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| − | The '''Republic of the Philippines''' is a country of [[South East Asia]], located in the western [[Pacific Ocean]] some 1,210 km (750 mi) from mainland [[Asia]]. It consists of the 7,107 Philippine Islands and forms in physical geography a part of the [[Malay Archipelago]]. Three hundred years as a [[Spanish Empire|Spanish colony]] (1565-1898) and five decades as an [[United States|American]] [[protectorate]] (1898-1946) have been the greatest foreign influences on Philippine culture. It is, with [[East Timor]], one of the two predominantly [[Catholic]] nations in Southeast Asia and one of the most westernized, a unique blend of East and West.
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| − | The Philippines was the most developed country in Asia immediately following [[World War II]], but has since lagged behind other countries because of poor economic growth, government confiscation of wealth, widespread corruption, and neo-colonial influences. Currently, the country attains a moderate economic growth, buoyed by remittances by its large, diasporic overseas Filipino workforce, booming [[information technology]], albeit in a constricted IT category—call center services outsourced from the United States—and cheap but highly unionized labor in other sectors. The country's major problems include an ongoing [[Muslim]] separatist movement in southern [[Mindanao]], [[communist]] insurgencies in rural areas ([[New People's Army]]), historically inconsistent government policies, and environmental degradation due to rainforest depletion and marine and coastal pollution.
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| − | The country suffers from overpopulation due to having a high birth rate, which is far above the replacement rate and until recently was one of the highest in all of Asia. The government and the [[Catholic]] church have clashed over the issue of different methods for population control - artificial (contraceptives, sterilization, etc.) vs. natural methods (abstinence and spacing) respectively.
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| − | The Philippine Islands lie between 116° 40' and 126° and 34' E. longitude, and 4° 40' and 21° 10' N. latitude. It is bordered on the east by the [[Philippine Sea]], on the west by the [[South China Sea]], and on the south by the [[Celebes Sea]]. The island of [[Borneo]] lies a few hundred kilometers to the southwest and [[Taiwan]] directly north. The [[Moluccas]] and [[Celebes]] are farther south and on the eastern side of the [[Philippine Sea]] is [[Palau]].
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| − | {| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=300 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
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| − | |+<big><big>'''Republika ng Pilipinas<br>Republic of the Philippines'''</big></big>
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| − | {| border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="background:#f9f9f9; text-align:center;"
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| − | | width="130px"| [[Image:Philippines flag large.png|125px|Flag of the Philippines]] || align=center width=130px| [[Image:Philippine coat-of-arms.png|100px|The Philippines: Coat of Arms]]
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| − | | width="130px"| ([[Flag of the Philippines|National Flag]]) || style="text-align:center; width:130px;" | ([[Coat of Arms of the Philippines|National Coat of Arms]])
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| − | | align=center style="vertical-align: top;" colspan=2 | <small>''[[National motto]]: Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan at Makabansa<br>([[Filipino language|Filipino]]: For Love of God, People, Nature and Country)''</small>
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| − | | align=center colspan=2 style="background: #ffffff;" | [[image:LocationPhilippines.png|Location of the Philippines]]
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| − | |'''[[Official language]]s''' || [[Filipino language|Filipino]] and [[English language|English]]
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| − | |'''[[Capital]]''' || [[Manila]]
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| − | |'''Largest city''' || [[Quezon City]]
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| − | |'''[[President of the Philippines|President]]''' || [[Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo]]
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| − | |'''[[Area]]''' <br> - Total <br> - % water
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| − | |[[List of countries by area|Ranked 71st]] <br>[[1 E11 m2|300,000 km²]] <br>0.6%
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| − | |'''[[Population]]''' <br> - Total ([[2004]]) <br> - [[Population density|Density]]
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| − | |[[List of countries by population|Ranked 12th]] <br>86,241,697 <br>276/km²
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| − | |'''[[Independence]]'''
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| − | |Declared (from Spain): [[June 12]], [[1898]] (Official)<br/>
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| − | Declared from the United States: [[July 4]], [[1946]] (Recognized)
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| − | |'''[[Gross Domestic Product|GDP]]''' (2003) <br/> - Total <br/> - Total <br/> - GDP/capita <br/> - GDP/capita
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| − | | <br> $352.18 billion ([[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|24th]]) (PPP) <br/> $80.57 billion ([[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|43rd]]) (nominal) <br/> $4,321 ([[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|97th]]) (PPP) <br/> $989 ([[List of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita|118th]]) (nominal)
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| − | |'''[[Currency]]''' || [[Philippine Peso|Philippine peso]] (''piso'') = 100 centavos (''sentimos'')
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| − | | '''[[Time zone]]''' || [[UTC]] +8
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| − | | '''[[National anthem]]''' || [[Lupang Hinirang]] (Land of the Morning)
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| − | | '''[[Top-level domain|Internet TLD]]''' || [[.ph]]
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| − | | '''[[List of country calling codes|Calling Code]]''' || +63
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| − | ==History==
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| − | ''Main article: [[History of the Philippines]]''
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| − | Human fossil records indicate that the Philippines may have been inhabited for thousands of years. Its aboriginal population, collectively known as the [[Negrito]]s or Aetas, crossed prehistoric land or ice bridges to eventually settle in the islands' lush forests. Other migrants from the [[Malay Peninsula]] and [[Indonesia]]n archipelago, and from [[Indochina]] and [[Taiwan]], settled around the turn of the first millennium.
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| − | [[Chinese]] merchants arrived in the 8th century. The rise of powerful [[Buddhist]] kingdoms precipitated trade with the Indonesian archipelago, India, Japan and Southeast Asia. Factional fighting among the kingdoms of Southeast Asia weakened their strength. In the meantime, the spread of [[Islam]] through commerce and proselytism, much like [[Christianity]], brought traders and missionaries into the region; Arabs set foot in Mindanao in the 14th century. When the first [[Europe]]ans arrived, led by [[Ferdinand Magellan]] in [[1521]], there were [[raja]]hs as far north as [[Manila]], who historically were tributaries of the kingdoms of Southeast Asia. However, the islands were essentially self-sufficient and self-ruling.
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| − | The [[Spain|Spanish]] claimed and colonized the islands in the 16th century and named it "Las Islas Filipinas" after King [[Philip II of Spain|Felipe II]]. Roman [[Catholicism]] was immediately introduced and would come to be adopted by most of the population, through missionary work, as well as the Laws of the Indies and several restrictive edicts. Some resistance came from tribal groups in the highlands and the Muslim separatism--a trend that rages on today. Sporadic rebellions and violence erupted in the coastal populations throughout the next three centuries in response to colonial abuses and lack of reforms. The new territory was ruled from [[New Spain]] ([[Mexico]]) and a burgeoning [[Manila Galleon]] or Manila-Acapulco galleon trade began in the 16th century.
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| − | Serious challenges to Spanish rule began in 1761 when Spain involved herself in the Seven Years War (1756-1763) declaring war on Great Britain. In 1762, colonial forces of the British East India Company captured Manila after a fierce struggle. In accordance with the Treaty of Paris (1763) ending the war between Great Britain against Spain and France, The Philippines was returned to Spain. Defeat from the hands of British however, inspired resistance from Filipino rebels such as Diego Silang who in 1762 expelled the Spanish from the coastal city of Vigan. The Spanish, tied down by fighting with the British and the rebels during the Seven Years War were unable to control the raids of the Moros of the south on the Christian communities of the Visayan Islands and Luzon. Thousands of Christian Filipinos were captured as slaves, and Moro raids continued to be a serious problem through the remainder of the century. The Chinese community, resentful of Spanish discrimination, for the most part enthusiastically supported the British, providing them with laborers and armed men who fought de Anda in Pampanga.
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| − | After Spanish rule was restored, José Basco y Vargas one of the ablest of Spanish administrators, was the governor from 1778 to 1787, and he implemented a series of reforms designed to promote the economic development of the islands and make them independent of the subsidy from New Spain. In 1781 he established the Economic Society of Friends of the Country, which, throughout its checkered history extending over the next century, encouraged the growth of new crops for export--such as indigo, tea, silk, opium poppies, and abaca (hemp)--and the development of local industry. A government tobacco monopoly was established in 1782. The monopoly brought in large profits for the government and made the Philippines a leader in world tobacco production.
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| − | [[Image:Jose_Rizal.jpg|left|frame|Dr. Jose Rizal]]
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| − | The islands' economy began to open up during the [[19th century]]. The rise of an ambitious, more nationalistic Filipino middle class, consisting of educated native Filipinos, Philippine-born Spaniards and creoles, Spanish mestizos and an economically entrenched Chinese mestizo community, signaled the end of complete domination by the Spanish. Enlightened by the [[Dr. José Rizal#Legacy|Propaganda Movement]] to the injustices of the Spanish colonial government, they clamored for independence. [[José Rizal]], the most famous propagandist, was arrested and executed in [[1896]] for acts of subversion. Soon after, the [[Philippine Revolution]] broke out, pioneered by the [[Katipunan]], a secret revolutionary society founded by [[Andres Bonifacio]] and later led by [[Emilio Aguinaldo]]. The revolution nearly succeeded in ousting the Spanish by [[1898]].
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| − | That same year Spain and the [[United States]] fought the [[Spanish-American War]], after which Spain ceded the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico to the United States for US $20 million. The Filipinos had by then declared independence, and this led to the [[Philippine-American War]] that officially ended in [[1901]], though sporadic fighting continued until [[1913]]. The islands were made a U.S. territory with little self-government until 1935, when their status was upgraded to that of a U.S. Commonwealth. Independence was finally granted in [[1946]], after the [[Japan]]ese had occupied the islands during [[World War II]]. The following period was marred by post-war problems; civil unrest during the unpopular [[dictatorship]] of [[Ferdinand Marcos]], ousted in [[1986]]; and later, the continuing problem of communist insurgency and [[Muslim]] separatism.
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| − | == Politics ==
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| − | ''Main article: [[Politics of the Philippines]]''
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| − | '''National Government.''' The government of the Philippines, loosely patterned after the [[Government of the United States|American system]], is organized as a [[Republic|representative republic]], with the [[President of the Philippines|President]] functioning as both [[head of state]] and [[head of government|government]], as well as being the commander-in-chief of the [[Military of the Philippines|armed forces]]. The president is elected by popular vote to a term of 6 years, during which he or she appoints and presides over the [[cabinet]].
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| − | The bicameral Philippine [[legislature]], the [[Congress of the Philippines|Congress]], consists of the [[Senate of the Philippines|Senate]] and the [[House of Representatives of the Philippines|House of Representatives]]; members of both are elected by popular vote. There are 24 senators serving 6 years in the Senate while the House of Representatives consists of no more than 250 congressmen each serving 3-year terms.
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| − | The judiciary branch of the government is headed by the [[Supreme Court of the Philippines|Supreme Court]], which has a Chief Justice as its head and 14 Associate Justices, all appointed by the president.
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| − | '''International Relations.''' The Philippines is a founding and prominent member of the [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations]] (ASEAN). It is also an active participant of the [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation]] (APEC), a member of the [[Group of 24]] and one of the 51 founding members of the [[United Nations]] on [[October 24]],[[1945]].
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| − | The Philippines is currently in a dispute with [[Taiwan]], [[China]], [[Vietnam]] and [[Malaysia]] over the [[oil]]- and [[natural gas]]-rich [[Spratly Islands]] and with [[Malaysia]] over [[Sabah]]. The Sultan of [[Sulu]], who received the territory as a gift after having helped the Sultan of [[Brunei]] defeat a rebellion, has given the [[Philippine]] Government power to reclaim his lost territory. To this day, the Sultan of Sulu's family still receives "rental" monies from the Malaysian Government.
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| − | See also:
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| − | * [[President of the Philippines]]
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| − | * [[Foreign relations of the Philippines]]
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| − | * [[Constitution of the Philippines]]
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| − | == Regions and Provinces ==
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| − | [[Image:Ph_general_map.png|thumb|250px|Map of the Philippines]]
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| − | ''Main articles: [[Regions of the Philippines|Regions]] and [[Provinces of the Philippines]]''
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| − | '''Local Government.''' The Philippines is divided into a hierarchy of local government units (LGUs) with the [[Provinces of the Philippines|province]] as the primary unit. As of 2002, there are 79 provinces in the country. Provinces are further subdivided into [[Cities of the Philippines|cities]] and [[Philippine municipality|municipalities]], which are in turn, composed of [[barangay]]s. The barangay is the smallest local government unit.
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| − | All provinces are grouped into 17 [[Regions of the Philippines|regions]] for administrative convenience. Most government offices establish regional offices to serve the constituent provinces. The regions themselves do not possess a separate local government, with the exception of the [[Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao|Muslim Mindanao]] and [[Cordillera Administrative Region|Cordillera]] regions, which are autonomous.
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| − | Go to the articles on the [[Regions of the Philippines|regions]] and [[Provinces of the Philippines|provinces]] to see a larger map showing the locations of the regions and provinces.
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| − | ===Regions===
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| − | * [[Ilocos Region]] (Region I)
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| − | * [[Cagayan Valley]] (Region II)
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| − | * [[Central Luzon]] (Region III)
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| − | * [[CALABARZON]] (Region IV-A) '''¹''' '''²'''
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| − | * [[MIMAROPA]] (Region IV-B) '''¹''' '''²'''
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| − | * [[Bicol Region]] (Region V)
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| − | * [[Western Visayas]] (Region VI)
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| − | * [[Central Visayas]] (Region VII)
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| − | * [[Eastern Visayas]] (Region VIII)
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| − | * [[Zamboanga Peninsula]] (Region IX)
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| − | * [[Northern Mindanao]] (Region X)
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| − | * [[Davao Region]] (Region XI)
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| − | * [[SOCCSKSARGEN]] (Region XII) '''¹'''
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| − | * [[Caraga]] (Region XIII)
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| − | * [[Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao]] (ARMM)
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| − | * [[Cordillera Administrative Region]] (CAR)
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| − | * [[Metro Manila|National Capital Region]] (NCR) (''Metro Manila'')
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| − | '''¹''' Names are capitalized because they are [[acronym]]s, containing the names of the constituent provinces or cities (see [[Acronyms in the Philippines]]).
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| − | '''²''' These regions formed the former [[Southern Tagalog]] region, or Region IV.
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| − | == Geography ==
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| − | ''Main article: [[Geography of the Philippines]]''
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| − | [[Image:Manila_Skyline.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Manila]], Philippines]]
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| − | The Philippines constitute an [[archipelago]] of 7,107 islands with a total land area of approximately 300,000 km². The islands are commonly divided into three major groups: [[Luzon]] (Regions I to V + NCR & CAR), [[Visayas]] (VI to VIII), and [[Mindanao]] (IX to XIII + ARMM). The busy port of [[Manila]], on [[Luzon]], is the country's [[capital]] and second-largest [[city]] after [[Quezon City]].
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| − | The local [[climate]] is hot, humid, and tropical. The average yearly temperature is around 26.5° Celsius. Filipinos generally recognise three seasons: ''Tag-init'' or ''Tag-araw'' (the hot season or summer from March to May), ''Tag-ulan'' (the rainy season from June to November), and ''Taglamig'' (the cold season from December to February).
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| − | Most of the mountainous islands used to be covered in tropical [[rainforest]]s and are volcanic in origin. The highest point is [[Mount Apo]] on Mindanao at 2,954 m. Many [[volcano]]es in the country, such as [[Mount Pinatubo]], are active. The country is also astride the [[typhoon]] belt of the Western Pacific and is struck by about 19 typhoons per year.
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| − | See also [[Ecoregions of the Philippines]]
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| − | == Economy ==
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| − | [[Image:Php_bill_100_front.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The [[Philippine peso]], the nation's currency.]]
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| − | ''Main article: [[Economy of the Philippines]]''
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| − | In [[1998]] the Philippine economy — a mixture of [[agriculture]], light industry, and supporting services — deteriorated as a result of spillover from the [[Asian financial crisis]] and poor weather conditions. Growth fell to 0.6% in 1998 from 5% in [[1997]], but recovered to about 3% in [[1999]] and 4% in [[2000]]. The government has promised to continue its economic reforms to help the Philippines match the pace of development in the newly industrialised countries of [[East Asia]]. Heavy debt (public debt at 77% of GDP), is hampering efforts to improve the economic situation. Budget allocation for servicing of debt is higher than the budget for the Department of Education and for the military combined.
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| − | The strategy includes improving [[infrastructure]], overhauling the [[tax]] system to bolster government revenues, furthering deregulation and [[privatisation]] of the economy, and increasing trade integration with the region. Prospects for the future depend heavily on the economic performance of the two major trading partners, the [[United States]] and [[Japan]], and a more accountable administration and consistent government policies.
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| − | == Demographics ==
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| − | ''From the article: [[Demographics of the Philippines]]''
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| − | According to Philippine government statistics and current census data, some 95% of the population is ethnically [[Malay people|Malay]], descendants of immigrants from the [[Malay Peninsula]] and [[Indonesia]], who arrived long before the Christian era. The most significant non-native ethnic minority are the [[Ethnic Chinese|Chinese]], who have played an important role in commerce since the 9th century when they first arrived in the Philippines for trade. [[Mestizo#The_Philippines|Mestizos]], those of mixed race, form a tiny but economically and politically important minority. Small communities of [[expatriates]], and [[Negrito]] forest tribes that inhabit the more remote areas of Mindanao, constitute the remainder.
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| − | The people of the Philippines are collectively known as ''Filipinos''. Throughout the colonial era the term "Filipino" originally referred to the [[Spain|Spanish]] and [[Spain|Spanish]]-[[mestizo]] minority. The definition, however, was later changed to include the entire population of the Philippines regardless of ethnic origin. In Filipino slang the noun becomes ''Pinoy'', a backformation of [''pili'']PINO'''Y'''. The feminine form is ''Filipina'' and ''Pinay'' respectively.
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| − | The Philippines is the most ethnically diverse country in Asia. While in recent decades the government has worked to make the country more culturally homogenous, this is made difficult by the linguistic diversity of its inhabitants. A majority of the population is divided among eight major [[Malay people|Malay]]-based ethnic groups, that as stated above constitute approximately 95 percent of the population. The largest groups are the Cebuanos (24%), Tagalogs (24%), and Ilokanos (11%), with the Pangasinense, Kapampangan, Hiligaynon (Ilonggo), Waray-Waray, and Bisaya making up the rest.
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| − | The remaining 10 percent includes minority groups in the highland regions and the ethnic Filipino Muslims of Mindanao, as well as small foreign communities. The Aeta or Negritos, once active for thousands of years in the islands, have vanished into the interior rainforests. Their fate mirrors many indigenous groups around the world such as the Australian Aborigines and Native Americans. Many Aeta Filipinos were absorbed by the invading ethnic-Malay Filipinos or isolated by systematic displacement.
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| − | In the 100 years since the [[Demographics_of_the_Philippines#1903_census|1903 Census of the Philippines]], the population has grown by a factor of eleven.
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| − | See also:
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| − | * [[Religion in the Philippines]]
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| − | ==Languages==
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| − | Foreign languages spoken include; [[English language|English]]; [[Chinese language|Chinese]] ([[Mandarin (linguistics)|Mandarin]], [[Hokkien (dialect)|Hokkien]] and [[Cantonese language|Cantonese]]) among members of the Chinese and Chinese-Filipino communities, in their [[Chinatown]]s and community-based schools where the medium of instruction is in bilingual Mandarin/English; [[Arabic language|Arabic]] among some members of the [[Muslim]] population; and Spanish among the Spanish-Filipino mestizo families.
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| − | Spanish was the official language of the Philippines for 422 years,begining from 1565.It ceased to be the official language in 1987 and has now decline due to the lack of interest in promoting the language in schools and the public with (2,658 speakers, 1990 Census).With this, only the Spanish-Filipino mestizo community continue to speak the original official language of the country.In recent years up until 1998 with the Philippines celebrating it's 100 years of independence from Spain.The Spanish Language is slowly coming back to the islands with the Philippines resurrecting it's closer ties with Spain. The sole existing Spanish-Asiatic creole language, [[Chabacano]], is spoken by numbers in the south-western region of Mindanao.
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| − | Since [[1939]], in an effort to develop national unity, the government has promoted the use of the official national language, [[Filipino language|Filipino]], which is based on [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]]. Filipino is taught in all schools and is gaining acceptance, particularly as a second language for a diverse population. [[English language|English]], which was introduced under U.S. rule, is treated as the second official language and is used extensively in government, education and commerce.
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| − | See also:
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| − | * [[Languages of the Philippines]]
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| − | == Culture ==
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| − | ''Main article: [[Culture of the Philippines]]''
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| − | [[Image:phil_jeepney.jpg|frame|Philippine [[Jeepney]]]]
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| − | The culture of the Philippines is blended with Spanish and Native Malay influences.
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| − | But Throughout Filipino history, no distinct national cultural identity was shaped. The reason for this was partly due to the existence of an exorbitant number of languages spoken throughout the country, estimated today to be around 80 distinct languages, in addition to each of their many different dialects. The isolation between neighbouring populations — whether from village to village or island to island — also greatly contributed to this lack of a unified identity.
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| − | After the arrival of the Spanish, Catholic missionaries employed indigenous peoples as translators, creating a bilingual class known as ladinos. These individuals, notably poet-translator [[Gaspar Aquino de Belen]], produced devotional poetry written in the Roman script, primarily in the Tagalog language. [[Pasyon]] is a narrative of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ begun by Gaspar Aquino de Belen. Later, the Spanish ballad of chivalry, the corrido, provided a model for secular (nonreligious) literature. Verse narratives, or komedya, were performed in the [[regional language]]s for the illiterate majority. They were also written in the Roman alphabet in the principal languages and widely circulated.
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| − | In addition, the classical literature ([[José Rizal]], [[Pedro Paterno]]) and historical documents (national anthem, Constitución PolÃtica de Malolos), were written in Spanish, which ceased to be an official language. The Philippine writers, [[Claro M. Recto]] among the more prominent, continued writing in Spanish until [[1946]].
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| − | The Philippines has many national heroes. Considered the first to repel western aggression was [[Lapu-Lapu]] of [[Mactan]] Island, who killed [[Ferdinand Magellan]]. [[Dr. José Rizal]] (born June 19, 1861, in the town of Calamba, Laguna), "Pride of the Malay Race" Philippine National Hero, mastered 22 languages including [[Catalan language|Catalan]], [[Chinese language|Chinese]], [[English language|English]], [[French language|French]], [[German language|German]], [[Greek language|Greek]], [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], [[Japanese language|Japanese]], [[Latin language|Latin]], [[Malayan language|Malayan]], [[Sanskrit]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]], and other native [[dialect]]s; he was an architect, artist, educator, economist, ethnologist, scientific farmer, historian, inventor, journalist, linguist, musician, mythologist, nationalist, naturalist, novelist, ophthalmic surgeon, poet, propagandist, sculptor and sociologist. The first Asian Secretary-General for the United Nations General Assembly was a Filipino - [[Carlos Pena Romulo]]. In more recent times, the Philippines has produced major sports heroes, such as [[Manny Pacquiao]] of [[boxing]] fame, and multi-champion [[billiards]] player Efren "Bata" Reyes.
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| − | Baroque Churches of the Philippines and Historic Town of [[Vigan]] are the cultural World Heritage Sites. However, during World War II, much of the city of [[Intramuros]] was destroyed but rebuilt in postwar time. Other World Heritage Sites include "The Rice Terraces" of the Cordillera, considered the 8th wonder of the world.
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| − | ==See also==
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| − | * [[Communications in the Philippines]]
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| − | * [[Hispanic culture in The Philippines]]
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| − | * [[Military of the Philippines]]
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| − | ** [[Military history of the Philippines]]
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| − | * [[Transportation in the Philippines]]
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| − | * [[Holidays in the Philippines]]
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| − | * [[List of Philippine-related topics]]
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| − | * [[List of Philippine companies]]
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| − | ==Associations==
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| − | The Philippines is a member of the following associations:
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| − | *[[Asian Development Bank]]
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| − | *[[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation]]
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| − | *[[Association of Southeast Asian Nations]]
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| − | *[[Latin Union]]
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| − | *[[United Nations]] (founding member)
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| − | *[[Non-Aligned Movement]]
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| − | See also:
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| − | *[[Foreign relations of the Philippines]]
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | ===Official websites===
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| − | * [http://www.gov.ph www.gov.ph] - Government portal
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| − | * [http://www.op.gov.ph www.op.gov.ph] - Office of the President
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| − | * [http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph www.supremecourt.gov.ph] - Supreme Court
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| − | * [http://www.wowphilippines.com.ph www.wowphilippines.com.ph] - Department of Tourism
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| − | ===News websites===
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| − | * [http://www.inq7.net Philippine Daily Inquirer and GMA News]
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| − | * [http://www.abs-cbnnews.com ABS-CBN News]
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| − | * [http://www.mb.com.ph The Manila Bulletin Online]
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| − | * [http://www.manilatimes.net The Manila Times Online]
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| − | * [http://www.malaya.com.ph Malaya]
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| − | * [http://pcij.org/ Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism]
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| − | * [http://www.filipinoreporter.com The Filipino Reporter Online]
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| − | ===Other websites===
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| − | * [http://www.los-indios-bravos.com/ The Filipino Solidarity Project]Non-profit non-commercial site devoted to fostering historical, political, cultural and social awareness
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| − | * [http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rp.html CIA World Factbook - ''Philippines'']
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| − | * [http://www.alleba.com Alleba.com] - WWW Virtual Library of the Philippines
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| − | * [http://www.imagesphilippines.com Images Philippines] - Pictures and Photographs of and about the Philippines
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| − | * [http://www.manilamail.com ManilaMail] - a reference point for understanding the Philippines and Filipinos
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| − | * [http://s6.invisionfree.com/Filipino_Community/index.php?act=idx Filipino Community Forum] - Filipino Community Forum for Filipinos around the world
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| − | {{Southeast_Asia}}
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| − | [[Category:Philippines|*]]
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| − | [[Category:Southeast Asian countries]]
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| − | [[Category:Former Spanish colonies]]
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| − | [[Category:ASEAN member states]]
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| − | [[af:Filippyne]]
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| − | [[ca:Filipines]]
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| − | [[da:Filippinerne]]
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| − | [[de:Philippinen]]
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| − | [[et:Filipiinid]]
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| − | [[es:Filipinas]]
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| − | [[eo:Filipinoj]]
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| − | [[fr:Philippines]]
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| − | [[he:הפיליפינים]]
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| − | [[it:Filippine]]
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| − | [[lv:Filipīnas]]
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| − | [[lt:Filipinai]]
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| − | [[ms:Filipina]]
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| − | [[nds:Philippinen]]
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| − | [[nl:Filippijnen]]
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| − | [[ja:フィリピン]]
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| − | [[no:Filippinene]]
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| − | [[pl:Filipiny]]
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| − | [[pt:Filipinas]]
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| − | [[ru:Филиппины]]
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| − | [[simple:Philippines]]
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| − | [[sl:Filipini]]
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| − | [[fi:Filippiinit]]
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| − | [[sv:Filippinerna]]
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| − | [[tl:Pilipinas]]
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| − | [[th:ประเทศฟิลิปปินส์]]
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| − | [[uk:Філіпіни]]
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| − | [[zh:菲律宾]]
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