[Amore]

Ok, I'll give you a chance to use your knowledge. WHY is 17 hours the most any place can be ahead of D.C.? And how much is the Phillipines ahead? When my brother was there, I seem to recall it being about 17 hours ahead.

[fnord]

Right now the PI are 13 hours ahead of the east coast U.S.

The reason for the 17 hour limit is that the east coast is 17 hours from the international dateline. Think of it as 17 meridians, or 17 time zones. If you head east and go to the 18th time zone or meridian, you have to cross the line backwards and lose a day. Therefore the 18th time zone is behind EST.