Republic Of The Philippines (1959)

West and south of the United States, far across the Pacific Ocean, lie the islands of the Philippine Archipelago. Located on the threshold of the Asian mainland, these islands form the Republic of the Philippines. We often refer to our country as a bridge linking the western world and the Orient. Our nation of islands extends for more than a,000 m from north to south. Our more than 7,000 islands have a total land area of about 115,000 square miles, making our republic about the size of Great Britain and Ireland combined, or about three times the size of Cuba. The largest of our islands is Luzon. The second largest is Mindanao. Our largest city is Manila. The second largest is Zebu City. The tropical climate of the Philippines is tempered by breezes from the Pacific Ocean and the China Sea. [Music] Many of our islands have a heavy annual rainfall in some places as much as 250 in a year. [Music] Because of this heavy rainfall and warm climate, many of the islands are covered with a dense growth of trees, giant ferns, and other tropical plants. The population of the Philippines includes many cultural groups. In remote and mountainous part of our islands live peoples who are still somewhat primitive. These are the negritos. At one time there were many of these people on our islands. Today they are relatively few. They were the first to inhabit the Philippines and still hunt with a bow and arrow. Less primitive are the eagers who live in the mountainous areas of central and northern Luzon. They are the descendants of Malays who migrated to the Philippines more than 2,000 years ago. The ecarots are of classical fe and they are highly skilled in the art of wood carving. In southern Mindanao live the Muslims or Muhammadan Filipinos. Many of them live in houses which are built on stilts over the water. Their children live and play, hardly ever touching land. The Muslims fish and trade among themselves using small boats. These boats with their colorful sails are known as ventas. But only a few of our people are really primitive. Most of us have adopted modern and progressive methods. A very important part of our present day way of life is our system of education. This is a sixth grade class of a modern Filipino school and this is the last day before the beginning of a twoe spring vacation. I am their teacher, Mr. Farolan. My class is interested in the plans I have made to visit many places of our country during the vacation period. Upon my return, I shall be able to give my pupils a firsthand account of where I plan to go and what I hope to see. [Music] Like children all around the world, my pupils look forward to a happy two weeks vacation. The next morning, I boarded one of our new turbo jet planes. Not so very long ago, the only way to travel among the many islands of the Philippines was by inter island boat. But today, airplanes have almost replaced boats as a means of travel from one island to another. I was finally on my way. I enjoyed seeing my country from a new point of view. The Philippines are made up of mountains rising above the sea. The scenery is often spectacular, like the crater of our most famous volcano, Mount Mayon. There are many volcanoes in the Philippines. At least 10 are active. Mount Mayon has erupted more than 30 times in the last 350 years, killing many people and burying entire towns. When volcanoes erupt, they throw out molten lava. The lava decomposes, forming soil, which in some areas of the Philippines is rich enough to grow several crops each year. Much of the farming in the Philippines is on small farms, some less than 5 acres in size. Here, an entire family helps in the growing of sugar cane, a crop in our country. After day in the fields, the family returns to their home. Many of the houses in the Philippines are built of light wood and woven matting and have thatched roofs of palm leaves. Like many tropical homes, this one is built off the ground. This permits the air to circulate and helps to keep the house cool. Many Filipinos eat rice and fish three times a day. We also eat bread, meat, vegetables and fruit. Food is plentiful and the diet can be a healthy one. Coconuts are a leading plantation product of our country. When the coconuts are ripe, they are knocked from the trees by men using long poles. [Applause] First, the coconuts must be huskked. This is done by knocking the coconut against a sharp stake. The hash coconuts are then loaded into carts pulled by water buffalo and delivered to the drying areas. Here the coconuts are broken into pieces and spread out in the sun to dry. The dried coconut meat is known as copra from which oil other products are derived. Coconut oil is one of the important export products of the islands. Sugar cane thrives in the western part of our country where there is a wet and dry season. Most of the cane is grown on the islands of Luzon and Negros. Before World War II, we relied on selling our sugar abroad for much of our income. Since the war, however, our foreign sales have been reduced. In order to compete in today's world markets, we must constantly work at improving both the quality and quantity of our sugar crop. The sugar cane is delivered to the mill on flat cars. The cane is carried into the mill where it is cleaned, crushed, and the sugar extracted. The raw sugar is then put into sacks for shipment to refineries where it is prepared for household and other uses. Our basic food crop is rice. Water buffalo helped cultivate the growing rice plants in the flooded patties. The rice is harvested mostly by hand by both men and women. When the rice crop is plentiful, there is more than enough for our own needs and we are able to export considerable amounts to other countries. Much rice is consumed throughout the orient and there is always a demand for our surplus. We are doing all we can to increase our production so that we can export more to our neighbors. The growing of pineapple is a more recent agricultural development in our country. The ripe pineapples are picked by hand and then loaded mechanically onto trucks for delivery to the caneries. Our caneries are among the cleanest and most modern to be found anywhere. As I continued my journey, I saw my country developing not only new crops and farming methods, but also new industrial resources and techniques. Electric power is a very important factor in the industrial development in any country. We are building many new dams to harness our water resources in order to create the power needed for our expanding industries. The Republic of the Philippines is also rich in mineral resources. Another resource of our nation are our forests. particularly those of our southern islands. Much of the lumber exported is hardwood and a wood known as Philippine mahogany. [Music] [Applause] After the trees are cut and felled, they're loaded into huge trucks which carry them out of the dense forests to the water. Here they are floated to saws which cut the logs into desired lengths. The logs are then made up into rafts for towing to mills and to ships which will carry them to Japan, the United States or other overseas markets. As my plane approaches Manila, we fly over the island of Corodor in Manila Bay. [Music] It was here after the loss of the Batan Peninsula that the Filipino American forces fought so gallantly against the Japanese. It was near the entrance to this tunnel that General Waywright finally had to surrender in 1942 after one of the most heroic stands in history. Manila is the largest city in the Philippines. This is Dwey Boulevard, one of the city's most modern thorough affairs. Much of Manila has been rebuilt since its terrible destruction during the Japanese occupation. The streets with the many new buildings are filled with traffic. Especially noticeable are the converted American jeeps, better known as jypnies. These are used as driverowned jity buses. Each owner has his own ideas as to a color scheme. Manila faces westward to a large bay that provides a very useful harbor. Ships from many nations come to Manila to await loading and unloading. They bring us the things we need and in return freighters sail from Manila Bay with cargos of copper, sugar, Manila hemp and lumber. [Music] On the eastern edge of Manila is Kesson City, our official capital. It was named after the first president of the Commonwealth. On July 4th, 1946, our country became independent. Many new industries have been developed in the Philippines since that time. We now have our own steel mills, turning out steel for other industries. Our refineries and chemical plants continue to expand and factories have been built to manufacture many products which we formerly had to import. Today we even have our own automobile assembly plants. Education in the Republic of the Philippines is a very important part of our national development. Not only are our institutions of higher learning filled to overflowing, but new educational facilities and better methods of teaching are being introduced. I am proud to be a part of this educational system. Our government is also making great progress in the improvement of public health. Clinics, free X-ray, education, all contribute to the general health of our people. With better health conditions, fewer people die at an early age. We are proud that Manila has been selected as the Pacific headquarters for the World Health Organization. With my visit to Manila, my journey comes to an end. My vacation is over and I look forward to my return to school. [Music] Having seen so many new developments, I can report to my pupils on the great progress that is being made throughout the Republic of the Philippines. [Music] [Applause] We are a young and growing nation, but we are determined to better our way of living. In this endeavor, we join with all our friends throughout the democratic world. [Music] [Music] I'm happy. [Music]