Why I quit Filipino “networking” — Unpacking the toxic schemes that weaponise friendship and cause widespread burnout

Published June 21, 2026 By admin

Recently, I stumbled upon a Philippines-based podcast called “Dogshow Divas,” and it’s gold. It’s not just funny; it’s like an archive space that perfectly captures the authentic, unfiltered essence of Filipino pop culture from the pre-social media era. Every episode really hits home, making me nostalgic for those moments of genuine freedom, without the crushing pressure and societal justification that online platforms demand now.

On one particular episode, the hosts were discussing the confusing culture of “networking” in the Philippines. Hearing them talk about it checked all the boxes on my own experiences. This article is my attempt to share that truth.

For many Filipinos, “networking” has a deeply conflicted reputation. On one hand, you hear inspiring stories of empowerment and success; on the other, you hear far more dramatic and awful stories that just leave you annoyed. It’s a fundamental love-hate relationship with the practice itself.

The invitation that cost me my energy
My personal journey into this confusing world began with a simple invitation. A friend asked me to catch up, and toward the end of our lovely chat, she casually mentioned an event at her office later that evening. She described it as having ‘drinks and interesting people’ from various fields, including business, journalism, and the creative arts. As a curious journalist, I said yes immediately. Plus, really, I was there for the free drinks. Little did I know that this innocent-sounding event would lead me into a world of confusion and exhaustion.

It wasn’t until I arrived that I realized the event wasn’t a professional networking opportunity; it was a multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme, often disguised here as a ‘business opportunity.’ The core mechanism is simple: you invite more people to become entrepreneurs by selling products, usually as an online distributor. The massive selling point? You can allegedly earn double your monthly salary, quickly, by doing this ‘sideline job.’ The promise was alluring; the potential seemed endless.

The process is always the same: you start by inviting people, then meet the top earners in the organization, and then continue inviting. To even gain a spot, you often have to invest your own money to secure a membership or a product starter pack.

The lure and the lie

For about three months, I was utterly absorbed. I kept attending the workshops and networking sessions. They were captivating. I would spend an hour or two listening to top earners and directors share their “amazing stories and success,” which always came with a dazzling visual presentation. They showed off their fancy cars, fancy condominiums, records of paid-off debts, and new small business ventures, from hair salons to restaurant franchises.

I’m being honest: I often felt so poor and so out of reach with all of their achievements that I started questioning either, “Do I want to be her/him?” or “Will I ever reach that level of success?”

However, the inspiration quickly gave way to disillusionment. I had to create endless lists of people to invite, spend long hours travelling to their offices, and wake up early or stay up late just to catch up with them online and manage to invite them on a ‘date’ to secure a spot. Every casual interaction became a potential sales pitch, and I started to feel like I was compromising my friendships. I was losing my energy, and I quickly became burnt out. The promise was shattered, and the reality was far short of the initial allure.

The promise was that this was a fun and energizing extra income, a manageable side hustle. It was not. I left and finally gave up, but not without a personal cost. The toll was not just financial but emotional and physical. The promise of a ‘quick buck’ had turned into a heavy burden.

Read the full article at link below.

Content retrieved from: https://www.meer.com/en/100633-why-i-quit-filipino-networking.