Visayan Song Types: Harana, Kundiman, Sunanoy, Balitaw and Others

[Koddi Prudente]

The information provided in this thread are those of Mr. Manuel Faelnar (manuelfaelnar@gmail.com)
that I received on March 16, 2009.  Even if he is not a Boholano (his roots are in Southern Leyte; well there might be a Boholano blood somewhere in his genealogy considering that most Southern Leyteños are migrants from Bohol), I am sharing this with TB members because we (including Cebuanos, Siquijodnons,  Negrenses, etc.) have a common (Bisaya) heritage.  Meanwhile, here's an intro on Mr. Faelnar.
 
Atty. Manuel Lino G. Faelnar
Co-Convenor for Language and Culture
Subsidiarity Movement International

Vice President, DILA Phils. Foundation, Inc.
(Defenders of the Indigenous Languages of the Archipelago)

Director, Lubas sa Dagang Bisaya, Inc. (LUDABI)

Member, Linguistic Society of the Philippines

"Without our language, we have no culture, we have no identity, we are nothing."
Ornolfor Thorsson, adviser to President of Iceland.

"When you lose a language you lose a culture, intellectual wealth, a work of art."
Kenneth Hale, who taught linguistics at MIT.

[Koddi Prudente]

Harana
by Atty. Manuel Faelnar

The Harana first gained popularity in the early part of the Spanish Period. It's influence comes from folk Music of Spain and the Mariachi sounds of Mexico. It is a traditional form of courtship music in which a man woos a woman by singing underneath her window at night. It is widely practiced in many parts of the Philippines with a set of protocols, a code of conduct, and a specific style of music. Harana itself uses mainly Hispanic protocols in music, although its origins lie in the old pre-colonial Philippine musical styles which still practiced around the country (See Also Kapanirong style of the Maguindanao of Mindanao). The main instrument used for Harana is the Guitar, played by the courter, although other string instruments such as the Ukulele and less frequently, the Violin and Trumpets are also used. (Yahoo Search: piknowledge.com - culture)

The song Luha sa Kalipay music and lyrics by Manuel Velez is a good example of a harana, says Dr. Jes Tirol, Chairman of the Univrsity of Bohol). Other harana songs are Balud and Kahibulungan composed by Fernando Alfon, Sr. (source: Mystical and Magical Mindanao by Grace Dacanay-Chong, The Freeman, Friday May 9. 2008, p. 24).

But, of the course,the harana is a serenade. Any song may also be sung such as the kundiman Matud Nila, music and lyrics by Ben Zubiri, as well as Usahay, music by Col. Gregorio Labja (source; Prof. Jerry Dadap), lyrics by Agustin Endriga and Fernando Alfon, Sr. (source: retired Visayan movie actress Virgie Solis), and any other love song.

[Koddi Prudente]

Kundiman

The Kundiman is a lyrical song made popular in the Philippines in the early 19th century, but having origins in older pre-colonial indigenous styles. Composed in the Western idiom, the song is characterized by a minor key at the beginning and shifts to a major key in the second half. Its lyrics depict a romantic love, usually portraying the forlorn pleadings of a lover willing to sacrifice everything on behalf of his beloved. In many others, it is a plaintive call of the rejected lover or the broken-hearted. In others, it is a story of unrequited love. Almost all traditional Filipino love songs in this genre are heavy with poetic emotion. One such Kundiman that tells about unrequited love is the Visayan song Matud Nila. (Yahoo Search: piknowledge.com - culture), music and lyrics by Ben Zubiri. Dr. Jes Tirol says classical Visayan love songs are kundimans.

[Koddi Prudente]

Sunanoy - Classical Music
 
According to Dr. Jes Tirol, Cebuano classical music is called "sunanoy". This category of Cebuano music can neither be found in Google Search nor in Yahoo Search. among the songs that fall in this category are Sa Kabukiran, words and music by Manuel Velez, Luha sa Kaalipay also by Velez, and Balud and Kahibulungan by Alfon.
 
The song Sa Kabukiran, Cebuano lyrics and music by Manuel Velez. Later popularized by Sylvia La Torre with Tagalog lyrics by Levi Celerio. Manuel Velez is not given songwriting credit. In other words, the work of Velez has been hijacked and plagiarized.

[ms da binsi]

Kundiman

The Kundiman is a lyrical song made popular in the Philippines in the early 19th century, but having origins in older pre-colonial indigenous styles. Composed in the Western idiom, the song is characterized by a minor key at the beginning and shifts to a major key in the second half. Its lyrics depict a romantic love, usually portraying the forlorn pleadings of a lover willing to sacrifice everything on behalf of his beloved. In many others, it is a plaintive call of the rejected lover or the broken-hearted. In others, it is a story of unrequited love. Almost all traditional Filipino love songs in this genre are heavy with poetic emotion. One such Kundiman that tells about unrequited love is the Visayan song Matud Nila. (Yahoo Search: piknowledge.com - culture), music and lyrics by Ben Zubiri. Dr. Jes Tirol says classical Visayan love songs are kundimans.

Bay Kods, kanang kundiman orig baja jud na nga atoa. dili kinopya.

[Koddi Prudente]

Bay Kods, kanang kundiman orig baja jud na nga atoa. dili kinopya.

That's true. On the other hand daghan kaayong mga Visayan songs nga giangkon sa mga Tagalog. Usa na niini ang Kasadya Niining Taknaa.

[Koddi Prudente]

Where credit is due
FUNFARE by Ricardo F. Lo Updated May 15, 2002 12:00 (Philippine Star)

Funfare just got a letter from Ivar Tulfo Gica, founder-trustee of the Kultura Bisaya Foundation, Inc. and president of the Rotary Club of Manila East (1991-92), clarifying certain misconceptions about some classical Filipino songs and setting the record straight.

Gica’s letter is so informative that Funfare has decided to print it in full. Here it is:

I don’t fault people disseminating wrong information because even the book, National Artists of the Philippines, has lapses in recording the works of the late lamented national artist Levi Celerio. The book lists down Asia’s top Christmas carol, Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, as one of Celerio’s major works.

Also, Rosas Pandan as a folk song and its original lyrics as a major work of Celerio. It was, in fact, composed by Pio "Piux" Cabahar. Tinikling, a Waray folk song, was also credited as another major work of Celerio. It could have been from the pen of Justice Norberto Romualdez or poet-composer Iluminado Lucente. It’s not fair to Mang Levi as well as to the original composers and lyricists of the songs the way credits were endowed by the book.

The original Ang Pasko ay Sumapit is Kasadya Ning Taknaa, which is still the most popular Cebuano Christmas carol in the Visayas and Mindanao and being sung in its original Bisayan lyrics. The music was composed in 1933 by buddies Vicente Rubi with lyrics by Mariano Vestil, both of Mambaling, Cebu City. With the help of Manuel Velez of Sa Kabukiran fame, it was copyrighted also in 1933. In the early 1950s, Villar Records bought its rights, recorded and credited the entire work to the two Cebuano chums.

The song was used as background music in the film that starred Darmo von Frazier Acosta that wrongly credited Josefino Cenizal as the composer. Cenizal claimed he composed it, inspired by the strains from carolers on the Bantayan shorelines while he was passing through in a banca in Cebu where he evacuated during the war (1942), about a decade after it was copyrighted by Rubi and Vestil. But even if this was just claimed to be their Tagalog translation, its lyrics suffer in comparison to the spirit and ardor of the jagged musical lines characteristic of Bisayan compositions.

Observe the real McCoy: Kasadya ’ning taknaa dapit sa Kahimayaan/Maoy among nakita ang tagbalay nga masanagon/Bulahan ug bulahan ang tagbalay nga giawitan…

(‘Tis a moment of bliss, next door to Paradise/We behold a beaming family by this song blessed/…), incorporating the translation by Napoleon G. Rama, chairman of the prestigious Kulturang Bisaya Foundation, Inc. whose founding members include Chief Justice Davide, Ombudsman Aniano Desierto, retired Court of Appeals presiding justice Jesus Elbinias, former Sen. Rene Espina, UP President Francisco Nemenzo, ex-UP Pres. Jose Abueva, Concert pianist Ingrid Sala-Santamaria, Dr. Teresita Maceda, Dr. Erlinda Alburo, and others.

Compare the pseudo lyrics: Ang Pasko ay sumapit/tayo ay mangagsiawit/ng magagandang himig… (Christmas is here/let us altogether/sing beautiful songs). Such a drab, dispirited translation, a poor parody of Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

Rosas Pandan was composed by Pio "Piux" Cabahar. Certainly, the book wrongly credited the late Levi Celerio, a Tagalog, to have authored these beautiful original Cebuano music and lyrics:

Ania si Rosas Pandan/gikan pa intawon sa kabukiran/kaninyo nakig-uban-uban/ning gi saulog sa inyong kalinganwan/balitaw day akong puhunan/maoy kabilin sa akong ginikanan/awit nga labing karaan pa/ug halandumon sa kabukiran... (Here’s Rumbling Rose/fresh from the wild woods/joining you in your rejoicing/Only blessed by a Balitaw/a priceless heirloom/of ancient songs/in the wilderness remembered…) Could a non-Cebuano-speaking literary talent have penned that?

The original lyrics for Tinikling is in Waray. Tinikling is about the tikling’s or the heron’s long-legged agility treading the paddy fields and is the rhythmic melodic choreograph of the dance. It has nothing to do with the Tagalog tinik or thorn although the choreograph appears to be that of a person whose foot was pricked by thorn and walked in pained gait, but sans the tikling’s agility and grace. Could any non-Waray-speaking talent have written or understood these:

An ini nga sayaw an ngaran Tinikling/na sinasabayan hin barubakingking/Kingking man han tuo, kingking man han wala/lukso hin duruyog nga waray sumikil/Ang duha nga kahoy nga guin-iru-igtok/nga dinuruyogan hin pagbarubandok… (This dance is called Tinikling/characterized by agile footing/right foot hops/left foot hops/altogether traipsing but tripping not… Two poles are together bumped (against each other)/and rhythmically stomped aground…)
 

Andres Cristobal Cruz, in the Isyu daily newsmagazine of June 6, 1998, wrote that Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit was purloined original Kasadya Ning Taknaa. "...Mang Levi acknowledged that the real author of Matud Nila was composer Vicente Rubi. Kaya lang, Mang Levi teased, nauna nang nagparinig si Vicente kay San Pedro. Tinanggap naman siya dahil sa Matud Nila." There’s a merry mix-up here. Either Celerio or Cruz was mixed up because Matud Nila – another popular Cebuano song composed by Ben Zubiri, that has infiltrated Manila’s melodious air – was not the subject of the interview but about Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit. Has Matud Nila been purloined, too?

Perhaps, we might examine the archives. Many of the beautiful compositions of the late Justice Norberto Romualdez, Luminado Lucente of Leyte and those of the famous composers in the south, the north and the Bicol region might have strayed into some composers’ one thousand and one works.

Nothing here diminishes my high esteem for Mang Levi. I only react contemplating Rotary’s "Four-Way Test of things we think, say or do: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it create goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?"

May Noy Inteng Rubi’s, Noy Marianing Vestil’s (whom I met during my Cebu newspaparing days) and Mang Levi’s souls rest in peace.

[jamo2x]

nice info Kodz, mas maajo unta og apilan nilag sampol musik bah, para dali lng nato maklaro unsang klaseha sa tugtog...

lisod ra ba sa ato kay saksak sinagol daun...parehas sa kanta sa tagalog
"swing ang tawag dito, pinaghalong boogie at tango...pina ka grooving sayaw."

beer pa day! hehehe lami naman isayaw uyyy 

[ms da binsi]

di to sha atoa jams, hinuwaman ra to gikan sa west side. kana jud atong pinaka icon nga kantang USAHAY  way maka suhid ana bisan kinsang nasura!

[Koddi Prudente]

di to sha atoa jams, hinuwaman ra to gikan sa west side. kana jud atong pinaka icon nga kantang USAHAY  way maka suhid ana bisan kinsang nasura!

There's a very beautiful song composed by a Boholano priest (Fr. Eutiquio Solis?) that won the grand prize during an episode of the Cebu Pop Music Festival. It was performed by Albur's Arthur Ungab who was awarded Best Interpreter in that songfest. The title of the song is "Damgo Man Lang". This has been performed by Philipine choirs abroad. Naa ni siya sa youtube.

[Koddi Prudente]

US-based Boholano Jimmy Borja composed a song that has evolved into a classic Tagalog love song: "Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin". Very beautiful song. Naa pud ni sa youtube, performed by Lani Misalucha or Marinel Santos.   

[Koddi Prudente]

Balitaw
 
The balitaw is a love debate in song and dance by a man and a woman. Maria Colina Gutierrez says that 'It is more sung than danced.", but Dr. Jes Tirol says that "If it is not danced, it is just an awit banikanhon - a folk song." According to Gutierrez, "the balitaw is a truly representative Visayan song" ( she believes that the kundiman is a Tagalog form). Gutierrez says that in the balitaw "are embodied faith, joy, and all human activities as well as the varied hopes and values of Visayan life.  The religious beliefs of the early Cebuanos, their social relationships, their loves, friendships and enmities also find expression in the balitao. To read Gutierrez' full article, visit the following link: THE CEBUANO BALITAO AND HOW IT MIRRORS VISAYAN CULTURE AND FOLKLIFE. In her article, Gutierrez also gives a couple of examples of the balitaw in Cebuano with English translations.

[Koddi Prudente]

Berso (Verses)by Manny Faelnar
 
Crescencio Bendijo, a Visayan music afficionado says that Berso "is original rap performed by a man and a woman usually in courtship. One verse is composed of four lines, It is like balitaw but balitaw is with [a] little dancing, too." Cres gives the following example:
 
Boy:

Inday, bisan asa ikaw magtago,
Bisan adto pa sa ilawom sa hungot,
Tuntunan ka sa akong gugma,
Moguwa ka sa alimuot.
 
Girl:    

Ako, Manoy, dili kanimo,
Kay tiguwang ka na kaayo,
Dili ka na abtan ug bulan,
Segurado ka nang motikangkang.

[Candijaynon]

Sir ipost pud dire tong imong mga gicompose nga kanta. Kahibawo ko nga daghan Sir kay sa ViSCA sauna ikaw man tigcomposed.

[Bambi]

Sir ipost pud dire tong imong mga gicompose nga kanta. Kahibawo ko nga daghan Sir kay sa ViSCA sauna ikaw man tigcomposed.

WoW! Koddi.  I would be happy to read it.  Thank you very much for this interesting thread.

[statesville]

Nahinomdom  lang ko sa akong lola nga dugay
    nang namatay nga kaniadto kusog kaayo to siya mosayaw
    ug balitaw labi na ug may panagtapok o gathering sa balay,
    lingaw sad ming mga bata
unya kanang magberso diin maglibog lang
    kong maminaw , kining bata pa lagi

Thank you kaayo nga nabanhaw ang laing parte sa
    akong unang panahon,  morag kagahapon pa lang
 

[Koddi Prudente]

Sir ipost pud dire tong imong mga gicompose nga kanta. Kahibawo ko nga daghan Sir kay sa ViSCA sauna ikaw man tigcomposed.

Ha ha ha! Ikaw, ha . . . imo jung gibutyag ang akong well-kept secret.  Sa una ra to, although once in a while, maka compose ko kon naay magpahimo.

[Koddi Prudente]

All info by Manny Faelner (see first message)
 
Kularisi

Kularisi is a parlor game where the person where the handkerchief has fallen will give a verse. Dr. Jes Tirol gives the following example:
 
Nakadungog akog balita,
Balita gikan sa Sugbo,
May nagaihaw og ba-o,
Ang tambok pito ka barko.
 
Sabi
 
Sabi is a uniquely Visayan form which sang in two languages, immediate translation. It is actually a children's song to teach children another language. Dr. Jes Tirol gives this example:
 
ONE DAY, usa ka adlaw,
I SAW, nakita ko,
THE BIRD WAS FLYING, ang langgam naglupadlupad,
I SHOT, gipusil ko,
I ROAST, giasal ko,
I TASTE, gitilawan ko,
VERY SWEET, tam-is kaayo.

[Bambi]

Nahinomdom  lang ko sa akong lola nga dugay
    nang namatay nga kaniadto kusog kaayo to siya mosayaw
    ug balitaw labi na ug may panagtapok o gathering sa balay,
    lingaw sad ming mga bata
unya kanang magberso diin maglibog lang
    kong maminaw , kining bata pa lagi

Thank you kaayo nga nabanhaw ang laing parte sa
    akong unang panahon,  morag kagahapon pa lang
 

statesville, di ba kanang "magberso" maoy silbing lingaw sa mga edaran sa una kon magbilar ug dunay mamatay?  na-a pa ba kaha nis kabaryohan karon?  sayang ug mawala ni kay mora ni ug kabahin sa atong kultura, di ba?

Ex: sa magberso o di ba gitawag ni Itsa de panyo?

Kinsa tong ma-itsahan:  "Kinsa kining panyo nga gina-itsa kanako?
                                       Dili kini ako, kay kon simhuton lain ug baho!"....
unya padayon ang tinubagay basta makalingaw to

[statesville]

Bambi, tinood gyud parte ni sa atong kultura, wa ko kaseguro kon
  sigi pa ba ni sa baryo o sa bukid, kay sa mga tiguwang ra man na common sa una
  basin igbisita nako puhon, I don't know yet when, ako susihon akong
  mga paryente sa bukid kon sigi pa ba.