Bangka Sessions, Part 1- Inday ng Buhay Ko & Lihim na Pagibig (C. Aniel, R. Bergunio and F. Aguilar)

One afternoon in a shack by the beach in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, Mang Tino and Mang Romy taught me a ton of songs.
Later in the evening, we decided to review some of the songs - mostly for my benefit for they’ve been singing these songs their whole lives. We filmed the sessions sitting on a boat by the beach, thus the Bangka Sessions.
Inday Ng Buhay Ko, written by Ruben Vega, was popularized by Ric Manrique, Jr. and other pop singers in the 60s and 70s such as Victor Wood. I used to call them ‘bakya’, the opposite of hip, but under the hands (or voice) of Mang Tino, and stripped down to its essence, the song is really quite beautiful.
I would categorize this song as ‘kundimanin’ or faux kundiman. A lot of songs were written this way - non-traditional kundiman or harana that don’t adhere to the strictest definition of the form (I will discuss these in detail at a later post). They were radio-friendly pop version of kundiman that reflected the style of the 60s and 70s.
Pay attention to the rhythm. You will hear this in many of the old recordings of ‘kundimanin’ songs. In fact, this rhythm is unique, I’ve never heard it used in any other country. If no one has claimed it, I will call this the ‘kundimanin’ rhythm.
The 2nd song by Mang Romy is titled Lihim na Pagibig. Mang Romy’s songs were often more obscure because they were passed on to him by his father. Some were written by Mang Romy himself. I’ve searched many times for a previous recording of this song but have not been able to find one. It is a lovely song and would make a good alternative to the popular Dahil sa Iyo.
Watch the full HARANA movie streaming here on my KZbin channel:
• HARANA - Full Feature ...
Produced by Fides Enriquez
Directed by Benito Bautista
Cinematography by Peggy Peralta
Sound Recording by Raffy Magsaysay
Editing by New Art Media Chicken Coop Productions, Napa, CA

[@marcorval]

This is such a good docu because it's almost archaeological. But it isn't overly-academic either. Filipino culture is like a sponge, it absorbs anything it meets and sometimes through so much mixing and hybridization it becomes impossible to uncover its roots. You will find barely any truly traditional Filipino music online and this docu is one of those super rare time capsules into true folk music. Even artists like Ruben Tagalog, Sylvia la Torre, and the famous Abelardo were not true folk musicians in the sense that their styles inter-mixed with Western popular music and opera of the day. Whereas, the true grassroots style of music is rarely recorded, partly because it's not in our nature either to set things in stone, which is both a strength and a liability.

[@FloranteAguilarGuitar]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! :)

[@xilfedora2365]

Very well said...

[@ronaldllavanes7351]

Rest In Paradise Tata Celes and the Rest of the 3 KINGS HARANA, I will miss u all

[@isabelosaguionjr6161]

MABUHAY ANG PAMANA NG LAHI. ANG HARANA, MGA KUNDIMAN NA AWITIN, MGA ARTIST NA MULING BINUBUHAY ANG PAMANA NG LAHI. HARANA. MABUHAY KA! SIR FLORANTE AGUILAR ( pangalan mo pa lang ay isa ng alamat) keeping our heritage and culture live forever.

[@amantemarinas2182]

It is refreshing to hear traditional Filipino songs. Thanks for sharing. Filipino-American writing from Virginia, USA.

[@jconsumido]

Maestro Florante,Maraming salamat sa pagpapahalaga sa ating tradisyunal na tugtugin.

[@jing9144]

lihim na pagibig kay tamis, kay pait tulad ng tadhana kung minsa'y kay lupit kung minsa'y kay bait

[@ruelvillacarlos3901]

Harana King's forever ❤️

[@ulampinoy]

Maraming salamat Ginoong Florante sa inyong mga pagsisikap at gawa! Nakakaaliw at nakagagalak na marinig muli ang mga himig ng nakaraan. Mapatibay nawa kayo na magpatuloy sa paghahatid ng mga saliw noong sinauna sa kasalukuyang salinlahi. Isang mainit na pagbati mula sa Espanya! 🙏

[@SpencerZeiss]

I cant say anything else but pure appreciation and love to all of you❤

[@AltarejosResty-xt5gn]

Nakakaiyak bakit kaya ganto nraramdaman qo nung pinapaking gan qo kau umawit..😢😊

[@cocoabuena]

This music reminds me of my father, who often brought Harana piano sheet music from the Philippines, for me to play when I was younger. My father would fall asleep listening to me play and I hold these lullabies near and dear to my heart.

[@kennethcalvez9477]

It's immortal

[@cesarpanaligan6031]

Great!!! I am proud of you .kabayan

[@Selahe8916]

My heart and soul to all of you haranista 🥰

[@domiserapion6124]

I love listening to your music over and over again. Thank you . Domi from Honolulu.

[@FloranteAguilarGuitar]

Thank you! Glad you enjoy

[@darwintangilan5295]

Galing ng mga harana kings

[@milagroscohay7584]

Masarap pakinggan ang mga lumang tugtugin napakainam sa puso😊

[@chitodelavega4627]

tagos sa puso pati lyrics... kay yaman ng ating musika.... kay yaman ng ating lahi...

[@Sosnika12]

Music of yestedays through the years still love listening great 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@noellaurente3048]

Masarap balikan ang mga nakaraang buhay haranista sa probinsya ng aklan thank u maestro florante sa pagbuhay ng mga awitinng kundiman

[@oscarjr.severino3493]

Ang ala ala ito ay labis na pinapahalagahan. Mabuhay ka Sir Florante. To Mang Tino and Mang Romeo isang ala alang di mawawaglit sa aking isip. By the way Sir Florante taga saan po kayo sa Cavite? Ako po ay taga dito sa General Trias.

[@marcoAngeL0_]

The golden age of Filipino Classic Music. I truly fell in love with this music it only shows how romantic young Filipino is those days. I just added on my playlist Harana King and Florentino Aguilar :)

[@FloranteAguilarGuitar]

Salamat!

[@marcoAngeL0_]

@@FloranteAguilarGuitar Mabuhay po ikaw Ginoo Salamat sa patuloy na pagbibigay ng inspirasyon sa mga kabataang Pilipino tungkol sa ating tunay na yaman na musikang Pilipino.

[@ramonpurugganan6865]

Way better than birit, kulot na boses. Para akong hinahaplos ng hanging amihan. Very relaxing. Very Filipino. More of these. Please. To a lot of Young Filipinos out there, listen to these artists , please

[@leethoo2684]

Sa province 35 years ago mayroon tinatawag na kansyon sa kagab-hon gaya nitong mga klasikong tugtugin yun lamang ang kanilang layunin

[@krishafayebobapagaduan3196]

Mabuhay po kayo at ipagpatuloy nyo po ang muling pagpapalaganap ng awiting kundiman ako man po ay maraming natutunan.

[@adoboarchives4738]

Ito ang tunay na tunog ng "gabi" sa Pilipinas.

[@junreyorbeta5102]

Dapat po sa bisayas din kasi May mga ganon rin sa Amin sa lumang tao

[@philipmarchalquizar7741]

I'm from Cebu and I vividly remember during mid 80s to early 90s in my lola small tindahan. People all walks of life fisherman and farmers gather around the store to sing this kind of song along with coconut wine or Tuba in Bisaya. It was lovely and amazing so much memories back then.

[@FloranteAguilarGuitar]

Thanks for sharing that gem!

[@victoriasycip-herrera5734]

Love this kind of music! More please!!

[@rubenpascual4104]

Tagos sa puso ang harana. Nakakatuwa na meron tayong ganito. Sana wag tuluyang mawala.

[@HelenBratter]

Thanks for sharing their talent and yours!

[@Dishkarte]

Araw araw ko itong pinapakinggan habang nagpapahinga ako sa kubo

[@FloranteAguilarGuitar]

Salamat po!

[@francesanchetasongwriter215]

Thanks Florante for sharing! It’s so fun to see the personalities of all the Mangs shining through all the film clips you’ve shared and in the documentary. Mang Romeo is so knowledgeable but so earnest, shy, and genuine, and Mang Tino is also humble but his swag definitely comes out lol-he’s Mr. Crooner and must have been a hit with the ladies back in the day lol. And Mang Felipe was humble and self effacing but had such deeply rooted confidence and stealthness that came out as needed and whenever necessary lol. I’m so glad you have so many unforgettable memories with them. 🙂

[@FloranteAguilarGuitar]

Your take on each haranista is spot on, and glad their personalities shined through despite them “freezing” a little when the camera and lights were on. They’re actually a lot more spontaneous and humorous off-camera, believe it or not. :)

[@francesanchetasongwriter215]

Oh I bet they were fun and goofy lol! You can tell when they were rehearsing. I love hanging out with the elders-I love the combo of feistiness and goofiness because they don’t care after everything they’ve been through, and the wisdom they’ve gained and carry with them. It’s a hoot when they do and say funny things, and I love the stories and knowledge they share.

[@oliviaedralin1436]

Yes. Indeed. I observed that as well😊 Thank you for sharing your thoughts. ❤

[@luzsypewsy1]

🙏🙏🙏Thanks Mr.F. Aguilar , for this traditional and historical beautiful song and being guitarista . Pretty proud of you to go back to Philippines . I remember some of those Harana song my father was always singing all this old traditional song .👋👋👋. May god Bless you and to everyone ..

[@FloranteAguilarGuitar]

Salamat po!

[@aswang78]

Wonderful!

[@oliviaedralin1436]

Part of a great ensemble is the art of listening to each other … knowing intuitively how to emphasize each note , when to phrase the strumming,, you Do very well listening to each singer to emphasize the depth of each song. Also you highlight their own style . You’re an amazing musician! Thank you for posting.

[@eusebiocaguioa-ge4uk]

Ang galing talaga ni tatay🎉🎉🎉

[@estongmaceda5531]

Ang sarap pakingan sir florante, parang dinuduyan sa alapaap, salamat po

[@gramgramsgarden8513]

Mga walang kamatayang awitin. Just love it. I have this nostalgic feeling . ❤

[@pamantawan]

Proud Filipino 🇵🇭 Continue the legacy Sir. Kudos to your artistry.👏👏👏

[@vbalms3333]

Thnk u Sirs for those wonderful nd nostalgic songs!... ❤️👍

[@gramgramsgarden8513]

You can really feel yong pahmamahal sa music ng mgs haranista. Damdam na damdam . ❤

[@jovencioorbeta8429]

Sana wag mawala ang mga tradisyonal na awiting kagaya nito..mabuhay po ang musikang pilipino..

[@jtflypegasus]

galing mag gitara ni pare ko ❤

[@labkitadiba]

Bro, keep it up! Sana madami ka pang filipinong kabataan ang mahikayat na buhayin ang sariling atin.thank you so much

[@thenewman142]

Kay ganda nang inyung awitin mga ginoo

[@Reichthoff]

Lihim na pag ibig is excellent song.

[@obetz4160]

Maraming salamat sa pagpapanumbalik nang ating orihinal na musikang Pilipino.

[@lemuelvelasco7298]

100% nakaka-enjoy pakinggan

[@dioneda7526]

❤undying music of yesteryears....so lovely in the ears to listen to..

[@alohalaniboido8083]

Beautiful! Lindisimo!

[@benjaminmendoza9219]

heto ang mga nakakamiss na mapakinggan na haranang pinoy! good job po sa inyo

[@luzsypewsy1]

Thanks mga kapatid I missed Pinas ..But it help me yonng mga kanta nyo... May God Bless kayong lahat dyan..🙏🙏🙏

[@espiebalderama78]

Magandang pakinggan ang mga kundiman at harana sana hindi mawawala ang mga tradisyunal ng mga ganitong tugtugin ng pilipino ❤❤❤

[@MrkTheDREAMER]

Ang galing ok pa sila ksma nio pa sir. Galingggg more po

[@zenaidabaes8287]

Nawa napapanood ng mga apo nila ang alaala musika ng kanila lolo.

[@FRTZ]

Saludo sa inyo ❤

[@angelliprudente2368]

So nice to hear makabago ako pero nappreciate ko talaga ang mga ganyan na tugtugan at awitin..I feel my body and soul are resting hearing those. 😊 My husband Paul admire you and the music so much😊❤❤

[@FloranteAguilarGuitar]

Salamat po!

[@sandysolis6286]

I can relate your music masarap pakinggan old heritage song. Thank you Maestro Florante to your Harana

[@melchorgryner7430]

pagibig sa kundiman ay pagibig sa ating bayan sinilangan.....love it !

[@leophilipbunag3707]

Hi Florante. Thank you for the efforts to preserve this part of our cultural heritage. I started w/ a little classical playing but later shifted to folk guitar back in my college days. I know you're very well versed in music. Just would like to know whether the beat used in most of our olden love songs and haranas is the one called 'tempo de habanera'. Thanks again

[@FloranteAguilarGuitar]

Yes tempo de habanera for haranas. But haranistas don’t call it that. Instead they call it ‘danza’. But it’s the same thing. It’s used on the 2nd song in this video Lihim na Pagibig.

[@leophilipbunag3707]

@@FloranteAguilarGuitar Many thanks.

[@anabelencasas4565]

Mabuhay 👋👋👋🙌🙌🙌🇪🇸🥰🥰🥰

[@rackleon2579]

Sunday listening ❤❤❤

[@nathangospelvaldez6082]

Maganda po ito ilagay sa spotify :)

[@FloranteAguilarGuitar]

Meron po! Heto: open.spotify.com/track/255gxoeZQybtazCMxP4LKv?si=VLrXpZmBS6WrkD_cJ1OTwQ

[@HelenBratter]

Cool 👏👏👏👏

[@philipjohnaguilar3842]

Ganda po!

[@chester6437]

lupet pang dayo hehe nice

[@xelettv6041]

Sarap pakinggan....

[@HelenBratter]

Yeah hey!!!

[@bornok]

4:50 ☺☺☺

[@jonathandelacruz4725]

sir.... make another docu yung mga mananagot nmn s harana.

[@MelchorGEnotUkeleleMaster]

Nice,, new subscriber

[@LiwaySaGu]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@HelenBratter]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@nemiabeltran1501]

❤❤❤

[@Dishkarte]

Wala pang bagong upload sir

[@SpencerZeiss]

Florante what camera do you use in reckrding this? You guys are ao talented.❤😅

[@FloranteAguilarGuitar]

This was shot over 10 years ago with HPX 170. Cheers :)

[@dannytourvlog4756]

Fan nyo na ako, like ko na kayo. Sir Florante asan na kaya si mang Romeo? 😊

[@Reichthoff]

Unfortunately yumao na daw si sir romeo.

[@dannytourvlog4756]

​@@Reichthoff 😢

[@shervincastillo3742]

Pls upload your cover of “O Ilaw”

[@ferdinandmolina6869]

Guitar:5/5 Singer# 1:5/5 Singer#2: 5/5 Cameraman: need more practice!!!

[@oscarjr.severino3493]

Ang ala ala ito ay labis na pinapahalagahan. Mabuhay ka Sir Florante. To Mang Tino and Mang Romeo isang ala alang di mawawaglit sa aking isip. By the way Sir Florante taga saan po kayo sa Cavite? Ako po ay taga dito sa General Trias.