What is the importance of modern Manila in the story collection, The Woman Who Had Two Navels?

Modern Manila, for the purposes of this collection, generally refers to Manila in the mid- to late-twentieth century, a few decades after Spain ceded Manila to the United States, and directly after Intramuros is effectively reduced to ruins in World War II. As a result, much of Modern Manila was reconstructed after severe bombings during the war, replacing much of the historic Spanish-era buildings with more modern, westernized architecture. Modern Manila is also characterized by more westernized influences, as well as a more distinct proletariat and elite social, political, and economic class.