I know everyone is aware
about how the Philippines is doing as a country. The Philippines is considered
as a third world nation or belongs to a developing country which was several
decades ago but until now the economy status of the country almost unchanged.
It is still highly struck by poverty, overpopulation and corruption. Negative
tales concerning the country spreads widely in the net and as a citizen, I am
aware of this type of news. Tales like NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International
Airport) as the worst international airport in the world in 2012 (this was
voted by the foreign travelers in a poll of a certain tourist web site), being
as the 12th world’s populous nation as reported by the United
Nations Population Fund in 2011, ranked first as the world’s most struck by natural
calamities and disasters disclosed by The Center for Research and Epidemiology
Disasters (CRED), being named as the world’s dangerous country for journalists
in 2009 by an advocacy group – Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), ranked 4th
as the most corrupt country in the south east asia and pacific region by the
annual poll taken by Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) in 2010 and
so on are just so depressing. It’s somehow aching to my ego as a Filipino
citizen. Those issues are just few of the blind sides of my country.
On the other hand, If I see
my country on a half-full view instead of seeing it as a half-empty glass, the
beauty of the Philippines and its people will overshadow its deficiency. The Philippines
is strategically located in the south east asia region and is sorrounded by
bodies of water as a 2nd largest archipelago with more than 7000
islands. Its natural resources and its scenic attractions are extremely
uncomparable to what those richest countries have. Mountains, beaches,
plateaus, rivers, flowers, fruits, animals, trees, and so on, you name them and the Philippines have it. The people of the
Philippines may not be the richest in terms of monetary aspect but its country
is considered as the richest in biodiversity and most beautiful picturesque places.
Recently this year (2012), the Puerto Princesa Subterranean
River National Park (PPSRNP) was proclaimed as one of the new 7 wonders of the
world by the New7Wonders organization. This is the world’s longest navigable underground
river system available to man with 8.2 kms long. According to 2009 Happy Planet
Index (HPI), the Philippines ranked 14th as the happiest people on
earth. The index measures happiness combining life expectancy, life
satisfaction and environmental foortprint. Another 2012 global index study by
the California-based Global English Corporation named the Philippines as the
world’s best country in business english proficiency. No doubt about it because
Filipino skilled workers and professionals are in demand across the world
because of its ability to speak and write english though it’s not their native
language. Today, the country has overtaken India in business process
outsourcing (BPO) or mostly known as the call centers. The outsourcing industry
now employs more than half a million people of the Philippines which highly
contributes to the gross dometic product. Several trivia and amazing facts
about the country are listed below:
- The Philippines became the 1st Asian country to win FIVE
major international beauty pageant crowns — two for Miss Universe, in 1969 and
1973, and three for Miss International, in 1965, 1970, and 1979.
- The largest fish in the world, the Whale Shark, locally known
as Butanding, regularly swims to the Philippine waters.
- The Philippines is the home for the world’s smallest volcano
(Mt. Taal in Batangas) and the volcano with the world’s most perfect cone (Mt. Mayon
in Albay).
- The largest eagle in the world is the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga
Jefferyi) also known as the Monkey-Eating Eagle.
- The Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius Syrichta) is
considered the world’s smallest primate. It only measures about 12 centimeters
long with two big eyes that don’t move.
- The world’s shortest and lightest freshwater fish is the
dwarf pygmy goby (Pandaka Pygmaea), a colorless and nearly transparent
species found in the streams and lakes of Luzon. Males have an average length
of 8.7 mm. and weigh 4-5 mg.
- On January 18, 1995, Pope John Paul II offered mass to an
estimated 4 to 5 million people at Luneta Park, Manila, Philippines, making it
to the Guiness Book of World Records for the Biggest Papal Crowd.
- There are 12,000 or so species of seashells in the
Philippines. The Conus Gloriamaris or "Glory of the Sea"
is the rarest and most expensive in the world.
- Of the 500 known coral species in the world, 488 are found in
the Philippines.
- Of the eight species of marine turtles worldwide, five are
reported to be found in the Philippines: the Green Turtle, Hawkbill,
Leatherback, Olive Ridley, and Loggerhead.
- Of the eight known species of giant clams in the world, seven
are found in the Philippines.
- San Juanico Strait - said to be the narrowest yet the most
navigable strait in the world.
- The world's largest pearl was discovered by a Filipino diver
in a giant Tridacna (mollusk) under the Palawan Sea in 1934. Known as the
"Pearl of Lao-Tzu", the gem weighs 14 pounds and measures 9 1/2
inches long and 5 1/2 inches in diameter. As of May 1984, it was valued at
US$42 million. It is believed to be 600 years old.
- The world's second deepest spot underwater is in the
Philippines. This spot, about 34,440 feet (10,497 meters) below the sea level,
is known as the Philippine Deep or the Mindanao Trench. The Philippine Deep is
in the floor of the Philippine Sea. The German ship Emden first plumbed the
trench in 1927.
- World's Smallest Hoofed Mammal - South of
Palawan, lies the Balabac Island, home of the world's smallest hoofed mammal -
the Philippine mouse deer. Locally known as Pilandok (Tragalus Nigricans),
this ruminant stands only about 40 centimeters at the shoulder level.
These are just few facts about the beauty of my
country. If I will write it down here, perhaps it would take me time to end
this post. All I could say, my home, my country has lots to offer to every one of
you either locals or foreigners. If one is looking for peace, adventures, and
fun, the Philippines is best for you! And before I end my post, please take
time to watch and listen to this video by Julien Drolon, a French singer-song
writer. This song is the one really inspired me to make this post because I felt
proud upon watching his music video. Philippines is indeed good!
Phil so good by Julien Drolon feat. Rhian Ramos
* facts about Philippines were taken from http://www.tourism.gov.ph
* Complete profile and music of Julien Drolon is available at http://www.juliendrolon.com
No comments:
Post a Comment