Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President

(pronounced "glow-REE-ah mah-cah-pah-qahl. ahr-OY-oh")

"I have no grandiose dream to become a great President. I want to be a good President. Help me be a good President."

The Republic of the Philippines is located on the southeast rim of Asia. Its total area of 300,000 sq km (115,831 sq mi) is composed of over 7,100 islands which stretch from north to south for almost 1,850 km (1,150 mi). The largest islands are Luzon and Mindanao. Quezon City is the official capital of the nation, Metropolitan Manila (which includes Quezon City) is the de facto capital.

The population, estimated at 82.8 million (2002 estimate) is mainly of Malayan descent, and is predominantly Roman Catholic (85%). However, the Muslim minority in the south are a politically significant group. Linguistically, the Philippines is a diverse country: English, Spanish and over 70 local languages are spoken. Filipino, which is a derivative language...