10 Interesting Facts About Philippines You’ll Love To See

The country is an archipelago, lying within Southeastern Asia. It is between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam. The capital is Manila, and 2014 records put the population of the Philippines at 107.7 million. The two most widely spoken languages are Filipino and English. Here are ten other interesting facts about Philippines that you would love to know.

Population: 107.7 Million (2014)

Capital: Manila

Currency: Philippine peso

President: Rodrigo Duterte

Vice President: Leni Robredo

Continent: Asia

System of Government: Democracy

Official Languages: English, Filipino

Interesting Facts About Philippines

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1. WHAT “TAGLISH” MEANS

English is used for the purposes of education, government, and commerce. The Philippines rank third after the US and UK as the largest English people in the world. In fact, English is so widely spoken that it is common to hear English and Filipino freely mixed in what they locally call Taglish.

2. SOCIETAL CORE

Family is at the core of the social structure. Families are so extended they could include the nuclear, plus aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins. Extended families could even include honorary relatives such as godparents, sponsors, and close family friends.

3. MANY GODPARENTS

It is common to see one child having many godparents in the Philippines. This is in stark contrast with the practice in other societies where only one godfather and one godmother exist. The practice in the Philippines is as a result of the belief that strength and stability comes from one’s family base.

4. FAMILY AFFAIR

It is common too to see many members of the same family working in the same company. Hiring is usually based on who can be trusted. And who can be more trusted than family? In fact, many collective bargaining agreements indicate that preferential hiring will be given to family members.

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5. WHAT “HIYA” MEANS

People in the Philippines value their standards of societal norms a lot and do everything to avoid bringing hiya or shame on themselves and their family. To them, hiya stands for a lot:

• Motivating factor behind good behaviour
• Social propriety of societal norms

6. IN RUNNING FROM “HIYA”

Number six facts about Philippines is that people would rather spend more than they can afford on a party than incur hiya as a result of their economic circumstances. In their standard, public embarrassment, criticism, or failure to live up to expectations, brings about shame and loss of self-esteem.

7. NO GIFT RESTRICTIONS

If you are invited to a Filipino home for dinner it is good manners to take along sweets or flowers to the hosts. If you give flowers, they must not be chrysanthemums or white lilies. Whichever gifts you take along, ensure you have them wrapped elegantly because presentation is important. There are no color restrictions as to wrapping paper.

8. BELATED GIFTS ALLOWED

It is not compulsory to take along the gifts on that same day. You may send a fruit basket after the event as a thank you gesture. However, be careful not to do this before or at the event. It could be misinterpreted to mean that you do doubt the ability of the host to provide sufficient hospitality.

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9. LATE ARRIVAL ELEGANT

It is always elegant to arrive 15 to 30 minutes later than invited for a large party. Compliment the hostess; but be careful never to refer to your host’s wife as the hostess. This has a different meaning in the Philippines. More importantly, wait to be asked several times before moving into the dining room or helping yourself to food.

10. EAT OR DRINK IT

The last but not the least facts about Philippines is that people always accept any offer of food or drink. It is bad manners to do otherwise. If you turn down offers of hospitality, you expose your colleagues to hiya.  You certainly don’t want to do that!  Also, it is important to remain for the period of social conversation at the end of the meetin