This is exemplified by Dr. Jose Rizal, Philippine national hero, who knew twenty-two languages. The Filipinos are also the only nation in Asia who speak English and Spanish and have a literature written in these two foreign languages. As a matter of fact, Filipinos take pride in being the third largest English-speaking nation in the world. The Philippines is the most literate nation in Southeast Asia. The main cause for the high literacy in the Philippines is the passionate love of Filipinos for education.
Filipino women enjoy the greatest freedom and the highest status among the women in Asia.
Economically, politically, and socially, they are considered as the equal of men. They were the first Asian women to enjoy the right of suffrage - to vote in elections and to be voted into public office. Finally, Filipino women are also distinguished for their beauty. Filipinos rank among the bravest peoples on earth. They valiantly resisted the Spanish, American and Japanese invaders of their native land.