Walk into a private dinner in Manila’s society circles and it’s all anyone talks about.
Inside mansions and luxury apartments, talk has turned to Trump and a growing unease that there is no easy way to ride out the storm, especially with the supply of critical fuel at risk and President Marcos now declaring a national energy emergency.
Prices have also risen to the point that even the ultra wealthy are taking notice.
A respected fund manager told us an upcoming work trip to Italy, worth only $6,000 weeks ago in business class, has tripled to around $18,000 (P1.1 million).
At a recent soirée hosted by a society figure, war became the central topic of the evening.
“These aren’t the type of people who ruminate on such things. But that’s all they talked about,” we were told.
An aging tycoon said he was worried the Philippine government isn’t ready to face the shockwaves heading our way, but also conceded that few nations, especially in Asia, are prepared anyway.
Another Forbes-listed billionaire, unsure how long the conflict might last, said: “I think we need prayers for that.”
What’s striking about these conversations is that many among the country’s elite, despite being in a position to withstand a prolonged crisis, were most worried about ordinary Filipinos.
First comes energy, then jobs, and finally food security.
“They’re worried about what’s going to happen to the country. Even I’m worried,” the fund manager said. “We all live here too.”
