Filipina Pea TV β€” Your Guide to the Philippines, Relationships, and Travel
← Back to Home

CAN YOU LIVE ON $800 PER YEAR? These Folks Can!

πŸ“… 2023-03-21⏱ 16:52
πŸ“… 2023-03-21 Β |Β  ⏱️ 16:52 Β |Β  πŸ‘οΈ 42.7K views Β |Β  πŸ‘ 5.2K likes Β |Β  πŸ’¬ 1.3K comments

This is a follow-up to Pea's previous video visiting a traditional Filipino family living in the mountains. Viewers were so moved by the family's happy but bare-bones life that they suggested things the family could use. Pea returns with a surprise care package of practical supplies, toys for the children, and ultimately drops the biggest surprise of all: the Filipina Pea channel will fund the construction of a brand-new house for the family.

Return visit setup ​

  • Pea arrives unannounced at the mountain family's home from the previous episode (the $15/week family)
  • The kids and Ate (the mother) are home making brooms from coconut leaves to sell
  • Each broom takes about one hour to make from roughly 500 sticks of coconut leaf, lasts about half a year
  • Even the youngest daughter knows how to help with broom-making
  • Pea explains the Philippine school system requires students to bring supplies like brooms, floor wax, mops, or coconut husk as part of their grade

Finding Kuya (the husband) at his farm ​

  • Kuya Herbie is out plowing the land, so they hike out to find him
  • Along the way, Pea stops to see the family's carabao (water buffalo) β€” they have four total
  • A female carabao just gave birth two days ago; the baby is unnamed, Pea suggests "James Bond"
  • Carabao prices: mature female is 20,000-25,000 pesos (~$500 USD), mature male is 40,000-50,000 pesos
  • Carabaos live about 10 years; the family does not slaughter them β€” Ate considers them pets
  • They find Kuya planting corn with his daughter Elizabeth

The care package reveal ​

  • Pea noticed on her last visit the family had only one fork and four spoons, so she brings a full cutlery set plus cooking utensils (ladle, spatula)
  • Flask/thermos for hot water β€” the family wakes at 4 AM, so Kuya can have hot water ready before heading to the farm
  • A smaller pot for light cooking and a bigger pot
  • A cushion mat β€” she noticed their makeshift sleeping mat last visit and says even though they look young, their backs need support
  • A hammock for siesta time so Kuya can play music while they relax
  • A solar-powered radio with a built-in rechargeable flashlight β€” critical since there's no electricity; charges in about three hours of indirect sunlight; provides light at night and entertainment
  • Pea jokes they can "play strip poker" with the cards once the kids are asleep

Toys for the kids β€” the "magical garden" bit ​

  • Pea tells the children their mama's garden has magical plants that grow toys once a year, and today is the day
  • The kids run out to find toys planted among the garden β€” stuffed animals, a bear, bubbles, and more
  • She also gives them a play castle/tent to store their toys in
  • The kids are ecstatic; the previous video revealed they had zero toys β€” no Barbies, no games, nothing
  • The youngest gets a stuffed bear and says she'll sleep with it alongside Kuya

The house announcement ​

  • After the fun, Pea makes the biggest surprise: the Filipina Pea channel will build the family a brand-new house
  • They can design it however they want β€” the channel will provide all materials and labor
  • Ate breaks down emotionally; Kuya is overwhelmed
  • Pea jokes "the next time I visit there's another baby coming" from the excitement
  • Ate says she'll assist with construction because "she knows her way with a machete and the hammer"
  • Pea says once the family drops their design plans, they'll start procuring materials and she knows a good construction crew
  • Kuya will supervise the build

Pea's reaction ​

  • Pea is visibly emotional and excited about the project, saying she can barely contain it
  • Promises to give viewers updates as the house construction progresses
  • Calls it "a terrific project" that's going to be fun

πŸ“Ί Watch the full video on YouTube

πŸ”” Subscribe to The Filipina Pea