At a time of rising costs and economic uncertainty, freelancing has emerged as a growing source of opportunity. As more Filipinos turn to freelancing as a viable long-term career, many are adopting digital tools like the GCash Virtual US Account to simplify cross-border payments.

Recognizing this, the GCash Freelancer Connect, a series of community events designed to bring freelancers based in different cities in the country, made its way to Pampanga for its first regional leg. Attendees gathered to learn from speakers KD Creatives and Dani Jacobe, who led practical sessions on how to diversify income streams, charge more competitive prices, and build greater financial confidence with the support of tools like GCash. Here are key insights shared during the event:

1. Strong relationships create steady opportunities

With more Filipinos entering the freelancing industry, standing out has become a bigger challenge. For Dani Jacobe, building meaningful connections – and knowing how to communicate value clearly – makes all the difference.

“Your goal is not just to find one client. Your goal is to build a system that helps you keep finding and serving clients,” she shared.

What she has learned over the years is that outreach should go beyond simply introducing one’s services. Freelancers should learn to identify problems, offer clear solutions, and create opportunities for intentional conversations from the very beginning.

“Your skill becomes more valuable when you connect it to a specific business need,” she added.

2. Be confident in your worth

For Kyla Dizon, the journey to becoming “KD Creatives” didn’t happen overnight. Before building her online community around content creation and offering digital guides and advice through her platform, she experienced self-doubt and pressure as a young freelancer. One area where that hit hard was in communicating her value to potential clients.

“The truth is, a lot of freelancers are incredibly talented, but still undercharge because they haven’t fully recognized the value of what they bring to the table,” she explained.

The turning point came when she stopped pricing from a place of fear or being scared that clients would walk away because she’d be too expensive and instead, began pricing from a place of confidence. But that confidence, Kyla noted, came only once she fully embraced her personal brand as a freelancer.

“Now, I approach pricing differently — not based on fear, but on the value and experience I know I can deliver,” she explained. During the Freelancer Connect, she urged attendees to use a pricing matrix, which she has made available online, to accurately determine how much they should charge clients for the services they offer.

3. Receiving payments should not feel complicated

Another common challenge freelancers face is receiving payments, especially from overseas clients, where the process is often inefficient. To address this, GCash has introduced the Virtual US Account, a feature designed to make receiving USD payments easier.

Users can now receive USD transfers directly from US-based clients using their own routing and account numbers, similar to a traditional US bank, within the GCash app. This feature helps freelancers avoid unnecessary deductions, hidden fees, and lengthy transfer processes, while also ensuring competitive forex rates. Users can convert their USD to PHP when it is most favorable for them – they have full control of when they want to withdraw it into their GCash e-wallet.

“We want to ensure that freelancers in the Philippines can receive and manage their money in the most convenient way possible and in a manner that ensures they don’t lose so much of their hard-earned cash. Once in your Virtual US Account, you can access and manage your earnings instantly inside the GCash app – whether that’s converting to PHP, paying bills, buying load, or even growing your wealth through our financial services,” shared Sophia Sison, Product Manager under the International Business Group at GCash.

Create your Virtual US Account today

As freelancing continues to grow across the country, GCash hopes initiatives like the Freelancer Connect can help create more spaces where freelancers feel supported — not just financially, but as a community navigating a rapidly changing world of work together.

Creating your Virtual US Account is easy:

1. Open the GCash app – Tap US Accounts in the Explore the App section
2. Tap Continue and verify your information
3. Complete your account creation

 Earning through freelance work has never been more accessible. With a stable internet connection and numerous job platforms, opportunities can come from anywhere – and for many Filipino women, they do. A 2020 study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) showed that an increasing number of women are engaging in online work because it lets them earn while balancing home responsibilities.

But access doesn’t always mean ease. Freelancers face inconsistent income, unpredictable clients, and little guidance on how to navigate it all. For longtime freelancers Mia Juan and Dana Novales, building a career online has meant learning these lessons in real time. With more women entering the freelancing field, they share three lessons they’ve learned:

1. Build real relationships, not just transactions.

Freelancing can make work feel transactional. You get assigned a task, submit the work, get paid, and then move on. But the most successful freelancers don’t treat work that way. In such an unpredictable field, being remembered matters.

According to Dana, “Real relationships are built on service, not strategy.” Every “Well done!” or “Good work!” can open doors to new opportunities, so don’t waste them. Instead, take an extra step to establish a real relationship with your clients: check in, understand what they need, and find ways to make the process easy for them.

2. Set up systems that work for you.

Handling different clients with different ways of working can get overwhelming fast. For Mia, having systems for your workflow simply makes this easier and helps manage client expectations.

That can be as simple as being clear about what services you offer. “It’s basically saying this is what I can offer and setting a clear boundary of what you do not do. That way, there is no miscommunication of responsibilities, which happens commonly in freelancing work,” she shares. It also helps to have a proper onboarding flow – having contracts, timelines, and payment terms in place before you start, not while you’re already in the middle of the work.

3. Find solutions that work for your peace of mind.

Some challenges only appear once you’re in the midst of them, and for many freelancers, realizing that foreign payments come with fees, delays, and uncertainty is when freelancing starts to feel stressful.

“Earning in USD sounds exciting–until fees, forex, and delays eat into your income,” Dana points out. She shares that this is something she wishes she had known earlier in her freelancing career. “That’s why there is importance in having the right structures in place, especially if you’re a mom who has to think of managing your home, paying your bills, among many other responsibilities.”

That’s why Mia and Dana now use the new GCash Virtual US Account, a feature within the GCash app that lets freelancers receive USD payments from US clients more directly without the usual surcharges. After creating an account, you get your own ACH and Wire Routing Number, which you can give to your clients for direct deposits of your pay.

You can also choose to convert your USD to PHP when you want, depending on live forex rates, which you can see on the platform – giving you control over how much you actually receive. Once it’s in your wallet, you can use it to send money, pay bills, or add to your savings.

Creating a GCash Virtual US Account is easy in just a few steps.

1. Open the GCash app. Tap US Accounts in the Explore the App section
2. Tap Continue and verify your information
3. Complete your account creation

Filip+Inna founder and creative force Len Cabili has long been celebrated for her artistry and commitment to Filipino heritage through her work with Filipino artisans. Her pioneering fashion label bridges traditional craftsmanship with modern design, honoring the work of indigenous artisans while placing Filipino creativity on the global stage.

Behind her creative success is a lifestyle built on connection and innovation, helped made seamless by Smart Infinity, Smart’s premium postpaid brand. 

Empowered by technology, connected by purpose 

As a designer and cultural advocate, Cabili relies on constant collaboration with artisans, clients, and creative partners around the world. “I rely heavily on my network to get things done,” Cabili shares. “Smart Infinity genuinely takes the time to understand my needs not just in terms of connectivity, but how I want to experience it. It’s like having a concierge for my digital life.”  

Whether she’s deep in the mountains of Mindanao or speaking on global stages, Cabili counts on Smart Infinity and personalized assistance to stay connected and productive. 

“Since I travel frequently, Smart Infinity is my trusted partner that keeps me connected with my team, wherever I am. And when I unwind, being able to stream effortlessly helps me maintain a healthy work-life balance.” 

A premium digital partner for a world-class Filipino 

For Cabili, communication is the heartbeat of both her artistry and her relationships. “Communication is key to nurturing connections with family, friends, and collaborators,” she says. “Smart Infinity’s reliable connectivity ensures I stay in touch wherever I go, whether in Kalinga or Sulu.”

She adds, “Knowing I can rely on their support anytime gives me peace of mind. Their service feels truly personal, not just transactional.”

Smart Infinity, in many ways, mirrors Cabili’s own philosophy of excellence and intentionality. “In my work, craftsmanship and collaboration are central,” she explains.

“Technology has made the creative process more efficient and faster complementing the patience and skill behind every piece. Smart Infinity anticipates my needs by providing the best in technology and service to support my work.” 

The Smart Infinity Experience 

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For Cabili, Smart Infinity is more than a mobile service, it’s a partner that empowers her to connect, create, and celebrate Filipino artistry on a global scale.

For more information on Smart Infinity’s offers, visit www.smart.com.ph/infinity, dial *800, or follow @smartinfinity on Instagram.