TRENDING: What’s behind the 'OFW in Makati' and 'United States of Makati' memes?
Are you an OFW in Makati? How well do you speak Makatinese?
Recently, social media feeds have been taken over by posts about the “United States of Makati,” with people sharing their POVs as “OFWs” navigating the city.
Most posts show Makati’s streets, tall skyscrapers, and high-end buildings, almost as if they’re in another country. The joke goes further with creators saying they need to learn “Makatinese,” the supposed language of the United States of Makati.
The meme became so viral that even the Department of Tourism hopped on the trend, sharing a carousel featuring spots around Makati and jokingly presenting the city as a visa-free “country.”
One Ayala also joined the fun, posting a weather update on Aug. 26 from the “United States of Makati.”
How it started
The meme started around July to August 2026, when social media users began referring to themselves as OFWs, or “Onsite Filipino Workers" or "Overworked Filipino Workers" and sharing POV videos of their return-to-office days. As many employees now have hybrid work setups, the videos captured what their on-site workdays in Makati looked like.
One of the earliest posts was from TikTok user @nickxploration, who shared his usual day in Makati with the text, "Umalis ng Pilipinas para mag-work sa Makati."
"As an OFW in Makati!" he wrote in his caption.
@nickxploration As an OFW in Makati!
♬ original sound - nickxploration
The post was followed by clips showing where OFWs in Makati eat during “petsa de peligro,” as well as glimpses into his typical day during days off or when he is in “holiday mode."
Several social media users also shared similar content, with some recounting how they learned to get by using the “Makatinese” language and earn MKD, or “Makati dollars," while others shared how their “work visas” got approved.
@rohlgemdaryl kamiss din pala sa Pinas 🥲 #Makati #ofw #Makatizen #officehumor #corporatelife ♬ original sound - LsgsGelo•́ ‿ ,•̀ - yana
@hackkdoggggg Miss na namin ang Pinas☹️ #makati #ofw #fyp ♬ Save My Soul - noahrinker
Others shared the little things, like experiencing the subway (the MRT) in the United States in Makati.
As a highly urbanized city and one of the Philippines’ leading business and commercial centers, Makati is home to numerous local and multinational companies, where people from even outside Metro Manila work or relocate.
Beyond its business districts, you can explore attractions and lifestyle spots such as Ayala Museum, Salcedo Saturday Market, and Legazpi Sunday Market, along with diverse dining, cultural, and community spaces.
