The creative ways in which the women of Manila start and build businesses is ingenious. I was humbled to meet women who against all odds have survived and thrived in business. These Filipino entrepreneurs have novel ideas that they translate into businesses and hence provide jobs for others as well as an income for themselves. The selflessness of these women was heart warming. Everyone that I met had a deep commitment to her community. Some of the businesses were conceived purely to provide the community with work. Something else that impressed me was their acute awareness of environmental issues. These business owners were all caretaking their environment as well as their society.

A newly industrialised country, the Philippine economy has been transitioning from one based on agriculture to one based more on services and manufacturing. The women I met were largely running businesses in, or related to, agriculture - whether specialising in crafts, fashion or health and beauty. I was intrigued to see gorgeous handbags made from water hyacinths and I was fascinated to meet the farmer of the well known Civet Coffee that Jack Nicholson drank in the movie The Bucket List. She gave me some coffee and I was hesitant to taste it – not because of where it had passed through …  um…the civet cat’s bowels…but because if I liked it, I would not be able to afford more of it. Civet Coffee is the most expensive coffee in the world.

Manila is one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world with a population of 20 million people. In order to stay in business, one has to be extremely enterprising. The women I met were just that! They were practical, imaginative and quick-witted.  I was astounded at what they do with a single coconut – see the photo – belts, earrings, shampoos, soaps, body lotions, oils, baskets, bowls…resourceful indeed.