Any cool fact would be appreciated.
2007-01-29 12:08:03 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Philippines
Ferdinand Magellan led the first successful attempt to circumnavigate the world. His ships made it, but he didn't, because he died in the Philippines, after trying to stick his nose into the local politics.
General Douglas MacArthur's famous line "I shall return" was about the Philippines.
There are over 170 languages spoken in the Philippines.
2007-01-29 12:16:07 · answer #1 · answered by Rambo Smurf 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
* Philippine National Hero and writer Jose Rizal could read and write at age 2. He grew up to speak more than 20 languages, including Latin, Greek, German, French, and Chinese. What were his last words? "Consummatum est!" ("It is done!")
* Filipinos celebrate the world’s longest religious holiday. The Christmas season begins on September 1st, as chillier winds and Christmas carols start filling the air, and ends on the first week of January, during the Feast of the Three Kings.
* The popular toy, the yoyo, was invented by 16th century hunters in the Philippines.
* The word "boondocks," which is now a part of the English language, dictionary, and vocabulary, comes from the Tagalog word "bundok," meaning "mountain."
* Philippines Herald war journalist Carlos P. Romulo was the first Asian to win a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism in 1942. He was also aide-de-camp to General Douglas MacArthur in World War II; Philippine resident commissioner in the U.S. Congress from 1944-46; and the first Asian to become UN President in 1949.
* The largest fish in the world, the Whale Shark, locally known as Butanding, regularly swims to the Philippine waters.
* There are 12,000 or so species of seashells in the Philippines. The Conus Gloriamaris or "Glory of the Sea" is the rarest and most expensive in the world.
2007-01-30 07:38:13 · answer #2 · answered by Mitchiko 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Interesting facts about my country The Philippines:
1. It is the 5th largest Christian Nation in the world.
2. The Philippines has the 4th longest coastline in the world(longer than the U.S.A)
3. It's waters contains one of the deepest trenches in the world, the Philippine Deep w/c is the 2nd tothe Marianas Trench in depth.
4. It has 7,107 islands in hightide and 7,108 in lowtide.
5. Supposedly, Davao City in Mindanao is the largest city in the world based on land area( there are other cities in the world that claims this title)
6. It is home to the volcano w/c has the most perfect cone shape in the world, Mayon Volcano.
7. The Philippines was named in honor of King Philip II of Spain.
8. The Philippines is home to the largest fish in the world, the Whale Shark.
9. It is also home to, formerly, the tiniest fish in the world, Panadaca Pygmea or "Sinarapan".
10. Metro Manila belongs to the top 20 most populated urban areas in the world.
11. Its area is about 300,000 sq. km.
12. Luzon and Mindanao(Major island in the country) is one of the 20 largest islands of the world.
2007-02-01 11:05:11 · answer #3 · answered by jlz3rd26 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Philippine Airlines is Asia's first Airlines.
Yoyo was discovered in the Philippines.
The moon buggy used by Neil Armstrong was designed by a Filipino Engineer San Juan.
University of Santo Tomas is the world's largest catholic university in terms of population. It is older than Harvard.
Filipinos speak English. They are the third largest English Speaking country in terms of population after the Americans and the Bristish. Apparently, Americans and Bristish have their own distinctive accent, Filipinos have their own distinctive accent as well.
Filipinos are known for their hospitality and warmth smiles.
Mayon Volcano is a perfect cone shaped active volcano.
The exotic jeepney is a post-war creation inspired by the GI jeeps that the American soldiers brought to the country in the 1940s. Enterprising Filipinos salvaged the surplus engines and came out unique vehicles of art.
The world’s longest underground river system accessible to man can be found at the St. Paul National Park in the province of Palawan.
The Philippines became the first Asian country to win FIVE major international beauty pageant crowns — two for Miss Universe, in 1969 and 1973, and three for Miss International, in 1965, 1970, and 1979.
Philippines Herald war journalist Carlos P. Romulo was the first Asian to win a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism in 1942. He was also aide-de-camp to General Douglas MacArthur in World War II; Philippine resident commissioner in the U.S. Congress from 1944-46; and the first Asian to become UN President in 1949.
On January 18, 1995, Pope John Paul II offered mass to an estimated 4 to 5 million people at Luneta Park, Manila, Philippines, making it to the Guiness Book of World Records for the Biggest Papal Crowd.
Tagala - the Philippines first Filipino-Spanish dictionary which was printed in 1613, 25 years older than the first book printed in the United States.
The Philippine Basketball Association is Asia's premier and the world's second oldest professional league.
The list goes on and on .....
Mabuhay!
2007-01-29 22:48:35 · answer #4 · answered by Dave Star 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
With 7,107 islands, and a coastline twice the length of that of the United States, the Philippines can claim to be Asia's Beach Capital. Enjoy the warm crystal blue waters of both the China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Mention the Philippines and images of long, white sand beaches and bodies of water blessed with a variety of marine life come to mind.
PHILIPPINE BEACH DESTINATIONS:
Boracay, Pagudpud, Mactan Island, Panglao, Camiguin, Dakak, Honda Bay, El Nido, Pearl Farm, Siargao.
2007-01-29 20:24:22 · answer #5 · answered by nk_20 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Was the only Catholic majority nation in asia until East Timor (Timor Leste got it's independence)
it is 172nd largest country (even though it isn't that big! lol so what a suprise!)
it has the 25th largest GDP
12th most populous country
One of two countries that DO NOT permit civil divorce for civil marraiges.
in 2040 the population will be 141,096,582, but by 2015 it will only be 104 million
2007-01-30 00:38:01 · answer #6 · answered by JepJep92 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Almost 90% of Filipinos are Catholics and Christians. Philippines is the largest Roman Catholic country in Asia. In fact, one of the largest Catholic school (in terms of population) is in here, University of Sto. Tomas.
The Philippines used to be a colony of Spain and America. This is the reason why you can see huge Spanish and American influence in the Philippines.
Spanish Influences:
1. The names. Most of the Filipinos have Spanish names. The name that personifies Filipinos is called "Juan De la Cruz." Other famous names/surnames are Maria, Gonzales etc.
2. The language. A lot of Filipino words came from Spanish. Examples are silya (chair), mantikilya (butter), kumusta (hello).
3. The food. I think the Filipino food is really unique because it's a combination of Spanish ang South East Asian. Popular foods are Adobo, Sinigang, Kare-Kare, Manga at Bagoong (Mango and fish condiment), Balot Eggs, Champorrado, Puto (Rice cakes), Pastillas, Leche Flan, Pan de Sal etc. etc.
4. The mestizo/meztizas.
American Influence:
1. The English language. Huge number of Filipinos can speak English that is why Call Centers are huge in this country (I guess we are second to India). This is probably the reason why Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) are in demand among other countries.
2. The Products and other american things. I guess among other asian countries we are the ones who were first exposed to American products like hamburgers, hotdogs, Baseball (which used to be a popular sport before, but now its almost extinct), jeans, Basketball (The most famous sport in the country. Filipino teams before ranks high in world basketball, but sadly, today we are not known in the world arena), TV, radio.
_ _ _ _
Other random facts include:
1. Philippine Airlines is the first commercial Airline in asia.
2. Telenovelas are hit in the country. Before we use to like Mexican/Spanish Telenovelas but now Korean telenovelas rule in the foreign shows.
3. A few people know this but Philippines actually is one of the country who first embraced Jazz. In the earlier years, some pinoy jazz artist are invited to Japan and other neighboring countries to play/ sing in there homeland. (I saw this documentary called Pinoy Jazz).
4. Philippine Cinema started 1897. It is a sad fact that there are a lot of old FIlipino Films that are not available right now due to the countries' incapability to store them. SOme of theses old movies are found in other countries.
(There are actually a lot of interesting facts about the Philippines. These are just some of them.)
2007-01-29 22:26:28 · answer #7 · answered by Banana C 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
We got a current Lady President an economist and likewise Pres. Clinton classmates at Georgetown U.
2007-01-30 09:35:43 · answer #8 · answered by George Manheaven 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
did you know that Philippines has 7107 island and islets but this figure vary depending if its high tide or low tide.
did you that biggest high school in terms of population is the rizal high school on the Philippines?
did you know that the biggest and most expensive pearl in the world was found in the philipines?
did you know that the most expensive road in the world is the Macapagal Blvd in the phillipines? 900 million for a 2 km road...courtesy of our president..named after his father.
did you know that only in the Philippines you can call the president a dwarf, liar, puppet, robber, killer, etc?
did you know that in the philipines, the president earns almost 6 million for a 6 year term but they are allowed to spend hundred millions during campaign? now you know why we are a corrupt nation.
2007-01-30 01:31:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
amazing fact...
people are naturally friendly.
beaches are to die for... even if it's not boracay.
food is cheap, and good.
fabulous malls.
exotic fruits
and there's no such thing as "no place to go" because it has 1,710 islands to decide, not to mention, the biggest city in Asia (Davao), and the biggest mall (Mall of Asia).
If you have Limited time, go to "Nayong Pilipino", cheesy, but the Philippine History and Wonders are there in miniature size.
2007-01-29 22:38:44 · answer #10 · answered by reijene 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋