Most Unique Beliefs and Practices of Filipinos in Philippines

Activist Priest: Father Robert Reyes

This write-up enhances understanding among religions and even with those who prefer to be left alone. God is love and we try to make sense of creation and our humble part in it. The truth is we hardly know much and seek refuge in our beliefs or lack of it. Happy that Filipinos are able to coexist without the need to go at each other's throats in the name of unseen God. I admire Filipinos for their love of life and happiness that they bring.

Catholicism in Philippines is dominant comprising of 82.9% Filipino believers (80.9% Roman Catholic and 2% Aglipayan Catholic) but other religions are important as well. To distinguish about their uniqueness is through their unique beliefs and practices. 

Filipino Catholic believed that Jesus Christ was born in December 25. So that at the start of September 1 every year, its believers and followers would start buying things needed for the upcoming season to celebrate Christmas. Church Officials such as Bishops, Priests and Nuns are free to join protesters and other rallyists on open places, roads and streets to shout their sentiments against government officials.

Philippine Priests, Nuns Stage Fast to Protest

Some of Catholicism unique beliefs and practices are as follows:

• Its believers and followers eat pork and dinuguan.
• They pray and kneel down in front of images made of stones, clay and woods.
• They celebrate Christmas starting December 16 to December 25 every year.
• Every year, they celebrate Holy Week - in Filipino: Mahal na Araw; Spanish: Semana Santa - is a significant religious observance for the country's Roman Catholic majority and most Protestant groups. It begins on Palm Sunday and continues on through to Black Saturday. It is the great feast day and apogee of the Catholic Christian liturgical year: on this day the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated.

Filipino Buddhists believed in karma and reincarnation

In Buddhism, its believers and followers believe in Karma and in Reincarnation. For them Buddhism answers why they were born humans and not animals and why they are continuously suffering. Their unique faith teaches them to develop love and compassion for all human beings. They believed in “cause and effect” and ”rebirth into another being in the next life, depending on one’s Karma.”

Some of Buddhism unique practices are as follows:

• They believed anything that lives and has feelings, including fish and insects – and they should not be eaten. But this practice is not obligatory – it is up to the individual whether to follow it or not.
• They go to the temple to pray anytime.
• They can also ask the monks for special prayers or blessings.
• They pray to enlightened beings whom they regarded not as Gods but as mentors.

Filipino Muslims do not eat pork and food with blood

In Islam religion, the believers only eat halal food. Islam teaches to be forgiving, to value friends, family and to create good relationship with the people around them. There are five pillars of Islam that are obligatory for every Muslim such as: the testimony of faith, praying five times a day, giving alms, pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina for those financially and physically able, and fasting.

Some of our Muslim brothers and sisters unique practices are as follows:

• During Ramadan which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar – during daylight throughout that month, all Muslims abstain from food, drinks and sexual activities. Of course, there are exemptions especially for those who are weak and sick. Muslims believed that Ramadan is the month to purify their souls and practice sacrifice.
• Muslims are not allowed to eat pork. Their food must be processed the halal way or ritually fit according to Islamic law.
• When Muslims pray, they place their forehead on the ground as a sign of humility in front of our Creator.

Filipino Mormons do not drink coffee or tea

Believers and followers of Mormon do not drink coffee or tea. Mormon teaches them that being spiritual does not only mean going to church on Sundays or practicing rituals. It taught them to keep developing of themselves in the best way possible so they can be a blessing to others. They believed that the Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are three different beings with the same purpose. When they pray, it’s God they talk to, not Jesus Christ. They attend a three-hour Sunday service plus Sunday school classes. On Saturdays, children and teenagers aged 12 to 18 go to seminary classes to study the scriptures. They also hold activities like sport fests that they thought to help to develop other aspects of their lives.

Some of Mormon unique practices are as follows:

• They believed what the Book of Mormon says that they should not drink coffee, tea or any other alcoholic beverages.
• When a male Mormon reaches the age of eighteen, he has to go on a two-year mission to teach others about their gospel.
• While the female Mormons, when they reached at least twenty-one, they will go on missions too.

Filipinos Born again Christian accept Jesus their Lord and Savior

In Born Again Evangelical Christian, its followers believe salvation is only through Christ. They believed the truth of the Bible through its fulfilled promises in their lives and in those around them. They believed that Christianity is attached on God’s love and through Christ, they can inherit eternal life. They accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Savior and build a personal relationships with Him. They read the Bible regularly and attend youth fellowships and Sunday worship services.

Some of Born Again Evangelical Christian unique practices are as follows:

• Their pastors can marry.
• They also fast to abstain from something so that they can focus more on Jesus.
• They believed that their body is the temple of God, so they should live a healthy lifestyle.

Filipinos members of Church of God International do not wear jewelry

In Members of Church of God International (Ang Dating Daan), its believers and followers do not wear jewelry or have their hair cut. They believed that their leader was sent by God, and all the commandments they have inside the church are purely biblical and not hearsay. They have three kinds of services such as, Prayer meeting on Wednesdays or Thursdays, a Worship service on Saturday night or Sunday morning and Thanksgiving on Saturday or Sunday.

Some of Members of Church of God International unique practices are as follows:

• The women always wear skirts with long hair
• They do not believed that Jesus Christ was born on December 25.
• They do not believe in purgatory.

Filipinos in INC believed that drinking blood is forbidden

In (INC) known as Iglesia ni Kristo, its believers and followers do not eat dinuguan. They believed that they found their beliefs and practices to be the ones that match what is stated in the Holy Bible. Their faith and everything they do is based from the Bible. They attend worship services twice a week – one on the weekend and one on Wednesdays or Thursdays.

Some of INC unique practices are as follows:

• They believed what is stated in the Bible that eating and drinking blood is forbidden – reason that they do not eat dish with blood.
• During worship services, men are seated on the left side of the center aisle. Women are seated on the right. The setting is very orderly.
• Also during the worship services, no-one stands up unless it is an emergency or the call of nature.

Filipinos in Jehovah's Witness do not celebrate birthdays

In Jehovah’s Witness, its believers and followers do not celebrate birthdays. They believed that families play a crucial role in helping each other’s love for Jehovah grow. They look and see forward to paradise on Earth, where will be no more wickedness, crime and sickness. They believed in judgment day called Armageddon and in the Everlasting life – that Jehovah created the Earth especially for human beings. They believed that Jehovah is the Creator of all things. They do not believed in a Trinity instead, Jehovah is the Father of Jesus and they are not one and the same. The Holy spirit is not a persona but God’s working force.

Some of Jehovah’s unique practices are as follows:

• They do not eat blood and do not allow blood transfusions - for them blood is holy.
• They do not celebrate Christmas or birthdays because there was no commandment in Bible to do so.
• They do door-to-door preaching – go to different places carrying Bibles and sharing the good news of God’s Kingdom.
• Jehovah’s Witnesses are peaceful people and do not ever carry guns and other weapons.

Filipinos in AH do not believe faith in unseen being

In (AH) known as Agnostic Humanism, its followers do not know or care or believe whether or not any God exists. They believed that life is what they make it. They committed to the use of critical reason and factual evidence instead of clinging to faith or mysticism. They believed that God existence is meaningless since one cannot test whether or not God exists. They have no faith in any unseen being. For them, there are no rules on food or clothes. Of course, they eat food that would not harm their body and wear clothes that are decent and worthy of respect.

CIA World Fact Book

As recorded at CIA World Fact Book on July 19, 2012, there are about 82.9% Catholic (80.9% Roman Catholic and 2% Aglipayan Catholic), 5% Muslim, 2.8% Evangelical, 2.3% Iglesia ni Kristo, 4.5 other Christian, 1.8% other affiliations, 0.6% unspecified, and 0.1% without specification according to 2000 Philippine census.