What Language Do Filipinos Speak?

If you’ve been thinking about hiring remote Filipino talent (and you should be — they’re some of the best professionals I’ve ever worked with), you’ve probably wondered: what language do Filipinos actually speak?

The short answer? Filipinos speak English and Filipino, but there’s more nuance to it, especially when you factor in the country’s rich linguistic diversity.

Filipino is the national language, and it’s based on Tagalog, which is spoken widely in and around Metro Manila. But depending on where someone is from, they might also speak a regional language at home, like Cebuano in the Visayas and parts of Mindanao, Ilocano in the north, or Hiligaynon, Kapampangan, and dozens of others.

Most Filipinos are multilingual: they grow up speaking a local language, learn Filipino (Tagalog-based) in school and media, and become fluent in English through education and work. So even though the language someone speaks at home may vary by region, almost all professionals are completely comfortable communicating in English, especially in remote or international roles.

English Is Widely Spoken — And Well

One of the biggest reasons companies choose to hire from the Philippines is the country’s strong command of English. It’s one of the official languages of the Philippines (alongside Filipino), and it’s used throughout the education system, business settings, and even in government.

In fact, the Philippines consistently ranks among the top countries in Asia for English proficiency. Most professionals—especially those in remote, tech, admin, and creative roles—are fluent or near-native in English. You’ll notice it in interviews, written communications, reports, presentations… it’s a huge win for global teams looking to avoid language barriers.

That said, some candidates may be stronger in written English than spoken. This is totally normal — English is taught and used heavily in school and online work, so reading and writing skills are often excellent, while speaking fluency can vary a bit more depending on experience and confidence.

What About Filipino?

Filipino is the national language and is based primarily on Tagalog, which is widely spoken in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Most Filipinos speak it fluently, but depending on the region, people may speak other native languages at home (like Cebuano, Ilocano, or Hiligaynon).

That said, even if someone’s first language isn’t Filipino or English, they almost always speak both fluently—especially if they’ve worked in professional or online roles.

⚡ Fun fact: The Philippines has 170+ languages and dialects, but English is the one that unites professionals across the country.

So What Language Should You Use When Hiring?

English. Period.

Your job posts, interviews, Slack messages, SOPs, video calls — everything can be in English. No translation or special localization is needed. That’s part of why hiring Filipino talent is so seamless compared to other offshore options.

If you’re already posting on HireTalent.ph, you’ll notice candidates respond in clear, well-written English. That’s no accident — we attract talent that’s remote-ready and fluent in global work culture.

One of the reasons I started HireTalent.ph is that Filipino professionals make international hiring easy.

Whether you’re hiring an executive assistant, customer support rep, marketer, or software engineer, you’ll find candidates who communicate well and “get” how to work in a global environment.