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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
distinguish accurately the lines between stocks. From a long
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
Chinese, American, Spanish, and Arab blood. The Philippines
has a population of 76.5 million as of May 2000, and it is hard to
distinguish accurately the lines between stocks. From a long
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
beauty and by the friendliness of the people. Most of the
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
beauty and by the friendliness of the people. Most of the
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.
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