Bisayan or Tagalog?

I don’t know if this is a common dilemma or not, but since I’ve decided to try to learn some of the language of the Philippines before I retire there, I’ve got to make a decision. Do I learn the national language or the native dialect in the area I will live? You might say, “learn both”. Well that would be ideal but I think I will have plenty of difficulty learning one, so I’m going on the assumption that both won’t happen.

I hadn’t really given it any thought previously. I just assumed that I would learn Tagalog. After all that’s spoken everywhere in the Philippines, right? Well I guess the answer is yes and no. I’ve been informed that many areas, Davao and Cebu for instance, are not happy about Tagalog being forced upon them. If you want to fit in, then you will learn the native dialect.

We’ve picked Samal Island for the spot we hope to retire (hence the blog) and that leaves the choice between Bisayan and Tagalog. Positives for Tagalog are that it is the national language (Filipino if you want to be precise) and it is understood virtually everywhere in the Philippines. It is used on the airwaves, in advertising, is taught in school, etc. Additionally, it’s not hard to find learning material for Tagalog. Bisayan on the other hand has the positive I mentioned before of being the local dialect and would almost certainly create a better impression with the locals. I would probably need a teacher for Bisayan, though I’ve not really researched for learning materials on it yet.

What I’m most concerned with however is, “what will serve me best in the future?” I won’t be living full-time on Samal for at least ten years (unless something changes) and I wonder how time will change the perception of the speaking of the languages by then. Since Tagalog will continue to be taught and Davao should continue to modernize with additional foreigners likely moving in, will the distaste for Tagalog remain? Will the Bisayan speaking population lessen and therefor the importance of learning it?

What are your thoughts?