Even some native speakers in the Philippines do not know somehow that there are difference between Tagalog and Filipino. Most of the time Tagalog is being associated as the national language of the Phils. but this is actually not correct. The official language of the Phils. is actually Filipino and Tagalog is the native dialect of the Tagalog ethnic group, this group is based in the provinces of Central and Southern Luzon. It was true, that this native language was declared as the official language way back then, but lost its officiality in 1897. The new and latest constitution declared Filipino as the official and national language of the country. Although, it is hard even myself to exactly point out the difference between the two. It is clear that if you would be asked what is the official language of the Philippines, you would not say next time- Tagalog, rather your response would be, Filipino.