If you think the Philippines has no religious violence, I suggest you do a Google search on Mindanao and Sulu.

Let me correct myself and say 'with much less violence'. I guess the Islamic morons outsmart everybody in violence

Violence comes in many forms. Islam is a young religion versus Christianity and needs people from their country to talk about the sick strict interpretation of their Koran just like many have here on Christianity power game. The Southern extremists in our country scare me.

Anytime "civilized" conquerors take the indigenous culture and try to "save" them with their religion and culture, this is what you end up with. 300 years of Spain and 50 years of the US (300 years in the chapel and 50 in Hollywood) have left it's mark on the cultures. I say cultures because there was no united Philippines until they were subjugated by the Spanish.

They have come from at least 85 different ethnic groups all across the archipelago and are striving to be a modern nation with all the problems that come with it. Approximately 85% of the land and resources are held by less than 10% of the population, (sound familiar?) Christians have reduced the holdings of the Muslims to a fraction of what they held pre-Spain so strife on that front is guaranteed, wages are at a level certain to keep the people in poverty, they have a weak(except the military) central government that allows for massive corruption and a pay first or die health care system.

Until the wealth is redistributed to some degree and the elite loosen their grip on control of the country,any effort to eradicate poverty is not likely to succeed.

Religious zealouts, small percentages holding most of the land and resources, elite few with a stronghold on production, refusal to redistribute wealth, easy access to weapons, bans on abortion and contraception. These tactics may not have worked for you loser countries, but they're going to work for America! Right, guys?! ...guys?

MP928 - you make it sound like a Republican's wet dream. You mention everything Romney stands for!

i hate to tell you but Islam is actually one of the oldest religions there are, far older than Christianity, and no I'm not a Muslim either, but just know facts.

Christianity is only 2000 years old, Islam is about 5000 years old as far as i know, the only religion that's older is maybe Hindu or Buddhism.

I'm Catholic by the way, but not a zealot at it.

Please cite where you got the information about Islam being 5000 years old, when the Qur'an was written about 600 CE., and Zoroastrianism (which some Muslims identify as paganism) and Buddhism are both from 600 BCE. You also neglected Judaism, which predates Christianity and the other three by thousands of years.

@somestillstupid enough to try and earn a living, I think you are confusing Islam with Jewdaism. Jewdaism is over 5000 year old, Islam was founded in 6th century of the common era (AD). So in fact you are 100% wrong, of all religions you mentioned Islam is the yongest.

Somestillstupid....I don't know if you ever read the Quran but the order of prophets goes Moses, Jesus, Muhammad - it is chronologically impossible for Isalm to be older that Christianity or Judaism

p.s. here's a little secret...you are all worshiping the same god...you are just calling it by different names

Just as a stray cat visits many houses none own it and they all call it by a different name

Mohammud came into existance (real or imagined) 600 years after Christ walked the earth. His Muslim followers came out of what was then the 'known world' plundering and murdering (as the Quran instructs) their neighbors - and they haven't stopped since.

So I'm assuming Smogdew, that you've read the Quran? What chapter and verse is it in that instructs Muslims to plunder and murder?

Are you blaming all that on the Catholic Church? The Phillipines is not and has never been a wealthy country.

And your recounting of Philippine history is solely based on the role of the Catholic Church...very ignorant. The church was part of a strategy to colonize the native people with Spanish control being the objective. The church was part of the social structure along with the military and government structure to insure dominance of extracting wealth, subjugating the people, and expand the power base. Spain lost the war to America and the Philippines became a U.S. colony until the Japanese invaded. This ****hole as you describe it is the result of hundreds of years of European exploitation and subjugation followed by U.S. imperial dominance. This is a case study of a Asian country perverted by European and American interests with end result of a wealthy 1% and impoverished 99%; a future America if you will.

Whitewashed walls can't hide the abject poverty in the Philippines -- you can SMELL it! On hot days, the stench is particularly ripe.

It's not a place you want to visit on vacation, but it might be profitable for some businesses due to the low cost of employees and rent. Been to the PI, and won't be going back for any reason.

unicorn meat

I have read a translation of the Koran in English (the Koran itself as the call it can only be read in ancient Arabic, which I cannot read...some were wise enough to get that translations can be faulty and mistakes change meaning)

I had my fluent, native Arabic-speaking friend translate the English back to Arabic for important lines I wanted to be sure were not a mistake in translation.. (such as all the stuff saying what horrible people..dogs etc Jews, and to a lesser extent, Christians are).

Also in there is stuff around how it's a Muslim's DUTY to slay infidels, to overtake and wage war and conquer non-Muslim lands. Now, just like the Bible, at any time a modern person can take things NOT at face value and decide things are just a nice story or even alegorical. Heck, even religious Christians in the US don't think women should be killed if not virgins at their wedding even though it's in there bible which they SAY they think is the word of GOd

Problem is, a much higher percentage of Muslims in the word are illiterate in their own language (and all languages). Those that ARE literate are often not broadly educated. And often, it's not a secular education. Also, a much higher percentage of Muslims than Christians (and ESPECIALLY Jews!) take their holy Book as the direct word of God. My ex friends think that God told Mohammad what to write when he wrote the parts of the Koran. THIS IS AN ISSUE.

They are under the sway, easily, of be

I was in Metro Manila and Makati district in 86. No shower heads or toilet seats. My evening entertainment was bet on when the rat emerged from the hole in the wall. Every night patch the hole, every night rat chewed thru. Saw cock fights, UGH. Took a local train where the restroom was a hole in the floor that led out to the tracks below. NO DOOR. All true. What an experience. Armed guards stormed the plane when I landed. Marcos' army before he left. And who can forget the vendors at night? Balot (fermented egg) read partially rotten, and the chicken foot on a stick vendors. AH the good old days. NOT making any of this up. And the pack em in Jitneys.

My former neighbor was in the Philippines for a time in his military stint many years ago. He left the military and worked in the private sector, stashing a modest nest-egg. About 6 years ago, disgusted with the direction of the United States of America, he took his money and 5 cats & moved to the islands.

His $125,000 enabled him to buy a home in a gated community (next door to the chief of police), and buy a fishing business - a building, a large used boat, and new nets. His investment put about 50 islanders to work. Now he has about 200 workers and 2 more boats. A little money has gone a long way. And my old friend is living the way he wants to without all the daily garbage we take in this country.

The Philippines lack money, that's for sure. But that is essentially ALL they lack. They have the will to survive and the ability to work. Kind of what the United States represented so long ago... Here in the USA, we work for the weekend. In the Philippines (as with most of the world), they work to live.

Bea O'Problems,

Balots are fertilized, not fermented, eggs.

Here in the USA, we work for the weekend. In the Philippines (as with most of the world), they work to live.

I see some truth in that. Even taking into account our recession, I still see a lot of false sense of entitelment here compared to people in other countries.

Barbara Postid

It's 'Balut'

what_the_81,

I've seen it spelled both ways, but I guess one can never go wrong using "balut." Thanks!

Is that right? There is poverty in the USA hidden. Unfortunately, the majority of religious institutions keep fighting common sense solutions. Empowering women and planned parenthood which is mostly prevention not abortion. Then the far right argues over immigration while feeding the problem by living in the fairy tale of Jesus coming back and subdue the earth and like all strict interpretations of any Bible watch out. They pollute like hell and carry a Bible in one hand and a gun in the other. Why do people buy into this game? Find the Glory of this so called God. Go Green with real solutions.

Ah, I think you should get out more and look around, its not a purity of sight.

Yes, God bless America by all means. The Philippine GDP has grown faster than ours since 2008.

That's because of all the American companies offshoring previously US stateside jobs to the Philippines.

isn't Steve7777 considered to be an idiot?

the answer, YES.

I guess you haven't heard that some folks in the appalachia live like their in a "third world country" and that's here in the US!

Blade, key word some. Not a third of the country. If you are going to participate in the discussion try and be reasonable.

Steve 7777: Your mindless but fertile imagination spews an infinitisimal or limitless quantities of a well-defined personal bias, prejudice and malice towards the Filipinos. Having spent some travel time on both Europe and Asia, not excluding Manila, on the contrary, I have experienced some varying degrees of embarrassment after showing my American Passport at some point of entries, most probably due to the bad American tourist image projected to these countries simply perceived as materiacalislyrude and arrogant

would be of minor interest I think, actually but probably only a picture with a caption...no story needed.

Yes and filipinos are improving their lot the families put great emphasis on education and are probably better educated than most americans.

It may be your country but a wall isn't going to correct the fact to keep from being a slum! A slum is a slum no matter what hides it from view!

I'm sure the homeless kids would probably have something different to say...

Jaslam -

I am pleased for your happiness. "Poverty is no disgrace. Its just damnably inconvenient." - S. Clemens.

I have lived here for almost two years. They are much better off than a few years ago and it keeps getting better.

But, more importantly, Jaslam is correct. The people don't complain. They make do with what they have, try to improve their status, and focus on the importance of family. No matter their age CaerRaven.

Right on, Jaslam! The haters like to see the whole world through the prism of this life of plenty and convenience in the United States. The list of the Philippines' problems is headed, amongst others, by political corruption defined by plutocracy in the Capital Region and the parochial self-interests of provincial powerbases, an ineffective war against the communists plagued by corruption in the military, a dysfunctional public educational system that in many cases fails to prepare its students for gainful employment in neither the Philippines nor abroad as skilled OFWs, and poverty spurred on by the lack of jobs or jobs not paying living wages. I'll resist the temptation to go on sanctimoniously, like Fudog and John, and counter by commenting that these problems are far outweighed by the native optimism, tenacity and sheer humanity of most Filipinos.

In the course of my first visit seven years ago I quickly perceived that the life in the Philippines is not about one emotion, but a range of emotions. There are reasons to express anger as well as resignation, to feel optimism at once and cynicism the next, to likewise feel both pride and shagrin, and to love and find fault with the country at the same time. To the point of the article, it is absurd to believe that the sight of the slums in full view would influence the deliberations of the ADB Board of Governors. The wall will hardly conceal the complex social realities of the Philippines of which they must most certainly be aware.

In the last six years there have been consistent improvements in the Philippines, just not yet evident or enjoyed by all. Examples of the changes are the infrastructure improvements instituted by GMA which will open up the provinces to the national economy and the expanding employment in call centers which have proven to be a path for those with education and computer skills who are not inclined to or cannot afford to work abroad. Most of all, the return of retiring balikbayans, who either built houses during their working years or are coming back flush with cash, are transforming the economies at the local level.

In the near future my Filipina wife and I will return to the Philippines to take care of our four grand children. Like Jaslam, we'll continue to appreciate the country inspite of its problems. We'll also do our best to help those as best we can. Meanwhile Fudog and John can play bad foreigner-good foreigner in their little virtual world.

Oh, yeah, have you haters taken a look at the state of affairs in the United States?

Jaslam and Greg - Thank you for your input. It is ALWAYS best to get the information from the source. No one who has been to impoverished cities in other nations have no clue what makes them function. Yet those same, uneducated people sit here and say how bad those poor people have it.

Those people have a joy for life we can't understand in this nation. When all you have is each other, you cherish each other like nothingelse - because the IS NOTHING ELSE. Remove everything, including your "rights" and "luxuries" & you will look at life very differently. Remove social programs - welfare, food stamps, SSI Disability checks, pensions, and any other support system that props up the United States. Remove carpeted floors, toothpaste & deodorant, shoes, cars, access to medical care, a post office, the internet, vaccines, anything more than 2 pots in your kitchen, remove the kitchen, remove all your beds and replace with a 40 year old mattress on the floor the entire family shares, remove any food beyond 2 meals per day - then cut those 2 meals portion sizes in half, remove improved roads, etc..., etc..., etc... Then see how differently we treat each other.

Until you have been to these places and experienced the joy and love these people have for each other, reserve the comments about how these "poor" people feel.

NoyNoyNo, you start with calling the US a place of plenty and convenience and then end with a negative remark in the state of affairs in the US. Despite the fact that you have lived in both countries you can seem to articulate a reasonable discussion.

Yeah I have counted the countries we have "liberated". Egypt, Iraq, $hitistan among the few. In each case the blood was on OUR hands and we left the country in chaos. BTW I am a conservative Vietnam vet. so libs do not bother attacking me as usual.

No they just want to steal their resources and China is playing that game now and creating a huge Pittsburgh country of pollution. America has it's back when it benefits us or when we were fighting Communism otherwise forgot that propaganda. Funny China is a Communist country and we keep buying their products for what cheap labor so the likes of Steve Job's Apple and others can use cheap labor or no environmental laws and then not pay fair share taxes here like the rest of us. America is hypocritical in so many ways. By the way, I do not buy anything from China or shop at Wal Marts. I shop local and look for American made whenever I can. That creates jobs here and live green with no children so that helps poverty here. Go Green. Learn the benefits. I works and saves you money and helps society. The system we have now needs to be changed from the religious and cultural norms for any future. You not add another two billion people in 25 years using up the size of two Texas's with sick urban sprawl and more poverty due to technology and to many kids in a family. Learn to live holistically and stop the same old game if meth lab ignorance. Join the smart new Millenniums that want fewer children and move into town and use light rail, bike, and walk more. All more community oreinted and responsible instead of hiding behind sick fairy tale religion irresponsibility.

Actually the Spanish sold the Philippines to the US and the US came out good to make it seem like they liberated them from the Spanish.

Mr. Blade -

Your ignorance is hanging out.

The Philippines was a war trophy not a purchase. The Treaty of Paris, at the end of the Spanish–American War, transferred control of the Philippines to the United States. The U.S. had established a military government in the Philippines on August 14, 1898, following the capture of Manila. Civil government was inaugurated on July 1, 1901. An elected Philippine Assembly was convened in 1907 as the lower house of a bicameral legislature. Commonwealth status was granted in 1935, preparatory to a planned full independence from the United States in 1946. Preparation for a fully sovereign state was interrupted by the Japanese occupation of the islands during World War II. After the end of the war, the Treaty of Manila established the Philippine Republic as an independent nation.

Isn't wikipedia awesome?

It certainly is an asset for us litterate folks.

Of course the Treaty of Paris (1899) would not likely have happened with our current administration. Mr. McKinley was a Republican with a Republican majority in the Senate.

Skypilot, your rants would be given more attention if you learned how to write.

Why so poor then? 30 million in poverty? It's crazy. Too many people on too little land. The ecology over there must be a complete disaster area. I've heard of the mudslides and floods. Most likely from clear cutting and poor land management.

Mr Mario,

Your wiki facts are right, but Spain did sell the Philippines for a sum of about $20 million dollars..

i strongly disagee John. I have travelled extensivly through the Philippines and although there are many poor they have very strong family values and are a resourceful people as a whole. The country is rich with culture and traditions. There are slums in evey country so don't be so uppity. Its a beautiful country with a wonderful culture.

@John- You forgot to add that your a major fukken a$$!!!

I have traveled alot, This is one culture I did not like, mean, back stabbing, down right low class people, Sorry but its what I got from them, They are all skum slum...

I worked in Manila a couple of years ago. We traveled through the Malibu slum on our way to the ports with our armed guards. It made the worst slums here in the U.S. look posh. These people weren't happy. They were surviving. At night we couldn't walk 50 ft without being propositioned by a prostitute and that was in a 'better' part of the city (Makati). We worked with corrupt government officials who wanted pay-offs, us to purchase them cars/drivers, and wanted to make a profit from everything we were trying to give them. The corruption transcended to he Universities, too. These 'officials' weren't well paid and needed to do this to make ends meet because of government cuts. This left a bad taste in my mouth for the entire country.

The first human immigrants to the Philippines arrived by boat 67,000 years ago. "since the beginning of time" is really a very long time to consider.

Two pope visits ago they bulldozed the shanties of 10,000 people along the River Pasay. I like the walls idea better.

I dunno, but how about moving all its current residents to your neighborhood? Then you could just demolish it.

Un-tie the cables and let it float down-stream to CLeveland. I'm sure it will float.

William, the article says a third of the population is living in poverty. How many people do you know that are doing that here? I am going to say that it is less than 100 million. By saying that there is extreme poverty in another country people are not claiming that there is no poverty here.

Last stat I heard was that 50% of this country is poor or in poverty. We are getting there!

Um truthhurts, did you notice that the pictures of the poor katrina victims show all of them wearing new shoes? Yeah it does doesn't it?

that's one thing the people told me when i was there, they hated the closing of Clark,

but the good thing for them was the fact that they didn't pay for the infrastructures that the bases paid for while the bases were occupied by the services while they were there.

there are more things made there than the products that are made here in the states, Perelli has a tire plant there, a lot of computer parts have been made there for years as well as other electronics.

the entertaining part was waking up to some one always had music going at 6 or 7 in the morning, and they liked to play it loud, they might be poor, but everyone made sure they had a good sound system.

Kate, no welfare in the Philippines. Don't expect their government to assist the poor. The government at the surface level appears to function fine but is extremely corrupt. Where I was there a few months ago there was corruption hearings, judges getting tossed off the bench over nothing, and humanitarian relief goods getting seized at the port of Manila by the government and not going to the people.

There are children begging in the streets as young as 3 and 4 that will come to your car and lean on it so you cannot move. They will be out at 2am at major intersections. They enter restaurants in Makati (the high end section of Manila) and get chased out by the shop owners. They can be 1 or 2 generations away on some electronics. There are gang related shooting and home invasions, the police are corrupt. There is also a massive gap in the classes financially. You will see the super rich, people who do OK, and people who barely get by.

To get a job at what is comparable to a WalMart in America, you need a Bachelor's degree, that means a private education that you must pay for. To do that many girls resort to prostitution. There is a huge sexual tourism industry there. I saw parents allow their children to go off with foreigners for money, what do you think that was about??? The public schools can have 120 kids in a classroom and if you make $200 a month American you are making decent money.

There is no health insurance, no retirement, no 401K, no Social Security. When you marry the girl you marry and support the family. They lack a proper infrastructure. Edsa Ave, for those of you who have driven in Manila, is a perpetual parking lot at many of their rush hours.

Its a beautiful country but they have a lot to hide for this poverty summit and a lot of work to do. They are also the #1 destination for outsourced American jobs. You should see all the American companies over there relocating.

You are ABSOLUELY right about Manila. It's NOT ONLY a cesspool of POVERTY.......it's also a CESSPOOL of HYPOCRACY. I should know.....I'm from Manila...I joined the U.S. Navy in 1959, (May).....just to get the F__CK out of the country. When I did join, in a way, I DECLARED my PERSONAL AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE from that particlar FILIPINO culture.

Wouldn't you know it ........it's STILL the SAME....close to sixty years later. Pretty much F__CK UP without ANY IMPROVEMENTS in the ECONOMY. Almost ten million FILIPINOS have to work OVERSEAS.....just to make ends meet." And now....they're trying to BUTT heads with CHINA, over the PANATAG SHOALS.

A small group of Islands not too far from Philippine shores. I did a COMMENTARY in one of their ONLINE newspapers. I told them that the RICH couldn't care less about those Islands, and the poor worry more about putting FOOD on their table, than they worry about those SILLY Islands. CHINA would "Chew them up, and SPIT them out".......if they decided to go to war over those Islands.

It's really all about PHILIPPINE POLITICS, than it is about the PANATAG ISLANDS. The Philippines is really a THIRD WORLD country, a FEW of the people are nice to talk to. Most Filipinos in Manila are really TICKED OFF about their economic situation. Manila really is a DIRTY place, LITERALLY and otherwise. Who knows better than someone who was born and raised there? Manila has thirteen million Filipinos ...really with VERY LITTLE to eat on a daily basis.

But, I would like to believe that Filipinos are inherently a good people. It's their POLITICIANS who ruin the show for everybody. And the people SUFFER for it. There is STILL plenty of GRAFT and CORRUPTION. It's INHERENT in their CULTURE. "Not one without the other."