19 Facts You May Not Know About the Philippines:
1. The Philippines is an archipelago comprising 7,641 islands, with only about 2,000 islands inhabited.
2. Filipino (Tagalog) and English are the official languages of the Philippines, with Filipino being based on Tagalog.
3. Manila, the capital city, is one of the most densely populated cities in the world and the center of government, commerce, and culture.
4. The Philippines has a population of over 110 million people, making it the 13th most populous country in the world.
5. The country has a rich cultural heritage influenced by Malay, Spanish, American, and Chinese cultures, among others.
6. The Philippines is known for its hospitality and strong family ties, with extended families often living together in one household.
7. The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, located in the Sulu Sea, is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its marine biodiversity.
8. Filipinos celebrate the longest Christmas season in the world, starting as early as September and lasting until January.
9. The Chocolate Hills in Bohol are a geological formation of over 1,200 hills that turn brown during the dry season, resembling chocolate kisses.
10. The country is prone to natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
11. The Philippine eagle, also known as the monkey-eating eagle, is one of the largest and rarest eagles in the world and is endemic to the Philippines.
12. The Ifugao Rice Terraces, located in the northern part of Luzon, are ancient terraces carved into the mountainside by the Ifugao people over 2,000 years ago.
13. The jeepney, a modified form of transportation from surplus military jeeps left by American troops after World War II, is a popular mode of public transportation in the Philippines.
14. Filipino cuisine is diverse and includes dishes like adobo (meat stewed in vinegar and soy sauce), sinigang (sour soup), and lechon (roast pig).
15. The Philippines is predominantly Roman Catholic, a legacy of over 300 years of Spanish colonization.
16. Mount Apo, located on the island of Mindanao, is the highest peak in the Philippines, standing at 2,954 meters (9,692 feet) above sea level.
17. The Hinulugang Taktak National Park in Rizal province features a waterfall that was once a popular resort during the Spanish era.
18. Filipinos have a strong sense of nationalism and pride, often displaying the Philippine flag, and celebrating Independence Day on June 12th.
19. Filipino martial arts, such as Arnis and Eskrima, are traditional martial arts that emphasize weapon-based fighting techniques and self-defense.
Personal:
Place of Birth: Jaro, Iloilo City, 1934
Teenage Years: High School: Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, 1947-1951
Undergraduate College Years : University of the Philippines, Iloilo City-1951-1953
University of the Philippines. Diliman. Quezon City, 1953-1955
First Teaching Job- Assistant Instructor in Chemistry, UP, Diliman 1955-1959
Graduate School Years: University of Illinois, Chicago.Ph.D in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 1959-1964
Professional Years: Kansas City, Missouri (Chemagro Corp); Modesto, California ( Shell Development Co); Pinole, California ( Stauffer and Chevron Chemical Companies) and Silver Spring, Md ( FDA), 1964-2002
Retirement Years: Fair Oaks, CA, and Boac, Marinduque, 2002-2023
Active Senior Living: THD, Walnut Creek, CA 2023 - present
Meanwhile here's a short video about the Philippines you should watch!
Lastly, Did You Know that the word "Filipinas" first appeared on coins during the Spanish colonial period. These coins, minted in the late 1800s, bore the name "Islas Filipinas", derived from King Philip II of Spain, after whom the country was named. One of the most notable coins was the Peso Fuertes, the first official currency of the Philippines in 1852.
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