Manila is one of the world’s hottest cities – a bustling metropolis with a population of over ten million, situated well within the tropical band. It’s also one of the world’s poorest – an urban area where the difference between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ is bigger than in any other part of East Asia. 
This vast income divide and immense heat leaves almost 70 percent of the city’s population without access to air conditioning, despite its immense year-round heat. With the cost of electricity and ongoing air conditioning maintenance, it’s no wonder that many Filipinos have opted not to use the technology; average usage and repair costs would make up almost an entire three month salary annually.
But portable air conditioning units are being embraced by Filipinos, largely due to their simple operation and inexpensive running costs. As the systems can be placed anywhere in the home, users needn’t worry about installation costs of air filtering. The air coolers operate using a combination of water and ice, costing the average resident less than £3 weekly.
It’s a welcome addition to a city where many residents have taken to sleeping through the heat, aiming to avoid lost productivity and discomfort. While air conditioning systems are present in the city’s more affluent areas, alternative technologies and low-cost air coolers are quickly becoming Manila’s most popular option for cool, clean air.