Traditional Filipino Serenade

A harana is a traditional Filipino serenade. The man is accompanied by his friends who back him up both vocally and psychologically. At first, the woman’s window is closed. The man calls out to her and if she’s interested, she’ll open her window. The most famous Tagalog harana, one that you can still hear people singing today, is O, Ilaw (Oh, Light). In this song, the man compares the woman to a star in the dark sky. The song lyrics specifically ask her to open her window and look out at him. Singing harana originated during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines. * Harana song of Parokya ni Edgar

* Dungawin Mo, Hirang
* O ILAW (Aking Bituin)
BALITAW
The music of the balitaw is usually written in 3/4 time. It is also danced to, although it originally was something that was merely sung. This folk air has a more developed form called balitao romansada. The traditional instrument used to accompany the balitaw was a three-string coconut-shell guitar; later, a harp was adopted as the instrument of choice because more chords could be played on it. When performed today in modern rendition, a five-string guitar is used.The balitaw is a debate or dialogue song in which a young woman and a young man compete to see who is better at improvising romantic verses. These verses are sometimes memorized in advance. Using song to disguise the intimate sentiments of courtship reduces the embarrassment involved in meeting potential mates. * Balitaw Sa Paghangyo Sa Gugma

KUNDIMAN
The kundiman is often called the classical Filipino love song. It is actually a musical form (parallel minor and major keys in triple time with verses each consisting of about 12 syllables). It is associated with love songs because it is the song form that most traditional Filipino serenades (harana) were in.a genre of traditional Filipino love songs. The lyrics of the Kundiman are written in Tagalog. The melody is characterized by a smooth, flowing and gentle rhythm with dramatic intervals. Kundiman was the traditional means of serenade in the Philippines.The Kundiman came around to be an art song at the end of the nineteenth century and by the early part of the twentieth century, its musical structure was formalised by Filipino composers such as Francisco Santiago and Nicanor Abelardo (February 7, 1893-March 21, 1934); they sought poetry for their lyrics, blending verse and music in equal parts. * Bituing Marikit (Beautiful Star)

NATIONALISTIC SONG
a patriotic hymn or other song adopted by a nation for use on public or state occasions. refers to the use of musical ideas or motifs that are identified with a specific country, region, or ethnicity, such as folk tunes and melodies, rhythms, and harmonies inspired by them.[citation needed] Musical nationalism can also include the use of folklore as a basis for programmatic works including opera