The Philippines Travel Guide – know it better

Welcome to the beautiful island of the Philippines!

The Republic of the Philippines is a sovereign state in archipelago Southeast Asia. situated in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of 7,641 islands which are categorized under three main geographical divisions from north to south;

Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao (LuzViMinda)

Bounded by the South China Sea on the west, the Philippine Sea on the east and the Celebes Sea on the southwest.

The Philippines shares maritime borders with Taiwan to the north, Japan to the northeast, Palau to the east, Indonesia to the south, Malaysia and Brunei to the southwest, Vietnam to the west, and China to the northwest.

The People: Nationality is Filipino. (knowns as well as Pinoy (for boys) and Pinay (for girls)

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Capital City: Manila

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Official Languages:

• There are Eight major dialects (Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampangano, Pangasinense)
• Tagalog is the nationwide language
• English is widely spoken
• There are about 76-78 major language groups, with more than 500 dialects.

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Visa Requirement: check here with iVisa

Currency: Peso (Php)

Electricity: 220 volts a/c is the standard. 110 volts a/c can also be used particularly in major hotels.

Women Traditional clothes: Maria Clara gown, Baro’t Saya, Balintawak, Traje de Mestiza, Terno

Gentleman Conventional clothes: Barong Tagalog

Major Religion: Christian

The Philippines Flag

The Flag image and colours has their meaning as;

• White Triangle– symbolize the distinctive emblem of the well-known Katipunan Society “which by means of its blood compact urged on the masses of the people insurrection
• Three Stars – symbolize the three principal islands “Luzon, Panay (Visayas) and Mindanao”
• Sun – represents gigantic strides that have been made by the sons of this land on the road of progress and civilization.
• Eight sun rays – symbolizing the eight provinces of Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna, and Batangas which have been declared in a state of war almost soon as the first insurrectionary movement was initiated.
• Colours of blue, purple and white –

Malacañang Palace: is the official residence and principal office of the President of the Philippines.

Number of Provinces to explore: 81

LUZON

The largest and most populous island, it’s the economic and political center of the nation being home to the country’s capital city Manila.

NCR: National Capital Region

• It’s subdivided into 17 local government units compromising of 16 cities and one municipality.
• The 16 cities: Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Quezon City, Marikina, Pasig, Taguig, Makati, Manila, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa

CAR: Cordillera Administrative Region

1. Abra
2. Apayao
3. Benguet
4. Ifugao
5. Kalinga
6. Mountain Province

Area 1: Ilocos Region

• 7. Ilocos Norte
• 8. Ilocos Sur
• 9. La Union
• 10. Pangasinan

Area 2: Cagayan Valley

• 11. Batanes
• 12. Cagayan
• 13. Isabela
• 14. Nueva Vizcaya
• 15. Quirino

Area 3: Central Luzon

• 16. Aurora
• 17. Bataan
• 18. Bulacan
• 19. Nueva Ecija
• 20. Pampanga
• 21. Tarlac
• 22. Zambales

Area 4A: CALABARZON

• 23. Batangas
• 24. Cavite
• 25. Laguna
• 26. Quezon
• 27. Rizal

Area 4B: MIMAROPA / Southwestern Tagalog

• 28. Marinduque
• 29. Occidental Mindoro
• 30. Oriental Mindoro
• 31. Palawan
• 32. Romblon

Area 5: Bicol Region

• 33. Albay
• 34. Camarines Norte
• 35. Camarines Sur
• 36. Catanduanes
• 37. Masbate
• 38. Sorsogon

VISAYAS

Area 6: Western Visayas

• 39. Aklan
• 40. Antique
• 41. Capiz
• 42. Guimaras
• 43. Iloilo
• 44. Negros Occidental

Area 7: Central Visayas

• 45. Bohol
• 46. Cebu
• 47. Negros Oriental
• 48. Siquijor

Area 8: Eastern Visayas

• 49. Biliran
• 50. Eastern Samar
• 51. Leyte
• 52. Northern Samar
• 53. Samar
• 54. Southern Leyte

MINDANAO

Area 9: Zamboanga Peninsula

• 55. Zamboanga del Norte
• 56. Zamboanga del Sur
• 57. Zamboanga Sibugay

Area 10: Northern Mindanao

• 58. Bukidnon
• 59. Camiguin
• 60. Lanao del Norte
• 61. Misamis Occidental
• 62. Misamis Oriental

Area 11: Davao Region

• 63. Compostela Valley
• 64. Davao del Norte
• 65. Davao del Sur
• 66. Davao Occidental
• 67. Davao Oriental

Area 12: SOCCSKARGEN

• 68. Cotabato
• 69. Sarangani
• 70. South Cotabato
• 71. Sultan Kudarat

Area 13: Caraga Region

• 72. Agusan del Norte
• 73. Agusan del Sur
• 74. Dinagat Islands
• 75. Surigao del Norte
• 76. Surigao del Sur

BARMM: Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

• 77. Basilan
• 78. Lanao del Sur
• 79. Maguindanao
• 80. Sulu
• 81. Tawi-Tawi

(images are not mine, credit to the owner)

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