Harana
Nowadays, we call it old-fashioned serenading. Harana
originated from the Spanish Era here in the Philippines. The Harana is
practiced in small towns and rural places. This is how the men court the women
from before. A man accompanied by his friends would visit a woman and sing to
her love songs to make her fall in love with him. The man is usually accompanied
by his friends to give him moral support and also help him with the songs he
will use to serenade the woman.
Harana is also called “Habanera Filipina”. This is so
because its rhythmic element came from the Spanish Tango or Habanera.
There are variations of the Harana. “Tapat” is from
Ilocos, this serenading is started by the man and the woman answers back also
with a song. This will go on until the two agree on their relationship. Also,
some examples of Harana songs are "Walay
Angay", "Ay Kalisud", "No Duaduaem Pay",
"Silayan", "Alaala Kita", Bituing Marikit", and
"O Ilaw".
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Kundiman
Another traditional way of serenading is the Kundiman.
Kundiman came from the Province of Batangas. The Kundiman may be similar to
Harana because the song is dedicated to a woman. Although in Kundiman, a man is
singing about his longing for a loved one. This was also used in the Spanish
Era as a means to express one’s love for country and longing for freedom. The
Kundiman was used in this way because the Spaniards did not allow songs
pertaining to patriotism.
Sources:
J. Sonny Santos (1995,
October 22). Harana. Retrieved from http://jayars.tripod.com/harana.html
Images:
Harana by Carlos V. Francisco - http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/love.htm
Kundiman by Ramon Estella, Director Excelsior
Pictures - http://pelikulaatbp.blogspot.com/2008/05/pre-war-filipino-movies.html
