Facts About the Philippines

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. 

Boats float on a lake with buildings and mountains in the background.

5 Facts About the Philippines

Here are some fun and interesting Philippines facts: 

Map of the Philippines

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. 

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 child sponsorship.

104,976

children served (and counting).

455

churches serving.

51

years serving.

Kids Love New Wash Facilities

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. 

A young girl holds a Bible while smiling for the camera.

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. 

Fight Child Poverty: Give Right-Now Care & Eternal Hope

Nutritious food. Medical care. Protection from harm. Hope. These are just some of the critical, right-now needs of children living in poverty. Help us fight child poverty by meeting these needs and sharing the lasting hope of the gospel. 

Sponsor a Child

By sponsoring a child, you empower a local church to share the gospel by meeting the needs of a child’s body, mind and spirit. Through sponsorship, you’ll help deliver medical care, hygiene training, education, malnutrition monitoring and so much more to a child in need. 

Pray

Jeremiah 33:3 says that if we call on God, he will answer us. When we lift up children living in poverty, 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.