Book excerpt: The Modern Principalia is about the Philippine ruling elite--who they are and how they evolved in history. It delves into their economic interests as well as their lifestyles, how they acquired their wealth and built a world of their own. It describes their family links and their interlocking interests with other elites and foreign partners. The book also examines the values and behavior of the elite in politics and government, how they exploit the poverty and ignorance of the masses to win political power, and what they do with that power.