HISTORY

Philippines is the third largest English-speaking country in the world. It has a rich history and combined influence of Asia, Europe and America. Before the Spanish colonization in 1521, the Filipinos had a rich culture and trade with Chinese and Japanese. The Spanish colonization bequeathed to the Catholic religion and the construction of Intramuros in 1571, a "Walled City" comprised of European buildings and churches, replicated in different parts of the archipelago. In 1898, after 350 years and 300 rebellions, the Filipinos, led by men like Jose Rizal and Emilio Aguinaldo, succeeded in winning the independence.

In 1898 the Philippines became the first and only colony of the United States. After the war in the Philippines and America, the U.S. extended education to the islands. The Filipinos fought alongside Americans during World War II, particularly in the famous battle of Bataan and Corregidor which delayed the progress of Japanese saving Australia. They were offsetted by the maintenance of the Filipino guerrillas against the Japanese from 1941 to 1945. Philippines regained his independence in 1946.

The Filipinos are a freedom-loving people, having spent two peaceful revolutions without bloodshed against what was perceived as corrupt regimes. Philippines has a vibrant democracy, as evidenced in 12 national newspapers in English, 7 national television stations, hundreds of TV cable channels and 2,000 radio stations.

The Filipinos are people who love fun. Its islands celebrate festivals daily and foreign visitors are always welcome in their homes.

INTERESTING FACTS

GENERAL INFORMATION
Philippines consists of 7,107 islands covering a land area of 115,739 m2. (299,764 km2.). The main group of islands are Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Manila is the capital. The time zone is GMT + 8 hours.

CLIMATE
From March to May is hot and dry. From June to October is the rainy season mainly in the northern part (Luzon) from November to February is relatively cool (+25° C). Average temperatures range between 25 ° C to 32 ° C; average humidity is 77%.

POPULATION
There are more than 95 million Filipinos. The population grows at a rate of 2.36% per annum. In Luzon, the largest island group, lives more than half of the total population.

LANGUAGES
There are two official languages, Filipino and English. Filipino national language based on Tagalog. The English also used regularly and is the means of education official. Eight (8) major dialects spoken in the main areas of the Philippines: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense. Filipino native language is used nationally as a means of communication between their ethnicities. Like any other language, the Filipino is a legacy development process Filipino and foreign languages. There are about 76 or 78 major language groups over 500 dialects.

RELIGION
About 83% of Filipinos are Catholic, 5% Muslim and the rest consists small Christian denominations and Buddhist.

MEASUREMENT UNIT
The metric system is the most widely used in business and legal arrangements.

ELECTRICITY
220 volts a / c is the common standard. 110 volts / c is also used, especially in hotels.

CURRENCY
The Philippine currency is the peso, divided into 100 cents. The coins can be changed freely in foreign hotels, most shopping centers, banks and exchange agencies authorized by the Central Bank of the Philippines. International credit cards as Visa, Diners Club, Bank Americard, Master Card and American Express are accepted in most establishments. € 1 is equivalent to about 56 pesos. 1 U.S. $ equals about 42 pesos.

A UNIQUE COUNRY

More than the usual sun, sea, and sand
Asia's beach capital – the Philippines: Long, white sand beaches, an immense variety of marine life, rare and exotic sea flora and fauna, even the tropical party lifestyle are all in abundance more than a rarity in this country. Evidently, the Philippines can very well be Asia's Beach Capital, what with 7,107 islands, and a coastline twice the length of that of the United States. It is also home to Boracay, whose four-kilometer White Beach has been hailed as the “finest beach in the world.”

More than the usual wet and wild
A paradise blessed with gorgeous waterscapes, the Philippines is never lacking in today’s liveliest water encounters. It has been described as the most exciting surfing destination in the world, with great waves like Cloud 9, Tuason Point, Majestic, and Cemento, all ranking among the world’s best. Action Asia Magazine says, "The Philippines is to scuba divers what Switzerland is to skiers, Hawaii to surfers, and Nepal to mountaineers." And for white water action, there are attractions a-plenty – lakes, waterfalls, and rivers that create excellent kayaking and white water runs.

More than the usual deep dive
History's sunken glory in Subic Bay: Originally developed as a naval base by Spanish colonizers in 1885, Subic Bay became the largest US naval facility in the Far East. In 1991, it was transformed into a Freeport economic and tourism zone. Today Subic Bay hosts a formidable combination of wrecks, like the 19th century Spanish gunboat San Quintin, Japanese luxury liner Oryoku Maru, 3and the ex-USS New York. Complemented by a rain forest and white sand beach, Subic Bay has an international airport and tourism support facilities that include a marina, yacht club, hotels, shopping arcades, and food shops.

More than the usual underwater view
A whale of an experience in Donsol, Sorsogon: In late 1997, the world discovered the huge schools of whale sharks that had been visiting the mouth of Donsol River for generations, oblivious to the small coastal community. Organized whale shark expeditions then transformed this sleepy, remote fishing village into a major eco-tourist destination almost overnight. Get ready to put on your gear, ease yourself quietly into the water, and swim alongside the world's largest fish, over 50 feet in length and 13 tons in weight, in the wondrous waters of Donsol.

More than the usual river wild
The world's longest underground river system accessible to man is located in the capital of Palawan. The Puerto Princesa S ubterranean River National Park, which has been inscribed in UNESCO’s World Heritage List, is Palawan's most popular attraction and covers 5,349 hectares of lush forest, dark mountains, caves, and white beaches. Paddle through eight kilometers of a snaking, underground river leading to a clear lagoon. Walk on the Monkey Trail, a series of wooden paths that winds into the forest, lined with 40,000 tropical flora and fauna.

More than the usual "I do"
The wedding setting of a lifetime: the islands of the Philippines, any of 7,107 divine destinations where traditional meets exotic, modern meets mythical, east meets west. Plan a wedding or honeymoon in the Philippines, a lifetime experience

More than the usual shopping
More and more people are discovering that the Philippines is Asia’s most inexpensive shopping destination where you can get the most value for your money. Here you can find imported name brands from the West, as well as products handcrafted in the Philippines, from weaves, baskets, and brassware to hand-embroidered piña cloth, wood figurines, and all sorts of custom-made furniture, clothes, wedding gowns, shoes, embroidery items, and many other accessories. Treat your loved ones with a shopping tour in the Philippines, a unique and fun idea.

More than the usual high and low rise
Wander over the world heritage site, Banaue Rice Terraces, Eighth Wonder of the World, carved from the high Cordilleras over 2,000 years ago. Behold the 500-year old mummies in Kabayan. Follow the steps of former President trekking up Mt. Pinatubo. View Taal Volcano, the smallest volcano in the world. Head for the 1,268 Chocolate Hills of Bohol. Top off your experience with an exhilirating ride on a canoe down an 8-kilometer Underground River in Sabang, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

More than the Traditional Transportation

• 112 airports, 50 major cities, 6 international airports
• 2 airlines flying both internationally
• Fast Ferry quality and service inter-island cruises
• Urban transport exotic: The Filipino Jeepney, tricycles and motorcycles with sidecars and carriages

JEEPNEY
The Filipino Jeepney began as a post-war creation inspired by jeeps galvanized iron that American soldiers brought to the country in the 40's. Filipino Entrepreneurs preserved engines jeeps were supplementary to be discarded and used to build a mass transit much more necessary and economically. The engines were added body and new designs with a surprising touch of creativity and ingenuity, thus was born the original Philippine jeepneys. Today is the means to do transport popular in the Philippines becauseits low cost and convenience for its passengers up and down almost anywhere you want. Every Filipino Jeepney is personalized with little touches that reflect common human feelings of the moment.

TRICYCLE & Pedicab
For short distances there is nothing more exciting than a fast ride and modest transport to circumvent even the toughest roads in the Philippines. The tricycle is a motorcycle with sidecar and pedicab a bicycle with a sidecar. These vehicles residential areas and roads crossing county side offer a great help to passengers where there are not enough jeepneys or buses. These bikes and trikes reach areas where other transport dare not or can not reach, transporting passengers despite heavy rains, floods, roads works and areas with extreme traffic.

CHAISE
The best way to make a quiet tourist route in the Philippines is in carriage horses. Introduced in the Philippines during the Spanish colonization, totally different from typical motorized transport.

More than traditional employees

• Herbert Ocampo, the waiter returned about 100,000 U.S. dollars, which had found in a cafeteria Sulo Hotel and only accept it as a reward New job at the Duty Free Philippines offered by the former Minister of Tourism Richard Gordon.
• Gilbert Tindungan Guard, the Security Service's immigration office airport, returned a laptop computer valued at 2,700 U.S. $ accidentally forgotten by a passenger Filipino working in the U.S.
• Mondoyo Florita, the cleaning of the Manila airport, returned an envelope containing U.S. $ 10,000 he found in the passenger waiting room.
• Joseph Navarro, worker Batangas Country Club Resort resort staff, returned more than $1,000 dropped from the pocket of his sister Dorothy Requilman.
• Dominic Jimenez and Gerry Soriano returned a bag containing about 500 U.S. $, which met at the NAIA Terminal 2 airport to its owner, former Senator Victor Ziga.