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Capital: Manila
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Instead of returning home directly after my business in Tokyo I took two weeks vacations to travel in the Philippines, Singapore, India and Iran.
I was shocked by the extreme social disparity between the rich friends of the ruling elite, Marcos and his cronies, and the ordinary people who are desperately poor here.
Roxas Boulevard in downtown Manila borders Manila Bay that lies behind these palm trees.
Here is Manila Bay.
Labour is cheap in the Philippines. These men transplanting palm trees along Roxas Boulevard get less than a pittance...
These fishermen don't have much but at least they will have something to eat to night.
Here are a couple of the famous jeepneys that provide public transport in Manila. Initially adapted from jeeps left by the US army after WW II, they are now built here from scratch and they get bigger every decade to accomodate more passengers.
Most of Manila is just a big crowded Asian city. The priviledged live and work (those that do), on the outskirts along the EDSA highway.
More ordinary people and jeepneys.
And of course, with poverty and exploitation comes prostitution...
Indeed, you will have guessed that I was not impressed by Manila.
