Languages are more interconnected than we often realize - a fact made delightfully clear in a recent observation by a Tagalog speaker exploring Malaysia. In a TikTok video shared by @yzabeltravels, the speaker noted that Bahasa Malaysia (BM) shares some surprising similarities with Tagalog - and even gives off Ilocano or Cebuano vibes. 

While it's unclear whether she was referring to the structure of the language or just the slang, her experience took place in Sandakan - a culturally rich town in Sabah, East Malaysia. The observation makes a lot of sense considering the geographic and historical closeness of the Philippines and Malaysia, especially in Borneo where people and languages have coexisted and influenced one another for centuries.

In fact, parts of Sabah are home to Filipino communities and a blend of languages and dialects is part of daily life. It's not unusual to hear words or intonations that resonate across the Sulu Sea. The linguistic overlap might stem from shared Austronesian roots - a language family that spans Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

This encounter is a fun reminder that language is fluid, adaptable, and surprisingly familiar across borders. Whether it's actual vocabulary or simply the "vibe" of a language, those little moments of recognition can make travel and cultural exchange all the more exciting.

So the next time you're in Sandakan (or anywhere in Southeast Asia), don't be too surprised if something sounds familiar - you might just be hearing a cousin of your native tongue.