The Lowdown: What It's Like Working with Filipinos on a Remote work Culture

Karla Singson walks you through the real-world truth about hiring and working with Filipino teammates. Based on her years growing up in the Philippines and building Proximity Outsourcing, Karla explains how Filipino culture shows up at work, what to expect from communication and management, and how to get the best from an outstanding talent pool. Karla starts with background about the Philippines and the BPO industry, then moves into practical advice for hiring, onboarding, giving feedback, and creating a culture that helps Filipino remote professionals thrive. This episode is perfect for founders, hiring managers, and team leaders who want to work respectfully and effectively with Filipino talent. In this episode you will learn: • Why the Philippines became a global outsourcing hub and what that means for your hires • How English is taught and why many Filipino teammates write and speak in a more formal style than you might expect • Which roles Filipinos commonly fill and why you will often find solid corporate experience and degrees on their resumes • How Filipinos communicate: why they avoid confrontation, how that looks in practice, and how to encourage directness without causing discomfort • Practical onboarding and feedback tactics that get results, including using clarity, purpose, and praise to build psychological safety • How to train for critical thinking and initiative so teammates stop following checklists and start solving problems proactively • Cultural nuances that matter: family obligations, Holy Week, holiday expectations, and small gestures that build loyalty • Employee care that actually matters: benefits, team care, and small gifts that increase retention and productivity The most intriguing part Karla explains how a simple shift in onboarding and feedback changed her whole team: when you repeatedly tell Filipino teammates you value honesty and intelligence, and then show it through how you act, they begin to speak up, take initiative, and treat the job like their own. That shift turns polite compliance into real ownership and drives faster, safer growth for remote teams. Why listen If you are hiring remotely and want a team that is loyal, English fluent, and deeply service oriented, this episode gives the cultural context and the exact management moves that work. Karla’s advice is practical, specific, and easy to apply on day one. Resources and links Proximity Outsourcing: proximityoutsourcing.com Proximity Placements: proximityplacements.com Proximity Projects: proximityprojects.com Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/RichandRemote Follow Alex and Karla: Alex Booth: LinkedIn: Alexander Booth - Huckleberry Consulting | Facebook: GetCSM  Karla Singson: Instagram: @karlastefan | Facebook: Karla Singson | LinkedIn: Karla Singson Big thanks to our sponsors ​Proximity Outsourcing​, ​Huckleberry Consulting​, and ​GetCSM for making this episode possible!... Chapters (00:00:01) - Work with a Filipino Team(00:08:27) - How English Does Filipinos Speak?(00:12:15) - What to Look For In Hiring the Philippines(00:15:09) - Management and Communication styles of Filipinos(00:25:07) - Filipinos: Character Highlights(00:26:45) - What are the US Holidays vs. Filipinos' Holidays(00:31:31) - Filipino Bosses