UNIT 1: Vocal Music of Luzon (Lowlands) Lesson 1: Geographical and Cultural Background of the Music of Luzon Before knowing the vocal music of the lowlands in Luzon, it is best to understand the geographical and cultural factors that contribute to the overall characteristics of the music of the lowlanders in Luzon, What comorises the Lowland Luzon? Is it only a large mass of land? ‘The Geography of Lowland Luzon Lowland Luzon refers to the plains in Central and Southern Luzon. The National Capital Region, Region IV-A (CALABARZON), and a portion of Region Ill (Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, and some parts of Zambales and Tarlac), are part of Lowland Luzon. The geographical features of Lowland Luzon are as follows: The Lowland Luzon is home to natural and man-made land and water formations. Some of the prominent land and water formations in this area are the Taa/ volcano encompassed by Loguna de Bay in Laguna, the Pasig river which connects the Laguna de Bay and the Monila Bay, and the Angat Dam in Bulacan which supplies the National Capital Region (NCR or Metropolitan Manila) with water. The urban center of the Philippines, which is the National Capital Region (NCR) is part of the lowland Luzon area. In NCR is the capital city of the country, which is Manila, surrounded by modern, industrial, and commercial areas. Lowlands in Luzon are areas which practice fishing and agriculture as the primary source of living. Products found in this area of Luzon are rice, kakanin, coffee, tea, smoked or dried fish, and many more.The Culture of Lowland Luzon Lowland Luzon is rich in culture and traditions. Key to its dynamic culture are the people that reside in it. Tagalog refers to the majority of people living in the lowland Luzon area and the language by which they communicate. Throughout the years, lowland Luzon has been in contact with many foreigners that significantly affected its current state. «The history of the Tagalog culture dates from the pre-Hispanic era. The petroglyphs found in Angono, Rizal and Laguna Copperplate which dates back to 1000 AD are proofs of the ancient Tagalog settling. © The term "Tagalog" is derived from the Filipino prefix "-taga" which means coming from and "ilog" (river) or “alog" (the shallow portion in a stream). This means that the Tagalog people are men of the rivers having built their culture (fishing and agriculture) beside streams of waterways * During the Spanish colonial rule, Manila became an established capital and the trading center of the country. © The lowlands of Luzon has mainly been influenced by Spanish and American culture. Religions like Christianity, Catholicism, and Protestantism are the main religion in this area that was brought through the Spanish and American colonialism. Las Pifias Bamboo Organ Church The Bamboo Organ Church is an example showing both geographic and cultural influences Located in the city of Las Pifias, the 200-year old church is known for its rare bamboo-made organ pipes bullt by Father Diego Ciera in the early 1800s.Bahay Kubo Bahay Kubo is a popular folk song in the Philippines. It depicts the Bahay kubo or nipa hut. a traditional housing in the Philippines. The song also describes the environment of the bahay kubo by enumerating the vegetables planted near Bahay Kubo Bahay kubo, kahit munti Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari. Singkomes at tolong, sigarilyas at mani ‘Staw, Dataw, patani. Kundol, patola, upo't kalabasa At saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa, sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at layo sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga. Lesson 2: Performance Practice Performance Practice in the Vocal Music ofthe Lowlands in Luzon Performance practice refers to how music is performed. The word “perform” does not refer to an activity done in a stage with a crowd of people watching. it merely refers to music being practiced or done. in the vocal music of lowlands in Luzon, music is either for entertainment, for learning, for performance, or for rituals. We will learn more about how music is practiced through these four categories: music as entertainment, music as learning, music as performance, and music as ritu. ‘Music as Entertainment Have you been to a festival? Or a party? Or a concert? What do you experience in events like these? Do you remember the songs that were played during these events? How did you experience the music in events like these? One purpose of vocal music in the lowlands is for entertainment. Musicians gather together to play their favorite tunes. Singing contests in search for who has the highest voice. All these are to render entertainment or fun. Fiestas are important cultural occasions celebrated by the Tagalogs in the lowlands of Luzon. Fiestas are celebrated by communities in commemoration to religious saints or significant events in their community. Popular fiestas celebrated in lowlands of Luzon are Feast of the Black Nazarene which is celebrated every January 9 in Quiapo Manila; Flores de Mayo celebrated every May; and Pahiyas Festival celebrated in Lucban, Quezon every May 17.Music as Learning Vocal music in lowlands of Luzon is also practiced through learning. Learning music can be done in schools, churches, art centers, talent agencies, and many more. There are many ways in which the vocal music of the lowlands can be learned. It can be acquired through observation and imitation. Children tend to imitate their favorite singers by singing the way their favorite singers sing. Another way is through formal learning. in formal learning, a set of systems are created for the students to enhance their musical skills. Music as Performance Vocal music of lowlands in Luzon are performed in stages or halls with bright lights and an audience. This activity is done by professional singers or musicians who have dedicated their lives creating music for a living. In musical performances, music becomes the center of adoration of the audience. People would visit a performance because they love to listen to a particular song or watch it being performed. Music as Ritual Lastly, vocal music of the lowlands is performed to accompany rituals. One example is religious rituals in churches that make use of music. In a Catholic mass, for example, a certain type of music is used in a particular part of the mass. Rituals are not limited to religious ones. ‘A secular example can be seen in the celebration of birthdays. It has been a ritual that in celebrating birthdays, the song Happy Birthday to You or Maligayang Bati has to be sung.