The Philippines

Main languages spoken: Tagalog, Bisaya, Filipino

USPG & the Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelago in Southeast Asia consisting of over 7,600 islands and a population of around 113 million people. Of this number, the Lumad form part of the estimated 10 to 20 million Indigenous people living in the Philippines. Its diverse geography includes mountains, rainforests, and coastal areas, with a tropical climate and rich biodiversity.

USPG has cherished relationships with the Episcopal Church in the Philippines and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente. Our partnership focusses mostly on theological education, including retreat days and workshops for ordinands from St Andrews Theological Seminary in Manila and the Asia Theological Accompaniment Programme. The Philippines is also represented on the Council of the Church of East Asia, as well as on USPG’s Asia Theological Accompaniment Programme which brings together leaders from Asian theological institutions to address challenges like economic recovery, contextual theology, and external political pressures. This initiative promotes collaboration, inclusive leadership, and resilience in theological education across Asia.

Our foundation is our faith. In places where there is dehumanisation, the Church must be present, bringing peace and restoration.

The Rt Revd Dindo D. Ranojo, Bishop of the Diocese of Tarlac

Abundant Life

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) has long been a steadfast advocate for the protection of Indigenous communities. With escalating human rights violations against Indigenous communities exacerbated by illegal mining, logging and government pressure, the IFI stands as a steadfast advocate for protection and solidarity of people and their ancestral lands.

Abundant Life is a programme that operates in three areas: Manila, the Caraga Region of Mindanao and the Western Mindanao Region. It works alongside Indigenous communities to offer education and advocacy: teaching people about their rights whilst lobbying the authorities on their behalf whenever those rights are threatened. Within the church, Abundant Life mobilises Christians to stand in solidarity with indigenous people and fight for a more just society.

In 2019, Abundant Life was given a permanent home when the Diocese of Pagadian in West Mindanao Area offered a church in Saad Parish to be the programme’s base, as well as a space for the Lumad people to shelter in times of need.

Asia Theological Accompaniment Programme

Theological Education Institutions (TEIs) across Asia are grappling with significant challenges, including economic recovery post-pandemic, the ownership of theological education, the need to contextualize curricula, and a renewed post-colonial consciousness. Additionally, they face external pressures such as political and economic instability, rising ethno-nationalism, religious fundamentalism, and ecological destruction.

In response, many deans, principals and other leaders from TEIs across Asia have joined with USPG for a space of interaction and exchange of expertise to enhance collaboration and resource-sharing. This initiative aims to strengthen inclusive leadership and improve institutional resilience and sustainability, fostering a transformed vision for leadership and the role of theological education in Asia.

Risking Life for People and Planet

This report takes an in-depth look at the sacrifices of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente in supporting indigenous groups against government-backed oppression in the Philippines.

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The Anglican Communion Day of Prayer, co-ordinated by USPG, took place at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Consisting of 24 consecutive hours of prayer led by Christians all over the world, catch-up on the contribution from the Iglesia Filipina Independiente.