GE 2 – Philippine History - Because of the irregular coastline, the

country abounds in good harbors,

landlocked straits, and hundreds of
HANDOUTS small rivers, bays, and lakes.
Chapter 1 In a note verbale submitted by the Philippine
Government to the United Nations on March 7,
GEOGRAPHY 1955, the Philippines is defined as “a mid-ocean
- The science that studies the earth’s archipelagic state.”
form, physical features, climate,
population, and other related topics MANILAY BAY
- is considered one of the finest natural
The Philippines is an ARCHIPELAGO harbors in the world.
- Lying southeast of the coast of the
mainland of Asia. PHILIPPINE DEEP
- It is located a little above the equator - is considered as one of the deepest sea
and thus, belongs to the northern trenches in the world.
hemisphere. - It is found east of the Philippines near
Samar and Leyte.
10 BIGGEST ISLANDS
Philippines shows that it is mountainous.
1. Luzon 6. Panay
2. Mindanao 7. Mindoro There are numerous peaks from NORTH to
3. Negros 8. Leyte SOUTH
4. Samar 9. Cebu
5. Palawan 10. Bohol MOUNT APO (in Mindanao)
- Is the HIGHEST, standing at
Fun Facts: approximately 2,954 meters high.
- The Northernmost island of Luzon is MOUNT DULANG-DULANG (in Bukidnon)
just 100 kilometers away from the - Is the SECOND HIGHEST, which is
island of Taiwan. 2,938 meters high.
Additional Information:
The Northern and Eastern parts of Luzon have
TAIWAN is formerly called rugged mountains which are volcanic in origin.
FORMOSA
3 LARGE MOUNTAIN RANGES IN
North and West of the Archipelago lies the LUZON
SOUTH CHINA SEA
1. Western Caraballo Mountain Range
EAST is the PACIFIC OCEAN 2. Sierra Madre Mountain Range
3. Caraballo de Baler
SOUTH are the CELEBES SEA and the
WATERS OF BORNEO WESTERN CARABALLO
- runs from North to South and divides
itself into the Central Cordillera and the
COASTLINE OF THE PHILIPPINES
Northern Cordillera.
- Is irregular and stretches for about
- it crosses the provinces of Northern
36,289 kilometers, about twice as long
Luzon, West of the Cagayan River.
as the coastline of the United States,
excluding that of Alaska and Hawaii.
SIERRA MADRE MINDANAO HAS FOUR (4) DISTINCT
- begins at the town of Baler in the MOUNTAIN RANGES
Eastern part of Quezon Province, and
crosses the provinces of Cagayan, 1. Eastern Mountain Range
Isabela and Quezon. 2. Central – Eastern Mountain Range
- it is the LONGEST CONTINUOUS 3. Central – Western Range
MOUNTAIN RANGE in the 4. Western Range
Philippines.
EASTERN MOUNTAIN RANGE
CARABALLO DE BALER - Which begins at Surigaoand follows the
- begins from the town of Baler and ends Pacific Coast
in the Strait of San Bernardino
- this mountain range includes MAYON CENTRAL – EASTERN MOUNTAIN
VOLCANO (Albay) and BULUSAN RANGE
VOLCANO (Sorsogon). - Which begins at Butuanand extends
South to Agusanon the East and to
SMALL MOUNTAIN RANGES Pulanguion the West

1. Zambales CENTRAL – WESTERN RANGE

2. Tagaytay Ridge - Which begins at Mount Apo, follows
the Boundary of Cotabato, and ends in
ZAMBALES RANGE the Zamboanga Peninsula
- Begins at Cape Bolinao, follows the
coast of the China Sea, and ends in the WESTERN RANGE
Bataan Peninsula. - Which begins West of Iligan Bay and
ends on the Shores of Basilan Strait
TAGAYTAY RIDGE
- Crosses the provinces of Cavite and
Batangas VOLCANOES AND EARTHQUAKES
- MOUNT MAKILING (Laguna) and - There are many volcanoes in the
TAAL VOLCANO (Batangas) are Philippines whose eruptions caused
parts of the Tagaytay Ridge. much damage to lives and property.
- Twenty – six (26)of the volcanoes are
OTHER SMALL MOUNTAIN RANGES considered active, while the rest are
supposed to be dormant or “sleeping”.
1. Mindoro MOST FAMOUS ACTIVE VOLCANOES
2. Panay
3. Negros 1. Iraya 5. Bulusan
(Batanes) (Sorsogon)
The highest peaks in these parts are: 2. Taal 6. Hibok-Hibok
MOUNT HALCON (Mindoro) (Batangas) (Camiguin
KANLAON VOLCANO (Negros) Island)
3. Banahaw 7. Makaturing
LEYTE and SAMAR (Quezon) (Lanao)
- are not as mountainous as the other 4. Mayon
provinces. (Albay)
MAYON are the most active among the 1990 – which registered 7.8 on the Richter
TAAL other volcanoes Scale, killing and injuring thousands of people,
and damaging about 20,000 square kilometers of
Fun Fact: densely populated areas in Luzon.

- They have erupted for no less than

Twenty-five (25) times. CLIMATE
- The Philippines has a TROPICAL and
MAYON MARITIME CLIMATE
- is famous the world over for its perfect TROPICAL and MARITIME CLIMATE
cone shape. - is tempered by the breeze from the
PACIFIC OCEAN on the East and the
TAAL CHINA SEA on the West.
- is famous for being the smallest
volcano in the world. TWO (2) MAJOR SEASONS
- In 1966, Taal Volcano erupted, which
led to the resettlement of the people of 1. DRY SEASON – which extends from
Volcano Island to other places. DECEMBER to MAY
2. WET SEASON – which extends from
Fun Facts: JUNE to NOVEMBER

- The Philippines is within what is called Additional Information:

the Seismic Belt.
SEISMIC BELT – it lies in the path of - The period from late NOVEMBER to
earthquakes. FEBRUARY is usually COOL
- MAY is often the HOTTEST month of
Manila and many parts of Luzon experienced the year
several earthquakes over the years: - JANUARY is the COLDEST
- The climate in general is
1863 – which caused the destruction of many HEALTHFUL
residential houses and government buildings and
death of the famous priest, FATHER PEDRO MIGUEL LOPEZ DE LEGAZPI
PELAEZ in the Manila Cathedral - was the First Governor-General of the
FATHER PEDRO PELAEZ–is known Philippines
for Secularization of Catholic Parishes - describing it to the King of Spain, he
and Defense of Filipino Clergies’ said, “This country (the Philippines) is
Rights and he is also considered as the salubrious and has good climate…”
“Godfather of the Philippine SALUBRIOUS – means health-giving; healthy
Revolution”.
TYPHOONS
1937 – which destroyed, partially, or - have influenced the climate and weather
completely, many big buildings in Manila. of the country.
- It may be classified into
1968 – many buildings were partially destroyed “REMARKABLE”and
while an apartment building was completely “ORDINARY”.
destroyed resulting in the deaths of hundreds of - It destroyed millions of pesos worth of
people. crops and property.
  SALT  ASBESTOS
 CLAY  LIMESTONE
 COAL  GRAVEL
TYPHOONS AND TROPICAL CYCLONES  SULPHUR  GYPSUM
- Most frequently enter the PHILIPPINE
AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (PAR) GUM RESINS & LUMBER can be obtain
during the months of JULY to from the country’s vast forests.
OCTOBER
- The Philippines also has oil, also known
SOME OF THE WORST TYPHOONS as “BLACK GOLD”, its discovery at
Malampaya, Palawan has encouraged
1. URING (November 1991) foreign and Filipino firms to drill wells
2. ROSING (October 1995) for oil.
3. REMING (November 2006)
4. ONDOY (September 2009) DENR – Department of Environment and
5. PEPENG (October 2009) Natural Resources
and more….
NIPAS
NATURAL RESOURCES - National Integrated Protected Areas
- Nature has given the Philippines rich System
soil and plenty of natural resources. - The Bill was pass in 1992 and now it is
called “R.A. 7586”
RICH VALLEYS AND FERTILE PLAINS R.A. 7586
ARE PLANTED TO CROPS SUCH AS: - the law is premised on the concept of the
involvement of local communities in
 Rice  Sugar Cane biodiversity conversation and habitat
 Corn  Bananas management.
 Coconuts  Pineapples - thus, indigenous peoples living in the protected
 Varieties of Vegetables areas are given responsibility over their
territories and sustainable livelihood
THE COUNTRY HAS ENOUGH WATER alternatives.
RESOURCES FOR ELECTRICITY; FOOD
SUCH AS: Additional Information:
BIODIVERSITY – different forms of life
 Fish  Sea Shells existing in a particular environment
 Seaweeds
OTHER LAWS THAT PROTECT OUR
AS WELL AS: ENVIRONMENT INCLUDE:

 PEARLS for Jewelry PCAA – The Philippine Clear Air Act of 1999

ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF MINERALS ESWM – The Ecological Solid Waste

LIKE: Management of 2000

 GOLD  ZINC CWA – The Clear Water Act of 2004

 COPPER  NICKEL
 SILVER  MANGANESE ECONOMY
 LEAD  CHROMIUM
RICE
NON – METALLIC MINERALS: - is the main crop of the country
 - it is cultivated in large quantities in  Metal  Petroleum
CENTRAL LUZON, WESTERN
VISAYAS, and MINDANAO Philippines is also among the world’s supplier of
SEMICONDUCTORS and
FACTORS THAT CAUSES INSUFFICIENT MANUFACTURED GOODS like:
PRODUCTION OF RICE  Ignition Wiring
 Sets and other Wiring Sets used in
FIRST – destructive typhoons and floods often Vehicles, Aircrafts, and Ships
destroy thousands upon thousands of rice lands  Cathodes of Refined Copper
leading to government importation of rice.  Microprocessors

SECOND – the agricultural sector remains Philippines also produced CLOTHING and
backward despite government efforts to CLOTHING ACCESSORIES.
modernize it through the introduction of
programs like the “MASAGANA 99” technique UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (U.S.A)
in the sixties and the COMPREHENSIVE - Remains our top market for exports
AGRARIAN REFORM PROGRAM in recent FOLLOWED BY:
years; the use of “MIRACLE RICE - JAPAN
VARIETIES”; the use of fertilizers and - HONG KONG
pesticides to increase rice production, which - THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF
puts a toll not only on poor farmers, who CHINA
oftentimes cannot afford them, but also on the
environment, particularly the quality of soil. OTHER BIG MARKETS OF PHILIPPINE
PRODUCTS ARE:
THIRD – the production shift to sources of - THE NETHERLANDS
biofuels such as JATHROPA and other cash - GERMANY
crops, which command higher prices in the - SINGAPORE
market, has also affected rice production in no - MALAYSIA
small way.
- REPUBLIC OF SOUTH KOREA
- TAIWAN
FOURTH – the massive conversion of farm
lands for residential and commercial use has (National Statistics Office, 2007)
also contributed to low rice productivity, not to
mention the loss of farm labor. POPULATION
- Philippineshas one of the fastest-
Additional Information: growing population with a birth rate of
BIOFUEL – fuel derived from some plants 26.42 births/1,000.
CATHODES – the electrode by which electric Life Expectancy
current leaves a polarized electrical device MEN – 67.89 years WOMEN – 73.85
MAJOR PHILIPPINE PRODUCTS FOR years
EXPORT (NSO 2008-2009) Approximately 92 million
Filipinos but from the latest census the NSO
 Coconut oil  Sugar recorded during 2018, the population of the
 Fresh banana  Gum resins Philippines reached approximately 107 million.
 Pineapple  Abaca
(NSO 2008-2009)
AMONG THE COUNTRY’S GROWING - 84% of the population is Functionally
INDUSTRIES ARE: Literate
- An estimate of 35 million Filipinos are
 Mining  Woodcraft employed
 Lumber  Furniture
 - 34% of employed Filipinos are engaged - FILIPINO and ENGLISH as the
in Agriculture (hunting, forestry, and
Official Language
fishing)
- 15% work in the industry sector THERE ARE 19 RECOGNIZED
(mining and quarrying, manufacturing, REGIONAL LANGUAGES
electricity, gas and water, and  BICOLANO  MAGUINDAN
construction) AO
 BISAYA  MARANAO
- 51% are employed in the service sector  CEBUANO  PANGASINES
(wholesale and retail trade, repair of E
vehicles, household goods, hotels and  CHAVACANO  SAMBAL
 HILIGAYNON/  SURIGAONON
restaurants; transport, storage, and
ILONGGO
communication; financial, real estate,  IBANAG  TAGALOG
renting and business activities;  ILOCANO  TAUSUG
 IVATAN  WARAY
education, health and social work, etc.)  KAPAMPANG  YAKAN
Additional Information: AN
INDUSTRIALIZATION – the process of  KINARAY-A
developing the industries of a country or area as GOVERNMENT
a major source of income. - The Philippines is a
CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC
with Three (3) co-equal branches, the
The majority of the Filipinos belong to the EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE, and
JUDICIARY.
AUSTRONESIAN ETHNIC GROUP.
- Due to early trade contacts and EXECUTIVE
- Headed by the PRESIDENT and VICE-
subsequent colonization by the
PRESIDENT
Spaniards and later by the Americans, - Administers the functions of the
government through the Cabinet that is
Filipinos today are a mixture of races.
made up of departments and headed by
- The offspring of a native Filipino and a department secretaries.
foreigner, whether Chinese, Spaniard,
LEGISLATIVE
American is called MESTIZO. - Which is responsible for enacting bills
into laws
LATEST ETHNOLOGUE ABOUT THE
- It is composed of the SENATE (Upper
PHILIPPINES House) and the HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES (Lower House)
- Philippines have186 INDIVIDUAL
- Led by the SENATE PRESIDENT
LANGUAGES, 182 of which are (UH) and the SPEAKER OF
LIVING LANGUAGES, while 4 no HOUSE(LH), respectively.

longer have any known speakers.

- FILIPINO is the National Language JUDICIARY
 - Consists of the SYSTEMS OF THE
COURTS with the SUPREME
COURTas the Highest Court in the land
and headed by the CHIEF JUSTICE.
For Administrative Purposes
- Philippines is subdivided into regions
and provinces, except Metropolitan
Manila.
- Each province is headed by a Governor
and has its own Legislative body called
SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN.
- The provinces are composed of City and
Municipalities
- Cities and Municipalities are further
divided into Barangays.
A BARANGAY
- is the smallest political unit of the
country
- headed by a Barangay Captain.
The country has undergone five (5)
Constitutional changes since the Malolos
Constitution of 1899 which set up the First
Filipino Republic with Emilio F. Aguinaldoas
President.
These Constitutions are:
(1) The 1935 Constitution
- Which served as the basis for the
transition Commonwealth Government
with Manuel L. Quezon as the
President followed by Sergio S.
Osmeña
(2) The 1943 Constitution of the Japanese –
Sponsored Government
- which recognized the Second Republic
under President Jose P. Laurel
(3) The 1935 Constitution
- which set up the Third Republic under
President Manuel A. Roxas, followed
by Elpidio R. Quirino, Ramon F.
Magsaysay, Carlos P. Garcia,
Diosdado P. Macapagal, and
Ferdinand E. Marcos (for his first
term)
(4) The 1973 Constitution
- that extend the term of President
Marcos beyond the provision of the
1935 Constitution, and set up the Fourth
Republic
(5) The 1987 Constitution
- during the Presidency of Corazon C.
Aquino (as the First President of the
Fifth Republic), to that of Fidel V.
Ramos, the short – lived administration
of Joseph E. Estrada, and that of
Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo.
FILIPINO TRAITS AND VALUES
- The Filipino people have many common
traits.
- The most important trait of the Filipinos
is their HOSPITALITY.
Close Family Ties
- The Family is the unit of society and
consists, at least until very recent times,
of the parents, the grandparents, and the
children.
Respect for the Elders
- is one of the best Filipino traits.
- Filipino parents exercise moral
influence over their children.
Po– is commonly used by almost
everybody to show respect even to a
younger man (or woman) if the latter is
a stranger.
Sentimental
- Sentimentalism is shown in many way
Pasalubong
If someone from the province pays his
friend from another province a visit, the
visiting friend brings along with him
gifts for the host’s family
 Pabaon
The friend who is left behind also feels
sad and gives the departing friend some
food or anything to give to the departing
friend’s family.

Filipinos as a people have several values.

VALUES
- are those aspects in life that include
customs, traditions, etc. which the
people regard as necessary and
important in their dealings with one
another.

Pakikisama / A Sense of Togetherness or

Comradeship
- refers to doing somebody a good deed
- does not mean doing crooked or
dishonest things in order to look good to
others
- is a positive value and means doing
somebody a good turn or being helpful
without ulterior motive

UtangnaLoob or Debt of Gratitude

- is another famous value
- a person who receives favor from
another, whether this person is a friend
or a stranger, is expected to pay this debt
of gratitude by returning the favor in the
same measure, if not, more.

Hiya or Kahihiyan
- is another Filipino value
- it means Sense of Shame

Reference: Philippine History Expanded and

Updated Edition by Teodoro A. Agoncillo and
Fe B. Mangahas (2010)