Filipinos fought for their freedom from Spanish colonial rule for years. The national revolution led by the Katipunan (secret society of patriots) in 1896 hastened the road to independence, with Emilio Aguinaldo at the helm (after internal power struggles that led to the execution of Katipunan leader Andres Bonifacio). With …
Read More »
It was April 9, 1942. To overrun the Southwest Pacific, Japan had to capture the Philippines so they can establish their own naval base in Manila Bay and launch their attacks to Australia and the Pacific Basin. The Japanese were denied entry by Filipino and American servicemen who defended, for …
Read More »
The Philippines was a Spanish colony for more than 300 years. As a result, almost 94% of the population is Roman Catholic. This makes the country a fascinating and intriguing multi-sensory destination when the Catholic Church celebrates major religious festivals and liturgical traditions. From Jerusalem to Calvary The Holy Week …
Read More »
The capital of the Philippines – Manila – is built on an ancient kingdom that had diplomatic relations with Ming Dynasty (China) until the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century and fortified an existing settlement on the edge of the Pasig River and Manila Bay. This walled city is the …
Read More »
New Years Day is the time when the new calendar year begins according to the Gregorian calendar, and falls on the 1st of January. Festivities on New Year’s Eve, and on New Year’s Day itself, provide some of the most dazzling sights and sounds in Southeast Asian countries; in some …
Read More »
The Philippines is one of the world’s leading sources of medical professionals because Filipinos are renowned for being competent and compassionate health caregivers. In North America, Europe and Middle East, Filipino doctors and nurses have given pride to the country for the dedication and skill they bring to the profession. …
Read More »
Traveling to the Philippines has been made a lot easier. In a bid to boost the travel competitiveness of the country, the Department of Tourism (DOT), along with allied agencies Bureau of Immigration and Department of Foreign Affairs, has simplified the Philippines entry requirements and visas. This means that any …
Read More »
Do you think you can do 7,000 islands in 100 days, and for only $1,250 all-in? Considering that airfare and accommodations alone can bust budgets, that challenge seems a tall order. But of course, in the Philippines, a US dollar can go 40 (pesos) ways. It hasn’t been done before …
Read More »
To understand any language, it would help to get a picture of the geography of the country it is spoken in. You must already know by now that the Philippines is made up of more than 7,000 islands spread over three major island groups – Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao (Northern, Central …
Read More »
The Christmas holiday celebrations in Southeast Asian countries may be a little different from the festivities that are observed in other parts of the world. The way this festive occasion is observed will depend on the religion/s of a given country – you can expect to see more Christmas celebrations …
Read More »
Malacanang, the seat of the Philippine government, has announced this early that there are 16 holidays to look forward to in 2013. There are 10 regular holidays and 6 special non-working holidays. One special (working) holiday was announced for schools. Because the Philippines also has a significant Muslim population in …
Read More »
Every year on November 30th, Filipinos celebrate the birth anniversary of Andrés Bonifacio, the plebeian revolutionary who led the Philippines’ war for independence against Spanish colonial rule. For reasons deeply rooted in history, Andrés Bonifacio’s heroic contribution to the revolution is celebrated on his birthday rather than on the day of …
Read More »