UNIT ONE

The Philippines
Before Coming of
Spain
Chapter 1
The Land and People
In this chapter we will talk mainly about the Geographical location, Geographical features,
Plant and Animal life and Filipino Traits of the Philippines.

Geographical location – The Philippines is located in the southern part of Asia north of the
Equator. In terms of Latitude and Longitude. The Phil's lies between and north and
Longitude and east.
Taiwan formerly known as Formosa is located in the north part of the Phil’s, and in the western
part there lies Vietnam together with Laos and Cambodia further west beyond Vietnam is
Thailand and to the south there lies the Republic of Indonesia, to the southeast are Malaysia
and Singapore . These countries Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia together with
Brunei and the Phil’s comprise the six nation of Association of South east Asian Nations or
ASEAN.
Our country is separated from her nearest Asian neighbour's by several bodies of water. Our
shores are washed by the water of the Pacific Ocean in the East by the South China Sea an
the North and West by the Celebes Sea and the coastal waters of Borneo and the north.
Magellan is the one who discovered our country. He accidentally stumbled our
country while searching for a sea route to the Moluccas.
United States decided to take over the Phil’s from Spain with the desire to have
an economic and military across in Asia.
Geographical features – The Phil’s is an Archipelago which means “a group of
islands” our country has 7,107 big and small islands with a total land area of
300,000 sq. kl. The Phil’s has divided to three islands Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao.
There are also islands here in the Phil’s that are big as Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao{Samar 13,429 sq. km} {Palawan 14,896 sq. km} {Negros 13,672 sq.
km}
The landform in the Phil’s includes Mountain, Hills, Valleys and Plains
The Phil’s has seven {7} major mountain range, the Largest and Longest of which
is Sierra madre which faces the Pacific Ocean in the eastern coast of Luzon.
Mt. Apo is the highest peak in the country. Mt. Apo is located in Davao del Sur,
with an elevation of 2,953 meters.
Aside from Mt. Apo there are two most famous volcanoes in our
country.
Mt. Mayon in Albay which is famous for its perfect in cone.
Taal in Batangas known as the smallest volcano.
The largest valley and one of the most economically important is
the Cagayan Valley in Northern Luzon.
Cagayan Valley is considered one of the greatest tabacco
production regions in Asia.
Central plain is known as the rice granary of the Phil’s.
Climate
- The Phil’s has a tropical climate with two distinct season Dry and Rainy season.
Dry season is from March to June and the Rainy season and wet season is from July to October.
December is usually the coldest month while May is the hottest.
Typhoons are regular annual occurrence in the Philippines. This means every year and in every
month there will always be typhoon.
Plant and Animal life
- The plant and animal life in the Phil’s divided into tress, shrubs, vines and herbs.
Narra is the most famous tree in our country {Narra is our National tree}

The Animal life

- The Animal life in the Phil’s that are only found in our country. Among them are tamaraw in
Mindoro which looks like a dwarf Carabao and the Mouse-deer in Palawan which is said to be
the smallest deer in the world. Together with tarsier in Bohol, believed to be the world’s smallest
monkey.
Among the numerous species of birds in the Phil’s is the famous Monkey-eating eagle in
Mindanao. It is reputed to be the longest eagle in the world.
Filipino traits
- As a people, the Filipinos have their own character traits, some good , others
undesirable. One of the good and better known traits of the Filipinos is their
sociability and hospitability.
The average Filipino goes out of his way to welcome a visitor and make him
feel a home. The visitor is given the best food and the accommodation. The
departing visitors is usually given a “going away” present.
The Filipinos is also polite and courteous. He addresses strangers with words of
respect such us “po” or “ho”.
Many Filipinos do not mind spending lavishly to feed and entertain their visitors
during town fiesta or a family celebration such us weddings, baptism and
anniversaries. Considered embarrassing or “nakakahiya”.
Filipinos are fond of gambling, the most popular forms of gambling among the
Filipinos are Horse-racing, Jai-alai, Cockfighting, Jueteng, mah-jong and cards
games. Betting on the outcome of athlete games such us Basketball and
Boxing.
Exercises:
1.How was the geographic location of the Philippines affected our history?
2.Considering our proximity to communist Vietnam, do you think we should allow
the United states to maintain military bases in the Ph8ilippines? Explain
3.Explain how each of the following negative character traits of the Filipinos
adversely affects the economic development of the Philippines:
1.Ningas-cogon mentality
2.Bahala na attitude
3.Extravagance