Even though the majority of your time as a student in the Philippines will be dedicated to self-education and gaining new experiences, your schedule can still accommodate side hustles. There are side hustles that require minimal time and effort to initiate, particularly when time is crucial. Whether you need to save for tuition, a new laptop, or want to build up a savings account for the future, it’s relatively easy to be making money when you have time on your hands. Here are the 14 best side hustles for students in the Philippines that are easy to start.
1. Online Selling (Reselling Products)
Online selling is one of the most popular side hustles among Filipino students. You can start small by reselling your old but favorite clothes, old accessories, gadgets you no longer use, or even food products. You can create your online store on Shopee, Lazada, Facebook Marketplace, or Carousell.
How to Start:
- Choose a product that you like and is in demand.
- Seek out a supplier that can provide you the product at a discounted rate.
- Create an account on an online selling platform.
- Take quality pictures of the product, and craft a quality and concise description for uploading.
- Use social media to market your products.
The ideal side hustle for the busy college student is a job that can be done anytime, anywhere.
2. Freelance Writing
Do you love putting words together? Become a freelance writer for anyone in need! Businesses and websites are always looking for more written content—blogs, articles, and the like. Upwork, Fiverr, and OnlineJobs.ph provide platforms to gain clients in need of your talents worldwide.
How to start:
- Build a portfolio with writing samples based on topics you enjoy.
- Use the employment search sites to find paid gigs.
- Cold email businesses, websites, and even independent bloggers to inquire if they need assistance.
Regular pay and the potential for consistent learning of new skills
3. Tutoring
Tutoring is a perfect side job for someone who has an aptitude for a particular subject. Students are seeking tutors all the time, both online and in person; there’s a demand for math, science, English, and supplemental courses for SATs and GREs.
How to Get Started:
- Decide if you want to tutor online or in person.
- Advertise via social media or local community newsletters.
- Charge a nominal fee to start and slowly increase once you have clients and experience.
As a tutor, the flexibility is up to you in regards to how many students you’ll see and when.
4. Social Media Management
Many small businesses and new solopreneurs struggle to manage their social media. If you know how to create attention-grabbing posts, establish a consistent schedule, and monitor trending social media activities, social media management may be an ideal side hustle for you.
How to Start:
- Educate yourself on social media management options like Sprout Social and Canva.
- Contact local businesses, storefronts, or eCommerce sites.
- Assist them with social media upkeep, promotion, and client/customer interaction.
Social media is also something you can do from home, on your own time.
5. Graphic Design
Another great side hustle is graphic design if you have this experience and a creative eye. Businesses are always looking for logos, banners, and posters—not to mention social media graphics. As for programs, you can use the free, accessible online platform Canva, or the more professional Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator.
How To Start:
- Fiverr and Upwork are services where you can create your own business with graphic design offerings.
- You should have a portfolio you can share with potential customers.
- Temp softer rates until you’re established with a solid roster.
Graphic design is in demand by many companies, and they outsource their projects, so there will always be work available.
6. Food Delivery or Ride-Hailing Driver
Whether it’s with GrabFood, Foodpanda, or Lalamove, on-demand services are always there. If you have your own motorbike, motorcycle, or vehicle, you can become a GrabFood, Foodpanda, or Lalamove driver for hire. Also, you can earn by driving people with Grab and Angkas.
How to do it:
- Sign up to become part of any food delivery app or transportation hailing app.
- Make sure you’re professionally maintaining your vehicle and have the needed paperwork.
- Attempt to get the most flexible schedule aside from school.
These are the no-money-down opportunities that let you make money while you work and make money on the move.
7. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is where you promote other individuals’ products and receive a commission based on sales. There are universal affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, but there are also more regional ones like Shopee Affiliates and Lazada Affiliates.
How to start:
- Choose products/brands you currently use and trust or something within your business niche.
- Apply for the suggested affiliate program and get your unique tracking link.
- Post/share that link on your blog, website, or social media.
- Get your commission when your link is used to purchase the product.
Affiliate marketing is a perfect side hustle because the startup costs are minimal, if any.
8. Virtual Assistant
Many microbusiness owners—especially in e-commerce—need virtual assistants to complete small tasks from answering emails and organizing calendars to data entry and beyond. This is a fantastic work-from-home side job, and it’s ideal for students.
How to get started:
- Make sure you’re comfortable with basic office management applications, like Microsoft Office or Google apps.
- Sign up for freelance marketplaces such as Fiverr and Upwork.
- Offer virtual assistance to microbusiness owners.
Best part, you can do it from anywhere, as long as you have a computer and Wi-Fi.
9. Blogging
If you’re a writer, blogging can be a great side hustle. You can blog about any niche you can think of: fashion and beauty, travel and food, even life as a student. If you post regularly and with quality, you can build a blogging audience and monetize your blogs with advertising, affiliate links, and sponsored posts.
How to Get Started:
- Choose your niche.
- Start a blog on WordPress or Blogger.
- Post relevant articles and share them on social media.
- Offer to guest post or advertise on other blogs or use affiliate links where appropriate.
Blogging may take a while to build a readership and dedicated following, but it’s definitely a worthwhile side hustle in the end.
10. Online Surveys and Market Research
Want to make money fast without any job commitment? Try online surveys. Swagbucks, Toluna, and LifePoints are just a few reputable sites that pay you to take surveys, watch videos, and do general market research.
How To Get Started:
- Register for many survey sites.
- Answer profile questions so you’re directed to appropriate/eligible surveys.
- Cash in gift cards/cash payments for survey completion.
While this isn’t necessarily a job, you put in such little effort that it’s worth it if you want extra money for nothing.
11. Photography
You can also begin to generate a client list and pick up side jobs with just a camera in your hand and your passion for the craft. Birthday parties, bar mitzvahs, christenings, school plays—you can offer to photograph or upload to private and stock photo sites.
How to Start:
- Create a portfolio of photos acquired from gigs or taken just from daily living around you.
- Promote via social media and community classifieds.
- Upload and sell to stock photo sites like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock.
There’s no greater satisfaction than earning a paycheck doing what you love.
12. Event Planning Assistance
Many Filipino students consider this sideline because coordinating events can be a great way to earn extra income. If you’re organized and can handle tight deadlines, you can help coordinate parties, weddings, and possibly even class events.
How to Start:
- Offer event planning for children’s birthday parties and intimate gatherings
- Assist in planning, budgeting, venue reservation, or vendor hiring
- Promote yourself among family, peers, and classmates.
This side job is based on organizational skills and the ability to work under pressure.
13. Sell Handmade Products
Are you crafty? Love DIY? Why not attempt to make some extra cash selling homemade goods! Jewelry and accessories, home goods and decor; if you’re passionate about making these items, why not combine your entrepreneurial efforts with what you love to make money? Sell goods on Etsy or Facebook Marketplace and allow your talents to be seen!
How to get started:
- Make a few samples of your work
- Create a digital storefront or an appearance at small local craft fairs
- Use social media for marketing and to drive business
This is a fun side hustle that earns you income while you enjoy yourself!
14. YouTube Vlogging
Got a talent for capturing life in action? Are you filled with different ideas from the mundane or have a specific niche in mind? One of the top side hustles for having a good time making money is YouTube vlogging. As a student in the Philippines, you can create your own YouTube channel and cultivate a well-defined communicative and developmental space over time in your chosen niche. You can earn revenue through ads, sponsors, and affiliate links. Once you find a schedule for posting, you can be consistent and turn your passion into a profitable endeavor.
How to Start:
—Establish Your Niche: Explore and determine a definite passion and profitable market. Where will you be an authority? Vlog daily? Go on travel adventures? Apply make-up? Play video games? Prepare meals? Teach? Make people laugh? The opportunities are endless. Where do you fit in?
—Create a Channel: YouTube channel creation is free and relatively easy for the average person. If you’re already working with a Google account, you’re good to go. Just generate a channel under a catchy, easy-to-remember title that reflects the content and audience.
- Buy Equipment: You don’t have to shell out a lot of expensive gear right now; however, a good camera, a decent mic, and a little lighting can help distinguish your content visually from everyone else’s. Many vloggers use their cellphone cameras to start and improve later down the line.
- Vlog/Create Content: No matter your niche, start vlogging or creating your content. Edit to keep your videos engaging so that people want to keep interacting with your channel. You can edit videos for free on Shotcut or iMovie and for a fee on Adobe Premiere.
- Upload and SEO. When you upload your video, make sure SEO is appropriate from title and description to tagging and keyworded tags. In addition, clickbait titles and thumbnails can generate views.
- Get Paid/Monetize through YouTube AdSense. You can get paid when you establish a following and sufficient watch hours in a twelve-month period to apply for YouTube monetization via AdSense.
- Cross-Promotion: Share your videos on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to build your YouTube channel off those sites. Engaging with fans and followers in the comments and on social media can further expand your channel as well.
- Brand Deals: After you build a following, your channel will have the potential for brands to come to you for their sponsorship needs. Everything from sponsored content to product placement is a great way to boost revenue for your YouTube side hustle.
It’s so easy for Filipino students to earn additional income and gain experience or skills for the future with so many side hustles out there. Everything from freelance writing to graphic designing to tutoring to buying and selling online can be considered side hustles. The sky’s the limit; as long as you’re vested in your chosen project, have proper time management, and exert the necessary effort, you’ll be successful. Therefore, side hustles while you’re still in school are an excellent way to ensure a good start. Don’t hesitate! Grab a side hustle now and start your journey toward financial freedom!
Read also: Top 23 Passive Income Ideas in the Philippines.
Last modified: February 24, 2025
