The Best of Filipino Folk Music

The Best of Filipino Folk Music is a blog that covers a wide range of folk music from the Philippines.

The Origins of Filipino Folk Music

Filipino folk music has its origins in the indigenous music of the Philippines. The music has been influenced by a number of factors, including Spanish and American colonial rule, Chinese and other Asian immigration, and exposure to Western pop music.

The influence of Spanish and American colonization

The Philippines has a rich history of music that has been influenced by both Spanish and American colonization. One of the most popular genres of Filipino folk music is the kundiman, which is a slow and emotional love song that is often sung in Tagalog. Other popular genres include the lalong-lalong andbicolano music, which are both upbeat and lively.

The kundiman is a traditional Filipino love song that is usually slow and emotional. It is often sung in Tagalog, which is the primary language spoken in the Philippines. The lyrics of kundiman songs often tell stories of love, loss, and heartbreak.

The lalong-lalong is another popular genre of Filipino folk music. This type of music is usually upbeat and lively, making it perfect for dancing. Lalong-lalong songs often tell stories about everyday life, such as working in the fields or going to the market.

Bicolano music is another popular genre of Filipino folk music. This type of music originates from the Bicol Region, which is located in southeastern Luzon. Bicolano music is known for its fast tempo and its use of traditional instruments, such as the gong and bamboo flute.

The influence of Chinese and Indian music

It is believed that the first Filipinos came from the Austronesian-speaking regions of mainland Southeast Asia. These people brought with them various musical instruments and styles, which were then combined with indigenous elements to create what is now known as Filipino folk music.

One of the most important influence on early Filipino music was Chinese music, which was introduced to the islands via trade and migration. Chinese musicians played an important role in the development of kundiman, a form of Philippine love song, and various instruments such as the erhu and pipa were also introduced to the country.

Indian music also had a significant impact on Filipino folk music, particularly in terms of instrumentation and vocal style. The sitar, tabla, and sarangi were among the Indian instruments that were introduced to the Philippines, while singing styles such as kirtan and qawwali also became popular.

The Different Types of Filipino Folk Music

There are many different types of Filipino folk music. The most popular type is probably the music of the Philippines. This type of music is very popular in the Philippines and is often played at Filipino festivals. Other types of Filipino folk music include the music of the Igorots, the music of the Tagalogs, and the music of the Visayans.

Luzon

Luzon is the largest and most populous island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost part of the country and is also home to the capital city, Manila. Luzon is characterized by its mountainous terrain and diverse climate, which supports a wide range of musical traditions.

The majority of folk music from Luzon is vocal-based, with songs typically used for storytelling or as work chants. The most common instrument used is the kudyapi, a two-stringed lute. Other instruments include the bamboo flute (t’rut), jew’s harp (tuteng), and drum (kulintang).

Luzon is also home to several indigenous groups, each with their own musical traditions. The most notable are the Igorot of the Cordillera region, who are known for their unique vocal style and use of traditional instruments like the nose flute (pinuno) and jaw harp (tongali).

Visayas

The Visayas is one of the three major island groups of the Philippines, along with Luzon and Mindanao. It consists of several islands, the largest of which are Leyte, Samar, Bohol, Cebu, Negros, and Panay.

Filipino folk music from the Visayas is heavily influenced by the music of Spain and Mexico. The most popular type of music in the Visayas is kundiman, which is a slow and expressive love song. Other popular genres include harana (romantic songs sung under someone’s window), binatbatan (faster songs), harito (songs accompanied by string instruments), kundirana (songs sung while holding hands in a circle), balitaw (songs about love and loss), and pansakan (songs about heartbreak).

Mindanao

Mindanao is the second largest and southernmost major island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country (the other two being Luzon and Visayas), which consists of the island itself and smaller outlying islands. The island is divided into six administrative regions: Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The folk music of Mindanao is as varied as its people. The music of the Maranaos, for example, is known for its kulintang ensemble music, while that of the T’bolis is known for its gongs and Indigenous vocal music.

The Instruments Used in Filipino Folk Music

The kulintang

The kulintang is a Philippine musical instrument of the brass gong family. It is also called kulintang a tawil or kulintang akayos, and is known as kulintangan in the Visayas. The instrument has also been called flat gongs in English.

Kulintang instruments are found in versions originating from each of the different ethno-linguistic groups of the Austronesian peoples of the Philippines: Maguindanao, Maranao, Sama-Bajau, Tausug, and Yakan peoples in Mindanao; the Ifugao, Ibanag, Ilocano, Ivatan, Pangasinense and Tagalog peoples of Luzon; and the Abaknon (who live on Capul Island), Ati (found in interior parts of Panay), Badjao, Bicolano (found in southeastern Luzon), Cebuano (found on Cebu Island), Ganaknon (Siquijor Island), Hiligaynon or Ilonggo (found throughout western Visayas as well as some parts of southern Mindanao), Karay-a (Panay Island), Masbateño and Waray-waray peoples

The instrument consists of a row of graduated pots that hang from a rack or stand. The row can range from three to eight pots. They are played by striking with mallets called pangasi.

The gongs

The gongs are the most important instruments in Filipino folk music. They come in various sizes and shapes, and are made of different materials. The two most common types of gongs are the bossed gong and the flat gong.

The bossed gong is a large, round gong with a raised center (the boss). It is usually hung from a frame or stand, and played with two wooden sticks. The flat gong is smaller and thinner than the bossed gong, and has a flat surface. It is usually laid on a table or stand, and played with one or two sticks.

Other common types of gongs include the Kulintang (a set of small, tuned gongs laid out in a row), the Agung (a large bossed gong), and the Banguingui (a small flat gong).

The agung

The agung is a set of two large hanging gongs used as part of the Philippine folk orchestra. The agung is played with two wooden beaters, and is used to keep time for the other instruments in the ensemble. It is also used to signal changes in tempo or dynamics.

The Popularity of Filipino Folk Music

Filipino folk music has been gaining popularity in recent years. More and more people are becoming interested in the traditional music of the Philippines. There are many reasons for this increase in popularity. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular Filipino folk songs and the reasons why they are so popular.

The revival of interest in folk music

During the Marcos dictatorship, there was a strong revival of interest in Philippine folk music, with musicians such as Freddie Aguilar and Asin gaining national popularity. In the post-Marcos era, this trend has continued, with more young people becoming interested in traditional music and instruments.

One of the most popular folk music genres in the Philippines is kundiman. Kundiman is a traditional Filipino love song, typically featuring lyrics about unrequited love or longing. The genre originated in the 19th century, and became particularly popular in the early 20th century.

Another popular folk music genre is Igorot music. Igorot music is characterized by its use of indigenous instruments and its focus on nature themes. Igorot music is often played during festivals or other special occasions.

Filipino folk music has also been influenced by other genres, such as rock and roll and hip hop. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in traditional Filipino musical styles among young people. This has led to the development of new genres such as Pinoy indie rock and Pinoy hip hop.

The popularity of folk music festivals

Filipino folk music has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years, thanks in part to the proliferation of folk music festivals. These festivals provide a great opportunity for people to experience the traditional music of the Philippines, and they also help to support and promote local musicians.

Folk music festivals are usually held outdoors, and they often feature a variety of different musical acts. In addition to traditional Filipino folk bands, you might also see contemporary groups that incorporate folk influences into their music. These festivals are a great way to experience the diversity of Filipino culture, and they’re also a lot of fun!