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DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE IN THE PHILIPPNES |
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REGION VI he People of Western Visayas are fond of calling themselves by the name of their provincial origin such as Aklanons from Aklan, Antiquenos from Antique, Capizenos fromCapiz, Ilonggos from Iloilo, and Negrenses from Negros Island. The Akeanon or Aklanon people are part of the wider Visayan ethnolinguistic group, who constitute the largest Filipino ethnolinguistic group. The Ilonggos are concentrated in the Western Visayas Region, particularly in Panay Island (Iloilo, Capiz, etc.) and Negros Occidental. They are also found in some areas of Mindanao. The word “Ilonggo” normally refers to a person, whose language is Hiligaynon. The term Hiligaynon originated from Yligueynes, which means “people of the coast.” The Ilonggo population is mostly Catholic, but old pagan traditions are nevertheless still applied, sometimes combined with Christianity. The best example is the practice of bathing a statue of the Santo Nino (Child Jesus) for good luck or to bring rain. Ilonggos have a sterling reputation of being affectionate, friendly, and happy. People on the island of Negros, Philippines are called Negrense. Negros is located in the Visayas region and is divided into two provinces: Negros Oriental in the Central Visayas region, and Negros Occidental, part of the Western Visayas region. The Negrenses in the western part (Occidental) are the Ilonggo or Hiligaynon speakers while the Negrenses on the eastern portion (Oriental) are Cebuano speakers. Hiligaynon or Ilonggo is an Austronesian language spoken in Western Visayas. Hiligaynon is concentrated in the provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental. These languages are also spoken in the provinces of the Panay Island group, such as Capiz, Antique, Aklan and Guimaras. The culture associated with the people speaking Hiligaynon are also called Ilonggo.
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