What's in a Name?
The Department of Tourism (DoT) has the habit of using titles as a way of endorsing tourist destinations in the country. However, other countries are also using similar titles. Aside from Filipinos, the Japanese also use the phrase "Pearl of the Orient" to refer to their country. While Filipinos describe the Banaue Rice Terraces as the eighth wonder of the world, the Chinese use the same title for the Great Wall of China and the Cambodians for Angkor Wat. According to Filipinos, Mount Mayon has the most beautiful cone figure among all volcanoes in the world, the same way the Japanese view Mount Fuji and Costa Ricans view Arenal volcano. Davao City is reportedly the world's largest city but other cities in the world protest, including Puerto Princesa City of Palawan. Boracay Island is sold as the world's most beautiful beach resort, but Thailand, Indonesia, Latin American countries and several Pacific islands are ready to contest this title.
Aklan - oldest province
Angono, Rizal - town of artists
Antipolo City - picnic area
Apalit, Pampanga - tapayan capital
Baclayon Church, Bohol - oldest stone church
Bacolod City - city of smiles
Bacolor, Pampanga - country's capital in 1762-1763
Baguio City - summer capital
Balabac Island, Palawan - land of Philippine mouse deer
Baliuag, Bulacan - the first town to have election
Banaue Rice Terraces - stairways to the sky
Barasoain Church - headquarters of the Malolos Congress
Basey, Samar - town of mat festival
Batanes - smallest province; northernmost province
Bataan - last stronghold during Japanese occupation
Biak na Bato, San Miguel, Bulacan - site of the Biak na Bato republic
Binondo - known for Chinatown district
Bocaue, Bulacan - firecrackers' capital
Bohol - land of chocolate hills
Boracay Island - world's finest beach resort
Bulacan - land of heroes and beautiful women
Bukidnon - pineapple country
Calamba, Laguna - birthplace of Jose Rizal
Calamian Islands - land of Calamian deer
Calauit Island, Palawan - animal sanctuary
Camiguin - land of volcanoes
Capiz - seafood capital
Catanduanes - land of howling winds
Cebu City - premiere city in the south
Central Luzon - rice bowl
Corregidor Island - island fortress; the rock
Crisologo Street, Vigan - kamestizoan district
Davao City- world's largest city; durian capital
Davao Oriental - easternmost province
Divisoria - bargain capital
Donsol, Sorsogon - sanctuary of whale sharks
Gapan, Nueva Ecija - newest city
General Santos City - most competitive city; tuna capital
Guiginto, Bulacan - cutflower capital
Guimaras - mango capital
Hundred Islands, Pangasinan - actually composed of 400 islets
Iligan City - land of waterfalls
Intramuros, Manila - walled city
Kabayan, Benguet - land of mummies
Kalibo, Aklan - land of ati-atihan
Kawit, Cavite - first independent town
Laguna - resort province
Laguna de Bay - largest lake
Lanao del Sur - center of Islam
Las Pinas City - land of the bamboo organ
Lipa, Batangas - coffee capital
Lubao, Pampanga - the birthplace of Diosdado Macapagal
Lucban, Quezon - Pahiyas town
Luzon - world's 17th largest island
Magallanes, Agusan del Norte - site of the oldest tree
Makati City - financial center
Malolos, Bulacan - site of the First Philippine Republic
Manila - capital city
Maria Cristina Falls, Iligan City - mother of industry
Marikina City - shoe capital
Mexico, Pampanga - formerly known as Masicu
Meycauayan, Bulacan - jewelry capital
Miag-ao Church, Iloilo - fortress church
Mindanao - world's 19th largest island
Mindoro - land of the tamaraws
Mount Apo - highest peak
Mount Arayat - legendary home of Mariang Sinukuan
Mount Mayon - a volcano with nearly perfect cone
Nayong Pilipino - Philippines in miniature. (The theme park was opened in 1972 and closed on June 25, 2002.)
Negros Occidental - sugar capital; sports capital
Pagsanjan Falls - Philippines' el dorado
Palawan - the last frontier; largest province; westernmost province
Pampanga - culinary capital of Luzon
Paete, Laguna - town of wood carvers
Paoay Church, Ilocos Norte - earthquake baroque
Paombong, Bulacan - vinegar capital
Philippine Deep - world's second deepest spot
Philippines - pearl of the orient
Rio Grande de Cagayan - longest river
Romblon - marble country
San Agustin Church, Intramuros - oldest church in Luzon
San Fernando, Pampanga - lantern capital of the world
San Juanico Bridge - longest suspension bridge
San Sebastian Church - the only steel church in Asia
Siargao Island - perfect waves island
Spratleys - the islands claimed by six countries
Sta. Maria, Bulacan - egg nest of the Philippines
Sta. Maria Church, Ilocos Sur - outstanding example of Spanish baroque architecture
Subic Freeport - American town
Taal Volcano - world's smallest volcano
Tagaytay City - the next summer capital
Tangub City - Christmas symbol capital
Tawi-Tawi - southernmost province
Trinidad Valley - land of strawberry and vegetables
Tubbataha Marine Park - world's richest bio-geographic area
Unisan, Quezon - oldest town
University of San Carlos, Cebu City - oldest university
Vigan, Ilocos Sur - Spanish colonial town
Zamboanga Sibugay - newest province
Showing posts with label Places. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Places. Show all posts
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Origin of Names of Places
A quick guide to the origin or root of names and places in the Philippines
Abra - abrir, a Spanish term which means opening
Antipolo City - antipolo, a tree that used to abound in the area
Agusan - agusan, a Tagalog term referring to a spot where water flows
Aklan - from Akean River
Albay - albaybay, a Bicolano term meaning by the bay
Angeles City - Don Angel Pantaleon de Miranda
Antique - hantic or large ants
Apayao - apayaw, a native word for negotiable river
Aurora - Maria Aurora Quezon, wife of former President Manuel Quezon
Babuyan Island - babuyan, which refers to a place where pigs are kept
Bacolod City - buklod, referring to a hilly terrain
Bago City - bago, a large tree in the area
Baguio City - bigjiw, an Igorot term for a moss
Balagtas, Bulacan - Filipino Francisco Balagtas
Balanga, Bataan - balanga, referring to a cooking pot
Baliuag, Bulacan - maliway, an adjective meaning tardy
Basilan - basilan, which means iron trail
Batanes - Ivatan, the natives of the area
Batangas - batang, or huge logs
Benguet - benget, a Nabaloy term meaning head scarf
Biliran -biliran, a native grass used for weaving mats
Bohol - bo-ol, a village in Tagbilaran City
Bulacan - bulak or cotton
Bukidnon - bukidnon, referring to the people of the mountain
Butuan City - butuan, a sour fruit in the area
Cadiz City - named after Cadiz, Spain
Cagayan - carayan, an Ilocano word for river
Cagayan de Oro City - kalambaguhan, evolved from the word lambago, a type of tree
Calamba, Laguna - kalamba, a wide-mouth earthen jar
Calumpit, Bulacan - kalumpit, the name of trees, which used to abound in the area
Caloocan City - lo-ok, meaning interior
Camarines - camarine, a Spanish term for granary
Camuigin - kamagong, a tree of the ebony family
Capiz - kapis, a Visayan term for pearl shells
Caraga - Caraga, or inhabitants of the area
Catanduanes - named after Catandungan River, along whose banks tando trees used to abound
Cavite - kawit or hook
Cebu - Sugbu, old name
Cotabato - kuta bato, or a stone fort
Dagupan City - nandaragupan, meaning where once stood a commercial center
Dapitan City - dapit, a Cebuano term meaning to invite
Davao City - daba-daba, a native term for mythical figures
Dumaguete City - managuit, a Cebuano term meaning to capture
EDSA - Epifanio delos Santos Avenue
Guimaras - himal-us, as local inhabitants called the place in the pre-Spanish period
Hagonoy, Bulacan - hagonoy, the name of a weed that used to abound in the area
Hermosa, Bataan - hermosa, a Spanish word for beautiful
Ifugao - pugo, which means hills
Ilocos - loco, a Malay term for lowland
??Iloilo - ilong or nose ??
Isabela - Queen Isabela of Spain
Kalinga - kalinga, a native word for headhunters
Lanao - lanaw, a term referring to the people of the lake
Laguna - la laguna, meaning the lake
Laoag City - iluag, meaning clear or light
La Union - from the Spanish term union
Legazpi City - named after Spain's Miguel Lopez de Legazpi
Leyte - hiraite, the name of the place formerly known as Ete
Lucena City - named after the town of Lucena in Andalucia, Spain
Luzon - lu zung, a Chinese phrase meaning a far away land
Makati City - makati na, meaning the tide is ebbing
Maguindanao - danao, or flood
Malacanang Palace - may lakan diyan, meaning there lives a gentleman or the Spanish words mala cana (bad sugarcane)
Mandaluyong City - may daluyong, meaning where big waves roll
Manila - may nilad, a phrase referring to a spot where nilad grows.
Marinduque - Marina and Garduke, a legendary couple
Masbate - masa bati, which means mix and beat as in making bread
Mayon Volcano - magayon, a Bicolano term for beautiful
Meycauayan - may kawayan, which refers to a place where bamboos grow
Mindoro - mina de oro, or gold mine
Misamis - kuyamis, referring to sweet coconut
Mount Makiling - named in honor of Mariang Makiling, a legendary mystical character/legend
Mount Pinatubo - pinatubo, a term meaning left to grow
Muntinlupa City - monte de lupa, a vernacular phrase meaning hills
Naga City - naga, a Bicolano term for narra tree
Negros - negros, a Spanish term for black people
Norzagaray, Bulacan - named after Governor General Fernando Norzagaray
Nueva Vizcaya - a Spanish phrase meaning New Biscayne
Pagsanjan, Laguna - pinagsangahan, or where the river branched out
Palawan - palan yu, a Chinese phrase for beautiful harbor
Palayan City - palayan, or rice field
Pampanga - pampang, which means riverbank
Pangasinan - asin, which means salt
Panay - pan hay, a Spanish word
Paranaque City - para aqui, a Spanish phrase meaning stop here
Pasay City - paso hay, a Spanish phrase meaning there is a pass
Pasig River - passi, probably evolved from the word mabagsik, meaning violent in force
Pateros - pato, meaning duck
Philippines/Filipinas - named in honour of Philip II of Spain (Rey Felipe)
Plaridel, Bulacan - named after Marcelo del Pilar
Pulilan, Bulacan - pulo ng ulan, meaning island of rain
Quezon City - named after Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon
Quiapo, Manila - kiyapo, a cabbage-like weed
Quirino - named after President Elpidio Quirino
Rizal - named after national hero Jose Rizal
Romblon - lomlon or donblon
Samar - zamal
Sarangani - sangir, the language spoken by inhabitants of Sarangani Island
Silliman University - Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman, a philanthropist from New York
Siquijor - quipjod, a native term that means the tide is ebbing
Sorsogon - solsogon, a Bicolano term meaning to follow the river
Sultan Kudarat - Sultan Kudarat, a Muslim ruler in the 17th Century
Sulu - sug, meaning water current
Surigao - saliagao, a native term meaning to grab
Tarlac - tarlak, an Aeta word which refers to a weed
Tagaytay City - taga itay, two words which mean cut and father
Tawi-Tawi - jaui jaui, evolved from the Malay term jau that means far
Tuguegarao City - tuggui gari yaw, an Ibanag phrase meaning it used to be fire
Valenzuela City - named after Pio Valenzuela
Visayas - Bisayas, or the name of the people in the area
Zambales - Zambals, or the name of the inhabitants in the area
Zamboanga -samboangan, evolved from the local term sabuan, which refers to a wooden pole.
Abra - abrir, a Spanish term which means opening
Antipolo City - antipolo, a tree that used to abound in the area
Agusan - agusan, a Tagalog term referring to a spot where water flows
Aklan - from Akean River
Albay - albaybay, a Bicolano term meaning by the bay
Angeles City - Don Angel Pantaleon de Miranda
Antique - hantic or large ants
Apayao - apayaw, a native word for negotiable river
Aurora - Maria Aurora Quezon, wife of former President Manuel Quezon
Babuyan Island - babuyan, which refers to a place where pigs are kept
Bacolod City - buklod, referring to a hilly terrain
Bago City - bago, a large tree in the area
Baguio City - bigjiw, an Igorot term for a moss
Balagtas, Bulacan - Filipino Francisco Balagtas
Balanga, Bataan - balanga, referring to a cooking pot
Baliuag, Bulacan - maliway, an adjective meaning tardy
Basilan - basilan, which means iron trail
Batanes - Ivatan, the natives of the area
Batangas - batang, or huge logs
Benguet - benget, a Nabaloy term meaning head scarf
Biliran -biliran, a native grass used for weaving mats
Bohol - bo-ol, a village in Tagbilaran City
Bulacan - bulak or cotton
Bukidnon - bukidnon, referring to the people of the mountain
Butuan City - butuan, a sour fruit in the area
Cadiz City - named after Cadiz, Spain
Cagayan - carayan, an Ilocano word for river
Cagayan de Oro City - kalambaguhan, evolved from the word lambago, a type of tree
Calamba, Laguna - kalamba, a wide-mouth earthen jar
Calumpit, Bulacan - kalumpit, the name of trees, which used to abound in the area
Caloocan City - lo-ok, meaning interior
Camarines - camarine, a Spanish term for granary
Camuigin - kamagong, a tree of the ebony family
Capiz - kapis, a Visayan term for pearl shells
Caraga - Caraga, or inhabitants of the area
Catanduanes - named after Catandungan River, along whose banks tando trees used to abound
Cavite - kawit or hook
Cebu - Sugbu, old name
Cotabato - kuta bato, or a stone fort
Dagupan City - nandaragupan, meaning where once stood a commercial center
Dapitan City - dapit, a Cebuano term meaning to invite
Davao City - daba-daba, a native term for mythical figures
Dumaguete City - managuit, a Cebuano term meaning to capture
EDSA - Epifanio delos Santos Avenue
Guimaras - himal-us, as local inhabitants called the place in the pre-Spanish period
Hagonoy, Bulacan - hagonoy, the name of a weed that used to abound in the area
Hermosa, Bataan - hermosa, a Spanish word for beautiful
Ifugao - pugo, which means hills
Ilocos - loco, a Malay term for lowland
??Iloilo - ilong or nose ??
Isabela - Queen Isabela of Spain
Kalinga - kalinga, a native word for headhunters
Lanao - lanaw, a term referring to the people of the lake
Laguna - la laguna, meaning the lake
Laoag City - iluag, meaning clear or light
La Union - from the Spanish term union
Legazpi City - named after Spain's Miguel Lopez de Legazpi
Leyte - hiraite, the name of the place formerly known as Ete
Lucena City - named after the town of Lucena in Andalucia, Spain
Luzon - lu zung, a Chinese phrase meaning a far away land
Makati City - makati na, meaning the tide is ebbing
Maguindanao - danao, or flood
Malacanang Palace - may lakan diyan, meaning there lives a gentleman or the Spanish words mala cana (bad sugarcane)
Mandaluyong City - may daluyong, meaning where big waves roll
Manila - may nilad, a phrase referring to a spot where nilad grows.
Marinduque - Marina and Garduke, a legendary couple
Masbate - masa bati, which means mix and beat as in making bread
Mayon Volcano - magayon, a Bicolano term for beautiful
Meycauayan - may kawayan, which refers to a place where bamboos grow
Mindoro - mina de oro, or gold mine
Misamis - kuyamis, referring to sweet coconut
Mount Makiling - named in honor of Mariang Makiling, a legendary mystical character/legend
Mount Pinatubo - pinatubo, a term meaning left to grow
Muntinlupa City - monte de lupa, a vernacular phrase meaning hills
Naga City - naga, a Bicolano term for narra tree
Negros - negros, a Spanish term for black people
Norzagaray, Bulacan - named after Governor General Fernando Norzagaray
Nueva Vizcaya - a Spanish phrase meaning New Biscayne
Pagsanjan, Laguna - pinagsangahan, or where the river branched out
Palawan - palan yu, a Chinese phrase for beautiful harbor
Palayan City - palayan, or rice field
Pampanga - pampang, which means riverbank
Pangasinan - asin, which means salt
Panay - pan hay, a Spanish word
Paranaque City - para aqui, a Spanish phrase meaning stop here
Pasay City - paso hay, a Spanish phrase meaning there is a pass
Pasig River - passi, probably evolved from the word mabagsik, meaning violent in force
Pateros - pato, meaning duck
Philippines/Filipinas - named in honour of Philip II of Spain (Rey Felipe)
Plaridel, Bulacan - named after Marcelo del Pilar
Pulilan, Bulacan - pulo ng ulan, meaning island of rain
Quezon City - named after Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon
Quiapo, Manila - kiyapo, a cabbage-like weed
Quirino - named after President Elpidio Quirino
Rizal - named after national hero Jose Rizal
Romblon - lomlon or donblon
Samar - zamal
Sarangani - sangir, the language spoken by inhabitants of Sarangani Island
Silliman University - Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman, a philanthropist from New York
Siquijor - quipjod, a native term that means the tide is ebbing
Sorsogon - solsogon, a Bicolano term meaning to follow the river
Sultan Kudarat - Sultan Kudarat, a Muslim ruler in the 17th Century
Sulu - sug, meaning water current
Surigao - saliagao, a native term meaning to grab
Tarlac - tarlak, an Aeta word which refers to a weed
Tagaytay City - taga itay, two words which mean cut and father
Tawi-Tawi - jaui jaui, evolved from the Malay term jau that means far
Tuguegarao City - tuggui gari yaw, an Ibanag phrase meaning it used to be fire
Valenzuela City - named after Pio Valenzuela
Visayas - Bisayas, or the name of the people in the area
Zambales - Zambals, or the name of the inhabitants in the area
Zamboanga -samboangan, evolved from the local term sabuan, which refers to a wooden pole.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Titles of Philippine Places
What's in a Name?
The Department of Tourism (DoT) has the habit of using titles as a way of endorsing tourist destinations in the country. However, other countries are also using similar titles. Aside from Filipinos, the Japanese also use the phrase "Pearl of the Orient" to refer to their country. While Filipinos describe the Banaue Rice Terraces as the eighth wonder of the world, the Chinese use the same title for the Great Wall of China and the Cambodians for Angkor Wat. According to Filipinos, Mount Mayon has the most beautiful cone figure among all volcanoes in the world, the same way the Japanese view Mount Fuji and Costa Ricans view Arenal volcano. Davao City is reportedly the world's largest city but other cities in the world protest, including Puerto Princesa City of Palawan. Boracay Island is sold as the world's most beautiful beach resort, but Thailand, Indonesia, Latin American countries and several Pacific islands are ready to contest this title.
Aklan - oldest province
Angono, Rizal - town of artists
Antipolo City - picnic area
Apalit, Pampanga - tapayan capital
Baclayon Church, Bohol - oldest stone church
Bacolod City - city of smiles
Bacolor, Pampanga - country's capital in 1762-1763
Baguio City - summer capital
Balabac Island, Palawan - land of Philippine mouse deer
Baliuag, Bulacan - the first town to have election
Banaue Rice Terraces - stairways to the sky
Barasoain Church - headquarters of the Malolos Congress
Basey, Samar - town of mat festival
Batanes - smallest province; northernmost province
Bataan - last stronghold during Japanese occupation
Biak na Bato, San Miguel, Bulacan - site of the Biak na Bato republic
Binondo - known for Chinatown district
Bocaue, Bulacan - firecrackers' capital
Bohol - land of chocolate hills
Boracay Island - world's finest beach resort
Bulacan - land of heroes and beautiful women
Bukidnon - pineapple country
Calamba, Laguna - birthplace of Jose Rizal
Calamian Islands - land of Calamian deer
Calauit Island, Palawan - animal sanctuary
Camiguin - land of volcanoes
Capiz - seafood capital
Catanduanes - land of howling winds
Cebu City - premiere city in the south
Central Luzon - rice bowl
Corregidor Island - island fortress; the rock
Crisologo Street, Vigan - kamestizoan district
Davao City- world's largest city; durian capital
Davao Oriental - easternmost province
Divisoria - bargain capital
Donsol, Sorsogon - sanctuary of whale sharks
Gapan, Nueva Ecija - newest city
General Santos City - most competitive city; tuna capital
Guiginto, Bulacan - cutflower capital
Guimaras - mango capital
Hundred Islands, Pangasinan - actually composed of 400 islets
Iligan City - land of waterfalls
Intramuros, Manila - walled city
Kabayan, Benguet - land of mummies
Kalibo, Aklan - land of ati-atihan
Kawit, Cavite - first independent town
Laguna - resort province
Laguna de Bay - largest lake
Lanao del Sur - center of Islam
Las Pinas City - land of the bamboo organ
Lipa, Batangas - coffee capital
Lubao, Pampanga - the birthplace of Diosdado Macapagal
Lucban, Quezon - Pahiyas town
Luzon - world's 17th largest island
Magallanes, Agusan del Norte - site of the oldest tree
Makati City - financial center
Malolos, Bulacan - site of the First Philippine Republic
Manila - capital city
Maria Cristina Falls, Iligan City - mother of industry
Marikina City - shoe capital
Mexico, Pampanga - formerly known as Masicu
Meycauayan, Bulacan - jewelry capital
Miag-ao Church, Iloilo - fortress church
Mindanao - world's 19th largest island
Mindoro - land of the tamaraws
Mount Apo - highest peak
Mount Arayat - legendary home of Mariang Sinukuan
Mount Mayon - a volcano with nearly perfect cone
Nayong Pilipino - Philippines in miniature. (The theme park was opened in 1972 and closed on June 25, 2002.)
Negros Occidental - sugar capital; sports capital
Pagsanjan Falls - Philippines' el dorado
Palawan - the last frontier; largest province; westernmost province
Pampanga - culinary capital of Luzon
Paete, Laguna - town of wood carvers
Paoay Church, Ilocos Norte - earthquake baroque
Paombong, Bulacan - vinegar capital
Philippine Deep - world's second deepest spot
Philippines - pearl of the orient
Rio Grande de Cagayan - longest river
Romblon - marble country
San Agustin Church, Intramuros - oldest church in Luzon
San Fernando, Pampanga - lantern capital of the world
San Juanico Bridge - longest suspension bridge
San Sebastian Church - the only steel church in Asia
Siargao Island - perfect waves island
Spratleys - the islands claimed by six countries
Sta. Maria, Bulacan - egg nest of the Philippines
Sta. Maria Church, Ilocos Sur - outstanding example of Spanish baroque architecture
Subic Freeport - American town
Taal Volcano - world's smallest volcano
Tagaytay City - the next summer capital
Tangub City - Christmas symbol capital
Tawi-Tawi - southernmost province
Trinidad Valley - land of strawberry and vegetables
Tubbataha Marine Park - world's richest bio-geographic area
Unisan, Quezon - oldest town
University of San Carlos, Cebu City - oldest university
Vigan, Ilocos Sur - Spanish colonial town
Zamboanga Sibugay - newest province
Note:
The following are information from Txtmania. For sources and more accurate and detailed information, you may visit their website at http://www.txtmania.com/
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