Philippines Religions Of The Philippines

Philippines Travel Itinerary

Religions Of The Philippines

The Philippines is the only predominantly Catholic nation in Asia. Ninety-five percent of the population are Catholic, with the rest either Protestant or animist. Indigenous tribes have beliefs that combine elements from a number of religions with the worship of their own gods such as the Bulul, or rice god.

In recent years, a number of charismatic sub-religions have been born, the largest of which is El Shaddai , headed by lay preacher Mike Velarde, a real estate developer who found God when his business failed. Velarde is known to his followers as Brother Mike and has captured the imagination of the country's poor Catholics, many of whom feel isolated from the mainstream church, apart from at life's three critical moments: baptism, marriage and death. To make the polarization worse, priests preach in English, a language most barrio folk only have a rudimentary knowledge of. Velarde has bridged this gap by preaching in colloquial and heavily-accented Tagalog at huge open-air gatherings every weekend near the Manila Hotel, Manila Bay. He wears screamingly loud made-to-measure suits and outrageous bow ties, but his message is straightforward: give to the Lord and He will return it to you tenfold. He now has eight million followers, most of whom suffer from sakit sa bulsa, or "ailment of the pocket", but are nevertheless happy to pay ten percent of their income to

become card-carrying members of Brother Mike's flock. Brother Mike's relationship with the mainstream Catholic Church, headed by Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, is uneasy. His relationship with politicians is not. With eight million followers hanging on his every word, Brother Mike is a potent political ally and few candidates for high office are willing to upset him. In the last election, Brother Mike backed Joseph Estrada, a significant factor in the former movie actor's ultimate success.

Your Tips For Philippines

philippines festivals

justin says "different philippines festivals in regions I, II, and III"

The Philippines

bob says "A great country"

try our country

wolf says "hope you visit our country. try out our white sand beaches in boracay and in the other visayan islands. or go to palawan - the last frontier, for diving and exploration. visit baguio, banaue and vigan in the north of luzon. i wouldnt recommend the island of mindanao, though.

just like visiting any other asian country, just use your common sense and dont trust strangers so easily, and you will be safe.

"

be yourself...

mac says "first of all in visiting the Philippine Islands, you must be YOURSELF...dont pretend that you understand us Filipinos...ask us if you want to know why we do this and why we do that...it really helps when you ask...visit us right now...God bless!mail me...mcreynanyting@yahoo.com...kip in touch!"

Boracay Resorts

Calanthra says "Boracay Resorts affortable accomodation offers...best rates guranteed upto 80% ask us
or visit boracayoffers.com E-mail to boracay @ boracayoffers.com"

panagbenga 2006

noemi says " come and visit baguio citythe summer capital of the
philippines.
come feel the cold wind embrace you as everyone
witness the different kind of float and street dancings
ande many more.............."