Route 10 in Tondo is lined with shanty homes. I drive by them often and was surprised to see this new development on one of the squatter blocks. Metro Gwapo is the government's program for city beautification; a mission which more often than not simply covers Manila's unsightly qualities. In this case, pink ply wood was tacked over the squatter homes, giving the facade an uplift. I think they were going for a quaint cottage feel, squatter-chic at its worst. Inside of course, nothing has changed. Mazes of carved spaces are occupied by dozens of families, no natural light protruding, no fresh air flowing. The residents say they like the color though.