The Philippine heroes are the people that have fought for freedom and independence against oppression. These men and women played a major part in ensuing the freedom of the Philippines.

National Heroes’ Day (Araw ng mga Bayani) is a public holiday in the Philippines, celebrated yearly on the 30th day of August. Due to the current administration’s holiday-economy policy, a presidential proclamation is usually issued to move the celebration of a national holiday into the nearest monday or friday, which, in this case, is August 31 2009.

The Philippines, on the 30th day of August, commemorates the “Cry of Pugad Lawin” by Filipino revolutionaries called the Katipunan led by its leader (Supremo) Andres Bonifacio.

Ninoy Aquino Day is a national non-working holiday in the Philippines observed annually on August 21, commemorating the anniversary of assassination of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr.

“The greatest president we never had” ~ Jovito Salonga

He was the youngest mayor at 22, the country’s youngest vice-governor at 27, then governor of Tarlac 2 years later. He became the youngest senator in Philippine history at 34.

His popularity was greatly due to his daring criticism of the Marcos regime. Ninoy frequently challenged the dictatorship.

Due to his stances, he was later imprisoned for about eight years after martial law was declared in the country. Even in his imprisonment, he sought a seat in the senate which he eventually won.

After suffering from a heart attack in March 1980, he and his family fled to the United States for his surgery, eventually leading to his self-imposed exile for about three years. There, he continued his advocacy by giving speeches to the Filipino-American communities.

Later, he planned to return to the islands to challenge Marcos for the presidency and he did so 1983.

August 21, 1983

China Airlines Flight 811 touched down at what was then the Manila International Airport, amidst 2,000 military and police personnel on the tarmac. Ninoy stepped out of the plane with an entourage of several foreign journalists, plus a hefty security escort following inches behind. In a matter of minutes, a gunshot was heard and he dropped to the ground face down.

This led to to several protests at his funeral that would spark snap elections in 1986, which would eventually lead to the 1986 EDSA Revolution, catapulting his wife, Corazon, to the presidency.

The Philippine archipelago is geographically located between latitude (approximately) 4o23′N and 21o25′N and longitude (approximately) 112oE and 127oE. It is composed of 7,107 islands, with a land area of 299,764 sq.kilometers. Its length measures 1,850 kilometers, starting from the point near the southern tip of Taiwan and ending close to northern Borneo. Its breadth is about 965 kilometers. The Philippine coastline adds up to 17,500 km. Three prominent bodies of water surround the archipelago: the Pacific Ocean on the east, the South China Sea on the west and

north, and the Celebes Sea on the south. This position accounts for much of the variations in geographic, climatic and vegetational conditions in the country.

The topography of the bigger islands – particularly Luzon and Mindanao – is characterized by alluvial plains, narrow

valleys, rolling hills and high mountains. The highest mountains are found in Mindanao and Luzon, with the altitudes varying from 1,790 to 3,144 meters. Most of the smaller islands are mountainous in the interior, surrounded by narrow strips of discontinuous flat lowlands which constitute the coastal rims. The shorelines of both large and small islands are irregular.

The Philippines’ fertile land accounts for the more than 900 species of orchids representing 100 genera that have been found. The sampaguita is the national flower.

Among the country’s fauna are some endangered species like the Philippine Eagle, the tarsier, and the mouse deer.

Metro Manila is strategically located in the middle of Luzon, on the eastern coast of Manila Bay and at the mouth of the Pasig River, sprawled over an area of 626 sq.km. Manila sits in the middle of a swampy deltaic plain formed by accumulated sedimentary deposits from the Pasig River and other streams.

The city is between the bay to the west, the highlands to the east, and Laguna de Bay to the southeast. Most of its densely populated areas are found along the Pasig River running across the metropolis dividing it into two sections – the north and the south.

Manila, Cebu, Davao, Clark, Subic, and Laoag are the international gateways. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila is the premier gateway. It is served by more than 30 airlines which fly to different cities around the world.

The Mactan International Airport (MIA) in Cebu handles regular flights from Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Busan, Doha, Seoul, and Australia as well as chartered flights from the United States and other major travel capitals.

Davao International Airport handles regular flights from Indonesia and Singapore. Seasonal flights are also available to Macau.

The Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (also known as Clark International Airport) in Pampanga handles regular flights from Malaysia, Macau, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Subic International Airport handles regular flights from Taiwan and different cargo flights.

Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte services regular flights from China.

Philippine Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, has 32 international and 20 domestic points. .

Major cruise liners call on the port of Manila.

TIME ZONE

There is only one time zone for the entire country, which is 120° East Meridian Time and eight hours in advance of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

ENTRY REGULATIONS

A valid passport is required.

Except for stateless persons and those from countries with which the Philippines has no diplomatic relations, all visitors may enter the country without visas and may stay for 21 days provided they have tickets for onward journey. Holders of Hong Kong and Taiwan passports must have special permits. Visas and special permits may be obtained from Philippine embassies and consulates.

HEALTH REGULATIONS

A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required for travelers coming from infected areas.

CLIMATE

March to May is hot and dry. June to October is rainy. November to February is cool. Average temperatures: 78°F/25°C to 90°F/32°C; humidity: 77%.

WHAT TO WEAR

Light, casual clothes are recommended. Warmer garments are needed for mountain regions. When visiting churches and temples, propriety dictates that shorts and scanty clothing be avoided. Formal occasions require dinner jackets and ties (or the Philippine barong tagalog) for men and cocktail dresses or long gowns for women.

CURRENCY

Unit of currency: Peso (P) = 100 centavos.

Bank notes: P10, P20, P50, P100, P200, P500 and P1,000. Coins: 5c, 10c, 25c, P1, P5, P10.

TIPPING

Tipping is expected for many services. The standard practice is 10% of the total bill. Tipping is optional on bills that already include a 10% service charge.