Kapampangan

Language

Kapampangan, Tagalog, English

Population

2.4 million (3.3% of the Philippine population)

Culture

Though many Kapampangans remain devout Roman Catholics, their religious festivals display an indigenous flavour unique only to the Kapampangan people. Consider the Curaldal or "street dancing" that accompany the Feast of Santa Lucia in Sasmuan or the Aguman Sanduk were men cross-dress as women to welcome the New Year in Minalin. The Fiestang Danum of the barrios of Pansinao, Mandasig, Lanang and Pasig in Candaba ~ where food is served on floating banana rafts on the waters of the Pampanga River ~ was a originally a non-Christian holiday that is now made to coincide with the baptism of Christ. The Kapampangan New Year or Bayung Danum that welcomes the coming of the monsoons and the start of the planting season is made to coincide with the feast of John the Baptist. The colourful Apung Iru fluvial procession of Apalit, once a thanksgiving celebration in honour of the river, has become the feast of Saint Peter, the apostle of Christ.

Cebuanos

Language

Cebuano, Chabacano (in Zamboanga Region), Tagalog, English and Spanish

Population

20 million (2000 census)

Culture

Much of the Cebuano culture has been influenced by the Spanish culture and indigenous Philippine traditions. The majority of its people belong to the Roman Catholic religion. However, Chinese religion have slowly seeped in and formed part of the growing religious groups in Cebu. Evidence of this is the large number of Chinese temples found in the region.

Tagalog

Language

Tagalog, Filipino, Chabacano (in Ternate, Cavite), English

Population

15.9 million (18.6% of the Philippine population)

Culture

The Tagalog culture of the Pre-Hispanic times was totally different from its forms today. From a former tattooing tribe, the Tagalog culture grew steadily to accept foreign, especially Hispanic, Chinese, and American cultural influences, and their culture today remains the backbone and the representative of all other Filipino cultures. Traditionally, the Tagalogs are for the most part agriculturalists, although there are some who engage in fishing. Tagalogs have a very strict adherence to conduct and respect, and this is exemplified by practices and their language structure. Tagalogs are also depicted by examples of bravery and courage, as manifested by historical events, e.g., the Philippine Revolution and World War II.

Ilokano

Language

Ilocano, Cebuano (in Mindanao), Filipino, English

Population

9,136,000 (10.1% of the Philippine population)

Culture

They are characterized as being hardworking and frugal, and they engage primarily in farming and fishing. The Ilocano culture represents very simple, sometimes spartan day-to-day living, focusing mostly on work and productivity, spending only on necessities and not on so much on ostentatious material possessions. Ilocanos also exemplify a great degree of respect and humility in their everyday dealings, much similar to their Tagalog counterparts.

Bicolanos

Languages

Bikol languages, Masbateño, Waray, Filipino, English

Population

5.9 million (6.9% of the Philippine population)

Culture

The Bicolano culture is primarily noted for the prominent use of chili peppers and gata (coconut milk) in its food. A classic example is the gulay na lada, known outside the region as Bicol Express, a well-loved dish using siling labuyo (native small chillies) and the aforementioned gata.