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Does Manila have a lot of homelessness and poverty?

six local experts
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With housing instability and inflation on the rise, here's what six local experts had to say about homelessness in Manila.

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Manila is a city known for its traffic, pollution, poverty and chaos. A disaster, one might say. But as cliche as this might sound, Manila is a beautiful disaster. The city wakes up by 7am to sell on the streets, the bells of the big Catholic churches start to ring, and everyone starts chasing time. Manila is a city of culture.

Jezreel, says: 2020

Traffic in Manila is horrible. You can spend an hour sitting in traffic when it’s possible to get to the location in 15 minutes. You really need to allot time for the commute to ensure you aren’t late. Unfortunately, poverty is also very present in this city. You will see homeless families living on the street. It is common to find children begging for money and food. There are places to eat at almost every corner so you won’t go hungry even if you can’t cook. There are also malls nearby so you’ll never be starved for entertainment.

Someone moving to Manila must know that it is a very busy and crowded place. There are tall buildings everywhere and a lot of public and private transportation. Manila is the most populated place in my country since most of the places are rural. However, even though it’s the busiest place because it’s very commercialized, there are still a lot of homeless people everywhere and it’s dangerous.

Once known as the ‘Paris of Asia,’ the city of Manila prides itself on its glorious history and has its role as a prime platform for the country’s regional, national, and global activity. It has endured decades of war and siege, constantly rising from ruins and recovering resilience, allowing it to thrive today as a paradoxical metropolis. Beyond its vibrant shell lies its true chaotic nature which manifests itself in grinding poverty, monstrous congestion, and despairing sighs from individuals who dare to tame this magnificent beast. However, it is the same courage that weaves arteries for dreams, either selfish or selfless, to flourish — and ultimately, keep Manila alive.

Marilyn, says: 2020

Life in any city is hard but residing in the capital of the country makes for a mixture of extreme pollution, expensive commodities, and a visual onslaught of poverty on the streets and corruption of the state. This knowledge, tinged with the third-world provincial hopes of moving to a city to pursue greener pastures, wouldn’t be enough to sway anyone. Be vigilant and be kind to yourself if you get lost in the tides of the crowd. As someone who became comfortable in the easy, countryside life, going back to the city always comes with a surge of anxiety that I’ll stay glued to the pavement, with the sky barely of sight from skyscrapers casting shadows upon me. Don’t let the city erase you. You are more than the figure you earn, the place you were born, or the color of your skin—no matter what those flashing screens tell you.

Manila, is a very beautiful place. You can visit many historical sites within Manila. Although you can see poverty around, you can also see the smiles that each people here. Manila is also the capital of the Philippines and one of the most populated cities.

Andrea, says: 2020
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