PANES, KYLE M.

ARCH595-R3
BSARCH5 HOUSING

Tondotelle, a glimpse from the inside

Tondo, a densely populated district in the city of Manila, Philippines, has long been a
symbol of both rich cultural tapestry and the persistent housing challenges that characterize
urban life in developing nations. No words can really describe the sheer magnitude of
suffering nor the remarkable strength and resiliency of people who live and call the place
home. Housing conditions in Tondo have been a subject of concern for decades, reflecting the
broader issues of overpopulation, poverty, and inadequate urban planning in the country.

In the snippet of an Iwitness feature Tondotelle, Edna de Jesus, a resident of Aroma,

Tondo narrated the poor conditions in the area. In Vitas Temporary Housing, a structure with
an area of only two square meters was erected to house Ate Edna’s family. Their space is
built on the top of their neighbor’s house giving them inadequate space for living
comfortably albeit, being rent-free. This small space features a balcony, a bathroom, and a
mixed-use living area which converts into dining area and bedroom depending on its use; on
top of it is the utilization of substandard materials that is prone to disasters like typhoons
and fire. In view of the fact that their place is crowded and confined, there is no restroom for
urination and defecation, a problem which is usually solved through an “arinola”. The use of
an arinola, a makeshift container often used for relieving oneself, underscores the dire
circumstances faced by the family. Also, along with this problem, the family of five doesn’t fit
in the space for sleeping. They struggle to find sufficient space for all of them to sleep at the
same time, hence, the idea of “shifting” was made. The padre de pamilya stations outside in
the evening while his family sleeps and waits for his turn in the morning. This practice of
shifting exemplifies the resourcefulness and resilience of Tondo’s residents in the face of
housing challenges, however, these challenges are not new to the urban picture of the
country. It illustrates the sacrifices individuals make to ensure their families have a
semblance of comfort and rest, even if it means enduring discomfort themselves. While a
testament to the strength of familial bonds, highlights the urgent need for improved housing
conditions that can accommodate entire families without requiring such sacrifices.
 Adequate and dignified housing should be a basic right, and addressing these issues
not just in Tondo but also in the slums of the country is not just a matter of improving
infrastructure and architecture, but also of upholding dignity and social justice.

Ate Edna, despite of being a Department of Social Welfare and Development

volunteer still experiences the hard truth about housing conditions in the Philippines. Rapid
urbanization and industrialization led to the significant population growth which in turn
exerted pressure on housing and infrastructure in the country. Multiple generations of each
family often live in small and cramped spaces due to limited opportunities for basic
commodities like shelter and job security. This exacerbates security, health, and safety
concerns, increasing the vulnerability of residents to exposed environments. This calls for
immediate response from the government and other authorities which could help improve
the living conditions of communities. Perhaps there are actions which are made by the
government like low-cost housing and relocations, however, still deficient. Comprehensive
urban planning and upgrading initiatives seek to improve infrastructure, provide basic
services, and improve informal settlements to safer and more resilient communities should
be made to help people like Ate Edna.

The housing conditions in Tondo, Manila and other communities in the country
remain a complex and pressing issue that affects the lives of countless families. There are
people right now all across the globe who are fighting for the most basic needs a lot of us
take for granted. Despite of all the courage and resilience of each Filipino, achieving
sustainable and equitable housing solutions will still require continued collaboration,
investment, and provision of innovative urban planning strategies to ensure a brighter future
for everyone. I believe that “It is a cruel lie we say that poverty is the result of poor people’s
laziness” but limited access to opportunities all contribute to the perpetuation of poverty in
the community. It should be a collective responsibility to ensure that the fundamental
human right to safe, and dignified housing is upheld for all, and begins with
acknowledgement of inherent worth and resilience of those facing housing challenges, like
ate Edna in Tondo, and beyond.
 Improving housing conditions like Ate Edna’s, is a complex but essential undertaking
that requires full cooperation of the government, which is a greater body with the highest
authority to conduct actions that could alleviate these issues; civil societies and
organizations, and the community itself. By implementing a comprehensive approach that
addresses both physical and socioeconomic aspects, it is possible to create a more equitable
and sustainable living environment for the residents. Socialized housing and affordable
housing programs are top solutions which are now present and done by authorities.
However, we should identify a concept which could be the most viable. Take vertical housing
for example, a program in which the current administration is looking into, is one of the
most plausible housing concepts that aims to contain a large number of families into one
compound and provide basic needs for them. Vertical Housing maximizes land use, in
densely populated urban areas like the slums where available land is limited and to allow for
efficient use of space, stacking housing units vertically is most likely the best option,
accommodating more families on a smaller building footprint, reducing the need for larger
areas. However, vertical housing projects should be planned to foster jobs and opportunities
to uplift economic conditions of each family that could sustain lives and prevents them into
migrating to other places which would offer them better opportunities, hence, a mixed-use
residential complex should I think be considered. However, it is crucial that a mixed-use
residential complex is planned and executed thoughtfully to ensure a favorable outcome. By
combining residential units with commercial and community spaces can provide affordable
and sustainable housing, job opportunities, essential amenities, and a sense of community
that still upholds the identity and culture of each while maximizing the use of land and
contributing to urban development.

These issues are multifaceted, encompassing challenges made by overpopulation,

inadequate infrastructure, limited economic opportunities and access to essential services,
that should be recognized and be attended to, however, amid these challenges there is hope
in the resilience and determination of people like Ate Edna that lies within the human spirit
which seems to be unbroken.