As we celebrate Pride Month and continue to uplift diverse, colorful stories, Filipina changemaker Dun Concha Abiera is making waves in youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and gender-equal entrepreneurship. In a world where leadership often demands compromise, Dun has carved out a space not only for herself but for countless others across the Philippines and beyond.
Photo: Dun Concha Abiera
Born and raised in General Santos City, Dun’s journey from grassroots advocacy to global platforms is a testament to the power of purpose-driven leadership. What began as a mission to empower herself has transcended into a cross-border movement that uplifts communities, reshapes narratives, and challenges exclusionary systems.
Rewriting the Rules of Digital Work
Dun Concha Abiera is proving that digital work can be more than the norm; it can be a lifeline for those often left behind.
At 27, she is the force behind Work Beyond Borders (WBB), a social enterprise that promotes an inclusive future of work. Since 2019, she’s connected global e-commerce giants with community-based Filipino talent, bridging the gap between opportunity and accessibility. With over 40 direct-to-consumer brands on Amazon and Shopify under their belt, her team has helped redefine what it means to succeed in the digital economy, not just for clients, but for local communities.
But what truly sets WBB apart isn’t scale, it’s soul. The majority of its workforce is composed of LGBTQIA+ individuals and single mothers who are too often left behind in traditional employment systems. For Dun, this is a statement of belief and commitment.
“Work Beyond Borders creates an ecosystem of dignity, resilience, and empowered choice. Identifying gaps, especially in digital literacy, is most important, particularly in women-led ventures. Supporting women is the future. It is about women rising above the occasion to support each other,” she said.
Her vision is both ambitious and grounded in real-world need: to harness the power of digital work as a pathway to economic justice and gender equality in the Philippines. She believes that remote careers have the potential to uplift lives, especially in underserved communities.
Grassroots to Global Impact
Dun’s commitment to media and information literacy (MIL) is both personal and profound. Having faced the harsh realities of the digital world, including cyberbullying, gender-based discrimination, and online attacks, she turned adversity into action. These experiences became the catalyst for her lifelong advocacy, leading her to establish YABONG Philippines, a youth-led organization that equips digital resilience through MIL initiatives.
Since its founding in 2018, YABONG has empowered over 15,000 young leaders across 16 countries through programs that promote media and information literacy, good governance, and civic participation. Through these efforts, YABONG has helped shape a new generation of youth advocates dedicated to building inclusive and informed communities.
Dun’s influence deepened when she became Asia-Pacific Youth Regional Coordinator for the UNESCO MIL Alliance, placing her at the forefront of global efforts to promote media responsibility. Her voice has since then reached global audiences, like in Indonesia, Thailand, and Turkey through platforms like Digital Communication Network (DCN) Global, where she speaks on digital literacy and youth empowerment.
Yet while advocating on global stages, she continues to scale real-world impact through Work Beyond Borders. WBB is now a strategic partner for brands seeking to grow through smart digital marketing services, focused on influencer marketing. As the enterprise expands, Dun is recognized not only as a thought leader in digital literacy but also as a rising force in digital entrepreneurship. At some point, she has found a way to bring these two worlds together, merging advocacy and enterprise into a single, powerful vision.
That intersection gave rise to the DIGIconomy project, a timely and transformative initiative born from the integration of YABONG and Work Beyond Borders. Designed as a comprehensive digital marketing course, this project prepares individuals for the realities of the modern workforce while bridging the global digital divide.
The DIGIconomy project has reached youth across the globe, many of whom face systemic challenges such as limited access to quality education, unstable job markets, political unrest, and socio-economic marginalization. The program empowers youth in underserved communities, bridging digital divides in places like Uganda, Palestine, Myanmar, Nigeria, and the Philippines. At its core, it offers practical skills and access to remote work, turning systemic barriers into pathways for inclusion, resilience, and access to digital economic opportunities.
In doing so, Dun effectively bridges two worlds: advancing global digital literacy through advocacy, while helping brands and communities rise together in an evolving digital economy.
Leading with Purpose and Pride
Dun’s leadership journey reflects a lifelong mission to create a meaningful impact that transcends identity and industry. She continues to represent the Philippines on the global stage through international forums and initiatives, all while staying deeply rooted in community-centered work.
“I don’t want to just be in the room, I want to have a seat at the table and build new tables altogether,” Dun said.
This Pride Month, Dun’s story is a bold and powerful reminder that true leadership is about lifting others, creating space, and rewriting what’s possible. While she chooses to reveal parts of her personal journey on her own terms, what’s clear is that her impact speaks volumes.
And that’s exactly what she’s doing.
Coming from a small city in Mindanao to representing the country on a global stage, Dun is proof that leading with heart, vision, and determination creates ripples far beyond borders.
