Philippines

Philippines Facts

Capital: Manila
Government Type: Republic
Currency: PHP
Population: 105,720,644
Total Area: 115,830 Square Miles
300,000 Square Kilometers
Location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Language: two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense.

Languages
Two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense. There are two official languages in the Philippines, Pilipino and English. English is used for business, government, and education from the fourth grade through college. Pilipino, which is based mostly on Tagalog, which is the language spoken in central Luzon. Pilipino is referred to as Tagalog by most people.

The Philippines People

English is commonly used in urban areas, normal English greetings are acceptable. The common greeting for acquaintances and friends is Komusta or an expression which is loosely translated in English as “where are you going/what are you doing.” People are taught to show respect to each other. People greet each other in English or Tagalog, since Filipinos are bilingual (many speak Filipino--which is the relatively new “breed” of Tagalog--it is a mixture of old “Tagalog” words, plus some Filipinized Spanish/English words, or Visayan, & English). During the day people greet each other Good Morning/Magandang Umaga (which actually directly translates to beautiful morning/day). It is considered courteous to use the term “po” when speaking to someone older, so Magandang Umaga would be Magandang Umaga Po. Good morning / Magandang umaga (with or without “po”), Good afternoon / Magandang tanghali (with or without “po”), Good evening / Magandang gabi (with or without “po”). It is “warmer” to greet someone in Tagalog/whatever dialect the person speaks. It is like greeting a family member. To call someone over one would call the person by their first name, some (which is considered rude) say “psst” or "hoy”, which is like “hey”. When referring to older people, one uses the term lola (grandma), lolo (grandpa) or when referring to strangers, one uses the term "manang" (for an older woman) & manong (for an older man).

Where to find more out about Philippines

Online Newspapers
Philippines.com