The Rise of Christianity in Guimaras Island, Philippines

Abstract

The rise of Christianization in Guimaras happened simultaneously with the different islands in the Philippine archipelago. This research uses historical approach utilizing primary data, i.e., one on one in-depth interview among elders of the municipality as key informants to established validity of the secondary data gathered. Findings showed that the Christianization of the island was brought first by the Agustinian Friars followed by the Jesuits. The Agustinians influenced their expression of faith until the Jesuits took control of the island. A controversy between these two groups of missionaries broke out and there was a time that only a few faithful remained due to lack of priests to guide them who eventually affiliated themselves in several religious sects that established churches in the province. The spread of Christianity in the island goes hand in hand with the establishments of the municipalities in the Province.