Ethnic groups in the Philippines

The Philippines encompasses over 100 distinct native ethnic groups, all of which are descended from the Austronesians who came from China and Taiwan during the Iron Age. Further immigrations brought forth by various reasons from religious zealousness, such as that of the Arabs, to lavish trade connections, such as that of the Chinese, have immensely contributed to both the ethnicity and culture of the archipelagic country. Ethnicity wise, the Filipinos are basically Austronesians with a dash of some Chinese, Indo-Aryan, Arab, Spanish, and American blood. Aside from the Filipinos, there are also other significant ethnic groups, such as the Chinese and the Spaniards, to name a few. This article solely concerns itself about the ancestry and ethnicity of the inhabitants of the Philippines as a whole.

• For the Languages and the Religions of its inhabitants, please refer to the article Demographics of the Philippines.

Ancestry Percentage

Note: Mestizos are counted as being among the ethnic group they are most identifiable.

• Filipino: Malayan (50%)
• Filipino: Indonesian and Polynesian (25%)
• Chinese (10%)
• Indo-Aryan: Indian and Pakistanis (5%)
• Americans (3%)
• Spaniard: Castilian and Catalan (2%)
• Arab (1%)
• Japanese and Okinawan (1%)
• Other European (Italian, Polish, German, French) (1%)
• Other Asian (Korean, Vietnamese, Malaysians, Indonesians) (1%)

Ethnic Groups

• Filipino Filipino or Pilipino in Filipino. Filipinos account for 95% and form the bulk of the population. The Austronesian ancestors of Filipinos settled in the Philippines over a thousand years ago. Filipinos of Austronesian descent can be found in all levels of society. Many live in the cities, although a great number still live traditional lifestyles in the mountains and rural areas. Many Austronesian Filipinos are trilingual, speaking their native language, Filipino (the national language), and some English.
  • Ilocanos form the third largest Filipino ethnic group. They live in the Western coast of Luzon, Cordilleras, and in the Cagayan Valley. The Ilocanos came to the Philippines through bilogs or virays, meaning boat. 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'. Ilocanos are a migratory people. They have been the conquerors of the Cagayan Valley and the Pangasinan Valley during the 18th and the 19th centuries, and Southern Mindanao, during the 20th century. They are characterized as being hardworking and frugal, and they engage primarily in farming and fishing. On 1572, when the Spanish explorer Juan de Salcedo conquered the Ilocos, he described the Ilocanos as being more barbarous than the Tagalogs. The Ilocanos have commerce with the Chinese for a long time, being near to the Chinese mainland and to Taiwan. Many of them have Chinese blood, and to a lesser extent, Tingguian blood. Virtually all Ilocanos are Christians.
  • Pangasinenses are the tenth largest Filipino ethnic group. They live around the Lingayen Gulf. Their language and manners closely resembles that of the Ilocanos. The main difference is that Pangasinenses have had long commerce enough with the Sambals, another close tribe, and with the Igorot. Pangasinenses are Christians.
  • Kapampangans are the eighth largest Filipino ethnic group. They live near and around the plains of Central Luzon. The Kapampangans are one of the most racially mixed of all Filipinos. Many Pampangans living in the northern part of Pampanga province have some Chinese blood while those living in southern Pampanga have some Aztec blood due to massive settling of Mexican soldiers. Also, there are many children of mixed Kapampangan and American descent in Pampanga due to the presence of the Clark Air Base. The Austronesian ancestors of the Kapampangans settled first in the island of Sumatra in Indonesia about 4,000 BC before migrating to the island of Luzon using balangha-is. Kapampangans are Christians. The current president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is of Kapampangan descent.
  • Tagalogs are the largest Filipino ethnic group. They live in the rolling plains stretching from Bulacan to Bicol, with incidentally, includes present-day Manila, making them the dominant ethnic group politically, educationally, and economically. Most Tagalogs are either professionals, employees, or agriculturalists. The term Tagalog came from the Tagalog words "taga" and "ilog", which means 'from the river'. The Austronesian ancestors of the Tagalogs came to the Philippines from the island of Borneo about 3000 BC. Many Tagalogs have Chinese and Spanish blood due to proximity to the capital during the Spanish Era. In Quezon province, the Tagalogs have intermarried with the Bicolano ethnic group. Almost all Tagalogs are Christians.
  • Bicolanos are the sixth largest Filipino ethnic group. They live in the southwest corner of Luzon. As with the Visayans, their Austronesian ancestors came to the Philippines about 2000 BC from present-day Sulawesi. Bicolanos are famous in the archipelago for having a cuisine distinct from that of the other Filipino ethnic groups-siling labuyo, or red chillies often spice up the cuisine. In Camarines Norte, the Bicolanos have intermarried with the Tagalogs, and in Sorsogon, the Bicolanos have intermarried with the Eastern Visayans. They engage primarily in farming. Bicolanos profess the Christian faith.
  • Western Visayans, or Hiligaynons are the fifth largest Filipino ethnic group. They live mainly in the coastlands of Panay island and in the western half of Negros island. As with the rest of the Visayas, Spanish influence was very strong here and many Hiligaynons, or Ilonggos, are they call themselves, have strong Hispanic features. The Catholic Church remains a vital part of life here.
  • Northwestern Visayans, or Aklanons are the fourteenth largest Filipino ethnic group. They live in the northern shores of the Panay island. Their language, Aklanon, is mutually comprehensible with Ilonggo, albeit with minor difficulties. Like the Western Visayans, they are Roman Catholics.
  • Southwestern Visayans, or Karay-as are the ninth largest Filipino ethnic group. The name of their tribe was derived from the word "iraya", which means "upstream". Karay-as live mainly in the western half of the island of Panay, where mountain ranges predominate. They are also called Hantik, hence the name of their province, Antique. Many of them have intermingled with the lowland Hiligaynons. They engage primarily in farming, fishing, and basketry. About half of the Karay-as are Catholics and the other half are Protestants.
  • Central Visayans, or Sugboanons are the second largest FIlipino ethnic group. They are one of the most regionalistic and staunch of all Filipino ethnic groups. They live in the eastern half of Negros island, as well as in Cebu and Siquijor islands. Migrations further enlarged the domains of the Central Visayans. Intermarriages between other ethnic groups in the places they migrate gave rise to the various Central Visayan dialects, such as Surigaonon dialect, Davaoeňo dialect, Boholano dialect, Butuanon dialect, and others. In Cebu province, they sing the national anthem in Cebuano, and many official documents are printed bilingually with English and Cebuano. Filipino is barely spoken, as a form of resistance against the legislation that made Tagalog the sole basis of Filipino (which is to be made the official language) since the 1920s. Being islandic in nature, common means of livelihood include fishing. Once the largest ethnic group, the Central Visayans were outnumbered by the Tagalogs in the 1980s. The Cebuanos are predominantly Christians.
  • Eastern Visayans, or Warays are the seventh largest Filipino ethnic group. They live in Samar island and in the eastern coasts of Leyte. The Waray people's lands are one of the less developed parts of the country. Due to their poverty, many Warays work as servants in Manila for the upper class families. The Warays are a fierce and proud people. Although most Warays are Roman Catholics, some still practice witchcraft.
  • Northern and Southern Visayans combined are the fourth largest Filpino ethnic group. They are scattered among the islands of Marinduque, Masbate, Romblon, Palawan, and others.
  • Maranaos are the twelfth largest Filipino ethnic group and the second largest Filipino Muslim ethnic group. Many Maranaos are characterized as having fair complexions, which can be explained by heavy admixtures of Arab blood. They are famous for their artowkrs, sophisticated weaving patterns, and various wooden and metal craft. They primarily inhabit the land around Lake Lanao. The Maranao are not as fierce in their temperament as the other Filipino Muslim ethnic groups, but they also implement the use of Arabic in their educaitonal system and call for the establishment of an independent Islamic state in Mindanao, called Bangsamoro. They are very rich in culture, and royalty is held in high regard among themselves. The Maranaos were never subdued until the 1900s.
  • Maguindanaos are the thirteenth largest Filipino ethnic group and the se. Maguindanaos live in the Cotabato Valley. Their culture very much centered in the establishments of housing near waterways, and their primary mode of transportation is the banca. Although Islamic in culture and form, the Maguindanaos still retain many aspects of the traditional culture. Most Maguindanaos have mixed Indonesian blood due to close contacts with Sulawesi and Sabah during the 14th century.
  • Tausugs are the eleventh largest Filipino ethnic group and the largest Filipino Muslim ethnic group. The name "tausug" comes from the word "sulu", which means 'people of the current'. Linguistically affiliated with the Visayans, their culture indicates otherwise. The Tausugs live primarily in the Sulu archipelago and in southern Basilan. During the 14th century, their ancestors, who were in fact, Visayans by race, came from Northeastern Mindanao to their present locations, due to the proliferation of the Chinese trade in the area. The Chinese trade was so successful, that up to the present age, many Tausugs still have Chinese blood, and their royalty are also part-Chinese.
• Chinese Intsik in Filipino. Many are successful and prosperous business people. Their primary languages are English, Filipino, and a Chinese dialect (either Min Nan (Southern Fukienese) or Yueh (Cantonese). If the live in the provinces, they would also be speaking the vernacular. The Chinese number around 1.5 million. With the Chinese-mestizos included, they would number close to 3 million. They are differentiated into two groups: Min Nan (Fukien) Chinese and Yueh (Cantonese). The Fukien Chinese form the vast majority of the Chinese population in the Philippines. They mostly form a part of the country's upper middle class, and are quite wealthy. They represent about 3% of the population, but have their hands on about 75% of all business transactions. Many of them send their children to Chinese elitist schools based in San Juan. Nevertheless, there do exist poor Chinese, many of them Cantonese and more recent immigrants from China. Filipinos of Minnan Chinese descent reside in Binondo district of Manila, Quezon City, Pasig, Mandaluyong City, all of which are in Metro Manila, and in Angeles City, Cebu City, and {[Davao City]]. Those of Cantonese Chinese descent reside mainly in Tondo and Santa Mesa district of Manila, and Quezon City. Many Chinese residing in the provincial areas, most of which are Cantonese Chinese, have taken Filipina wives and are completely integrated into the Filipino community. Although the intermarriage of Chinese to Filipinos are openly discouraged by the Chinese, particularly the older generation, there exists a significant number of Chinese-Mestizos in the Philippines (see below).
• Spanish-Filipinos, Kastila in Filipino: There are approximately 17,000 descendants of Spanish colonists living in the Philippines (7,000 Basque and 10,000 Castilian). The primary language of the older generation Spaniards is Castilian Spanish, while that of the younger generation is English. Although these Filipinos have been taken into account in the last entry detailing all other smaller communities, the majority are integrated into the Spanish-mestizo upper levels of Filipino society. Many Filipinos of Spanish descent live in Makati and Alabang in Muntinlupa city.
• Mestizos, Mistiso in Filipino: they form a tiny but economically and politically important minority. Recent statistics indicate that the combined number of all types of mestizos constitute no more than 2% of the entire Filipino population, although this is frequently disputed. Mestizos in the Philippines may be of any race combination or ratio. Mestizos are categorized as follows:
  • Spanish-Mestizo, "Mistisong Kastila or Kastilaloy in Filipino: a combination of Filipino with either Spanish (Castillian, Galician, or Mexican. Their features are distinguished by aquiline nose structures, light to dark hair, and generally lighter skinned peoples who possess white or olive to light brown skins and usually taller than the average unmixed Filipino. Spanish-mestizos speak Filipino, though English is their primary language. Some, particularly those of the older generation have preserved Spanish as the spoken language of the home. They constitute the great majority of both upper, middle class and rarely intermingle with those outside their ethnic group. A great majority are either in politics or high-ranking executives of commerce and industry. Many can be found in the entertainment industry. There are around 1 million, and are found mainly in Manila and a few other metropolitan areas including Cebu and Iloilo. Most elite 'Filipino' family dynasties, political families, and the elite clans are Spanish mestizo; such examples are the Ayala, Aboitiz, Zóbel, Araneta, Madrigal, and Ortigas. The most famous Filipina, outside of the Philippines is Isabel Preysler, ex-wife of Julio Iglesias, and mother of Enrique Iglesias. Iconic actors Fernando Poe, Jr., Pilita Corrales, Jackielou Blanco, Eddie Garcia, (Gutíerrez Clan, William Martínez, Richard Gómez, Edu Manzano, fashion model Bianca Araneta and Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon. Many Spanish-mestizos and Spaniards living in the Philippine emigrated to either the United States or Spain following World War II and during the Marcos regime.
  • Chinese-Mestizo, Tsinoy or Mistisong Intsik in Filipino: a combination of Filipino and Chinese. They are usually light yellowish skinned peoples who possess some epicanthic folds and some pads of fat in their cheekbones, much like Chinese faces. These groups, are successful and prosperous business people. They form part of both the upper, middle and lower classes. Some are also in the entertainment industry. Their primary languages are English, Chinese and Filipino. They number just over 1 million and are most concentrated in Manila (Binondo) and Angeles City in Pampanga province The Chinese-Mestizos are more closer, in terms of culture, to the Filipinos than to the Chinese. Prominent Chinese Mestizos include José Rizal, Emilio Aguinaldo, Corazon Aquino, Cardinal Sin and Saint Lorenzo Ruiz.
  • Japanese-Mestizo, Mistisong Hapon in Filipino: a combination of Filipino with Japanese or Okinawan. Many are descendants of the Japanese Catholics that fled Japan 300 years ago and are members of the lower class. Many exiled Japanese Christians, led by the Christian Samurai Takayama Ukon, settled in Dilao, Paco in 1614. Because of discrimination encountered, some fled to the mountains after World War II while many others changed their names in the attempts to assimilate. Many were also killed (c. 10,000 Japanese Mestizos and Japanese) while other were deported following World War II as an act of retaliation. Their sense of Japaneseness may take on extremes, some have completely lost their Japanese identity while others have "returned" to Japan, the homeland of their forebears. There is also a number of contemporary Japanese-mestizos, not associated with the history of the earlier established ones, born either in the Philippines or Japan. These latter are the resultant of unions between Filipinos and recent Japanese immigrants to the Philippines or Japanese and immigrant Filipino workers in Japan. Most Japanese-mestizos speak tribal languages and Filipino. There are believed to be between 100,000 and 200,000 Japanese-mestizos in the country, but no accurate figure is currently available. Significant numbers reside in Davao, Laguna, Pampanga and Baguio. They may also be known as Japinos, although this term is considered derogatory by many. Examples of Japanese-mestizos include Ferdinand Marcos (Imee Marcos's father), and Tamlyn Tomita.
  • Indo-Aryan Mestizos, Mistisong Bumbay in Filipino: a combination of Filipino and Indo-Aryan blood (from India or Pakistan). Most Indo-Aryan Mestizos are to be found residing in Cainta and Taytay, and are the descendants of those Sepoy Indians who had taken Filipina wives after they rebelled against the British during their occupation of Manila from 1762 to 1764. Presently, there are very few Indo-Aryan Mestizos who are not descendants of these Sepoy Indians.
  • American-Mestizo, Mistisong Amerikano in Filipino: a combination of ethnic Malay and American (regardless of race). They are also known as Amerasians. They can be found in the upper class, but also amongst the middle and lower classes as a result of the abandonment of their American fathers upon completion of military service and subsequent withdrawal of US forces. Much like Spanish-mestizos, for those whose American ancestry was Caucasian or Latino/Hispanic-American. The number of American-mestizos is thought to be between 20,000 and 30,000. Most speak Filipino and English. The majority are to be found in Ángeles City, which has the largest proportion of Amerasians in the Philippines, and also in scattered places in the Philippines like Olongapo City and Manila.
  • Other various types of mestizos from unions of Filipinos other nationalities may also exist; many of them are are also in the entertainment industry. Examples include basketball legend and former Senator Robert Jaworski and businessman Philippe L’Huillier, who have Polish and French roots, respectively. Iconic actor Fernando Poe, Jr. was of part-Catalan and Irish descent.
• Indo-Aryans (Indians or Pakistanis), Bumbay in Filipino: they are mostly merchants and belong primarily to the middle class. There are approximately 30,000 of them, and half of them are Sindhis who left India after the British partitioned India and the other half is the Sikhs whom many of whom have traditionally been rural money-lenders. The Sindhi businessmen are often part of Manila’s rich elite. Most speak Filipino, Punjabi or Sindhi, and English. As a general rule, Indo-Aryans do not intermingle with the Filipinos and are clannish.
• Americans, Amerikano in Filipino: they form a significant minority in the Philippines. The Americans who settled in the Philippines are overwhelmingly White, but there are also few Blacks who have intermarried with the Filipinos. Most of them are either resident businessmen, expatriate businessmen, or missionaries. They number 110,000 in Manila alone, excluding temporary embassy officials and U.S. Military personnel.
• Arabs, Arabo in Filipino: they are the descendants of the missionaries that spread Islam throughout the Malay Archipelago (the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia). There are approximately 31,000 Arabs in the Philippines and they speak Arabic and Tagalog. They are overwhelmingly Islamic, though recent immigrants may be Christian Arabs, and are classified together with the Filipino Muslim ethnic groups. Some have intermarried and simply became Filipino Muslims, or Moros. As for the Christian Arabs, many of them were of Levantine origin, mostly from Lebanon, Syria, and a few from Palestine. Philippine actresses such as Ana Roces (real name: Marinella Adad) and Dawn Zulueta (real name: Rachel Marie Salman Taleon) have Lebanese and Palestinian roots respectively. A huge wave of Levantine Christian immigration occurred during the late Spanish colonial era, spilling over to the early period of the American colonial era. Large numbers of these Arab Christian immigrants actually assimilated into the Spanish-mestizo upper class community through marriage.
• Aeta, Ita in Filipino: Aetas are the pre-Malay inhabitants of the Philippines, closely related to the Papuans, and ethnically different from the other Filipinos. They are the aboriginal peoples of the Philippines, descendants of the Negritos and the Australoid-Sakais. They are the poorest and most disadvantaged class of the Filipino population. Their numbers have been decreasing rapidly and are thought to number between 20,000 and 30,000. Most speak their tribal languages and have little or no understanding of Filipino. The government has sponsored educational programmes as well as encouraging school attendance, though many of them still enounter difficulties. They are also known by their other names, such as Aeta, in Zambales, Ita in Pampanga, Ati in Panay, Baluga in Abra and Pampanga, Dumagat in Aurora, and Remontados in Rizal and Quezon.

• Other smaller communities of expatriates from various countries also exist and they include Caucasians from Europe, Canada, and Australia who sought economic and investment opportunities; 35,000 Indonesians, most of whom are either illegal immigrants, refugees, but also many students; around 30,000 Japanese and Koreans who are mostly recently arrived immigrants also seeking economic and investment opportunities. There are also thousands of Vietnamese who found refuge in the Philippines following the Vietnam War. Communities can be found Palawan. Some of these Vietnamese may be of mixed European (French colonist or American G.I.) and Vietnamese parentage. A lot have been able to integrate themselves into society and remain low key. An unknown number of Jews from Spain have settled in the Philippines, especially in Mindanao. They have been known to immigrate in droves to the United States following the declaration of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and due to frequent harassments of the Filipino Muslims of Mindanao.