In 1641, the Spaniards established an important naval yard on the Cavite Peninsula which is considered the traditional navy yard of Manila. It is from this settlement that the City of Cavite grew. While Cavite became a major naval base and shipyard, Ternate and Corregidor guarded the entrance of Manila Bay against Moslem raiders.
Whinnom (1956:12) assumes that Cv is the modern descendant of Tr, traced from the socio-economic situation of the great influx of Ternateņos to Cavite City to work in the dockyards.
Whinnom's paper states that there are some 5,000 people 40 years and above who claim Cv as their first language. The proximity to the City of Manila where people find more opportunities other than work connected with the navy and dockyards is the main reason why many Caviteņos are scattered outside Cavite City. Practically all communicate in Tagalog today. Even native speakers of Cv who are younger than 40 would opt for a Tagalog word or term when faced with a choice.
Tr=Ternate Chabacano Cv=Cavite Chabacano Zm=Zamboanga Chabacano Ct=Cotabato Chabacano