PEOPLE / CULTURE

Waves of migrants from other Philippine provinces, and even other countries, have turned Puerto Princesa into a melting pot of various cultures. Among the original inhabitants are the Cuyunons who posses a rich legacy of folklores and traditions. Indigenous groups include the Tagbanuas and the Bataks, each group with its distinct culture and system of beliefs. Total inhabitants number about 161,912 (as of May, 2000), Three fourth of the population resides in the city proper, an urban settlement on the shores of Puerto Princesa Bay. While the predominant local tongue is Cuyuno, Tagalog, Visayan, as well as English are widely spoken.