Speak English in the Philippines

[asianturista]

To all foreigners and Filipinos: Speak English in the Philippines for up to this day this is no real Filipino language. What the people in Manila wanted to pass as Philippine language is Tagalog because it is spoken at the capital and nearby provinces.
I suggest that when you are in Cebu or in the Visayas in general speak the Cebuano language or better learn Cebuano than trying your Tagalog which the people there are not well verse since there is no Filipino language in the first place. The commission is trying to invent a Filipino language.But it is not right to decree a language that should be used by the population. The lingua franca should evolve in time and should not to be mandated by the government. Even it the people in Manila would insist that all the rest of the people in the country should use Tagalog but we are not familiar with the language or skilled in the use of the language, then we just as well use Cebuano in the Visayas than speaking in half Cebuano mixed with Tagalog or Tagalog mixed with Cebuano.
That's what happened to me. I used to speak in Cebuano since birth until I moved to Manila in 1985. Until now the Cebuanos I talked to commented that my language is mixed with Tagalog. The Tagalog people I talked to sometimes are confused with the language which is mixed with Cebuano. So, to be understood, I am using the English language. So no problem. At the same time they learn from me the right use of the English language.
In short if you are in Zamboanga City, don't try to use your half-baked Tagalog. Better learn the Chavacano language or try using Cebuano.
When you are in Iloilo, try the Hiligaynon--better learn the language than trying to use your Tagalog. Better use English-- no sweat.

[smallbird]

I'm not sure where you got your information (or conviction?) but mine is from the 8th Congress of the Philippines and here's a repost of the copy of the law PHILIPPINE LAWS, STATUTES AND CODES - CHAN ROBLES VIRTUAL LAW LIBRARY

FILIPINO is the Philippine's National Language

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7104
..........
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — Pursuant to the mandate of the Constitution, it is hereby declared to be a policy, of the Government to ensure and promote the evolution, development and further enrichment of Filipino as the national language of the Philippines, on the basis of existing Philippine and other languages. To this end, the Government shall take the necessary steps to carry out the said policy.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms and defined as follows:

(a) Commission — refers to the Commission on the Filipino Language.

(b) Chairman — refers to the Chairman of the Commission

(c) Filipino — refers to the national language of the Philippines.

.............

[Rhoody]

Of course Filipino is the national language.

But like with many other things, nobody outside Luzon is interested in the decisions made in Manila.

Fact is that the kids in the Visayas "may" learn it as a third language (in private schools).

In public schools they may hear about that there is a national language.

many kids only know a school from the outside and never hear of it at all.

That is basically in most parts outside Luzon like that. Even high officials don't speak it, they speak in each TV interview Taglish or Tagalog.

One language would be great, but it will remain a dream of lawmakers for a long long time

[lecker]

i agree with some of your points Mr: Rhoody....
its really hard to convince people for things they don't want to learn and they don’t want to do.... because at the end.. and what i see., its really long time campaign just to make this rule... happen and be obey... even this republic act no.7104 is release ... its just up to that point...

because its seem like its just stay in that level of learning Filipino's dont care.. to that, language specially if they think... they can't used must offend.., so what for that they will do it then... like my experience i speak tagalog or this language Filipino as i born in manila then move to region 8.... Visayas Tacloban. they speak waray waray...

now i live in Negros Oreintal they speak bisaya or cebuano ,,, as I don’t know there local language or dialect.. i speak Filipino language.... then some of this local here told me..."hey... for what reason that you speak Tagalog? Your here in visaya so speak bisaya...

Its sounds rude but it’s happen... then in my mind i don't care if in there mind don't want to hear my tagalog or filipino sentence….
because its better I speak filipino than English that time... as a reason, they will just ask what I’m telling about as they cant understand filipino,our own language....

How if... if its in english...not our own language?....
Then they are in trouble as they cant make business with me...

[asianturista]

It's okay to speak English in Negros. Everyone there understands English but not Filipino. In the first place there is no Filipino language. People in Manila want to present Tagalog Language as Filipino, which is not.
Better speak English-- or Cebuano. There are more Cebuano speakers than pure Tagalog speakers. I have lived in Manila for more than 20 years but my Tagalog is not so understandable than my English. So most of the time I speak English even in supermarkets or jeepneys. Everyone understands English. Forget Tagalog. Better learn Cebuano.