Philippines
Capital City:
Manila
Population:
117.3 million
Ethnic Groups:
Tagalog 26%, Bisaya/Binisaya 14.3%, Ilocano 8%, Cebuano 8%, Illonggo 7.9%, Bikol/Bicol 6.5%, Waray 3.8%, Kapampangan 3%, Maguindanao 1.9%, Pangasinan 1.9%, other local ethnicities 18.5%, foreign ethnicities 0.2% (2020 est.)
Languages:
Tagalog 39.9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 16%, Hiligaynon/Ilonggo 7.3%, Ilocano 7.1%, Cebuano 6.5%, Bikol/Bicol 3.9%, Waray 2.6%, Kapampangan 2.4%, Maguindanao 1.4%, Pangasinan/Panggalato 1.3%, other languages/dialects 11.2%, unspecified 0.4% (2020 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic 78.8%, Muslim 6.4%, Iglesia ni Cristo 2.6%, other Christian 3.9%, other 8.2%, none/unspecified <0.1 (2020 est.)
All data has been sourced from the Population Reference Bureau and the CIA World Fact Book
The CRC International
Pr Allan Manzanilla, our previous National Leader of the CRC in the Philippines, first met Pr Barry Silverback at a conference in Legazpi, in the Bicol region of Luzon, at a time when he had been seeking God to know more about World Missions. Pr Barry invited him to Papua New Guinea and in 1991 Pr Allan attended Bethel Bible College. On his return to Legazpi he commenced the Philippines School of Ministry, with Papua New Guinea missionary Jennifer Egimbari as the first Principal. Englishman Gary Maher with his Filipino wife Nora, both graduates of Bethel Bible College, pioneered our work at Malis on the island of Palawan in early 1995. This was 'last frontier' of the Philippines.
In January 2000 the Philippines School of Ministry moved to Danao on the island of Cebu with Pr Peter Hauje from Papua New Guinea and his wife Nelia from the Philippines as Principals. Pr Liza Ignacio from the Philippines graduated from Bethel Bible College in 1996 and traveled to Palawan in 1997 to become the first principal of our Palawan Ministry Training Center located at Ababo. Over the years we have had a number of CRC missionaries serve in various parts of the Philippines and many Filipinos have trained at Bethel Christian Centre in Papua New Guinea.
In addition to the training programs already mentioned, through regular Leadership Schools and Conferences our national workers have been strengthened to lead over 50 CRC churches scattered across all the regions of the Philippines.
The CRC in the Philippines has a thriving children’s ministry. This commenced with Joytime Clubs and feeding programs. Thousands of children have been ministered to throughout the Philippines by our feeding programs. The School Assistance Program has been running for a number of years. The School Assistance Program provides the basic needs for children to attend school. This includes basic school fees, school supplies and a uniform. This Program consists of assistance only rather than a full sponsorship program. Through this Program many homes have been opened for Bible studies.
Credentialled Minister:
Ps Peter Hauje
Field Supporter:
Ps Mike Cronin