For confirmation, I'm a philippine passport holder and flying from Texas>HongKong.

MJ, yes, you need a visa to China for sightseeing purposes.
Or if you travel like HK-China (24 hours)- a third country or region instead of HK, you can enjoy the 24 direct transit in China, and then no visa is needed. You are not eligible for the 72 hour free transit because of your nationality.