ASEAN Magazine Souvenir

All journeys have secret destinations.

PHILIPPINES The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines (Filipino: Republika ng Pilipinas), is a Southeast Asian archipelago. It is located in the western Pacific Ocean and consists of approximately 7,641 islands divided into three major geographical divisions from north to south: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The Philippines is surrounded to the west by the South China Sea, to the east by the Philippine Sea, and to the southwest by the Celebes Sea. Taiwan to the north, Japan to the northeast, Palau to the east and southeast, Indonesia to the south, Malaysia to the southwest, Vietnam to the west, and China to the northwest share maritime borders. The Philippines has a land area of 300,000 km2 (120,000 sq mi) and a population of roughly 109 million people as of 2021, making it the world's thirteenth-most populous country. The Philippines has a wide range of nationalities and civilizations spread over its islands. The capital of the country is Manila, and the largest city is Quezon City; both are located within the Metro Manila urban region. NATURE The islands are home to a diverse range of flowering plants and ferns, including hundreds of orchid species. Tall grasses have replaced the trees that were destroyed by logging, mining, and industrialization. More than 200 species of mammals live in the Philippines, including monkeys, squirrels, lemurs, mice, pangolins, chevrotains, mongooses, civet cats, and red and brown deer, among others. Hundreds of bird species, including peacocks, pheasants, doves, parrots, kingfishers, sunbirds, tailorbirds, weaverbirds, and hornbills, dwell in the Philippines for all or part of the year. Deforestation is threatening the rare Philippine eagle, which feeds on monkeys. PEOPLE & CULTURE Filipinos are largely Malay, with Chinese and, on occasion, American or Spanish origins. Because of a 19th-century Spanish law requiring them to use Spanish surnames or last names, many Filipinos have Spanish names. Parents frequently name their children after the saint whose feast day they were born on. Elementary education in the Philippines begins at the age of seven, is mandated by law, and lasts six years. Secondary school normally begins at the age of 13 and lasts four years; undergraduate college teaching is typically four years. PHILIPPINES

Hues of Culture The family is the foundation and focal point of Filipino culture. During severe economic times, the family serves as a safety net for individuals, particularly older people. Children frequently remain with their parents into adulthood, only departing when they marry. Family ties frequently impact political and corporate interactions. The Philippines is a civilization where East and West collide. The Filipinos have a unique Asian heritage as well as a strong Western tradition. Chinese traders, Spanish conquistadors, and American rulers all had an impact on current Filipino society. Filipinos are notoriously friendly, especially to foreign tourists. Filipinos are emotive and enthusiastic about life in a way that looks more Latin than Asian, owing to their close links to Spanish culture. This is seen in contemporary artists' works, such as Rody Herrera's painting Unahan Sa Duluhan. Pakikisama and Utang na Loob are two characteristics that many international tourists find difficult to grasp. Pakikisama, which roughly translates to \"getting along,\" demands persons to overlook minor improprieties or transgressions in order to maintain harmony within the familial, personal, or commercial connection. Utang na Loob is the practice of repaying one favor with another. These characteristics highlight the value Filipinos place on maintaining positive interpersonal interactions and putting the needs of the group ahead of the individual. PHILIPPINES

ND The largest Christian nation in the region, and second PHILIPPINES largest archipelago with 7,641 islands, most with An ancient country with astounding ethnic diversity, AILA with a history that includes both an indigenous empire lovely tropical beaches, warmth, and pleasant smiles. and membership in the British Empire. It is mired in a PHI M YANM TH VM battle between a military junta and pro-democracy and ethnic insurgency factions as of 2022. A tiny, oil-rich sultanate in Borneo with a low tourist population but plenty of peaceful mosques and I cultural landmarks that haven't yet been BRUNE commercialized by mass tourism Vietnam is home to a variety of natural and cultural AR attractions, as well as values and traditions that are a It is famous for its rich culture and food, as well as IETNA bustling towns, chilled-out beaches, and ruins of fusion of Southeast Asian and Chinese, and it boasts Buddhist kingdoms, making it a favorite destination one of the world's fastest expanding economies. It among repeat visitors. also retains elements from its previous status as a French colony. ES LIPPIN

The ancient city of Angkor and other relics of the CA once-powerful Khmer empire are still being rebuilt MBOD after decades of conflict. IA LAOS Prosperous, clean, and organized island city-state with a Chinese majority but large Malay and Indian The world's biggest archipelago nation, with over INDONES 16,000 islands, and the world's largest Muslim- communities, serving as the region's principal M GAPOmajority country, but is theoretically secular and business and financial hub. heavily influenced by Hindu and Buddhist culture. SIN IA RE ALAYSLaos, the region's only landlocked country and the most sparsely inhabited, boasts breathtaking natural PHILIPPINES Multicultural country (containing Muslim Malays, primarily Buddhist Chinese, primarily Hindu Indians, landscapes and lovely laid-back communities. and many Orang Asli aboriginal people, particularly in Borneo) with skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur and jungle- IA dwelling tribes in Borneo.







Several foreign influences have \"Even though the list above is amazing, it is only a small sample effectively merged with local, indigenous of all the delicious Filipino cuisine there is to discover in the cuisine in Philippine cuisine and food Philippines. The breathtaking scenery and warm hospitality of culture. the Filipino people are the ideal complements to Filipino Indigenous Filipino cuisine has been cuisine. The most enjoyable adventure is to sample every strongly affected by Chinese cuisine, variation of adobo, kilawin, or batchoy, even if it could be which was carried along by different impossible.\" traders and, subsequently, Chinese immigrants, primarily from the Fujian PHILIPPINES province of China and Cantonese. There is also indigenous food from the country's Islamic areas, which has been inspired by surrounding Southeast Asian nations. Cataloging Filipino meals is difficult, especially for foreigners, due to their being local, regional, seasonal, and inspired by a variety of various international cuisines. This also means that it is difficult to really characterize Filipino food in a few phrases, but there are certain fundamentals to get you started. When discussing Filipino cuisine and well- known Filipino foods, the term \"adobo\" typically refers to the cooking technique of stewing in vinegar, peppercorns, and bay leaves. The majority of contemporary versions include soy sauce, however, even in Luzon, there are many places where it is not used.

NDAILA The largest Christian nation in the region, and second largest archipelago with 7,641 islands, most with An ancient country with astounding ethnic diversity, PHI M YANM with a history that includes both an indigenous empire TH lovely tropical beaches, warmth, and pleasant smiles.V and membership in the British Empire. It is mired in a M battle between a military junta and pro-democracy and ethnic insurgency factions as of 2022. A tiny, oil-rich sultanate in Borneo with a low tourist population but plenty of peaceful mosques and I cultural landmarks that haven't yet been BRUNE commercialized by mass tourism Vietnam is home to a variety of natural and cultural AR attractions, as well as values and traditions that are a It is famous for its rich culture and food, as well as IETNA bustling towns, chilled-out beaches, and ruins of fusion of Southeast Asian and Chinese, and it boasts Buddhist kingdoms, making it a favorite destination one of the world's fastest expanding economies. It among repeat visitors. also retains elements from its previous status as a French colony. ES LIPPIN PHILIPPINES

The ancient city of Angkor and other relics of the CA once-powerful Khmer empire are still being rebuilt MBOD after decades of conflict. IA LAOS Prosperous, clean, and organized island city-state with a Chinese majority but large Malay and Indian The world's biggest archipelago nation, with over INDONES 16,000 islands, and the world's largest Muslim- communities, serving as the region's principal M GAPOmajority country, but is theoretically secular and business and financial hub. heavily influenced by Hindu and Buddhist culture. SIN IA RE ALAYSLaos, the region's only landlocked country and the most sparsely inhabited, boasts breathtaking natural PHILIPPINES Multicultural country (containing Muslim Malays, primarily Buddhist Chinese, primarily Hindu Indians, landscapes and lovely laid-back communities. and many Orang Asli aboriginal people, particularly in Borneo) with skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur and jungle- IA dwelling tribes in Borneo.