Philippine Stamps and Topical Stamp Collecting, 2nd Edition

     Is there a need to know the country which issued the topical stamps? At first, one is strongly tempted to think that there seems to be no need for it. In truth, one's attempt to know the country which issued the topical stamps can lead to a discovery of a lot of things that makes topical or thematic stamp collecting more interesting and satisfying. Here, then, are a number of facts about the Philippines.

 

INTRODUCTION
Official Name: REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS (Republic of the Philippines)
Location: It is an archipelagic nation of more than 7,100 islands in Southeast Asia.
Government: Republic; Democratic form of government
Education: Three levels of education - elementary, secondary and tertiary levels
Currency: Philippine peso (Legend: P - peso / Php - peso / s - sentimo / c - centavo / 100s or 100c = P1.00 or Php 1.00)

LAND AND CLIMATE
Capital: Manila
Major Cities: Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Makati, Manila, Quezon City, Pasay City, Tagaytay City, Zamboanga, more
Major Islands: Luzon - largest island; Mindanao - second largest island
Mountain Systems: Cordillera mountain range in North Luzon, Zambales range in Central Luzon, Tagaytay range in Southern Tagalog, Sierra Madre mountain range in Eastern Luzon; Mindoro mountain range in Mindoro; Surigao range and central-western range (including Mt. Apo) in Mindanao
Coastline: Irregular coastline of approximately 10,850 square miles
River Systems: Rio Grande de Cagayan, Abra river system and Agno Grande in Luzon; Rio Grande de Mindanao (largest river) and Agusan river in Mindanao
Volcanoes: Taal Volcano, Mount Mayon, Mount Pinatubo, Mount Banahaw, Mount Hibok-Hibok, Mount Apo
Agricultural Crops: Rice, coconut, copra, banana, lanzones, pineapples, mangoes, abaca, sugar, resins, gum
Climate: Tropical
Seasons: Dry season (December - May) and wet season (June - November)
Natural Calamities: Typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions

 

LANGUAGES AND DIALECTS
National Language: Filipino
Official Languages: Filipino and English
Number of Languages and Dialects: (Approximation) More than one hundred languages and dialects are spoken in various parts of the Philippines.

NATIONAL ANTHEM AND SYMBOLS
National Anthem: "Lupang Hinirang"
National Heroes and Heroines: Melchora Aquino, Andres Bonifacio, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Emilio Jacinto, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Lapu-Lapu, Jose Rizal and still others
National Symbols: Barong Tagalog - national dress for men; Saya - national dress for women; Narra - national tree; Sampaguita - national flower; Mango - national fruit; Bangus (Milkfish) - national fish; Philippine eagle - national bird

NATIONAL PUBLIC HOLIDAY
January 1 : Bagong Taon (New Year's Day)
May 1 : Araw ng Manggagawa (Labor Day)
June 12 : Araw ng Kalayaan (Independence Day)
Last Sunday, August : Araw ng mga Bayani (National Heroes Day)
November 1 : Araw ng mga Patay (All Saints Day)
November 2 : Araw ng mga Kaluluwa (All Souls Day)
November 30: Araw ni Bonifacio (Bonifacio Day)
December 25 : Pasko (Christmas)
December 30 : Araw ni Rizal (Rizal Day)

 

 

External Links:

 

Hearts Philippines & Then Some

Philippines - https://philippines-atbp.jimdo.com/philippines-part-i-introduction-geography-resources-places/

Filipino Culture - https://philippines-atbp.jimdo.com/filipino-culture-a/

Philippines Country Profile - https://philippines-atbp.jimdo.com/philippines-part-vi-country-profile-and-various-topics/