The Other Arcades

Consoles, piracy, and friendship reign in Manila’s budget arcades.

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The Other Arcades
Photography by Nante Santamaria

This winter I went backpacking in the Philippines to escape the blizzards bombarding New York. Manila was a place I once called home, and a city I once knew well. I was on the lookout for new things to do when I heard of makeshift arcades, smaller than your average gaming hall and much more affordable—but with a bit of a catch.