Religion

The Philippines is approximately 85 % Roman Catholic, 10 % Muslim, and 5 % 'other' religions.

“I claim this land for Spain.”  These are the famous words uttered by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.  While looking for a western route to the East Indies, his party stumbled upon the Philippines in search of the source of the spice trade. Representing both the Spanish Crown and the Roman Catholic faith, they landed on the island of Cebu in the central Philippines, marking the first attempt by Spain to convert Filipinos to Roman Catholicism. The catholic rulers introduced towns, cities, government and education, and in less than a century the nation was successfully colonized with little bloodshed and 90% of the natives were baptized Catholics.