Major
Ethnolinguistic
Groups in the
Philippines
Ilocano
 The Ilocano or Ilokano people are the third
largest Filipino ethnic group. Aside from being
referred to as Ilocanos, from "i"-from, and "looc"bay, they also refer to themselves as Samtoy, from
the Ilocano phrase "sao mi ditoy", meaning 'from
our language'. The word "Ilocano" came from the
word "Iloco" by the natives of the Upper part of
the land known as "Cordillera.
Location
 Ilocos
Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union,
Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Abra, Cagayan,
Isabela, at ilang lalawigan sa Visayas at
Mindanao.
Culture
 They are characterized as being humble, hardworking
and frugal, and they engage primarily in farming and
fishing.
 The Ilocano culture represents very simple, sometimes
spartan day-to-day living, focusing mostly on work and
productivity, spending only on necessities and not on
so much on ostentatious material possessions.
 Ilocanos also exemplify a great degree of respect and
humility in their everyday dealings
Food
 Ilocanos boast of a somewhat healthy diet heavy in boiled
or steamed vegetables and freshwater fish, but are
particularly fond of dishes flavored with bagoong.
 Ilocanos often season boiled vegetables with bagoong
monamon (fermented anchovy paste) to produce pinakbet.
Local specialities include the soft white larvae of ants, and
"jumping salad" of tiny, live shrimp.
Way of Living
 Making burnay, pot, inabel or
kumot- Ilokano and virginia
tabako.
Famous Ilocanos
 Elpidio Quirino- 6th President of
the Philippines (1948–1953)
 Ferdinand Marcos- 10th President of
the Philippines (1965–1986)
 Diego and Gabriela Silang
Kapampangan
 The province of Pampanga is
traditional homeland of the
Kapampangans.
Location
 Pampanga, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija,
Way of Living
 Processes meat goods like tocino, parol
making and farming
Culture
 Devout Roman Catholics, their religious
festivals display an indigenous flavor
unique only to the Kapampangan people.
 The Batalla Festival to reenact the
battle between the native Moor or
Muslim and the new colonist Native
Capampangan Cristian.
 The Pistang Danum of the barrios of
Pansinao, Mandasig, Lanang and Pasig in
Candaba ~ where food is served on
floating banana rafts on the waters of the
Pampanga River ~ was a originally a nonChristian holiday that is now made to
coincide with the baptism of Christ.
Cuisine
 Kapampangan cuisine,or Lutung Kapampangan, has
gained a favourable reputation among other Philippine
ethnic groups.
 sisig, kare-kare, the "tocino" or pindang and their native
version of the longaniza.
Prominent Kapampangans
 Benigno Aquino, Jr. - was a senator whose assassination
triggered the events that led to the People Power Revolution.
 Diosdado Pangan Macapagal - was the 9th President of
the Republic of the Philippines and a native of Lubao,
Pampanga.
 Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo - was the 14th President of the
Republic of the Philippines. A daughter of the 9th President
of the Republic Diosdado Macapagal, she was the country's
first female Vice President during the tenure of Joseph
Estrada.
Tagalog
 The name Tagalog comes from either the native term
tagá-ilog, meaning 'people living along the river or
tagá-alog, meaning 'people living along the ford, a ford
being a shallow part of a river.
 Tagalogs speak the Tagalog language, with many
dialectal variations, although all Tagalog dialects are
considered to be mutually comprehensible to each
other. The main religion of Tagalogs is Christianity,
mainly Roman Catholicism and some Protestantism,
as well as other religions.
Location
 Nueva cija, Bulacan, Bataan, Rizal, Metro Manila,
Cavite,
Laguna,
Batangas,
Aurora,
Quezon,
Marinduque, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental
and some parts of Zambales and Tarlac
Way of Living
 Farming and fishing
Culture
 Tagalogs have a very strict adherence to conduct
politeness and respect, and this is exemplified by
practices and their language structure.
 Tagalogs are also depicted by examples of bravery and
courage, as manifested by historical events, e.g., the
Philippine Revolution and World War II.
Cuisine
 Tagalogs are also focused on food preparation and
culinary activities. Women (and sometimes, men) are
trained early on to become culinary experts. This is
depicted in lavish celebrations during fiestas and
gatherings.
Prominent Tagalog
 Dr. Jose Rizal
 Pangulong Manuel Quezon
 Andres Bonifacio
 Francisco Baltazar
Bicolano
 The Bicolanos are the the fifth-largest Filipino
ethnic group.
 Their language is referred to as Bikol or Bicolano.
The Bicolano language is very fragmented, and its
dialects are mutually incomprehensible to
speakers of other Bicolano dialects.
 Majority of the Bicolano people are devout Roman
Catholics.
Location
 Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte,
Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon.
Way of Living
 Making abaka, pili at dried fish or “dinaing na
isda”
Culture
 Nature lover, religious, they love to eat spicy
foods.
Food
 The Bicolano culture is primarily noted for the
prominent use of chili peppers and gata
(coconut milk) in its food. A classic example is
the Bicol Express, a well-loved dish using siling
labuyo (native small chillies) and the gata.
Famous Bicolano
 Chiz Escudero - is Philippine Senator from
Sorsogon
 Raul Roco - was a Philippine Senator from
Bombon, Camarines Sur
 Crispin Beltran- a Filipino politician and a
labor leader, a staunch critic of President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Cebuano
 The Cebuano people usually refers to those
whose native tongue is Cebuano, but more
specifically the people who live in the province of
Cebu. The Cebuano are the largest subset of the
Bisaya ethnic group which, in turn, is the largest
ethnic group of the Philippines.
 The Cebuano language is the most common
indigenous language spoken in the Visayas region.
Location
 Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and some parts of Negros
Way of Living
 Mining, factories, fishing and farming
Culture
 Much of the Cebuano culture has been influence
by the Spanish culture and indigenous Philippine
traditions. The majority of its people belong to the
Roman Catholic religion. In fact, Filipino
Catholism starts its roots in Cebu.
 Hardworking, religious and good swimmer
Famous Cebuano
President Sergio Osmena
President Carlos P. Garcia
Lapu Lapu
Ilonggo
 The Ilonggo are the indigenous inhabitants
of the large coastal plain of East Panay
island. Over the years, intermigrations and
intramigrations have contributed to the
diaspora of the Hiligaynon to different
parts of the country.
 They are part of the wider Visayan ethnic
group, who constitute the largest Filipino
ethnic group.
 Most Hiligaynons are Christians who are
Roman Catholics.
Location
 Island of Negros and Panay
Way of Living
 Planting sugar cane and rice, Fishing
Culture
 Sweet, “malumanay magsalita”, and romantic.
Prominent Ilonggo
 President Manuel Roxas
 Jose Yulo
 Ramon Avancena
Waray
 The Waray are part of the wider Bisaya



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ethnic group, who constitute the largest
Filipino ethnic group.
The
Warays,
technically
considered
Visayans, are culturally closer to the
Bicolanos than to the other Visayans.
This similarity has been shown by
customs, traditions, and language.
Warays speak the Waray-waray language,
which is further subdivided into various
dialects.
The majority of Warays are Roman
Catholics.
Location
 Leyte and Samar ( it also includes the island of
Homonhon, Hinamok, Daram, Zumarraga, Capul and
Biliran.)
Way of Living
 The Warays' livelihood are farming and fishing.
Culture
 Many Warays send their children to Manila to study
and work depleting futher the Waray population in the
area.
 One aspect of the Waray culture that makes them
widely known is faith-healing.
 The Warays are primarily known for
their traditional courtship dances,
like the balitaw, kuradang and
kuratsa, which features verses in
rhyme and dance motions.
 Good in making water vehicles and
good in mining.
 They love music and love to drink
tuba.
Prominent Waray People
 Imelda Romualdez Marcos
Pangasinense
 The name Pangasinan means "land of salt" or "place of
salt-making"; it is derived from asin, the word for "salt"
in the Pangasinan language.
 Pangasinan literature is well-known throughout the
Philippines. One famous piece is about the legend of
Princess Urduja.
Location
Pangasinan
Way of Living
Fishing, making fish sauce, finest salt, and
handicrafts like basket , and duyan.
Culture
 The culture of Pangasinan is a blend of the indigenous
Malayo-Polynesian and western Hispanic and American
cultures, with some Indian, and Chinese influences.
Pangasinan culture is closely related to the Cordillerano
and Ilocano cultures. The Cordilleranos are believed to be
descendants of Pangasinan people.
 The religion of the people of Pangasinan is predominantly
Christian, although few are strict believers and continue to
practice their indigenous beliefs and rituals, like most of
the people of the Philippines.
Predominant Pangasinense
 Fernando Poe Jr.
 President Fidel V. Ramos
Minor
Ethnolinguistic
Groups
In Luzon
Tinggulan
 came from the word “itingue” meaning people in the
mountain.
 other groups inhabiting the Cordillera mountain
provinces of Nueva Ecija, Nueva Viscaya and Quirino call
themselves Ikalahan.
Location
 Abra
Livelihood
Farming
Culture
 They love music.
 They put tattoo on their skin and blacken their teeth.
Tagbanua or Tagbanwa
 The Tagbanuas are brown-skinned slim straight-
haired ethnic group. Women wear bright body
ornament and brighty colored clothes.
 They believe in a fairy called "Diwata", which they
account for they lives.
 Marriages are arranged from the age of 12 and
polyandry is common.
 Both the Tagbanuas and the Bataks developed
their own written language like the Mangyans of
Mindoros that are inscribed mostly on bamboo
tubes.
Location
Gitnang Palawan
Livelihood
Fishing, planting, at hunting
Culture
Wear colorful clothes and the men
use bahag.
Mangyan
Location
 Mindoro
Livelihood
 They get the different products in the
forest
 fishing
Culture
 They use the first alphabet of the Filipino.
Ifugao
 The Ifugaos, whose name means "people of
the earth", are the carvers of the rice terraces,
popularly known as the eight wonder of the
world, and an amazing work of bare hands,
ancient farming tools and primitive irrigation
scheme that works even nowadays.
 Their life evolves basically from their ethnic
beliefs and customs.
 A form of ritual- shown mostly in their dances
and songs that represent every aspect of their
life.
Location
 Hilagang Luzon
Livelihood
 Farming
Famous Culture
 They believe in divorce.
 Their house is triangular in shape.
Kalinga
 The
Kalinga group although belongs to the
headhunters of the north, lessened this practice due to
the peace agreement with other tribes.
 As a substitute to beheading the captured enemy, an
offering of food or animal is accepted as peace offering.
Location
Hilagang Luzon
Livelihood
Farming
Culture
They love to use jewelries and colorful clothes.
Igorot
 The general name for the people of the Cordillera
region, in the Philippines island of Luzon.
 The Igorot form two subgroups: the larger group
lives in the south, central and western areas, and
is very adept at rice-terrace farming;
 The smaller group lives in the east and north.
Some Igorot groups formerly practiced
headhunting.
 Happy type of persons and love to wear colorful
clothes.
Location
 Gitnang Cordillera
Livelihood
 Farming
Aeta/ Agta/ Mamanwa/
Dumagat
 The Aeta (pronounced as “eye-ta,”), Agta or
Ayta are an indigenous people who live in
scattered, isolated mountainous parts of Luzon,
Philippines.
 They are considered to be Negritos, who are
dark to very dark brown-skinned and tend to
have features such as a small stature, small
frame, curly to kinky hair with a higher
frequency of naturally lighter hair color
(blondism) relative to the general population,
small nose, and dark brown eyes.
Location
 They can be seen in all parts of the Philippines
Livelihood
head hunting and food gathering
Culture
 They live together in one community.
 Their traditional clothing is very simple. The young
women wear wrap around skirts. Elder women wear
bark cloth, while elder men wear loin cloths.
 The Aetas are skillful in weaving and plaiting.
 Aeta women are known around the country as
purveyors of herbal medicines.
Batak
 Location
North- west part of
Palawan
 Livelihood
Farming and Fishing
 Culture
This group believe in
“babaylan” or the first female
priest.
Gaddang
 Came from the word “ga”= fire at “dang”=
nasunog
 this likely alludes to the fact that the
Gaddang are generally darker of skin than
other Cordillera people.
 Gaddang refers to both the Christianized
Gaddang who are now largely assimilated
into Ilocano and the Pagan Gaddang.
Location
 Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya
Livelihood
 Hunting, fishing, and farming
Culture
 Settlements are located near streams
and fields.
 Leadership is achieved based on
bravery,
skills,
knowledge
of
customary law, and wealth, and
usually in association with the status
of mingal or great warrior.
 The Gaddang live in the forested
areas of Cagayan Valley where it was
difficult for people to get to where
they lived.
 Their houses are built off the ground
on poles while some live in tree
houses.
Ilonggot
 From the word “I”= mula + “longgot”= gubat
Location
 South of Sierra Madre, and Caraballo (Nueva
Viscaya, Nueva Ecija and Quirino.
Livelihood
 Farming and hunting
Culture
 They worship fake goods or “dyos dyosan” and
“anito”.
Ivatan
 The Ivatans are a Filipino ethnolinguistic group
predominant in the Batanes Islands of the Philippines.
 The culture of the Ivatans is partly influenced by the
environmental condition of Batanes. Unlike the oldtype nipa huts common in the Philippines, Ivatans
have adopted their now-famous stone houses made of
limestone, designed to protect against the hostile
climate.
Location
 Batanes
Livelihood
 farming and fishing
Culture
 Traditionally, because of the frequent
typhoons and drought, they plant root
crops able to cope with the
environment. These crops include yam,
sweet potato, taro, garlic, ginger and
onion, as they ensure higher chances of
survival during awry climate conditions.
 They have a native delicacy called uvod
(the pith of the banana stalk) which is
served, along with the wine palek, on
festive occasions such as weddings.
 One of the endemic clothing of the
Ivatans is the vakul. A vakul is a
headgear designed to protect the wearer
from sun and rain. It is made from
abaca fiber of the vuyavuy palm.
Isnay
Location
 Nueva Viscaya
Livelihood
 Farming and cloth weaving
Culture
 They are christians and they get marry to the
people who belongs to their group.
Kankanay
Location
Northern Luzon and
Benguet
Livelihood
Farming, hunting and
fishing
 They are the third
largest group in the
Cordillera Region.
Isneg
Location
 Apayao and Kalinga
Livelihood
 Farming
Culture
 They can have many wives.
B. Visayas
Boholanon
Location
 Bohol
Livelihood
 “Pagpapastol”
Culture
 The name Tagbiliran came from the
word “bool”.
Magahat
Location
 Bayawan and Negros Oriental.
Livelihood
 Searching for food in the forest.
Culture
 They live in the mountain of Negros.
C. Mindanao
Maranao
Location
 Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte
Livelihood
 Fishing
Culture

They are good in wood carving, cloth
weaving and uses copper.
T’Boli
Location
 Cotabato
Livelihood
 Hunting, fishing, and fruit gathering in the
forests.
Culture
 They wear campanilla and the girls use
honey as a beauty product.
Tausug
Location
 Sulu
Livelihood
 Fishing, farming, at
pearl hunting
Culture
 They are good and
brave warriors.
Yakan
Location
 Zamboanga
Livelihood
 Farming
Culture
 They are lead by a datu and they
believe in super natural believes.
The End!
Thank You
and God
Bless!