The Filipinos are probably just as good as they were a few years ago, they just happen to play less events...
This is what I posted about the poolscene in Manila in another thread, and is probably some of the answer.
"Not much to tell about talents. To be honest, things have changed, dramatically it seems like, since my first visit here in February 2007.
In 2007 there were lots of tournaments going on around the world, with the biggest of them, the 2006 and 2007 World 9-ball going in Manila, plus many other tournaments. In 2008 there were two billiard organisations here who put up maybe dozens of national tournaments with $10000 first prize, and during these years Philippines sent many players to international events.
This attracted lots of players and lots of backers, and much money was changing hands in the poolhalls.
Since 2006 the IPT died, World 9-ball quit, the World Ten Ball in Manila stiffed/delayed payments, US Open changed the payouts during a tournament, pool got bad rep it seems like, cause now there are very few top players around playing the game from day to day like before. Fewer Filipinos is also sent to international events. Even Efren skipped US Open and DCC two years ago.
In 2007 Django, Efren, Alcano, Orcullo, Gomez, De Luna etc were all at One Side, playing eachohter for 10 000 - 200 000 pesos a match. Those matches doesn't excist anymore, or are atleast very rare to happen.
Now the players who are just below these guys plays all the time, for 500-5000 pesos a match, and sometimes 15000-25000. The top guns stay away, and most of the backers have moved on. Maybe they practise on daytime, but the days of daily moneymatches between worldchamps seems to be gone.
It is still more than enough challenges for anyone who wants, there are lines of players eager to take on any white guy arriving, but I have to admit it was more fun playing moneymatches when you had players as Efren, Django and Alcano doing the same on the table next to you.
I will still recommend One Side and Manila for anyone who would like to improve their game, I'm just saying it is not what it used to be, and that I'm happy I was here three times during 2007 and 2008, when it most likely was at it's best.
Both pooladdict and Jay Helfert have been here a lot since 2006, so I would like their inputs on this. Maybe I have the wrong impression."