The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. In the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of 7,641 islands which are broadly categorized in three main geographical divisions from north to south: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. It is the world’s twelfth-most-populous country, with diverse ethnicities and cultures. Maniila is the country’s capital, and its most populated city is Quezon. The Philippines is characterized by cultural and ethnic diversity.

   Before the arrival of European colonizers, Austonesian architecture was the common form of housing on the archipelago. It evolved into a style known as the Nipa hut (Bahay Kubo). It is characterized by the use of simple materials such as bamboo and coconut as the main source of wood. Cogon grass, Nipa palm leaves and coconut fronds are used as roof thatching. Most primitive homes are built on stilts due to frequent flooding during the rainy seasons. 

   This uncredited card chronicles “Reflections, Philippines” with two men standing on the porches and one in their Nipa Hut. The uncredited card is postmarked 1911 and is in very good condition with minor wear and a beautiful clean, clear image that captures the culture. The reverse has a message and is clean.