Shares memories of handing out sweets to children amid hunger, poverty, and daily struggles in Manila’s largest district.
Japanese content creator and former adult film actress Eimi Fukada has drawn widespread online attention and sympathy after reminiscing on her visit to Tondo, Manila, where she handed out sweets to children and witnessed firsthand the realities of poverty in some of the capital’s most deprived communities.
In an Instagram post, Fukada recalled a trip to Tondo two years ago, saying she was moved by the smiles of local children despite their difficult living conditions. She noted that in some communities, eating only once a day is not uncommon and referenced “pagpag,” the controversial practice of cleaning and recooking discarded food.
The Japanese creator said the experience inspired her to support a children’s feeding initiative, expressing hope that more young people would receive assistance in the future.
Her remarks have renewed discussions about the conditions faced by thousands of families living in Tondo, the most populous district of Manila, and is also home to some of the country’s largest informal settlements.
Areas such as Barangay 105, more commonly known as Happyland, have long been symbols of urban poverty. Many residents survive through scavenging, informal labor, and low-paying jobs tied to nearby ports and commercial areas. Access to sanitation, healthcare, education, and stable housing remains a challenge for many families.
Poverty’s impact is often felt most heavily on children. Community groups and social advocates have repeatedly raised concerns over chronic hunger, school dropouts, child labor, and limited access to basic services in several informal settlements across Tondo.
Despite decades of economic growth across Metro Manila, many communities in Tondo continue to face the same challenges of hunger, overcrowding, and insecure livelihoods. Fukada’s post began as a personal reflection but also serves as a reminder of the realities experienced by some of the country’s poorest families.
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