LESSON 3: ORIGIN OF THE

PHILIPPINES

REPORTERS: RACHEL MAE M. SUMACOLOB

HANNA MAE TAGOLABONG
OBJECTIVES:
The student should be able to:
• analyze the theories about the formation

of the Philippines;
• Explain the geographical processes

related to the formation of the

Philippines; and
• Choose the most acceptable theory

about the origin of the Philippines based

on evidences.
How was the Philippines formed?
What processes shaped the country
to its present state?
Is it true that the Philippines was
once part of mainland Asia?
Track your learning progress about the lesson “ Origin of the
Philippines” by completing the following statements. As starting
activity, accomplish the first two column. Fill up the remaining
column after you have accomplished the part Challenge Yourself.

I know that ... I wish to learn I have learned

about ... that ...
 ORIGIN OF THE
PHILIPPINES

Explained by

Continental Land Bridges Pacific Theory

Drift Theory Theory
and Tectonic
Plates Theory
THEORIES THAT EXPLAIN HOW
THE PHILIPPINES WAS FORMED:
•
CONTINENTAL DRIFT
THEORY
• PACIFIC THEORY
• LAND BRIDGES THEORY
THE PHILIPPINES AS PART OF A
SUPERCONTINENT

 According to a German
Scientist named Alfred
Wegener, about 240 million
years ago, the world was made
up of one large landmass. This
huge landmass was called
Pangaea.
CONTINENTAL DRIFT THEORY
 About 200 million years ago,
Pangaea slowly divided into two
parts into Laurasia in the northern
hemisphere and Gondwanaland in
the southern hemisphere. It is
believed that the Philippines
originated fro the continent of
Laurasia.
The movement of heat in the
asthenosphere causes the tectonic plates
to move. Because of the continuous
movement of the continents, the
continents are further divided up until its
present form. The theory on the slow
movement of the worlds landmass from
one supercontinent is called the
Continental Drift Theory.
Wegener proves his theory with thw
following evidences:
• The similarity in the fossilized animal
remains found in South America and
Africa
• The complementary shapes of Southern
America’s coastline with that of the
western coastline of Africa : and
• The matching rock and mountain
formations in South America and Africa.
The Tectonic Plate Theory, on
the other hand, explains the
movement of landmasses.
According to the theory, the
crust is made up of huge and
thick masses of land called
tectonic plates.
PACIFIC THEORY
 According to American scientist Bailey
Willis and his Pacific Theory , the
Philippines was formed as a result of
volcanism, or the eruption of
volcanoes, on the ocean floor.
 The presence of corals and old

volcanic materials in Baguio City and

nearby mountains, for example is
evidence to Willis’s theory.
LAND BRIDGES THEORY

According to the Land Bridges
Theory, land bridges used to
connect the Philippine islands
to each other, and the
Philippines to some countries
in Southeast Asia.
Scientist offered some evidences to
prove their theory:
 The part of West Philippine Sea
between the Philippines and other
parts of Asia is shallow
 The Pacific Ocean ( the body of water

which serves as the eastern boundary

of the Philippines) is very deep
proving that the Philippines is the
endmost part of Asia

The Philippines and other
parts of Asia share similar
types of plants, trees, and
animals; and
 The rocks in the Philippines

and other parts of Asia are

similar and of the same age.
FIGURE 3.2: Map of Southeast Asia
During the Last Ice Age
ASSIGNMENT:
Divide the class into two groups. Each group wil
be tasked to research in the library one legend
about the origin of the Philippines. Draw a comic
strip of the legend in the space provided below
and present it in front of the class.

Processing Questions:
1. What can you say about the legends you have
researched?

2. Are the legends about the origin of the

Philippines believable? Explain your answer.
THANK YOU!