Philippines

The Philippines  (  フィリピン ',  Firipin ) is a fanmade character in the series  Axis Powers: Hetalia '''. She represents the Republic of the Philippines, an archipelago in Southeast Asia. She was given the human name  Maria Clara Carriedo Dela Cruz  ( セリアイザベラ ·F· サンティアゴ ,   <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">( セリアサンティアゴ <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">, <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Maria Clara C. Dela Cruz <span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">) in Western naming conventions. ''



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<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Appearance
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:4.8pt0in6pt;line-height:15.75pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Maria has black hair of average length. She is sometimes seen with her Sampaguita Hairband. She has dark b <span style="font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;line-height:15.75pt;">ro <span style="font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;line-height:15.75pt;">wn eyes, a trait commonly shared with the other Asians. She is usually seen wearing a white T-shirt with characteristics of Filipino culture, and a white skirt with matching cloth for the shoulders and covered skirt., since the weather of her country is hot.

<span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Personality and Interests
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;">Filipinos are generally known as warm and friendly to foreigners, an <span style="font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;line-height:15.75pt;">d Maria is no exception. She'd greet foreigners who visit her country with a smile and a polite "  Maligayang pagdating sa Pilipinas! <span style="font-family:Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;line-height:15.75pt;">" ''(Welcome To The Philippines). She Loves Nature.'' She is family-oriented, and considers the Southeast Asians as her family. She is never afraid to make new friends, though, she doesn't know anyone that much outside Asia.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;">She is rather impatient, and sometimes will cut in line whenever possible. She hates waiting, especially in long lines and she gets easily annoyed. Especially by Alfred. She is also a great boxer, and c an punch someone anytime when that person annoys her.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;">She loves eating and cooking, especially her own dishes but she'll never be afraid to try new dishes. The Dishes in her home are fabulous although it can sometimes lead to balut.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;">Maria Clara is an adventurous type of person, who isn't afraid of walkin g through the woods or hiking through a cave. She'd often drag her friends to her adventures.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:15.75pt;background-position:initialinitial;background-repeat:initialinitial;">On her spare time, she likes gardening, cooking, watching dramas, and listening to music, especially K-Pop.

Relationships
SPAIN

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">Spain is considered to be Philippines' father figure or elder brother.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">During his times as her  <span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">colonizer, he became very protective of her and called her his "Pearl of the Orient Seas". Philippines became quite comfortable with Spain, his kindness attracting her at first. But as time passed, the more his grip on her tightened, and her trust in him began to slowly deteriorate. He became quite cruel and there came a time when she began to fight back. Ph <span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">ilippines wanted to gain her freedom but of course, Spain wouldn't allow it. For more than a century, the colony became quite bitter towards him, with her constantly fighting for her independence.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">The time came when Philippines grew to become a young lady. She became quite stronger, her revolts leaving a bigger mark on Spain. He was aware of this but since she was one of the key parts of his trade and economy, he remained stubborn and still did not accept her please of independence.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">Soon, the Spanish-American war broke out, with the result of Spain losing and having to surrender Philippines to America in exchange of 20 million US dollars. He did not want to do it of course, for separation from his pearl was the last thing he wanted to do. Yet, he had no other choice. So, Philippines declared independence from Spain in 1898, the end of 333 years of Spanish rule.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">In present, Spain and Philippines' relationship is now better, the older one still being a bit protective of her at times. She sees him as a father or older brother and continues to care for him, still remembering everything he taught her whether it came to religion or culture. Their great share in culture also kept their friendship.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">Spain gave Philippines a cross when she was a child, to make her remember the culture and religion he taught her, and also a token of his love for his daughter.

AMERICA

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">During the turnover of the Philippines from Spain to America, Philippines considered America to be somewhat like her "hero" after being freed from Spanish colonial rule. America on the other hand, was secretly glad to be taking care of the pretty and young nation, commenting that she was "a gift from the gods". But due to the tension and hostilities between the two and a possibility that the Americans came to her homeland to colonize her, the Philippines chose not to trust him at first despite him saying that he was only with her to help (because he  was<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;"> the hero). Philippines stayed by his side and fought beside him. She was considered as America's Best Ally in The South East Asia. She was very strong; In fact, America was deeply injured Between the Soviet Union In order to save him from death, She joined the Soviet Union hoping to make peace.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">The tension grew and a war between the two broke out, but with America colonizing her in the end. Trust was quite an issue during the early times of his rule, with the Filipina remaining hostile much to America's dismay. But in the course of months, Philippines learned to trust him more after he constantly helped her economically and politically. She saw him as a big brother at first but this gradually turned into a secret attraction. America of course was oblivious to this, much to her frustration.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">They became closer as time passed and pretty soon, America promised her independence. It was a hard decision for him to make, unbeknownst to Philippines, since he grew quite too attached to her. Philippines of course was excited, for she finally proved that she could stand on her own.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">Unfortunately, World War 2 broke out, with Japan suddenly attacking America and Philippines and saying that Eastern control must be put back in Asia. America, since he was the  hero<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">, constantly fought back Japan's troops with Philippines' help. The line, I Shall Return  was his popular one yet. He actually said it during World War 2,

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">By the end of the war, America finally gave Philippines her independence. He recalled a time when he actually thought that she'd be his forever, that she would see him of more than a colonizer or big brother. He knew that that would be too good to be true, yet he could not help but feel bad that they will be parting ways from now on. Philippines too felt the same way, and in the end took the courage to give him one goodbye hug.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">In the present, America and Philippines remain very close friends, their attraction to one another is still kept a secret. America continues to help Philippines when she has problems and their bosses seem to be in good terms. America is Philippines' closest ally and she also offers any help she can provide him. She became greatly influenced by the superpower, being the most westernized Southeast Asian nation, and speaks fluent English because of him.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">There was a time when hostilities between the two were deteriorating (American Occupation), wherein America took the liberty to tuck in a sampaguita flower behind Philippines ear to prevent some of her locks from covering her face. For the young woman, that alone was already a sweet reminder of her time with him.

JAPAN

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">Philippines and Japan had some previous encounters before, but the longest time she ever spent with him was during World War 2.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">She was shocked after he suddenly invaded her, and was weakened by his short yet painful occupation. It was unknown to Philippines at the time that Japan was quite attracted to her, but his interest was heavily masked by the cruelty he pushed upon her and her people(For he had to follow orders as well). Because of this, she hated him a lot, resulting to many revolts and of course guerilla attacks.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">They remained hostile with each other throughout the war, but as it came to an end, Japan gave her a pearl choker necklace as an apology gift and something to remember him by. It was because of this that Philippines learned to open up to Japan and forgive him.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">During the early post-war years, there was still some tension in between the two countries, but they soon learned to get along quickly.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">In the present, Japan and Philippines are good friends and sometimes see each other as siblings (due to the ASEAN), both helping one another in times of need. Japan's anime and manga took Philippines by storm, causing the Philippines to be quite the otaku. Because of him,  karaoke<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;"> became a favorite past time of hers and she is interested in the many new gadgets Japan has to offer. Even though they seem to be opposites (with Japan being the silent type and Philippines being the energetic one) the two get along well.

ENGLAND

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">There was a time during the Spanish rule when England attempted to colonize the Philippines, because of his rivalry with the Spaniard. She was in her mid-teenage years at the time and was taken by surprise by the new colonizer. Unfortunately for him, England was only able to take over her capital (Manila) and a few other provinces.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">So, England stayed with her for a short period of time (around two years), and resistance occurred. Since he did not seem as intimidating as he usually was, Philippines took the time to get to know him and vice versa. The two got a long fine, with England trying to teach her some English. Even some of his stories of fairies and magical creatures came to her, causing her to become superstitious.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">It was during this short period of time that England (just like other countries in the future) grew to get quite attracted to her, with Philippines feeling the same way towards him. His occupation of her capital did not last long and the two parted ways by the end of the Seven Year's War.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">He gave her a charm bracelet made of shells, after learning about her love for the ocean. He considered it to be his parting gift and as well as a remembrance.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">In the present, the two of them are good friends. They seem to have gotten over their attraction to one another but their true feelings are still unknown. Though he often questions her  hyperness<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;"> at times (to the point of comparing her to America), England could not help but admire her kindness and compassion, not to mention her well-known hospitality.

CHINA

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">Before Spain knew about the Philippines, China was the first one to take her under his wing. He found her alone as a little child, wearing native clothes that seemed of Malayan origin. He took good care of her during her early childhood days, being an older brother to the little nation, with the latter originally seeing him as one. They loved trading with one another and despite him constantly visiting her, China did not colonize the Philippines.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">Soon after Spain's sudden rule over the young Philippines, China attempted to take her back, but failed. He still visited her, even though he was looked down upon by Spain, and continued his trade with the colony.

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">In the present, Philippines still sees China as her big brother. The two countries are still good trading partners.

AUSTRALIA

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">Australia is a good friend of the Philippines', being a large military defense training provider second only to America. They helped each other during the Second World War, and are both strongly against terrorism. The two nations enjoy visiting one another a lot and share an interest with beaches and the ocean.

SOUTH KOREA

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">South Korea is a close friend of Philippines' whom she sometimes considers as a brother. They are close and they get along well, especially during the Korean War when Philippines promised that she'd help him out. He visits her often usually just to talk about the one thing they are in common with: loving TV drama.

MALAYSIA AND INDONESIA

<span style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;line-height:19.5px;">Malaysia and Indonesia are considered to be Philippines' older sisters among the ASEAN nations. The 3 are very close, especially since the end of the Cold War. There would be times when they would argue, but these would be quickly resolved. They're called The Good Touch Trio or MaPhilIndo Trio. The Royals Of The East, They hate being insulted because of their culture and can punch you like a real boxer.



Indonesia - The Oldest Sister

Malaysia - The Second Oldest

Philippines - The Youngest of The 3