History has a pattern that most people miss when things get hard
Airbnb was founded during the 2008 financial crisis. Uber launched in 2009, right in the middle of a global recession. Slack was born from a failed gaming company during a period of intense economic uncertainty. Some of the most enduring businesses in the world were built not during boom times, but during exactly the kind of disruption the Philippines — and the world — is living through right now.
The 2026 fuel crisis is squeezing household budgets. The Middle East conflict has rerouted global supply chains and grounded tens of thousands of flights. Inflation in the Philippines hit 4.1% in March, a 20-month high, with diesel up 80% and gasoline up 50%. Companies are restructuring. OFWs are being repatriated. The peso has fallen to ₱59.50 against the dollar.
But here’s what’s also true: every crisis creates gaps. Gaps in services people suddenly need. Gaps in income that push people to build alternative revenue streams. Gaps in skills that employers are now desperate to fill. The question isn’t whether opportunity exists. It’s whether you’re positioned to see it — and act on it.
This blog breaks down the most viable businesses to start right now, the skills that will define earning power in the next 5 years, and how local platforms like StayInMakati.com represent one of the most tangible and accessible paths to building income in a volatile world.
Why Wars and Crises Create Business Opportunities
It feels counterintuitive. But the data consistently shows that economic disruption doesn’t eliminate demand — it reshapes it. When fuel gets expensive, people look for local alternatives. When global supply chains fail, domestic suppliers win. When foreign workers come home unexpectedly, new local economies emerge. When travel becomes complicated, the staycation market grows.
Recessions and crises spotlight real problems — and if you have an idea that solves one, you’re already ahead of the curve. Startup Wars The most successful businesses started during downturns don’t fight the crisis. They answer it.
The key principle: essential services don’t disappear during hard times. They become more valuable.
10 Businesses to Start During a War Economy in the Philippines
1. Short Term Rental Property Management
Why now: When fuel is expensive and flights are uncertain, Filipinos and foreigners alike turn to local travel and staycations. Demand for quality short term rental accommodation in Metro Manila, Makati, and BGC has remained resilient throughout the current crisis — because it’s local, affordable, and accessible without a plane ticket.
How to start: Partner with property owners or list your own unit through a direct booking platform. As rental property demand rises during economic downturns, so does the need for managing them — and all you need to start a property management business are maintenance skills, a business license, and a marketing strategy. Tailor Brands
Income potential: Property managers in Metro Manila typically earn 15–25% of rental revenue per unit managed. Scale to 5–10 units and this becomes a serious income stream.
Skill required: Basic hospitality, digital marketing, property management fundamentals, WhatsApp/Facebook communication.
Where to start: List on StayInMakati.com and offer direct booking to guests — no platform fees means more competitive rates and better margins.
2. Fuel-Efficient Logistics & Last-Mile Delivery
Why now: With diesel at record highs, businesses are desperately looking for leaner delivery solutions. Small-scale, hyper-local delivery using motorcycles, e-bikes, or electric vehicles is experiencing demand that traditional logistics companies can’t serve cheaply enough.
How to start: Start with a fleet of 2–3 motorbikes serving one barangay or business district. Partner with small businesses who can’t afford big courier rates. Scale by adding riders on commission.
Skill required: Route planning, basic fleet management, customer coordination, e-commerce logistics basics.
3. E-Commerce and Online Selling
Why now: The Philippine e-commerce market is expected to exceed $10 billion by 2026, with Shopee and Lazada continuing to thrive as platforms. Philippinehubpartners When physical retail becomes expensive to run, online selling has lower overhead and reaches more customers. Fuel crisis or not, people still buy online — and often more so when going out becomes expensive.
How to start: Source locally (which avoids import disruptions), sell on Shopee, Lazada, or TikTok Shop. Start with one category, master it, scale.
Skill required: Product sourcing, digital photography, basic copywriting, paid ads (Meta/TikTok), customer service.
4. Digital Freelancing Services
Why now: Global companies hiring Filipino talent are not affected by the Philippine fuel crisis. They pay in dollars. The Philippines has over 1.5 million remote workers generating $38 billion annually through outsourcing, and Filipino remote professionals are in demand worldwide due to their strong English skills, high education levels, and cost competitiveness. Hiretalent A fuel crisis is irrelevant to a Filipino working for a US or UK client from their condo in Makati.
How to start: Register on Upwork, Fiverr, or Toptal. Pick one service — content writing, graphic design, virtual assistance, SEO, video editing — and build 3–5 portfolio samples. Start bidding.
Skill required: One marketable digital skill + English communication + self-discipline to work independently.
5. Food Business Focused on Home Cooking
Why now: When money is tight, people cook more at home, buy comfort snacks, and look for affordable food options. Shopify But they also crave something better than plain kanin at ulam. There’s strong demand right now for homemade meal prep services, ready-to-cook packs, frozen specialty meals, and premium kakanin or pasalubong items sold via Facebook and GrabFood.
How to start: Cook from home, sell via Facebook Marketplace and GrabFood, deliver locally or offer pickup. Minimal startup cost.
Skill required: Culinary skill, food safety knowledge, social media marketing, basic costing and pricing.
6. Solar Energy and Renewable Solutions
Why now: The fuel crisis has made every Filipino acutely aware of how dependent the country is on imported oil. The Philippines is ramping up investments in renewable energy, with electricity generation in the sector expected to reach 19.45 billion kWh by 2025, but faces a shortage of skilled talent. Philippinehubpartners Homeowners, businesses, and condos are actively looking at solar panels and energy storage as a hedge against future price spikes.
How to start: Become a reseller or installer for established solar brands. Get TESDA certification in solar panel installation. Focus on residential clients in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Skill required: Basic electrical knowledge, TESDA certification, sales skills, knowledge of net metering and Meralco applications.
7. Online Tutoring and Skills Training
Why now: When uncertainty rises, people invest in themselves. During economic downturns, people go back to school or invest in upskilling — online coaching and digital courses are scalable, low-cost, and consistently in demand. Startup Wars English tutoring for Korean and Japanese students remains one of the most accessible entry points for Filipinos. Beyond that, teaching digital skills — SEO, Excel, Canva, Adobe, coding basics — to working Filipinos who want to earn more is a growing market.
How to start: Create a profile on Preply, iTalki, or Edukasyon.ph. Build a free Canva portfolio. Price competitively to start, collect reviews, raise rates as you grow.
Skill required: Teaching communication, the subject matter you’re teaching, patience, structured lesson planning.
8. Mental Health and Wellness Services
Why now: The fuel crisis, OFW repatriation, inflation anxiety, and job uncertainty are creating a genuine mental health strain across the Philippines. Demand for accessible, affordable wellness support — online therapy, stress management coaching, guided meditation, and corporate wellness programs — is growing faster than supply.
How to start: Licensed psychologists and counselors can offer online sessions via Zoom. Non-licensed wellness coaches can offer guided sessions, workshops, or corporate programs. Partner with HR departments of BPO companies.
Skill required: Psychology degree (for therapy), certified coaching program (for wellness coaching), empathy, digital communication, marketing.
9. Content Creation and Social Media Management
Why now: With over 76 million internet users spending an average of 9 hours online daily, the Philippines is a prime market for digital marketing, and Filipino freelancers specializing in SEO, content creation, and social media management are in demand both locally and internationally. Philippinehubpartners Every small business impacted by the fuel crisis still needs to market online. They just can’t afford big agency fees. Freelance content creators and social media managers who work with local SMEs fill that gap.
How to start: Build your own social media presence as a portfolio. Reach out to 10 local businesses offering a free trial month. Convert satisfied clients to paid retainers.
Skill required: Copywriting, graphic design (Canva), short-form video editing (CapCut), analytics reading, trend awareness.
10. Short Term Accommodation Consulting and Co-Hosting
Why now: Property owners with condos in Makati, BGC, and Katipunan are increasingly looking for professionals who can help them list, manage, and market their units without the hassle of doing it themselves. This is the consulting and co-hosting model — and it requires no property of your own to start.
How to start: Build relationships with condo owners. Offer to manage their listing on StayInMakati.com, handle bookings, coordinate check-ins, and maintain guest communication. Charge a management fee of 15–20% of each booking.
Skill required: Hospitality mindset, communication, basic digital marketing, calendar management, trust and reliability.
10 Future Skills That Will Define Earning Power in the Next 5 Years
The businesses above are the vehicles. These skills are the fuel — and unlike diesel right now, these ones you actually control.
1. AI Prompt Engineering One of the fastest-growing skills globally — the ability to communicate effectively with AI tools to generate better outputs. Employers are actively hiring for this across content creation, data analysis, client reporting, and strategic planning. iSupport Worldwide
2. Cybersecurity Cyber threats are bigger than ever, and industries are investing heavily in data and network security professionals. Nexford University The Philippines has a significant shortage of qualified cybersecurity talent — making this one of the highest-premium skills you can build right now.
3. Data Analysis Every business decision is increasingly data-driven. Filipinos with the ability to collect, clean, interpret, and present data — using tools like Excel, SQL, Python, or Tableau — command premium salaries in both local and international markets.
4. Cloud Computing Cloud Architects are among the professionals commanding 15–30% salary premiums in the Philippines market due to acute talent scarcity. Robertwalters As more businesses move infrastructure online, cloud skills become infrastructure skills.
5. Digital Marketing and SEO The ability to make businesses discoverable and converting online is a skill that becomes more valuable, not less, during economic downturns — because every peso of marketing budget must work harder.
6. Video Editing and Content Production Short-form video is now the dominant content format globally. Filipinos who can shoot, edit, and publish compelling video content for brands, creators, and businesses have a global client base accessible from a laptop.
7. Remote Work and Virtual Collaboration The Philippine BPO industry now needs specialized talent providing high-end service solutions to global companies. Nexford University Professionals who can manage global clients, navigate cross-cultural communication, and deliver results asynchronously are in consistent, growing demand.
8. Renewable Energy Technical Skills TESDA-certified solar panel installers and renewable energy technicians are among the most immediately employable people in the Philippines right now. The fuel crisis has created both awareness and urgency.
9. Financial Literacy and Accounting Finance-related services stay strong during recessions because businesses and individuals still need to manage taxes, protect investments, and organize expenses — and during the 2008 financial crisis, H&R Block’s revenue rose 11%. Shopify Basic bookkeeping, freelance accounting, and financial planning for individuals are services that never go out of demand.
10. Hospitality and Property Management With the local travel and staycation market growing as international travel becomes more expensive, the ability to professionally manage guest accommodations — from booking to check-out — is a skill that translates directly into income. This is one of the most accessible entry points into property-based business in the Philippines.
Where StayInMakati.com Fits Into All of This
Throughout this list, you’ll notice a thread: short term rental is both a business model (property management, co-hosting) and a platform (where skills in marketing, hospitality, and digital communication pay off directly). It also sits at the intersection of several of the trends driving opportunity right now — local travel demand is up, direct booking saves guests money, and Filipinos are increasingly staying closer to home.
Whether you’re a property owner looking to generate passive income, a professional who wants to build a side business in property management, or simply someone who needs a quality place to stay without burning money on Airbnb fees — StayInMakati.com is a direct solution.
Here are the properties you can book right now, directly, with no platform surcharge:
Our Properties — Book Direct and Save
1. 50F Sunset View — Fast WiFi, Pool & Private Balcony 📍 Makati, BGC & Metro Manila
50th floor. Private balcony. Sunset views that remind you why this city is worth staying in. Fast WiFi for those who are building something. Pool for when you need to switch off. Full amenities — gym, spa, parking, laundry, air conditioning.
If you’re building a freelance career or a remote business during this fuel crisis, this is your work-and-rest base without the commute cost.
👉 Book direct: stayinmakati.com/room/50f-sunset-view-fast-wifi-pool-own-balcony
2. Condo Living — Pool, Balcony, Gym & Fast WiFi 📍 Makati
Fully furnished. Private balcony. Pool, gym, fast WiFi, full kitchen. The kind of setup that makes remote work not just manageable but genuinely comfortable. No daily commute, no transport fuel cost, no Airbnb markup if you book direct.
For the new generation of Filipinos building income online, this is what a productive week looks like.
👉 Book direct: stayinmakati.com/room/condo-living-pool-balcony-gym-fast-wifi
3. Cozy Mono Room 📍 Makati
Clean. Simple. Well-located. Budget-sensible. For solo professionals and solo travelers who know that a great workspace doesn’t have to cost a fortune — especially right now when every peso counts.
👉 Book direct: stayinmakati.com/room/cozy-mono-room
4. Hostel Katipunan — Lower Bunk Bed 📍 Katipunan, Metro Manila
Safe, affordable, clean. For students, backpackers, and budget-conscious travelers who are stretching their money as far as it will go in a 80%-diesel-hike world. Book direct through us and save even more versus platform pricing.
👉 Book direct: stayinmakati.com/room/hostel-katipunan-lower-bunk-bed
5. Stay in Makati — Cozy 1-BR, Gym, Pool, WiFi & Netflix 📍 The Gramercy Residences, Poblacion, Makati
The full package. A cozy 1-bedroom inside The Gramercy Residences — one of Makati’s most iconic addresses — with a private balcony, city views, pool, gym, Netflix, and fast WiFi. Small pets welcome. Poblacion’s restaurants and bars are right outside.
This is the unit for the Filipino who’s working hard, building something, and deserves a real reset — without paying Airbnb to be the middleman.
👉 Book direct: stayinmakati.com/room/stay-in-makati-cozy-1-br-gym-pool-wifi-netflix
The Bigger Picture: Crisis as Catalyst
History doesn’t remember the people who waited for things to stabilize. It remembers the ones who built during the disruption.
The 2026 Philippine energy crisis is real. The hardship is real. But so is the opportunity for people who are willing to build new skills, start lean businesses, and make smart financial decisions — including where they stay, how they book, and where they put their money.
Every peso saved on platform fees is a peso reinvested in your business. Every skill developed during this period is a competitive edge that outlasts the crisis. And every local business supported during hard times is part of the reason the Philippines comes out of this stronger than it went in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What businesses are best to start during a war or economic crisis in the Philippines? The most resilient businesses during crises are those serving essential or redirected demand: short term rental management, local delivery, online selling, digital freelancing, food businesses, solar energy, online tutoring, and content creation. All of these have low barriers to entry, can be started with limited capital, and serve needs that remain strong regardless of global disruptions.
What skills will be most in demand in the Philippines in the next 5 years? The top skills are AI prompt engineering, cybersecurity, data analysis, cloud computing, digital marketing and SEO, video content production, virtual collaboration, renewable energy technical skills, accounting and financial literacy, and property/hospitality management. These combine technical ability with human skills that AI cannot fully replicate.
Is short term rental a good business to start in the Philippines right now? Yes — for several reasons. Local travel and staycation demand has remained resilient during the fuel crisis because it doesn’t require flights. The direct booking model eliminates the 12–20% platform fees that Airbnb and Booking.com charge. And with platforms like StayInMakati.com supporting direct bookings, it’s increasingly accessible for new property managers and co-hosts.
How much can I save by booking accommodations directly vs through Airbnb? Booking directly through StayInMakati.com saves you 12–20% versus Airbnb and Booking.com. On a 3-night stay at ₱4,000 per night, that’s ₱2,500–₱3,200 saved — money better spent on food, experiences, or your next business idea.
How do I get started with online freelancing in the Philippines? Pick one service you can offer — writing, graphic design, video editing, virtual assistance, SEO, or data entry. Build 3–5 portfolio samples for free. Register on Upwork or Fiverr. Start with competitive rates, collect reviews, and raise your rates as your reputation grows. The fuel crisis doesn’t affect your earning potential if your clients are overseas.