The Philippines

**The Philippines** (Tag. Pilipinas pron. Pee-Lee-Pee-Nas) is a fictional country based on the real-world country of the Philippines. It is the main setting of the book JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Blood of the Grimms. The Philippines is filled with multiple Yokai, spirits, Stand-Users, Grimms, Cryptids, and supernatural beings and is the former central nation of the story. The country is also a refuge home to the ancient race of Vampires, colloquially known as Aswangs. It has a population of 120 million as of 2029. It is the current capital and primary hegemony of Maharlica-Prime.

## Geography

This world's Philippines is an archipelago split into four different major islands acting as federal states, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and Sabah. The Philippines has more than 7,000 islands. The Philippines has mostly filled with rainforests, but most of the mountain ranges have pine forests spanning several thousand kilometers. The Philippines is placed above the equator and is placed at 12.8797° N, 121.7740° E.

San Diego, the capital, spanned over the central mountains of Luzon and the western lands all the way to the south. Its most notable places are Metro Manila, Hometown, and Burnham City.

## History

For thousands of years, the Filipinos had a rich history of Stands and a very spiritual culture. Thousands of years ago, a meteorite crashed into the island of Luzon. From the meteorite, thousands of metallic arrows were carved. These arrows were sold around the world. In actuality, this meteorite contained alien bacteria from the 4th World Planet of Niburu, where Beyond-Users are native from. These bacteria, when injected into mortals, give the latter spiritual abilities called Stands.

Historically, the Philippines was one federal Empire of hundreds of villages called "Barangays" ruled by a Rajah.

However, many years later, the Spanish, who were controlled by the ancient race of Vampires, conquered the islands and ruled over the land. The Philippines were founded by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 and fell into colonization in the year 1565 in Miguel Legazpi's expedition, both first discovering the Visayan island of Cebu. The Spaniards, using religion to control the state, became corrupt and several instances of injustices happened in the country, called "Cancers of Society." For the next 333 years, the Philippines was distraught and enslaved by the colonizers. In actuality, an organization known as the Black Claw, a group of European Wesen, had been turning other Europeans into Wesen by making them wear Stone Masks they've discovered in the islands to multiply and that was the reason why Spain had conquered the Philippines: To monopolize its usage and to expand the Wesen Empire.

In the year 1896, in the capital of San Diego, Metro Manila, a mysterious man named Simoun who was considered the National Hero rose to the occasion, wrote, and delivered two books to a mysterious publisher in Metro San Diego, now known as Metro Manila, while also battling against several enemies who were Aswangs, the native name for Vampires. His last name was forgotten in history. He battles against the corrupt Spanish leader, Padre Damaso.

In the year 1898, the Philippines was "liberated" by the Americans in a mock battle against the Spaniards, only for the Americans to colonize the Philippines for themselves. In an incident regarding the massacre of six guards, the Filipinos waged a hopeless war against the Americans. Millions of Filipino lives were lost to the Americans' massive genocide. The Americans still colonized the Philippines up until 1942, when the Japanese Occupation began. Even more, pillaging occurred in the Philippines and many Filipinos were once again genocided.

In the year 1976, a man named Funny Valentino became the President of the Philippines. In the year 1986, however, he secretly formed a mock rebellion against himself which allowed him to use a loophole in Philippine law, allowing him to begin Martial Law in the country. However, he was only a puppet by the true mastermind, Aswang King Kars who was actually disguised as Damaso a hundred years prior.

In 1996, a man named Arthur JoJo liberated the country once more in secret by defeating Damaso. After that, his successor, Bernardo Salvi, became the Boss of a Mafia called The New World Order, which is the head branch of the Multiversal organization known as the Black Claw, an organization led by Aswangs with an army of Stand-Users, Cryptids, and a few Grimms.

In 2031, a man of the name Miguel JoJo liberated the country from its Wesen colonizers once and for all by defeating Salvi in what they call the Stardust Crusade, which was led by the late Arthur JoJo, but with the cost of the destruction of the Universe.

In 2036, the universe was restored Miguel JoJo had become the President of the new Interdimensional Empire, Maharlica, with the Philippines as its current capital.

## Culture and Religion

The Philippines has a culture mixed with native, Spanish, Chinese, Malay, Hindu, Arabic, and American cultures. Each area in the Philippines has its own culture and identity, ranging from the people of San Diego to the people of Sabah.

Common culture in this world's Philippines is the "Utang ng Loob" (Ooh-Tang Nang Lo-Ob). Shown throughout the Book of JBA: Grimm, it is the value of giving people what they deserve through the concept of "an eye for an eye" in a beneficial sense for both parties. However, this could be used in both good and evil ways.

Most villains in the Book incorporate this ideal. For example, Salvi acted as Damaso's successor primarily because Damaso offered him a home where he was unwanted. Another example was when the Manticore gang attacked Arthur in service of Damaso as they are in gratitude toward Damaso for his grandeur belief that Wesen deserve to be on top of the food chain. In the end, the various villains use "Utang ng Loob" for their very own benefit.

However, Utang ng Loob can also be used positively, such as Jedan sacrificing his life for Miguel as he was grateful for Miguel being there for him his whole life. Another is Jessica giving Miguel a new fate that caused her to sacrifice her life for him out of gratitude. It is also shown when Ventura sacrificed his life for Arthur or when Yoshiko helped the Jazz Fusion after Finn expressed his love for her.

Another culture is familial love which was also expressed throughout the whole book. This includes respecting your elders, staying close as a family, and doing activities together as a family, which was especially shown in the third and fourth parts.

About 70% of Filipinos are Catholic, 25% are Islamic, and 5% are Protestant. Most of the Islamic citizens live in Mindanao and Sabah, the southern islands. Meanwhile, Catholics and Protestants live in the entire country.

Religious practices such as the Visita Iglesia (where a Catholic must visit seven Churches either on Good Friday or Maundy Thursday) are celebrated usually in holy holidays.

## Supernatural Forces

The Filipinos primarily use Hamon, which was taught to them by the Spanish Jews to fight off against the Cryptids. Unlike in the Star Universe, Hamon in the Grimm Universe works differently. Hamon is an energy of the sun that allowed the Filipinos to convert the sun's energy into destructive energy that can overcharge energy into a Cryptid, fatally injuring them. It does not affect humans but is fatal to Cryptids. This is because Cryptids have a much higher level of Hamon in their body. Humans only have 0.00000000003% of Hamon in their bodies other than Cryptids. Grimms taught humans Hamon as early as the year 1572, as they planted secret mountain temples all over the island to stand against the Spanish invaders and the Vampires.

Some Filipinos use Spin, which is also an energy force different from yet another similar Universe that also incorporates Spin. 'Spin' is a form of power that exists within the Hamon Spectrum. It is also derived from the sun's energy but instead of heat, it allows the user to play with gravity by spinning Hamon around an object in perfect rotation. Notable Spin-Users are the JoJo and Zeppeli families.

The Philippines is also the nation with the most Stand-Users. This is because Stand Arrows originated from this nation.

Creatures called Yokai called in the Philippines as Engkantos, dwell in their land. Kapres, Dwendes, Nunos, and many more protect the forest land and environment from humans.

## Politics

The Philippines is a republican country with liberal and conservative political ideologies. Also, the country is mostly capitalist. The Philippines is a third-world country. Originally being a multi-party system, it was changed into a two-party system by Maharlican President Miguel JoJo. The Philppines had also become a superpower after Maharlica came into existence in 2036.

## Notable Places

San Diego>A large region that spans across the northwest, the west, and the south of Luzon.

-Metro San Diego>The capital city of the Philippines that is found in Maynilad Bay. This was the main setting of Part I: El Filibusterismo.

-The Cordilleras>The mountain range where the tribe known as the 'Kamikasi' live in. They descended from the group of Spanish Jews marrying into the locals. The place is filled with temples with the main temple called "Temple of the San Diego Grimms."

-Burnham City>Formerly known as Bag-Iw. A chartered city in the southwest Cordilleras. This is the summer capital of the Philippines because of its cool temperatures. This was the capital of the Philippines during the time of American Colonization, named after the architect Daniel Hudson Burnham. The city is called because it stays on top of two plateaus. It is north of Metro San Diego. This is the main setting of Part III: Crusade of the Reaper. It is well known for its prestigious Catholic school, Saint Lorenzo Ruiz University.

-Ebott>A small mountain barangay filled with Engkantos. Ruled by Asgore Dreemurr. Considered an autonomous state near-separated from the Philippine government.

San Fernando>A northern mountainous Visayan Island.

Cebu>The most important city in the Philippines which is also an island. It is known as the city island. Here stays the Cebuano Temple of the Grimms, the most protected Temple in the world. This was true until Bernardo Salvi's infiltration over the Ark of the Covenant.

San Davao>The largest city of Mindanao.

## Food

A common food in the Philippines is Adobo, which is meat and/or vegetables cooked in soy sauce, and many times, vinegar.

Another is the Tinola, which is basically just Chicken Soup cooked with ginger and veggies.

The Kare-Kare is a type of Filipino curry where meat and/or veggies are cooked in peanut butter sauce. This was Jedan Ligera's favorite dish.

The Lugaw is rice porridge with a boiled egg.

The Arruzcaldo is rice porridge with chicken w/wo boiled egg.

The Champorado is chocolate rice porridge.

Inasal is a way of cooking by barbecuing chicken that was marinated with soy sauce and calamansi, a small Filipino lime.

The Siopao is a Filipino version of the Cantonese Dumpling Cha Siu Bao.

The Taho is a Filipino drink with syrup and soy.

The Siomai is a Filipino version of the dumpling.

The Asado is a Filipino soup with sweetened soy sauce.

The Afritada is a Filipino dish where chicken and/or beef is cooked in tomato sauce with carrots, bell peppers, and potatoes.

The Menudo is a Filipino dish where pork and sliced liver is cooked in tomato sauce with carrots and potatoes.

The Pakbet is a Filipino dish where various native vegetables are cooked in shrimp paste and tomato sauce. This is Miguel JoJo's favorite dish.

The Chopsuey is an American-Chinese dish that the Filipinos picked up during the American colonization.

The Pancit is a Filipino rice noodle with veggies.

The Pancit Canton is a Filipino noodle with soy sauce, calamansi juice, and veggies.

Streetfood includes Fishballs, Squidballs, Japanese Siomai, Siomai, Kimbap, Spicy Rice Cake, Mandu, and many more.

Buko Pandan is a Filipino flavor made from coconut and pandan leaves.

Ube is a flavor made from Filipino Taro.

Pinoy Mozzarella is a cheese that is made from Carabao milk.

## Language and People

The major language in the Philippines is Tagalog. There are also Cebuana, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Waray, Bicol, Kapampangan, Pangasinan, Maranao, Tausug, Maguindanao, Chavacano, Karay-a, and Surigaonon. There are also various Indigenous Tribes in the Cordilleras.

The people include several tribes from the Malays, the Eastern Asians, the Hindis, the Arabs, and the Polynesians. There are about 170 ethnic nations in the Philippines alone.

## Trivia

* The Author claims to be living in the real-world Philippines.