The Philippines, insight into:

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“Twenty dead in the southern Philippines”. “Explosion kills on market in the Philippines”. “Hand-grenade explodes in southern Philippines”. These and other headlines in the press and on TV news have been frequent in recent years. Although not every day, unrest and terror attacks regularly hit this predominantly Catholic country. Attacks are frequent - mainly on the southern island of Mindanao and the smaller south-western islands.

Spiritist healer called for the Philippines

Islam reached the Philippines in the 14th century and spread quickly through Muslim traders and “missionaries”. Even the capital Manila was under Muslim domination until the Spanish colonised the islands in the 16th century. Since then, most of the population has become Catholic, whereas the Muslims form a strong minority mostly on the southern islands. Two centuries after the Spanish colonisation, the government encouraged many Catholic families to move to the south by promising them land in that region. This marked the beginning of enduring conflicts that still continue today through attacks and terrorist acts.

Thirteen Muslim people groups (approximately 6 million people) are native to the southern Philippines. All have their own language, their own tribal areas and their own traditional social structures. Each of these groups is unreached. All groups practise a form of orthodox Islam mixed with pre-Islamic beliefs concerning spirits.

Seven children lived under the care of their Muslim parents Lano and Oli, when a mass epidemic hit their village. As they had done so many times before, they asked Allah to spare their children. As they had done so many times before, they prayed after the traditional Friday prayers in the mosque that the sickness would not end in death. On top of that, a small sacrificial house was suspended in the sick room and the local “spiritist healer” was called to sacrifice to the spirits and conjure away the invisible powers of sickness. Despite all these efforts, four of the seven children died. A terrible hopelessness and desolation came upon this family.

Ambassadors of Christ to the Philippines

Approximately 6 million Muslims live and believe this way. Some of them are closer to the teachings of Islam, others put their trust more in the spiritualist healers. Others mix both beliefs. Even though some have become Christians from a Muslim background, there are not sufficient numbers of Christians in any of these 13 Muslim people groups to reach their own people group with the Good News. In some areas, God has called small churches and Bible study groups into being, but they are too few and it is difficult for them to witness. Nevertheless, some of these former Muslims have become ambassadors of Christ to their own peoples. There is a growing readiness to preach the gospel to their own Muslim countrymen.

Prayer guide for the Philippines:

* Pray for the scattered believers from Islamic background to be strengthened in their faith. Pray that their Bible study groups become indigenous churches.

* Pray for more Filipino Christians to desire to share their faith in Jesus with their Muslim countrymen.

* Pray for the evangelistic outreaches which are often linked with practical works demonstrating the love of Jesus.

* Pray for those who are currently hearing the gospel through Bible study, witness, literature or the Jesus film to turn to Jesus.

Background on the Philippines (World Factbook)

The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected President and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition.

In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during WWII, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Philippines attained their independence.

The 20-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts, which prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992 and his administration was marked by greater stability and progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands.

Economy of the Philippines

Average GDP growth accelerated to about 5% between 2002 and 2006 reflecting the continued resilience of the service sector, and improved exports and agricultural output. Large unprofitable public enterprises, especially in the energy sector, contribute to the government’s debt because of slow progress on privatization. The implementation of the expanded Value Added Tax (VAT) in November 2005 boosted confidence in the government’s fiscal capacity and helped to strengthen the peso, making it East Asia’s best performing currency in 2005-06.

Statistics on the Philippines

Population: 92,681,453 (July 2008 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth: 70.8 years

Ethnic groups: Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3%

Religions: Roman Catholic 80.9%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, Muslim 5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1%

Languages: two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan

Literacy: 92.6%