Philippine units of measurement

A number of units of measurement were used in the Philippines to measure various quantities including mass, area, and capacity. The metric system has been compulsory in the country since 1860, during the late Spanish colonial period.[1] A mixture of Spanish units and indigenous units were used.

Mass

A number of units were used to measure mass. One catty was equal to about 600 grams. Some other units are given below:[1]

  • 1 punto = 1/3 catty
  • 1 chinanta = 12 catty
  • 1 lachsa = 48 catty
  • 1 caban = 97 catty
  • 1 pecul = 100 catty
  • 1 jeydon = 1,000 catty

A caban of rice was equal to 60.33 kg, while a caban of cocoa was equal to 37.87 kg.[2]

Currently, a caban of any time of rice is 50 kg. [3]

Area

One belita was equal to 2795 m2.[4] Some other units are given below:[1]

  • 1 loan = 0.1 balita
  • 1 quignon = 10 balita
  • 1 stub = 100 balita

Capacity

Several units were used to measure capacity. Some are given below:[1]

  • 1 kaban = 25 ganta
  • 1 ganta = 8 chupa
  • 1 chupa = 3.75 mL
  • 1 apatan = 1/4 chupa

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Washburn, E.W. (1926). International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology. 1. New York: McGraw-Hil Book Company, Inc. p. 10. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  2. ↑ Clarke, F.W. (1891). Weights Measures and Money of All Nations. New York: D. Appleton & Company. p. 59.
  3. ↑ Cavan, sizes.com, citing Statistical Office of the United Nations. World Weights and Measures. Handbook for Statisticians. Statistical Papers. Series M no. 21 Revision 1. (ST/STAT/SER.M/21/rev.1) New York: United Nations, 1966.
  4. ↑ Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. pp. 151, 153. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.
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