Why Philippines is considered a unique nation? There are four reasons: * Religion - Filipinos Christians are predominantly * Political History a. Philippines is the first Republic in Asia, being the first to achieve independence by revolution and establish a Republic led by General Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898 - 1901. b. The first Southeast Asian Nation to secure independence by voluntary decolonization of a colonial power after the secone World War in 1946. It led the world in waging a “People Power Revolution to oust a dictator by peaceful and prayerful means in 1986”. c. * Cultural Heritage We are assimilated of four heritages, to wit: a. Indigenous Asia b. The European . Latin d. American heritage Geographically, Philippines especially Fil by race and culture a harmonious blend of the East and the West. + Natural Resources ~ Philippines is one of the richest counties of the world. Why Philippines is considered as the Melting Pot of People and Culture? * Our country occupies a good geographical position * It is the crossroads of the world’s culture and races. - It is the meeting place of all aviation, shipping, and trade routes in the orient. Importance of Phi + Philippines serve as a bridge between the culture of the East and the West. + It lies as a crossroads of international air and sea routes + It looms as a bastion of democracy in an area where dictators and communism hold sway over Asian nation. * It is the citadel of Christianity between the largely Christian West and largely Non- Land area of the Philippines: * Philippines is an archipelago of 7,100 islands with a total land area of 115,707 sq. m. or 299,681 sq.km. * In terms of the land area, Philippines is almost as large as Italy, larger than New Zealand, twice as big as Greece and very much larger than Britain, Land area of the Philippines: + Luzon — Philippines largest island with a total land area of 40, 814 sq. m., which is bigger than Hungary and Portugal. + Mindanao — Second largest island, with total area of 38,906 sq. m., which is bigger than Austria. * Visayas — 3! largest island with a total land area of 36, 087 sq.m. Physical Features: * Highest mountain - Mt. Apo (9,600 ft. High in Mindanao) * Lowest Spot — Philippine Deep, situated off the Pacific coast of the archipelago with 37, 782 ft. deep, lower than the Marianas Deep with only 35,640 ft. Deep. * San Juanico Strait — the narrowest strait in the world between Samar and Leyte. * Manila Bay — one of the finest harbors in the Asian World, with the hist Corregidor Island standing guard as its entrance.Physical Features: Cont. + Central Plain in Luzon — largest plain in Central Luzon, famously known as the “Rice granary of the Philippines” + Cagayan Valley — also in Luzon, is the Asia’s greatest tobacco producing region. + Cagayan River ~ longest river in the Philippines where tobacco is being drained. + Laguna de Bay ~ largest lake in the country. Filipino Image: ino, during the Third Republican Era (1946-72), Philippines had the freest press in Asia, the best schools and colleges, and the most progressive business environment in the region. During the Commonwealth Period under President Manuel L. Quezon, the Filipino is not inferior to any man of any race; his physical, intellectual, and moral qualities are as excellent as those proudest stocks of mankind. Filipino Image: A Nation of many Languages: + Filipinos are known for their talent in languages. This is exemplified by Dr. Jose Rizal, who knew 22 languages. + Philippines have 55 languages, and 147 dialects according to the findings of the Summer Institute of Linguistics of the University of North Dakota, headed by Dr. Richard S. Pittman. From the previous study of Dr. H. Otley Beyer in the year 1916, he listed only 43 major languages and 87 dialects. Filipino Image: Filipinos are the only English and Spanish speaking nation in Asia. Filipinos are the most literate Nation in Southeast Asia. Women in the Philippines enjoy the greatest freedom and highest status among women in Asia; economically, politically, and socially - considered equal with men.