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Living Spoken Languages of the Philippines

            A major factor in the establishment and acceptance of English in the Philippines is unquestionably related to the actual or perceived need for a lingua franca – a common language that could both link the people of the Philippines to each other and link the Philippines to the rest of the world.  With 167 distinct and identifiable spoken living languages currently spoken in the Philippines, (SIL 2003) and perhaps an many as several dozen more that have become extinct (non-living) over the past 2 centuries of colonization and exploitation, the need for a lingua franca that could serve the economic and social needs of an evolving nation is readily apparent.  For many reasons, most of which are a result of colonial opportunism and economic necessity, English evolved largely to fulfill this function.  Any attempt to understand or explain the history and evolution of English in the Philippines is dependant upon a basic understanding of the indigenous linguistic matrix that makes up this archipelago of more than 7100 islands, the diverse religious and social affiliations that identify her 86,000,000 inhabitants (2004), and the population growth patterns that have occurred over the last century.

The 167 Distinct & Identifiable Spoken Living Languages of the Philippines

Source: SIL International Ethnologue Database 2003

 

Language Name

No. of Native Speakers

Dialects

 

Location

1

Adasen

4000

Eastern Adasen

Abra Province, Luzon

 

 

 

Western Adasen

Abra Province, Luzon

2

Agta, Alabat Island

50 (1979)

 

Quezon Province , Luzon

3

Agta Camarines Norte

200 (1979)

 

Camarines, Luzon

4

Agta Casiguran

580 (1998)

 

Aurora Province, Luzon

5

Agta Central Cagayan

700-800

 

Northeast Luzon

6

Agta Dupaninan

1200 (1998)

 

Northeast Luzon

7

Agta Isarog

1000 (1986)

 

Bicol Province, Luzon

8

Agta, Mt. Iraya

200 (1979)

 

Bicol Province, Luzon

9

Agta Mt. Iriga

1500 (1977)

 

Bicol Province, Luzon

10

Agta Remontado

1000-2000 (1977)

 

Rizal Province, Luzon

11

Agta Umiray Dumagat

3,000 (1994)

 

Quezon Province, Luzon

12

Agta Villa Viciosa

Not available

 

Abra Province, Luzon

13

AGUTAYNEN

10,384 (1990)

 

Palawan, Taytay, Mindoro

14

Aklanon

394,545 (1990)

 

Aklan Province, Northern Panay

15

Alangan

6000-7000 (1991)

 

North Central Mindoro

16

Alta Northern

240 – (1992)

 

Aurora Province, Luzon

17

Alta Southern

1000 (1982)

 

Quezon Province, Luzon

18

Arta

17 (1992)

 

Quirino Province, Luzon

19

Ata

9 families  (1973)

 

Negros Oriental, Visayas

20

Ati

1500 (1980)

 

Panay, Visayas

21

Atta Faire

400-550 (1981)

 

Cagayan Province, Luzon

22

Atta Pamplona

1000 (1998)

 

Cagayan Province, luzon

23

Atta Pudtol 

500-700 (1991)

 

Kalinga-Apayao Province

24

Ayta Abenlen

6,850 (1985)

 

Tarlac Province, Luzon

25

Ayta Ambala

1657 (1986)

 

Bataan Province, Luzon

26

Ayta Bataan

572 (1986)

 

Bataan Province, Luzon

27

Ayta Mag-anchi

8,200 (1992

 

Tarlac Province, Luzon

28

Ayta Mag-indi

5000 (1998)

 

Bataan Province, Luzon

29

Ayta Sorsogon

40 (1984)

 

Sorsogon Province, Luzon

30

Balangao

6560 (1975)

 

Bontoc Province, Luzon

31

Bantoanon

70,000-100,000 (1978)

 

Masbate and Mindoro

32

Batak

2,041 (1990)

 

Palawan, Visayas

33

Bicolano Albay

480,000 (1975)

 

Albay Province, Luzon

34

Bicolano Central

2,500,000 (1990)

Naga

Southeastern Luzon

35

 

 

Legaspi

Southeastern Luzon

35

Bicolano Iriga

108,000 (1975)

 

Southeastern Luzon

36

Bicolano Northern Catanduanes

65,000 (1975)

 

Southeastern Luzon

37

Bicolano Southern Catanduanes

85,000 (198i)

 

Southeastern Luzon

38

Binukid

100,000 (1987)

 

North Central Mindanao

39

Blaan Koronadal

100,000 (1981)

 

Catabato Province, Mindanao

40

Blaan Sarangani

75,000-100,000 (1998)

 

Catabato Province, Mindanao

41

Bolinao

50,000 (1990)

 

Pangasinan Province, Luzon

42

Bontoc Central

40,000 (1994)

 

North central Luzon

43

Bontoc Eastern

5,000 (1998)

 

 

44

Buhid

8,000 (1991)

 

Southern Mindoro

45

Butuanon

34,547 (1990)

 

Butuan Province, N.E. Mindanao

46

Caluyanun

30,000 (1994)

Caluyanune

Caluya Islands

 

 

 

Semirara

Caluya Islands

47

Capoznon

445,716 (1975)

 

Northeast Panay

48

Cebuano

14,713,220 (1990)

Cebu

Cebu, Visayas, Central Philippines

 

 

 

Boholan

Bohol, Visayas, Central Philippines

 

 

 

Leyte

Leyte, Visayas, central philippines

 

 

 

Mindanao

Visayas, Northern Mimdanao

 

 

 

Visayan

Visayas, Northern Mindanao

49

Chavacano

292,630 (1990

Caviteqo

Southern Mindanao

 

 

 

Ternateno

Southern Mindanao

 

 

 

Ermitano

Southern Mindanao

 

 

 

Davawenyo

Southern Mindanao

 

 

 

Davao

Southern Mindanao

 

 

 

Davaoeno

Southern Mindanao

 

 

 

Cotabato

Southern Mindanao

 

 

 

Zamboangueno

Southern Mindanao

50

Chinese Mandarin

500-600 (1990)

 

Not Available

51

Chinese Minnan

493,500- 592,200 (1982

 

Not Available

52

Chinese Yue

6,000-72000 (1982)

 

Not Available

53

Cuyonon

123,384 (1990)

 

Palawan and Panay

54

Davawenyo

147,279 (1990)

 

Davao Oriental & del Sur, Mindanao

55

English

32,802 (1990)

 

Spoken by 52% as a 2nd language

56

Gadang

17,500 (1993)

 

Mountain Province, Luzon

57

Gaddang

30,000 (1984)

 

Northern Luzon

58

Giangan

55,040 (1990)

 

Davao del Sur, Mindanao

59

Hanunoo

10,000 to 12,000 (1991)

 

Southern Mindoro

60

Higaonon

30,000 (1996)

 

Misamis Oriental northern Mindanao

61

Hiligaynon

7,000,000 (1995)

Hiligaynon

Negros, Visayas

 

 

 

Kawayan

Negros, Visayas

 

 

 

Bantayan

Negros, Visayas

62

I-wak

2,000 to 3,000 (1987)

 

Benguet Province, Luzon

63

Ibaloi

111,449 (1990)

 

Benguet & Nueva Vizcaya, Luzon

64

Ibanag

500,000 (1990)

N. Ibanag

 

 

 

 

S. Ibanag

 

65

Ibatan

1,000 (1996)

 

Babuyan Island, north of Luzon

66

Ifugao Amganda

27,000 (1981)

Burnay Ifugao

Ifugao Province, Luzon

 

 

 

Banaue Ifugao

Ifugao Province, Luzon

67

Ifugao Batad

43,000 (1987)

Ayangan Ifugao 

Ifugao Province, Luzon

 

 

 

Batad Ifugao

Ifugao Province, Luzon

 

 

 

Ducligan Ifugao

Ifugao Province, Luzon

68

Ifugao mayoyao

40,000 (1998)

 

Ifugao Province, Luzon

69

Ifugao Tuwali

25,000 (1981)

Hapao Ifugao

Ifugao Province, Luzon

 

 

 

Hungduan Ifugao

Ifugao Province, Luzon

 

 

 

Hapao Ifugao

Ifugao Province, Luzon

70

Ilocano

8,000,000 (1991)

 

Northern Luzon

71

Ilongot

50,786 (1990)

Abaka (Abaca)

Northern Luzon

 

 

 

Egongot

Northern Luzon

 

 

 

Ibalao (Ibilao)

Northern Luzon

 

 

 

Italon

Northern Luzon

 

 

 

Iyongut

Northern Luzon

72

Inonhan

 

BULALAKAW

Mindoro, Visayas

 

 

 

DISPOHOLNON

Mindoro, Visayas

 

 

 

LOOKNON

Mindoro, Visayas

 

 

 

Alcantarano

Mindoro, Visayas

73

Iraya

10,000 (1991)

Abra-de-Ilog

Northern Mindoro

 

 

 

Alag-Bako

Northern Mindoro

 

 

 

Pagbahan

Northern Mindoro

 

 

 

Palauan-Calavite

Northern Mindoro

 

 

 

Pambuhan

Northern Mindoro

 

 

 

Santa Cruz

Northern Mindoro

74

Isinai

5,524 (1990)

 

Northern Luzon

75

Isnag

30,000 (1994)

 

Northern Luzon

76

Itawit

134,126 (1990)

Malaweg

Cagayan Province, Luzon

 

 

 

Itawis

Cagayan Province, Luzon

77

Itneg Binongan

7,000 (1982)

 

Abra Province, Luzon

78

Itneg Inlaod

Not Available

 

Abra Province, Luzon

79

Itneg Masadit

7,500 (1882)

 

Abra Province, Luzon

80

Itneg Southern

Not Available

 

Abra Province, Luzon

81

Ivatan

35,000 (1998)

Itbayaten

Batanes Islands

 

 

 

Basco Ivatan

Batanes Islands

 

 

 

Southern Ivatan

Batanes Islands

82

Kagayanen

23,000 (1992)

 

Cagayan Island, Palawan.

83

Kalagan

21,402 (1990)

Isamal

Davao Province, Mindanao

 

 

 

Piso

Davao Province, Mindanao

 

 

 

Tumuaong

Davao Province, Mindanao

84

KALAGAN KAGAN

6,000 (1981)

 

 

85

Kalagan Tagakaulu

50,000 to 70,000 (1992)

 

Southern Mindanao

86

Kalanguya Keley-I

5,000 (1980)

 

Ifugao Province, Luzon

87

Kalinga Butbut

4,000 (1981)

 

Cordilleran Province, Luzon

88

Kalinga Limos

20,000 (1977)

 

Kalinga-Apayao Province, Luzon

89

Kalinga Low Tanudan 

11,243 (1998)

 

Kalinga-Apayao province, Luzon

90

Kalinga Lubuagan

12,000 to 15,000 (1998)

 

Kalinga-Apayao province, Luzon

91

Kalinga Mabaka

Not Available

 

Kalinga-Apayao province, Luzon

92

Kalinga Madukayang

1,500 (1990)

 

Southern Mountain Province, Luzon

93

Kalinga Southern

12,000 (1981)

 

Kalinga-Apayao province, Luzon

94

Kalinga Uper Tanudan

3,000 (1991)

 

Kalinga-Apayao province, Luzon

95

Kallahan Kayapa

15,000 (1991

 

Ifugao Province, Luzon

96

Kallhan Tinoc

Not Available

 

Cordilleran Province, Luzon

97

Kamayo

Not Available

North Kamayo

Central Mindanao

 

 

 

South Kamayo

Central Mindanao

98

Kankanaey

150,000 (1991)

 

Northern Luzon

99

Kankanay Northern

70,000 (1987)

 

Northern Luzon

100

Karao

1,400 (1998)

 

Benguet Province, Luzon

101

Karolands

Not Available

 

Central Negros

102

Kasiguranin

10,000 (1975)

 

Aurora Province, Luzon

103

Kinaray-a

377,529 (1994)

Pandan

Western Panay

 

 

 

Hamtik

Western Panay

 

 

 

Anini-y

Western Panay

 

 

 

Pototan

Western Panay

 

 

 

Lambunao

Western Panay

 

 

 

Miag-ao

Western Panay

 

 

 

Gimaras

Western Panay

104

Magahat

 

 

Southwestern Negros

105

Magindanaon

1,000,000 (1999)

 

Southern Mindanao

106

Malaynon

8,500 (1973)

 

Panay

107

Mamanwa

5,152 (1990)

 

Surigao Province, Mindanao

108

Mandaya Cataelano

19,000 (1980)

 

Davao Oriental, Mindanao

109

Mandaya Karaga

3,000 (1982)

 

Davao Oriental, Mindanao

110

Mandaya Sangab

Not Available

 

Davao del Norte, Mindanao

111

Manobo Agusan

40,000 (1981)

 

Southern Philippines

112

Manoba Ata

15,000 to 20,000 (1981)

 

Davao, Mindanao

113

Manobo

60,000 (1973)

 

Camiguin Island, Mindanao

114

Cinamiguin

Not Available

 

Camiguin Island, Mindanao

115

Manobo Cotabato

15,000 (1991)

 

Cotobato, Mindanao

116

Manabo Dibabawon

10,000 (1978)

 

Davao del Norte, Mindanao

117

Manobo Ilianen

12,000 to 15,000 (1996)

 

Cotabato, Mindanao

118

Manobo Matigsalug

15,000 (1998

 

Davao and Bukidnon, Mindanao

119

Manobo Obo

80,000 - 100,000 (1998)

 

Davao - North Cotabato, Mindanao

120

Manobo Rajah Kabunsuwan

Not Available

 

Surigao del Sur, Mindanao

121

Manabo Sarangani

35,000 (1987)

 

Davao, Mindanao

122

Manabo Tagabawa

43,000 (1998)

 

Davao, Mindanao

123

Manobo Western Bukidnon

10,000 to 15,000 (1981)

 

Southern Bukidnon Province, Mindanao

124

Mansaka

30,000 to 35,000 (1975)

 

Davao & Davao Oriental, Mindanao

125

Mapun

35,000 to 40,000 (1996)

 

Southern Mindanao

126

Maranao

776,169 (1990)

 

Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur

127

Masbatenyo

600,000 (1996)

 

Masbate Province, Visayas

128

Molbog

6,680 (1990)

 

Palawan

129

Palowano Brooke’s Point

15,000 to 20,000 (1998)

 

Palawan

130

Palawano Central

12,000 (1981)

 

Palawan

131

Palawano Southwest

3,000 (1985)

 

Palawan

132

Pampangan

1,897,378 (1990)

 

Pampanga, Tarlac, Bataan, Luzon

133

Pangasinan

1,164,586 (1990)

 

Pangasinan Province, Luzon

134

Paranan

14,220 to 15,220 (1998)

 

Isabela Province, Luzon

135

Porohanon

23,000 (1987)

 

Camotes Islands

136

Ratagnon

2,000 speakers (1997)

 

Western Mindoro

137

Romblomanon

200,000 (1987)

 

Romblon, Sibuyan Islands, V isayas

138

Sama Abaknon

20,000 to 30,000

 

Northwest Samar

139

Sama Balanging

60,000 (1981)

 

Sulu, Mindanao

140

Sama Central

120,000 - 150,000 1997

 

Sulu, Mindanao

141

Sama Pangutaran

25,000 to 40,000 (1996)

 

Sulu, Mindanao

142

Sama Southern

30,000 (1990)

 

Sulu, Mindanao

143

Sambal  Botolan

31,500 (1975)

 

Zambales Province, Central Luzon

144

Sambal Tina

70,000 (1998)

 

Zambales Province, Centran Luzon

145

SANGIL

15,000 (1996)

 

Balut Island, Mindanao

146

SANGIR

55,000 (1981)

 

Balut & Sarangani islands Mindanao

147

Sorsogon Masbate

85,000 (1975)

 

Sorsogon Province, Luzon

148

Sorsogon Waray

185,000 (1975)

 

Sorsogon Province, Luzon

149

Spanish

2,658 (1990)

 

Mostly in Manila

150

Subanen Central

120,000 - 150,000 1998

 

Zamboanga Peninsula, Mindanao

151

Subanen Northern

10,000 (1985)

 

Misamis Occidental, Mindanao

152

Subanon Kolibugan

20,000 (1998)

 

Zamboanga Peninsula, Mindanao

153

Subanon Western

75,000 (1997)

 

Zamboanga Peninsula, Mindanao

154

Subanun Lapuyan

25,000 (1978)

 

Zamboanga Peninsula, Mindanao

155

Sulod

14,000 (1980)

 

Panay

156

Surigaonon

344,974 (1990)

 

Surigao, Mindanao

157

Tadyayan

3,000 to 5,000 (1998)

 

East Central Mindoro

158

Tagalog

16,911,871 (1990)

Lubang

+ 39,000,000 as a second language

 

 

 

Manila

speakers, which includes the

 

 

 

Marinduque

national Language Filipino / Pilipino,

 

 

 

Bataan

for a total of 57,000,000 first and

 

 

 

Batangas

second language speakers.

 

 

 

Bulacan

 

 

 

 

Tanay-Paete

 

 

 

 

Tayabas

 

159

Tagbanwa

8,000 (1981)

 

Central and Northern Palawan

160

Tagbanwa Calamian

8,472 (1990)

 

Coron Island, Palawan,

161

Tagbanwa Central

2,000 (1985)

 

Northern Palawan

162

Tausug

651,808 (1990)

 

Mindanao

163

Tawbuid Eastern

10,000 to 12,000 (1991)

 

Central Mindoro.

164

Tawbuid Western

10,000 to 12,000 (1991)

 

Central Mindoro.

165

Tboli

80,000 - 100,000 (1997)

 

South Cotabato, Mindanao

166

Tiruray

34,340 (1975)

 

Cotabato, Mindanao

167

Waray-Waray

2,437,688 (1990)

 

Northern and eastern Samar-Leyte

 

 

Population Growth of the Philippines 1870 – 2000 and Projected Population Growth for 2000-2050)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau International Data Base

 

Year

Population

Growth Rate

Period (Growth Rate)

Population per sq. Km.

Urban Population

% Living  (in Manila

1870

5,561,200

 

1860-1870

18.7

 

 

1880

5,985,000

7%

1870-1880

20.1

 

 

1890

6,621,000

10%

1880-1890

22.2

 

 

1900

7,409,000

11%

1890-1900

24.0