Philippine E-Journals

Ideal But ‘Imagined Environment’ Of the Youth of Baseco, 2002-2012

Angelito S. Nunag

Discipline: Philippine History

 

Abstract:

Environment is defined as the surrounding conditions that influence and modify an individual or community. Ideal environment can, therefore, be construed as the best setting where one realizes his/her maximum potential and existence. In February 2004, after a big fire, “development” came to Baseco, the poorest place in Manila which houses the majority of informal settlers of the city, thus radically transforming the place. In the minds of concerned agencies – NGOs and the local government of Manila – development as manifested through the physical transformation of the surroundings would translate into better life and opportunities. From the vantage point of the youth in Baseco, however, the outcome of development was contrary to what it was intended for. The “development” actually brought further alienation among the young residents of Baseco. In view of this, they created in their minds an “imagined environment” based on the Baseco of the past to counter this estrangement.