‘Hindi okay to’: Money, community down the drain
By Dylan Mangahis, October 14, 2025
Since working in news, opening my phone daily has become a nightmare as a Filipino American journalist, and in the last few years, I’ve found it harder to be proud of my identity.
The homes where my heart stands are set between parallel failing governments and egotistical leaders.
Over the last few months, it’s come to light that the Philippines lost upward of $2 billion in flood relief funds and dropped them into the pockets of millionaires.
Philippines finance secretary Ralph Recto said the economy has lost between ₱42.3 billion to ₱118.5 billion ($738 million to $2 billion) to ghost projects from 2023 to 2025.
During the Development Budget Coordination Committee’s briefing at the Senate, Recto said without the correct management of money, the likelihood of it going to the right projects isn’t high, but the likelihood of it turning into nothing is higher.
Nearly two months before Recto’s statement, the U.S. granted ₱13.8 million in disaster relief for the severe flooding in Luzon. Yet the Philippines was left in utter disarray after Typhoon Nando.
Nando has displaced over 11,600 people, caused widespread power outages, school closures and infrastructure damage, according to the Adventist Review.
Beyond the disappearance of billions, netizens became their own detectives, alleging the money towards these “ghost” projects was being pocketed and dispersed to the politicians, contractors and their families.
The Philippines has always been viewed as a “third-world” country, and funneling billions of pesos into the pockets of millionaires and nepo babies is a surefire way to keep us there.
The buzz about the mishandling of funds first came about on social media via TikTok back in August.
In line with the aftermath of Nando, videos surged on Filipino TikTok of daughters of these contractors and politicians flaunting designer goodies; such as makeup, luxury cars, lavish vacations and carefree Get Ready with Me’s as citizens at home waded through disarray.
Gen-Z, particularly those who are chronically online, have become desensitized to nepo babies, millionaires and billionaires around the world wasting precious money. Now, we lack empathy for them.
Viewers crafted bold and sarcastic comments on how they should thank taxpayers for funding their travels and shopping sprees.
Then, protests started in the Philippines over allegations of corruption in flood control projects.
Thousands of Filipinos stormed the streets near the presidential palace Sept. 21, chanting for the resignation of Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. after zero progress was made to better protect the cities from flooding.
Confused and angered citizens marched to acknowledge and rage against the alleged theft of billions in taxpayer money.
As a Filipino American, I empathize with my homeland brothers and sisters and recognize their history of ill-fit presidents and poor government.
Filipina Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa spoke out on The Daily Show about the parallels between the Trump administration and the collapse of checks and balances in the Philippines.
“The Philippines has a constitution patterned after the United States, three coequal branches of government,” said Ressa. “And he [16th president Rodrigo Duterte] collapsed our institutions within six months.”
John Stuart replied Trump did it in eight, and Ressa laughed, agreeing he did it within his first hundred days. But Duterte isn’t the only Filipino president to mirror Trump’s leadership style.
Back in the 1970s, Marcos Jr.’s father Ferdinand Marcos initiated nationwide martial law that ignited a two-decade period of authoritarianism. Nearly a decade later, Sept. 21, 1986, a People Power protest marched in rebellion against Marcos’ fascism, making it one of the most historic protests in Philippine history.
Our immigrant parents knew not to pack their bags full of anxiety and worry after growing up under neglectful authority. They knew the fight was more than their present time, but for the forever that will precede them. They wanted to leave home with a win and to find a better life, the American dream.
With remnants of the American dream and the desire for that better life, they raised a ruthless generation of strong-willed soldiers from sea to sea.
“If you don’t stand up, it’ll be significantly harder to claw them back,” Ressa said.
53 years to the day, in the same streets, Gen Z-led protests had high schoolers waving “We study hard, you steal harder!” and “Stop flooding us with corruption!” signs. Nuns and priests walked with banners that read “In solidarity with victims of corruption seeking for accountability and justice.”
Others who joined in protest paraded the Japanese anime “One Piece” Jolly Roger flag, a marker of dissent popularized by Indonesian protests.
The peaceful protest turned violent after riot police deployed water cannons at the crowds of young people; later, they arrested more than 200, over 20 of whom were minors, according to The Guardian.
On the other side of the pond, Filipino Americans are coming together to educate those around us and provide donations.
Popular Gen Z dominant flea market SoulReal Market hosted a swagapino themed night Oct. 3 at the Anaheim Colony House.
Swagapino is a term popularized in the late 2000s to early 2010s. It refers to a subculture within the Philippines that combines hip-hop-inspired style with Filipino heritage.
The swagapino movement infected Fil-Ams in the states; many of us had siblings and cousins who proudly hosted a dominion of cultural celebration. So, it held a sentimental and nostalgic place in our hearts to hold a night to celebrate such an iconic era in Fil-Am culture.
The markets hosted by SoulReal are predominantly free to the public, but this special Colony House event donated 25% of ticket sales directly to organizations in the Philippines that are providing care and relief this typhoon season.
All Hands and Hearts has partnered with the Philippines since 2007 to help rebuild schools that were lost or damaged due to extreme weather and storms during typhoon season.
October is Pilipino American History Month. Remember no matter if you’re born here or in the motherland, you are seen, heard and loved.
To the brothers, sisters and siblings in America and in the Philippines, know your rights. We have shown throughout history that we won’t back down, now or ever. And even as an ally, we can use all the support we can get because the fight never stops.
Feature graphic courtesy of Connor Lālea Hampton
