Philippine Historical Background and Religion

Philippine Historical Background

• Philippines comprises 7,107 islands, located west of the Pacific Ocean, east of Vietnam, south of Taiwan, and north of Sabah.
• Approximately 60 million Filipinos are primarily Malayo-Polynesian, but many also have Chinese, Indian, or Spanish ancestry.
• English is widely understood and spoken due to historical American influence. However, a significant accent in English is present.
• The 1987 Philippine Constitution declared English an official language, but Filipino is the common language.
• The language used depends on the social class with the wealthy elite favoring English while the general population prefers Filipino.
• Filipino and Filipino academics debate the distinction between the two languages.
• The Philippine masses predominantly use Filipino, not English.

Philippine Religion

• Iglesia ni Kristo is the dominant indigenous faith, with strong community ties
• Catholics are more superficially religious, with religious practice influenced by social norms rather than spiritual conviction.
• Although 83% claim to be Catholic, only a small fraction truly adhere to faith practices.
• Animism is prevalent in Luzon and Visayas, a mix of Christian and indigenous traditions.
• Islam is dominant in the Southern islands, with celebrations like Hari Raya Puasa.
• Filipino religious beliefs often intertwine indigenous traditions, animism, and Christianity.

Explore the rich history and diverse religious landscape of the Philippines in this quiz. From the archipelago's geographical significance to the influences of language and culture, discover how history has shaped the current socio-religious dynamics. Test your knowledge about the predominant faiths and the role of language in Filipino society.