List of Folk Songs in the Philippines

Author: Robert Bell

Folk songs are, quite literally, songs of the people. And in determining the identity of a country, one can look no further than this form of music for clues to a particular culture. This list of Filipino folk songs offers a few examples of the many simple yet timeless tunes long since ingrained into the Philippine people's consciousness.

BAHAY KUBO

This song is as familiar to Filipino schoolchildren as the "ABC's" and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" are to kids everywhere. Credited to have been written by composer and 1997 National Artist for Music Felipe de Leon (1912-1992), it tells of the traditional Filipino rural house, the humble "bahay kubo" or nipa hut, and goes on to enumerate the various vegetables planted in its vicinity.

PAKITONG-KITONG

Also called "Tong Tong Tong Tong Pakitong-kitong," this Filipino folk song has both a Tagalog and Cebuano version. It describes a crab that is delicious to eat, but hard to catch because of its snapping pincers.

MAGTANIM AY ‘DI BIRO

Credited to Felipe de Leon, "Magtanim Ay ‘Di Biro" ("Planting Rice is Never Fun") describes the tedious chore of planting rice. It has been covered by Filipino rock band The Dawn, and former president Joseph "Erap" Estrada even rewrote it into a much more "inspirational" version entitled "Kung Tayo'y Magtatanim" ("If We All Plant Rice").

O ILAW

A popular example of the traditional Filipino love song genre "kundiman", this song was made famous by Filipino singer and actor Ruben Tagalog (1920-83). The real title of the song is actually "Aking Bituin" ("My Star"), its current title having been derived from its first two words "o ilaw" ("o light").

ANG PIPIT

"Ang Pipit" ("The Sparrow") relates the story a sparrow who falls off the branch its perched on after being stoned by a cruel man. It was co-written by Lucio D. San Pedro (1913-2002) and Levi Celerio (1910-2002). Named National Artist for Music and Literature in 1997, Celerio had composed over 4,000 songs and has even been included in the Guiness Book of World Records for his unusual talent of playing music from a leaf.

SA UGOY NG DUYAN

Another collaboration from Lucio San Pedro and Levi Celerio. "Sa Ugoy ng Duyan" ("The Swing of the Cradle") is a haunting and nostalgic lullaby expressing the feelings of a child finding tranquil security in the arms of a loving mother.

SA LIBIS NG NAYON

This song describes the beauty and serenity of life in the countryside. It was written by Santiago S. Suarez and popularized by Filipina singer and "Queen of Kundiman" Sylvia la Torre.

BAYAN KO

Written in 1929 by Filipino poet Jose Corazon de Jesus ("Huseng Batute" 1896-1932) and later set to music by Constancio de Guzman (1903-83), "Bayan Ko" ("My Country") was meant as a patriotic song protesting the American occupation of the Philippines. Since then, it has practically been a second national anthem for freedom-loving Filipinos, a theme song for some of the most momentous events in Philippine history. Its most famous rendition is the one by Filipino folk singer Freddie Aguilar.

It can be said that a country is defined by its folk songs. From this list of Filipino folk songs, we can gather that the people of the Philippines are a humble folk, full not only of mirth but also of deep aspiration. They are also an industrious people, with a love for the simple things in life, as well as a great yearning for peace and national freedom. And of course, the Filipino people are a talented lot, capable of crafting songs that reflect the nature of their beloved country.Please click these links if you want to know more about list of Filipino folk song or list of love songs in general.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1095126_48.html

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Comments

  1. Hello, Do you know of a song for Binoyugan Folk Dance?Thank you.

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  2. I'm looking for this song santa clara,,I hope to find it here!!

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  3. I Like the Ugoy ng Duyan .! I relate that soNg...


    www.tagalog-translator.com

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  4. hi.. i'm looking for the sinulog music chords using lyre. can anybody help me?

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  5. anyone can help me....need Macha Laoaguena or O Laoag song

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  6. Dalit King Obra???? PLEASE HELP!!!

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  7. ISA lang ang folk song ng oriental mindoro.?? sana magbibigay pa sila ng maraming FOLK SONG... sa mindoro

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  8. i <3 our culture

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  9. hi.............i'm looking for folk songs in pampanga,bicol and ilocos.can you help me???????????

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  10. i'm looking for mindanao folk songs .

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  11. Does anybody know where can I find the Sheet Music of the kundiman song "Sampaguita"? It was composed by Dolores Paterno.

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    Replies
    1. Try asking in a marching band mozikus

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  12. Im LoOkInG FoR TaGaLoG RaP FoLk SonGs ! :D

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  13. helu! can you give me the lyrics of An Iroy Natuna? plz.......... help me....

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  14. Hello filipinofolksongs :) Thank you for sharing different Filipino folk songs here in your blog. Well, I miss those old days when me and my classmates sang this song.

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  15. hello! Can you help me to find mindanao folk song please help me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! because it is important !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  16. im looking for maranao folk songs

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  17. example of mindanao folk song...ppppplllllsssss

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  18. ...hi...hinahanap ko po yung visyan folk song na din ka nanay

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  19. can you find a list in folk songs only in mindanao? thank you.....

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  20. Hello Filipinofolksongsatbp, I would like to thank you for posting this song lyrics of different Filipino Folk songs it is very helpful especially to those students who are looking for their assignments.

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  21. hello what is their origins?

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  22. I would be so glad if you'll post more than 10 Filipino folk songs ^^

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  23. I would be so glad if you'll post more than 10 Filipino folk songs ^^

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  24. Hey, Good day.
    I'm dying to know what Caraga Region's TRIBUKI FOLKSONG is? 'coz our instructor in literature has assigned this song to me and i couldn't find it anywhere. I've already ask some of the instructors in literature about this but they also don't have any idea about this. Would you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME ;( I need that song really, really soon 'coz were going to perform this coming Monday August 10,2015 .
    ;(
    please contact me at ladyinmasq@yahoo.com

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  25. hello my name is Rechel a grade 10 student i hope u can write all filipino songs in this site plllsssss

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  26. I sing this song every time I get bored or every time I miss my province language. :)

    Ann Torres
    top 10 songs

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  27. is there any English folk songs????

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  28. Is there any English folk songs here in the Philippines???
    Thank you!

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  29. Nice website... naaalala ko tuloy ang mga panahon na nag-aaral pa ko! :)

    DAX - OPM Songs

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  30. Alamat ng Dalawang Puting Gansa. somebody knows this folk song of Prof. Rex Manuel Asuncion, who is now director of the Center for Cultural Arts Studies of the Marinduque State College in Boac town.

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