World's first trans exclusive model agency opens Asia office in Manila

BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT

Apr 23, 2023 01:32 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Slay Model Management, the world's first trans-exclusive modeling agency based in Los Angeles, California, USA, announces the launch of its Asian operations with the opening of Manila-based Slay Models Asia last April 22.

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Nat Manilag designs

Slay Model Management, the world's first trans-exclusive modeling agency based in Los Angeles, California, USA, announces the launch of its Asian operations with the opening of Manila-based Slay Models Asia last April 22.

Slay Model Management founder and director Cece Asuncion announced the appointments of Niccolo Cosme and Ben Bernabe as co-directors of Slay Models Asia, which will hold the license for the Slay Model Management brand not just in the Philippines but also for the whole Asian region.

The announcement was made during the preliminary competition of Slay Model Search Asia at Revel at the Palace, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The Slay Model Search final competition will air live on Thursday, April 27, at 8 p.m. on ABS-CBN platforms iWantTFC and ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel. Bigo Live will live-stream all the excitement backstage.

Cece Asuncion

A story of resilience and success

The success of Slay Model Management is rooted in Asuncion’s lifelong advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights, and particularly trans visibility. In 2014, he directed the documentary, “What’s The T?”, which chronicled and explored the day-to-day challenges, successes, and lives of five trans women in the US. His work in the documentary allowed him to understand the aspirations of trans women as well as the challenges that he faced. He kept these lessons to heart when he started Slay Model Management in 2016.

“In the beginning of opening Slay, there were no opportunities for trans models. A lot of education had to happen, many awkward conversations, inter-community discourse, and the daily urge to school people on social media that trans is beautiful. However, our story is not one of strife or victimhood, it is one of resilience, success and the importance of vigilance,” Asuncion shares.

Since then, Slay models have worked with many global fashion, beauty, and media brands such as Vogue Paris, Vogue Scandinavia, Elle France, Macy’s, Uber, and Tinder.

Queen Victoria of Flux AHF, Crimsona, and Cece Asuncion

Slay Models rides the Asian wave

The spotlights are trained on Asian talents this year, with the recent success of Asian actors Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Stephanie Hsu in the global acting awards circuit. Doors have been opened wide for Asian talentsnot just in Hollywood but all over the world.

“This increased visibility for Asian talents, including models, is an opportunity that I don’t want to miss. That’s why I’ve decided to partner with Niccolo and Ben to launch Slay Models Asia this year,” said Asuncion.

“The modeling agency business is all about trust and personal relationships; as a model, you have to trust your agent to help you build your business and protect your interests. It’s the same with opening a Slay Models agency in Manila for the Asian market. I trust that Niccolo and Ben will not only have the best interest of the Slay brand at heart, they will take good care of our models,” he adds.

Niccolo Cosme and Ben Bernabe (Slay Models Asia)

An exciting time for the fashion and beauty industries

For his part, Niccolo Cosme, who is Creative Director of digital marketing and creative agency Howwwl Digital, is excited not just for the trans models but also for the modeling industry in the Philippines as a whole.

“As a fashion and beauty photographer for more than two decades, I have made it a point to advocate for trans visibility and representation in fashion and beauty, not just through my words but also through my body of work. I have been working with trans models — whether for my conceptual art pieces or my commercial work—to promote inclusivity in my industry and I’m excited that I will be able to do this on a larger scale as co-director of Slay Models Asia,” says Cosme.

Hosts Jasmine Gabrielle and Cameron Scrase

Trans representation, visibility matter

Ben Bernabe, who is Executive Director of health and human rights NGO The Red Whistle, is thrilled about the impact of this launch on trans representation and visibility in the Philippines and in Asia.

“Speaking as an LGBTQIA+ rights advocate, the success of Slay Model Management is a concrete example that trans visibility matters; trans representation matters. I am excited to be a co-director of Slay Models Asia and to work towards greater inclusivity for trans people in the region. Trans models, just like any model of any gender identity, just want to work and give their best at what they do and we will do our best to find them clients who will see them as the beautiful persons that they are,” Bernabe stresses.

Karylle and Nat Manilag

What it takes to be the next Slay model

Asked about what they’re looking for in the next Slay model, Asuncion says, “What I’m looking for in the next Slay Model is someone who is passionate about this world. Not only should you be passionate about being a model, you should also be passionate about the people you work with and the art that you create. And you should also be passionate about prosperity. There’s nothing wrong with being financially better.” For Cosme, self-awareness and professionalism matters: “I have worked with many fashion models, from young startups to supermodels, and what always appreciate and admire in a model is when they know and understand their own body and their beauty, when they can move and find the best angles that will produce the best quality of work. There is something so powerful about this level of self-awareness. It shows that you are professional, you have done your homework by studying yourself and your own body of work and you constantly find ways to make yourself better."

Lastly, Bernabe is looking for models who understand that they are more than “just models”: “It’s important that the next Slay model understands that they are more than the work that they do. They are a beacon of representation and visibility for the trans community and everything that they do will matter. Their body of work will be their statements. It might feel like a huge imposition but their life experience will guide them along the way. As long as they live their authentic lives and believe in their own beauty, they will find their way towards success.”

For more information about Slay Model Management and Slay Models Asia, visit the Slay Model Management website at slaymodels.com, the Slay Models Instagram account at
instagram.com/slaymodelsla (@slaymodelsla), and the Slay Models Facebook page, facebook.com/slaymodels (Slay Model Management).

26 areas under Covid-19 Alert Level 2 status—IATF

BY ANALOU DE VERA

Apr 23, 2023 02:11 PM

  

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Twenty-six areas in the country were placed under Covid-19 Alert Level 2 status until the end of this month, based on the recent resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

Areas under Alert Level 2 until April 30 are: Benguet, Ifugao, Quezon Province, Palawan, Camarines Norte, Masbate, Antique, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu Province, Negros Oriental, Leyte, Western Samar, Lanao Del Norte, Davao De Oro, Davao Del Norte, Davao Del Sur, and Davao Occidental.

Also included are: North Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Dinagat Islands, Basilan, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.

"The following provinces, HUCs, and ICCs shall be placed under Alert Level 2, without prejudice to their respective component cities and municipalities which may be under a different alert level classification," the IATF said.

Under Alert Level 2, Some establishments or activities, “shall be allowed to operate, or be undertaken at a maximum of 50 percent indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and those below 18 years of age, even if unvaccinated, and 70 percent outdoor venue capacity,” the Department of Health (DOH) stated in its website.

Alert Level 1

Meanwhile, the IATF placed the following areas under Alert Level 1:

National Capital Region

• Caloocan City
• Malabon City
• Navotas City
• Valenzuela City
• Pateros
• Pasig City
• Marikina City
• Taguig City
• Quezon City
• Manila
• Makati City
• Mandaluyong City
• San Juan City
• Muntinlupa City
• Paranaque City
• Las Pinas City
• Pasay City
  
  

Cordillera Administrative Region

• Abra
• Apayao
• Baguio City
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province
• Benguet: Buguias, Sablan, and Tublay
• Ifugao: Alfonso Lista (Potia), Kiangan, Lagawe (Capital), Lamut
  
  

Ilocos Region

• Dagupan City
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Pangasinan
  
  

Cagayan Valley

• Batanes
• Cagayan
• City of Santiago
• Isabela
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Quirino
  
  

Central Luzon

• Angeles City
• Aurora
• Bataan
• Bulacan
• Nueva Ecija
• Olongapo City
• Pampanga
• Tarlac
• Zambales
  
  

Calabarzon

• Batangas
• Cavite
• Laguna
• Lucena City
• Rizal
• Quezon: Alabat, Atimonan, Candelaria, City of Tayabas, Dolores, Gumaca, Lucban, Mauban, Padre Burgos, Pagbilao, Perez, Plaridel, Polillo, Quezon, Sampaloc, San Antonio, Sariaya, Tiaong, Unisan
  
  

Mimaropa

• Marinduque
• Occidental Mindoro
• Oriental Mindoro
• Puerto Princesa City
• Romblon
• Palawan: Cagayancillo, Culion, El Nido (Bacuit), Kalayaan
  
  

Bicol Region

• Albay
• Camarines Sur
• Catanduanes
• Naga City
• Sorsogon
• Camarines Norte: Basud, Capalonga, Daet (Capital), San Vicente, Talisay
• Masbate: Balud, Batuan, City of Masbate (Capital), Mandaon, Milagros, San Fernando
  
  

Western Visayas

• Aklan
• Bacolod City
• Capiz
• Guimaras
• Iloilo Province
• Iloilo City
• Antique: Anini-y, Barbaza, San Jose (Capital), Sebaste, Tobias Fornier (Dao)
• Negros Occidental: Cadiz City, Candoni, City of Himamaylan, City of Talisay, City of Victorias, Enrique B. Magalona (Saravia), Ilog, La Carlota City, Murcia, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, Sagay City, San Enrique, Silay City, Valladolid
  
  

Central Visayas

• Cebu City
• Lapu-Lapu City
• Mandaue City
• Siquijor
• Bohol: Alburquerque, Balilihan, Batuan, Calape, Corella, Dimiao, Duero, Garcia Hernandez, Jagna, Lila, Loay, Loboc, Maribojoc, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia (Pitogo), San Isidro, San Miguel, Sevilla, Sikatuna, Tagbilaran City (Capital)
• Cebu: Alcoy, Borbon, City of Naga, City of Talisay, Oslob, Pilar, Poro, Santander, Tudela
• Negros Oriental: Amlan (Ayuquitan), Bacong, Dauin, Dumaguete City (Capital), Valencia (Luzurriaga), Zamboanguita
  
  

Eastern Visayas

• Biliran
• Eastern Samar
• Northern Samar
• Ormoc City
• Southern Leyte
• Tacloban City
• Leyte: Abuyog, Albuera, Bato, Barugo, City of Baybay, Dulag, Hindang, Inopacan, Javier (Bugho), La Paz, Leyte, Matag-ob, Matalom, Palo, Pastrana, Tabontabon, Tunga, Villaba
• Samar (Western Samar): City of Catbalogan (Capital), Marabut, Motiong, Pagsanghan, Paranas (Wright), San Sebastian, Talalora, Tarangnan, Zumarraga
  
  

Zamboanga Peninsula

• City of Isabela
• Zamboanga City
• Zamboanga del Norte
• Zamboanga del Sur
• Zamboanga Sibugay
  
  

Northern Mindanao

• Bukidnon
• Cagayan de Oro City
• Camiguin
• Iligan City
• Misamis Occidental
• Misamis Oriental
• Lanao del Norte: Bacolod, Baroy, Kauswagan, Kolambugan, Lala, Linamon, Tubod (Capital)
  
  

Davao Region

• Davao City
• Davao Oriental
• Davao de Oro: Mawab, Montevista, Nabunturan (Capital), New Bataan
• Davao del Norte: Braulio E. Dujali, Island Garden City of Samal, Santo Tomas
• Davao del Sur: Padada
• Davao Occidental: Don Marcelino, Malita, Santa Maria
  
  

Soccsksargen

• General Santos City
• South Cotabato
• Cotabato (North Cotabato): Antipas, Arakan, City of Kidapawan (Capital), Kabacan, President Roxas
• Sarangani: Maitum
• Sultan Kudarat: Bagumbayan, City of Tacurong, Kalamansig, Lebak, President Quirino
  
  

Caraga

• Butuan City
• Surigao del Norte
• Surigao del Sur
• Agusan del Norte
• Agusan del Sur
• Dinagat Islands: Cagdianao, Dinagat, Libjo (Albor), Loreto, Tubajon
  
  

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)

• Cotabato City
• Lanao del Sur
• Maguindanao: South Upi, Upi
• Sulu: Hadji Panglima Tahil (Marunggas)
• Tawi-Tawi: Turtle Islands
  
  

The DOH said that under Alert Level 1, "intrazonal and interzonal travel shall be allowed without regard to age and comorbidities."

"All establishments, persons, or activities, are allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at full on-site or venue/seating capacity provided it is consistent with minimum public health standards," it added.

Group bats for a ‘more strategic approach’ to address extreme heat in schools

BY MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

Apr 23, 2023 06:48 PM

  

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While it recognized the move of the Department of Education (DepEd) reminding schools to shift to distance learning due to extreme heat, a group of teachers pushed for a “more strategic approach” that will address the concern of students and personnel who attend in-person classes during the hottest months of the year.

(DepEd / MB Visual Content Group)

Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) issued a statement acknowledging the action taken by the DepEd in response to the constant cries of teachers and children to consider the extreme heat and suspend face-to-face classes.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2023/4/22/schools-may-suspend-classes-switch-to-distance-learning-during-extreme-climate-conditions-dep-ed

In the memorandum signed by DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas issued on April 20, the agency reiterated its policy "to suspend in-person classes and implement modular distance learning in cases of unfavorable weather and environment such as, but not limited to, extremely high temperatures which may considerably affect the conduct of classroom learning and put the learners' health and wellbeing at risk.”

However, TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas said that a “more strategic approach” is needed to address the issue.

For example, he mentioned lowering the class size to no more than 25 students. TDC also suggested the construction of “more stable classrooms designed for student comfort and provision of electric fans or even air -conditioning system.”

To implement such adjustments, he noted that “funds and policies” will have to be in place.

Reverting to the old school calendar

The DepEd’s reiteration of the policy came after some school children fainted in Laguna and Mindoro due to the extreme heat.

Before the implementation of distance learning due to the Covid-19 pandemic, public schools held classes from June to March. They spend “summer” vacation from April to May.

With the resumption of in-person classes, groups of teachers and even parents called for DepEd to return to the old school calendar.

However, TDC pointed out that it will take at least four years to gradually return to the old school calendar where the months of April and May are designated as school breaks.

“For now the alternative methods that can be used are shortened teaching time and modular and online learning,” Basas, who is also a teacher in Caloocan City, said.

Basas also noted that returning to the old academic calendar “would require adjustments that could take years to implement, while the suffering of teachers and students is felt in real-time.”

Related to this, TDC reiterated that public school teachers “have the right to a two-month school break that could be compromised if DepEd immediately reverts to the old system.”

The group cited DepEd Order No. 34, s. 2022, which sets the August opening of the school calendar for the 2022-2023, 2023-2024, and 2024-2025 school years.

“We need to fix it and make sure that the welfare of our teachers is taken into account before implementing the return to the old school calendar,” Basas said.

Mehr Geld für Beschäftigte im öffentlichen Dienst

Innenministerin Faeser (SPD, r.) bei den Tarifverhandlungen

Foto: Monika Skolimowska/dpa

Potsdam – Bund, Kommunen und Gewerkschaften haben sich auf mehr Geld für die 2,5 Millionen Beschäftigten des öffentlichen Dienstes geeinigt.

Das teilten alle Tarifparteien nach mehrstündigen Verhandlungen am späten Samstagabend in Potsdam mit. Damit sind weitere Streiks im öffentlichen Dienst vom Tisch.

So viel gibt es mehr:

► Steuer- und abgabenfreie Sonderzahlungen von insgesamt 3000 Euro in mehreren Stufen. 1240 Euro davon sollen bereits in diesem Juni fließen, weitere 220 Euro dann jeweils in den Monaten von Juli bis Februar 2024.

► Ab März 2024 soll es dann als Lohnplus einen Sockelbetrag von 200 Euro sowie anschließend 5,5 Prozent mehr geben. Wird dabei keine Erhöhung um 340 Euro erreicht, soll der betreffende Erhöhungsbetrag auf diese Summe gesetzt werden.

Bei dieser Lösung orientierten sich die Tarifparteien in großen Teilen am Kompromissvorschlag aus dem vor einer Woche beendeten Schlichtungsverfahren. Die Laufzeit der Vereinbarung soll 24 Monate betragen.

„Wir sind den Gewerkschaften so weit entgegengekommen, wie wir es in schwieriger Haushaltslage noch verantworten können“, teilte Bundesinnenministerin  Nancy Faeser (SPD) im Anschluss an die Verhandlungsrunde mit.

Verdi-Chef Frank Werneke zufolge waren es keine leichten Verhandlungen. „Mit unserer Entscheidung, diesen Kompromiss einzugehen, sind wir an die Schmerzgrenze gegangen“, sagte er.

Von der Erhöhung profitieren Angehörige etlicher Berufe – unter anderem Erzieherinnen, Busfahrer, Angestellte von Bädern, Feuerwehrleute, Krankenschwestern, Verwaltungsangestellte, Altenpflegerinnen, Klärwerksmitarbeiter, Förster und Ärzte.

Origin of Filipino Names

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Kara David

78,032 views Apr 9, 2023

A short video about the interesting origin of names of some provinces in the Philippines. Most of the stories/info in this video were culled from stories of local residents, websites of provincial governments as well as from my personal experiences. Pasensya na po sa mga pagkakamali sa pronunciation ng ilang mga salita. Enjoy!

Schools can call off classes due to heat – DepEd

SCHOOL BETTER BE COOL | It may be critical these days to keep classrooms well-ventilated, like here at Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City. This photo was taken on Aug. 22, 2022. (File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

By: Dempsey Reyes - Reporter / @dempseyreyesINQ

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:30 AM April 23, 2023

MANILA, Philippines — As several parts of the country try to cope with the summer heat, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Saturday that school authorities could call off in-person classes to safeguard the health of their students and staff.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) said the government should start considering reverting to the old school calendar as public schools are not fully equipped to deal with high temperatures during the dry season.

DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said that principals and school heads had been reminded that they have the “authority and responsibility to suspend in-person classes and switch to alternative delivery modes (ADMs) if it is really hot and already affecting the health of our learners and personnel.”

Poa was asked by the Inquirer about the DepEd’s contingency measures or plans to address the concerns of parents and teachers regarding the hot weather over the past several days.

“We also don’t want our learners’ health to be affected especially with the very hot temperature we are experiencing, which is why we are again reminding our school heads that they can immediately switch to ADMs,” he pointed out.

Cabuyao example

One local official, Mayor Dennis Hain of Cabuyao City in Laguna province, took action in response to the hot weather that affected students of Gulod National High School Extension in his city.

Hain suspended classes on March 24, a day after 83 students were hospitalized for heat exhaustion during fire and earthquake drills.

Some of the students had difficulty in breathing and complained that the afternoon heat was “too much for them to bear,” the City Schools Division of Cabuyao said in a statement.

The incident prompted Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, to call for the return of the old school calendar and called on the national government to bring back the April-May “summer vacation.”

‘Not conducive’

ACT secretary-general Raymond Basilio said that the hot weather, which may last until next month, should push the DepEd to revert to the old school calendar where classes start in June.

Basilio said that ACT wrote to the DepEd last month requesting the agency to return to the previous school calendar to avoid holding classes during the hot and dry season.

“In the Philippines’ context, it is not really conducive to have classes during this period since we lack the facilities to handle this, especially in public schools,” he told the Inquirer.

Basilio said the decision by the DepEd central office of tasking the school heads to suspend classes was only a “temporary solution” to the problem.

“The DepEd should really take this seriously by consulting with teachers and other school personnel on the field and come up with mechanisms that would bring us back to our old school calendar,” he stressed.

In a department order on May 11, 2020, the DepEd decided to move the opening of the school year 2020-2021 from June to August 2020, because of the pandemic.

This new August-April school calendar was continued by Vice President Sara Duterte, the education secretary, in the school year 2022-2023.

Duterte’s order was based on Republic Act No. 11480, the law which authorizes the education secretary to set the date for the start of the school year, especially during a state of calamity.

‘Init’ factor

On Friday, April 22, the highest temperature recorded in Metro Manila was 36.2 degrees Celsius, up from 35 C the previous day. It was 32°C on April 22 last year.

The weather bureau has also been reporting on the “heat index,” or the so called “init factor,” the apparent temperature felt by the human body from the combined air temperature and humidity, which is different from what is recorded by a thermometer.

Heat indices between 41°C and 54°C are considered “dangerous” and could likely cause heat cramps and heat exhaustion, and a heat stroke is probable with continued activity. Above 54°C is “extremely dangerous,” when heat stroke is imminent, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Weather specialist Daniel James Villamil said that the recent hot days “is all because of the dry season we are experiencing.”

Pagasa monitors tropical cyclone outside PAR

By Arlie O. Calalo

THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Sunday that it is monitoring an active tropical cyclone outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR)

It was moving westward and had maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55kph.

Weather forecaster Grace Castaneda said most parts of the country will have cloudy skies but the weather will remain hot and humid in the next 24 hours.

"There would only be occasional rain showers and thunderstorms that may occur during late afternoon or at night," she told The Manila Times.

Castaneda said the easterlies or winds coming from the Pacific Ocean that bring warm and humid temperatures are affecting the eastern sections of Visayas and Mindanao.

Libanan wants Pinoy students to be like Rizal, speak more foreign languages

BY ELLSON QUISMORIO

Apr 23, 2023 10:33 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan wants Filipino students to master more foreign languages aside from English.

• Libanan said the students should be inspired by the great Dr. Jose Rizal, who mastered a bunch of foreign languages.

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House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan (left), and Dr. Jose Rizal (Facebook, Wikipedia)

House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan wants Filipino students to emulate national hero Dr. Jose Rizal in terms of the latter's mastery of foreign languages.

For this purpose, Libanan penned and filed House Resolution (HR) No. 910, which urges the Department of Education (DepEd) to integrate foreign language studies into the K-12 Program.

“Our school system by tradition has been teaching Filipino children to emulate and aspire to be like Rizal. We might as well encourage them to study foreign languages, just like Rizal,” Libanan said.

Doing so would "acquaint learners with foreign languages other than English" and "encourage them to learn foreign language that will vastly improve their employability in the global labor markets of the 21st century", the veteran solon said.

Owing to his fascination with foreign languages, Rizal--often described as a polymath--became conversant in Arabic, Catalan, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, Sanskrit, Spanish, and Swedish.

Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte, in her 2023 Basic Education Report, had declared that the department intends to revise and improve the K-12 program, with the aim of developing lifelong learners who are competent and job-ready.

In his resolution, Libanan said that “The whole world has become a global village with multilingual labor markets, thus creating a strong demand for workers with foreign language skills.”

Global corporations based in the United States, China and Japan – the world’s three largest economies – have been known to prefer hiring staff who can speak a second foreign language besides English, Libanan pointed out.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Philippines deployed a total of 2,150,000 workers to overseas labor markets in 2019, or an average of 5,890 every day, according to Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

The number of Filipino workers deployed abroad has since dropped to less than one million yearly.

Despite the deployment slump, the World Bank estimates that the Philippines received up to $38 billion in cash remittances from all channels in 2022, making the country the world’s fourth-largest recipient of money from overseas workers, after India, Mexico and China.