PHILIPPINE TRIVIA
Longest Underground River
The world's longest underground river system accessible to man can be found at the St. Paul National Park in the province of Palawan. It is 8 kilometers long.
Largest Philippine Wild Animal
The largest Philippine wild animal, the tamaraw (Bubalus minodrensis), is a dwarf water buffalo similar to the carabao except that it is smaller and its horns grow straight upward into a "V" form. It is found only in the island of Mindoro.
Highest Mountain
The highest mountain in the Philippines is Mt. Apo, a dormant volcano found in Mindanao, at 2,954 meters (10,311 feet above sea level). It is considered as the "Grandfather of Ail Philippine Mountains." Mt. Pulog in Luzon is the second highest at 2,928 meters (9,604 feet).
Largest City
The largest city in the Philippines is Davao City. With an area of 2,211 sq. km., it is about three times the size of the national capital, Metro Manila.
Oldest City
Cebu is the oldest Philippine city.
Longest Religious Holiday
Filipinos celebrate the world's longest religious holiday. The Christmas season begins on September 1st, as chillier winds and Christmas carols start filling the air, and ends on the first week of January, during the Feast of the Three Kings.
Only Christmas Theme Park
Paskuhan Village in the province of Pampanga is Asia's only Christmas theme park and the third of its kind in the world.
Yoyo
The popular toy, the yoyo, was invented by 16th century hunters in the Philippines.
Winner of Best Underwater Images
Diving paradise Anilao, in the province of Batangas, is the theme of a picture book that bagged the International Prize for Underwater Images at the 27th World Festival of Underwater Images in France in November 2000. "Anilao" book creators and Filipino scuba divers Scott Tuason and Eduardo Cu Unjieng defeated big names in underwater photography such as Jacques Mayol, Pascal Kobeh, Monique Walker, and Alessandro Tommasi.
Biggest Wildlife Sanctuary
The biggest game preserve and wildlife sanctuary in the -Philippines is located on Calauit Island in Palawan, which has the largest land area among the Philippine provinces.
Erythromycin
The antibiotic erythromycin — used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, Such as respiratory tract infections middle ear infections, and skin infections — was created by Filipino scientist Abelardo Aguilar, and has earned American drug giant Eli Lilly billions of dollars. Neither Aguilar nor the Philippine government received royalties.
Whale Shark
The largest fish in the world, the Whale Shark, regularly swims to the Philippine waters. It is locally known as Butanding.
Shortest Freshwater Fish
The world's shortest and lightest freshwater fish is the dwarf pygmy goby (Pandaka Pygmaea), a colorless and nearly transparent species found in the streams and lakes of Luzon. Males have an average length of 8.7 mm. and weigh 4-5 mg.
Coral Species
Of the 500 known coral species in the world, 488 are found in the Philippines.
Rarest Shell
There are 12,000 or so seashells in the Philippines. The Conus Gloriamaris or "Glory of the Sea" is the rarest and most expensive.
Marine Turtles
Of the eight species of marine turtles worldwide, five are reported to be found in the Philippines: the Green Turtle, Hawkbill, Leatherback, Olive Ridley, and Loggerhead.
Giant Clams
Of the eight known species of giant clams in the world, seven are found in the Philippines.
Only Steel Church in Asia
The Basilica of San Sebastian is the only steel church in Asia and was the second building to be made out of steel, next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Largest Bell in Asia
The largest beII in Asia hangs at the belfry of the 221-year old Panay Church. It is 7 feet in diameter and 7 feet in height, and weighs 10.4 tons. Its tolling can be heard as far as 8 km away. It was cast from 70 sacks of coins donated by the townspeople as a manifestation of faith and thanksgiving.
Island of Seven Volcanoes
Camiguin province holds the distinction of having the most number of volcanoes per square kilometer than any other island on earth. It is also the only place in the Philippines that has more volcanoes (7) than towns (5).
Asia's Biggest Dam
Magat Dam is Asia's biggest dam project at the time of its construction. It serves the primary function of power generation and irrigation.
Mightiest River
The Cagayan River or Rio Grande de Cagayan is the Philippines' mightiest watercourse – the longest and widest river in the country. Small streams originating from Balete Pass, Cordillera, Carabalio and Sierra Madre Mountains meet other streams and rivers and flow to the Cagayan River.
First-of-a-Kind Suspension Bridge
Magapit Suspension Bridge is the first of its kind in Asia. It spans the Cagayan River at Lallo and is 0.76 kilometers long. The hanging bridge links the first and second districts of Cagayan going towards the [locos Region via the scenic Patapat Road on theflocos Norte-Cagayan Inter-Provincial national highway.
Oldest 'Work of Art'
The Angono Petroglyphs cultural heritage site dates back to circa 3000 B.C. and is the most ancient Filipino, or more aptly, prehistoric Filipino “work of art”, it also offers us an evocative glimpse into the life of our ancestors. The site has been included in the World Inventory of Rock Art under the auspices of UNESCO, ICCROM and ICOMOS and nominated as one of the "100 Most Endangered Sites of the World.
Oldest Golf Club
Ilo-Ilo Golf and Country Club is the oldest golf club in the Philippines. Irish engineers built it in 1908.
Narrowest Strait
San Juanico Strait is said to be the narrowest yet the most navigable strait in the world.
Biggest Karst Formation
The Calbiga Cave is the Philippines' biggest karst formation and one of the largest in Asia. The 2,968-hectare cave system is composed of 12 caves with wide underground spaces, unique rock formations and subterranean watercourse.
Only Existing Pipe Organ in Mindanao
At the Immaculate Conception Cathedral can be found the only existing pipe organ in Mindanao. The 2nd largest pipe organ in the Philippines, the huge instrument took 2 years to built and was brought over by sea from Germany in 23 crates.
Second Largest Lake
Lake Lanao is the second largest lake in the Philippines, probably the deepest in the country and is considered one of the major tropical lakes in Southeast Asia. The lake is home to the endemic cryprinids, the species found only in the lake and nowhere else in the world.
Asia's First Airline
Philippine Airlines took to the skies on March 15, 1941, using a Beech Model 18 aircraft amid the specter of a global war. It became Asia's first airline.
World's Largest Pearl
The world's largest pearl was discovered by a Filipino diver in a giant Tridacna (mollusk) under the Palawan Sea in 1934. Known as the "Pearl of Lao-Tzu", the gem weighs 14 pounds and measures .9 1/2 inches long and.5 1/2 inches in I eter.As of May 1984, it was Valued at US$42 million. It is believed to be 600 years old.
World's Second Deepest Spot Underwater
The world's second deepest spot underwater is in thePh.ilippines. This spot, known as the Philippine Deep or the Mindanao Trench, is about 10,497meters or 34;440 feet below sea iOvel. The Philippine Deep is in the floor of the .Philippine Sea. The German ship Emden first plot . IJ64ecl the trench in 1927.
'Rome of the Philippines'
Lipa City in Batangas is dubbed as the "Rome of the Philippines" because of the number of seminaries, convents, monasteries, retreat houses, and a famous cathedral located in it.
Biggest Catholic Church in Asia
Basilica of St. Martin de Tours in Taal, Batangas, built by Augustinian Missionaries in 1572, is reputed to be the biggest catholic church in East Asia. It is so huge that it can house another big church.
'Switzerland of Benguet'
Kibungan is known as the "Switzerland of Benguet" because of the frost during the cold months.
Biggest Pineapple Plantation in the Far East
The Del Monte Pineapple Plantation in Bukidnon is considered to be the biggest in the Far East.
World's Largest and Tiniest Shells
Both Tridacna gigas, one of the world's largest shells, and Pisidum, the world's tiniest shell, can, be found under Philippine waters. Tridacna gigas grows as large as one meter in.length and weighs 600 pounds while Pisidum is less than 1 millimeter long.
'Sanctuary' to Whale Sharks
Donsol, a fishing town in Sorsogon province, serves as a sanctuary to a group of 40 whale sharks (Rhincodon typos), which are considered as the largest fish in the world, measuring between 18 to 35 feet in length and weighing about 20 tons. Locally known as "butanding", whale sharks visit the waters of Donsol from November to May. They travet-across the oceans but nowhere else have they been sio.ted in a larger group than in the waters of Sorsogon.
Philippine Cockatoo
The Philippines is home to some of the world's most exotic birds. One of the most endangered species is the exotic Kalangay or the Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haernaturopygia), which belongs to Psittacidae or the family of parrots. Some cockatoos can tive up to 50 years. They are known for mimicking human voices. Most of them measure 33 centimeters in length and weigh 0.29 kilogram.
Palawan Bear Cat
Palawan bearcat is neither a bear nor a cat. Known in Southeast Asia as binturong, the bearcat is a species of its own, with population in then 'forests of Palawan, Borneo, Burma and Viettl a m 'it belongs to the famlily of Viverridae (civets). The Palawan bearcat has a long body and a pointed face leading to the nose. Its head and body measure 61 to 96 centimeters in combined length while its tail is almost as long. It weighs 9 to 14 kilograms and lives up to 20 years.
Calamian Deer
Calamian Islands, north of Palawan province, is home to a species of deer that cannot be found elsewhere. Scientists referred to the hog deer in the islands as Calamian deer in order to distinguish them from other hog deer in the world. An ordinary Calamian deer measures 105 to 115 centimeters in length and 60 to 65 centimeters high at the shoulder and weighs about 36 to 50 kilograms. It is said to have longer and darker legs, compared with other hog deer.
World's Smallest Hoofed Mammal
The Philippine mouse deer, the world's smallest hoofed mammal, is found only in the Balabac Islands, south of Palawan. Locally known as Pilandok (Tragalus nigricans), this ruminant stands only about 40 centimeters at the shoulder level.
Flying Lemur
Flying Lemur, one of the most distinct creatures on earth lives in the Philippines. It does not have wings but it can glide across 100 meters of space in a single leap. Like the lemurs of Asia, it moves around at night. Its head resembles that of a dog while its body has similarities with the flying squirrel of Canada. in Mindanao, people call it "kagwang". Around the world, it is known as colugo or the flying lemur.
Zero Kilometer Reading
The flagpole located in Rizal Park is the start of 0 kilometer reading in measuring all distances from Manila.
Second Largest Bird in the Planet
The monkey-eating PHILIPPINE EAGLE is the second largest bird on the planet (next only to the American Condor).
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Philippines
Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park
Location: Middle of the Sulu Sea, 181 kilometers southeast of Puerto Princess, Palawan
Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1993
The Tubbataha Reef Marine Park covers 33,200 hectares including the north and south reefs. It is a marvelous marine wilderness and a special ecosystem much appreciated for its beauty as well as its scientific value.
It is a unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species, with 80% coral cover of 46 coral genres and 376 fish species. The site is an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-meter perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two-coral islands.
Tubbataha's north islet is a nesting site for sea birds of all kinds and endangered hawksbill sea turtles; a diver's paradise with gorgonian seafans, soft corals, and gigantic sea sponges serving as home to turkey fish, anemone crab, banded seasnakes, nudibranchs, starfish, catsharks, surgeon fish, bat fish, and butterfly fish. The rare, unusual-looking fox-faced rabbit fish can also be found in the marine park. Marine turtles, including the critically endangered hawksbill and green turtle, nest on some of the beaches.
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Location: Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of Palawan
Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1999
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with its underground river. The river is unique because it flows directly into the sea, and its lower portion is subject to tidal influences. The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a whole ecosystem --- from mountain to the sea-, and protects forests, which are among the most significant in Asia.
A highlight of each visit is a ride through its 8 km-long underground river which runs through a dome of stalactites complemented by stalagmites running the entire length of the cave.
The park is a popular destination for bird watching and is known for regular sightings of threatened bird species of Palawan peacock-peasant and Philippine cockatoo and the endemic birds Palawan scopsowl, swiftlet, hornbill, flyeater and blue flycatcher, tit and flowerpecker. It is blessed to have the Palawan flying fox, Oriental small-clawed otter, stinkbadger, binturong, flying squirrel, mountain tree squirrel and porcupine.
The park also features an exciting Monkey Trail with its series of wooden paths to the forest.
Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras
Location. Ifugao
Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1995
The 2,000-year old Banaue Rice Terraces – the most extensive anywhere in the world - were carved into the mountains of lfugao by ancestors of the Batad indigenous people. The terraces are located approximately 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) above sea level and cover 10,360 square kilometers (about 4,000 square miles) of the mountainside.
Known as the "eighth wonder of the world", the terraces were carved with only simple tools and bare hands. They are fed by an ancient irrigation system, an ingenious complex of bamboo pipes and canals, drawing water from streams created by bubbling springs located in the mountain rainforests.
Considered as a monument to man's genius in turning a rugged and forbidding terrain into a source of sustenance, the rice terraces stand to be the most awe-inspiring man-made landscape in the Cordilleras. They are also invariably called "The Stairway to the Sky."
Historic Town of Vigan
Location. Vigan, flows Sur
Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1999
The 16th century town of Vigan is "an exceptionally intact and well-preserved example of a European trading town in East and East Asia". Its architecture reflects the fusion of cultural elements from the Philippines, China and Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that has no parallel anywhere in East and Southeast Asia.
Seemingly impervious to time, spared from rebellion and the ravages of war, Vigan has remained unchanged and its many preserved historic sites–more than 180 edifices – make it look like "a piece of Spain." With its grand cathedral, massive mansions with red-tile roofs and spacious balconies, narrow cobblestone streets, horse drawn carriages, and friendly faces peering out of large windows, Vigan is a place where "time stood still".
Baroque Churches
Inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993
San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila
Built in 1587, the San Agustin Church is the oldest stone church in the Philippines, the only one that remains as the original evidence of the 16th-century Spanish architecture. It has defied several earthquakes and the heavy shelling of both Japanese and American forces in 1945 and now stands as a reminder of the grandeur of the past.
The structural design of the church is extraordinary. It boasts of the only example in the country of a barrel vault, dome, and arched vestibules supporting its choir loft, all made of stone. Its facade is notable for its two pairs of columns—the lowest pair in Doric style, the upper pair in Corinthian topped by a pediment surmounted by a Cross. The main door, carved out of Philippine molave, has a bas-relief of St. Augustine and his mother, Santa Monica. San Agustin Church represents the art and technology of Spanish, Chinese and native cultures fused together "to suit human sentiments and faiths that found expression in customs and traditions that were evolved through the centuries."
As the best-preserved example of an urban ecclesiastical complex in the Philippines, the compound serves not only as a historical document of the Spanish colonial heritage but also as a repository of the most important works of art and literature of the period.
Miag-ao Church in Iloilo
Built in yellow-orange sandstone, the large fortress-church of Miag-ao was completed in 1797. It served as a fortress against raids of marauding Moro pirates.
The church is amazingly beautiful because of its two asymmetric pyramidal towers and its finely sculptured, yellow sandstone facade. Its facade's carving is the pinnacle of Filipino naive art, in which craftsmen abandon all restraints to interpret Western decorative styles in the local folk idiom. The central element in the facade is Saint Christopher, clad like a Filipino farmer with rolled-up trousers. He carries the Christ Child on his back while holding on a to a lush coconut tree for support. Beside him are guava and papaya trees, flanked by ornamental urns. The scene merges Western Catholic iconography with a folk interpretation of coastal Iloilo countryside.
San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Paoay’s San Agustin Church, built in 1604, is one of the most outstanding variants of “earthquake baroque” in the Philippines, where the primary consideration was to design the structure for earthquake protection.
The façade of San Agustin Church is astounding but its most prominent feature is the phalanx of buttresses that juts out perpendicularly fro the sidewalks, purposely to strengthen the walls and the entire structure – against earthquake damage. Fourteen massive S-shaped buttresses in rhythmic cadence from he ground to the roofline.
The church is an aye-catcher as it emerges from a beautiful open space, unlike many other churches located within urban settings.
Nuestra Senor de la Asuncion in Santa Matia, Ilocos Sur
The Church of Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion in Santa Maria is unique for its utter disregard for the traditional Spanish urban plan of constructing the church to face the plaza, and less imposing religious and official buildings grouped around. It also has a citadel appearance as the church, with its convent and belt tower, stands alone on the crown of a solitary hill encircled by a stonewall, with stone stairways leading to the church.
It is the only church in the Philippines exuding the ambience of a Mediterranean hill town with its convent built parallel to the church façade and its bell tower detached from the main church. Evoking a Chinese pagoda, the bell tower of octagonal shapes of decreasing diameter is crowned by a small dome tapering to the sky with an oriental grace.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The DOT/PCVC is grateful for the assistance of the following:
PHILIPPINE AIRLINES
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGIONAL OFFICES
BOHOL CITY TOURISM OFFICE
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, MUNICIPALITY OF PAGSANJAN
CITY GOVERNMENT OF PUERTO PRINCESA
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, TAGAYTAY CITY
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR, MUNICIPALITY OF TALISAY
VIGAN CITY TOURISM OFFICE
83 GALLERY CAFE
BANAUE HOTEL
BOHOL BEACH CLUB
CALLS ARCO RESTAURANT
CLUB JOHN HAY
DISCOVERY COUNTRY SUITES
DOS PALMAS ARRECEFFI ISLAND RESORT
FORT ILOCANDIA
HAIM CHICKEN INASAL RESTAURANT
HANA JAPANESE RESTAURANT
HILTON CEBU RESORT & SPA
HOLIDAY INN-CLARK
HOTEL SUPREME
JOSEPHINE RESTAURANT
KINABUCH BAR & GRILL
LA CORONA DE PAGSANJAN
LEGENDA HOTEL
LORENZO GRAND VILLA
MAJESTIC HOTEL
MIMOSA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB/THE MONTEVISTA VILLA
NURTURE SPA
RIVERWATER PARK HOTEL AND RESTAURANT
ROSEBOWL RESTAURANT
SOLIBAO RESTAURANT
SUBIC INTERNATIONAL HOTEL
TAAL VISTA HOTEL
THE LEGEND PALAWAN
THE MARCO POLO DAVAO
YELLOWBELL RESTAURANT
All data contained in this publication were collated as of January 2007 from the Department of
Tourism Regional Offices (DOT), Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA),
Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), and websites of the establishments herein listed.
While every care was taken in the preparation of this manual, the DOT/PCVC cannot be held
responsible for any inaccuracy or omission that may occur.
Any changes, additional information and updates may be sent to:
pcvcmemb@dotpcvc.gov.ph
Source: http://www.visitmyphilippines.com/images/ads/47d29ba9bc8890de95d10c2929cdec55.doc
Web site to visit: http://www.visitmyphilippines.com
Author of the text: not indicated on the source document of the above text
If you are the author of the text above and you not agree to share your knowledge for teaching, research, scholarship (for fair use as indicated in the United States copyrigh low) please send us an e-mail and we will remove your text quickly. Fair use is a limitation and exception to the exclusive right granted by copyright law to the author of a creative work. In United States copyright law, fair use is a doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without acquiring permission from the rights holders. Examples of fair use include commentary, search engines, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching, library archiving and scholarship. It provides for the legal, unlicensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use)
The information of medicine and health contained in the site are of a general nature and purpose which is purely informative and for this reason may not replace in any case, the council of a doctor or a qualified entity legally to the profession.
The following texts are the property of their respective authors and we thank them for giving us the opportunity to share for free to students, teachers and users of the Web their texts will used only for illustrative educational and scientific purposes only.
All the information in our site are given for nonprofit educational purposes
The information of medicine and health contained in the site are of a general nature and purpose which is purely informative and for this reason may not replace in any case, the council of a doctor or a qualified entity legally to the profession.
www.riassuntini.com