Little Philippines

A street in one of Little Philippines' outlying shantytowns

**Little Philippines** is a borough in Jade City, located south of the city of Empire Ramparts, north of Alabaster and northwest of the rich borough of Coronado. It is the poorest borough in Jade City, only rivaled by Nowak Heights in economic disparity, but is also one of the most population-dense areas of Jade City thanks to the bountiful amounts of shantytowns that exist beneath the many superhighways that cross through the area.

With a population of nearly seven hundred million people, Little Philippines has been at the epicenter of crime and disease within Jade City and the surrounding urban areas. Nevertheless, it is one of the socioculturally diverse regions of the Eastern Albion Megasprawl, with origins as a major Filipino colony that later welcomed immigrations from West Africa, Mexico, the British Isles, and United States of America.

## History

Little Philippines was established in the early 2100s, during a period of rapid and random settlement across the face of the recently terraformed world of Hyperion. The settlement was originally founded as a haven for Filipino immigrants seeking a better life amongst the stars, and away from the extreme metropolitan density found through the Philippines at the time. During this era, it was a small, close-knit community that flourished with the help of the local government's support for ethnic enclaves, and at one point was expected to become its own municipality.

However, as the population grew, so did the problems. The lack of infrastructure in this area of Albion, coupled with the influx of new immigrants from all over the Solar System, eventually led to overcrowding, poverty, and rampant crime that destroyed any dreams of becoming an independent city. Despite these challenges, the residents of Little Philippines persevered, building their own makeshift homes and communities in the shadows of the towering superhighways that now began to wrap around the planet.

Over the next few centuries, Little Philippines continued to evolve and adapt to its surroundings as it integrated into the municipality of Jade City. The settlement became a hub for black markets, smuggling, and other illicit activities, attracting a wide range of criminal elements to the area. As a result, the borough became synonymous with danger and lawlessness, a place where even the grunts of the Hyperion Police Department often feared to tread.

Despite this reputation, the people of Little Philippines remained fiercely loyal to their community, and over time, they developed a unique culture that blended the traditions of their Luzonian and Visayan roots with the diverse cultures of their neighbors. Their resilience and resourcefulness allowed them to survive in the harsh and unforgiving locale that was inner-city Albion, carving out a place for themselves amidst the chaos of the Eastern Albion Megasprawl.

By the late 2600s, Little Philippines had become an integral part of Jade City's cultural and economic landscape, being an epicenter of commerce for the lower class. Although it remained one of the poorest and most dangerous boroughs, it was also one of the most vibrant and diverse, a testament to the enduring spirit of its people.