THE HISTORY OF LERON, LERON SINTA

Leron Leron Sinta is a classic work song that is believed to have originated in the provinces and was
traditionally sang during the papaya harvest season. It has a call and response verse pattern and is
typically sung in duet by a man and a woman, with some minor alteration in the lyrics.

It is also a favorite performance piece by choral groups. With the combination of an upbeat feel and
witty lyrics, Leron Leron Sinta has become a timeless Philippine folk song loved by millions of Filipinos
from the heydays of the “kundiman” era to the generations to come.

This folk song was collected from a Northern California woman (no age or race given) in the late 1960s.
She described "Leron, Leron, Sinta" as a work song.

Although a number of verses exist, the first verse is perhaps best known. It is traditionally sung by a
woman whose lover, Leron, climbs up a papaya tree, bringing with him a large bamboo basket in which
he plans to place the ripe fruit for his loved one.

But as he climbs higher, the branch on which he is perched breaks. With this "poor luck," she must now
look for someone to take his place.

THE STORY

Leron Leron Sinta is about a man named “Leron” and her sweetheart “Neneng”. The song revolves
around the adventures of the two sweethearts as they pick fruits from trees (papaya and tamarind
trees) one day.

-Leron, Leron sinta, buko ng papaya

Dala-dala’y buslo, sisidlan ng bunga

Pagdating sa dulo, nabali ang sanga

Kapus kapalaran humanap ng iba.

Here we hear “Neneng” singing about her love “Leron” climbing a papaya tree. Leron brought with him a
basket where he expects to put the ripe papaya fruit he picked up from the tree.

Unfortunately, a branch from the tree broke and Leron fell from above. The verse ended with Neneng
singing what tough luck that was and that she would just have to look for another (whether she will look
for another sweetheart or another tree is unclear in the lyrics).

-Halika na Neneng, tayo’y manampalok

Dalhin mo ang buslo, sisidlan ng hinog

Pagdating sa dulo’y uunda-undayog

Kumapit ka Neneng, baka ka mahulog.

In this verse, Leron is singing to Neneng as he invites her to pick up some tamarinds. She asked her to
bring the basket for the ripe tamarind fruits. As Neneng reaches the top, the branch of the tree swayed.
The worried Leron then asked to Neneng to hold on tight or she might also fall.

-Halika na Neneng at tayo’y magsimba

At iyong isuot ang baro mo’t saya

Ang baro mo’t sayang pagkaganda-ganda

Kay ganda ng kulay — berde, puti, pula.

In the third verse, Leron invites Neneng to go to church. He requests Neneng to wear her beautiful
“terno” dress (baro at saya – traditional Philippine dress and skirt). The verse ends as Leron describes
and appreciates the color of Neneng’s baro and saya (green, white, red combination).

-Ako’y ibigin mo, lalaking matapang

Ang sundang ko’y pito, ang baril ko’y siyam.

Ang lalakarin ko’y parte ng dinulang.

Isang pinggang pansit, ang aking kalaban!

In the final verse of this folk song, Leron proposes his love for Neneng. He boastfully tells her to love her
because he is a brave man. He owns seven swords and nine guns. And as he walks a long journey ahead,
his only foe is a plate full of “pancit” (a Philippine noodle dish of Chinese origin).

Filipinos look at life in many ways and putting these into songs, they sing in the fields, in the orchards, or
in boats or ships at sea. No matter how hard they work, they always manage to inject humor here and
there in their daily activities and with catchy tunes are able to turn the tedious chores into enjoyable
ones.