  The exotic jeepney is a post-war creation inspired
by the GI jeeps that the American soldiers brought to
the country in the 1940s. Enterprising Filipinos
salvaged the surplus engines and came out unique
vehicles of art.
  Short distance and feeder trips could not be more
exciting than via Philippine quick transports – the
tricycle, a motorcycle with a sidecar, and the pedicab,
a bicycle with a sidecar.
  The world’s longest underground river system
accessible to man can be found at the St. Paul
National Park in the province of Palawan.
  The largest Philippine wild animal, the tamaraw, is
a species of the buffalo that is similar to the carabao. It
is found only in the island of Mindoro.
  The highest mountain in the Philippines is Mt. Apo,
a dormant volcano found in Mindanao, at 2,954 meters
(9,689 feet). Mt. Pulog in Luzon is the second highest
at 2,928 meters (9604 feet).
  Filipino bowler Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno was
the first bowler to be elevated to the International
Bowling Hall of Fame based in St. Louis, Missouri,
USA. The Philippine Congress has named him
“Greatest Filipino Athlete of All Time.”
  Philippine National Hero and writer Jose Rizal
could read and write at age 2. He grew up to speak
more than 20 languages, including Latin, Greek,
German, French, and Chinese. What were his last
words? "Consummatum est!" ("It is done!")
  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.
  Cebu is the oldest Philippine city.
  Negros Occidental has the most cities among
Philippine provinces.
  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.
  Paskuhan Village in the province of Pampanga is
Asia’s only Christmas theme park and the third of its
kind in the world.
  The great Christmans lanterns of San Fernando,
Pampanga can reach as big as 40 feet in diameter,
using as many as 16,000 glowing bulbs.
  The exotic jeepney is the Filipino version of the
jitney, the taxi/minibus that travels along a fixed route,
found in many countries.
  The popular toy, the yoyo, was invented by 16th
century hunters in the Philippines.
  The word "boondocks," which is now a part of the
English language, dictionary, and vocabulary, comes
from the Tagalog word "bundok," meaning "mountain."
  The Philippines became the first Asian country to
win FIVE major international beauty pageant crowns
— two for Miss Universe, in 1969 and 1973, and three
for Miss International, in 1965, 1970, and 1979.
  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.
  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.
  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.
  Fernando Amorsolo was officially the first National
Artist of the Philippines. He was given the distinction of
National Artist for Painting in 1972.
  Philippines Herald war journalist Carlos P. Romulo
was the first Asian to win a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism
in 1942. He was also aide-de-camp to General
Douglas MacArthur in World War II; Philippine resident
commissioner in the U.S. Congress from 1944-46; and
the first Asian to become UN President in 1949.
  The largest fish in the world, the Whale Shark,
locally known as Butanding, regularly swims to the
Philippine waters.
  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.
  On January 18, 1995, Pope John Paul II offered
mass to an estimated 4 to 5 million people at Luneta
Park, Manila, Philippines, making it to the Guiness
Book of World Records for the Biggest Papal Crowd.
  The Philippine Madrigal Singers bagged the 1997
European Choral Grand Prix, the choral olympics of
the world’s best choirs. The group, being the only
Asian choir, bested five regional champions from all
over Europe, earning them the title as the "world’s best
choir."
  There are 12,000 or so species of seashells in the
Philippines. The Conus Gloriamaris or "Glory of the
Sea" is the rarest and most expensive in the world.
  Of the 500 known coral species in the world, 488
are found in the Philippines.
  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.
  Of the eight known species of giant clams in the
world, seven are found in the Philippines.
  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.
  The largest bell 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 casted from 70
sacks of coins donated by the townspeople as a
manifestation of faith and thanksgiving.
  The World Cup, which was instituted in 1965, is
contested annually by the national champions of the
Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ). The
highest number of wins is 4, by Filipino bowler Rafael
“Paeng” Nepomuceno: 1976, 1980, 1992, and 1996.
  Filipino Eriberto N. Gonzales Jr. consumed 350
chilis in 3 minutes at the annual Magayon Festival
chili-eating contest held at Penaranda Park, Legazpi,
Albay on May 27, 1999, making it to the Guiness Book
of World Records for the most chilis eaten.
  The longest possible eclipse of the Sun is 7 min.
31 sec. The longest eclipse in recent times took place
west of the Philippines on June 20, 1995, lasting for 7
min. 8 sec.
  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 which has more volcanoes (7) than
towns (5).
  The 900 sq m Relief Map of Mindanao in Dapitan
City was personally done by Dr. Jose Rizal. It was
used as a device for teaching history and geography to
townsfolk.
  The Zamboanga Golf Course and Beach Park was
founded in 1910 by Gov. John Pershing. It is one of
the oldest golf courses in the Philippines.
  Isabela City is the youngest city in the region. It
was only on March 5, 2001 that the Municipality of
Isabela, Province of Basilan was converted into a
component city Through RA 9023. On April 25, 2001,
Isabeleños ratified the new status of Isabela.
  The Kinabayo is an exotic and colorful pageant re-
enacting the Spanish-Moorish Wars, particularly the
Battle of Covadonga where the Spanish forces under
General Pelagio took their last stand against the
Saracens. They were able to reverse the tide of war
with the miraculous apparition of St. James, the
Apostle. A Kinabayo Festival is celebrated every July
in Dapitan City, attracting thousands of tourists to the
city.
  The altar at the Holy Rosary Cathedral in Dipolog
City was designed by Dr. Jose Rizal. The Cathedral
was erected by the Spanish friars sometime in 1895,
before Dipolog City became a municipality.
  The Rizal Shrine in Dapitan City is the original
estate of Dr. Jose Rizal which he acquired by
purchase during his exile in Dapitan from 1892 to
1896.
  RA 8973 signed by then President Joseph E.
Estrada in February 2001 created the province of
Zamboanga Sibugay. A total of sixteen municipalities
compose this newest province in the Zamboanga
Peninsula.
  Magat Dam is Asia’s biggest dam project at the
time of its construction. It serves the primary function
of power generation and irrigation.
  The Cagayan River or Rio Grande de Cagayan is
the Philippines’ mightiest watercourse – the longest
and widest river in the country. Small streams
originating form Balete Pass, Cordillera, Caraballo and
Sierra Madre Mountains meet other streams and rivers
and flow to the Cagayan River.
  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 Ilocos
Region via the scenic Patapat Road on the Ilocos
Norte-Cagayan Inter-Provincial national highway.
  Angono Petroglyphs – This cultural heritage site
dates back to circa 3000 B.C. and is the most ancient
Filipino, or more aptly, prehistoric Filipino work of art.
Besides being the country’s oldest “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.
  PANCIT HABHAB (Lucban)-Made from rice flour,
these local noodles acquired its name and developed
its unique attraction by the way it is eaten. Otherwise
known as Pancit Lucban, these noodles are hawked in
the streets and served on a piece of banana leaf, sans
fork or any other utensils. Thus, it is eaten straight
from the leaf, licking permitted... "habhab"-style.
  Tagala - the Philippines first Filipino-Spanish
dictionary which was printed in 1613, 25 years older
than the first book printed in the United States.
  Mayon is the most beautiful mountain I have ever
seen, the world-renowned Fujiyama (Mt. Fuji) of Japan
sinking into perfect insignificance by comparison.
British traveler-writer A. Henry Savage Landor
  Ilo-Ilo golf and country club is the oldest golf club in
the Philippines. It was built at 1908 by Irish Engineers.
  Limasawa Island – where Ferdinand Magellan first
landed in the Philippines which give way to the
discovery of the Philippines and where the first mass
was celebrated.
 San Juanico Strait - said to be the narrowest yet the
most navigable strait in the world
 Calbiga Cave – The Philippines’ biggest karst
formations 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
sub-terranean watercourse.
 At the Immaculate Conception Cathedral can be
found the only existing pipe organ in Mindanao. The
2nd largest pipe organ in the Phiippines. The huge
instrument took 2 years to built and was brought over
by sea from Germany in 23 crates.
 Cagayan de Oro City - “The City of Golden
Friendship,” known for its warm people and old-
fashioned hospitality
 Mt. Apo, the Philippines highest mountain at 10,311
feet above sea level, and considered as the “Grand-
father of all Philippine Mountains”
 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
Southeastern Asia. The lake is home of endemic
cryprinids, the species found only in the lake and
nowhere else in the world.
 Halo-Halo! Halo-halo literally means, "mix-mix". And its
is just that: a mixture of sweetened fruits and beans,
lavished with pinipig (crisp flattened rice flakes), sugar
and milk, topped by crushed ice and ice cream. You
know its summertime when halo-halo stand start
sprouting by the roadside and by the beach, all
whipping up their heavenly concoctions of such a
refreshingly divine dessert. You can make your own by
selecting and mixing your ingredients to make a
perfect Halo-Halo. Halo-Halo is uniquely, unforgettably
Filipino!
 KALESA - The kalesa or karitela is a horse-driven
carriage that was introduced during the 18th century. It
was used by Spanish officials and the nobles as a
means of transportation. The Ilustrados, the rich
Filipinos who had their own businesses, used the
kalesa not only for traveling but as a means a means
of transporting their goods as well.
 BAKYA-Made primarily of lightwood (laniti and santol
trees), it is sculpted with a slope and shaved to a
smooth finish, then painted with floral designs or
varnished to a high sheen. The upper portions, which
are made of rubber or transparent plastic, are fastened
to the sides by thumb nails called "clavitos". The bakya
industry prospered during the 1930s when the Filipinos
began exporting these to the other countries.
 SORBETES-This sweet treat was concocted in the
early 1920's, a time where a single centavo could buy
you almost anything. The process of this ice cream
making and selling it in carts with colorful designs is
still the same. Back in the old days, these ice cream
dealers bred their own cows and milked them with
their own hands to ensure the freshness and sanitation
of the milk needed to make the "dirty ice cream".
 Waling Waling Orchids - With some 800 to 1,000
species of orchids, the Philippines has one of the
richest orchid floras in the world. Philippine orchids
come in an amazing array of shapes, sizes and colors.
 Most grow only in old-growth forest, often on branches
of huge trees dozens of meters above the forest floor.
 Maria Teresa Calderon – A Filipina World champion
speed reader as listed in the Guinness Book of World
Records
 In the Philippines, Filipinos were introduced to the
English language in 1762 by British invaders, not
Americans. Philippines is the world's 3rd largest
English-speaking nation, next to the USA and the UK.
 The Philippine Basketball Association is Asia's premier
and the world's second oldest professional league.
 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.
 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 diameter. As of May 1984, it
was valued at US$42 million. It is believed to be 600
years old.
 Alto Broadcasting System (ABS) Channel 3, the first
television station in the country, went on the air in
1953.
 The world's second deepest spot underwater is in the
Philippines. This spot, about 34,440 feet (10,497
meters) below the sea level, is known as the Philippine
Deep or the Mindanao Trench. The Philippine Deep is
in the floor of the Philippine Sea. The German ship
Emden first plumbed the trench in 1927.
 The symbolic name for the Philippines, Juan dela
Cruz, is not a Filipino invention? It was coined by R.
McCulloch-Dick, a Scottish-born journalist working for
the Manila Times in the early 1900s, after discovering
it was the most common name in blotters.
 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.
 Compostela Valley is known to be laden with gold,
thus earning the monicker “Golden Valley of
Mindanao”
 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
 Kibungan is known as the “Switzerland of Bengued”
because of the frost during the cold months
 The Delmonte Pineapple Plantation in Bukidnon is
considered to be the biggest in the far east
 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. A shell called
glory of the sea (Connus gloriamaris) is also found in
the Philippines and considered as one of the most
expensive shells in the world.
 Seahorses are small saltwater fish belonging to the
Syngnathidae family (order Gasterosteiformes), which
also includes pipefish and sea dragons. Most
seahorse species, probably the most peculiar
creatures in the water, live in the Coral Triangle. There
are at least 50 known seahorse species in the world.
They inhabit temperate and tropical waters but most of
them are concentrated in the warm coastal waters of
the Philippines.
 Donsol, a fishing town in Sorsogon province, serves as
a sanctuary to a group of 40 whale sharks (Rhincodon
typus), which are considered as the largest fish in the
world. Locally known as "butanding", whale sharks
 visit the waters of Donsol from November to May.
They travel across the oceans but nowhere else have
they been sighted in a larger group than in the waters
of Sorsogon. They measure between 18 to 35 feet in
length and weigh about 20 tons.
 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
haematuropygia), which belongs to Psittacidae or the
family of parrots. Some cockatoos can live 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 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 the forests of Palawan,
Borneo, Burma and Vietnam. It belongs to the family 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, keep 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 - South of Palawan,
lies the Balabac Island, home of the world's smallest
hoofed mammal - the Philippine mouse deer. Locally
known as Pilandok (Tragalus nigricans), this ruminant
stands only about 40 centimeters at the shoulder level.
 Flying Lemur - One of the most distinct creatures on
Earth lives in the Philippines. It doesn't 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.
  Did you know that the first four cities of
Metropolitan Manila are: Manila, Quezon, Pasay and
Caloocan
 The flagpole located in Rizal Park, is where the starts
of 0 kilometer reading in measuring all distances from
Manila.
 Quezon City is the second biggest city in the
Philippines.
 The Bonifacio Monument in Monumento, Caloocan
City was designed by a noted Filipino sculptor
Guillermo Tolentino
 In 1916, in the Philippines, an offensive style of
passing the ball in a high trajectory to be struck by
another player (the set and spike) were introduced.
The Filipinos developed the "bomba" or kill, and called
the hitter a "bomberino". (source:
http://volleyball.org/history.html)
 The PHILIPPINE EAGLE is the 2nd largest bird on the
planet (next only to the American Condor)....
 The exotic jeepney is a post-war creation inspired by
the GI jeeps that the American soldiers brought to the
country in the 1940s. Enterprising Filipinos salvaged
the surplus engines and came out unique vehicles of
art.
 Short distance and feeder trips could not be more
exciting than via Philippine quick transports – the
 tricycle, a motorcycle with a sidecar, and the pedicab,
a bicycle with a sidecar.
 The world’s longest underground river system
accessible to man can be found at the St. Paul
National Park in the province of Palawan.
 The largest Philippine wild animal, the tamaraw, is a
species of the buffalo that is similar to the carabao. It
is found only in the island of Mindoro.
 The highest mountain in the Philippines is Mt. Apo, a
dormant volcano found in Mindanao, at 2,954 meters
(9,689 feet). Mt. Pulog in Luzon is the second highest
at 2,928 meters (9604 feet).
 Filipino bowler Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno was the
first bowler to be elevated to the International Bowling
Hall of Fame based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. The
Philippine Congress has named him “Greatest Filipino
Athlete of All Time.”
 Philippine National Hero and writer Jose Rizal could
read and write at age 2. He grew up to speak more
than 20 languages, including Latin, Greek, German,
French, and Chinese. What were his last words?
"Consummatum est!" ("It is done!")
 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.
 Cebu is the oldest Philippine city.
 Negros Occidental has the most cities among
Philippine provinces.
 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.
 Paskuhan Village in the province of Pampanga is
Asia’s only Christmas theme park and the third of its
kind in the world.
 The great Christmans lanterns of San Fernando,
Pampanga can reach as big as 40 feet in diameter,
using as many as 16,000 glowing bulbs.
 The exotic jeepney is the Filipino version of the jitney,
the taxi/minibus that travels along a fixed route, found
in many countries.
 The popular toy, the yoyo, was invented by 16th
century hunters in the Philippines.
 The word "boondocks," which is now a part of the
English language, dictionary, and vocabulary, comes
from the Tagalog word "bundok," meaning "mountain."
 The Philippines became the first Asian country to win
FIVE major international beauty pageant crowns —
two for Miss Universe, in 1969 and 1973, and three for
Miss International, in 1965, 1970, and 1979.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 Fernando Amorsolo was officially the first National
Artist of the Philippines. He was given the distinction of
National Artist for Painting in 1972.
 Philippines Herald war journalist Carlos P. Romulo
was the first Asian to win a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism
in 1942. He was also aide-de-camp to General
Douglas MacArthur in World War II; Philippine resident
commissioner in the U.S. Congress from 1944-46; and
the first Asian to become UN President in 1949.
 The largest fish in the world, the Whale Shark, locally
known as Butanding, regularly swims to the Philippine
waters.
 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.
 On January 18, 1995, Pope John Paul II offered mass
to an estimated 4 to 5 million people at Luneta Park,
Manila, Philippines, making it to the Guiness Book of
World Records for the Biggest Papal Crowd.
 The Philippine Madrigal Singers bagged the 1997
European Choral Grand Prix, the choral olympics of
the world’s best choirs. The group, being the only
Asian choir, bested five regional champions from all
over Europe, earning them the title as the "world’s
best choir."
 There are 12,000 or so species of seashells in the
Philippines. The Conus Gloriamaris or "Glory of the
Sea" is the rarest and most expensive in the world.
 Of the 500 known coral species in the world, 488 are
found in the Philippines.
 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.
 Of the eight known species of giant clams in the
world, seven are found in the Philippines.
 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.
 The largest bell 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 casted from 70
sacks of coins donated by the townspeople as a
manifestation of faith and thanksgiving.
 The World Cup, which was instituted in 1965, is
contested annually by the national champions of the
Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ). The
highest number of wins is 4, by Filipino bowler Rafael
“Paeng” Nepomuceno: 1976, 1980, 1992, and 1996.
 Filipino Eriberto N. Gonzales Jr. consumed 350 chilis
in 3 minutes at the annual Magayon Festival chili-
eating contest held at Penaranda Park, Legazpi, Albay
on May 27, 1999, making it to the Guiness Book of
World Records for the most chilis eaten.
 The longest possible eclipse of the Sun is 7 min. 31
sec. The longest eclipse in recent times took place
west of the Philippines on June 20, 1995, lasting for 7
min. 8 sec.
 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, which has more volcanoes (7) than
towns (5).
 The 900 sq m Relief Map of Mindanao in Dapitan
City was personally done by Dr. Jose Rizal. It was
used as a device for teaching history and geography to
townsfolk.
 The Zamboanga Golf Course and Beach Park was
founded in 1910 by Gov. John Pershing. It is one of
the oldest golf courses in the Philippines.
 Isabela City is the youngest city in the region. It was
only on March 5, 2001 that the Municipality of Isabela,
Province of Basilan was converted into a component
city Through RA 9023. On April 25, 2001, Isabeleños
ratified the new status of Isabela.
 The Kinabayo is an exotic and colorful pageant re-
enacting the Spanish-Moorish Wars, particularly the
Battle of Covadonga where the Spanish forces under
General Pelagio took their last stand against the
Saracens. They were able to reverse the tide of war
with the miraculous apparition of St. James, the
Apostle. A Kinabayo Festival is celebrated every July
in Dapitan City, attracting thousands of tourists to the
city.
 The altar at the Holy Rosary Cathedral in Dipolog City
was designed by Dr. Jose Rizal. The Cathedral was
erected by the Spanish friars sometime in 1895, before
Dipolog City became a municipality.
 The Rizal Shrine in Dapitan City is the original estate
of Dr. Jose Rizal which he acquired by purchase
during his exile in Dapitan from 1892 to 1896.
 RA 8973 signed by then President Joseph E. Estrada
in February 2001 created the province of Zamboanga
Sibugay. A total of sixteen municipalities compose this
newest province in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
 Magat Dam is Asia’s biggest dam project at the time of
its construction. It serves the primary function of power
generation and irrigation.
 The Cagayan River or Rio Grande de Cagayan is the
Philippines’ mightiest watercourse – the longest and
widest river in the country. Small streams originating
form Balete Pass, Cordillera, Caraballo and Sierra
Madre Mountains meet other streams and rivers and
flow to the Cagayan River.
 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 Ilocos
Region via the scenic Patapat Road on the Ilocos
Norte-Cagayan Inter-Provincial national highway.
 Angono Petroglyphs – This cultural heritage site dates
back to circa 3000 B.C. and is the most ancient
Filipino, or more aptly, prehistoric Filipino work of art.
Besides being the country’s oldest “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.
 PANCIT HABHAB (Lucban)-Made from rice flour,
these local noodles acquired its name and developed
its unique attraction by the way it is eaten. Otherwise
known as Pancit Lucban, these noodles are hawked in
the streets and served on a piece of banana leaf, sans
fork or any other utensils. Thus, it is eaten straight
from the leaf, licking permitted... "habhab"-style.
 Tagala - the Philippines first Filipino-Spanish
dictionary which was printed in 1613, 25 years older
than the first book printed in the United States.
 Mayon is the most beautiful mountain I have ever
seen, the world-renowned Fujiyama (Mt. Fuji) of Japan
sinking into perfect insignificance by comparison.
British traveler-writer A. Henry Savage Landor
 Ilo-Ilo golf and country club is the oldest golf club in the
Philippines. It was built at 1908 by Irish Engineers.
 Limasawa Island – where Ferdinand Magellan first
landed in the Philippines which give way to the
 discovery of the Philippines and where the first mass
was celebrated.
 San Juanico Strait - said to be the narrowest yet the
most navigable strait in the world
 Calbiga Cave – The Philippines’ biggest karst
formations 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
sub-terranean watercourse.
 At the Immaculate Conception Cathedral can be found
the only existing pipe organ in Mindanao. The 2nd
largest pipe organ in the Phiippines. The huge
instrument took 2 years to built and was brought over
by sea from Germany in 23 crates.
 Cagayan de Oro City - “The City of Golden
Friendship,” known for its warm people and old-
fashioned hospitality
 Mt. Apo, the Philippines highest mountain at 10,311
feet above sea level, and considered as the “Grand-
father of all Philippine Mountains”
 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
Southeastern Asia. The lake is home of endemic
cryprinids, the species found only in the lake and
nowhere else in the world.
  Halo-Halo! Halo-halo literally means, "mix-mix".
And its is just that: a mixture of sweetened fruits and
beans, lavished with pinipig (crisp flattened rice
flakes), sugar and milk, topped by crushed ice and ice
cream. You know its summertime when halo-halo
stand start sprouting by the roadside and by the
beach, all whipping up their heavenly concoctions of
such a refreshingly divine dessert. You can make your
own by selecting and mixing your ingredients to make
a perfect Halo-Halo. Halo-Halo is uniquely,
unforgettably Filipino!
  KALESA - The kalesa or karitela is a horse-driven
carriage that was introduced during the 18th century. It
was used by Spanish officials and the nobles as a
means of transportation. The Ilustrados, the rich
Filipinos who had their own businesses, used the
kalesa not only for traveling but as a means a means
of transporting their goods as well.
  BAKYA-Made primarily of lightwood (laniti and
santol trees), it is sculpted with a slope and shaved to
a smooth finish, then painted with floral designs or
varnished to a high sheen. The upper portions, which
are made of rubber or transparent plastic, are fastened
to the sides by thumb nails called "clavitos". The bakya
industry prospered during the 1930s when the Filipinos
began exporting these to the other countries.
  SORBETES-This sweet treat was concocted in the
early 1920's, a time where a single centavo could buy
you almost anything. The process of this ice cream
making and selling it in carts with colorful designs is
still the same. Back in the old days, these ice cream
dealers bred their own cows and milked them with
their own hands to ensure the freshness and sanitation
of the milk needed to make the "dirty ice cream".
  Waling Waling Orchids - With some 800 to 1,000
species of orchids, the Philippines has one of the
richest orchid floras in the world. Philippine orchids
come in an amazing array of shapes, sizes and colors.
Most grow only in old-growth forest, often on branches
of huge trees dozens of meters above the forest floor.
  Maria Teresa Calderon – A Filipina World
champion speed reader as listed in the Guinness Book
of World Records
  In the Philippines, Filipinos were introduced to the
English language in 1762 by British invaders, not
 Americans. Philippines is the world's 3rd largest
English-speaking nation, next to the USA and the UK.
  The Philippine Basketball Association is Asia's
premier and the world's second oldest professional
league.
  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.
  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 diameter. As of May
1984, it was valued at US$42 million. It is believed to
be 600 years old.
  Alto Broadcasting System (ABS) Channel 3, the
first television station in the country, went on the air in
1953.
  The world's second deepest spot underwater is in
the Philippines. This spot, about 34,440 feet (10,497
meters) below the sea level, is known as the Philippine
Deep or the Mindanao Trench. The Philippine Deep is
in the floor of the Philippine Sea. The German ship
Emden first plumbed the trench in 1927.
  The symbolic name for the Philippines, Juan dela
Cruz, is not a Filipino invention? It was coined by R.
McCulloch-Dick, a Scottish-born journalist working for
the Manila Times in the early 1900s, after discovering
it was the most common name in blotters.
  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.
  Compostela Valley is known to be laden with gold,
thus earning the monicker “Golden Valley of
Mindanao”
  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
  Kibungan is known as the “Switzerland of
Bengued” because of the frost during the cold months
  The Delmonte Pineapple Plantation in Bukidnon is
considered to be the biggest in the far east
  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. A
shell called glory of the sea (Connus gloriamaris) is
also found in the Philippines and considered as one of
the most expensive shells in the world.
  Seahorses are small saltwater fish belonging to the
Syngnathidae family (order Gasterosteiformes), which
also includes pipefish and sea dragons. Most
seahorse species, probably the most peculiar
creatures in the water, live in the Coral Triangle. There
are at least 50 known seahorse species in the world.
They inhabit temperate and tropical waters but most of
them are concentrated in the warm coastal waters of
the Philippines.
  Donsol, a fishing town in Sorsogon province,
serves as a sanctuary to a group of 40 whale sharks
(Rhincodon typus), which are considered as the
largest fish in the world. Locally known as "butanding",
whale sharks visit the waters of Donsol from
November to May. They travel across the oceans but
nowhere else have they been sighted in a larger group
than in the waters of Sorsogon. They measure
between 18 to 35 feet in length and weigh about 20
tons.
  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
haematuropygia), which belongs to Psittacidae or the
family of parrots. Some cockatoos can live 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 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 the forests of
Palawan, Borneo, Burma and Vietnam. It belongs to
the family 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, keep 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 - South of
Palawan, lies the Balabac Island, home of the world's
smallest hoofed mammal - the Philippine mouse deer.
Locally known as Pilandok (Tragalus nigricans), this
ruminant stands only about 40 centimeters at the
shoulder level.
  Flying Lemur - One of the most distinct creatures
on Earth lives in the Philippines. It doesn't 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.
  Did you know that the first four cities of
Metropolitan Manila are: Manila, Quezon, Pasay and
Caloocan
  The flagpole located in Rizal Park, is where the
starts of 0 kilometer reading in measuring all distances
from Manila.
  Quezon City is the second biggest city in the
Philippines.
  The Bonifacio Monument in Monumento, Caloocan
City was designed by a noted Filipino sculptor
Guillermo Tolentino
  In 1916, in the Philippines, an offensive style of
passing the ball in a high trajectory to be struck by
another player (the set and spike) were introduced.
The Filipinos developed the "bomba" or kill, and called
the hitter a "bomberino". (source:
http://volleyball.org/history.html)
  The PHILIPPINE EAGLE is the 2nd largest bird on
the planet (next only to the American Condor)....

United Nations Day is celebrated on 24 October each
year.
BAN KI-MOON
 Ban Ki-moon of the Republic of Korea, the eighth
Secretary-General of the United Nations, brings to his
post 37 years of service both in Government and on
the global stage.
 The name "United Nations", coined by United States
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was first used in the
"Declaration by United Nations" of 1 January 1942,
during the Second World War, when representatives of
26 nations pledged their governments to continue
fighting together against the Axis Powers.
States first established international organizations to
cooperate on specific matters. The International
Telecommunication Union was founded in 1865 as the
International Telegraph Union, and the Universal
Postal Union was established in 1874. Both are now
United Nations specialized agencies.
In 1899, the first International Peace Conference was
held in The Hague to elaborate instruments for settling
crises peacefully, preventing wars and codifying rules
of warfare. It adopted the Convention for the Pacific
Settlement of International Disputes and established
the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which began work
in 1902.
The forerunner of the United Nations was the League
of Nations, an organization conceived in similar
circumstances during the First World War, and
established in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles "to
promote international cooperation and to achieve
peace and security."
of China, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and
the United States at Dumbarton Oaks, United States,
in August-October 1944. The Charter was signed on
26 June 1945 by the representatives of the 50
countries. Poland, which was not represented at the
Conference, signed it later and became one of the
original 51 member states.
The United Nations officially came into existence on 24
October 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by
China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom,
the United States and a majority of other signatories.
United Nations Day is celebrated on 24 October each
year.
Source: Basic Facts - About the United Nations
United Nations Publication
Sales No. E.04.I.7
 ASEAN Formal Summits

The International Labour Organization was also   Date  Country  Host

created under the Treaty of Versailles as an affiliated
agency of the League. The League of Nations ceased
its activities after failing to prevent the Second World  23
War.  1st February–  Indonesia  Bali
24, 1976
In 1945, representatives of 50 countries met in San
Francisco at the United Nations Conference on
International Organization to draw up the United  4 August–  Kuala
 2nd  Malaysia
Nations Charter. Those delegates deliberated on the 5, 1977 Lumpur
basis of proposals worked out by the representatives
  14 November
 3rd December  Philippines  Manila –30, 2004
–15, 1987

 12
 Kuala
 27  11th December  Malaysia
Lumpur
 4th January–  Singapore  Singapore –14, 2005
29, 1992

 11
 14  12th January–  Philippines  Cebu
 5th December  Thailand  Bangkok 14, 200712
–15, 1995

 18
 15  13th November  Singapore  Singapore
 6th December  Vietnam  Hanoi –22, 2007
–16, 1998

 December
 Chiang
 5  Bandar  14th , 13 - 18,  Thailand
Mai
 7th November  Brunei Seri 2008[29]
–6, 2001 Begawan

 15th  2009  Vietnam 

 4
 Phnom
 8th November  Cambodia
Penh
–5, 2002
o Drawings of the Eye

 7
 9th October–  Indonesia  Bali
8, 2003

 10th  29  Laos  Vientiane

 o o

Cross section drawing of

the eye - (rear view).

Cross section drawing of

the eye - (side view) with
major parts labeled. o
Cut-away view of the eye in o
its socket showing the:
bony socket, orbital
muscles, eyelids and
eyelashes.

o
Our Eyes and brain divide
what we see into a right
and left half. In the drawing
above, light gray
represents the left half;
dark gray represents the
right half. The eyes invert
the image and the left side
The lacrimal system - (tear of what we see ends up in
ducts) produce tears to the right side of our brain
clean, moisten and and visa versa. This all
lubricate the eyes and then works out because the right
drains the excess fluid into side of our brain controls
the nose. the left side of our bodies
and visa versa.
o Anterior Chamber

 The space between the cornea and iris filled with

Aqueous Humor.
 o Aqueous Humor
 A water like fluid, produced by the ciliary body, it fills
the front of the eye between the lens and cornea and
provides the cornea and lens with oxygen and
nutrients. It drains back into the blood stream through
the canals of schlemm.
o Brain
 The brain is where the electrical signals sent from our
eyes are processed into vision. Damage to the brain
can lead to vision loss if the visual cortex or optic
pathways are damaged. The majority of nerve fibers in
the optic tract connect to the LGN. Several nerve
fibers leave the optic tract before the LGN to connect
to sub cortical structures through out the brain. These
parts of the brain regulate things like: eye and head
movements, pupillary light reflex - (pupil size), and
circadian rhythms - (light/dark cycle). Damage to these
parts of the brain often leads to vision disorders too.
o Canals of Schlemm
 These canals are located around the perimeter of the
iris. They allow aqueous fluid to drain back into the
blood stream. The Trabecular Meshwork along with
the Canals of Schlemm regulate the eyes internal
pressure. In the eye disease called glaucoma, these
canals become blocked leading to increased pressure.
The increased pressure, from this condition, destroys
the optic nerve.
o Choroid
 The choroid is a layer of blood vessels between the
retina and sclera; it supplies blood to the retina. In the
disease called Macular Degeneration, abnormal blood
vessels grow into the space between the retina and
choroid damaging the macula.
o Ciliary Body
 This is where the Aqueous Humor is produced.
o Ciliary Muscle
 The eye can bring the fine print in a phone book into
focus, or focus in on the moon over ¼ million miles
away. The ciliary muscle changes the shape of the
lens - (this is called accommodation). It relaxes to
flatten the lens for distance vision; for close work it
contracts rounding out the lens. Everyone will develop
an eye condition called presbyopia. As we age, the
ciliary muscle and crystalline lens lose their elasticity.
This is why most people need reading glasses by their
40's.
 o Conjunctiva
 The conjunctiva is a thin, clear membrane covering the
front of the eye and inner eyelids. Cells in this lining
produce mucous that helps to lubricate the eye. This is
the eyes first layer of protection against infection.
Inflammation of this membrane is called conjunctivitis,
or pink eye.
o Cornea
 The cornea is a clear, dome-shaped surface that
covers the front of the eye. It is the first and most
powerful lens in the eye's optical system. To keep it
transparent the cornea contains no blood vessels.
Tears that flow over it and aqueous humor in the
chamber behind it keep it nourished. When you hear of
eye banks and eye transplants, it is the cornea that is
being replaced. The cornea can be damaged from:
accidents, infections, and genetic defects.
o Crystalline Lens
 The eye's crystalline lens works like the adjustable
lens in a camera. Positioned just behind the cornea; it
is responsible for keeping images in focus on the
retina. It is adjustable for distance and close work. A
cataract is the lens clouding up. This happens to most
people as they age. A few people are even born with
cataracts. Modern surgery has all but eliminated
cataracts as a cause of blindness in the developed
world.
o Eyeball
 The eye is like a little video camera measuring about 1
inch or 2.5 cm. in diameter. If someone's eyeball is
larger then this, they will be nearsighted (myopic); if it
is smaller then this, they will be farsighted (hyperopic).
Having two eyes gives us binocular vision - (depth
perception). This is due to the fusing of both images in
the visual cortex.
o Eyelashes and Eyebrows
 These specialized hairs protect the eyes from particles
that may injure them. They form a screen to keep dust
and insects out. Anything touching them triggers the
eyelids to blink.
o Eyelids
 Our eyelids protect and lubricate our eyes. Small oil-
producing glands line the inner edge of our eyelids.
These oils mix with tears when we blink, keeping the
eye moist and clean.
o Eye Socket
 The orbit or eye socket is a cone-shaped bony cavity
that protects the eye. The socket is padded with fatty
tissue that allows the eye to move easily.
o Fovea - (small pit)
 The fovea is an indentation in the center of the
macula. Its diameter is only 1.5 mm or about 1/16 inch.
This small part of our retina is responsible for our
highest visual acuity. It is the center of our central
vision.
o Lacrimal Gland - (Tear
Duct)
 This gland continually releases tears and other
protective fluids onto the surface of the eye. It
lubricates and keeps the cornea from becoming
dehydrated.
o Lacrimal Sac
 The lacrimal sac is a tiny pump that drains tears and
other debris from the eye. The fluids flow down the
nasolacrimal duct into the nose where they help keep
the nasal linings moist. This is why your nose runs
when you cry.
o Lateral Geniculate
Nucleus - (LGN)
 This part of the brain acts as a relay station; it decodes
visual information from the optic tract before sending it
to the visual cortex for final processing.
o Lens Sack or Capsule
 During modern cataract surgery the outer membrane
of the lens is left in place. The artificial intraocular lens
is placed in this sack.
o Iris
 This is the colored part of the eye: brown, green, blue,
etc. It is a ring of muscle fibers located behind the
cornea and in front of the lens. It contracts and
expands, opening and closing the pupil, in response to
the brightness of surrounding light. Just as the
aperture in a camera protects the film from over
exposure, the iris of the eye helps protect the sensitive
retina.
o Macula - (yellow spot)
 This part of the retina is the most sensitive. Its
diameter is only 7 mm or about 1/4 inch. It is
 responsible for our central, or reading vision. This part
of the retina gives us 20/20 vision. Without the macula,
you would be blind - Legally Blind that is. People with
eye diseases like Macular Degeneration have vision
from 20/200 to 20/800.
o Optic Chiasm
 This is the first part of the brain to receive visual input.
Each eye takes a slightly different picture of the world.
At the optic chiasm each picture is divided in half. The
outer left and right halves continue back toward the
visual cortex. The inner left and right halves cross over
to the other side of the brain then continue back
toward the visual cortex. See Drawing of optic
pathways.
o Optic Disk
 The optic disk is the spot on the retina where the optic
nerve leaves the eye. There are no sensory cells here,
creating a blind spot. Each eye covers for the blind
spot of the other eye and the brain fills in the missing
information.
o Optic Nerve
 Each optic nerve has about 1.2 million nerve fibers.
This is the cable connecting the eye to the brain.
o Optic Tract
 The nerves that connect the optic chiasm to the LGN
are called the optic tract. If one of these tracts is
damaged, vision will be lost in one side of each eye.
o Orbital Muscles
 Six muscles are in charge of eye movement. Four of
these move the eye up, down, left and right. The other
two control the twisting motion of the eye when we tilt
our head. Defects in these muscles and the nerves
that control them lead to conditions like Nystagmus
and Amblyopia (Lazy Eye).
o Photoreceptor Cells
 The retina is composed of two types of photoreceptor
cells. When light falls on one of these cells, it causes a
chemical reaction that sends an electrical signal to the
brain.
Cone cells give us our detailed color daytime vision.
There are 6 million of them in each human eye. Most
of them are located in the central retina - macula fovea
area. There are three types of cone cells: one
sensitive to red light, another to green light, and the
third sensitive to blue light.
Rod cells are about 500 times more sensitive to light
then cone cells; they give us our dim light or night
vision. They are also more sensitive to motion then
 cone cells. There are 120 million rod cells in the
human eye. Most rod cells are located in our
peripheral or side vision.
o Posterior Chamber
 The space between the iris and the front of the lens
filled with Aqueous Humor.
o Pupil
 The pupil is the hole in the center of the iris that light
passes through. The iris muscles control its size.
o Retina
 The retina is the film of the eye. It converts light rays
into electrical signals and sends them to the brain
through the optic nerve. The sides of the retina are
responsible for our peripheral vision. The center area,
called the macula, is used for our fine central vision
and color vision. The retina is where most the
problems leading to vision loss Occur. Three of the
leading causes of blindness, from retina damage, are
Retinitis Pigmentosa, Macular Degeneration and
Diabetic Retinopathy.
o Retinal Blood Vessels
 A doctor can see the blood vessels that supply the
retina when he looks into your eyes. These vessels
are in the choroid just beneath the retina. Abnormal
blood vessel growth and leaking blood vessels are the
cause of vision loss in eye conditions like, Diabetic
Retinopathy, ROP, and Macular Degeneration.
o Retinal Pigment
Epithelium - (RPE)
 The RPE is a layer of cells between the retina and
choroid. The inside of a camera is panted black to
absorb scattered and reflected light. The black
pigment known as melanin in the RPE dose the same
job for the eye. The RPE gets rid of waste products
produced by the photoreceptor cells. As we age, the
RPE can sometimes lose its ability to process this
waste. Deposits of this waste, called drusen, can
distort and damage the retina leading to an eye
condition called dry macular degeneration.
o Sclera
 The sclera is the white, tough wall of the eye. It along
with internal fluid pressure keeps the eyes shape and
protects its delicate internal parts.
o Uvea
 The uvea is the middle Vascular layer of the eye. It is
made up of three parts: the iris, ciliary body and
chorid. Uveitis is the inflammation (or swelling) of
these parts of the eye.
o Visual Axis
 The Visual Axis is an imaginary line drawn through the
center of the pupil to the center of the Fovea. The
orbital muscles keep the visual axis of both eyes
aligned on the center of what you are looking at
(fixation point). An eye condition called Strabismus -
(misaligned eyes) results when the orbital muscles fail
to keep the eyes in alignment. Any damage to eye
structures along this axis leads to severe vision loss.
o Visual Cortex
 The part of the brain that processes and combines
visual information from both eyes and converts it into
sight. Damage to the visual cortex results in a
condition called cortical blindness.
o Visual Fields
 The retina of each eye has two sections the nasal
retina - (nose side) and temporal retina - (ear side).
For example: with your right eye, you see the right half
of the world with your nasal retina; you see the left half
of the world with your temporal retina. The picture your
eye takes is flipped left for right and upside down; its
up to the brain to sort things out.
o Vitreous Cavity
 The space between the lens and retina filled with the
gel like Vitreous Humor.
o Vitreous Humor
 The vitreous humor is a jelly like liquid that fills most of
the eye (from the lens back). As we age it changes
from a gel to a liquid and gradually shrinks separating
from the retina. This is when people start seeing
floaters, dark specs in their vision. This is a normal
sign of aging, but in a few cases the retina can
become detached as the vitreous separates.
o Zonules
 Zonules are hundreds of string like fibers that hold the
lens suspended in position and enable it to change
shape for near or distant vision.
Four of the most common eye conditions.
 o Myopia -
(nearsightedness)
 People with Myopic vision usually have eyeballs that
are too large for their lens and cornea to focus light
properly on their retina. Eyeglasses and contact lenses
can usually correct this problem.
o Hyperopia -
(farsightedness)
 Hyperopia vision is caused by the eyeball being too
small for the lens and cornea to focus light properly on
the retina. Eyeglasses and contact lenses can usually
correct this problem.
o Presbyopia - (aging eyes)
 As people age, they often begin to have difficulty
focusing their eyes for reading or close work. It is
usually corrected with reading glasses. Some people
may need bifocal of trifocal lenses.
o Astigmatism - (distorted
vision)
 People with Astigmatism have irregularly shaped
corneas. It is usually corrected with eyeglasses or
contact lenses.
 Did you hear something? Maybe the sound you heard
was as quiet as your cat licking her paws. Or maybe it
was loud, like a siren going by. Sounds are
everywhere, and you have two cool parts on your body
that let you hear them all: your ears!
 Your ears
are in charge of collecting sounds, processing them,
and sending sound signals to your brain. And that's not
all — your ears also help you keep your balance. So if
you bend over to pick up your cat, you won't fall down
— or even worse — fall on your cat. Meow!
 The ear is made up of three different sections: the
outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. These
parts all work together so you can hear and process
sounds.
The Outer Ear: Catch the Wave
 The outer ear is called the pinna or auricle (say: or-ih-
kul). This is the part of the ear that people can see. It's
what people pierce to wear earrings and what your
friend whispers into when it's time for a secret. The
 main job of the outer ear is to collect sounds, whether
they're your friend's whispers or a barking dog.
 The outer ear also includes the ear canal, where wax
is produced. Earwax is that gunky stuff that protects
the canal. Earwax contains chemicals that fight off
infections that could hurt the skin inside the ear canal.
It also collects dirt to help keep the ear canal clean. So
earwax isn't just gross. It's gross and useful.
The Middle Ear: Good Vibrations
 After sound waves enter the outer ear, they travel
through the ear canal and make their way to the
middle ear. The middle ear's main job is to take those
sound waves and turn them into vibrations that are
delivered to the inner ear. To do this, it needs the
eardrum, which is a thin piece of skin stretched tight
like a drum.
 The eardrum separates the outer ear from the middle
ear and the ossicles (say: ah-sih-kulz). What are
ossicles? They are the three tiniest, most delicate
bones in your body. They include:
 the malleus (say: mah-lee-us), which is attached to
the eardrum and means "hammer" in Latin
 the incus (say: in-kus), which is attached to the
malleus and means "anvil" in Latin
 the stapes (say: stay-peez), the smallest bone in the
body, which is attached to the incus and means
"stirrup" in Latin
 When sound waves reach the eardrum, they cause the
eardrum to vibrate. When the eardrum vibrates, it
moves the tiny ossicles — from the hammer to the
anvil and then to the stirrup. These bones help sound
move along on its journey into the inner ear.

The Inner Ear: Nerve Signals Start Here
 Sound comes into the inner ear as vibrations and
enters the cochlea (say: ko-klee-uh), a small, curled
tube in the inner ear. The cochlea is filled with liquid,
which is set into motion, like a wave, when the ossicles
vibrate.
 The cochlea is also lined with tiny cells covered in tiny
hairs that are so small you would need a microscope
to see them. They may be small, but they're awfully
important. When sound reaches the cochlea, the
vibrations (sound) cause the hairs on the cells to
move, creating nerve signals that the brain
understands as sound. The brain puts it together and
hooray! You hear your favorite song on the radio.
Day or Night, Ears Keep You Upright
 Ears do more than hear. They keep you balanced, too.
In the inner ear, there are three small loops above the
cochlea called semicircular canals. Like the cochlea,
they are also filled with liquid and have thousands of
microscopic hairs.
 When you move your head, the liquid in the
semicircular canals moves, too. The liquid moves the
tiny hairs, which send a nerve message to your brain
about the position of your head. In less than a second,
 your brain sends messages to the right muscles so
that you keep your balance.
 Sometimes the liquid in your semicircular canals keeps
moving after you've stopped moving. To understand
this, fill a cup halfway with water. Now move the cup
around in a circle in front of you and then stop. Notice
how the water keeps swishing around, even after the
cup is still? That's what happens in your semicircular
canals when you spin in circles or go on the Tilt-A-
Whirl at the amusement park.
 When you stop spinning or step off the ride, the fluid in
your semicircular canals is still moving. The hairs
inside the canals are sensing movement even though
you're standing still. That's why you might feel dizzy —
your brain is getting two different messages and is
confused about the position of your head. Once the
fluid in the semicircular canals stops moving, your
brain gets the right message and you regain your
balance.
Three Cheers for the Ears!
 Your ears take care of you, so take care of them.
Protect your hearing by wearing earplugs at loud
music concerts and around noisy machinery, like in
wood or metal shop at school. Keep the volume down
on your stereo, especially if you're in the car or
wearing headphones.
 And one last thing — don't go poking around in your
ears, even with cotton swabs. As you probably know,
there's only one thing that's safe to put in your ear.
Your elbow, of course.
 Reviewed by: Robert C. O'Reilly, MD
Date reviewed: June 2006