List Of Filipino Folk Song

ngs are, quite literally, songs of the people. And infrom its first two words “o ilaw”
determining the identity of a country, one can look no(“o light”).
further than this form of music for clues to a particularANG PIPIT
culture. This list of Filipino folk songs offers a few“Ang Pipit” (“The
examples of the many simple yet timeless tunes longSparrow”) relates the story a sparrow who
since ingrained into the Philippine people’sfalls off the branch its perched on after being stoned
consciousness.by a cruel man. It was co-written by Lucio D. San
BAHAY KUBOPedro (1913-2002) and Levi Celerio (1910-2002). Named
This song is as familiar to Filipino schoolchildren as theNational Artist for Music and Literature in 1997, Celerio
“ABC’s” andhad composed over 4,000 songs and has even been
“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” are toincluded in the Guiness Book of World Records for his
kids everywhere. Credited to have been written byunusual talent of playing music from a leaf.
composer and 1997 National Artist for Music Felipe deSA UGOY NG DUYAN
Leon (1912-1992), it tells of the traditional Filipino ruralAnother collaboration from Lucio San Pedro and Levi
house, the humble “bahay kubo” orCelerio. “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan”
nipa hut, and goes on to enumerate the various(“The Swing of the Cradle”) is a
vegetables planted in its vicinity.haunting and nostalgic lullaby expressing the feelings of
PAKITONG-KITONGa child finding tranquil security in the arms of a loving
Also called “Tong Tong Tong Tongmother.
Pakitong-kitong,” this Filipino folk song has bothSA LIBIS NG NAYON
a Tagalog and Cebuano version. It describes a crabThis song describes the beauty and serenity of life in
that is delicious to eat, but hard to catch because of itsthe countryside. It was written by Santiago S. Suarez
snapping pincers.and popularized by Filipina singer and “Queen
MAGTANIM AY ‘DI BIROof Kundiman” Sylvia la Torre.
Credited to Felipe de Leon, “Magtanim AyBAYAN KO
‘Di Biro” (“Planting Rice isWritten in 1929 by Filipino poet Jose Corazon de Jesus
Never Fun”) describes the tedious chore of(“Huseng Batute” 1896-1932) and later
planting rice. It has been covered by Filipino rock bandset to music by Constancio de Guzman (1903-83),
The Dawn, and former president Joseph“Bayan Ko” (“My
“Erap” Estrada even rewrote it into aCountry”) was meant as a patriotic song
much more “inspirational” versionprotesting the American occupation of the Philippines.
entitled “Kung Tayo’ySince then, it has practically been a second national
Magtatanim” (“If We All Plantanthem for freedom-loving Filipinos, a theme song for
Rice”).some of the most momentous events in Philippine
O ILAWhistory. Its most famous rendition is the one by Filipino
A popular example of the traditional Filipino love songfolk singer Freddie Aguilar.
genre “kundiman”, this song wasIt can be said that a country is defined by its folk
made famous by Filipino singer and actor Rubensongs. From this list of Filipino folk songs, we can
Tagalog (1920-83). The real title of the song is actuallygather that the people of the Philippines are a humble
“Aking Bituin” (“Myfolk, full not only of mirth but also of deep aspiration.
Star”), its current title having been derived