Philippines

Philippines - Geography Location in Southeast Asia: South

China Sea, Philippines Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, Luzon Strait

Archipelago with 7,107 islands.

Land area total 300,000 sq. km. • slightly larger than Arizona

Philippines Climate: Tropical Marine

Topography: Mostly Mountains With Narrow To Extensive Lowlands

Natural Hazards: Typhoons, Landslides, Active Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Tsunamis.

Philippines - Land Use

Arable Land: 18.95%

Permanent Crops: 16.77%

Other: 64.28% (2001)

Philippines - Agriculture

Products: Sugarcane, Coconuts, Rice, Corn, Bananas, Casavas, Pineapples, Fish, Mangoes, Pork, Eggs, Beef.

Employs 36% Of The Working Population

Accounted For 14.3% Of GDP In 2004.

Farmland Surface Area

Represent 10,000,000 hectares in The Philippines.

Number Of Farms Totals 4,610,041

Country Rank in the World by Commodity

Commodity World RankSugarcane 9thCoconuts 2ndRice 8thCorn 18thBananas 5thPineapples 2ndMangos 6thEggs 4th

Industry And Mining

Accounted For 31.9% Of GDP In 2004

Employed 16% Of Labor Force.

Natural Resources - Timber, Petroleum, Nickel, Cobalt, Silver, Gold, Salt, Copper

Industries - Electronics Assembly, Garments, Footwear, Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Wood Products, Food Processing, Petroleum Refining, Fishing

Population and Diversity Population: 87,857,473 (July 2005 est.) Population Growth: 1.84% (2005 est.) Ethnic Diversity:

• Tagalog 28.1%• Cebuano 13.1%• Ilocano 9%• Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%• Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%• Bikol 6%• Waray 3.4%• other 25.3%

Languages

Official Language• Filipino (based on Tagalog) • English

Political Structure

Is A Republic

79 Provinces And 117 Chartered Cities

Independence Gained From Spain On June 12th, 1898

Current Constitution Effective Only Since February 11th, 1987

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Chief Of State: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

• Chief Of State Also Head Of Government

Cabinet: Appointed By The President With Consent Of Commission of Appointments

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Bicameral Congress (or Kongreso)• Consists of Senate (or Senado)

24 seats

House of Representatives

JUDICIAL BRANCH

Supreme Court • 15 Justices Appointed By President on

Recommendation• Serve Until 70 Years Of Age

Court of Appeals

Age Structure of Population

0-14 years: 35.4%

15-64 years: 60.6%

65 years and over: 4%

Social And Other Development Indicators

Life expectancy at birth• Total population: 69.1 years

Male: 67.03 years Female: 72.92 years

Fertility rate• 3.16 children born/woman

Mortality rate• 5.47 deaths/1,000 population

Education

K-12 School length: • 11 years

Literacy rates

Male: 92.5%

Female: 92.7%

Total Population: 92.6%

Internet Use

Internet users: • 3.5 million

Culture

The Filipino people are deeply religious, resilient, and relatively easy-going. The people of the Philippines are considered the most emotionally aware country in the world.• VERY good at working with one another,

care about each other.

Culture – Afternoon Work

While most might see their practice of afternoon napping as a sign of laziness, it is more for practicality, as working under the searing tropical sun during high noon is hazardous. • The temps are so high, people get sun

stroke and heat exhaustion.

Culture The typical Filipino work/school day

starts significantly earlier; both workers and students are usually awake as early as 5 in the morning.

Culture -Filipino Family Values The family is the centre of the social

structure and includes the nuclear family, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and honorary relations such as godparents, sponsors, and close family friends.

People get strength and stability from their family. As such, many children have several godparents.

Culture -Filipino Family Values Concern for the extended family is seen

in the patronage provided to family members when they seek employment.

It is common for members of the same family to work for the same company.

In fact, many collective bargaining agreements state that preferential hiring will be given to family members.

Culture- Concept of Shame Hiya is shame and is a motivating

factor behind behavior. It is a sense of social propriety and

conforming to societal norms of behavior.

Filipinos believe they must live up to the accepted standards of behavior and if they fail to do so they bring shame not only upon themselves, but also upon their family.

Culture- Concept of Shame One indication of this might be a

willingness to spend more than they can afford on a party rather than be shamed by their economic circumstances.

If someone is publicly embarrassed, criticized, or does not live up to expectations, they feel shame and lose self-esteem.

Culture- Meeting Etiquette Initial greetings are formal and follow

a set protocol of greeting the eldest or most important person first.

A handshake, with a welcoming smile, is the standard greeting.

Close female friends may hug and kiss when they meet.

Culture- Meeting Etiquette Use academic, professional, or

honorific titles and the person's surname until you are invited to use their first name, or even more frequently, their nickname.

Culture- Gift Giving Etiquette If you are invited to a Filipino home for

dinner bring sweets or flowers to the hosts.

If you give flowers, avoid chrysanthemums and white lilies.

You may send a fruit basket after the event as a thank you but not before or at the event, as it could be interpreted as meaning you do not think that the host will provide sufficient hospitality.

Culture- Gift Giving Etiquette Wrap gifts elegantly as presentation

is important. There are no color restrictions as to wrapping paper.

Gifts are not opened when received.

Culture- Gift Giving Etiquette If you are invited to a Filipino home

for dinner bring sweets or flowers to the hosts.

If you give flowers, avoid chrysanthemums and white lilies.

You may send a fruit basket after the event as a thank you but not before or at the event, as it could be interpreted as meaning you do not think that the host will provide sufficient hospitality.

Wrap gifts elegantly as presentation is important. There are no colour restrictions as to wrapping paper.

Gifts are not opened when received.

Culture- Dress Etiquette Business attire is conservative.

Men should wear a dark colored, conservative business suit, at least for the initial meeting. 

Women should wear a conservative suit, a skirt and blouse, or a dress.

Culture- Dress Etiquette Women's clothing may be brightly

colored as long as it is of good quality and well tailored.

Appearances matter and visitors should dress well.

Culture- Business Cards You should offer your business card 1st. Make sure your business card includes

your title. Present and receive business cards with

two hands so that it is readable to the recipient.

Examine the card briefly before putting it in your business card case.

Some senior level executives only give business cards to those of similar rank.

American Influence

The Philippines assimilated the American:• education system• democratic government• legal structure

Use American English as a language for education, mass media, and legal/public documents.

American Influence There is also a strong American

influence in such things as an appetite for coffee and fast food, and a preference for American trends and culture.

Coca- Cola, McDonald’s, Levi’s, and a host of other American brands have a very strong presence in the country.

American Influence

Given their exposure to American culture, some of them are brand conscious and they would rather purchase items that are in the fad rather than for reasons of practicality.  • JUST LIKE YOU AND ME!

Elements of Spanish culture are in great abundance in the Philippines. Spanish words and expressions are present in everyday Philippine conversations.

Spanish Influence Filipinos enjoy siestas in the

afternoon, and hold fiestas to celebrate bountiful harvests and religious occasions.

Chinese Influence

The Chinese influence on Philippine culture is also very apparent. It can be seen in how the nuclear family lives in close proximity to each other, even if the children are already adults and have families of their own.

Chinese Influence Respect for one’s elders is also

sacrosanct. Chinese cuisine is also part and parcel of Philippine culture

Chinese Influence

Time in the Philippines is not valued as compared to cultures of most cities such as New York.

Filipinos have co-opted many American behaviors and interests, and are more Westernized than most of their Southeast Asian neighbors.

From sports, to food and entertainment, Philippine culture is very American-friendly.

Food

Filipinos cook a variety of foods influenced by Western & Asian cuisine.

Food

A typical Pinoy diet consists at most of six meals a day; breakfast, snacks, lunch, snacks, dinner, and again a midnight snack before going to sleep.

Rice is a staple in the Filipino diet, and is usually eaten together with other dishes.

Food Filipinos regularly use spoons together

with forks and knives. Some also eat with their hands,

especially in informal settings, and when eating seafood.

Food Rice, corn, and popular dishes such as

adobo (a meat stew made from either pork or chicken), lumpia (meat or vegetable rolls), pancit (a noodle dish), and lechón (roasted pig) are served on plates.

Food Filipinos regularly use spoons together

with forks and knives. Some also eat with their hands,

especially in informal settings, and when eating seafood.

Rice, corn, and popular dishes such as adobo (a meat stew made from either pork or chicken), lumpia (meat or vegetable rolls), pancit (a noodle dish), and lechón (roasted pig) are served on plates.

Sports

Traditional Filipino games include: yo-yo, piko, patintero, bahay kubo,

pusoy and sungka. Popular sports in the Philippines

include basketball, boxing, pool, chess, volleyball, bowling, horse racing and cockfighting.