Angelica Castillo – Marketing Project Manager

Hi, I’m Angelica C. Castillo, but you can call me “Angie” for short. I’m a proud pet parent to two dogs and three cats. I graduated from Far Eastern University Manila with a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management in 2017. Previously, I thought I was wired to do the “normal,” which is travelling to work. But now, working from home is my life, as I get to do the things I love, especially baking, painting, and spending more time with my family.

I started working as a travel agent and became a hotelier for three years, engaging with guests from different cultures, creating tour packages, handling admin tasks, and managing check-ins and check-outs during both morning and graveyard shifts. It was a fulfilling job, with guests showing great appreciation. When the pandemic hit, the company shifted to a skeletal workforce. Although I couldn’t go home due to safety protocols and eventually left the hospitality industry due to a lack of hazard pay or compensation, this experience opened new doors for me. I realised the importance of prioritising my health, especially for my senior parents, and it led me to explore new career paths that align with my values and aspirations.

Recognising the need for change, my sister suggested I work from home and explore becoming a virtual assistant. I decided to research various platforms online, hoping to find a job that suited me, as this was my first time entering the freelancing world. Thankfully, I landed my first job as a VA with a Dental Marketing Agency, an Australian-based company with a small team. I was their first Filipino virtual assistant. They were very welcoming, so I didn’t feel nervous.

I started as a customer associate and eventually became a Marketing Coordinator, managing website development projects, podcasts, and social media. I even got the chance to travel domestically for free for a team-building event. I realised that even working from home, you can still travel and get paid!

After two years, my employer advised me to move to another company as they planned to hire someone local.

I explored new opportunities and found a marketing agency that supports digital marketing agencies by assigning them a Client Success Manager and a Project Manager. I was hired as a Marketing Project Manager, and within nine months, I managed over four agencies with different focuses: Chiropractic, Dental, and Growth Advisory Marketing. It was a new environment and a higher position, but my team was always 100% supportive. We shared resources like website development, blogs, emails, and reporting procedures. It was a community anyone would wish for. Although I realised the graveyard shift wasn’t for me due to anemia symptoms, this experience taught me the importance of prioritising health. I decided to return to an Australian work shift, feeling hopeful about maintaining my well-being. Even if the pay was good, health must come first so you can work without worry and continue to seize new opportunities.

After years of working as a hotelier, travelling daily and dealing with late returns due to traffic, working from home feels like a blessing. I’ve realised it’s important to be grateful and make the most of the extra time to do what you love. Key elements include time management, a positive attitude, reliability, and balancing life and work.

I believe there’s always a chance to grow professionally. That’s why I aim to use every resource available to learn new skills and gain knowledge in digital marketing. I hope this will benefit my future and help me achieve my dream of becoming a business owner someday.

For a copy of Angelica’s resume, please click here.