MMC-PPT-001-C

PHILIPPINE CULTURE &

TOURISM GEOGRAPHY

Prof. GLAIZA G. CABACUNGAN, MBA

 PHILIPPINE
CULTURE &
TOURISM
GEOGRAPHY
CHAPTER 1
 LESSON OBJECTIVE
⮚Recall Philippine political geography highlights
⮚Identify major physical geography features of
the country
⮚Distinguish the political and physical geography
highlights of the Philippines.
⮚Know the highlight history of the Philippines
 INTRODUCTION
The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,641 islands. It stretches from the south of
China to the northern tip of Borneo. The country has over a hundred ethnic
groups and a mixture of foreign influences which have molded a unique Filipino
culture.

Before the Spanish explorers came, Indo-Malays and Chinese merchants had
settled here. In 1521, the Spaniards, led by Ferdinand Magellan, discovered the
islands. The Spanish conquistadores established a colonial government in Cebu
in 1565. They transferred the seat of government to Manila in 1571 and
proceeded to colonize the country. The Filipinos resisted and waged Asia's first
nationalist revolution in 1896. On June 12, 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo declared the
Philippines independent from Spain and proclaimed himself president. After
ruling for 333 years, the Spaniards finally left in 1898 and were replaced by the
Americans who stayed for 48 years. On July 4, 1946, the Americans recognized
Philippine independence.
Contemporary Filipinos continue to grapple with a
society that is replete with paradoxes, perhaps the
most obvious being the presence of extreme
wealth alongside tremendous poverty. Rich in
resources, the Philippines has the potential to
build a strong industrial economy, but the country
remains largely agricultural. Especially toward the
end of the 20th century, rapid industrial expansion
was spurred by a high degree of domestic and
foreign investment. That growth, however,
simultaneously contributed to severe degradation
of the environment. The Philippines also emerged
as a regional leader in education during the late
20th century, with a well-established public school
and university system, and by the early 21st
century the country had one of the highest literacy
rates in Asia.
The Philippine archipelago is bounded by the Philippine Sea
to the east, the Celebes Sea to the south, the Sulu Sea to
the southwest, and the South China Sea to the west and
north. The islands spread out in the shape of a triangle,
with those south of Palawan, the Sulu Archipelago, and the
island of Mindanao outlining (from west to east,
respectively) its southern base and the Batan Islands to the
north of Luzon forming its apex. The archipelago stretches
about 1,500lm (940miles) from north to south, and its
widest east-west extent, at its southern base, is some 700
miles (1,130 km).
The island of Taiwan lies north of the Batan group, the
Malaysian portion of the island of Borneo is to the south of
Palawan, and the eastern islands of Indonesia lie to the
south and southeast of Mindanao. Only about two-fifths of
the islands and islets have names, and only some 350 have
areas of 1 square mile (2.6 square km) or more. The large
islands fall into three groups: (1) the Luzon group in the
north and west, consisting of Luzon, Mindoro, and Palawan,
(2) the Visayas group in the centre, consisting of Bohol,
Cebu, Leyte, Masbate, Negros, Panay, and Samar, and (3)
Mindanao in the south.
Outstanding physical features of the
Philippines include the irregular
configuration of the archipelago, the
coastline of some 22,550 miles (36,290
km), the great extent of mountainous
country, the narrow and interrupted
coastal plains, the generally northward
trend of the river systems, and the
spectacular lakes. The islands are
composed primarily of volcanic rock and
coral, but all principal rock formations are
present. The mountain ranges for the most
part run in the same general direction as
the islands themselves, approximately
north to south.
Philippine’s Political Geography
Quick Facts
Official Republic of the Philippines
Name (Republika ng Pilipinas)
Motto “For God, People, Nature and Country”
Maka-Diyos, Maka- Tao, Makakalikasan at Makabansa
Capital City of Manila
Siyudad ng Maynila
Official Filipino
Language
Gentilic Pinoy (colloquial) Filipino

Government Republican presidential democratic state

Currency Philippine Peso (PhP)
Time Zone UTC+8 (PST)
Flag

Coat of
Arms
Philippines, an archipelagic state in the Maritime Southeast Asian region, is comprised of seven
thousand, six hundred and forty-one islands (7,641) grouped into three major islands namely:
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Among the three islands, Luzon is the largest and holds the
Philippines’ capital city, the city of Manila. Mindanao is the second largest island and Davao city
is the largest city in the country in terms of land area; Visayas is the smallest among the group
islands, boosting its White sand beach of Boracay, and the first city build by the Spanish
colonizers, the Queen city of the south, Cebu City
 International Boundary
The Philippine lies in the West Pacific
Ocean and bounded by:
South China Sea on the West

Philippine Sea on the East

Celebes Sea on the S.West

 Luzon
It is located in the northern part is the island
Luzon which is the largest among the three and
also shelters the largest population in all the
three islands. It is the hub of the economic,
social, cultural, and financial development of
the country. Also being the 15th largest island in
the world it is home to breathtaking mountains,
plains, rivers and lakes. In fact, the Luzon island
lake is an unmissable part of any Philippines
itinerary.
 Visayas
A small yet beautiful island that lies
between Luzon and Mindanao is the island
Visayas, as can be seen from the Visayas
map itself. It is famous for its rich historical
and cultural heritage. This island is full of life
and the locals are the reason for the benefit.
They celebrate a number of festivals as they
take immense pride in their religious
traditions. This place is the most colorful
and vibrant of them all.
 Mindanao
It is the most gifted island among the three.
Located in the southern part of Philipines,
this island is the hub of agriculture and is
known for its forestry and fishing culture.
Dominated by the Islam culture, this
beautiful land is housing some awe-
inspiring mountains which are also the
tallest in the country and several historic
sculptures and monuments.
 Palawan
The island is half desert, so still undeveloped.
Palawan is rich in beautiful attractions that
includes jungle, mountains, and white
beaches. Palawan Island has been rated
by National Geographic Traveler magazine as best
Southeast Asia region in 2007, and the 13th best
island in the world! The most biodiverse islands in
the Philippines. Palawan is an archipelago with
1,780 islands on the western part. Due to
amazing landscapes and high bio-diversity.
The northern part is characterized by incredible
clear waters, white beaches, and many species of
flora and fauna.
 History
Pre Spanish History
According to what can be inferred from somewhat later accounts, the Filipinos of the 15th century must
have engaged primarily in shifting cultivation, hunting, and fishing. Sedentary cultivation was the exception.
Only in the mountains of northern Luzon, where elaborate rice terraces were built some 2,000 years ago,
were livelihood and social organization linked to a fixed territory.
The lowland peoples lived in extended kinship groups known as barangays, each under the leadership of a
datu, or chieftain. The barangay, which ordinarily numbered no more than a few hundred individuals, was
usually the largest stable economic and political unit.
Within the barangay the status system, though not rigid, appears to have consisted of three broad classes:
the datu and his family and the nobility, freeholders, and “dependents.” This third category consisted of
three levels—sharecroppers, debt peons, and war captives—the last two levels being termed “slaves” by
Spanish observers. The slave status was inherited but, through manumission and interclass marriage,
seldom extended over more than two generations. The fluidity of the social system was in part the
consequence of a bilateral kinship system in which lineage was reckoned equally through the male and
female lines.
Social structure of the lowland Filipinos during
Pre-Hispanic Era
Maginoo
The Maginoo were the ruling class, the educated class, the royal class,
and the privileged class. It was from this class that the Datu would come
from. The Datu is the leader of the community called a barangay.

Timawa

The freeman class known as the Timawa probably made up the bulk of
the barangay community. They were free. They could acquire property,
acquire any job they want, pick their own wives, and acquire an Alipin.

Alipin

The Alipin had the least rights. They are not exactly slaves in the traditional
sense, but they were indentured servants. Basically they served their
master who belonged to one of the classes above them. But it does not
mean that they did all the work in the barangay.
History
The Spanish Period
Spanish colonial motives were not,
however, strictly commercial. The
Spanish at first viewed the
Philippines as a stepping-stone to
the riches of the East Indies (Spice
Islands), but, even after the
Portuguese and Dutch had
foreclosed that possibility, the
Spanish still maintained their
presence in the archipelago.
 Notable events and personalities during the The Spanish city of Manila was founded in 1571, and by the end
Spanish Period of the 16th century most of the coastal and lowland areas

Ferdinand Magellan headed the first Spanish foray to the

Philippines when he made landfall on Cebu in March 1521; a
Friars marched with soldiers and soon accomplished the nominal
short time later he met an untimely death on the nearby island of conversion to Roman Catholicism of all the local people under Spanish
Mactan. administration. But the Muslims of Mindanao and Sulu, whom the
Spanish called Moros, were never completely subdued by Spain.

The first 100 years of Spanish reign led to the encomienda system
through a tax farming system adopted from the Americas but later
abolished during the end of 17th century due to the abusive
treatments of the ecomienderos.

King Philip II (for whom the islands are named) had dispatched Central government in Manila retained a medieval cast until the 19th
three further expeditions that ended in disaster, he sent out Miguel
López de Legazpi, who established the first permanent Spanish century, and the governor-general was so powerful that he was often
settlement, in Cebu, in 1565. likened to an independent monarch.

Manila dominated the islands not only as the political capital. The
galleon trade with Acapulco, Mex., assured Manila’s commercial
primacy as well.
 In the late 17th and 18th centuries the archbishop, who also had the legal
status of lieutenant governor, frequently won. Augmenting their political
power, religious orders, Roman Catholic hospitals and schools, and bishops
acquired great wealth, mostly in land.

Agricultural technology changed very slowly until

the late 18th century, as shifting cultivation
gradually gave way to more intensive sedentary
farming, partly under the guidance of the friars.

The datus and other representatives of the old noble class took
advantage of the introduction of the Western concept of absolute
ownership of land to claim as their own fields cultivated by their
various retainers, even though traditional land rights had been
limited to usufruct. These heirs of pre-Spanish nobility were known
as the principalia and played an important role in the friar-dominated
local government.

By the late 18th century, political and economic changes in

Europe were finally beginning to affect Spain and, thus, the
Philippines. Important as a stimulus to trade was the gradual
elimination of the monopoly enjoyed by the galleon to Acapulco.
 History
The Philippine Revolution
In August 1896, Spanish friars uncovered evidence of the Katipunan’s plans, and its leaders were forced into premature action. Revolts
broke out in several provinces around Manila. After months of fighting, severe Spanish retaliation forced the revolutionary armies to
retreat to the hills. In December 1897 a truce was concluded with the Spanish. Emilio Aguinaldo, a municipal mayor and commander of the
rebel forces, was paid a large sum and was allowed to go to Hong Kong with other leaders; the Spanish promised reforms as well. But
reforms were slow in coming, and small bands of rebels, distrustful of Spanish promises, kept their arms; clashes grew more frequent.
Meanwhile, war had broken out between Spain and the United States (the Spanish-American War). After the U.S. naval victory in the
Battle of Manila Bay in May 1898, Aguinaldo and his entourage returned to the Philippines with the help of Adm. George Dewey. Confident
of U.S. support, Aguinaldo reorganized his forces and soon liberated several towns south of Manila. Independence was declared on June
12 (now celebrated as Independence Day). In September a constitutional congress met in Malolos, north of Manila, which drew up a
fundamental law derived from European and Latin American precedents. A government was formed on the basis of that constitution in
January 1899, with Aguinaldo as president of the new country, popularly known as the “Malolos Republic.”
U.S. commissioners to the peace negotiations in Paris had been instructed to demand from Spain the cession of the Philippines to the
United States; such cession was confirmed with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898. Ratification followed in the U.S.
Senate in February 1899, but with only one vote more than the required two-thirds. Arguments of “manifest destiny” could not
overwhelm a determined anti-imperialist minority.
 History
The Philippine Revolution-cont.
By the time the treaty was ratified, hostilities had already broken out between U.S. and
Filipino forces. Since Filipino leaders did not recognize U.S. sovereignty over the islands and
U.S. commanders gave no weight to Filipino claims of independence, the conflict was
inevitable. It took two years of counterinsurgency warfare and some wise conciliatory moves
in the political arena to break the back of the nationalist resistance. Aguinaldo was captured
in March 1901 and shortly thereafter appealed to his countrymen to accept U.S. rule.
The Filipino revolutionary movement had two goals, national and social. The first goal,
independence, though realized briefly, was frustrated by the American decision to continue
administering the islands. The goal of fundamental social change, manifest in the
nationalization of friar lands by the Malolos Republic, was ultimately frustrated by the power
and resilience of entrenched institutions. Share tenants who had rallied to Aguinaldo’s cause,
partly for economic reasons, merely exchanged one landlord for another. In any case, the
proclamation of a republic in 1898 had marked the Filipinos as the first Asian people to try to
throw off European colonial rule.
US Timeline and Influences

Revolutionaries refuse to recognize US takeover, proclaim First Philippine Republic with

General Aguinaldo as president, launch armed struggle against US forces known as
Philippine-American War.
1899

Emilio Aguinaldo captured. Emilio Aguinaldo captured.

1901

Philippine-American War formally ends as US civil government replaces military rule.

Some independence forces fight on until defeat of Moro resistance in south in 1913.
1902

Elected Philippine assembly inaugurated under US rule.

1907

US government promises Philippines greater autonomy, leading to independence.

1916

A plebiscite approves establishment of Commonwealth of Philippines. Manuel

Quezon is its first president. Philippines promised full independence within 10
1935 years.
 American Influences

Medium Transportation Hollywood

Democr Protestantism
of instruction: and Communication Movies became
acy – the was introduced
English was improved more popular.
greatest More or less
legacy the Schools American built Few kinds of
than 300,000

Entertainment
established: roads, streets, and music and dance

Infrastructure
Americans Filipinos became
Government

gave us. Education • University of protestant. bridges. were introduced

3 the Philippines Boulevards, zone like rock n roll,

Religion
There was a
Branches: ◦ • Philippine districts, and centers boogie, jazz,
separation of the tango, chacha,
Executive Normal of leisure were also
church and state. polka, and
Legislative College established.
Other Freedom of rhumba.
Judiciary religion was American
agricultural architecture are still Filipinos
schools practiced. learned to watch
present today. PNU,
Manila Hotel and and play games
PGH are some like table tennis,
examples. basketball,
volleyball, boxing,
and football.
 American Influences

Filipinos Filipinos Modes of Food like Philippine The English

learned the value became more Dressings ice cream, Economy language was
of cleanliness, and frank, and more was changed cakes, beef improved widely taught all
Health and Sanitation

healthy practices. humorous. Men: steak, hotdog, Increased over the country.
They were We Suits, Polo hamburgers, in Agricultural Soon some
taught proper developed a shirts, ties, sandwiches, production. English words
hygiene to make and jeans cookies and became part of
stronger beliefs in Developme
them healthy and donuts were our vocabulary.
be free from rights and Women: nt of new
Dresses, introduced. Filipinos
contagious freedom. industries. adopted

Livelihood
“Pagmamano High- heeled

Language
diseases. American
” was replaced by shoes, and

Clothing
Attitude

Hospitals, names like

clinics, and health kissing the handbags Charlie, Anna,
cheeks of parents

Food
centers were Francis, and
established and elders as a Cherry.
including public sign of respect.
hospitals for
lepers.
Negative Impacts of Colonization of the US
❑Traditional Filipino food like bibingka and suman were
replaced by American food like hotdog and French fries.
❑Lost our sense of “bayanihan”
 Philippines Under World War 2
Japan launched a surprise attack on the Philippines on
December 8, 1941, just ten hours after the attack on Pearl
Harbor. Initial aerial bombardment was followed by landings
of ground troops both north and south of Manila. The
defending Philippine and United States troops were under the
command of General Douglas MacArthur, who had been
recalled to active duty in the United States Army earlier in the
year and was designated commander of the United States
Armed Forces in the Asia-Pacific region. The aircraft of his
command were destroyed; the naval forces were ordered to
leave; and because of the circumstances in the Pacific region,
reinforcement and resupply of his ground forces were
impossible. Under the pressure of superior numbers, the
defending forces withdrew to the Bataan Peninsula and to the
island of Corregidor at the entrance to Manila Bay. Manila,
declared an open city to prevent its destruction, was occupied
by the Japanese on January 2, 1942.
Notable places associated during the World War II
A. The Manila Hotel, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012, was the home of
Gen. Douglas MacArthur for nearly six years. He had a suite at the hotel while serving as
military advisor to the government of the Philippines. B
B. The Manila American Cemetery and Memorial honors U.S. and Filipino war dead in its
157 acres. The cemetery about 12 miles from Manila also memorializes more than
36,000 missing WWII soldiers. C
C. The Japanese used prisons and dungeons of Ft. Santiago for POWs during WWII.
D. Corregidor Island, an island now dedicated to remembering the defense of the D
Philippines in WWII, this memorial is dedicated to the “Filipino who knows how to die
for love of freedom and liberty.”
E. American military, including Gen. MacArthur, took refuge in Malinta Tunnel while the
Japanese bombed Corregidor.
F. This is a monument to the first line of defense against the Japanese in Dinalupihan, E
Bataan. F
Notable places associated during the World War II
G. This marker notes the starting point of the Bataan Death March, following the
surrender of American and Filipino troops, the largest in U.S. and Philippines
history.

H. Capas National Shrine in Tarlac, Luzon. The wall is inscribed with names of
Filipino and U.S. soldiers who died as prisoners of war during the Bataan Death
March.
I. Shrine of Valour (Dambana ng Kagitingan) & World War II Museum, Mt. Samat, I
Bataan. In early 1942, Mount Samat was the site of one of the bloodiest battles
during WW2
J. The MacArthur Leyte Landing Memorial National Park is a protected area of
the Philippines that commemorates the historic landing of General Douglas
MacArthur in Leyte Gulf at the start of the campaign to recapture and liberate
the Philippines from Japanese occupation on 20 October 1944. J
The End of World War 2 and the Fall of the
Imperial Japan in the Philippines
MacArthur's Allied forces landed on the island of Leyte on October 20,
1944, accompanied by Osmeña, who had succeeded to the
commonwealth presidency upon the death of Quezon on August 1,
1944. Landings then followed on the island of Mindoro and around the
Lingayen Gulf on the west side of Luzon, and the push toward Manila
was initiated. Fighting was fierce, particularly in the mountains of
northern Luzon, where Japanese troops had retreated, and in Manila,
where they put up a last-ditch resistance. Guerrilla forces rose up
everywhere for the final offensive. Fighting continued until Japan's
formal surrender on September 2, 1945. The Philippines had suffered
great loss of life and tremendous physical destruction by the time the
war was over. An estimated 1 million Filipinos had been killed, a large
proportion during the final months of the war, and Manila was
extensively damaged.
 PHILIPPINE
CULTURE &
TOURISM
GEOGRAPHY
CHAPTER 1