The Philippines' Battle for Survival: How Locals Adapt to Brutal Conditions

Thank you for uploading this. I have a daughter in the Philippines, I am going to see her for her birthday in March. I also have my GF in Cebu. One of the nicest women I have ever met in my life, always positive, always smiling. I got caught in the Philippines during the pandemic; was expecting to be there for three months, ended up staying there for fourteen months. Also got caught in typhoon Odette. Part of my accommodation was destroyed, a steel beam hit my head and fractured my skull. Also, I was without phone, electricity and running water for three months. And I ran out of money. Survived on eating rice and chilli corned beef once a day, and also assisted citizens with the damage from the typhoon. At no stage did I see ANYBODY moping around and feeling sorry for themselves. I get pissed off in Australia when people complain about things like how much unemployment benefits they get paid. I would like to send them all the the Philippines for a month, see if they can survive (probably not). I learnt to appreciate even the most basic things in life. I thank the Filipino people, they actually helped me to appreciate life more, even the most basic things. Can't wait to go back.

Andy, Tondo is always pictured as the ugliest and darkest side of the Philippines but the way you described Tondo in such a very positive point of view greatly changed my perspective of the place. Hardwork. Productivity. Innovation. Creativity. Those are strong words that brings hope. Thank you for this documentary.

Hey Andy, This series was incredibly eye opening. It was also very humbling. I've been on the skids before myself but nothing like this. I do know what it's like to have no food and horrible living conditions. But I was living like a king compared to some of these people. They will see Heaven, they are the poor and oppressed that Jesus spoke of in the Beatitudes. In the USA my income level is considered poverty. I'm sure that inspiring kid who is missing his foot and eats out of garbage cans would like to be as broke as me. I hope everyone else has learned the lesson I have. Never look down on someone unless you are going to pick them up. ✝️📖🙏🛐

For those who don't know.."pag pag" is a Tagalog word meaning to brush off/dust off something. As you can see, in this way this is very literal.

ITS NOT ABOUT WHAT FILIPINO'S EAT OR DO. . . I THINK ITS THE INTERACTION, HOSPITALITY, RESPECT, & HONESTY OF THE RESPONSES YOU GOT ANDREW. . . IT IS TRULY MEMORABLE. .

That is one true genuine Pinoy warrior that fights daily for his living with one leg and still happy for everything he is experiencing. Amazing kababayan, mabuhay ka!

I’m a Phil-Am living in the US at least for 45 years. I was one of the thousands who graduated with BSN and left for my American dream in the 70s. One thing I need to drop as a nuance is that not all parts of the Philippines have the same social and cultural ethos. We’re separated by islands and these islands are lumped into six regions by the federal government . And each region is as different in language and culture from the next. Even the food you’re eating is Greek to us depending on where a native is born and raised. I was born I a rural town of Iloilo province in Panay Island in the Bisayan region in the middle of the country. Ive never eaten the food you’re showcasing and have tried. We have totally different dishes growing up. I’ve never lived anywhere in Manila area except for visits. We have over 200 vernaculars so educating us with Tagalog as our national language came handy and during my elementary years adding English in our curriculum as the third language gave people like me the advantage when I came to the US. My own progenitors on both sides are 75% Spanish and the rest are Malayan and Chinese. We were raised with elders speaking a mixture of Spanish and our Bisayan vernacular. So it’s appropriate to say that Filipinos come in all shades of culture language and world views. We however share our love of country, patriotic ideals, and a nationalistic spirit when we are confronted with global competitions and aspirations. Thank you for making this video. Still you need to visit other regions to show full context.

Thanks for putting the Philippines in a positive light. I can't believe the amount of people who exploit, ( sometimes their own people on these videos ). You are doing a service foe every culture. I've noticed you bring alot of hidden subjects to a positive point of view. Keep up the good work. From a native Los Angelino, California, who's wife is in the Philippines....THANKS.

When a lot of people complain about their life, just watch these resilience, positivity and happy faces videos of Filipinos despite the life hardships they face every single day.

Simply incredible. My fiance is Filipina (Bulacan/Batangas) and I just returned from the PH a week ago. I feel a great sense of pride and gratitude watching your film. Thank you for uncovering the Philippines on a deeper level through the stories of the Filipinos. I will definitely reference your videos when the questions come up about the Philippines especially when they are wrapped in stereotype. Cheers from California.

Life is hard. But Filipinos never give up.

Extraordinary content, Andrew. Thank you for your love and respect for my country and countrymen. More power to you!

Thanks Andrew for loving our country, for featuring the reality, the food with the locals loved(average/poor), the culture. ✌✌✌

Hands down Andrew,again this report has been fantastic! You might be my favorite journalist atm on Youtube. The way you report,explain and show respect is amazing! Thank you again and keep them lining up sir. 🙏

Finally a good documentary on the philippines. There was no finger pointing of scorn. No cry baby tears. No complaining about the government. No pompous attitude that we need westerner help ect. mahusay na trabaho. salamat

amazing look into philipino life tradesman at a incredible level hopefully war does not come to thier door locals happy smiles and grateful for what you have blessings to philipines

I really love this series. Very eye opening but amazing adaptability of the people.

Beautiful documentary. Simple but captivating.

I have witnessed a lot of poverty in the Philippines and it's heartbreaking to see. I admire the resilience of the people over there, they don't complain and just get on with life. They are very family orientated and the most friendliest people I have ever met. I always look forward to going back over there and they make me feel so welcome.

Great respect for this man.