Philippine music is rich beyond compare. Most Filipinos, however, do not know this wealth, victims as they are of a broadcast media that propagate Western, particularly American entertainment music, day in and day out. If ever music written by Filipinos is given a chance to be heard, it is ninety percent of the cheap pop variety copied or adapted from foreign hits.
Our young people hear almost nothing of the creative music of the people of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The vast output of our serious composers, who ironically are mostly Manila-based, is also unknown to them.
There is a pressing need to bring Philippine music closer to our people: strong identification of our own music is one vital factor in bringing our people together or unifying the nation.
Exposing Filipinos to their own musical traditions is properly the task of the government, our music educators, musicologists, community leaders, concerned media practitioners, performing groups, pro-Filipino radio and television stations and recording companies, heritage centers and libraries, and cultural organizations all over the country.
A survey of the whole range of authentic Filipino musical expression reveals at least eight major types according to cultural sources and influences:
Traditional Filipino Music
1. Music of Indigenous Southeast Asian Filipinos: Harmony with the Creative Forces of Nature
This is the music of the indigenous, strongly animist, though nominally Christian, non-Muslim peoples of the highlands of the Cordillera (ex. Ifugao, Kalinga, Isneg, Ibaloi, Kankanay, Bontoc), Mindoro (ex. Hanunoo, Buhid, Alangan), Mindanao (ex. T’boli, Mansaka, Tiruray, Bagobo, Manobo, Subanun), and Palawan (ex. Batak, Tagbanwa). Sometimes these people are called lumad. Their music generically may be called by the same name. An example of lumad music is that of the Kalingatongngali (nose flute) or T’bolihegelong (lute).
2. Music of the Moros or Muslim Filipino Cultures: The Courtly Elegance of Islamic Unity
Islamized Filipinos of Mindanao, Palawan, and Sulu, namely the Magindanaw,
Maranaw, Tausug, Sama, Badjaw, Yakan, Sangil, Iranun, JamaMapun, Palawani, Molbog, and so on. Their music may collectively be referred to as Moro music (ex. kulintang music).
Listen to Tribal Sounds of the Philippines
3. Music of the Lowland Folk Villages: The Way of the Fiesta
The music of the so-called Hispanized lowland Christian, and village peoples of Luzon, Visayas, Mindoro, and Palawan.Their culture is essentially Southeast Asian, fused with a strong animistic core, though with elements of Latin culture (Mexican, Italian or Hispanic). The lowland folk are composed mostly of farmers, fishermen, artisans, vendors and traders, and common folk. They have a deep faith in God, whom they serve with utmost devotion. Their key celebration is the fiesta, which revolves around the Sto. Niño, Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ or a patron saint.