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Philippines
Geography115,830 sq miles (300,000 sq km) in Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam The Philippines has a tropical marine climate with the northeast monsoon season from November to April and the southwest monsoon season from May to October. Population84,525,639 (July 2002 est.) Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3% LanguagesTwo official languages Eight major dialects: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense CapitalManila Political StatusThe Philippines were ceded by Spain to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. They attained their independence in 1946 after Japanese occupation in World War II. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986 when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into exile. The Philippines has had two electoral presidential transitions since Marcos' removal by "people power." In January 2001, the Supreme Court declared Joseph ESTRADA unable to rule in view of mass resignations from his government and administered the oath of office to Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO as his constitutional successor. The government continues to struggle with ongoing Muslim insurgencies in the south. ReligionRoman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 4%, Buddhist and other 4% Ministry HistoryGlobal Teams is exploring a relationship with the Prime Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the Philippines with a view towards working towards partnership in church planting and in raising up future missionaries from the Philippines. In addition, a couple with long and varied experience as missionaries in the Philippines has joined Global Teams and hopes to further their work of working to train Bible translators from the Philippines to work in the region of Asia. Field GoalsOur long term goal and prayer is the vision of seeding a mission sending effort in the Philippines that results in many Filipinos joining with us on multicultural teams and working among the unreached in Asia and elsewhere. |
Within Philippines
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