I am surprised that prop trading is not a popular career path in the Philippines. I guess there have not been risk takers willing to set up prop firms. I am aware that talent is not a problem since I know that many Singapore based institutions have a lot of Filipinos trading in their trading floors.
Well, if only we get a group together and set up our own prop desk that would be fine.
People with money in Asia are in Hong Kong or Singapore generally speaking and then Phuket for retirement. The only risk they take in the Philippines is a weekend away there.
If you do set up a prop-shop in Manila make sure it's in an office that has
- armed guards guarding the car park
- armed guards at the entrance to the building
- armed guards at each floor just outside the elevators
This certainly was the norm in Makati last time was there. Also of note, armed guards outside McDonalds, armed guards at the top of footbridges, SERIOUSLY armed guards outside the banks.
On the bright side, most drinking establishments have the facilities to take both your jacket AND your gun at the cloak room. Mostly because drunken cops shooting people that spill their drink is bad for business.
If you do start a prop shop, you'll have the local people to come work in it but you wont be getting many expats flocking there as there are much better places to be in Asia. The red tape there to set up a company is mind boggling.
Your best bet, try to get a connection good enough for a data feed for 1 instrument & do it from the safety of your compound there. I don't want to seem to be overly negative but it is a dangerous, dirty sh1t hole and the locals are going to drive your missus crazy. Unless of course, she has prior experience herding cats... :whistling :whistling :whistling
On the bright side, I've spent lots of time there & I had a blast.