The movie “Slumdog Millionaire” striked me as there are a lot of similarities in the living conditions of

the characters in the movie to the living conditions of people in Manila, Philippines. Some of the
similarities that I noticed regarding the daily lives of people in the movie Slumdog Millionaire and people
living in Manila, Philippines in terms of housing conditions were:

Firstly, overcrowding. Overcrowding is a common issue for both Slumdog Millionaire (which takes place
in India) and Manila. In India, it is estimated that around 13.7% of the urban population lives in slums,
where overcrowding is a major problem. In Manila, according to a research by World Population Review,
2021. The population density is one of the highest in the world, with an average of 42,857 people per
square kilometer, leading to cramped living conditions and overcrowding in some areas. Another
similarity I noticed was the prevalent informal settlements of the citizens or more commonly known as
“squatters”. Informal settlements, which are also known as slums, are a common housing type for both
Slumdog Millionaire and Manila. In India, it is estimated that around 65 million people live in slums,
while in Manila, an estimated 3 million people live in informal settlements according to UN-Habitat,
2019. Lastly, the final similarity I noticed were the poor living conditions. In India, it is estimated that
around 53% of slum households lack access to basic services like water and sanitation, while in Manila,
many residents of informal settlements lack access to basic amenities like clean water, sanitation, and
electricity, also according to UN-Habitat, 2019.

There were differences that I noticed too, two of those being:

Firstly, though both citizens in the Slumdog Millionaire and Manila experience poor housing conditions,
the severity and nature of the conditions may differ. In Slumdog Millionaire, the characters live in
makeshift structures with poor sanitation and little access to basic amenities. In contrast, while some
residents of Manila may also experience poor living conditions in informal settlements, others may live
in more permanent structures with access to basic services. There were also differences in Government
Response regarding the situation of the people. In India, the government has implemented several
programs and policies aimed at improving housing conditions in slums, such as the Jawaharlal Nehru
National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). In contrast, the government in Manila has historically had
more projects regarding informal settlers, however while the government in Manila has also
implemented various programs aimed at improving housing conditions, there are still significant
challenges in providing affordable housing and addressing the needs of those living in informal
settlements (UN-Habitat, 2019).

In terms of beliefs and traditions and way of life of the Filipinos and the people in the movie Slumdog
Millionaire, there were similarities I noticed regarding strong family ties. Both Filipinos and the
characters in Slumdog Millionaire value strong family ties and prioritize their families above all else. In
the Philippines, family is considered the most important social unit, with 80% of Filipinos saying that
family is the most important aspect of their lives, according to the Pew Research Center, 2021. In
Slumdog Millionaire, the main character Jamal is motivated to win the game show to help his family.
Both cultures are also similar in terms of religious diversity. Both Filipinos and the characters in Slumdog
Millionaire come from diverse religious backgrounds. In the Philippines, the majority of the population is
Roman Catholic, while a significant minority practices Islam, Protestantism, and other faiths according to
Philippine Statistics Authority, 2020. In Slumdog Millionaire, the main characters are Muslim, and the
film portrays religious tensions between Hindus and Muslims. The final similarity I noticed was the
resilience of the people. Both Filipinos and the characters in Slumdog Millionaire exhibit resilience in the
face of adversity. In the Philippines, the concept of "bayanihan," or the spirit of communal unity and
cooperation in times of hardship, is deeply ingrained in Filipino culture according to Philippine News
Agency, 2020. In Slumdog Millionaire, the characters face numerous challenges and obstacles but
persevere through their determination and resilience.

The difference I noticed was:

Filipinos have a diverse cultural heritage that is shaped by their history, geography, and religion. The
Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country, and religion plays a significant role in the lives of
Filipinos. Many Filipino traditions and customs are rooted in their Catholic faith, such as celebrating
Christmas and other religious holidays, attending Mass regularly, and observing Lent. On the other hand,
"Slumdog Millionaire" portrays the lives of impoverished children living in the slums of Mumbai, India.
The characters in the movie come from a different cultural and religious background, as India is
predominantly Hindu, with significant Muslim and Sikh minorities. The movie shows how poverty and
social inequality affect the lives of these characters and how they struggle to survive in their harsh living
conditions.

Each individual culture plays a part in affecting efficient shelter in terms of building practices. The
traditional building practices and materials used in a culture can impact the efficiency of shelter. For
instance, in areas with a history of earthquakes, buildings constructed with traditional materials like
adobe or mud may be less resilient and less efficient in providing safe shelter compared to those built
with more modern materials. Another factor is family and community ties. The culture of a group of
people or place can also affect the way people approach shelter in terms of communal living. In cultures
with strong family or community ties, there may be a preference for communal living arrangements,
which can impact the design and construction of housing. This is evident in the Philippines where it is
not uncommon for adults to still live with their parents even if they are already married/already have
spouses unlike in the United States of America where they value independence more and is considered
shameful if you still live with parents when you are married. Another is economic factors such as income
and access to resources, can also be influenced by cultural factors, which in turn can impact the
efficiency of shelter. For instance, in cultures where homeownership and independence is highly valued
like as stated earlier, the United States, people may prioritize investing in their own homes, which can
impact the availability of affordable rental housing or public housing options. The final one being cuisine.
Filipino cuisine is diverse and influenced by various cultures due to the country historically having been
colonized by multiple colonizers, including Spanish, Chinese, and Malay. Filipino cuisine is known for its
use of various spices and flavors, including vinegar, garlic, and ginger. In contrast, in Slumdog
Millionaire, the characters eat a predominantly vegetarian diet due to their Muslim faith.

With those said, I certainly believe that the main character was destined to succeed in the game Who
Wants To Be A Millionaire, as most of the questions that he was asked in the game were only able to be
answered by him because he had experiences growing up that helped him. It was destiny.

Rising out of poverty is a multifaceted challenge that cannot be attributed to a single solution or
strategy. However, here are some possible ways to rise amidst poverty. Firstly, education. Education is a
powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. According to the World Bank, 2021, every year of
schooling can increase a person's income by up to 10%. In addition, education can lead to better health
outcomes and increased social mobility. However, access to education is still a challenge in many
impoverished communities. For example, in Sub-Saharan Africa, 30 million children of primary school
age are not in school according to UNESCO, 2021. Another is social safety nets. Social safety nets are
programs that provide assistance to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, the disabled, and those
living in extreme poverty. Social safety nets can include programs such as cash transfers, food subsidies,
and healthcare services. According to the World Bank, 2021, social safety nets can reduce poverty by
25% and extreme poverty by 40%. However, social safety nets are often underfunded and face
challenges such as corruption and inefficiency. It is important to note that poverty is a complex issue
that requires a comprehensive and sustained effort from individuals, communities, and governments.
There is no single solution or strategy that can address poverty in all its dimensions, and different
approaches may be more effective in different contexts.