LANGUAGE

The people speak predominantly Masbateño (or Minasbate, the language unique to the province related to Visayan languages) and to lesser degree, Bicolano. Other Visayan languages are also spoken, with 33% of the population speaking Hiligaynon/Ilonggo, mainly in the towns of Balud, Mandaon and the southwestern part of Milagros, while the remaining 9% speak Cebuano, especially in the towns of Esperanza, Pio V. Corpuz and Placer. In northeastern Burias Island, they speak Bicolano similarly as the people of Camarines Sur and Albay, due to the island’s proximity to the Bicol Region mainland. The people generally speak fluent English and Filipino, though is seldom used everyday.