The Artex Compound was once a thriving community of laborers working for the Artex Yupangco Textile Mills Corporation. Workers staged a strike in 1984, however, because of low wages. The company fought back, claiming that their low wage was compensated by free housing. Neither side wanted to back down until the company eventually closed in 1989. Workers decided to stay and claim the property as theirs.

 

But unemployment wasn't their only concern. The compound, being the lowest point of Malabon, was constantly flooded whenever it rained due to its location. In 2004, due to continuous rains, the floods came and never left. Many have gone, but those who remained learned to live a life with water as both their companion and foe.