15 Fun Facts About the Philippines

We have been to the Philippines many times over the years. Kent was stationed there for a time while in the military, and Lyn is originally from the island of Biliran, near Leyte in the Philippines. It’s a beautiful and interesting country of more than 7600 islands and islets, and with a diverse people that speak over 700 dialects. But don’t let that scare you away, because almost all of them also speak English. It is truly a fascinating place that you will want to stay and enjoy for weeks.

Yes, it’s time to visit the Philippines. A country of contrasts; from large metropolitan cities to deserted white sandy beaches, from emerald rice fields to active volcanoes, and landmarks from colonial forts to ultra-modern shopping malls to small remote villages. The people of the Philippines are warm and friendly, and the country is famous not only for its beaches and outstanding diving sites, but also offers excellent big game fishing, and great golf courses. Experience unique and interesting cuisine, international shopping, or simply island hop and discover this country of diverse, and compelling islands. Hike into the rainforests, swim under a waterfall, or relax at a world-class spa resort. There is truly something for everyone in the Philippines.

With islands galore and a community inspired culture, the Philippines is always a beautiful place to visit. These 15 fun facts about this archipelago will be sure to WOW you!

Copper – Because of the volcanoes, mineral deposits are incredibly abundant. The Philippines are believed to have the largest copper deposits, and the second-largest gold deposits in the World.

Longest Snake – The Reticulated Python is the longest snake in the world, reaching up to 29 feet. The snake also doubles as the longest reptile. Luckily, as with all pythons, they are non-venomous.

Christianity Rules – The Philippines are the only nation in Asia that is over 85% Christian. The majority of that percentage being Roman Catholic. The second highest religious group is Muslim, with 5.7%.

Extended Christmas – In the Philippines, Christmas begins in September and ends in January during the ‘Feast of the Three Kings.’ Food and traditions are very similar to America. The countdown from September to January is known as the “Ber Months” and includes decorations and lots of parties.

New Animal Species – Researchers on the island of Luzon in the Philippines have recently discovered 28 unique new species of mammal. This brings the total number of non-flying mammals on the island to 56, 52 of which (93 percent) are endemic to Luzon, meaning they are not found anywhere else on the planet. Some other discoveries include new sea slugs, sea stars, and countless new coral species.

Balut – A boiled fertilized duck egg, is an interesting dish that is popular in the Philippines. The embryo is typical street food and is considered to be an aphrodisiac.

Large Pearls – In 1934, a Filipino diver discovered a 14-pound pearl in the Palawan Sea. The pearl is more than 9 inches long and known as the “Pearl of Allah.” It is rumored to be more than 600 years old and worth over $40 million.

Karaoke Kings – Although a Japanese musician (Daisuke) invented the concept, it was Filipino Roberto del Rosario who patented the Karaoke Sing-along system in 1975.

Texting Capital of the World – Known as ‘Generation txt,’ young Filipinos have reached record levels of communication via text messaging. They use apps that don’t require data or WiFi, making it much more affordable. When you mix that with their strong sense of community, it’s clear how they acquired this new-age moniker.

Bangka Boats – Outrigger canoes that are referred to as banca or paraw. They have a double-outrigger with very narrow main hulls. There are many variations of the boat available, and they are utilized in an impressive number of ways.

War and Peace Flag – The Philippines is the only country in the world that has two different flags for peace and wartime. When the country is at peace, the red portion will be at the bottom of the flag. The opposite indicates the country is at war.

Volcanoes and Earthquakes – Located in the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” there are a total of 37 volcanoes in the Philippines, and 22 are still active. They also average roughly four earthquakes per day.

Nursing Supply – 25% of the world’s nurses come from the Philippines. There are so many in the United States that they’ve formed a national organization called the ‘Philippine Nurses Association of America.’ The influx of Filipino nurses stems from a migration that occurred at the turn of the 20th century.

Chicken Adobo – This is hands down the national dish! A great tasting simple cuisine that includes pepper, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaves, and vinegar. You can swap the chicken out for seafood, beef, or pork. It is simply delightful.

Tinikling and Sigil – These are names of two of the Philippines’ traditional folk dances. These dances are unique and are being preserved by the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk-Dance Company. When performing during special occasions, Filipinos dress in national garb.

With a variety of cultures, foods, and ethnicities, the Philippines is a great destination to explore. This just scratches the surface of what this charming Southeast Asian country has to share. Make a visit to the Philippines your next Unforgettable Journey. Contact us today.