Philippines Quiz: Test Your Knowledge About the Pearl of the Orient

Manila, located on the western shore of Luzon Island, is the capital of the Philippines. It has been the political and cultural hub since Spanish colonial times when it was established as the capital in 1571. Manila is one of the oldest cities in Asia and is famous for landmarks such as Intramuros (the walled city built by Spaniards), Fort Santiago, and Rizal Park. While Quezon City has a larger population and was briefly the capital (1948–1976), Manila remains the historic and symbolic seat of government.

Corazon Aquino (1933–2009) became the first female President of the Philippines and Asia in 1986, following the People Power Revolution that ended Ferdinand Marcos’ dictatorship. Known as the “Mother of Philippine Democracy,” she restored democratic institutions and inspired democratic movements worldwide.

Palawan is known as the “last ecological frontier of the Philippines.” It is home to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring a navigable underground river. Palawan is also famous for El Nido and Coron, which boast limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and rich marine biodiversity.

The Philippines is a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), established in 1967. ASEAN promotes political, economic, and cultural cooperation among Southeast Asian countries, which include Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

The Philippines has 7,641 islands according to the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA). These are grouped into three main regions:

• Luzon (largest and most populous)

• Visayas (a group of smaller islands in central Philippines)

• Mindanao (southernmost major island)

Only about 2,000 islands are inhabited, and roughly 5,000 remain unnamed. This island diversity contributes to the country’s rich biodiversity, cultural variety, and tourism appeal.

The Philippines is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. On its west lies the South China Sea, and on the east, the Philippine Sea (part of the Pacific). Its strategic maritime location has made it a hub for trade but also placed it in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity. The surrounding waters also provide rich marine biodiversity, making the country part of the Coral Triangle.

Mayon Volcano, located in Albay Province, Luzon, is famous for its almost perfect symmetrical cone shape. Standing at 2,463 meters, it is the most active volcano in the Philippines, with over 50 recorded eruptions in 500 years. Despite its destructive eruptions, it attracts many tourists and is a symbol of natural beauty and power.

The Philippines was named in honor of King Philip II of Spain by Spanish explorer Ruy López de Villalobos in 1543. Originally, he named the islands of Leyte and Samar as “Las Islas Filipinas,” which later expanded to the whole archipelago.

Quezon City, part of Metro Manila, is the most populous city in the Philippines, with over 3.4 million residents (as of 2025). Named after former President Manuel L. Quezon, it was the capital of the Philippines from 1948 to 1976. It is home to government institutions like the House of Representatives and major universities.

The Philippine Tarsier (Carlito syrichta) is one of the world’s smallest primates, measuring only about 8–16 cm in height. It is found mainly in Bohol, Leyte, Samar, and Mindanao. Known for its huge eyes (each eye is larger than its brain), the tarsier is nocturnal and insectivorous. It is an endangered species due to habitat destruction, making conservation efforts critical.

The Philippine flag has four colors:

• Blue (peace and justice)

• Red (valor and patriotism)

• White (purity and equality)

• Yellow (sun and three stars representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao)
  An interesting fact: In times of war, the flag is displayed with the red stripe on top instead of blue.

Luzon is the largest island and the economic powerhouse of the Philippines. It hosts the capital Manila, Quezon City, and major business centers like Makati. Luzon is also home to Mount Pinatubo and the Banaue Rice Terraces. It accounts for more than half of the country’s total population and is the political center of the nation.

Arnis, also called Eskrima or Kali, is the national sport and martial art of the Philippines. It involves stick fighting, bladed weapons, and hand-to-hand combat. While basketball is more popular in modern times, Arnis reflects Filipino martial traditions dating back centuries.

Emilio Aguinaldo (1869–1964) was the first President of the Philippines, serving from 1899 to 1901. He led the country during the Philippine Revolution against Spain and later fought the U.S. during the Philippine-American War. On June 12, 1898, Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence in Kawit, Cavite.

Mindanao is the second-largest island in the Philippines after Luzon. It is known for Mount Apo (2,954 meters), the highest peak in the Philippines. Mindanao has a diverse population, with Christians, Muslims, and indigenous groups. It is also an agricultural hub, producing bananas, pineapples, and coconuts.

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is a world-renowned boxer and the only fighter to win world titles in eight different weight divisions. Born in Mindanao, he rose from poverty to become a global sports icon. He later entered politics, serving as a Senator from 2016 to 2022, and remains a national hero in sports.

The Banaue Rice Terraces, often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” are located in Ifugao Province, northern Luzon. Built over 2,000 years ago by the Ifugao people, these terraces are carved into mountains and irrigated by mountain streams. They showcase ancient engineering skills and remain a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Philippine Peso (₱), abbreviated as PHP, is the official currency. One peso is subdivided into 100 centavos. Its name comes from the Spanish “peso,” meaning weight. The currency reflects the country’s colonial past and global trade connections.

Dr. Jose Rizal (1861–1896) is the national hero of the Philippines. He was a physician, writer, and nationalist who exposed Spanish abuses through his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Rizal promoted reform through peaceful means, unlike revolutionaries such as Andres Bonifacio. His execution by Spanish authorities on December 30, 1896 sparked widespread outrage and accelerated the Philippine Revolution. His death anniversary is now commemorated as Rizal Day, a national holiday.

The national language is Filipino, which is based on Tagalog. However, the Philippines is a multilingual country with over 170 languages and dialects spoken across the islands. English is also an official language and is widely used in education, law, and business, making the Philippines the third-largest English-speaking country in the world. Filipino was officially designated as the national language in the 1987 Constitution.

The Philippines is often called the “Pearl of the Orient Seas” or the “Pearl of the Pacific.” The nickname highlights its rich natural resources, stunning beaches, marine life, and cultural heritage. With more than 36,000 km of coastline, it is among the world’s longest coastlines, making it a global tourist hotspot.

Spain colonized the Philippines from 1565 (Legazpi’s arrival in Cebu) until 1898, making it Spain’s longest colony in Asia. The Spanish influence deeply shaped Philippine culture:

• Religion: Over 80% of Filipinos are Roman Catholic today.

• Language: Many Filipino words, surnames, and place names have Spanish origins.

• Architecture: Churches, fortresses, and colonial houses still stand.

Spain lost the Philippines after the Spanish–American War (1898), when the U.S. took control.

The Philippines is in Southeast Asia, within the Malay Archipelago, lying between the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea (part of the Pacific Ocean). Its location makes it part of the Maritime Southeast Asia region, alongside Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and East Timor. The country’s geography has shaped its culture, trade, and vulnerability to natural disasters such as typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.

The Philippines declared independence from Spain in 1898, but shortly after, the U.S. colonized the islands following the Spanish-American War. The U.S. ruled until July 4, 1946, when independence was officially granted. Interestingly, the U.S. independence day and Philippine independence day fell on the same date until the Philippines later shifted its celebration to June 12 (the 1898 declaration against Spain).

The Philippines is the only majority-Christian nation in Asia. About 80% of Filipinos are Roman Catholic, a result of over 300 years of Spanish colonization. Islam is the second-largest religion, practiced mainly in Mindanao. Religious festivals such as Santo Niño and Simbang Gabi reflect the strong Catholic influence.