Tagalog
22,000,000
Cebuano
20,000,000
Ilocano
7,700,000
Hiligaynon
7,000,000
Waray-Waray
3,100,000
Northern Bikol
2,500,000
Kapampangan
2,400,000
Pangasinan
1,540,000
Southern Bikol
1,200,000
Maranao
1,150,000
Maguindanao
1,100,000
Kinaray-a
1,051,000
Tausug
1,022,000
Chavacano
607,000
Surigaonon
600,000
Masbatenyo
530,000
Aklanon
520,000
Ibanag
320,000
Philippine languages are traditionally divided into a handful of subgroups. The first three are closely related geographic groupings: That is, the languages they contain may be no more related to each other than they are to languages in other groups. The smaller, southern groups are more distinct.
Northern Philippine Languages
Ilokano, Kapampangan, Pangasinan, and Sambal languages which are concentrated in northern and central Luzon. Some languages in Mindoro such as Iraya and Tadyawan are included in this group. The Yami language (also known as Tao of Orchid Island in Taiwan is also a member of this group.
Meso Philippine Languages
perhaps the group with the most speakers and is the most geographically widespread, covering Central Luzon, the Visayas and many parts of Mindanao. Certain languages spoken in Palawan and Mindoro such as Tagbanwa, Palawano, and Hanunoo constitute their own respective subgroups. The largest subgroup are the Central Philippine languages which are composed of Tagalog; Bicol languages; 80% use Visayan languages such as Cebuano, Hiligaynon and Waray-Waray; and Mansakan languages.
Southern Philippine Languages
such as Maranao, Maguindanao, Manobo languages, and Subanun languages are concentrated in Mindanao but more than 80% use Visayan or cebuano language. Many Southern Philippine languages have been influenced by Malaysian, Indonesian, Sanskrit, and Arabic words.
Southern Mindanao Languages
are languages such as Tboli and Blaan which are spoken in southern Mindanao.
Sama-Bajaw
languages mainly centered in the Sulu Archipelago as well as parts of Borneo. One language, Abaknon, is spoken on Capul Island near Samar, which is far from other Sama languages. Other languages in this group are Yakan and Sama.
Sulawesi Languages
has only two representatives in the Philippines, the Sangil and the Sangir languages.