Young professionals in Makati City are humorously redefining OFW as “overworked” or “on-site” Filipino workers, parodying the high costs and urban convenience of Metro Manila’s premier financial district.
In the Philippines, OFW generally refers to overseas Filipino workers who move abroad in search of better opportunities and pay.
But recently, the acronym has been given a new meaning by some Makati residents who post social media reels chronicling their expatriate-style lifestyle, complete with the city’s skyscrapers, manicured parks and coffee shops.
The videos also satirise aspects of OFW life, with tongue-in-cheek lines about homesickness and working hard to provide for the family.
“The idea came from my own experience,” said Nick Tumbagahan, who documents a day in his life as an “OFW” – leaving his Makati condominium, walking to his morning coffee spot, heading to the office, then unwinding after work at the gym.
The Bacolod City native from the central Philippines was a seafarer overseas before moving to Makati for work.
“Like many people in Makati, I left home in search of better opportunities. One day, I jokingly referred to myself as an ‘OFW in Makati’ and it resonated,” Tumbagahan said.