Kapuso actress Carla Abellana recently sparked a lively online discussion after she joked about moving abroad upon discovering how much content creators in countries like the US and Canada earn compared to those in the Philippines.
On Thursday, January 23, the Widow’s War star shared her surprise on Threads, revealing how unfair she feels the earning disparity is.
“Grabe pala kinikita ng content creators sa ibang countries like the US and Canada! OMG! Even from Instagram alone or YouTube. Crazy!” Carla wrote.
She went on to say, “Like, luging-lugi kami dito, guys. As in, super lugi. Migrate na kaya ako?” adding a playful heart-eyed emoji.
Carla’s Digital Journey
Carla has been active on social media, giving fans a peek into her life and work. She also runs a successful YouTube channel with 873,000 subscribers, where she shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of her personal and professional life.
Online Reactions Pour In
Many netizens agreed with Carla, sharing their own frustrations about the local creator market.
One user explained the massive pay gap, saying, “I’m a UGC (User-Generated Content) creator, and some of my clients are from the US. I got $450 (P26,000) for a 40-second video. But here in the Philippines, agents offer only P500 per reel. It’s really discouraging!”
Another comment read, “Local companies here are super kuripot (stingy) and demanding. Most of them even want ex-deals only.”
For context, an ex-deal involves exchanging goods or services instead of money, which can be limiting for creators who rely on financial compensation.
The Reality of Creator Earnings Abroad
While creators abroad may earn more, some netizens pointed out the hidden challenges, such as high taxes and the cost of living.
One user detailed their experience: “Sure, you can earn $250 for a single content piece, but after taxes, platform fees, and expenses like makeup or ingredients, you might only take home $50!”
Another user echoed, “True, pero mataas din cost of living and taxes nila.”
A report by the Washington Post in 2023 highlighted that only 12% of full-time content creators earn more than $50,000 annually. Similarly, a 2024 study by Influencer Marketing Hub noted that YouTubers make an average of $0.018 per view—equivalent to $18 per 1,000 views.
A Call for Better Opportunities
Carla’s playful remark sheds light on the bigger issue of fair compensation for Filipino creators. While it may have started as a joke, her sentiment resonates with many local content creators hoping for better opportunities and recognition in the digital space.
