Philippine Culture: Regional Differences

No matter where you hail from, your home country undoubtedly has some form of regional differences – even something as simple as ‘northerners’ and ‘southerners’ having different accents. Is it therefore any surprise that the Philippine archipelago, with 7100-odd islands is no different?

Spanish Colonial Edict

A Spanish colonial edict ensured that the original Filipinos, a diverse mixture of ethnic groups, were kept forcefully separated by their different languages. This was done in an effort to prevent the rise of a Filipino national spirit and combined Filipino culture. However, Iin the century since the Spanish were kicked out of the Philippines, through schooling, and later national TV, more and more of the population speak one of the country’s two ‘official’ languages; Tagalog based ‘Pilipino’, and English.

Of course, there are groups in which cultural diversity is still very strong. A number of hill tribes are still in existence – though few of them still live in an aboriginal state. But, if you travel the Philippine islands you will find many people who are still very proud of their unique cultural identity – as a visit to the Igorots in Mountain Province or Tinguians in Kalinga will quickly show you.

Regional diversity in Philippine Culture

While national, rather than regional, characteristics prevail in much of Filipino society, as you travel around the different provinces, you will find much diversity in family-based regional customs. A good example is the wedding and wedding feast. Each region appears to have its own variation on the wedding ceremony as well as how, when, and where the wedding and wedding feast takes place, how long they last, who is invited, who sits where, who eats first – and of course, who pays the bills. So while Philippine culture remains strong, exactly which ‘culture’ is followed can be quite different between regions.

While urbanization and TV have done much to bring the country together, there is one area of Filipino life in which there are still very pronounced provincial differences. Quite literally, many Filipinos still speak a different language.

Regional Languages

With so many languages in everyday use, it is common to find bi-lingual Filipinos; in fact, it is not uncommon for a Filipino to speak three or four different languages in addition to English (try and remember that next time you have difficulty being understood in a shop or bar).

While traveling, you may find it worthwhile to learn a few simple words or phrases of the ‘local’ language of the area. Although there are 50 or more languages spoken in the archipelago, the most common are:

• Pilipino: one of the two national languages of the Philippines. However, this is so similar to Tagalog you would have to a very cunning linguist to notice the difference between them.
• Visayan: spoken throughout the Visayas, although there are regional differences within Vasayan.
• Cebuano is most commonly spoken in Central Visaya, with Hiligaynon popular in Western Visaya, and Waray- Waray popular in the Eastern Visayas.
• Ilocano (Iloko): spoken extensively in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Isabela and some parts of Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Northern Tarlac.
• Bicolano: the main language in the Bicol Region.
• Kapampangan (or Pampango): used mainly in Pampanga Province, e.g. around Angeles City, but often heard throughout Region III.
• Pangasinense: generally restricted to the central part of Pangasinan Province, though most western and eastern towns useIlocano.
• Chabacano: originally from Zamboanga but sometimes used in Cavite. Unlike other Filipino dialects, this language is very close to Spanish, albeit a very old style of colonial Spanish.
• Fukien/Cantonese/Pilipino: used in Chinatown areas where there are groups of ethnic Chinese-Filipinos.

As any traveler can tell you, part of the fun of traveling is learning a different culture. That’s why a trip to the Philippines can be so rewarding as Philippine culture encompasses so many differences between regions.