Philippines!

Come visit "The Pearl of the Orient" -- The Philippines

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Here are the basics on a very diverse country

The Land

The Pearl of the Orient, the Philippines, is composed of over 7,100 islands scattered in an archipelago which is actually part of a great primeval mountain range stretching from Japan south to Indonesia. Prehistoric geological activity (the Philippines has over 200 known volcanoes) and incessant monsoon rains have resulted in a rich landscape with a magnificent variety of natural wonders. From the powdery fine sands of Boracay, to the mysterious elegance of Bohol's Chocolate Hills, or from the majestic perfection of Mt. Mayon's famous cone, to the incredible triumph of the Banaue Rice Terraces, the Philippines is filled with natural wonders sufficient for more than a lifetime of study.

History and Culture

First officially gaining modern European notice, the islands were discovered by the Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan sailing as a representative of Spain while searching for the legendary Spice Islands in 1521. It was however, Ruy Lopez de Villalobos, another Spaniard who gave the islands its present name after King Philip II of Spain in 1542. Utilizing a careful balance of superior technology and religious conversion, the Spaniards colonized the islands and remained in power for over three centuries. During the latter decades of the 19th century, a rise of nationalism swept the country and became the foundation for Spain's inevitable eviction. Filipino national heroes like Aguinaldo, Bonifacio, and Rizal emerged as revolutionary vanguards who led the way to Philippine independence. Filipino guerillas with the help of the Americans (who were engaged with Spain in a war over Cuba) eventually succeeded in forging a new republic in 1899 with Emilio Aguinaldo as the first president of the Republic of the Philippines. The Americans however stayed on and defined their role as one of tutelage and instituted massive political, social, and economic development making the Philippines a commonwealth and promising independence in 1945. During World War II however, the Japanese defeated the Philippine-American forces and were able to occupy the Philippines for 3 ½ years. They were eventually defeated when the Philippine-American guerilla forces were bolstered by the triumphant and promised return of General Douglas MacArthur and his powerful expeditionary force. On July 4, 1946 the Philippines was finally declared an independent nation

The People

The Philippines today is a dynamic result of its tumultuous history resulting in a nation rich with influences and flavors from its different colonial experiences. Due in large part to Spanish influences, it has the distinction of being the only pre-dominantly Christian country in Asia. The people are known throughout the world for their hospitality and friendly disposition especially towards visitors. They are quite a fun loving crowd always ready to lend a helping hand if not a friendly smile.

Customs and Traditions

Due to its diverse colonial history, Filipino customs and traditions are equally as diverse. Some traditions have been eroded by modernization but a lot of them are still noticeable and can be traced back to colonial ancestry. For example, the "fiesta" or the celebration of a town's patron saint's feast day is a direct carry over from Spanish times. Once a year, Philippine towns hold huge feasts to celebrate this event which is next only to Christmas and New Year's Day in order of importance.

Languages

The main language spoken is Filipino which is a variation of the Tagalog dialect. There are many dialects spoken all over the country but Tagalog is usually understood everywhere. English is the secondary language largely due to the Americans, and is also widely understood. Spanish to some extent is still used but only in a select few households.

Boracay Island