Sambong Herbal Tea

ABS Sambong Tea
Product of the Philippines

Made from 100% natural and fresh sambong leaves. It is good for people with urinary track infections, kidney disorders, family history having kidney stones/kidney diseases. Drink regularly to keep your kidneys healthy.

How to Prepare the Tea
Place tea bag in cup of boiled water. Cover cup and allow to dissolve for 3 minutes. When warm savor the aroma and soothing taste of ABS Sambong Tea.

Carica Sambong Tea
Product of the Philippines
30 teabags (2 grams/teabag)

This tea is processed from dried mature leaves of Sambong (Blumea balsamifera) is a good diuretic and helps eliminate kidney stones.

What is Sambong?
(Blumea Camphor - Engl.)

Softly hairy, half woody, strongly aromatic shrub, 1-4 meters (m) high. Simple, alternate, broadly elongated leaves, 7-20 cm long, with toothed margin and appendaged or divided base. Loose yellow flower head scattered along much-branched leafy panicles. Two types of discoid flowers: peripheral ones tiny, more numerous, with tubular corolla; central flowers few, large with campanulate corolla. Anther cells tailed at base. Fruit (achene) dry, 1-seeded, 10-ribbed, hairy at top.

Scientific Names
Blumea balsamifera (Linn.) DC.
Conyza balsamifera Linn

Properties
Vulnerary, antidiarrhetic, antigastralgic, expectorant, stomachic, antispasmodic, emmenagogue, astringent, anthelmintic.

Distribution
Abundant in open fields, grasslands and waste areas, flowering from February to April. Propagation by cuttings and layering.

Parts Utilized
Leaves (fresh or dried).
Mature, healthy, fully expanded leaves are harvested while senescent leaves are discarded. Air-dry until they crumble when crushed with the fingers. Store in amber colored bottles in a cool, dry place.

Constituents
Volatile oil, 0.1 - 0.4% - l-borneol, 25%, l-camphor, 75%, limonene, saponins, sesquiterpene and limonene, tannins, sesquiterpine alcohol; palmitin; myristic acid.

Uses
Folkloric
Leaves as poultice for abscesses.Decoction of roots and leaves for fevers and cystitis.
Sitz-bath of boiled leaves, 500 gms to a ballon of water, for rheumatic pains of waist and back.
Applied while hot over the sinuses.
Apply fresh juice of leaves to wounds and cuts.
Poultice of leaves to forehead for headaches.
Tea is used for colds and as an expectorant; likewise, has antispasmodic and antidiarrheal benefits.
Postpartum baths.
Decoction of leaves, 50 gms to a pint of boiling water, 4 glasses daily, for stomach pains.

Preparations
Fever: Decoction of roots; boil 2 - 4 handfuls of the leaves. Use the lukewarm decoction as a sponge bath.
Headache: Apply pounded leaves on the forehead and temples. Hold in place with a clean piece of cloth.
Gaseous distention: Boil 2 tsp of the chopped leaves in 1 cup of water for 5 minutes. Drink the decoction while warm. Also used for upset stomach. Also for mothers' bath after childbirth.
Boils: Apply pounded leaves as poultice daily.
Diuretic: Boil 2 tbsp chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes. Take 1/2 of the decoction after every meal, 3 times a day.

New Applications
As a diuretic in hypertension and fluid retention. Also used for dissolution of kidney stones. Some clinical studies, including double blind/placebo radomized studies, have shown encouraging results for Sambong to be both safe and effective in the treatment of kidney stones and hypertension. The National Kidney and Transplant Institute has promoted the use of this herbal medicine for many renal patients to avert or delay the need for dialysis or organ transplantation. Being promoted by the Department of Health (DOH) as a diuretic and for dissolution of renal stones. One of a few herbs recently registered with the Bureau of Foods and Drugs as medicines.

Other Benefits
Possible benefits in use patients with elevated cholesterol and as an analgesic for postoperative dental pain.

Availability
Wild-crafted.
Tablets (Re-Leaf Forte by Altermed /Pascual Laboratories)
Tea

Source: www.stuartxchange.org

Ampalaya (Bitter Gourd) Teas and Capsules

ABS Herbs Ampalaya Tea
Product of the Philippines 20 teabags (2g/teabag)



All natural. All ampalaya. High fibre health tea. Charagen Ampalaya Tea is 100% natural ampalaya that is rich in essential micronutrients. Ampalaya tea is an important high-fiber dietary adjunct for maintaining healthy blood sugar.


Carica Ampalaya Tea
Product of the Philippines 30 teabags (2g/teabag)


This tea is made from Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) leaves and fruit. Helps regulate blood sugar. Carica Teas are made from dehydrated leaves, blossoms, flowers, roots and fruits of edible plants and herbs that are naturally-growing. No preservatives, flavorings, sugar or any additives are used.

Gourmet's Ampalaya Tea
Product of the Philippines


Traditionally, Filipinos have always revered the Ampalaya fruit as an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Ampalaya leaves have been used as tropical treatment for skin diseases and wounds. This type of tea works wonders for those who suffer from liver problems or diabetes. It also works well for body detoxification. Gourmet's Teas are made from fresh herbs and vegetables, dried, ground, then packed into tea bags so that all teas retain all their health benefits.

Ampalaya Plus Capsules
Product of the Philippines
90 capsules/box, good for a month use



Ampalaya Plus Delite Herbal Tea
Product of the Philippines
12 sachets/box


Ampalaya Plus is an innovative product composed of three powerful herbs: ampalaya, banaba and luyang dilaw gathered from clean, pollution-free farms. It is a safe and effective product that contains all the goodness and health enhancing benefits of 3 popular herbs in a very convenient capsule or tea form.


Ampalaya Plus is a high quality food supplement specially formulated to combat the ill effects of lifestyle-related conditions caused by excessive weight, physical inactivity, pollution and stress. It provides potent and natural food-based phytochemical protection. It can help control and prevent diabetes, high blood, cholesterol, excessive weight, pimples and acne


Herbs in Ampalaya Plus:


Ampalaya (Momordica charantia) is a nutritional vegetable listed as a medicinal plant in the Philippine Pharmacopoeia. The bitter alkaloid is momodicin (a triterpene glycoside) is the active principle. Radioisotope labeled glucose study had shown that ampalaya increases the utilization of glucose by the liver. A polypeptide-p had also been identified with insulin-like properties and induces the capacity to regenerate pancreatic beta cells in animal models. Ampalaya also has lipid lowering properties in the presence or absence of diabetes with the consequent decrease in triglycerides and cholesterol.


Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) is a herb tradionally used as a diuretic. It is known to lower blood sugar and helps in reducing weight. The active principle is corosolic acid, a triterpenoid compound, which increases glucose transport. In animal and cell culture studies, there were reductions in blood sugar levels and normalization of insulin levels. With the reduction of blood glucose comes a reduction in body weight even without dietary restrictions.


Luyang Dilaw (Curcuma longa) is a strong natural anti-oxidant. It has been known that turmeric has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The anti-inflammatory property may be compared to that of hydrocortisone. This herb is also reported to protect the liver and help maintain liver function in detoxifying (remove toxins) the body. There is evidence to show that luyang dilaw can reduce COX-2 mRNA expression and decrease synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a factor in mechanism of pain, especially joint and muscle pains.

What is Ampalaya?

(Bitter Gourd - Engl.)

A climbing vine with tendrils up to 20 centimeters long. Leaves heart-shaped, 5-10 centimeters in diameter, cut into 5-7 lobes. Male and female yellow flowers, about 15 mm long, long-stalked with pair of small leaflike bracts at middle or toward base of stalk. Fleshy green fruit, oblong with pointed ends, ribbed and wrinkled, bursting when mature to release seeds. Seeds flat with ruminated margins. Probably of Asiatic origin. Year-round vegetable growing in various places from sea level to higher altitudes. Wild forms found in wastelands at low and medium altitudes. Propagation by seeds.

Scientific Names
Mormodica charantia Linn.
Mormodica balsamina Blanco
Mormodica cylindrica Blanco

Distribution
Year-round vegetable, extensively cultivated in the Philippines for its bitter edible fruit. Also found in open fields, thickets, and waste places

Properties
Astringent, vulnerary, parasiticide, anthelmintic, purgative, emetic, antipyretic, febrifuge, emmenagogue, cooling and tonic.

Parts Utilized
Leaves, roots and fruits.

Uses

Folkloric
Astringent powdered leaves or root decoction can be applied to hemorrhoids. Leaf juice for cough and as a purgative and anthelminthic to expel intestinal parasites, and for healing wounds. Seeds also be used to expel worms. Juice from fruit is used for dysentery and chronic colitis.The vine or the juice of leaves used as mild purgative for children.In large doses, the fresh juice is a drastic purgative. Decoction of roots and seeds used for urethral discharges. Pounded leaves used for scalds. Infusion of leaves or leaf juice used for fevers.

Nutritional
The leaves and fruit - used as vegetables - are excellent sources of Vitamin B, iron, calcium, and phosphorus. It has twice the amount of beta carotene in broccoli and twice the calcium content of spinach. Characteristically bitter-tasting, slight soaking in salty water before cooking removes some of the bitter taste of the fruit.

Recent Use
Diabetes Mellitus. A Philippine herb that has recently gained international recognition for its possible benefits in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Despite its bitter taste, it has also become a popular nutritional drink to boost vim and vigor. In fact, the more bitter, the better, as it is believed that the bitterness is proportionate to its potency. Studies have suggested that ampalaya contains a hypoglycemic polypeptide, a plant insulin responsible for its blood sugar lowering effect. Other benefits suggested were body detoxification (including removal of nicotine), strengthening of the immune system and fertility regulation. It is increasingly recommended as an adjunct or supplement to traditional therapeutic regimens for diabetes mellitus.

Culinary Uses
Steam ampalaya tops (upper four leaves) and eat half a cup twice daily. As a decoction, boil six tablespoons of finely chopped leaves in two glasses of water over low fire (for 15 minutes). Drink 1/3 cup, three times a day, 30 minutes before meals. Don't use aluminum pots (clay or enamel only).

Toxicity
None known.

Availability
Wild-crafted
Perennial vegetable market produce
Tablets (Amargozin by Altermed/Pascual Laboratories)
Recently, available in capsule formulation Charagen Ampalaya

Source: www.stuartxchange.org

Bayabas (Guava) Herbal Products

Carica Bayabas Tea
Product of the Philippines
30 teabags (2 grams/teabag)

Tea processed from Bayabas or Guava (Psidium guajava) leaves is an effective antiseptic used for washing wounds and for infection of the mouth and gums.

All Organics Guava Healing Bath Soap
Product of the Philippines

Facilitates healing of wounds, has strong anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties. Improves skin texture and lightens skin tone.

An organic natural soap handcrafted using slow cold process method. Especially formulated to deliver the very best in skin care while using only safe, truly natural ingredients. Each handmade organic natural soap contains skin-loving cold pressed coconut oil, wild-crafted and organic botanicals and vegetable butters for their exceptional skin care benefits, leaving your skin squeaky clean and healthy after every bath.

All Organics soaps do not contain parabens, mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum, phenol carbolic acid, propylene glycol, acrylamide, toluene, dioxane, sulfates, triclosan, triclocarban, EDTA, TEA, DEA, sodium laureth and sodium lauryl sulfates (SLS/SLES).

What is Bayabas?
(Guava - Engl.)

Botany
Somewhat hairy young branches are 4-angled with opposite leaves. Flowers with in-curved petals, cottony white, coming out in two's or three's in the leaf axils. Numerous stamens form the attractive part of the flower. Inferior ovaries develop into roundish green fruits that turn yellow on ripening and have edible, aromatic, seedy pulp.

Scientific Names
Psidium cujavus Linn.
Psidium aromaticum Blanco
Psidium pyriferum Linn.
Psidium pomiferum Linn.

Distribution
Widely distributed in the Philippines. Common in backyards. Well-known because of its edible fruit. Propagation by seeds, budding, grafting, and marcotting. Root cuttings have been tried with success.

Parts Utilized
Leaves, fruit

Constituents
Fixed oil, 6%; volatile (essential) oil, 0.365%; eugenol; tannin 8-15%; saponins; amydalin; phenolic acids; malic acid; ash, aldehydes.

Uses

Folkloric
Astringent, antispasmodic, anthelminthic and antiseptic properties.
Leaves used for wounds and toothache must always be fresh. Decoction or infusion of fresh leaves used for wound cleaning to prevent infection and to facilitate healing.

Aromatic bath: Use warm decoction of leaves.

Diarrhea: Boil for 15 minutes 4 to 6 tablespoons of chopped leaves in 18 ounces of water. Strain and cool. Drink 1/4 of the decoction every 3 - 4 hours.

Toothache: Chew 2-3 young leaves and put into the tooth cavity;
Gum swelling: Chewed leaves; or use the leaf decoction as mouthwash 3 times daily; chewed leaves. Toothache: Chew but do not swallow fresh leaves.

Skin ulcers, wounds, pruritic or infected: Apply decoction of leaves or unripe fruit as wash or the leaf poultice on the wound or use the decoction for wound cleansing. It is also popularly used for the wound healing of circumcision wounds.

Nosebleeds: Densely roll the bayabas leaves and place into the nostril cavity.

Vaginal wash: Because of antiseptic properties, warm decoction of leaves as vaginal wash (after childbirth) or douche.

Cosmetic
Leaf extract used in skin whitening products.

Dental
Toothbrush au-natural: Bayabas twigs, chewed at the ends until frayed, used as alternative for toothbrushing with whitening effect.

Availability
Wild-crafted.

Source: www.stuartxchange.org

Banaba Herbal Teas

Carica Banaba Tea
Product of the Philippines
30 teabags (2 grams/teabag)

Prepared from dried mature leaves of Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa). Regular use of the tea may help regulate blood sugar.



Gourmet's Banaba Tea
Product of the Philippines

Made from fresh Banaba leaves, dried, ground, then packed into tea bags so that all teas retain all their health benefits. Long since used in herbal weigh-loss products, Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) has been known for its effects on controlling glucose in the blood making it ideal for diabetes, hypertension, and kidney problems. Its purgative properties also help in expelling abdominal toxins.

Tizane Banaba Tea
Product of the Philippines
The product is a unique, green herbal tea blend that contains essential plant nutrients which promote and maintain healthy and sound body. These herbs are nurtured in prime farms and plucked at the precise time. It uses no less than the pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing process which means it is carefully processed to keep the freshness and nutrients of the leaves.

Banaba Tea is a good tasting, refreshing, natural and caffeine-free beverage that is perfect for health conscious individuals. It has been used for lowering blood sugar levels, lowering blood pressure and relieving edema in Asian countries.

Regular Flavor ) Ing: Lagerstroemia speciosa (Banaba) and Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon Grass)
(Calamansi Flavor Ing: Lagerstroemia speciosa (Banaba),Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon Grass) and Calamansi Extract (Native Lemon)
(Mango Flavor) Ing: Lagerstroemia speciosa (Banaba), Mangifera Indica (Mango Leaves) and Mango Extract

What is Banaba?
(Lagerstroemia speciosa)

A decidious tropical flowering tree, 5 to 10 meters high, sometimes growing to a height of 20 meters. Leaves, large, spatulate, oblong to elliptic-ovate, 2-4 inches in width, 5-8 inches in length; shedding its leaves the first months of the year. Before shedding, the leaves are bright orange or red during which time it is thought to contain higher levels of corosolic acid). Flowers are racemes, pink to lavender; flowering from March to June. After flowering, the tree bears large clumps of oval nutlike fruits.

Scientific Names
Lagerstroemia speciosa Linn.
Munchausia speciosa Linn.
Lagestroemia reginae Roxb.
Lagerstroemia flos-reginae Retz.

Distribution
Grows wild; widely distributed in the Philippines, in the secondary forests at low and medium altitudes. Cultivated for its beautiful flowers. Propagation by seeds.

Chemical Constituents
Rich in tannin: fruit, 14 to 17 %; leaves 13 %; bark, 10%. Corrosolic acid is being studied for its glucose lowering effect.

Parts Utilized
Leaves, fruits, flowers and bark.

Uses

Folkloric

• Roots have been used for a variety of stomach ailments. Leaf decoction for diabetes; also use as a diuretic and purgative.
  
• Decoction of old leaves and dried fruit (dried from one to two weeks), 50 gms to a pint of boiling water, 4 to 6 cups daily has been used for diabetes. Old leaves and ripe fruit are preferred, believed to have greater glucose lowering effect. Young leaves and flowers have a similar effect, though only 70% that of matures leaves and fruits. The wood has no known glucose lowering effect; the bark, a very small amount. A decoction of 20 gms of old leaves or dried fruit in 100 cc of water was found to have the equivalent effect to that of 6 to 7.7 units of insulin.
  
• The bark decoction has been used for the treatment of diarrhea.
  
• The bark, flowers and leaves used to facilitate bowel movements.
  
• Decoction of fruits or roots gargled for aphthous stomatitis.


• Decoction of leaves and flowers used for fevers and as diuretic.


• Leaf decoction or infusion used for bladder and kidney inflammation, dysuria, and other urinary dysfunctions.
  

Recent Studies

• Diabetes: Banaba is being studied for its application in the treatment of diabetes. Its ability to lower blood sugar is attributed to its corosolic acid, a triterpenoid glycoside, belived to facilitate glucose-transport into cells.
  
• Weight loss: Studies in mice suggest an anti-obesity effect. It is becoming a common ingredient in weight-loss supplements / products as a metabolic enhancer.


• Others: It is also being studied for its use in the treatment of blood pressure, renal and immune system benefits. Studies in mice suggest a lipid lowering effect - decreasing triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. To date, no toxicity has been identified.
  
  Availability
  
• Wildcrafted.


• Cultivated for flowers.


• Commercial: tablets, extracts, capsules, powder and tea
  
  Source: http://www.stuartxchange.org/

Salabat (Ginger Brew)

What is Ginger?
Ginger is the common name for the monocotyledonous perennial plant Zingiber officinale. The term is also used to describe the edible part of the plant which is commonly used as an ingredient in cooking throughout the world. Often referred to as ginger "root", the edible section is actually a rhizome.

Ginger contains up to 3% of an essential oil that causes the fragrance of the spice. The main constituents are sesquiterpenoids with(-)-zingiberene as the main component. Lesser amounts of other sesquiterpenoids (β-sesquiphellandrene, bisabolene and farnesene) and a small monoterpenoid fraction (β-phelladrene, cineol, and citral)have also been identified.

The pungent taste of ginger is due to nonvolatile phenylpropanoid-derived compounds, particularly gingerols and shogaols. The latter are formed from the former when ginger is dried or cooked. Zingerone is also produced from gingerols during this process, and it is less pungent and has a spicy-sweet aroma. Ginger has a sialagogue action, stimulating the production of saliva.

Ludy's Ginger Brew (Salabat) is in the form of granules and is packed in jars or foil packs. This drink is made from carefully chosen ginger roots. Since olden times, ginger has been used to help cure colds, fever, stomach ache, and is a soothing remedy for rheumatism on cold nights and rainy days. A healthy breakfast beverage for the whole family too.

LUDY'S GINGER BREW SALABAT 12.7 oz
Ingredients: Ginger and Sugar




LUDY'S GINGER JUICE SALABAT W/ CALAMANSI 12.7 oz
Ingredients: Ginger, Sugar, Calamansi (Philippine Lemon)




GINGER PUNCH SALABAT W/ LEMON 12.7 oz
Ingredients: Ginger, Sugar, Lemon


Culinary Uses of Ginger
Young ginger rhizomes are juicy and fleshy with a very mild taste. They are often pickled in sherry as a snack or just cooked as an ingredient in many dishes. They can also be stewed in boiling water to make ginger tea, to which honey is often added as a sweetener; sliced orange or lemon fruit may also be added. Mature ginger roots are fibrous and nearly dry. The juice from old ginger roots is extremely potent and is often used as a spice in Asian cuisine to flavor dishes such as seafood or mutton. Powdered dry ginger root (ginger powder) is typically used to add spiciness to gingerbread and other recipes. Fresh ginger can be successfully substituted for ground ginger and should be done at a ratio of 6 parts fresh for 1 part ground. Ginger is also made into candy and used as a flavoring for cookies, crackers and and is the main flavor in ginger ale - a sweet, carbonated, non-alcoholic beverage.

Medical Uses
The medical form of ginger historically was called "Jamaica ginger"; it was classified as a stimulant and carminative, and used frequently for dyspepsia and colic. It was also frequently employed to disguise the taste of medicines. Ginger is on the FDA's 'generally recognized as safe' list, though it does interact with some medications, including warfarin. Ginger is contraindicated in people suffering from gallstones as the herb promotes the release of bile from the gallbladder. Ginger may also decrease joint pain from arthritis, though studies on this have been inconsistent, and may have blood thinning and cholesterol lowering properties that may make it useful for treating heart disease.

Ginger has been found effective by multiple studies for treating nausea caused by seasickness, morning sickness and chemotherapy,though ginger was not found superior over a placebo for post-operative nausea. However, consuming too much ginger can create a feeling of nausea in an individual.

Modern research on nausea and motion sickness used approximately 1 gram of ginger powder daily. Though there are claims for efficacy in all causes of nausea, the Physicians Desk Reference recommends against taking ginger rhizomes for morning sickness commonly associated with pregnancy due to possible mutagenic effects,though Chinese women have traditionally used ginger rhizomes during pregnancy to combat morning sickness and the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database states that it is likely safe for use in pregnancy when consumed in food-amounts.

Folk Medicinal Uses
There are a variety of uses suggested for ginger. A tea brewed from the is a folk remedy for colds. Ginger ale and ginger beer have been recommended as "stomach settlers" for generations in countries where the beverages are made and ginger water was commonly used to avoid heat cramps in the US. Ginger has also been historically used to treat inflammation, which some scientific studies support while others show ginger to be no better than a placebo or ibuprofen. Research on rats suggests that ginger may be useful for treating diabetes.

Local Uses
In the Philippines a traditional health drink called "salabat" is made for consumption with breakfast by boiling chopped ginger and adding sugar.

In the West, powdered dried ginger root is made into capsules and sold in pharmacies for medicinal use.

In the United States, ginger is generally recognized as safe by the FDA, though it is not approved for the treatment or cure of any disease and is sold as an unregulated dietary supplement.

In India, ginger is applied as a paste to the temples to relieve headache and consumed when suffering from a cold.

In Myanmar, ginger and a local sweetener made from palm tree juice (Htan nyat) are boiled together and taken to prevent the flu.

In China, a drink made with sliced ginger cooked in sweetened water or a cola is used as a folk medicine for common cold.

In Indonesia, a type of ginger known as Jahe is used as a herbal preparation to reduce fatigue, reducing "winds" in the blood, prevent and cure rheumatism and controlling poor dietary habits.

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, ginger is crushed and mixed with mango-tree sap to make Tangawisi juice, which is considered a universal panacea.

Allergic reactions to ginger generally result in a rash and though generally recognized as safe, ginger can cause heartburn, bloating, gas, belching and nausea, particularly if taken in powdered form. Unchewed fresh ginger may result in intestinal blockage, and individuals who have had ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease or blocked intestines may react badly to large quantities of fresh ginger. Ginger can also adversely affect individuals with gallstones. There are also suggestions that ginger may affect blood pressure, clotting, and heart rhythms.

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

About the Philippines

PHILIPPINES

The Philippines (Filipino: Pilipinas), officially the Republic of the Philippines (Republika ng Pilipinas; RP), is an archipelagic nation located in Southeast Asia, with Manila as its capital city. The Philippine Archipelago comprises 7,107 islands in the western Pacific Ocean. The Philippines is the world's 12th most populous country, with a population of 88 million.

GEOGRAPHY

The Philippines constitutes an archipelago of 7,107 islands with a total land area of approximately 300,000 square kilometers (116,000 sq mi). It lies between 116° 40' and 126° 34' E. longitude, and 4° 40' and 21° 10' N. latitude, and borders the Philippine Sea on the east, on the South China Sea the west, and the Celebes Sea on the south. The island of Borneo lies a few hundred kilometers southwest and Taiwan directly north. The Moluccas and Sulawesi are to the south, and Palau is to the east beyond the Philippine Sea

The islands are commonly divided into three island groups: Luzon , Visayas , and Mindanao . The busy port of Manila, on Luzon, is the national capital and second largest city after its suburb Quezon City.

CLIMATE

The local climate is hot, humid, and tropical. The average yearly temperature is around 26.5 °CF). There are three recognized seasons: Tag-init or Tag-araw (the hot season or summer from March to May), Tag-ulan (the rainy season from June to November), and Taglamig (the cold season from December to February). The southwest monsoon (79.7 ° (May-October) is known as the "habagat" and the dry winds of the northeast monsoon (November-April) as the "amihan".

LANGUAGES

More than 180 languages and dialects are spoken in the archipelago. According to the 1987 Constitution, Filipino and English are both the official languages. Many Filipinos understand, write and speak English, Filipino and their respective regional languages. Filipino is the de facto standardized version of Tagalog and one of the nation's official languages. English, the other official language, is widely used as a lingua franca throughout the country. English was imposed by Americans during the U.S. intervention and colonization of the archipelago. English is used in education, churches, religious affairs, print and broadcast media, and business, though the number of people who use it as a second language far outnumber those who speak it as a first language. Still, English is the preferred medium for textbooks and instruction for secondary and tertiary levels. Movies and TV programs in English are not subtitled but many films and TV programs are produced in Tagalog. English is the sole language of the law courts.

Twelve major regional languages are the auxiliary official languages of their respective regions, each with over one million speakers: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Waray-Waray, Kapampangan, Bikol, Pangasinan. Kinaray-a, Maranao, Maguindanao and Tausug.

RELIGION

The Philippines is one of only two majority Roman Catholic countries in Asia (the other being East Timor). About 94% of Filipinos are Christians, where 81% belong to the Roman Catholic Church, 2% composed of Protestant denominations and 11% either to the Philippine Independent Church (Aglipayan), Iglesia ni Cristo and others. While Christianity is a major force in the culture of the Filipinos, indigenous traditions and rituals still influence religious practice.

Approximately 5% of Filipinos are Muslims, and are locally known as "Moros", having been dubbed this by the Spanish due to their sharing Islam with the Moors of North Africa. They primarily settle in parts of Mindanao, Palawan and the Sulu archipelago, but are now found in most urban areas of the country.

CULTURE

Filipino culture is a fusion of pre-Hispanic indigenous Austronesian civilizations of the Philippines mixed with Hispanic and American cultures. It has also been influenced by Chinese and Islamiccultures.

The Hispanic influences in Filipino culture are largely derived from the culture of Spain and Mexico as a result of over three centuries of Spanish colonial rule through Mexico City. These Hispanic influences are most evident in literature, folk music, folk dance, language, food, art and religion, such as Roman Catholic Church religious festivals. Filipinos hold major festivities known as barrio fiestas to commemorate their patron saints. One of the most visible Hispanic legacy, is the prevalence of Spanish surnames among Filipinos. This peculiarity, unique among the people of Asia, came as a result of a colonial decree for the systematic distribution of family names and implementation of the Spanish naming system on the inhabitants of the Philippines. A Spanish name and surname among the majority of Filipinos does not always denote of Spanish ancestry. Only about 1% to 2% of the population (mostly Filipinos of Spanish and Mexican origin) would qualify as Hispanic by ancestry.

There are also significant amounts of Spanish influence in the country, such as names of countless streets, towns and provinces, which are named in Spanish. Spanish architecture also made a major imprint in the Philippines. This can be seen especially in the country's churches, government buildings and universities. Many Hispanic style houses and buildings are being preserved, like the Spanish colonial town in Vigan City, for protection and conservation. Kalesa is a horse-driven carriage introduced by the Spaniards and was a major mode of transportation during the colonial times. It is still being used today. Filipino cuisine is also heavily influenced by Mexican and Spanish cuisine.

The Chinese influences in Filipino culture are most evident in Filipino cuisine. The prevalence of noodles, known locally as mami, is a testament to Chinese cuisine.

The use of English language in the Philippines is contemporaneous and is America's visible legacy. The most commonly played sports in the Philippines are basketball and billiards. There is also a wide influence of American Pop cultural trends, such as the love of fast-food and movies; many street corners boast fast-food outlets. Modern day Filipinos also listen to contemporary American music and watch American movies. However, Original Pilipino Music (also known as OPM) and Philippine movies are also widely appreciated.

Filipinos honor national heroes whose works and deeds contributed to the shaping of the Filipino nation. José Rizal is the most celebrated ilustrado, a Spanish-speaking reformist visionary whose writings contributed greatly in nurturing a sense of national identity and awareness. His novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo originally written in Spanish, are required readings for Filipino students, and provide vignettes of colonial life under the Spanish rule.

As with many cultures, music (which includes traditional music) and leisure activities are an important aspect of the Filipino society. Various sports are also enjoyed, including boxing, basketball, badminton, billiards, football (soccer) and ten-pin bowling being popular games in the country.

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia