The Rising Middle Class Transforming Filipino Society

Manila's Rising Middle Class: The rise of the urban middle class in the Philippines. Subscribe to journeyman for daily uploads:
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In the Philippines, one in five live in poverty whilst a wealthy elite control the political sphere. Yet a growing middle class with heavy pockets and high hopes could transform Filipino society.
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[@markg999]

My advice to middle class filipinos...avoid debt and live on less than you earn. Do that and invest some and you can do well when in your 50s...

[@KristineB917]

Evgeniy Petrov you surely talking about yourself.

[@nat0106951]

Well I am filipino and retired at 30... just dont get marry early .. invest in a business that can make you money even not doing anything... and live average... average. meaning I am free. I can travel anytime.. be lazy anytime... just a lot of me time

[@ArchimedeanEye]

Meanwhile, in Western countries many people are tired of consumerism, soulless corporate jobs and yearn for some sort of connection to the land.

[@simonmoultrie5568]

+ArchimedeanEye Truer words were never spoken!

[@fnorgen]

+ArchimedeanEye People tend to desire what is hard to get.

[@simonmoultrie5568]

People tend to desire what the masses desire because most people are sheep or 'sheeple'.

[@ryuk2544]

+ArchimedeanEye Although interconnected in many ways, there's a big difference between rising living standards and rising materialism. The desire to connect to the land is secondary to desire to connect with other humans in a deep and meaningful way. The phenomenon you are talking about is limited to the upper middle class who were born into comfort. This phenomenon does not exist in many communities of people in the US. The problem is less about middle class lifestyle as it is the life experiences, philosophies and ideologies that are taught to some middle class people which discourages emotional and consciousness development.

[@mariapple1214]

ArchimedeanEye

[@yoransom]

Good to hear. Phillipino people are incredibly friendly and overall lovely people to deal with. More investment in the phillipines in needed.

[@recklesslessreck7130]

this is what medias portray us, Filipino people now are getting better. Atleast we are progressing unlike other countries going backwards

[@thinkforyourself9334]

Not progressing anymore

[@asiancat2053]

still slower compared to vietnam

[@elijahmarieveramontecarlo1953]

The rising of middle class can be attributed to the vast number of supply of young, proficient (being educated, ability to communicate in English & skilled), and efficient labor force in the Philippines which is relatively cheap compared to other countries. I am very optimistic of the sound economic growth of the Philippines.

[@Dimitrycone]

It good to see the Philippines is improving. They are still need to improve in a lot more aspect in their societies. Like combating graft and corruption as well as poverty is a big one. But it is still good to see they heading on the right path of progress. Outsource more industries to the Philippines. The Philippines should add more industry sectors so it not only depending on one BPO industry for economic growth. Keep up the good work PHILIPPINES. BUSINESS: IT IS MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES.

[@montero0987]

seldom do i read such heartwarming comments.thank you.Keep well .

[@decoalam5745]

tourism, real estate, infrastructure and manufacturing are fast catching up. if the incoming administration wont mess it and able to keep the momentum as the fastest growing ASIAN economy. Surely, better future is ahead of us.

[@JosephSolisAlcaydeAlberici]

You have to thank the previous administrations for the growth. Duterte might harm the long-term growth.

[@oparasatauwaya]

Xiao Lun Ho I think poverty and political corruption are linked.. if you see the illegal squatter slums, they are maintained by local politicians who use them as cheap votes to stay in power. The central govt since President Ramos has been trying to launch a nationwide social housing plan, but the illegal squatters (the poor people) usually abandon the apartment blocks and return to the land they were squatting on, with the full bit silent support of those corrupt local politicians. Many slum dwellers are not innocent in this system either as they work with local corrupt politicians as militiamen and drug pushers.. Good thing that President Duterte has exposed these corrupt politicians in a list and in a few cases killed them, and is using their own system against them: killing the drug cartel members linked to them and the squatter-based criminals who are implicit in the illegal drug trade and political corruption on the street level with his and the people's own "militia", the national police. As long as the middle classes do what they're doing now and the govt provide more support as they're doing, it will build more confidence from foreign investors, the middle classes will be the clear 80-90% majority in a few more decades (they currently make up 60% of the Filipino population (both upper and lower middle class), the ultra poor who live under 1 dollar a day make up 21%, 10% are the rich, and the remaining 10 or so% are working class, who within a generation will enter the middle classes). Its looking good for the Philippines, despite the misinformation the reporter is using about the middle classes being a "minority".. 60% of the Philippine population a minority? lol

[@KristineB917]

何孝倫 Thank you Mister, you are seeing generally positive like we do, while the rest who are jealous, only sees the little bad that they only want to see.

[@asenathdagraca1401]

Thank God things are getting better (for some) over there!

[@-_-....._---_]

Not really now

[@History_etc]

I am watching this after I watched a bunch of Mark and Rhea's videos on Manila's slum dwellers.

[@mrjppizza6507]

Those people (the slums) never learn. They keep on blaming the government for being poor but who are we to blame them? Its not their fault they lack education and finance. Ang pag-asenso ay isang stratehiya na ikakaharap mo sa iyong buhay kung paano mo ito makakamit

[@viennaong1976]

@@mrjppizza6507 so easy for you to say that they never learn. Tell me how do you go to school when your parents can't even put food on the table for you.

[@carpy1252]

Meanwhile, young American adults are fighting through college to get that fancy job at the mall.

[@infiltr80r]

At what salary though? American unemployment is extremely low and many are very picky about jobs - having way too many choices, many expect to earn $50k first year on the job, lol. If you're poor in America now you have zero chance in the rest of the world.

[@DakaONER94]

sounds like you've never travelled before

[@markg999]

Not really...problem with US is student loan debt.

[@ronniebatiles4807]

middle class families i see in the Philippines and I feel it.

[@thesparks00]

I don't think we're going backwards, we're all persevering. We can do it.

[@Tripp393]

1:55 Adorable !!

[@venitocamelo6704]

meanwhile in America we are becoming poorer and poorer

[@avoidgroid7421]

hhhmmm i wonder why perhaps more study and less eeo and sex harass classes

[@olopolo4628]

venito camelo and roads are worse than in Philippines but longest we living in greatest country in world that fine we can be poor

[@waterheaterservices]

Economic jihad is doctrine of Imam Obama's "great religion of Islam".

[@general2403]

Nope youre not getting poorer, The USA has a expensive living standard

[@rzor1911]

neoliberalism is not the same as the sort of free market ideology proposed by Friedman and Hayek

[@mscar7609]

She got those 11's! Swag

[@kaze987]

Interesting!

[@dcgerez]

pwede, working class- oh lets just say lower middle class. magkano lang sweldo ng agent, hindi nman lahat pwede maging supervisor o manager. sa taas ba nmn ng tax sa bpo at taas ng cost of living- ang sweldo ng agent, hanggang tatlong araw lang ubos na hehehehe

[@evertnyburg6546]

what about family planing ????? smaller family is a start

[@tomasr8466]

It’s a religious thing in the Philippines. The Catholic and Muslim Churches insist that members reproduce and frown on any type of birth control. The churches look to the current members to sprout new members as that is much easier than converting non-members. The size of the problem is obvious when the Pope came to the Philippines and the people scooped up and hid all the homeless children. They should have done the opposite... they should make the problem of homeless children and abject poverty front and center for the Pope to see. After all, much of the problem are church policies implemented by the government. Just an FYI, I’m Catholic and my wife is Filipino.

[@aaronpaglinawan8088]

Our young people is our wealth. Future is secured with them

[@pungolay6586]

I am Filipino and now belong in top 1% because I trade Option, Forex, invest in Pre-IPOs and Real Estate. Even though I live in America, I still kept my cultural roots and spend half my time of the year in the Philippines. Basically I have more than 15 sources of income and make more than $15 million after taxes a year. While my net worth is above $50 million. I used to be an outlier and out of touch with the average Filipino citizen because I am not familiar with their 'struggles'. I am aware that alot of Filipinas are social climbers/ gold diggers. I tried to warn alot of Westerners, but quickly dismissed me. However, there are Filipinas out there that are extremely capable and successful. (Hint: They are a couple shades lighter, taller and come from middle to upper class backgrounds) I tried to do my part in improving our country by teaching my fellow countrymen how to be Dollar Millionaires in less than two years. So far, I created 10 and plan on adding 10 more. Abolish the crab mentality, eliminate colonial mentality, encourage them to be overachievers and make wise financial decisions. I already accept the fact that we are behind in terms of development, but we are improving. I am willing to do my part and contribute to both US and Philippines. I have also faced alot of 'tsismis' and my own countrymen trying to bring me down. They are spreading rumors that I am a 'drug dealer' because I am in favor of legalizing Marijuana and the fact that I own 4 luxury cars and a $4 million estate here in Piney Point, Houston TX. Luckily, my friends were able to defend me and quickly shot the haters down. So yes, we are improving, but we have a lot of work to do. I won't wait for the government or God to do it.

[@s.t.santos5928]

Good for you. You enumerated a lot of disparate issues about the Philippines that for while I got lost somewhere. Anyway, congrats; I applaud your concerns and mission/vision for our country. More power to you.

[@Fishermang709]

Best advice for you is to keep your personal business off the internet ! Succeed quietly !!

[@SuO]

BPO is the first step. we are talking about a long-term economic and national development that takes generations. be patient, remember that your hard work today will together improve your country in the future for the future generations

[@ginosensei]

I saw my trainer Monde there! my first ever trainer in the BPO world!

[@chennylouayala4723]

Oh he is also my broker in bpi

[@happyface96]

They skipped industrilization and went straight to services. Not how I'd run an economy of a 100+ million people but I'm just happy there's progess 👍🙏

[@robertdeus4262]

There are factories in the Philippines. In the 1980s my Mother worked for a Japanese factory owned by "Mura-moto". Although, a lot of foreign factories keep going to China & nowadays Vietnam, Bangladesh, & Ethiopia instead of outsourcing manufacturing to the Philippines. To run a high energy consumption factory especially higher profit heavy industries requires the most cost efficient electricity intake. The electricity in the Philippines is expensive & that adds up on factories.

[@patatoh71]

Good

[@philipagtuca5486]

The middle class growth will always be stunted as long as foreign direct investment is not allowed by the constitution. As it is, foreigners are not allowed to fully own and start up a business in the Philippines unless in partnership with a local. This crappy policy by oligarchs has always discouraged foreigners with lots of capital to invest here, thus preventing creation of more decent paying jobs. It is good for local rich capitalists due to a monopolistic environment. But bad for those who are not entrepreneurs, which are the majority of Filipinos.

[@avoidgroid7421]

but it also protects the economy from roller coaster effect

[@infiltr80r]

Exactly right. They sold the law as "protecting Filipinos" but anyone with a brain knows the law is only to protect the oligarchs in the Philippines. Oligarchs fear foreign competition because then they'd have to actually provide a decent service for a reasonable price! How horrible! Foreign capital could modernize the Philippines within a decade but since this isn't happening - we have cities like Manila which are 80% slums.

[@KristineB917]

Milton Waddams sorry to say, that law has protected our nation from foreign debts and eventual foreigners taking over our nation. just to give you example, Philippines has recorded 45 billion US dollar foreign debt for a 110 million population, compared that to Singapore’s 1.3 Trillion or 1,300 billion US dollar debt for a barely 5 million population, so who’s wiser now. that’s why everyone suspects Singapore is not a real nation, that tiny nation is owned by a foreigner, who knows who.

[@JP-1990]

While I am happy for the Philippines, I do hope that they not succumb to globalism.

[@xD-lt1mq]

+JP Sheehan You ok buddy? Globalism is the reason the Sweeds outsourced to the Philippines.

[@xanejane7721]

+JP Sheehan as a filipino we do love globalism, because 1 you live in 1 planet, 2 people here are gonna die in future calamity due to climate change, hence "major hurricane"

[@JP-1990]

Perhaps I should rephrase. I don't want to see the Philippines become Americanized.

[@xD-lt1mq]

To what extent exactly? American culture is pretty populair in the Philippines including the use of Jeepneys.

[@xanejane7721]

JP Sheehan the best thing america did to philippines after the spanish colonialism was teaching us "English," philippines have more than 120 languages, and we can't even understand each other without it, well body language gets handy and some little known root words but still english did a lot of good things, but not completely americanize, people will choose what's work best and forget what's not.

[@guccigangm2602]

#great

[@avoidgroid7421]

thank you for investing in the philippines !

[@joe_lubinda]

1 thousand dollars per month? Wow the labour ministry in PH is doing a good job. In my country the pay would be 200 dollars.

[@thelastminmom5251]

Not after covid, sadly. Middle class is decimated along w the poor.

[@jasubion2377]

I want all of us middle class people to climb our way to the upper class. Only we can help ourselves because the government is busy babysitting the poorest of the poor 🤣

[@brynmiller7547]

They make good nurses.

[@decoalam5745]

have you noticed friendly staff, performing singers and bands in a hotel, Bar and Restaurant? most probably they are Filipinos as well. hehehe.. or perharps, have tried calling your credit card or bank customer service? the friendly person on the other line assisting you could be a filipino too.

[@mrhawk1924]

My name is ( Bisop Won John Long Magic Shine ) in America 🇺🇸 Brick City , The Getto of Louisville ky

[@uncommon_name9337]

The covid pandemic almost wiped them out to extinction.

[@tytube3001]

Filos and their Jordans

[@seancreedon4998]

yeah and maybe broke when she bought that J's.

[@hanglee5586]

What is the middle-class in the Philippines, making $500 -$600 per month to support an extended family of 15??

[@nat0106951]

That's 12k$/yr..considering cost of living in ph compared to lets say us is x4.......12k salary is like 48k/ yr in us...not bad..but 75k is a bit well off

[@joeridgechua]

There's now a big divide between the old order "elitist" liberals and the emerging middle class. While the former still has a tight grasp in private institutions, the latter is swiftly catching up remaking a new Filipino identity. Under Duterte and Marcos, the Philippines is experiencing a soft cultural revolution. The liberal opposition, unlike in America and other true democracies, just lost three elections in a row (2016, '19, '22). They can only sit back and watch the tragicomedy.

[@LeshyLeshy]

close to 20 million filipinos still live in extreme poverty.

[@pistolpete667]

+George g are you just trying to be cute? what does trump have to do with this?

[@dot_monty192]

Crazy to think I earn almost 3 times more than that lead engineer and I cant even afford a damn studio in cali for less that 2000 a month

[@edgarmendoza2397]

Developing nation

[@avoidgroid7421]

@4:40 it was very rare to see a young woman that size 30 years ago now its common be careful , diabetes is going to hit the philippines !

[@migo-migo9503]

True. I was shocked when I went back home, even in villages there were so many obese people. When I lived there in the 80s, it was the opposite, people were skinny.

[@NaturelDeese]

Why is he drinking from a bottle whoa!!!!

[@akosiwaray1837]

I'm still waiting for Congress to amend the anti poor protectionist policy on foreign direct investments. Unless the 60/40 provision is ammended, all those 6% growth will only benefit a select few.. the old rich.

[@markeek7532]

4:24 Where can I get a pair?

[@Reason4Termination]

$1000 a month for TL? wtf.. She should get a better paying one..

[@karebu2]

You must compare it to their counterparts in Philippines

[@iamnoone348]

1000$ is good enough here in the Philippines most goods aren't really as expensive compared to America or Europe.

[@Reason4Termination]

Ah yeah.. my bad. Yes indeed I am comparing it to the local PH market.. not in the call center industry though. More like in the tech outsourcing industry.. which is different. Teamleads rake in as much as 90k php for it. Still, 90k php for something stressful is not worth it in my opinion.. let alone 50k php.. she should love herself and ask for a raise XD.

[@iamnoone348]

Reason4Termination if she asks for a raise That would be a Reason4Termination... XD JK

[@iamnoone348]

Reason4Termination Jokes aside... they could work abroad and earn more but miss their family or stay here and be with them but earn significantly lower income, either way it would be a win lose situation, so what choice do they have?

[@PaliAha]

(OO:48) "The infrastructure is fantastic..." -- bullshit. Trash all over the streets. Can't find trash bins. Open gutters w/stagnant black festering liquid & gunk. Traffic: public transportation relies on privately owned jeepneys and tricycles and motorcycles that all are not coordinated w/each other. Pollution: everything's old so the smog emitted from these vehicles are twice as worse.

[@simonmoultrie5568]

'The Philippines is the second or third largest English-speaking country in the world' - Siva Subramaniam 1) United States 2) India 3) Pakistan 4) Nigeria 5) United Kingdom 6) Philippines 7) Germany

[@persianboy666x]

Germany isn't on that list.

[@simonmoultrie5568]

I added Germany to give the Philippines some kudos, but your point is irrelevant.

[@superturbo2]

+simon moultrie far from everyone in India, pakistan, Nigeria, Philippines and Germany know how to speak English. English is only a secondary language for most people in these countries.

[@simonmoultrie5568]

+superturbo2 English is a first language for a mere 30,000 Philippinos - thus the vast majority, like in India, Pakistan and Nigeria, use it as a second language.

[@mobilelegendhighlights8605]

Humble Siva. He's our president in Transcom.

[@oparasatauwaya]

"One in four filipinos live in absolute poverty", yes as of 2016 it was 26%. As of 2019, its now one in five (20.6%). In only 3 years, 6% of the population, 6-7 million people, were lifted out of poverty. That poverty figure will go down by another few percent year on year, until its at the 10-15% mark, and the country graduates to be a high-medium economy! Don't count out the hard work and grit of Filipinos in every social class display. Also important: our govt is much better now than it was before. Regardless of what you think of our president, he scared the bejeezus out of corrupt officials, and his war on the meth cartels sent a clear message to those who worked to sabotage the country (there's a link between the cartels, rebels, and the 'liberal' party of the oligarchs Duterte kicked out). Huge infrastructure projects (more expressways, trains lines, airports, brt, our first subways, more bridges, hospitals etc) are being built everwhere now. The result is a lot of younger Western (Brits, Aussies, Americans, Germans, Spanish, Kiwis), African, and Eastern (South Korean, Chinese and Japanese) investors, digital nomads, travelers, grad students and local startups are setting up shop in our cities. Many of them pick up Tagalog or Bisaya and have naturalized. Its amazing to see us becoming an even more diverse country now, it only took 2-3 years for this to happen. I've never seen Metro Manila, Cebu, Baguio, Davao so cosmopolitan, optimistic, and safe :)

[@wewentolentino]

i worked in one of these call centers, wirst time if my life. it felt like im a slave sitting on front of a computer talking to someone i dont know. Also the culture in that industry sucks, people are materialistic and social climbers

[@KristineB917]

ed tolentino that culture is in all types of industry all around the world, materialistic and social climbers, if you want the opposite go to charity organizations or non profit NGOs.

[@sebajun8601]

Wtf there is no middle class low class there is only one humans together but this world is a mess

[@markuchiha7737]

Middle class ? No.

[@stoneshorty]

throw those jordans in the trash

[@paulto5185]

Swag J11 bruh

[@benjamin7.544]

Philippine is better compared to South America's.

[@Bfr3shBrian]

I'm sorry, but this narrator...

[@infiltr80r]

You want a generic American accent, I get it. She is Finnish though, deal with it.

[@valdomero738]

Where the fuck are the hot girls?

[@avoidgroid7421]

making more money in the bars !

[@ehm2943]

Slowly but surely until DU30 came along😡

[@a.w.3438]

the narrator's grammar and pronunciation is atrocious

[@alfredkwaak]

+PTM45 smi Sounds like finnish accent! i noticed it also, but i'm used to understand that.

[@fkujakedmyname]

what bull crap the phone support industry is fucking over most of the workers i know people working for them in manilla for over 10 years with masters degress and cant even afford to buy a laptop