I read this somewhere but forgot where and I just want to verify this...if anyone can give me a source/reference...I think it's only natural since we did trade with one another before the Spanish arrived. Thanks =)
Okay then, to be more specific for example, before the Spanish arrived, would a Tagalog person have been able to speak Cebuano and Ilocano as well?

A Cebuano or an Ilocano?

I'm in love with a beautiful woman from the Philippines. She speakes Cebuano and tagalog. What words in Tagalog can I say to tell her how much I care and love her. Any good phrases I could say for someone I love in Tagalog? Thank you for your help.

This is actually a spin-off from Coqui's question. He did raise some very interesting points and it's a topic deserving of our thoughts and opinions.

We all know that Filipino (our national language) is largely based on Tagalog, the prevalent language/dialect in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces. But we do have other dialects that are widely spoken by large numbers of people, like Cebuano and Ilocano.

So why Tagalog? Does it mean it is better than the others? Thank you for your answers.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100110170425AAGAeCc&show=7#profile-info-UhKxohnxaa

Since Spanish was the first official language of the country, united the country, and because it had been official for 400 years. Also Tagalog is based mostly in Luzon and I know Cebuano's resent Tagalog being the National language. Another Reason is because Jose Rizal made Spanish the National language of Philippines.
Hey Damong Ligaw..the only problem with your answer is that Filipino language is based on Tagalog why should Tagalog be above other native languages? When in fact it was the Spanish that united the country.. intendehan?

Filipino or Tagalog? Is there really a difference? Sometimes, we just shrug this question off. It's easy to say these two don't have a difference since native speakers of these languages will not be strangers when they talk. They will understand each other completely.
But technical translations demand more literal transfers. Consequently whether to use Filipino or Tagalog becomes a conscious question. When source words are without exact equivalents in Tagalog, here is where Filipino becomes useful. In a sense, one often resorts to using Filipino when "pure Tagalog" expressions can't be found. A translation therefore can be a mixture of Filipino or Tagalog, assuming that there is a clear line that distinguishes them from each other.

Tagalog is not a dialect but a major language in the Philippines. Within the Tagalog region, there are many dialects such as the variations found in Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Mindoro, Palawan, Quezon, Rizal and Batangas provinces. Ninety percent of native Tagalog speakers are born and bred and grew up in these provinces.

Filipino is based on Tagalog. Without Tagalog, I doubt if there will ever be a clear identification of the Filipino language. On second thought, maybe, Filipino will be based on Cebuano, or Ilocano, or Bicolano, or Ilongo which are also major languages. Some Cebuanos are sometimes jealous because majority of the so-called Filipino words and expressions are actually Tagalog.

i can be your tutor. Tagalog is the Filipino language while Cebuano is the language in most of the Visayan provinces. I can teach you how to speak some tagalog or cebuano languages.