Q1 Mod1 MUSIC 7

1.Folk Songs
Folk songs are songs written by the folk and are sung to accompany daily activities such as farming, fishing, and putting the baby to
sleep. These are traditionally passed on orally. Most Philippine folk songs have Spanish and other Western influences. The people
created melodic chants and indigenous instruments based on the materials available where they lived. The folk songs of Luzon
lowlands are performed in their native language such as Ilocano, Pangasinense, Kapampangan, Tagalog, Bicolano, and others.
2.Sacred Music (Liturgy and Devotional Music)
Religious music of the lowlands of Luzon reveals the impact of Spanish colonization to the Philippines which lasted more than three
centuries. With the introduction of Christianity came the different Western forms of music that are used for religious rites. Some of
these were adapted by the Filipino musicians to suit the Philippine culture and traditions. At the same time some indigenous Philippine
musical forms were incorporated to Christian practices (i.e., Obando Fertility Rites and Pasyon chant).
Sacred music is performed or composed for religious gatherings and fellowship. There are three primary qualities of good liturgical
music. These qualities are sanctity, beauty, and universality.
3.Secular Music
Secular music refers to nay music that is not religious in nature. The word secular means “being separated from religion”. Words are
important part of secular music so people can sing songs together for entertainment.
Secular music in the Philippines was also strongly influenced by the Spaniards; dance and secular songs are used as means to express
love romantically and love towards family, community, and nature.
4.Instrumental Music
Music instruments, mechanisms that produce sounds, have been used for various purposes. In earlier times they were also used as an
adjunct to dance or to labor. In later civilizations, instrumental music was used for entertainment. The Brass Band is an ensemble of
woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. In the Philippines, they are usually played in fiestas, religious, and civic celebrations.
Its repertoire may include folk songs, popular music, and dance music, among others. The growth of bands was so remarkable that
every town used to have two or more bands. A parading brass band is called a marching band. At present, provinces like Rizal and
Laguna, schools like the Philippine Military Academy, are home of prominent brass bands in the Philippines.
Folk songs in general have the following characteristics:
a.The lyrics are according to the native tongue. Because songs are based on the daily experiences ofthe people in a particular place
and the message of the songs needs to be understood easily to beappreciated, the lyrics of the songs are written or sung in their own
dialects. For example, the Tagalogfolk songs came from the people who speak Tagalog. (Bahay Kubo, Leron, Leron Sinta, Magtanim
ay„Di Biro). The Ilocanos have their own (Manang Biday and Pamulinawen). The Kapampangan’s AtinCu Pung Singsing, and the
Bicolano’s Sarung Banggi are just a few among the folk songs of Luzonthat are sung in their own dialects. Why do you think it is
important for a folk song to be sung or written in their native tongue?
b. Passed down through oral tradition to family or community members, hence, learned by mere memorization. Singing is a
form of social bonding among early Filipino families. Because they did not have access to internet, T.V. and radio during that time,
singing folksongs became their favorite pastime.
c. Unknown composers and lyricists. Most composers of Filipino folk songs are unknown because songs are just based on daily
experiences and are passed down orally.
d. Simple key signature of the song. Do you know how to play a guitar? If you can play this instrument, you can try to play a simple
folk song. While playing, you will notice that it starts with a particular key (key of G for example) and ends in that same key. That
only shows the simplicity of the Luzon folk songs.
e. Duple, triple, or quadruple are common meters used. These meters were very common during that time. The dances and
common songs are based on these meters. The composers of the folk songs adopted these rhythmic patterns to their compositions.
f. Primarily based on the community’s culture, tradition, and livelihood.
g. Short and simple. Aside from Tagalog, several other dialects are used by unknown composers from Luzon in composing their own
lowland folk songs such as Ilocano, Kapampangan, Pangasinense, and Bicolano. Spanish and other western influences are very
evident in the construction of the songs such as the meter used, and the minor and the major modes.
Types of Sacred Music in the Philippines:
a. Mass – is a sacrament of the Eucharist mostly celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church. The word “mass” came from the Latin
word missa used in the concluding rite of the Mass in Latin. Masses can be a cappella, that is, without an independent accompaniment,
or they can be accompanied by instrumental obbligatos up to and including a full orchestra. Many masses, especially later ones, were
never intended to be performed during the celebration of an actual mass. (https://tinyurl.com/2jxs7ma7)
b. Pastores – is a Christmas season folk dance and song. It reenacts how the shepherds visited the Child Jesus in a manger. The actors
and actresses go from one house to another singing the “Daygon” (worhip). They sing songs with happy moods that have a common
message for everybody’s welfare. (https://tinyurl.com/rfuwkk35)
c. Senakulo – is played during the Lenten season. It portrays events from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible about the life,
sufferings, and death of Jesus. Nowadays, senakulo is considered by the Catholics as another form of penance. They hold processions
and perform reenactments. The type of music they use during performances are normally
liturgical music. (https://tinyurl.com/2uc9e5ur)
d. Pasyon – is a Philippine epic that narrates the life, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The verses are structured in five-
line stanzas, with each line containing eight syllables. Its recitation is known as the pabasa. It is commonly sung during Holy week.
The reading of pasyon is a traditional religious practice in the Philippines and people gather around the reader of the pasyon to listen
and reflect. (https://tinyurl.com/2add94e8)
e. Salubong – is celebrated during the pre-dawn of Easter Sunday. It is a scene that shows the risen Christ meeting with His mother
Mary. Salubong is usually held outside the church where a big arch is prepared, and a child portrays as an angel who will lift the
morning veil of the image of the Virgin Mary. There is a procession or sometimes a karakul (street dance) of the images of Christ and
His mother that ends up inside or outside the church. A loud music played by the band signals the beginning of the first meeting
between Jesus and Mary. Four characters chant the dialogue of the first encounter: Jesus, Mary, the Rector.
(https://tinyurl.com/yybzja4r)
f. Flores De Mayo – is a Spanish term for “flowers of May”. It is a festival held in the Philippines to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary
every month of May. It is one of the many influences of the Spaniards to the Philippine culture and tradition. It is usually celebrated
by the Catholics and Aglipayans. (https://tinyurl.com/5d734yn5)
g. Santacruzan – is a religious celebration highlighted during “Flores De Mayo”. It is a colorful event during the month of May that
recalls the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena and her son, Emperor Constantine. After the cross was found in
Jerusalem, it was brought back to Rome, where there was a joyful celebration as thanksgiving. The procession (Flores De Mayo and
Santacruzan) is accompanied by the steady beat of a local brass band, playing, and singing the Dios te salve (the Spanish version of
the Hail Mary). (https://tinyurl.com/5bu2ewbb)
Classifications of Secular Music
a. Harana – is a traditional Filipino serenade sung by a man to show his love for a woman. The harana is usually accompanied by a
guitar and performed outside the woman’s house. Popular Filipino songs are “Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig”, “O Ilaw”, and “Dungawin
Mo Hirang”. Its characteristics are:
• Usually in habanera and danza tempo.
• Commonly in duple meter.
• Talks of a cheerful commitment to love.
• It is usually accompanied by a guitar and other available string instruments.
b. Balitaw – is a song traditionally associated with the Visayan region. However, this type of music is also popular in the lowland
areas of Luzon. It is a debate or dialogue song in which a woman and a man compete to see who is better at improvising romantic
verses. It is usually written in triple meter. It evolved over time incorporating melodic variations. Even popular melodies can substitute
traditional melodies during performances. (https://tinyurl.com/9rfy3bew)
c. Kumintang – is a very popular vocal form which is closely related to kundiman. It originated from Balayan, Batangas. This song is
a triple meter with themes of love and courtship. In 1962, when Pasig became the venue of carnival performances, Nicanor Abelardo
was inspired to compose the “Mutya ng Pasig” in kumintang tempo. (https://tinyurl.com/srnfkndb)
d. Kundiman – came from the words “kung hindi man”. Through its melody, lyrics, and expressive singing, the kundiman conveys a
selfless and spiritual attitude, intense love, longing, caring, devotion, and oneness not only with a romantic partner, but also with a
parent, child, a spiritual figure, or the motherland. In musical context, kundiman usually starts in a minor key then goes to the major
key and in triple meter. (https://tinyurl.com/hc79pbsj)
D. Examples
Here are some examples of the music of the Lowlands of Luzon. Listen to the music through the youtube links given below for your
reference in the activity section of this module.

Listen to the given samples of Luzon lowland folksongs below. Using the YouTube links given, try to browse these songs for
your reference then answer the questions in the activity section of this module.
Discussion
Before we explore the music of the Lowlands of Luzon, let us first recall the different musical elements.
1.Rhythm – is the element of “TIME” in music. When you tap your foot to the music, you are "keepingthe beat" or following the
structural rhythmic pulse of the music.
2.Dynamics - All musical aspects relating to the relative loudness (or quietness) of music fall under
the general element of DYNAMICS.
3.Melody – is the LINEAR/HORIZONTAL presentation of pitch (the word used to describe thehighness or lowness of a musical
sound). Melodies can be derived from various scales (families of pitches) such as the traditional major and minor scales of tonal
music, to more unusual ones such as the old church modes, the chromatic scale and the whole tone scale, or unique scale systems
devised
in other culture around the world.
4.Harmony - is the VERTICALIZATION of pitch. Often, harmony is thought of as the art of combiningpitches into chords (several
notes played simultaneously as a "block"). These chords are usually arranged into sentence-like patterns called chord progressions.
5.Tone Color or Timbre – If you play a "C" on the piano and then sing that "C", you and the pianohave obviously produced the same
pitch; however, your voice has a different sound quality than the piano. Although the scientific principles of musical acoustics are
beyond the scope of this lesson, it is safe to say that each musical instrument or voice produces its own characteristic pattern of
“overtones,” which gives it a unique "tone color" or timbre. A variety of timbres can also be created by combining instruments and/or
voices.
6.Texture – Refers to the number of individual musical lines (melodies) and the relationship these lineshave to one another.
Music of the Lowlands of Luzon
Now that you have reconstructed your previous knowledge about the different musical elements, you are now ready to explore one of
our cultural identities, the Luzon Lowland Folksongs.
Can you recall what song your parents used to sing to you when you were just a child? Or your grandparents‟ type of music which
you used to hear? What can you say about its tune? Is it easy to remember? How about the tempo, is it hard to follow? What other
musical elements are present in their kind of music?
The lowlands of Luzon cover the regions of the National Capital Region (NCR), and Regions III and IV. These are the provinces of
Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Quezon. The music of the Lowlands of Luzon
is made up of simple vocal and instrumental music, primarily a product of daily experiences from folks like farmers, fishermen,
artisans, vendors, and other common people. Family or community members learned this music orally which they sang in their native
tongue. The traditional music of the lowlands reflects the life of the common citizens. Their music has something to do with fishing
and farming, as these are the livelihood of these provinces. Their music used in singing and dancing reflect their way of life, beliefs,
and daily practices. These include epics relating genealogies and exploits of heroes and gods; work songs related to planting,
harvesting, and fishing; ritual songs to drive away evil spirits; songs to celebrate festive occasions like marriage, birth, victory at war,
or the settling of tribal disputes; mourning songs for the dead; and children’s counting and game songs.

Name: ____________________________________ Grade & Section: ______________________

A. Directions: Write the letter of the correct answer. Write your answer in a separate sheet of paper.
_____1. What is the native language used in the song “Sarung Banggi ”?
A. Bicolano B. Ilokano C. Pangasinense D. Tagalog
_____2. Which of these is an example of an Ilokano song?
A. Bahay Kubo B. Bannatiran C. Doredo D. Pantomina
_____3. What most influenced Philippine folk songs?
A. Chinese B. Japanese C. Korean D. Spaniards
_____4. Which of the following is an example of Harana?
A. Bahay Kubo B. Nasaan Ka Irog C. O Ilaw D. Pamulinawen
_____5. Which of these is the Philippine Narrative of death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
A. Balitaw B. Kumintang C. Kundiman D. Pasyon
_____6. The following are examples of folk songs, EXCEPT ________________.
A. Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig C. Sarung Banggi
B. Ati Cu Pung SingSing D. Sitsiritsit
_____7. What song is being sung by farmers as source of entertainment while planting rice in the field?
A. Bahay Kubo B. Magtanim Ay Di Biro C. O Ilaw D. Pantomina
_____8. How are lowland folk songs traditionally passed?
A. Music recording B. Orally C. Video recording D. Written
_____9. How are folk songs performed?
A. Sung in Filipino only C. Sung in Ilokano
B. Sung in Foreign language D. Sung in native dialect
_____10. Which of the following is not a characteristic of folk songs?
A. Long and complicated
B. Primarily based on the community’s culture, tradition, and livelihood
C. Simple key signature of the song
D. The lyrics are according to the native tongue