As the Philippines commemorates Migrant Workers Day and Independence Day, some overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong are choosing to celebrate in a meaningful new way—by returning to school.
“We often talk about independence in the context of our history,” said Emilio Baja, founder of Full Phils. “But for many OFWs, especially women, real independence also means having the chance to study again. To grow, to choose, to lead. That’s also what we’re celebrating this June.”
Through the support of Full Phils, a youth-led nonprofit founded in 2023, almost 30 OFWs have enrolled in tertiary education via flexible, accredited online programs. Many of these learners are women who once put their studies on hold to work abroad. Today, they are proving that learning is not only a form of personal liberation, but a vital first step in preparing for life beyond overseas work, especially as government efforts shift toward full-cycle reintegration for OFWs[1].
“Independence Day reminds us that we are free to pursue the lives we strive for ourselves,” Baja added. “For OFWs who once felt limited by their circumstances, education becomes a passport—not just to better jobs, but to dignity, confidence, and real choice.”
Building independence through education even abroad
Full Phils works with partner universities such as AMA University and Philippine Women’s University to offer degree programs suited to the unique schedules and needs of OFWs. Additionally, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Open University, Full Phils is working to explore new academic pathways specifically for OFWs. These opportunities are made possible by a coalition of corporate donors, legal advisors, and community supporters in both the Philippines and Hong Kong.
“This isn’t just about access to a college degree,” added Baja. “It’s about showing OFWs—especially those who’ve always been told their job defines them—that they’re more than that. They have every right to invest in themselves.”
Many of the OFWs Full Phils serve left the country without a college degree—some, without completing high school—driven by the need to support their families. Education gives them something they’ve often been denied: the ability to shape their own trajectory, not just survive within someone else’s.
Beyond career advancement, the program aims to foster self-worth and lifelong learning. As Baja puts it, when OFWs are given tools to succeed, they begin to see themselves differently, not just as workers abroad, but as individuals with the potential to drive change in their communities and beyond.
“I started Full Phils with a small background but a big dream. The fact that OFWs are showing such a strong hunger to learn tells me this work matters,” Baja said. “They’re not just looking for a diploma—they’re looking for a way to redefine what’s possible for their careers.”
As the country reflects on freedom this June, Full Phils reminds us that independence comes in many forms. For some OFWs, it begins with logging into class.
The initiative reflects broader national priorities. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has reiterated the importance of eliminating gender bias and expanding access to skills training for women OFWs, a message reinforced at the Women OFW Conference in Makati. In her remarks, DMW Undersecretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay emphasized the need for “women’s empowerment, independence, confidence, and hope”[2] —values that Full Phils mirrors in its education-driven approach.
To learn more about Full Phils or explore partnership opportunities, visit https://fullphils.org.
