Living a Double Life: A Filipino Remote Worker's Call to Bridge the Technological Gap

Intro

Picture this: In the mid-2000s, at the tender age of 16, a young Filipino finds himself taking on a unique job. He steps into the shoes of a technical support representative for Hughes Net, a satellite internet service provider. This was a time when the concept of satellite internet was still a faint blip on the Philippines' technological radar - almost two decades before buzzwords like Starlink started making waves in the country. This young man was me, and this was my first taste of working in a global setting.

Fast forward to today, and I've spent a significant chunk of my life serving as a remote worker. I've dived into the creative gig economy, contributing client work on platforms like 99designs, Freelancer, oDesk, and OnlineJobs.ph. From industrial design prototypes, to visual communication design, to solving complex tech issues, I've dipped my toes into a multitude of projects. However, as I sit back and reflect on my journey, I've become acutely aware of a stark reality - a divide between the world I work in and the world I live in.

The Two Worlds: An Emerging Knowledge Disparity

Every day, as I connect with clients and collaborators from across the globe, I can't help but notice a growing knowledge disparity. There's a world of difference between how we do things here in the Philippines and the best practices employed by the developed nations I work with.?

One such glaring difference is the approach to decision-making. In the global workplace, I've observed a strong preference for decisions backed by hard data. My employers and the influencers I interact with live by this philosophy. They've harnessed the power of data to uncover market trends and niches, measure their health metrics, and even decide their investments. A world driven by data has become their reality.

Contrast this with our local setting, and it's like stepping into a different era. Despite the technological strides we've made as a nation, the concept of data-driven decision making is still a novelty here. Our businesses and government institutions are yet to fully realize and harness the power of data analytics. This gap is just one of many that characterize the divide between my two worlds.

The Dual Life of a Remote Worker: Navigating Two Contrasting Worlds

For many of us working remotely in the Philippines, there is a peculiar sense of straddling two vastly different realities. This juxtaposition is one of being at the forefront of global digital practices while simultaneously navigating a local environment that lags behind in terms of technology and infrastructure. It's a feeling akin to living a dual life, a life split between two starkly contrasting worlds.

In one world, we're empowered citizens of the digital age. We're adept at using advanced tools and platforms that span multiple continents and time zones. We work with multinational teams, adapting to diverse work cultures, and meeting global standards of professionalism. We're versed in modern practices that revolve around data analytics, AI, market trends, and other cutting-edge technologies that shape the global workspace. We're digital natives, able to tap into the collective knowledge of the worldwide web, staying abreast of the latest breakthroughs and changes in our respective industries.

However, once we unplug from the digital realm, we step into a starkly contrasting local reality. This is a world where power outages are commonplace, where the infrastructure struggles to keep pace with our high-speed aspirations, and where much of the innovative practices we encounter daily in our remote work remain alien concepts. The technological gap becomes evident in the dearth of data-driven decision-making in local businesses and governmental policies that fail to fully grasp the potentials of the digital economy.

Living this dual life can be jarring, as we switch between being tech-savvy professionals and residents grappling with challenges reminiscent of the '90s. Yet, as paradoxical as it might seem, this duality comes with an unexpected silver lining.

Global Proficiency Skills: The Untapped Goldmine

This unique dichotomy, as challenging as it may seem, has given rise to a set of skills that we, as Filipino remote workers, have come to acquire. Think of these as 'global proficiency skills.' Essentially, these are skills that help us understand, adapt to, and employ the best practices and technologies used in developed nations.

My journey, and that of many others like me, has been one of constant learning and adaptation. We've grown to understand the mechanisms of a data-driven work culture, familiarized ourselves with advanced digital tools, and adopted an array of globally celebrated practices. However, there is a catch. These skills and this unique form of proficiency remain largely unnoticed and underappreciated on our home turf.

Bridging the Gap: From Global Workplaces to Local Grounds

Now, imagine for a moment what it would mean if we began recognizing these 'global proficiency skills.' Imagine if we started acknowledging the immense value these skills could bring to our local businesses, government bodies, and overall economic landscape.

Our businesses could utilize this reservoir of global knowledge to implement data-driven decision making. They could unearth hidden market trends, optimize their operations, and shape strategies that would give them an edge in an increasingly competitive world. They could foster an environment where decisions are made not on whims or hunches, but based on reliable, tangible data.

Our government too could benefit significantly from these insights. They could draft policies that reflect a deep understanding of the digital economy. They could shape strategies that promote technological advancement, thereby bridging the infrastructural gap that often leaves us feeling like we're stuck in the '90s.

A Vision for the Future: Redefining the Role of Remote Workers

In my mid-30s now, I look back on nearly two decades of remote work experience and still see the gaps - the knowledge disparity, the technological divide. But alongside these gaps, I also see immense potential - a vast untapped reservoir of global knowledge acquired by a growing battalion of Filipino remote workers.

This potential needs to be harnessed. It's high time we reassess the role of remote workers, not just as contributors to global workspaces, but also as invaluable assets to our local landscape. The transfer of knowledge isn't a one-way street. Our experiences equip us with a unique blend of local understanding and global proficiency - a combination that's rare and invaluable.

Leveraging Our Global Proficiency Skills: The Road Ahead

Understanding the value of these global proficiency skills is the first step. The real challenge lies in leveraging this understanding, in translating it into action. As remote workers, we carry within us a wealth of insights about best global practices, about strategies that drive growth and foster innovation. But for these insights to make a difference, they need to be recognized, valued, and incorporated into our local structures.

For businesses, this would mean actively seeking the expertise of remote workers, not just in their global operations but also in shaping their local strategies. This could take the form of consultation roles or active participation in decision-making processes. It would mean fostering an environment that values data-driven insights and recognizes the potential of technologies like AI.

For the government, leveraging these skills would involve listening to the voices of remote workers. It would involve incorporating their insights into policies that foster technological advancement and promote a culture of innovation. It would also mean investing in infrastructure to address issues like power outages, which create a significant divide between our digital and local realities.

Bridging the Technological Gap: A Shared Responsibility

Ultimately, bridging this technological gap is a shared responsibility. It's a goal that demands collective effort - from businesses, government bodies, and us, the citizens. And as remote workers, we stand at a unique intersection. We are both the bearers of global proficiency skills and the citizens who experience the technological divide firsthand.

We have a role to play in shaping a future where these two worlds are not starkly divided but seamlessly integrated. A future where the knowledge disparity is replaced by a knowledge exchange, where the technological divide gives way to a bridge that connects our local realities with global advancements.

Conclusion

Living a dual life as a remote worker in the Philippines has its challenges. But it's also a unique position that gives us an invaluable perspective. We understand the world of global best practices, and we know the realities of our local environment.

Now, we must use this understanding to bridge the gap, to bring about a future where our global proficiency skills are recognized and utilized locally. It's high time we moved beyond simply adapting to global practices and started shaping them in our own image. Because our collective journey as Filipino remote workers has equipped us with insights and skills that are not just globally relevant but can also drive local innovation.

This is our call to action - for the government, for businesses, and for my fellow remote workers. Let's harness our global proficiency skills and bring about a future where the Filipino remote worker is not just a global asset but a driving force for local change.