The Filipino Muslims

- Muslims in Mindanao have always made an effort to understand their past and have never ceased to remember those men who, on account of personal traits, character, and leadership, have helped guarantee the preservation of Islam in spite of the determined efforts of their antagonists to deprive them of their religion, land, and knowledge of their ancient past.

- The characters and attitudes of present-day Muslims are not only the result of what they have made out of themselves but also of what others have forced them to become.

- A Muslim Filipino is a "fierce lover of freedom" and "proud of his culture" to the extent that one "does not offer meek apologies" for whatever shortcomings his culture might have. This, according to Teodoro A. Agoncillo, a noted historian.

- The ethnic people of Mindanao and Sulu are classified into 10 major language-based groups: the Maguindanaos, Maranaos, Tausugs, Samals, Yakans, Badjaos, Jama Mapuns, Palawananuns, Molbogs, and the Sangils.

- The Tausugs, Samals, Yakans, and the Jama Mapuns in particular tend to be sea-oriented. Livelihood among these people has been principally based on a current, shore and market place existence.

- Outside of the Mindanao mainland, Filipino Muslims are concentrated in the southern parts of Palawan, Cagayan de Sulu Island, and the entire Sulu Archipelago. The Tausugs are found in Jolo and Siasi Islands while the Samals are settled in Tawi-Tawi province and northern Sulu. The Yakans are in Basilan province while the Jama Mapuns live mostly in Cagayan de Sulu Island and partly in the southwestern part of Palawan. The Badjaos can be found in "sea villages" located mainly in Tawi-Tawi and Sibatu and isolated sections of the islands of Siasi and Jolo and in Zamboanga.