THE REGIONAL AREAS

Region - 1 :  The Ilocos Region Region - 2 :  The Cagayan Valley Region Region - 3 :  The Central Plains of Luzon Region-4A:  CALABARZON Region Region-4B:  MIMAROPA Region Region - 5 :  The "Bicolandia" Region Region - 6 :  The Western Visayas Region Region - 7 :  The Central Visayas Region Region - 8 :  The Eastern Visayas Region Region - 9 :  Northeastern Mindanao Region -10:  Northern Mindanao Region Region-11 :  Northwestern Mindanao Area Region-12 :  SOCCSKSARGEN Region Region-13 :  The CaRaGa Region Cordillera Autonomous Region Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao National Capital Region

REGIONS OF THE PHILIPPINES

WHY THE PHILIPPINES...?	INTERESTING FEATURES & ASPECTS OF THE COUNTRY
	The Filipino People :  "Pride of Asia" Some 80-million of them- and still growing!  The Philippines currently ranks as the 12th most populous country in the world- with a population of some 89-M (2006), roughly 10 percent of which are "scattered" althroughout the world. And- not only are they one of the friendliest, but are also considered to be one of the "happiest" group of people in the world! The people of the Philippines are called Filipinos. Most Filipinos are descended from the various Austronesian-speaking migrants who arrived in successive waves over a thousand years ago from Southeast Asia. These ethnic Filipinos are divided into various ethnolinguistic groups, the three most numerous being the Tagalogs, Cebuanos, and the Ilocanos. They are genetically closely related to the Taiwanese aborigines, Malays of Malaysia and Indonesia, and the Polynesians. The Negritos or Aetas are known as the aboriginal inhabitants of the Philippines, and number less than 30,000 people (0.03 percent).Filipino mestizos, or persons of mixed indigenous heritage and Spanish or other foreign ancestry form a tiny but economically and politically important minority. A Stanford University small-in study, concluded that less than about 3.6 percent of all Filipinos have some European genes..Other significant minorities include the ethnic Chinese, the Americans, and the South Asians.
	Nature & Wildlife The Philippines is home to a myriad of wildlife- both flora and fauna, in this part of the planet.
	Arts, Culture & History Nearly more than 300 years of Spanish rule and half a century of American influence have greatly shaped the interesting "culture" of the Filipino people. According to the Wikipedia Free Enclyclopedia..."Filipino culture is largely a blend of the indigenous traditions of the Philippines, with the Hispanic and American cultures. It has also been significantly influenced by Chinese, Indonesian and Indian cultures.The Hispanic influences in Filipino culture are largely derived from the culture of Spain and Mexico as a result of over three centuries of Spanish colonial rule through Mexico City. These Hispanic influences are most evident in Roman Catholic Church religious festivals.Filipinos hold major festivities known as barrio fiestas to commemorate their patron saints. The most obvious Hispanic legacy, however, is the prevalence of Spanish surnames among Filipinos. This peculiarity, unique among the people of Asia, came as a result of a colonial decree for the systematic distribution of family names and implementation of the Spanish naming system on the inhabitants of the Philippines. A Spanish surname in the Phillipines doesn't denote a Hispanic heritage.The Chinese influences in Filipino culture are most evident in Filipino cuisine. The prevalence of noodles, known locally as mami, are a testament of the Chinese cuisine. Other Chinese influences include linguistic borrowings and the occasional Chinese derived surnames.The use of English within the Philippines is America's most obvious legacy. The most commonly played and arguably the national sport in the Philippines is basketball. Indeed, there is a wide emulation of other American cultural trends, such as the love of fast-food; many street corners boast fast-food outlets. Aside from the American commercial giants such as McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Burger King, KFC, and Shakey's, local fast-food chains have also sprung up, including Jollibee, Greenwich Pizza, Tropical Hut and Chowking. Filipinos listen to American music, watch American movies, and admire American actors and actresses, although Asian trends and culture began making inroads to the locals.In spite of this, native moral codes, respect of family, veneration of elders, and friendliness, all remain intact. Filipinos honor national heroes whose works and deeds contributed to the shaping of the Filipino nation.
	Events, Fiestas, & Festivals : "In Celebration of LIfe" The Philippines is a land of "a thousand events".... cultural fiestas and national festivals!   (MORE >> )

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