15 Jan 2018 – INCREASING POVERTY? In a space of one hour, a succession of five simply-dressed persons, all female, two minors, approached our group of six meeting in a coffee shop in one of the name malls along EDSA. They were quick, not insistent, and went away after we shook our heads. Read more.

15 Jan 2018 – INCREASING POVERTY? In a space of one hour, a succession of five simply-dressed persons, all female, two minors, approached our group of six meeting in a coffee shop in one of the name malls along EDSA. They were quick, not insistent, and went away after we shook our heads. 

“Wala po, one of us said.” We looked after them as they walked away dejected, with much regret and unhappiness, embarrassed that we couldn’t, we didn’t want to, spare a few Php for them. We have come across these people many times, but their numbers have visibly increased. The continued increase in real economic growth in ASEAN’s rising star obviously has not filtered to them.

Incidentally, that time, we were discussing the probable negative implications of TRAIN on non-wealthy people. Their kind will be having more difficult times.

There, but for the grace of our divine beings, and the opportunities we have been given and those we have taken, go we.