It's more fun in the Philippines! Enjoy the beautiful beaches, stunning landscapes, ocean fun, cultural delights, and embrace the warm friendliness and hospitality of the Filipino people. Embrace the culture of the Philippines by visiting the capital, Manila, or explore what the islands of the Philippines has to offer!

About The Philippines

 

Geography

The Philippines is an archipelago, with over 7,000 islands, located in Southeast Asia between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The two largest islands in the Philippines, Mindanao and Luzon, make up two-thirds of the total land area. 

 

People and Culture

Filipinos are predominantly of Malay descent, with possibly Chinese, American, or Spanish ancestry. Many Filipinos have Spanish names due to Spanish colonization. Spanish colonization has also influenced Christianity among the Philippines, which has led to the country becoming the only Asian country that is predominantly Christian. Filipinos are known to be very friendly and hospitable. The concept of “extended family” is an important aspect of Filipino culture, so you’ll always feel welcomed and feel treated as if you are family. Communication shouldn’t be a problem because English is the second language of the Philippines.

 

History

In the year 1521, it was  Spanish explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, who had discovered the Philippines and claimed it as a colony for Spain. In 1898 following the Spanish-American War, the Philippines was now under the possession of the U.S. It took many years for the Philippines to become an independent country. In 1935, the Philippines became self-governing, but due to World War II and being invaded by Japan, their independence would be delayed. It wasn’t until 1946, when the Philippines gained independence from the U.S. There are many things in the Philippines today that are tied to the influences of the Spanish and the U.S.