GEEO Philippines Google Earth Presentation

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USA

Today, I’d like to share with you a great experience I had while traveling to the Philippines through a non-profit organization called GEEO. GEEO helps educators travel abroad so that they can learn more about different cultures to share with their students. I was joined on my trip by educators and retired teachers from all around the United States.

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Asia

During my program, I visited the Philippines, a country in Asia, which is Earth’s largest continent. Can anyone name any other countries in Asia?

Asia covers 8.7% of the Earth’s total surface area and comprises 30% of its land area. With approximately 4.6 billion people, it holds 60% of the world’s current human population.

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Southeast Asia

I went to a part of Asia known as Southeast Asia. Several of the countries in Southeast Asia are long and thin (see this map). This part of Asia is very diverse, with many different cultural and ethnic groups and hundreds of languages. Southeast Asia is predominantly rural, which means most people do not live in large cities, and many of them work in agriculture, particularly rice. The cities that do exist in Southeast Asia are growing rapidly.

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Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelago. Do you know what an archipelago is? (A: a cluster or chain of islands.) So, the Philippines is made up of many islands—over 7,000 of them! Only about 2,000 of these islands have people living on them.

Because the Philippines is near the equator and surrounded by ocean, it has a tropical climate, which means it’s warm year-round. The country experiences a rainy season from June to November, when typhoons (which are the same as hurricanes) can occur. These powerful storms bring heavy rain and strong winds.

The Philippines sits along the “Ring of Fire,” an area around the Pacific Ocean where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions happen. The country has over 20 active volcanoes! While this can be dangerous, volcanic soil is also very fertile, which helps farmers grow crops like rice, coconuts, and tropical fruits.

The Philippines has a unique history that makes it different from many of its neighbors in Southeast Asia. Spain colonized the Philippines for over 300 years, from the 1500s until 1898. This is why many Filipinos have Spanish-influenced names and why the country is predominantly Catholic—it’s the only majority-Christian nation in Asia.

After the Spanish-American War in 1898, the United States took control of the Philippines and governed it until 1946, when the Philippines gained its independence. This American influence is still visible today—English is one of the official languages alongside Filipino, and many Filipinos speak English fluently.

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Manila

The capital city is Manila, located on the island of Luzon. Manila and the surrounding area, called Metro Manila, is home to over 13 million people, making it one of the most densely populated cities in the world. Manila proper has about 46,000 people per square kilometer—that’s more than New York City!

Manila was founded by the Spanish in 1571, making it one of the oldest cities in the Philippines. The name “Manila” comes from “may-nilad,” which refers to the nilad plant (a white-flowered mangrove tree) that used to grow abundantly along the banks of the Pasig River, which flows through Manila. Mangroves are special trees that grow in coastal areas where saltwater and freshwater mix—their tangled roots help protect the shoreline from erosion and provide homes for fish, crabs, and other wildlife.

Manila was a major trading port during the Spanish colonial period, connecting trade between Asia, the Americas, and Europe through the famous Manila Galleons (ships that sailed between Manila and Mexico).

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Fort Santiago

This is Fort Santiago, a historic fortress that was originally built by the Spanish in the late 1500s to protect Manila from invaders arriving by sea. The fort is made of thick stone walls and sits right at the entrance to the Pasig River from Manila Bay.

This fortress has witnessed some of the most important moments in Philippine history. During World War II, it was used as a prison by Japanese forces, and today it serves as a museum and memorial. You can visit the fort today and explore the old dungeons, walk along the top of the stone walls, and see artifacts from different periods of Philippine history.

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Manila Cathedral

The Manila Cathedral is one of the most beautiful and important churches in the Philippines. This cathedral is actually the sixth version built on this site—the previous ones were destroyed by earthquakes, typhoons, and fires over the centuries. The current cathedral was completed in the 1950s and features stunning architecture with high ceilings, beautiful stained-glass windows, and intricate stone carvings. As I mentioned earlier, the Philippines is the only majority-Catholic country in Asia, and the Manila Cathedral is the main church of the Catholic community in Manila.

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Casa Manila

Casa Manila is a museum designed to show what life was like for wealthy Spanish-Filipino families during the Spanish colonial period in the 1800s. Casa is a Spanish word—does anyone know what it means in English? (A: house)

The building is beautifully restored with antique furniture, chandeliers, and decorations from the Spanish colonial period. You can see the dining room where families would have hosted elaborate dinners, bedrooms with four-poster beds and mosquito nets, and a beautiful interior courtyard.

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Binondo (Chinatown)

Binondo is Manila’s Chinatown and is actually the oldest Chinatown in the world! It was established in 1594 when Chinese merchants came to the Philippines to trade goods and eventually settled there.

Today, Binondo is a busy, colorful area filled with shops, restaurants, and street vendors. The streets are narrow and crowded, with signs in both Chinese characters and English. You can find amazing food here, from traditional Chinese dumplings to Filipino-Chinese fusion dishes that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Chinese Filipinos have played an important role in Philippine culture, business, and history for over 400 years.

To truly experience Manila like a local, you need to ride a Jeepney, the most popular form of public transportation in the Philippines. These colorful, decorated vehicles were originally made from surplus U.S. military jeeps left behind after World War II. Filipinos transformed them into longer passenger vehicles with bench seats and vibrant paint jobs—no two Jeepneys look exactly alike! Each one is decorated with chrome details, colorful murals, and sometimes even religious symbols or family names. Riding a Jeepney through the busy streets of Binondo is an exciting way to see the city and understand how millions of Filipinos get around every day.

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Mount Purro Nature Reserve

I also visited Mount Purro Nature Reserve, located in the mountains about two hours east of Manila. Mount Purro is a privately-owned nature reserve in the Sierra Madre mountain range, which is the longest mountain range in the Philippines. The reserve covers about 1,800 acres of protected rainforest and is dedicated to environmental conservation and education.

Because of the tropical climate and fertile volcanic soil, Mount Purro is covered in lush, green rainforest filled with streams, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. You can hike through the jungle, go bamboo rafting on the river, and learn about sustainable living practices. Mount Purro is home to an indigenous community called the Dumagat people, who have lived in these mountains for generations. They serve as guides and share their traditional knowledge about the forest, medicinal plants, and sustainable practices. This was a wonderful opportunity to learn from people who have protected this land long before it became a nature reserve.

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Palawan

After exploring Manila and the island of Luzon, we traveled to the island of Palawan. Palawan is often called “the last frontier” of the Philippines because much of it is still covered in pristine rainforests and surrounded by crystal-clear waters.

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Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa is the capital city of Palawan province. Unlike the crowded streets of Manila, Puerto Princesa feels much more relaxed and is surrounded by natural beauty. The city serves as a gateway to some of the most stunning natural sites in the Philippines, and it’s known for its commitment to environmental protection and sustainable tourism.

One of the most amazing experiences we had in Puerto Princesa happened after sunset. We took a boat into the mangrove forest to witness thousands of fireflies lighting up the night. As darkness fell, we saw tiny lights begin to blink in the trees.

Fireflies are actually beetles that produce light through a chemical reaction in their bodies, a process called bioluminescence. The male fireflies flash their lights in specific patterns to attract females. When thousands of them gather in the mangrove trees, it looks like the branches are decorated with twinkling Christmas lights! The fireflies synchronized their flashing, all blinking on and off together, creating a natural light show. It was absolutely breathtaking and unlike anything I’d ever seen before.

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Port Barton

We also visited Port Barton, a small fishing village on the western coast of Palawan. There are some beautiful white sand beaches here, and calm, turquoise waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

Life in Port Barton moves at a much slower pace than in the cities. There are traditional Filipino fishing boats called “bancas” lined up along the shore. The narrow wooden boats have bamboo outriggers on each side that help keep them stable in the water.

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Subterranean River National Park

Between Puerto Princesa and Port Baron is the Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Do you know what a UNESCO World Heritage Site is? It is a landmark or area designated by the United Nations for having cultural or historical significance. The program is intended to conserve sites for future generations.

The Subterranean River National Park is home to one of the most amazing natural wonders I’ve ever seen. “Subterranean” means underground. It is an underground river that flows beneath a mountain and empties directly into the sea!

The Subterranean River is about 5 miles long, making it one of the longest underground rivers in the world. You can take a boat ride into a massive cave system where you can see incredible rock formations called stalactites (hanging from the ceiling) and stalagmites (rising from the floor). These formations took thousands of years to form as water dripped through the limestone and left behind mineral deposits.

The cave is home to bats, swiftlets (small birds), and other wildlife. The entire area is protected as a national park to preserve this unique ecosystem.

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El Nido

Our final destination in the Philippines was El Nido, located at the northern tip of Palawan. The town is famous for having some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire country. The area has dramatic limestone cliffs that rise straight out of bright blue water, as well as hidden lagoons and over 40 small islands.

The name “El Nido” is Spanish for “the nest,” and it got this name because local people harvest edible bird nests from the cliffs. These nests are made entirely from the birds’ hardened saliva and are a highly prized delicacy in Chinese cuisine, particularly in bird’s nest soup. The nests can sell for thousands of dollars per pound! Local people called “busyador” have been climbing the steep limestone cliffs to harvest these nests for centuries. Chinese traders were visiting the area to buy bird’s nests as far back as the Song Dynasty, over one thousand years ago. However, this traditional practice has been declining in recent years as tourism has grown and become the main industry in El Nido.

Today, El Nido is a nature paradise for activities like kayaking, snorkeling, and island hopping. The marine life here is incredibly diverse, with colorful coral reefs, sea turtles, and countless species of tropical fish.

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Secret Beach

Secret Beach is one of the hidden gems of El Nido. To reach it, you have to swim through a narrow gap in the limestone rocks at low tide—it’s like finding a secret entrance! Once you make it through, you discover a small, enclosed beach surrounded by towering cliffs. The water inside is calm and shallow, almost like a natural swimming pool. The name “Secret Beach” comes from how hidden it is—you could sail right past it and never know it was there!

Nearby is Hidden Beach, another secluded spot that can only be accessed through a small opening in the rocks. Both beaches give you the feeling of discovering your own private paradise.

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Taraw Cliff

This is Taraw Cliff, one of the most recognizable landmarks in El Nido because of its distinctive jagged shape.

For adventurous visitors, there’s a challenging hike to the summit that takes about 1–2 hours. The trail is steep and requires climbing over sharp limestone rocks, but the reward at the top is worth it! You get a breathtaking 360-degree view of El Nido town, the surrounding islands, and blue ocean waters.

Taraw is made of the same ancient limestone that forms all the dramatic cliffs and islands in the area. This limestone was formed millions of years ago from coral reefs and seashells that compressed over time.