Philippine Culture

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key political structure, tourism, economy, geography, and national symbols from the lecture notes.

Presidential Republic (Philippines)

A republic with a presidential form of government where power is divided among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Executive Branch

Branch responsible for enforcing laws; led by the President and Vice President who appoint the Cabinet.

Legislative Branch

Branch responsible for making laws; consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Judicial Branch

Branch that settles legal disputes; includes the Supreme Court and lower courts; empowered with Judicial Review.

Senate

Upper chamber of Congress in the Philippines.

House of Representatives

Lower chamber of Congress in the Philippines.

Regions (18 regions as of 2024)

Administrative divisions of the Philippines; Negros Island Region (NIR) created by RA 12000.

Negros Island Region (NIR)

Region encompassing Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor (including Bacolod City).

Provinces (82)

Second-level administrative divisions; total number of provinces in the Philippines.

Municipalities (1,493)

Second-level local government units below provinces; comprise towns or municipalities.

Highly Urbanized Cities (33)

Cities with a high degree of autonomy and population thresholds.

Baranggays (42,004)

Smallest administrative units; local communities within cities and municipalities.

Department of Tourism (DOT)

Executive department regulating and promoting Philippine tourism; strengthened by the Tourism Act of 2009.

Tourism Act of 2009 (RA 9593)

National policy declaring tourism as an engine of investment, employment, and development; strengthens DOT.

LOVE The Philippines

DOT’s marketing campaign to promote domestic and international tourism.

Tourism Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA)

Tourism-related value added across industries; measures tourism’s contribution to GDP.

Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)

Government agency that compiles tourism and economic data, including TDGVA and GDP shares.

National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP)

Government plan aligned with the Philippine Development Plan, setting tourism goals and targets.

NTDP Objectives (7 Main)

Goals such as improving infrastructure, digitalization, enhancing tourist experience, product development, diversification, domestic/international tourism growth, and governance.

Tourism Promotions Board (TPB)

DOT-attached agency responsible for marketing the Philippines domestically and internationally; markets the Philippines as a MICE destination.

Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA)

Agency that designates/oversees Tourism Enterprise Zones and infrastructure projects; enforces development plans.

Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC)

Body operating the duty- and tax-free merchandise system for tourists.

Intramuros Administration (IA)

DOT-attached agency restoring Intramuros and promoting it as a historical tourist destination.

National Parks Development Committee (NPDC)

Body tasked to develop and manage Rizal and Paco Parks and other parks in Manila.

Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPC)

Organization managing Nayong Pilipino Park and promoting Filipino culture.

National Parks/Nayong Pilipino linkage (NPC/NPDC)

Government bodies overseeing protected/ cultural parks as tourism assets.

Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA)

Agency to attract foreign nationals/retirees to the Philippines, contributing to development and foreign exchange.

Philippine Commission on Sports SCUBA Diving (PCSSD)

Agency regulating SCUBA diving standards and coordinating with tourism standards regulators.

Local Government Units (LGUs)

Local governments authorized to regulate food and lodging establishments, travel agencies, and related services under the Local Government Code of 1991.

Department of Transportation (DOTr)

Agency promoting and regulating transportation networks for safe and reliable travel.

Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) & Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)

Agencies ensuring safety standards and licensing for air carriers.

Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)

Agency responsible for maritime safety and regulatory oversight of ships/vessels.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)

Agency issuing, suspending, and cancelling certificates for land transportation services.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)

Agency responsible for infrastructure of roads and bridges.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

Agency handling international relations and passport services.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)

Agency overseeing protection of the natural environment.

Philippine National Police (PNP)

Agency maintaining peace and order, including safety for residents and tourists.

Top export commodities (electronics, machinery, transport equipment; other manufactured goods)

Main Philippine export product groups by value.

Top import commodities (electronics, transport equipment, cereals)

main Philippine import groups by value.

GDP growth (2020 -3.8%, 2021 +6.5%)

Projected/slowed growth rates in 2020 due to COVID-19; rebound in 2021.

Agriculture (employment 23.4% in 2019; 11% of GDP in 2014)

Agriculture’s share of employment and GDP in the Philippines.

Coconut production (world leader; 19.5 million tons in 2009)

Philippines’ position as a leading coconut producer.

Pineapple production (2.458 million metric tons in 2013)

Large pineapple output in the Philippines.

Rice production (8th in world; 2.8% of global output)

Philippines’ global standing in rice production.

Sugar production (Western Visayas top sugarcane region)

Major sugarcane production region in the Philippines.

Negros Island sugarcane share

Negros Island accounts for about half of national sugarcane output.

Geothermal electricity (2003: ~27% of total)

Geothermal power contribution to total electricity production (example year 2003).

BPO (Business Process Outsourcing)

Growing sector; Philippines as a global leader; significant employment and revenue.

Tourism’s share of GDP (TDGVA, 2019: 12.7%)

Tourism’s contribution to GDP and employment in 2019.

Inbound tourism vs Domestic tourism

Inbound tourism refers to international visitors; domestic tourism refers to residents traveling domestically.

Demographics (Population 2020 Census: 109,035,343; growth 1.63; Cavite is most populous; Batanes least)

Key population metrics and province rankings.

Negrito groups (Agta, Ati, Ayta)

Indigenous groups in the Philippines.

Palawan tribes (Batak, Palawano, Palaweño, Tagbanwa, Tau’t Bato)

Indigenous peoples of Palawan.

Mangyan (Alangan, Bangon, Buhid, Hanunoo, Iraya, Ratagnon, Tadyawan, Tawbuid)

Indigenous groups in Mindoro and nearby areas.

Chavacano (Caviteño, Cotabateño, Davaoeño, Ermiteño, Ternateño, Zamboangueño)

Spanish-influenced creole languages in the Philippines.

Cordillera Ethnolinguistic Groups (Bontoc, Ibaloi, Ifugao, Ikalahan, Isneg, Itneg, Kalinga, Kankana-ey)

Ethnolinguistic communities in the Cordillera region.

National Symbols (Lupang Hinirang, Sampaguita, Narra, Agila ng Pilipinas, Philippine Pearl, Arnis)

Official national symbols representing anthem, flower, tree, bird, gem, and sport.

National Anthem: Lupang Hinirang

Philippine national anthem, first publicly played in 1898; lyrics from Filipinas by José Palma.

National Flower: Sampaguita (Arabian Jasmine)

White star-shaped flower adopted as national flower in 1934.

National Tree: Narra (Pterocarpus indicus)

National tree; rosewood; official since 1934; endangered and protected.

National Bird: Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi)

Largest raptor in the Philippines; endangered; national bird since 1978.

National Gem: Philippine Pearl (Pinctada maxima)

South Sea pearl; declared national gem in 1996.

National Sport: Arnis

Philippine national martial art and sport; proclaimed in 2009.

Unofficial symbols: Anahaw

Common unofficial symbol; round, glossy leaves; represents strength and loyalty.

Unofficial symbol: Mango (Mangga)

National fruit; widely celebrated as a symbol of Filipino agriculture and culture.

Unofficial symbol: Carabao (Kalabaw)

National animal; water buffalo; symbol of rural life and farming.

Unofficial symbol: Bangus (Milkfish)

National fish; widely consumed; common in Filipino cuisine.

Unofficial symbol: Bahay Kubo (Nipa Hut)

National House; traditional bamboo-and-nipa hut reflecting Filipino living.

Unofficial symbol: Tinikling

National dance; involves bamboo poles and stepping between them.

National Costume: Barong Tagalog

Formal Filipino men's shirt; light, embroidered, untucked; cultural symbol.

National Costume: Baro’t Saya

Traditional Filipino woman’s attire (blouse and skirt) with layered, embroidered design.

National Hero: Dr. Jose Rizal

National hero; author of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo; Martyr of the Philippine Revolution.

National Vehicle: Kalesa

Historic horse-drawn carriage introduced in the 18th century; symbol of Filipino heritage.

Banaue Rice Terraces

Iconic Ifugao rice terraces; a UNESCO-recognized heritage site and top tourist destination.

Chocolate Hills (Bohol)

1,268 cone-shaped hills in Bohol; well-known geological formation and tourist site.

Vigan (Old World City)

Historic city in Ilocos Sur with Spanish-era architecture; UNESCO World Heritage site.

Cebu: Gateway to a Thousand Journeys

Major travel hub; noted for Magellan’s historical crossing and diverse tourism offerings.

Davao: The Land of Plenty

Region famed for food crops (bananas, fruits); hosts Kadayawan festival; large city by land area.

Palawan: The Last Frontier

Islands known for megadiversity and pristine nature; major eco-tourism destination.

Miss Universe 2016 hosting (Philippines)

Philippines hosted Miss Universe 2016; showcased hospitality and local destinations.

Spratly Islands & Kalayaan Islands

Disputed islands in the South China Sea claimed by the Philippines; linked to territorial baselines and EEZ.

Sabah Claim (Sultanate of Sulu)

Historical sovereignty dispute; Sabah claimed by Sulu sultanate based on historical leases/ titles.

Archipelago & Archipelagic Baselines

Philippines as an archipelago; baselines and maritime claims including EEZ (200 nautical miles).

St. Paul Subterranean River (Palawan)

Eight-kilometer-long underground river; notable natural feature in Palawan.

Pasig River

Main waterway linking Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay; important for Manila’s geography.

Cagayan River (Río Grande de Cagayan)

Longest river in the Philippines (about 350 km) located in Luzon.