what language is spoken in philippines

The Philippines has two official languages: Filipino and English. Filipino is the national language and is based on Tagalog, which is the most widely spoken native language, especially in the Manila region and surrounding areas. Filipino serves as the lingua franca used by Filipinos of various ethnolinguistic backgrounds. English is also an official language, widely used in government, education, business, and media. In addition to these official languages, there are many regional languages spoken across the country, including Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Waray, Kapampangan, and others. Filipino Sign Language is also recognized as the official sign language for the Filipino Deaf community. Filipino is essentially a standardized and enriched form of Tagalog, influenced by other Philippine languages and foreign languages such as Spanish and English. English remains prevalent, especially in formal settings and among younger generations due to its use in education and commerce. So, the main languages spoken in the Philippines are Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English, with many other regional languages also in use. Filipino functions as the national language and common means of communication among the diverse groups in the country.