Characteristics of Music from the Lowlands of Luzon

1. Folk Songs
in the
Lowlands of Luzon

2. • Source: https://corebel.com/luzon_map.htm
Luzon
Geographica
l
Location

3. 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.
•Traditionally passed down orally to
the family or other members of the
community.

4. The folk song of Luzon lowlands are
performed in their native languages
such as:
•Ilocano
•Kapampangan
•Tagalog
•Bicolano

5. Examples of Folk
Songs
in the
Lowlands of Luzon

6. Ilocano
•Pamulinawen
An Ilocano folk
song about an
Ilocano woman,
named
Pamulinawen to
whom the man is
singing.

7. Pamulinawen
(English translation)
Please do not be upset,
That was a joke
It won’t happen again,
Have faith, my darling.
If you are still angry,
Punish me completely
And you will expect
That I won’t feel bad.
My love is real
And not merely a joke
My heart’s with you
Have no doubt.
And if that is still not enough
I offer you my life
That is proof
Of my utter love

8. Kapampangan
• Atin Cu Pung Singsing
The song is about a
missing heirloom piece, a
ring with a single gem, it
expresses the great
sentimental value placed
by Filipinos on Inherited
objects from parents.

9. Atin Cu pung
Singsing
(English translation)
I had a ring
With a beautiful gem
I inherited it
From my mother
I kept it very well
In a chest
But it just disappeared
Without my noticing.
The heartache within me
Is as high as the sky
My crossed hands
Are upon the table
Whoever can find
The ring I inherited
My poor heart
Shall forever worship

10. Tagalog
•Magtanimay di Biro
It’s a song that tells
about the difficulties
of the life of a
farmer, how one has to
bend over the entire
day, with no time to sit
and no time to stand.

11. Magtanim ay di Biro
(English translation)
Planting (rice) is not easy,
One is bent all day long
Can’t stand straight,
Can’t sit properly.
In the morning when we wake up
We quickly think:
Where help is needed for planting
The food is always good.
Come, come friends
Let’s stretch our muscles
Let’s renew our strength,
For tomorrow.

12. Bicolano
•Sarung Banggi
Means “one evening,”
traditionally sung by a
man wooing the woman of
his dreams. Sometimes,
the young man will be
accompanied by friends as
he serenades (harana) the
woman in the evening.

13. Sarung Banggi
(English translation)
One evening as I lay in bed
I heard the sad song of a bird
At first I thought it was a dream
But soon I recognized your voice.
I opened my eyes and arose
And strained in the darkness to see
I look about and up
Then saw our radiant face.

14. References:
• YANNUCCI, Lisa (2020), “Mama Lisa’s World – International music and
culture” - https://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=3271
• MOLINA, Glizel Ma. Lourdes P. (2015), “The Music of Pangasinan”-
https://discoverpangasinan.weebly.com/music-of-pangasinan.html
• “Pamulinawen” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNNFODXnvIE
• “Atin Cu pung singsing” -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVZgJGC8u2k
• “Magtanim ay di Biro” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TgQ0aagls
• “Sarung Banggi” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaRJCG4MWjY