Philippines
Laoang, Northern Samar
“Fishy playtime” is usually a cool break for the fisherfolk’s children in Laoang, Northern Samar. Normally, the children help with the fishing or search for edible seaweed, snails, or sea cucumbers which have medicinal value.
On this hot, summer day, though, the people of Laoang are conducting a sea grass assessment, and the children are holding a bamboo grid used to estimate sea grass coverage. Coral reefs, mangrove forests, and sea grass beds compose the highly productive yet threatened coastal ecosystems that sustain fisherfolk life in Laoang.
Photo © 2010 Leah Ettema
Peace Corps Volunteer, Philippines, 2009-2011
Republika ng Pilipinas
Archipelago in Southeastern Asia
Area 300,000 km2 (RANK 73)
Arable 19%
Capital Manila (11.5M)
Population 103,775,002 (346/km2)
Literacy 92%
Life expectancy 72 yrs
HIV/AIDS <.1% (8,700 adults)
In poverty 27%
Military 0.9% of GDP (RANK 136 of 195)
Languages Filipino, English and eight major dialects
Religions Catholic 83%, Muslim, Evangelical, Iglesia ni Kristo
Gov’t Republic
GDP/capita $4,100
Agriculture sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassavas, pineapples, mangoes, pork, eggs, beef, fish
Industry electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing
PCVs 1961-90, 1992-present, current 223, TTD 8,680, education, youth development, costal resource management
Adult Books
Pacific Rims
by Rafe Bartholomew, 2010
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Berkley; Reprint edition (June 7, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0451233226
Book Description
Fulbright scholar/basketball fanatic tells of his time in-country and the history of the Philippines’ unlikely love affair with basketball.
Kids' Books
Cora Cooks Pancit
by Dorina Lazo Gilmore
Format: Paperback, 56 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1885008350
Age Range: 5+ years
Publisher: Shen's Books, 2009
Films
Film: Sisterakas
Director: Wenn V. Deramos (2012)
Documentary: Give Up Tomorrow
Directors: Michael Collins & Marty Syjuco (2012)
Documentary: Philippines - The Travel Geek Documentary
Producer: Cyle O’Donnell
Music
Focus Word
Focus Word for 2014 - "Home"
Filipino: bahay (ba-hai)Copyright © Julie Olsen
Philippines 2014
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Wisconsin-Madison is a public charity registered under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States. Its EIN is 39-1669348. It is also an affiliate group of the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA).
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