Work-Life Balance: Remote Work From the Tropics of Cebu

Hello! I'm Andrew.

Not long ago, I was in Nagano, Japan, freezing winter weather. A few hours later, I stepped into the 30°C heat of Cebu, Philippines. Having the ability to work remotely is great and this was my first time truly taking advantage of this perk. Spending 10days in Cebu showed me a different way to work. This was a vacation as well a lesson in how remote work can truly change your perspective.

First Impression

At this time, the only countries that I have ever been to were The United States and Japan, so going to Cebu was quite a culture shock. Once I left the airport in a taxi to head to my hotel, I was shocked because the roads looked like a free-for-all. Honestly it was a scary experience watching cars, motorcycles, and bicycles all swerving past each other as well as pedestrians crossing the street while  tons of stray dogs and cats roam the area. I was thinking to myself “Is this a safe place? It is so unorganized”. 

After settling into my hotel, I decided to walk to IT Park since it was nearby, but there was one problem… I had no idea how to cross the street in Cebu. People here do not wait for a walk signal or a crosswalk, those just are not common in the area, instead you just slowly walk into the street through the flow of cars, motorcycles, and bikes. Since I was unsure how to cross the street, I would just wait until some locals were ready to cross and then I would follow their lead. I felt helpless at this time as I didn’t know how to travel, and if I am having trouble even crossing the street how would I go out and explore this area?

But, after just a few hours in IT Park, everything changed. The warmth of the locals in Cebu is special, everyone is kind, joyful, and helpful. I felt less and less like I was in a foreign place by the minute, next thing I know, I was quickly making my way across the streets, eating all sorts of local foods, and using "Move It" to get a scooter ride across the town. The city went from "terrifying" to "lively" in a single afternoon.

Remote Work Experience/Tourism

I usually worked from my hotel which had a beautiful view of the city center, but because I had a laptop with me, I could work anywhere and nearing the end of my stay I even worked from the beach.

I visited as many tourist spots as I could when I finished work and here are a few of my favorites:

• Temple of Leah: A breathtaking display of architecture and history perched on a mountaintop.

• TOPS:  An amazing viewpoint with unique stone arches that make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a Roman Colosseum.

• Taoist Temple: A beautiful and serene temple complex characterized by its vibrant colors and intricate tiered roofs

• Little Kyoto:  A fun and engaging look at Japanese culture tucked away in the tropical mountains.

The Local Community

The real magic of Cebu is the people. In Cebu the wage disparity seems to be extremely high. The rich are very rich and the poor are very poor. However, just about everyone I met had one thing in common, this vibrant and warm personality. From wealthy businessmen to people selling items on the street to get by, everyone was respectful and friendly in the way they treated others. The weather is great, the beaches are beautiful, and the food is outstanding but what left the biggest impression on me was the people and they are a huge reason why I want to go back to Cebu again.

Final Thoughts

I started this trip telling my boss I might just stay in my hotel and work because I was overwhelmed. I ended it realizing that by using remote working opportunities provided to me, that I can improve my work-life balance greatly. By moving my "office" from the snow of Nagano to the beaches of Cebu, I found a way to stay productive while living a life full of adventure.

Work-life balance is not an option, it is vital that we enjoy as much of our lives as possible, and taking advantage of remote work opportunities can help you enjoy working and life much more.

■ About the Author

Andrew Smith

Originally from Louisiana, USA, Smith is an English educator and content creator based in Ehime, Japan. With a background in media production and experience as an NBA digital reporter, he moved to Japan in 2020 driven by his passion for Japanese culture. After four years teaching English across all age groups, he joined Globarx in 2025, where he now leads business English initiatives（Globarx English） and social media outreach for North America.