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. A mixture of Spanish units and indigenous units were used alongside American units in 1900s.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 punto = 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.
Currently, a caban of any time of rice is 50 kg.Area
One belita was equal to 2795 m2. Some other units are given below:
- 1 loan = 0.1 balita
- 1 quignon = 10 balita
- 1 stub = 100 balita
Volume
Several units were used to measure volume. Some are given below:
- 1 kaban = 25 ganta
- 1 ganta = 8 chupa
- 1 chupa = 3.75 mL
- 1 apatan = chupa
