PHILIPPINE

The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands covering a land area of 115,739 sq. m. (299,764 sq. km.). Main island groups are Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Capital is Manila. Time Zone is GMT + 8 hours.

PHILIPPINE CLIMATE

March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy, November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78°F / 25°C to 90°F / 32°C; humidity is 77%.

PHILIPPINE POPULATION

There are a total of 76.5 million Filipinos as of the latest national census in May, 2000. Population growth is estimated at 2.36 percent annually. Luzon, the largest island group, accounts for more than half of the entire population.

PHILIPPINE LANGUAGES

Two official languages --- Filipino and English. Filipino which is based on Tagalog, is the national language. English is also widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education.

Eight (8) major dialects spoken by majority of the Filipinos: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense.

Filipino is that native language which is used nationally as the language of communication among ethnic groups. Like any living language, Filipino is in a process of development through loans from Philippine languages and non-native languages for various situations, among speakers of different social backgrounds, and for topics for conversation and scholarly discourse. There are about 76 to 78 major language groups, with more than 500 dialects.

RELIGIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Some 80% of Filipinos are Catholic. About 15% are Moslem. The rest are made up of smaller Christian denominations and Buddhist.

UNIT OF MEASURE USED IN THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

The Metric System is used in most trade and legal transactions.

ELECTRICITY

220 volts a/c is the common standard. 110 volts a/c is also used, especially in major hotels.

PHILIPPINE CURRENCY

The Philippines monetary unit is the peso, divided into 100 centavos. Foreign currency may be exchanged at any hotels, most large department stores, banks, and authorized money changing shops accredited by the Central Bank of the Philippines. International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Bank Americard, Master Card, and American Express are accepted in major establishments.

TODAY IN THE PHILIPPINES -- News

• ICRC urges second look at 'sandwich population'
  The International Committee of the Red Cross reminded authorities to give special attention to the lot of the "sandwich population." During an exclusive roundtable with editors and reporters of The Manila Times this week, Jean-Daniel Tauxe, the committee's Head of Delegation in the Philippines, said that the so-called sandwich population was ... (more)
  
  
• Philippines: Dogs in Cagayan de Oro contract leptospirosis too
  The city veterinarian's office is vaccinating dogs against leptospirosis after 15 canines were found to have contracted the potentially deadly ailment in the aftermath of the December 17 floods here.
  
  
• UN official surveys typhoon damage in the Philippines
  The head of the United Nations office dedicated to disaster risk reduction wrapped up her visit to the Philippines today by comparing the damage caused by Typhoon Sendong to that of major tsunamis such as the one that struck Japan last year.
  
  
• M 5.5, Catanduanes, Philippines
  You can also view a map displaying accumulated data from your report and others.
  
  
• Press Releases: Joint Statement of the United States-Philippines Bilateral Strategic Dialogue
  Following is the text of a joint statement by the United States of America and the Republic of the Philippines issued on January 27, 2012, in Washington, DC.
  
  
• MinDA wants probe on power shortage
  MINDANAO Development Authority chairperson Lualhati Antonino lashed out Friday at the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines on its claims that Mindanao faces shortage of power supply due to deteriorating hydro plants in the region.
  
  
• Tapping Malaysia as a major tourist market for the Philippines
  MANILA, Philippines - The potentials of tourism can not be overlooked. More and more, the Philippine government is turning to tourism as a rich source of foreign exchange revenues.
  
  
• Rhapsody Suites opens Jan. 28
  CONSCIOUS locals and tourists around the country can now enjoy their stay in Cagayan de Oro as the Rhapsody Suites, the budget-friendly inn, opens today, Saturday, at A. S. Hayes corner Lt.
  
  
• Cebu to detonate vintage bombs in Toledo mining pit
  After days of searching, the Cebu City Government already found a suitable site to detonate the 25 vintage bombs that were unearthed behind the Sugbu Building at Kawit Island in the South Road Properties .
  
  
• Combinations
  MORE than 1,000 Chinese tourists are expected to arrive in Cebu this week to join the Chinese New Year festivities in the city and province.
  
  
• Justin Bieber is an actual life saver, helps register new organ donors
  In this May 10, 2011, file photo, Justin Bieber performs during his "My World Tour" concert in Manila, Philippines.
  
  
• 40 days after Sendong: Grieving and letting go
  "EVERY family who suffered from the vengeance of nature is unfathomablea The pain and longing from losing a loved one is immeasurablea " These were the words of couple Christopher and Emily Velez from Sitio Cala-Cala in Barangay Macasandig who lost their three-year-old daughter Bea during the flash flood at the height of Tropical Storm Sendong on ... (more)
  
  
• Xian, Matteo enjoy stay inside 'PBB' house
  MANILA, Philippines "My Cactus Heart" lead actors Xian Lim and Matteo Guidicelli said they enjoyed the short time they spent inside the "Pinoy Big Brother" house.
  
  
• Donated SELCRA Soccer Uniforms Benefit Children in the Philippines
  This past year, the Southeastern Livingston County Recreation Authority had to order new soccer uniforms to replace the previous ones - even though they were only 4 years old.
  
  
• Rep. Iggy Arroyo 'brain dead'
  MANILA, Philippines - Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio "Iggy" T. Arroyo, the controversial brother-in-law of former President and now Pampanga Rep.
  
  
• Totus Tuus' to highlight 31st year of Pope visit
  BACOLOD City will celebrate the 31st anniversary of the visit of Blessed John Paul II when he celebrated mass at the Bacolod reclamation area on February 20, 1981.
  
  
• Cesar G. Sison
  Cesar G. Sison, 77, of Taylorville, IL died at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 24, 2012, at his residence.
  
  
• Utzurrum: El Sistema and Zonta's community work
  AN ADMIRABLE project for the youth which started in Venezuela more than 35 years ago, is fast catching fire in many parts of the world; including Cebu in particular and the Philippines in general.
  
  
• Philippines: Leptospirosis claims 23 lives in Northern Mindanao
  Leptospirosis claimed 23 lives as an aftermath of Tropical Storm Sendong in several cities and towns in northern part of Mindanao.
  
  
• Accidental bomb blast kills 4 in Philippines
  MANILA, Philippines &#8212 An artillery round accidentally exploded while a welder and police commandos tinkered with it with an acetylene torch Wednesday, killing four people, including two policemen, in the Philippine capital, officials said.