Since 1993, Spiegel reporter Thilo Thielke has been traveling repeatedly to the Philippines. His journeys take him from the metropolis of Manila through the northern island group of Luzon, the Visayas in the middle, to Mindanao in the south. He meets the eccentric Imelda Marcos and her son, the successful politician Bongbong, spends a few days with boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, and tells stories about the survival struggles of the waste pickers at Pier 18, rice researchers, and Muslim rebels, as well as environmentalists and peace activists. Thielke has a talent for bringing the tumultuous history of the Philippines to life. His reports on politics and economics, culture and society are precise. His observations about everyday life evoke sympathy for the way of life of Filipinos. He connects with people: from the ordinary folks on the street to the prominent figures in politics, business, and sports.