.
Time to collect some background info on the country before I pack off. It's a habit that I have. Prior to touring a country in the past, I used to pour over travel books and magazines to learn something about it.
Snap info..............................The Geography..................The Languages
Brief History.........................The Economy.....................The Religion
How the country is run........The People........................The Culture
Map of Philippines
SNAP INFO:
The Philippines comprises of 7,107 islands
Population:.................About 90 million -- world's 12th largest.
GDP:..........................Over US$117 billion -- 37th largest national economy in the world.
Overseas workers:....World's largest diaspora -- 11 % of the population works overseas.
Hegemony:.................Under Spanish rule 16th century to 1896. American territory at beginning of 20th century to 4 Jul 1946.
Cultural influences:.....Chinese, Malaysian, Indonesian, Spanish, Latin American and USA.
Religion:......................Predominantly Roman Catholicism although pre-Hispanic indigenous religious practices still exist; there are also some Muslims mainly in the southern island of Mindanao
Official language:........Spanish until 1973. Since then, the two official national languages areTagalog and English.
Time to collect some background info on the country before I pack off. It's a habit that I have. Prior to touring a country in the past, I used to pour over travel books and magazines to learn something about it.Snap info..............................The Geography..................The Languages
Brief History.........................The Economy.....................The Religion
How the country is run........The People........................The Culture
Map of Philippines
SNAP INFO:
The Philippines comprises of 7,107 islands
Population:.................About 90 million -- world's 12th largest.
GDP:..........................Over US$117 billion -- 37th largest national economy in the world.
Overseas workers:....World's largest diaspora -- 11 % of the population works overseas.
Hegemony:.................Under Spanish rule 16th century to 1896. American territory at beginning of 20th century to 4 Jul 1946.
Cultural influences:.....Chinese, Malaysian, Indonesian, Spanish, Latin American and USA.
Religion:......................Predominantly Roman Catholicism although pre-Hispanic indigenous religious practices still exist; there are also some Muslims mainly in the southern island of Mindanao
Official language:........Spanish until 1973. Since then, the two official national languages areTagalog and English.
BRIEF HISTORY
Homo sapiens existed some 50,000 years ago on Palawan. The first wave of settlers came about 30,000 years ago. These were the negritoes. The second wave came about 6,000 years ago and these were the Taiwanese aboriginals. These group settled all over South East Asia.
In the early days, Islam came to Philippines via Malaysia and Indonesia via the trade route. There was no Islamic soverignty then. People lived in communities under local datos or atos (headman).
Then came the Spanish invasion. Ferdinand Megallan arrived in 1521 and claimed the islands for Spain. Phillip II was king of Spain at the time, so the colony was named Philippines (Filipinas) after him. The Spanish settled initially in Cebu. The archipelago of previously independent islands and communities then become a unified state. The Spanish introduced western civilisation to Philippines so then there was written law, books, calendar, and of course Roman Catholicism, etc.
What brought the Americans here? The Spanish-American War in 1898. This started in Cuba and included a battle in Philippines. The Spanish lost and ceded Guam, Puerto Rico and Philippines to the Americans. (Cuba became independent).
Nationalist hero Jose Riza started political agitation in Spain as a student in the 1980's. Later back home, he started agitation for political reforms and was arrested and executed. A revolution was born and with Spain defeated by the Americans, Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence in 1989. Parliament was disolved by the Americans and that started the Philippines-American War. This lasted up to 1913. Did you know more than a million Filipinos died in this war? . In 1953 America allowed more local governance by creating the Commonwealth of Philippines.
Then came the Japanese in the Second World in 1944. At the end of the war, the Americans gave full independence to the Philippines on 4 July 1946 and it became a Republic.
Since then, as a democratic republic, the country has faced political instability, massive national debt, endemic corruption, a trigger-happy military prone to coup attempts, a communist insurgency, and a Muslim separatist movement.
Homo sapiens existed some 50,000 years ago on Palawan. The first wave of settlers came about 30,000 years ago. These were the negritoes. The second wave came about 6,000 years ago and these were the Taiwanese aboriginals. These group settled all over South East Asia.
In the early days, Islam came to Philippines via Malaysia and Indonesia via the trade route. There was no Islamic soverignty then. People lived in communities under local datos or atos (headman).
Then came the Spanish invasion. Ferdinand Megallan arrived in 1521 and claimed the islands for Spain. Phillip II was king of Spain at the time, so the colony was named Philippines (Filipinas) after him. The Spanish settled initially in Cebu. The archipelago of previously independent islands and communities then become a unified state. The Spanish introduced western civilisation to Philippines so then there was written law, books, calendar, and of course Roman Catholicism, etc.
What brought the Americans here? The Spanish-American War in 1898. This started in Cuba and included a battle in Philippines. The Spanish lost and ceded Guam, Puerto Rico and Philippines to the Americans. (Cuba became independent).
Nationalist hero Jose Riza started political agitation in Spain as a student in the 1980's. Later back home, he started agitation for political reforms and was arrested and executed. A revolution was born and with Spain defeated by the Americans, Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence in 1989. Parliament was disolved by the Americans and that started the Philippines-American War. This lasted up to 1913. Did you know more than a million Filipinos died in this war? . In 1953 America allowed more local governance by creating the Commonwealth of Philippines.
Then came the Japanese in the Second World in 1944. At the end of the war, the Americans gave full independence to the Philippines on 4 July 1946 and it became a Republic.
Since then, as a democratic republic, the country has faced political instability, massive national debt, endemic corruption, a trigger-happy military prone to coup attempts, a communist insurgency, and a Muslim separatist movement.
HOW THE COUNTRY IS RUN :
The country is run on a presidential system. The president is nationally elected for a 6 year term. The President is Head of State, Head of Government and Chief of Staff of the military and he/she appoints and presides over the cabinet. The president is numero uno. There is an ongoing attempt to reform the constitution into a parliamentary one.
There is a Congress made up of senators who are elected nationally into office for 6 years. The House of Representatives consisted of members elected at district levels for a 3 year term.
The country is divided into 3 Island Groups (Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao) subdivided into 17 Regions, into 81 Provinces into 1484 municipalities and finally into 41,995 Barangays. The Barangay is the local community. If you have a friend staying in the countryside, then he/she would be living in one of the barangays.
The country is run on a presidential system. The president is nationally elected for a 6 year term. The President is Head of State, Head of Government and Chief of Staff of the military and he/she appoints and presides over the cabinet. The president is numero uno. There is an ongoing attempt to reform the constitution into a parliamentary one.
There is a Congress made up of senators who are elected nationally into office for 6 years. The House of Representatives consisted of members elected at district levels for a 3 year term.
The country is divided into 3 Island Groups (Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao) subdivided into 17 Regions, into 81 Provinces into 1484 municipalities and finally into 41,995 Barangays. The Barangay is the local community. If you have a friend staying in the countryside, then he/she would be living in one of the barangays.
THE GEOGRAPHY:
Size:..........................The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands. Overall land size is 300,000 square kilometers.
Weather:.....................It has a hot, humid, and tropical climate.
Temperatures:............The average yearly temperature is around 26.5 °C (79.7 °F).
Seasons:....................March to May - hot summer season (tag-init)June to November - Rainy season (tag-ulan)December to February - Cols season (tag-lamig)
Monsoons/typhoons:...Philippines is affected by the southwest monsoon (May-October) is known as the "habagat" and the dry winds of the northeast monsoon (November-April) as the "amihan" . The islands lie on the Western Pacific typhoon belt and experiences close to 20 typhoons each year,
Volcanoes:..................Philippines lie on the Pacific Ring of Fire. There are many volcanoes, some of which are still active like Mt Mayon and Taal.
Most of the islands are mountainous. Mount Apo on Mindanao Island is the highest at 2,954 ft. Most of the mountainous islands used to be covered in tropical rrainforest and are volcanic in origin. agayan River in northern Luzon is the longest river in the country.
Baguio and Tagatay are two highland regions in high demand for its cool weather and scenic views.
Size:..........................The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands. Overall land size is 300,000 square kilometers.
Weather:.....................It has a hot, humid, and tropical climate.
Temperatures:............The average yearly temperature is around 26.5 °C (79.7 °F).
Seasons:....................March to May - hot summer season (tag-init)June to November - Rainy season (tag-ulan)December to February - Cols season (tag-lamig)
Monsoons/typhoons:...Philippines is affected by the southwest monsoon (May-October) is known as the "habagat" and the dry winds of the northeast monsoon (November-April) as the "amihan" . The islands lie on the Western Pacific typhoon belt and experiences close to 20 typhoons each year,
Volcanoes:..................Philippines lie on the Pacific Ring of Fire. There are many volcanoes, some of which are still active like Mt Mayon and Taal.
Most of the islands are mountainous. Mount Apo on Mindanao Island is the highest at 2,954 ft. Most of the mountainous islands used to be covered in tropical rrainforest and are volcanic in origin. agayan River in northern Luzon is the longest river in the country.
Baguio and Tagatay are two highland regions in high demand for its cool weather and scenic views.
THE ECONOMY:
Basically Philippines is a newly industrialised country with an economy listed as 37th in world ranking. Agriculture is still the mainstay of the Philippines economy. However, manufacturing and mining are also important. Inward remittances from it's large pool of overseas workers is a critical contribution to the countries GDP. The overseas workers are lauded as the countries heroes. Gaining in importance are service industries such as tourism, and lately, process outsourcing.
In the 1960's the Philippines economy was the second largest in Asia (Japan being the first). It was a beacon of light in South East Asia. Unfortunately, massive mismanagement during the Marcos era plunged the economy into severe economic recession. It was only in the 1990's that the economy began to pick up again. In 2007economic growth was 7.3% which was quite spectacular.
The current government's plan is to achieve developed country status by 2020. There is tremendous amount of work to be done and the presidency is hampered by too much politiking in the administration. Philippines suffer from too much chronic problems -- poor infrastructure, inefficient tax systems, power outages being foremost. At the moment, the economy is relying heavily on the remittances of overseas workers for foreign currencies. It needs to build up it's competitiveness to attract foreign investments, much of which have been sucked up by China and India. Several key aspects put a dampener on investors -- political instability, terrorism from muslim insurgents in the South, endemic corruption, lack of infrastructures and natural disasters.
Basically Philippines is a newly industrialised country with an economy listed as 37th in world ranking. Agriculture is still the mainstay of the Philippines economy. However, manufacturing and mining are also important. Inward remittances from it's large pool of overseas workers is a critical contribution to the countries GDP. The overseas workers are lauded as the countries heroes. Gaining in importance are service industries such as tourism, and lately, process outsourcing.
In the 1960's the Philippines economy was the second largest in Asia (Japan being the first). It was a beacon of light in South East Asia. Unfortunately, massive mismanagement during the Marcos era plunged the economy into severe economic recession. It was only in the 1990's that the economy began to pick up again. In 2007economic growth was 7.3% which was quite spectacular.
The current government's plan is to achieve developed country status by 2020. There is tremendous amount of work to be done and the presidency is hampered by too much politiking in the administration. Philippines suffer from too much chronic problems -- poor infrastructure, inefficient tax systems, power outages being foremost. At the moment, the economy is relying heavily on the remittances of overseas workers for foreign currencies. It needs to build up it's competitiveness to attract foreign investments, much of which have been sucked up by China and India. Several key aspects put a dampener on investors -- political instability, terrorism from muslim insurgents in the South, endemic corruption, lack of infrastructures and natural disasters.
THE PEOPLE:
With headcount of 90 million (2008), Philippines is the 12th most populous country in the world. 50% of the population lives on the main island of Luzon where it's capital Manila is situated. Manila is the 11th largest city in the world. Roman Catholicism with it's ban on abortion, is the main cause of the population increase over the years.
The Philipinos are Malayo-Polynesian speaking people and today included ethnic groups like the Badjao, Bilocano, Ibanag, Igorot, Ilocano, Ivatan, Kakampangan, Lumad, Mangyan, Moro, Palawan, Pangasinense, Tagalog, and the Visayans. Basically, they are descendents of the Austronesian aborigines of Taiwan who migrated here some 6,000 years ago. They are genetically related to the Ami tribe in Taiwan (that's the tribe that the famous Taiwanense singer Amei belongs).There are still some 30,000 aboriginal inhabitants of Philippines like the Negritos, Aetas and the Ati people.
There are another four small groups of people in the Philippines:
- Filipinos of Chinese descent, many of whom came after the end of World War II
- Descendants of the Spanish colonisers (many residing in Cebu Island)
- Various nationalities including Americans, Japanese, British, Koreans, Arabs, Indonesians.
- The mestizos (about 15% of the pop.) These are people of mixed blood (mostly Filipinos-Spanish-Chinese) Philippines probably has the highest percentage of mixed race in the world.
With headcount of 90 million (2008), Philippines is the 12th most populous country in the world. 50% of the population lives on the main island of Luzon where it's capital Manila is situated. Manila is the 11th largest city in the world. Roman Catholicism with it's ban on abortion, is the main cause of the population increase over the years.
The Philipinos are Malayo-Polynesian speaking people and today included ethnic groups like the Badjao, Bilocano, Ibanag, Igorot, Ilocano, Ivatan, Kakampangan, Lumad, Mangyan, Moro, Palawan, Pangasinense, Tagalog, and the Visayans. Basically, they are descendents of the Austronesian aborigines of Taiwan who migrated here some 6,000 years ago. They are genetically related to the Ami tribe in Taiwan (that's the tribe that the famous Taiwanense singer Amei belongs).There are still some 30,000 aboriginal inhabitants of Philippines like the Negritos, Aetas and the Ati people.
There are another four small groups of people in the Philippines:
- Filipinos of Chinese descent, many of whom came after the end of World War II
- Descendants of the Spanish colonisers (many residing in Cebu Island)
- Various nationalities including Americans, Japanese, British, Koreans, Arabs, Indonesians.
- The mestizos (about 15% of the pop.) These are people of mixed blood (mostly Filipinos-Spanish-Chinese) Philippines probably has the highest percentage of mixed race in the world.
THE LANGUAGES:
Most Filipinos speak and write English and Tagalog (the official languages) and the dialect of the region they come from. There are about 180 dialects in Philippines and they are known as Malayo-Polnesian luanguage which belongs to the Austronesian language family. Of these dialects used predominantly in their respective regions, some are relatively important in that native speakers are more than a million, these include Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Waray-Waray, apampangan, Bikol, Pangasinan. Kinaray-a, Maranao, Maguindanao and Tausug.
Spanish was the official language and widely used for more than 300 years when Spain ruled the country. Today it is still spoken by those of Spanish descents.
Arabic is another auxillary language and it is mainly used by the Muslim communities
English came to the Philippines through the Americans. It is now widely used in education, churches, religious affairs, in business, print and broadcast media, in the courts English is the sole medium, it is the preferred medium for textbooks and instruction for secondary and tertiary levels.
In reality, if you listen to the chatter in the streets, Filipinos tend to speak in tagalog with a spattering of English. English is widely spoken in the business houses but there has been a drop in standards which is causing some concern as it affects the country's economic competitiveness.
Most Filipinos speak and write English and Tagalog (the official languages) and the dialect of the region they come from. There are about 180 dialects in Philippines and they are known as Malayo-Polnesian luanguage which belongs to the Austronesian language family. Of these dialects used predominantly in their respective regions, some are relatively important in that native speakers are more than a million, these include Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Waray-Waray, apampangan, Bikol, Pangasinan. Kinaray-a, Maranao, Maguindanao and Tausug.
Spanish was the official language and widely used for more than 300 years when Spain ruled the country. Today it is still spoken by those of Spanish descents.
Arabic is another auxillary language and it is mainly used by the Muslim communities
English came to the Philippines through the Americans. It is now widely used in education, churches, religious affairs, in business, print and broadcast media, in the courts English is the sole medium, it is the preferred medium for textbooks and instruction for secondary and tertiary levels.
In reality, if you listen to the chatter in the streets, Filipinos tend to speak in tagalog with a spattering of English. English is widely spoken in the business houses but there has been a drop in standards which is causing some concern as it affects the country's economic competitiveness.
THE RELIGION:
Christianity - 90%.................Islam - 5%..................Others - 5%
Philippines is a predominantly Christian country. (Philippines and East Timor are the only 2 Asian countries which are Christian countries). Christianity came to Philippines via the Spanish occupation. Almost 90% of the population are Christians, mostly Roman Catholics. There are some Prostestants and other denominations, most notably the Philippine Indepedent Church - the Anglipayan.
If you are in Manila, go visit the Manila Cathedral (Basilica of the Immaculate Conception). This is the central church of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines.Philippines is littered with old baroque style churches from the Spanish period and many of these are UNESCO world heritage sites..
While Christianity is a major force in the culture of the Filipinos, indigenous traditions and rituals still influence religious practice.
Muslims are a minority making up about 5% and the reside mostly in Mindanao, Palawan and Sulu islands. The Spanish called them Moros.
Christianity - 90%.................Islam - 5%..................Others - 5%
Philippines is a predominantly Christian country. (Philippines and East Timor are the only 2 Asian countries which are Christian countries). Christianity came to Philippines via the Spanish occupation. Almost 90% of the population are Christians, mostly Roman Catholics. There are some Prostestants and other denominations, most notably the Philippine Indepedent Church - the Anglipayan.
If you are in Manila, go visit the Manila Cathedral (Basilica of the Immaculate Conception). This is the central church of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines.Philippines is littered with old baroque style churches from the Spanish period and many of these are UNESCO world heritage sites..
While Christianity is a major force in the culture of the Filipinos, indigenous traditions and rituals still influence religious practice.
Muslims are a minority making up about 5% and the reside mostly in Mindanao, Palawan and Sulu islands. The Spanish called them Moros.
THE CULTURE:
Philippines culture is a fusion over centuries of indigenous Austronesian civilizations with Chinese, Arab and Indian peoples through trade, and colonisation by the Spanish and Americans. Hispanic influence is due largely to the Spanish masters and Mexican influence was the result of Spanish colonies being governed out of Mexico for a long time.
Philippines culture is a fusion over centuries of indigenous Austronesian civilizations with Chinese, Arab and Indian peoples through trade, and colonisation by the Spanish and Americans. Hispanic influence is due largely to the Spanish masters and Mexican influence was the result of Spanish colonies being governed out of Mexico for a long time.
Hispanic influences are clearly visible in a few areas:
- Filipinos' Spanish names is an oddity in an Asian country. Spanish names were decreed by the Spanish masters centuries ago.
- In religion, Filipinos celebrate religious festivals in very colourful ways. They hold barrior fiestas or major festivals to commemorate their patron saints.
- In literature, folk music, folk dance, language, food, art , Filipino culture bears close similiarities to the Spanish.
- In architecture, Spanish styles are evident, especially in churches. Many of these buildings are preserved, especially in the city of Vigan.
- On the roads, you see Spanish names everywhere.
- Filipino cuisine is also heavily influenced by Mexican and Spanish cuisine.
The Americans brought with them the English language. Philippines used to be the only Asian country where English is widely used. Filipinos preference for basketball over soccer is visibly an American impact.
