| Total population |
|---|
| 5.9 million (6.9% of the Philippine population) |
| Regions with significant populations |
(Bicolandia, Metro Manila) |
| Languages |
| Religion |
|
Predominantly Roman Catholic with some animism |
| Related ethnic groups |
|
Bisaya,
Tagalog, |
The Bicolanos are the fifth-largest Filipino ethnolinguistic group.
Contents |
Bicolanos live in the southeastern peninsula of Luzon, now containing the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon. Many Bicolanos also live in the province of Quezon.
The Bicolanos number about 5,907,000. They are descended from the Austronesian-speaking immigrants who came from South China during the Iron Age. Some Bicolanos also have Chinese, Arab, and Spanish admixtures. Their language is referred to as Bikol or Bicolano. The Bicolano language is very fragmented, and its dialects are mutually incomprehensible to speakers of other Bicolano dialects. The majority of the Bicolano people are devout Roman Catholics. Catholic Mass is celebrated daily in many churches in the Bicol Region.
The Bicolano culture is primarily noted for the prominent use of chili peppers and gata (coconut milk) in its food. A classic example is the gulay na lada, known outside the region as Bicol Express, a well-loved dish using siling labuyo (native small chillies) and the aforementioned gata.
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