Philippines - (Asia)
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Information about Philippines

The Philippines are a group of over 7,100 islands, of which 800 are inhabited. The two main islands are Luzon in the North (105,000 km²) and the capital, Manila, and Mindanao in the South (95,000 km²). The original indigenous population, the Negritos and the old Malay groups (Igorot, Kalinga, Bontok), are now a minority of 10% to 20%. The majority Malay population consists of over 80 groups with an equal number of different languages. Tagalog/Filipino is being promoted as the national language; about 65% of the population have some knowledge of English. The islands were reached by Magellan in 1521 and conquered by the Spaniards in 1565 and 1571. In the course of the centuries there have been many revolts against the colonial regime. The Spanish domination ended with the war between Spain and the USA in 1898, but the Philippines were eventually annexed by the USA. The country gained independence after World War II (1946). American economic influence and military presence, however, continued. Several governments succeeded one another — the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos (1966- 1986), Corazon Aquino (1986-1992), and today Fidel Ramos. Filipino democracy remains fragile. The population is rapidly increasing.
Christianity came to the Philippines in the 16th century. In contrast to other countries in Asia the Philippines have a vast RCath majority. The liberation from Spain was accompanied by a strong anti-RCath movement which led at the end of the 19th century to the foundation of the Filipino Independent Church. The Prot presence began with the Spanish-American War in 1898. Many American missions arrived in the Philippines —Presb and Meth (1899), Bapt and CMA (1900), Episcopal, United Brethren, and Disciples (1901), Congreg (1902), and Advent (1906). Prot missions found a response especially among intellectuals and in the middle class. Since the 1970s Korean Presb have started missionary activities in the Philippines. They have led to the foundation of the Presbyterian Church of the Philippines (no. 5); Koreans have also set up a number of smaller communities.

Alliances

• National Council of Churches in the Philippines
  NCCP

Churches

• Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines
  
• Christian Reformed Church in the Philippines
  CRCP
• Iglesia Evangelica Unida de Cristo
  United Evangelical Church of Christ
• Presbyterian Church of the Philippines (Korean)
  PCP
• United Church of Christ in the Philippines
  

• Alliance Biblical Seminary
  
• College of Theology-Central Philippine University, Jaro
  
• Davao Apo Alliance Bible College
  
• Ebenezer Bible College and Seminary
  
• Lommasson Alliance Bible Institute
  
• Mickelson Alliance Bible Institute
  
• Mount Apo Alliance Bible College
  
• Northern Christian College-College of Theology
  
• Presbyterian Theological Seminary
  
• Shekina Alliance Bible College
  
• Silliman University Divinity School
  
• Southern Christian College
  College of Theology
• Union Theological Seminary
  
• Union Theological Seminary
  UTS
• Visayas Alliance School of Theology
  

Libraries

• Alliance Biblical Seminary Library