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People
Majority of the Filipinos are descendants of the Malays. Most of
them can trace their lineage from a mixture of Chinese, American,
Spanish, and Arab blood. About 10% of Filipinos, also known as tribal
Filipinos retain their traditional culture.
There are some 60 ethnological groups, ranging from the Badjao of
the Sulu archipelago, who are sea gypsies, to the head-hunting Kalinga
in the north of Bontoc.
Language
The national language is Pilipino, also known as Tagalog. There
are about 70 minor languages, with the major linguistic groups being
Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, Pangasinan
and Maranao.
The Philippines is the third largest English-speaking nation in
the world. English remains the language of commerce, politics and
education in the Philippines, and is spoken and understood throughout
the country in varying levels. Spanish, Arabic and Chinese are spoken
by a small minority.
Religion
The Philippines is the only Christian country in Asia. Over 90%
of the population are Christians, with a majority of them being
Roman Catholics, and few of them Protestants.
The largest of the minority religious groups are the Muslims,
who live mainly on Mindanao and in the Sulu archipelago.
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