Robert Andrew Y.

Solano
9 SPA Ilang-ilang
Kundiman
Kundiman is the classic form of Filipino love song—or so it seemed to colonialist forces in the
Philippines. In fact, in Kundiman, the singer who expresses undying love for his beloved is actually
singing for love of country. As an organization dedicated to providing a nurturing space for Asian
American writers, we find in this name inspiration to create and support artistic expression.
Kundiman is a genre of traditional Filipino love songs and the traditional song of serenade in the
Philippines. It has its origin among the Tagalog of Luzon and is truly an expression of their
sentimental nature. According to an old story, this is how the genre got its name. One bright moonlit
night, during the Spanish regime, a group of young romantic men went out together to serenade a
young woman whose house was very close to the church convent. They started their serenade with
one of the most popular songs of the time. It was a beautiful tune with a very enchanting and simple
melody, but its verses were somewhat monotonous due to the constant repetition of the three words,
"kung hindi man”. As a priest slept nearby, he was awakened by the young men’s voices. Upon
hearing the three words over and over, he asked his servants to make them stop singing their
“kundiman.” Because of his inability to say the three Tagalog words clearly, the priest thus gave the
song its popular name. The word kundiman itself was first applied to the verses and then later to the
music itself. It is thought that kundiman is a contraction of three Tagalog words: “kung hindi man”
("though you may not")—something of an expression of humility on the part of the suitor.