Bshm 60

Module 1. PHILIPPINE CULTURE AND TOURISM  

An overview: 

The Philippines is a beautiful and archipelagic country. On top of its natural and cultural/heritage  attractions are the friendliest, most hardworking, and considered the most hospitable people in the  world. Filipinos are bilingual, making it easy for foreign tourists communicate with locals of different  destinations. 

Being a tourism professional, let’s start with knowing the domestic flights.  

THE PHILIPPINES HAS SEVERAL UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES What is UNESCO? 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage  the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world  considered to be of “outstanding value to humanity”.

BSHM 60- PHILIPPINE TOURISM, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE MELISSA FABICON PHILIPPINE TOURISM OVERVIEW, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE 

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Cavite State University- Carmona Campus 

 Department of Management 

 Carmona, Cavite 

Two distinct types of tourism: 

• International Tourism- tourism that crosses national borders 

• Domestic Tourism- defined as travel made within one’s country of residence 

As domestic tourism develops, economic and socio-cultural impacts and environmental protection need  to be addressed. 

Economic Aspect 

➢ Economic vantage point, domestic tourism contributes vastly in increasing a country's economic  activity. 

➢ In the Philippines, domestic tourism activity has become increasingly high. 

➢ Domestic tourists outnumber international tourists ten times more. 

Socio-cultural Aspect 

➢ The Philippine culture is a blend of the Malay-Polynesian, Hispanic, and western cultures with  some influence from the Chinese and other Asian cultures. 

➢ Spain colonizes us for more than 300 years and the Americans thereafter, have made the  Filipinos a melting pot of different cultures.  

➢ With the increasing number of Overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and international travel, the  Filipino culture continues to evolve. 

➢ Filipinos have a very strong sense of family and kapwa (others). This is evident in the way we  give importance to our relationships with others.  

Environmental Protection 

➢ One of the major threats to environmental protection is the continuous growth of tourism  industry 

➢ The implementation of laws and other policies in favor of the environment has to be strictly  enforced for tourism development to be sustainable 

➢ The Philippines has the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to oversee  the protection of the environment in line with proposed tourism development in various areas. 

The 4A’s of Tourism 

The succeeding chapters are organized in a manner that is in line with the 4A’s of Tourism access, attractions, accommodations and activities. 

The 4A’s need to be addressed for domestic tourism to flourish in any destination. 

1. Access- land, sea, and air access to and from the destination as well as within the destination  should be relatively fast and easy.  

2. Attractions- the main reason tourists go to a destination is because of its attractions.

BSHM 60- PHILIPPINE TOURISM, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE MELISSA FABICON PHILIPPINE TOURISM OVERVIEW, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE 

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Cavite State University- Carmona Campus 

 Department of Management 

 Carmona, Cavite 

3. Accommodations- There should be a wide range of accommodations that vary from budget, mid range, and deluxe. This way, the destination can attract tourists from a wide demographic profile. 4. Activities- The destination should also offer a variety of activities located close to each other.  

Basic facts about the Philippines 

A. Islands in the Philippines 

1. Largest island in the Philippines 

Luzon Island, located in the northern region of the archipelago, is the country's largest and most  populous island.  

2. Smallest island in the Philippines 

The Philippines consists of thousands of islands and there is no known smallest island using any  known technical definition and due to high tide and low tide variations. 

3. Number of Islands 

There are 7,641 islands in the Philippines (Barile 2017). Only around 2000 are inhabited 

4. Length of Coastline 

Estimates of the total length of the coastline range from 17,500 kilometers (official Philippine  figure) to 36,289 kilometers (U.S. figure) (Library of Congress. Federal Research Division 2006). 

B. Major Landforms 

1. Highest point: Mount Apo 

Mount Apo is the largest and the tallest solfataric mountain on the island of Mindanao and in the entire  Philippines, and has an elevation of 9,692 ft. and is located between the city of Davao and the province  of Davao Del Sur. 

2. Oldest Province: Aklan 

Originally called Minuro, Aklan is considered as the oldest province in the Philippines.  3. Number of Provinces 

There are 81 Provinces as of March 31, 2018 (Philippine Statistics Authority 2018). 4.A. Largest Province 

Palawan is the largest in terms of land area at 17,030.75 sq. kms. Oo

4.B. Smallest Province 

Batanes has a land area of 203.22 sq. kms. (De la Rosa, Fiestada, Sanchez, and Mangahas 2018).

BSHM 60- PHILIPPINE TOURISM, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE MELISSA FABICON PHILIPPINE TOURISM OVERVIEW, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE 

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Cavite State University- Carmona Campus 

 Department of Management 

 Carmona, Cavite 

C. Climate Information 

➢ The first half of the year, from January to May, is the best time to visit the country. November to  February is cool, while March to May is hot and dry. 

➢ June to October is rainy, with the months between July and September characterized by  typhoons. 

D. Language 

The Philippines has two official languages, Filipino (or Pilipino) and English. 

E. Major Ethnic Groups 

➢ The richness of the Philippines does not end with just its aesthetic appeal, but beyond what the eyes  can see in photos and videos, is the vibrant feel of its people 

➢ The Philippines has more than 100 ethnic groups.  

Philippine Culture 

a blend of the Malayo-Polynesian and Hispanic culture with the influence from Chinese, Indians,  Arabs, and other Asian cultures as manifested in various customs and traditions of the Filipinos. 

Filipinos have the concept of kapwa (others) to refer to other people as an extension of themselves. ➢ Filipinos are lovers of art as evidenced by their folk songs, cultural dances, rituals, festivals, intricate  architecture of churches and ancestral houses. 

➢ Filipinos love to celebrate and gather with family and friends. Filipinos find reason to celebrate  any and all occasions. 

➢ Religion is an integral and inseparable aspect of Filipino Culture 

➢ Filipinos are generally family-oriented with adult children continuing to stay in the family home ➢ Each region has its unique and distinct characteristics influenced by its own history and culture 

F. Threats to preservation of culture 

➢ Language is said to be the bearer of culture 

➢ Mass media through radio, television, print, and more recently, social media, has provided a  window to the world. 

➢ New tastes, needs, and opinions are created which contributes to the destruction of traditional value  systems. 

G. Life expectancy 

Source: United Nations Development Programme  

Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2017.

BSHM 60- PHILIPPINE TOURISM, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE MELISSA FABICON PHILIPPINE TOURISM OVERVIEW, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE 

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Cavite State University- Carmona Campus 

 Department of Management 

 Carmona, Cavite 

The average life expectancy in the Philippines has been steadily increasing over the years. As of 2024, the current life expectancy for the Philippines is approximately 71.79 years. This represents  a significant improvement compared to previous decades. 

Module 2. CALABARZON

An Overview:

Rich in culture, heritage, and tradition, the CALABARZON Region takes pride in its many attractions that date back to the Spanish era. Its regional capital is Calamba City, Laguna.

Trece Martires in Cavite was

named in honor of the

Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite,

and each of its 13 barangays

were named after these

martyrs. The martyrs include

Maximo Inocencio, Luis

Aguado, Hugo Perez,

Victoriano Luciano, Jose

Lallana, Antonio San

Agustin, and Agapito

Conchu. On May 24, 2004, a

monument of the thirteen

patriots was inaugurated in

Trece Martires near the City

Hall.

It is bordered by Region V to the east. The region is the 12th largest region in the Philippines, with an area of 16,873.31km.

BSHM 60- PHILIPPINE TOURISM, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE MELISSA FABICON PHILIPPINE TOURISM OVERVIEW, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE

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Cavite State University- Carmona Campus

Department of Management

Carmona, Cavite

Province

Provincial

Capital

No.of

Cities

No. of

Municipalities

No.of

Barangays

Major Industries

Batangas Batangas City

4

31

1,078

Agriculture, fishing,

livestock, trade and

commerce

Cavite

Imus City

7

16

829

Agriculture, fishing,

livestock and poultry, trade and commerce, industrial zones

Laguna

Sta. Cruz

6

23

681

Agriculture, fishing, trade and commerce, tourism, manufacturing, industrial zones

Quezon

Lucena City

2

39

1,242

Agriculture, fishing,

industrial zones

Rizal

Antipolo

City

1

13

189

Agriculture, trade and commerce, tourism,

textile, manufacturing, mining

Total

20

122

4,019

The 20 cities of the region are

1. Antipolo City (Rizal) 16. Lipa City (Batangas)

2. Bacoor City (Cavite) 17. Tanauan City (Batangas) 3. Cavite City (Cavite) 18. Sto. Tomas City (Batangas) 4. Imus City (Cavite) 19. Lucena City (Quezon)

5. Trece Martirez City (Cavite) 20. Tayabas City (Quezon)

6. Tagaytay City (Cavite)

7. Dasmariñas City (Cavite)

8. General Trias City (Cavite)

9. City of Biñan (Laguna)

10. Cabuyao City (Laguna)

11. Calamba City (Laguna)

12. San Pablo City (Laguna)

13. San Pedro (Laguna)

14. Sta. Rosa City (Laguna)

15. Batangas City (Batangas)

A. Port of Access

By Sea: Batangas Port

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Cavite State University- Carmona Campus

Department of Management

Carmona, Cavite

By Land: via Pan-Philippine Highway via Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR Tollway) via SLEX or CAVITEX

B. Attractions and Activities

Provinces

Historical, Cultural, and

Heritage Attractions

Natural Attractions

Built Attractions

(Man-made Attractions)

Batangas

• Taal Heritage Village

• Mabini Shrine

• Gen. Malvar Museum

• Jose Laurel Memorial

Library

• Punta de Santiago

Lighthouse

• Faro de Punta de

Malabrigo Lighthouse

• Tanauan Church

• Basilica of the Immaculate Concepcion

• Church of Guillermo

• Our Lady of Casasay

Shrine

• Calatagan

Mangrove Forest

• Taal Lake and

Volcano

• Verde Island

Passage

• San Juan Laiya

Beach

• Tingga Falls

• Ilijan Falls

• Bulalacao Falls

• Mahabang

Buhangin Beach

• Plaza Mabini

• Heroes Promenade • San Lorenzo Step

• Old House of the

Agoncillo Family

• Dona Marcela

Agoncilla Museum

Cavite

• Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine

• Corregidor Island

• Fort San Felipe

• Dasmarinas Catholic

Church

• Andres Bonifacio House • Tejeros Convention Site • Mile-long Barracks

• Malinta Tunnel

• Tagaytay Ridge

• Cabag Cave

• Mt. Palay palay and Mt. Mataas

na Gulod

National Park

• Pico de Loro

• Balite Falls

• Malicbic Falls

• Cavite City Library • Thirteen Martyrs

Centennial Plaza

Laguna

• Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery

• Japanese Garden

• Rizal Shrine

• Pila Heritage Site

• San Isidro de Labrador

Parish

• Mt. Makiling

• Pagsanjan Falls

• Taytay Falls

• Panguil River

Eco Park

• Cavinti

Underground

River

• Pansol Private

Resorts

• Enchanted

Kingdom

• Villa Escudero

• Lake Caliraya

• Nuvali

• Splash Island

• National Arts

Center

BSHM 60- PHILIPPINE TOURISM, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE MELISSA FABICON PHILIPPINE TOURISM OVERVIEW, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE

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Cavite State University- Carmona Campus

Department of Management

Carmona, Cavite

Quezon

• San Isidro Labrador Parish • Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel

• Lucena Cathedral

• Quezon Museum

• Cagbalete Island • Salibungot

Beach

• Dampalitan

Beach

• Quezon

National Park

• Minasawa Bird

Sanctuary

• Kamay ni Hesus

Shrine

• Coconut Pavillion

Rizal

• Antipolo Cathedral

• Tanay Church

• Manaoag Shrine

• Angono Mural Street

• Masungi

Georeserve

• Daranak Falls

• Calinawan Cave • Daraitan River

• Tinipak River

• Wawa Dam

• Pamitinan

Protected

Landscape

• Tanay Parola

• Regina Rica

• Pililla Windmills

• Bahay na Bato

• Avilon Zoo

• Pinto Art Museum

C. Food and Delicacies

Batangas

Cavite

Laguna

Quezon

Rizal

• Bulalo

• Kaldereta

• Batangas

Lomi

• Goto

• Tapang

Taal

• Kapeng

Barako

• Pansit

Pusit

• Quesillo

• Bibingkoy

• Bitchokoy

• Biyuko

• Tamales

• Bibingkang

Abnoy

• Bibingka de Macapuno

• Cassava

Cake

• Sinigang na Baka with

Langka

• Uraro

(arrowroot

cookies)

• Kinulob na Itik

• Lucban

Longganisa

• Pancit

Habhab

• Hardinera

• Budin

• Tinuktok

• Pinais

• Kalamay

• Kilawin na Baboy

• Sinigang

sa Miso

• Balaw

balaw

• Fried Itik

• Okoy

• Binarutak

• Lauya

• Nilasing

na Hipon

• Adobong

Matanda

BSHM 60- PHILIPPINE TOURISM, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE MELISSA FABICON PHILIPPINE TOURISM OVERVIEW, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE

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Cavite State University- Carmona Campus

Department of Management Carmona, Cavite

D. Pasalubong

• Kesong Puti

• Bibingka

• Espasol

• Suman sa Ibos/ Halaya/ Latik

• Matamis na bao

• Cassava cake

• Yema cake

• Buko pie

• Pandan Bags and Mats

• Barong Embroidery

• Woodcrafts from Paete, Laguna • Lanzones

• Kapeng Barako

• Lambanog

• Lucban Longganisa

• Footwears from Liliw, Laguna

E. Festivals and Special Events

Batangas

➢ Sublian Festival- (Jul 23) a two-week long festival in honor of the town’s patron Sto. Nino and the Holy Cross in Batangas City. The festival features the traditional subli dance, which is a significant ritual in the Catholic faith.

➢ Parada ng Lechon- (Jun 24) to showcase their delicacy-lechon or roasted pig

➢ Kabakahan Festival- held on Dec 1, honors the town's rich agricultural heritage and its status as the Cattle Trading Capital of the Philippines

➢ Lambayok Festival- (Dec 12) to feature the town’s products- lambanog, lambat, and palayok. ➢ Balsa Festival- (May 8) to promote bamboo beach raft or balsa and the beach of Matabungkay. ➢ Lomi Festival- (Jun 20) held in Lipa City to showcase their delicacy, Lomi.

➢ Tinapayan Festival- (May 15) to showcase their local delicacies and to ultimately feature the hardworking panaderos of Cuenca, Batangas.

Cavite

➢ Pahimis Festival- (Feb 2nd week) this festival celebrates coffee production and the spirit of thankfulness.

➢ Sorteo Festival- (Every 3 years) local festival revives the old practice of distributing agricultural lots to deserving farmers through raffle draws.

➢ Wagayway Festival- (May 29) households are encouraged to display the Philippine flag during the festival, and simultaneous flag-waving takes place. A patriotic celebration.

➢ Valenciana Festival- (Dec 12-13) Honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary, this fiesta also showcases the local delicacy of Gen.Trias called “Valenciana”- a delicious rice cake.

➢ Regada Festival- (Jun 22-24) Cavite City’s annual water festival involves elaborate preparations and lively celebrations.

➢ Maytinis Festival- (Dec 24) Held in Kawit, Cavite, this festival re-enacts the birth of Christ every midnight of Dec 24. Participants dress in costumes and beautifully adorned attire.

BSHM 60- PHILIPPINE TOURISM, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE MELISSA FABICON PHILIPPINE TOURISM OVERVIEW, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE

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Cavite State University- Carmona Campus

Department of Management

Carmona, Cavite

➢ Sumilang Festival- (Feb 1-3) held in Silang, Cavite to celebrate the agricultural sector of the town.

➢ Kawayan Festival- (Sep 7) to showcase various bamboo products.

➢ Tinapa Festival (Oct) to promote and showcase the Tinapang Salinas of Rosario, Cavite. ➢ Sapyaw Festival- (Aug 20) in honor of St. Augustine.

➢ Tahong Festival- (Sept 29) to promote and showcase various cuisines using tahong as the main ingredients in Bacoor.

Laguna

➢ Pandan Festival- (Apr 3) a vibrant celebration that revolves around the pandan plant, which is widely used for creating items like bags, hats, mats, and other novelty products.

➢ Coconut Festival- (Jan 15) also known as Cocofest, a vibrant celebration held in the city of San Pablo, Laguna. This multi-awarded festival serves as both a thanksgiving for the abundant coconut harvest and a religious fiesta.

➢ Batingaw Festival- (Jan 16) celebrated in Cabuyao, Laguna, a lively event that commemorates the legendary “Kampanang Ginto”. The festival begins with the simultaneous ringing of church bells.

➢ Bangkero Festival- (1st week of March) a lively celebration held in Pagsanjan, Laguna. The festival is a harmonious blend of tradition, adrenaline, and community spirit- a testament of Pagsanjan’s boatment.

➢ Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival- (1st week of April) to celebrate and support the industry of the Footwear Capital of the Philippines.

➢ Pinya Festival- (May) to showcase the delicious and sweet local pineapple of Calauan. ➢ Festival of Lights- to celebrate the Christmas season and to attract tourists to visit San Pablo City.

Quezon

➢ Pahiyas Festival- (May 15) to honor the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro Labrador. ➢ Niyogyugan Festival- (Aug 15) in celebration of the bountiful harvest of coconut. ➢ Tay-Tsinoy Festival- (part of tsshe Chinese New Year

➢ Mayohan Festival- (May 15) the version of Pahiyas Festival of Tayabas, Quezon to honor San Isidro Labrador.

➢ Tagultol Festival- (July 29- Aug 2) to celebrate the rich culture of Atimonan, Quezon. ➢ Boling boling Festival- a week-long festival in Catanauan, Quezon preceding the Ash Wednesday where the locals put mud or grease all over their bodies and roam around the town. Rizal

➢ Higantes Festival- (Nov 22-23) showcases the pageantry of giant paper figures. ➢ Feast of San Isidro Labrador- (May 15) to honor their patron saint San Isidro Labrador with a colorful procession of carabaos.

➢ Santacruzan- (May) or Flores de Mayo, is also celebrated in the church of Antipolo. This also coincides with the month-long pilgrimage to the Our Ladyof Peace and Good Voyage.

BSHM 60- PHILIPPINE TOURISM, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE MELISSA FABICON PHILIPPINE TOURISM OVERVIEW, GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE

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Cavite State University- Carmona Campus

Department of Management

Carmona, Cavite

➢ Kaluskos Bamboo Arch Festival- (Dec 1st week) held in Cardona to showcase the local bamboo arches and preserve the local artistry.

➢ Sikaran Festival- (last weekend of Jan) celebrated to showcase and promote the traditional and local martial arts called Sikaran.

Major Cultural Groups

The major cultural groups in CALABARZON are the Negritos and Agtas and the Tagalog. The Negritos groups in the Philippines are highly dispersed, one group moving to the Pacific Side of the Sierra Madre and the other to the western side of Pinatubo.

The people are short, dark, and have kinky hair who are hunters and gatherers well-versed in the use of bow and arrow. There are 25 recorded groupings.

Major Industries

o These are semi-processed industrial raw materials and industrial components, automotives, electronics and manufacturing.

Language and Dialects

o English and Filipino are widely spoken. Batangueno is spoken in Batangas and Chavacano in Cavite.

Travel Trivia 1:

o The Province of Quezon produces the most coconut than any other provinces in the Philippines, making it known as “The Coconut Capital of the Philippines”

Travel Trivia 2:

o Laguna de Bay is the largest and most significant lake in the region, it is also the largest freshwater lake in the Philippines.

Travel Trivia 3:

o The 13 Martyrs of Cavite refer to a group of Filipino patriots who were executed on September 12, 1896, for their involvement with the Katipunan, a movement that sought independence from Spanish rule d

uring the Philippine Revolution. These individuals are commemorated for their bravery and sacrifice in the struggle for freedom.

TAGLINES of CALABARZON

o Cavite – A Place with a Glorious Past

o Laguna – Resort Province of the Philippines

o Batangas – From the Lowest Volcano to the Deeper Dives

o Rizal – Cradle of Philippine Art

o Quezon – Land of Thousand Colors