Turn a piece of advice for Filipino practitioners

For those of you still in the Philippines and looking for jobs, be cautious of the so-called "Philippine plates." These are essentially gambling operations disguised as legitimate businesses, often referred to by HR as "white industries." Despite claims of not holding onto passports, they often do, with most bosses being from Fujian, claiming temporary company custody of passports—a common trick well-known to the experienced.

These companies might offer more rest days, but the salaries are not as high as those offered by Chinese companies.

The leadership in these companies is predominantly Taiwanese, with some from Mainland China. However, many of these leaders advocate for Taiwanese independence, and those from the mainland are often those who couldn't make it in bigger companies and only boast without substantial skills. From HR managers to directors, you'll find this lack of professionalism common, and strong candidates often get rejected because they are seen as too capable.

These smaller companies often harbor many petty individuals. So, for those still trying to make a living in the Philippines and looking to earn more in this industry, it might be wiser to seek opportunities in other countries.

Only through personal experience will you understand the feeling of being targeted everywhere. If you still wish to work in the Philippines, it's more reliable to seek employment with larger companies. The major players under AG are the real deal; others, despite their claims, are not. Once you join them, you'll understand what true despair is, starting from unprofessional interviews.

Everyone knows what "Fujian plates" are like—Fujian bosses with Taiwanese or foreign management. It feels like outsiders are constantly directing you, boasting about their prowess while actually being incompetent.

On a side note, one reason Taiwanese themselves often avoid Taiwanese companies is due to their leadership's arrogance and pretentiousness. They often can't even develop a basic departmental SOP and like to take credit for others' work. This is a common issue, as many of my Taiwanese colleagues and friends have shared.

With the recent Philippine elections, only the Duterte family's seats might keep the gambling industry afloat.

Also, recent news reported that the tax and immigration departments have started investigating PIGO.

In summary, if you can leave the Philippines, do so sooner rather than later.

Don't end up as cannon fodder for these companies. The so-called "white industry" work visas are actually for gambling, recognized by the Philippine government as valid for working in the Philippines. Once your passport has a record, returning home means informing customs that you were involved in gambling in the Philippines.

This has already been exposed on Xiaohongshu.

Lastly, I wish all compatriots still abroad great fortune in 2025. It's a tough year for all industries!