Philippine money: Mirror of Hardwork and Perseverance of Filipinos

Ready your Philippine money when you explore the beautiful Philippines, one of the most beautiful countries in Asia. It is comprised of 7,107 islands in Western Pacific Ocean. This Southeast Asian country has 90 million people considering it as the world's 12th most populous country and it has a wide economy making it as the 46th largest in the world. One of its financial resources is provided by most overseas Filipino workers that comprises the 11% of its population.

The Philippines was considered as a multi-ethnic nation and is the 17th most mega-diverse country in the world. Manila, its capital is known to be the center of entertainment, jobs, civilization and many more.

Actually, this magnificent country has a lot to boast. From the islands to the people, no one will ever forget such place as soon as one explored its deepest secrets.

The Philippine Peso or in Filipino lingo, piso is the country's official money. It is divided into 100 centavos or centimo in Filipino. The equivalent of this in dollars, euros, and yen or in other currencies, if converted however, varies. As of this writing, the US dollar is worth 52 pesos while Euro is about 46 pesos, but it will still change. The coin currencies are 1, 5, 10, and 25 centavos and 1 and 5 pesos, and bank notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 as well as 1000 pesos.

But the 5 peso printed version does no longer exist, but still can be a legal tender. Previously, the old Philippine currency was significantly replaced by the new banknotes as well as coins that are now the only ones valid. However, the older versions are still found and they are preserved by most coin collectors.

Way back in 1967, the language that is used in banknotes as well as coins was English that is why it was called "peso". But a few years ago, it was replaced by Filipino language and so "piso" was the name used. And it is denoted by the symbol "" which is always added to the standard Unicode version 3.2. Usually the Philippine coins are minted at the following documents:

1. passports
2. seaman's identification record books
3. checks
4. land titles
5. official ballots
6. official election returns
7. passbooks
8. money orders
9. revenue stamps
10. government bonds
11. Security Plant Complex
12. National Printing Office

The Philippine currency is actually consisting of several symbols printed on the money itself. This is to recognize the amount of a particular cash.

For instance, the 5 peso note portrays Emilio Aguinaldo. On its reverse you can see the proclamation of the Philippine independence which happened on the balcony of Aguinaldo's house in Kawit, Cavite. This was the Philippine resistance hero who first fought the Spanish invaders and later on the Americans. Aguinaldo was also the first Filipino President.

So putting his image in the bill was considered as a tribute for his contributions in the Philippine history. However, the 5 peso bill was already replaced with the 5 peso coin. Another example is the 100 peso note that depicts Manuel A. Roxas. On its reverse you'll see the building of the Philippine National Bank. There were already several Philippine bills that were converted into coins other than these two.

Modernization has also invaded Philippine monetary system just like in the other countries. There is actually a technology used to produce the country's bills securely because a lot of people are manufacturing fake bills and use these fake ones to purchase items. But, there are ways to recognize a real peso bill from the fake ones such as:

> Hold the bill against the light and you will find a watermark embedded in it which you cannot find under regular viewing of the bill.

> A vertical bar is found on the paper bill. The material of this real peso bill indicator cannot be counterfeited by anyone who makes fake bills.

> Some counterfeited bills produce blots on its prints when crumpled or rubbed in any surface.

These are the most common ways that you can employ if you are in doubt that you are holding a fake Philippine money.