That's why it's such a popular choice as a movie location, according to Maria Roxas, a location manager on Batman Begins.

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Today Roxas chairman emeritus of Roxas Holdings, nation's largest producer of raw sugar and second-largest refiner of raw sugar.

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Mar Roxas, a dynastic senator himself, argues that demographics will gradually undermine political clans: as people move to the cities and receive more schooling, they will become more independent-minded.

ECONOMIST: The Philippines