Despite the poor living conditions many of my countrymen go through, we are actually one of the happiest and most persevering people in the world (google it ;) ).
Major cities in the country (Cebu is the 2nd most important) usually have this. They weren't put there, nor was the dump site either, but they make a living from there, selling junk. Usually they get around $2 at most in a hard day's work. Sometimes, none at all. Yet it is our sense of belongingness to each other as a family, as friends and as a community that we are able to smile to the camera and say "we can go through this", and I believe they can.
If you don't want your children to spend their childhood working in a dump site, but you can't afford to feed them if they don't, then DON'T HAVE CHILDREN. It's really not such a complicated problem.
Having lived in the Philippines, I can safely say that Cebu isn't the only place like this. Go to any province and you will find people living like this. As long as there are corrupt governments, the poorest and most powerless citizens live like this.
To those who comment about the poor having children: Even if the poorest have access to birth control (which, until 5-10 years ago, was illegal in the Philippines) it costs money, which the poor don't have. The Philippines is a Catholic country (about 96%), so birth control is frowned upon by the church and as most Pilipinos are devoutly religious, they abide by Catholic dogma. Also, as the comment above noted, Pilipinos are some of the happiest people I have met.
this is Philippines man, this is not uncle sam, or should I say even uncle sam has slums... this is a third world country. the world is under crisis and your still a fashionistah.....
I'm Filipino-American. My parents are from the Philippines. They weren't this poor, but they know the meaning of poverty and what it's like to struggle and be hungry, and yet, they love their country and their life "back home" more than they love life in America, and they've been here for over twenty years. Our living conditions and life opportunities may be better here, but I do believe that those smiles in the pictures are real. I definitely sympathize with the horrible quality of their lives, but I also find myself feeling a little envious, which may be stupid but perhaps justified, lemme explain. It sucks for those there who've had a taste of the forbidden fruit, so to speak, sparked with curiosity and having dreams of something bigger...but after you live the dream, after you're as successful as you want to be...if you don't have family and community, you don't have anything, IMO. Imagine how close you can be when you're struggling together. And they find ways to amuse themselves, they don't have videogames or anything. There's something so basic and simple about it that I find beautiful. But I also know it's hard. I've spent a good number of summer months there...I haven't been there in 6 years. High school and life happened. All of my family is over there. I miss it.
Anyway. xD It just goes to show that nothing is black and white. There are ups and downs to every life situation. So sympathize and work to help their situation, but don't pity. They might be happier and richer than you are. xP
Why do some people equate impoverishment with happiness? Of course people will smile for a camera, but that in itself is not a measure of suffering! Access to health care and education is not the exclusive right of people in the US. Just remember that poverty breeds terrorism before it's too late for us all.
The photo is trying to disgust people who likes to visit Philippines. The writer of this article is a RACIST and BIASED!Phiippines is not TOTALLY LOOK LIKE THIS! These are just part of a small section of the city where they throw thier garbage. The city is beautiful as a whole.
nunca nadie moverá un solo dedo por ayudarles, porque lo único que mueve a los gobiernos es el dinero y el poder, y esa maquinaria aplasta a quien haga falta.
Nothing you can do about it. As long as the majority of the voting public still chooses corrupt ex presidents / professional boxers / sons and daughters of former dictators that cant keep their hand of the national reserves and tv stars. Then the situation will never improve. Its up to the filippino to make a difference, iam just a puti married to one
Comments (27):
Show all commentslet's see you live ur life like that and tell us how you feel you fuckin douche
Major cities in the country (Cebu is the 2nd most important) usually have this. They weren't put there, nor was the dump site either, but they make a living from there, selling junk. Usually they get around $2 at most in a hard day's work. Sometimes, none at all. Yet it is our sense of belongingness to each other as a family, as friends and as a community that we are able to smile to the camera and say "we can go through this", and I believe they can.
Rise by the hand of Milow
And "yea", you seriously need to go fuck off.
Even if the poorest have access to birth control (which, until 5-10 years ago, was illegal in the Philippines) it costs money, which the poor don't have. The Philippines is a Catholic country (about 96%), so birth control is frowned upon by the church and as most Pilipinos are devoutly religious, they abide by Catholic dogma.
Also, as the comment above noted, Pilipinos are some of the happiest people I have met.
Anyway. xD It just goes to show that nothing is black and white. There are ups and downs to every life situation. So sympathize and work to help their situation, but don't pity. They might be happier and richer than you are. xP