The Philippines has two official languages: Filipino and English. Filipino is the national language and is based primarily on Tagalog , which is spoken mainly in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Filipino serves as a lingua franca, widely used for communication across the country, and incorporates elements from other Philippine languages to be more inclusive
. Tagalog is the native language of about 22 to 28 million people, mostly in central and southern Luzon. Filipino is essentially a standardized and evolving form of Tagalog, used in government, education, and media
. English is also an official language and is extensively used in business, education, government, and legal matters. It became prominent during American colonial rule and remains a key language in the Philippines today
. Besides Filipino and English, the Philippines is home to around 170 to 187 other languages and dialects. Some of the major regional languages include:
- Cebuano (Bisaya) – spoken by over 20 million in the Visayas and Mindanao
- Ilocano – spoken in Northern Luzon
- Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) – spoken in Western Visayas
- Waray – spoken in Eastern Visayas
- Kapampangan – spoken in Central Luzon
- Bicolano – spoken in the Bicol region
In summary, the main languages spoken in the Philippines are Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English as official languages, alongside numerous regional languages that reflect the country's rich linguistic diversity. Filipino acts as the national lingua franca uniting the diverse linguistic groups across the archipelago
