Phillippines Missions
Missionaries Serving:
Nonilo and Feliciana Sanchez
Capital
Manila (1,894,700, 1991 est.)
System of Government
Unitary Republic
Area
299,679 Sq Km (115,707 Sq Mi) (slightly larger than Arizona)
Estimated 2000 Population
74,448,900
Geography
The Philippines is a cluster of more than 7,100 islands and islets located along the southeast rim of Asia. The country’s major islands include Luzon, Mindanao, Samar, Palawan, Mindoro, Panay, Negros, Cebu, Leyte, Masbate and Bohol. Except for the two large islands of Luzon and Mindanao, the islands are crests of submerged mountain ranges that contain over 47 volcanoes, 12 of which are still active.
Climate
The Philippines has a tropical climate with a dry season from April to June and a rainy season from June to October. The hottest months are April and May. The Philippines lies within the world’s most severe cyclone belt and is affected by about 15 cyclones per year. Average temperature ranges are from 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 93 degrees Fahrenheit all year.
People
The Philippines has over 50 ethnic groups. The majority of Filipinos are of Malay descent and account for about 95% of the population. The remaining minorities are Chinese and Americans.
Vital Statistics
Life Expectancy at Birth: 62.8 years male, 66.4 years female (1990). Infant Mortality Rate: 40.0 per 1,000 live births (1993). HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate: 0.07% (1999 est.).
Religions
The Philippines are mostly Christian with about 84% of the population Roman Catholic and 6% Protestant. The principal religious minorities are 5% Muslims and less than 1% Buddhists. The nation has religious freedom, and is Asia’s only country with a Catholic majority. With the election of a Protestant president, the Roman Catholic church faces the possible end of its privileged position.
Languages
The official languages are Filipino and English. English is the language of the government, commerce and media, but 55% of the population speak Filipino. Some 87 languages and dialects are also spoken.
History
The Philippines were ceded by Spain to the U.S. in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. After being occupied by the Japanese during World War II, the Republic of the Philippines was established in 1946 with Manuel Roxas as its first President. Ferdinand Marcos was elected President in 1965, and again in 1969. In 1972 he imposed martial law and ruled as a dictator until 1981, when he was re-elected. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand Marcos ended when a widespread popular rebellion over the assassination of opposition leader Benigno Aquino in 1983 forced him to flee the country. In 1986 Aquino’s widow, Corazon Aquino, became president and reestablished democracy under a new constitution. She survived seven military attempts to seize power in six years. In 1992 Fidel Ramos, former defense minister under Aquino, was elected president, and the U.S. closed down its last military bases on the islands. In January 2001, the Supreme Court declared Joseph Estrada unable to rule due to mass resignations from his government, and inaugurated Vice President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo as his successor.
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