The Land and Its People
The Philippines is an archipelago located east of Vietnam between the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea. The more than 7,000 islands of the Philippines are grouped into three regions: Luzon to the north, the Visayas in the center, and Mindanao to the south. Most of the islands are mountainous with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands. The natural beauty of the Philippines is breathtaking, with lush forests, terraced rice paddies, rivers, waterfalls, and beautiful beaches washed by warm, clear water.
The population of the Philippines is approximately 98 million, of which about 65 percent live in urban areas. The capital, Manila, is a one of the world’s megacities with almost 20 million people. The official languages are Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English, but there are also eight major dialects—Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan. Eighty percent of Filipinos are Roman Catholic, but there is also a significant presence of evangelicals and other religions. Filipinos tend to be friendly, outgoing, and hospitable.
Bible Translation Needs
There are over 160 languages or dialects that are spoken in the various Philippine islands. Nearly 60 translation projects are underway right now, and another 20 urgently need to be started. Wycliffe Associates is committed to supporting this important work. A recent crisis demonstrates how your gifts to Wycliffe Associates can make a difference.
On September 26, 2009, Manila experienced one of the most severe rains in 40 years. Typhoon Ketsana dropped 13.5 inches of rain in six hours. The flooding that followed displaced over 189,000 people and resulted in a death toll of 420. But that was just the beginning—Typhoon Parma landed in the northern part of Luzon on October 3, destroying 55,000 homes and killing 438 people.
A number of translators sustained significant property damage during these typhoons. Wycliffe Associates quickly responded by raising emergency funds immediately following the first typhoon. Thank you for making it possible for us to assist these faithful workers who are impacting Bible translation not only in the Philippines, but throughout East and Southeast Asia.
See more details about volunteering in the Philippines
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