PRESS FEATURE
14-year-old Emilio Baja founds online education for OFW’s in HK, Manila
This article was originally published in the Daily Tribune.
“Full Phils was built on the belief that OFW’s deserve opportunities that honor both their sacrifices and their aspirations,” said Emilio Baja, founder of Full Phils. “Our work is guided by the idea that education can open doors that have long felt out of reach for many OFW’s.”
Founded in 2022 by then 14-year-old Baja, Full Phils began with a mission to help OFWs build a future of their own through accessible, Philippines-accredited online education. Three years later, the organization supports nearly 30 scholars and works with a network of more than 50 volunteers in Manila and Hong Kong.
Full Phils, the youth-led, non-profit dedicated to helping Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s) in Hong Kong earn their college degrees, closes 2025 with major milestones that signal the organization’s growing impact on Filipino migrant communities.
Full Phils partners with academic institutions including the University of the Philippines, Philippine Women’s University and AMA University to provide OFW’s with online degree programs they can pursue while working abroad. Beyond scholarships, Full Phils also prioritizes holistic development, offering monthly workshops on financial literacy, mental health, personal development and life skills essential for long-term success.
Two scholars are set to complete their degrees this school year: Ragine Carbonelle, Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management and Dyan Agonoy, Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management. School supplies
“These graduates represent the heart of why Full Phils was started,” added Baja. “Education gives OFWs the opportunity to rewrite their futures, for themselves and for their families.”
Earlier this year, Full Phils introduced A Heart in Two Places, its first children’s book written by Baja. Created to help young readers understand the realities of OFW life, the title was featured at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany — the world’s largest international book fair. Copies are now available at select Fully Booked branches nationwide, with further rollout planned, as well as the Full Phils website and its social media pages. Proceeds from the book support the organization’s scholarship fund.
“As we look to 2026 and beyond, we hope to empower even more OFW’s to invest in themselves,” Baja Added. “Their sacrifices deserve pathways, not obstacles, toward the futures they envision.”
To learn more about Full Phils or explore partnership opportunities, visit https://fullphils.org.