The startling moment a young woman slowly emerged from an underground manhole in Makati City, Philippines, has captivated and disturbed many, leading to widespread curiosity about her identity.
Recently, William Roberts, an office worker living in Makati City, encountered an astonishing sight while walking home. Around 5:30 PM on May 26th, as he paused at a pedestrian corner, he was shocked to see a head appear from a manhole cover near the curb. The haunting moment left him stunned, unsure of what was unfolding. “A head popped out, then her hands, and the woman’s entire body slowly climbed out of the manhole. When she fully crawled out, I was frozen stiff, like I was watching a horror movie. It took me a few seconds to realize she was a real person and grab my phone to take a picture. She seemed quite panicked and ran off towards Amorsolo Street,” he recalled.
Intrigued by what he had witnessed, Roberts decided to return to the scene on another day. This time, he observed more closely and noticed that the manhole’s opening was much larger than he initially imagined. At the bottom, there was a large pipe wide enough for an adult to pass through.
Roberts’ post garnered significant attention, with many expressing concern about the young woman’s identity. According to local television station TV Patrol, the woman’s name is Rose. The manhole she emerged from is connected to a network of underground drainage tunnels that run throughout Makati City. This area is heavily polluted with accumulated garbage and rainwater. However, it has also served as a dwelling for dozens of homeless people.
Gino Antonio Trinidad, a research fellow specializing in urban poverty at the University of the Philippines, stated that it’s no longer uncommon for homeless people in the city to live under bridges or in cemeteries, but emerging from an underground sewer in the heart of an urban center is an issue the government needs to address.
Makati City Police Chief, Jean Dela Torre, recently stated at a press conference that there are cases like Rose’s where individuals are forced to turn drainage systems into homes. Local authorities have discovered various items under the manholes, such as pliers and clothing.
Police also indicated that besides Rose, three other individuals are using the city’s drainage system as temporary shelter. Surveillance camera footage shows that within less than a minute, three people could enter the manhole where Rose was found.
When interviewed, Rose admitted to facing financial difficulties. She had previously spoken with staff from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. “I was surprised to see passersby looking at me as I emerged from the manhole. Seeing that I was noticed, I got scared and ran away,” she said.
Currently, local authorities plan to provide Rose with 80,000 Philippine pesos (approximately 40 million VND) in cash to help her start a small convenience store business.
The Philippine government has implemented a social housing program for the poor. However, many homeless individuals living under bridges or in cemeteries are unable to access this program because they are classified as living on the streets or being informally settled.
According to 2023 statistics from the non-governmental organization Joly Homes Foundation, there are currently approximately 4.5 million homeless people in the country, with nearly 3 million of them living in Manila.