If you’re Filipino, you probably know about BPO and its more popular call centers around Manila and the Visayas. For some, working in a call center would mean mataas ang sahod. Especially people from the province where corporations are far away, our kasambahay would give high regard to a neighbor na nakapag-call center. Nowadays, its online counterpart, Virtual Assistants (VA) give off the same reputation.

Even I am guilty working mid shifts, (3pm to 12mn) with Americans in tech. But I guess that’s what it takes to earn a little extra… although at a cost.

Messed-up body clocks are taking Filipinos to the graves.

Literally… we are giving health and years of our life for a couple thousand pesos. Not to mention the notorious culture in working in odd hours.

Seeing both worlds as I worked 2 months in a call center during a summer vacation pre-grad… any job that does not follow the sun is not a permanent profession you should take. BPO work is a good stepping stone and a massive economic boost for our country, but biologically, the human body isn’t meant to do it for 30 years. Pang-tawid lang ito, not your final destination.

Back in 2018, I saw my body literally decompose in the 2 months I worked calls. I cringe every time i see photos from that time of my life. My spirit was awful and my face showed it.

Yes, you get better at English, okay… but absorbing an angry Western’s problem every single day is not good for the nervous system. The coping mechanisms you take because of a stressful environment, fucks you up even more, Im talking about fast food, smoking, alcohol and a lot of caffeine on a time your body is supposed to be resting.

The lack of sun exposure is also a big culprit.

Notice how VAs that work 2 to 3 clients always has a story about their body giving up on them and hospitalization fees drying up their savings? It’s not the 2 to 3 jobs they took, it’s the graveyard shifts they do them in!

What’s the point if it all goes straight to hospital bills?

I think the best way about these things is to take advantage of this good time in your life and build an exit plan. You are earning good then make that money work for you! Don’t upgrade your lifestyle and blow it on flying around asia! Thailand can wait.

Like any job, layoffs are around the counter, and believe me, you are replaceable. Don’t let the system take advantage of you for relatively cheaper labor without you taking advantage of the capital it provides.

Here’s how you can start:

• Cut out GrabFood and Shopee, uninstall them from your phones to avoid temptation boredom eating and shopping.
• Start cooking or ordering homecooked ulam from a trusted karinderya in their open hours, refrigerate and heat up for later… and please cook your own rice!
• Build a budget sheet where all your money that come and go are accounted for.
• Enumerate debts and pay them as soon as possible depending on the interest rates and amount.
• Build a 6-month emergency fund.
• Aggressively invest everything saved up as soon as posibble to make up for the lost investing years and take advantage of compounding.
• And when you get tired, actually stop. Learn when enough is enough and leave graveyard shift for good.

Be smart with your money, be smart with your body, and be smart with your life. You’re working hard—make sure you’re actually working toward a way out… if not for early retirement, then at least for a healthier working environment.