PH makes history as Asia’s first country with full HighLevel sponsorship, connecting 1,500 professionals worldwide

By TechWatch PH Staff

The Philippines has become the first Asian country to receive full sponsorship from HighLevel (HL), a milestone marked by the HL Accelerator Summit held recently at the Quezon City MICE Center.

The event drew over 1,500 freelancers and digital professionals, offering them direct access to international employers and solidifying the country’s position as a rising hub for digital talent.

What began as a modest community initiative quickly grew into a phenomenon, with long lines forming outside the venue as participants from across Southeast Asia gathered for the landmark occasion.

Government officials, media outlets, and industry leaders joined the crowd, underscoring the growing recognition of the Philippines’ role in the global digital workforce.

The event went far beyond a typical business conference. Australian, American, and British agencies held live hiring sessions for roles such as virtual assistants and CRM specialists, offering salaries well above local standards. Several candidates even secured jobs on the spot.

“Think about it—with zero official brand influence, Jaycee Tan managed to draw 1,500 attendees,” noted one international observer. Attendees dressed up for the occasion, treating it like a major industry milestone rather than a typical business seminar.

The locally-organized event, more job fair than conference, featured live hiring sessions where Australian, American, and British agencies interviewed candidates for virtual assistant and CRM specialist roles paying significantly above local wage standards. Ten agencies conducted back-to-back interviews from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., with several offering immediate employment to qualified candidates.

“We’re not just training people for jobs that might exist someday,” said Tan, co-founder of HL Accelerator, the Filipino-led company behind the summit. “We’re connecting them with employers who are hiring right now, today.”

A growing digital movement

The summit coincided with the first anniversary of HL Pilipinas, one of the fastest-growing Filipino-led HighLevel communities.

Backed by sponsors including LevelUp Marketplace, HL Pro Tools, Hot Prospector, myCRMSIM, SaligPay, Telework PH, and Onesource Inc., the event marked the first time HighLevel formally endorsed a community-led gathering in Asia.

HighLevel executive Alicia Pagano highlighted how persistence from local organizers won the company’s full backing.

“Cece and Dea approached us several times with what they were doing, and they were persistent,” explained Pagano. “We kept giving them milestones to meet, saying, ‘Come to us when you hit this, and we’ll see what we can do,’ and they did that. This whole event is testament to their determination.”

The summit also recognized the first batch of certified HighLevel Admins—Filipino professionals who completed training in CRM automation, SaaS operations, and remote agency management. The certification opens doors to higher-paying jobs and, for some, the chance to scale into six-figure agency ownership.

Backing from government and industry leaders

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), through its ICT Industry Development Bureau, co-organized the event as part of its EDGE PH program, which aims to generate 8 million digital jobs by 2028.

“This furthers our roadmap for 8 million digital jobs by 2028,” said DICT’s Atty. Leandro Angelo “Dino” Aguirre. “

Quezon City Administrator Michael Victor Alimurung acknowledged the significance of international stakeholders investing in local freelancer empowerment. “When there’s opposition, there is rationalization, and when there’s a will, there’s a way,” he told the audience in Filipino, referencing the persistence required to build sustainable digital career pathways.

Financial literacy advocate Chinkee Tan added an inspiring note, urging Filipinos to embrace entrepreneurship.

“Did you know that you are just one idea away from doubling your income?” he challenged the audience. “Skills pay the bills, knowledge increases your value, and mindset builds the future.”