Philippine Trivia
Interesting Facts You Should Know Kalendariong Tagalog ni Honorio Lopez.
1. Doctrina Christiana is the first book published in the Philippines, was
published in 1593, by the Dominican press. Because of the monopoly of printing
presses by religious orders prior to the 19th century, early written literature
was predominantly religious in content and in purpose.
2. The first women's magazine in the Philippines was El Hogar (The Home),
which first came out in 1893.
3. The first Filipino immigrants to the United States (1850) settled in Louisiana.
4. Emilio Aguinaldo lost to Manuel L. Quezon in the country's first presidential
elections in 1935.
5. The largest crocodile ever captured in the Philippines (1823) was found in
Laguna de Bay.
6. Fort San Pedro was the nucleus of the first Spanish settlement in the
Philippines.
7. Farmers' Market Foodome is the largest restaurant in the Philippines (in
Quezon City).
8. Cesar Virata is the first and last Prime Minister of the Philippines after WW II.
9. The Cagayan River, the Philippines longest river, originates in Nueva Vizcaya.
10. Aimee Carandang is the first Filipina to become a commercial plane pilot.
11. The oldest Philippine university for women is Centro Escolar University.
12. Jose P. Laurel has the most children (7) among the Philippine presidents.
13. Eva Estrada Kalaw is the first Filipina to be elected senator twice, in 1965
and in 1971.
14. The first modern building in the Philippines is considered to be the Crystal
Arcade in Escolta, completed in 1932.
15. Aurora is the only Philippine province named after a first lady.
16. The biggest game preserve and wildlife sanctuary in the Philippines is
located on Calauit Island in Palawan.
17. The most translated Philippine poem is Mi Ultimo Adios.
18. The Philippine mammal with the biggest eyes in relation to its body is the
tarsier.
19. Bagumbayan was the original name of Luneta Park.
20. Iniibig and gawa are the first and last words of Panatang Makabayan.
21. The Presidential Saber is awarded to the top graduate of the Philippine
Military Academy.
22. The original Philippine flag, sewn in Hong Kong in 1898, was made of silk.
23. Gen. Tomas Karingal was the first assassinated victim of the NPA's Alex
Boncayao Brigade.
24. Frank Murphy was the last American governor-general of the Philippines.
25. After the United States, the Philippines have the most Boys Scouts.
26. After Happy Birthday, the song most sung in the Philippines is Lupang
Hinirang, the national anthem.
27. Hajji Butu was the first Muslim Filipino to become a senator.
28. The most popular and durable of all Philippine almanacs is called
29. Rainier Lagman was the first Filipino to have a heart transplant.
30. Gemma Cruz was the first Filipina to win an international beauty title - Miss
International 1964.
31. P5 million was the highest prize offered for the capture of then-rebel-now-
turned-senator Gringo Honasan.
32. Palawan has the largest land area among the Philippine provinces.
33. Negros Occidental has the most cities among Philippine provinces.
34. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was the first Spanish governor-general of the
Philippines.
35. Evangeline de Castro of Baguio was the first Filipina to win the Miss
Philippines title.
36. Cebu is the oldest Philippine city.
37. The word Filipinas first appeared in coins.
38. Archipelago de San Lazarus was the name Ferdinand Magellan first gave to
the islands he "discovered."
39. Alphabetically, the first province of the Philippines which comes first is Abra
in the Ilocos region.
40. The largest Philippine wild animal is the tamaraw (a species of buffalo,
similar to the carabao). It is found only in the island of Mindoro.
41. Rio Grande de Mindanao is the longest river in Mindanao.
42. The first line of Jose Rizal's Mi Ultimo Adios is Adios patria adorada.
43. Luzon is the biggest island (141,395 sq km) among the Philippine
Archipelago which consists of 7,107 (most figures) islands and islets stretching
some 1,850 kilometers from north to south and 1,107 kilometers from west to
east at its widest point.
44. Mt. Apo in Mindanao, a dormant volcano, is the highest mountain in the
Philippines at 2,954 meters (9,689 feet). Mt. Pulog in Luzon is second at 2,928
meters (9,604 feet).
45. Cagayan River in Luzon is the longest river, snaking for 353 kilometers (221
miles) across the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela and Cagayan before finally
flowing into the South China Sea in Aparri in Cagayan.
46. The first recorded intermarriage of a Filipino to a white foreigner was the
wedding of Rajah Tupas' widowed niece to a Greek ship caulker who had sailed
to the Philippines with Miguel Lopez de Legazpi (ca 1565).
47. According to the 1990 census, Metro Manila has a population density of
12,315 persons per square kilometer (32,000/ sq.mi.), the highest in the
country.
48. The longest underground river system accessible to man IN THE WORLD is
located at the St. Paul National Park in Palawan.
49. The hottest day in the Philippines was recorded on April 29, 1912 when the
temperature reached 108.32 degrees Fahrenheit (42.4 degrees Celsius) in
Tuguegarao, Cagayan. The coldest day was recorded in Baguio city back in
January 7, 1903 when the thermometer dipped way down to 37.4 degrees
Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius).
50. The safest province geologically is Palawan. It is farthest province from
volcanoes and earthquake faults.
51. Marissa Delgado - The first Filipina who appeared in Playboy (sometime in
1965). She wasn't a centerfold but she did expose ... her back! The first Filipina
who appeared as a centerfold is the beautiful Lourdes Estores of Hawaii.
52. The Tagalog term for dye is jobus or jobos which came from the name Joe

Bush. Joe Bush was an American who set up a cleaning and dyeing shop in
Manila back in the 1940s. His products were powdered dyes with the trade
name Joe Bush.
53. Galunggong (mackerel) has the distinction to be the most widely caught fish
in Philippine waters.
54. 8 - ocho, walo, eight - is the size of Imelda's shoes.
55. Ma Mon Luk - credited to be the inventor of mami. He was a Cantonese
immigrant who probably named the dish after his surname and the Chinese
word for noodles which is mi.
56. The first ice cream parlor in the Philippines was called Clarke's Cafe located
at Plaza Moraga in Binondo. It opened sometime in 1899.
57. Kristo the Tagalog name of bookmakers at cockfights. He's called that
because he poses like Jesus when he calls for bets and shouts the odds (arms
extended like the Lord himself).
58. The first Greek fraternity in the Philippines is the University of the
Philippines' Upsilon Sigma Phi (established in 1918). It does not have any
branches outside the UP system. Among its alumni are the preserved ex-
President Ferdinand E. Marcos and his arch-nemesis, the late Senator Benigno
'Ninoy Forever' Aquino. The first sorority with a Greek name is Sigma Delta Phi,
also at UP and sister sorority of Upsilon Sigma Phi, established in 1938. (Partly
contributed by Butch Bandong.)
59. Davao City is the largest city in the Philippines with an area of 2,211 sq. km.,
about three times the size of Metro-Manila.
60. Manila Hotel is the first building to be air-conditioned.
61. Philippine Airlines' first flight was from Manila to Baguio on March 15, 1941.
The plane was a twin-engine Beech Model 18 carrying five passengers. There
was no attendant or lavatory. It reached Baguio in 45 minutes.
62. The largest employer in the Philippines other than the government is San
Miguel Corporation which has over 39,000 full-time employees.
63. Luneta Hotel, corner T.M. Kalaw and Roxas Blvd is said to be the oldest
multi-storyed building in the Philippines
 Cebu is the first Philippine City.
 Maria Teresa Calderon - World champion speed reader as listed in the Guiness
Book of World Records
 In the Philippines, Filipinos were introduced to the English language in 1762 by
British invaders, not Americans. Philippines is the world's 3rd largest English-
speaking nation, next to the USA and the UK.
 Coconuts - the Philippines is considered to be the largest producer of coconuts
 Gemma Cruz was the first Filipina to win an international beauty title - Miss
International 1964.
 Dan Inosanto - from Mike Robandido - Pinoy who taught Bruce Lee how to use
arnis de mano.
 The second oldest philippine printing press next to Manila can be found in Pila
Laguna. The first book printed was namedVocabulario Delengua 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.
 After Happy Birthday, the song most sung in the Philippines is Lupang Hinirang,
the national anthem.
 Philippine Airlines took to the skies on March 15, 1941, using a Beech Model
18 aircraft amid the specter of a global war. It became Asia's first airline.
 The world's largest pearl was discovered by a Filipino diver in a giant Tridacna
(mollusk) under the Palawan Sea in 1934. Known as the "Pearl of Lao-Tzu", the
gem weighs 14 pounds and measures 9 1/2 inches long and 5 1/2 inches in
diameter. As of May 1984, it was valued at US$42 million. It is believed to be
600 years old.
 Alto Broadcasting System (ABS) Channel 3, the first television station in the
country, went on the air in 1953.
 Fernando Amorsolo, a painter, was the first national artist declared by the
Philippine government. The award was conferred on Amorsolo in April 1972,
several days after his death.
 The world's second deepest spot underwater is in the Philippines. This spot,
about 34,440 feet (10,497 meters) below the sea level, is known as the
Philippine Deep or the Mindanao Trench. The Philippine Deep is in the floor of
the Philippine Sea. The German ship Emden first plumbed the trench in 1927.
The world's deepest part of the ocean is the Marianas Trench, which is over
11,000 meters below the seal level.
 The symbolic name for the Philippines, Juan dela Cruz, is not a Filipino
invention? It was coined by R. McCulloch-Dick, a Scottish-born journalist
working for the Manila Times in the early 1900s, after discovering it was the
most common name in blotters
 Mayon is the most beautiful mountain I have ever seen, the world-renowned
Fujiyama (Mt. Fuji) of Japan sinking into perfect insignificance by comparison.
British traveler-writer A. Henry Savage Landor
 Ilo-Ilo golf and country club is the oldest golf club in the Philippines. It was built
at 1908 by Irish Engineers.
 Emilio Aguinaldo lost to Manuel L. Quezon in the country's first presidential
elections in 1935.
 Bagumbayan was the original name of Luneta Park.
 Of the 500 known coral species in the world, 488 are found in the Philippines.
 The Philippines is home to some of the world's most exotic birds. One of the
most endangered species is the exotic Kalangay or the Philippine cockatoo
(Cacatua haematuropygia), which belongs to Psittacidae or the family of
parrots. Some cockatoos can live up to 50 years. They are known for mimicking
human voices. Most of them measure 33 centimeters in length and weigh 0.29
kilogram.
More Facts & Trivia About the Philippines
 There are more than 10 million Filipinos living overseas, of this,
about 8 million are OFWs or Overseas Filipino Workers of which
around 1.5 million are contractual workers. According to the Central
Bank of the Philippines, overseas Filipinos remitted a record high of
US$ 18.76 billion to the Philippines in 2010, a 8.2% increase
compared to 2009. The bulk of the remittances comes from the U.S.,
Canada, Saudi Arabia, U.K., Japan, U.A.E., Italy, Singapore and
Germany. These OFW remittances account for roughly 10% of the
country's GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
 Poverty Incidence: According to the Statistical Coordination Board,
Filipinos living at or below the poverty line as of 2009 is about 26.5%
of the population or about 23.1 million.
 Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines can read and write
at the age of 2. He grew up speaking 20 foreign languages including
French, Greek, Chinese, Latin and German.
 The karaoke is a Filipino invention, not Japanese. Karaoke meaning
"singing without accompaniment" in Japanese was invented by
Roberto del Rosario. He called his invention "Sing-Along-System",
which was later called karaoke.
 The Philippine flag is the only flag in the world that is displayed
upside-down when the country is in war (red on top and blue at the
bottom when in war).
 The Philippines is considered the "text capital of the world". In 2006,
there were an estimated 35 million cell phone subscribers in the
Philippines and about 350 to 400 million SMS (Short Message
Service) or text messages are sent daily. This figure was more than
the total daily text messages sent in the U.S. and Europe combined.
However, China has overtaken the Philippines by sheer volume of
users. It is estimated that in 2007, the Chinese sent an average of 1.6
billion text messages daily with more than 500 million cell phone
users. While Filipinos sent an average of a billion text messages daily
with about 50 million cell phone users. Even though the Chinese sent
more text messages in total, they send an average of only 3 text
messages per cell phone per day, while Filipinos sends on average 20
text messages per cell phone user per day.
 Although the land area of the Philippines is roughly 1/30th of the
United States, The Philippines has a total coastline of 36,289
kilometers while the total U.S. coastline is a modest 19,924
kilometers.
 The world's rarest and most expensive seashell, the "Conus
Gloriamaris" is among the 12,000 species of seashells found in the
 Philippines. And 488 coral species out of the known 500 coral species
worldwide are found in the country.
National Parks and Nature Reserves
Banaue Rice Terraces- is a 2000-year old terraces that were carved into
the mountains of Ifugao
 Puerto Princesa Underground River- is a underground river located
in Palawan.
 Tubbataha Reef- is an atoll coral reef located in the Sulu Sea.
 Apo Reef- is a series of coral reefs encompassing 34 square kilometers
within the waters of Occidental Mindoro in the Philippines. It is the
world's second-largest contiguous coral reef system and the largest in the
country.
 Mayon Volcano- is an active volcano in the province of Albay, it is famous
for its perfect cone shape.
 Chocolate Hills- is an unusual geological formation in Bohol Province and
has 1,260 hills but there may be as many as 1,776 hills spread over an
area of more than 50 square kilometres (20 sq mi).
 Mount Apo- is the tallest mountain in the Philippines.
 Taal Volcano- it is the world's smallest active volcano.
 Batanes Islands- is a province comprising ten islands that are located in
the Luzon Strait.
 Hundred Islands- are islands scattered along the Lingayen Gulf.
 Sagay Marine Reserve- is the largest marine reserve in the Philippines,
covering an area of 32,000 hectares.[6]
 Loboc River- is a river on Bohol Island. It is one of the major tourist
destinations of Bohol.
 Mount Pinatubo- is an active stratovolcano and has an Crater lake above.
 Pagsanjan Falls- is a waterfalls in the province of Laguna.
 Tabon Cave- are a set of caves north of Quezon municipality, in the south
western part of the province of Palawan.
 Lake Balinsasayao- is one of two small but deep crater lakes rising 1,000
feet (300 m) above sea level
 Biak-na-Bato National Park- is centered on a mountain gorge sliced by the
Balaong River. More than a hundred caves of varying sizes and crystalline
mineral formations are spread across the park.
 Balbalasang-Balbalan National Park- is a protected area located in the
municipality of Balbalan, Kalinga. The park covers an area of 1,338
hectares
 Mount Pulag- is the highest mountain in the island of Luzon.
 Mount Kitanglad- is an inactive volcano located in the Kitanglad Mountain
Range in Bukidnon province on Mindanao island.
 El Nido- according to CNNGo, it is the Best Beach and Island destination in
the Philippines.[7]
 Quezon Memorial Circle- is a national park and shrine located in Quezon
City.
Filipino Interesting Facts and History
In the Philippines, Filipinos were introduced to the English language in 1762 by
British invaders, not Americans.
What is the world's 3rd largest English-speaking nation, next to the USA and the
UK? The Philippines.
The USA bought the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam from Spain in 1898.
The Filipino-American Independence War from 1898 to 1902 ensued, killing
4,234 Americans and killing how many Filipinos? 16,000 were killed in action
and 200,000 died from famine and pestilence. (The Philippines lost and was
colonized until 1946.)
Los Angeles, California was co-founded in 1781 by a Filipino named Antonio
Miranda Rodriguez, along with 43 Latinos from Mexico sent by the Spanish
government.
What antibiotic did ! Filipino doctor Abelardo Aguilar co-discover? Hint: Brand is
Ilosone, named after Iloilo. Erythromycin.
The one-chip video camera was first made by Marc Loinaz a Filipino inventor
from New Jersey.
The first ever international Grandmaster from Asia was Eugenio Torre who won
at the Chess Olympiad in Nice, France in 1974.
This son of two Filipino physicians scored over 700 on the verbal portion of the
Standardized Achievement Test (SAT) before age 13 - Kiwi Danao Camara of
Punahou School, Hawaii... Edward Sanchez, a Mensa member, bagged the grand
prize in the first Philippine Search for Product Excellence in Information
Technology.
Who was the Filipino-American dancer who scored a perfect 1600 on the SAT?
Joyce Monteverde of California.
Who invented the fluorescent lamp? Thomas Edison discovered the electric
light bulb and the fluorescent lighting was thought up by Nikola Tesla. But the
flu! orescent lamp we use today was invented by Agapito Flores (a Cebu man
named Benigno Flores of Bantayan Island, according to the Philippine Daily
inquirer), a Filipino scientist. Americans helped then-Philippine leader Ramon
Magsaysay to develop it for worldwide commerce.
(Yes! Many foreigners have noted that the Filipino population has Asia's highest
rates of inventors and international beauty queens.) Two Filipina beauties,
Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran, chosen as Miss Universe in 1969 and 1973.
Pure- or part-Filipino celebrities in American showbiz include Von Flores, Tia
Carrere, Paolo Montalban, Lea Salonga, Ernie Reyes Jr., Nia Peeples, Julio
Iglesias Jr., Enrique Iglesias Lou Diamond Phillips, Phoebe Cates and Rob
Schneider.
The first Filipino act to land a top hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in the
1960s was the group Rocky Fellers of Manila.
Sugar Pie deSanto (father was from the Philippines), The Artist Formerly Known
as Prince (according to the October 1984 article "Prince in Exile" by Scott Isler in
the magazine Musician), Jaya,Foxy Brown and Enrique Iglesias followed.
Pure Filipinos who made success in minor charts were Jocelyn Enriquez aka
Oriental Madonna, Buffy, Pinay and (Ella May) Saison.
Latina-American pop star Christina Aguilera lost to Filipina vocalist Josephine
Roberto aka Banig during the International Star Search years ago. In a mid-1999
MTV chat, she said that competing against someone of Banig's age was "not
fair."
Besides gracing fashion magazine covers, this international supermodel from
Manila had walked the runways since the 1970s for all the major designers, like
Calvin Klein, Chanel, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Donna Karan,Gianni
Versace and Yves Saint Laurent - Anna Bayle.
Who is the personal physician of United States Pres. William Clinton? Elea! nor
"Connie" Concepcion Mariano, a Filipina doctor who was the youngest captain
in the US Navy.
The first Filipino-American in US Congress was Virginia Rep. Robert Cortez-Scott,
a Harvard alumnus.
Distinguished British traveler-writer A. Henry Savage Landor, thrilled upon
seeing a Bicol landmark in 1903, wrote: "Mayon is the most beautiful mountain
I have ever seen, the world-renowned Fujiyama (Mt.Fuji) of Japan sinking into
perfect insignificance by comparison."
Mayon volcano has the world's most perfect cone.
Filipinos had their first taste of Mexican chili and corn during the Manila-
Acapulco galleon trade (1564-1815). In return, Mexico's people had their initial
taste of tamarind, Manila mango and a Filipino banana called racatan or
lakatan.
Paskuhan Village in the province of Pampanga is Asia’s only Christmas theme
park and the third of its kind in the world.
Founded in 1595 by Spaniards, the University of San Carlos in Cebu City,
Philippines is older than Harvard and is the oldest university in Asia. University
of Santo Tom! as in Manila,established in 1611, is Asia's second oldest.

Who's the Filipina senator popular for her colorful jargon, delivered in a mile-a-
minute speed and in a weird Harvard-meets-Ilonggo accent? Atty. Miriam The great Christmans lanterns of San Fernando, Pampanga can reach as big as
Defensor-Santiago.
40 feet in diameter, using as many as 16,000 glowing bulbs.

The first female president of the Philippines sworn into 0ffice in 1986 was
Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. The exotic jeepney is the Filipino version of the jitney, the taxi/minibus that
travels along a fixed route, found in many countries.
In a March 31, 1997 article, The New York Times reported that the CIA
manipulated Philippine elections: "(CIA operative Col. Edward Lansdale) The popular toy, the yoyo, was invented by 16th century hunters in the
essentially ran the successful presidential campaign of Defense Minister Ramon
Philippines.
Magsaysay in the Philippines in 1953."

Who was the first Asian and/or Filipino to snatch America's Pulitzer Prize? The word "boondocks," which is now a part of the English language,
Philippines Herald war journalist Carlos P. Romulo in 1941. (He was also the first dictionary, and vocabulary, comes from the Tagalog word "bundok," meaning
Asian to become UN President.) "mountain."

The first two Filipino-Americans to garner the same award 56 years later were
The Philippines became the first Asian country to win FIVE major
Seattle Times' Alex Tizon and Byron Acohido, ! who is part-Korean.
international beauty pageant crowns — two for Miss Universe, in 1969 and

Filipino writer Jose Rizal could read and write at age 2, and grew up to speak
more than 20 languages, including Latin, Greek, German, French and Chinese.
What were his last words? "Consummatumsst!"("It is done!")
"What's still most impressive to me about the Philippines is the friendliness of
the people, their sense of humor...," wrote Honolulu journalist John Griffin in a
1998 visit to Manila.
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.
Short distance and feeder trips could not be more exciting than via Philippine
quick transports – the tricycle, a motorcycle with a sidecar, and the pedicab, a
bicycle with a sidecar.
The world’s longest underground river system accessible to man can be found
at the St. Paul National Park in the province of Palawan.
1973, and three for Miss International, in 1965, 1970, and 1979.
Diving paradise Anilao, in the province of Batangas, is the theme of a picture
book that bagged the International Prize for Underwater Images at the 27th
World Festival of Underwater Images in France in November 2000. “Anilao"
book creators and Filipino scuba divers Scott Tuason and Eduardo Cu Unjieng
defeated big names in underwater photography such as Jacques Mayol, Pascal
Kobeh, Monique Walker, and Alessandro Tommasi.
The biggest game preserve and wildlife sanctuary in the Philippines is located
on Calauit Island in Palawan, which has the largest land area among the
Philippine provinces.
The antibiotic erythromycin — used to treat a wide variety of bacterial
infections, such as respiratory tract infections, middle ear infections, and skin
infections — was created by Filipino scientist Abelardo Aguilar, and has earned
American drug giant Eli Lilly billions of dollars. Neither Aguilar nor the Philippine
government received royalties.

The largest Philippine wild animal, the tamaraw, is a species of the buffalo
Fernando Amorsolo was officially the first National Artist of the Philippines.
that is similar to the carabao. It is found only in the island of Mindoro.
He was given the distinction of National Artist for Painting in 1972.

The highest mountain in the Philippines is Mt. Apo, a dormant volcano found
in Mindanao, at 2,954 meters (9,689 feet). Mt. Pulog in Luzon is the second
highest at 2,928 meters (9604 feet).

Philippines Herald war journalist Carlos P. Romulo was the first Asian to win a
Filipino bowler Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno was the first bowler to be
Pulitzer Prize in Journalism in 1942. He was also aide-de-camp to General
elevated to the International Bowling Hall of Fame based in St. Louis, Missouri,
Douglas MacArthur in World War II; Philippine resident commissioner in the
USA. The Philippine Congress has named him “Greatest Filipino Athlete of All
U.S. Congress from 1944-46; and the first Asian to become UN President in
Time.”
1949.

Philippine National Hero and writer Jose Rizal could read and write at age 2.
The largest fish in the world, the Whale Shark, locally known as Butanding,
He grew up to speak more than 20 languages, including Latin, Greek, German,
regularly swims to the Philippine waters.
French, and Chinese. What were his last words? "Consummatum est!" ("It is
done!")
The world’s shortest and lightest freshwater fish is the dwarf pygmy goby
(Pandaka Pygmaea), a colorless and nearly transparent species found in the
The largest city in the Philippines is Davao City. With an area of 2,211 sq. km.,
streams and lakes of Luzon. Males have an average length of 8.7 mm. and weigh
it is about three times the size of the national capital, Metro Manila.
4-5 mg.

Cebu is the oldest Philippine city.

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
Negros Occidental has the most cities among Philippine provinces.
Book of World Records for the Biggest Papal Crowd.

Filipinos celebrate the world’s longest religious holiday. The Christmas season
The Philippine Madrigal Singers bagged the 1997 European Choral Grand Prix,
begins on September 1st, as chillier winds and Christmas carols start filling the
the choral olympics of the world’s best choirs. The group, being the only Asian
air, and ends on the first week of January, during the Feast of the Three Kings.
choir, bested five regional champions from all over Europe, earning them the
title as the "world’s best choir."
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.
Of the 500 known coral species in the world, 488 are found in the Philippines.
Of the eight species of marine turtles worldwide, five are reported to be
found in the Philippines: the Green Turtle, Hawkbill, Leatherback, Olive Ridley,
and Loggerhead.
Of the eight known species of giant clams in the world, seven are found in the
Philippines.
The Basilica of San Sebastian is the only steel church in Asia and was the
second building to be made out of steel, next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
The largest bell in Asia hangs at the belfry of the 221-year old Panay Church.
It is 7 feet in diameter and 7 feet in height, and weighs 10.4 tons. Its tolling can
be heard as far as 8 km. away. It was casted from 70 sacks of coins donated by
the townspeople as a manifestation of faith and thanksgiving.
The World Cup, which was instituted in 1965, is contested annually by the
national champions of the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ). The
highest number of wins is 4, by Filipino bowler Rafael “Paeng” Nepomuceno:
1976, 1980, 1992, and 1996.
Filipino Eriberto N. Gonzales Jr. consumed 350 chilis in 3 minutes at the
annual Magayon Festival chili-eating contest held at Penaranda Park, Legazpi,
Albay on May 27, 1999, making it to the Guiness Book of World Records for the
most chilis eaten.
The longest possible eclipse of the Sun is 7 min. 31 sec. The longest eclipse in
recent times took place west of the Philippines on June 20, 1995, lasting for 7
min. 8 sec.
Camiguin province holds the distinction of having the most number of
volcanoes per square kilometer than any other island on earth. It is also the only
place in the Philippines which has more volcanoes (7) than towns (5).
The 900 sq m Relief Map of Mindanao in Dapitan City was personally done by
Dr. Jose Rizal. It was used as a device for teaching history and geography to
townsfolk.
The Zamboanga Golf Course and Beach Park was founded in 1910 by Gov.
John Pershing. It is one of the oldest golf courses in the Philippines.
Isabela City is the youngest city in the region. It was only on March 5, 2001
that the Municipality of Isabela, Province of Basilan was converted into a
component city Through RA 9023. On April 25, 2001, Isabeleños ratified the
new status of Isabela.
The Kinabayo is an exotic and colorful pageant re-enacting the Spanish-
Moorish Wars, particularly the Battle of Covadonga where the Spanish forces
under General Pelagio took their last stand against the Saracens. They were
able to reverse the tide of war with the miraculous apparition of St. James, the
Apostle. A Kinabayo Festival is celebrated every July in Dapitan City, attracting
thousands of tourists to the city.
The altar at the Holy Rosary Cathedral in Dipolog City was designed by Dr.
Jose Rizal. The Cathedral was erected by the Spanish friars sometime in 1895,
before Dipolog City became a municipality.
The Rizal Shrine in Dapitan City is the original estate of Dr. Jose Rizal which he
acquired by purchase during his exile in Dapitan from 1892 to 1896.
RA 8973 signed by then President Joseph E. Estrada in February 2001 created
the province of Zamboanga Sibugay. A total of sixteen municipalities compose
this newest province in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
Magat Dam is Asia’s biggest dam project at the time of its construction. It
serves the primary function of power generation and irrigation.
The Cagayan River or Rio Grande de Cagayan is the Philippines’ mightiest
watercourse – the longest and widest river in the country. Small streams
originating form Balete Pass, Cordillera, Caraballo and Sierra Madre Mountains
meet other streams and rivers and flow to the Cagayan River.
Magapit Suspension Bridge is the first of its kind in Asia. It spans the Cagayan
River at Lallo and is 0.76 kilometers long. The hanging bridge links the first and
second districts of Cagayan going towards the Ilocos Region via the scenic
Patapat Road on the Ilocos Norte-Cagayan Inter-Provincial national highway.
Angono Petroglyphs – This cultural heritage site dates back to circa 3000 B.C.
and is the most ancient Filipino, or more aptly, prehistoric Filipino work of art.
Besides being the country’s oldest “work of art” it also offers us an evocative
glimpse into the life of our ancestors. The site has been included in the World
Inventory of Rock Art under the auspices of UNESCO, ICCROM and ICOMOS and
nominated as one of the “100 Most Endangered Sites of the World.
PANCIT HABHAB (Lucban)-Made from rice flour, these local noodles acquired
its name and developed its unique attraction by the way it is eaten. Otherwise
known as Pancit Lucban, these noodles are hawked in the streets and served on
a piece of banana leaf, sans fork or any other utensils. Thus, it is eaten straight
from the leaf, licking permitted... "habhab"-style.
Tagala - the Philippines first Filipino-Spanish dictionary which was printed in
1613, 25 years older than the first book printed in the United States.
Mayon is the most beautiful mountain I have ever seen, the world-renowned
Fujiyama (Mt. Fuji) of Japan sinking into perfect insignificance by comparison.
British traveler-writer A. Henry Savage Landor
Ilo-Ilo golf and country club is the oldest golf club in the Philippines. It was
built at 1908 by Irish Engineers.
Limasawa Island – where Ferdinand Magellan first landed in the Philippines
which give way to the discovery of the Philippines and where the first mass was
celebrated.
San Juanico Strait - said to be the narrowest yet the most navigable strait in
the world
Calbiga Cave – The Philippines’ biggest karst formations and one of the
largest in Asia, the 2,968-hectare cave system is composed of 12 caves with
wide underground spaces, unique rock formations and sub-terranean
watercourse.
At the Immaculate Conception Cathedral can be found the only existing pipe
organ in Mindanao. The 2nd largest pipe organ in the Phiippines. The huge
instrument took 2 years to built and was brought over by sea from Germany in
23 crates.
Cagayan de Oro City - “The City of Golden Friendship,” known for its warm
people and old-fashioned hospitality
 Mt. Apo, the Philippines highest mountain at 10,311 feet above sea level, and
considered as the “Grand-father of all Philippine Mountains”
Lake Lanao is the second largest lake in the Philippines, probably the deepest
in the country and is considered one of the major tropical lakes in Southeastern
Asia. The lake is home of endemic cryprinids, the species found only in the lake
and nowhere else in the world.
Halo-Halo! Halo-halo literally means, "mix-mix". And its is just that: a mixture
of sweetened fruits and beans, lavished with pinipig (crisp flattened rice flakes),
sugar and milk, topped by crushed ice and ice cream. You know its summertime
when halo-halo stand start sprouting by the roadside and by the beach, all
whipping up their heavenly concoctions of such a refreshingly divine dessert.
You can make your own by selecting and mixing your ingredients to make a
perfect Halo-Halo. Halo-Halo is uniquely, unforgettably Filipino!
KALESA - The kalesa or karitela is a horse-driven carriage that was introduced
during the 18th century. It was used by Spanish officials and the nobles as a
means of transportation. The Ilustrados, the rich Filipinos who had their own
businesses, used the kalesa not only for traveling but as a means a means of
transporting their goods as well.
BAKYA-Made primarily of lightwood (laniti and santol trees), it is sculpted
with a slope and shaved to a smooth finish, then painted with floral designs or
varnished to a high sheen. The upper portions, which are made of rubber or
transparent plastic, are fastened to the sides by thumb nails called "clavitos".
The bakya industry prospered during the 1930s when the Filipinos began
exporting these to the other countries.
SORBETES-This sweet treat was concocted in the early 1920's, a time where a
single centavo could buy you almost anything. The process of this ice cream
making and selling it in carts with colorful designs is still the same. Back in the
old days, these ice cream dealers bred their own cows and milked them with
their own hands to ensure the freshness and sanitation of the milk needed to
make the "dirty ice cream".
Waling Waling Orchids - With some 800 to 1,000 species of orchids, the
Philippines has one of the richest orchid floras in the world. Philippine orchids
come in an amazing array of shapes, sizes and colors. Most grow only in old-
growth forest, often on branches of huge trees dozens of meters above the
forest floor.
Maria Teresa Calderon – A Filipina World champion speed reader as listed in
the Guinness Book of World Records
In the Philippines, Filipinos were introduced to the English language in 1762
by British invaders, not Americans. Philippines is the world's 3rd largest English-
speaking nation, next to the USA and the UK.
The Philippine Basketball Association is Asia's premier and the world's second
oldest professional league.
Philippine Airlines took to the skies on March 15, 1941, using a Beech Model
18 aircraft amid the specter of a global war. It became Asia's first airline.
The world's largest pearl was discovered by a Filipino diver in a giant Tridacna
(mollusk) under the Palawan Sea in 1934. Known as the "Pearl of Lao-Tzu", the
gem weighs 14 pounds and measures 9 1/2 inches long and 5 1/2 inches in
diameter. As of May 1984, it was valued at US$42 million. It is believed to be
600 years old.
Alto Broadcasting System (ABS) Channel 3, the first television station in the
country, went on the air in 1953.
The world's second deepest spot underwater is in the Philippines. This spot,
about 34,440 feet (10,497 meters) below the sea level, is known as the
Philippine Deep or the Mindanao Trench. The Philippine Deep is in the floor of
the Philippine Sea. The German ship Emden first plumbed the trench in 1927.
The symbolic name for the Philippines, Juan dela Cruz, is not a Filipino
invention? It was coined by R. McCulloch-Dick, a Scottish-born journalist
working for the Manila Times in the early 1900s, after discovering it was the
most common name in blotters.
Lipa City in Batangas is dubbed as the “Rome of the Philippines” because of
the number of seminaries, convents, monasteries, retreat houses, and a famous
cathedral located in it.
Compostela Valley is known to be laden with gold, thus earning the monicker
“Golden Valley of Mindanao”
Basilica of St. Martin de Tours in Taal, Batangas built by Augustinian
Missionaries in 1572, is reputed to be the biggest catholic church in East Asia. It
is so huge that it can house another big church
Kibungan is known as the “Switzerland of Bengued” because of the frost
during the cold months
The Delmonte Pineapple Plantation in Bukidnon is considered to be the
biggest in the far east
Both Tridacna gigas, one of the world's largest shells, and Pisidum, the
world's tiniest shell, can be found under Philippine waters. Tridacna gigas grows
as large as one meter in length and weighs 600 pounds while Pisidum is less
than 1 millimeter long. A shell called glory of the sea (Connus gloriamaris) is also
found in the Philippines and considered as one of the most expensive shells in
the world.
Seahorses are small saltwater fish belonging to the Syngnathidae family
(order Gasterosteiformes), which also includes pipefish and sea dragons. Most
seahorse species, probably the most peculiar creatures in the water, live in the
Coral Triangle. There are at least 50 known seahorse species in the world. They
inhabit temperate and tropical waters but most of them are concentrated in the
warm coastal waters of the Philippines.
Donsol, a fishing town in Sorsogon province, serves as a sanctuary to a group
of 40 whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), which are considered as the largest fish
in the world. Locally known as "butanding", whale sharks visit the waters of
Donsol from November to May. They travel across the oceans but nowhere else
have they been sighted in a larger group than in the waters of Sorsogon. They
measure between 18 to 35 feet in length and weigh about 20 tons.
The Philippines is home to some of the world's most exotic birds.
One of the most endangered species is the exotic Kalangay or the Philippine
cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), which belongs to Psittacidae or the family
of parrots. Some cockatoos can live up to 50 years. They are known for
mimicking human voices. Most of them measure 33 centimeters in length and
weigh 0.29 kilogram.
Palawan bearcat is neither a bear nor a cat. Known in Southeast Asia as
binturong, the bearcat is a species of its own, with population in the forests of
Palawan, Borneo, Burma and Vietnam. It belongs to the family of Viverridae
(civets). The Palawan bearcat has a long body and a pointed face leading to the
nose. Its head and body measure 61 to 96 centimeters in combined length while
its tail is almost as long. It weighs 9 to 14 kilograms and lives up to 20 years.
Calamian Deer - Calamian Islands, north of Palawan province, keep a species
of deer that cannot be found elsewhere. Scientists referred to the hog deer in
the islands as Calamian deer in order to distinguish them from other hog deer in
the world. An ordinary Calamian deer measures 105 to 115 centimeters in
length and 60 to 65 centimeters high at the shoulder and weighs about 36 to 50
kilograms. It is said to have longer and darker legs, compared with other hog
deer.
World's Smallest Hoofed Mammal - South of Palawan, lies the Balabac Island,
home of the world's smallest hoofed mammal - the Philippine mouse deer.
Locally known as Pilandok (Tragalus nigricans), this ruminant stands only about
40 centimeters at the shoulder level.
Flying Lemur - One of the most distinct creatures on Earth lives in the
Philippines. It doesn't have wings but it can glide across 100 meters of space in a
single leap. Like the lemurs of Asia, it moves around at night. Its head resembles
that of a dog while its body has similarities with the flying squirrel of Canada.
In Mindanao, people call it "kagwang". Around the world, it is known as colugo
or the flying lemur.
Did you know that the first four cities of Metropolitan Manila are: Manila,
Quezon, Pasay and Caloocan
The flagpole located in Rizal Park, is where the starts of 0 kilometer reading in
measuring all distances from Manila.
Quezon City is the second biggest city in the Philippines.
The Bonifacio Monument in Monumento, Caloocan City was designed by a
noted Filipino sculptor Guillermo Tolentino
In 1916, in the Philippines, an offensive style of passing the ball in a high
trajectory to be struck by another player (the set and spike) were introduced.
The Filipinos developed the "bomba" or kill, and called the hitter a
"bomberino". (source: http://volleyball.org/history.html)
PHILIPPINE TRIVIA
Longest Underground River
The world's longest underground river system accessible to man can be found
at the St. Paul National Park in the province of Palawan. It is 8 kilometers long.
Largest Philippine Wild Animal
The largest Philippine wild animal, the tamaraw (Bubalus minodrensis), is a
dwarf water buffalo similar to the carabao except that it is smaller and its horns
grow straight upward into a "V" form. It is found only in the island of Mindoro.
Highest Mountain
The highest mountain in the Philippines is Mt. Apo, a dormant volcano found in
Mindanao, at 2,954 meters (10,311 feet above sea level). It is considered as the
"Grandfather of Ail Philippine Mountains." Mt. Pulog in Luzon is the second
highest at 2,928 meters (9,604 feet).
Largest City
The largest city in the Philippines is Davao City. With an area of 2,211 sq. km., it
is about three times the size of the national capital, Metro Manila.
Oldest City
Cebu is the oldest Philippine city.
Longest Religious Holiday
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.
Only Christmas Theme Park
Paskuhan Village in the province of Pampanga is Asia's only Christmas theme
park and the third of its kind in the world.
Yoyo
The popular toy, the yoyo, was invented by 16th century hunters in the
Philippines.
Winner of Best Underwater Images
Diving paradise Anilao, in the province of Batangas, is the theme of a picture
book that bagged the International Prize for Underwater Images at the 27th
World Festival of Underwater Images in France in November 2000. "Anilao"
book creators and Filipino scuba divers Scott Tuason and Eduardo Cu Unjieng
defeated big names in underwater photography such as Jacques Mayol, Pascal
Kobeh, Monique Walker, and Alessandro Tommasi.
Biggest Wildlife Sanctuary
The biggest game preserve and wildlife sanctuary in the -Philippines is located
on Calauit Island in Palawan, which has the largest land area among the
Philippine provinces.
Erythromycin
The antibiotic erythromycin — used to treat a wide variety of bacterial
infections, Such as respiratory tract infections middle ear infections, and skin
infections — was created by Filipino scientist Abelardo Aguilar, and has earned
American drug giant Eli Lilly billions of dollars. Neither Aguilar nor the Philippine
government received royalties.
Whale Shark
The largest fish in the world, the Whale Shark, regularly swims to the Philippine
waters. It is locally known as Butanding.
Shortest Freshwater Fish
The world's shortest and lightest freshwater fish is the dwarf pygmy goby
(Pandaka Pygmaea), a colorless and nearly transparent species found in the
streams and lakes of Luzon. Males have an average length of 8.7 mm. and weigh
4-5 mg.
Coral Species
Of the 500 known coral species in the world, 488 are found in the Philippines.
Rarest Shell
There are 12,000 or so seashells in the Philippines. The Conus Gloriamaris or
"Glory of the Sea" is the rarest and most expensive.
Marine Turtles
Of the eight species of marine turtles worldwide, five are reported to be found
in the Philippines: the Green Turtle, Hawkbill, Leatherback, Olive Ridley, and
Loggerhead.
Giant Clams
Of the eight known species of giant clams in the world, seven are found in the
Philippines.
Only Steel Church in Asia
The Basilica of San Sebastian is the only steel church in Asia and was the second
building to be made out of steel, next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Largest Bell in Asia
The largest beII in Asia hangs at the belfry of the 221-year old Panay Church. It
is 7 feet in diameter and 7 feet in height, and weighs 10.4 tons. Its tolling can be
heard as far as 8 km away. It was cast from 70 sacks of coins donated by the
townspeople as a manifestation of faith and thanksgiving.

Island of Seven Volcanoes
Camiguin province holds the distinction of having the most number of
volcanoes per square kilometer than any other island on earth. It is also the only
place in the Philippines that has more volcanoes (7) than towns (5).
Asia's Biggest Dam
Magat Dam is Asia's biggest dam project at the time of its construction. It serves
the primary function of power generation and irrigation.
Mightiest River
The Cagayan River or Rio Grande de Cagayan is the Philippines' mightiest
watercourse – the longest and widest river in the country. Small streams
originating from Balete Pass, Cordillera, Carabalio and Sierra Madre Mountains
meet other streams and rivers and flow to the Cagayan River.
First-of-a-Kind Suspension Bridge
Magapit Suspension Bridge is the first of its kind in Asia. It spans the Cagayan
River at Lallo and is 0.76 kilometers long. The hanging bridge links the first and
second districts of Cagayan going towards the [locos Region via the scenic
Patapat Road on theflocos Norte-Cagayan Inter-Provincial national highway.
Oldest 'Work of Art'
The Angono Petroglyphs cultural heritage site dates back to circa 3000 B.C. and
is the most ancient Filipino, or more aptly, prehistoric Filipino “work of art”, it
also offers us an evocative glimpse into the life of our ancestors. The site has
been included in the World Inventory of Rock Art under the auspices of
UNESCO, ICCROM and ICOMOS and nominated as one of the "100 Most
Endangered Sites of the World.
Oldest Golf Club
Ilo-Ilo Golf and Country Club is the oldest golf club in the Philippines. Irish
engineers built it in 1908.
Narrowest Strait
San Juanico Strait is said to be the narrowest yet the most navigable strait in the
world.
Biggest Karst Formation
The Calbiga Cave is the Philippines' biggest karst formation and one of the
largest in Asia. The 2,968-hectare cave system is composed of 12 caves with
wide underground spaces, unique rock formations and subterranean
watercourse.
Only Existing Pipe Organ in Mindanao
At the Immaculate Conception Cathedral can be found the only existing pipe
organ in Mindanao. The 2nd largest pipe organ in the Philippines, the huge
instrument took 2 years to built and was brought over by sea from Germany in
23 crates.
Second Largest Lake
Lake Lanao is the second largest lake in the Philippines, probably the deepest in
the country and is considered one of the major tropical lakes in Southeast Asia.
The lake is home to the endemic cryprinids, the species found only in the lake
and nowhere else in the world.
Asia's First Airline
Philippine Airlines took to the skies on March 15, 1941, using a Beech Model 18
aircraft amid the specter of a global war. It became Asia's first airline.
World's Largest Pearl
The world's largest pearl was discovered by a Filipino diver in a giant Tridacna
(mollusk) under the Palawan Sea in 1934. Known as the "Pearl of Lao-Tzu", the
gem weighs 14 pounds and measures .9 1/2 inches long and.5 1/2 inches in I
eter.As of May 1984, it was Valued at US$42 million. It is believed to be 600
years old.
World's Second Deepest Spot Underwater
The world's second deepest spot underwater is in thePh.ilippines. This spot,
known as the Philippine Deep or the Mindanao Trench, is about 10,497meters
or 34;440 feet below sea iOvel. The Philippine Deep is in the floor of the
.Philippine Sea. The German ship Emden first plot . IJ64ecl the trench in 1927.
'Rome of the Philippines'
Lipa City in Batangas is dubbed as the "Rome of the Philippines" because of the
number of seminaries, convents, monasteries, retreat houses, and a famous
cathedral located in it.
Biggest Catholic Church in Asia
Basilica of St. Martin de Tours in Taal, Batangas, built by Augustinian
Missionaries in 1572, is reputed to be the biggest catholic church in East Asia. It
is so huge that it can house another big church.
'Switzerland of Benguet'
Kibungan is known as the "Switzerland of Benguet" because of the frost during
the cold months.
Biggest Pineapple Plantation in the Far East
The Del Monte Pineapple Plantation in Bukidnon is considered to be the biggest
in the Far East.
World's Largest and Tiniest Shells
Both Tridacna gigas, one of the world's largest shells, and Pisidum, the world's
tiniest shell, can, be found under Philippine waters. Tridacna gigas grows as
large as one meter in.length and weighs 600 pounds while Pisidum is less than 1
millimeter long.
'Sanctuary' to Whale Sharks
Donsol, a fishing town in Sorsogon province, serves as a sanctuary to a group of
40 whale sharks (Rhincodon typos), which are considered as the largest fish in
the world, measuring between 18 to 35 feet in length and weighing about 20
tons. Locally known as "butanding", whale sharks visit the waters of Donsol
from November to May. They travet-across the oceans but nowhere else have
they been sio.ted in a larger group than in the waters of Sorsogon.
Philippine Cockatoo
The Philippines is home to some of the world's most exotic birds. One of the
most endangered species is the exotic Kalangay or the Philippine cockatoo
(Cacatua haernaturopygia), which belongs to Psittacidae or the family of
parrots. Some cockatoos can tive up to 50 years. They are known for mimicking
human voices. Most of them measure 33 centimeters in length and weigh 0.29
kilogram.
Palawan Bear Cat
Palawan bearcat is neither a bear nor a cat. Known in Southeast Asia as
binturong, the bearcat is a species of its own, with population in then 'forests of
Palawan, Borneo, Burma and Viettl a m 'it belongs to the famlily of Viverridae
(civets). The Palawan bearcat has a long body and a pointed face leading to the
nose. Its head and body measure 61 to 96 centimeters in combined length while
its tail is almost as long. It weighs 9 to 14 kilograms and lives up to 20 years.
Calamian Deer
Calamian Islands, north of Palawan province, is home to a species of deer that
cannot be found elsewhere. Scientists referred to the hog deer in the islands as
Calamian deer in order to distinguish them from other hog deer in the world. An
ordinary Calamian deer measures 105 to 115 centimeters in length and 60 to 65
centimeters high at the shoulder and weighs about 36 to 50 kilograms. It is said
to have longer and darker legs, compared with other hog deer.
World's Smallest Hoofed Mammal
The Philippine mouse deer, the world's smallest hoofed mammal, is found only
in the Balabac Islands, south of Palawan. Locally known as Pilandok (Tragalus
nigricans), this ruminant stands only about 40 centimeters at the shoulder level.
Flying Lemur
Flying Lemur, one of the most distinct creatures on earth lives in the Philippines.
It does not have wings but it can glide across 100 meters of space in a single
leap. Like the lemurs of Asia, it moves around at night. Its head resembles that
of a dog while its body has similarities with the flying squirrel of Canada. in
Mindanao, people call it "kagwang". Around the world, it is known as colugo or
the flying lemur.
Zero Kilometer Reading
The flagpole located in Rizal Park is the start of 0 kilometer reading in measuring
all distances from Manila.
Second Largest Bird in the Planet
The monkey-eating PHILIPPINE EAGLE is the second largest bird on the planet
(next only to the American Condor).
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in
the Philippines
Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park
Location: Middle of the Sulu Sea, 181 kilometers southeast of Puerto Princess,
Palawan
Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1993
The Tubbataha Reef Marine Park covers 33,200 hectares including the north
and south reefs. It is a marvelous marine wilderness and a special ecosystem
much appreciated for its beauty as well as its scientific value.
It is a unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species,
with 80% coral cover of 46 coral genres and 376 fish species. The site is an
excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-meter
perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two-coral islands.
Tubbataha's north islet is a nesting site for sea birds of all kinds and endangered
hawksbill sea turtles; a diver's paradise with gorgonian seafans, soft corals, and
gigantic sea sponges serving as home to turkey fish, anemone crab, banded
seasnakes, nudibranchs, starfish, catsharks, surgeon fish, bat fish, and butterfly
fish. The rare, unusual-looking fox-faced rabbit fish can also be found in the
marine park. Marine turtles, including the critically endangered hawksbill and
green turtle, nest on some of the beaches.
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Location: Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of Palawan
Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1999
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park features a spectacular
limestone karst landscape with its underground river. The river is unique
because it flows directly into the sea, and its lower portion is subject to tidal
influences. The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity
conservation. The site contains a whole ecosystem --- from mountain to the
sea-, and protects forests, which are among the most significant in Asia.
A highlight of each visit is a ride through its 8 km-long underground river which
runs through a dome of stalactites complemented by stalagmites running the
entire length of the cave.
The park is a popular destination for bird watching and is known for regular
sightings of threatened bird species of Palawan peacock-peasant and Philippine
cockatoo and the endemic birds Palawan scopsowl, swiftlet, hornbill, flyeater
and blue flycatcher, tit and flowerpecker. It is blessed to have the Palawan
flying fox, Oriental small-clawed otter, stinkbadger, binturong, flying squirrel,
mountain tree squirrel and porcupine.
The park also features an exciting Monkey Trail with its series of wooden paths
to the forest.
Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras
Location. Ifugao
Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1995
The 2,000-year old Banaue Rice Terraces – the most extensive anywhere in the
world - were carved into the mountains of lfugao by ancestors of the Batad
indigenous people. The terraces are located approximately 1,500 meters (5,000
feet) above sea level and cover 10,360 square kilometers (about 4,000 square
miles) of the mountainside.
Known as the "eighth wonder of the world", the terraces were carved with only
simple tools and bare hands. They are fed by an ancient irrigation system, an
ingenious complex of bamboo pipes and canals, drawing water from streams
created by bubbling springs located in the mountain rainforests.
Considered as a monument to man's genius in turning a rugged and forbidding
terrain into a source of sustenance, the rice terraces stand to be the most awe-
inspiring man-made landscape in the Cordilleras. They are also invariably called
"The Stairway to the Sky."
Historic Town of Vigan
Location. Vigan, flows Sur
Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1999
The 16th century town of Vigan is "an exceptionally intact and well-preserved
example of a European trading town in East and East Asia". Its architecture
reflects the fusion of cultural elements from the Philippines, China and Europe,
resulting in a culture and townscape that has no parallel anywhere in East and
Southeast Asia.
Seemingly impervious to time, spared from rebellion and the ravages of war,
Vigan has remained unchanged and its many preserved historic sites–more than
180 edifices – make it look like "a piece of Spain." With its grand cathedral,
massive mansions with red-tile roofs and spacious balconies, narrow
cobblestone streets, horse drawn carriages, and friendly faces peering out of
large windows, Vigan is a place where "time stood still".
Baroque Churches
Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993
San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila
Built in 1587, the San Agustin Church is the oldest stone church in the
Philippines, the only one that remains as the original evidence of the 16th-
century Spanish architecture. It has defied several earthquakes and the heavy
shelling of both Japanese and American forces in 1945 and now stands as a
reminder of the grandeur of the past.
The structural design of the church is extraordinary. It boasts of the only
example in the country of a barrel vault, dome, and arched vestibules
supporting its choir loft, all made of stone. Its facade is notable for its two pairs
of columns—the lowest pair in Doric style, the upper pair in Corinthian topped
by a pediment surmounted by a Cross. The main door, carved out of Philippine
molave, has a bas-relief of St. Augustine and his mother, Santa Monica. San
Agustin Church represents the art and technology of Spanish, Chinese and
native cultures fused together "to suit human sentiments and faiths that found
expression in customs and traditions that were evolved through the centuries."
As the best-preserved example of an urban ecclesiastical complex in the
Philippines, the compound serves not only as a historical document of the
Spanish colonial heritage but also as a repository of the most important works
of art and literature of the period.
Miag-ao Church in Iloilo
Built in yellow-orange sandstone, the large fortress-church of Miag-ao was
completed in 1797. It served as a fortress against raids of marauding Moro
pirates.
The church is amazingly beautiful because of its two asymmetric pyramidal
towers and its finely sculptured, yellow sandstone facade. Its facade's carving is
the pinnacle of Filipino naive art, in which craftsmen abandon all restraints to
interpret Western decorative styles in the local folk idiom. The central element
in the facade is Saint Christopher, clad like a Filipino farmer with rolled-up
trousers. He carries the Christ Child on his back while holding on a to a lush
coconut tree for support. Beside him are guava and papaya trees, flanked by
ornamental urns. The scene merges Western Catholic iconography with a folk
interpretation of coastal Iloilo countryside.

San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Paoay’s San Agustin Church, built in 1604, is one of the most outstanding
variants of “earthquake baroque” in the Philippines, where the primary
consideration was to design the structure for earthquake protection.

The façade of San Agustin Church is astounding but its most prominent feature
is the phalanx of buttresses that juts out perpendicularly fro the sidewalks,
purposely to strengthen the walls and the entire structure – against earthquake
damage. Fourteen massive S-shaped buttresses in rhythmic cadence from he
ground to the roofline.

The church is an aye-catcher as it emerges from a beautiful open space, unlike

many other churches located within urban settings.

Nuestra Senor de la Asuncion in Santa Matia, Ilocos Sur

The Church of Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria is unique for its
utter disregard for the traditional Spanish urban plan of constructing the church
to face the plaza, and less imposing religious and official buildings grouped
around. It also has a citadel appearance as the church, with its convent and belt
tower, stands alone on the crown of a solitary hill encircled by a stonewall, with
stone stairways leading to the church.

It is the only church in the Philippines exuding the ambience of a Mediterranean

hill town with its convent built parallel to the church façade and its bell tower
detached from the main church. Evoking a Chinese pagoda, the bell tower of
octagonal shapes of decreasing diameter is crowned by a small dome tapering
to the sky with an oriental grace.