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The Republic of the Philippines is a captivating island nation comprising over 7,640 islands. With a population surpassing 100 million, it stands as a prominent Southeast Asian country renowned for its vibrant history and cultural diversity.
This compilation sheds light on some of the most intriguing aspects of the Philippines, emphasizing its historical background and the unique characteristics of its inhabitants.
While these ten facts only scratch the surface, they provide an excellent introduction to understanding the wonders of this remarkable island nation.
10. The Islands Are Home to Nearly 200 Distinct Languages
While Filipino, a standardized form of Tagalog, is widely recognized as the Philippines' national language, it is far from the only one spoken across the nation. The country boasts 186 documented languages, with only four of them no longer having active speakers.
Filipino serves as the national language, but English holds equal status as an official language. This is evident in its widespread use across government documents, educational resources, media broadcasts, and nearly all written materials throughout the country.
With a large portion of the population fluent in English, the Philippines ranks as the fifth-largest English-speaking country globally. This makes it a welcoming destination for English-speaking travelers, who are often amazed by the prevalence of English in this Southeast Asian nation.
The majority of languages spoken in the Philippines are indigenous dialects closely related to Tagalog. Among these, Cebuano and Ilokano are the most widely spoken after Filipino.
The Philippines also recognizes 19 regional auxiliary official languages. In 2018, Filipino Sign Language was officially designated as the national sign language, showcasing the country's ongoing linguistic evolution and diversity.
9. The Islands Experienced Multiple Colonizations
The Philippines has been inhabited for millennia, but a cohesive national identity began to form around the 10th century. This identity flourished as the islands became a trade hub, a status that persisted until Ferdinand Magellan arrived in 1521 and claimed the territory for Spain.
For the next 381 years, the Philippines remained under foreign rule. Spain governed the islands through Spanish Manila, which was established as the capital of the Spanish East Indies in 1571. Administration was carried out via the Viceroyalty of New Spain, based in Mexico.
During the Seven Years’ War, Britain briefly occupied Manila, but the Treaty of Paris restored Spanish control. Spain retained power until the Spanish-American War, which led to the establishment of the First Philippine Republic in 1899. However, the U.S. refused to recognize the new government, sparking the Philippine-American War.
The U.S. emerged victorious, and from 1899 to 1946, the Philippines remained under American control. It was granted Commonwealth status in 1935, and full independence was officially recognized in 1946 through the Treaty of Manila.
8. Basketball and Boxing Dominate the Sports Scene
Basketball and boxing are the two most beloved sports in the Philippines, both serving as significant sources of national pride. Anyone familiar with professional boxing knows Manny Pacquiao, the country’s most celebrated athlete.
When Pacquiao enters the ring, the entire nation comes to a standstill. His matches draw massive viewership, with nearly everyone tuning in to watch him in action. The pride Filipinos feel for Pacquiao is well-deserved, as he is the only boxer in history to win world titles across four different decades.
Beyond boxing, basketball captures the nation’s heart. Hoops can be found in nearly every neighborhood, a testament to the sport’s popularity. Introduced during the American colonial era, basketball quickly took root, and by the 1910s, the Philippines had its own men’s national team. The Philippine Basketball Association, founded in 1975, remains a cornerstone of the sport.
The PBA is the world’s second-oldest national basketball association. Filipino players have made their mark globally, and the Philippines ranks as the third-largest basketball market worldwide, trailing only the U.S. and China.
7. The Philippines Boasts Some of the World’s Largest Shopping Malls
While modern shopping malls originated in the United States, the concept quickly spread globally, including to the Philippines. Filipinos have a deep affection for malls, and the country is home to three of the largest shopping centers on the planet.
Shopping malls are particularly appealing because they offer a clean, safe, and air-conditioned environment. This makes them more than just retail spaces; they serve as community hubs where people shop, dine, bank, and even attend religious services.
The SM Megamall, the largest mall in the Philippines, ranks as the third-largest in the world. With 5.1 million square feet (474,000 square meters) of retail and commercial space, it has undergone multiple expansions. The mall is so vast that it features a tram to transport visitors between its various sections.
The SM Megamall can host up to four million visitors at once, covering approximately 25 acres (10 hectares). Plans are underway for a 50-story office tower, known as “The Mega Tower,” which will add an extra 1.34 million square feet (124,200 square meters) of leasable space.
6. Christianity Reigns as the Predominant Religion
Similar to many developed Asian nations, the Philippines is a secular state that upholds religious freedom. However, unlike most of its neighbors, Christianity is the dominant faith, embraced by approximately 86% of its over 100 million residents. This positions the Philippines as the third-largest Roman Catholic population globally.
Christianity is not widely practiced across Asia, but its prevalence in the Philippines has historical roots. When Spain colonized the islands in the 16th century, it brought Catholicism, much like it did in South America. This colonial influence solidified Christianity as the nation’s primary religion.
After Catholicism and other Christian denominations, Islam stands as the second-largest religion. As of 2014, Muslims accounted for about 10% of the population, with Sunni Islam of the Shafi’i school being the most common sect.
The Philippines is home to numerous historic religious landmarks, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Notable examples include the Paoay Church, the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, and the San Agustin Church, all of which reflect the country’s deep religious heritage.
5. The Philippines Features Unique and Hazardous Geography
Geographically, the Philippines stands out as one of the most stunning and intriguing places on Earth. One of its islands has more volcanoes than cities, and with its entirely archipelagic makeup, the country boasts a coastline stretching 22,548 miles (36,289 km).
Among the archipelago’s most fascinating geographical features is Vulcan Point, an islet located within a lake on an island that itself sits within another lake on a larger island. To simplify: Vulcan Point is a tiny islet inside the Main Crater Lake of Taal Volcano, which is situated on Volcano Island, all of which lies within Taal Lake on Luzon Island.
This unique formation has been likened to a real-life version of the movie Inception, often appearing in memes. The Philippines is also rich in volcanoes, as it lies on the western edge of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
The country experiences around 20 earthquakes daily, though most are too minor to be felt. It is home to 26 active volcanoes, with Mount Pinatubo being the most famous. Pinatubo’s 1991 eruption was the second-largest of the 20th century.
4. The Capital City Holds the Title for the World’s Highest Population Density
When it comes to packing an extraordinary number of people into a single urban area, Manila takes the crown. As the capital of the Philippines, it is the most densely populated city globally. While not the largest in terms of area, its population density is astonishingly high.
According to the 2015 Census, Manila’s city proper is home to 1,780,148 residents. While this number is significant, it pales in comparison to megacities like Delhi or Tokyo, which cover much larger areas. Manila spans just 16.56 square miles (42.88 square km), resulting in a staggering population density of 111,002 people per square mile (42,857 per square km).
To put this into perspective, Tokyo, the world’s most populous city, has 37.4 million residents spread over a vast area. Its population density is 6,158 people per square km, making it far less crowded than Manila’s city proper.
3. The Philippines Is a Global Leader in Supplying Nurses
The Philippines, with its dense population, faces significant job scarcity, leading to high unemployment rates. In April 2020, unemployment peaked at 17.7%, prompting many to seek opportunities abroad. The healthcare sector, particularly nursing, has become a key area for overseas employment.
Challenging working conditions in the Filipino healthcare system drive many nurses to pursue careers outside the country. This has led to a culture of labor migration, helping to alleviate domestic job shortages while creating opportunities internationally.
The Philippines is the leading global supplier of nurses, contributing approximately 25% of all overseas nursing professionals. With around 460 nursing colleges, the country produces about 20,000 nurses each year.
As of 2003 data, the Philippines employs roughly 30,000 nurses annually in both public and private sectors. Internationally, Filipino nurses account for up to 164,000 professionals, with nearly 85% of the workforce employed abroad, a figure that continues to rise.
2. The Texting Capital of the World
While texting has become a dominant form of communication globally, the Philippines holds the unique title of being the “texting capital of the world.” No other country comes close to matching the volume of texts sent by Filipinos, who text more than anyone else on the planet.
Filipinos are known for their sociable nature, often engaging in lengthy conversations with friends and extended family. In a nation with such a large population, this means staying connected with a wide network of people is a common practice.
On average, Filipinos send around 400 million text messages daily, totaling an estimated 142 billion annually. The popularity of texting is largely driven by its affordability, as it is significantly cheaper than making phone calls.
Out of the country’s 100+ million residents, approximately 73% own a mobile phone. Another 7% share phones, while the remaining population does not have access to one.
1. The Birthplace of the Jeepney
When visiting the Philippines, you’ll encounter the iconic jeepney, a distinctive and vibrant form of public transportation. These brightly decorated vehicles, adorned with colorful and kitschy designs, have become a cherished cultural symbol of the nation.
Jeepneys originated from the aftermath of American colonization and World War II. Before the war, the Philippines relied on auto calesas (AC) as shared taxis, but most were destroyed during the conflict. After the war, the U.S. military left behind numerous vehicles, which locals repurposed to replace the lost ACs.
The abandoned American military jeeps were heavily modified by locals, giving rise to the jeepney. The name itself is a blend of “jeep” and “jitney,” a 1940s slang term for American taxis, reflecting their hybrid origins.
Over time, jeepneys evolved into the colorful, iconic vehicles seen today. While most serve as public utility vehicles, some are privately owned, showcasing their enduring popularity and cultural significance.
