Freelance Journey & Skills Beyond the Code
Beyond the Code: My First Payout from a Foreign Tutoring Client
Published on September 17, 2025 by Joselito Bacolod
Hello, mga ka-dev at kapwa freelancers!
Sa mundo ng freelancing, madalas ang focus natin ay sa pag-land ng malalaking projects at pag-chase ng six-figure contracts. We celebrate the big wins, but sometimes, the most satisfying achievements are the small, consistent opportunities that come from unexpected places.
Today, I want to share a small win that felt like a major milestone. Matagal na akong nagtu-tutor on the side, pero this one is special. I just received my first payout from a new foreign client!
This payment is for 4 hours of tutoring, which I do for 2 hours per week. As you can see, hindi ito malaking halaga compared sa mga project-based work, pero sa totoo lang, ang saya ko nung natanggap ko 'to. As I always say, "Kahit papano, malaking pandagdag din sa kinsenas, hehe."
Bakit ko ito shine-share? Dahil hindi lang ito tungkol sa ₱3,428. It's about a bigger lesson for all of us freelancers.
The Power of Diversification
As freelancers, our income can be unpredictable—feast or famine, 'ika nga. Having a small, consistent side hustle like this, even if it's just a few hours a week, is like having a financial safety net. It provides a predictable income stream that helps smooth out the gaps between big projects.
Validating Your Other Skills
This opportunity reminded me that my skills are not just for building apps, but also for sharing knowledge. It's a great feeling to know that you can teach and explain complex topics to someone else. It's a reminder na hindi lang tayo "coders"—we are problem solvers, communicators, and teachers.
The Mental Break
Ang pagtuturo ay ibang-iba sa pag-code. It uses a different part of the brain. After hours of staring at code, debugging, and talking to clients, spending time teaching is a refreshing change of pace that helps prevent burnout.
Kaya sa mga kapwa ko freelancers, I encourage you to look beyond your primary skill. Baka may talent ka sa pagsusulat, design, o pagtuturo na pwede mong gawing sideline. You might be surprised at the opportunities and the sense of fulfillment it can bring. Every little stream contributes to a bigger river of financial stability and professional growth.
Tuloy lang ang pag-explore at pag-grow! 🌱