Historian Xiao Chua says Filipinos work abroad because of colonial mentality—but PGMN anchor Orion Perez isn’t having any of it.
A former OFW with over 20 years in Singapore, Orion fires back with firsthand experience and hard economic truths.
In this explosive episode, he breaks down why millions of Filipinos are forced to leave: not because of culture, but because of a broken economic system at home.
In Episode 50 of PGMN, Orion calls out what he sees as a misguided take. He points out that most OFWs aren’t drawn to foreign countries because of shared culture—they’re pushed out by low wages, limited local job options, and a system that makes it nearly impossible to thrive.
Citing real-life examples, he explains how many professionals end up taking on blue-collar work abroad simply because it pays triple—or more—than local jobs in the Philippines.
Orion also highlights the bigger issue: how the country’s outdated economic policies and restrictive investment laws have made job creation a struggle.
For him, the real story isn’t cultural identity—it’s economics. And until that changes, he says, Filipinos will keep looking elsewhere for the opportunities they’re denied at home.
