Philippines will be the next big digital nomad haven, Orly Darnayla tells CoinGeek Backstage

Due to the impact of COVID-19 in the Philippines three years ago, companies have adopted new working setups, and working from home has become more encouraged and accepted to let employees work despite the numerous lockdowns. With this, Filipinos found another escape from the busy world in the Metro and went to less busy places to avoid physical contact and enjoy mother nature.

La Union is a place most visited by these remote workers, and in San Juan—the Surfing Capital of the Northern Philippines—Baybayin Hub is among the few resorts that reinvent how remote workers, as well as digital nomads and online entrepreneurs, live, work, and play. During the Bull or Bear: Philippine Web3 Debate in La Union last March 17, CoinGeek Backstage reporter Claire Celdran caught up with Orly Darnayla, the founder of Baybayin Hub.

Speaking with CoinGeek Backstage, Darnayla said that because of the pandemic, coworking places by the beach and other unique destinations have become more popular because it promotes work-life balance.

“Because of [the] pandemic, we were given an opportunity to be recognized by everyone. For example, the government and the private companies [are recognizing] our campaign about the future of work and travel because at Baybayin Hub, we created a safe space, and we believe we’re telling them [to] stay away from crowded cities to improve their quality of life. And we invite them to come here,” Darnayla said.

“Outside Manilla, it’s ‘staycation,’ right? At Baybayin Hub, you can do both—’workcation.’ Our members and guests stay longer, mostly seven days to one month, in our coworking and co-living space by the beach,” he added.

Asked if there are changes or slowdown with their business now that we’re slowly recovering from the pandemic, the Baybayin Hub founder says that it’s the other way around.

“It’s going to be bigger,” he said, adding that this kind of setup will be the “future of work and travel.” Darnayla also shared that this is their second year as a startup company, and their goal with Baybayin Hub is to build the Philippines as the next digital nomad haven in Asia.

In closing, Darnayla shared his feedback regarding the news of building La Union as a tech hub, where he said that he sees this already happening in the province.

“I believe it’s happening. This is a very good example Bitskwela, and LGUs are supporting and helping each other. And it’s a good start because, at the end of the day, we believe if you want to accelerate innovations and if you want to embrace the future of work and travel and technology, we need to work together as a community, including the people, tourists, and nomad freelancers. In La Union, it’s just a matter of time,” Darnayla said.

Watch: Bitskwela debaters convene in La Union for third ‘Bull or Bear’ debate