LESSON 4

• Secular Music


  Music of the Lowlands of Luzon
• Secular Music


  • Music that is not religious in nature
  • The word secular means "being separate from religion"
  • Lyrics are an important part of secular music because it is through words that people can sing songs together for entertainment and expression
• Types of secular music in the Lowlands of Luzon

  • Harana
  • Kundiman
  • Kumintang
  • Balitaw
• Harana


  • A serenade traditionally sung by a man to express affection to a woman
  • Commonly played with a guitar and other string instruments
  • Usually in a moderate tempo, commonly in duple meter
  • Examples include "O Ilaw" and "Dungawin mo Hirang"
• Kundiman


  • An art song that talks about the love if a boy for a girl, but mostly with sad lyrics of a 'hopeless romantic' or the broken-hearted
  • Originally in ¾ time or triple time signature
  • Usually in a minor or sad key that changes into a happy key called major
  • National Artist Nicanor Abelardo's "Kundiman ng Luha" and "Nasaan Ka Irog" were well-loved Kundimans
• Kumintang


  • Popular vocal form that is related to the Kundiman
  • Song in triple meter which themes of love and courtship; originated from Balayan, Batangas
  • Sometimes, it is known as a war song
  • An example is Nicanor Abelardo's "Mutya ng Pasig"
• Balitaw


  • Dialogue or debate song wherein a man and a woman compete to know who is better at improvising romantic lyrics
  • These verses are sometimes memorized in advance
  • Usually written in triple meter and has evolved over time, incorporating melodic variations
  • Even popular melodies can substitute traditional melodies during a performance
• Songs are written by the folk and are sung to accompany daily activities such as farming, fishing, and putting the baby to sleep
• Pamulinawen is an Ilocano folk song about an Ilocano woman, to whom the man is singing
• Bahay Kubo is a popular Bicolano song written by Potenciano Gregorio, Sr. in Albay more than a hundred years ago
• Atin Cu Pung Singing is a Bicolano folk song
• Pamulinawen is an Ilocano folk song