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.
5 Facts About the Philippines
Here are some fun and interesting Philippines facts:
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.
Data as of: September 16, 2026
99,724
children served (and counting)
473
church partners
54
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 help Compassion fight back against child poverty in the Philippines in three key ways: