PHILIPPINES - SOUTHEAST ASIA

Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam. Positioned on the western edge of the Pacific Ocean

Brief History: .  The Philippines is the second-largest archipelago on the planet, with over 7,100 individual islands counted within its borders.  For hundreds of years the Philippines were a Spanish colony, but then were ceded to the US in 1898, following the Spanish-American War.

Population 87,857,500

Languages Filipino (official), English

Religions Catholic (81%), Muslim (5%), Christian (5%), and others. The Philippines is unique in that it is the only predominantly Roman Catholic country in Asia.

Land: Extending about 1,100 miles (north to south), its many islands (volcanic in origin) are mostly mountainous, with narrow coastal plains; many islands are covered by tropical rain forest.

Capital City Manila (10.8) metro (14.9 mil) 

BRANCH OFFICE:  Watchtower.  P.O. Box 2044, 1060 Manila, Philippines 

2006 Yearbook:  Population:   85,000,000;  Publishers: 146,616;  Ratio: 1 publisher to 580 persons.

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Society's Publications:  All about the Philippines:

The  1993 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, Pages 150-255 has a very intriguing and interesting account of the history of the Good News in the Philippines.  In describing the islands, it begins, "Coconut palms, lush tropical greenery, white-sand beaches, beautiful seas—all of these make up much of what is the Philippines. This archipelago of some 7,100 islands has been called the Pearl of the Orient Seas. Adding to its attractiveness is a lighthearted people of deep emotion who love dance and song. Should you visit this island country, you will likely never forget the exceptional hospitality shown by the friendly and beautiful people who live there."

And then continues, "Throughout the Philippines, Jehovah’s Witnesses are busy making known Bible truth to the...people living there. This is not an easy task. Apart from the threat of natural disasters, there are the challenges of reaching people on the many small islands and in remote areas of the mountains and jungle. Nevertheless, the work is being done. Jehovah’s people have displayed outstanding resilience despite the varied circumstances they encounter. Consequently, they have experienced Jehovah’s blessing on the disciple-making work."   Finish reading this wonderful account about the missionaries and other needgreaters who have been serving there over the years and the way Jehovah has blessed their efforts, and of the and encouraging field service experiences along with the tremendous spiritual progress that has been made in this area!

Tapping the Earth’s Energy,                        g 02, 8/8, Page 13-15
Glorifying God in the Philippine Mountains,  w, 02 4/15, Pages 9-12 
When the Waters Turn Red                        g 02, 6/8, Pages 23-25
The War Did Not Stop Our Preaching          g 01, 2/22, Pages 20-22
Stairway to the Sky                                   g 00 2/8, Page !6-19
Bamboo Organ—Philippine Musical Novelty,g 94, 10/22, Pages 26-27
Branch Dedication: 2005 Yearbook,             Pages 28-30
 

THE TRUTH AND POWERLESS IMAGES IN THE PHILIPPINES

By: Gary and TJ Melton, missionaries in the Philippines

Some months ago we met a woman in her late thirties by the name of Nora. We were working house to house and she was very hospitable though her house was small and she was attending to her sick husband at the time. We had such a nice conversation about a time soon to come when there would be no more sickness and she seemed to appreciate the message.

We made arrangements to call again and this time we were invited to climb up the rickety wooden ladder inside the humble house to continue our discussion where her husband could hear us. Though there we no furnishings in the house, no chairs or tables, no beds, we always accept a gracious invitation like this. When we entered the house, we noticed that the only visible possession was a huge image of Jesus as a child, one they call Santo Nino. (Holy Child). It was almost life size and was decorated with flowers, candles etc...

Her husband lay in small room to the side and we began to talk about the things that Jehovah would require of us to become fully pleasing to him. We spoke directly about he images and that they have no real power to heal or help and that only God's word has any real power. They listened respectfully and we assured them that our message wasn't intended to offend, but to help them in this time of need. Nora's husband Alex had been diagnosed with terminal cancer of the liver and had been sent home to die.

As weeks passed by we would come to the house and noticed that the magazines were propped up in front of all the images that surrounded Alex's mat. As his condition worsened, he no longer could sit to listen to our studies but lay silently listening still. Nora said he would read the book Knowledge That Leads To Everlasting Life every night when he was unable to sleep. Though his idea that somehow the magazines and the Bible would produce healing affects in his case were wrong, Nora explained to us that it made him 'feel better' just the same. Alex passed away in August while we were on vacation.

When the children got his body to the funeral home, they noticed that he had tucked a Watchtower magazine in his pocket before he died. When arrangements were made to have him buried, his oldest son requested that this issue of the magazine be buried with him.

Since this time, Nora and her daughter in law have continued to have a regular study and the huge image of Jesus is no longer in the home. They have embraced heartily the hope of seeing their loved ones who have died again in paradise and have continued to apply the things that they are learning.

WE ARE SO HAPPY TO HAVE A SHARE IN THE WORK THAT JEHOVAH IS DOING! It is faith strengthening to us all to see these sleeplike ones take hold of the truth and gain faith and courage to make a stand for Jehovah. Please keep them in your prayers, they are so very precious to us.

Gary and TJ Melton, missionaries in the Philippines