Manila's Rising Middle Class
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 be set to transform Filipino society.
The Philippines has quickly become the world's largest call centre supplier. With over a million workers, the industry is growing fast and attracting international companies to outsource their business operations there. Trained as an engineer but earning more in a lucrative call-centre job, Sherryl Costello says she and husband Neil can finally buy "not only things we need but also things we like". Their little son has his own bank account and a tablet. But the new middle class expect more than just material prizes. "We want good education, better health services, roads and transportation", says sales manager, Neil. They might just get what they want; in fifteen years Asia is expected to have more than half of the world's purchasing power.
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