In the
Philippines, a
Mamma San is quite different from the description.
She does take care of a brood too, but not of men, but rather a brood of hospitality girls or prostitutes that cater mostly to japanese sex tourists.
Instead of having a male pimp "manage" them, some women who work the trade approach a known mamma san and ask if she can join. Usually these are pretty young girls (yes, pretty and young) who did not have very high education and need to send money back to their folks in the province.
Upon acceptance, she will be trained in the ways of her trade and in the behavior that she must assume. Some even learn japanese to better accomodate their clientele.
Though exploited, they are taken cared off and even brought for medical check ups regularly. Prostitution is illegal here in the Philippines but well, nobody can stop it.
If you think about it, it's actually like a bastardized version of the traditional Geisha House.