CHAPTER 1: THE PHILIPPINES AND ITS PEOPLE

What is History?
 Study of the past
 Often dread as a subject for its notoriety in requiring them to memorize dates,
places, names, and event from distant eras.
 Derived from the Greek word “historia” which means “knowledge acquired
through inquiry or investigation.”
 A discipline as old as philosophy and mathematics

Why study History?

Peter N. Stearns in 1998 has published an article with the American Historical
Association that enumerated the reasons why we should study history.
 1. History helps us understand people and societies.
 2. History help us understand change and how the society we live in came to be.
 3. History contributes to moral understanding.
 4. History provides identity

WHAT IS GEOGRAPHY?
The science that studies the earth’s form, physical features, climate, population, and
other related topics.
The Philippines is an archipelago lying southwest of the coast of the mainland of Asia.
- Located a little above the equator and thus, belong to the northern hemisphere.
Approximately 7,107 islands and islets that compose the archipelago.
- Now 7,641 Islands
TEN BIGGEST ISLANDS
Luzon, Mindanao, Negros, Samar, Palawan, Panay, Mindoro, Leyte, Cebu, Bohol
The total land area, excluding the bodies of water surrounded by land, such as Laguna
de Bay, Taal Lake, Lanao Lake, and many more like these, is 300, 000 square
kilometers.
The northernmost island of the Luzon is just 100 kilometers away from the island of
Taiwan, formerly called Formosa.
The Republic of Formosa was a short-lived republic that existed on the island of Taiwan
in 1895 between the formal cession of Taiwan by the Qing dynasty of China to the
Empire of Japan by the Treaty of Shimonoseki and its being taken over by Japanese
troops.
North and west of the archipelago lies the South China Sea; to the east is the Pacific
Ocean; and to the south are the Celebes Sea and the water of Borneo.
Coastline of the Philippines is irregular and stretches for about 36,289 kilometers, about
twice as long as the coastline of the United States, excluding that of Alaska and Hawaii.
SAN VICENTE, PALAWAN

The Philippines Deep, which is found east of the Philippines near Samar and Leyte, is
considered as one of the deepest sea trenches in the world.
Physical map of the Philippines shows that it is mountainous with numerous peaks
from north to south, of which
Mount Apo in Mindanao is the Highest, standing at approximately 2,954 meters high.
The second highest is Mount Dulang-dulang in Bukidnon, which is 2,938 meters high.
The northern and eastern parts of Luzon have rugged mountain which are volcanic in
origin. The Western Caraballo Mountain Range, The Sierra Madre Mountain Range and
the Caraballo de Baler are the three large mountain Oranges in Luzon .
The Sierra Madre begins at the town of Baler in the eastern part of Quezon Province,
and crosses the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela and Quezon. It is the longest continuous
mountain range in the Philippines.
There are many volcanoes in the Philippines whose eruptions caused much damage to
lives and property. Twenty-six of the volcanoes are considered active, while the rest are
supposed to be dormant or “sleeping.”
The most famous of these active volcanoes are:
Iraya in Batanes Hibok-Hibok in Camiguin Island
Taal in Batangas Makaturing in Lanao
Banahaw in Quezon Mayon in Albay
Bulusan in Sorsogon
Babuyan Claro in Babuyan Island, Cagayan in Luzon
Biliran in Leyte Bud Dajo in Sulu
Cabalian in Southern Leyte Cagua in Cagayan in Luzon
Camiguin de Babuyanes in Cagayan in Luzon
Didicas in Cagayan in Luzon Iruga in Camarines Sur
Isarog in Camarines Sur Leonard Kniaseff in Davao del Norte
Matutum in Cotabato in Mindanao Musuan (Calayo) in Bukidnon
Parker in South Cot./Gensan/Cotabato/Sarangani Province
Pinatubo in Pampanga/Tarlac/Zambales Ragang in Cotabato
Smith in Cagayan in Luzon
Mayon and Taal are the most active of these volcanoes. They have erupted for no less
than twenty-five times.
Mayon is famous the over for its perfect cone shape while
Taal is famous for being the smallest volcano in the world.
In 1966, Taal volcano erupted, which led to the resettlement of the people of Volcano
Island to other places.

CLIMATE
The Philippines has a tropical and maritime climate which is tempered by the breeze
from the Pacific Ocean on the east and the China Sea on the west.
Based on the rainfall and temperature, there are two major seasons:
Dry season which extends from December to May.
Wet Season which extend to June to November.
The period from late November to February is usually cool.
May is often the hottest month of the year, while January is the coldest.
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the first governor-general of the Philippines, describing it to
the King of Spain said, “ The country [the Philippines] is salubrious and has a good
climate.

NATURAL RESOURCES
Nature has given the Philippines rich soil and plenty of natural resources. The rich
valleys and fertile plains are planted to crops such as rice, corn, coconuts, sugar cane,
bananas, pineapples, and varieties of vegetables.
The country has enough water resource for electricity; food such as fish, seaweeds, sea
shells; as well as pearls and jewelry
There is an abundant supply of minerals like gold, copper, silver, lead, zinc, nickel,
manganese, and chromium, as well as non-metallic minerals like salt, clay, coal,
Sulphur, asbestos, limestones, gravel, and gypsum.
The Philippines also has oil. Called “black gold”, its discovery at Malayan, Palawan has
encouraged foreign and Filipino firm to drill wells for oil.
A significant response by the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources
(DENR) was its lobby for congress to pass the National Integrated Protected Areas
System (NIPAS) Bill in 1992.
Now called R.A 7586, the law is premised on the concept of the involvement of local
communities in biodiversity conservation and habitat management.
BIODIVERSITY different forms of life existing in a particular environment.

ECONOMY
Rice is the main crop of the country and is cultivated in large quantities in Central Luzon,
Western Visayas and Mindanao.
Its production, however, remains insufficient due to several factors:
First, destructive typhoons and floods of destroy thousands upon thousands of rice
lands leading to government importation of rice.
Second, the agricultural sector remains backward despite government efforts to
modernize it through the introduction of programs like the “ Masagana 99”.
Third, the production shift to sources of biofuels such jathropa and other cash crops,
which command higher prices in the market.
Fourth, the massive conversion of farm lands for residential and commercial use has
also contributed to low rice productivity, not to mention the loss of farm labor.

POPULATION
In the long-term, the Philippines Population is projected to trend around 113.80
Million in 2022, according to our econometric models.
Based on the figures from the National Statistics Office (2008-2009), the Philippine has
one of the fastest-growing population with a birth rate of 26.42 births/1,000. Life
expectancy stands at 67.89 years for men and 73.85 years for women. There are
approximately 92 million Filipinos today as projected by the NSO.
Philippine Population as of 2023 – 117,337,368
The majority of the Filipinos belong to the Austronesian ethic group. Due to early trade
contracts and subsequent colonization by the Spaniards and late by the Americans,
Filipinos today are a mixture of races.
AUSTRONESIAN - groups of people from Indonesia and Malaysia arrived in the islands
of the Philippines to be its first settlers.
The offspring of a native Filipino and foreigner, whether Chinese, Spaniards, American is
called mestizo.
There are 170 spoken languages with almost all of them belong to the Austronesian
language family.
Among the major languages are Bicolano, Bisaya, Cebuano, Chabacano,
Hiligaynon/Ilonggo, Ilocano, Kapangpangan, Maguidanaon, Maranao, Pangasinense,
Tagalog, Tausug, and Waray.
Filipino - National Language
Filipino English – official languages of the country.

GOVERNMENT
The Philippines is a constitutional Republic with three co-equal branches:
1. Executive 2. Legislative 3. Judiciary
Executive Branch
– Headed by president and Vice president.
- Administer the functions through cabinet which made up of departments headed by
department secretary.
Legislative Branch
– Responsible for enacting bills into laws,
- It is composed of the Senate(Upper House) and the Representatives (Lower House),
led by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House.
Judiciary Branch
– consist of the systems of courts with Supreme Court as the highest court of the land
headed by the chief justice.
Philippines is sub divided into region and provinces, except for metropolitan Manila for
administrative purposes.
Governor – head of the province with its own legislative body called Sangguniang
Panlalawigan.
Provinces are composed of Cities and Municipalities which are further divided into
Barangays.
Barangay smallest political unit.
The country has undergo five constitutional changes since Malolos Constitution of 1899
which set up the first Filipino Republic with Emilio F. Aguinaldo as president, these
constitution are:
1. The 1935 Constitution, which served as the basis for the transition Commonwealth
government with Manuel L. Quezon as 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 extended the term of President Marcos beyond the
provision of the 1935 Constitution, and set up the Fourth Republic; and
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

Trait – a distinguishing feature or character of a person or a group of people.
Hospitality is the most important trait of the Filipinos.
Close Family Ties speaks out how family are being united as one.
Respect for the Elders - One of the best Filipino traits.
The tagalog “po” is commonly used to show respect for elders.
Sentimental – sentimentalism is shown in many ways. It is something to give in return
after receiving something from someone to give value, honor and pride.
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. One of this values
is PAKIKISAMA, a sense of togetherness or comradeship. It also refers to doing good
deed, such as helping a relative.
Utang na Loob/ Debt of gratitude- famous Filipino value. A person who receives favor
from someone must pay the same favor to a person. People who lack utang na loob
are disliked or avoided.
Hiya or Kahihiyan- sense of shame- is something that a person must possess to high
degree. A person without hiya is called ‘walang hiya’.

CULTURAL VALUES
Culture gives meaning to man’s existence. There is no society that does not have
culture. Through culture, the existence of the members of the society became more
meaningful and with a purpose. Although culture and cultural heritage serve as
distinguishing mark of the Filipino people, there has been issues and concerns
concerning accepted cultural values and practices.

What is Culture?
 Is a way of life of a group of people--the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols
that they accept, generally without thinking about them, and that are passed
along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next.
What is Culture shock?
 refers to feelings of uncertainty, confusion, or anxiety that people may experience
when moving to a new country or surroundings.

1. Filipino Indolence
 It was Rizal who stated that the “Filipinos in general are indolent people”. If this
statement was true during his time, this still true happening now. There are
Filipinos who do not care of their future. They prefer to play game of chance like
“bingo, mahjong, tong-its, lucky 9, cara y cruz, and other gambling activities.
 Many children and adolescent could be found in internet cafes in corner places
hanging around most of the time instead of doing household chores or helping
the family members doing household duties. “Istambay” of “idler” today are
being arrested by the police - but this strategy by the government to prevent
criminal activities-are being legally questioned.
 What do you think is the reason why this activities of the government are being
questioned?
2. Ningas-Cugon Attitude
 This is an unacceptable cultural value that most Filipinos do even today. At the
beginning, Filipinos are very eager and ready to do and finish a work but after
some time, they become complacent and lazy at the end. In Tagalog “masipag sa
simula pero tamad na sa huli”. It is like a cogon grass that easily kindle and burn
and nothing is left but ashes at the end.
3. Mañana Habit Attitude
 This is the tomorrow-attitude or procrastination attitude. People set aside their
work for tomorrow what they can already do today. People can accomplish many
things if they only make use of their time profitably.
4. Bahala na Attitude
 This is a kind of fatalism in which the person leaves everything to fate. He lets
fate control his destiny and decides his success. This term comes from “Bahala
na” which means that God will take care of everything.
5. Indulging in gambling
 This is one favorite pastime of Filipinos which has more negative effects than
positives ones. Jueteng, tongits, jai-alai, pintakasi(sabong), mahjong, are some
of the forms of gambling that brings evil to society because of negative effects
they bring especially to the young adults.
6. Hiya Complex
 This is an uncomfortable feeling of being found in an unacceptable position or
uncomfortable feeling of doing something not socially acceptable, accompanied
by a feeling of shame or embarrassment.
 When hiya is given too much importance, it becomes a threat to progress. A
feeling of confidence and personal worth can reduce the “hiya” complex.
7. Amor Propio
 This is associated closely with “hiya”. It is Spanish term meaning self-love, or self
-esteem, the fear of losing social acceptance. Once a person has attained social
acceptance, he will do everything to keep that status. A person will certainly feel
 hurt and insulted if the criticism is directed against those qualities that he holds
dear or has values to him.
8. Lagay and Areglo
 These are established socio-political connections for some material
consideration to be able to obtain favors. These negative practices often occur in
government offices where special privileges and favors may be obtained in return
for which certain considerations are exchanged.
9. Palakasan Scheme
 Obtaining a job, getting a promotion transfer, and other special privileges and
favors are often done in “palakasan”. This scheme is manifested in a society
where there is strong family ties and influence of power and wealth.
10. Use of Euphemistic Expression
 Euphemistic Expression is stating an unpleasant opinion, truth or request as
pleasantly as possible to please another person so as not directly hurt his ego. It
is sometimes called “white lies”.
11. The suerte, tadhana, malas, and Buena form of fatalism
 These are beliefs in fate, predestination, in horoscope and hula (fortune telling).
This fatalism still persists today when a Filipino accepts with resignation and
tolerance his pain and frustration.
12. The Existence of Spirits, Ghost and Supernatural Being
 The beliefs on these “unseen beings” still persists in our thoughts and we
imagine theme to be exiting in this material world. Many people believe that
spirits possess supernatural powers and so we pray to them, offer food to the
“anitos” and “anitas” so that they will not harm us or bring bad luck to our
activities.
13. The Gaya-Gaya Practice
 Generally, imitation is not bad per se because it is one form of learning especially
if there is a good model to imitate. On the hand gaya-gaya has a negative value if
it indicates lack of creativity, imitativeness, pioneering spirit or as a consequence
of timidity to go into a new field of endeavor and rely on just mere imitation.
14. Karma
 Many Filipinos believe in karma, the Indian word which means “the law of nature”.
The saying “for every action, there is an equal reaction and opposite reaction” is
referred to karma. There is also a saying in Tagalog “Kung ano ang itinanim, ay
siyang aanihin” (What you have sowed, is what you will reap). If you do harm to
others, that harm goes back to you.