Living in Graveyards: Why Some People in Philippines Are Living With the Dead

Summary

The video script discusses the socio-economic challenges in the Philippines, particularly focusing on the rapid urbanization and the growth of slums in Manila. It highlights the plight of the people who, after the 1980s EDSA Revolution, moved from rural areas to cities in search of better lives, only to end up in illegal settlements. The script also touches on the country's economic growth, population explosion, and the government's efforts to relocate slum dwellers to redeveloped areas, reflecting the complex interplay between progress and social infrastructure.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The script discusses the end of the Marcos regime in the Philippines in the mid-1980s and the subsequent migration of farmers to cities like Manila in search of better living conditions.
• 🏢 Due to the lack of funds, these migrants often resorted to building illegal slums in urban areas, which contributed to the expansion of slum areas and encroachment on public spaces.
• 📈 The Philippine economy experienced a boom with foreign investment and the growth of the manufacturing industry, leading to a rapid increase in the population, which surpassed 20 million people.
• 🚫 The rapid economic growth, common in developing countries, often left the lower strata of society behind, with many not benefiting from the economic prosperity but instead living in poor conditions and increasing the number of impoverished people.
• 🏚️ The '9+ Cemetery' is highlighted as an example of an illegal slum where, as of 2014, about 6,000 people were said to be living among gravestones.
• 👥 The script introduces Juliet, a community worker, who guides the narrator through the slum, providing insights into the lives of the residents.
• 🏘️ The '9+ Cemetery' is a place where lower-income families use concrete boxes stacked above ground for burials, rather than traditional in-ground burials, due to the inability to afford inherited family plots.
• 📜 The lease for these 'tomb' boxes is typically for five years, after which the remains are exhumed and cremated to make room for new occupants.
• 👷‍♂️ The script mentions the job of digging up human remains in the cemetery, illustrating the harsh realities faced by some residents.
• 🌆 Despite the challenging environment, the 'cemetery town' is depicted as vibrant, with children playing, people socializing, and a sense of community life amidst the gravestones.
• 🛣️ The rapid development of the residents in the '9+ Cemetery' and the inability of the government to control it is highlighted, suggesting a victimization by the very growth they contribute to.

Q & A

What significant event occurred in the 1980s that affected the Philippines?

The significant event was the EDSA Revolution in the mid-1980s, which put an end to the long-standing military regime and corrupt dictatorship.

Why did farmers move to big cities like Manila after the revolution?

Farmers moved to big cities like Manila in search of better living conditions, as they were no longer under the strict regulations that had previously confined them to rural areas.

What was the consequence of the farmers' lack of funds for establishing their lives in the city?

The lack of funds led them to create illegal slums throughout the city, contributing to the expansion of urban slum areas.

How did the influx of people into cities affect public spaces like parks?

The increase in urban population led to the encroachment of public spaces like parks by people seeking places to live.

What economic changes occurred in the Philippines due to foreign investment and the growth of the manufacturing industry?

The economy of the Philippines experienced a rapid rise, with the population explosively growing to over 20 million people.

What issues arose from the rapid economic growth in the Philippines?

The rapid economic growth led to a situation where not everyone benefited; instead, it resulted in a growing number of people living in poor conditions and increasing the size of the impoverished class.

What is the living situation in the '9+' cemetery as of 2014?

As of 2014, it is reported that about 6,000 people live among the gravestones in the '9+' cemetery, which is an illegal slum.

What is the occupation of the people living in the '9+' cemetery?

Some residents, like the family mentioned in the script, work as community workers, while others have jobs such as digging out human bones daily.

What is the system of burial in the '9+' cemetery?

The '9+' cemetery uses a system where concrete boxes are stacked above ground instead of traditional burials. The graves are leased for five years, and once the lease is up, the remains are removed and the space is reused.

What challenges do the residents of the '9+' cemetery face in their daily lives?

Residents face challenges such as overcrowding, poor sanitation, and the constant presence of death and decay due to their proximity to the graves.

What is the government's plan for the residents of the '9+' cemetery and other slum areas?

The government has announced plans to relocate the residents of the '9+' cemetery and other slum areas to a redeveloped area further away from Manila, in an attempt to clear the slums.