In the middle of June 1991, Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines, was rocked by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo.
After 500 years of lying dormant, this sleeping giant began to show signs of stirring in April of that year, as it sent out large puffs of steam. Until a few years previously, nobody had even suspected it was still active. So when it finally – and spectacularly – erupted in 1991 it took everyone by surprise. Although earthquake monitoring in the region had, thankfully, alerted scientists to the possibility of volcanic activity.
The blast itself was recorded as the second largest of the 20th century, second only to the Novarupta in Alaska in 1912, ten times larger than Mount St Helen’s.
The End Of The World?
Over time, more than a million people had settled on the lush green slopes of Mount Pinatubo, with villages and settlements spread evenly across the area, including Clark Air Base, the largest US base in the Philippines. Once it had been realised that an eruption was imminent, danger zones were designated and those who were within 10 km of the volcano were advised to take action, with nearly 500,000 people evacuated.
Typhoon Yunya – which would have caused enough problems of its own – hit the island at the same time. The two combined events had a devastating effect, not only on the local area, but also around the planet. Those who lived on Luzon would have been forgiven for thinking that their world was coming to an end.
The eruptions started properly in the early hours of June 12, 1991, followed by more massive blasts lasting around thirty minutes that sent columns of ash 19 kilometres into the air. The resulting pyroclastic flow reached as far as four kilometres from the summit.
This, however, was merely an overture to what was to follow.
The next couple of days saw a series of smaller and larger blasts, lasting between three and fifteen minutes, with massive columns of ash attracting huge bolts of lightening due to the immense friction. Seismic activity all pointed towards a devastating crescendo.
At 13:42 local time, an eruption lasting three hours shook the island with multiple earthquakes as the top of Mount Pinatubo collapsed on itself, creating a caldera 2.5 km wide, lowering the summit by around 260 meters. The pyroclastic flow stretched out an extra two kilometres beyond the point it had reached a few days previously.
It was at this point that Typhoon Yunya hit the island, which, combined with the ash clouds, brought complete darkness to the island for about 36 hours. The ash column from Pinatubo at this time had reached as high as 34 km, and it is estimated that the cloud covered an area of about 125,000 square kilometres.
A haunting photo of a vehicle escaping the possibility of engulfment by the ash cloud created by the Mt. Pinatubo eruption.
The Aftermath
In spite of the relatively large island population, as well as the fact that Mount Pinutabo had only recently been discovered to be active, the death toll was surprisingly low. The successful evacuation procedure was undoubtedly responsible for saving thousands of lives.
The official death toll was listed as 847, and the majority of these were victims of the combined force of the typhoon rains mixing with the volcanic ash.
The resulting mixture fell on a wide area, blanketing whole towns and cities. An area of about 7,500 km was completely covered in a layer at least 1 cm thick. Up to 9 km away, houses were coated in a concrete-like mix of rain and ash. Houses unfortunate enough to have a long roof span were unable to take the weight. Victims of the collapsing roofs made up a significant proportion of the death toll.
Aside from the deadly pyroclastic flow that swept down the slopes at great speed, another type of event caused further damage to the local area.
Lahars are huge, fast-flowing walls of mud and debris that can cause massive amounts of destruction, choking river valleys and destroying infrastructure. The 1991 eruptions at Pinutabo deposited approximately 5 cubic kilometres of rock fragments and ash on the slopes. During the next four rainy seasons following the 1991 eruption, lahars became a real problem, causing widespread damage. The problem had been worsened by the fact that the slopes were now bare, completely stripped of the vegetation that had been destroyed by the ash and lava.
Reforestation projects were continually hampered by lahars, with over 14,000 hectares of seedlings or newly established forests being swamped by mud and debris.
Ash proved to be a problem, with more than 96,000 hectares of agricultural land severely affected. Around 800,000 head of livestock and poultry was lost, depriving thousands of farmers of their livelihoods. The cost to farming was estimated at the time to be around $52 million, rising to $107 million by the close of 1992.
Agriculture was by no means the only casualty. Infrastructure, communications, power, water, and transport all faced serious problems, with an estimated $142 million worth of damage. Over 8,000 houses were completely destroyed, with another 73,000 sustaining structural damage. Approximately 1.2 million people were made homeless. Bridges and roads were buried or wiped out entirely, and Manilla airport was closed.
At least sixteen aircraft suffered from the effects of ash, with countless others being damaged by sulfur deposits, causing millions of dollars worth of damage.
A DC10 plane fell towards its tail due to the weight of wet volcanic ash on the back of the place. Source – R L Rieger, U.S. Navy, Public Domain.
Global impact of Mount Pinatubo
The effects were not, however, limited to Luzon and the Philipines.
The volcano’s plume reached up into the stratosphere, where it left 15 million tons of sulfur dioxide. The effect of this was twofold, bringing both a drop in average global temperatures of up to 1 degree F (0.6 degrees C) for two years as well as a rise in the stratospheric temperature which may have contributed to severe storm systems over a period of three years.
Rainfall patterns over Asia were disrupted and ozone levels in the southern hemisphere were dramatically decreased It is safe to say that this eruption, though relatively few lives were lost, touched the whole world.
More than a quarter of the entire Philippines population lives in poverty. That’s right, 26.5% of Filipinos lack the income to simply meet their most basic needs.
There are several reasons behind this, such as rapid population growth, inaccessibility to credit, poor social infrastructure, and the stagnation of rural productivity.
Even though the state has made great progress in developing the country, a significant percentage of Filipinos are still struggling with their day to day realities. They often run small informal businesses, selling food and other goods out on the streets. Despite their hardship, they are still rarely acknowledged by the state, but still, work tirelessly to earn a living.
So, let’s now have a look at the main causes of poverty in the Philippines.
Public schools are notoriously inefficient when it comes to educating children. The overcrowded classrooms, coupled with a lack of resources almost guarantees students will not reach their potential.
Education must improve!
Education is often linked to social mobility across generations.
An individuals education allows them to increase their earnings across their lifetime. This then allows them to invest more in their children’s education. In a basic sense, this creates a cycle of upward social mobility.
So how does the Philippines compare to others when it comes to the quality of education?
Well, it’s getting better, but it is still not where it should be. Over the years the Philippines has been rising different ranking systems when it comes to education. Although it still finds itself too close to the bottom, especially when you compare it to the scores of ASEAN nations.
Investing in future generations
When compared to the neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Japan, and Thailand. The Philippines tends to lag behind not just in the quality of education, but also the financial resources injected into the sector.
The Philippine government does make a conscious effort to allocate a high proportion of its budget to education. But what is being allocated still does not measure up to the investments into education made by other ASEAN countries.
The Philippine government instigated the formation of higher education task force to evaluate the performance of college graduates in various professional board examinations. They found that too many graduates were performing poorly and that many universities and colleges in the country lacked legitimacy when it came to their quality of education.
So where are we now?
Well, the Philippines is currently stuck in a system where those who have access to more wealth are able to enrol in the more exclusive schools and receive a quality education. While the others are left behind, especially those needing to enrol in the subpar public schooling system.
Although elementary schooling is mandatory, the task force found that many Filipinos of the relevant age group regularly skip the school program. This is due to lack of schools in their locality, education being offered in non-native languages only or financial difficulties.
(Many Filipinos resort to informal means of employment such as selling goods out on the street. Photo by Romeo Ranoco/Reuters)
Rampant Unemployment
This may not come as a surprise to many readers but, the Philippine labour market is short of well-paying jobs.
Which means for many – even highly qualified – Filipinos, working a low-paying job is the only option. This again hinders their social mobility as their salary is enough to just cover basic needs.
Some household’s incomes are so low that it becomes quite disturbing. Some may make only P50-P100, barely enough to meet their daily needs leaving them with little to save for things such as their children’s education.
There is a need for the government to make growth more comprehensive. To make it easy for Filipinos to attain higher and stable income via productive employment.
Off late, the Philippine government has instigated several measures to combat poverty in the country, such as the extension of monthly cash grants to families living in absolute poverty. This has significantly reduced the cases of children dropping out of schools.
Also, these funds have made it possible for parents to access health care services, especially the elderly. It’s now over a decade since the program was launched. Other programs include entrepreneurial income, Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), remittance from local and international sources, and more.
For instance, the 4Ps program is estimated to have helped 25% of Filipinos to graduate from dire poverty through its monthly cash grants.
It is not uncommon for Filipino politicians such as Joseph Estrada to engage in unscrupulous activities. Exploiting the country for their own financial gain.
Rampant Corruption
Corruption in the Philippines is pervasive. Filipinos know it’s there, and they are tired of it.
The government is often being tainted by corrupt individuals whose objective is to enrich themselves, their families, and close allies during their tenure.
They endeavour to have their close allies succeed them in their respective positions during elections, as this will impede them from facing corruption charges.
This is a situation Filipinos have seen manifest itself ad nauseam, within all levels of government. Corruption on a local level is as widespread as corruption on a national level.
An example of this is seen with government tenders. They are often awarded illegally without following the set legal procedures. To stand a chance to win a tender, you have to bribe the government officials; otherwise, the tender will be awarded to someone else. This comes into the public domain when various bidders went to the media houses and claimed that there were lots of anomalies involved in awarding government tenders.
Since the tenders are not awarded on merits, the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. Misappropriation of funds has denied Filipinos access to quality education, appropriate infrastructure, among other poverty problems.
Manila is one of the world’s most densely populated cities with a population density of 42,857 people per square kilometre or 111,002 people per square mile.
The problem of overpopulation
The rapid growth of the population in the Philippines coupled with a less than robust economy is a prime breeding ground for poverty.
Many Filipinos flock to urban centres like Manila, hoping to find opportunities to improve their situations. But the majority walk into a city with an oversupplied labour force and very unaffordable housing in comparison to the provinces.
Many make the journey to cities like Manila, hoping to enjoy better living conditions – this dream is often shortlived.
The local governments often struggle to provide even the most basic levels of health care, schooling, water/power supplies, and sanitization. These public services are just not enough to meet the growing demand in areas suffering from overpopulation.
Lack of planning, and providing opportunities in rural areas have contributed to this issue. If opportunities for meaningful employment were available outside of urban centres, there would be no need to make the pilgrimage to the countries more prominent cities.
Religion is one of the major reasons why the poorest families have more children than they can manage. As the Philippines is a majority Catholic country, many of the members are inclined to refuse to use contraception.
This means many Filipino families become larger than what the income of the family can effectively handle. Though steps are being taken to educate and assist families in planning for the future.
Inequality in Income Distribution
The Philippines has been labelled a “rising tiger” by some institutions. The country continues to become increasingly prosperous in certain regions, while others seem to have been left behind.
This is because the Philippines has an income distribution issue.
The wealthiest segment of society seems to exclusively benefit from this increased prosperity. This leaves the rest of the population still struggling to even cover the cost of the most basic needs.
Since the 1980s the country has made a noticeable improvement and shown bu the countries growing middle class. But there is yet to be any sort of significant change in the living standards of the majority of Filipino families.
Many politicians prefer to serve the business interests of prominent families, over the people they were elected to serve. This creates a cycle of well-connected families and politicians mutually benefitting each other.
The politicians maintain their power while those prom intent families grow their wealth through the hoarding of government contracts. Leaving what’s left to trickle down to the not so well connected.
A country plagued by natural calamities
Natural disasters are so frequent it has almost become a way of life in the Philippines.
The country is situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire. This is a zone circling the Pacific Ocean, known for its frequent and intense volcanic activity as a direct result of plate tectonics.
Due to its position, the Philippines is also subject to frequent earthquakes, strong typhoons, flooding, and tidal waves or storm surges. In recent years the country has been devastated by several of these events.
This includes the landing of the massive typhoon Yolanda. This flattened many cities, and killed countless people during the initial event, and then a storm surges which also cost many people their lives. In recent years there has also been the eruption of the Taal, and Mayon volcanoes which shutdown many cities leaving people homeless for a period of time.
These natural disasters are not taken lightly. They are very hazardous to human life, they often cause millions of dollars in property damage, and are often very difficult to avoid with evacuations.
The Philippine government still has a lot of work to do in creating the proper infrastructure to mitigate the effects of natural disasters leaving larges parts of the population vulnerable.
Floods are still common on city streets. The infrastructure in place in cities like Manila is still not enough to handle the volume of water the typhoons bring each season. This flooding leaves families homeless, struggling to raise funds to build new or repair their homes.
The agricultural sector is also often heavily affected by these events. Strong winds and flooding can easily damage crops, leaving farmers without an income for that season.
Even though most of the Philippians depend heavily on agriculture, these farmers often have very little support, leaving a large number of them living in poverty.
A shortage of affordable housing
Although this is not directly a cause of poverty in the country, it is still a chronic issue faced by many Filipinos.
Limited employment opportunities have left many Filipinos unable to afford proper housing. When there is no affordable housing, often, the only other option is for families to live out on the streets.
Most people in this group survive on an average of $1.25 a day, making it almost impossible to get out of poverty and find cost-effective housing for their families. The high cost of housing leaves them with little money to save and spend on their basic needs. The government has done little to help persons languishing in extreme poverty to get out of it.
This tends to create a cycle of poverty as children prioritise begging on the streets to make money for the family. Meaning a lot of them miss out on receiving an education. This is why the situation needs an intervention to prevent that cycle from repeating itself.
Child Labour
Due to extreme levels of poverty in the Philippines, most parents encourage their children to drop out of school to help them to raise money to cater to their families.
The Philippines is one of the prominent countries in the world plagued by the practice. Children undertaking hazardous, menial work instead of proceeding with their education is the beginning of poverty now and into the future.
The government should adopt measures to curb this behaviour; otherwise, poverty will continue to be a chronic issue within the nation. According to labour relations, only persons aged 18 years and above should be allowed to work in any industry.
Yet, some people still tolerate it. Underage workers are still found working in factories and farms. Some families even have children working as full-time domestic workers in their homes.
Addressing the social issues holding the nation back
There are many reasons why many citizens of the Philippines still seem to be suffering. Although I have summarised some of the major cause, the issue is still very deep and complex.
Regardless of this, we do know all of these issues do need to be addressed. There are many intelligent, sincere individuals and organisations who are willing to help the country to make this progress.
It is not on the citizens to find these organisations and support them however you can, whether it may be voting for pro-active politicians or donating to NGOs who are carrying out effective work in the area.
Talismans – what comes to mind when we think of these objects? Many people believe that these objects hold some sort of magical power, offering good luck and even protection to its possessor.
One group in the Philippines named the Haring Bakal or Iron King has taken the use of talismans or anting-anting to another level. The controversial group is known to rob graves to obtain human body parts which will be used as talismans to gain invisibility powers. But, we’ll get back to that later.
The foundations for the groups are said to have been established in Mindanao in the late 1800s by Dodong Aquilino Lagari Gulang although there are no strong records backing this claim. Though the group labelled both a cult and militia movement began to gain the most traction in the 1970s during the martial law era.
Operations of the Haring Bakal
The Haring Bakal are mostly known for several unusual practices within the organisation. It is common for members to claim they have the ability to ward off bullets and knives. These claims have actually helped increase membership, especially amongst police and military personnel whose lives are often under threat from these attacks.
For those of you who are keen to gain these bullet repelling powers, becoming a member isn’t as simple as you may think. First, to gain membership, you must receive a blessing. This blessing involves being hit by the blunt side of a bolo or sword in several parts of your body.
The number of strikes you receive determines your ranking within the Haring Bakal. Initially, members will receive 6 strikes, though to move up the hierarchy and gain more powers, members will need to receive more strikes across their body including the back and sides of the neck.
So, as you can see Haring Bakal is not an easy organisation to join. On top of the initiation ritual, the organisation still requires potential members to submit an NBI police, and barangay clearance, as well as an assessment of the potential member’s intentions.
This is because the organisation requires its members to follow a strict code of ethics. Members are required to protect and serve the community, not to cause harm. People found violating these principals are expelled from the group.
Many members expelled from the group have gone on to start their own groups still utilising the same principals of the Haring Bakal. There are now many different community crime-fighting groups throughout the Philippines which have defended from the Haring Bakal.
A typical blessing carried out for new members of the Haring Bakal. Source – Haring Bakal Org
The power of the talisman
The members of Haring bakal make use of various kind of talismans to achieve their powers. Some members will simply receive a prayer they can repeat daily, as well as pieces of clothing with sacred words or prayers of protection written on the clothing.
Another practice amongst the Haring Bakal which has garnered them some notoriety is their practice of robbing graves. That’s right, members will dig up graves to find body parts of the deceased which can be used as a talisman. The members will call out the name of the deceased during their prayers calling for their protection.
So, just how powerful are these talismans?
To display the power of these amulets in action we can look to the case of Rolando Sabayon. Sabayon went out one afternoon with some associates for a drinking session.
Over the course of the afternoon, Sabayon became intoxicated and began to brag about the powers he received from his amulet and his association with the Haring Bakal. Feeling confident, Sabayon went on to challenge everyone in the village to fight him.
Eventually, Sabayons associates left him, while Sabayon went to settle down and sleep in a shed nearby. Not long after an unidentified individual found Sabayon, cut his neck, and decapitated him.
This shows the true power of the amulet. True believers in its power gain the confidence to face their fears and speak out to potential threats. But the fact is, like Sabayon, the holders of the talismans are still as vulnerable as everybody else, and as we can see don’t give you the powers to ward off knives
Moro miltias often found themselves in conflict with the government backed founder of the Haring Bakal -Feliciano Luces.
So where did the Haring Bakal come from?
To learn about the foundations of the Haring Bakal we need to go back to the 1970s. During this time the late President Ferdinand Marcos was known to aid in the formation of civilian militias. This was especially rampant during the martial law era of the Philippines.
These civilian militias became quite prevalent in rural areas during the time, as they had been utilised to fight groups such as the Huks after the Philippines achieved independence.
They were utilised to fight against insurgency operations carried out by communist and Muslim rebels. Though, these militias were often used as an instrument to exercise power over the local civilian populations.
The story began with a man named Feliciano Luces, who went on to assume the name “Commander Toothpick”. Coming from Pikit near Cotabato in Mindanao, Luces built a reputation for being a ruthless fighter while in hand to hand combat against the Muslim insurgency in Mindanao.
Luces and his followers known as the Ilaga gained the backing of President Ferdinand Marcos, as they were useful for maintaining the Presidents desired status quo. They maintained their reputation by continuing to carry out daring exploits which were essentially massacres of the Moro rebels in Maguindanao and North Cotabato.
The link to the Haring Bakal
Commander toothpick was feared because it was claimed that he had been invincible to his enemies. Despite the amount of death caused by Luces and the Ilaga, the group acted with impunity due to their affiliation with President Marcos.
As complaints about his abuse of the Moro people began to mount, Luces continued to evade any conflict with the police, which continued to build the legend behind the commander.
To this day loyal followers try to obtain a piece of the late commander’s skeleton to be used as an amulet. The commanders grave has been moved repeatedly due to many burglary attempts, as followers try to share in the powers their progenitors of the group were perceived to possess.
An amazing discovery took place when Philippine researchers unearthed new fossil evidence of our ancestors. Similar early humans in the area have been dubbed the ‘Hobbits’ due to their smaller stature. This discovery is called Homo Luzonensis, as the discovery took place on the island of Luzon within one of the remarkable caves found there.
While just a handful of bones were discovered when digging, they were found 3 meters deep in a bone pit within the Callao cave. The evidence bought by the analysis of 13 new pieces of Philippine fossil remains is now linking this to the Homo erectus. Displayed fossils include teeth, hand and foot bones, as well as part of a femur. This new species scientists believe may have crossed the sea to the Island of Luzon.
Furthermore, they have determined that these bones are from a female that was just 3 feet tall. The researcher Florent Détroit believes this new species evolved as a result of a form of island dwarfism. Given that the discovery is fairly recent, the bones are estimated to be 50,000 years old. Much of the bone and tooth study has revealed shocking features about our ancestors.
A curved toe bone indicated that these smaller hobbit-like hominids could climb trees. Other evidence shows that teeth have traits that are very similar to humans. Though these teeth were much smaller, the roots found in the premolars had two or three roots. Much like modern humankind, their root system was highly developed. Researchers are still uncovering clues about their early life.
Who discovered Luzonensis?
While this discovery is beginning to reveal more about this pygmy-archaic human, it’s not the first of it’s kind. Two archaeologists back in 2007 were the very first to discover Luzonensis in the very same cave. The efforts of Armand Mijares and Philip J. Piper are to be credited in finding them buried over three metres underground.
These small dwarf hominids were estimated to have lived on the island in the Late Pleistocene period. This can be dated as far back to a geologic period 11,700 years ago. It’s further hypothesized that at that time, the sea levels were lower in the Philippine Islands. The ancestors of H. Luzonensis would have used a passage route called the Huxley line.
A map of the lines which separate those land areas which were not connected with each other at lower sea levels during the Ice Age. Which begs the question of how our early human ancestors crossed the Huxley line to enter what is now known as the Philippines. Source – Britannica
Also found within the cave were an extraordinary amount of bone fragments belonging to the Philippine deer. This further supports the evidence that deer bodies were dragged into the cave to be eaten. Ancient tool fragments show that bones of the deer were used as well. 90% of the bone fragments recovered from within the north Luzon cave were all deer.
That wasn’t the only discovery that the two archaeologists had found. It seems that the Philippine warty pig and a now-extinct bovid were also among the other bones discovered there. Still, the biggest news that rocked the Philippine scientific community hadn’t been revealed yet. Through the efforts of the French anthropologist Florent Détroit, it wasn’t until 2010 that these bones were linked to humans.
What is the oldest human fossil found in the Philippines?
There is one more discovery that does deserve to be noted since the early evolution of mankind dates back further. Discovered within the Tabon Caves by an American anthropologist on May 28, 1962, revealed the Tabon Man. This incredible find yielded skull fragments of a female and jawbone fragments from others.
These bone fragments are believed to be the oldest types of human remains that have been discovered in the Philippines. These have been dated as far back as 16,500 years ago! The Tabon caves located along the west coast of Palawan, also revealed later that this location served as an ancient factory. The evidence is shocking about what the researcher had found.
This stone-age factory as it appears had four separate working levels within the main chamber. The remains of waste core flakes littered on the floors revealed this evidence. Both finished and unfinished stone flake tools were also found within the cave. Three fire piles further showed that these early humans used charcoal to keep warm and have some light.
The Tabon bones were determined to be a pre-Mongoliod through the study of anthropologists. Although the jawbone fragments were identified later by two experts to be distinctly Australian in shape. This could suggest that the female skullcap that was found in 1962 is closer to the Tasmanian or Ainu people. Further shedding light on the evolution of the Philippine people.
Excavations of the Tabon Cave underway during the 1960s.
Ancient people also used boats?
It is also suggested by modern anthropologists that the migration waves occuring over 50,000 years ago were increasing. Among many theories presented, such as the ‘Out of Taiwan’ model that was first presented by Peter Bellwood. He suggests that the first Austronesians reached the Philippines around 2200 BC, coming from Taiwan.
Another theory gives a different twist. The modern ‘Out of Sundaland’ theory relies on the last ice age data that proposes that ancient people used routes. Specifically, areas including Sumatra, Borneo, Java, and the Malay Peninsula all had migrants who wandered through the Philippine Islands. And still, the issue is highly debated for lack of proof other than bones that have been found.
One solid link to the fossils that have been discussed, leading to the northern Luzon ancestry seems to be Negrito. This branch of Philippine ancestry fits in with the Australo-Melenesian groups that arrive in the Paleolithic period. For the most part, compared to modern humans in the Philippines today, the link is unmistakable. It further shows how evolution is truly adapting to the local habitat we live in.
What will they uncover next?
Eager archaeologists are still at work in the caves of Luzon and may have further human discoveries to announce. While these are smaller steps in mapping out the history of humans in the Philippines, it’s still big news. Now, let’s just see what comes out of the Luzon caves next?
I’m sure you will agree that we all desire a certain standard of living. We want to be able to meet our physiological needs through the availability of affordable housing, and consumer goods.
This allows us to redirect our energy to other areas of our lives, leaving us feeling at least more fulfilled.
When it comes to standards of living or quality of life the Philippines is a very interesting place. Although a large portion of the country is living on a low income, there are still many paths peoples lives can take within the country.
So, what are our options?
I think it’s fair to say when it comes to those who like to “live large”, the majority of them are based in Manila, or the wider Central Luzon and Calabarzon.
Manila has moved towards what you would expect from a major city within most Developed countries. It is now a thriving centre for business, home to many high-end retailers and property developments.
The thriving business landscape around Manila, as well as the steady influx of foreign nationals, has – amongst other things – both helped to increase the wealth of many of the locals, as well as drive up the price of many essential goods, services, and real estate.
Despite all this, the country is still home to a large portion of people who are not privy or just don’t want to spend the kind of money which allows for a comfortable life in Manila. These people still want to experience a high standard of living but do not always have the financial means to achieve it in a city like Manila.
Frugal living in the Philippines.
Whether you’re a Filipino who’s tired of the expensive city life, or a digital nomad looking for an affordable destination to start your journey, or maybe a retiree who wants somewhere to live which is both comfortable and affordable. There are many places within the country to suit all situations.
I’m looking at this guide from the perspective that my audience still want to experience a reasonably high standard of living, so I will be writing about the better quality, more developed cities in the country. This means you will still have a high level of safety in these cities, as well as still have access to the kinds of resources you would expect from city living.
I’ll begin with a personal favourite: Baguio
For me, one of my favourite destinations within the country is Baguio situated in the mountainous region of Northern Luzon. It is both a very beautiful and relaxing destination, and best of all, the prices there are noticeably more affordable than Metro Manila.
The city is home to very affordable real estate, where the price to rent or buy is significantly lower than Metro Manila. I also found that due to it being a smaller provincial city, the city is very easy to commute through, this translated to very affordable transportation costs while I was there.
Another small but possibly significant advantage is the climate. Baguio is notorious for its cool climate, this removes the cost incurred from having to run fans and air conditioners throughout the day, which translates to more savings.
Baguio has also attained its reputation ass a holiday hotspot for a reason. The city still offers all modern conveniences found in most other modern cities, it has a large shopping mall, as well as being full of quality restaurants. The city is also surrounded by beautiful mountainous landscapes which you can explore.
A thriving city for those living on a budget in the Visayas
Iloilo is another developed city which has been on my radar for quite a while. The city is known for its vibrant business district, while also being surrounded by some of the countries top attractions for tourism.
Despite that, the city still is a very affordable place to live. When comparing it to a place like Baguio, a lot of the goods and services are significantly cheaper. This is the kind of city which would suit those looking to maximise how far their money goes.
With its busy port, and thriving BPO industry, Iloilo is a business hot spot in the Philippines. Iloilo provides many entrepreneurial and employment opportunities for its residents, as well as very affordable living.
I also like Iloilo because of its location. Iloilo resides on the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. On one side of that island is the internationally known holiday island of Boracay. Then closer to home, a short boat ride away from the city is the world-famous Guimaras – the mango capital of the Philippines.
Iloilo also neighbours Bacolod which is another thriving provincial city. So while you may be far from the National Capital Region, there is still a lot happening around Iloilo and the island of Panay.
Affordable living in the NCR
Another place I have been hearing a lot about recently is Cavite. The appeal with this province is that it is only 20 – 30 kilometres from Metro Manila. So people are able to enjoy the financial and lifestyle benefits of provincial living while also being able to easily have access to Manila
Goods and services may be roughly the same as what you would pay living within Metro Manila. But, the main advantage of Cavite is the real estate is a lot more affordable than living directly in Metro Manila.
Cavite is also home to many industrial and business park, so for those wanting to work locally, there are still many job opportunities. I have been to Cavite quite a few times and it does offer the feeling of provincial living – clean air, no crowds, but you are not as isolated as you may be in other provinces.
Some points to keep in mind
Although moving to the provinces sounds very attractive, like everything there still a compromises you need to make. One of the biggest ones being, although those destinations may be a lot cheaper, your salary may drop a little when working outside of Metro Manila.
That is why moving to the provinces may be a good idea for retirees, or those with flexible work arrangements like digital nomads. This means your salary is not reliant on your current destination, you still make the same money no matter where you are in the world.
Another point is moving to the provinces will limit your options when it comes to goods and services. You will have less choice when it comes to shopping, dining, mechanics and other tradespeople. As well as fewer options for transport, which is not always necessary anyway.
So if you’re looking to move to a different city, like anything, it’s about weighing up the pros and cons, then picking a destination which suits your situation.
To say the Philippines has been the host to several armed conflicts is a massive understatement. For as long as the nation has existed, it has been engaged in conflicts with various groups pushing their respective ideologies, while others essentially engage in the activities of bandits and terrorists.
There is not much information about such conflicts, especially among the international community. However, the Philippines’ Communist Rebellion could be considered as one of Asia’s longer insurgencies.
The insurgency started in 1969, with the creation of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). It is still active today and has organised various attacks throughout the country, leaving a trail of casualties along the way.
The movement, at times, has succeeded in weakening the Philippine government. Government forces have been unable to control some areas of the country in which the communist rebellion has become deeply ingrained.
Not only that, with more than 50 years of conflict, the government, and the succession of six presidents are still unable to come to peace terms with the rebels. With little information about this insurgency, the different roles and actors involved, it could be hard to get objective information on the subject.
To form an opinion and get some facts, it is essential to understand the aims and some key phases of this rebellion to construct a clear picture of today’s Philippines Government and its political situation.
To make things easier, here is an essential guide on everything you need to know about this long-lasting rebellion.
Prof. Jose Maria Sison delivers a lecture on the Philippine crisis and revolution at the Asian Studies Center of the University of the Philippines in 1986. Source – josemariasison.org
When did everything start? The role of Joma Sison in the NPA
In the late 1960s, the CPP decided to establish an armed wing to overthrow the government through guerilla warfare, to reach the goal of creating a new government with middle-class members at the top and no foreign intervention.
Jose Maria Sison, known as Joma Sison was the head of the armed insurgency and his writings are the most detailed in documenting the activity of guerrilla warfare. The New People’s Army rapidly grew during the first years of the revolution.
The country was, in fact, impoverished and led by many incapable leaders. That’s why many Filipinos welcomed warmly the ideals of the insurgency quite promptly. Many went on to join the army as volunteers.
The success of the NPA resulted in the fact that the CPP did analyze the circumstances of many of the Filipino people at the time and found the basic problems in bureaucrat capitalism, feudalism, and imperialism. By offering a different government and promising another type of government, the values and ideals of the CCP were particularly appealing to many.
The first act of insurgency took place in 1971 when NPA militants threw grenades during a Liberal Party Rally in the capital, Manila.
The act killed 9 people and injured 95 others. It was the beginning of a long struggle. Since then, the NPA has been involved in killings, kidnapping and various bombings throughout the country. It is estimated that the communist rebellion has caused the death of about 40,000 people, both fighters and civilians.
In 1972 the country was declared to be under Martial Law by President Ferdinand Marcos.
During those years, the NPA was opposing the regime and experienced its biggest expansions. It also received help from the Chinese government who provided support up until 1976, the NPA actually began distancing themselves from China after the country underwent market reforms, the NPA didn’t see the country as being true “Maoists”.
The rebellious were able to support their operations through extortion and funds from the collection of “revolutionary taxes” as well as many foreign support campaigns. The so-called revolutionary taxes refer to taxes paid by businesses that are forced by the rebels to pay to avoid being attacked.
It was in 1973 that the National Democratic Front of the Philippines was formed to serve the organisation and represent the communist groups in politics.
Today, the leader, poet, writer, and politician Joma Sison is on a voluntary exile in the Netherlands together with other senior figures who are directing the Communist party and its operations from abroad.
The idea of the CPP is to establish a new democratic state in the country that would be led by the local working class and freed from the US influence that is still present in the Philippines today’s politics. The group itself has been inspired by the armed struggle developed in China after the Maoist movement.
Mao Zedong with Henry Kissinger. The CPP–NPA–NDF is loyal to the teachings of Chairman Mao to the point of criticising the modern-day Chinese Communist party for straying from the Maoist ideology. Source – Wikipedia.org
The Splitting of the New People’s Army
It was during the 1980s when thousands of volunteers joined the rebellion. The repressive government of Marcos fell and was replaced by Cory Aquino’s administration.
However, during this period, the organisation split into two different factions by 1992: one led by Maoist principles and with Joma Sison as its leader, seeking a reconciliation with the system; while the other faction supported the need for larger military units and believed in continuing the armed struggle as the only means to gain power.
This weakened the guerilla group, that was hit by several battles, surrenders, and failed attacks. Slowly but effectively, the rebellious group regained its strength, with the emergence of the more “moderate” faction as the winning one.
Even though during the years, the government has tried to weaken and control the organisation, it has yet been able to destroy it. Today, the NPA is considered a terrorist organisation and a threat to the safety of the country.
Attempts to Crush The Rebellion
President Rodrigo Duterte has claimed that he will end the rebellion, no matter the means. Such a promise was made by numerous leaders of the country before him and never kept.
Gloria Arroyo promised to fight and to crush the group in 3 years, but at the end of her mandate, the guerilla fighters were far from being overthrown, and she ended up in jail with the accusation of stealing goods using force in time of civil disorder.
So far, the Communist Party of the Philippines has survived through one dictatorship and five presidents but has never politically controlled any region, province nor city. The rebellion’s base consists of remote forests and mountains scattered around the country.
Today the rebellion seems to show signs of decline, with a dramatic reduction in army members, from more than 20,000 to the current 4,000. However, it remains a serious threat to the country. Even if the situation is often neglected by the international community, the Filipino people are directly affected by the conflict.
The Island Of Samar
Since the start of the rebellion, the strongest base of the NPA wing is considered to be Samar, a small island hosting 2% of the total country’s population and 5% of Philippines’s territory. The majority of the attacks do take place on the island, which is a mountainous region, perfect for hiding and for organising the guerilla warfare.
Indeed, one of the most relevant factors that helped the spread of the rebellion was the landlessness.
As millions of Philippine farmers did not own their land. In Samar, less than 40 clans controlled half of the island’s land, and the working class in that area was more willing to accept the measures proposed by the NPA.
Additionally, the Island is historically very important to the cause as it was the one part of the country that most strongly opposed the American Commonwealth, the ruling of Spain and the occupation by Japan.
What About Peace?
The truth is that during the past 30 years, 6 Philippines presidents have attempted to negotiate for peace. With more than 40 rounds of talks, discussions about peace are still unclear, and no agreement has been able to keep the peace and to maintain a durable cease-fire.
President Duterte has tried to establish peace through a series of measures, from highly aggressive ones to peace negotiations and actions aimed at building trust. For example, he appointed some sympathisers of the rebellion to his cabinet and released some of the highest-ranking rebels imprisoned.
These actions resulted in the release of police officers hold as hostages by the rebels. However, nothing led to a general ceasefire yet. Peace negotiations ended in 2017, as the rebels accused Duterte to use the drug was as a pretext to imprison rebels and to “capriciously change his mind” too frequently on the issue of reaching a deal.
Duterte failed in releasing the political prisoners that were promised liberation which made the rebels withdraw from peace talks that were carried out in Norway in 2016 coming to a unilateral ceasefire.
Today, the situation of the NPA’s rebellion is uncertain. The National Democratic Front is expecting several concessions in exchange for a ceasefire, which the government does not seem ready to accept. As for today, it seems that an agreement for peace is far from being close to signing.
No matter where you stand, it is important to know the details of this long-lasting rebellion, which has been overlooked for too long by many. With so many years of guerilla fighting and so many people from the Philippines is directly or indirectly involved, the issue should be handled to ensure the country’s safety.
Manila is an interesting place to say the least. But so are an many other cities throughout the world.
So, why should tourists use the time and resources to visit the Philippine Capital?
Personally I feel Manila has a lot of depth. It is a city which can be enjoyed on many different levels. The city is filled with many classic entertainment options such as bars, theme parks, amazing malls amongst many other things.
For tourists who want to dig a little deeper, Manila is filled with cultural relics hinting at the rich history of the city which has made it what it is today.
So now lets have a look at some of Manilas tourist hot spots as well as some lesser known attractions in Metro Manila.
Fort Santiago
Situated at the mouth of the Pasig River, the scenic Fort Santiago is one of the premier attractions of the walled city of Intramuros.
Fort Santiago began its life as the headquarters for the Spanish military. It was a part of a larger collection of Spanish infrastructure which collectively made up the walled city of Intramuros.
This spanish base was established due to Miguel López de Legazpi who was a prominent Spanish explorer. He was was working to re-establish Manila as the centre the Spanish empire in the east.
After the ousting of the Spanish imperialists, Fort Santiago was home to the massacre of thousands of POWs during WWII. This violence during the Japanese occupation was shortlived after their hold on the city was removed during the Battle of Manila.
Today Fort Santiago is a much more peacefulplace. It features beautifully manicured gardens, plazas and water features, which perfectly compliment the dated stone features of the structure.
Amongst the beauty you can see hits of the colourful, but violent past of the strucutre. From the odd bullet hole, to the dugeons below in which the Filipino national hero Dr. Jose Rizal was held. There is a lot to be discovered within the walls of Fort Santiago.
The Binondo China town arch marks the entrance to the Binondo district of Manila.
Binondo
On the surface the Binondo district of Manila can easily be brushed off just another Chinatown. But reality is, this district of Metro Manila highlights the rich history of relations between Chinese natives and the Philippines.
Dating back as far as the early Spanish Colonial period, Binondo is commonly known as the oldest Chinatown in the world. It was once a vibrant hub of commerce and trade, but has now descended into the all too familiar urban decay seen across Manila.
Modern day Binondo is still very much the centre f the Filipino – Chinese community. To this day you will still hear various Chinese dialects and see various stores advertising their goods with Chinese signage.
Any visitor to the Binondo district must experience some of the local cuisine. You can find cuisines from various regions across China, as well as a mix of local Filipino foods. There are many tours which will take you through some of the famous eateries within the area.
Binondo also continues to be a centre for commerce, as it is home to a wide array of consumer goods. During the Chinese new year the area comes alive as many of the stores offer bargains which attracts many savy shoppers.
With the delicious food, Chinese New Year and celebrations, and the historical architecture of the Colonial buildings and temples, there is a lot to be experienced within the Binondo district of Manila.
Cubao Expo
In our world of mass produced goods, pockets of individuality where quality is valued over quantity are becoming scarce. Thankfully Manila maintains a community of like minded individuals who still see the appeal in offering unique, quirky goods.
This community found in Cubao Expo – a small complex developed in 1972, formerly known as Marikina Shoe Expo. The complex, found alon Gen. Romulo St. in Araneta Center, was originally used to showcase the wares of Marikina Shoemakers.
This lasted until 1997 when the complex closed down, but this turned out to only be a short hiatus. In the early 2000’s the thriving DIY and art scene began to take hold of the quarters and transform it into what it ias today.
Eve4n though over the years, different stores have come and gone, the theme of the complex remains the same. It is a melting pot of quirky vintage goods, and wares from the music and art scene.
You can find merch from local bands, dig through stacks of local and international vinyl, experience the local art through paintings and art books. Cubao Expo has a lot to offer those who love to indulge the arty side of life.
Manila Baywalk
Now for a personal favourite, Manila Baywalk. In fast paced environments like Manila, getting away from the hustle of city life and enjoying nature can be quite theraputic.
I think this is why I find myself strolling down Manila Baywalk so often. Its really at its best in the late evening, taking in the beautiful sunset across the ocean and the cool sea breeze.
The Baywalk is basically in full operation from early in the morning to all through the night. It generally begins with health conscious locals who walk and cycle up and down the promenade throughout the morning.
The 2km stretch of land running along Roxas Boulevard joins some of Manilas tourist hot spots which adds to the popularity of the Baywalk. At one end you have the infamous Rizal Park, US Embassy, and Manila Ocean Park.
As you travel down the baywalk you will pass by many bars, restaurants, cafes and much more. Eventually you’ll come to the other end situated by the Manila Yacht Club, also a short trip away is one of the largest malls in Asia – SM Mall of Asia.
Thriving gardens and beautiful architecture is found throughout the Greenbelt complex.
Greenbelt Mall
I’m aware that the love of mall culture in the Philippines has been pointed out ad nauseam, but I feel like I can not pass on highlighting this staple of mall culture in the Philippines.
When it comes to shopping, dining, and entertainment in the Philippines Ayala Malls are one of the biggest players in these industries. The brand is known for going above and beyond when it comes to customer experience – the Greenbelt Mall complex is no exception.
I have found Greenbelts appeal comes its ability to excel where a lot of other malls in the area fail. In one case malls in Manila tend to be very chaotic and fast paced, you are basically only there to spend money.
The Greenbelt complex has a completely different atmosphere, the vibrant open air architecture, and lush gardens throughout the area create a relaxed feeling.
Another uncommon feature amongst other malls in the area are the small plazas found throughout the area, where patrons can sit, unwind in areas often adorned with gardens, water features, art work and sculptures.
Greenbelt malls offer a host of common and uncommon shopping outlets, a wide array of restaurant and cafe options as well as many different entertainment options. I think visiting Greenbelt is a must for anyone spending time in Manila.
As I’m sure you all know FIlipinos love to sing. This national obsession has lead to many talented Filipinos leaving their mark on the music industry. In fact, many Filipinos seem to excel at creative pursuits in general.
The country is home to a thriving movie industry, the local production houses regularly are regularly producing international quality films, using local talent.
When it comes to Filipino talent, it is not just limited to the Arts.
Did you know that Filipino scientists and innovators are actually behind some of the world’s greatest inventions too?
But, before we begin, I want to cover the use of the word “invention”. Most inventions in modern times can be better described as innovation. These are products or concepts built on top of a series of other innovations.
But by keeping to a strict definition of “invention” we would not be able to recognise the creativity and hard work of some special Filipinos.
We still want to recognise these innovations.
So…
From medicine to technology, farming and board games, here are just some of the best Filipino inventions!
Karaoke!
Karaoke is very popular across the world, especially in South-East Asia. But, do you know where it originated from?
That’s right, it also is a Filipino invention. More accurately, it was first patented by a Filipino.
In 1974, president of Trebel Music Corporation Roberto del Rosario invented a clever system that displayed lyrics while the instrumentals of a song were playing. The result? A great way to sing along to your favourite song alone, or in a group setting.
It’s important to know the first karaoke machines were actually developed by the Japanese – specifically the Japanese musician Daisuke Inoue in Kobe, Japan, in 1971.
The problem was Inoue did not patent his original system. Which left Robert del Rosario free to create his own.
Roberto del Rosario does own the patent for the concept. To this day, it is probably the Filipino invention that has seen the most international success.
The Single Chip Graphical User Interface Accelerator
This one is a mouthful. The single-chip graphical user interface (GUI) accelerator is a chip device that helped make operating computers a lot easier.
The technology helped move PC operating systems from the era of the text based command systems, such as MS-DOS to the kind of operating systems we experience today.
Its inventor, Philippines-born Diosdao Banato wanted to create a device that would make computers operate faster, and more efficiently. Which he certainly delivered on this goal!
The technology behind Banato’s chip is still used to this date in personal computers and heavier devices, where it still functions to make our technology more efficient.
Fe Del Mundo was impacted by her exposure to various medical condition affecting children in the provinces. This led her to choose paediatrics as her specialisation while in medical school.
The Bamboo Incubator
Dr. Fe Del Mundo was not only the first woman recognised as a “National Scientist” in the Philippines, she also established a famous paediatric hospital, and pioneered the world’s first bamboo incubator.
Due to a lack of electricity at the time, the traditional incubator was not practical to use in rural communities within the provinces of the Philippines.
To address this issue, Dr. Fe Del Mundo developed a bamboo incubator which was heated by a cushion of hot water bottles lining a bamboo basket, covered by a hood which fed a supply of oxygen into the incubator.
With her bamboo incubator, Dr Fe del Mundo created a great alternative that could be mass-produced—and helped to keep thousands of babies alive!
The Fluorescent Light Tube – It’s a Myth!
When you turn on the light in a classroom or conference room, you may not be paying much attention to the lightbulb you are using. But if it is a fluorescent light tube, one of the most popular types of bulbs in community spaces, then you are staring straight at a Filipino invention!
Or at least a lot of people think this. But, truth is, this is just a myth.
It is quite common to see this included on lists of Filipino inventions, and it is even said to be found in Filipino textbooks, but the fact is it is simply not true.
The concept of the Fluorescent Light was theorised decades before the supposed inventor Agapito Flores was even born. In addition, when the patent for the first prototype was issued, Flores was only 4 years old.
Quink Ink
Before ball-point pens became popular, people used to write largely with fountain pens. Although they were beautiful and elegant, there were also a couple of serious problems with them…
For example, the ink took a long time to dry which meant it would spread out or smudge. Overtime, it would clog the pen opening, meaning you had to regularly clean the tip. The ink was also known to fade so much you couldn’t see the writing after only a few years.
All of that was of course before a Filipino inventor by the name of Francisco Quisumbing came along and invented the perfect alternative to traditional ink – Quink Ink.
His project developed with Parker Pens, dried quickly, didn’t clog pens, did not fade or smudge, and it was even water-resistant! If you are still using a fountain pen to this day and are not experiencing any problems with it, chances are that the technology behind the ink you’re using was inspired by this brilliant Filipino invention. Pretty cool!
The Lunar Rover
Sure, Americans were the first to set foot on the moon. But what did they use to explore the surface of it? The Moon Buggy, a lunar rover partially invented by Eduardo San Juan, a mechanical engineer who studied at Mapua Institute of Technology.
His work even won him a nomination as one of the Ten Outstanding Men awards, in the field of science and technology. To this date, the articulated wheel system that he devised is recognized world-wide and is still used to navigate surfaces with heavy crevices. Another win for the Filipino team!
Rescue 72
The Philippines are sadly prone to floods and other natural disasters. Due to this persistent threat they have some of the best technology in order to deal with it.
Danvic Briones, who invented a kit of life-saving tools for natural emergencies is a Filipino scientist who was inspired by the disaster brought by. As statistics at the time indicated, it could take up to 72 hours for victims of natural disasters to be rescued.
With that in mind, Briones invented a kit containing water, first aid material, snacks and other essential items that was meant to keep a person alive for 72 hours. We thank him for many lives saved with the Rescue 72.
The Videophone
Before we FaceTimed our loved ones, there was… the video phone. This technology worked a lot like a telephone, but included a camera which allowed the person you were talking to could see your face, operating in the same vein as the modern day web camera.
Its amazing to think of how the videophone was invented as early as 1955!
The phone operated using similar technology used to broadcast live TV streams at the time. Its inventor, Gregorio Zara from Lipa City, referred to it as the “Photophone”. Needless to say, he would be glad to see how well his invention has travelled so far, and become common practice throughout the world.
Conversion of plastic waste to fuel
Plastic waste has become an extremely hot topic over recent years. Our modern lives have become so over reliant on plastics, with the majority of consumer products using it in some manner. This has led to the issue of what to do with these plastics once they have left the hands of the consumer.
His innovative idea came from his work on turning plastic waste back into its original form. He uses a process called “pyrolysis” in which the material is heated until it begins to boil. The vapours are captured and then distilled down into their different forms.
This liquid that is captured is identical to fuel. Navarro believes the value comes from the low production cost, as plastic trash is readily available, and the processing of the material is quite simple.
Filipinos may not be the best-known for their innovative science…but they were actually the brains behind some inventions and products we couldn’t imagine our worlds without! From music to medicine to mechanical engineering, there is a lot to be proud of when it comes to Filipino inventions, and we are sure this trend is nowhere near the end, so expect the list to keep on growing over the coming years.
