- Living in the Philippines - Communication and Idioms
Languages in the Philippines There are over a hundred different languages in the 7641 or so islands that comprise the Philippines. English is one of the official languages. In my experience, most people speak at least a little English. Among the native languages, Tagalog, now known as Filipino, might be the most common and is the other official language of the Philippines. Nearly as many natively speak Cebuano. In Mindanao and parts of the Visayas Cebuano is known as Bisaya. Where Lyn is originally from in Central and Northern Mindanao as well as Dumaguete (Negros Oriental) where we lived before, and Tagbilaran (Bohol) where we live now, Bisaya is spoken. Common Terminology in the Philippines Though there are Seven-Elevens and other convenience store franchises in the Philippines, the most common variety is a small home-based, not-at-all-franchised store known as a sari-sari . A sari-sari sells whatever the owner wants to sell, normally snacks, drinks, and common hou