03/08/2025
TODAY IN HISTORY | 123rd Proclamation Anniversary of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) | August 3, 1902 – August 3, 2025
On this day in 1902, the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI)—also known as the Philippine Independent Church—was officially proclaimed in Manila. It remains one of the most enduring legacies of the Filipino people's fight for independence, a bold step toward religious, political, and national self-determination.
The IFI was founded under the leadership of Isabelo de los Reyes, Sr., a nationalist writer, labor organizer, and political thinker widely regarded as the “Father of Filipino Socialism.” At the time, de los Reyes was at the helm of the Unión Obrera Democrática (UOD), the country’s first labor federation. He envisioned a national church that would break away from the dominance of the Spanish friars and the Vatican, declaring it a "product of the people's desire for liberty—religiously, politically, and socially."
To give the new church its spiritual direction, de los Reyes turned to Rev. Gregorio Aglipay, a Catholic priest who had served as Vicar General of the Revolutionary Government under Emilio Aguinaldo. Aglipay was elected as the first Obispo Máximo (Supreme Bishop) of the IFI and became the leading figure in shaping its identity as a Filipino nationalist church.
Although American colonial authorities and press outlets such as The Manila American mocked it as “the church that died before it was born,” the IFI rapidly gained momentum. Within a year, it had reportedly amassed over 1.5 million members, signaling deep public support for a church free from colonial and clerical control.
A Tangible Victory of the Revolution
While the Philippine Revolution of 1896 sparked widespread resistance against centuries of Spanish rule, its political goals were abruptly derailed by the Treaty of Paris (1898), which handed the Philippines to the United States. As a result, many of the aspirations for independence remained unrealized—except in the religious sphere. Historians often regard the founding of the IFI as the only tangible institutional result of the Philippine Revolution, a lasting embodiment of the revolution’s ideals of national sovereignty, justice, and Filipino identity.
The IFI emerged not only as a church but as a living monument of the revolution, committed to continuing the struggle for dignity, equality, and freedom. It served as a space for reclaiming Filipino culture, language, and religious expression in defiance of centuries of colonial domination.
The IFI Today
Now in its 123rd year, the IFI remains one of the largest independent Christian churches in the country. As of 2025, the church has an estimated membership of over 7 million, and operates around 900 parishes and mission churches throughout the Philippines and abroad.
It is currently led by The Most Reverend Joel O. Porlares, the 14th Obispo Máximo, elected in 2023. Under his leadership, the IFI continues to deepen its commitment to the core values of its founding: nationalism, service to the people, and solidarity with the marginalized.
The church now has 53 dioceses across the Philippines including the 2 dioceses in North America, with well-established congregations in regions with a strong Filipino diaspora, including Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.
Known for its progressive stance on social issues, advocacy for human rights, gender inclusivity, and ecumenical relations, the IFI continues to be a prophetic voice in Philippine society—a church rooted in its revolutionary past, yet engaged in the pressing struggles of the present.
