The Manila Brief

Founder Insights, Startups & Business in the Philippines

Follow the founders, startups, and business leaders shaping the future of the Philippines.

Get weekly founder interviews, market insights, and practical business stories from across the country.

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Loved by 1200+ readers every week

Dear reader,

Welcome to The Manila Brief.

If you're reading this, chances are you're curious about building something in the Philippines.

Maybe you're launching a startup. Maybe you're expanding a business. Maybe you're investing, hiring, or simply trying to better understand one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing economies.

Whatever brought you here, I'm glad you're here.

The Manila Brief exists for one reason: to document the people, companies, and ideas shaping the future of business in the Philippines.

Every week, you'll find founder interviews, startup stories, market insights, hiring trends, investment news, and practical lessons from the people doing the work.

This isn't a publication about travel or digital nomad life.It's for founders, operators, investors, and business leaders who want to understand what's really happening inside the Philippine business ecosystem.

I'm building this publication the same way many of you are building your companies: one conversation, one story, and one lesson at a time.

My goal isn't to have all the answers.

It's to ask better questions, learn from the people building remarkable companies, and share those insights with this community.

Thank you for being here and for joining us on the journey.

Let's build something meaningful.

Ryan MacDougall

The Manila Brief

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Weekly founder interviews, startup news, market insights, and practical lessons for anyone building a business in the Philippines.

Philippine Salary Guide: What Employers Should Expect to Pay

Hiring in the Philippines? Learn what employers should expect to pay across common roles, what influences salaries, and how to build competitive compensation packages.

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Cheap Labour Is a Terrible Business Strategy in the Philippines

Many businesses come to the Philippines looking for cheap labour. Learn why this mindset hurts long-term growth and how building great teams creates a stronger competitive advantage.

Jul 26, 2026

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7 min read

50 Statistics Every Founder Should Know About the Philippines (2026)

The data every founder, investor and business leader should know before building a team in the Philippines.

Jul 21, 2026

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4 min read

The Complete Guide to Hiring Employees in the Philippines (Part 2)

Everything you need to know about onboarding, employment laws, company culture, Employer of Record (EOR) services and building a team that stays.

Jul 16, 2026

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6 min read

The Complete Guide to Hiring Employees in the Philippines (Part 1)

Everything you need to know about hiring employees in the Philippines—from salaries and recruitment to employment laws, payroll and building a high-performing team.

Jul 16, 2026

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26 min read

I’m Ryan MacDougall

I'm a Canadian entrepreneur building a life, a family, and a business in the Philippines.

I started The Manila Brief to document the founders, startups, investors, and business leaders shaping the country's future.

Through interviews, research, and firsthand experience, I share practical insights to help others build, invest, and grow in the Philippines.