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The Republic of
the Philippines is located in Southeast Asia and is made up of
7107 islands. The northernmost island is 241 kilometers south of Taiwan,
the southernmost island is only 48 kilometers east of Malaysian Borneo,
while about 1,000 kilometers to the west across the China Sea lies the
cost of China.
The islands are divided into three main areas:
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Luzon is the major northern
island; it is there that you will find the
capital, Manila. The Visayas, is the middle cluster of islands
featuring tropical beaches scattered throughout warm seas. Mindanao is the
southernmost group of islands and has a diverse topography. There are five
major mountain systems and the same number of peninsulas as well as
valleys, lakes and regions of dense forests and swamps.
The Philippines were claimed in the name of Spain
in 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer sailiang
for Spain, who named the islands after King Philip II of Spain. They were
then called Las Felipinas. The Philippines were ceded by Spain to the US
in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. They attained their
independence in 1946 after being occupied by the Japanese in World War II.
The 21-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986 when a widespread
popular rebellion forced him into exile. In 1992, the US closed down its
last military bases on the islands. The Philippines has had two electoral
presidential transitions since Marcos' removal by "people power." In
January 2001, the Supreme Court declared Joseph ESTRADA unable to rule in
view of mass resignations from his government and administered the oath of
office to Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO as his constitutional
successor. The government continues to struggle with ongoing Muslim
insurgencies in the south.
The Philippines is an
interesting blend of East and West,
combining timeless natural atrractions with modern facilities. Its
gracious culture and fine standards of service will help you organize an
exciting program that provides delegates a pleasurable convention
destination and tourists a great visiting experience. Aptly described as
"the combination of Malay warmth and hospitality, the blend of Latin
American passion, the mixture of American vitality and Asian grace" the
Philippines--comprising 7,107 islands---is the only predominantly Catholic
country in Asia. With its mixed ancestry, its easy to see why
111 dialects are spoken throughout the
achipelago, with Pilipino as the national language and English widely
spoken.
Located at the heart of Southeast Asia
between the Pacific Ocean and South China Sea, its islands and climate
are as hospitable as its people. Its majestic mountains and graceful
plains, sunny white sand beaches and vivid underwater marine life, also
provide an astonishing variety of choices offer pre and post convention
tours. Over 7,100 exotic islands, some the size of Switzerland, others no
bigger that toehold in the archipelago's bright blue waters provide
everything from the excitement of its major cities to the leisurely pace
of its remote beaches.The warm waters offer the attractions of sunbathing,
swimming and diving through a dramatic display of coral gardens and
spectacular marine life.
Luzon is the largest and most
northerly of the main islands. The spectacular landscape is made up of the
mountainous north, the flat vistas of the central plain and lakes and
volcanoes in the southern pensinsula. Manila, capital and hub of the
nation has been a port for hundreds of years. Places of interest include
San Augustin Church and Manila Cathedral, which offers an excellent view
of the harbour.
Hundred Islands, lying off the coast of Pangasinan, are made up of 400
islets surrounded by coral gardens and white sand beaches. This area is
ideal for swimming and fishing.
Mindanao, the most southerly island,
has a very different feel from the rest of the country. In the
southwestern tip is Zamboanga City, considered by some as the most
romantic place in the Philippines and a favourite resort amongst tourists.
The city is noted for its seashells, unspoiled tropical scenery and
magnificent flowers.
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