The basis for the Philippine national language is Tagalog, which had primarily been spoken only in Manila and the surrounding provinces when the Commonwealth constitution was drawn up in the 1930s. That constitution provided for a national language, but did not specifically designate it as Tagalog because of objections raised by representatives from other parts of the country where Tagalog was not spoken. It merely stated that a national language acceptable to the entire populace (and ideally incorporating elements from the diverse languages spoken throughout the islands) would be a future goal. Tagalog, of course, by virtue of being the lingua franca of those who lived in or near the government capital, was the predominant candidate.
PHILIPPINE LANGUAGES
The Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines states that the nation has two official languages — these are called English and Filipino.
BAYBAYIN
Baybáyin is the script that Tagalog speakers used for writing before the Spaniards arrived. It is a system of writing with borrowings from Sanskrit.
Isa sa sinauna’t katutubong paraan ng pagsusulat sa bansa.
One of the country’s ancient and native methods of writing. Continue reading “BAYBAYIN”
TAGALOG
FILIPINO
In the English language, the word Filipino often refers to something from or related to the Philippines.
For examples:
CEBUANO
Cebu is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas, and consisting of a main island and 167 surrounding islands and islets. The people and language of the region are called Cebuano.
HILIGAYNON
Known popularly as Ilonggo, the Hiligaynon language is spoken in Western Visayas in the Philippines. It is very distinct from Tagalog.
AKLANON
Pertaining to the people and language of Aklan.
WARAY
Waray is one of the languages of the Philippines. Spoken in the area of Leyte and Samar in the Visayas region, Waray is very distinct from Tagalog.
“Imo Hinumduman” (Remembering You) is a love song in the Waray language.