Introduction to Introduction to Philippine HistoryPhilippine History

GeographicalGeographical

characteristicscharacteristics

PhilippinesPhilippines The Philippines is an archipelago of 7, 107 islands The Philippines is an archipelago of 7, 107 islands

of which 2, 773 are named.of which 2, 773 are named. It has a total land area of 115, 707 sq. miles or It has a total land area of 115, 707 sq. miles or

299, 681 sq. km.299, 681 sq. km. Philippines is an inverted Y- shaped archipelago Philippines is an inverted Y- shaped archipelago

of numerous islands, islets, coral reefs, abundant of numerous islands, islets, coral reefs, abundant rivers, lakes and bays, mountains and valleys, rivers, lakes and bays, mountains and valleys, cool plateaus, and scenic volcanoes.cool plateaus, and scenic volcanoes.

The country is divided into three major regions: The country is divided into three major regions: the largest island, Luzon, in the north; Visayas, an the largest island, Luzon, in the north; Visayas, an island group in the center; and Mindanao, the island group in the center; and Mindanao, the second largest island.second largest island.

RegionsRegions

Region 1- Ilocos RegionRegion 1- Ilocos Region Region 2- Cagayan ValleyRegion 2- Cagayan Valley Region 3- Central LuzonRegion 3- Central Luzon Region 4A- CALABARZONRegion 4A- CALABARZON Region 4B- MIMAROPARegion 4B- MIMAROPA Region 5- Bicol RegionRegion 5- Bicol Region Region 6- Western VisayasRegion 6- Western Visayas Region 7- Central VisayasRegion 7- Central Visayas Region 8- Eastern VisayasRegion 8- Eastern Visayas

Region 9- Zamboanga Region 9- Zamboanga PeninsulaPeninsula

Region 10- Northern Region 10- Northern MindanaoMindanao

Region 11- Davao RegionRegion 11- Davao Region Region 12- Region 12-

SOCCSKSARGENSOCCSKSARGEN Region 13- CARAGARegion 13- CARAGA CAR- Cordillera CAR- Cordillera

Administrative RegionAdministrative Region NCR- National Capital NCR- National Capital

RegionRegion ARMM- Autonomous ARMM- Autonomous

Region of Muslim MindanaoRegion of Muslim Mindanao

ClimateClimate The Philippine climate is tropical and monsoonal in The Philippine climate is tropical and monsoonal in

character.character. The two distinct seasons are dry season and wet The two distinct seasons are dry season and wet

season.season. The temperature varies from 21 degree Celsius to 32 The temperature varies from 21 degree Celsius to 32

degree Celsius.degree Celsius. The coldest month is January and the Hottest is May.The coldest month is January and the Hottest is May.

Ring of FireRing of Fire

The Philippines lies within the Pacific seismic belt The Philippines lies within the Pacific seismic belt and has consequently experienced severe and has consequently experienced severe earthquakesearthquakes

Volcanoes dot the three geographic regions of the Volcanoes dot the three geographic regions of the country and have been for centuries one of the country and have been for centuries one of the natural causes of destruction of life and propertynatural causes of destruction of life and property– Iraya in Batanes Island; Taal in Batangas; Banahaw in Iraya in Batanes Island; Taal in Batangas; Banahaw in

Quezon; Mayon in Albay; Hibok-Hibok in Camiguin Quezon; Mayon in Albay; Hibok-Hibok in Camiguin Island; Makaturing in Lanao; and Apo in DavaoIsland; Makaturing in Lanao; and Apo in Davao

The Philippines also had its share of tsunamis in The Philippines also had its share of tsunamis in the pastthe past

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources Soil is the most important natural resources in the Soil is the most important natural resources in the

Philippines primarily of most people earn a living Philippines primarily of most people earn a living from tiling the land.from tiling the land.

The country has rich plant life. Agricultural experts The country has rich plant life. Agricultural experts believed that 8,120 species of plants grow in the believed that 8,120 species of plants grow in the country, that is, about 1,000 varieties of orchids, country, that is, about 1,000 varieties of orchids, 1,000 species of rice, and 3,000 species of trees.1,000 species of rice, and 3,000 species of trees.

850 species of birds are found in the Philippines. 850 species of birds are found in the Philippines. Carabao is the most useful animal for it serves as Carabao is the most useful animal for it serves as farmer’s best friend.farmer’s best friend.

At least 2,000 species of fish are found in the At least 2,000 species of fish are found in the waters of the Philippine archipelago.waters of the Philippine archipelago.

Rice, the staple crop of the country, and produced Rice, the staple crop of the country, and produced largely in Luzonlargely in Luzon

Copra, abaca, gums, resins, rubber, and sugar Copra, abaca, gums, resins, rubber, and sugar have found ready markets abroadhave found ready markets abroad

Lumber, minerals and metals have been exported Lumber, minerals and metals have been exported in large quantitiesin large quantities

The Philippines' proven oil deposits currently The Philippines' proven oil deposits currently stand at 138 million barrels. The country's rate of stand at 138 million barrels. The country's rate of extraction is 25,000 barrels a day, which is far extraction is 25,000 barrels a day, which is far below the consumption.below the consumption.

World Heritage SitesWorld Heritage Sites

Banaue Rice TerracesBanaue Rice Terraces For 2,000 years, the high For 2,000 years, the high

rice fields of the Ifugao rice fields of the Ifugao have followed the contours have followed the contours of the mountains. The fruit of the mountains. The fruit of knowledge handed down of knowledge handed down from one generation to the from one generation to the next, and the expression of next, and the expression of sacred traditions and a sacred traditions and a delicate social balance, delicate social balance, they have helped to create they have helped to create a landscape of great a landscape of great beauty that expresses the beauty that expresses the harmony between harmony between humankind and the humankind and the environment. environment.

Historic Town of ViganHistoric Town of Vigan Vigan is an Vigan is an

exceptionally intact exceptionally intact and well preserved and well preserved example of a European example of a European trading town in East trading town in East and South-East Asia. and South-East Asia.

Vigan represents a Vigan represents a unique fusion of Asian unique fusion of Asian building design and building design and construction with construction with European colonial European colonial architecture and architecture and planning. planning.

Barouque Churches of Barouque Churches of the Philippinesthe Philippines

These four churches, These four churches, the first of which was the first of which was built by the Spanish in built by the Spanish in the late 16th century, the late 16th century, are located in Manila, are located in Manila, Santa Maria, Paoay and Santa Maria, Paoay and Miag-ao. Their unique Miag-ao. Their unique architectural style is a architectural style is a reinterpretation of reinterpretation of European Baroque by European Baroque by Chinese and Philippine Chinese and Philippine craftsmen. craftsmen.

Puerto Princesa Puerto Princesa Subterranean RiverSubterranean River

This park features a This park features a spectacular limestone spectacular limestone karst landscape with an karst landscape with an underground river. One of underground river. One of the river's distinguishing the river's distinguishing features is that it emerges features is that it emerges directly into the sea, and directly into the sea, and its lower portion is subject its lower portion is subject to tidal influences. The to tidal influences. The area also represents a area also represents a significant habitat for significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full The site contains a full 'mountain-to-sea' 'mountain-to-sea' ecosystem and has some ecosystem and has some of the most important of the most important forests in Asia. forests in Asia.

Tubbataha ReefTubbataha Reef The Tubbataha Reef The Tubbataha Reef

Marine Park covers Marine Park covers 130,028 ha, including the 130,028 ha, including the North and South Reefs. It is North and South Reefs. It is a unique example of an a unique example of an atoll reef with a very high atoll reef with a very high density of marine species; density of marine species; the North Islet serving as a the North Islet serving as a nesting site for birds and nesting site for birds and marine turtles. The site is marine turtles. The site is an excellent example of a an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-m spectacular 100-m perpendicular wall, perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two extensive lagoons and two coral islands. coral islands.

Other Beauty SpotsOther Beauty Spots

Mayon VolcanoMayon Volcano Mayon Volcano is an active Mayon Volcano is an active

volcano in the Philippines volcano in the Philippines on the island of Luzon, in on the island of Luzon, in the province of Albay in the province of Albay in the Bicol Region. Its almost the Bicol Region. Its almost perfectly-shaped cone is perfectly-shaped cone is considered by some to be considered by some to be the Philippine equivalent of the Philippine equivalent of Mount Fuji in Japan. 15 Mount Fuji in Japan. 15 kilometers to the southeast kilometers to the southeast of the volcano is Legazpi of the volcano is Legazpi City. City.

Manila BayManila Bay Manila Bay is a natural Manila Bay is a natural

harbor that serves the harbor that serves the port of Manila. The port of Manila. The bay is considered one bay is considered one of the best natural of the best natural harbors in Southeast harbors in Southeast Asia and one of the Asia and one of the finest in the world.finest in the world.

The FilipinoThe Filipino The Filipino belongs to a mixture of races, The Filipino belongs to a mixture of races,

although basically he is a Malay.although basically he is a Malay. Filipinos are distinguished by ethnoliguistic Filipinos are distinguished by ethnoliguistic

groups originally corresponding to geographical groups originally corresponding to geographical areas.areas.

78 languages and 500 dialects have been 78 languages and 500 dialects have been identified, with the 8 major languages being identified, with the 8 major languages being Tagalog, Visayan, Ilocano, Hiligaynon (Ilonggo), Tagalog, Visayan, Ilocano, Hiligaynon (Ilonggo), Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense.Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense.

The politically dominant language over the last The politically dominant language over the last century has been Tagalog, the language of Manila century has been Tagalog, the language of Manila and the surrounding provinces.and the surrounding provinces.

Visayan has the most native speakers, its major Visayan has the most native speakers, its major dialect is Cebuanodialect is Cebuano

Filipinos are also differentiated by religious Filipinos are also differentiated by religious affiliation: Roman Catholic (82.9 percent), various affiliation: Roman Catholic (82.9 percent), various Protestant denominations (5.4 percent), Islam Protestant denominations (5.4 percent), Islam (4.6 percent), Philippine Independent Church (2.6 (4.6 percent), Philippine Independent Church (2.6 percent), Iglesia ni Kristo (2.3 percent) and others percent), Iglesia ni Kristo (2.3 percent) and others (2.2 percent).(2.2 percent).

Filipino TraitsFilipino Traits

Strengths of the Filipino CharacterStrengths of the Filipino Character Family Orientation- Family Orientation- It refers to a genuine and It refers to a genuine and

deep love for the family. For the Filipinos, the deep love for the family. For the Filipinos, the family, as the basic social institution, includes not family, as the basic social institution, includes not only the father, the mother, their brothers and only the father, the mother, their brothers and sisters, but also the grandparents, the aunts, the sisters, but also the grandparents, the aunts, the uncles, the cousins, and even the ceremonial uncles, the cousins, and even the ceremonial relatives. Concern for the family is eloquently relatives. Concern for the family is eloquently manifested in the honor and respect given to manifested in the honor and respect given to parents and the elders, in the care given to parents and the elders, in the care given to children, the generosity extended to a kin in children, the generosity extended to a kin in need, and in the great sacrifices one endures for need, and in the great sacrifices one endures for the welfare of the family. the welfare of the family.

Hard Work and Industry- Hard Work and Industry- It refers to one’s It refers to one’s willingness to risk taking jobs in a foreign land with willingness to risk taking jobs in a foreign land with a different culture, not to mention the social cost.a different culture, not to mention the social cost.

Flexibility, Adaptability, and Creativity- Flexibility, Adaptability, and Creativity- Filipinos have the capacity to adjust and to adapt to Filipinos have the capacity to adjust and to adapt to conditions and circumstances in a given conditions and circumstances in a given environment, both physical and social. They have environment, both physical and social. They have the ability to improvise and make use of whatever is the ability to improvise and make use of whatever is on hand in order to create and produce new things on hand in order to create and produce new things out of discarded scraps, for survival.out of discarded scraps, for survival.

Pakikipagkapwa- tao- Pakikipagkapwa- tao- It refers to a deep sense of It refers to a deep sense of concern for one’s dignity and respect. This is concern for one’s dignity and respect. This is manifested in a basic regard for justice and fairness manifested in a basic regard for justice and fairness to others. “Pakikiramay”, the sensitivity to people’s to others. “Pakikiramay”, the sensitivity to people’s feelings- “pakikiramdam” and “pagtitiwala” are feelings- “pakikiramdam” and “pagtitiwala” are bonds that promote feelings of closeness to one bonds that promote feelings of closeness to one another and become the foundation of unity. another and become the foundation of unity.

Joy and Humor- Joy and Humor- It refers to propensity to cheer It refers to propensity to cheer and laugh and have a fun loving approach to the and laugh and have a fun loving approach to the ups and downs of life. Laughing at themselves ups and downs of life. Laughing at themselves and the mess they are in is an important coping and the mess they are in is an important coping mechanism.mechanism.

Faith and Religiosity- Faith and Religiosity- Filipinos have a deep Filipinos have a deep faith in God. Their innate religiosity enables them faith in God. Their innate religiosity enables them to comprehend and genuinely accept reality in to comprehend and genuinely accept reality in the context of God’s will and plan. Filipinos live the context of God’s will and plan. Filipinos live very intimately with religion and prayers have very intimately with religion and prayers have been important part of their lives. been important part of their lives.

Weaknesses of the Filipino CharacterWeaknesses of the Filipino Character Extreme Personalism- Extreme Personalism- It refers to the extent to which one It refers to the extent to which one

is able to relate personally to things and people which is able to relate personally to things and people which determines the recognition of their existence and the value determines the recognition of their existence and the value attached to them. This extreme personalism often leads to attached to them. This extreme personalism often leads to graft and corruption and other malpractices in our graft and corruption and other malpractices in our government institutions.government institutions.

Extreme Family Centeredness- Extreme Family Centeredness- The extreme The extreme excessiveness of family centeredness becomes detrimental excessiveness of family centeredness becomes detrimental to the welfare of a larger community. The use of one’s to the welfare of a larger community. The use of one’s office and power to promote the interest of one’s family office and power to promote the interest of one’s family results in the utter lack of concern for the common good. results in the utter lack of concern for the common good.

Lack of Discipline- Lack of Discipline- This results in the use of shortcuts or This results in the use of shortcuts or the “palusot” syndrome, “nakaisa”, “nakalamang”, and the “palusot” syndrome, “nakaisa”, “nakalamang”, and “nakadaya”, in the Filipino vocabulary, words loaded with “nakadaya”, in the Filipino vocabulary, words loaded with implied values. In several instances, Filipinos are guilty of implied values. In several instances, Filipinos are guilty of the “ningas- cogon” tendency. They start their projects with the “ningas- cogon” tendency. They start their projects with full enthusiasm and interest, which abruptly die down, full enthusiasm and interest, which abruptly die down, leaving things unfinished. What a waste!leaving things unfinished. What a waste!

Lack of National Consciousness- Lack of National Consciousness- A proper A proper understanding of one’s history is a very important factor in understanding of one’s history is a very important factor in the development of national consciousness because it will the development of national consciousness because it will serve to demonstrate how the present is influence by the serve to demonstrate how the present is influence by the past.past.

Colonial Mentality- Colonial Mentality- These conditions are attributed to two These conditions are attributed to two dimensions- lack of patriotism and national integration and dimensions- lack of patriotism and national integration and the strong preference for imported goods, foreign ideas and the strong preference for imported goods, foreign ideas and ways.ways.

Passivity and Lack of Initiative- Passivity and Lack of Initiative- While it is true that While it is true that Filipinos can adjust to circumstances in a given Filipinos can adjust to circumstances in a given environment and posses some creative talents; they are environment and posses some creative talents; they are generally passive and lacking in initiative. One has to be generally passive and lacking in initiative. One has to be told what has to be done. They can tolerate inefficiency, told what has to be done. They can tolerate inefficiency, poor service, and even violation of human rights. In many poor service, and even violation of human rights. In many ways, it can be said that Filipinos are too patient for long ways, it can be said that Filipinos are too patient for long suffering (“matiisin”), easily resigned to one’s fate, even if suffering (“matiisin”), easily resigned to one’s fate, even if they are oppressed or exploited.they are oppressed or exploited.

endend