What kind of country is the Philippines?

By: Allan Daniel Serrano, Cavite City

Hi! I’m Allan Daniel Serrano, I’m a Filipino with good understanding of our culture, politics, religion, history, geography and everything related to our archipelago and our relationship with neighboring countries and other foreign nations.

My genetic makeup is native Austronesian with a dash of indeginous Papuan of course, plus the bloodlines of the Sangley traders and the Iberian conquerors.

I am nationalistic, but not to the point that I would berate and belittle other countries just to flag my pride, because I’m also globalist. I wouldn’t tolerate any condescending attitude towards my people and my nation.

What kind of country is the Philippines? (www.quora.com)

We are a country composed of 7,107 islands, most of the islands aren't populated and about 95% of the population can be found in 11 major islands, namely: Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, Palawan, Cebu, Negros, Panay, Samar, Leyte, Bohol and Masbate.

8 major languages are spoken in our archipelago, namely: Bicolano, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Pampango, Pangasinense, Tagalog and Waray-waray, with other 100+ tongues also spoken throughout the islands.

We are as colorful as the rainbow:

Tagalog

Cebuano

Ilocano

Hiligaynon

Waray-waray

Kapampangan

Bicolano

Pangasinense

Igorot

Sierra Madre People

Maranao

Tausug

It is true that we are still suffering from the abuses of corruption that is driving my people to poverty. But I'm thankful because Filipinos are very resilient. Even the poorest will greet you with the sweetest smile that you only see here. Maybe the way God shaped our archipelago is one of the many things why we are content with ourselves, in spite of all the hardships that we've been through as a people. This is what I'm talking about.

Batanes Island

Paoay Windmills, Ilocos Norte

Rice Terraces of Philippine Cordilleras

Hundred Islands, Pangasinan

Sta. Ana White Beach, Cagayan

Corregidor Ruins, Cavite-Bataan

Independence Shrine, Cavite

Pagsanjan Falls, Laguna

Taal Volcano, Batangas

Verde Island Passage, Batangas

Ditumabo Falls, Aurora

Casiguran White Beach, Aurora

Cagraray Island, Albay

Caramoan Island, Camarines Sur

Anvaya Cove, Bataan

Mt. Samat Shrine, Bataan

Subic Bay, Zambales

Intramuros, Manila

Pandan Island, Mindoro

Cowrie Island, Palawan

El Nido, Palawan

Underground River, Palawan

Port Barton, Palawan

Magellan's Cross, Cebu City

Sumilon Island, Cebu

Fort Pilar, Zamboanga

Camiguin Island, Mindanao

Hmm… maybe it's our rich history and fine sceneries that works wonders in easing the pain and suffering of people.

This is one of the few countries in the world where you will find people having wide smiles with bleeding hearts.