The national language of the Philippines is Filipino, which is a standardized variety of Tagalog based on the native dialect spoken in Metro Manila and other urban centers of the archipelago. Filipino and English are the two official languages of the country, with Filipino being designated as the national language in the 1987 Constitution. Filipino is used in formal education throughout the country and serves as a lingua franca that bridges the gap between various Philippine languages. English is also widely used in government, newspapers, and publications.