Chinese Filipino - Religion

Religion

The Chinese Filipinos are unique in Southeast Asia in being overwhelmingly Christian (83%). Almost all Chinese Filipinos, including the Chinese Mestizos but excluding the recent immigrants from either Mainland China or Taiwan, had or will have their marriages in a Christian church.

Roman Catholicism

Majority (70%) of Christian Chinese Filipinos are Roman Catholics. However, many Catholic Chinese Filipinos still tend to practice the traditional Chinese religions side by side with Catholicism.

Some may even have Jesus Christ as well as Buddha statues or Taoist gods in their altars. It is not unheard of to venerate the blessed Virgin Mary using joss sticks and Buddhist offerings, much as one would have done for Guan Yin or Mazu.

Unique within the Catholicism of Chinese Filipinos would be the religious syncretism that is found

Protestantism

Approximately 13% of all Christian Chinese Filipinos are Protestants.

Chinese Filipinos comprise a large percentage of membership in some of the largest evangelical churches in the Philippines, many of which are also founded by Chinese Filipinos, such as the Christ's Commission Fellowship, Christian Bible Church of the Philippines, Christian Gospel Center, United Evangelical Church of the Philippines, and the Youth Gospel Center.

In contrast to Catholics, Protestant Chinese Filipinos generally shun from practicing traditional Chinese religious practices. Many also had ancestors already practicing Protestantism while still in China.

Unlike ethnic Filipino-dominated Protestant churches in the Philippines which have very close ties with North American organizations, most Protestant Chinese Filipino churches instead sought alliance and membership with the Chinese Congress on World Evangelization, an organization of Overseas Chinese Christian churches throughout Asia.

Chinese Traditional Religions and Practices

A small number of Chinese Filipinos (2%) continue to practise traditional Chinese religions solely. Mahayana Buddhism, Taoism and ancestor worship (including Confucianism) are the traditional Chinese beliefs that continue to have adherents among the Chinese Filipinos.

Buddhist-Taoist temples can be found where the Chinese live, especially in urban areas like Manila, and the Chinese have the tendency to go to pay respects to their ancestors at least once a year, either by going to the temple, or going to the Chinese burial grounds, often burning incense and bringing offerings like fruits and accessories made from paper.

Despite most Chinese Filipinos adherence to Christianity, around half (40%) still claim to practise ancestor worship. This is especially found among the older generation.