I know that the Philippines constitution changed the official language to be known as Filipino, which is based off Tagalog, but are there any major real differences? If Filipino is based off Tagalog, is Tagalog based off another language such as Latin-based or Malay-based?

I ask this because I've seen Filipino-Americans arguing over this. I've noticed how some people point out that the official Filipino languages uses certain letters that are absent with the actual Tagalog language.

Then there was this big argument in class where one person from the Philippines said that Filipino is the Official language and not Tagalog...while a Filipino-American kept saying "no it's Tagalog! since it's based off Tagalog...therefore Tagalog is still the official language"!

I also saw some kids arguing about it too, one set of kids kept calling it Filipino while others kept saying "it's Tagalog". Some have said "FILIPINO isn't even a language, it's TAGALOG!"

There seems to be a lot of confusion with Filipino identity in the U.S., and the language is part of it.

So who can give the best answer with clear and solid proof and evidence?

For my English report, I have to talk about the Filipino American sub-culture. If anyone can provide links of info about them that would be great. Please, do not send me biographies of people. I need factual information about them in general.

Or if you know something about Filipino Americans already, lemme kno!

Stuff that would be good to know about them are:
How they grow up with the American lifestyle
Their balance in accent
How parents treat them
Their aim on their careers
Their behavior

You get the idea. Any info can be good! Thanks.

My mom's side almost all of them virtually live in Northern Mindanao and around Cebu. I'm a Filipino-American and I'm not sure which I should learn. My mom knows Visayan, Tagalog, and something else.