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The Philippines meaning the pearl of the orient and consists of over 7,000 islands in the Western Pacific forming an archipelago. It is often divided into three island groups: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The capital is Manilla which is located on Luzon. The islands are volcanic in origin and covered in tropical rainforest.
The islands contain many active volcanoes including the Mayon Volcano. The economy in the Philippines is largely based around agriculture with goods like sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn and other fruit.
However there has been a large push in the service industry, including tourism and more commonly, business process outsourcing.
It gained independence from Spain on the 12 June 1898 and from the US on the 4 July 1946.
About Philippines
Filipino (Tagalog) and English
300,000 km²
Calling Code
Philippines, National Anthem
National Olympic Committee
Philippine Olympic Committee
NOC President
Mr. Abraham N. Tolentino
Recognition Year
3rd/F Building A, Philsports Complex, Meralco Avenue - 1603 Pasig City
https://www.olympic.ph/
noc-phi@olympic.ph
Sports are an intrinsic part of Filipino culture.
One of the most commonly played sports in the country is basketball, which can be attributed to the American governance until the Philippines declared independence in 1946.
It is home to Asia's first professional basketball league and is the second oldest league in the world. In the first Southeast Asian Games in 1977 the national team won the gold medal.
The Philippines first sent athletes to the Olympic Games in 1924 but it wasn't unti the next games in Amsterdam that they would win their first medal with Teofilo Yldefonso wining bronze in the men's 400m breaststroke.
Other popular sports include martial arts of the karate and tae-kwon-do variety, boxing, golf, tennis and despite its location and climate, ice skating.
Lying in the typhoon belt of the Western Pacific the climate is hot and tropical.
With an annual average temperature of around 28 °C with some peaks of 38 °C there is little variation throughout the year.
Annual rainfall averages range from 40 inches, to 200 inches in mountainous areas.
The capital of Manila will see an average of 80 inches of rain evenly distributed throughout the year.
Filipino culture is a hybrid of Malayo Polynesian and Hispanic, due to the Spanish colonisation in the 16th Century.
Many of the places in the Philippines have Spanish names, as do many of the people with Spanish names and surnames still remaining strong in the country.
Introduced in the 18th century the kalesa is still used in some tourist locations like Manila, Binondo and Iligan City and rural areas.
A kalesa is a horse drawn cart with two wheels and can accommodate up to four people.
In the old days these were used only by those who could afford them, usually the rich. Now however they are rare to see in use except in aforementioned tourist areas.
The Filipinos also like to party - Somewhere in the archipelago, there is at least one fiesta being celebrated 365 days a year!
Open the news
Miller prepares to represent Philippines at second Winter Olympics
Manila, Philippines, January 10, 2022: Alpine skier Asa Miller will fly the flag for the Philippi...
Philippines NOC supports athletes affected by typhoon
Manila, Philippines, December 22, 2021: The government's Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and t...
Philippines NOC President presents house and lot units to Olympic boxers
Manila, Philippines, December 6, 2021: Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham "Bambol" To...
Olympic champ Diaz and Jollibee support Filipino athletes to reach their dreams
Manila, Philippines, November 18, 2021: The Philippines' Tokyo 2020 golden hero, Hidilyn Diaz, ha...
Philippines NOC: 71 swimmers chase world championships places
Manila, Philippines, October 22, 2021: The stage is set for the 2021 Philippine Swimming, Inc. (P...
Asian Games golf champ soars to No. 5 in Rolex rankings
Manila, Philippines, October 13, 2021: The Philippines' double Asian Games golf champion Yuka Sas...
POC President says Tokyo 2020 success 'changed landscape' of sport in Philippines
Manila, Philippines, September 16, 2021: The two tiers of the Philippines government – the House ...
Philippines to send 160 athletes in 21 sports to 6th AIMAG
Manila, Philippines, September 14, 2021: The Philippine Olympic Committee announced that it will ...
Tokyo Olympian Obiena breaks Asian men's pole vault record
Manila, Philippines, September 12, 2021: Tokyo Olympian Ernest "EJ" Obiena set a new Asian record...
Philippines' Obiena soars to fifth in pole vault world rankings
Manila, Philippines, September 2, 2021: The Philippines' Tokyo 2020 pole vault Olympian Ernest "E...
President Duterte presents cash awards to Philippines' Olympic heroes
Manila, Philippines, August 25, 2021: President Rodrigo Duterte led the awarding of incentives to...
Philippines' IOC member Mikee says scientific training is key to further Olympic success
Manila, Philippines, August 18, 2021: The Philippines' IOC Executive Board member, Mikee Cojuangc...
Philippines NOC reflects on social implications of Tokyo 2020 success
Manila, Philippines, August 12, 2021: After nearly a century of trying, the Philippines finally s...
Philippines' Olympic hero earns promotion in Armed Forces
Manila, Philippines, July 30, 2021: The rewards and recognition continue to flood in for the Phil...
Philippines hero Diaz showered with cash and gifts for Tokyo heroics
Tokyo, Japan, July 27, 2021: The pride of the Philippines Hidilyn Diaz is to be rewarded handsome...
Diaz lifts first gold medal for Philippines in Olympic history
Tokyo, Japan, July 26, 2021: The Philippines erupted with "Pinoy Pride" when weightlifter Hidilyn...
IOC Session re-elects Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski as IOC Member
Tokyo, Japan, July 21, 2021: IOC Executive Board member Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski of the Philippin...
POC names flagbearers for Tokyo 2020 opening ceremony
Manila, Philippines, July 9, 2021: The Philippine Olympic Committee has announced that pole vault...
Asian Games golf champions join Philippines' Tokyo team
Manila, Philippines, June 29, 2021: Two more of the Philippines' 2018 Asian Games "Golden Girls" ...
Asian Games skateboarding champ 'Magic Margie' qualifies for Tokyo 2020
Manila, Philippines, June 5, 2021: One of the biggest stars of the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia,...
Tokyo-bound OCA youth camp rower receives cash incentive
Manila, Philippines, May 27, 2021: OCA youth camp graduate Cris Nievarez has received a cash ince...
OCA youth camp graduate qualifies for Tokyo 2020
Manila, Philippines, May 10, 2021: A graduate from the Olympic Council of Asia's rowing youth cam...
Philippine Olympic Committee mourns former President Celso Dayrit
Manila, Philippines, April 29, 2021: The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) mourns the passing of...
SEA Games boxing champion passes away in Philippines
Manila, Philippines, April 26, 2021: The Philippines sports community is in mourning following th...
Philippines NOC identifies three training camps for 2021 SEA Games
Manila, Philippines, April 21, 2021: The cities of Sta. Rosa, Tagaytay and Taguig have agreed to ...
Boxing can bring first Olympic gold for Philippines, says POC
Manila, Philippines, April 16, 2021: With four boxers qualified for Tokyo 2020, gold may well be ...
Asian Games champ Diaz arrives in Tashkent to complete Tokyo 2020 qualification formalities
Manila, Philippines, April 12, 2021: The Philippines' Asian Games weightlifting champion Hidilyn ...
Asian Games golf champion Saso receives athlete of the year award
Manila, Philippines, March 29, 2021: The Philippines' double Asian Games golf champion Yuka Saso ...
Asian Games champ Diaz to receive sports awards citation
Manila, Philippines, March 18, 2021: Asian Games weightlifting champion and Rio 2016 Olympic silv...
Ten sports heroes to be inducted into Philippine hall of fame
Manila, Philippines, March 16, 2021: The Philippine Olympic Committee reports that a new batch of...
Asian Games golf champ Saso earns media prize in Philippines
Manila, Philippines, March 9, 2021: Double Asian Games golf champion Yuka Saso has won another pr...
POC women in sport commission plans online leadership conference
Manila, Philippines, March 8, 2021: The Philippine Olympic Committee Women in Sports Commission a...
Asian Games skateboarding champ Margie named Asia Skater of the Year
Manila, Philippines, March 3, 2021: Asian Games champion Margielyn Didal has been named Female Sk...
Tokyo-bound Obiena on a high with pole vault camaraderie
Manila, Philippines, October 23, 2020: Tokyo-bound Filipino pole vaulter Ernest "EJ" Obiena has a...
Philippines NOC thanks Vietnam SEA Games organisers for additional sports
Manila, Philippines, October 16, 2020: Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham "Bambol" To...
Asian pole vault champion Obiena beats top-class field on Euro circuit
Manila, Philippines, September 11, 2020: Asian champion Ernest "EJ" Obiena won his first gold med...
Children's book launched about life of weightlifting legend Diaz
Manila. Philippines, September 9, 2020: Philippines weightlifting hero Hidilyn Diaz has announced...
Philippines to brush up on anti-doping developments
Manila, Philippines, August 27, 2020: With the World Anti-Doping Agency's new WADA Code coming in...
Philippines' SEA Games surfer wins fair play award
Manila, Philippines, August 11, 2020: The Philippine Sports Commission has congratulated surfer R...
Philippines to push for more sports at 31st SEA Games 2021 in Vietnam
Manila, Philippines, July 13, 2020: The Philippines will appeal for the inclusion of the indigeno...
Philippines NOC to discuss training protocol for Tokyo Olympics
Manila, Philippines, July 7, 2020: Top officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Ph...
Iconic Asian Games sports venue features in restoration documentary
Manila, Philippines, June 29, 2020: One of Asia's most iconic sports venues is the subject of a d...
Asian Games champ 'Magic Margie' wins online skateboarding competition
Manila, Philippines, June 24, 2020: There's just no stopping Asian Games skateboarding champion M...
Asian Games champion Mikee to join Philippine Olympic Committee webinar
Manila, Philippines, June 18, 2020: The Philippine Olympic Committee is hosting a POC Webinar Ser...
Medical centre at Ninoy Aquino Stadium sends all patients home
Manila, Philippines, June 11, 2020: The Ninoy Aquino Stadium, one of the Philippine Sports Commis...
Asian Games champ Diaz raises funds to feed over 500 families
Manila, Philippines, June 4, 2020: The kind heart of weightlifting hero Hidilyn Diaz has aided ov...
Tokyo-bound Filipino pole vaulter Obiena back in outdoor training in Italy
Manila, Philippines, May 26, 2020: The Philippines' Olympic Games-bound pole vaulter Ernest "EJ" ...
Philippines NOC to provide 100 bicycles to national athletes
Manila, Philippines, May 21, 2020: Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham "Bam...
Asian Games champion Diaz continues her food package campaign
Manila, Philippines, May 10, 2020: Asian Games 2018 weightlifting champion Hidilyn Diaz is certai...
SEA Games silver medallist helps families in Philippines
Baguio, Philippines, April 23, 2020: A young member of the Philippine Muay Thai team has donated ...
Sports stadium opens as quarantine centre in Philippines' 'We Heal As One' campaign
Manila, Philippines, April 16, 2020: The historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, which for more t...
Asian Games champion Diaz aids the needy with food packages in hometown
Manila, Philippines, April 14, 2020: Asian Games weightlifting champion Hidilyn Diaz of the Phili...
Asian Games skateboarding champion selected for Forbes list
Manila, Philippines, April 3, 2020: Asian Games skateboarding champion Margielyn Didal of the Phi...
Philippine government offers sports stadiums for COVID-19 patients
Manila, Philippines, March 30, 2020: The Philippine Sports Commission has volunteered its own spo...
Filipina boxer Irish Magno sees a silver lining in Tokyo 2020 postponement
Manila, Philippines, March 27, 2020: Tokyo-bound boxer Irish Magno of the Philippines sees a silv...
Asian Games champ Diaz sums up feelings of athletes around the world
Manila, Philippines, March 17, 2020: Asian Games weightlifting champion Hidilyn Diaz of the Phili...
New Clark City, Philippines nominated for stadium of the year award
Manila, Philippines, March 11, 2020: The New Clark City Athletics Stadium has been nominated for ...
Philippines NOC President believes 'time is ripe' for Olympic gold
Manila, Philippines, March 10, 2020: The top sports leaders in the Philippines are hopeful that t...
Philippines to build national sports school
Manila, Philippines, March 4, 2020: The Senate has approved, on the third and final reading and b...
World boxing champion Petecio to receive sportswriters' award in Philippines
Manila, Philippines, February 24, 2020: World boxing champion Nesthy Petecio will be among the ma...
Philippines postpones national sports events due to coronavirus
Manila, Philippines, February 9, 2020: The Philippine Sports Commission issued an advisory on Feb...
Philippines NOC to push for golden sports to be retained at Vietnam SEA Games in 2021
Manila, Philippines, January 2, 2020: As the focus shifts to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, sustaining ...
Philippines looks to build on SEA Games success
Manila, Philippines, December 18, 2019: Philippine Sports Commission Chairman and SEA Games Chef ...
Philippines "win as one" as SEA Games hosts
Manila, Philippines, December 11, 2019: The Philippines have become the overall champions of the ...
Filipino spirit burns brightly at SEA Games closing ceremony
Tarlac, Philippines, December 11, 2019: The pride and passion of the Filipinos was on display at ...
President Duterte opens 30th SEA Games
Manila, Philippines, November 30, 2019: President Rodrigo Duterte and boxing champion Manny Pacqu...
Finance Secretary praises new SEA Games venue project
New Clark City, Philippines, November 22, 2019: Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said gover...
Torch relay begins for 30th SEA Games Philippines 2019
Davao, Philippines, October 31, 2019: The torch relay for the 30th South East Asian Games in the ...
Philippines NOC aims for elusive Olympic gold in Tokyo 2020
Manila, Philippines, October 29, 2019: The country's top sports officials are hoping to have a 20...
Philippines' 'Famous Five' meet President Duterte
Manila, Philippines, October 21, 2019: Excitement is growing in the Philippines as the organisers...
Yulo becomes first Filipino to be crowned world gymnastics champion
Stuttgart, Germany, October 13, 2019: Carlos Edriel Yulo made history by becoming the first ever ...
Philippines' New Clark City sports complex ready to open
Manila, Philippines, October 9, 2019: The New Clark City is set to open on November 8, in time fo...
Malaysia holds SEA Games Flame Handover Ceremony
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 3, 2019: The Flame Handover Ceremony for the 30th Southeast Asian...
Philippines celebrates second Tokyo 2020 qualifier
Manila, Philippines, October 8, 2019: Gymnast Carlos Yulo has qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympi...
Philippines' Obiena books ticket to Tokyo
Manila, Philippines, September 4, 2019: The sports community in the Philippines is celebrating it...
Athletes test New Clark City ahead of SEA Games
New Clark City, Philippines, September 3, 2019: More than 500 national athletes have tried out th...