Ethnic Groups In The Philippine 1

Ethnic groups in the Philippines The Philippine islands are inhabited by a number of different ethnic groups. The majority of the population is composed of ethno-linguistic groups whose languages are Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) in origin, that converted to Christianity, and adopted European, and American culture. These ethnic groups include the Ilocano, Pangasinense, Kapampangan, Tagalog, Bicolano, and Visayan. In Mindanao, there are people who practice Islam. The Spanish called them Moros after the Moors. In the province of Bukidnon there is an ethnic group of mountain dwelling people called Binukid who speak the Binukid language. However these individuals do not practice Islam. The Negrito are a preMongoloid people that migrated from mainland Asia, were the first human beings to settle the Philippines around 30,000 years ago. The Negrito population are estimated to be numbering around 30,000 in the Philippine population. The tribal groups of the Philippines include the Ati, Igorot, and the T'boli. Their ways of life remains free from Western, and Islamic influence. They are said to be the best basis for the study of pre-Hispanic culture. Filipinos are an Asian ethnic group, a Mongoloid people part of the Austronesian group, a group of Malay/Malayo-Polynesian speaking people. Non-Malay/Malayo Polynesian ethnic groups also form a part of the Philippine population. These include Europeans (Spanish, and other European people), Chinese, American, and other ethnic groups. There are also mixed blood individuals known as mestizo. Mestizo refer to those of mixed Spanish/Latin American, and Malay/Malayo-Polynesian descent, but may also refer to those of other European ancestry. Mestizos may also refer to other foreign descent. Most Filipinos of Spanish descent speak their respective regional languages. They also use English in the public sphere, and may also speak Filipino and other Philippine languages. Spanish was an official language of the Philippines since the early days of Spanish colonization in the 16th century, until the change of Constitution in 1973. After the country became independent in 1946, Spanish remained an official language along with English and Tagalog-based Filipino. However, the language lost its official status in 1973 during the Ferdinand Marcos administration. Under the Corazon Aquino administration which took office in 1986, the mandatory teaching of Spanish in colleges and universities was also stopped, and thus, younger generations of Filipinos have little or no knowledge of Spanish as compared to the older generations. However, the Spanish language retains a large influence in local languages, with many words coming from or being derived from Spanish.[1] But if it varies, Spanish is not anymore the Official language of the Philippines. Minority of Spanish descended Austronesian/Malay speak Spanish; Some Filipinos of Spanish descent, particularly those of older generations and recent immigrants, have preserved Spanish as a spoken language. In addition, Chavacano (a criollo language based largely on Spanish vocabulary) is spoken in the southern Philippines, and forms one of the majority languages of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Basilan and is mostly concentrated in Zamboanga City. It may also be spoken in some parts of the northern Philippines. The Philippine Statistics Department does not account for the racial background or ancestry of an individual. The official population of all types of Filipino mestizos that reside inside and outside of the Philippines remains unknown.