Tina-Sambal is a language that belongs to the Sambalic family located at Central Luzon in the Philippines. According to the informant, its speakers refer to Tina-Sambal as “Sambal”. Speakers like calling their variant according to the area from which it is used (named: Sambal+the area). Since Sambali is used in the towns of Sta. Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Iba, and Palauig, people in those towns refer to their language as Sambal Sta. Cruz, Sambal Masinloc, Sambal Candelaria, Sambal Palauig, at Sambal Iba where the stated informant lives.

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         To the speakers, calling their language “ Tina-Sambal” is derogatory because it mocks the language due to its Spanish-borrowed terms. Tina is also the name of textile colorant. However, Tina-Sambal is the name known to outsiders. A specific difference of Sambal Candelaria from Sambal Botolan is the vowel “e” which Samabal Candelaria lacks. The difference between Sambal Candelaria and Sambal Sta. Cruz is the use of “s” by Sambal Sta. Cruz instead of “h”.

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              Sambal is located in the province of Zambales, which is vertical in shape. It is composed of a lot of barangays where most are located near highways and a few are far from the main roads. The town of Candelaria is composed of barangays that are near the mountains, some near the sea, and others near the highways.

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             The older people are usually the ones who use the language, however, there are still some young people who are able to learn the language and still use it up to today. There are places whose people do not know how to speak Sambal. A specific example is people from the capital of Zambales; probably due to the abundance of non-native people. The non-natives are usually Ilokanos and Pangasinense.

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             In terms of which groups are marginalized, the various Sambals are equally recognized. The attitude of the people towards Sambal is they value it through usage of the language in masses, language used in events, and in everyday life. However similar to what was stated above, there are areas where the kids are not taught Sambal like in Iba. 

 

             The speakers use Sambal in conversations with people who also speak the same language and there are times when they mix Tagalog and Sambal. They use Tagalog when talking with people who do not speak Sambal and use English in school.

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             The dominant activities of the Sambal speakers are working in the fields and fishing. The elders usually talk with each other. The young people play most of the time, and go to school.

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             Our informant is Ms. Kathleen, an 18-year-old college student who speaks Sambal, Filipino, and English.