Unit 1

Lesson 1 : Music of Luzon

( Lowland )
 Vocal Music
Liturgy
Liturgical music is appropriate for Mass or any other ritual action that
is under the jurisdiction of the Diocesan Bishop.
 1. Mass
Mass is a form of sacred musical composition. It
is a choral composition that sets the invariable
portions of the Eucharistic liturgy to music.
Most of the Masses are setting of the liturgy in
latin, the liturgical sacred language of the
Catholic Church’s Roman Liturgy however
there are significant number written in the
languages of non-Catholic countries where
vernacular worship has long been the norm. For
instance, there are many Masses (often called “
Communion Services) written in English.
A. Kyrie - It is the first movement of a setting of the
ordinary Mass. B. Gloria - It is a celebratory passage
praising God and Christ.
C. Credo - It is a setting of the Nicene Creed ( it is a
statement of belief widely used in Christian
Liturgy)
D. Sanctus - It is a doxology praising the Trinity.
E. Benedictus - the continuation of the Sanctus
F. Agnus Dei - It is a setting of the “ Lamb of God”
litany.
 Devotional Music
Devotional music concerned
with God and the beliefs and
practices of religion. It is a
music that has been
produced to be used in
worshiping God, but not in a
liturgical setting.
 Pastores is a Christmas season folk dance and
song practiced in many parts of Samar. In some
other place the song is also called Pastores or
Pastorada. Pastores are songs of happy mood
with uniform message that tells the people to
rejoice because the Saviour was born.
Example Pastores Songs;
1. "Daygon"
2. "Pastores" or "Pastorada"
3. "Bulan han Diciembre, bulan nga bulahan,
kami nga mga pastores nagrarayhak"
4. "Vamos vamos pastores de Belen"
 Moro-Moro/ Komedya
It is a colourful theatrical tradition in the
Philippines that describe the conflicts between the
Muslims and the Christian. Moro- Moro was used
by Spanish as a method to spread Christianity in the
country. It is also a type of Secular Komedya that
portrays the clash between Muslim and Christian
where the forbidden romance between the Prince
and the Princess is settled by having the non-
Christian be converted to Christianity or by his or
her death followed by a resurrection through divine
intervention.
 Senakulo
Senakulo is from the Spanish “ Cenaculo” is
a Lenten play that describes the events from
the Old and New Testaments related to the
life, sufferings, and death of Christ. It takes
at least eight nights from Palm Sunday up to
Easter Sunday to present the play. Another
form is street senakulo where the people are
walking with the procession . People near the
church wait eagerly to witness the
reenactment the most anticipated among the
episodes are the judgement of Jesus, the
crucifixion and His seven last words.
 Pabasa ng Pasyon
It is known as a religious ritual chanting the words
from Pasyon a narrative both that contains the life of
Christ. Pabasa is a way for Catholics to repent to
their sins and seek forgiveness from God during
Lenten Season. Pabasa ng Pasyon is a from of
meditation, expression of faith to God and activity
made with the fellow community.
Traditionally the chanting ritual is adapted with the
church’s style of singing religious songs and
incorporating it to the Pasyon. The activity lasts up to
1-3 days which depends on the flow of the chanting.
 Salubong
Salubong is an Easter Sunday
pre-dawn ritual that reenacts the
risen Christ’s meet.
 Flores de Mayo is sometimes called
Flores de Maria which means flowers of
May is a celebration in honour of the
blessed Virgin Mary. Flores de Mayo is
celebrated by the Filipino communities
during the merry month of May. It is
believed to have originated in the mid
1800s when the Vatican proclaimed
doctrines about the Immaculate
Conception.
 Sta. Cruzan
It is the highlight of the celebration of Flores de
Mayo,celebrated in honor of St. Helena the mother of
Constantine the Great the first Christian emperor who found the
relics of the True Cross or Holy Cross.
Queen Helena was in search of the True Cross Jesus. At the
Calvary, Queen Helena found 3 crosses, when she was 75 years
old. She asked her sick servants to touch each cross and one of
the the three crosses she found, had caused the miraculous
healing of the sick servants. The cross was believed to be the
same cross where Jesus died.
Santacruzan starts with a novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary,
with the rosary prayer being offered everyday. After the novena,
a procession will follow which will culminate in the ninth day
and the highlight of the festivity. In Santacruzan procession
beautiful ladies joined with their escorts with embellished floats
and ordinate gowns, representing various religious characters.
Secular Music
 A. Harana
Harana is traditionally sung by
a young man to a young woman
outside the woman's house as a
confession of his love to her. A
man wishing to court the
woman he loved would arrange
for a group of friends to help
him serenade her with guitar
and singing. They would stand
outside her window and play
love songs in order to attract
the woman’s attention.
 B. Kumintang
It is originally a war song and dance, later on become a
plaintive song. Kumintang is the name given to several
distinct styles, techniques and forms in music and dance
probably originating in the areas used by Spanish
cartographers and chronicles to denote a large province
centering around what is known as Batangas.
In early 19th-Century travelers' accounts often mention
the Kumintang as a tagalog of "chant national"
describing them as dance-songs performance by pairs of
men and women with texts concerning love and
courship. An example of kumintang is “Mutya ng Pasig”
written by Nicanor Abelardo.
 Polka
It is a bohemian dance in a quick
duple meter. A sample songs for
Polka with duple meter are Leron-
Leron Sista and Magtanim ay Di Biro
 Balitaw is a song traditionally associated with the Visayas
region in the same way the Kundiman and Kumintang are
associated with ancient tagalog music. The music of Balitaw
is usually written in 3/4 time. This folk air has more
developed form called “ Balitao Romansada”. The
traditional instrument used to accompany the “ Balitaw”
was a 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.
Balitaw Mayor:
1. Visayan Balitaw 2. Tagalog Balitaw 3. Dansa Menor
Examples of Balitaw:
1. Haling -Gabi - Antonio Molina
2. Sampaguita - Dalores Paterno
3. Ay, Ay Kalisud - Visayan Folk song
Art Music
 Kundiman
Kundiman is an art song about the love of a
man for a woman but can also bd about
patriotic sentiments, the-woman as an object of
love and sacrifice of the man representing the
Philippines whose countrymen are willing to do
sacrifice for freedom. Kundiman usually starts
in a minor key and then goes to the major key.
 Fransisco Santiago
- The father of Kundiman
- Triumvirate of Filipino Composer
- Music Specialization
🔹 America Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Doctorate Degree in 1924
- Music Style:
🔹 Romantic in style , incorporating west forms and techniques with folk
materials.
- He composes the following; 🔹 Kundiman
🔹 Symphonies
🔹 Piano Concertos
🔹 other music pieces for the piano, violin-and voice
- Musical Director for films:
🔹 Kundiman
🔹 Leron Leron Sinta
🔹 MadalingAraw
🔹 Manila and the movie inspired by his own
composition " Pakiusap"
- First Filipino Director, UP Conservatory of Music
- Among his famous works are-the following; 1. Pakiusap
2. Madaling Araw
3. Sakali Man
4. Hibik ng Pilipinas
5. Ano Kaya and Kapalaran
6. Kundiman ( Anak Dalita) ( This piece was sung before the
Royal Court of Spain upon the request of King Alfonso II.
Instrumental Music of
Luzon (Lowlands)
 Rondalla
Ronda is an ensemble of stringed instruments
played with plectrum or pick and generally
know as plectrum instruments.
Rondalla musicians provide music for
Philippine folk dances, fiestas and weddings
and was taught by the Spaniards. Ronda is
composed of Bandurias, violins, guitar, flutes,
octavina, laud and double bass.
 Banduria
Philippine banduria, is the voice of the
Philippine Rondalla.When the bandurria was
introduced to the Philippines more than 400
years ago, the Filipinos again added an
evolutionary touch to the bandurria’s journey.
First, the Filipinos dropped one “r” from its
name. Second, Filipino luthiers added two extra
strings to produce what is now the Philippine
modern 14-string banduria.The modern
Philippine banduria, also spelled bandurya, to
reflect the native Tagalog spelling, continues to
evolve.
Philippine Banduria is a 14-string Bandurria
used in many Philippine folkloric songs with 16
frets and shorter neck than 12 string Bandurria.
 Guitar
Guitar is introduced by the
Spanish in the 17th
century, now one of the
most popular instruments
in lowland (Christian)
areas. The significant
popularity of the guitar
eventually became the
most popular instrument in
the country.
 Laud
Laud is similar
to the bandurria,
it is ultimately of
Spanish origin.
Also part of a
Rondalla
ensemble.
Banduria
 Octavina
It is also part of
Rondalla ensemble.
It is a guitar shaped
Filipino instrument
with a tuning
similar to Laud.
Originally a Spanish
instrument.
 Double Bass
The double bass is also called bass VIOL or contrabass
is four(4)-stringed, the largest instrument of the
rondalla, shaped like the violin with two f sound holes,
provides the fundamental tome and reinforces the
rhythm. Until 1910, the bass- guitar was just a little bit
bigger than the ordinary guitar, and was played in the
same manner as the guitar, placed on the lap. Later, the
bass-guitar adapted a tailpiece, and was henceforth
played with the player standing up. In the interior of
the bass, a small piece of round wood is fixed
immediately behind the right foot of the bridge, to act
as a support. It is called the 'sound post'. Under the
bridge's left foot a strip of wood known as the 'bass
 Pangkat Kawayan
It is popular known as the “
Singing Bamboos of the
Philippine”. It is an orchestra that
plays music using non-traditional
bamboo instruments. Pangkat
Kawayan was founded in 1966.
Instruments include the Bamboo
tube or Bumbong, bamboo
marimba or Talungating, bamboo
piano or Tipangklung, the bamboo
flute or Tubli, the bamboo
knockers or Kalatok and bamboo
musical rattles, as well as drums,
cymbals, gongs and triangle made
of bamboo.
 Musikang Bumbong
The Musikang Bumbong was founded
in 1896. It is the original Malabon
Musikang Bumbong and was
organized since 1896 mostly
composed of Katipuneros from
Tonsuya, Malabon and it is now under
the leadership of Col. Gilbert M.
Ramos, a regular performer at CF-
Airport, Pavillion and Hyatt.
The original Malabon Musikang
Bumbong started as a plain “ Banda
de Boca” which means “Bibig or
mouth” in the 1890’s. Music or
sounds was produced by one’s voice
controlled with a piece of leaf or
paper placed between the lips.
In 1896, the band was organized at Bario Tonsuya
in Malabon, Rizal now Malabon City by Felix
Ramos the founder and Invetor of Bamboo
instruments and leader together with Juan de
Silva, Gregorio Kilala, Anacleto Topacio, Tomad
Gonzales and Delfin Borromeo members of
Musikang Bumbong. Musikang Bumbong took
on its name because of the passion for music by
its founder and members and the inspiration that
they got from the Filipino ethnic instruments like
bamboo fluteof the Igorots. Because of that they
invented their own bamboo musical instruments.
 Bamboo Organ
The Las Piñas Bamboo Organ in St. Joseph Parish
Church in Las Piñas City, Philippines, is a 19th-century
church organ with unique organ pipes, they are made
almost entirely of bamboo. It was completed in 1824 by
Father Diego Cera, the builder of the town's stone
church and its first resident Catholic parish priest.
The organ was declared a National Cultural Treasure of
the Philippines in 2003. The St. Joseph Parish Church,
with the famous organ and the church museum at the
old convent house, is a popular tourist destination for
Filipinos and foreign visitors alike in Las Piñas.
 Angklung
It is a musical instrument made of
varying number of bamboo tubes
attached to a bamboo frame. The
Angklung is popular throughout the
world, but it is originated in West
Java and Banten provinces in
Indonesia and has been played by the
Sundanese for many centuries.
Angklung and its music has become
the cultural identity of Sudanese
communities in West Java and
Banten. Playing Angklung as an
orchestra needs cooperation and
coordination and is believed to
promote the value of teamwork
mutual respect and social harmony.
Checking Your Learning
A. Matching Type: Match the description in COLUMN A with the vocal
Activity music in COLUMN B.
COLUMN A
____1. It is a form of sacred music composition.
____2. It is a Christmas season folk dance and song.
____3. An example of Pastores song.
____4. It is a doxology praising the Trinity.
____5. It is a celebratory passage praising God and Christ.
____6. It is a colorful theatrical tradition in the Philippines that describe the conflicts between the Muslim and Christian.
____7. It is a play that describe the events from the Old and New Testaments related to the life, sufferings and death of Christ.
____8. It is also called as “Flores de Maria”
____9. It is an Easter Sunday pre-dawn ritual reenacts the risen Christ’s meet.
____10. It is a religious ritual chanting the
words adopted with the church’s style of singing.
COLUMN B
A. Pabasa ng Pasyon

B. Salubong

C. Angklung
D. Flores de Mayo
E. Rondalla
F. Mass
G. Pastores
H. Daygon
I. Sanctus
J. Gloria
K. Moro Moro
L. Senakulo
M. Bumbong
B. Arrange the scrambled letters to form a word that describe
in each items.
__________1. DAUL - It is similar to Bandurria.
__________2. RAIDANBU - It is the voice of Philippine
Rondalla. __________3. TUIGAR - It is the most popular
instrument in the country. __________4. ONDLLAAR - It is
an ensemble played with plectrum or pick.
__________5. KGNLUNGA - It is a musical instrument made
of varying
number of bamboo.
 Activity 2
Direction: Create a graphic
organizer on the following
topics;
1. Harana
2. Balitaw