Blind singers serenade Manila's passers by

MANILA, Philippines--Bernard Corpuz and Marlene Tacson are born blind. But everyday for almost two years, they serenade passers by in the busy streets of Manila in exchange for some spare change. Video report by INQUIRER.net reporters Marjorie Gorospe and Lawrence Casiraya.

Shoestring Living in China

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Outlook For The Philippines Economy And Interest Rate Policy

Philippine economy grows at slowest pace in 3 years in second quarter; Philippines may raise rates as inflation hurts growth, Economists say; Analysis by Thomas Harr of Standard Chartered Bank, Senior Currency Strategist

Filipino Sailors Face Pirates and Financial Crisis

Despite the dangerous increase of piracy on the high seas, Filipino sailors, who make up 40 percent of the world's shipping crews, are more fearful of the global financial crisis than getting hijacked.


STORY:
The Philippines provides up to 40 percent of the world with sailors. And Filipinos make up 127 of the 243 sailors still held captive by Somali pirates.

The increasingly brazen attacks by pirates off Africa's east coast were well known among the seamen, but they were still eager to get back to sea.

Up to 1,000 seafarers gather every day at a park in downtown Manila to look for available jobs offered by some 100 shipping and manning agencies.

Advertised salaries range from $1,300 to $12,600 U.S. dollars per month for varying crew positions, a far cry from Manila's minimum wage of USD $7.64 a day.

Many were anxious to nail down jobs since they fear the mounting global financial crisis will begin to bite next year.

[Mario Isagani Aniora, Seaman]:
"We're more scared of the global financial crisis - because that's what will hurt us if the opportunities for seafarers disappear -- compared to passing through Somalia. We're not scared of that.”

Most belittle the threat of hijacking.

[Richard Mendez, Seaman]:
"It's just a matter of timing. Sometimes it's your turn to face danger. And maybe the vessels lack security. Anyway the manning agencies know where there are hijackings, so why do they still send sailors there?"

Manning agencies say there could be as many as 20,000 jobs lost next year due to the global economic slowdown.

Filipino migrants' jobs in jeopardy

Government statistics show that nine million Filipinos work outside the country - about 10 per cent of the population - supporting families back home.

About two million of them work in the Middle East, and now many fear they will lose their jobs as the economic downturn deepens.

Al Jazeera's Roza Ibragimova reports from Qatar

Filipino workers struggle amid economic downturn

In the Philippines, many families survive on money sent back by relatives with jobs abroad.

Known as OFW's or overseas Filipino workers, potentially millions of them face losing their jobs, thanks to the global downturn.

Marga Ortigas reports form Manila.

Migrant Workers Hurt by Slowdown

While much of the news about the global financial crisis has focused on failed Wall Street banks, migrant workers and their families around the world are starting to feel the pain of slower economic growth. Pros Laput traces how the crisis affects Filipino immigrants overseas and their families back home. He visited New York, Hong Kong and the Philippines and compiled this report narrated by Kate Pound Dawson.