100 Philippines Questions and Answers:

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Philippines, 100 Common Questions and Answers

1. What is the capital of the Philippines?
   • Manila
2. Which body of water surrounds the Philippines?
   • The Philippines is surrounded by the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), the Sulu Sea, the Celebes Sea, and the Philippine Sea.
3. What is the official language of the Philippines?
   • Filipino and English.
4. What currency is used in the Philippines?
   • Philippine Peso (PHP).
5. What is the most popular religion in the Philippines?
   • Christianity, with a majority being Roman Catholics.
6. When is the Philippines’ Independence Day?
   • June 12.
7. Which hero is considered the Philippine national hero?
   • Dr. Jose Rizal.
8. What is the national flower of the Philippines?
   • The Sampaguita.
9. What are the primary industries in the Philippines?
   • Agriculture, electronics assembly, textiles, and tourism, among others.
10. Which colonial powers occupied the Philippines in the past?
    • Spain and the United States.
11. What’s the famous fast-food chain originating from the Philippines?
    • Jollibee.
12. Which island groups constitute the Philippines?
    • Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
13. How many islands are there in the Philippines?
    • More than 7,600 islands.
14. What is the Philippines’ most active volcano?
    • Mayon Volcano.
15. Which Philippine beach is famous for its powdery white sand?
    • Boracay.
16. Is English widely spoken in the Philippines?
    • Yes, it’s one of the official languages and is taught in schools.
17. What is “Adobo”?
    • It’s a popular Filipino dish made from meat marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and spices.
18. When is the “Sinulog” festival celebrated?
    • Every third Sunday of January in Cebu.
19. What is the “Barong Tagalog”?
    • It’s a traditional Filipino formal wear made from pineapple fibers or silk.
20. Who was the first president of the Philippines?
    • Emilio Aguinaldo.
21. What sport is Manny Pacquiao famous for?
    • Boxing.
22. What’s the Philippines’ largest lake?
    • Laguna de Bay.
23. Is the Philippines part of the Pacific Ring of Fire?
    • Yes, it is.
24. What does the Philippine flag represent?
    • The sun represents independence, the stars are for the three main regions, red symbolizes courage, and blue stands for peace.
25. Which is the rarest Philippine eagle?
    • The Philippine Eagle, also known as the Monkey-eating Eagle.
26. What is “Balut”?
    • A fertilized duck embryo, which is a street food delicacy.
27. Who is the Philippines’ current president?
    • As of my last update in 2022, it’s Rodrigo Duterte, but you may need to check current sources for the latest information.
28. Which festival celebrates the blooming of sunflowers in the Philippines?
    • Panagbenga or the Baguio Flower Festival.
29. Which city is known as the “Summer Capital of the Philippines”?
    • Baguio.
30. What’s the largest shopping mall in the Philippines?
    • SM Mall of Asia.
31. What is the climate like in the Philippines?
    • Tropical, with a rainy and a dry season.
32. What is the “jeepney”?
    • A popular mode of public transportation, originally made from US military jeeps.
33. Which river runs through the capital city of Manila?
    • Pasig River.
34. What is the significance of Rizal Park in Manila?
    • It commemorates the life and works of Jose Rizal.
35. What do Filipinos celebrate on “All Saints’ Day”?
    • They honor the dead, often visiting cemeteries to clean and decorate graves.
36. Is the Philippines a biodiversity hotspot?
    • Yes, it’s one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.
37. What are “Tarsiers”?
    • They are small primates, native to the Philippines, known for their large eyes.
38. Which region is known as the “Rice Granary of the Philippines”?
    • Nueva Ecija in Central Luzon.
39. What are the “Chocolate Hills”?
    • They are a group of more than 1,200 perfectly cone-shaped hills located in Bohol.
40. Is “Karaoke” popular in the Philippines?
    • Absolutely! It’s a favorite pastime.
41. What’s the main ingredient in “Halo-Halo”?
    • Mixed fruits and sweets, topped with crushed ice and leche flan.
42. Who wrote the Philippine national anthem?
    • Julian Felipe composed the music, while Jose Palma wrote the Spanish lyrics.
43. Which sea creature is the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park known for?
    • Various species, including manta rays, lionfish, turtles, and sharks.
44. Is the Philippines part of ASEAN?
    • Yes, it’s one of the founding members.
45. What is the name of the Philippines’ house of representatives?
    • The House of Representatives.
46. Which famous landmark is located in Corregidor Island?
    • Historical ruins and memorials from World War II.
47. What does “Bayanihan” mean in Filipino culture?
    • It signifies community spirit and helping one another.
48. Which church is considered the oldest in the Philippines?
    • San Agustin Church in Manila.
49. What are the two main seasons in the Philippines?
    • Wet (rainy) and dry seasons.
50. Which mountain is the highest in the Philippines?
    • Mount Apo.
51. Who is Lea Salonga famous for?
    • She’s a renowned singer and actress, best known for her roles in musical theater like Miss Saigon.
52. Which city in the Philippines is known as the “City of Love”?
    • Iloilo.
53. Is the “durian” fruit popular in the Philippines?
    • Yes, especially in the Davao region.
54. What are “Pancit” and “Lumpia”?
    • Pancit is a noodle dish, and Lumpia is a spring roll.
55. Which city holds the Pahiyas Festival?
    • Lucban in Quezon Province.
56. What is the “Ati-Atihan” festival?
    • A festival in Kalibo, Aklan celebrating the Santo Niño.
57. Which famous Filipino painter is known for the “Spoliarium”?
    • Juan Luna.
58. Is there a railway system in the Philippines?
    • Yes, but it’s mostly limited to Luzon.
59. Who is Corazon Aquino?
    • The first female president of the Philippines and a key figure in the 1986 People Power Revolution.
60. Which region is famous for its terraced rice fields?
    • The Cordillera region, especially the Banaue Rice Terraces.
61. What’s the traditional Filipino tattoo art called?
    • Batok.
62. What’s the Philippines’ most popular martial art?
    • Arnis or Eskrima.
63. Who’s the famous shoe designer of Imelda Marcos’ shoes?
    • Marikina shoemakers crafted many, but she also had international designer shoes.
64. What does “Pasko” mean in Filipino?
    • Christmas.
65. Who is Fernando Poe Jr.?
    • A legendary Filipino actor and political figure.
66. Which island in the Philippines is famous for diving?
    • Tubbataha Reef, among others.
67. What’s the traditional Filipino dance using bamboo sticks?
    • Tinikling.
68. Is the Philippines an archipelago?
    • Yes, it is.
69. Who’s the author of “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo”?
    • Dr. Jose Rizal.
70. Which city is known for its underground river?
    • Puerto Princesa in Palawan.
71. Which fruit is dubbed as the “King of Fruits” in the Philippines?
    • Durian.
72. Is basketball popular in the Philippines?
    • Extremely! It’s one of the country’s most loved sports.
73. What’s the “Sarimanok”?
    • A legendary bird of the Maranao people, symbolizing good fortune.
74. How many official languages does the Philippines have?
    • Two: Filipino and English.
75. What’s the name of the smallest fish found in the Philippines?
    • Pandaka pygmaea, commonly known as the “Sinag”.
76. Where can one find the “Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras”?
    • In the provinces of Ifugao, Benguet, Mountain Province, and Abra.
77. Who is Imelda Marcos?
    • The former First Lady of the Philippines, known for her extensive shoe collection.
78. What is “Kare-Kare”?
    • A Filipino oxtail stew made with peanut sauce.
79. Which province in the Philippines is known for its hanging coffins?
    • Sagada in Mountain Province.
80. How many stars are there on the Philippine flag?
    • Three, representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
81. Which dance mimics the movement of birds during courtship?
    • The Singkil.
82. Where is the Taal Volcano located?
    • In Batangas.
83. What is the “Moro Vinta”?
    • A traditional boat with colorful sails used by the Moro people.
84. Which island is known for the Magellan’s Cross?
    • Cebu.
85. What’s the popular purple yam dessert called?
    • Ube Halaya.
86. Is the Philippines a member of the United Nations?
    • Yes, it is.
87. Which region is dubbed as the “Land of Promise”?
    • Mindanao.
88. What’s the Filipino term for a community feast where food is laid on banana leaves?
    • Boodle Fight.
89. What is “Lechon”?
    • Roasted whole pig, a festive dish in the Philippines.
90. Which body of water separates the Philippines from Taiwan?
    • The Luzon Strait.
91. What’s the name of the sea between the Philippines and Vietnam?
    • The West Philippine Sea or South China Sea.
92. Is the whale shark or “Butanding” found in the Philippines?
    • Yes, especially in Donsol, Sorsogon.
93. What’s the Filipino dessert made of shaved ice and mixed fruits?
    • Halo-Halo.
94. Which province is known for the “MassKara” festival?
    • Bacolod in Negros Occidental.
95. Is there a Filipina Miss Universe?
    • Yes, there are several, including Gloria Diaz, Margie Moran, Pia Wurtzbach, and Catriona Gray.
96. What’s the national tree of the Philippines?
    • Narra.
97. Which sea surrounds the eastern side of the Philippines?
    • The Philippine Sea.
98. Who’s the most famous Philippine boxer turned senator?
    • Manny Pacquiao.
99. What’s the main ingredient of the dessert “Buko Pie”?
    • Young coconut meat.
100. Is the Philippines a democratic country? – Yes, it’s a democratic republic.