PHILIPPINES

The exotic jeepney is a post-war creation inspired by the GI jeeps that the American soldiers brought to the country in the 1940s. Enterprising Filipinos salvaged the surplus engines and came out unique vehicles of art. The highest mountain in the Philippines is Mt. Apo, a dormant volcano found in Mindanao, at 2,954 meters (9,689 feet). Mt. Pulog in Luzon is the second highest at 2,928 meters (9604 feet). Filipino bowler Rafael "Paeng" Nepomuceno was the first bowler to be elevated to the International Bowling Hall of Fame based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. The Philippine Congress has named him “Greatest Filipino Athlete of All Time.” Philippine National Hero and writer Jose Rizal could read and write at age 2. He grew up to speak more than 20 languages, including Latin, Greek, German, French, and Chinese. What were his last words? "Consummatum est!" ("It is done!") The largest city in the Philippines is Davao City. With an area of 2,211 sq. km., it is about three times the size of the national capital, Metro Manila. Cebu is the oldest Philippine city. Filipinos celebrate the world’s longest religious holiday. The Christmas season begins on September 1st, as chillier winds and Christmas carols start filling the air, and ends on the first week of January, during the Feast of the Three Kings. Paskuhan Village in the province of Pampanga is Asia’s only Christmas theme park and the third of its kind in the world.

The major cultural agencies of government are the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the National Historical Institute, the National Museum, The National Library, the Records Management and Archives Office, and the Commission on the Filipino Language. The Heads of these cultural agencies are all ex-officio members of the NCCA Board and all except the Commission on the Filipino Language are together under the National Commission on Culture and Arts.

EVERYDAY GREETINGS Tagalog speakers in the Philippines have many ways of greeting other people. It is common also to hear them say "Hi" or "Hello" as a form of greeting, especially among close friends. There are no Tagalog translations for these English greetings because they are basically borrowed terms, and any English-speaking person will be readily understood by Filipinos in general (Yes, Virginia and Joe, English is widely spoken in the Philippines, a former colony of the US of A for nearly 50 years!). Below are a few Tagalog greetings that are importart to learn if one wants to endear himself/herself to Filipinos. Magandang umaga po. (formal/polite) - Good morning Magandang umaga. (informal) - Good morning Magandang tanghali po. (formal/polite) - Good noon Magandang tanghali. (informal) - Good noon Magandang hapon po. (formal/polite) - Good afternoon Magandang hapon. (informal) - Good afternoon Magandang gabi po. (formal/polite) - Good evening Magandang gabi. (informal) - Good evening Kumusta po kayo? (formal/polite) - How are you?  Kumusta ka? (informal) - How are you? Mabuti po naman. (formal/polite) - I'm fine Mabuti naman. (informal) - I'm fine Tuloy po kayo. (formal/polite) - Please, come in Tuloy. (informal) - Please, come in Salamat po. (formal/polite) - Thank you Salamat. (informal) - Thank you Maraming salamat po. (formal/polite) - Thank you very much Maraming salamat. (informal) - Thank you very much Wala pong anuman. (formal/polite) - You are welcome Walang anuman. (informal) - You are welcome Opo/ oho. (formal/polite) - Yes Oo (informal) - Yes Hindi po/ho (formal/polite) - No Hindi (informal) - No Hindi ko po/ho alam. (formal/polite) - I don't know Hindi ko alam. (informal) - I don't know Anong oras na po? (formal/polite) - What time is it? Anong oras na? (informal) - What time is it? Saan po kayo papunta? (formal/polite) - Where are you going? Saan ka papunta? (informal) - Where are you going? Saan po kayo galing? (formal/polite) - Where did you come from? Saan ka galing? (informal) - Where did you come from?