Embracing the Digital Nomad Lifestyle at Colive Fukuoka 2025

Colive Fukuoka 2025 has become a beacon for digital nomads worldwide. Held from October 1st to 3rd, this event gathered remote workers and entrepreneurs in the vibrant city of Fukuoka, Japan. As one of the event’s ambassadors, I had the privilege of experiencing this unique convergence of culture, technology, and community firsthand.

The event featured insightful discussions on digital nomadism, entrepreneurship, and Japanese philosophy. Highlights included cultural excursions and networking opportunities, culminating in the Synapse Festival on October 4th, which celebrated art and wellness.

Read on for more personal insights from my enriching journey at Colive Fukuoka!

A Philippine Initiative for Digital Nomads

As the Philippines ventures into the world of digital nomadism, the recent approval of the Digital Nomad Visa, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in April 2025, stands as a significant milestone. This visa facilitates remote workers from around the globe to live and work in the Philippines for up to a year, with provisions for renewal. It’s a forward-thinking move that aligns perfectly with the theme of Co-Life Fukuoka.

The introduction of this visa marks a significant step for the Philippines in embracing the digital economy. It provides an opportunity for digital nomads to explore the country’s rich culture while contributing to its local economies.

Wisdom from the Grandmas of Ukiha: Embracing Ikigai

At Colive Fukuoka 2025, I had the profound experience of learning from Yoko and Mizuko, two remarkable grandmas from Ukiha, both 86 years old. Their vibrant spirits and wisdom were truly inspiring. They introduced us to the concept of Ikigai, emphasizing that “it makes them happy to live a life serving others and to see people happy.” I was particularly touched by their warmth and generosity, as they shared homemade miso soup and rice with us. Their hospitality was a beautiful reminder of the importance of gratitude and living purposefully. Their stories of embracing new experiences and supporting the younger generation were incredibly inspiring. Their wisdom reminds us that innovation is not just for the young; it’s a lifelong journey.

Inspired by Resilience: The Journey of Lawrence Tuazon

Meeting Lawrence Tuazon at Co-Life Fukuoka 2025 was truly inspiring. A Filipino peak performance coach and Mindvalley mentor, Lawrence has been living in Japan for over 15 years, raising his family in Fukuoka. His journey, marked by overcoming a life-threatening accident that almost cost him a leg, is a testament to the power of mindset and discipline. Listening to his experiences reminded me that, no matter where we are or what challenges we face, resilience and belief in better days can carry us forward. His story is a powerful reminder that even in our darkest moments, we are never alone, and support is always there if we just keep pushing forward.

As an advocate for self-development, I’m looking forward to hosting a program where Lawrence can share his story with fellow Filipinos, inspiring them to embrace their own journeys of growth and transformation.

Fostering Global Collaborations: Connecting with Chiang Mai’s Digital Nomad Ecosystem

One of the highlights of Co-Life Fukuoka was connecting with Chiang Mai’s vibrant digital nomad ecosystem during the World Digital Nomad Conference. At the welcome dinner on October 1st, I had the pleasure of meeting Mayor Assanee Buranupakorn and his dedicated team, who are passionately positioning Chiang Mai as Thailand’s digital nomad-friendly district—a true model of innovation and global openness. I also had the opportunity to meet John Ho, the founder of Alt_ChiangMai Coliving, and a pioneer in Thailand’s digital nomad movement. It was wonderful to reconnect with my friend Jasmine Ross, whom I met during the Workation Nomads in Paradise event in Siargao, hosted by Baybayin Hub.

Strengthening collaborations as one ASEAN, particularly between the Philippines and Thailand, fills me with excitement. With the newly approved Digital Nomad Visa for the Philippines, there are countless opportunities for remote professionals to thrive in our beautiful islands. I look forward to working with our Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Tourism to finalize the guidelines, fostering a more open, innovative, and globally connected Philippines. Together, we can build a connected world where everyone learns and grows from each other.

Exploring New Horizons: The Bansko Digital Nomads Connection

At Colive Fukuoka, I had the opportunity to connect with the Bansko Digital Nomads community from Bulgaria, led by Holger and his team. Bansko, known for its thriving digital nomad scene, has become a beacon for remote professionals. Holger shared that Bansko is a gateway to the UNESCO-listed Pirin National Park, offering stunning lakes, peaks, and trails. It’s also Bulgaria’s top ski area, with a reliable winter season and nearby thermal hot springs for year-round spa time.

Bansko’s compact, walkable old town and excellent value, with affordable stays and a strong local food culture, make it an ideal digital nomad destination. Holger mentioned that you can even find accommodations for as low as $500 a month.

I’m eager to visit Bansko soon and explore what makes this small town in Bulgaria a magnet for digital nomads. Bansko truly sets the standard for what a great digital nomad location should be.

The Power of Perspective: Learning from Conrad Lin

Listening to Conrad Lin on Day 3 of Colive Fukuoka was a profound experience. His session, “What Does It Take to Be Happy?” highlighted how deeply happiness is tied to our perspective. He explained that our thoughts and feelings shift when our perspective shifts. Context and emotions constantly reshape how we see things, and different perspectives aren’t better or worse, just different stages of growth. The empowering truth he shared is that we are never stuck because we can always change our perspective. Happiness, he noted, is not just about what happens to us, but about the perspective we choose to carry with us.

I also had the pleasure of receiving a special book from Conrad Lin, which I’m eager to dive into and further explore his insights.

A Heartfelt Thank You: The Visionaries Behind Co-Life Fukuoka

I want to dedicate this segment to Ryo and Akina, the incredible founders of Co-Life Fukuoka, who have nurtured this event for the past three years. What started as a gathering among friends has now grown into a significant platform promoting Fukuoka, Japan. Rio shared that although there are other places in Japan to showcase, Fukuoka’s unique atmosphere and supportive administration, including the Mayor and Vice Mayor, have made it an ideal location for the event.

Last year, when I was a guest speaker at Co-Life Fukuoka 2024, I had the honor of meeting the Mayor Sōichirō Takashima. This year, the Vice Mayor spoke, and their encouragement and collaboration have been truly inspiring.

I extend my gratitude to the entire Co-Life Fukuoka team, the volunteers, students, and the whole community, who have made this event a success. As a Filipino digital nomad, this experience has reinforced the importance of fostering warm, welcoming communities.

Beyond physical structures and beautiful locations, it’s the people, the culture, and the connections that truly bring a place to life. We have so much potential in the Philippines, and with visionary leadership and a commitment to creating inclusive, engaging ecosystems, we can open our doors to the world.

Traveling and connecting with people from different cultures is a blessing, and I hope to continue learning from the global digital nomad community.

A Shared Journey of Discovery: Exploring Japan with My Son

What made Colive Fukuoka 2025 even more special was having my 20-year-old son, Emmanuel Sigue, by my side. For seven days, he wasn’t just my assistant or photographer — he was my travel buddy, co-learner, and heartwarming reminder of why we do what we do.

It was Emmanuel’s first time in Japan, and he truly immersed himself in the experience. We explored Tenjin, basked at Momochi Beach, visited Fukuoka Tower and Shimeyoshi Park, wandered through the buzzing Canal City, and strolled along JR Hakata and Hakata Port. The vibrant yatai food stalls at night gave us a delicious taste of Japanese street culture.

We had our fair share of challenges, especially with language. Communicating with locals was tough at times, but we made it through with hand gestures, smiles, a few English words, and our go-to phrases — “arigatou” and “konnichiwa.” Through it all, we laughed, learned, and most importantly, connected with people from around the world.

Emmanuel shared how he enjoyed experiencing Japan, meeting new people, and learning from digital nomads and fellow travelers. Colive taught him — and reminded me — that beyond the tools and tech, it’s about human stories, kindness, and growth. We may come from different places, but we are united by purpose, or as the grandmas of Ukiha said, by our “ikigai.”