This is a map of the island on which I was born. Can you find it on the big map below? (Hint: It is near the center and is not labeled.)
The Filipinos may be a Third World country, but we keep on dancing. Maybe that's why visitors are always remarking on how often they see us smiling.
I'm an American and a Texan now and proud of it, but my root run deep in those beautiful islands, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Most farmers use a carabao ( a kind of Asia water buffalo) to do their planting and plowing.
The Flag of the Philippines
Did you know? The flag of the Philippines is flown with the red on top in time of war.
Did you know? There are many similarities between Mexico and the Philippines because both were ruled by Spain at one time.
What has a tail like a rat, legs like a frog, sticky fingers like a gecko lizard, ears like a bat, a head that rotates like an owl, the face of a baby, eyes like a cartoon character, is covered with fur and can be held in the palm of your hand?
It's called a tarsier and is often inaccurately called the world's smallest monkey. It really isn't a monkey, but it sure is cute. Unfortunately, they are too small to make good pets.
The Chocolate Hills of Bohol are world famous.
Hinagdanan cave is regarded as one of the world's most beautiful.
Fish remains a staple of the Filipino diet.
A refreshing coconut drink is offered by many vendors at the local markets.
Rice, a vital part of the Filipino diet, is grown on these terraces carved out of the mountains sides. Estimates of how long range from 500 to over 2,000 years!
Did you know? The Philippines is the only Christian nation in Asia.
Brief History of the Philippines
The Republic of the Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands only about 200 of which are permanently settled. The earliest known settlers of the Philippines were the Negritos or Aeta who may have arrived as early as 50,000 B.C. A dark skinned race whom anthropologist believe are more closely related to Melanesians and Australian aborigines than to Africans, they are small in statue averaging under five feet in height. At one time they lived throughout the islands, but today those who have not been absorbed into the general population live in isolated bands away from the larger population centers rather like American Indians. A small band of Chinese traders established a colony on Luzon but never expanded to most of the other islands.
About 2,000 B.C. people from Malaysia came to the islands. Their descendents make up the majority of the population today. Because the islands tended to limit contact regional languages developed. Today some 87 different languages are spoken in the islands although most people speak one of five and the official language is Pilipino, based on Tagalog. English is also in common usage.
From Java the Hindu and Moslem faiths were brought to the southern islands, but it was the Spanish who brought the dominant religion, Catholicism, to the islands.
In 1521, the explorer Magellan claimed the islands for Spain. During the Spanish period many Filipinos were taken to other colony including Mexico and Louisiana. Demand for independence centered around Jose Rizal whose execution is regarded by many as the spark that ultimately led to open revolt. It was during this period that Spain found herself at war with the U.S.,and in 1898 possession of the Philippines was transferred to the United States.
At the beginning of American involvement in World War II the Philippines were invaded by the Japanese and after bitter fighting, Japan would occupy them until 1945.
On July 4, 1946, as part of a long standing agreement, the Philippines became an independent nation. Today , the Philippines are a nation where people of Spanish, American, Chinese, Japanese, and many other ancestries live together in harmony.
For a list of Philippine National Symbols and other information on this country try this link:
Just one of the many tropical islands available to visitors.
In the larger cities visitors enjoy riding in calesas.
The colorful jeepney serves as the Philippines answer to the bus.
...complete with traffic jams.
Downtown Manila looks pretty much like any other big town...
The clock tower in Manila, like the clock tower at UT, is a local landmark.
Manila Cathedral shows the strong influence of the Spanish Catholics on the Philippines.
Orchids grow wild in the forests.
Another beautiful sunset
Carabao also serve as transportation on the farm.
The Philippines are classified as a Third World (poor) country. So, we don't have a lot of money for fancy things.
Our get-togethers are something like American pot-luck dinners. Everybody brings something and we eat and eat and eat. But that is only the beginning. There is gossip, jokes, stories, music, song, and dancing. Lots of dancing!
Dances with hats...
Dances with sticks...
Dances with pots...
And you're never too young to learn.
And when it gets dark, there are dances with candles.
Dances with bamboo poles...
Not all of the Philippines history is pleasant. Corrigidor stands as a reminder of the brave men both Filipino and American who stood against the Japanese invasion at the start of World War II.
For more on the men and women who fought this war, and the ones that would follow, visit www.kilroywashere.org
Jose Rizel is regarded as the founder of the Philippines.
The Republic of the Philippines
Did you know? The Philippines were a part of the United States from 1898 to 1946.
