1

1. Which President of the Philippines had the most children? Pres. Jose P. Laurel with
7 children
2. In which province does the Cagayan River originate? Nueva Vizcaya
3. What was the name of the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines? Fort San Pedro (Cebu,
the oldest triangular
bastion fort in the PH.
4. Which province is named after a first lady? Aurora (Aurora Antonia
Aragon-Quezon)
Quezons wife.
5. What song is sung the most in the Philippines? Happy Birthday
6. What song is sung second most? Lupang Hinirang
7. Which province has the most number of cities? Negros Occidental (12
cities)
8. What is the oldest existing city in the Philippines? Cebu
9. What is the longest river in Mindanao? Rio Grande de
Mindanao Mindanao
River (373km in length)
10. What is the largest island in the Philippines? Luzon (103, 688 km2)
11. Within 100km, how wide is the Philippines at its widest point? 1,107 km
12. What was the hottest temperature ever recorded in the Philippines? 42.4 deg. C. in
Tuguegarao, April 29,
1912
13. What is the coldest temperature ever recorded in the PH? 3 deg. C. in Baguio,
January 7, 1903
14. What size of shoe did Imelda Marcos wear? 8
15. What is the longest river in the Philippines? The Cagayan River (505
km)
16. What is the tallest mountain in the Philippines? Mount Apo, Mindanao
(2, 956m)
17. What is Ma Mon Luk or (Ma Wen-lu) famous for? He created the noodle
dish known as Mami
18. When did the first ice cream parlor open in the Philippines? 1899. Clarkes Caf at
Plaza Morag in Binondo
19. What is the bookmaker at a cockfight called? Kristo ( because he is
like Christ)
20. What was the first flight of Philippine Airlines? Manila to Baguio in
1941(March 15, 1941)
21. What is the largest employer in the Philippines, aside from the San Miguel Corporation
government?
22. What was the first book printed in the Philippines? Doctrina Christiana
(1593)
23. What does KKK stand for in the Philippines? Kataas-taasan,
Kagalang-galangang
Katipunan ng mg Anak
ng Bayan
24. What was the name of the only ship complete Magellans expedition? Victoria
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25. Who was Antonio Pigafetta? The member of

Magellans crew who
kept the journal
recording the
expeditions
experiences. The first
western account of the
Philippines.
26. Who were the Philippines named after? King Phillip II of Spain
27. How long is the Presidents term? 6 years
28. How long is a senators term? 6 years
29. How long is a representatives term? 3 years
30. How many regions are in the Philippines? 17 (16 administrative
and 1 autonomous)
31. What was the highest rated TV Show in the Philippines? Wowowee
32. When was the first movies shown in the Philippines? 1897. The Cinema of the
Philippines began with
the introduction of the
first moving pictures to
the country on January
1, 1897 at the Salon de
Pertierra in Manila. But
on September 12, 1919,
the first filipino movie, a
silent film, was shown -
Dalagang Bukid
(Country Maiden)
directed by Jose
Nepomuceno
33. What countrys films were shown? France. Un Homme Au
Chapeau (Man with a
Hat), Une scene de
danse Japonaise (Scene
from a Japanese Dance),
Les Boxers (The Boxers),
and La Place de L Opera
(The Place L Opera)
34. What was the first movie filmed in the Philippines? Panorama de Manila
(Manila Landscape) in
1898
35. By what name are Chinese Filipinos known? Tsinoy
36. By what name were native Filipinos deemed by the Spanish? Indios
37. What Filipino monkey is the smallest in the world? Tarsier
38. What Filipino freshwater fish is the smallest in the world? Dwarf Pygmy Goby or
Philippine Goby
(Pandaka Pygmea)
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39. What Filipino animal is the smallest hoofed animal in the world? Philippine Mouse Deer
(Tragulus nigricans) also
known as the Balabac
chevrotain or Pilandok
40. What town is the smallest population of any municipality in? Kalayaan, in the Spratley
Islands
41. What is the longest bridge in the Philippines? The San Juanico Bridge,
between Samar and
Leyte. (2,200m)
42. What is the second longest bridge in the Philippines? The Buntun Bridge in
Tuguegarao
43. What is the longest mountain range in the Philippines? The Sierra Madre, in
Luzon
44. How many pairs of shoes were in Imelda Marcos collection? 3,400
45. What is the largest Catholic University world? UST. University of Sto.
Tomas
46. The largest flower in the world grows in the Philippines. What is it Rafflesia arnoldii.
called?
47. What is the largest province in the Philippines in terms of area? Palawan
48. What is the largest hospital in the Philippines? Philippine General
Hospital, Manila
49. What is the largest park in the Philippines? Sierra Madre National
Park, Luzon
50. What is the largest lake in the Philippines? Laguna de Bay, Luzon
51. The largest fish in the world lives in Philippine waters. What is it? Whale Shark
52. The largest bat in the world calls the Philippines home. What is it The Giant Golden-
called? crowned Flying-Fox
53. The largest reptile in the world lives here. What is it? The Asian Saltwater
Crocodile.
54. What is the highest waterfall in the Philippines? Aliwagwag Falls, in the
forest of Cateel, Davao
Oriental (1,110 feet or
388 meters)
55. What is the oldest street in the Philippines? Calle Colon, in Cebu.
56. What is the oldest surviving bridge in the Philippines? Jones Bridge, in Manila
57. What is the oldest University in the Philippines? University of San Carlos,
Cebu (August 1, 1595)
58. What is the oldest company in the Philippines? Ayala Corporation
(1834)
59. What is the oldest bank in the Philippines? BPI. El banco Espanol
Filipino de Isabel II
(1851)
60. What is the oldest Filipino insurance company? Insular Life.
61. Who was the First Filipino priest? Martin Lakandula,
ordained 1590.
62. Who was the first Spanish Governor General? Miguel Lopez de Legazpi
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63. Who was the first Archbishop of the Philippines Domingo de Salazar,
O.P.
64. Who was the first American Civil Governor of the Philippines? William Howard Taft
65. When was the first automobile imported? 1900
66. When was the first auto dealership established? 1907. A Ford dealer
67. What was the first TV Station in the Philippines? ABS-CBN Corporation in
1953
68. Who was the first woman senator? Sen. Geronima Pecson.
Geronima Josefa
Tomelden Pecson.
69. Who was the first US President to visit the Philippines as President? Dwight D. Eisenhower
70. By what other name is the Philippine Eagle known by? The Monkey-eating
Eagle
71. How many species of seahorses are found in Philippine waters? 500
72. How many species of flowers grow in the Philippines? Over 9,000
73. How many species of fruit grow in the Philippines? Over 200
74. Where was Jose Rizal born? June 19, 1861 in the
town of Calamba,
Laguna.
75. What rank is the Philippines in terms of longest coastline? Third, Behind Canada
and Indonesia
76. What is the worlds smallest volcano? Mount Taal
77. What is the worlds longest underground river? St, Pauls in Palawan
(Puerto Princesa
Subterranean River
National Park)
78. What percentage of the population of the Philippines lives on Luzon? 56%
79. What is the least densely populated province? Apayao
80. What is the poorest province? Sulu (my research says
Lanao del Sur)
81. What city has the highest population? Quezon City (Manila ata
eh?)
82. What Philippine fruit is ranked as the sweetest in the world? The Carabao mango
from Guimaras
83. What is the largest High School in the world? Rizal high School in
Pasig (20,000 students)
84. In terms of production of bananas, where is the Philippines ranked? Third, behind Costa Rica
and Ecuador
85. How many home-runs did Babe Ruth score in the Philippines? 4 (he was on a goodwill
tour with the Yankees)
86. When and Where was the Thrilla in Manila? 1975, Araneta
Colisseum, Cubao
Quezon City
87. Who was the longest serving mayor of any Philippine City? Pablo Cuneta (Sharons
Father) mayor of Pasat
for over 50 years
 5

88. How many Filipino Vice-Presidents later became President? 6. ( Sergio Osmena,
Elpidio Quirino, Carlos
Garcia, Diosdado
Macapagal, Joseph
Estrada and Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo)
89. Who was the last President who was a lawyer by trade? Ferdinand Marcos
90. How many Filipino doctors work as nurses in the U.S.? 2,000
91. What is the most profitable business in the Philippines, based on tax Gambling
revenue?
92. Second most profitable? Electricity generating
93. Did a Filipino film ever win at Cannes? Yes. Anino won in 2000.
Beating out 715
entrants. A short film by
Raymond Red.
94. What was the worst shipwreck in the world (Happened in the PH)? MV Dona Paz, in 1987.
Nearly 4,400 people
died.
95. How strong was the strongest earthquakes in the Philippines? a 7.7 quake occurred in
Luzon in 1990
96. In terms of population, what rank is Metro Manila in the worlds most 11
populous?
97. What is the largest coral reef in the Philippines? Apo reef. Occidental
Mindoro.
98. How many people speak Tagalog as their first language in the 22 million
Philippines?
99. How many people speak Cebuano as their first language in the 20 Million
Philippines?
100. How many churches in the Philippines are UNESCO World Heritage 4. (the San Agustin
Sites? Church in Manila, the
Paoay Church in Ilocos
Norte, the Nuestra
Seora de la Asuncin
(Santa Mara) Church in
Ilocos Sur, and the
Santo Toms de
Villanueva Church in
Iloilo.)
Source: http://liveinthephilippines.com/content/trivial-pursuit-100-facts-about-the-philippines/
 6

What is the first book published in the Philippines, it was published in 1593, Doctrina Christiana
by the Dominican press. Because of the monopoly of printing presses by
religious orders prior to the 19th century, early written literature was
predominantly religious in content and in purpose.
What is the first womens magazine in the Philippines which was first came El Hogar (The Home)
out in 1893?
What were the two novels published before Rizals Noli Me Tangere? La Loba Negra (1869)
by Padre Jose Burgos;
Ninay (1885) by Pedro
Paterno both were in
Spanish.
When and where did the first Filipino immigrants to the United States In 1850, Louisiana.
settled?
In the countrys first presidential elections in 1935, Emilio Aguinaldo lost Pres. Manuel Luis
to? Quezon with his
running mate Sergio
Osmena as Vice.
Where did the largest crocodile captured in 1823? Near the town of
Jalajala in Laguna de
Bay. It measured 27
feet from the tip of its
snout to the end of its
tail
What is the largest restaurant in the Philippines? Farmers Market
Foodome in Quezon
City
Who is the First and last Prime Minister of the Philippines after WWII? Cesar Virata
Who is the first Filipina to become a commercial plane pilot? Aimee Carandang
What is the oldest Philippine University for women? Centro Escolar
University
Who is the first Filipina senator elected twice, in 1965 and in 1971? Sen. Eva Estrada Kalaw
What was considered to be the first modern building in the Philippines? Crystal Arcade in
Escolta which was
completed in 1932.
Where is the biggest game preserve and wildlife sanctuary in the Located on Calauit
Philippines? Island in Palawan.
Calauit Safari Park.
What is the most translated Philippine poem? Mi Ultimo Adios by Dr.
Jose Rizal
The Philippine mammal with the biggest eyes in relation to its body is the? Tarsier
What was the original name of Luneta Park? Bagumbayan. It was
called Bagumbayan
(New City) by the
Filipinos. However,
when the Spaniards
colonized the country
they called it Luneta
since it was shaped like
 7

a small moon
lunette in Spanish. It
was where the Cuartel
la Luneta placed.
What are the first and last words of Panatang Makabayan? Iniibig and gawa
The award given to the top graduates of Philippine Military Academy, is The Presidential Saber
known as?
The original Philippine Flag sewn in Hong Kong in 1898, was made of? Silk. Sewn by Marcela
Marino de Agoncillo,
Lorenza Agoncillo and
Delfina Herbosa de
Natividad.
Who was the first assassinated victim of the NPAS Alex Boncayao Brigade? Gen. Tomas Karingal
Who was the last American governor-general of the Philippines? Frank Murphy
Who was the first Muslim Filipino to become a senator? Hajju Butu. Or Hadji
Butu Abdul Bagui.
What was the most popular and durable of all Philippine almanacs? Kalendariong Tagalog
of Honorio Lopez
Who was the first Filipino to undergone a heart transplant? Rainier Lagman
Who was the first Filipina to win an international beauty title? Gemma Cruz who won
Miss International
in1964.
What was the highest prize offered for the capture of then-rebel-now- P5 Million
turned-senator Gringo Honasan?
Who was the first Filipina to win the Miss Philippine title? Evangeline de Castro of
Baguio city crowned in
1947 by Ruby Roxas.
The word Filipinas first appeared in? Coins
What was Ferdinand Magellan named to the Philippines when he landed on Archipelago de San
March 17, 1521? Lazarus because it was
St. Lazarus Day.
What is the largest Philippine wild animal, which can only be found in the Tamaraw (a species of
island of Mindoro? buffalo, similar to
carabao)
What is the first line of Rizals Mi Ultimo Adios? Adios, Patria adorada,
region del sol querida
(Farewell, Beloved
Country, treasured
region of the sun)
What is the biggest island in the Philippines? Luzon is the biggest
island (141,395 sq km)
among the Philippine
Archipelago which
consists of 7,107 (most
figures) islands and
islets stretching some
1,850 kilometers from
 8

north to south and

1,107 kilometers from
west to east at its
widest point.
What is the highest mountain in the Philippines? Mt. Apo in Mindanao, a
dormant volcano, is the
highest mountain in
the Philippines at 2,954
meters (9,689 feet).
Mt. Pulog in Luzon is
second at 2,928 meters
(9,604 feet).
What is the longest river in the Philippines? Cagayan River in Luzon
is the longest river,
snaking for 353
kilometers (221 miles)
across the provinces of
Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela
and Cagayan before
finally flowing into the
South China Sea in
Aparri in Cagayan.
What was the first recorded intermarriage of a Filipino to a white foreigner? The wedding of Rajah
Tupas' widowed niece
to a Greek ship caulker
who had sailed to the
Philippines with Miguel
Lopez de Legazpi (ca
1565).
What is the longest underground river system accessible to man in the It is located at the St.
world? Paul National Park in
Palawan
What is the hottest and coldest day ever recorded in the Philippines? The hottest day in the
Philippines was
recorded on April 29,
1912 when the
temperature reached
108.32 degrees
Fahrenheit (42.4
degrees Celsius) in
Tuguegarao, Cagayan.
The coldest day was
recorded in Baguio city
back in January 7, 1903
when the thermometer
dipped way down to
37.4 degrees
Fahrenheit (3 degrees
Celsius).
 9

What is the Farthest and geologically safest province in the Philippines? Palawan. It is the
farthest province from
volcanoes and
earthquake fauts.
Who is the First Filipina appeared in Playboy in 1965? Marissa Delgado. She
wasnt a centerfold but
she did expose her
back. The first Filipina
who appeared as a
centerfold is the
beautiful Lourdes
Estores of Hawaii.
Where does the tagalog term for dye Jobus or Jobos came from? It was came from the
name Joe Bush. He was
an American who set
up a cleaning and
dyeing shop in Manila
back in 1940s. His
products were
powdered deyes with
the trade name Joe
Bush.
What is the most widely caught fish in the Philippine waters? Galunggong (Mackerel)
Who is the inventor of a noodle dish known as Mami? Ma Mon Luk. He was a
Cantonese immigrant
who probably name
the dish after his
surname and the
Chinese word to
noodles which is Mi.
Thus, forming the
name Mami.
What is the first Greek Fraternity in the Philippines? The first Greek
fraternity in the
Philippines is the
University of the
Philippines' Upsilon
Sigma Phi (established
in 1918). It does not
have any branches
outside the UP system.
Among its alumni are
the ex-President
Ferdinand E. Marcos
and his arch-nemesis,
the late Senator
Benigno 'Ninoy
 10

Forever' Aquino. The

first sorority with a
Greek name is Sigma
Delta Phi, also at UP
and sister sorority of
Upsilon Sigma Phi,
established in 1938.
(Partly contributed by
Butch Bandong.)
What is the largest city in the Philippines? Davao City with an area
of 2,211 sq. km., about
three times the size of
Metro-Manila.
What is the first building to be air-conditioned? Manila Hotel.
When was the first flight of Philippine Airlines? Philippine Airlines' first
flight was from Manila
to Baguio on March 15,
1941. The plane was a
twin-engine Beech
Model 18 carrying five
passengers. There was
no attendant or
lavatory. It reached
Baguio in 45 minutes.
What is said to be the oldest multi-storyed building in the Philippines? Luneta Hotel, corner
T.M. Kalaw and Roxas
Blvd.
Source: http://www.angelfire.com/80s/b81archive/Jett/Jett01.html
 11

1.) The worlds longest snake and longest reptile which can be found in the Philippines and nearby
areas is the Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus). Adults grow to a maximum of over 28 feet or 8.7
meters in length.
2.) The extremely venomous Faint-banded Sea Snake is the most toxic snake in the world. It can be
found in the waters of Visayas and Panay areas in the Philippines, New Guinea, Australia, Solomon
Islands, Gulf of Thailand and Timor Sea.
3.) The Philippine Mouse Deer (Tragalus nigricans) of Balabac Island in Palawan is the worlds
smallest hoofed animal. It is locally known as Pilandok and stands only about 40 centimeters at the
shoulder level.
4.) A shell called Glory of the Sea (Connus gloriamaris) that is found in the Philippines is considered as
one of the most expensive shells in the world.
5.) The largest eagle in the world is the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi). It is formerly known
as Monkey-eating Eagle.
6.) The Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta) is considered as the worlds smallest primate. It measures
only about twelve centimeters in length. Its two big eyes cannot move and do not have a tapetum
the upper protective tissue.
7.) The Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), which can be found in the Philippines and nearby
countries, is considered as the worlds largest reptile.
8.) The Dwarf Goby (Pandaka pygmaea) is the worlds second smallest freshwater fish. It measures
1.2 centimeters or less than half of an inch, the 2nd tiniest known vertebrate.
9.) The Philippines has the most numerous species of birds and butterflies in the world
10.) Fish species found in Philippine waters is the most diverse in the world
11.) The worlds smallest commercial fish is Sinarapan (Mistichthys luzonensis). It can only be
found in Lakes Bato and Buhi in Camarines Sur. It grows to an average length of 1.25 centimeters,
only slightly longer than the Dwarf Goby.
12.) The largest bat in the world is the Giant Golden-crowned Flying-fox (Acerodon jubatus). It is a
rare and endangered fruit bat that can be found only in the Philippines. It has a wing span of at least
1.5 m (5 ft) and weighs approximately 1.2 kg (3 lbs) and is also known as the Golden-capped Fruit Bat.
13.) The worlds tiniest shell and can be found under Philippine waters is the Pisidum. It measures less
than 1 millimeter long.
14.) The Giant Clam (Tridacna gigas) found off the shores of the Philippines is the largest living bivalve
mollusk and can weigh more than 200 kilograms (440 pounds), measure as much as 1.2 meters (4
feet) across and have an average lifespan in the wild of 100 years or more.
15.) An endangered flower, locally named as Uruy, (Rafflesia sp.) has no stem and leaves is one of
the largest flowers in the world. It measures about 22 inches in diameter. It can be found in Sibalom
National Park in Antique province and other places in Southeast Asia.
16.) The Philippines is the worlds number one producer of coconut. Likewise, the Philippines is one of
the largest exporter of tropical fruits.
17.) The sweetest mango can be found in the Philippines.
18.) The largest Pineapple was harvested in one of the largest plantation in southern Philippines.
19.) The Philippines is the only Christian nation in Asia.
20.) The third largest English-speaking country in the world is the Philippines.
21.) Mount Pinatubos eruption in the Philippines on June 15, 1991 created one of the worlds largest
mushroom clouds. The effects of the eruption were felt worldwide. It ejected roughly 10 billion metric
tons of magma, and 20 million tons of SO2, bringing vast quantities of minerals and metals to the
surface environment. It injected large amounts of aerosols into the stratosphere -more than any
eruption since that of Krakatoa in 1883.
 12

22.) The largest province in the Philippines is Palawan followed by Isabela. Palawan is considered as
the largest province in the country. It has a total land area of 14,896.3 square kilometers distributed
in 1,769 islands. The next largest province is Isabela, with a land area of 10,664 square kilometers
23.) The smallest province is Batanes, the northernmost part of the Philippine archipelago with only a
total land area of 209 square kilometers.
24.) The town of Kalayaan, a group of small islands in South China Sea west of Palawan province, had
the smallest population among municipalities at 223.
25.) The worlds longest navigable underground river is Puerto Princesa Subterranean River found in
Palawan. It features a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 km. navigable underground
river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it winds through a cave before flowing directly into
the South China Sea.
26.) At 115, 739 sq. mi, the Philippines is larger than Laos and Cambodia but slightly smaller than
Japan and Spain.
27.) The largest falls in the Philippines is Maria Cristina Falls in Lanao Del Norte located in the
southern part of the country.
28.) The largest lake in the Philippines which measures 900 sq km is Laguna de Bay. It is located
between the provinces of Rizal and Laguna.
29.) Three of the worlds most famous and finest beaches in the world located in the Philippines
include Boracay, Dakak and Siargao.
30.) Taal Volcano, located in Taal Lake, is a volcano in a volcano. It is considered by many as the
worlds most active volcano.
31.) Three of the worlds top ten largest malls are located in the Philippines; SM City North EDSA in
Quezon City with an area of 460,000 m (4.74 million sq ft), SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City with an area
of 410,000 m (4.67 million sq ft) and SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City with an area of 348,000 m
(3.75 million sq ft). SM City North Edsa is the worlds 2nd largest mall.
32.) The Largest pearl ever found is named Pearl of Allah or Pearl of Lao-Tzu. This was found by
Filipino diver in a giant Tridacna in the Palawan Sea in 1934. The Pearl weighs 40 pounds and worth
approximately $ 40 USA.
33.) The Harvest by miniaturist Norris Castillo created what is perhaps the smallest piece of
painting in the country. This oil-on-canvas painting measures 1/4 inches in width and 3/8 inches in
length. It is now exhibited at the National Museum.
34.) The northernmost island of the Philippines is Yami (Mavudis) Island, which is 190 km away from
Taiwan.
35.) Its southernmost island is Saluag Island, which is 43.3 kilometers east of Borneo.
36.) The Philippines and Taiwan is separated by the Bashi Channel in the north and separated with
Borneo by the Celebes Sea in the south.
37.) The Philippines has the worlds longest discontinuous coastline (34,600 km.).
38.) The Philippines has 7,107 islands but only approximately 1,000 of its islands are populated.
39.) Cagayan River or Magat River is the longest river in the Philippines.
40.) Mt Apo in Mindanao at 2,954 meters or 9,691 ft is the highest point in the Philippines.
41.) On the opposite, the lowest point in the Philippines is the Philippine Trench. Its deepest point,
the Galathea Depth, has a depth of 10,540 meters (5,763 fathoms or 34,580 feet).
42.) Davao City, with an area of 2,212 sq km, in southern Philippines is regarded as one of the worlds
largest cities. Most of these areas, however, are distributed as forests, coconut groves and rice fields.
In comparison, New York, the largest city in the United States, has an area of only 787 square
kilometers while the whole of Metro Manila covers only 636 square kilometers.
 13

43.) The worlds largest pair of shoes, each measuring 5.5 meters long, 2.25 meters wide and 1.83
meters high can be found in Marikina City. The heel alone measures 41 centimeters or 16 inches. The
P2-million shoes can reportedly fit to a 37.5-meter or 125-foot giant. Around 30 people could put
their feet into the colossal shoes simultaneously.
44.) San Fernando City in Pampanga province created in 2002 the worlds largest Christmas lantern
a P5-million structure with 26.8 meters in diameter.
45.) The worlds largest Catholic university located in one campus in terms of student population is
the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila. It is an academic institution founded by the
Dominicans. It is 25 years older than the oldest university n the US the Harvard University.
46.) The bamboo organ at St. Joseph Church in Las Pinas City is arguably the worlds largest bamboo
organ. The centuries-old musical instrument was constructed between 1792 and 1819. It has 174
bamboo pipes, 122 horizontal reeds of soft metal, a five-octave keyboard, and 22 stops arranged in
vertical rows.
47.) The worlds largest high school in terms of student population is Rizal High School in Caniogan,
Pasig City. The school has more than 20,000 students. Graduation rites are conducted 5 times and
that means the class valedictorian has to deliver his/her valedictory address 5 times also.
48.) The Philippines oldest city is Cebu City the queen city of the south.
49.) The residents of Baguio City took pride in having tossed what was believed to be the worlds
largest salad a three-ton mix of assorted vegetables.
50.) The longest bridge in the Philippines is San Juanico Bridge located in San Juanico Strait. This
bridge connects the islands of Samar and Leyte in the Visayas.
Source: https://trebonasomreb.wordpress.com/2010/06/07/philippine-extremes-50-interesting-
facts-about-the-philippines/
 14

Small land area but longer coastline

The Philippine land area is just about 1/30 of the United States, but the Philippines has a total of
36,289 kilometers of coastline while the US has only 19,924 kilometers of coastline.
Worlds most expensive seashell
Conus Gloriamaris (glory of the sea) is the worlds rarest and priceless seashell among the 12,000
seashell species found in the Philippines. And, among the 500 coral species worldwide, 488 are found
in the Philippine seas.
Born genius or hard worker?
The Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, is known to have started reading and writing at the age of
2; and he could speak 20 languages including French, Greek, Chinese, Latin, German, Cebuano,
Tagalog, etc.
The real karaoke inventor
A Japanese person did not invent the karaoke but a Filipino Roberto del Rosario. He first called his
invention Sing-Along-System but the Japanese popularized it and called the karaoke meaning to
sing without accompaniment.
Upside-down flag
The Philippine flag is the only symbol on earth that will be hang or displayed upside-down when the
country is at war (during ordinary or peace time the blue part is on top of the red one but upside
down during war).
Texting capital of the world
Among the more than 35 million cell phone subscribers in the Philippines in 2006, there are about 350
to 400 million sms (short message service) was being sent daily. This is more than the total daily text
messages that the US and Europe sent.
Longest underground river system
Saint Paul National Park of Palawan Province in the Philippines has the longest underground river
system in the world that is accessible and navigable to humans.
Philippines biggest wild animal
The tamaraw is a species of the buffalo family that is similar to the Philippine carabao. It is
considered the largest Philippine wild animal, and they are only found in Mindoro Province.
The highest peak
Mount Apo is a dormant volcano of Mindanao (Davao), at 2,954 meters high followed by Mount Pulog
in Luzon at 2,928 meters high. Mount Apo is now becoming a popular tourist destination especially
among mountain hikers and campers.
The Philippines biggest city
Davao City in Mindanao Island is the biggest city in the country with an area of 2,211 square
kilometer. Metro Manila is about three times the size of Davao City. It is famous for durians (that
stinky but delicious king of the fruits) and bananas, among other products and resources.
Province that has the most cities
Negros Occidental in the Visayas Islands (where Cebu is) has the most cities among the provinces in
the Philippines. Negros is the popular producer of sugar products and tourism destinations.
Worlds longest religious holiday
The longest religious celebration is the Christmas season in the Philippines. It starts on September 1st
(you can hear Christmas songs, children caroling door-to-door, and see Christmas stars and decors
everywhere, etc.). This season ends on the first week of January, that is, the feast of the Three Kings.
Boondocks is a Tagalog term
The English term boondocks is a word from Tagalog word bundok meaning mountain.
 15

Diving Paradise
Anilao in Batangas Province is considered a diving paradise since it bagged the International Prize for
Underwater Images during the 27th World Festival of Underwater Images held on November 2000 in
France. The other best diving sites are in Cebu and Palawan provinces, among others...
Source : http://www.cebu-bluewaters.com/philippine-facts-and-trivia.html
 16

It is a post-war creation inspired by the GI jeeps that the The Exotic Jeepney
American soldiers brought to the country in the 1940s.
Enterprising Filipinos salvaged the surplus engines and came out
unique vehicles of art.
Short distance and feeder trips could not be more exciting than via
Philippine quick transports the tricycle, a motorcycle with a
sidecar, and the pedicab, a bicycle with a sidecar.
The first Filipino bowler who was to be elevated to the International Rafael "Paeng"
Bowling Hall of Fame based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. The Nepomuceno
Philippine Congress has named him Greatest Filipino Athlete of All
Time.
Philippine National Hero and writer Jose Rizal could read and write at "Consummatum est!" ("It is
age 2. He grew up to speak more than 20 languages, including Latin, done!")
Greek, German, French, and Chinese. What were his last words?
The village in the province of Pampanga which considered to be the Paskuhan Village
Asias only Christmas theme park and the third of its kind in the world.
The great Christmans lanterns of San Fernando, Pampanga can reach as
big as 40 feet in diameter, using as many as 16,000 glowing bulbs.
The exotic jeepney is the Filipino version of the jitney, the taxi/minibus
that travels along a fixed route, found in many countries.
The popular toy, the yoyo, was invented by 16th century hunters in the
Philippines.
The Philippines became the first Asian country to win FIVE major
international beauty pageant crowns two for Miss Universe, in 1969
and 1973, and three for Miss International, in 1965, 1970, and 1979.
Diving paradise Anilao, in the province of Batangas, is the theme of a
picture book that bagged the International Prize for Underwater Images
at the 27th World Festival of Underwater Images in France in November
2000. Anilao" book creators and Filipino scuba divers Scott Tuason and
Eduardo Cu Unjieng defeated big names in underwater photography
such as Jacques Mayol, Pascal Kobeh, Monique Walker, and Alessandro
Tommasi.
The antibiotic erythromycin used to treat a wide variety of bacterial
infections, such as respiratory tract infections, middle ear infections, and
skin infections was created by Filipino scientist Abelardo Aguilar,
and has earned American drug giant Eli Lilly billions of dollars. Neither
Aguilar nor the Philippine government received royalties.
Who was the first officially named National Artist of the Philippines. He Fernando Amorsolo
was given the distinction of National Artist for Painting in 1972.
Philippines Herald war journalist Carlos P. Romulo was the first Asian
to win a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism in 1942. He was also aide-de-camp
to General Douglas MacArthur in World War II; Philippine resident
commissioner in the U.S. Congress from 1944-46; and the first Asian to
become UN President in 1949.
On January 18, 1995, Pope John Paul II offered mass to an estimated 4
to 5 million people at Luneta Park, Manila, Philippines, making it to the
Guiness Book of World Records for the Biggest Papal Crowd.
The Philippine Madrigal Singers bagged the 1997 European Choral
Grand Prix, the choral olympics of the worlds best choirs. The group,
 17

being the only Asian choir, bested five regional champions from all over
Europe, earning them the title as the "worlds best choir."
Of the eight species of marine turtles worldwide, five are reported to be
found in the Philippines: the Green Turtle, Hawkbill, Leatherback, Olive
Ridley, and Loggerhead.
What is the only steel church in Asia and was the second building to be The Basilica of San
made out of steel, next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris? Sebastian
Where did the largest bell in Asia hangs? It is 7 feet in diameter and 7 At the belfry of the 221-
feet in height, and weighs 10.4 tons. Its tolling can be heard as far as 8 year old Panay Church.
km. away. It was casted from 70 sacks of coins donated by the
townspeople as a manifestation of faith and thanksgiving.
The World Cup, which was instituted in 1965, is contested annually by
the national champions of the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs
(FIQ). The highest number of wins is 4, by Filipino bowler Rafael
Paeng Nepomuceno: 1976, 1980, 1992, and 1996.
Filipino Eriberto N. Gonzales Jr. consumed 350 chilis in 3 minutes at the
annual Magayon Festival chili-eating contest held at Penaranda Park,
Legazpi, Albay on May 27, 1999, making it to the Guiness Book of
World Records for the most chilis eaten.
The longest possible eclipse of the Sun is 7 min. 31 sec. The longest
eclipse in recent times took place west of the Philippines on June 20,
1995, lasting for 7 min. 8 sec.
Camiguin province holds the distinction of having the most number of
volcanoes per square kilometer than any other island on earth. It is also
the only place in the Philippines which has more volcanoes (7) than
towns (5).
The 900 sq m Relief Map of Mindanao in Dapitan City was personally Dr. Jose Rizal
done by whom? It was used as a device for teaching history and
geography to townsfolk.
It is one of the oldest golf courses in the Philippines, the Zamboanga Gov. John Pershing
Golf Course and Beach Park was founded in 1910 by who?
What is the youngest city in the region? It was only on March 5, 2001 Isabela City
that the Municipality of Isabela, Province of Basilan was converted into
a component city Through RA 9023. On April 25, 2001, Isabeleos
ratified the new status of Isabela.
What is the exotic and colorful pageant re-enacting the Spanish-Moorish The Kinabayo
Wars, particularly the Battle of Covadonga where the Spanish forces
under General Pelagio took their last stand against the Saracens. They
were able to reverse the tide of war with the miraculous apparition of St.
James, the Apostle. A Kinabayo Festival is celebrated every July in
Dapitan City, attracting thousands of tourists to the city.
This Cathedral was erected by the Spanish friars sometime in 1895, Holy Rosary Cathedral
before Dipolog City became a municipality. What is the name of this Dr. Jose Rizal.
cathedral in Dipolog City and its altar was designed by whom?
The Rizal Shrine in Dapitan City is the original estate of Dr. Jose Rizal
which he acquired by purchase during his exile in Dapitan from 1892 to
1896.
The Philippines biggest karst formations and one of the largest in Asia, Calbiga Cave
the 2,968-hectare cave system is composed of 12 caves with wide
 18

underground spaces, unique rock formations and sub-terranean

watercourse.
At the Immaculate Conception Cathedral can be found the only existing
pipe organ in Mindanao. The 2nd largest pipe organ in the Phiippines.
The huge instrument took 2 years to built and was brought over by sea
from Germany in 23 crates.
The City of Golden Friendship, known for its warm people and old- Cagayan de Oro City
fashioned hospitality
What RA (Republic Act) did the then President Joseph E. Estrada signed RA 8973
in February 2001 creating the province of Zamboanga Sibugay. A total
of sixteen municipalities compose this newest province in the
Zamboanga Peninsula?
What is Asias biggest dam project at the time of its construction. It Magat Dam
serves the primary function of power generation and irrigation?
The Cagayan River or Rio Grande de Cagayan is the Philippines
mightiest watercourse the longest and widest river in the country.
Small streams originating form Balete Pass, Cordillera, Caraballo and
Sierra Madre Mountains meet other streams and rivers and flow to the
Cagayan River.
It is the first of its kind in Asia. It spans the Cagayan River at Lallo and Magapit Suspension Bridge
is 0.76 kilometers long. The hanging bridge links the first and second
districts of Cagayan going towards the Ilocos Region via the scenic
Patapat Road on the Ilocos Norte-Cagayan Inter-Provincial national
highway.
This cultural heritage site dates back to circa 3000 B.C. and is the most Angono Petroglyphs
ancient Filipino, or more aptly, prehistoric Filipino work of art. Besides
being the countrys oldest work of art it also offers us an evocative
glimpse into the life of our ancestors. The site has been included in the
World Inventory of Rock Art under the auspices of UNESCO, ICCROM
and ICOMOS and nominated as one of the 100 Most Endangered Sites
of the World.
Made from rice flour, these local noodles acquired its name and PANCIT HABHAB
developed its unique attraction by the way it is eaten. Otherwise known (Lucban)
as Pancit Lucban, these noodles are hawked in the streets and served on
a piece of banana leaf, sans fork or any other utensils. Thus, it is eaten
straight from the leaf, licking permitted... "habhab"-style.
The Philippines first Filipino-Spanish dictionary which was printed in Tagala
1613, 25 years older than the first book printed in the United States.
It is the most beautiful mountain I have ever seen, the world-renowned Mayon
Fujiyama (Mt. Fuji) of Japan sinking into perfect insignificance by
comparison. British traveler-writer A. Henry Savage Landor
It is the oldest golf club in the Philippines. It was built at 1908 by Irish Ilo-Ilo golf and country
Engineers. club

where Ferdinand Magellan first landed in the Philippines which give Limasawa Island
way to the discovery of the Philippines and where the first mass was
celebrated.
It is said to be the narrowest yet the most navigable strait in the world San Juanico Strait
It is the Philippines highest mountain at 10,311 feet above sea level, Mt. Apo
and considered as the Grand-father of all Philippine Mountains
 19

It is the second largest lake in the Philippines, probably the deepest in Lake Lanao
the country and is considered one of the major tropical lakes in
Southeastern Asia. The lake is home of endemic cryprinids, the species
found only in the lake and nowhere else in the world.
It is literally means, "mix-mix". And just that: a mixture of sweetened Halo-Halo
fruits and beans, lavished with pinipig (crisp flattened rice flakes), sugar
and milk, topped by crushed ice and ice cream. You know its
summertime when halo-halo stand start sprouting by the roadside and by
the beach, all whipping up their heavenly concoctions of such a
refreshingly divine dessert. You can make your own by selecting and
mixing your ingredients to make a perfect Halo-Halo. Halo-Halo is
uniquely, unforgettably Filipino
It is a horse-driven carriage that was introduced during the 18th century. The Kalesa or Karitela
It was used by Spanish officials and the nobles as a means of
transportation. The Ilustrados, the rich Filipinos who had their own
businesses, used the kalesa not only for traveling but as a means a means
of transporting their goods as well.
Made primarily of lightwood (laniti and santol trees), it is sculpted with Bakya
a slope and shaved to a smooth finish, then painted with floral designs or
varnished to a high sheen. The upper portions, which are made of rubber
or transparent plastic, are fastened to the sides by thumb nails called
"clavitos". The bakya industry prospered during the 1930s when the
Filipinos began exporting these to the other countries.
This sweet treat was concocted in the early 1920's, a time where a single Bakya
centavo could buy you almost anything. The process of this ice cream
making and selling it in carts with colorful designs is still the same.
Back in the old days, these ice cream dealers bred their own cows and
milked them with their own hands to ensure the freshness and sanitation
of the milk needed to make the "dirty ice cream".
With some 800 to 1,000 species of orchids, the Philippines has one of Waling Waling Orchids
the richest orchid floras in the world. Philippine orchids come in an
amazing array of shapes, sizes and colors. Most grow only in old-growth
forest, often on branches of huge trees dozens of meters above the forest
floor.

A Filipina World champion speed reader as listed in the Guinness Book Maria Teresa Calderon
of World Records
In the Philippines, Filipinos were introduced to the English language in
1762 by British invaders, not Americans. Philippines is the world's 3rd
largest English-speaking nation, next to the USA and the UK.
It is Asia's premier and the world's second oldest professional league. The Philippine Basketball
Association (PBA)
It became the Asia's first airline and first took to the skies on March 15, Philippine Airlines
1941, using a Beech Model 18 aircraft amid the specter of a global war.
The world's largest pearl was discovered by a Filipino diver in a giant Known as the "Pearl of
Tridacna (mollusk) under the Palawan Sea in 1934. The gem weighs 14 Lao-Tzu"
pounds and measures 9 1/2 inches long and 5 1/2 inches in diameter. As
of May 1984, it was valued at US$42 million. It is believed to be 600
years old.
 20

The first television station in the country that went on the air in 1953. Alto Broadcasting System
(ABS) Channel 3.
The world's second deepest spot underwater is in the Philippines. This , is known as the Philippine
spot, about 34,440 feet (10,497 meters) below the sea level. The German Deep or the Mindanao
ship Emden first plumbed the trench in 1927. Trench.
The symbolic name for the Philippines, Juan dela Cruz, is not a Filipino R. McCulloch-Dick
invention? It was coined by a Scottish-born journalist working for the
Manila Times in the early 1900s, after discovering it was the most
common name in blotters.
It is dubbed as the Rome of the Philippines because of the number of Lipa City in Batangas
seminaries, convents, monasteries, retreat houses, and a famous
cathedral located in it.
It is known to be laden with gold, thus earning the monicker Golden Compostella Valley
Valley of Mindanao
It is built by Augustinian Missionaries in 1572, is reputed to be the Basilica of St. Marten de
biggest catholic church in East Asia. It is so huge that it can house Tours in Taal, Batangas
another big church

It is known as the Switzerland of Bengued because of the frost during Kibungan

the cold months
It is considered to be the biggest in the far east The Delmonte Pineapple
Plantation in Bukidnon
Both Tridacna gigas, one of the world's largest shells, and Pisidum, the
world's tiniest shell, can be found under Philippine waters. Tridacna
gigas grows as large as one meter in length and weighs 600 pounds
while Pisidum is less than 1 millimeter long. A shell called glory of the
sea (Connus gloriamaris) is also found in the Philippines and considered
as one of the most expensive shells in the world.
They are small saltwater fish belonging to the Syngnathidae family Seahorses
(order Gasterosteiformes), which also includes pipefish and sea dragons.
Most seahorse species, probably the most peculiar creatures in the water,
live in the Coral Triangle. There are at least 50 known seahorse species
in the world. They inhabit temperate and tropical waters but most of
them are concentrated in the warm coastal waters of the Philippines.
a fishing town in Sorsogon province, serves as a sanctuary to a group of Donsol, Sorsogon
40 whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), which are considered as the largest
fish in the world. Locally known as "butanding", whale sharks visit the
waters of Donsol from November to May. They travel across the oceans
but nowhere else have they been sighted in a larger group than in the
waters of Sorsogon. They measure between 18 to 35 feet in length and
weigh about 20 tons.
The Philippines is home to some of the world's most exotic birds.
One of the most endangered species is the exotic Kalangay or the
Philippine cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia), which belongs to
Psittacidae or the family of parrots. Some cockatoos can live up to 50
years. They are known for mimicking human voices. Most of them
measure 33 centimeters in length and weigh 0.29 kilogram.
It is neither a bear nor a cat. Known in Southeast Asia as binturong, the Palawan bearcat
bearcat is a species of its own, with population in the forests of Palawan,
Borneo, Burma and Vietnam. It belongs to the family of Viverridae
 21

(civets). The Palawan bearcat has a long body and a pointed face leading
to the nose. Its head and body measure 61 to 96 centimeters in combined
length while its tail is almost as long. It weighs 9 to 14 kilograms and
lives up to 20 years.
Calamian Islands, north of Palawan province, keep a species of deer that Calamian Deer
cannot be found elsewhere. Scientists referred to the hog deer in the
islands as Calamian deer in order to distinguish them from other hog
deer in the world. An ordinary Calamian deer measures 105 to 115
centimeters in length and 60 to 65 centimeters high at the shoulder and
weighs about 36 to 50 kilograms. It is said to have longer and darker
legs, compared with other hog deer.
South of Palawan, lies the Balabac Island, home of the world's smallest Worlds Smallest Hoofed
hoofed mammal - the Philippine mouse deer. Locally known as Pilandok Mammal
(Tragalus nigricans), this ruminant stands only about 40 centimeters at
the shoulder level.
One of the most distinct creatures on Earth lives in the Philippines. It Flying Lemur - Around the
doesn't have wings but it can glide across 100 meters of space in a single world, it is known as
leap. Like the lemurs of Asia, it moves around at night. Its head colugo or the flying lemur.
resembles that of a dog while its body has similarities with the flying
squirrel of Canada.
In Mindanao, people call it "kagwang".
Did you know that the first four cities of Metropolitan Manila are: Manila, Quezon, Pasay and
Caloocan
It is where the starts of 0 kilometer reading in measuring all distances The Flagpole located in
from Manila. Rizal Park
What is the second biggest city in the Philippines? Quezon City
It was designed by a noted Filipino sculptor Guillermo Tolentino. A The Bonifacio Monument
monument in Caloocan City. in Monumento, Caloocan
City
In 1916, in the Philippines, an offensive style of passing the ball in a
high trajectory to be struck by another player (the set and spike) were
introduced. The Filipinos developed the "bomba" or kill, and called the
hitter a "bomberino".
Source: http://www.tourism.gov.ph/SitePages/Trivia.aspx