Enjoy the
Philippine Islands
Where Everything is More Fun
Photo by Adeh DeSandies via freeimages . com
The Philippines has a vast selection of boundless attractions tucked in its more than 7,100 islands . This Southeast Asian archipelago is among the few countries with long coastlines . Filipinos are a very fun-loving people . All over the archipelago , fiestas or festivals are celebrated almost every day all year long . Foreign guests and visitors are always welcome in a Filipino ' s humble home . The Philippines is a lovely country , with vibrant people . It ' s a fun and enjoyable tourist destination that the whole world has come to know . And all that fun has always been hinged on the Filipino people ' s hospitality , indomitable spirit , strength and warmth .
Geography and Climate
The Philippines has 7,107 islands divided into three groups , Luzon , Visayas and Mindanao . Total land area is approximately 300,000 square kilometers , of which 46 % are classified as woodlands and forests . Marine life-rich territorial waters span 2,229,438 square kilometers , with 36,289 kilometers of coastline . The Philippine terrain is generally mountainous with expansive coastal lowlands . The highest peak is Mindanao ' s Mt . Apo at 2,954 meters above sea level .
Climate in the archipelago is tropical with two distinct seasons , the dry and the wet . January to May is the best time to experience the country ' s offerings . November to February is cool , while March to May is dry . June to October are the rainy months , with typhoons in July and September . The average temperature throughout the year is 27 ° C .
History at a Glance
The Philippines has a colorful history mixing Asian , American and European influences . The Filipinos had their ethnic identity and were already doing business with the Japanese and Chinese traders before the Spanish colonized the country in 1521 . After 50 years under Spain , Intramuros , a " walled city " rose into prominence . Three hundred rebellions and 350 years later , the Philippines became a free country .
However , the country shortly became the first and only U . S . colony . After the Phil-American War , the U . S . spread education throughout the archipelago . During WWII , Filipinos fought side by side with Americans at the battle of Corregidor and Bataan that stalled Japanese progress and protected Australia . From 1941 to 1945 , the U . S . then engaged in guerrilla war versus the Japanese . By 1946 , the Philippines was independent once again .
The Philippines is among the five original member countries of ASEAN when it was established in Bangkok in 1967 .
Philippine Facts
Filipino is the country ' s national l anguage b u t E nglish i s also commonly spoken , making the Philippines the third-biggest English speaking country in the world . Eight major dialects are spoken by the majority : Tagalog ,
Cebuano , Ilocano , Hiligaynon or Ilonggo , Bicol , Waray , Pampango , and Pangasinense . There are approximately 80 major language groups comprising over 500 dialects .
The democratic republic thrives on a light industry and agricultural economy . Common export products include copper , gold , coconut , copra and sugar . Uncommon exports are semiconductors and garments . The Philippine currency is the peso .
The country ' s capital , Manila , along with the rest of the country has an estimated population of 103.2 million in 2016 . At a minimum , 83 % of the total population practice the Roman Catholic faith . Protestantism , Islam , Buddhism and other religions are also practiced in the country . The Metric S y s t e m i s c o mmonly u s e d i n general trade and legal transactions . Electricity is commonly supplied at 220V AC , although major hotels have 110V AC provision . cont ...
6 | ASEAN Life • MAY 2016