This Is The Richest Place In Manila (

[@SabbaticalTommy]

The Philippines journey continues..

[@GenX...MCMLXV]

really enjoyed traveling around with you the last couple years -- good stuff Man!

[@c.r.harris]

😎

[@daveronald7788]

Yeah

[@pyercz5224]

you must checkout the old world war tunnel under that city

[@juppheynckes6110]

❤ greetings from Germany

[@jodsum]

I found your vlog sometime ago and enjoyed watching it. I've been a Philippine expat since 1995. I have been living in the US since 1996 and now a US citizen. We enjoy watching travelers showcasing places that are dear to us and we missed. This vlog particularly caught my attention as I was born in BGC before it was called BGC. I was born in what was called the "Army Station Hospital", now St Lukes Hospital. The whole of BGC place was formerly known as Fort McKinley . It was an American base before it was turned over to the Philippine Military and renamed Fort Bonifacio. The barangay you were in, South Cembo (Central Enlisted Men BarriO) is where I lived until I left in 1995 . My father still lives there. Early settlers in the area are Military personnel and their families. The demographics changed overtime. To answer your question, "No it is not a prison it was all military facilities" . The barangays around the area all have "EMBO" in their name as they are (E)nlisted (M)en (B)arri(O). There was once the small "202 unit detainment facility" managed by the (MP)military police. This is where they detain military personnel who have violated the law and are waiting or have gone through court martial. This is probably why somebody called it a prison, but it is not. Most of the area are either military facilities or grassy wilderness where young kids like me explored. There are some interesting WW2 tunnel network underneath BCG.. I know of these as we were growing up and know they still exist. Try to find the entrance and could be a good topic for your VLOG. Thanks and keeep these vlogs coming! JS.

[@Fortapistone]

Thanks, top.

[@emilyschatzi4232]

Wow! the tunnel you mention is somehow interesting never heard of it though. I grow up in Taguig and heard stories of many caves and tunnels being used in ww2. There's also rumors that there were yamashita gold found in caves in the area of maharlika village during Marcos regime.

[@jodsum]

@@emilyschatzi4232, nice to hear from Taguig. I'm a graduate of PCS neighbor town of Pateros. Taguig is one of my favorite places to hang out in HS and college. Here is a youtube clip, exploring these tunnel systems. Not too many people knew it. These are known mostly among first generation residents of the barangays surrounding the area. Some of the home owners sealed a few of the cave entrance to prevent people from entering their properties through many of the exits. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4eXmKiug52inpY . Enjoy!

[@SabbaticalTommy]

Thanks for the added background info, interesting

[@reprobetamindset410]

Why did I read this comment with a Filipino accent? Because it works, that’s why.

[@stereoheartsrnb]

Great video. This isn't really a slum though. It's just a regular working class neighbourhood of Manila. That's why there's minimal homeless people, beggars and extreme chaos as you mentioned. There is a real slum that borders BGC. It's called Mini Park and is next to the SM Aura mall. I think it used to extend to where SM Aura is now before they built the mall. You should try and visit there. It made me laugh when I saw some enterprising residents set up a penned off section 5 meters outside the BGC boundary where you could pay 5 pesos to stand there and smoke (as you will get in trouble for smoking in BGC) lol.

[@chos3non354]

I agree.

[@chos3non354]

​@@rap3208 I think it's more of a proper understanding of what a slum is. There are characteristics in order for a place to be considered as a slum.

[@Kraken9911]

@@rap3208 Other than the crazy homeless camps of west coast cities in America, in most of America a lot of places they call "the hood" would be perfectly acceptable middle class neighborhoods in the Philippines. The concept of "Rough" neighborhood is a mindset and not necessarily a physical description.

[@redlancelot2634]

It may look shacks/slum to others but some people there live decently and got well paying jobs but because on how expensive the cost of living in Manila they prioritize everyday needs than the looks of their homes. I have a tita lived in Taguig and lived in a small old studio apartment but she got decent salary compare to ours with same salary living in the gated home in the province.

[@redlancelot2634]

also beggars and street dweller are mostly people migrated from far province to seek better living standards.

[@denmarlhuns7216]

The different between US Slums and philippine slums is that, in the philippines, the area where you considered as slums is actually not a slums area and most of the people living there are working in those high rise buildings in BGC and Makati city. Professionals, students, cub/jeepney drivers small business owners, cops, soldiers etc.. in short, working people. Not unlike in phillies and in other states wherein the word SLUMS are considered as dangerous zone. (Gangs, drugs addict, criminals, homeless etc...)

[@enzoapacible1083]

I just love your bits of social commentary! And your subtle humor is so underrated.

[@mpireone]

The Philippines has one of the most hospitable people... very friendly and polite!

[@kimeli]

for a while, once you get to know them for real, its really gonna get fucked up.

[@mocabe01]

agree! polite indeed... even kids in slum areas know how to say "thank you" (and in a happy energetic way!). It's amazing!

[@henryyoung7184]

There used to be steps through the wall between JP Rizal Road and 7th Avenue but it got closed up a few years ago. What you refer to as "slums" is actually a modestly wealthy neighborhood !!!

[@jinkycmdpsi]

Correct!!!

[@kalegana]

filipinos are some of the most friendliest people i ever met.

[@TapatioTrash]

Always a good day when Tommy posts :)

[@MattFromAmerica]

I just got back from the Philippines two weeks ago. It was my first international trip. Many of my friends are from the Philippines, so it made sense to go there. I sincerely enjoyed my time there. Traveled from Palawan to Buscalan. If I had to choose a place to live from the places I have lived so far it would be either Baguio or Buscalan or somewhere in between.

[@donniebrasco99]

Baguio is the best place. I am from Metro Manila but I dream of living in Baguio and enjoying mountain living one day.

[@Mrinternational89]

Glad you enjoyed. Philippines is a beautiful country and beautiful people and culture

[@MattFromAmerica]

@@donniebrasco99 One day you shall! Perhaps when I return to PI we'll have to get some coffee!

[@MattFromAmerica]

@@Mrinternational89 Filipinos have been a part of my entire life. It was an absolute blessing to experience your home firsthand. I love the culture and the people!

[@Siopaoko]

I couldn't live in Palawan, it is beautiful but I'm a big city person and Metro Manila and Metro Cebu I still preferred living to. Baguio City is a favorite of Manileños because of the weather but a 5 hour drive still uncomfortable for me. I would rather stay in Tagaytay City.

[@MichaelMillerVlogs]

I went almost everywhere in the Philippines. I never felt in danger at all, not one time.

[@slapdogpuppyspank8754]

Same here, I travelled 9 islands in 3 months bus and boat. Never had a problem 1990.

[@donniebrasco99]

Another great video. I really liked it. One thing, though, I think you were misinformed. Whoever told you that the neighborhoods beside BGC were dangerous slums was really exaggerating things. Those neighborhoods are typical working-class neighborhoods. The people living there can be classified as lower middle class. They are not squatters. The houses there are properly titled, and the real estate prices in those areas are no longer cheap nowadays. Those neighborhoods are by no means comparable to Tondo, which you went to in your previous video. Actually, decades ago, when BGC was still an active military base, those neighborhoods were where many soldiers and their families lived. It used to be like a soldiers town. Anyway, keep up with the videos. You make very interesting stuff. Your videos offer a different take on things and places than other vloggers. I loved your videos in Argentina and in Japan before.

[@AdrianArgu]

True, definitely not a slum. Even at night that area isn't so bad. I used to work the night shift at BGC, we would go to those neighborhoods to eat. Even at midnight it doesn't feel dangerous. Of course I'm referring to the area walking distance from BGC.

[@maltk1798]

Agreed. The area isn't a slum.

[@_alxxxG]

Well said. I was about to say the same thing.❤❤❤

[@ryansulak]

there is so much misinformation and fear that youll read about in Reddit travel forums, its nice to hear this perspective. Many people in those forums have opinions that youll be robbed or kidnapped as an american visiting these neighborhoods

[@amristar736]

This idiot must think there are no homeless people in his country. The homeless people in that area called Central City East or Skid Row are drug addicts, some of them. And it looks even worst that a third world country. People shit on the ground , they piss on the walls, trash and all forms of garbage are scattered everywhere. Not only in LA but anywhere else in the states.

[@ddewcifer]

Crazy how Manila's hood looks safer than downtown Philadelphia

[@MichaelWilliams85]

Not that crazy. Drug users are all locked up/executed. What do you prefer safety or freedom?

[@jamesoconnor2753]

I live in Philadelphia and totally agree. I’m married to a Filipina and visit regularly and Tommy’s portrayal is on point.

[@cutiebellacat4720]

Ikr

[@derbdep]

it is. it looks rough, but people there are very friendly as all Filipinos are. there is petty opportunist crime though if you leave your bag somewhere etc, so don't do that if you visit there. the slum dwellers are what you call working class people in the US. 16% of Filipinos are poor, and the difference is that there's no minimum standards in housing here. so unlike Thailand and South Korea where the poor are forced to makeover their homes to a minimum standard, paint them, make them look "ok", but suffer from hidden poverty, here it's "build what you can afford, no one will stop you. everyone needs to survive and find a way to thrive". everything is honestly shown, no one makes pretentions here.

[@selcukcilek555]

@@MichaelWilliams85 Safety.

[@montecristoxv]

Been loving the Philippines vlogs! Planning a trip soon.

[@thevortaz1]

Glad to have found your clips. Your energy and gentle approach on sharing your perspectives as a visitor are truly refreshing and amazing. Keep up the good work.

[@Mrinternational89]

Philippines is a beautiful country and culture. Good thing for English speaking travelers is most the people speak or understand English.

[@BaloMega]

Knowledge is the key, my man here got it all. He does his research before going to visit the places I have always learned from him. Thank you brother.. please visit Tanzania back again. I am Tanzanian living in Toronto Canada.

[@JLEXUS]

i love how this trip is so educational

[@nsuresh91]

Love your vlogs, getting better and better each episode! My favorite part is how you give a lot of cool info about the place and the history of it!

[@jesusmartinez7502]

Sigue con estos videos de Filipinas son realmente muy interesantes , Tenemos la misma perspectiva .

[@philmanmontero2472]

Thanks!

[@Kraken9911]

I'm American and been living in the Philippines for nine years straight now. I'm a little older than you but my interactions with the public are wildly different from you. I don't have that extrovert charisma. I'm mostly silent only speaking the minimum to do transactions and refer to pointing instead of asking to avoid language confusion. I do live 500 miles south of Manila though so the people in my locale are a lot different from the mega city folk. It's nice seeing how a foreigner gets treated when being nice.

[@mokisan]

What do you do, if you dont mind my asking

[@Zee_1003]

Philippines may not be a rich country and some of the neighborhoods may look sketchy but poor doesn't necessarily mean bad people/thugs or criminals. sometimes, those ppl are the nicest, most welcoming and happiest ppl you'll ever meet despite their situation. sometimes, they're just misunderstood and this labeling their area as dangerous. meanwhile, yet another school shooting just happened in Nashville leaving 3 students and 3 teachers dead...a very heartbreaking news because shootings and schools shouldn't even exist in a sentence. it's horrifying.

[@justlurking5203]

I was surprised in 17:40 timestamp when he called a common local neighborhood a slum. 😔

[@Zee_1003]

@@justlurking5203 well we can't blame him because that may already look like a slum to him. i know he means well and he's just being honest with his opinion and observation.

[@justlurking5203]

@@Zee_1003 And that's the problem. Instead of correcting him so he would be properly informed, we will just give justification to his statement. I do understand him but it would be better to inform him and not just leave it with "let's not blame them coz it's what he think so it's ok." I know you get what I mean.

[@AdrianShoutout]

i love philippines.we don't have random shooting.

[@Frostykid94]

I think the Philippines is not poor, they are the 31st in economy via gdp, and they are progressing. When you say poor, I reserve it too really poor countries like Somalia , some African nations and some poorer Asian countries.

[@agustinsanchez7100]

The Philippines looks very beautiful

[@hutlazzz]

when sabbatical video drop you know its a good day, thanks mate

[@asynchronicity]

Your videography has a great vibe here.

[@orbyto2391]

This is the best channel on KZbin.

[@happyscrub]

All my reading about the Philippines, it's a very safe country.

[@gagamba9198]

Mixed. Pick pocketing is the common crime. They are fast and stealthy. Armed robberies of jeep passengers happens, usually late at night. Most of the passengers are working-class people, so that really hits them hard. Before Duterte very violent, often horrific, crime by those addicted to methamphetamine, called shabu, was getting out of hand. A large reason why he was elected.

[@gangstagummybear3432]

Definitely safe unless you are walking around starting trouble acting like you own the place, an over sense of entitlement if you will.

[@vidgood8682]

@@gagamba9198 armed robberies happen, but please provide statistics because now it seems like it happens every day almost every week by the way you said that. lol i never got robbed when i was there, sure i put away my jewelry, but tthat should be common sense. i'm from vancouver, yes we have robberies too and gang wars, but it doesn't happen all the time 🤣🤣

[@snowtyboy]

Safer than the US

[@ritznoblejas3617]

fun fact: Philippines hood/slum is more safer than in united states hood/slum

[@ZealousPower]

Thanks for posting on my birthday! I'm a lucky man.

[@cornpopwasabaddude..6146]

Happy birthday to you friend....

[@SabbaticalTommy]

Enjoy it 🍻

[@amateurmarketreviews1980]

"Imagine waking up everyday looking at that up there, wondering what kind of life they have. Just the same way that the people up there are wondering what kind of life they have down here." That statement made my grown ass tear up man. What a perspective on life.

[@origenjerome8031]

The movie is called "Elysium", starring Matt Damon.

[@canto10mosha65]

Only problem with that statement is those who live up there don’t usually bother thinking about those that live under their feet. It’s those that work for them that do and unfortunately know.

[@amateurmarketreviews1980]

@@canto10mosha65 not so sure I agree with you. Take suicide statistics for example, that seems to be an affluent issue. People with money can certainly wonder if there is more to life. You have the narcissist group though I'm sure.

[@richardnuevo]

A nice condo in that area can cost you up to 2 million US dollars but an average mansion around that area may cost you even more than 10 million US dollars

[@gregmasters8558]

​@@richardnuevoI'd never live in those cities I'm fine in my mansion in Antipolo.

[@marttivallila]

Living in Mindanao, which is still on the US do not travel list I can testify that the Philippines is one of the safest places where an English speaker can go. The people may be materially poor, but they have warm hearts, and their hospitality is genuine. You should definitely visit Mindanao, Davao and the Island Garden City of Samal (where I live) on a future trip!

[@philippinesdreamorreality]

Good video. I'm at the halfway point of your video and I am enjoying it very much. I have been researching the Philippines history from the time of the Spanish Colonization and some time before. I have researched up till the time the Americans left till present day. The Filipino people are some very strong people based on History and my opinion. I can't wait to put my boots on the ground in the near future.

[@shadowfilm7980]

You’re personality is very New York. You are straightforward. By the way those neighborhoods behind those walls are ok. Safe. They aren’t dangerous. Many areas I have walked through that looked not so good still have friendly people. It’s actually ok. Never had a problem. Never.

[@Dr.irenebuenavistamolina]

Nice video, I was born in Villamor Air Base, a military base just across BGC (Villamor Air Base is now homes of big hotels, Marriotts, NAIA terminal 2 etc). BGC( Fort Bonifacio) is the home base of the Philippine Army, I believe that there are still some offices of Philippine Army in the area. Fort Bonifacio is also the place for the Philippine military soldiers' cemetery called Libingan ng mga Bayani (Cemetery of the Brave). I remember going to Fort Bonifacio when I was a child. There are a lot of big old trees, and foliage in the area. There used to be a curfew at 10 pm, with sirens in these military bases. You are not allowed to walk on the streets, if the military police find you walking after 10 pm, you will be placed in a jail overnight. I left the Philippines to live abroad in 1998. Much has changed (not really sure if it is good or bad), but I missed my old place so much, I' m still reminiscing the the places where I pick guava fruits(now Marriotts), The Air Force hospital where was born (now hotels), the military grand stand where we watch the Blue Diamonds (Air shows) every May 1st (Air Force Day), now NAIA terminal 2... good old days!

[@zzzzzsleeping]

Its safe in Manila --- considerably safe compare to some inner cities in United State.

[@MichaelWilliams85]

What do you prefer, safety or freedom?

[@zzzzzsleeping]

@Michael Williams there are more freedoms in the Philippines too

[@Siopaoko]

​@@MichaelWilliams85 Freedom, well we have freedom here, there is no gay marriage but a gay man can freely walk the streets in his heels.

[@patrascanudaniel7652]

@@MichaelWilliams85 do y'all still have to pay life long mortgages for college education/housing? Do y'all still have to pay thousands for healthcare? You freedoms are an illusion, lmao

[@MichaelWilliams85]

@@Siopaoko have fun walking in heels then

[@hughwhite248]

Amazing. I spend January staying at Hyatt and was blessed to experience all the great things of Manila. I'm going back for 3 weeks in April. You really captured the beauty of the city and also the people that support BCG. I walked I feel the same areas you did and everyone was very nice anc accommodating, Best City I ever visited

[@atvmarauder]

Tommy thank you for the interesting look at communities around the world. I’ve been to Philippines several times. I love it there.

[@exs1803]

Interesting walk. The contrast between how the rich and poor lives is evident. These are areas in Makati right next to BGC There is a slum IN BGC called the Mini Park just right next to SM Aura Premier mall.

[@daijinlotte6049]

it is a typical neighborhood in manila before it became BGC ,i was born and raised there because my father was a soldier.. now that it was privatized and with all the tall skyscrapers,we are called slums and now you can see the difference between the rich and the poor . ,

[@Multisportamateur]

I love Manila! Can’t wait to pay a visit soon! Just a 1.5 hour flight from Hong Kong!

[@Kaygee79]

Interesting to see the contrast. Everything seemed pretty chill and safe overall.

[@muhammadfirdaus634]

The unique aspect about sabbatical is he doesnt do all that touristy stuffs but he tells stories of every places that he visits. Glad that i encounter this channel.

[@civicboi96]

Wow Manila looks like a really fun place to visit actually

[@masterspin7796]

Thinking that too!

[@origenjerome8031]

Technically, the place in this video is not Manila. If you go to the actual Manila, the place is like Gotham City.

[@unknown-lives]

@@origenjerome8031 LMAO!

[@HaLo_Zz]

I was just there in January. I always look forward to your videos. God bless! I love that your content is different than others, it’s very educational.

[@randygee2715]

Philippines is more American than most countries, love Philippine people, most friends and nephews are from there, hailz 🙏🏻👊🏼👍🏽

[@axizcorp]

Like in the US many Filipinos don't know much of their history. But in fairness to the people you asked about the prison, they honestly have no idea because fort bonifacio is a military camp and everything inside the camp is classified and the public have no idea what the military do in the camp.

[@barryyang-street]

LOVE Philippines from China

[@paulmcdonough1093]

great vid as usual greetings from Liverpool uk

[@MarcusT4576]

Over 110 million Pilipino I think 0.1% percent people can cause you harm, so you are safe here. As a Pilipino, I will say foreigners are most welcome here.

[@nailer8984]

Glad you showed this as there’s a British KZbinr couple who just show the glitz of Manila

[@pinky9875]

This is the real typical neighborhood of Manila you call it middle class the ‘norm’ lifestyle in Manila 👍

[@Siopaoko]

BOBA anong middle class? Gaga

[@andrelawas186]

i was just gonna say that even though some of those houses look old, the living standards of people living there are just about the same as the people living in those skyscrapers. looking at those houses, they look like a typical middle class household. So him talking about the wall and class divide was kinda dramatic really haha because the living standards is not really that bad.

[@pinky9875]

@@andrelawas186 yup you are correct 👍

[@pinky9875]

Just good example Binondo Tondo lots of rich people living there .Business people Chinoy❤️👍

[@packohub1145]

NOT MIDDLE CLASS. MORE LIKE WORKING CLASS STILL BELLOW MIDDLE CLASS

[@annehiggins5958]

Loving your videos thanks 🙏 watching you from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 take care my friend 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@dennyzeecko5183]

I was station in Subic Bay for two years and we just drank the Beer that was made in Manila, the stuff made in San Miguel was a little iffy . The beer was the best. Would go to Manila all the time. I meet a Chinese man named Pong Sam who owned a Hotel in Olongapo. He like the steak house on the Base. We'd go have steak once in a while. I had a great time in the PI. I've been back a couple of times. Never had a single problem, the whole time.

[@johncopeland3826]

Hey Tommy ,you certainly are going up in the world going by the opening of the video .. Har ,har ! Keep 'em coming ... Fast !

[@thishandleisavailable2023]

Love your Filipino blogs and how you are not just centering on the 'pretty' parts of the Philippines. Btw, I've seen vloggers get a million views on just one Jollibee taste test video! Just so you know... LOL

[@stuckinparadise9676]

A real vlog. Very informative.

[@ceegeepea]

I don't think that's a slum area judging from the structures captured by your camera. Most of the houses are made of concrete, even having 2nd and 3rd floor levels, and are decent looking. Compared to the developed countries, this may appear to be so because of the densely populated neighborhood. However, this is a typical neighborhood in a barangay where the average population lives. Land in Metro Manila is quite expensive nowadays that's why vertical development is the way to go. For people to own a piece of land within Metro Manila is quite fortunate because of the high prices. Those who cannot afford to do so, the next best thing is to buy land in the fringes or outskirts of Metro Manila.

[@TheGracehew]

👍😂Super cool umbrella!….and glad you took up the challenge to walk the ‘crime~ridden’ area beyond BCG’s walls😎.

[@elwin38]

Takes me back to those days in Olongapo city in 1987 and 1989 while i was on deployment in the US Navy. Partying and drinking ice cold Red Horse beer!!

[@barrycohen311]

When I lived in Manila in 2005 - 2006, this area was just being developed. I looked at a high rise condo unit, still half unfinished. Concrete walls and floors and such. But you get that early bird pricing. Amazing what it turned out to be, That Condo unit would be worth double or more now. I lived at the time in Makati, Legazpi Street. It's only 15 minutes drive with no traffic to Makati. With heavy traffic, double that.

[@ironman4122]

Love your content, keep traveling!🖤💛🤟✌️

[@joshuahyman3612]

Best travel videos on the internet.

[@EnterExile]

I like your content, but this time you were a bit of: - there is Western Union in BGC - the Home Depot building was not a prison, the grounds probably - wouldn’t call South Cembo a slum, just a (poor) neighborhood, with regular street addresses, businesses etc. Compare that with Tondo Happyland.

[@SabbaticalTommy]

Yeah but no Western Union on Google Maps, df

[@dalewalsh4221]

Love your videos,currently watching your latest Manila video can’t wait to get back there 👍

[@RAdmJoe]

I love your video coverage, no sweeteners, it’s all natural and you are better than “National Geographic”. Greetings watching here from Washington DC !!!❤️❤️❤️😘😘😘🇵🇭🇺🇸🇵🇭🇺🇸🇵🇭🇺🇸🇵🇭🇺🇸🇵🇭🇺🇸

[@YoctoYotta]

Another great video. You never fail to make me want to hop on a plane and see more of the world

[@RaimondoKeliones]

Keep it up!

[@roeljosephsalvador8705]

love your content! thank you for sharing your experiences.

[@yasminapo-aroundtheworld]

Nice trip 😊 we also want to go to the philippines in december, how is the weather there then?

[@gangstagummybear3432]

Rainy and typhoons

[@Siopaoko]

December- February are the best seasons because the weather are cooler.

[@yasminapo-aroundtheworld]

@@gangstagummybear3432 ok that’s bad, but the other guy says is a good season 🤔 we want to make a Vlog there

[@yasminapo-aroundtheworld]

@@Siopaoko thank you, but the other guy say it’s rainy season and we want to make a vlog there, I’m confused 😕

[@Siopaoko]

@@yasminapo-aroundtheworld Rainy seasons or wet seasons are from July- September.

[@aarancole9296]

Man your vlogs are amazing so Educational and fun

[@dr.michaellittle5611]

Recent subscriber here and US expat resident of Makati. I love all of your vlogs. Keep up the great work.

[@funk-n-groovin6779]

How should you end the video? Never. Luv ya, man.

[@IrineoSalazarMunich]

Cembo means Central Enlisted Men's Barrio. Those slums were originally housing projects for military personnel built around Fort McKinley (later renamed Fort Bonifacio) back in 1949. Most have names ending with embo until now but like BGC are now officially part of Taguig which recently won its land case against Makati at the Philippine Supreme Court.

[@gagamba9198]

If you're unfamiliar with Jollibee, it's spaghetti is very sweet. It's a surprise if you're accustomed to Italian-style. And spaghetti is part, often a big part, of the Filipino 'traditional' Christmas Eve feast, Noche Buena.

[@weshen83]

Never tell Italians about Jollibee. And it's actually really strange to eat sweet spaghetti for anyone who isn't Filipino. I cant get used to it, and in our family we celebrate too many parties, luckily there is enough other dishes that I do like. Beef Tapa I can eat all day, and I love sinigang a lot.

[@amaliahightower]

I’m Filipino, I can’t stand and will not eat sweet spaghetti 😂 I guess growing up in the wild wild West will do that.

[@weshen83]

@@amaliahightower One more thing that is annoying for someone from Western-Europe, finding bread that tastes like home. Because for some reason (maybe it was the US influence) they add sugar to almost any food, including bread. But for the rest, I don't have any complaints except for the traffic haha. For me, the people and atmosphere is the best of all the countries and cultures I came in contact with.

[@amaliahightower]

@@weshen83 I guess I’m different. I only eat sourdough bread.

[@weshen83]

@@amaliahightower It's delicious. Difficult to find in most places in PH. Luckily I found a great bakery in Bohol (that's where my wife is from) but took me 3 trips to discover the place.

[@Saricelina]

Great video and content always!!!

[@rjteofs1640]

Tommy!!!!!! Welcome to my country!!!!

[@trishamaniego4688]

FYI. Those houses aren't slums. Especially what you showed around 11:32. I've seen those. I've been in Tondo and have stayed in BGC as well. It's all diffrent. But definitely the house you pointed to with lots of laundry isn't from the slum.

[@ellem2293]

Really enjoyed the tour of Manilla, was surprised at how pretty some of the slumhouses were, it looked quite clean too & the people so friendly. 1 thing tho... the cock fighting it is effing evil

[@abrqzx]

In Spain, there is a bull fight

[@perlitaenriquez5131]

A long time ago yr 1990 part of BGC is a vacant lot. Half of it was a military base called Camp Bonifacio now its Bonifacio Global City.

[@leonardopineda3829]

That's the nicest slum area I have seen.

[@cutiebellacat4720]

Its not a slum, im a filipino. Its a typical filipino neighborhood.😊

[@justlurking5203]

BGC is in Taguig City. It is a different city from Manila (the capital) but both are part of Metro Manila (National Capital Region).

[@sabik6979]

I sent my family there your last two videos. They moved from Manila to Biñan. They were telling me about the areas you went to and what it was like growing up close to that slum. Hopefully, I'll get to visit there soon. Be safe over there.

[@christianmarionespenilla2690]

I like your delivery. It's my first time watching your videos.

[@wilzwalkabout]

"authoritarian, but in a nice way" hahaha love it

[@ccheung5]

Please do a podcast/video with Sonny Side, it would be amazing for you two to share your perspectives having spent a lot of time in many parts of Asia that many likely haven't ventured to before!

[@polkadottedranger]

You should have tried going to the Taguig side instead of the Makati side instead. There is an opening right beside SM Aura. Much more compact spaces used, and some may be considered slums. There are some vloggers who have also explored this part and there they were greeted by the requisite Filipino hospitality. The Makati area generally isn't considered slums as it is the second richest city in the PH, second only to Quezon city. Even the barangays you visited - the names ending in -EMBO, which means "Enlisted Men's Barrio" - are areas which were formerly villages of soldiers and their families living near the fort.

[@BravoCoy]

Watching from New York cubao planning to visit the Philippines soon very beautiful country.

[@markosluga5797]

Craziest thing about Philippines to me is that they have so much good food everywhere. Boggles my mind how they even have a chain like Jollibee, let alone how is it so successful.

[@CG-fn2cj]

Thanks for appreciating our food (mainly sweet, sour or salty). It maybe simple but what's more important to us is that we gather to eat as a family. stomach maybe half empty, but our souls are full. Thanks kaibigan.

[@travellolo]

What good food. It's too salty, greasy, or sweet. And they don't include fresh vegetables in their meals.

[@CG-fn2cj]

@@travellolo the hell you care! Aren't you aware of cultural difference? If you insist us of putting vegetables or spices in our dish, then we loss our identity as Filipino. Call us Indian or Vietnamese instead you dumb!

[@abrqzx]

@@travellolo you’re wrong. Our soup always have fresh veggies. Maybe you always eat dry food or fried foods. Most Filipinos eat vegetables, we even eat “Bitter Gourd” sautéed with egg while most Westerners didn’t even like that veggie

[@travellolo]

@Andy Broqueza You're wrong. I said the "average " filipino has meat and rice or noodles. Every time I go to the supermarket, I see Filipinos with a lot of junk food. The foreigners buy vegetables. Compare Thai street food and Filipinos street food you will see who likes vegetables.

[@Maxsszz]

Here in Rome, at the Euroma2 mall, there is a chapel like that too. Even if in Italy very few people are left that are still religious, but still there are some. The Church said that this kind of ministry is directed to devout Catholics, specially the low wage workers, that don't want to miss their Sunday service, even if they are required to work long hours during the festivities. Just few years ago, there wasn't problems like that, because all non-essential businesses were closed on Sundays, Easter and Christmas.

[@edmendoza1501]

Just to show how diverse the Philippines is, you can see the big difference even in big cities where modern establishment is in contrast with slum neighborhoods beside it, but both can live under one sky, it is almost evident in all big cities, then there are European looking and Latin American looking cities and towns...the past colonizations had big parts on how the country has been molded today as narrated by this vlogger Tom, good he researches before telling the story of the place, much appreciated.

[@rayelmoore2951]

You are better than us... You know our history... Thank you for sharing...

[@aaron2424]

Everything about The Philippines makes me think of Latin America

[@ramosfelize6848]

Except cartel and gang brutal fight doesn't exist here

[@LovingDeantheGodMachine333]

@@ramosfelize6848 I’m sure there are cartels and bad things just like there is everywhere

[@abrqzx]

Almost same culture and traditions with Latinos but the food is different

[@nathan_408]

They spoke Spanish fluently until the nineteenth century, but the Americans destroyed it

[@shay3697]

Both developing regions

[@YT-Trenton]

Your description of Jolibee is very accurate, and that's the same description I give to people who first try it. I'm from Los Angeles and we have many Jolibees here. When you said it's a McD's & KFC mixed together, that is pretty accurate. You should have tried their spicey chicken, that's my fav on the menu.

[@zvbx]

BGC to the average Filipino is the equivalent of The Merry Old Land of Oz. PS…if you want a good understanding on the drug situation during the Duterte presidency watch the PBS documentary “On the President’s Orders”.

[@huyhuynh9523]

Can you tell us how the air smells? Does it smell like the air in Jakarta, Indonesia, where open sewage channels crisscrossing the city?

[@susiejakes3019]

Jollibee in the USA is well-known for its tasty chicken called ChickenJoy. Why did you chose to order a hot dog? Their spaghetti is sweetened with kids in mind. There is also Palabok Fiesta which is thin noodles with a topping of garlicky palabok sauce , pork, shrimp and sliced boiled eggs.

[@gangstagummybear3432]

I'm black from the US and have had multiple different types of chicken in my lifetime, Jollibee is as good as the best fried chicken I've had, but I really miss Andok's 😋

[@peteb4148]

The bit about the spaghetti is so not true

[@Ambbberralert]

I believe it. My middle school years were spent with a lot of my fillipino neighbors, and there was always an acceptance of modernity paired with traditions. I ate a lot of hot dogs and rice during those years.

[@happyscrub]

Somebody give this man his travel channel TV show already lol

[@AFKexplores]

Locals looks very welcoming and nice, good atmosphere

[@Chrisb8s]

I wouldn’t say that was too much of a slum. The majority of the Philippines looks like that. Btw you should of had the chicken joy or aloha yum burger. :)