Did you know? Short fact-based information about the Philippines
- Film & media · 16
- Geography & nature · 85
- History · 97
- Culture & society · 87
- Food · 27
- Literature & language · 35
- Music & art · 38
- People · 30
- Politics & government · 41
- Sport · 33
- Economy · 29
- Science & inventions · 16
The Bamboo Organ of Las Piñas is almost unique in the world. Of its more than 900 pipes, most are actually made of bamboo rather than metal. International concerts centred on this exceptional instrument are still held regularly today.
Kundiman is the classic Filipino love song. During the colonial period, many composers also used these romantic songs to convey patriotic messages in coded form. Love songs thus sometimes became songs of freedom.
The rondalla is an orchestra of plucked string instruments and goes back to Spanish influences. To this day, it is part of many festivals, school events and folk celebrations. Its bright sound is characteristic of traditional Philippine music.
Kulintang music is one of the Philippines' oldest musical traditions. It is played on a row of small knobbed gongs, whose melodies are accompanied by large hanging gongs and drums. This music remains alive to this day, especially on Mindanao.
Lea Salonga made history in 1991 when she became the first Asian woman to win a Tony Award. She also became known worldwide as the singing voice of the Disney princesses Jasmine and Mulan. She thus shaped several generations of Disney fans.
Although her face is never seen in the Disney films, Filipino singer Lea Salonga provided the singing voices of Jasmine in 'Aladdin' and Mulan. Millions of people know her voice without knowing her name. She is still regarded as one of Asia's most successful musical-theatre performers.
Bruno Mars has Philippine roots. His mother came from the Philippines and introduced her son to music and dance at an early age. The multi-award-winning artist still repeatedly mentions his heritage with pride.
Pop star Olivia Rodrigo has Philippine roots. Her great-grandfather emigrated from the Philippines to the United States. Today, she is one of the most successful artists of her generation and an important role model for many young Filipinos.
Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas was born in Angeles City and spent his childhood there. Only later was he adopted by an American family and moved to the United States. He still addresses his Philippine heritage in his music and social engagement.
'Anak' by Freddie Aguilar is one of the most successful Asian songs of all time. The song has been translated into more than 50 languages and sold millions of copies. Although the title means 'child', people around the world understand its message about family and reconciliation.
OPM stands for 'Original Pilipino Music' and refers to music written or performed by Filipino artists. The term arose to distinguish local music from international productions. Today, OPM encompasses almost every musical genre—from pop to rock.
Tinikling is regarded as the national dance of the Philippines. The dancers jump in time through rapidly clapping bamboo poles. Even a small mistake can cause painful bruises.
The elegant Singkil dance tells an episode from the Maranao epic 'Darangen'. The dancers also move between bamboo poles, but often wear elaborate costumes and crowns. It is one of Southeast Asia's best-known traditional court dances.
The title 'National Artist' is the highest state honour for artists in the Philippines. It is awarded only to people who have left a lasting mark on the country's cultural heritage. The honour comes with lifelong state privileges.
Fernando Amorsolo was the Philippines' first National Artist. He became famous for his light-filled landscapes and scenes of everyday life, which still rank among the most expensive paintings in Philippine art. His style shaped generations of painters.
Benedicto 'BenCab' Cabrera is regarded as the Philippines' most important living painter. His works regularly achieve top prices at international auctions. At the same time, he works to preserve the traditional cultures of mountain peoples.
José Mari Chan's album 'Christmas in Our Hearts' has been part of every Philippine Christmas season since 1990. As soon as the Christmas season begins in September, his songs are heard in shopping centres, on the radio and in private homes. For many Filipinos, Christmas begins only with his music.
The Eraserheads are often called the 'Beatles of the Philippines'. In the 1990s, they shaped the country's rock music more than almost any other band. Many of their songs are now regarded as modern classics.
The Hudhud chants of the Ifugao are traditionally performed during the rice harvest and at funerals. Some of these chants last several hours and are passed down orally from generation to generation. UNESCO therefore lists them as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The epic 'Darangen' comprises thousands of verses and tells the story of the Maranao on Mindanao. Performing all the chants in full would take many hours. It is regarded as one of Southeast Asia's most important orally transmitted epics.
Francisco Santiago is called the 'father of Kundiman'. He turned the traditional love song into a recognised art form and left a lasting mark on Philippine musical history. Many of his compositions are still performed today.
Lucio San Pedro composed the famous lullaby 'Sa Ugoy ng Duyan'. The song is among the best-known classical compositions of the Philippines and is still reinterpreted by many artists. He was honoured as a National Artist for his life's work.
'Bayan Ko' developed from a simple song into a symbol of resistance. During martial law under Ferdinand Marcos, it was at times banned; later, it became the unofficial anthem of the People Power Revolution. Hardly any other song is so closely associated with the democracy movement.
Ryan Cayabyab is among the Philippines' best-known composers and music educators. For decades, he promoted young talent and shaped modern Philippine pop and choral music. In 2018, he was honoured as a National Artist.
The Philippine Madrigal Singers became the first choir ever to win the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing twice. This competition is considered one of the highest honours in the international choral scene. The choir therefore enjoys a high reputation worldwide.
Pilita Corrales came to be known as 'Asia's Queen of Songs'. She was one of the first Philippine singers to achieve international success and recorded songs in several languages. Her career spanned more than six decades.
Sharon Cuneta has carried the nickname 'Megastar' since the 1980s. Few female artists in the Philippines have been so successful in music, film and television at the same time. Her popularity continues to this day.
Regine Velasquez is known as 'Asia's Songbird'. Her exceptional vocal range of around five octaves made her one of Asia's most successful singers. Generations of young artists name her as a role model.
The boy group SB19 made history in 2021 as the first Filipino act to receive a Billboard Music Award nomination. At the same time, the group made a decisive contribution to establishing the term 'P-Pop' internationally. Today, SB19 is considered the genre's most successful representative.
The bands Hotdog and APO Hiking Society shaped the so-called 'Manila Sound' in the 1970s. This mixture of pop, disco and local influences is considered a precursor to modern Philippine pop music. Many later artists still cite this style today.
The Juan de la Cruz Band is considered the founder of Pinoy Rock. In the 1970s, it combined Western rock with Philippine lyrics and themes. Many later rock bands still cite it as their most important role model.
Dolphy appeared in more than 200 films and was one of the Philippines' most popular entertainers for more than half a century. Because of his exceptional career, he is still revered as the 'King of Comedy'. Hardly any other actor left such a lasting mark on Philippine television and cinema.
Levi Celerio earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records with an unusual talent: he could play music on a simple leaf. He turned an ordinary tree leaf into a fully fledged musical instrument. Very few people worldwide have mastered this art.
In 1884, Juan Luna won the gold medal at the Madrid Art Exhibition with his painting 'Spoliarium'. It was the first time that an artist from a Spanish colony had received such a significant international award. The success strengthened the self-confidence of many Filipinos in the colonial era.
At the same exhibition, Félix Resurrección Hidalgo won the silver medal. That two Philippine artists simultaneously ranked among Europe's best caused a great stir at the time. Their successes became a symbol of emerging national consciousness.
Damián Domingo founded the Philippines' first art academy as early as the 1820s. In doing so, he laid the foundation for the country's professional art education. Many important artists of later generations built on this development.
Victorio Edades is considered the father of modern Philippine painting. With his unconventional motifs and new style, he deliberately broke with the classical painting that had prevailed until then. His works permanently changed the country's art scene.
Napoleon Abueva revolutionised modern Philippine sculpture. At only 46 years old, he was named the youngest National Artist in the country's history. His sculptures can now be seen in museums and public places throughout the country.