What Is Filipino? Language, People and Identity Explained

'Filipino' can mean a few different things. Here's what it refers to.

A people

Filipinos are the people of the Philippines and their descendants around the world. More than 100 ethnolinguistic groups make up the nation, including Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Kapampangan, Maranao, Tausug and many Indigenous peoples.

A nationality

Filipino is the nationality of citizens of the Philippines.

A language

Filipino is also the national language of the Philippines under the 1987 Constitution. It's based largely on Tagalog, and English is also an official language. Over 100 other languages are spoken across the islands.

A diaspora

Millions of Filipinos live abroad, from the US and Canada to the Middle East and Europe. Filipino Americans are one of the largest Asian American groups in the United States.

An identity

Being Filipino means different things to different people. For many, it means family, food, faith, resilience and a history worth knowing.

Wear the story

UGAT exists to help Filipinos everywhere know their roots. Shop UGAT. UGAT means roots. Know yours.

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Shop the Ugat Jersey Collection

Wear the history. Our mesh jerseys put Filipino heroes and Baybayin front and center, $72 each.

Kalayaan Jersey — Maroon mesh with a hand-drawn U honoring the heroes of Philippine independence. KALAYAAN 98 on the back. Shop now →

Pilipinas Jersey — Navy mesh with Lapu-Lapu and the warriors of Mactan, Baybayin across the shoulders and PILIPINAS 63 on the back. Shop now →

Delano Manong Jersey — Brown mesh honoring the Filipino farmworkers who started the 1965 Delano Grape Strike. Shop now →

See all jerseys in the Ugat shop.