 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
The Filipino is basically of Malay stock with
a sprinkling of Chinese, American, Spanish,
and Arab blood. The Philippines has a
population of 76.5 million as of May 2000,
and it is hard to history of Western colonial
rule, interspersed with the visits of
merchants and traders, evolved a people of
a unique blend of east and west, both in
appearance and culture.
The Filipino character is actually a little bit
of all the cultures put together. The
bayanihan or spirit of kinship and
camaraderie that Filipinos are famous for is
said to be taken from Malay forefathers. The
close family relations are said to have been
inherited from the Chinese. The piousness
comes from the Spaniards who introduced
Christianity in the 16th century. Hospitality
is a common denominator in the Filipino
character and this is what distinguishes the
Filipino. Filipinos are probably one of the
few, if not the only, English-proficient
Oriental people today. Pilipino is the official
national language, with English considered
as the country's unofficial one.
The Filipinos are divided geographically
and culturally into regions, and each
regional group is recognizable by distinct
traits and dialects - the sturdy and frugal
llocanos of the north, the industrious
Tagalogs of the central plains, the carefree
Visayans from the central islands, and the
colorful tribesmen and religious Moslems of
Mindanao. Tribal communities can be found
scattered across the archipelago. The
Philippines has more than 111 dialects
spoken, owing to the subdivisions of these
basic regional and cultural groups.
The country is marked by a true blend of
cultures; truly in the Philippines, East meets
West. The background of the people is
Indonesian and Malay. There are Chinese
and Spanish elements as well. The history
of American rule and contact with
merchants and traders culminated in a
unique blend of East and West, both in the
appearance and culture of the Filipinos, or
people of the Philippines.
Hospitality, a trait displayed by every
Filipino, makes these people legendary in
Southeast Asia. Seldom can you find such
hospitable people who enjoy the company
of their Western visitors. Perhaps due to
their long association with Spain, Filipinos
are emotional and passionate about life in a
way that seems more Latin than Asian.
The Spaniards introduced Christianity (the
Roman Catholic faith) and succeeded in
converting the overwhelming majority of
Filipinos. At least 83% of the total population
belongs to the Roman Catholic faith.
The American occupation was responsible
for teaching the Filipino people the English
language. The Philippines is currently the
third-largest English speaking country in
the world.
Full Name
Republic of the Philippines
Capital City
Manila (pop: 10 million)
Area
299,000 sq km
115,444 sq miles
Population
84,619,000
Time Zone
GMT/UTC +8
Daylight Saving Start
not in use
Daylight Saving end
not in use
Languages
Pilipino (Tagalog) (official)
English (official)
Religion:
82% Roman Catholic,9% Protestant, 5%
Muslim, 3% Buddhist
Currency: Philippine Peso (P)
Electricity: 220V 60HzHz
Electric Plug Details
European plug with two circular metal pins.
Japanese-style plug with two parallel flat
blades
Country Dialing Code: 63
a sprinkling of Chinese, American, Spanish,
and Arab blood. The Philippines has a
population of 76.5 million as of May 2000,
and it is hard to history of Western colonial
rule, interspersed with the visits of
merchants and traders, evolved a people of
a unique blend of east and west, both in
appearance and culture.
The Filipino character is actually a little bit
of all the cultures put together. The
bayanihan or spirit of kinship and
camaraderie that Filipinos are famous for is
said to be taken from Malay forefathers. The
close family relations are said to have been
inherited from the Chinese. The piousness
comes from the Spaniards who introduced
Christianity in the 16th century. Hospitality
is a common denominator in the Filipino
character and this is what distinguishes the
Filipino. Filipinos are probably one of the
few, if not the only, English-proficient
Oriental people today. Pilipino is the official
national language, with English considered
as the country's unofficial one.
The Filipinos are divided geographically
and culturally into regions, and each
regional group is recognizable by distinct
traits and dialects - the sturdy and frugal
llocanos of the north, the industrious
Tagalogs of the central plains, the carefree
Visayans from the central islands, and the
colorful tribesmen and religious Moslems of
Mindanao. Tribal communities can be found
scattered across the archipelago. The
Philippines has more than 111 dialects
spoken, owing to the subdivisions of these
basic regional and cultural groups.
The country is marked by a true blend of
cultures; truly in the Philippines, East meets
West. The background of the people is
Indonesian and Malay. There are Chinese
and Spanish elements as well. The history
of American rule and contact with
merchants and traders culminated in a
unique blend of East and West, both in the
appearance and culture of the Filipinos, or
people of the Philippines.
Hospitality, a trait displayed by every
Filipino, makes these people legendary in
Southeast Asia. Seldom can you find such
hospitable people who enjoy the company
of their Western visitors. Perhaps due to
their long association with Spain, Filipinos
are emotional and passionate about life in a
way that seems more Latin than Asian.
The Spaniards introduced Christianity (the
Roman Catholic faith) and succeeded in
converting the overwhelming majority of
Filipinos. At least 83% of the total population
belongs to the Roman Catholic faith.
The American occupation was responsible
for teaching the Filipino people the English
language. The Philippines is currently the
third-largest English speaking country in
the world.
Full Name
Republic of the Philippines
Capital City
Manila (pop: 10 million)
Area
299,000 sq km
115,444 sq miles
Population
84,619,000
Time Zone
GMT/UTC +8
Daylight Saving Start
not in use
Daylight Saving end
not in use
Languages
Pilipino (Tagalog) (official)
English (official)
Religion:
82% Roman Catholic,9% Protestant, 5%
Muslim, 3% Buddhist
Currency: Philippine Peso (P)
Electricity: 220V 60HzHz
Electric Plug Details
European plug with two circular metal pins.
Japanese-style plug with two parallel flat
blades
Country Dialing Code: 63
About the Philippines
Most who make the journey to the 7000-odd islands that
comprise the Philippines are pleasantly surprised by their
Philippines is laidback, stable and relatively safe. The
locals are an exceptionally helpful bunch and there are
fantastic reefs and fish. On top of this, transport is cheap,
the food is good, accommodation is plentiful and (for the
monolinguistic) English is widely spoken.
Most who make the journey to the 7000-odd islands that
comprise the Philippines are pleasantly surprised by their
Philippines is laidback, stable and relatively safe. The
locals are an exceptionally helpful bunch and there are
fantastic reefs and fish. On top of this, transport is cheap,
the food is good, accommodation is plentiful and (for the
monolinguistic) English is widely spoken.
Weather
The Philippines is hot and humid year-round. The
weather pattern across the archipelago is complex,
but can be roughly divided into the dry season
(September to May) and the wet season (June to
September). There is little seasonal variation in most
places with average highs and lows of around 31°C
(87°F) and 24°C (76°F) respectively. The best time to
visit is between December and May when slightly
cooler and drier conditions prevail.
The Philippines is hot and humid year-round. The
weather pattern across the archipelago is complex,
but can be roughly divided into the dry season
(September to May) and the wet season (June to
September). There is little seasonal variation in most
places with average highs and lows of around 31°C
(87°F) and 24°C (76°F) respectively. The best time to
visit is between December and May when slightly
cooler and drier conditions prevail.
 |
 |
 |
 |