The Archaeological Site in Bolinao, Pangasinan

This is the 6th article on my blog series about the Philippines in Connection with Filipino-American History Month Celebration 

In the picturesque coastal town of Balingasay Archaeological Site in Bolinao, Pangasinan, Archaeologists unearthed a treasure that would rewrite our understanding of ancient Filipino culture. The Bolinao Skull, discovered alongside 67 other skulls and Ming Dynasty ceramics, dates back to the 14th or 15th century AD. But what makes this particular skull stand out is its dazzling secret.As researchers carefully examined the skull, they were stunned to find intricate gold dental ornamentation adorning its teeth. Delicate gold flecks, arranged in a fish-scale pattern, decorated both the upper and lower teeth. This wasn’t just any dental work – it was a masterpiece of ancient craftsmanship, with gold disks, plugs, pegs, and wire meticulously inserted into drilled holes in the teeth.

Other well known sites in the Philippines are the Rizal Archaeological Site in Kalinga, Tabon Caves, Lapuz Lapuz Cave, and Singhapala. Additionally, some famous artifacts found in the Philippines are the Callao Man, Tabon Man, Kabayan Mummies of Benguet.

https://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/2022/11/22/tantingco-big-archaeological-site-in-porac/

Meanwhile here are the top 10 scariest archaeological discoveries ever :

https://www.watchmojo.com/articles/top-10-scariest-archaeological-discoveries-ever/the-knife-armed-man

Meanwhile here are Fifteen Interesting Facts About the Philippines you Probably Did Not Know

1) Jeepney as the usual public transportation! It is distinctive and colorful public transportation vehicles, is ubiquitous in the Philippines, providing a unique way to explore its cities.

2) Philippines is the only country where the flag is flown upside down to indicate the state of war.

3) Filipino is the official language in the Philippines. It became the main language of the Philippines in 1987 under the constitution replacing ‘Pilipino’.

4) Most of the people in the Philippines are superstitious. A significant portion of Filipinos holds strong superstitious beliefs, influencing various aspects of daily life and traditions, from avoiding unlucky numbers to seeking the guidance of faith healers.

5) Boxing is one of the popular sports in the Philippines. Manny Pacquiao, one of the world’s greatest professional boxers, hails from the Philippines. Interestingly, crime rates in Manila reportedly drop to zero during his matches.

6) Philippines is one of the largest island countries in the world! It offers an incredible diversity of landscapes and experiences.

7) The Philippines is the second largest producer of coconut products in the world. Locally known as buko, coconut is a top export product of the Philippines. Each year, the country ships around 19.50 million tons or more of coconut fruit.

8) Filipinos are known for being polite, addressing each other with “ma’am” or “sir.” Respect for elders is deeply ingrained, reflected in terms like “ate” and “kuya” and use of “po” and “opo.”

9) “Filipino time” refers to the cultural phenomenon of Filipinos often arriving late for appointments or events, reflecting their laid-back, relaxed attitude towards time.

10) Two of the world’s largest shopping malls are located in the Philippines, offering an incredible shopping and leisure experience. One is SM Megamall, located in Mandaluyong city, with a total floor area of over 5.5 million square feet. Another is SM Shopping center of Asia (MOA) is a rambling shopping center in Pasay City, with more than 4.4 million square feet of retail space.

11) The Philippines founded Asia’s first basketball league, the Philippines Basketball Association, in 1975, making basketball a beloved sport in the country.

12) Jollibee is the top fast food chain the Philippines taking over McDonald’s! Jollibee was the leading limited-service restaurant in the Philippines in terms of sales in 2021. In that year, the restaurant chain generated sales of approximately 2.53 billion U.S. dollars. Its closest competitor, McDonald’s, had total sales of about 786 million U.S. dollars in that year.

13) The Philippines has the largest underground river. Many people visit the Philippines because of its cultural history of famous water bodies. In fact, this nation is home to the largest underground river. It is located in Puerta Princesa Subterranean River National Park. There are many famous landmarks in the Philippines that will amaze you.

14) Filipinos can’t eat without rice! For almost 99% of the Philippine population, no meal is complete without rice, highlighting its central role in Filipino cuisine.

15) Filipinos usually have 3 to 4 meals daily!

Lastly, enjoy this photo of my rose of the Day: