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# LESSON 1: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ## A Historical Background The Republic of the Philippines comprises 7,107 islands located at the western edge of the Pacific Ocean, east of Vietnam, south of Taiwan, and north of Sabah in Malaysia. There are approximately sixty million multi-ethnic and multiling...

# LESSON 1: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ## A Historical Background The Republic of the Philippines comprises 7,107 islands located at the western edge of the Pacific Ocean, east of Vietnam, south of Taiwan, and north of Sabah in Malaysia. There are approximately sixty million multi-ethnic and multilingual Filipinos, primarily Malayo-Polynesian, though a significant number are also of Chinese, Indian, and Spanish descent. For tourist promotion, the Philippines is referred to as the "third largest English-speaking country" globally. English is understood and spoken by Filipinos who attended American-oriented schools, but a heavy accent is often present, such as in "Tenkyu beri mats." The 1987 Philippine Constitution declared English as an official language, yet the Filipino language is predominantly used in everyday conversations. Language scholars debate the distinction between "Pilipino" and "Filipino" with advocates of the national language often clashing with those favouring English. The University of California-trained Filipino English language teachers passionately support the colonial language. The Filipino masses, however, primarily utilize Filipino. The dominant homegrown religion is the Iglesia ni Kristo. Historian Agoncillo (1974) notes that while many Filipinos identify as Catholics, the majority are merely superficially Catholic and loyal to the Iglesia. True Catholics attend church on Sundays and holidays but not because of deep religious faith, but rather social customs. While statistics suggest 83% of the population are Catholic, the historian argues that truly devout Catholics constitute less than 0.5% of the total population. Christianized animists are a majority in Luzon and Visayas, with the Catholic Church playing a significant role in the Philippine economy and political landscape. Friar lands were gradually passed to secular hands. Religious orders still face difficulties in complying with the vow of poverty. The struggle for financial control of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest Catholic university in the Philippines, continues amidst struggles for Filipino self-determination. The historical assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr. in 1983 deeply impacted Filipino consciousness and national unity, leading to the desire for reconciliation and justice coupled with the fall of a dictator. Islam is the dominant religion in Southern Philippines, similar to its prevalence in neighboring Malaysia and Indonesia. The Mindanao calendar features Hari Raya Puasa alongside more familiar Christian holidays. Filipino cultural psychology is influenced by Islamized animism and Christianized Bathala. Indigenous religions and reverence for nature remain deeply rooted in daily life.