regional cultures

This page presents some important features of the different regional cultures that make up the Filipino people. The topics are arranged according to ethnolinguistic classification. This grouping, however, does not mean that these cultures can be easily distinguished from one another. There are more things that these groups share than things that tell them apart. There are approximately 150 languages spoken by different ethnolinguistic groups all over the Philippine islands. Three of these languages serve as regional lingua francas: Ilokano in the Northern region and some Central parts Luzon; Tagalogin parts of Central and Southern regions of Luzon, including most parts of Palawan; andCebuano in the Visayas, Mindanao and some areas in Palawan.

Tagalog is the primary basis of the national language called Filipino, which, along with English, are the two official languages of the Philippines.  Both  also serve  as the national lingua franca.

There are eight major languages based on the number of speakers: 
Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilokano, Hiligaynon/Ilonggo, Waray, Bikolano, Pangasinense,   and Kapampangan.

Apart from the ethnolinguistic groups, a uniquely diverse culture has evolved in Northern Luzon and in  Mindanao and the southern islands of the Philippine archipelago.

The Philippine map on this page provides links to topics on Philippine  regional cultures. Click on the appropriate areas of the map on the left  to go to these links.  (Links to other ethnolinguistic/geographic groups will be added later.)