RELIGION
The Philippines is the only Christian country in Asia . The dominant religion is Roman Catholicism, practiced by more than 83% of the population. Christianity was introduced by the Spaniards during the visit of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. The first converts to Christianity were the Cebuanos. After Mass on April 14, 1521, Cebu 's reigning chieftain, Humabon, and his wife and hundred of his followers were baptized as Catholics. The systematic conversion of the Filipinos, however, was  Legazpi on the expedition of 1565, and their successors. The ‘conversion of the heathen peoples to Christianity' was one
of the principal aims of Spanish colonization. The friars not
only brought the faith to the natives but European as well.
After the Philippines became an American colony in 1898, Protestant missionaries—Methodists, Lutherans and Baptists—also came to spread the Gospel. Protestants
now account for about 9% of the population. Among the
Filipino Protestant sects that sprang up in the early 20 th century is the Philippine Independent Church or Aglipay,
closely affiliated with the Anglicans and Episcopalians.
They have a following of around 4% of the population while Iglesia Ni Cristo ( Church of Christ ) has about 2%. The
spread of ecumenism has done much to unite Catholics
and Protestants. One notable feature is the charismatic movement, with its emphasis on Christian values and the
Divine Word. The Bishop's Congress held in early 1991 continued the work of Vatican II and the Ecumenical
Council for the first time involved the participation of Filipino
laity. Three laymen took part in the bishops' synod which reviewed the role of the Church in the Philippines and instituted reforms.
Muslims account for about 5% of the population. Muslims visited Sulu at the end of the 13 th —and beginning of the 14 th century and made converts. The spread of Islam continued northwards and had the Spaniards not arrived on the scene, the Philippines might have fallen under Islamic influence. Manila , Tondo and parts of Pampanga were already Muslim kingdoms in the 16 th century.
The early pagan inhabitants of the Philippines escaped being converted to Christianity or Islam because they fled to the mountains. Hence, the descendants of the Negritos and the cultural minorities and highland tribes still retain their animistic beliefs. There are small numbers of Buddhists, Taoists and adherents of other religions.
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