HISTORY OF

PHILIPPINE ART

FACTS AND FIGURES

Official Name :

Republic of the Philippines

National Emblem Philippine Flag

(expresses the Filipino sentiment for
freedom, peace and equality)
Blue
Red
Sun
8 Rays

equality and unity

readiness to fight for the country
freedom
1st 8 provinces that revolted
against Spain (liberty)
3 Stars 3 major islands
Capital

Manila

FACTS AND FIGURES

National Symbols
Anthem Lupang Hinirang
Hero
Jose Rizal
Tree
Narra
Flower Sampaguita
Bird
Philippine Eagle
Currency

: Philippine Peso

Language
Major
: Filipino*
Official : English
76-78 major language groups
More than 500 dialects
* 5,000 Spanish words, 1,500 Chinese words,
400 Sanskrit words and 100 Mexican words

FACTS AND FIGURES

A.

GEOGRAPHICAL

INFLUENCES

FAST FACTS
Pearl of the Orient Seas

Location
Southeast of the Asian
Continent

Roughly the size of Italy, slightly

smaller than Japan and a little larger
than the United Kingdom
Worlds 2nd largest archipelago after
Indonesia

5-21 north of the equator

Happiest People in Asia, 12th among

54 countries in the world

160 km. south of Taiwan

Worlds 5th largest Christian

population (93%, 2000 census)

25 km. north of Sabah

(Borneo)
960 km. east of Vietnam

Worlds 3rd Banana Producer

Worlds 38th Freest Economy
Life expectancy: 72.2 women
66.9 men
Worlds longest discontinuous
coastline

FACTS AND FIGURES

A.

GEOGRAPHICAL
Boundaries
North
East
West
South

Taiwan
Pacific Ocean
China Sea
Indonesia

Land Area
300,000 sq. km.
- 1,850 km. north to south
- 1,100 km. east to west

Length of Coastline
36,289 km.

INFLUENCES

FACTS AND FIGURES

A.

INFLUENCES

GEOGRAPHICAL
Islands
7,107 islands - 2,000 inhabited / 2,500 unnamed
3 major islands - Luzon / Visayas / Mindanao
Luzon

: largest island, offers a wealth of diversity and contrasts

Manila

Visayas

: best harbor
: group of varied islands

Cebu
Mindanao
Davao

: 2nd busiest city in the Philippines

: 2nd largest island, land of extremes
: largest city in the world in terms of area

FACTS AND FIGURES

A.

GEOGRAPHICAL
No. of Regions : 17 geographical regions
REGIONS

NCR
CAR

National Capital Region

Cordillera Administrative Region
(Oct. 1988)
Reg. I
Ilocos
Reg. II
Cagayan Valley
Reg. III Central Luzon*
Reg. IV-A Southern Tagalog A (CALABARZON)
Reg. IV-B Southern Tagalog B (MIMAROPA)
Reg. V Bicol
Reg. VI Western Visayas**
Reg. VII Central Visayas
Reg. VIII Eastern Visayas

INFLUENCES

Luzon
regions

:8

Visayas
3 regions

Mindanao
:6
Reg. IX Western Mindanao
regions
(Zamboanga Peninsula)
Reg. X Northern Mindanao
Reg. XI Southern Mindanao
(Davao Region)
Reg. XII Central Mindanao
(SOCSARGEN)
Reg. XIII CARAGA Administrative
Region (February 1995)
ARMM Autonomous Region of
Muslim Mindanao
*Aurora

** Palawan

FACTS AND FIGURES

B.

GEOLOGICAL
Mountains and Volcanoes
over 200 volcanoes, 22 active
volcanoes
3 large mountain ranges in
Luzon

Pacific Ring of Fire

A volcanic belt encircling the Pacific
Ocean where several of the earths
major tectonic plates converge and grind
against one
another (volcanic and
seismic activities are caused
by the
small Philippine Plate
pushing against
the huge Eurasian
Plate)

INFLUENCES

Highest Mountains :
Mt. Apo (Davao)
Mt. Pulag (N. Luzon)
Most Active Volcano :
Mt. Mayon (Albay)
Worlds Smallest Active Volcanoes :
Taal Volcano
One large-magnitude tectonic earthquake
every 10 years (7.75 or higher)
Seven earthquakes of major magnitude
(7.0-7.4) every 10 years
Five earthquakes of moderate magnitude
(6.0-6.9) every year

FACTS AND FIGURES

B.

INFLUENCES

GEOLOGICAL
Longest Rivers :

Coasts and Seas

Rio Grande de Cagayan

Rio Grande de Pampanga

long coastline creating natural

harbors
about 34,000 sq. km. of coral
reefs

Philippine Trench
east of Mindanao
depth of about 10,500 m.
(34,450 ft.)

Agno River
Rio Grande de Mindanao
Agusan River

FACTS AND FIGURES

C.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Natural and Mineral Resources

94% of the total land area covered
with forest with over 3,800 species of
wood, of which only 8% remains
ipil, molave, yacal, guijo, apitong,
tanguile, lauan, almon, palosapis,
pine, tindalo, kamagong, narra
gold, silver, iron, tin, nickel, copper,
zinc, lead, manganese, chromite,
aluminum, platinum and uranium
clay, bricks, limestone, marble, adobe,
granite, coral stone, asbestos, lime,
gravel, sand
bamboo, coconut trees, palm, nipa,
rattan

INFLUENCES

ISSUES:
- deforestation
- slash-and-burn farming
(kaingin)
- illegal logging
- pollution
- endangerment of local
species (e.g. Narra)
- dynamite fishing
- cyanide fishing
- muro ami
The characteristic of spontaneity and
living for the moment, so admirable in
social context, has had a devastating
effect on the Philippine ecosystem. Too
often, the environment is ravaged
through ignorance, thoughtlessness,
and greed.
Philippines has been abused - stripped
of its forests, raped of its reefs, exploited
by greedy people and polluted by
overpopulation.

FACTS AND FIGURES

C.

ENVIRONMENTAL

Flora and Fauna

tropical rainforest is the most species rich ecosystem on earth
one of the worlds highest biodiversities (43% of the countrys birds
and of its mammals and plants can
be found nowhere else)

Endemic Species
Rare mouse deer/Pilandut/Pilanduk
(smallest species of red deer Palawan)
Sinarapan (smallest edible fish in the
world, less than 1 cm. Lake Buhi)
Tamaraw (wild dwarf water buffalo
Mindoro)
Tarsier (smallest living primate Bohol)
Haribon (largest eagle in the Phils. and
rarest in the world)

INFLUENCES

Philippines ranks 8th among the

worlds countries in biological
diversity.
About :

400 coral species

1,000 fern species
3,000 giant trees species
54 bamboo species
1,000 orchid species
233 animal species
100 amphibious animal species
87 bat species
66 rat and mice species
100 lizard species
580 resident bird species
145 endemic bird species
160 migrant bird species
25,000 insect species
850 butterfly species
2,400 fish species
21,000 shell species
1,000 land snails species
200 reptile species

FACTS AND FIGURES

C.

INFLUENCES

ENVIRONMENTAL

Endangered Species

(55 of the 70 endangered

species in the world are in the Philippines)

- Tamaraw
- Philippine Tarsier
- Cloud Rat
- Golden-crowned Flying Fox
- Scaly Anteater
- Palawan Bearcat
- Flying Lemur
- Bearded and Warty Pigs
- Philippine Spotted Deer
- Philippine Eagle
- Luzon Bleeding-heart Dove
- Tarictic Hornbill
- Palawan Hornbill
- Philippine Cockatoo
- Palawan Peacock Pheasant
- Philippine Freshwater Crocodile
- Hawksbill Turtle
- Green Sea Turtle

Tridacna gigas : worlds largest shell

Pisidium : worlds smallest shell
Philippine Seas : where we can find
the worlds largest, harmless
but frightful-looking
whalesharks
San Juanico Strait : narrowest strait
in the world
Katala : native Filipino bird that can
sing and talk like a human

FACTS AND FIGURES

D.

INFLUENCES

CLIMATIC

Tropical
(Hot and Humid)

Average temperatures: 78F(25C)

to 90F(32C)

Humidity: 77%
whose weather is determined by the:
Southwest (habagat) monsoon (Oct.-Jan.)
Cool Months (Nov.- Feb.)
Northeast (amihan) monsoon (May-Aug.)

which can also be classified into:

Dry Season (Nov.-Jun.)
Wet Season (Jul.-Oct.)
Typhoon Season
occurs from June to January
peak months for typhoons (Aug.-Nov.)

January is the coolest

Dec.-Feb. cool dry
period

Warm/Humid Months (Mar.-June)

May is the hottest
Mar.-May hot dry
period

FACTS AND FIGURES

E.

INFLUENCES

RELIGION

Animism (Indo-Malay)
believed in the cult of the dead & spirits
(anitos and mangales)
venerated birds, trees, mountains, hills,
rivers and lakes
venerated stars, moon, sun, rainbow,
volcanoes and caves
offerings to appease the gods
believed in underworld creatures
power of talisman or agimat

Supreme Being

: Bathala
: Kabunyan

Christianity (Spain)
Christian nation in Asia

Dallang-Ilokano goddess of beauty

Statistics
Roman Catholic
Protestant
Muslim
Buddhist & Others

Kidul-Kalinga god of thunder

Kaptan-god with the power to raise the

dead to life
Sumpoy-god of the underworld who
received the dead
Sidapa-Visayan god who determined the
length of life on earth
Lalahon-goddess of plants and harvest
Barangaw-goddess of the rainbow

Poko-Tagbanua god of the sea

83%
9%
5%
3%

Kolyog-Ifugao god of earthquakes

Apolaki-Pangasinan war god

FACTS AND FIGURES

F.

INFLUENCES

SOCIAL, CULTURAL, ECONOMIC & POLITICAL

A nation of cross-cultural races

first settlers were the Negritoes (from
Asian Mainland), belonging to the Old
Stone Age (Paleolithic Age)
followed by the sea-faring Indonesians
who belonging to the New Stone Age
(Neolithic Age)
followed by the Malays*, considered as
the ancestors of the Bontoks, Ilongots
and Kalingas

EARLY FORM OF GOVERNMENT

BARANGAY headed by a Chieftain
(datu, raha, hari or lakan)

3 SOCIAL CLASSES
(Early Philippine Society)
Nobles (Maharlika)

traded with the Chinese, Hindus, Arabs

and other Asian neighbors

Freemen (Timawa)

Spain conquered the Philippines

Slaves (Aliping Namamahay and

Aliping Saguilidguilid)

*prehistoric Malays were the first discoverers and colonizers of

the Pacific World

FACTS AND FIGURES

F.

INFLUENCES

SOCIAL, CULTURAL, ECONOMIC & POLITICAL

Spanish conquest led to the introduction of

several changes in the socio-cultural and
economic life of the Filipinos:
Slavery was abolished
Towns, cities and villages were established

under the Laws of the Indies

Gregorian calendar was introduced
Filipinos were given Spanish surnames
European system of education was
introduced
Latin alphabet and Spanish language were
assimilated into the Philippine language
Arts, like theater, music, literature, painting,
sculpture and architecture were promoted
Sciences, like botany, zoology, chemistry,
medicine and pharmacy were made known
and practiced
Hospitals and orphanages were established
Fiestas and holidays were introduced

PRESENT GOVERNMENT:
Democratic Republic headed by
the President
3 BRANCHES OF NATIONAL
GOVT:
Executive (President)
Legislative (Senate and Congress)
Judiciary (Courts)
3 BRANCHES OF LOCAL GOVT:
Provincial (Governor)
City/Municipal (Mayor)
Barangay (Captain)

FACTS AND FIGURES

G.

INFLUENCES

HISTORICAL
MA-YI

: chinese name of the Philippines popularized by

Chau Ju-Kua (Chinese Superintendent of
Foreign Trade)

ISLAS FILIPINAS

: name given by Ruy Lopez de Villalobos in

1543 in honor of King Philip II of Spain

March 16, 1521

: Ferdinand Magellan saw the coast of Samar

and landed at the island of Homonhon
: accidental landing, named the island
Archipelago of St. Lazarus

March 31, 1521

: first mass was held on the shore of Limasawa

August 23, 1896

: Philippine Revolution began

FACTS AND FIGURES

G.

INFLUENCES

HISTORICAL
November 1, 1897

: Biak-na-Bato Republic was established

May 1, 1898

: American fleet headed by Commodore George

Dewey defeated Spanish Armada in the Battle
of Manila Bay

June 12, 1898

: Philippine independence was proclaimed in

Kawit, Cavite

December 10, 1898

: Treaty of Paris was signed wherein Spain

ceded the Philippines to the United States for
$20,000,000.00

February 8, 1935

: Philippine Commonwealth was inaugurated

with Manuel Quezon as President

December 1941

: Pearl Harbor was bombed by Japanese forces

January 2, 1942

: Japanese troops entered Manila

FACTS AND FIGURES

G.

INFLUENCES

HISTORICAL
October 30, 1944: return of US Commander Douglas MacArthur
July 4, 1946

: New Republic with Manuel Roxas as President

1965

: Ferdinand Marcos elected President

1972

: Martial Law declared by Marcos

1983

: Assassination of Benigno Aquino

1986

: Corazon Aquino was installed President

1992

: Fidel Ramos elected President

1998

: Joseph Estrada elected President

2001

: VP Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ascended to presidency

2004

: Gloria Macapagal Arroyo elected President

The Philippines is an amazingly dynamic, vibrant and

complicated country. It offers cultural experiences and natural
landscapes that can be found nowhere else in the world. Asian,
Spanish and American influences have all been fused together
into an extraordinary social mlange. There are a lot to appreciate
a mixture of the old and the new, a multiplicity of art and
culture, and a warm, friendly, English-speaking people.

END