In this heartfelt conversation, Miko Santos interviews Tito Icon, a Filipino migrant who has built a significant social media following by sharing his experiences in Australia.
Icon discusses his journey from the Philippines to Australia, the cultural adjustments he faced, and how he uses social media to help other Filipinos considering migration. With more than 100,000 followers on TikTok, Icon provides real-talk advice on
If you want to chat more about this topic, I would love to continue this conversation with you, over twitter @realmikosantos!
In this episode, we cover:
Icon initially visited Australia as a tourist in 2015 and was impressed by the transport system and quality of life, which eventually motivated his migration
Rather than taking the student visa route, Icon was sponsored through the skilled migration program—a pathway he now educates others about
Icon balances his Filipino identity with Australian culture by adopting beneficial aspects of both cultures
Social media serves as a "double-edged sword" for migrants—connecting them to home while sometimes causing stress about events in the Philippines
Icon's core message across all platforms is about hope: "There's always light at the end of the tunnel"
Resources and links mentioned in this episode:
You can also check The Pinoy Expat Youtube channel
FiloExpat website
Detailed Synopsis
The Migration Journey
Tito Icon's Australian story began in 2015 when he visited as a tourist to see his brother. During this three-week trip to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, he fell in love with Australia's efficient transport system and high quality of life. Despite having a comfortable job in the Philippines, Icon was persuaded by family members to explore opportunities abroad.
After breaking down the potential financial benefits with his godfather, Icon spent a year preparing and eventually secured employer sponsorship. Unlike many Filipinos who choose the student visa route, Icon was directly sponsored through his IT skills, which became a key topic in his later content creation.
Cultural Adaptation
Icon shares that his transition wasn't particularly shocking since he had visited Australia previously. He adjusted to cultural differences like early closing times for shops and the walking-oriented lifestyle. What stands out in his approach to cultural integration is his philosophy: "If I discover something in Filipino culture that isn't beneficial, I'll leave it. If I find something in Australian culture that is beneficial, I'll adopt it."
He emphasizes that he's never felt out of place in Australia because it's "a nation of immigrants" where people from various backgrounds coexist. To Icon, the only real differences between people are "where we grew up, the shape of our noses, and our colors"—at the core, we're all human beings deserving of equal respect.
Social Media Impact
Icon's TikTok journey began with a desire to document Filipino expat lives in Australia. When he started sharing information about skilled migration as an alternative to student visas, his following grew significantly. He now has approximately 100,000 followers who appreciate his straightforward "real talk" approach.
He views social media as a "double-edged sword" for migrants—it helps them stay connected to the Philippines while sometimes causing stress when following troubling events back home. His advice to aspiring content creators is simple: share your story regardless of how many views or comments you receive, as you never know who you might inspire.
Future Plans and Message of Hope
Icon continues to develop his YouTube channel "The Pinoy Expat," where he interviews Filipinos with diverse migration stories. His ultimate goal is to inspire and educate people about life in Australia and migration pathways.
If there's one message Icon wants viewers to take away from his content, it's hope. Quoting his father, he says, "Only the dead have no hope." Through sharing success stories of Filipinos who overcame challenges to build lives in Australia, Icon aims to show that there's always "light at the end of the tunnel."
What Readers Will Learn
Alternative pathways to migrate to Australia beyond the student visa route
How to balance Filipino identity while adapting to Australian culture
Practical insights about daily life adjustments when moving to Australia
The impact of social media on connecting migrants to their homeland
How sharing personal migration stories can inspire and help others
Strategies for handling criticism and negative comments on social media
The importance of maintaining hope during challenging migration journeys
Music:
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/prigida/moonshine
License code: O6B7BV39QDARYJJZ
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/peter-lainson/over-the-sea
License code: UQ3B9QG1J47D7TOR
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound/happiness
License code: HS0YLR4EYUGBWG9N
This podcast is powered by Kangaroofern, Australia's Independent Podcast Management Company.
Thanks so much for listening to our podcast!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe so you'll be notified when a new episode is posted in the Apple podcast, Google podcast, Spotify, Stitcher or via RSS.
If you think others could benefit from listening, please share it on your social media.
You can also subscribe to the podcast app on your mobile device.
If you found value in this episode, leave us an Apple Podcast review. Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts and expose our show to more awesome listeners like you.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit Para sa Filipino
Share this post