Although Filipino is the national language, the Philippines actually has over 170 languages!
It is challenging finding resources so I get super excited when I find resources especially for children.
Most of these apps are used in elementary schools in the Philippines as part of a digital learning kit to support Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education.
I’m not affiliated with the developers, just sharing because they are great apps!
Kaalam – Cebuano kids app
Kaalam is an Android app for kids to learn basic Cebuano.
Cebuano (Bisaya) is spoken in various parts of Visayas and Mindanao, Philippines.
Available on Google Play – Free!
Developed by Learn Smart – Smart Communications
Sanut – Ilokano kids app
Sanut Ilokano (Ilokano wisdom) is an Android app for kids to learn basic Iloko.
Iloko is spoken in northern Visayas, Philippines.
Available on Google Play – Free!
Developed by Learn Smart – Smart Communications
Singsing – Kampampangan kids app
Singsing (jewelry ring) is an Android app for kids to learn basic Kapampangan.
Pampangan is spoken in Luzon and parts of central Visayas Philippines.
Available on Google Play – Free!
Developed by Learn Smart – Smart Communications
Kaaram – Waray kids app
Kaaram (very intelligent) is an Android app for kids to learn basic Waray.
Waray is spoken in eastern Visayas, Philippines in Samar and Leyte.
Available on Google Play – Free!
Developed by Learn Smart – Smart Communications
Katao – Inabaknon kids app
Katao is an Android app for kids to learn basic Inabaknon.
Inabaknon is spoken in eastern Visayas, Philippines in Capul.
Available on Google Play – Free!
Developed by Learn Smart – Smart Communications
Matigsulag kids app
Matigsalug is an Android app for kids to learn basic Matigsalug.
Matigsalug is spoken in Mindanao, Philippines, southern Bukidnon province.
Available on Google Play – Free!
Developed by Learn Smart – Smart Communications
Tahderiyyah – Arabic kids app
Tahderiyyah is an Android app for kids to learn basic Arabic.
Tahderiyyah is an Islamic Kindergarten curriculum taught in southern Mindanao -Bangsamoro, Philippines.
Available on Google Play – Free!
Developed by Learn Smart – Smart Communications
Filipino Sign Language (FSL)
Did you know that Filipino Sign Language (FSL) is a separate language from American Sign Language (ASL)?
There are several letters that are different in finger signing the letters of the alphabet – “e”, “g”, and “t”.
The Benilde Deaf School in Manila, Philippines has an abundance of videos of Filipino Sign Language words and phrases. Check it out! https://www.facebook.com/BenildeDeafSchool/
Pangasinan-English Dictionary app
Pangasinan-English Dictionary is an Android app developed by the University of Pangasinan College of IT Education (UPang CITE).
Pangasinan is spoken in Visayas, Philippines – Pangasinan province.
Available on Google Play – Free!
Hililgayon – kids ebook app
Hiligaynon or Ilonggo is spoken in various parts of Mindanao and Western Visayas, Philippines.
Usbong is a social business based out of Markina City, Philippines. They produce a variety of multilingual interactive storybook apps for children. The apps have audio and text in multiple languages.
Available on Google Play and Apple App Store. Free (English and Filipino) with in-app purchases for Ilonggo, and additional languages.
Sinama- kids ebook app
The Sama community has produced amazing resources for preserving the Sinama language. Find them at http://sinama.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/sinama.org/.
Sinama Big Books is an app with 24 translated stories for children.
Sinama is spoken in various parts of Mindanao, Philippines.
Available on Google Play – Free!
Leave a comment below, if you have a favorite Filipino language app.