A now-viral social media post from a Filipino citizen has been making rounds on Facebook, resonating deeply with many netizens as it highlights the stark contrast between public services in the Philippines and Taiwan. The post, shared on the “r/MANILA” community, captures the sentiment of a first-time traveler who found themselves both amazed and frustrated by the differences in basic services between the two nations.
The poster, a self-proclaimed “Batang Maynila,” shared that they grew up in Manila, having lived in various areas including Sampaloc, Quiapo, Ermita, Pandacan, and Tondo. They reflect on their humble beginnings and their eventual trip to Taipei, Taiwan, where they had the opportunity to experience a vastly different culture.
“Holy f***,” they exclaimed after experiencing the organized public systems in Taiwan. They were particularly impressed with the country’s basic public services such as transportation and infrastructure, which they described as highly efficient and well-maintained. “Yung mga basic na serbisyo talagang binigay sa tao,” the post noted, referencing the public transport systems that operate punctually and the disciplined adherence to road rules despite the absence of heavy enforcement.
The user continued to highlight how the cost of living in Taiwan reflected “value for money,” contrasting it with their experiences in the Philippines. They expressed frustration, stating, “Dun ko na realize na tang in* sobrang corrupt satin. Hindi binigay yung mga basic satin,” pointing to systemic corruption in their home country as the root cause for these disparities.