The wet season is when the typhoons come down on the country. The Philippines is typhoon central. You get even more wet than dry season sweat. LOL! So yeah, during the wet season, it rains so hard, and so much! I cannot express how much it bothers me. As someone who doesn't like getting wet with clothes on (so swimming and bathing are exempted, or excluded), I hate the wet season. Although many may consider this weird, I used to play in the rain all the time. I love getting wet in the rain, with no shirt. It feels so good. I mean, even when I am showering, it feels like playing in the rain! FUN!!!! (This one was longer than the one to the left lol)

Filipino/Tagalog

ebrey

the (pronounced "duh")

This is the table showing the (approximate) sizes of each of the islands.

Their relations are pretty strong. There was a diplomatic relations issue in 1993, which you can look up yourself. Other than that, it's pretty strong.

Their relations are also strong. Even though China as a close ally of Cambodia, the two countries' relations stay strong.

Relations between the two are very strong, with both being predominantly Catholic in religion. Since East Timor was only a country since 2002, the Philippine Army is helping train East Timor's army. Their relations are great, to say the least.

Like East Timor, Indonesia's relations with the Philippines are quite frankly, very great. Both are island nations, reject China's claims to territory in the region, and are both common members of some organizations. Overall, they have a very great relationship.

The relationship with Laos is good. Here's something shocking. Filipinos in Laos often get lower fares on auto rickshaws. (or tuktuks, they remind me of tricycles in the Philippines) Wow! Overall, they're not bad, but also not great.

Although the Sabah dispute rages on like crazy, which take away a few points, their relations are still okay. The Philippines tried invading Sabah to take it back, and failed horribly. Again, this takes away more points. Probably the worst one here, but still okay, at best.

Their relations are good. The Philippines is taking in refugees from the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar, so read about it yourself. Other than that, it's okay. That crisis though is internal in Myanmar, so no points taken away.

The Philippines and Singapore have great relations too. Mostly though, the Philippines supplies lots of OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) to Singapore. The relations are still good though.

Diplomacy started all the way back when the kingdom of Tondo traded with Siam, which you should know, is Thailand. Things are still going pretty well, and I think it will stay that way.

Oh god. Let us see, Vietnam War, Filipino soldiers go there, everything is good now, and so is Vietnam's food. Go try it, this is secretly a travel ad for visit Vietnam. Their relations have been damaged, but the scars have healed.

AmErIcA!!! The former colonizers of the Philippines before Japan (1898-1941), after Japan (1945-1946) and after Spain (1898-1941), a special relationship has developed between the two. Their relations are awesome, but not too awesome. It's very healthy though.

Here's an overview of the Constitution of the Philippines, with simple version in parentheses and italics.

We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.

The national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein, and all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction, consisting of its terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains, including its territorial sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and other submarine areas. The waters around, between, and connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of their breadth and dimensions, form part of the internal waters of the Philippines. (The territory of the Philippines is made up of the islands in the Philippine archipelago, and all of the waters in the archipelago, and all the territory that the Philippines governs, and its land, water and airspace, including the sea around it, the sea floor, the subsoil, and the continental shelves and other submarine areas. The water around, inside and joining the islands regardless of their depth and size, width, etc. form the internal waters of the Philippines.)

Article 2 lays out the basic social and political creed of the Philippines, particularly the implementation of the constitution and sets forth the objectives of the government. Some essential provisions are:

The Philippines is a democratic republic,

Renunciation of war as a form of national policy,

Supremacy of civilian over military authority,

Separation of church and state (inviolable),

Pursuit of an independent foreign policy,

Abrogation of nuclear weaponry,

Family as the basic unit of the state,

Role of youth and women in nation-building,

Autonomy of local government,

and equal opportunity for public services and the prohibition of political dynasties.

(Article 2 lays out the basic social and political values of the Philippines, and the interpretation of the Constitution, along with setting forth the objectives of the government. Some essential values are:

The Philippines is a democracy and a republic,

The abandonment of war as a national policy,

The supremacy of the people over the military authority,

Separation of church and the government (cannot be violated),

Pursuit of a separate foreign policy,

Banning nuclear weaponry,

Family as the basic unit of government,

Role of youth and women in politics,

Autonomy of local government,

and equal opportunity for public services and the prohibition of dictatorships (clearly violated by Ferdinand Marcos).

Article 3 enumerates specific protections against the abuse of state power, most of which are similar to the provisions of the U.S. Constitution. Some essential provisions are:

A right to due process and equal protection of law,

A right against searches and seizures without a warrant issued by a judge,

A right to privacy,

The right to freedom of speech and expression, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition,

The free exercise of religion,

A right of abode and the right to travel,

A right to information on matters of public concern,

A right to form associations,

A right of free access to courts,

The right to remain silent and to have competent legal counsel,

A right to bail and against excessive bail conditions,

A right to habeas corpus,

The right to a speedy trial,

The right against self-incrimination,

The right to political beliefs and aspirations,

A prohibition against cruel, degrading, or inhuman punishment,

Protection providing for no imprisonment for debt,

The right against double jeopardy,

and prohibition of ex post facto laws and bills of attainder.

Similar to U.S. jurisprudence and other common law jurisdictions, the scope and limitation of these rights have largely been determined by the Supreme court through case law.

Here are the other 15 articles explained in simple version:

Article 4:

It defines the citizenship of Filipinos.

Article 5:

It defines suffrage, along with the procedures for overseas, disabled and illiterate Filipinos to vote.

Article 6:

It explains the Legislative Department.

Article 7:

It explains the Executive Department.

Article 8:

It explains the Judicial Department.

Article 9:

It defines the Constitutional Commissions.

Article 10:

It defines the local government.

Article 11:

It explains the accountability of public officers.

Article 12:

It explains the national economy. (more on that later)

Article 13:

It explains social justice and the human rights.

Article 14:

It explains education, science, technology, arts, culture and sports.

Article 15:

It defines the family.

Article 16:

It defines the general provisions.

Article 17:

It establishes the methods of amending the constitution.

Article 18:

It defines the transitory provisions.

In order from one through sixteen:

Emilio Aguinaldo

Manuel Quezon

Jose Laurel

Sergio Osmena

Manuel Roxas

Elpidio Quirino

Ramon Magsaysay

Carlos Garcia

Diosdado Macapagal

Ferdinand Marcos

Corazon Aquino

Fidel Ramos

Joseph Estrada

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Benigno Aquino

Rodrigo Duterte

---------------------------Food---------------------------

As Barbs said on Geography Now, Filipino food is like a fairy exploding. We have all types of foods and dishes. The 3 most popular are Adobo (chicken, rice, eggs, and garlic, doused in vinegar and soy sauce), Pancit (pretty much pad thai but tastes different) which originated from Luzon, And lechon (which is literally a baby pig) which originated from Mindanao. There are also many others which include...

(and should try them all says KirbyXD)

SirPhilippines' must trys:

Longganisa (The best sausage you'll eat)

Lumpia (Spring rolls but better)

Kare-Kare (Ox and vegetables cooked in peanut sauce -allergic people beware- )

Sinigang (Meat and vegetables in sour broth)

Afritada (Meat and veggies in tomato sauce)

KirbyXD's must trys:

Menudo (Liver and other vegetables, usually potatoes and carrots in tomato sauce)

Giniling (Ground beef, mixed with potatoes, carrots, bell peppers and.... eww.... RAISINS cooked in tomato sauce)

HALO-HALO! (A special Filipino dessert. Made with ube (purple yam) ice cream, mung beans, chick peas, kaong (a red gelatin) and stirred in milk)

And GULAMAN! (A special Filipino drink! Basically gulaman (a green gelatin) in a green liquid, you can drink the liquid and eat the gulaman! Food and drink combined! It's PERFECT)

Tinikling

Tinikling is a special dance in which people alternate their feet in and out of bamboo poles. The bamboo poles are clapped against each other, in a rhythm, along with music, and the dancers must get their feet out in time with the rhythm or face a severe foot injury. Ouch. It takes months, years or even decades of experience to do this successfully. If you see on of these, take the time to appreciate the hard work they put in to this. Anyways, as the song goes on, the music (and rhythm) gets faster. Thus, the dancers have to be even  quicker on their feet, because once it starts to get faster, the bamboo pole people have to clap them faster, thus more pain could happen if the dancers do not get their feet out in time. This compels them to get it right the first time. If you want, here's a link to a YouTube video of tinikling. Check it out: here.

Also, please do not confuse it with tinkling.

(A PSA from the Philippine National Dance Commission and Public Safety Department)

The Great Seal of the Philippines and National Motto of the Philippines

The great seal of the Philippines is just the same as the Coat of Arms, but with one exception. The inscription is at the outside of the inner circle, and another inscription reads as the country's national motto. Translated in English, it means "For God, for people, for nature, and for country."

The Flag of the Philippines

The flag of the Philippines is a unique flag. But first, let us explain it. The white triangle stands for liberty, equality and fraternity. *french revolution vibes increase by 1798%* The blue stands for peace, and the red for war, courage and sacrifice. The eight rays stand for one of the eight provinces that revolted against the Spanish, and the three stars stand for the three island groups: Luzon, Visayas (originally referring to the island of Panay) and Mindanao. The unique thing about this is if you flip it upside-down, the red goes on top, indicating a state of war.

The Philippine eagle is distributed throughout eastern Luzon, the islands of Samar and Leyte in the Visayas, and the island of Mindanao.

Sampaguita (Jasminium sambac) is a nice smelling flower that is found in the Philippines. You can find some flowers outside the Philippines that you can buy in Filipino stores. Even though my sense of smell is horrible, it still smells very good. You should smell it.

National sport: Arnis

Originating from the Old Spanish word arnes, which means armor, arnis is a type of martial arts originating from fencing. Not much else to say, it's like fencing but different.

KirbyXD

Thank you for reading this blog. After six-seven-eight? months of trial and tribulation, we did it. I cannot under any circumstances receive all of the credit. Me and SirPhilippines worked equally as hard (albeit we took a two-three month long summer vacation and I took a hiatus). He deserves as much credit as I do. Cringe alert: The friendship between us has been strengthened by this blog. Expect more collabs to come. Again, anyways, I hope you had fun, but now it's time to sign off. I hope you enjoyed this blog! PS: I promise you I proofread everything. And I mean everything. Also, fun fact: I won my school spelling bee three times in a row. We hope you enjoyed!!!! Bye!!!!!!