I came across a post yesterday that made me pause.

A content creator  who happens to be a VA as well, was throwing shade at Virtual Assistants who talk about being in the industry for so and so years. It was complete with sarcasm and side comment something akong these lines, “Ano naman ngayon kung 15 (or 85 as he sarcastically puts it)  years ka na? What do you want me to do with that information?”

And I get it.

Not everyone wants to hear about someone else’s long career.

Some people roll their eyes at it.

Some even get annoyed.

But there it was on TikTok, napadaan ulit sa feed ko itong content from a VA Tiktoker na pangalawang beses ko na rin nakita.

I wonder why he seems mapanglait, I’m not sure. 

Before, I just shrugged it off. Opinyon niya ‘yun. He voiced out his disgust to the local agencies kasi ang daming tanong, mahirap daw pumasa. Mas okay pa raw pag foreigner directly ang kausap. 

I mean yes, maybe may valid points naman siya. I didn’t let it get to me.

And I understand, he’s annoyed.

But his recent post? I think he’s missing the point.

Because when I, or anyone else says “10, 15 or even 20 years in the industry,” it’s not to brag.

Here’s what I wish he (and others like him) would understand:

Hindi lahat ng post tungkol sa’yo.

It’s to show what’s possible.

It’s to tell a story that others may need to hear.

Especially the ones who are just starting.

The ones who feel lost.

The ones who are trying to figure out if this path is even worth it.

15 years means I’ve seen trends come and go.

I’ve watched the industry grow from obscure “online jobs” to full-blown careers.

I’ve seen people give up  and I’ve seen others rise again after every setback.

I’ve stayed, even when it was hard, even when no one clapped.

When someone says, I’ve been in the VA industry for such and such years, hindi ito para ipagyabang.

It’s to show people especially the quiet ones, the trying-hard ones, the career shifters, the discouraged moms, that this path is real.

Sustainable.

Possible.

Because for every “bored na ako sa office, try ko nga mag-VA” na newbie na napu-push sa shiny posts online, there are people like me who stayed.

Who worked hard. Who built careers through countless pivots, rejections, burnouts, and breakthroughs.

15 years means something.

It means:

• I’ve seen the industry evolve from side hustles to full-blown careers.

• I’ve mentored people before mentorship was monetized.

• I’ve lost clients. Gotten them back. Built trust from scratch. Again and again.

• I’ve worked behind the scenes while raising a family, paying debts, navigating life.

• I’ve seen co-VAs disappear overnight, and I chose to keep showing up.

When I share my years, I’m not saying, “Look at me.”

I’m saying, “You can do this too.”

If you’re consistent.

If you’re willing to learn.

If you treat your craft with respect.

So what to do with it, he asked? Well people can just listen, and learn. Or ignore, it’s all up to you.

But I wonder why parang kailangan niya i-mock. Is it really necessary?

Because we hold stories that can light the way for others.

Hindi para magpakitang-gilas.

Pero para magsilbing patunay na may pangmatagalan dito…

kung sisipagan mo, pag-aaralan mo, at igagalang mo ‘yung craft mo.

So if you’re a seasoned VA reading this, I see you.

Your years matter. Your experience matters.

And kahit minsan nakakasuya ang ingay online, know this:

Your longevity is not boring. It’s brave.

Keep showing up.

For those who started before this was trendy.

For those who stayed long enough to build something real.

For those who keep going — not to impress, but to serve well.

Here’s to the quiet workers,

the legacy builders,

and the ones who don’t always need to shout…

because their work already speaks.