8/13/22, 2:16 PM Philippines - Wikipedia

Philippine media uses mainly Filipino and English, though broadcasting has shifted to Filipino.[390] There are large numbers of
both radio stations and newspapers.[588] The top three newspapers by nationwide readership as well as credibility[589] are the
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, and The Philippine Star.[590][591] While freedom of the press is protected by the
constitution, the country is very dangerous for journalists.[588][592]

The dominant television networks were ABS-CBN and GMA, both being free-to-air.[588] ABS-CBN, at the time the largest
network[593] was shut down following a cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission on May
5, 2020, a day after the expiration of the network's franchise.[594] Prior to this move, Duterte accused ABS-CBN of being biased
against his administration and vowed to block the renewal of their franchise. Critics of the Duterte administration, human rights
groups, and media unions said the shutdown of ABS-CBN was an attack on press freedom.[593][595] On July 10, 2020, the House
of Representatives declined a renewal of ABS-CBN's TV and radio franchise, with a vote of 70–11.[593]

TV, the Internet,[596] and social media remain the top source of news and information for the majority of Filipinos as newspaper
readership continues to decline.[597][598] English broadsheets are popular among executives, professionals and students.[599]
Cheaper Tagalog tabloids, which feature crime, sex, gossips and gore, saw a rise in the 1990s, and tend to be popular among the
masses, particularly in Manila.[599][600][601]

Estimates for Internet penetration in the Philippines vary widely ranging from a low of 2.5 million to a high of 24 million
people.[602][603] Social networking and watching videos are among the most frequent Internet activities.[604] The Philippine
population is the world's top internet user.[605] The Philippines was ranked 51st in the Global Innovation Index in 2021, it has
increased its ranking considerably since 2014, where it was ranked 100th.[606][607][608][609]

Cuisine

Regional variations exist throughout the islands, for example rice is a standard starch in Luzon while cassava is more common in
Mindanao.[610] Filipino taste buds tend to favor robust flavors,[611] but the cuisine is not as spicy as those of its neighbors.[612]
Unlike many Asians, most Filipinos do not eat with chopsticks; they use Western cutlery. Since rice is the primary staple food and
stews and broths are very common in Filipino cuisine, the main of utensils are spoons and forks, not knife and fork.[613]

The traditional way of eating with the hands known as kamayan (using the hand for bringing food to the mouth)[614] was
previously more often seen in the less urbanized areas.[610] Introduction of Filipino food to people of other nationalities, as well
as to Filipino urbanites, has popularized kamayan.[615][616] This recent trend also sometimes incorporates the "boodle fight"
concept (as popularized and coined by the Philippine Army), wherein banana leaves are used as giant plates on top of which rice
portions and Filipino viands are placed all together for a filial, friendly or communal kamayan feasting.[617]

Sports

Basketball is played at both amateur and professional levels and is considered to be the most
popular sport in the Philippines.[618] In 2010, Manny Pacquiao was named "Fighter of the
Decade" for the 2000s by the Boxing Writers Association of America.[619] The national
martial art and sport of the country is Arnis.[620][621] Sabong or cockfighting is another
popular entertainment especially among Filipino men and was documented by Magellan's
voyage as a pastime in the kingdom of Taytay.[622]

The men's national football team has participated in one Asian Cup.[623] In January 2022, the Philippines men's national
women's national football team qualified in their first FIFA World Cup—the 2023 FIFA basketball team celebrating the
Women's World Cup—upon defeating Chinese Taipei 4–3 in a penalty shootout after finishing 2015 Southeast Asian Games
1–1 in extra time. championship.

Beginning in 1924, the Philippines has competed in every Summer Olympic Games, except
when they sat out during the American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics.[624][625] The Philippines is the first tropical
nation to compete at the Winter Olympic Games debuting in the 1972 Olympics.[626][627] In 2021, the country tallied its first ever
Olympic gold medal via weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz's victory at the Tokyo Olympics.[628]

See also
Outline of the Philippines

Notes

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