Waray people
Encyclopedia
The Waray are an ethno-liguistic group of people geographically inhabiting in the islands of Samar, Leyte and Biliran - commonly referred to as the Eastern Visayas
region of the Philippines
. The Waray, speak their native language called Waray-Waray
. Waray people inhabit in the whole island of Samar and they are called Samareños while in the island of Leyte they are called Leyteños. In Leyte island, Waray people occupy only in the northern part of the island as it is divided by a mountain range in the middle of the island. Hence, the language division between the Waray-Waray speaking people in the northern part and the Cebuano speaking people in the southern part. In the island of Biliran, Waray-Waray speaking people lives on the eastern part of the island facing the island of Samar. They are commonly referred in Waray-Waray term as Biliranon. In the island of Ticao which belongs to the province of Masbate
in the Bicol
region, Waray-Waray speaking people lives in most parts of the island. They are commonly referred to as Ticaonon. However, the Ticaonon have their affinity with the Bicolano speaking people of Masbate island as it is their home province. Bicol and Waray-Waray languages have a lot of similarities in vocabularies as compared to Cebuano language.
, Northern Samar
, and Eastern Samar
, while they form a significant population in Leyte
and Sorsogon
.
, a major Visayan language. Some people who are of Waray descent also speak Waray-Waray as their second or third language, especially among emigrants to Metro Manila, other parts of the Philippines and in other parts of the world. Other notable foreign languages spoken include Spanish
, Chinese
and Japanese
which is spoken by its community and among others
. Leyte Normal University
is also located in Tacloban. There are numerous state universities serving the community, including Eastern Visayas State University
, Eastern Samar State University
, and the largest both in terms of land area and curricular offerings in the whole region, the University of Eastern Philippines
located in Catarman, Northern Samar. There are also Universities in Western Samar like Samar State University which is the first University in the province, St. Mary's College of Catbalogan, formerly Sacred Heart College and Samar College. Northwest Samar State University, formerly Tiburcio Tancinco Memorial Institute of Science and Technology and Samar State Collge of Agriculture and Forestry, offer courses that are needed in technology and business community.
Warays are also known for their love of music, one form of which is the Kuratsa, a courtship dance, with music based on native and Hispanic influences; some local artists tend to create Waray versions of popular songs, such as "An Bahal nga Tuba" which was based on a Mexican song.
Eastern Visayas
Eastern Visayas is one of the two regions of the Philippines having no land border with another region, MIMAROPA being the other, and is designated as Region VIII...
region of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. The Waray, speak their native language called Waray-Waray
Waray-Waray language
Wáray-Wáray or Samarnon is a language spoken in the provinces of Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and in some parts of the Leyte and Biliran in the Philippines...
. Waray people inhabit in the whole island of Samar and they are called Samareños while in the island of Leyte they are called Leyteños. In Leyte island, Waray people occupy only in the northern part of the island as it is divided by a mountain range in the middle of the island. Hence, the language division between the Waray-Waray speaking people in the northern part and the Cebuano speaking people in the southern part. In the island of Biliran, Waray-Waray speaking people lives on the eastern part of the island facing the island of Samar. They are commonly referred in Waray-Waray term as Biliranon. In the island of Ticao which belongs to the province of Masbate
Masbate
Masbate is an island province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region. Its capital is Masbate City and consists of three major islands: Masbate, Ticao and Burias.-History:...
in the Bicol
Bicol
Bikol or Bicol may refer to:*Bicol Region, the administrative region in the Philippines*Bikol languages, the languages spoken in the Bicol region*Bikol language, the standard language*Bicolano people, the ethnic group...
region, Waray-Waray speaking people lives in most parts of the island. They are commonly referred to as Ticaonon. However, the Ticaonon have their affinity with the Bicolano speaking people of Masbate island as it is their home province. Bicol and Waray-Waray languages have a lot of similarities in vocabularies as compared to Cebuano language.
Area
The Waray-Waray form the majority in the provinces of SamarSamar
Samar, formerly and also known as Western Samar, is a province in the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catbalogan City and covers the western portion of Samar as well as several islands in the Samar Sea located to the west of the mainland...
, Northern Samar
Northern Samar
Northern Samar is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Catarman and is located at the northern portion of the island of Samar. Bordering the province to the south are the provinces of Samar and Eastern Samar...
, and Eastern Samar
Eastern Samar
Eastern Samar is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is the city of Borongan.-Location:...
, while they form a significant population in Leyte
Leyte
Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Tacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island. Leyte is located west of Samar Island, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran...
and Sorsogon
Sorsogon
Sorsogon is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region; it is the southernmost province in Luzon and is subdivided into fourteen municipalities and one city. Its capital is Sorsogon City and borders the province of Albay to the north...
.
Religion
The Waray people are one of the most religious people in the Philippines. Almost all of them belong to Roman Catholicism, the world's largest Christian denomination. Their religious devotion is very evident in their celebrations like feasts honoring their patron saints, Santacruzans and many more.Language
The Waray people speak the Waray-Waray languageWaray-Waray language
Wáray-Wáray or Samarnon is a language spoken in the provinces of Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and in some parts of the Leyte and Biliran in the Philippines...
, a major Visayan language. Some people who are of Waray descent also speak Waray-Waray as their second or third language, especially among emigrants to Metro Manila, other parts of the Philippines and in other parts of the world. Other notable foreign languages spoken include Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, Chinese
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
and Japanese
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
which is spoken by its community and among others
Traditions
Many Warai traditions can be traced to pre-colonial times. For example, the Kuratsa dance is a very popular traditional dance of the Waray-Waray at many social gatherings, especially weddings. It is very common throughout Samar. The couple who dances the Kuratsa are showered with money by the people around them. The belief is that the more money showered upon them, the more blessings will come their way.Universities
Tacloban City in Leyte is home to a campus of the University of the PhilippinesUniversity of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
. Leyte Normal University
Leyte Normal University
The Leyte Normal University is a public university in the Philippines. It is mandated to provide higher professional and special instructions for special purposes and to promote research and extension services, advanced studies and progressive leadership in education and other related fields...
is also located in Tacloban. There are numerous state universities serving the community, including Eastern Visayas State University
Eastern Visayas State University
The Eastern Visayas State University is a public university in the Philippines. It is mandated to provide advanced education, higher technological, professional instruction and training in trade, fishery, agriculture, forestry, science, education, commerce, architecture, engineering, and related...
, Eastern Samar State University
Eastern Samar State University
The Eastern Samar State University is a state university in the Philippines with main campus located in Borongan, Eastern Samar. It has satellite campus in Maydolong, Eastern Samar.-History:...
, and the largest both in terms of land area and curricular offerings in the whole region, the University of Eastern Philippines
University of Eastern Philippines
The University of Eastern Philippines is a public university in the Philippines. The University is the only comprehensive state university in Eastern Visayas, offering the largest number of programs in undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate education among the universities in the region...
located in Catarman, Northern Samar. There are also Universities in Western Samar like Samar State University which is the first University in the province, St. Mary's College of Catbalogan, formerly Sacred Heart College and Samar College. Northwest Samar State University, formerly Tiburcio Tancinco Memorial Institute of Science and Technology and Samar State Collge of Agriculture and Forestry, offer courses that are needed in technology and business community.
Perceptions in other parts of the Philippines
The Waray-Waray are often stereotyped as brave warriors, as popularized in the phrase, "basta ang Waray, hindi uurong sa away" (Waray never back down from a fight.) They are even known as contented people, such that, during the Spanish era, they were often called lazy, due to their sense of contentment, of living in simplicity as farmers, and for making tuba from coconut nectar.Warays are also known for their love of music, one form of which is the Kuratsa, a courtship dance, with music based on native and Hispanic influences; some local artists tend to create Waray versions of popular songs, such as "An Bahal nga Tuba" which was based on a Mexican song.
Crops
The most important crop and major source of income for many is the coconut. Other major agricultural products include rice and corn, while sugarcane, abaca, and tobacco are also grown. Cassava and camote (yam) are grown as supplementary staple crops. Pineapple, banana, mangoes, and other fruit are grown year round, as are many vegetables and peanuts. In Eastern Samar, a root crop known as palawan is grown. It is not common outside of that area. Leyte is a big producer of bananas.Farming/Fishing
Farming and fishing provide much of the livelihood of the Waray-Waray. There is an impressive variety of seafood available.Native Wines
Native wines are produced in the area, as in many places in the Philippines. The most common of these wines are tuba, extracted from the coconut palm, and pangasi, made from fermented rice.Famous Warays
- Boy AbundaBoy AbundaEugenio "Boy" R. Abunda, Jr. is a Filipino television host, publicist, talent manager and celebrity endorser. He is dubbed as the "King of Talk" in local show business.-Early life:Boy Abunda was born in Borongan City, Eastern Samar...
- Former First Lady of the Philippines Imelda MarcosImelda MarcosImelda R. Marcos is a Filipino politician and widow of 10th Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Upon the ascension of her husband to political power, she held various positions to the government until 1986...
- Norberto RomualdezNorberto RomuáldezNorberto Romuáldez y López was a Philippine writer, politician, jurist, and statesman. He was the first Lopez-Romuáldez to attain national prominence, and is deemed the "Father of the Law on the National Language"...
- Juan Ponce SumuroyJuan Ponce SumuroyAgustin Sumuroy was a Waray leader of the Sumoroy Rebellion, a rebellion of native Filipinos against colonial Spanish forces that occurred in eastern Visayas in 1649-1650....
- Speaker Daniel RomualdezDaniel RomualdezDaniel Z. Romualdez was a Filipino politician who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from 1957 to 1962....
- Tom MottTom Rodriguez-Biography:Bartolome Alberto "Tom" Mott is an amateur musical composer and illustrator from Arizona. He is a native of Catbalogan City, Samar, Philippines but migrated to the United States when he was 12 years old with his mom and dad, who is a US Navy serviceman....
- Ricky LoRicky LoRicardo F. Lo, more popularly known as Ricky Lo, is an entertainment writer, showbiz commentator from the Philippines. He is of Chinese descent.He was born on April 17. He is a native of Las Navas, Northern Samar, where he finished grade school...
- K BrosasK BrosasK Brosas , sometimes credited as Kaye Brosas, is a Filipina actress, comedienne, singer and television host. She was a band member of 'Gladys and The Boxers' and was lead singer when the group performed as 'K and The Boxers'...
- Tessie Tomas
- Kareen Kae Naputo - Kabit ni Uly