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Dive into a collection of past posts and rediscover timeless content.

Build

Should You Move to the Philippines? An Honest Guide for Founders, Professionals & Families (2026)

Jul 13, 2026

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23 min read

Should You Move to the Philippines? An Honest Guide for Founders, Professionals & Families (2026)

Thinking about moving to the Philippines? Here's an honest guide covering the cost of living, careers, business opportunities, healthcare, visas, family life and the realities of building a life in the Philippines.

Ryan Victor Mark
Ryan Victor Mark

Build

How to Build a Remote Team in the Philippines: A Founder's Guide

Jul 11, 2026

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12 min read

How to Build a Remote Team in the Philippines: A Founder's Guide

Learn how to build a high-performing remote team in the Philippines. Discover why global founders hire Filipino professionals, what roles to hire first, common mistakes to avoid, and best practices for long-term success.

Ryan Victor Mark
Ryan Victor Mark

Business

A Founder's Guide to Building in the Philippines (2026)

Jul 10, 2026

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4 min read

A Founder's Guide to Building in the Philippines (2026)

Thinking about building a business in the Philippines? Learn what founders need to know about hiring, operations, culture, residency, costs, and long-term growth.

Ryan Victor Mark
Ryan Victor Mark

VA

+2

The Philippines Has Outgrown the "Virtual Assistant" Label

Jul 8, 2026

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3 min read

The Philippines Has Outgrown the "Virtual Assistant" Label

The Philippines is no longer just a destination for virtual assistants. Discover why founders should rethink hiring Filipino talent and build stronger, higher-performing teams.

Ryan Victor Mark
Ryan Victor Mark

Money

How Much Money Do You Actually Need to Live Comfortably in the Philippines? (2026 Guide)

Jul 6, 2026

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3 min read

How Much Money Do You Actually Need to Live Comfortably in the Philippines? (2026 Guide)

Discover the real cost of living in the Philippines in 2026. Learn how much singles, couples, and families need to live comfortably, including housing, utilities, healthcare, transportation, and more.

Ryan Victor Mark
Ryan Victor Mark

Business

The Waffle Illusion: Why Manila’s Food Cart Economy Is a Foreign Investor Trap

Jul 2, 2026

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3 min read

The Waffle Illusion: Why Manila’s Food Cart Economy Is a Foreign Investor Trap

Is a food cart franchise in the Philippines a smart passive asset or a financial trap? Discover the unvarnished unit economics, mall rent percentages, and supply chain loops behind Manila's popular micro-franchises before you deploy your capital.

Ryan Victor Mark
Ryan Victor Mark

Pregancy

+1

Having a Baby in the Philippines: An Expat Operational Guide to St. Luke’s BGC vs. Makati Med

Jun 30, 2026

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4 min read

Having a Baby in the Philippines: An Expat Operational Guide to St. Luke’s BGC vs. Makati Med

n actual operational cost guide for foreigners having a baby in the Philippines. Real 2026 maternity data for St. Luke's BGC and Makati Medical Center.

Ryan Victor Mark
Ryan Victor Mark

Banking

+5

Cross-Border Capital: How to Move, Hold, and Spend Money Legally in the Philippines

Jun 29, 2026

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4 min read

Cross-Border Capital: How to Move, Hold, and Spend Money Legally in the Philippines

The unvarnished operational guide to banking in the Philippines. Learn how to open an expat bank account, bypass Wise to GCash limits, and move capital legally.

Ryan Victor Mark
Ryan Victor Mark

Remote working

+1

Remote Work in the Philippines: The Ultimate Expat Guide

Jun 29, 2026

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4 min read

Remote Work in the Philippines: The Ultimate Expat Guide

The operational blueprint for working remotely in the Philippines for a Western company. Learn about internet reliability, housing costs, and tech setups.

Ryan Victor Mark
Ryan Victor Mark
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The Manila Brief:

Practical insights for people building businesses—and long-term lives—in the Philippines.

The Manila Brief is a publication for people building something meaningful in the Philippines. Whether you're launching a business, expanding your company, relocating your family, investing for the future, or creating a new chapter of your life, we provide practical insights to help you make smarter decisions.

From business, hiring, and investment to residency, healthcare, housing, culture, and everyday life, every edition is designed to help you Build, Live, Belong, and Invest with confidence. 

No tourist fluff. No outdated forum advice. Just practical insights from people who are building here too.

© 2026 The Manila Brief | Build a Business & Life in the Philippines.
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