As noted, the stars on the flag represent the 3 major islands of the Philippines: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
After the constitutional change of 1987 the name of Mindanao was changed to “Muslim Mindanao”.
Filipino is the national language. But English is the “lingua franca”. English is the official language for the Educational system and Judicial System.
The Philippines was first colonized by the followers of the religion of Islam when the first group of Muslim Traders arrived in Sulu in 1380. As the Muslim traders spread throughout the archipelago, they established sultanates as a form of governance all throughout the 3 main islands of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. In 1521 the Spaniards arrived to conquer the Philippines and they battled with the Muslims(Moros) and successfully drove them back to Sulu. The Spaniards ruled over the Philippines until 1898 when the Americans won the Spanish-American war. The Philippines was then ceded to the United States of America. In 1935, the USA allowed the Philippines to become a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence. On July 4, 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence and became a sovereign country for the first time.
Government type: presidential republic
The Philippines is divided into Regions, Provinces, Cities and Municipalities, Barangays and Puroks.
- As of 2015 according to the NSCB (National Statistical Coordination Board)
- The Philippines is divided into 17 Regions.
- There are 81 PROVINCES in the Philippines.
- There are 146 Cities in the Philippines.
- 38 Chartered cities: Angeles, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caloocan, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Lucena, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, San Juan, Santiago, Tacloban, Taguig, Valenzuela, Zamboanga City
- There are 1,489 Municipalities in the Philippines.
- There are 42,046 Barangays in the Philippines.
Capital City: Manila
Area: 300,000 sq. km. (117,187 sq. mi.).
- Terrain: Islands, 65% mountainous, with narrow coastal lowlands.
- Climate: Tropical, astride typhoon belt.
- Total water area: 1,830 sq km.
- Total coastline: 36,289 km.
Languages (dialects) of the Philippines: The Philippines has over 70 languages or dialects. Two native languages standout, that is Visayan and Tagalog. But as far the educational system and legislative system of the Philippines are concerned, the basic language is English. All tests to get certified and become professionals in the field of education, engineering, medicine, aviation, agriculture, etc. etc. are English based.
Featured News of the Philippines
Updated: September 26, 2023
Bacolod City to use security seal for government-issued documents.
BACOLOD CITY – The city government here will soon bid out the delivery of services to implement the ordinance mandating a security seal on issued official documents. Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, chair of the City Council’s Committee on Appropriation and Finance, said on Tuesday that the bidding would proceed once funding is available. However, it does not mean the release of the PHP35 million requirement in a single tranche. “If you need certification from the city, you will need to pay extra for the seal. The national government uses this now. The Department of the Interior and Local Government memorandum issued to us also has a security seal,” he added in an interview.
NegOr pregnant women to get supplemental feeding vs. stunting
DUMAGUETE CITY – The Negros Oriental Provincial Health Office (PHO) will be feeding malnourished pregnant mothers for three months in a campaign to address stunted growth among babies, a health official said on Tuesday. PHO chief Dr. Liland Estacion told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the current stunted growth rate of children in the province is 10.8 percent. “While this is not as high as the national percentage, it is still high for Negros Oriental, and we need to bring it down below the 10 percent average,” Estacion said. The country’s average rate of stunted children is 30 percent.
Last Updated on September 27, 2023