Pearl Of The Orient

Philippines, my country of birth, one of the countries in Southeast Asia. It is an archipelago or group of islands, with more than seven thousand islands. Luzon, the largest island in the northern part of the country, is where I was born and where Manila, the capital is located. Manila, the city known as Pearl of the Orient. Magellan, the Portuguese explorer for Spain claimed the archipelago in fifteen hundred twenty one, named the islands Las Felipinas or The Philippines, after King Phillip II of Spain. Philippines was colonized more than three hundred years, from fifteen hundred sixty five until eighteen hundred ninety eight and ruled under Mexico-based Viceroyalty of New Spain. Manila was called Pearl of the Orient Seas by the historian/Jesuit priest Juan Jose Delgado in seventeen hundred fifty one for being a way of sea transactions during Asian trade of goods. However, in Jose Rizal’s poem “My Last Farewell,” he wrote before his execution by the Spanish government for rebellion through his writings, he stated his country as Pearl of the Orient. So, Philippines, the country and not Manila, the city became known as Pearl of the Orient, upon the discovery of his poem after his execution in December thirty, eighteen hundred ninety six. Philippines is known as Pearl of the Orient for its strategic location in Asia, rich biodiversity or different kinds of plants and animals, natural resources and its natural beauty and splendor. The Spanish Crown called it Pearl of the Orient for the country was a precious source of spices, other resources and trade of goods, even prior to their colonization to acquire a share in spice trade. Philippines’ natural gem is south sea pearls and it is renowned for cultivating south sea pearls. The famous pearl in the country, known as The Pearl of Lao Tzu, was considered the largest known pearl. The pearl weighed fourteen pounds, found by a Filipino diver in nineteen thirty four and later, a giant pearl, the Pearl of Puerto weighing seventy five pounds, found by a fisherman, both discovered in Palawan Island. No doubt why The Philippines is called Pearl of the Orient, the two biggest pearls were found in Palawan, Philippines. Isn’t that the most obvious, sensible reason? I wonder…… Well, what do you think?...... Just asking……