Author Archives: Administrator

HARANA the Movie Synopsis

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Administrator

HARANA A Benito Bautista Film Upon his father’s death, Florante, a classically trained musician returns to the Philippines after 12 years of absence. During his stay he rediscovers the music of Harana – a long-forgotten tradition of Filipino serenading when … Continue reading →

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The Great Denigration of Composers

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Administrator

I recently had the opportunity to watch this video clip that became viral. It is a 6-minute video based on Don McLean’s anthem of a song American Pie. It is an elaborate set-up that employs a single take which must … Continue reading →

Posted in Composers | Leave a comment

Harana the Movie Production is Completed

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Administrator

Hello everyone. I know I have not blogged for almost a year. But the answer will be obvious as the fruit of my labor on various projects slowly unfold one by one this year. The most significant among them is … Continue reading →

Posted in Harana Music | 4 Comments

Harana and the Latin Rhythms

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Administrator

I was once chastised for using a distinctly Latin rhythm on a popular Filipino harana song ‘Sa Gitna Ng Dilim’ on the opening scene of the Harana The Movie trailer. “Travesty!” they say, a bastardization of the noble harana rhythm. … Continue reading →

Posted in Harana Music | 1 Comment

Why do Filipinos Love Sad Pensive Songs?

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Administrator

Admit it. If you’re Filipino, you are a sucker for corny ballads. You go teary-eyed on some of the sappiest American pop songs. Even boxer Manny Pacquiao belts out an old tune from the 70s (Sometimes When We Touch by … Continue reading →

Posted in Harana Music, Kundiman | 1 Comment

A Case for ‘Bayan Ko’ as Philippine National Anthem

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Administrator

The only thing of note Julian Felipe ever wrote was Bayang Magiliw, a foreign rip-off, commissioned by a friend who is a military president with blood on his hands. Continue reading →

Posted in Kundiman | 7 Comments

Searching For Sylvia – The Last Surviving Practitioner of the Kundiman Art Song

Posted on December 5, 2010 by Administrator

Many older Filipinos know Sylvia La Torre as the grand dame of Philippine cinema and television. She is known as a comedian notably starring as Sebya with fellow comic Pugo (Mariano Contreras) in a series of popular films. She is … Continue reading →

Posted in Kundiman | 2 Comments

The Portuguese Fado, the Philipine Kundiman and How an Artist Arrived at an Idea

Posted on November 20, 2010 by Administrator

The Portuguese fado and the Philippine kundiman are art forms that are tied to their national identities. But why does one flourish while the other languish? Continue reading →

Posted in Kundiman | 3 Comments

The Difference Between Harana and Kundiman

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Administrator

If you are one of the Filipinos having a hard time distinguishing between harana and kundiman music, don’t be ashamed – you are not alone! It is very easy to confuse the two. It is common to hear people refer … Continue reading →

Posted in Harana Music, Kundiman | 11 Comments

The Different Stages of Harana (Serenading)

Posted on October 28, 2010 by Administrator

During the filming of Harana the movie in late 2008, I had the opportunity to travel to remote provinces of the Philippines in search of master haranistas – the vanishing breed of expert singers skilled in the art of serenading. … Continue reading →

Posted in Harana Music | 3 Comments