Nomads in Paradise
NOMADS IN PARADISE.This is Our Story: How a Filipino and a German Started Nomads In Paradise in the Philippines
It all began in 2018 in the busy spot of Manila, where a small Digital Nomad event brought together two people from very different parts of the world—Orly from the Philippines, and Jan from Germany. Back then, the idea of being a digital nomad was still quite new to most Filipinos. There wasn’t much of a community yet, just a few curious minds trying to figure it all out. Orly was already working online, managing his business remotely, making him one of the few early “local nomads” & “digital entrepreneur” in the Philippines. Jan, on the other hand, was a well-traveled digital nomad, hopping from country to country and attending international events. What started as a professional connection soon turned into a friendship. Orly began organizing small meetups for like-minded individuals in the Philippines, and Jan, having attended many nomad events abroad, was always there to lend his advice and support to Orly.
In 2019, Jan introduced Orly to Johanssen , Founder of Nomads Cruise, in Thailand during the Nomad Summit—marking Orly’s first step into the international nomad scene.
Then came the pandemic.
Like many others, Orly’s businesses were hit hard. He had a humble hostel and a digital marketing agency. When travel restrictions took hold, he had to close the agency and pivot his hostel into a co-living hub—one of the first in the Philippines. From just trying to survive, he eventually began to thrive. That pivot gave birth to Baybayin Hub, a startup aimed at helping hostels and hotels transition into co-living spaces tailored for remote workers, entrepreneurs, and stranded travelers in the Philippines.
But even with the growing demand, Orly faced a common challenge—loneliness and lack of connection within the community. That became his “aha” moment. So, he started hosting small, intimate gatherings called Nomad Workation Retreats in places like Batangas, Pangasinan, La Union, El Nido, and Siargao. Jan was always there—attending, advising, and cheering Orly on. His feedback was invaluable, drawn from years of global experience.
After Orly’s Nomad Workation Retreat in Siargao in 2023, over a cold beer, Orly turned to Jan and said, “You’ve always been there for me helping and supporting us. Why don’t we do this together?” Jan didn’t hesitate—he was in.
And that’s when Nomads In Paradise was born.
In 2024, they officially launched the first Nomads In Paradise event in Siargao Island. Their shared mission? Empowering Filipino Innovators while Bridging Worlds and Building Futures. They wanted to bring the world closer to the Philippines—especially to Filipinos who often face travel restrictions—and open doors for networking, business, and global collaboration right at home.
They also wanted to shine a spotlight on the Philippines as a destination not just for travel, but for innovation, remote work, and entrepreneurship. With its English-speaking workforce, strong work ethic, and a culture that celebrates female leadership (the Philippines ranks #1 globally with 48% of leadership positions held by women!), the country is a natural fit for global collaboration.
Their first Nomads In Paradise gathering drew 140 attendees—not bad for a debut. Now, Orly and Jan are just getting started. With big plans on the horizon, they envision bringing Nomads In Paradise to more dream destinations like El Nido, Boracay, Bohol, Siquijor, and Cebu.
The mission remains simple but powerful: build a thriving global-local community, connect hearts and minds, and show the world that the Philippines is ready to lead in this new era of work, play, and purpose.
Know more about Nomads in Paradise today