Rondalla + Kundiman

I found out that the Spanish had a large part to play in Filipino music today. They introduced Western instruments such as the guitar, violin, and piano to Filipinos, which soon became part of Filipino tradition. One particular instrument is the rondalla, which is common in the rural areas! This musical instrument is used as an accompaniment for many of the Spanish influenced dances!

However, the music most identified as truly Filipino is the kundiman, a passionate romantic ballad form with much pathos that originated during Spanish colonialism as well! The emotionalism of the kundiman may have allowed Filipinos to express their love of country while circumventing Spanish repression of all nationalistic sentiments. But even the classic, sentimental songs of unrequited love were transformed into revolutionary meanings in the late nineteenth century, through the use of metaphors about enslavement, oppression, and the martyrdom of nationalist heroes; some songs offered more overt political messages. It is no wonder Filipinos are such romantics!