Did you know? Short fact-based information about the Philippines
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Around 80 percent of Filipinos are Roman Catholic. This gives the Philippines the world's third-largest Catholic population after Brazil and Mexico. No other country in Asia is shaped so strongly by Christianity.
Every year, millions of faithful join the Black Nazarene procession through Manila. Many walk barefoot or try to touch the statue with a cloth because they hope for a blessing or healing. It is one of the largest religious processions in the world.
Iglesia ni Cristo was founded in the Philippines in 1914 and is one of the few globally successful Christian churches originating in Asia. Today, it has congregations in numerous countries and several million members.
The Christmas season begins in the Philippines as early as September. As soon as the so-called 'Ber months' begin, Christmas songs are heard and shopping centres are decorated festively. Hardly any other country celebrates Christmas over such a long period.
Simbang Gabi comprises nine consecutive early-morning Masses before Christmas. Many believers get up before sunrise for them. According to tradition, a special wish will come true if one attends all nine Masses.
The Sinulog Festival in Cebu is one of Asia's largest street festivals. Hundreds of thousands of dancers move through the streets in colourful costumes while honouring the Santo Niño, the infant Jesus. Every year, visitors from all over the world travel to this spectacle.
The Ati-Atihan Festival is regarded as the 'mother of all Philippine festivals'. Participants traditionally paint their faces dark and dance through the streets to drums for days. Its origins go back several centuries.
Jeepneys emerged from abandoned American military jeeps after the Second World War. The vehicles were lengthened, colourfully painted and converted into shared taxis. Today, they are regarded as rolling works of art and as one of the Philippines' best-known landmarks.
Bayanihan describes the Filipinos' special sense of community. In the past, villagers carried entire bamboo houses together to a new location—a task that would have been impossible for a single family. To this day, the term stands for mutual help without expecting anything in return.
The 'Mano po' gesture is a sign of particular respect for older people. The older person's hand is gently brought to one's own forehead. This tradition remains widespread in the Philippines today.
Adobo is regarded as the unofficial national dish of the Philippines. Meat is braised in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic and seasonings. Because every family has its own recipe, there are countless regional variations.
Balut is probably the Philippines' best-known street food—and a test of courage for many tourists. It is a fertilised duck egg that has been incubated and is traditionally eaten warm from the shell. For many Filipinos, however, balut is an entirely ordinary snack.
Lechon, a spit-roasted suckling pig, is considered the ultimate celebratory meal. Lechon from Cebu in particular has a legendary reputation and is often called the best in the country. Hardly any large family celebration takes place without this dish.
Halo-Halo literally means 'mix-mix'. The dessert consists of crushed ice, sweetened fruit, beans, jellies, milk and usually a scoop of ube ice cream. Hardly any two servings of Halo-Halo look exactly alike.
In traditional Kamayan, people deliberately eat with their hands. The food is often arranged on long banana leaves, around which everyone sits together. The shared meal is just as central as the dish itself.
Around one in ten Filipinos lives or works abroad. These so-called OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) are present in more than 200 countries—from cruise ships to hospitals and airlines. Hardly any other country has such a large overseas diaspora.
OFW remittances in 2023 reached a record 37.2 billion US dollars. That is equivalent to around nine percent of the country's total economic output. For millions of families, these remittances are the most important source of income.
The Philippines are regarded as the world's largest exporter of nurses. Filipino nurses work in hospitals on almost every continent. Their strong reputation is based on internationally recognised training and very good English skills.
Many people believe that karaoke was invented in Japan. In fact, the world's only recognised karaoke patent belongs to the Filipino Roberto del Rosario, who developed his 'Sing-Along System' in 1975. This claim was later legally confirmed.
In the 2000s, the Philippines were regarded as the 'SMS capital of the world'. At times, several hundred million text messages were sent every day. Text messages were so inexpensive that they often replaced telephone calls entirely.
Basketball is far more than just a sport in the Philippines. Even in small villages, there is often a basketball hoop—sometimes a board on a utility pole is enough. This explains why the country, despite its comparatively short average height, is one of the world's most basketball-enthusiastic nations.
Since 2009, arnis has officially been the national sport of the Philippines. The traditional martial art is practised with rattan sticks, knives or no weapons at all. International police and special forces units still adopt techniques from arnis.
The Barong Tagalog is the traditional formal attire of Filipino men. The translucent shirt is often made from fine fibres of the pineapple plant or from abacá. Despite its elegant appearance, it is deliberately worn over the trousers.
Sari-sari stores are the country's smallest shops and are part of almost every neighbourhood. They are often run directly from a living room or garage. They even sell individual cigarettes, sweets or portions of shampoo—in exactly the quantities customers can afford.
The famous Banaue Rice Terraces were built by the Ifugao over many generations. They were created largely without machinery and follow the steep mountain slopes like huge green staircases. Some sections have been cultivated continuously for almost 2,000 years.
Hospitality is held in particularly high regard in the Philippines. Visitors are often spontaneously invited to a meal—even when the family has little. Sharing meals is regarded as an expression of respect and appreciation.
The San Miguel brewery was founded as early as 1890 and is one of the oldest breweries in Southeast Asia. Although many people mistake the beer for a Spanish brand, San Miguel originally comes from the Philippines. Today, its products are exported to numerous countries.
Sabong, traditional cockfighting, has a centuries-old history in the Philippines. For many people, it is part of the culture; at the same time, it is controversially debated because of animal-welfare concerns. These opposing views still shape the debate today.
According to an old Philippine superstition, a staircase should not have a number of steps divisible by three. This is based on the Spanish saying "oro, plata, mata" — gold, silver, death. The third step is considered a symbol of bad luck.
In some rural regions, a newborn's placenta is traditionally buried on the family's own property. The family often places symbolic objects with it that are meant to bring the child luck or special abilities later in life. Such customs differ by region and ethnic group.
Santos is the most common surname in the Philippines, followed by Reyes, Cruz and Garcia. The striking number of Spanish surnames goes back to the colonial period. For this reason, many visitors initially assume that the Spanish share of the population is much larger than it actually is.
In 1849, the Spanish colonial administration ordered many Filipinos to choose official surnames from a name catalogue. The aim was to make censuses and tax rolls easier to manage. This is why millions of Filipinos today have Spanish surnames even though they have no Spanish ancestors.
In some karaoke bars, Frank Sinatra's "My Way" is still not played. The reason is several violent disputes that escalated during the song and gained international notoriety as the "My Way Killings". As a precaution, many bars therefore leave the song out of their programmes.
Philippine mythology includes more than 260 mythical beings. The most feared is the aswang — a shape-shifter described, depending on the region, as a vampire, witch or monster. Stories about the aswang are still passed on today.
The Philippines is often referred to as the "Social Media Capital of the World". For years, Filipinos have been among the people who spend the most time on social media each day worldwide. Platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and YouTube therefore also play an especially large role in everyday life.
In 2014, Makati City was declared the "Selfie Capital of the World". This was based on the number of published selfies in relation to the population. Makati thus ranked ahead even of cities such as New York and Paris.
At the height of the SMS boom, Filipinos sent around 400 million text messages per day. Annualised, this corresponds to more than 140 billion SMS messages a year. No other country sent more text messages at the time.
In the Philippines, it is considered polite not to unwrap a gift immediately in front of the giver. Many people deliberately wait until later so as not to appear greedy or impatient. This custom surprises many foreign visitors.
The Philippines has no fewer than twelve official national symbols. In addition to the national bird, national flower and national tree, these include the South Sea pearl, Arnis as the national sport and even an official national sign language. Few countries have so many national symbols established by law.
The national motto is "Maka-Diyos, Maka-tao, Makakalikasan at Makabansa". Translated, it means: "For God, the people, nature and the fatherland." It summarises the values that, under the Constitution, shape the country's self-image.
A high-quality Barong Tagalog is traditionally made from fine fibres of the pineapple plant or abacá. The fabric is produced largely by hand and can take many weeks to make. Particularly fine examples are therefore considered small works of art.
Cebu City set a Guinness World Record in 2010 when more than 125,000 fireworks were ignited in just 17 seconds. The event attracted tens of thousands of spectators and made headlines around the world.
Marikina City is regarded as the shoe capital of the Philippines. In 2002, shoemakers there made what was then the world's largest pair of shoes — more than five metres long and worth around 2 million pesos. The city remains known for its shoe industry to this day.
In 2006, 3,541 mothers in Manila simultaneously set a world record for breastfeeding. The action was intended to promote the benefits of breastfeeding around the world. The record made it into the Guinness Book.
The world's longest basketball game took place in Manila in 2014. The game lasted an incredible 120 hours — five days without interruption — and raised money for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. This record, too, was recognised by Guinness.
At the 2023 Basketball World Championship, a new attendance record for a World Championship game was set at the Philippine Arena. More than 38,000 fans watched the game live. This clearly surpassed the previous record.
When Pope Francis visited Manila in 2015, more than six million people attended his closing Mass, according to estimates. It is regarded as the largest papal Mass in history. It even surpassed previous World Youth Days.
Although the Philippines is considered Asia's most Christian country, Islam there is older than the arrival of Christianity. Muslim traders brought their faith to the south of the archipelago as early as the 14th century. To this day, Islam particularly shapes Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago.
After Brazil and Mexico, the Philippines has the world's third-largest Catholic population. Around four out of five Filipinos belong to the Catholic Church. This makes the country a religious exception in Asia.
Filipinos make up the third-largest Asian population group in the United States, after people of Chinese and Indian descent. Many work in health care, technology or the military. The close connection between the two countries continues to this day.
In 2010, even the Philippine flag made diplomatic headlines. During an official visit, the United States accidentally hoisted it with the red stripe at the top — in the Philippines, this officially signifies a state of war. The US government subsequently apologised for the mistake.
The word "jeepney" is made up of "jeep" and "jitney", an American term for a shared taxi. After the Second World War, former military jeeps gave rise to one of the Philippines' best-known means of transport. Today, the colourfully painted jeepneys are a national symbol.
The spectacular limestone cliffs and lagoons of El Nido inspired author Alex Garland to write his novel "The Beach". Before the book was made into a film with Leonardo DiCaprio, Garland himself lived on Palawan for a time. His impressions flowed directly into the story.
The tarsier is not only one of the world's smallest primates — it is even depicted on the Philippine 200-peso banknote. This makes it one of the few wild animals worldwide to appear on a national banknote. At the same time, this draws attention to its protection.
During the Pahiyas Festival, residents decorate their houses with artfully coloured rice wafers, fruit and vegetables. The decorations are often so elaborate that entire streets become small open-air galleries. The festival is held in thanks for a successful harvest.
During the Moriones Festival, the island of Marinduque turns into a huge open-air stage. Hundreds of participants parade through the streets as Roman soldiers wearing elaborately carved masks. The tradition goes back several centuries.
The MassKara Festival arose in 1980 during a severe economic crisis. Rather than lose heart, the people of Bacolod decided to hold a cheerful festival with smiling masks. To this day, these masks stand for optimism and perseverance.
The Kadayawan Festival in Davao celebrates Mindanao's rich nature and culture. Flowers, fruit and traditional dances of indigenous peoples are at its centre. It is one of the country's most colourful festivals.
The Kaamulan Festival is considered the Philippines' only major ethnic festival. Seven indigenous groups showcase their dances, music and centuries-old customs there. Visitors thereby gain a rare insight into Mindanao's cultural diversity.
The Peñafrancia procession in Naga culminates in an impressive river procession. Every year, millions of pilgrims accompany the figure of the Virgin Mary on its journey along the river. It is one of Southeast Asia's largest religious events.
At the Obando Festival, many childless couples dance through the streets because they hope it will grant them the wish of having a child. The tradition combines Catholic faith with far older local customs. It is still practised today.
In San Fernando on Luzon, some devotees voluntarily have themselves nailed to crosses during Holy Week. Although the Catholic Church rejects this form of penance, the ritual still attracts thousands of onlookers and pilgrims every year.
Flores de Mayo is among the Philippines' most popular Marian traditions. Its highlight is the colourful Santacruzan procession, in which festively dressed participants portray biblical and historical figures. Many places celebrate this festival throughout the whole month of May.
Harana was the classic Filipino form of romantic serenade. Men sang in the evening beneath the windows of the women they adored, hoping to gain their attention. Today, this romantic tradition is rarely encountered in everyday life.
Balagtasan is a poetic contest in which two participants present their arguments in rhyming form. The art form began in 1924 in honour of the poet Francisco Balagtas and is somewhat reminiscent of modern poetry slams—albeit with fixed rhymes and traditional language rules.
The Pasyon tells the story of Jesus Christ’s Passion in song. During Holy Week, families read or sing this text together; it is often several hundred pages long. This tradition has been maintained for generations in many places.
In rural areas, many Filipinos still rely on Albularyos and Hilot healers. While Albularyos use herbs and traditional healing methods, Hilot are known for their special massage techniques. Traditional and modern medicine are often combined.
Anting-Anting are traditional amulets to which supernatural powers are attributed. Depending on folk belief, they are said to bring luck, protect against illness or even repel bullets. Many revolutionaries, particularly during the colonial period, wore such protective amulets.
Before the Spanish colonial era, Babaylan played an important role in village communities. They were mostly women who served as healers, spiritual leaders and advisers. With Christianisation, this tradition disappeared in many places, but it continues to survive in some regions to this day.
Apo Whang-Od is regarded as the world's oldest traditional tattoo artist. Even at the age of more than 100, she tattooed visitors using her people's centuries-old hand-tapping technique. Her works made traditional Mambabatok art known around the world.
With the title 'Manlilikha ng Bayan', the Philippine state honours exceptional masters of traditional craft and art forms. The award is considered the cultural counterpart of 'National Artist'. Its aim is to keep old knowledge alive.
The Badjao are often called 'sea nomads'. Many families once lived almost entirely on boats and spent their entire lives at sea. Only in recent decades have more and more people settled permanently on land.
The Aeta are among the oldest indigenous population groups of the Philippines. Archaeological and genetic research suggests that their ancestors lived on the islands tens of thousands of years ago. This makes them among the earliest inhabitants of the archipelago.
The Hanunoo-Mangyan of Mindoro still have their own traditional script. Unlike many historical writing systems, it is still taught and used in everyday life. There are only a few indigenous scripts worldwide that have remained so vibrant.
The weaver Lang Dulay made the famous T'boli T'nalak textiles according to patterns that, according to tradition, appeared to her in dreams. Each textile is therefore considered unique and cannot simply be copied. She was honoured as a living cultural treasure for her work.
Piña fabric is made from the fine fibres of the pineapple plant. It is produced entirely by hand, and the process is so laborious that high-quality fabrics can cost several hundred euros. Piña is used, among other things, to make barong Tagalog and formal dresses.
The colourful Vinta boats with their vibrant sails are a landmark of the southern archipelago. Originally, they served the seafarers of the Moro peoples as fishing and trading boats. Today, they are among Mindanao's best-known symbols.
The Torogan is the traditional princely house of the Maranao. The intricately carved wooden buildings use no nails and are built to withstand earthquakes better. Only a few original Torogan houses survive today.
Pangalay is among the oldest classical dances of the Philippines. It is characterised by flowing arm movements and fingers bent far backwards, which make the dance appear especially elegant. Its style resembles courtly dances in parts of Indonesia and Malaysia.
In Pamamanhikan, the groom's family officially visits the bride's family to ask for her hand in marriage. Not only the wedding, but often also their life together is discussed. The family plays a central role in this tradition.
After a death, the 'Pasiyam' traditionally takes place. Relatives and friends come together for nine days of collective prayer before the mourning period ends after 40 days. These customs are still practised in many families today.
When entering a Philippine house, people often call out 'Tao po!' first. This politely announces their presence while asking permission to enter. The call remains one of the country's best-known forms of courtesy.
The Carabao is the national animal of the Philippines and is regarded as a symbol of diligence and endurance. For decades, the water buffalo was the most important source of labour in the rice fields. Along with the mango as the national fruit and the Bahay Kubo as the national house, it is one of the best-known national symbols.
The Bahay Kubo is a traditional stilt house made of bamboo and nipa palms. Its raised floor leaves the house better protected during floods while allowing air to circulate beneath the building—a simple but effective adaptation to the tropical climate.
The Sarswela is Philippine musical theatre and arose during the Spanish colonial era. Singing, dancing and humorous dialogue usually tell stories about love, family and everyday life. In the Philippines, the Sarswela has cultural significance similar to that of operetta in German-speaking countries.
The Komedya—also called Moro-Moro—is among the country's oldest theatrical forms. It tells of battles between Christians and Moors and was an integral part of many village festivals for centuries. Today, it is staged primarily for cultural reasons.
The island of Negros is often called the 'sugar bowl of the Philippines'. Since the colonial period, huge sugarcane plantations have shaped the island's economy. Wealth from sugar brought some families great prosperity, but also led to sharp social disparities.