We lived in the Philippines, our native

land. It is one of more than 180

countries in the world. The people who
lived and belong to this country are
called “Filipinos”. If your parents were
born in this country, and you were also
born here, then very likely you are a
Filipino. As a Filipino we should love and
know our country well. Now, in order to
know a country well, we study its history
because history is the story of a country
and its people.
Three important parts about knowing a
country’s history:

God = God loves the Filipinos and put

them in a rich and beautiful land.
God also gave the “gift of faith” to
know him and to serve him. God has
a plan for our land and our people.
God has helped the Filipinos in many
times of natural calamities and social
troubles. The Bible has promised that
“Blessed is the nation whose God is
the Lord” (Psalm 33.12)
Three important parts about knowing a
country’s history:

People = Men, women, and children

who make up the Filipino nation are
very fortunate.
Land = We have one of the most
beautiful and richest land in the
world. The Philippines is rich in natural
resources like oil, gas, minerals,
farmlands, and forests. If we will take
care of these natural resources, we
will become a very prosperous land.
THE NAME PHILIPPINES

“Ma-yi” = This means land of gold,

because they bought gold in
Mindoro. When the Early Chinese
traders visited Mindoro.
“Maniolas” = A Greek mapmaker
named Claudius Ptolemy (90-168 A.D)
called our islands in his ancient map.
“Archipelago of St. Lazarus” = When
Magellan came in 1521. He called the
Philippines.
THE NAME PHILIPPINES

“Felipinas” = In 1543, a Spanish explorer

named Ruy Lopez de Villalobos gave
the name, to the Philippines in honor of
Crown Prince Felipe (Philip) who later
became King Philip of Spain.
“Filipinas” = during the Spanish colonial
era.
“The Philippine Islands” = during the
American colonial era.
“The Republic of the Philippines” = after
our independence in 1946.
THE PEARL OF THE ORIENT

Sometimes, there are nicknames to a

country, just as people can have
nickname. This was the romantic name
given to our country by the two famous
writers. Juan Delgado in 1751. But the
Filipino who popularized this name was
Dr. Jose P. Rizal, our National Hero, who
wrote it in an article in 1892 and in his
farewell poem before his death in 1896.
LOCATION

Lies in the Southeast Asia, a little

above the equator, between
latitudes 4º23’N and 21º25’N and
longitude 116ºE and 127ºE.
Bounded in the east by the Pacific
Ocean, in the west by the South
China Sea, in the north by the Bashi
Channel, and in the south by the Zulu
and Celebes Sea.
LOCATION

The northernmost island is Y’ami, only

240km. from Taiwan, which can be
seen on a clear day. The
southernmost island is in Saluag Isle,
about 24km. from Sabah (North
Borneo).
AREA

 According to the Constitution, the national

territory of the Philippines includes: islands,
adjacent seas and submarine areas and
the air space above.
 The total land area of the Philippines is
300,780 sq. km. or 0.2% of the worlds land
mass.
 The land area of the Philippines is bigger
than that of the United Kingdom, almost as
large as Italy, and slightly smaller than
Japan.
AREA

 Having 7,107 islands, it is one of the world’s

largest archipelagos or group of islands.
 Luzon, the biggest group of island.
 On June 11, 1978, President Marcos signed
Presidential Decree No. 1596, declaring the
Kalayaan (Spratly) islands a part of the
Philippines, to be administered as a
municipality of the Province of Palawan.
But this cluster of islands in the South China
Sea is also claimed by Malaysia, Vietnam
and the two Chinas.
 The Philippines is an
inverted Y-shaped
archipelago.

TOPOGRAPHY

Topography means the physical features

of a country. The Philippines is an
inverted Y-shaped archipelago of
numerous islands and islets, coral reefs,
abundant rivers, lakes and bays,
mountains and valleys, cool plateaus
and scenic volcanoes.
Manila bay is the largest
bay in the Philippines and
the finest harbor in Asia.

Manila bay during sunset.

San Juanico strait is the

world’s narrowest strait. It lies
between Samar and Leyte.
Manila bay is the largest
bay in the Philippines and
the finest harbor in Asia.

Manila bay during sunset.

San Juanico strait is the

world’s narrowest strait. It lies
between Samar and Leyte.
Manila bay is the largest
bay in the Philippines and
the finest harbor in Asia.

Manila bay during sunset.

San Juanico strait is the

world’s narrowest strait. It lies
between Samar and Leyte.
The Philippine deep (37,732
ft.) world’s deepest sea.

Mt. Apo the highest

mountain located in
Mindanao.

There are 132 main rivers. The

longest river is the Cagayan
River in Luzon.
The Philippine deep (37,732
ft.) world’s deepest sea.

Mt. Apo the highest

mountain located in
Mindanao.

There are 132 main rivers. The

longest river is the Cagayan
River in Luzon.
The Philippine deep (37,732
ft.) world’s deepest sea.

Mt. Apo the highest

mountain located in
Mindanao.

There are 132 main rivers. The

longest river is the Cagayan
River in Luzon.
There are 59 lakes. The
largest lake is Laguna de
bay in Luzon.

Mt. Mayon in Bicol has the

world’s perfect cone.

Mt. Mayon erruption.

There are 59 lakes. The
largest lake is Laguna de
bay in Luzon.

Mt. Mayon in Bicol has the

world’s perfect cone.

Mt. Mayon erruption.

There are 59 lakes. The
largest lake is Laguna de
bay in Luzon.

Mt. Mayon in Bicol has the

world’s perfect cone.

Mt. Mayon erruption.

Taal volcano in Batangas is
the world’s smallest
volcano.

Taal Volcano

There are four fertile plains. Central Plain,

Cagayan Valley in Luzon and Agusan and
Cotabato valleys in Mindanao.
The central plain is the “rice granary” of the
Philippines.
Taal volcano in Batangas is
the world’s smallest
volcano.

Taal Volcano

There are four fertile plains. Central Plain,

Cagayan Valley in Luzon and Agusan and
Cotabato valleys in Mindanao.
The central plain is the “rice granary” of the
Philippines.
Taal volcano in Batangas is
the world’s smallest
volcano.

Taal Volcano

There are four fertile plains. Central Plain,

Cagayan Valley in Luzon and Agusan and
Cotabato valleys in Mindanao.
The central plain is the “rice granary” of the
Philippines.
CLIMATE

Wet and dry season.

The coldest month is January and
hottest is may.
Dry season from December to May.
Wet season from June to November.
NATURE CALAMITIES

• Typhoon – a Chinese word meaning

“strong wing and heavy rain” in English it is
called “storm”
• Earthquake – happened because of about
103 zones of weakness across the islands.
• Volcanic eruption – occasionally brings
destruction and sorrow to the people.

The Philippine sits on the “Pacific

Ring of Fire” where most natural
calamities happen.
 Volcanoes:
There are 50 volcanoes, 13
of which are still active.

Mt. Mayon (Albay, Bicol)

• Most famous and scenic of the Philippine
volcanoes.
• Nearly perfect cone
• More than 30 times eruption since 1616 up
to present
• February 1, 1814 was the most destructive
eruption, when town of casagwa was
buried and 1200 people died.
 Volcanoes:
There are 50 volcanoes, 13
of which are still active.

Mt. Taal (Batangas)

• Smallest volcano
• Most unusual volcano, being surrounded
by a lake
• More than 20 times eruption since 1572 up
to present
• September 28, 1965 when Taal’s eruption
killed 250 and destroyed two barrios.
 Volcanoes:
There are 50 volcanoes, 13
of which are still active.

Mt. Pinatubo (Zambales)

• The worst volcanic eruption in history in June 1991
• Damaged 6 provinces in central Luzon
• 1,000,000 people were injured, made homeless or
killed
• Totally destroyed the American military base at Clark
Pampanga
• The volcanic dust covered not only the Luzon area but
travel around the globe
• Punched hole in the ozone layer between the earth’s
atmosphere and the sun
• It is believed that the Pinatubo eruption affected
climate around the world
NATURAL RESOURCES

The natural resources of the country

includes:
Soil
Plant and Animal Life
Fish and Marine Resources
Minerals
Energy sources
Scenic beauties of nature
NATURAL RESOURCES

Soil:
It is the country’s most important
natural resources because most of
the people earn a living from tilling
the land.
Plant Life:
The country has a rich plant and
animal life. According to agricultural
experts, 8,120 species of plants grow
in the country.
NATURAL RESOURCES

1,000 varieties of orchids, 1000,

species of rice, and 3,000 species of
trees.
Sampaguita is considered as the
“queen of Philippine flowers”
Pung-apong is one of the world’s
largest flowers with a diameter of one
foot.
NATURAL RESOURCES

Animal life:
About 850 species of birds are found
in the country.
The biggest bird is the “eastern sarus
crane” known as “tipol” in Luzon and
“labong” in visayas.
The “kalaw” is known as the “clock of
the mountains” by the Spanish
colonizers because it always makes a
loud call at in the mountains..
NATURAL RESOURCES

“carabao or water buffalo” is the

most useful of the animals and it is
considered as the farmers best friend.
NATURAL RESOURCES

Forest resources:
The forest lands have a total land area
of 16,633,000 hectares, representing
55% of the total land area.
More than 3,000 species of trees are
found in our forest, 1000 of which are
commercial timber.
Narra is the most famous of forest trees
and known as the “queen of the
Philippine wood.”
NATURAL RESOURCES

Fish and Marine resources:

At least 2,000 species of fish are found
in the waters of the archipelago.
“Whale shark” is the world’s largest fish
it is about 50 feet in length and weighs
several tons, and was first sighted in
1816 at Mareveles Bay.
NATURAL RESOURCES
The “pygmy goby fish (pandaka
pygmea)” about 9.6 millimiters and
“tabios” about 3 to 4 milimiters, two of
the world’s smallest fish were found in the
Philippines.
The world’s rarest and most expensive
shell called “glory of the sea” and
“golden cawrie” are both found in our
country.
“Pearl of allah” world’s largest pearl and
was found by a muslim Filipino diver who
gave it to his datu.
NATURAL RESOURCES

Mineral:
Many metallic and non-metallic
minerals are found in the country.
Metallic minerals-
nickel,copper,iron,gold.
Precious metal-gold and silver
Base metal-copper and nickel, this are
for industry or as construction materials
(limestone, adobe)
NATURAL RESOURCES

Gold mining-ancient industry of the

people.
Copper mining- also one of the ancient
industries.
Since pre-spanish times, igorots have
been mining copper in the mountain
province
Mankayan- the best known copper
district in the country.
NATURAL RESOURCES

Surigao provinces (norte and sur) –

greatest iron-bearing areas, estimated
to reach 1,000,000 tons of deposit.
The country has a tremendous marble
deposit of 600 million tons.
NATURAL RESOURCES

Energy sources:
Energy (power) is used to supply
electricity to factories, etc.
The Philippines energy needs are
supplied by:
• Oil
• Hydroelectric power
• Bagasse (sugarcane wastes)
NATURAL RESOURCES

• Geothermal energy
• Coal
• New sources of energy (solar power,
biogas, agro-forestry waste, natural
gas, alcogas and wood).
NATURAL RESOURCES

Hidden treasures:

Oil and gas discovery in Palawan

2001 discovery of more oil and gas in
Malampaya, Palawan
Palawan find biggest oil and gas field
in the country, and deepest well in the
world, 3,000 meters below sea level.
Banaue Rice terraces
Eight wonders of the world. Built more
than 2,000 years ago by the hardy
Ifugaos.

Manila bay sunset-hailed by

authors and tourist as the most
beautiful sunset in the world.

Mayon Volcano in
Bicolandia-nearly perfect
cone
Banaue Rice terraces
Eight wonders of the world. Built more
than 2,000 years ago by the hardy
Ifugaos.

Manila bay sunset-hailed by

authors and tourist as the most
beautiful sunset in the world.

Mayon Volcano in
Bicolandia-nearly perfect
cone
Banaue Rice terraces
Eight wonders of the world. Built more
than 2,000 years ago by the hardy
Ifugaos.

Manila bay sunset-hailed by

authors and tourist as the most
beautiful sunset in the world.

Mayon Volcano in
Bicolandia-nearly perfect
cone
Pagsanjan Falls

Sampalok Lake of San Pablo

City

Hidden Valley of Alaminos in

Laguna Province
Pagsanjan Falls

Sampalok Lake of San Pablo

City

Hidden Valley of Alaminos in

Laguna Province
Pagsanjan Falls

Sampalok Lake of San Pablo

City

Hidden Valley of Alaminos in

Laguna Province
Matabungkay Beach

Crystal Cave near Baguio City

Hundred islands of Lingayen

Gulf, Pangasinan
Matabungkay Beach

Crystal Cave near Baguio City

Hundred islands of Lingayen

Gulf, Pangasinan
Matabungkay Beach

Crystal Cave near Baguio City

Hundred islands of Lingayen

Gulf, Pangasinan
Montalban Caves in Rizal
Province

Salinas Salt Spring in Nueva

Vizcaya

Salinas Salt Spring

Montalban Caves in Rizal
Province

Salinas Salt Spring in Nueva

Vizcaya

Salinas Salt Spring

Montalban Caves in Rizal
Province

Salinas Salt Spring in Nueva

Vizcaya

Salinas Salt Spring

Maria Cristina Falls in Lanao del
Norte

Seven-kilometer Underground
River in Palawan.

Chocolate Hills in Bohol

Maria Cristina Falls in Lanao del
Norte

Seven-kilometer Underground
River in Palawan.

Chocolate Hills in Bohol

Maria Cristina Falls in Lanao del
Norte

Seven-kilometer Underground
River in Palawan.

Chocolate Hills in Bohol