We visited Philippines when I was in 5th grade...(Somewhere around the year 1999/2000) Philippines was a mess, trash everywhere, pollution, extremely bad infrastructure. Dust was everywhere on the road, cracked paved roads. Seemed like everyone was poor, there were many beggars, even middle class seemed poor. Nobody owned nice veichles only jeepneys and Trikes... The country was defenitely 3RD world!!!

Now it was my summer before 10th grade year 2004, we were on our way to Philippines once again...I was expecting the usual, many jeepneys, extremely poor people, with bad infrastructure...I stepped off the plane awaiting to see beggars again. HOLY FU-K ! What the hell happened Now there are actual cars crowding the street, Manilas infrastructure and skyline fully amazed me, I could not believe I was in a third world country, not as many beggars, people are constantly shopping, cars are nice there are even BMW's...Pollution is still bad but so what...The hotels were A-M-A-Z-I-N-G...The freakin SM Malls were HUGE...they are the best malls I have ever seen in the world...People are shopping and are dressed very nice...I still can't believe how much Philippines has changed, Manila is great....Has anyone else noticed the change....I mean I used to shed tears to Philippines but WOW I am amazed, IT LOOKS VERY DEVELOPED...
lol I kept telling myself "This cant be a third world country" and everyone EVERYONE has a cell phone... lol DID not expect such a dramatic change...WOW

You should visit the other islands and cities next time. I've seen pictures of the philippines in 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and early 70s. Very impressive those decades were for the Philippines and we were the wealthiest in the Asian continent and one of the wealthiest nations on earth. After Marcos was kicked out and exiled to hawaii corruption was wide spread and the past leaders didn't even try to set things right. Now the end result, a poor country, huge debt, and poverty.

Nowadays Countries that use to be below us like singapore, China(can't compare back in the days) malaysia, thailand, and (south)korea are now above us or light years ahead. Now us(filipinos) are being Stepped on.

One more thing, really Bad Image of the country abroad!

Modernization isn't an idicator of quality of life. I'm jus' sayin'...

To most visitors Manila = Philippines

I think it is...I have seen a dramatic change in lifestyle too and not just in Manila...My Lolo and Lola live on a farm in Zaragoza and they are living much better...EVERYONE has fricken cell phones...The NEW Philippines is amazing The SM malls tople USA ones, I was just pointing out that Philippines has improved DRAMATICALLY and you are right...modernization does not depend on life quality, but that will soon be imroved, Philippines has one of the highest Economic Growth Rates in the entire World...So poverty may lower and quality of life will go up...Philippines has the 41st highest standard of living...That is GREAT! especially out of around 200 countries....Philippines is also the happiest country in Asia and 11th in the world...But I am still just pointing out how dramatic Philippines has changed...It is such a great country now...and yes I have been to other places like...

Makati
Manila
Cabanatuan
Zaragoza (My moms home town)
Bagio
San Fernando
Davao
100 islands etc...