I wanted to teach Z to speak English ever since he was little but Daddy said no. He said that we should learn to speak our native language first and foremost. It made a lot of sense so the matter was laid to rest. So we spoke to him in Tagalog for the first five years of his life. Now that he is five years old I thought it was the perfect time to start speaking to him in English because he already has a good grasp of our native tongue but when I tried it Z response was so negative. He said he doesn’t have to learn English. So I figured he’ll just learn it along the way since he’s watching English stuff on TV anyway and their books are all in English. It was all forgotten when last Sunday while at Sunday school he tried to talk to one of his classmates there in Tagalog.
At Sunday School
The little boy is a Filipino but his reply to Z was, “Sorry, I don’t know Tagalog.” hehe The incident struck him so much that he relayed it to us. You know how moms in their eagerness to teach their children to speak English leaves out the Filipino language completely. It’s a complete turnoff I tell you so I’m glad Z learned Tagalog first. It’s not bad to learn English as long as you learn your own language too. Children can also be bilingual, you know. Anyway, I’m glad he’s experienced first hand how important it is to learn the universal language. So after that incident he has started to say bit and pieces of phrases in English that he got from his cartoons. For example, when he wants to get my attention he says, “Mommy, look me.” LOL! It’s still not perfect but it’s a good start. 
Children learn English language naturally. My older daughter is fluent in both language. Be proud to be bilingual, but be fluent in our own language first.
My sister works in Aori’s school and one of things she advised when he was born was to NOT forget about Tagalog, which sadly but true, is not the first Language we teach our children. So I did both, after counting in English, we count in Filipino. I also give him the Filipino translation because admittedly, I speak to Aori in English (except the hubby at first – bakit kaya sila ganon, no?)
I also agree that its easier to learn Filipino than English, rather than the other way around. I’ve proved it amongst my friends where their children, find the Filipino subject difficult.
So don’t worry mommy, English shows, books and a parent talking to him and Z will be all set