The Philippines: People and Culture
By: Bennett Spahr
A Country Like No Other
The Philippines is a magical country full of magical places to see and filled with magical people who want to give you a good time in their country. It's basically like Disney World except you'll probably get shanked by someone after getting sunburn and malaria. This country is an enigma in of itself, and it will take extensive research on the history, people, and culture of this exotic and savage country to solve the complex puzzle that is the Philippines. ¡Vamos a Embárcate!
A Brief History of the Philippines
The Philippines was a scattered country that constantly suffered from natural disasters and conflicts from the leaders of the islands. Naturally, this made the country easy to colonize by the Spanish when they arrived in the 1500s (Spain was immensely powerful compared to most other countries at the time) and spread their culture to the islands. This is why the Philippines has a much more Western/Latin-esque culture compared to the many other countries of the Far East.
The Philippines remained a Spanish colony until the end of the Spanish-American war in 1898, in which Spain ceded the island chain to the United States. In 1935, the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. The Japanese Empire occupied the country during the latter-half of World War II, which resulted the Philippines and the United States working together to bring down the eastern juggernaut in 1945. The Philippines gained true independence in 1946.
In modern times, the government of the Philippines faces several threats. The vocal minority of indigenous Muslims, also known has Moro people, has caused trouble mainly in the southern islands. Although they only make up for 5% of the country, the Moro people practice Sharia law very strictly and have very low tolerance for tourists and journalists. The Philippines also argues with China a lot over territorial claims in the South China Sea.
The Philippines remained a Spanish colony until the end of the Spanish-American war in 1898, in which Spain ceded the island chain to the United States. In 1935, the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. The Japanese Empire occupied the country during the latter-half of World War II, which resulted the Philippines and the United States working together to bring down the eastern juggernaut in 1945. The Philippines gained true independence in 1946.
In modern times, the government of the Philippines faces several threats. The vocal minority of indigenous Muslims, also known has Moro people, has caused trouble mainly in the southern islands. Although they only make up for 5% of the country, the Moro people practice Sharia law very strictly and have very low tolerance for tourists and journalists. The Philippines also argues with China a lot over territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Population
As of July 2014, the Philippines has a population of 107,668,23. It is the 13th most populated country in the world.
Ethnic Groups
Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3%
The Metro Manila region is in the bright red area, where the Tagalog mainly are. Since Metro Manila contains the three largest cities in the country (Quezon City, Manila, and Caloocan), the Tagalog are easily the largest ethnic group in the country. The 25% that is "other" are usually more minor ethnic groups and non-indigenous races such as Caucasian-whites.
The Metro Manila region is in the bright red area, where the Tagalog mainly are. Since Metro Manila contains the three largest cities in the country (Quezon City, Manila, and Caloocan), the Tagalog are easily the largest ethnic group in the country. The 25% that is "other" are usually more minor ethnic groups and non-indigenous races such as Caucasian-whites.
Language
The two official languages are Filipino and English.
Filipino borrows traits from both the indigenous languages of the pre-colonized Philippines and Spanish, which was unsurprisingly brought by Spain. Due to being a U.S. territory for quite a few decades, the Philippines has adopted the country's signature language as well.
Filipino borrows traits from both the indigenous languages of the pre-colonized Philippines and Spanish, which was unsurprisingly brought by Spain. Due to being a U.S. territory for quite a few decades, the Philippines has adopted the country's signature language as well.
Religion
The Philippines is the only Christian nation in all of Asia. Around 80% of the population are of the Roman Catholic denomination. Unsurprisingly enough, Spain seemed to have brought over their predominant religion to the Philippines when they colonized it.
The second largest religion is Muslim at 5%. As stated earlier, they are small in numbers but make up for it with zeal.
The other 15% consists mostly of indigenous religions, protestant Christian denominations, and no religion at all.
The second largest religion is Muslim at 5%. As stated earlier, they are small in numbers but make up for it with zeal.
The other 15% consists mostly of indigenous religions, protestant Christian denominations, and no religion at all.
A Catholic Service in The Philippines
Health Statistics and Literacy Rate
The literacy rate in the Philippines is 95%.
There is 1 doctor and 1 hospital bed per 1,000 people. Health expenditures make up about 4.6% of the GDP. The infant mortality rate is about 18 deaths per 1,000 live births. The average Filipino is expected to live for 72 years. The risk of getting a major infectious disease, such as malaria and hepatitis A is high. The obesity rate is at around 6%. Around 3 Filipino children are born per woman.
These statistics show that the Philippines could do much, much better. They're not as bad off as some countries in South Asia, Latin America, or Africa, but they are still a long way off from being developed. Looking at all these statistics, they can be safely classified as a developing country.
There is 1 doctor and 1 hospital bed per 1,000 people. Health expenditures make up about 4.6% of the GDP. The infant mortality rate is about 18 deaths per 1,000 live births. The average Filipino is expected to live for 72 years. The risk of getting a major infectious disease, such as malaria and hepatitis A is high. The obesity rate is at around 6%. Around 3 Filipino children are born per woman.
These statistics show that the Philippines could do much, much better. They're not as bad off as some countries in South Asia, Latin America, or Africa, but they are still a long way off from being developed. Looking at all these statistics, they can be safely classified as a developing country.
Abodo
This is the Philippine's signature dish, and you'll never have it the same way twice. Abodo is taking any type of meat (usually it's pork or chicken), braising it in garlic, vinegar, salt, bay leaves, black pepper, and adding in you own special touch. It is a dish that celebrates creativity, and it is an essential part of Filipino culture.
Manila
The capital city of the Philippines is the second largest in the country and is home to about 1,600,000 people. The metropolitan area of Manila has a population of about 11,000,000 people, which is about 1/10th of the entire country. It is a main center for business, entertainment, and politics in the country.
Tourism
The Philippines has the privilege of being located on the Pacific Ocean, which many consider to be the prettiest ocean in the world. The tropical setting of the Philippines makes it a popular place for tourism, which plays a major part of the country's economy in turn.
Clothing
Traditional clothing in the Philippines. Fashion in the Philippines was heavily inspired by the Spanish, the Americans, and even the Japanese.
These two clothing pieces are something you'd normally see in the Far-East with a little Spanish zest added to it.
These two clothing pieces are something you'd normally see in the Far-East with a little Spanish zest added to it.
Architecture
Traditional
A traditional Ifugao house, commonly made by the Filipinos before they were colonized.
Spanish-Inspired
Upon being colonized by the Spanish in the 1500s, architecture in the Philippines drew heavy inspiration from buildings in Spain.
American-Inspired
After being ceded into the United States in 1898, newer Filipino buildings drew heavy inspiration from the U.S.A.