GEOGRAPHY

CHAPTER I
THE LAND AND PEOPLE

The Philippines is an archipelago composed of 7,110 islands and islets. It belongs to the
Northern Hemisphere as it lies a little above the equator. It is part of the South East Asian
region. The national territory of the Philippines, which includes the bodies of water that
surround and within it, is approximately 114,830 square miles, which makes her larger
than New Zealand, Greece or Great Britain.
The largest island in the Philippines is Luzon (40,814 sq.miles), which is bigger than
Austria Hungary. The second largest island is Mindanao (36,906 sq miles). Luzon and
Mindanao comprise exactly 2/3 of the total land area. A few miles off the eastern shores
of Mindanao is found the Philippine Deep, an ocean trench with depths of 35,000 feet.
The Mindanao or Philippine Deep is considered one of the lowest depths in the world.
The third largest island is Samar with an area seven times smaller than Mindanao. Forty-
five islands in the archipelago account for the 98% of the land area and the 2% to be
shared by the 7,000 smaller islands and islets.
The Philippines has numerous mountains and volcanoes. Mt Apo (9,500 ft.) in Mindanao
is the highest peak. The largest mountain ranges are all found in Luzon. The Sierra
Madre, considered as the longest continuous
mountain range in the Philippines, crosses the eastern part of the province of Quezon,
Isabela and Cagayan. The Western Caraballo mountain ranges, which divide itself into
Northern 'Cordillera and Central Cordillera cross from north to south, the provinces of
Luzon located West of the Cagayan River. The Caraballo de Baler, starts from Baler
Quezon and ends in San Bernardino. This mountain range includes Mayon Volcano
(Albay), and Bulusan Volcano (Sorsogon).
Smaller mountain ranges are the Zambales range, which begins at Cape Bolinao and ends
in Bataan, and the Tagaytay Ridge, which crosses the province of Batangas. Mt Makiling
in Laguna is part of the Tagaytay Mountain Range.
Mt. Halcon in Mindoro and Mt. Kanlaon in Negros are parts of small mountain ranges
found in some island provinces.
Mindanao has four mountain ranges. They are the Eastern range, which follows the
Pacific coast in Surigao. The Central Eastern mountain range starts at Butuan and extends
to Agusan and Pulangi. The Central Western mountain range begins at Mt. Apo, follows
the boundary of Cotabato, and ends in Zamboanga. The Western mountain range starts
west of Iligan bay and ends on the coast of Basilan straits.

RIVERS AND PLAINS

Luzon has the Cagayan River, the country's longest, which drains the Cagayan Valley
(Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya); the Agno River, which Benguet, Nueva drains
Ecija, Pangasinan and Tarlac; the Abra River, which drains Abra and provinces and the
Pampanga River, which drains the valleys of Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Bulacan.
Bontoc
The Mindanao River and its main tributaries (Catisan and Pulangi Rivers) drain Central
Mindanao and receive the waters of Lanao Lake. The Agusan River drains the basin of
Surigao.
The most important and the largest single plain area in the Philippines is the Central Plain
of Luzon. It lies east of the Zambales range and extends unbroken from Lingayen Gulf to
Manila Bay. It has an area of about 100 by 400 miles. The Central Plain of Luzon is one
of the most densely populated centers in the country. The symmetrically coned Mt.
Arayat, in Pampanga is just one of the individual mountain peaks that breaks the
monotonous flatness of the plain.
The Cagayan Valley in Northern Luzon is the second largest plain in the archipelago. It
lies between the Sierra Madre and the Cordillera Central and has an area of about 120
miles from north to south, and 20 miles in width.
Two other more important coastal plains in Luzon are the Ilocos and Zambales plains.
Unlike the Central plains and the Cagayan Valley, these
plains are discontinuous and broken by traverse valleys of small rivers.
In Mindanao, the Agusan Valley and the Cotabato Valley are the largest The Agusan
Valley inland plains.
measures 110 miles in length and 20 to The Central 30 miles in width. Cotabato Valley
formed by the Mindanao River and its main tributaries has about 120 miles in length and
60 miles in width. Mindanao has several coastal plains, which became sites of cities and
ports.
COASTLINE AND MARINE RESOURCE AREAS
The Philippines has a coastline measuring approximately about 17,460 kilometers, twice
as long as that of the United States. Philippine territorial waters are extensive, about six
times the land in surface area.
The marine waters have an estimated surface area of one or two thirds million square
kilometers. There are about 6,070 square kilometers of fresh and brackish water swamps
and a total of 54 lakes measuring 1,994 square kilometers. 1
It has been the general impression that our country with its vast expanse of territorial
waters and its extensive coastline must be very rich in fish and fisheries resources.
Such
belief is only partly true, as physical geographical conditions within archipelago are not
so favorable as they seem to appear. The Philippines possesses a wide variety of fish but
This relatively in limited volume.
This could be attributed to the hydrography of the country.
The richest fishing grounds in the world are found in continental shelves where waters
are relatively shallow. The shelf is not extensive in the Philippines waters, especially in
the Pacific coastlines where some of the greatest depths of any ocean basin are found
within a few miles of the shorelines. Great rivers emptying into shallow bays can also
produce rich fishing grounds. However, Philippine streams are small in volume and can
only create minor fishing grounds.
Local fisheries resources, although widely varied in nature have not been able to produce
sufficient quantities that it is still supplemented by fish imports to satisfy home demand.
ARCHIPELAGIC PRINCIPLE OF TERRITORIALITY
Section 1 of Article 1 (National Territory) of the 1986 Constitution provides as part of the
national "The waters around, territory: between, and connecting the islands of
archipelago, regardless of their breadth and dimensions form a part of the internal waters
of the Philippines."
By the archipelagic doctrine, the Philippine archipelago shall be regarded as a single
geographic, political and economic unit, so that the waters around, between and
connecting the island form part of the national territory. The Philippines won recognition
of the archipelago concept in 1982 when 117 states that attended Nations United
the
Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS) signed it into a treaty,
The UNCLOS also recognized the Exclusive Economic Zone rights countries. of
archipelagic Presidential Decree No.1599 (June 1978) established the economic zone of
the Philippines to a distance of 200 nautical miles beyond and from the territorial
baselines, subject however to the agreements with adjacent or neighboring countries
whose zones overlaps with us.
Among the benefits the country derived from the archipelagic principles are: 2
1. Increase in the waters under Philippine jurisdiction including the exclusive economic
zone, by more than 93 million hectares; 2. Ownership of the Philippines over all
minerals, oil and living resources in the waters, the subsoil seabed and of the archipelago,
the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone around the islands and the continental
shelf beyond
200miles from the shore.
are no
more
The recognition of the archipelagic doctrine by the international community that there
meant international waters (high seas) between the different islands in the Philippines.

THE REGIONS
There are 12 regions and 2 autonomous regions in the Philippines. They are the
following:
A. Region I- Ilocos Norte (Laoag City), Ilocos Sur (Vigan). La Union (San Fernando)
and Pangasinan (Lingayen).
B. Region II- Batanes (Basco), Cagayan (Tuguegarao), Isabela (Ilagan), Nueva Vizcaya
(Bayombong).
(Cabarroguis).Quirino
C. Region III- Bataan (Balanga), Bulacan (Malolos), Nueva Ecija (Palayan City),
Pampanga (San Fernando), Tarlac (Tarlac),Zambales (Iba).
D. Region IV- Batangas (Batangas City), Cavite (Imus), Laguna (Sta Cruz), Quezon
(Lucena City), Marinduque Occidental(Boac),Mindoro (Mamburao), Oriental Mindoro
(Calapan City), Palawan (Puerto Princesa), Rizal (Pasig), Romblon (Romblon), Aurora
(Baler).
E. Region V- Albay (Legaspi City), Camarines Norte (Daet), Camarines Sur (Naga City),
Catanduanes (Virac), Masbate(Masbate),(Sorsogon),Sorsogon
F. Region VI- Aklan (Kalibo), Antique (San Jose), Capiz (Roxas City), Guimaras
(Jordan), Iloilo (Iloilo City), Negros Occidental (Bacolod). G. Region VII- Bohol
(Tagbilaran City), Cebu (Cebu City), Negros Oriental (Dumaguete City), Siquijor.
H. Region VIII- Leyte (Tacloban City), Eastern Samar (Borongan), Northern Samar
(Catarman), Western Samar (Catbalogan), Southern Leyte (Maasin), Biliran (Naval).
I. Region IX- Basilan (Isabela de Basilan), Zamboanga del Norte (Dipolog City),
Zamboanga del Sur (Pagadian City).
J. Region X- Agusan del Norte (Butuan City), Agusan del Sur (Prosperidad),
(Malaybayo). (Mambajao), Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental (Oroquieta City),
Misamis Oriental (Cagayan de Oro City), Surigao del Norte (Surigao City).
K. Region XI- Davao del Norte (Tagum), Davao Oriental (Mati), Davao del Sur (Digos),
South Cotabato (Koronadal), Surigao del Sur (Tandag). L. Region XII- Lanao del Norte
(Tubod), North Cotabato (Kidapawan), Sultan Kudarat (Isulan).
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM): Lanao del Sur (Marawi City),
Maguindanao (Magahoy), Sulu (Jolo), Tawi-Tawi (Bongao).
Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR): Ifugao (Lagawe), Kalinga Apayao (Tabuk),
Abra (Bangued), Benguet (La Trinidad), Mountain Province (Bontok).
National Capital Region (NCR): Manila, Caloocan City, Quezon City, Pasay City,
Makati, Malabon, Malabon, Manadaluyong City, Marikina, Muntinlupa City, Navotas,
Paranaque, Pasig City, Pateros, Las Pinas, San Juan, Taguig Taguig and Valenzuela.
(There are 79 provinces and 99 cities (2000 census and statistics)

VOLCANOES AND EARTHQUAKES

The Philippines is within what is called fiery circle or the seismic belt, that is, it lies in
the path of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. There are more than 50 volcanoes in the
country with about 10 of them considered active. Most famous of these volcanoes are
Mayon in Albay, Taal in Batangas, Banahaw in Quezon, Bulusan Sorsogon, Apo in
Mindanao, Hibok- Hibok in Camiguin Island and Iraya in Batanes.
In June 1991, Mt. Pinatubo, a volcano in previously "sleeping" Zambales erupted and
caused havoc and damage that it is now considered as the world's worst volcanic eruption
in 20th century.
There are over 100 seismic faults running along the country. The main Philippine fault
runs northwest to southeast from Lingayen Gulf across It crosses the North Central
Luzon. Bicol provinces, continues through the eastern part of Masbate then to Central
Leyte before continuing southward A belt through eastern Mindanao. which parallels the
main Philippine fault, is marked by mountains and active volcanoes.

CLIMATE
The Philippines has a humid tropical climate. There are two distinct seasons: the dry
season, which extends
from March to June, and the wet season, which lasts from July to October. The period
from November to February, the so- called "Filipino Springtime" is generally cool; May
is usually the hottest month of the year while January is the coldest.
Generally, typhoons become part of the Filipino way of life. They influence weather and
climate of the Most destructive typhoons country. recently were Dading (1964), Meding
(1980), Titang (1970), Ruping (1990), Ilyang (1998) and Loleng (1998).

NATURAL RESOURCES
The Philippines is endowed by nature with fertile soil and rich natural resources.
The main agricultural crops are rice, and coconuts, corn, abaca, sugar tobacco. Arable
lands extend up to 15 million hectares but only one third is cultivated. Other farm
products include bananas, pineapples, mangoes, beans and sweet potatoes.
Mining products include copper, gold, silver, zinc, nickel, chromiu Non-metallic
manganese, and lead. minerals like gravel, salt, clay, coal, sulphur, asbestos, limestone
and marble are found in the Philippines.
The recent oil and natural gas discoveries in offshore Palawan will surely improve our
economy, if found out later on to be substantial for " commercial exploitation.
In Asia, the Philippines ranks third in forest reserves and has 3,800 species of trees. There
are 2,000 species of fish in the Philippines. The 50 ft. or more whale shark is found in the
Philippines. So is the pandaka pygmea (9.66mm), the smallest fish in the world.
There are 10,000 species of shells in the Philippines. The "glory of sea", the world's most
expensive shell and the 600 pounds tridacna gigas, the world's largest shell are also found
in the Philippines.
NATURAL WONDERS AND SCENIC SPOTS
The Ifugao Rice Terraces in Banawe, Northern Luzon, is considered as the eight wonders
of the world. Built more than 2,000 years ago, it extends, if measured from end to end to
14,000 miles, 10,000 miles longer than the Great Wall of China. But unlike the Great
Wall or the Pyramids of Egypt, the Ifugao Rice Terraces were not built on the toils and
blood of slaves, but were built by our ancestors "labor of love".
The Mayon Volcano in Albay province is famous for its almost perfect cone. Taal
Volcano at center of Lake Taal is regarded as the smallest volcano in the world.
Other natural wonders, include the 1,000 Chocolates Hills of Bohol, the "Cathedral"
Caves of Callao in Cagayan Province; the Hundred Islands of Pangasinan, the
Underground River in Palawan; the Maria Cristina Falls in Mindanao, the Pagsanjan
Falls in Laguna and the majestic Mt. Banahaw in Quezon province.

ORIGIN OF THE PHILIPPINES

The widely accepted scientific theories about the origin of the Philippines are: 1. The
land bridge theory 2. Part of a lost continent 3. Volcanic in origin
The land bridge theory was considered by some earlier scientists and scholars as the most
plausible. This theory states that the Philippine archipelago was once a part of mainland
Asia. The Philippines was a landmass bridging the Asian continent to Indonesia, New
Guinea up to the Australian Continent. About 250,000 years ago, during the post glacial
period, the worlds ice melted causing the rise of the sea levels submerging lower regions
which included the land bridges linking main land China and the Philippines. What were
not submerged became the archipelagoes of the Philippines and Indonesia.
'Some American geographers and geologists theorized that the Philippines and Indonesia
were remnants of a Pacific continent called Mu or Lemuria, which had sunk during
prehistoric period. This opinion was influenced by the legend of the lost continent of
Atlantis, which was popularized by earlier European writers. This theory however is
slowly becoming myth to modern geologists who considered it to have no scientific basis.
Post-war geologists notably Dr. Brailey Willis and Dr. Fritjoh Voss, however, maintain
that the Philippines is volcanic in origin. Dr. Voss, a German geologist studied the earth
crust of China and the Philippines and he found out that China's earth crust does not
extend to the Philippines. These finding according to him dispute the land bridge theory.
The Philippines, he stated, was never part of mainland Asia and that the Philippine
archipelago rose from the bottom of the ocean- a result of the eruptions of sea volcanoes.
THE FILIPINO RACE
According to H. Otley Beyer, the eminent anthropologist of the American period,
Filipinos are predominantly Asian in race. Their racial mixture is as follows: Malay,
40%; Indonesian, 30%; Negrito, 10%; Chinese, 10%; Indian, 8%; American, 3%; and
Arab, 2%.
century,
Until the end of the 19th the word "Filipino" was referred to the Insulares (Spaniards who
were born in the Philippines). It was Rizal and the who other Filipino propagandists
started to use the term Filipino to refer to the natives.
The major ethnic groups in the Philippines consist of the Tagalogs, Visayans, Ilocanos,
Pampanguenos, Bicolanos, Pangasinenses, Ibanags, They are the Itawes and Zambals.
descendants of the colonials who were subjugated by both Spain and the U.S. and are
now Christians and more westernized than other ethnic Filipino minority groups.
The non-Christian minorities of Mindanao and Sulu practice Islam. They were called
Moros (from the Muslim Moors, who occupied Southern Spain after the Dark Ages) by
Spanish colonizers. The cultural minorities of the Cordillera consist of the Igorots.
Ifugaos, Apayaos. Bontoks Kalingas. The Mangyans of Mindoro. the Bagobos and
Manobos of Mindanao and the Atis (Negritoes) of the hinterlands are also included in
these minority groups. They were not fully subjugated neither by the Spaniards nor the
Americans, the reason why they retained their cultural traditions and religion.

THE EARLIEST PEOPLE

Many theories have been written on the origin of the humans in the Philippines but no
definite evidence can show how and when the first people arrived in these parts.
Biblical theory states that humankind descended from Adam and Eve while scientists
stick to the evolutionary theory.
Filipino myth and folklore state that the first Filipino male was Malakas, and Maganda
was his mate, who both emerged from the splitting of a bamboo.

MIGRATION THEORY
Dr. H.O. Beyer's migration theory arranged the peopling of the Philippines with the
coming of the Dawn Man the pre-historic cousin of the Java man and Peking man of
250,000 years ago.
During the middle Pleistocene period (Ice Age), roughly about 250,000 BC, man first
appeared in the Philippines via the land bridges, which connected mainland Asia and the
Philippines.
The "Dawn Man" might have reached the Philippines while hunting rhinoceros, wild
boars, elephants and other prehistoric animals.

ASIAN MIGRATIONS
According to Prof. Beyer, three Asian peoples, the Negritoes, the Indonesians, and the
Malays migrated to the Philippines long before the birth of Christ. not self-reliant
The Negritoes the first inhabitants came to our country about 22,000 BC from mainland
Asia via the land bridges. These kinky, dark-haired and black skinned pygmies had a
primitive culture, which belonged to the Paleolithic (Old Stone) Age. They were nomadic
and hunting was their chief activity. They had no government, no system of laws, no
writing, no arts, and sciences. Fruit gathering and roots supplemented their source of
food.
The Indonesians came into the Philippines in two waves; the first wave at about 3,000
BC, and the second wave about 1,000 BC. They were boat people who brought with them
their Neolithic (New Stone) Age culture. They lived in organized settlements, had
primitive system of customary laws and introduced crude (slash and burn) agriculture and
mining. They knew how to use copper tools and implements. Hunting, fishing, root and
fruit gathering were other sources of livelihood. The Indonesians were the ancestors of
the ethnic groups in
Northern Luzon namely: the Ibanags, Kalingas, Gaddangs, Apayaos, Ifugaos and the
Igorots. They were taller, slender and fairer in complexion than the Negritoes.
They Indonesians developed a system of subsistence economy that provided them barely
enough for their needs. The fertility of the soil and abundance of natural resources gave
them the natural reasons to exist on a day-to-day basis.
The Malays came in three waves; the first group brought their mining and smelting
technology, and their agricultural system. They were headhunters who chiefly depended
on hunting, fishing and fruit gathering They developed terrace agriculture with elaborate
irrigation systems. The second group brought their syllabary system of writing. They
were called the alphabet- using Malays.
The third group composed the Muslim Malays. They introduced Islam in the Philippines.
They were more advanced culturally and economically than the Indonesians. Their
culture belonged to the Iron and Porcelain periods. They lived in organized communities
called the barangay. They had domestic and foreign barter trade, wet agriculture and
industries (mining, smelting, fishing, lumbering, pottery, weaving and building).
Most of the Malay settlements were coastal or riverine in location. This was because the
main source of food came from rivers and seas and hunting became a secondary source.
Furthermore, people principally traveled by water. Lastly, such location of the
settlements contributed to the accessibility to domestic and foreign traders.

THE FIRST FILIPINO

The first known- Filipino is the Tabon Man who lived in Palawan at about 22,000 BC
(The skull cap of this Stone Age human was discovered by Dr. Robert Fox inside Tabon
Cave in 1962).
The Tabon Man was of medium height, and had a high eyebrow and sloping forehead,
two characteristics of a much earlier pre- prominent historic men, Java man and the
Peking man. His survival depended on forest fruits, roots and edible plants, and the
hunting of wild animals with his crude implements. The level of existence of those first
humans is characterized by constants struggle against nature. The homonization process
included adaptability to climate and habitat, and the defense against the wild animals and
sometime hostile tribes.

CHARACTER TRAITS OF THE FILIPINOS

HOSPITABLE, GENTLE AND PEACEFUL
The Filipinos are gentle and hospitable people. They consider it a privilege to be able to
offer help and friendship to all foreigners, including former enemies (like the Japanese)
who come to the country. They overdo their hospitality to a fault that some aliens tend to
miscontrue-such action as a sign of racial inferiority. Some Filipinos
even went to the extend of calling the lady entertainers "good time" Ermita's red light
district as hospitality girls, which of course is a misnomer.
The gentleness of Filipino is seen in their proverbial ubiquitous smile. They smile even in
times of crises. They attend serious rallies as if they are attending picnics. A cursory
glance at the throng in every rally or demonstration and one will surely see the smiling
faces. Foreign correspondents and observers, who visited the country during the first two
years of Martial law, described the imposition as "smiling" martial law.
The peaceful character of Filipino could be traced through the numerous blood compacts.
by the treaties of friendship, the pledges of cooperation made between Filipinos and
foreigners in our history as a people. Perhaps we are the only country in world where
coup d'etats were just accoustic encounters (more sound than casualties) between the
government forces and the coup plotters. It was not a racle nor cowardice for both
combatants in the seven coups mounted against the Cory government that the total
number of casualties did not exceed to hundreds despite the use of modern and heavy
weapons by both sides.

RELIGIOSITY
Filipinos are deeply spiritual and religiously devoted. According to recent findings of
Social Weather Station (1991), it showed that "about eight out of ten Filipinos have
strong beliefs about their religion and these beliefs are stronger, the more urbanized the
area. The same survey noted that 86% of Filipinos have no doubts at all about the
existence of God and that 78% of them believe that the courses of their lives is decided
by God. Females pray more frequently than males, and the older generation prays
frequently than the
generation.3
The best indicator of Filipinos deep-seated religiosity can now be seen through the
regular attendance of the multitude of devotees in El Shaddai, (a Catholic charismatic
group) prayer meetings every Saturday at the PICC (Philippine Internation Convention
Center). Storm or shine, El Shaddai devotees crowd the PICC grounds to the rim.
On May 1 2001 the masa "loyalists" of deposed President Joseph Estrada rioted and
rampaged along Mendiola to the gates of Malacanang in protest against what they
perceived as government mistreatment of their idol and leader.

ADAPTABILITY AND RESILIENCY

Filipinos can integrate in any culture and can cope in any climate. International shipping
companies prefer Filipino seamen due to these qualities. Throughout history, Filipinos
experienced abuses, brutalities, calamities and other depredations but they endured these
sufferings. Perhaps of all people the Filipino is known to laugh off his miseries.

LOYALTY AND GRATITUDE

Filipinos are loyal and grateful- to friends who are good and Ever reliable in both good
times and in adversity. The phrase mabuting kaibigan, masamang kaaway seems to be
typical Filipino in terms with their relationship with others. Filipinos are ever grateful to
their benefactors and their utang na loob (debt of gratitude) would be subsequently
expressed in ways like; making the benefactors a godfather or godmother to weddings or
baptism of children.
More than ten years have passed since the passing of Marcos era, but his "loyalists"
continue to support the Marcos family in elections. These Marcos minions regularly stage
demonstration or lobby actions in support of any Marcos-oriented cause.

CLOSE FAMILY TIES

The Filipino generally has an extended family structure; it consists of grandparents,
parents, children and children's children. The success or failure of member of the family
is a collective concern and responsibility of the family, thus one can see the elaborate
send-off for one who leaves for overseas job and the reception when he will decide to
return home. This process of hatid and salubong practically involves the family and
relatives.
Part of the responsibility is for successful members to help not only their immediate
families but also of unfortunate close relatives. Invariably, the better off members
become cousellor, concillator, reference, and creditor to poor relatives. Finally, In the
event of death of a family member, this requires everyone in the immediate family to
attend the funeral, even if one at that precise moment is working in the North Pole.

REGIONALISTIC
As an extension of clannishness, the Filipinos tend to be regionalistic. This regionalistic
feeling is clearly manifested in the varsitarian groups (Samahang Ilocano, Mekeni, Bicol,
Ibanag, Mindoreno Varsitarians, etc) in college and universities. In our prisons, we also
have gangs like to OXO (Visayans), the GI (Genuine Ilocano), the Sigue-Sigue and
Bahala Na (Tagalogs banding themselves because of regional oneness. The so- called
Solid-North always voted for Ilocano Presidents and Senators in national elections.
Among the Filipinos, the Ilocanos are the most regionalistic.
Thus, this strong regionalistic sentiment among Filipinos more often resulted to one
regional group pitting itself against another. An ethnic group, which is perceived as
inferior is usually the object of laughter and derision in barber-shop jokes.
RESPECT FOR ELDERS
A character trait that has remained a customary law among Filipinos is respect for elders.
Generally speaking, Filipino parents do not condone children talking back to them.
Respect for elders includes respect for the authority of elder brothers and sisters. It is the
obligation of the kuya and ate to perform the duties of parents to the younger members of
the family. The words po, ho, opo, oho in our language definitely show respect for elders.
In the countrysides, the elders almost always demand that they must be obeyed by
younger members of the family, right or wrong. They believe and that because of their
age experience, they should know better. These statements, "Papunta ka pa lang, pauwi
na ako", "marami ka pang kakaining bigas" or "may gatas ka pa sa labi" are constant
reminders that put a younger person in place. However, this kind of elderly attitude,
however, reinforces lack of initiative and blind obedience among the young.
Kissing the hands of elders is another way of showing respect. The"mano po" act is
traditionally done by children during visits to older relatives and friends of the family.
The 1987 Philippine Constitution is probably the organic law in the world that
specifically provides that the care of aged and elderly citizens should be the duty of the
family (Section 4, Article 15).
GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. Explain these terms:
A. Archipelagic Doctrine B. Migration Theory
C. Voss Theory D. Tabon Man E. Fiery Circle
F. Dawn Man
G. Lost Continent Theory
H. Insulares
L Land Bridge Theory
J. Hydrography
2. Cite and describe some of the natural wonders of the Philippines.
3. How were the land bridge theory disputed by geologists?
4. What were the cultural contributions of the following:
A. Malays
B. Indonesians
C. Negritoes
5. Discuss the character traits of the Filipinos.