WHO are they? Also called Filipino, the Tagalog people are the second largest ethnic
people group in the Philippines. Today, they are considered to be one of the most
“Westernized” Filipino ethnic groups. “Westernized” refers to a group that has been
influenced by the modern conveniences and attitudes of a country like America—and it
is not always a good thing! Traditionally, Tagalog people are farmers and fishermen, but
as education becomes more easily attainable, more are entering professional fields. In
their culture, women are trained early on to cook elaborate dishes. That’s why they
often have lavish celebrations during fiestas and holidays.
WHERE do they live? The word Tagalog means “people living along the river,” but
today the Tagalog people live all over the Philippines, and many live in other Southeast
nations as well.
HOW many? There are about 23,678,000 Tagalog people living in the Philippines. 15%
are evangelical Christians.
WHAT do they worship? The vast majority of Tagalog people are Roman Catholic,
and they often mix in some animistic beliefs as well. Like Cebuanos, this means that
while they are familiar with Jesus, they may not have a relationship with Him.
PRAYER needs:
• Ask the Lord of the harvest to send more workers to live and work among the
Tagalog people
• Ask God to soften the hearts and open the eyes of the Tagalog people, so that
they will be receptive to the message of the Gospel.
• Pray that existing Tagalog churches would be blessed with excellent Biblical
teaching and that they would place a major emphasis on evangelism.
