The Story Behind The United States Of Makati Meme

If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably seen people joking about being OFWs in Makati, earning Makati Dollars, and speaking Makatinese.

Welcome to the United States of Makati, the internet’s fictional country inspired by one of Metro Manila’s busiest business districts.

What Is The United States of Makati?

The United States of Makati is a viral joke that turns everyday life in Makati into an overseas working experience.

People joke that going to Makati for work means becoming an OFW, getting a visa, earning a new currency, and even learning a new language.

United States of Makati glossary

• OFW: “Onsite Filipino Worker” or “Overworked Filipino Worker”

• Makatinese: The fictional language spoken in Makati

• Makati Dollars (MKD): The imaginary currency earned by Makati “OFWs”

• Makati Visa: The fictional visa needed to “enter” or work in Makati

• Makati Citizenship: Becoming an imaginary resident of Makati

• Petsa de peligro: When your Makati Dollars are running low before payday

• Holiday Mode: Exploring Makati like a tourist on your day off

• Remittance: Sending your Makati Dollars “home”

How did The meme start?

There is no single confirmed creator of the trend, but TikTok creator @nickxploration is among those widely credited with helping popularise it.

In July 2026, he posted about his life working in Makati and jokingly described himself as an “OFW in Makati”. Other creators soon joined in with their own versions.

Before long, social media was filled with jokes about Makati visas, Makatinese, Makati Dollars, payday, and petsa de peligro.

Why is the OFW in Makati joke so relatable?

For many people, moving to Makati for work can feel like moving abroad.

They leave their hometowns, rent near the office, spend most of the week away from family, and send part of their salary home. The only difference is that they never actually crossed an international border.

The joke also captures the realities of office life, from long commutes and expensive meals to traffic and running out of money before payday.

Why does Makati feel like another country?

Makati has everything needed for the joke: skyscrapers, international companies, luxury malls, cafés, hotels, restaurants, and busy corporate offices.

For someone new to Metro Manila, the city can feel worlds apart from their hometown.

That contrast is exactly what makes the “United States of Makati” joke work.

How did tourism pages join the trend?

The trend eventually reached tourism pages and businesses.

The Department of Tourism joined in with a playful post presenting Makati as a destination with “no visa” required. It encouraged people to bring their Makati Dollars, learn Makatinese, and explore the city.

Activities included café hopping, gallery visits, weekend markets, dining, staycations, nightlife, and enjoying the city lights.

Is the United States of Makati making fun of Makati?

Kind of.

The meme pokes fun at Makati’s expensive lifestyle, traffic, office culture, and daily struggles, but it also celebrates the things that make the city attractive.

It’s basically saying: Makati is amazing, but surviving here is another story.

Are there other fictional countries In the Philippines?

Of course. Once the joke took off, other places got their own fictional country names too.

Some examples include United Kingdom Capital of BGC, United States of Alabang, Ilocoslovakia, Cavitestan, Cebudapest, United Bulacan Emirates, Dasmariñas, Texas, and Cavitzerland.

Do you need a visa to visit the United States of Makati?

Nope.

The United States of Makati is not a real country. Makati is still a city in Metro Manila, so you won’t need a visa, Makati Dollars, or Makatinese to visit.

But if you work there, you might as well embrace the joke. Welcome to your new “country.”