PHILIPPINES
*CULTURE OF PHILIPPINES*
The culture of the Philippines reflects the country's complex history. It is a blend of the Malayo-Polynesian and Hispanic cultures, with influence fromChinese.
The Philippines was first settled by Melanesians; today they preserve a very traditional way of life and culture, although their numbers are few. After them, the Austronesians or more specifically, Malayo-Polynesians, arrived on the islands. Today the Austronesian culture is very evident in the ethnicity, language, food, dance and almost every aspect of the culture. These Austronesians engaged in trading with China, India, Japan, the Ryukyu islands, the Middle East, Borneo, and other places. As a result, those cultures have also left a mark on Filipino culture.[1]
When the Spanish colonized the islands, after more than three centuries of colonization, they had heavily impacted the culture. The Philippines being governed from both Mexico and Spain, had received a little bit of Hispanic influence. Mexican and Spanish influence can be seen in the dance and religion many other aspects of the culture. After being colonized by Spain, the Philippines became a U.S. territory for about 40 years. Influence from the United States is seen in the wide use of the English language, and the modern pop culture.
*FILIPINO ARTS*
Arts of the Philippines cover a variety of forms of entertainment. Folk art and ethnographic art consist of classic and modern features that flourished as a result of European and Indigenous influences
*Human Cordon*
Nemiranda's “The Human Cordon,” a 24” x 30” oil on canvas work, depicts a Filipino family in ‘People Power’ protest. The masterpiece will be accorded to Presidential Sister Mrs. Ballsy Aquino Cruz (representing President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III) in a formal handover ceremony at the National Conference of PVAF: TRE (Philippine Visual Arts Festival 2012 The Rizal Experience) on the morning of February 19 at Thunderbird Resort-Binangonan, Rizal.
*SARIMANOK*
=It is the legendary bird or “artificial cock” that has become an ubiquitous symbol of Maranaw art. It is depicted as a fowl with wings and feathered tail, holding a fish on its beak or talons. The head is profusely decorated with scroll, leaf, and spiral motifs.
=The Sarimanok is a legendary bird of the Maranao people who originate from Mindanao, a major island in the Philippines. It comes from the words "sari" and "manok." "Sari" means cloth or garment, which is generally of assorted colors.[1] Manòk, which makes up part of its name, is a Philippineword for chicken.
=It is the legendary bird that has become a ubiquitous symbol of Maranao art. It is depicted as a fowl with colorful wings and feathered tail, holding a fish on its beak or talons. The head is profusely decorated with scroll, leaf, and spiral motifs. It is said to be a symbol of good fortune
=The Sarimanok is derived from a totem bird of the Maranao people, called Itotoro. According to the Maranao people, the Itotoro is a medium to the spirit world via its unseen twin spirit bird called Inikadowa. According to the tradition, the sarimanok is never displayed by itself. It must be displayed with the set of flags, standards and vexilloids. At present, this is not totally true; sarimanok may be placed on the top of the umbrella of a Sultan or dignitary, and also, the Mindanao State University has adopted it for the graduation exercises following a non-traditional use
*Philippines Mainstream Art*
=Throughout the early Spanish era, Philippines art took its inspiration from religion with ornate altarpieces or scenes from the Bible or the lives of the saints. It was only in the 18th century that secular themes began to become popular.
=In 1884, Filipino art broke into the international mainstream when Juan Luna won the gold medal at the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid, Spain. Compatriot FelixResurreccion Hidalgo won the silver medal. In the early 20th century Fernando Amorsolo, Fabian de la Rosa and Jorge Pineda concentrated on romantic landscapes, and in the 1920s Victorio Edades introduced modernism to the Philippines. This has produced a healthy crop of modern artists, from Lee Aguinaldo and Fernando Zobel in the 1960s and 70s to Bernardo Cabrera (BenCab) and Manny Garibay today.
The leading sculptor of the American era was Guillermo Tolentino, whilst Napoleon Abueva brought modernism in the 1950s. Eduardo Castrillo heads modern names with his monumental metal sculptures (including the Heritage of Cebu Monument in Cebu City). Others include Solomon Saprid and Abdulmari Imao who interprets Islamic traditional designs for the modern era.
*EDUCATION*
=Education in the Philippines has been influenced by Western and Eastern ideology and philosophy from the United States, Spain, and its neighbouring Asian countries. Philippine students enter public school at about age four, starting from nursery school up to kindergarten. At about seven years of age, students enter elementary school (6 to 7 years). This is followed by high school (5 years). Students then take the college entrance examinations (CEE), after which they enter college or university (3 to 5 years). Other types of schools include private school, preparatory school, international school, laboratory high school, and science high school. Of these schools, private Catholic schools are the most famous. Catholic schools are preferred in the Philippines due to their religious beliefs. Most Catholic schools are unisex. The uniforms of Catholic schools usually have an emblem along with the school colors.
The school year in the Philippines starts in June and ends in March, with a two-month summer break from April to May, two-week semestral break in October and Christmas and New Year's holidays.
*CELEBRATION*
^REGULAR HOLIDAYS^
- January 1 - Bagong Taon or Año Nuevo (New Year's Day)
- March/April - Semana Santa (Holy Week) including Biyernes Santo (Good Friday) and Huwebes Santo (Maundy Thursday)
- April 9 - Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor)
- May 1 - Araw ng mga Manggagawà (Labor Day)
- June 12 - Araw ng Kalayaan (Independence Day)
- August 27 - Araw ng mga Bayani (National Heroes' Day)
- December 24 - Noche Buena (Christmas Eve)
- December 25 - Araw ng Pasko or Navidad (Christmas)
- December 30 - Araw ng Kabayanihan ni Dr. José Rizal (Rizal Day)
^SPECIAL HOLIDAYS^
- January/February - Bagong Taon ng Tsina (Chinese New Year)
- February 25 - Anibersaryo ng Rebolusyon sa EDSA (People Power Revolution Anniversary)
- August 21 - Araw ng Kabayanihan ni Ninoy Aquino (Ninoy Aquino Day)
- November 1 - Araw ng mga Santo (All Saints Day)
- November 2 - Araw ng mga Patay (All Souls' Day)
- December 31 - Bisperás ng Bagong Taón (New Year's Eve)
*FESTIVAL*
Month Festival Place January Ati-Atihan Kalibo, Aklan Sinulog Cebu Dinagyang Iloilo February Panagbenga Baguio City Kaamulan Bukidnon Paraw Regatta Iloilo City and Guimaras March Pintados de Passi Passi City, Iloilo Araw ng Dabaw Davao April Moriones Marinduque May Magayon Albay Pahiyas Lucban, Quezon Sanduguan Calapan, Oriental Mindoro June Pintados Tacloban City August Kadayawan Davao September Peñafrancia Naga, Bicol Padul-ong Borongan City, Eastern Samar October Fiesta Zamboanga Hermosa(Fiesta Pilar) Ciudad de Zamboanga (Ciudad Latina de Asia) Masskara Festival Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
*Administrative divisions*
=The Philippines is divided into three island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. As of March 2010, these were divided into 17 regions, 80 provinces, 138 cities, 1,496 municipalities, and 42,025barangays.[79] In addition, Section 2 of Republic Act No. 5446 asserts that the definition of the territorial sea around the Philippine archipelago does not affect the claim over Sabah
Region Designation Regional center Ilocos Region Region I San Fernando, La Union Cagayan Valley Region II Tuguegarao, Cagayan Central Luzon Region III San Fernando, Pampanga CALABARZON Region IV-A Calamba, Laguna MIMAROPA Region IV-B Calapan, Oriental Mindoro Bicol Region Region V Legazpi, Albay Western Visayas Region VI Iloilo City Central Visayas Region VII Cebu City Eastern Visayas Region VIII Tacloban Zamboanga Peninsula Region IX Pagadian[81][82] Northern Mindanao Region X Cagayan de Oro Davao Region Region XI Davao City SOCCSKSARGEN Region XII Koronadal, South Cotabato Caraga Region XIII Butuan Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao ARMM Cotabato City Cordillera Administrative Region CAR Baguio National Capital Region NCR Manila
*Geography*
=The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands[3] with a total land area, including inland bodies of water, of approximately 300,000 square kilometers (120,000 sq mi). Its 36,289 kilometers (22,549 mi) of coastline makes it the country with the 5th longest coastline in the world.[3][83] It is located between 116° 40', and 126° 34' E. longitude and 4° 40' and 21° 10' N. latitude and is bordered by the Philippine Sea to the east, the South China Sea to the west, and the Celebes Sea to the south. The island of Borneo is located a few hundred kilometers southwest and Taiwan is located directly to the north. The Moluccas and Sulawesi are located to the south-southwest and Palau is located to the east of the islands.[3]
Most of the mountainous islands are covered in tropical rainforest and volcanic in origin. The highest mountain is Mount Apo. It measures up to 2,954 meters (9,692 feet) above sea level and is located on the island of Mindanao. The Galathea Depth in the Philippine Trench is the deepest point in the country and the third deepest in the world. The trench is located in the Philippine Sea. The longest river is the Cagayan River in northern Luzon. Manila Bay, upon the shore of which the capital city of Manila lies, is connected to Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the Philippines, by the Pasig River. Subic Bay, the Davao Gulf, and the Moro Gulf are other important bays. The San Juanico Strait separates the islands of Samar and Leyte but it is traversed by the San Juanico Bridge.[84]
=Situated on the western fringes of the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity. The Benham Plateau to the east in the Philippine Sea is an undersea region active in tectonic subduction.[85] Around 20 earthquakes are registered daily, though most are too weak to be felt. The last major earthquake was the 1990 Luzon earthquake.[86] There are many active volcanoes such as the Mayon Volcano, Mount Pinatubo, and Taal Volcano. The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in June 1991 produced the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century.[87] Not all notable geographic features are so violent or destructive. A more serene legacy of the geological disturbances is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, the area represents a habitat for biodiversity conservation, the site also contains a full mountain-to-the-sea ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia.[88] The white sand beaches that make Boracay a popular vacation getaway are made of coral remnants.
Due to the volcanic nature of the islands, mineral deposits are abundant. The country is estimated to have the second-largest gold deposits after South Africa and one of the largest copper deposits in the world.[89] It is also rich in nickel, chromite, and zinc. Despite this, poor management, high population density, and environmental consciousness have resulted in these mineral resources remaining largely untapped.[89] Geothermal energy, however, is another product of volcanic activity that the country has harnessed more successfully. The Philippines is the world's second-biggest geothermal producer behind the United States, with 18% of the country's electricity needs being met by geothermal power.[90]
National Anthem of The Philippines
Tagalog Lyrics
Lupang Hinirang
Bayang magiliw,
Perlas ng Silanganan
Alab ng puso
Sa dibdib mo'y buhay.
Lupang hinirang,
Duyan ka ng magiting,
Sa manlulupig
Di ka pasisiil.
Sa dagat at bundok
Sa simoy, at sa langit mong bughaw,
May dilag ang tula,
At awit sa paglayang minamahal.
Ang kislap ng wata wat mo'y
Tagumpay na nagniningning,
Ang bituin at araw niya
Kailan pa ma'y di magdidilim.
Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhatit pagsinta,
Buhay at langit sa piling mo.
Aming li gaya na pag may mangaapi
Ang mamatay nang da hil sa iyo.
SINGAPORE
*CULTURE OF SINGAPORE*
=Singapore was a part of german conversation ruled by benedict bien the great British Malaya for many centuries. It was ruled by the Sultanate of Johor. In 1819, the British came to the Island and set up a port and colony. During British rule, the port of Singapore flourished and attracted many migrants. After World War 2, Singapore became an independent nation and a republic, which it remains today.
Singapore has a diverse populace of nearly 5 million people[1] which is made up of Chinese, Malays, Indians, Caucasians and Eurasians (plus other mixed groups) and Asians of different origins, which is in line with the nation's history as a crossroads for various ethnic and racial groups. The temples of Chinatown can still be seen in certain towns in Singapore.
In addition, 42% of Singapore's populace are foreigners, which makes it the country with the sixth highest proportion of foreigners worldwide.[2][3]
Singaporean culture is best described as a melting pot of mainly Chinese, Indian, British, and Malay cultures, a reflection of its immigrant history.
*ARTS OF SINGAPORE*
=Singapore may be young but it has a rich arts heritage that stems from the various ethnic and racial groups that make up the population. Mixed together with the colonial history and the large number of westerners living in Singapore, the island’s culture has taken on a contemporary style of its own that is constantly evolving.
A plethora of galleries and museums also portray cultural expressions reflecting the arts and art forms of China, Malaysia and India. The island state is also home to a myriad of arts activities, art festivals, events and cultural events.
To truly experience Singapore’s diverse culture, visitors should find time to visit the different ethnic quarters such as Chinatown; Kampong Glam; Little India; Joo Chiat; and Katong.
*KOEH Sia Yong*
=Koeh's oil paintings are diverse in subject matters. The realistic and expressive approaches are two major characteristics of his work. Many of his figure paintings describe the indigenous conditions and customs of Bali Island, Indonesia. His brushes capture the wavy figures of Bali women. Rich and intensive colors presented the touching scene of Bali ladies' singing and dancing as well as their traditional costumes and hair decorations.
Koeh's landscape paintings usually depict scenes of the Singapore River, old streets, temples and volcanoes etc. Through the bold and unrestrained brush strokes, the artist not only represented objects realistically, but also expressed his inner feelings as well.
*YOUNG ARTIST*
=The art scene of Singapore is certainly alive and roaring. The country’s dedication to its development can be seen in the artworks that dot the city, in its walls, in the building designs, in its numerous museums full of fine masterpieces. What is more prominent is the strong presence of contemporary arts contributed by the country’s dynamic young artists.
Singapore is really behind its artists. Several societies and organizations support and encourage the growth, sustenance and artistic development of its budding talents. Below are some exhibitions, awards and recognitions given to the young artists of Singapore;
*The Best of Pop: A Journey from Obscurity to the Limelight*
=Pop art is the trend that changed the perception that art is only for the learned. It revamped the idea of art’s exclusivity to high sagacity and made art appreciation easier. Never have art been more free and universal than after the explosion of Pop Art.
=The painted art form has gone through a lot of phases and adopted a lot of styles, and these have a lot to do with the artists of the era. The period of The Renaissance gave us the Mona Lisa, The Creation of Adam and other works of Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. Then come the era of Neoclassicism and Romanticism. During these years, the complex influence of literacy, intellect and royalty are reflected in the rich and powerful canvasses of artists like Eugene Delacroix, Philipp Otto Runge and Caspar David Friedrich.
The Period of Modern Art first acknowledged photography as an art. The realism art style dominated this age and gave the art world Gustave Courbet, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Honor Daumier, Thomas Eakins, Jean-Baptiste Simeon Chardin, Jules Breton and Oswald Achenbach. After the reign of the Realism, Impressionism came into rage. Considered radicals, the era violated the academically set standards of art. Landscapes and outdoor scenes are the prominent subjects. Impressionist artists tried to capture and immortalize ordinary scenes of the time. Prominent artists of the age include Claude Monet, Mary Casat, Camille Pissarro and Pierre-Auguste Renior.
The early 20th century saw an explosion of many art movements that defy the academic standards. Cubism, Expressionism, Surrealism, Dada and Abstract continued to revolutionize the standards of acceptable art. As opposed to the eye-pleasers of the earlier years, this era also presented arresting, fearless and often incomprehensible canvasses. Famous artists that dominated the era are Marc Chagall, Ludwig Kirchner, Salvador Dali, Henri Rousseau, Max Ernst, Edvard Munch and El Greco.
*A Window to the World*
=Singapore aims to be Asia’s premier art center. The Singapore Biennale is geared towards the goal of bringing Singaporean and the rest of South East Asian art to the world. Organized and spearheaded by the Singapore Art Museum, the event was first launched in 2006. Under the invitational platform, the exhibition attracts artists from around the world to participate and showcase their art alongside the best of Singapore and Asia.
The bi-annual art event aims to nurture and encourage Singaporean artists by bringing the art world into the country. This is also to enhance Singapore’s image as the premier art city of Asia, where everyone can live, work and play amidst a vibrant and sophisticated culture.
The Singapore Biennale is open to all interested artists around the world. To be able to join, they need to submit their works of art before the exhibit opens. All submitted and approved works will be properly curated by renowned art curators from Singapore and other countries. The piece has to address the event’s theme and should be relevant to contemporary art enthusiasts as well as seasoned art followers. All art pieces should be in specified form and measurements to ensure fairness among all artist exhibitors. Artworks will not be returned and will then be entered into the Biennale Archive to be kept by the Biennale Secretariat.
The first Singapore Biennale held in 2006 was able to showcase 195 artworks from artists representing 38 countries. The Biennale featured contemporary art of different types including paintings, drawings, photography, performances, new media, publishing, video, wall painting, sound and furniture designing. The art exhibition of 2006 was held in many key venues around the city, including seven religious sites, the City Hall, shopping malls, the National Library and in Singapore’s important museums.
*EDUCATION*
=Education in Singapore is managed by the Ministry of Education (MOE),[3] which controls the development and administration of state schools receiving government funding, but also has an advisory and supervisory role in respect of private schools. For both private and state schools, there are variations in the extent of autonomy in their curriculum, scope of government aid and funding, tuition burden on the students, and admission policy.[4]
Education spending usually makes up about 20 per cent of the annual national budget, which subsidises state education and government-assisted private education for Singaporean citizens and funds the Edusave programme, the costs for which are significantly higher for non-citizens. In 2000 the Compulsory Education Act codified compulsory education for children of primary school age (excepting those with disabilities),[5] and made it a criminal offence for parents to fail to enroll their children in school and ensure their regular attendance.[6]Exemptions are allowed for homeschooling or full-time religious institutions, but parents must apply for exemption from the Ministry of Education and meet a minimum benchmark.[7]
The main language of instruction in Singapore is English, which was officially designated the first language within the local education system in 1987.[8] English is the first language learned by half the children by the time they reach preschool age and becomes the primary medium of instruction by the time they reach primary school. Although Malay, Mandarin Chinese and Tamil are also official languages, English is the language of instruction for nearly all subjects except the official Mother Tongue languages and the literatures of those languages; these are generally not taught in English, although there is provision for the use of English at the initial stages. Certain schools, such as secondary schools under the Special Assistance Plan (SAP), encourage a richer use of the mother tongue and may occasionally teach subjects in Mandarin Chinese. A few schools have been experimenting with curricula that integrates language subjects with mathematics and the sciences, using both English and a second language.
Singapore's education system has been described as "world-leading" and in 2010 was among those picked out for commendation by the Britisheducation minister Michael Gove.[9]
*CELEBRATION*
=Singapore celebrates festivals that are specific to each of its ethnic groups and their respective religions. Additionally, certain important anniversaries are celebrated island-wide by the entire nation. These significant religious festivals and important dates are declared as public holidays in Singapore. The 10 annual public holidays are as follows:
- New Years Day
- Chinese New Year
- Good Friday
- Labour Day
- Vesak day
- National Day
- Hari Raya Puasa
- Deepavali
- Hari Raya Haji
- Christmas Day
=The following special days are observed or celebrated by significant segments of the Singaporean population, but are not public holidays.
2013GregorianDate Date on other calendars English name Chinese name Malay name Tamil name Remarks 27 January Tamil calendar – Full moon day of Thai (10th month) (mid-January – mid-February) Thaipusam 大宝森节 Hari Thaipusam தைப்பூசம் 14 February Same as Gregorian date Valentine's Day 情人节 Hari Valentine காதலர் தினம் Originally the feast day of St. Valentine, a Roman Catholic saint 15 February Same as Gregorian date Total Defence Day 全民防卫日 Hari Pertahanan Mutlak முழுமைத் தற்காப்பு தினம் 15 February 1942 was the date of the surrender of Singapore by the British to the Japanese and the start of the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. 8 March Same as Gregorian date International Women's Day 国际妇女节 Hari Wanita Antarabangsa அனைத்துலக பெண்கள் தினம் 31 March Ecclesiastical lunisolar calendar – Sunday after firstPaschal Full Moon on or after vernal equinox (22 March – 25 April) Easter 复活节 Hari Easter (Paskah) ஈஸ்டர் 4 April Solar term in Chinese calendar – falls either on 4/5 April Qingming Festival 清明节 Perayaan Qingming / Cheng Beng சிங் மிங் தினம் 12 May Gregorian calendar – 2nd Sunday of May Mother's Day 母亲节 Hari Ibu அன்னையர் தினம் 12 June Chinese calendar – 5th day of the 5th month Dragon Boat Festival 端午节 Pesta Kapal Naga நாகக் கப்பல் பந்தயம் 16 June 3rd Sunday of June Father's Day 父亲节 Hari Bapa தந்தையர் தினம் 1 July Same as Gregorian date Singapore Armed Forces Day 新加坡武装部队日 Hari Angkatan Bersenjata Singapura சிங்கப்பூர் ஆயுதப்படை தினம் 21 July Same as Gregorian date Racial Harmony Day 种族和谐日 Hari Keharmonian Kaum இன நல்லிணக்க நாள் The first incident of the 1964 Race Riots in Singapore took place on 21 July 1964. 28 August Chinese calendar – 15th day of the 7th month Hungry Ghost Festival 中元节 Perayaan Hantu Lapar பசிகொண்ட பூத விழா 19 September Chinese calendar – 15th day of the 8th month Mid-Autumn Festival 中秋节 Pesta Kuih Bulan / Pesta Tanglung திங்கள் விழா
*Administrative divisions*
=The administrative division of Singapore into five Community Development Council Districts and the further breakdown into Constituencies (which mostly relate to local Town Councils, the second-level administrative division of Singapore) and further into Electoral Districts are treated together because of its hierarchical nature. Since 24 November 2001, Singapore has had an administrative subdivision into 5 districts, headed by mayors and with Community Development Councils (CDCs) as local administrations. The CDCs initiate, plan and manage community programmes to promote community bonding and social cohesion. The electoral boundaries of Singapore are relatively fluid, and are reviewed prior to each general election. The districts are composed of the constituencies and electoral districts (the latter as of the 2006 General Elections):
There are currently five CDCs, namely the
- Central Singapore Community Development Council
- North East Community Development Council
- North West Community Development Council
- South East Community Development Council
- South West Community Development Council
The council boundaries follow that of the existing political divisions, with each handling between four to six GRCs and SMCs and roughly dividing the country's population into equal parts. Each CDC is managed by a Council, which in turn is headed by a mayor and has between 12 to 80 members. The members are appointed by the Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the People's Association.
*Geography*
=Singapore is a small, heavily urbanised, island city-state in Southeast Asia, located at the southern tip of the Malayan Peninsula between Malaysiaand Indonesia. Singapore has a total land area of 714.3 km². The Singapore area comprises mainland and other islands. The mainland of Singapore measures 49 kilometres from East to West and 25 kilometres from North to South with 19 km of coastline. These figures are based on 2.515m High Water Mark cadastral survey boundaries.[1]
Singapore is separated from Indonesia by the Singapore Strait and from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor.
=Singapore's main territory is a diamond-shaped island Pulau Ujong, although its territory includes surrounding smaller islands. The farthest outlying island is Pedra Branca. Singapore is slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington DC. Of Singapore's dozens of smaller islands, Jurong Island, Pulau Tekong, Pulau Ubin and Sentosa are the larger ones. Most of Singapore is no more than 15 meters above sea level. The highest point of Singapore is Bukit Timah, with a height of 165 m (538 ft) and made up of igneous rock, granite. Hills and valleys of sedimentary rockdominate the northwest, while the eastern region consists of sandy and flatter land. Singapore has no natural lakes, but reservoirs and water catchment areas have been constructed to store fresh water for Singapore's water supply.
Singapore has reclaimed land with earth obtained from its own hills, the seabed, and neighbouring countries. As a result, Singapore's land area has grown from 581.5 km² in the 1960s to 723.2 km² today, and may grow by another 100 km² by 2033.
National Anthem of The Singapore
Versions
Official Version - Majulah Singapura
Mari kita rakyat Singapura
Sama-sama menuju bahagia
Cita-cita kita yang mulia
Berjaya Singapura
Marilah kita bersatu
Dengan semangat yang baru
Semua kita berseru
Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura
English Translation - Onward Singapore
We, the people of Singapore
Together march towards happiness
Our noble aspiration
To make Singapore a success
Let us all unite
In a new spirit
Together we proclaim
Onward Singapore
Onward Singapore
English Translation - Onward Singapore (Revised translation 2001)
Come, fellow Singaporeans
Let us progress towards happiness together
May our noble aspiration bring
Singapore success
Come, let us unite
In a new spirit
Let our voices soar as one
Onward Singapore
Onward Singapore
*SARIMANOK*
=It is the legendary bird or “artificial cock” that has become an ubiquitous symbol of Maranaw art. It is depicted as a fowl with wings and feathered tail, holding a fish on its beak or talons. The head is profusely decorated with scroll, leaf, and spiral motifs.
=It is the legendary bird that has become a ubiquitous symbol of Maranao art. It is depicted as a fowl with colorful wings and feathered tail, holding a fish on its beak or talons. The head is profusely decorated with scroll, leaf, and spiral motifs. It is said to be a symbol of good fortune
=The Sarimanok is derived from a totem bird of the Maranao people, called Itotoro. According to the Maranao people, the Itotoro is a medium to the spirit world via its unseen twin spirit bird called Inikadowa. According to the tradition, the sarimanok is never displayed by itself. It must be displayed with the set of flags, standards and vexilloids. At present, this is not totally true; sarimanok may be placed on the top of the umbrella of a Sultan or dignitary, and also, the Mindanao State University has adopted it for the graduation exercises following a non-traditional use
*Philippines Mainstream Art*
=Throughout the early Spanish era, Philippines art took its inspiration from religion with ornate altarpieces or scenes from the Bible or the lives of the saints. It was only in the 18th century that secular themes began to become popular.
=In 1884, Filipino art broke into the international mainstream when Juan Luna won the gold medal at the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid, Spain. Compatriot FelixResurreccion Hidalgo won the silver medal. In the early 20th century Fernando Amorsolo, Fabian de la Rosa and Jorge Pineda concentrated on romantic landscapes, and in the 1920s Victorio Edades introduced modernism to the Philippines. This has produced a healthy crop of modern artists, from Lee Aguinaldo and Fernando Zobel in the 1960s and 70s to Bernardo Cabrera (BenCab) and Manny Garibay today.
The leading sculptor of the American era was Guillermo Tolentino, whilst Napoleon Abueva brought modernism in the 1950s. Eduardo Castrillo heads modern names with his monumental metal sculptures (including the Heritage of Cebu Monument in Cebu City). Others include Solomon Saprid and Abdulmari Imao who interprets Islamic traditional designs for the modern era.
*EDUCATION*
The school year in the Philippines starts in June and ends in March, with a two-month summer break from April to May, two-week semestral break in October and Christmas and New Year's holidays.
*CELEBRATION*
^REGULAR HOLIDAYS^
- January 1 - Bagong Taon or Año Nuevo (New Year's Day)
- March/April - Semana Santa (Holy Week) including Biyernes Santo (Good Friday) and Huwebes Santo (Maundy Thursday)
- April 9 - Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor)
- May 1 - Araw ng mga Manggagawà (Labor Day)
- June 12 - Araw ng Kalayaan (Independence Day)
- August 27 - Araw ng mga Bayani (National Heroes' Day)
- December 24 - Noche Buena (Christmas Eve)
- December 25 - Araw ng Pasko or Navidad (Christmas)
- December 30 - Araw ng Kabayanihan ni Dr. José Rizal (Rizal Day)
^SPECIAL HOLIDAYS^
- January/February - Bagong Taon ng Tsina (Chinese New Year)
- February 25 - Anibersaryo ng Rebolusyon sa EDSA (People Power Revolution Anniversary)
- August 21 - Araw ng Kabayanihan ni Ninoy Aquino (Ninoy Aquino Day)
- November 1 - Araw ng mga Santo (All Saints Day)
- November 2 - Araw ng mga Patay (All Souls' Day)
- December 31 - Bisperás ng Bagong Taón (New Year's Eve)
*FESTIVAL*
| Month | Festival | Place |
|---|---|---|
| January | Ati-Atihan | Kalibo, Aklan |
| Sinulog | Cebu | |
| Dinagyang | Iloilo | |
| February | Panagbenga | Baguio City |
| Kaamulan | Bukidnon | |
| Paraw Regatta | Iloilo City and Guimaras | |
| March | Pintados de Passi | Passi City, Iloilo |
| Araw ng Dabaw | Davao | |
| April | Moriones | Marinduque |
| May | Magayon | Albay |
| Pahiyas | Lucban, Quezon | |
| Sanduguan | Calapan, Oriental Mindoro | |
| June | Pintados | Tacloban City |
| August | Kadayawan | Davao |
| September | Peñafrancia | Naga, Bicol |
| Padul-ong | Borongan City, Eastern Samar | |
| October | Fiesta Zamboanga Hermosa(Fiesta Pilar) | Ciudad de Zamboanga (Ciudad Latina de Asia) |
| Masskara Festival | Bacolod City, Negros Occidental |
*Administrative divisions*
=The Philippines is divided into three island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. As of March 2010, these were divided into 17 regions, 80 provinces, 138 cities, 1,496 municipalities, and 42,025barangays.[79] In addition, Section 2 of Republic Act No. 5446 asserts that the definition of the territorial sea around the Philippine archipelago does not affect the claim over Sabah
| Region | Designation | Regional center |
|---|---|---|
| Ilocos Region | Region I | San Fernando, La Union |
| Cagayan Valley | Region II | Tuguegarao, Cagayan |
| Central Luzon | Region III | San Fernando, Pampanga |
| CALABARZON | Region IV-A | Calamba, Laguna |
| MIMAROPA | Region IV-B | Calapan, Oriental Mindoro |
| Bicol Region | Region V | Legazpi, Albay |
| Western Visayas | Region VI | Iloilo City |
| Central Visayas | Region VII | Cebu City |
| Eastern Visayas | Region VIII | Tacloban |
| Zamboanga Peninsula | Region IX | Pagadian[81][82] |
| Northern Mindanao | Region X | Cagayan de Oro |
| Davao Region | Region XI | Davao City |
| SOCCSKSARGEN | Region XII | Koronadal, South Cotabato |
| Caraga | Region XIII | Butuan |
| Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao | ARMM | Cotabato City |
| Cordillera Administrative Region | CAR | Baguio |
| National Capital Region | NCR | Manila |
*Geography*
=The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands[3] with a total land area, including inland bodies of water, of approximately 300,000 square kilometers (120,000 sq mi). Its 36,289 kilometers (22,549 mi) of coastline makes it the country with the 5th longest coastline in the world.[3][83] It is located between 116° 40', and 126° 34' E. longitude and 4° 40' and 21° 10' N. latitude and is bordered by the Philippine Sea to the east, the South China Sea to the west, and the Celebes Sea to the south. The island of Borneo is located a few hundred kilometers southwest and Taiwan is located directly to the north. The Moluccas and Sulawesi are located to the south-southwest and Palau is located to the east of the islands.[3]
Most of the mountainous islands are covered in tropical rainforest and volcanic in origin. The highest mountain is Mount Apo. It measures up to 2,954 meters (9,692 feet) above sea level and is located on the island of Mindanao. The Galathea Depth in the Philippine Trench is the deepest point in the country and the third deepest in the world. The trench is located in the Philippine Sea. The longest river is the Cagayan River in northern Luzon. Manila Bay, upon the shore of which the capital city of Manila lies, is connected to Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the Philippines, by the Pasig River. Subic Bay, the Davao Gulf, and the Moro Gulf are other important bays. The San Juanico Strait separates the islands of Samar and Leyte but it is traversed by the San Juanico Bridge.[84]
=Situated on the western fringes of the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity. The Benham Plateau to the east in the Philippine Sea is an undersea region active in tectonic subduction.[85] Around 20 earthquakes are registered daily, though most are too weak to be felt. The last major earthquake was the 1990 Luzon earthquake.[86] There are many active volcanoes such as the Mayon Volcano, Mount Pinatubo, and Taal Volcano. The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in June 1991 produced the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century.[87] Not all notable geographic features are so violent or destructive. A more serene legacy of the geological disturbances is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, the area represents a habitat for biodiversity conservation, the site also contains a full mountain-to-the-sea ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia.[88] The white sand beaches that make Boracay a popular vacation getaway are made of coral remnants.
Due to the volcanic nature of the islands, mineral deposits are abundant. The country is estimated to have the second-largest gold deposits after South Africa and one of the largest copper deposits in the world.[89] It is also rich in nickel, chromite, and zinc. Despite this, poor management, high population density, and environmental consciousness have resulted in these mineral resources remaining largely untapped.[89] Geothermal energy, however, is another product of volcanic activity that the country has harnessed more successfully. The Philippines is the world's second-biggest geothermal producer behind the United States, with 18% of the country's electricity needs being met by geothermal power.[90]
National Anthem of The Philippines
Tagalog Lyrics
Lupang Hinirang
Bayang magiliw,
Perlas ng Silanganan
Alab ng puso
Sa dibdib mo'y buhay.
Lupang hinirang,
Duyan ka ng magiting,
Sa manlulupig
Di ka pasisiil.
Sa dagat at bundok
Sa simoy, at sa langit mong bughaw,
May dilag ang tula,
At awit sa paglayang minamahal.
Ang kislap ng wata wat mo'y
Tagumpay na nagniningning,
Ang bituin at araw niya
Kailan pa ma'y di magdidilim.
Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhatit pagsinta,
Buhay at langit sa piling mo.
Aming li gaya na pag may mangaapi
Ang mamatay nang da hil sa iyo.
SINGAPORE
*CULTURE OF SINGAPORE*
=Singapore was a part of german conversation ruled by benedict bien the great British Malaya for many centuries. It was ruled by the Sultanate of Johor. In 1819, the British came to the Island and set up a port and colony. During British rule, the port of Singapore flourished and attracted many migrants. After World War 2, Singapore became an independent nation and a republic, which it remains today.
Singapore has a diverse populace of nearly 5 million people[1] which is made up of Chinese, Malays, Indians, Caucasians and Eurasians (plus other mixed groups) and Asians of different origins, which is in line with the nation's history as a crossroads for various ethnic and racial groups. The temples of Chinatown can still be seen in certain towns in Singapore.
In addition, 42% of Singapore's populace are foreigners, which makes it the country with the sixth highest proportion of foreigners worldwide.[2][3]
Singaporean culture is best described as a melting pot of mainly Chinese, Indian, British, and Malay cultures, a reflection of its immigrant history.
*ARTS OF SINGAPORE*
=Singapore may be young but it has a rich arts heritage that stems from the various ethnic and racial groups that make up the population. Mixed together with the colonial history and the large number of westerners living in Singapore, the island’s culture has taken on a contemporary style of its own that is constantly evolving.
A plethora of galleries and museums also portray cultural expressions reflecting the arts and art forms of China, Malaysia and India. The island state is also home to a myriad of arts activities, art festivals, events and cultural events.
To truly experience Singapore’s diverse culture, visitors should find time to visit the different ethnic quarters such as Chinatown; Kampong Glam; Little India; Joo Chiat; and Katong.
*KOEH Sia Yong*
=Koeh's oil paintings are diverse in subject matters. The realistic and expressive approaches are two major characteristics of his work. Many of his figure paintings describe the indigenous conditions and customs of Bali Island, Indonesia. His brushes capture the wavy figures of Bali women. Rich and intensive colors presented the touching scene of Bali ladies' singing and dancing as well as their traditional costumes and hair decorations.
Koeh's landscape paintings usually depict scenes of the Singapore River, old streets, temples and volcanoes etc. Through the bold and unrestrained brush strokes, the artist not only represented objects realistically, but also expressed his inner feelings as well.
*YOUNG ARTIST*
=The art scene of Singapore is certainly alive and roaring. The country’s dedication to its development can be seen in the artworks that dot the city, in its walls, in the building designs, in its numerous museums full of fine masterpieces. What is more prominent is the strong presence of contemporary arts contributed by the country’s dynamic young artists.
Singapore is really behind its artists. Several societies and organizations support and encourage the growth, sustenance and artistic development of its budding talents. Below are some exhibitions, awards and recognitions given to the young artists of Singapore;
*The Best of Pop: A Journey from Obscurity to the Limelight*
=Pop art is the trend that changed the perception that art is only for the learned. It revamped the idea of art’s exclusivity to high sagacity and made art appreciation easier. Never have art been more free and universal than after the explosion of Pop Art.
=The painted art form has gone through a lot of phases and adopted a lot of styles, and these have a lot to do with the artists of the era. The period of The Renaissance gave us the Mona Lisa, The Creation of Adam and other works of Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. Then come the era of Neoclassicism and Romanticism. During these years, the complex influence of literacy, intellect and royalty are reflected in the rich and powerful canvasses of artists like Eugene Delacroix, Philipp Otto Runge and Caspar David Friedrich.
The Period of Modern Art first acknowledged photography as an art. The realism art style dominated this age and gave the art world Gustave Courbet, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Honor Daumier, Thomas Eakins, Jean-Baptiste Simeon Chardin, Jules Breton and Oswald Achenbach. After the reign of the Realism, Impressionism came into rage. Considered radicals, the era violated the academically set standards of art. Landscapes and outdoor scenes are the prominent subjects. Impressionist artists tried to capture and immortalize ordinary scenes of the time. Prominent artists of the age include Claude Monet, Mary Casat, Camille Pissarro and Pierre-Auguste Renior.
The early 20th century saw an explosion of many art movements that defy the academic standards. Cubism, Expressionism, Surrealism, Dada and Abstract continued to revolutionize the standards of acceptable art. As opposed to the eye-pleasers of the earlier years, this era also presented arresting, fearless and often incomprehensible canvasses. Famous artists that dominated the era are Marc Chagall, Ludwig Kirchner, Salvador Dali, Henri Rousseau, Max Ernst, Edvard Munch and El Greco.
*A Window to the World*
=Singapore aims to be Asia’s premier art center. The Singapore Biennale is geared towards the goal of bringing Singaporean and the rest of South East Asian art to the world. Organized and spearheaded by the Singapore Art Museum, the event was first launched in 2006. Under the invitational platform, the exhibition attracts artists from around the world to participate and showcase their art alongside the best of Singapore and Asia.
The bi-annual art event aims to nurture and encourage Singaporean artists by bringing the art world into the country. This is also to enhance Singapore’s image as the premier art city of Asia, where everyone can live, work and play amidst a vibrant and sophisticated culture.
The Singapore Biennale is open to all interested artists around the world. To be able to join, they need to submit their works of art before the exhibit opens. All submitted and approved works will be properly curated by renowned art curators from Singapore and other countries. The piece has to address the event’s theme and should be relevant to contemporary art enthusiasts as well as seasoned art followers. All art pieces should be in specified form and measurements to ensure fairness among all artist exhibitors. Artworks will not be returned and will then be entered into the Biennale Archive to be kept by the Biennale Secretariat.
The first Singapore Biennale held in 2006 was able to showcase 195 artworks from artists representing 38 countries. The Biennale featured contemporary art of different types including paintings, drawings, photography, performances, new media, publishing, video, wall painting, sound and furniture designing. The art exhibition of 2006 was held in many key venues around the city, including seven religious sites, the City Hall, shopping malls, the National Library and in Singapore’s important museums.
*EDUCATION*
=Education in Singapore is managed by the Ministry of Education (MOE),[3] which controls the development and administration of state schools receiving government funding, but also has an advisory and supervisory role in respect of private schools. For both private and state schools, there are variations in the extent of autonomy in their curriculum, scope of government aid and funding, tuition burden on the students, and admission policy.[4]
Education spending usually makes up about 20 per cent of the annual national budget, which subsidises state education and government-assisted private education for Singaporean citizens and funds the Edusave programme, the costs for which are significantly higher for non-citizens. In 2000 the Compulsory Education Act codified compulsory education for children of primary school age (excepting those with disabilities),[5] and made it a criminal offence for parents to fail to enroll their children in school and ensure their regular attendance.[6]Exemptions are allowed for homeschooling or full-time religious institutions, but parents must apply for exemption from the Ministry of Education and meet a minimum benchmark.[7]
The main language of instruction in Singapore is English, which was officially designated the first language within the local education system in 1987.[8] English is the first language learned by half the children by the time they reach preschool age and becomes the primary medium of instruction by the time they reach primary school. Although Malay, Mandarin Chinese and Tamil are also official languages, English is the language of instruction for nearly all subjects except the official Mother Tongue languages and the literatures of those languages; these are generally not taught in English, although there is provision for the use of English at the initial stages. Certain schools, such as secondary schools under the Special Assistance Plan (SAP), encourage a richer use of the mother tongue and may occasionally teach subjects in Mandarin Chinese. A few schools have been experimenting with curricula that integrates language subjects with mathematics and the sciences, using both English and a second language.
Singapore's education system has been described as "world-leading" and in 2010 was among those picked out for commendation by the Britisheducation minister Michael Gove.[9]
*CELEBRATION*
=Singapore celebrates festivals that are specific to each of its ethnic groups and their respective religions. Additionally, certain important anniversaries are celebrated island-wide by the entire nation. These significant religious festivals and important dates are declared as public holidays in Singapore. The 10 annual public holidays are as follows:
- New Years Day
- Chinese New Year
- Good Friday
- Labour Day
- Vesak day
- National Day
- Hari Raya Puasa
- Deepavali
- Hari Raya Haji
- Christmas Day
=The following special days are observed or celebrated by significant segments of the Singaporean population, but are not public holidays.
| 2013GregorianDate | Date on other calendars | English name | Chinese name | Malay name | Tamil name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 January | Tamil calendar – Full moon day of Thai (10th month) (mid-January – mid-February) | Thaipusam | 大宝森节 | Hari Thaipusam | தைப்பூசம் | |
| 14 February | Same as Gregorian date | Valentine's Day | 情人节 | Hari Valentine | காதலர் தினம் | Originally the feast day of St. Valentine, a Roman Catholic saint |
| 15 February | Same as Gregorian date | Total Defence Day | 全民防卫日 | Hari Pertahanan Mutlak | முழுமைத் தற்காப்பு தினம் | 15 February 1942 was the date of the surrender of Singapore by the British to the Japanese and the start of the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. |
| 8 March | Same as Gregorian date | International Women's Day | 国际妇女节 | Hari Wanita Antarabangsa | அனைத்துலக பெண்கள் தினம் | |
| 31 March | Ecclesiastical lunisolar calendar – Sunday after firstPaschal Full Moon on or after vernal equinox (22 March – 25 April) | Easter | 复活节 | Hari Easter (Paskah) | ஈஸ்டர் | |
| 4 April | Solar term in Chinese calendar – falls either on 4/5 April | Qingming Festival | 清明节 | Perayaan Qingming / Cheng Beng | சிங் மிங் தினம் | |
| 12 May | Gregorian calendar – 2nd Sunday of May | Mother's Day | 母亲节 | Hari Ibu | அன்னையர் தினம் | |
| 12 June | Chinese calendar – 5th day of the 5th month | Dragon Boat Festival | 端午节 | Pesta Kapal Naga | நாகக் கப்பல் பந்தயம் | |
| 16 June | 3rd Sunday of June | Father's Day | 父亲节 | Hari Bapa | தந்தையர் தினம் | |
| 1 July | Same as Gregorian date | Singapore Armed Forces Day | 新加坡武装部队日 | Hari Angkatan Bersenjata Singapura | சிங்கப்பூர் ஆயுதப்படை தினம் | |
| 21 July | Same as Gregorian date | Racial Harmony Day | 种族和谐日 | Hari Keharmonian Kaum | இன நல்லிணக்க நாள் | The first incident of the 1964 Race Riots in Singapore took place on 21 July 1964. |
| 28 August | Chinese calendar – 15th day of the 7th month | Hungry Ghost Festival | 中元节 | Perayaan Hantu Lapar | பசிகொண்ட பூத விழா | |
| 19 September | Chinese calendar – 15th day of the 8th month | Mid-Autumn Festival | 中秋节 | Pesta Kuih Bulan / Pesta Tanglung | திங்கள் விழா |
*Administrative divisions*
=The administrative division of Singapore into five Community Development Council Districts and the further breakdown into Constituencies (which mostly relate to local Town Councils, the second-level administrative division of Singapore) and further into Electoral Districts are treated together because of its hierarchical nature. Since 24 November 2001, Singapore has had an administrative subdivision into 5 districts, headed by mayors and with Community Development Councils (CDCs) as local administrations. The CDCs initiate, plan and manage community programmes to promote community bonding and social cohesion. The electoral boundaries of Singapore are relatively fluid, and are reviewed prior to each general election. The districts are composed of the constituencies and electoral districts (the latter as of the 2006 General Elections):
There are currently five CDCs, namely the
- Central Singapore Community Development Council
- North East Community Development Council
- North West Community Development Council
- South East Community Development Council
- South West Community Development Council
The council boundaries follow that of the existing political divisions, with each handling between four to six GRCs and SMCs and roughly dividing the country's population into equal parts. Each CDC is managed by a Council, which in turn is headed by a mayor and has between 12 to 80 members. The members are appointed by the Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the People's Association.
*Geography*
=Singapore is a small, heavily urbanised, island city-state in Southeast Asia, located at the southern tip of the Malayan Peninsula between Malaysiaand Indonesia. Singapore has a total land area of 714.3 km². The Singapore area comprises mainland and other islands. The mainland of Singapore measures 49 kilometres from East to West and 25 kilometres from North to South with 19 km of coastline. These figures are based on 2.515m High Water Mark cadastral survey boundaries.[1]
Singapore is separated from Indonesia by the Singapore Strait and from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor.
=Singapore's main territory is a diamond-shaped island Pulau Ujong, although its territory includes surrounding smaller islands. The farthest outlying island is Pedra Branca. Singapore is slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington DC. Of Singapore's dozens of smaller islands, Jurong Island, Pulau Tekong, Pulau Ubin and Sentosa are the larger ones. Most of Singapore is no more than 15 meters above sea level. The highest point of Singapore is Bukit Timah, with a height of 165 m (538 ft) and made up of igneous rock, granite. Hills and valleys of sedimentary rockdominate the northwest, while the eastern region consists of sandy and flatter land. Singapore has no natural lakes, but reservoirs and water catchment areas have been constructed to store fresh water for Singapore's water supply.
Singapore has reclaimed land with earth obtained from its own hills, the seabed, and neighbouring countries. As a result, Singapore's land area has grown from 581.5 km² in the 1960s to 723.2 km² today, and may grow by another 100 km² by 2033.
National Anthem of The Singapore
Versions
Official Version - Majulah Singapura
Mari kita rakyat Singapura
Sama-sama menuju bahagia
Cita-cita kita yang mulia
Berjaya Singapura
Marilah kita bersatu
Dengan semangat yang baru
Semua kita berseru
Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura
English Translation - Onward Singapore
We, the people of Singapore
Together march towards happiness
Our noble aspiration
To make Singapore a success
Let us all unite
In a new spirit
Together we proclaim
Onward Singapore
Onward Singapore
English Translation - Onward Singapore (Revised translation 2001)
Come, fellow Singaporeans
Let us progress towards happiness together
May our noble aspiration bring
Singapore success
Come, let us unite
In a new spirit
Let our voices soar as one
Onward Singapore
Onward Singapore
Official Version - Majulah Singapura
Mari kita rakyat Singapura
Sama-sama menuju bahagia
Cita-cita kita yang mulia
Berjaya Singapura
Marilah kita bersatu
Dengan semangat yang baru
Semua kita berseru
Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura
English Translation - Onward Singapore
We, the people of Singapore
Together march towards happiness
Our noble aspiration
To make Singapore a success
Let us all unite
In a new spirit
Together we proclaim
Onward Singapore
Onward Singapore
English Translation - Onward Singapore (Revised translation 2001)
Come, fellow Singaporeans
Let us progress towards happiness together
May our noble aspiration bring
Singapore success
Come, let us unite
In a new spirit
Let our voices soar as one
Onward Singapore
Onward Singapore
