Discover Philippines : Trivia - Jeepney #2

The exotic jeepney is the Filipino version of the jitney, the taxi/minibus that travels along a fixed route, found in many countries.

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Marine Turtles

Of the eight species of marine turtles worldwide, five are reported to be found in the Philippines: the Green Turtle, Hawkbill, Leatherback, Olive Ridley, and Loggerhead.

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Coral Species

Of the 500 known coral species in the world, 488 are found in the Philippines.

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Glory of the Sea

There are 12,000 or so species of seashells in the Philippines. The Conus Gloriamaris or "Glory of the Sea" is the rarest and most expensive in the world.

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Philippine Madrigal Singers

The Philippine Madrigal Singers bagged the 1997 European Choral Grand Prix, the choral Olympics of the world’s best choirs. The group, being the only Asian choir, bested five regional champions from all over Europe, earning them the title as the "world’s best choir."

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Biggest Papal Crowd

On January 18, 1995, Pope John Paul II offered mass to an estimated 4 to 5 million people at Luneta Park, Manila, Philippines, making it to the Guiness Book of World Records for the Biggest Papal Crowd.

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Lightest freshwater fish

The world’s shortest and lightest freshwater fish is the dwarf pygmy goby (Pandaka Pygmaea), a colorless and nearly transparent species found in the streams and lakes of Luzon. Males have an average length of 8.7 mm. and weigh 4-5 mg.

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Butanding (Whale Shark)

The largest fish in the world, the Whale Shark, locally known as Butanding, regularly swims to the Philippine waters.

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Carlos P. Romulo

Philippines Herald war journalist Carlos P. Romulo was the first Asian to win a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism in 1942. He was also aide-de-camp to General Douglas MacArthur in World War II; Philippine resident commissioner in the U.S. Congress from 1944-46; and the first Asian to become UN President in 1949.

Discover Philippines: Trivia - National Artist

Fernando Amorsolo was officially the first National Artist of the Philippines. He was given the distinction of National Artist for Painting in 1972.

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Erythromycin

The antibiotic erythromycin — used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, such as respiratory tract infections, middle ear infections, and skin infections — was created by Filipino scientist Abelardo Aguilar, and has earned American drug giant Eli Lilly billions of dollars. Neither Aguilar nor the Philippine government received royalties.

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Game Preserve

The biggest game preserve and wildlife sanctuary in the Philippines is located on Calauit Island in Palawan, which has the largest land area among the Philippine provinces.

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Diving Scenery

Diving paradise Anilao, in the province of Batangas, is the theme of a picture book that bagged the International Prize for Underwater Images at the 27th World Festival of Underwater Images in France in November 2000. “Anilao" book creators and Filipino scuba divers Scott Tuason and Eduardo Cu Unjieng defeated big names in underwater photography such as Jacques Mayol, Pascal Kobeh, Monique Walker, and Alessandro Tommasi.

Discover Philippines: Trivia - International Beauty Pageants

The Philippines became the first Asian country to win FIVE major international beauty pageant crowns — two for Miss Universe, in 1969 and 1973, and three for Miss International, in 1965, 1970, and 1979.

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Boondocks

The word "boondocks," which is now a part of the English language, dictionary, and vocabulary, comes from the Tagalog word "bundok," meaning "mountain."

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Yoyo

The popular toy, the yoyo, was invented by 16th century hunters in the Philippines.

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Underground River

The world’s longest underground river system accessible to man can be found at the St. Paul National Park in the province of Palawan.

Source: Department of Tourism

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Tricycle

Short distance and feeder trips could not be more exciting than via Philippine quick transports – the tricycle, a motorcycle with a sidecar, and the pedicab, a bicycle with a sidecar.

Source: Department of Tourism

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Jeepney

The exotic jeepney is a post-war creation inspired by the GI jeeps that the American soldiers brought to the country in the 1940s. Enterprising Filipinos salvaged the surplus engines and came out unique vehicles of art.

Source: Department of Tourism

Discover Philippines: Trivia - Negros Occidental

Negros Occidental has the most cities among Philippine provinces.

Source: Department of Tourism