12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US)
Religions
Sunni Muslim 85%, Shia Muslim 5%, other 10% (2003 est.)
Roman Catholic 80.9%, Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)
Languages
Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business
Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
