The Blessings of Concrete

Ruins of Fort Santiago (c. 1943), Manila, Philippines. In the jungle, everything rots. What the Filipinos have done to preserve Fort Santiago — a sprawling fortress and dungeon complex dating to 1571 — is remarkable. They know concrete. They build their homes from it, their roads, their stores. Everything. Where the original 1943 sections have started to wear after decades of six-month rainy seasons, they've simply reinforced it with steel. The place remains impressive and a little frightening. The Morning After, Paniqui, Philippines. Too much concrete can feel like a prison, though. Cousin's Front Yard, Paniqui, Philippines. Plants help.