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What is the proper abbreviation for the Philippines?

Language Learning, Philippine Culture / by

I don’t know that I would call this a “big deal” but over the years, I have often bristled when I hear people call the Philippines as “the PI.”  Why?  Well, “the PI” was what the Philippines was called when it was not yet a country, during it’s colonial days, especially when it was under US control.  Because of this, I have often considered the use of that abbreviation for the country to be somewhat condescending, or lacking respect.  The Philippines is a country of it’s own, after all.  It would, in my opinion, be similar to having most British Citizens to calling the United States as “the Colonies” or something of that nature.

That said, over the years, I have also just ignored my touchiness on the topic because I just figured that it was not something so very important to me, and we all have our own personal views, and we are all free to use what names we like.  I suppose that the reason I have been touchy on this is because there have been several times since I’ve lived here that Filipinos have told me that they do not like people calling the country “the PI”.  On the other hand, I also know Filipinos who call the country “the PI” too, so it is hard to make a call.

Over the past couple of decades, maybe longer, the official abbreviation for the Philippines has been to call the country “the RP” – which stands for the Republic of the Philippines.  That is very clear and concise, clearly indicating that the Philippines is a sovereign country, and not under any other country.  I have always thought that the abbreviation RP was dignified and appropriate.  However, the “official” abbreviation was not widely used in the daily dialogue, at least I rarely heard it.  I saw it more often in print, but not in the spoken language.

Last week, President Aquino issued Administrative Order #5, calling for the Government to begin using a different official abbreviation for the country.  The Philippines is now to be called, when abbreviated, at PH or PHL.  Personally, I don’t find the terms very “sexy” or catchy, though.  Also, you can’t really make an order to people to start using those abbreviations as part of the dialogue.  I find it doubtful that we will start hearing people talking about “the PH” or the “PHL”.  We will still hear a lot of the “PI” in my opinion.

However, the order is not necessarily meant to make people start using those abbreviations in their daily conversation anyway, but rather to require Government Offices to use those as the official abbreviations, which I suppose they will do, since the President, their boss, has ordered it to be that way.

So, what do you think?  Will you start referring to the “PH” or the “PHL”?  Will you say “the Philippines” or will you say “the PI”?  Really, the call is up to you.  I generally say “the Philippines” although I sometimes write “RP” in it’s place.  How about you?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. No matter what we call it, I still call it, The Islands of the nicest people I have ever met in the world, and the land of the most beautifulest women on the face of the earth. So what can we abbreviate all that down to?

    • Yikes! Something is wrong with my Facebook comments import this morning.. it is showing my face on the gravatar of other people’s comments! Oh well…

      Thanks for commenting Brent.

        • Hi Darin – I already have to look at that ugly guy all day long! Sure don’t want to see any more of him! 😉

          Seriously, though, I found the problem and have fixed it, I think. Hopefully it won’t be happening any longer!

      • Bob,

        That was the Abakada alphabet, no F’s and C’s, X’s, and a couple letters more that I was missing out in the old glory days of my youth in the Philippines. But really, the Abakada alphabet was sufficient with the Pilipino language and can do without those letters anyway. I believe, we used to sing the Abakada song in chorus in our class Grades 1, 2, and 3. (There is no letter f/F that I can remember used in any Pilipino word, and I don’t think there will ever be unless it’s used as a noun for a person’s name, buildings, or things. The same goes with the other letters that I mentioned above unless people also used it in writing or speaking Taglish!) Wikipedia says there is Modern Filipino alphabet that is currently used with 28 letters. I wonder what a Pilipino language textbook now contains?

        Invert the map of the Philippines and you’ll see a big capital F. I can think of many F words to name what that F stands for but I’ll go for Filipino!

      • Philippines was names after king Phillip II. Since we were also a Spanish colony, Spanish for The name Phillip is Felipe.

  4. When I first heard about the Philippines it was called the “PI”. Now that was what all the military members called it. I used the “PI” a few times but most of the time I just say “Philippines” and in wrighting I would spell it out or use “RP”. As for the abbreviation if you look a the code of the airports you will see that RP– is used.

    I think I will still call it the Philippines or “RP”

    • Exactly, Brent. But, in the days when that originated, the Philippines was a group of islands, and not a country. Now it is a country of it’s own.

        • But that’s the thing, isn’t it? Just because the Philippines is a country that is a group of islands doesn’t mean you should keep referring it by its colonial name– “Philippine Islands,” abbreviated as “PI,” is the direct English translation for the Spanish “Las Islas Felipinas,” which was the name used by the Spanish government when the Philippines was still one of its colonies. The Spanish colonial name was kept, but was Anglicized when the Americans took over from Spain. That’s most likely the reason why many Filipinos, Americans and others call the Philippines, “Philippine Islands.” But the country has been sovereign for a long time now, and should therefore be referred to by its appropriate name.

          There are other countries out there that are also made up of many islands. Cases in point are Indonesia, New Zealand and Japan. You wouldn’t call Indonesia (with its 17,000+ islands), “The Indonesian Islands” now, would you?

      • Bob

        Whatever it is called its a wonderful place to live and its home for you. Take care my friend.

  8. Hi Bob;
    RP is correct and I’ve known this for a long time, just as Puerto Rico is abbreviated PR. The Navy used PI, as it caused less confusion when identifying the Navy’s two very large Navy Bases at the time, and It prevented misdirected cargo (somewhat).
    Administrative Order #5 is well and good, but I don’t think it will change the rest of the worlds thinking. PI is still the one most widely known, and I think will be around for a while.
    This change should be a big step in solving the corruption problem here in the RP,PI,PH, or PHL. I’ll just wait and see.

  9. Bob
    If I recall when I used to fly into RP, my orders said Republic of the Philipines, so I imagine that RP is short for that.
    But around the Marine Corps and the Navy in casual conversation we used to call it “The PI”

  11. Whenever we go for Balikatan, we were instructed to use RP when talking about the Philippines. In our Wing (base) official acronym list, it says use “PI” when referring to the Philippines. I read that its going to be PH or PHL in official speak.

  12. I like PI. It rolls off the tongue easy and really reflects the countries name as relected in the comments above. PH is something from chemistry class reflecting Acidity and Alkaline levels . The Philippines PH is way to acidic right now LOL. Since I’m, from the states we have 50 two letter alphas describing our states 3 generally for cities and our country. I say stick to PI for the Philippines. I’ve never heard any Filipino complain about it and I doubt most can barely recall their history just like many Americans and even care about it.

      • Sorry Bob. Didn’t mean too. It’s just that the educational system both here and in the states is hurting badly and indeed I have had conversations with kids in school here who barely know anything let alone their countries history. Hey same thing in the states. Try asking middle school kids there about Gettysburg. scary

        • How about those Filipino War Vets who fought in WW2, Dwayne? Do you think they know anything about their own country? In your comment you said nothing about it being kids, you said that Filipinos don’t know anything about the Philippines. Anyway, no biggie, but I did think that the comment was rather insulting.

          • I really prefer either RP or PH. Phil is alright, too.

            PI smacks of colonial times, plus only old people seem to use it. *cough* It also stands for a common insult in Filipino.

            BTW – “Please use your real name when commenting. Those commenting using only their Website name may be sent to trash, or the name edited to reflect their real name. By submitting a comment here you grant this site a perpetual license to reproduce your words and name/web site in attribution.”

            Lol. Blog comments generally use internet handles not real names.

            • Yes, Serendipty – Yes, colonial times.. exactly.

              Maybe you overlooked the message near the comment box. We request that you use your real name when commenting here, at least until we get to know you better. This is not like “other blogs.”

    • Hey Bob – Nice article! I’ve never used PI. Sounds awful. He he. PI is an abbreviated form of Tagalog cuss word. But I guess you know that? I used PH most of the time. For important docs, I use RP. And for very casual conv, I just say the Phils. Some just calls the country (their) home.. and that’s sweet!

    • Dwayne.. you said ” rolls off the tongue easily and reflect the countries name”

      PI is like equivalent of the American cuss word MF.

  13. Philippine Island? that makes a lot of sense since philippines has many small islands, you wouldn’t call one big mass of land such as russia and call it russian island? would you?

    I would rather use P.I to make it sound more exotic, and use PH to be more inline with international standard naming convention.

    PI, RP, PH,PHL? to me it doesn’t matter as long as we are not called Monkey Island as many philippine haters used to describe the country.

  15. Phillipines sounds best to me for me 2 cents worth. But…most of the people from the Phillipines I have ever talked to use..The Phils..or Fillipines or PI…so who knows…..any way interesteing post bob…..

  16. Mostly I use RP, since, after all, the country is the Republic of the Philippines. Abbreviating it PH is kind to calling the United States of America, SA or something like that. He is, afer all, the president, and if he figures spendigthe time and money for an excutive order is the highest and best use of his time, more power to him.

    On the side of sanity and reason, .ph is the official ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) “country code” designation for the Philippines, so I’ll give “sanity credit” there … but as Paul pointed out, we live in a highly mobile world.

    There are two major systems for designating airports … the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which designates airport codes for nearly 1,000 airports around the world which have passenger service (we typical know them as bag-tag) codes. PHL is the designator for Philadelphia, USA, so I’m not so sure using PHL to mean a completely different country makes a lot of sense in today’s world … why officially add to potential confusion?

    There’s a UN-level, world-wide organization for airport codes, and the Philippines is a member. The ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization). Under the ICAO, all airports in the Philippines are assigned a four-letter designator which starts with “RP”.

    Among other uses, the ICAO designators are what has to be used for filing flight plans, obtaining international diplomatic clearances, etc. So regardless of EO 5, I can guarantee when a PAL pilot files a flight plan from Los Angels to Manila, he’s going to state his destination as RPLL. (Manila)

    RP is not going away any time soon for this and likely other reasons.

    • Hi Dave – That’s me too, I usually use RP. I think it makes the most sense, and is sensitive to those who don’t like PI. Like you say, the Internet gives some credence to using PH, though!

  18. PI sounds so old fashioned to me and not to mention it shares the same initials as the m, while PH/PHL make the Philippines sound like a mail courier. I think RP is the most familiar to Filipinos

  19. Hi Bob
    I used to use PI all the time until you mentioned when PI was actually the meaning when it was a colony. I stopped using it though several of my Filipino friends still use that term. I think for most people it’s easier to use PI or RP then writing the Philippines. I have never heard Filipinos complain about saying PI. I guess for some when you say RP they might think of another country like Pakistan or Portugal.

    • Hi neil – I would say that maybe 10 or 15% of Filipinos consider PI as derogatory, in my experience. Not a huge number, but enough that I choose not to use the term, in order to save hurt feelings.

  20. If the rest of the world uses PH then PH it is. It seems that the world lives and dies on the internet. On the internet it is PH.

    73,
    Gary

  21. In the Navy we always said “the P.I.”….Didn’t know it was a derogatory term .

    I wrote P.I down once and Joy said what is that?? I told her it was abbreviation for the Philippines. Obviously she had never heard of it……Thanks for giving some insight on the origin..

    Another term some old timers might remember is….”going back to the world.”

  22. Hi Bob – Most people I know and including myself have always refered to the Philippines as the PHIL’S so the new abreviation is just an abreviation of what we have always called it lol.
    Regards.
    Jim.

  24. During my 1983 interview at the US Embassy .The interviewing
    officer use the the abbreviation Phils. From that time on and
    until now I use the same abb.

  25. Hi Bob – another possible black mark for PI is… it could be construed as the initials for the tagalog curse word… Pu—- Ina.

    So, telling somebody of tagalog heritage PI could get you in trouble.

    • Hi Milper! Nice to hear from you. Wow, I did not realize about “PI” being an abbreviation for a bad term in Tagalog. That’s all the more reason to not use the term.

  26. Bob,

    I never used P.I. in talking or writing calling or naming the Philippines. To me, it’s always the Philippines with the “The” before it. I’ve heard people used P.I. when they speak or when I read people’s writing using P.I. to name Philippines. If that’s what they want to call it, the Philippines, P.I., it is fine with me. But it does ring like the Old World Philippines and that was 50 plus years ago. To make it even sounding pure and simple with a tinkle in my heart and the ears I just call it ‘Pinas! for me. Let people discover The Philippines! Or the P.I., the R.P., PH., Phils., Philz, etc…. BAYAN KO! What can I say? ENJOY IT! Thanks! :0)

  27. Bob,
    I always used to shortened it to PHILS. in every mail ived done and seldom use those letters that you mentioned but i still prefer RP though….

  29. In the 1970’s and 80’s I handled message traffic for Navy Marine Corps. MARS ( Military Affiliate Radio Service ) and messages to and from The Philippines used the abbriviation ” RP “.

    Good article Bob as often times these days I was not sure of what the proper abbreviation is myself as I have seldom seen ” RP ” used too much on the internet. In internet chats from some of the people there it is ” PH ” or Phils. In writing something here, or on other items I have written myself about my visits there I usually just spell out the entire name figuring that way it must be correct.

  31. A good posting bob

    and to me it is, The Islands off love mate but sadly just like home there are some that wont to take u down in more ways and one bob but no matter what we call it it is the best place out to live and find love as it was for me and 1000s off men be for me and after me that when there to find a girl of there dreams mate but also sadly some go there for no the right things mate too for the bars and girls and as the old say gos mate u can take a girl out off the bar but u canot take the bar out off the girl……..god bless peter martin tassie

  32. Ha ha ha Bob, you didn’t think would get this much feedback. Well, this happens all the time, even here in the States where everybody is jumping on top of each other who can be the first to be PC (politically Correct). It’s a PC run amok! Yesterday the Passport and Visa forms where printed with Gender Neutral parents instead of Mother and Father–but today it was rescinded by the Sec of State after the whole US protested.

    Like most of the other posters, PI is usually used during casual conversation, and I use it today when talking to Filipinos here in the US. RP is reserved for formal documents and correspondence specially related to military (US) and official business. I use “Phils.” when writing or the whole name “Philippines”. And maybe because of the internet designation for the country, that the Prez had this change, but as others said, might conflict with other designation creating confusion.

    I could relate why a lot of people in the South -anything south of Manila and Luzon, dose not like to use PI or Islander. It use to be that Islander or “taga Island” are used by Northerners to denigrate Bisayans or anybody not from Manila region as backwards or not keeping up with the trends, just like joking about residents of West Virgina and North Georgia. Now a lot of people from the North might disagree with this but that’s what the “Islander” feels about it.

    I remember in the ’60s and prior, Filipinos who joined the US Navy or Coast Guard were told to put on the “Race” blocked of the form/s as “Malayan Race”. In the ’70s, that was not cool anymore so it was change to “Oriental”. In the late ’80s, some PC people said Oriental is now offensive (I don’t who they are this people are or what is offensive about it), and we are now designated as “Asian-Pacific Islander”. In my defiance, every time I fill up a form I always blacken the block “Others” and put Filipino-American,because I am not Japanese, Guaminian, etc.

    In the mid ’90s, the Coast Guard was worried in there image why not many minorities are promoted in the officer rank and CG wide Cultural audit was commissioned and some Think-Tank company was doing the survey. I was the rep of our directorate reporting to a two-star Admiral (hmmm, wonder why they always assign minority as rep in this situation like EEO officer?). Anyway, this topic came out again on the form about designation of Filipinos as Asian-Pacific Islander and I brought out this issue about the term-the facilitator cannot give me a reason including why it was change from “Oriental” and who decided to change it. Anyway, last years US Census form at least they separate the designation now Under Asian-Pacific , you can check Filipino, etc.

    So Bob,I hope this will answer some of why some (Bisaya & southerner), does not like Islander.

    Mars

    • I think generalizing people from Luzon is too much when in fact non-Tagalogs that make up portions of Luzon are equally discriminated…by people outside their ethnic groups, people from the “south” included. And that even the Tagalogs themselves especially those outside Manila because what they speak isn’t the “standard” Tagalog. You probably have seen many Filipino movies that mock on the Batangas accent, right? To think of it that Batangas is considered the “Tagalog homeland”.

      Years ago, one Starstruck contender (whose name escapes me but he was the representative of Cebu), when asked who he wants to be eliminated any why — his answer was the late Marky Cielo and his reason? Because he was “Igorot” and he was different. Does pinpointing other ethnic group being guilty of discrimination help when in fact some people from the ethnic group that says they are discriminated do the same on the sole basis of preconceived notion and just because others are “different”. And of course is that famous preconceived notion that Ilocanos are “kuripot” an that Igorots are “barbaric” and live on “trees”. Ther eeven is an inter-Visayan discrimination where SOME people from the “sophisticated” Cebu think that the Warays and Boholanos are “bumpkins”.

      • Hi Katrina, not generalizing, maybe but the “taga-island” are recipient of countless inferiority offerings portrait in the the movies as maid, fumbling idiots, cannot speak tagalog, etc. more than any other ethnic groups. That’s is why they are sensitive when called “Islander”. I also agree that all other groups are not immune to sarcasm but islands south of Manila, those non-tagalog language speaker gets the brunt.

        Mars

  33. G’day Bob….I really dont think it matters how people call the philippines so long as its said with fondness and pride and not in a derogative fashion…..is this not the case with most name calling even to people, per instance i am born in England but have lived in Australia since a young lad but my aussie mates still call me a pommy b…..d, and i love it…however if someone was to call me that in a hostile fashion then i would be insulted.

    • Hi David – Ha ha.. I suppose you are right. I try to use language that is acceptable to the Filipino people, because I want to show respect to them.

  34. I don’t usually use P.I. in any of my written communication before (I used Phils. most of the time). But I thought since this site is most frequented by foreigners living in Philippines (or maybe it’s created purposely for expats or foreigners living in Philippines) and in many instances saw they used P.I. instead of Philippines in some posts here, then I myself used it here for easy reference. Not too long ago you can find P.I. addresses in our mail communications coming from abroad or some mails from here going out to other countries as return address. Even in some signboards’ business addresses you could see them used P.I. For me this isn’t an issue. I’m a Filipino and don’t consider using P.I. offensive when referring to Philippines. Having said that, and since as Bob mentioned there’s an AO for Govt. to begin using PH or PHL, then I think it’s better to use the new term. “So, what do you think? Will you start referring to the “PH” or the “PHL”? Will you say “the Philippines” or will you say “the PI”? “ For me, I still prefer using Phils., but of course would use the new abbreviation if it’s an official communication. Cheers!

    • Hi Louie – Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I created this site about 4 1/2 years ago, and I created it for anybody who wants to read and participate, whether they be American, English, Filipino or whatever. Anybody can participate here so long as they do so in a way that is respectful of others here. Your participation is most welcome.

  36. Hi Bob, thanks for welcoming me here. I got here in this site of yours via Pacland, the Manny Pacquiao website, and found this place likeable and bookmarked this site.

      • Wow! Bob,
        I’m not aware of that, so you are Manny Pacquaio’s relative through your wife then, did you visit his mansion in Gen San? i used to buy a “YES MAGAZINES” here in HK bcoz i like to collect those celebrities houses in the Phils. and when i saw Manny Pacquiao’s houses both real and commercial states i kind of like OMG!!!! how is he going to run or manage all those properties, i guess sometimes being rich is also not a good idea coz youve’d got to do alot of thinking and worrying on how you’re goin to keep all those wealth forever….. hahaha!!!so i think for me i still prefer to be invisible so less worrying and pain in the a@##$%…. hahaha!!!

        • Hi Rebecca – Yes, we are related, but it’s a distant relative. When my mother-in-law was alive, she used to go to Manny’s house from time to time, but we have never gone there. He has enough people claiming to be relatives… even though we are… we just don’t care to bother him! Ha ha…

  37. I just always call it the PH. Don’t know why. The RP does sound a little more official.
    Don’t care what you call it I just want to be there!!!

  38. Anyone who was stationed int he Philippines or on a ship doing a WESTPAC prior to the base closings are most likely going to refer to the Philippines as PI. Personally, I prefer it that way because it’s the way I used to always refer to it. I too believe it sounds more exotic.

    That being said, I understand some Filipinos prefer to refer to the Philippines as RP. Now that I’ve come to learn that there is a preference, I always try to use RP when abbreviating the Philippines. Are you telling me that some bureaucrat is going to make this “old dog” learn it another way? Woof.

    BTW is it U.S. or U.S.A.?

    • Or…U.S. of A.
      My daughter when in High School in the 90’s was looking up National Flags for her project. She typed in America, and nothing came up. I explained she had to type in United States to see a picture of an “American Flag”. She was so very confused. Shouldn’t it be the United States of North America? (lol)

  39. I have always used PH. Do not know why. I guess I did so out of stupidity and not knowing better. Well, thanks to the President I now might not look as stupid.

    It could also be the time I spent at the U.S. Post Office one of the jobs I had while trying to work my way through college. I do not remember the official abbreviation they used for the Philippines at the time, but perhaps it was PH.

    Anyway regardless of what is used I am thankful that I can still remember and know that I am in the Philippines. I hope the day never comes when they ask me daily each morning, “where are you” “what is the day of the week” “do you know your name”. Oh well, I hear there is a decent nursing home near SM and in the mean time I will try and make the most of life.

  40. I was born and grew up in the Philippines, speak 3 languages today, and currently residing in the USA. There is no Official Abbreviation (per se) foe the Philippines.

    P.I. (with periods after each letter) is an older abbreviation that denotes the Philippine Islands, and was widely used by the G.I.s in the early to mid 1900s. It is still in use today.

    PH is a recent shorthand, and is used in the Internet as the TLD Top Level Domain for The Philippines. The PHP is used by international banking system to denote Philippine PESO (e.g. HKD = Hong Kong Dollar, USD = U.S. Dollar, etc.)

    PHIL. or PHILS. (both with period following, to denote abbreviation) is a more widely used term in the Philippine Media.

    RP or R.P. (Republic of the Philippines) is also widely used in the media and government writings and usually when referring to the country in the Official Sense). As stated by another poster, the letter RP is also assigned as designators for Philippine commercial aircraft. They are usually RP followed by C(ommercial) followed by numbers.

    The military vessels are RPS denoting Republic of the Philippines Ships. For example RPS Mindoro Occidental is the name for LST 93 (Landing Ship Transport)…. just the US Navy uses the term USS Enterprise for one of its nuclear aircraft carrier (US Ship).

    All of the above abbreviations are understood by Filipinos and none of them are derogatory or insulting. PINAS is a tagalog abbreviation used in conversation, to denote PILIPINAS (tagalo for Philippines).

      • These guys are just trying to be creative and probably want to mean PI = Putang Ina (mo) !!! Which literally translates to “Yo(ur) Mama is a whore !!” or “Whoreson” or “Son of a Bitch”. But this is not the normal interpretation of the general population. Especially if you put the periods after both P and I.

        • The first person that brought this up, DanielY, was Milper. Milper is a good friend whom I know personally, not just through the internet. I don’t think that he is “trying to be creative” as you say. If Milper tells me something, I believe it to be so.

          When you are talking, it’s hard to insert the periods! 😉

    • I read somewhere that in the international code, it is PHL…I think that is why the government is pushing for PHL but in the mainstream Filipino media, RP is used.

      I think what the government has done is request that PHL be RP instead since it is widely used in the Philippines. It’s hard to get used to PHL esp that there is a mail courier service called “DHL”. (Now I remember why PHL sounded like a mail courier to me! Haha)

  41. Hi Bob,

    Wasn’t there news last year about the ISO country codes/abbreviations to be used internationally? PH and PHL for the Philippines? Did the President just caught on last week? Administrative Order #5 – only #5 after 6 months on the job? mmmm……

    Had to really think about the PI, never heard of that cuss word referred as that. Usually people would say the whole word loud and clear.

    Alex

  42. Hi Bob, Wow, that means by affinity you’re related to one of the greatest boxers all time Manny Pacquiao. I’m a big fan of the Pacman. He’s the pride of the Philippines. He’s now acknowledged as the best fighter on the planet today. His superstar status has grown worldwide. I think all Filipinos love this man and very proud of him.

  43. I think this is a missed opportunity for the President. While going to all the trouble to change the name of the country, I think it would make a lot more sense to start from scratch and remove all references to King Philip of Spain, the first westerner to occupy and colonize the area. It would require a complete rethinking of the history of the people prior to the Spanish, but a new name, referring only to the islands and the people would be more meaningful.

    I realize there is a lot of Spanish blood there now, but in total, the population is still a majority Asian. I’m of Irish/English descent and live in the US but I still think the “Americas” were not “discovered” by Europeans and would be named more appropriately with references to the original inhabitants.

    It’s been done in Africa – why not there where you are?

    I’m surprised no one else has brought this up.

    Any ideas for an original and uplifting name?

    –James

    • Hi James – Changing the abbreviation is just a minor thing. Changing the name of the country has huge implications and surely could not be done simply by issuing an executive order. Honestly, it would cost a huge amount of money to change the name of the country (imagine all of the thing that would need to be changed, and the massive campaign that would be needed to introduce the new name). For me, I don’t see a problem with the current name, but everybody has their own opinion, I suppose.

  44. Pinas 🙂

    I don’t know any local Pinoy who calls it PI. First time I heard of the abbrev. was in my 20s in a the US.

    A cousin who is a US National Guard mentioned the word & he was surprised that I hadn’t heard of it before. My first thought then was that it was a USAF thing.

    For me, and a few cousins, PI is mainly used by Fil-Ams or Americans in the US armed forces. So, to me it’s very American. In a way, its kind of a delineation between my Davao cousins & US relatives.

    I don’t mind it, but it’s not “the islands” to me.

    But never was it derogatory with any historical implications. I’m pretty sure any of my friends see it as a bad thing too. Just a local v. visitor thing.

    I’m surprised you’ve met Pinoys who see it as a “cuss word”. I’ve never met one. Is it possible that it’s more of a cringe-y reaction. Sort of a “Ew, I would never say that” because it is quite awkward. I can see it that way & I’d never say it myself. A hometown preference that the locals find laughable?

    In a way, it’s like an SF visitor calling the city Frisco (but not as bad). It mainly exposes that you may not be from around here.

    RP or PHIL is the way to go. It’s the most common & acceptable abbreviation. Though PH might take over in the coming years. Not a big deal.

    • Hi macky – Yeah, I think it is really a military thing, the use of “PI”. I don’t think that those who use it consider it derogatory… but I have had some Filipinos (a few) tell me that it is, though.

      • A thought occurred to me that P.I. is also initials for the Philippine’s most used cuss word. So maybe that was what your Filipino friends were alluding to. I know, it a stretch, but I’m just putting it out there.

  45. Hi Bob: These wonderful Islands were saddled with the name of a (could care less) Spanish king who probably had no idea where they were. We can be thankful they did not name it “Phil’s place”

    • Roberto,

      “…These wonderful Islands were saddled with the name of a (could care less) Spanish king who probably had no idea where they were.”

      If this were true, I think it would be even more reason to start a movement to remove all references to him in the land. But, I don’t think it’s true. He knew where they were, and their importance in trade with the rest of Asia, just as his successors the Americans did later in 1898.

  46. Bob: When we lived in Abu Dhabi, Rebecca always referred to the Philippines as “Pinas”, “Phils”, or “in our place” (To distinguish Abulug from Manila or elsewhere). Most of the other OFWs in knew there did the same. For me, online I always either use RP or The Philippines, spelling it out (As should be evident in my articles). I tend to agree that PI appears to be a US military holdover… When you grow up saying something one way, it is difficult to change.

  47. Hi Bob,
    We all have our preferences,i’m no different,lol.
    Written word,i would normally use RP or Phils,however,a short time ago i adopted PH and i’m happy with it.
    Spoken word,i use Philippines or Phils,and will probably continue with those.
    regards,
    Chas.

  48. All this discussion has got me thinking. Perhaps there should be a movement to rename the country Lapu-Lapu? Sounds more exotic than the Philippines and could go a long way toward marketing this as an exotic vacation destination. Imagine a voyage to that far off exotic island chain of Lapu-Lapu? Drinking in the hospitality of the warm, friendly people while basking in the sunshine on the white undiscovered beaches of exotic Lapu-Lapu. This is what happens when you work in marketing, lol.

    • Hey Mark, I don’t think the locals would buy it–Lapu-Lapu is the name of a popular fish for sun-drying, tuyo or bulad–its ugly, too.

      • Hi Mars,
        I wasn’t thinking of the fish, lol. I guess you could insert Islas Rizal or Bonafacio Islands if that suits you better. After all in marketing it’s all perception! 😛

  49. The most appropriate abbreviation and it should be official is RP which stands for Republic of the Philippines. That is the official name of our country, The Republic of the Philippines.