Philippines is the only Asian country that is western in culture (language, religion, etc.). In other words, it's the only Asian country that embraces values of its colonizers from the west. It should really join Guam, Papua and New Guinea, and all the Pacific nations in Oceania.
A lot of S.E. Asian countries were formerly colonized by Europe. I googled some figures:
Percentage of people who can speak French in Cambodia? 3%
Percentage of people who can speak Portuguese in Macao? 5%
Percentage of people who can speak Dutch in Indonesia? <1%
Percentage of people who can speak English in Philippines? 94%
Of course, English is more dominant than other European languages nowadays so the comparison isn't totally fair. Hong Kong and Singapore probably have similar English proficiency rates, but these are city-states with high literacy rates, while Philippines is >50% rural in population. India, for example, has only 10% of people who can speak English.
Let's look at religion: Philippines is the only Asian country where more than half of the population believes in Jesus Christ. In fact, over 90% of the population does. This is typical of the Oceania countries, but unique in Asia. Although Christian missionaries went to every single Asian country, they did not have nearly as much success in Vietnam (Confucianism), Burma (Buddhism), or Malaysia (Islam), where "Asian" beliefs are deep-rooted. Too lazy to check, but I don't think these countries have >10% Christians. On the other hand, most Pacific islanders are Christians if I'm not mistaken.
Just a thought. Correct me if I said anything wrong.
A lot of S.E. Asian countries were formerly colonized by Europe. I googled some figures:
Percentage of people who can speak French in Cambodia? 3%
Percentage of people who can speak Portuguese in Macao? 5%
Percentage of people who can speak Dutch in Indonesia? <1%
Percentage of people who can speak English in Philippines? 94%
Of course, English is more dominant than other European languages nowadays so the comparison isn't totally fair. Hong Kong and Singapore probably have similar English proficiency rates, but these are city-states with high literacy rates, while Philippines is >50% rural in population. India, for example, has only 10% of people who can speak English.
Let's look at religion: Philippines is the only Asian country where more than half of the population believes in Jesus Christ. In fact, over 90% of the population does. This is typical of the Oceania countries, but unique in Asia. Although Christian missionaries went to every single Asian country, they did not have nearly as much success in Vietnam (Confucianism), Burma (Buddhism), or Malaysia (Islam), where "Asian" beliefs are deep-rooted. Too lazy to check, but I don't think these countries have >10% Christians. On the other hand, most Pacific islanders are Christians if I'm not mistaken.
Just a thought. Correct me if I said anything wrong.
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