Language Beyond Words: Tagalog
The Origin of Tagalog
Tagalog, also known as Filipino or the native Pilipino, is one of the two official languages of the Philippines, the other being English. Tagalog is an Austronesian language and as such related to Malay, Javanese and Hawaiian. Early ancestors of Tagalog speakers likely arrived in the Philippines thousands of years ago, settling primarily in Central and Southern Luzon—the areas surrounding Manila Bay, Laguna, Cavite, and Batangas. Very little is known about Tagalog that most likely has its origins in Visayas and Mindanao. Tagalog literally means “river dweller”.
Long before the Spanish arrived, early Tagalogs used a beautiful script called baybayin. This pre-colonial writing system appeared in poetry, documents, and personal communication. Tagalog culture at this time thrived on oral traditions—epics, chants, riddles, proverbs, and poetic forms like the tanaga. Even without modern tools, the language was expressive, rhythmic, and deeply connected to everyday life.
The arrival of the Spanish marked a major turning point. Missionaries were among the first to document Tagalog, producing early grammars and dictionaries. One of the most important works was the “Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala” (1610), which helped preserve the language.
Spanish influence introduced:
- A new writing system (the Latin alphabet)
- Thousands of loanwords (mesa, bintana, kuwento, simbahan)
- Religious and cultural vocabulary
Baybayin slowly faded, but Tagalog continued evolving and adapting.
When the United States took over, English became the language of education. Still, Tagalog remained strong in local communities and literature.
In 1937, the government made a historic decision with Tagalog being chosen as the basis of the national language due to its cultural richness and widespread use. This would later evolve into "Pilipino" and eventually into “Filipino,” shaping national identity.
Tagalog was declared the official language by the Philippines’ first constitution in 1897. Today, Tagalog is concentrated to the central and southern parts of Luzon, but is also spoken on many other islands.
Until 1987, Tagalog was based on a writing system consisting of 20 Latin letters, the so called ABAKADA alphabet. Today it adopts 28 letters under the official name Filipino.
- One of two official languages of the Philippines (English is the other)
- 30 million speakers as a first language
- 50 million speakers as a second language
Alphabet:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N Ñ NG O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n ñ ng o p q r s t u v w x y z
Tagalog Literature
Long heroic tales such as Biag ni Lam-ang (though Ilocano, it shows common Austronesian roots) is notable for being the first Philippine folk epic to be recorded in written form, and was one of only two folk epics documented during the Philippines' Spanish Colonial period, along with the Bicolano epic of Handiong.
Bugtong are traditional Filipino riddles, usually written in poetic or metaphorical form. They’re short, clever lines that describe an object, person, or idea in a playful and hidden way. The listener must guess what the riddle is referring to. Here are some riddles below:
1) I go around the world, yet I stay in a corner.
2) It wears a cap but has no head; it has a mouth but cannot speak.
3) Tall when young, short when old.
You will find the answers at the end of this article:)
Tanaga is a type of Philippine poetry, traditionally in the Tagalog language, consisting of four lines with seven syllables each. It can also have rhymes schemes like AABB and ABAB.
"Bagong araw sumikat,
Dahon sa hangin sumayaw,
Ibon sa sanga kumanta,
Langit nagbabadya ng saya.”
A new day rises,
Leaves dance in the wind,
Birds sing on the branches,
Sky foretells happiness.”
Many Tagalogs used baybayin to write short poems and personal messages.
Spanish colonization brought massive change. Literature became heavily influenced by Catholicism, but original Tagalog creativity persisted. Religious themes dominated early writings where secular (non-religious) Tagalog literature emerged later.
Pasyon is a narrative of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection (e.g., Pasyong Mahal). The indigenous form of the Pasyón was first written down by Gaspar Aquino de Belén in Ang Mahal na Pasión ni Jesu Christong Panginoon Natin na Tola (modern orthography: “Ang Mahál na Pasyón ni Hesukristong Panginoón Natin na Tulà”, "The Sacred Passion of Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Which is a Poem"), written in 1703 and approved in 1704.
Florante at Laura by Francisco Balagtas is considered the greatest Tagalog literary work.
Andres Bonifacio is considered the father of the Philippine Revolution and considered a national hero. His writings were extremely important influencing people towards independence. "Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa" (Love for One's Homeland) is poem published in the first issue of Kalayaan that encouraged Filipinos to join the fight for independence.
Jose Corazon de Jesus his pen name Huseng Batute was famous poet who used Tagalog poetry to express the Filipinos' desire for independence during the American occupation of the Philippines, a period that lasted from 1901 to 1946.
Lope K. Santos wrote Banaag at Sikat which discusses the social issues such as socialism, capitalism, and the works of the united associations of laborers.
Genoveva Dizon Edroza-Matute was a Filipina author. In 1951, she was the recipient of the first ever Palanca Award for Short Story in Filipino, for "Kuwento ni Mabuti", which has been cited as the most anthologized Tagalog language short story.
Rogelio Sikat was a prolific Filipino novelist, playwright and short story writer. Sikat is best known for his classic masterpieces particularly "Impeng Negro", a short story based on a half-black, half-Filipino boy Moses. The play depicts the social injustices and the abuse of the country's oppressive politicians.
Ricky Lee is a Filipino screenwriter, journalist, novelist, and playwright. Starting in 1973, he has written more than 180 film screenplays and collaborated with many of the Philippines' most notable film directors.
Tagalog Art
Before foreign influence art was deeply tied to daily lives, beliefs, and environment. Tagalog art in was functional, spiritual, and symbolic, focusing on nature, ancestors, and everyday life.
Goldsmithing especially around Batangas and Laguna—were known for refined goldwork such as Lingling-o, beads, and ceremonial ornaments.
Weaving and basketry: Mats (banig), baskets, and textiles with geometric patterns
Religious art such as Santo (religious statues) carved from wood, church architecture (baroque style, adobe stone, massive facades), murals and religious paintings depicting saints and biblical scenes were prominent. Local artisans (e.g., santoseros of Paete, Laguna) became highly skilled, producing world-class woodcarving traditions.
Puni (palm leaf weaving)
Kiping decorations (Quezon’s Pahiyas Festival)
Traditional embroidery (such as burda in Batangas and Laguna)
Juan Luna de San Pedro y Novicio was a Filipino painter, sculptor and a political activist of the Philippine Revolution during the late 19th century. He became one of the first recognized Philippine artists.
Félix Resurrección Hidalgo y Padilla was a Filipino artist and is acknowledged as one of the greatest Filipino painters of the late 19th century.
Carlos Modesto "Botong" Villaluz Francisco was a famous Filipino muralist from Angono, Rizal.
Fidel Sarmiento is a modern & contemporary artist who is undeniably one of the best Filipino artists of his generation.
Yo-yo, The Giga Pearl, Oldest University in Asia
Pedro Edralin Flores was a Filipino businessman and yo-yo maker who has been credited with popularizing yo-yos in the United States. The word "yóyo" in Tagalog means "come and go" or "come back”.
The Giga Pearl is the world's largest authenticated natural pearl, weighing 27.65 kilograms (61 lbs) and certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). It is significantly larger than the previous record-holder, the Pearl of Lao Tzu. Both pearls were found in the Philippines.
The oldest university in Asia is the University of Santo Tomas (UST), founded in 1611 in Manila, Philippines. It holds the oldest extant university charter in Asia and is one of the oldest universities in the world that is still in operation.
1) Stamp
2) Bottle
3) Candle