What's On & Expat - Philippines

Mary Gumellus Arabaca
Filipino
Student

As the peso grows stronger, it shows hope for the Filipinos to be able to work here in the Philippines, getting the same pay as if they did abroad. This is because even if they did have a stable job abroad and earning in dollars it stills means that they are not earning a lot because their pay would just cover for their needs. My mom is in the United States and she is sending me allowance every now and then. It affects me a bit. It’s like drinking coffee in the morning, when you wake up, the effect works right after a sip. After that it’s as if you haven’t drunk coffee at all. With the peso rising against the dollar, what my mom sends me can’t even cover for my needs.

 

Jose Antonio Barrenechea
Filipino-Spanish
Director of Sales
Supersonic Services

The weakening dollar is very favorable to the end consumers, for example to the one buying the tickets between here and those traveling abroad. The travel sector is basically a peso-denominated industry but for those involved in buying spare parts, they are affected because they pay them in dollars.
 

Mia Herbosa
Filipina
Artist

It’s really hard, since I’m based in the US. I come back and forth. It’s hard I spend in dollars because I live in New York so if the dollars weaken I get to spend less here. So I guess it depends. I’m happy for the Philippines. That is the hard part of fluctuation when you live here half the year and live there the other half. I hope it stays down, one time you’re saying, wow the dollar is really low then for another six months, it fluctuates. I wish it’s more stable and that the peso keeps strengthening.