Its More fun in the Philippines Asian Country

Explore the Philippines

2. Philippines, island country of
Southeast Asia in the western
Pacific Ocean. It is an
archipelago consisting of more
than 7,000 islands and islets lying
about 500 miles (800 km) off the
coast of Vietnam. Manila is the
capital, but nearby Quezon City
is the country’s most-populous
city. Both are part of the National
Capital Region (Metro Manila),
located on Luzon, the largest
island. The second largest island
of the Philippines is Mindanao, in
the southeast.
The Philippines takes its name from Philip
II, who was king of Spain during the
Spanish colonization of the islands in the
16th century. Because it was under
Spanish rule for 333 years and under U.S.
tutelage for a further 48 years, the
Philippines has many cultural affinities
with the West. It is, for example, the
second most-populous Asian country
(following India) with English as an
official language and one of only two
predominantly Roman Catholic
countries in Asia (the other being East
Timor). Despite the prominence of such
Anglo-European cultural characteristics,
the peoples of the Philippines are Asian
in consciousness and aspiration.

3. Where forests remain in northern Luzon, the principal
mountain tree is pine. In other areas, lauan (Philippine
mahogany) often predominates. Most of the Philippines’
vegetation is indigenous and largely resembles that of
Malaysia; the plants and trees of the coastal areas,
including the mangrove swamps, are practically
identical with those of similar regions throughout the
Malay Archipelago. Himalayan elements occur in the
mountains of northern Luzon, while a few Australian
types are found at various altitudes.
Plant and animal life
Although many of the
mountain regions and
some of the lowlands remain
heavily forested, the country’s
forests have been shrinking rapidly
for decades. Between the mid-20th
century and the early 21st century,
the country’s forestland was
reduced by more than half—largely
a result of logging, mining, and
farming activities—and now
accounts for less than one-fourth of
the country’s total land area.
The islands are home to
thousands of species of
flowering plants and ferns,
including hundreds of
species of orchids, some of
which are extremely rare.
Tall, coarse grasses such as
cogon (genus Imperata)
have arisen in many
places wherethe
forests have been
burned away.

4. The Philippines are inhabited by
more than 200 species of mammals,
including water buffalo (carabao),
goats, horses, hogs, cats, dogs,
monkeys, squirrels, lemurs, mice,
pangolins (scaly anteaters),
chevrotains (mouse deer),
mongooses, civet cats, and red and
brown deer, among others. The
tamarau (Anoa mindorensis), a
species of small water buffalo, is
found only on Mindoro. Of more
than 50 species of bats, many are
peculiar to the Philippines. Fossil
remains show that elephants once
lived on the islands.
Hundreds of species of birds
live in the Philippines, either for
all or part of the year.
Prominent birdlife includes
jungle fowl, pigeons,
peacocks, pheasants, doves,
parrots, hornbills, kingfishers,
sunbirds, tailorbirds,
weaverbirds, herons, and
quails. Many species are
endemic to the island of
Palawan. The endangered
Philippine eagle
(Pithecophagajefferyi) is
limited mainly to isolated
areas on Mindanao and in the
Sierra Madre on Luzon.

5. Ethnic groups
The ethnically diverse people of the Philippines collectively are called Filipinos. The ancestors
of the vast majority ofthe population were of Malay descent and came from the Southeast
Asian mainland as well as from what is now Indonesia. Contemporary Filipino society consists
of nearly 100 culturally and linguistically distinct ethnic groups. Of these, the largest are the
Tagalog of Luzon and the Cebuano of the Visayan Islands, each of which constitutes about
one-fifth of the country’s total population. Other prominent groups include the Ilocano of
northern Luzon and the Hiligaynon (Ilongo) of the Visayan islands of Panay and Negros,
comprising roughly one-tenth of the population each. The Waray-Waray of the islands of
Samar and Leyte in the Visayas and the Bicol (Bikol) of the Bicol Peninsula together account
for another one-tenth. Filipino mestizos and the Kapampangans (Pampango) of south-
central Luzon each make up small proportions of the population.

6. Languages
Estimates of the total number of native languages and dialects spoken in the Philippines differ, but
scholarly studies suggest that there are some 150. Most of the country’s languages are closely
related, belonging to one of several subfamilies of Austronesian—more specifically, Western
Malayo-Polynesian—languages. The major languages of the country generally correspond to the
largest ethnic groups. Tagalog is the most widespread language of the Central Philippine
subfamily, with the bulk of its native speakers concentrated in Manila, central and south-central
Luzon, and the islands of Mindoro and Marinduque. The national language of the Philippines,
Pilipino (also called Filipino), is based on Tagalog and shares a place with English (the lingua
franca) as an official language and medium of instruction.
Tagalog (including Pilipino) has the most extensive written literature of
all Philippine languages. Cebuano, also a Central Philippine
language, is used widely in Cebu, Bohol, eastern Negros, western
Leyte, and parts of Mindanao. Ilocano is the most commonly spoken
language of the Northern Luzon subfamily, and its speakers constitute
the third largest language community of the Philippines.

7. Religion
Some four-fifths of Filipinos profess Roman Catholicism.
During the 20th century the religion gained strength
through growth in the number of Filipinos in the church
hierarchy, construction of seminaries, and, especially
after 1970, increased involvement of the church in the
political and social life of the country. Jaime Cardinal
Sin, archbishop of Manila, was one of the country’s
most politically outspoken spiritual leaders of the late
20th century.
Adherents of other denominations of Christianity
constitute roughly one-tenth of the population. The
Philippine Independent Church (the Aglipayans),
established in 1902 in protest againstSpanish control of
the Roman Catholic Church, has several million
members. The indigenous church called Iglesia niCristo,
also founded in the early 20th century, has a smaller
but nonetheless significant following.
Islam was brought to the southern Philippines
in the 15th century from Brunei (on Borneo),
to the west. The religion was already well
established in the Sulu Archipelago and
Mindanao by the time of European contact,
and it had a growing following around
Manila. Contemporary Muslim Filipino
communities, collectively known as Moros,
are largely limited to the southern islands and
account for about 5 percent of the
population.
Small numbers of Filipinos practice Buddhism
or local religions. Buddhism is associated
primarily with communities of Chinese
descent. Local religions are maintained by
some of the rural indigenous peoples.

8. Settlement patterns
The plains lying amid the mountains—
for example, the central plain of Luzon
and the central plain of Panay—have
long had the greatest density of
population in the islands, except Cebu,
where the people have lived mostly on
the coastal plain because of the
island’s high and rugged interior.
In the non-industrialized areas
of these regions, the cultivation
of rice or corn (maize) and fishing
provide basic subsistence. In the rural
areas, houses are often small, consisting
of just one or two rooms, and are elevated
on piles. The open spaces below the structures
are used to store tools and other household
belongings, as well as live chickens and other smaller
farm animals. Especially in the fishing communities of
coastal regions, houses are typically raised above
the ocean, river, or floodplain to accommodate
boat traffic and the ebb and flow of the tides. There
are often elevated networks of walkways that
connect the houses within the community.

9. Demographic trends
The population density of the Philippines
is high, but the distribution of the
population is uneven. Parts of Metro
Manila have a population density that is
more than 100 times that of some
outlying areas such as the mountainous
area of northern Luzon. The country’s
birth rate remains significantly higher
than the world average, as well as the
average for the Southeast Asian region.
Efforts since the mid-20th century to slow
the overall growth rate have had limited
success, in part because reductions in
the birth rate have been offset to some
degree by reductions in the death rate.
East and Southeast Asia.
Especially since World War II, population has tended to
move from rural areas to towns and cities. At the beginning
of the 20th century more than four-fifths of the population
was rural, but by the early 21st century that proportion had
dropped to roughly two-fifths. There is a considerable
amount of Filipino emigration, particularly of manual
labourersand professionals. Many emigrants have gone to
the United States, Okinawa, Guam, and Canada; in
addition, a large number ofskilled and semiskilled workers
have taken temporary overseas assignments, mainly in the
Middle East and, increasingly, in East and Southeast Asia.

10. Philippine society is a unique blend of diversity
and homogeneity. Although geographically
part of Southeast Asia, the country is culturally
strongly Euro-American. Forces of assimilation
have constantly worked to overcome cultural
differences between the various ethnic groups
that are scattered—sometimes in relative
isolation—throughout the archipelago. Nearly
four centuries of Western rule, however, have
left an indelible imprint on the Philippines,
serving as a conduit for the introduction of
Western culture and as the catalyst for the
emergence of a sense of Philippine political
and cultural unity. cultural acquisitions.
While the Christian churches built by the Spanish
and the mosques built by the Muslims provided a
spiritual anchor, the educational system
established by the United States and expanded
by the Filipinos has become emblematic of
cultural unity and socioeconomic progress.
Nonetheless, through the persistence of strong
family ties, the revival of the barangayas the
smallest unit of government, increased attention
to Asian history and literature, and subsequent
revival of dormant traditions, the Philippines has
strengthened its Asian heritage without
abandoning its Western cultural acquisitions.
Cultural milieu

11. Daily life and social customs
Life in the Philippines generally revolves around the extended family, including
parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins (up to several times removed), and
other relatives. For Catholic families, godparents—those to whom care of children is
entrusted should the parents die or otherwise be incapacitated—also figure
prominently in the kinship network. Members of extended families typically gather
for major life events such as baptisms and confirmations (for Catholic
Filipinos), circumcisions (for Muslim Filipinos), and marriages, as well as
for major religious and other national holidays. Among the
religious holidays officially observed in the Philippines
are Christmas and Easter, as well as Eid al-Fitr,
which marks the end of the Muslim fasting
month of Ramadan.
Other major holidays include New Year’s Day, Labor Day (May 1),
and Independence Day (June 12). Whether festival fare or everyday food,
major meals in most Filipino societies are built around boiled or steamed
rice or rice noodles. Small amounts of meat, including chicken, pork (in
non-Muslim communities), goat, or fish complement the rice or noodle
core, along with an assortment of fruits and cooked vegetables. Assorted
alcoholic drinks are made from coconut sap, sugarcane, and rice. Balut, a
parboiled embryonic duck still in the egg, is a popular street food in the
Manila area.

12. 1. Filipinos love
basketball.
It’s not unusual to see makeshift
basketball hoops and courts
even in the most remote and
rural villages. Basketball is a way
of life for Filipinos, mainly
because it’s a team sport that is
as popular as it is acceptable.
The professional league is known
as the Philippine Basketball
Association (PBA), which is also
the second oldest in the world
just after the NBA.

13. 2. The Philippines is the
world’s number 2 producer
and exporter of coconuts
Around 19.5 million tons of coconuts
are shipped off each year to
countries such as Japan, Germany,
China, and the United States,
making coconuts one of the most
important contributors to the local
economy. Also referred to as the
tree of life, coconut trees provide
livelihoods for around a third of the
Philippine population.

14. 3. Filipinos are extremely
sociable people
We mean –really sociablyto the extent
that their use of mobile phonesfor
staying in touch with family and friends
has earned the country the nickname of
being the “texting capital of the world”.
It’s one of the most unusual facts about
Filipinos, but they will not hesitate to send
a lot of text messages –they love it! It’s
estimated that Filipinos send around 400
million text messages every day, which
corresponds to 142 billion sentences a
year. This number is more than the
combined number of daily text
messages sent in Europe and the United
States together. And the number just
continues to grow as more people gain
access to mobile phones.

15. 4. Filipinos love to eat
Who does not, you say? But the Philippines have
‘official’ four meals a day. The locals’ love for dining
is one of the facts about food that any visitor should
know. After breakfast, it’s not uncommon to see
Filipinos enjoying a mid-morning break of coffee and
bread (locally known as pan de sal); followed by
lunch, then a later afternoon snack or dessert known
as merienda. Rice is also important in Filipino cuisine,
so don’t be surprised if you see locals eating rice with
every meal.

16. 5. Guess the bird!
The national symbol of the Philippines is also the
national bird: the incredible monkey-eating eagle,
also known as the Philippine eagle. It is considered
the largest among all eagles, and its wingspan can
be as large as 7 feet wide. Sadly, the Philippine
eagle is critically endangered and getting caught
killing one may be punishable by a heavy fine and
up to 12 years in prison. It is estimated that there are
less than 500 of them left in the country.

17. 6. Let’s sing!
Karaoke is an important part of Filipino culture.
Karaoke bars are a popular social activity among
Filipinos of all ages, but it’s also extremely common
to see karaokesgrace homes throughout the
country. Whether one knows how to sing or not,
karaoke is a well-loved activity that is also
predominant among the rural and provincial areas.
Karaoke is so popular all throughout the Philippines
that even families who live in nipa or bamboo huts
have karaoke equipment!
Another interesting tidbit about karaoke is that the
very first karaoke machine in the world was actually
builtby a Japanese musician and inventor named
Daisuke Inoue, although a Filipino inventor named
Roberto del Rosario is responsible for patenting the
machine. Del Rosario came up withthe Karaoke
Sing-Along System back in 1975.

18. 7. Filipinos love their shopping
malls.
Yes, we mean shopping malls, not just simply
shopping. Visitors can probably tell that this is
one of the fun facts about the Philippines with
just one trip. Even if they don’t buy anything,
locals love to hang out in shopping malls
because they’re air-conditioned, so are a
great way to stay cool despite the humidity
outside. Additionally, three of the biggest
shopping malls in the world are found in the
Philippines: they are the SM Mall of Asia, SM
Megamall, and SM North Edsa.

19. 8. The Philippines are a great destination
for buying pearls
Three of the largest pearls known in the world have
been found in the Philippines. The biggest of all is the
Pearl of Lao Tzu, found in Brooke’s Point, Palawan in
1934 by a Filipino diver. The Pearl of Lao Tzu is 9.45
inches in diameter, andweighs a shocking 14
pounds!

20. 9. One of the most
devastating volcanic
eruptions ever happened in
the Philippines
On June 15, 1991, the Philippines
suffered one of the most
devastating volcanic eruptions in
the history of the world. Located
just a few hours away from the
capital of Manila, the blast of
Mount Pinatubo was so powerful
that it sent 10 billion metric tons of
magma to the air. The blast
caused global temperatures to
change by 1 degree.

21. 10. Jeepneys are a quintessential Filipino
experience
Jeepneys are a form of transportation that is unique
to the Philippines. It’s common to see many locals
using jeepneys as their daily means of commuting in
large cities around the country right alongside
private cars, taxis, and large buses. The designated
routes of jeepneys are painted along their windshield
or their sides. They can accommodate up to 25
people and have open ventilation. Jeepneys are
easily spotted thanks to their vibrant and flashy
décor. Jeepneys were originally made from the
thousands of military jeeps that the Americans left
behind once World War II finished. The
resourcefulness of Filipinos saw it as an opportunity to
create efficient forms of transportation which are still
widely used in present times. Today, jeepneys have
become a symbol of Philippine culture and many
foreigners purchase miniature versions to take back
home as a souvenir.

22. 11. Filipinos have a passion for
boxing
Whenever world-famous Filipino fighter
Manny Pacquiao has a televised fight,
it seems like a national holiday
throughout the country due to the
absence of cars on the road and
even people in the mall. This is
because Filipinos are glued to the
television set, excitedly anticipating
the win of Manny Pacquiao. The
Philippine National Police has even
reported that there is a drop in crime
in Metro Manila each time Manny
Pacquiao has a fight!

23. 12. The Philippines are home to one
of the longest subterranean rivers
in the world
Before the discovery of a 10 km underground
river in Mexico, Palawan’s Puerto Princesa
Subterranean River was recognized as the
longest subterranean river in the whole
world. These astonishing geography fact
continues drawing millions of tourists who
come to marvel at the natural wonders of
the subterranean river to Puerto Princesa
each year.

24. 13. Erythromycin was
invented in the Philippines
Erythromycin, a well-known
antibiotic in the global medical
community, was invented by a
Filipino named Dr. Abelardo Aguilar
back in 1949. This is one of the
important facts about the Philippines
because erythromycin has saved
millions of lives.

25. 14. Jollibee is as popular in the
Philippines as McDonald’s elsewhere
Jollibee is considered iconic in the Philippines.
Jollibee is the fast-food equivalent of McDonald’s in
the Philippines, a well-known chain that is loved so
much that several branches have opened up
abroad especially in locations popular with overseas
foreign workers (OFW). Back in 1975, Jollibee started
out as a humble ice cream parlor by a Filipino
named Tony Tan. Over time, it evolved into a fast
foodchain known for delicious Filipino-style burgers,
hotdogs, and spaghetti. Jollibee’s mascot, a bright
red bee, is said to represent the Filipino spirit: always
“jolly” and optimistic!

26. 15. English is widely spoken
Getting the informationyou need when you’re
traveling around the country is easy because English
is widely spoken, even when it’s broken at best.
Tagalog is the local language, although there are as
many as 175 individual dialects that are spoken in
different regions around the country. 171 of these are
still in use, but the other four are already considered
obsolete.
16. Filipinos like to be polite
One of the most important facts is that politeness is
considered an art form in the Philippines. It’s
common for locals to address foreigners as “sir” or
“ma’am” no matter how old you are; while younger
Filipinos refer to older men and women as “ate” (big
sister) or “kuya” (big brother), even without relation.
Pregnant women, the disabled, and the elderly also
have their own special line at banks so that they can
bypass the crowd.

27. 16. Many Tagalog words
have Spanish origin
Because the Philippines was
under Spanish rule for over 300
years, many of the Tagalog
words used today are actually
derivedfrom the Spanish
language. It’s estimated that
around 20% of Tagalog words
are actually Spanish. Common
Tagalog words that are
actually Spanishare: gwapo
(handsome), kwento(story),
pamilya(family), sapatos
(shoes), and much more.

28. 18. Catholicism coexists peacefully with
ancient beliefs here
Even though the Philippines are
predominantly Catholic, Holy Week
celebrations in the country get bloody and
gory. This is because Catholic beliefs are
already so intertwined with ancient customs,
one of which is a tradition called penitensya
which is a form of asking forgiveness from the
gods by whipping oneself bloody. The act is
meant to mimic the scene of Jesus’ suffering
on the cross before his execution. What’s
even more unusual is that penitents can also
ask to be crucified on the cross voluntarily. It
may seem like a gruesome ritual, but many
foreigners enjoy observing the spectacle
during Holy Week

29. 19. Christmas is the longest holiday in the Philippines
The Christmas season usually starts in September, as malls already play
holiday songs and shopping bazaars begin to sprout throughout the
city. Filipinoslove celebrating Christmas so much that homes already
have decors as early as September. Additionally, there are also several
religious activities that Filipinos take part in throughout the Christmas
season. These include the Night Mass, known locally as simbanggabi,
which is when Filipinos attend mass services 9 days in a row leading up
to Christmas Eve, all held at the crack of dawn. It is said that if Filipinos
can make the sacrifice of attending the night mass, then their wish will
be granted
20. The bell tower of PaoayChurch in IlocosNorte
was an observation post, used by Filipino fighters from different eras of
the country’s colonial past.

30. Thankyou.
References:
https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines
https://12go.asia/en/philippines/interesting-facts
https://www.zenrooms.com/blog/post/facts-about-philippines/