Philippines Facts

Kamusta! That’s “hello” in Filipino, one of the most common languages spoken in the Philippines. With 7,000 beautiful tropical islands, this country is called paradise by those who visit. Take a trip around the world from right where you are by discovering more Philippines facts here.

five Facts About the Philippines

Here are five fun facts about the Philippines:

  1. The Philippines is an archipelago, or a group of islands scattered in a body of water. In fact, it’s the second-largest archipelago in the world.
  2. The country is home to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a stunning park featuring bright turquoise water and impressive caves.
  3. The Philippines features a wide range of marine wildlife, from fish to coral. Over 500 species of coral can be found there.
  4. The Philippines is the world’s second-largest producer of delicious coconuts.
  5. The country features unique cuisine, including balut, which is a fertilized duck egg that’s steamed or boiled.

Where is the Philippines?

The Philippines is in Southeast Asia, within the Pacific Ocean. The country shares maritime borders with China, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia and Palau.

Key Challenges in the Philippines & Our Response

While the Philippines is a beautiful country with incredible beaches and wildlife, it’s also home to many impoverished families. And children living in impoverished communities face the devastating challenges of poverty.

Abuse & Violence Put Children at Risk

Many children in the Philippines face abuse, violence and exploitation. For example, recent data shows that 10.9% of girls aged 15-19 suffer physical or sexual violence. And unfortunately, poverty can increase the risk of abuse and violence.

Our Response: Ensuring Children Are Known, Loved & Protected

At Compassion, child protection is our top priority. That’s why volunteers and staff at every Compassion center receive training on how to identify signs of abuse and intervene quickly when necessary.

Each child is surrounded by a loving community that looks out for them and encourages them to use their voice to stand up for their rights and the rights of others.

Children Aged 0-5 Are the Most Vulnerable

Poverty affects every aspect of a child’s life. It makes finding nutritious food a daily challenge. It makes accessing something as simple as a medical checkup impossible.

Unfortunately, children aged 0-5 are the most vulnerable. Children grow rapidly during this time, and they need nutrition, medical care and education for a healthy start. Otherwise, they can suffer challenges that will last the rest of their lives.

Our Response: Giving Children a Strong Start

Throughout Asia, our local church partners have adopted our Survival program, ensuring children receive the critical early childhood care they need to thrive.

Through this program, babies and their moms receive medical care, nutrition support and more throughout the first year of life, the most critical time. After that, children are registered to be sponsored by someone like you, so they continue receiving love and support.

A girl smiles and waves while standing on a dirt path

A girl smiles and waves while standing on a dirt path.

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A mother holds her baby

A mother holds her baby.

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Kids sitting outside in chairs

After a flood in the Philippines, children sit and wait to receive relief goods.

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Children smile, laugh and play together in a classroom at their child development center

Children smile, laugh and play together in a classroom at their child development center.

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A boy walks near a cemetery

A boy walks down the street surrounded by cemetery walls.

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A group of children sing and worship together

A group of children sing and worship together.

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A girl sits on a rooftop reading

A teenage girl sits on the roof while reading a book.

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A group of girls play jump rope at their child development center

A group of girls play jump rope at their child development center.

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Students walk towards a church

Teenagers walk down the road outside their child development center.

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Children all laughing a playing a game

A group of children play a traditional game together in their community.

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Our Impact in the Philippines

Compassion has proudly supported children and families throughout the Philippines for over five decades. During that time, we’ve watched as thousands of children have been released from poverty in Jesus’ name through our child sponsorship program and other initiatives.

104,976

children served (and counting).

455

churches serving.

51

years serving.

Something as Simple as a Bathroom Can Change a Life

Have you ever had to brave a dark, damp, smelly and disease-ridden bathroom just to wash your hands? That was the reality for children in a community within Dapitan, Philippines, until the local church stepped in.

From Abandoned to Adopted in the Philippines

Jojin was abandoned by her mother as a baby. However, she was adopted by a loving mother who raised Jojin as her own. Now, through the help of the local church, Jojin is working to become a teacher so she can help other children in her community.

How You Can Help Vulnerable Children in the Philippines

You can join Compassion’s fight against child poverty in the Philippines in three key ways:

  • Pray: Jeremiah 33:3 tells us that if we call on God, he will answer us. When we lift children living in poverty up in prayer, God hears us, and we can trust he's working on their behalf. Join us in praying daily for children living in poverty by becoming a prayer partner.
  • Donate: Children living in poverty face many challenges, from a lack of medical care to dangerous living conditions. You can provide immediate support by donating to fulfill a right-now need.
  • Sponsor a Child: By sponsoring a child, you empower a local church to meet the critical needs of a child's body, mind and spirit as they journey out of poverty. Through sponsorship, you'll help deliver medical care, hygiene training, education, malnutrition monitoring and so much more to a child in need. But most importantly, you'll help introduce them to the hope of the gospel, which changes everything.