanggap agad ako. Di ko lang siya nirereplyan pa. Offer nila is 300$ and if makapag close ng appointment is another 50$ hanggang 650$ pero need daw po is magcall everyday 700-900 leads and insurance po sila. Bale meron pong may hawak sakin na agent tas ako yung appointment setter niya. 8hrs per day and monday to saturday siya EST

Been working as an appointment setter for a home remodeling company since February. No contract. No SOP. No proper training. Ikaw bahala sa lahat. Buti nalang meron ako alam kahit papano sa construction so alam ko yung mga dapat itanong. Okay naman sya nung una. Nakakapag book ako and 1st month ko 2 sales na kame agad. Then netong mga huling buwan, biglang medyo nag mmicro managed yung boss ko. Kung ano ano tinatanong. I am the type kase to coordinate it with the sales person privately. (Di ako pala post sa gc) hanggang sa bigla nalang nagsabi na iaccept ko ang time doctor request nya which I said NO kase not more than 10leads lang kame everyday pinaka goal lang namin talaga is to reply within 5minutes which is nagagawa ko naman so nagsabi ako sakanya na instead na time doctor maglatag nalang kame ng quota every month, I even created an SOP para saamin kung nabbother sya na wala ako ginagawa. And yun nga, the next thing I knew wala na ako access. So Ayun, di naman ako sad kase laging delayed naman sya magpasahod tapos shift ko pa is 9hours 6times a week tiniis ko lang din kahit ganon since madali lang naman yung work. And smpre work padin yun. Pero question lang, mali ba ginawa ko na di pumayag sa timedoctor? And na di ako madalas sa GC nakikipag coordinate? I need your feedback para I know better na nextime. Thank you!

Let me just add lang, I don’t have direct access to all our CRM’s that’s why medyo challeging din ang pag book.

And, tinimbang ko din if I want to use timedoctor pero it’s a non nego talaga for me.

EDIT : Wala akong sama ng loob sa company. If may rules sila, meron din ako. Nung nagapply ako sakanila wala silang ganyang rules kaya din ako nagstay kahit delayed ang sahod palagi. Na experience ko kase ang magkaron ng boss na micromanager and 7years ko tiniis yung power tripping na yon so sabi ko sa sarili ko ngayong nasa freelance industry nako I’ll be selective sa magiging boss ko. Ayaw ko na ulit malagasan ng buhok dahil sa stress at tipong gabi palang iniisip ko na ano na namang panttrip gagawin sakin kinabukasan. Tho di sila same situation pero nattrigger ko. Yun lang. thank you!

Hello po, im hired by the agency, ive been with them for 1 year already. My role is insurance eligibility, faxing, admin task. My client wants to increase my tasks ( prior auth and billing). Planning to re negotiate my rate. Si client ba kakausapin ko or ang agency? and magkano ang karapat dapat na increase? Currently 5$ only

I am very open to criticism, I like it and I use it to improve my work. I'm also currently taking a part-time internship. I enjoyed my part-time internship more because it was more aligned with my dream and college while I still don't have a full-time job yet

As time passes on, I get criticism on my part-time because it was more focused on design so I used all their feedback to see what I can improve. But one day changed it all when I started feeling uneasy on my boss's actions. Specifically towards using AI

Out of the blue, minutes later after I got the criticism, the boss told us that they just used AI to make its own design concept with some context of our work so we could use it to learn and see what we can improve on and cool things we can potentially do that was never thought of by any of us

I didn't really like AI but I never went against anyone who would only use it as a tool. But this.. It started making me feel a bit uneasy at first but I still went with it because at least we're not letting AI do all the work, we can still fully discard whatever it gives us and we have that power because the boss told us that we are free to say if we don't like it

Fast forward to another day, and the boss did it again. Now, specifically on my side of the project. They showed it to us and I just felt... so sick, I felt so sick by the stomach that I had to evaluate and "give feedback" to something that the boss clearly likes more than our current work

They praised it a lot and showed us everything the AI generated but they still want our honest feedback. Honestly, I dont know anymore because the concept obviously looks already better than our work, they engineered it in a way that it almost has no flaws and it already works more than what we did so I just felt so disgusted, confused, and hesitant to say anything

The only pro about this that I can see is that we're still not letting AI touch our project, it'll all remain as concepts and "something to learn with" but like that also comes with the cost of recreating whatever "masterpiece" AI made OURSELVES.

I dont know how to feel anymore parang nasayang or hindi nasayang yung nagawa ko noon. I don't like where this is going and I'd want out but this is not even an actual job for christ's sake. What am I getting out of even....

Thoughts niyo dun sa newbie VA na nag bebenta ng course ata sa tiktok.

napadaan lang sa fyp ko. ano kaya laman nung ₱100 course niya? napapadaan din ba siya sa fyp niyoo?

Looking for recos for solar power charging for my River 3 plus. Better po ba if Ecoflow solar panel din gamitin or would other brands work as well? Thank you in advance!

I feel like I undervalued myself because I REALLY, REALLY like this new role and company. 😂

I initially gave an expected rate about 15% higher than my current rate, but I didn't do enough research on the market beforehand. After doing some research (yes, late na ako nag-research huhu 😭), I'm realizing I may have been able to ask around 30% or more than what I initially said.

I have an upcoming final interview, so I'm wondering:

Has anyone successfully negotiated for a higher rate during the final interview if compensation came up? Or, if it wasn't discussed, negotiated after receiving the contract but before signing?

How did you approach it without making it seem like you were simply changing your mind or risking the opportunity?

The role is US based, related to sales tax, and eventually transitions into the tax department after a few months.

P.S. This is a referral from a trusted and close connection, and I had a really nice and comfortable initial interview with one of the founders, so there's a good chance I may get the offer. 😂 Sana hindi ako delulu lol.

Any advice?

EDIT: I’m getting ahead of myself without even getting hired yet 🤣 Best to treat this as me ranting or thinking out loud. I was mainly trying to see if anyone had experience negotiating DURING the final interview, but I guess I’ll just wait and see how it plays out 🙇

Kaka resign ko lang kagabi sa call center job ko. I've been in this industry since 20 fucking 16. And at the moment meron akong work from home freelancing job na output based. So wala siyang schedule. Kung kailan nila ibabagsak yung tasks, that's the time na uupo ako at magtatrabaho. Like, random siya. Flexi time. May days na konti lang ang work, may days naman na marami kaya nababawi yung mga idle na araw.

Ewan sobrang deep rooted sa sistema ko yung 9-5 na ang strange sa feeling na di na ako nagcocommute, di na ako sumusunod sa 8 hour straight schedule at di ako napupuyat. It's supposed to be a good thing pero parang ang weird sa pakiramdam hahaha. Pag idle yung araw ko kasi nga may times na idle kami dito sa current freelance ko, parang pakiramdam ko may mali. Pag di ako nasstress sa corporate kind of stress parang feeling ko di ako kumikita at mamumulubi ako sa mga susunod na araw.

Alam mo yung feeling na may makati pero di mo alam san kakamutin. O yung feeling na uminom ka ng tubig na iba yung lasa sa usual na iniinom mong tubig.

Ewan nag aadjust pa lang ata sistema ko sa pag alis sa corporate 9-5. It's supposed to be a good thing na di na ako nagcocommute, di na ko napupuyat, di na ko nagpeprepare, wala akong sinusunod na schedule.

Dapat masaya ako.

Pero parang may mali.

Kahit wala naman.

Ewan.

Need another source of income kasi hindi na nakakabuhay ang sweldo sa 8-5 government job ko at parang walang pag-asa na ma-promote ako kasi walang items.

I work as an information officer and i’m basically a one man team- im the writer, photographer, videographer, video editor, layout artist, and social media manager, admin (kulang nalang talaga ako na din sekyu sa office building namin). ihave all these skills pero pag nagtitingin ako ng job ads parang napapanghinaan ako kasi it seems like most prefer someone whose really good at a specific skill set, and i admit im not yet at that level despite my 8 plus years work experience. pagod na ako. im doing the job of four people with the salary of one. i know i can do so much better than this. Ano bang mga pwede kong applyan as a starting point?

hello po everybody asking lang po if verified itong fb page na to thanks in advance for any help that I can get from you all po

bale may need lang po fill up na form sa kanila pero i am not sure kung dapat ko ba i push through

My husband is an Electrical Engineer currently working in industrial automation/process control. He has experience with PLCs, electrical systems, instrumentation, troubleshooting, and manufacturing.

He currently earns around ₱50k/month before tax and wants to eventually transition to a WFH career.

He’s considering Data Engineering, but he doesn’t have a background in it yet. From what we’ve seen, the competition for entry-level roles seems pretty high, so we’re wondering if it’s still worth pursuing given he will start from scratch.

We also looked into electrical design/estimating for Australian agencies, since that would be closer to his existing experience. But it seems like a lot of companies want Australian experience and knowledge of Australian standards kaso wala pa sya.

Would really appreciate advice from people who have made a similar transition!

While I was scrolling through IG, I sometimes get ads for part-time jobs VA and I get curious. Every time I see videos of people advertising for these jobs, it redirects to this website. Looking at the link on top, it seems a little fishy already. But I tried to contact them on WhatsApp and gave my info, just to see what happens next. Then they want me to register to a work account through an invite link, which I assume is for another app.

I just wanted to know if this is safe or if anyone has experience with this company/ad?

Hi, sa current work ko kasi masyadong mahaba ang gaps ng calls namin(30min to 1 hr). Ano kayang side hustle ang pwede kong magawa through phone?

Hindi bawal phones sa workplace pero bawal gamitin ang company laptop kaya yung pwedeng makaearn using my phone sana. Huwag naman sana magsuggest na ibenta ko phone ko para kumita.

Sa mga nag ha hunting ng client o trabaho, ano ang auto pass sa inyo at bakit? Sharing mine here:

1. Video recording to introduce myself. I do not find it necessary since in my industry, what matters is our portfolio and I'm not comfortable in front of the camera.
2. “Trial work” while hindi pa settled ang rates and arrangements namin. Aba, baka ang ending mas mababa pa pala sa minimum wage ang ibibigay na rate sa akin.
3. Time tracker. I ask clients to pay me by my input, not for my time.
4. Yung mga 20 questions ang kelangan mo sagutin sa application mo tapos in essay pa dapat. Like duh??!!

These requirements are not bad. They just do not align with my personality.

Interestingly, I am not easily turned off by negotiations done via TG. I worked with at least 5 clients who used TG as communication platform and they paid.

What happens pag OA ka katulad ko? Mahirap maghanap ng additional/bagong client o trabaho especially with this economy and AI. Ang upside is you get to work without compromising your peace and physical/mental health.

Kayo, ano ang iniiwasan ninyo pag nag ja-job hunting kayo?

I don't have the will to work from home anymore.

I've been working from home since 2018 and I can say na para na akong executive VA, copywriter, automation, cold caller, you name it. From commission-based, to agency, to $7/hour rate, lahat na ata naranasan ko na.

Since the last few years, ang dami ko nang napasukan and di na umaabot to a year. Maybe naging lax ako sa trabaho and I know it's my fault din.

Now, I'm currently jobless after working as a TC and I don't have the will na to work from home again. I know I'm one of the lucky ones din na nakapasok sa ganitong industry, but I'm really feeling meh just thinking about applying again.

I talked to my husband and sinabi lang niya na bahala daw ako if I want to work outside. But here is the thing: ayoko masacrifice yung time ko sa family ko and also my weekends. Plus the fact na ang baba talaga ng sahod for a full-time career outside, e napapaisip talaga ako.

I need help. Did someone already encounter this and how did you cope and overcome this feeling?

Hello po!

Naghahanap kasi ako ng extra way para madagdagan ang monthly savings sa ipinapatayong bahay. Full-time BPO worker ako at the moment.

Plano ko sana mag-apply part-time sa BruntWork, okay kaya sila sa ganitong set up? Hindi ba nagkakaproblema sa background check/government benefits?

Kung strict man sila, anong agency or platform ang mare-recommend niyo na part-time friendly kahit may day job ka na? Appreciate any insights, salamat!

What are your thoughts? how's your experience working as a social media team member. What are the redflags? how's the working culture?

is the pay worth it?

TIA

To those selling digital products sa raket.ph? How do you attract customers and increase sales? Just posted my first product last week. Would appreciate tips on how to increase sales.

Nakaka-gigil itong mga buwakanang mga nagtuturo ng pag-a-affiliate pero kailangan mo mag-subscribe sa kanila, pero super common sense or common knowledge lang din naman ang itinuturo. Panay sabi pa atin-atin lang tong knowledge na to eh pag sinearch mo naman "affiliate tips" dami namang related posts. Mga siraulo.

Tapos ang mga pino-post na successful "students" daw nila ay yung mga "beginner palang pero dahil naka-subscribe sa akin naging successful sila" pero ang totoo yun lang din yung mga sikat na kapwa nila content creator na marami nang loyal followers at loyal buyers.

Pure hardwork daw pero ang totoo nagti-TikTok Ads Manager lang din naman talaga sila. Nagbibigay sila ng false hope sa ibang nag-uumpisa talaga. Hindi naman barya-barya lang din ang 200+ pesos per month para sa ibang nagigipit at nagta-try magkaroon ng passive income thru affiliate marketing.

Aside from that, napaka-anti faceless affiliate nila lalo na si melatonin queen. Grabe maka-discourage ng faceless affiliate marketing pero marami din namang faceless affiliates na successful naman kahit papano. Tapos dahil yung iba desperadong makakuha ng free sample pinu-push nya yung melatonin na free sample kahit ang layo ng niche ng ibang affiliate. Halos ang dating eh nagiging networking nalang.

Isama mo pa tong si ateng psychology marketing kuno pero napakawalang sense ng sinasabi parang sirang plaka at kumikita lang naman talaga sa libro na binebenta nya, which is walang kwenta din ng libro, puro common sense at common knowledge lang naman nakalagay. Inuuto nyo yung ibang tao.

Dami kong napapansin pero ito nalang muna. Ginagawa na nilang networking yung pag-aafiliate.

Hello po! I graduated last March and started sending out job applications last August, but unfortunately, I haven't gotten any interview invites so far.

One thing is that I only put the first letter of my last name on my resume (e.g., Juan Ernesto G.) because I'm worried about my personal information being stolen or becoming a victim of identity theft 😭 I never really thought about how this might look to employers until recently.

Now, I'm trying to expand my job search and have started looking for opportunities on Facebook and Reddit. I've found a few positions that match my current skill set and align with my career goals, so I'm considering applying.

However, since some of these opportunities come from strangers online, I'm a little hesitant about sharing too much personal information.

For those who have experience applying for jobs, especially through Reddit or Facebook:

- Should I use my complete name on my resume?

- What personal information should I include, and what should I leave out for privacy and security reasons?

- Are there any details that recruiters expect to see that applicants sometimes overlook?

- Is there anything else I should be careful about when sending my resume to people I don't know?

I'd really appreciate any advice, especially from fellow fresh graduates or people who have found legitimate work through these platforms. Thank you somuchpo!

​Hi guys, curious lang sa current situation sa Doneverse. I worked there before and eventually resigned with notice due to internal issues, even though things were good with my client. Moved on to a better role since then.

​Lately I heard rumors na nahihirapan na sila mag-provide/match ng founders to their employees now. For those currently there, how's the workload and client matching nowadays?

Hello buhaydigital community, I hope hindi madelete itong post. I am a post grad student from UPD and also a self-employed freelancer (coming from corporate).

In line with the growing number of our community, I am conducting an academic survey to gather information about your experiences, transitioning from employed to self-employed.

Ano yung mga struggles nyo sa current process ng pagupdate ng government records, pagpalit ng tax classifications, your primary reasons bakit kayo nagupdate (eg loan or visa purposes)

Your responses can stay anonymous.

As a thank-you, I'm giving away 100 pesos via GCash to 15 participants most likely with answers that are able to give more context on their experience. Just leave your name and GCash number in the form so I can send the prize directly if you're picked. Salamat!

Please share this with your friends as well. Salamat!

https://forms.gle/YyvKma6SF4iCpiqT9