I spent many years between poor people in ph. Sometimes even i experienced to eat once a day.
When i first arrived i spent 7k dollar just to help on those who was in need. This is a long story but even it felt good to help them later many of THOSE people try to make my life harder.
I was teaching also students in my free time and trust me in ph there is just one way out from that situation.

1. Forget about the "traditions"
2. Have a goal and work hard to reach it
3. Dont listen and dont trust nobody in your place
4. If you are sucessfull than show them a good example but dont give money never.

In the past 3 years me and my family we was suffering because we spent all our savings to help to my wife's family.

We will go back after few years and for sure i will try to do my best to help the people in that area but the lesson was learned. Dont give never money to them.

There is a lot of workplace. They dont pay much but at least there is a work and they can earn. But mostly they dont want to work.

My favourite story when i went to some homeless people and i offer them a job on our rice farm. They was even shouting with me in they own dialect😂😂😂
My wife and my baby is filipino and i like that place. But i hate that the people are playing that they are victims.
I suggest them to dont sell they votes for 50-200peso when there are elections and maybe they gov. will make a change if they cant.

So i suggest you to go there, experience the life there and than you will see what i am talking about.

By the way i was living in many parts of that country and everywhere is the same so i know what i am talking about.😉