The document traces the evolution of names given to the Philippines over time by various groups. It notes names from Chinese traders like "Ma-I" meaning gold, names from early European explorers like Ferdinand Magellan who named the islands "Las islas de San Lázaro" and "Las islas de Poniente", and the name "Las islas Filipinas" given by Ruy López de Villalobos in honor of King Philip II of Spain. The document also lists other historical names for the Philippines in Chinese, Spanish and other languages as well as proposed alternative names for the country.

1. By: Russel T. Panganiban

2. Evolution of Philippine names
Ma-I or Ma-yi
Name given by Chinese trader that
means “Gold”.

3. Minolas
Name given by Claudius Ptolemy.

4. Mintolang, Malilu, Sulu and
Pishoye
Name given by Wang Ta-yuan to
Mindanao, Luzon and Visayas.

5. Las islas de San Lázaro
 Named by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 when
he reached the islands of Homonhon in the
island of Samar (now present-day Eastern
Samar) on the feast day of Saint Lazarus of
Bethany.

6. Las islas de Poniente
 Another name from Ferdinand Magellan in
1521 when he learned that the Las islas de
San Lázaro also
included Cebu and Leyte islands.

7. Ilhas do oriente
 Name given by Portugal when they
approached the island of the east of
portugal in late 1540’s.

8. Las islas Filipinas
 Named by Ruy López de Villalobos in 1543
to Samar and Leyte.
 In honor of King Philip II of Spain.

9. Pearl of the Orient/Pearl of the
Orient Seas
 Name used by Rizal to describe the
Philippines.

10. Other notable name for the
Philippines
Official Name
 :Republic of the Philippines
 Ophir- Oldname - Land that supplies King Solomon
with Golds
Chinese name
 Chin-san - Mountain of Golds
 Liu sum - Land adjacent to the mainland (China)
 San Tao - Three Island

11. Spanish
 La Agunda dela Buenas Senales - watering place of the
good omen
 Archipelago de Magajaes - Archipelago of Magellan
 Archipelago de Celebes
Other name
 Island of mortars

12. Proposed name
 Haring Bayang Katagalugan
 Kapatiran
 Luzviminda
 Mahárlika
 Rizalia
 República Rizalina

13. The End