NationStates

I noticed that the General subsection has a Japanese discussion thread, an American discussion thread, a Jewish discussion thread and a Christian discussion thread but there does not seem to be a Philippines discussion thread, so to rectify this privation, I am creating this Philippines discussion thread.

Feel free to talk about current affairs, economic policies or whatever you deem good.

Here's a bit of eye candy for you all.

GEOGRAPHY

We'll there's the unique shape of the country itself

Which seems like God himself gave special attention in carving out the land...

Its mountains


Its coral reefs (The most diverse per square kilometer)


And Its idyllic islands and beaches


CULTURE

While In local culture...

You'll find the traditional menswear, the Barong Tagalog, worn during the Hispanic era.


And here's the costume of a Muslim Iranun Princess



And some Tantric Jewelry from the Prehispanic Civilization called the Rajahnate of Butuan


HISTORY

Did you know? During the Philippine-American war, many African-Americans defected from the American military and joined the Philippine revolution.


Also, did you know? The transpacific Manila Galleons were the largest Galleons ever built.


Also, did you know? That the city of Manila or simply the City of Man, was the world's first Global City since the Manila-Galleon trade it hosted was the first instance in world history that all the world's trade-routes where interconnected.


LANGUAGE


As for speaking the Filipino language, when one hears it or converses in it and you happen to be fluent at multiple languages at the same time, you can obviously see it's a beautiful mix of all the world's languages, just observe: The Filipinos say thank you through the word "Salamat" which is a shortening on the Arabic phrase; "As-salamu alaykum", which means "God be with you or be blessed". The Filipino word for teacher "Guro" comes from the Sanskrit term, "Guru" which also means teacher. The Filipino term for Older brother "Kuya", comes from the Chinese word "Kuya", which also means older brother. The Filipino word for loving, "Carinyoso", comes from the Hispanic term "Cariñoso", which also means loving. Etc. etc.

There are 150 languages in the Philippines but the Filipino language is a newly invented one which is an amalgamation of these 150 languages

Also, although it is no longer used, since the Latin Alphabet and the English language has been the lingua franca in the Philippines at this time, the local Baybayin script is a beautiful one.



URBANITY

Anyways, as for urbanity...

The City of Manila or simply the City of Man, is counted as the largest city in Southeast Asia.


You'll find that there's stunning sunsets in the City of Man.


There's also the equally stunning sunsets among the ships plying its Bay.


So what do you think of the Philippines? Have you ever tried learning Filipino? Have you been to the Philippines before?

Awesome, we finally get a discussion thread...
We are just so awesome I guess...

The Republic of Pantalleria wrote:Awesome, we finally get a discussion thread...
We are just so awesome I guess...

Finally! A reply.
So let's start with a topic or something...

What do you think about the Filipinos consistently winning the world's beauty pageants last 2013?

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/128471/ph ... y-pageants

Or what do you think about that massive category 5 storm that demolished the cities in the East of the country?

Saludong wrote:

The Republic of Pantalleria wrote:Awesome, we finally get a discussion thread...
We are just so awesome I guess...

Finally! A reply.
So let's start with a topic or something...

What do you think about the Filipinos consistently winning the world's beauty pageants last 2013?

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/128471/ph ... y-pageants

Or what do you think about that massive category 5 storm that demolished the cities in the East of the country?

First of all, we've been wining Beaty pageants for the last 30-40 years, why do you thing we're stereotyped as the Hawaii of Asia or something like that...

Saludong wrote:Or what do you think about that massive category 5 storm that demolished the cities in the East of the country?

Looks to me the Filipino government should invest some major money into better infrastructures (including breakwaters along the shorelines) and better building standards.
It wouldn't have prevented ALL life loss, but sure it would have lessened the death toll.

And secondly, Yolanda or Haiyan depending on where you were was absolutely terrible, it destroyed my childhood city of Tacloban... What I loved about the city was the airport because as a kid, I would always have to wait for our flight and in the waiting terminal there was always this little model in the corner about how they were going to upgrade the place, but I guess it was never really done under the "corrupt" years of the previous administration. At least I was able to see it again for one last time in April of last year... So I have no regrets... But we also had the opportunity to go home to Bohol that same time... In the end we chose not to... I always wanted to see their Churches and towers... But I guess... It wasn't meant to be...

Risottia wrote:

Saludong wrote:Or what do you think about that massive category 5 storm that demolished the cities in the East of the country?

Looks to me the Filipino government should invest some major money into better infrastructures (including breakwaters along the shorelines) and better building standards.
It wouldn't have prevented ALL life loss, but sure it would have lessened the death toll.

Well to be fair, we have... The Government has been increasing the infrastructure budget by at least 20% every year...

This is related to my previous post...

There is really a trend wherein the Filipinos have consistently been winners of the world's beauty pageants last 2012-2013.

Megan Young: Miss World, Winner.




Mutya Johanna Datul: Miss Supranational, Winner.


Janine Tugonon: Miss Universe, Second Place



June Macasaet : Mr Manhunt International,Winner


Andrew Wolff: Mr World, Second Place


And etc. etc. There are other beauty pageants the Philippines won, but I can't remember all of it.

The Republic of Pantalleria wrote:

Saludong wrote:
Finally! A reply.
So let's start with a topic or something...

What do you think about the Filipinos consistently winning the world's beauty pageants last 2013?

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/128471/ph ... y-pageants

Or what do you think about that massive category 5 storm that demolished the cities in the East of the country?

First of all, we've been wining Beaty pageants for the last 30-40 years, why do you thing we're stereotyped as the Hawaii of Asia or something like that...

Well the last 2012-2013 season was particularly memorable for having top five Philippine finalists
in all the major female and male pageants.

Risottia wrote:

Saludong wrote:Or what do you think about that massive category 5 storm that demolished the cities in the East of the country?

Looks to me the Filipino government should invest some major money into better infrastructures (including breakwaters along the shorelines) and better building standards.
It wouldn't have prevented ALL life loss, but sure it would have lessened the death toll.

Its a category 5 storm and the strongest storm EVER according to world historical records.

Just look at it!


It was able to slam a freight ship into land and 4 to 5 story concrete buildings were powerless against it.

Building breakwaters will only be a band-aid to a wound. As the storms hitting the country will grow more powerful each and every year. The root of the problem is the world's major polluters: China, India, Europe and the United States who continue to pollute recklessly yet we are the ones who suffer for their polluting policies.

Should we not discuss how should our nation progress in economy rather than beauty pageants which doesn't affect our nation's progress

Saludong wrote:

Risottia wrote:
Looks to me the Filipino government should invest some major money into better infrastructures (including breakwaters along the shorelines) and better building standards.
It wouldn't have prevented ALL life loss, but sure it would have lessened the death toll.

Its a category 5 storm and the strongest storm EVER according to world historical records.

Just look at it!


It was able to slam a freight ship into land and 4 to 5 story concrete buildings were powerless against it.
Building breakwaters will only be a band-aid to a wound. The root of the problem is the world's major polluters: China, India, Europe and the United States who continue to pollute recklessly yet we are the ones who suffer for their polluting policies.

I suppose that in order to ensure our survival we have to adopt a policy of "counter measures"...

The Republic of Pantalleria wrote:And secondly, Yolanda or Haiyan depending on where you were was absolutely terrible, it destroyed my childhood city of Tacloban... What I loved about the city was the airport because as a kid, I would always have to wait for our flight and in the waiting terminal there was always this little model in the corner about how they were going to upgrade the place, but I guess it was never really done under the "corrupt" years of the previous administration. At least I was able to see it again for one last time in April of last year... So I have no regrets... But we also had the opportunity to go home to Bohol that same time... In the end we chose not to... I always wanted to see their Churches and towers... But I guess... It wasn't meant to be...

Woah, I empathize with you. In addition to have Tacloban destroyed; Bohol's priceless historical buildings was also destroyed by that horrible Earthquake. You have been a victim of a double whammy.

I wish I could contribute more but I already gave 1/3rd of my clothes and a lot of my savings to help the victims.

Are you still living in Bohol right now? How devastating was the Earthquake in your area?

Neo Philippine Empire wrote:Should we not discuss how should our nation progress in economy rather than beauty pageants which doesn't affect our nation's progress

Well in a very small scale it does, but yes our "overall" economy is more important for now...
Have you heard about the new cashless government spending system?

Saludong wrote:

Risottia wrote:
Looks to me the Filipino government should invest some major money into better infrastructures (including breakwaters along the shorelines) and better building standards.
It wouldn't have prevented ALL life loss, but sure it would have lessened the death toll.

Its a category 5 storm and the strongest storm EVER according to world historical records.

Just look at it!


It was able to slam a freight ship into land and 4 to 5 story concrete buildings were powerless against it.

Building breakwaters will only be a band-aid to a wound. As the storms hitting the country will grow more powerful each and every year. The root of the problem is the world's major polluters: China, India, Europe and the United States who continue to pollute recklessly yet we are the ones who suffer for their polluting policies.

Not only them, do you notice our nation's policy, we also create our problems that contributed to the climate which results to the deaths of thousands of our country men. But true those guys contribute to that storm

Saludong wrote:

The Republic of Pantalleria wrote:And secondly, Yolanda or Haiyan depending on where you were was absolutely terrible, it destroyed my childhood city of Tacloban... What I loved about the city was the airport because as a kid, I would always have to wait for our flight and in the waiting terminal there was always this little model in the corner about how they were going to upgrade the place, but I guess it was never really done under the "corrupt" years of the previous administration. At least I was able to see it again for one last time in April of last year... So I have no regrets... But we also had the opportunity to go home to Bohol that same time... In the end we chose not to... I always wanted to see their Churches and towers... But I guess... It wasn't meant to be...

Woah, I empathize with you. In addition to have Tacloban destroyed; Bohol's priceless historical buildings was also destroyed by that horrible Earthquake. You have been a victim of a double whammy.

I wish I could contribute more but I already gave 1/3rd of my clothes and a lot of my savings to help the victims.

Are you still living in Bohol right now? How devastating was the Earthquake in your area?

I went to Tagbilaran and they already repaired their buildings

Saludong wrote:

The Republic of Pantalleria wrote:And secondly, Yolanda or Haiyan depending on where you were was absolutely terrible, it destroyed my childhood city of Tacloban... What I loved about the city was the airport because as a kid, I would always have to wait for our flight and in the waiting terminal there was always this little model in the corner about how they were going to upgrade the place, but I guess it was never really done under the "corrupt" years of the previous administration. At least I was able to see it again for one last time in April of last year... So I have no regrets... But we also had the opportunity to go home to Bohol that same time... In the end we chose not to... I always wanted to see their Churches and towers... But I guess... It wasn't meant to be...

Woah, I empathize with you. In addition to have Tacloban destroyed; Bohol's priceless historical buildings was also destroyed by that horrible Earthquake. You have been a victim of a double whammy.

I wish I could contribute more but I already gave 1/3rd of my clothes and a lot of my savings to help the victims.

Are you still living in Bohol right now? How devastating was the Earthquake in your area?

I myself can't do anything... I live so far away from the country that I had to watch helplessly as some of my family got swept away... I'm sure among those that died were members of my extended family... But overall it was the fear that I had for my grandfather that really got me worried... You see he lives in an island called Maripipi in Biliran province which is about 2-3 hours away from Tacloban airport... What I was really scared of after I heard reports that the island was spared was the lack of food as food prices started to increase because of the lack of fuel... Then afterwards my uncle decided to evacuate his mother who lived in the same place but wasn't able to take him as he was too old and fragile so we sent him as much food and medicines as possible especially since it takes 22-24 hours to get there now instead of the normal 6 hours...

Neo Philippine Empire wrote:Should we not discuss how should our nation progress in economy rather than beauty pageants which doesn't affect our nation's progress

Well as per economy-wise.

We are the second fastest growing economy in Asia next to China and the fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia.

And we are currently the leader in the Southeast Asia region in growth rate and stock-market capitalization. Plus, they expect us to be the largest economy in SEA soon.

But the problem is that, the growth mostly only benefits the middle class and the rich but the poor are hardly uplifted.

Saludong wrote:

Neo Philippine Empire wrote:Should we not discuss how should our nation progress in economy rather than beauty pageants which doesn't affect our nation's progress

Well as per economy-wise.

We are the second fastest growing economy in Asia next to China and the fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia.

And we are currently the leader in the Southeast Asia region in growth rate and stock-market capitalization. Plus, they expect us to be the largest economy in SEA soon.

But the problem is that, the growth mostly only benefits the middle class and the rich but the poor are hardly uplifted.

That is if we continue the anti corruption policies by electing a good, willing, able leader after the 2016 presidential elections... Stupid Pnoy... Why won't he run for a second term? He's just like his mother... Always playing the Mandela card...

Saludong wrote:

Neo Philippine Empire wrote:Should we not discuss how should our nation progress in economy rather than beauty pageants which doesn't affect our nation's progress

Well as per economy-wise.

We are the second fastest growing economy in Asia next to China and the fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia.

And we are currently the leader in the Southeast Asia region in growth rate and stock-market capitalization. Plus, they expect us to be the largest economy in SEA soon.

But the problem is that, the growth mostly only benefits the middle class and the rich but the poor are hardly uplifted.

Yeah I heard like being 16th in the world in 2050 XD

But our opportunity is the poor people, we should fund more for our welfare and housing problems but if only the government will just put hole in their pockets. Not only our economy but our military and SRDP which we need to face threath against Chinese claims over our islands. Our Navy ships(even Frigate Alcaraz and del Pilar) are very outdated and our AA systems are manual machine guns which can only shoot down helicopters and low level flying drones and planes. We should improve our nation in all fonts!!

And we must fix our political system, you know more anti-graft, anti-corruption and just crush those commies that make problems in MIndanao and all over the Philippines

Also with the way our power is practically the most expensive in terms of rates in the whole ASEAN region doesn't help our economy much either... It also takes way too long to start up a business in the Phils, 55 days if I can remember correctly, or maybe even longer... As opposed to the normal 13-15 days in well developed countries...

The Republic of Pantalleria wrote:

Saludong wrote:
Its a category 5 storm and the strongest storm EVER according to world historical records.

Just look at it!
(Image)

It was able to slam a freight ship into land and 4 to 5 story concrete buildings were powerless against it.
Building breakwaters will only be a band-aid to a wound. The root of the problem is the world's major polluters: China, India, Europe and the United States who continue to pollute recklessly yet we are the ones who suffer for their polluting policies.

I suppose that in order to ensure our survival we have to adopt a policy of "counter measures"...

How about instead of artificial "Counter Measures" such as building sea-walls and stuff why not natural counter-measures

We should replant the Mangrove forests and put it in front of our coastal cities.

Apparently scientists say, Mangroves can defend communities from Tsunamis.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 141252.htm

Coral Reefs can also defend shorelines from Tsunamis.

http://www.speakupforblue.com/ocean-lea ... m-tsunamis

So we should plant mangroves among our coastal cities and set up coral reefs in the underwater areas near our cities so that they could triple as: food sources, tourist attractions and tsunami defenses at the same time.

Neo Philippine Empire wrote:

Saludong wrote:
Well as per economy-wise.

We are the second fastest growing economy in Asia next to China and the fastest growing economy in Southeast Asia.

And we are currently the leader in the Southeast Asia region in growth rate and stock-market capitalization. Plus, they expect us to be the largest economy in SEA soon.

But the problem is that, the growth mostly only benefits the middle class and the rich but the poor are hardly uplifted.

Yeah I heard like being 16th in the world in 2050 XD

But our opportunity is the poor people, we should fund more for our welfare and housing problems but if only the government will just put hole in their pockets. Not only our economy but our military and SRDP which we need to face threath against Chinese claims over our islands. Our Navy ships(even Frigate Alcaraz and del Pilar) are very outdated and our AA systems are manual machine guns which can only shoot down helicopters and low level flying drones and planes. We should improve our nation in all fonts!!

And we must fix our political system, you know more anti-graft, anti-corruption and just crush those commies that make problems in MIndanao and all over the Philippines

The Chinese have dug themselves a hole politically speaking in response to the whole AID fail back in November... Also most European and developed countries would prefer the Philippines relative to China... The main reasons include that we are a massive opportunity as we have a growing say in international growth due to our international stance on certain sectors, such as being the Call Center kIng of the World or perhaps being the fourth largest ship building country in the World, also we're the third largest reciprocant of remittances in the World...

The Republic of Pantalleria wrote:

Neo Philippine Empire wrote:Should we not discuss how should our nation progress in economy rather than beauty pageants which doesn't affect our nation's progress

Well in a very small scale it does, but yes our "overall" economy is more important for now...
Have you heard about the new cashless government spending system?

Yes I heard. To prevent corruption all government agencies are to shift into the automated, digital card system. I watched its inauguration in the T.V. just now.

Ok. It will prevent conventional paper corruption, but what about the threats of hacking?