Sidewalk Residents

I was on my way home from a party last December. On our way to matina,the driver decided to pass by san pedro street. We were all so silent inside the crew cab. Tired of the "every night media party," and drowsy after eating too much at the party. I gazed upon the sidewalk. I saw a man, trying to cover his companion with a blanket. They were sleeping on the sidewalk. What came first to my mind is that, maybe this man did not work hard to land where they sleep right now. Or maybe not so lucky enough to improve their quality of life.

(Photo by: Shiela Cabusao / Sidewalk sleepers at San Pedro Street)

According to the SWS Survey last December 2008, the number of Filipino families which consider themselves oor has increased to around nine million. This means that 59% poverty rating was recorded last year and considered as the peak for the Arroyo administration.
I believe in surveys. But how will you consider yourself poor? It might be subjective. I would say i'm poor because i don't have money. Others would say they are poor because they don't have jobs. How about this people sleeping in the sidewalk? What's could be their reasons too?
A chinese proverbs read, "give a aman a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man how to fish and he will eat for the rest of his life." Maybe we are not trying enough to hel ourselves. Being poor i think is how you wanted your life to be. If you don't work hard enough, you will definitely sleep in the sidewalk.

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