User:Lopezagc/sandbox

 The Hiligaynon, often referred to as Ilonggo''', are a Visayan ethnic group indigenous to the large coastal plain of east Panay island. Over the years, intermigrations and intramigrations have contributed to the diaspora of the Hiligaynon to different parts of the country. Now, the Hiligaynon form the majority in Iloilo province, Capiz province, Negros Occidental province, Guimaras province, South Cotabato province and Sultan Kudarat province.

Demographics
According to a 2000 census, 7.5% of the national population is Hiligaynon/Ilonggo, compared to 28.1% Tagalog (the majority group). This makes the Hiligaynon the fifth most populous ethnic group in the nation behind the Tagalog (28.1%), the Cebuano (13.1%), the Ilocano (9%), and the Bisaya (7.6%). Two provinces have populations above one million since a 1990 census: Iloilo (1,608,083) and Negros Occidental (1,821,206).

Language
Ilonggo people speak Hiligaynon language and also speak Cebuano in Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, Cotabato and Siquijor as second languages. Throughout the Philippines, they speak Tagalog and English as second languages. Those who are concentrated in Iloilo and Bacolod cities could speak Spanish and those who are concentrated in highlands of Iloilo province and its towns bordering Antique could speak Kinaray-a as their second or third language.

Culture
Hiligaynon culture is part of the culture of the wider Visayan ethnic group, who constitute the largest Filipino ethnic group. Most Hiligaynons (entirely in Sultan Kudarat Cotabato and South Cotabato) are Christians who are Roman Catholics.

The Dinagyang festival is celebrated every fourth Sunday of January in Iloilo City. The festival name is derived from the word dagyang meaning "merry-making". Modeled after the Ati-atihan, Dinagyang venerates the Santo Niño, and specifically commemorates the purchase of Panay Island from the indigenous Ati by 10 fleeing Bornean datus (chiefs).