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From New World Encyclopedia
Popular Article: Philippines
The country was named "Las Islas Filipinas" (The Philippine Islands) by Ruy López de Villalobos after King Philip II of Spain.
Philippine culture has many affinities with the West, it is one of only two Roman Catholic countries in Asia, the other being East Timor, and English is one of the official languages.
An estimated one million Filipinos were killed fighting the Japanese during the Second World War.
Successive administrations since the overthrow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 are challenged with creating policies that would lift the masses from poverty. These administrations have faced allegations of corruption and election-rigging.
The Filipino people have a strong belief in, and practice of, both religion and family. The bonds of the extended family and respect for elders has provided a stability that has allowed the nation to grow and prosper in spite of the hardships it has encountered.
