The Development of Music in the Philippines

Music in the Pre-Spanish Period

The early Filipinos sung lullabies, planting songs, boat songs, and feasting mourning
songs. The Negritos, ethnic groups of the Cordillera regions, and the Muslims in Mindanao
have a number of musical instruments still played today.

The Negritos have the gitgit which resembles the violin. The Cordilleras have the
koleleng or balilin (nose flute), passing (2 parallel strings) and kolitong (3-11
strings). Percussion sounds are produced by the bilbil or bunkaka and the metal
gangsa. They also have the drums like albon (rice drum) and sulibao (conical drum).

The Muslims have the palendag (lip flute), sahunay (pipe flute), tumpong (chip
on tube flute). They have string instrument like the kudyapi or boat lute. Their
percussion instruments are the dobakan (conical drum), gabbong (xylophone) and
gamelan (gong).

Music in the Spanish Period

In the 17th century, music was focused on church choir, seminary choirs, and songs
in the monasteries.

In the 18th century, native folksongs acquired the duple meter and the pentatonic
musical score. There were religious hymns and singing of the pasyon and the harana. In
the 19th century, kundiman and balitao were still popular. Musical organizations started
from church choirs. They formed themselves into rondallas.

Music in the American Period

Opera started to appear in this period. The first opera was Sandugong Panaginip
(The Dreamed Alliance). Musicians introduced the zarzuela. Songs composed in the period
like "Mutya ng Pasig" and Anak Dalita" were based on traditional forms such as
kumintang and kundiman. To preserve our native culture the then UP President Jorge
Bocobo appointed Francisco Santiago to gather records and study folksongs. He also
encouraged Francisca Reyes Aquino to record Philippine native dances.

When the Japanese came, the Manila Shimbun-su sponsored a contest in which
participants were asked to translate into Tagalog the lyrics of a song dedicated to the
"New Philippines."
 Music in the Post-War Period

During the post-war period, there had been a proliferation of cumbancheros or

combos, easing out the rondalla in popularity. Dr. Eliseo introduced his "Lam-ang Suite",
a symphony combining Western concepts and native themes. Symphony orchestra
became popular.

Music in the Contemporary Period

In the 21" century, people are able to communicate through mass, satellite, internet,
and facsimile transmissions. Because of these, geographical and cultural barriers began
to disappear. This has brought a tremendous impact to the field of music. New musical
styles such as popular or pop music (pop), rock, jazz, folk, alternate, country, and
Western music have emerged. Popular Pinoy music is patronized by the youth and is
widely introduced by electronic media. A number of musicians produced chance or
aleatoric music and minimalist and electronic music.

The Development of Literature in the Philippines

Literature in the Early Period (1900-1930)

English and American literature were introduced in Philippine schools by the

Thomasite teachers who replaced the American soldier-teachers. The works of Chaucer,
Milton, Shakespeare, Emerson, Poe, Longfellow, Shelley, Joyce, Tennyson, and other
famous writers became the models of the early Filipino writers.

Drama and novel were hardly written because vernacular plays and the zarzuela
became the popular theatrical arts among the Filipinos. The tone of plays, however, were
more emotional than intellectual. Short stories dealt with romantic tales of legendary
figures. The "Dead Stars" of Paz M. Benitez was one of the most-loved short stories at
the time. Jorge Bocobo, Amador Daguio, Pilar H. Lim, Jose Villa Panganiban, and Jose
Garcia Villa had also written short stories. Some of these writings were even included in
literature books for students.

During the early period of literature in the Philippines, poetry consisted of sentimental
lines while essay became a free form of composition that projected customs and
traditions. The poems of Luis Dato, Virgilio Floresca, Abelardo Subido, and Francisco
Tonogbanua, dominated the early period of Philippine literature. Likewise, Francisco
Benitez, Jorge Bocobo, Camilo Osias, Claro M. Recto and Carlos P. Romulo became
famous for their essays.
 Literature in the Middle Period (1930-1960)

During this period, Philippine Literature in English had tremendously improved,

particularly, in essay, short story and poetry.

The literary style of the essay improved during the Japanese occupation, but after
1945, the essay turned to nationalism and politics as its themes. Among the essayists
during this period were Francisco Icasiano, Francisco Arellano, Jorge Bocobo, Salvador
Lopez, Camilo Osias, Jose Garcia Villa, Leopoldo Yabes, and Pura Santillan-Castrence.

During this period, the short story showed the most rapid improvement in terms of
quality and depth. Among the significant short story writers during this period were Nick
Joaquin, Estrella Alfon, Kerima Polotan, Edilberto Tiempo, and Loreto Paras-Sulit,

Poetry remained romantic. Among the well-known poets of the time were Trinidad
Subido, Jose del Castillo, Amador Daguio, NVM Gonzales, Abelardo Subido and Jose
Garcia Villa, whose series of erotic poems "Man's Songs" became controversial.

Literature in the Modern Period (1961 to present)

The modern period, also referred to as the contemporary period, is characterized by

a growing sense of nationalism and a deeper search for identity (Abuan, 2000). Literary
works of this time were aimed for socio-political reforms due to the country's emerging
political and social problems and issues.

Filipino essayists like Francisco Arcellana, Renato Constantino, Carlos Quirino, and
Teodoro Valencia, among others, wrote essays that focused on injustices, moral
corruption, and socio-economic reforms. Short story writers like Greg Brillantes, Andres
Cristobal Cruz, Gilda Cordero-Fernando, and Kerima Polotan Tuvera depicted national
concerns and urban life in their works.

Among the poets who were active in this period were Teodoro Locsin, Rolando
Carbonell, Edith Tiempo, Manuel Viray, and Mauro Avena.

Drama did not flourish well compared to other literary genres. It only had its
substantial significance when theater groups organized themselves and performed before
the general public. Thereafter, the teaching of drama in colleges and universities followed.
Some of the well-known playwrights of the period were Wilfrido Ma Guerrero, Severino
Montano, Estrella Alfon, Ricardo Demetillo, and Jesus Peralta.
 The Development of Dance in the Philippines

Philippine dance has a long and rich history. During the early times, Philippine
dances were based on myths, traditions, and daily lives of the common tao. The inclusion
of dances in religious ceremonies can also be observed frequently in various localities.

The traditional dance of the Phililippines, an art form deeply rooted in the culture
of its people, has gained international favor through the years.

Philippine dance went through a period of difficulties and great strides forward. In
1920, it gained the love and attention of the people. The devoted efforts of Dr. Jorge
Bocobo and Francisca Reyes-Aquino laid a firm foundation for the future leap of the native
folkdance into the new age. This period can rightly be said to be an age blossoming for
dance culture.

From 1920 to 1954, Philippine dance went through a lot of changes. During this
period, especially in 1950, exchanges with foreign cultures increased. In 1954, Dr. Bocobo
and his companions attended the Asian Native Folk Dance Festival, held in East Pakistan,
in which they received a great amount of attention and praise. In 1957, the Bayanihan
Philippine Dance Company was established as the performing arm of the Bayanihan Folk
Arts Center Following this, the Bayanihan group performed in Bangkok, Rome, Paris, and
Barcelona to show the country's native life and custom through dance.

The successful performances of the Bayanihan group in the United States, Canada,
Asia, and Europe left a great mark on the history of Philippine dance.

Other dance groups like the Philippine Barangay Folk Dance Troupe and the FEU
Dance Company followed the footsteps of the Bayanihan group. In addition, there were
many local dance groups who performed traditional dances in international hotels, such
as the Manila Hotel and Westin Philippine Plaza. The CCP Dance Company and Karilagan
Dance Troupe were among these dance groups.

The Philippine dance has overcome many difficult times and has been an important tool
in promoting cultural change.

The Development of Cinema in the Philippines

Following are the historical events that influenced the development

Of Philippine cinema:
  January 1, 1897- Philippine cinema was said to have been introduced in the
Philippines by the Spaniards, a year after the Lumiere brothers initially showed
their cinematographe. The Spanish equivalent of the French term cinematographe
is cronofotografo which was later changed to cinematografo and was later
shortened to cine.

Four films were shown on a 60 mm Demeny-Gaumont chronophotographe projector

at the Salon de Pertierra at no. 12 Escolta, Manila, where the Ullman Jewelry Shop was
formerly situated. Businessmen Liebman and Peritz installed. the projector.

The film show was dubbed as the "Espectaculo Cientifico del Pertierra" (Pertierra
Science Show) after Señor Francisco Pertierra, a Spanish businessman who imported the
motion picture devices. The four films were Un Homme Au Chapeau (Man with a Hat),
Une Scene de Danse Japonaise (Scene from a Japanese Dance), Les Boxers (The Boxers),
and La Place de L'Opera (The Place L'Opera).

 January 2, 1897- The following local newspapers carried the announcements of

the film screening: El Comedio, Diario de Manila, La Vox Espanola, and El Español.
The films lasted no more than 45 seconds each. Viewers were charged 50 centavos
for cushioned seats, and 30 centavos for lunetas or benches.
 January 29, 1897 - Patronage to the film show began to decline resulting in the
lowering of admission prices until Salon de Pertierra finally closed down.
 August (1st week) 1897 - Antonio Ramos, a Spanish Army officer imported a
Lumiere cinematographe along with thirty films.
 August 31, 1897-Mssrs. Lice care opened another movie hall in Escolta. Among
the film strips was the Czar's carriage passing the Place de la Concorde.
Admission price was higher, with Liebman and Peritz charging one Mexican dollar for seat
preferences and half a dollar for general entrance. The pair billedtheir entertainment fare
as "Cinematografo," later shortened to "cine."

 November 1897- The term "cine" became the generic name for movies in the
vernacular. However, Liebman and Peritz closed down their movie hall in
November, 1897 when patronage began to decline.
 September 1898-Antonio Ramos made the following films: Panorama de Manila
(Manila Landscape), Fiesta de Quiapo (Quiapo Fiesta), Puwente de España (Bridge
of Spain), and Ecseñas Callejeras (Street Scenes).
 July 1909- Two major developments spurred local cinema: the establishment of
Manila film studios and the mushrooming of movie theatres due to abundant film
supply.
 August 8, 1909 - There was a quick proliferation of movie theatres. Cine Anda had
its inaugural screening.
 Between 1909-1911 - Other moviehouses like Paz, Cabildo, Empire, Majestic,
Comedis, Apollo, Ideal, Luz, and Gaiety were opened. Zarzuela, open or vaudeville
 presentations were performed in theater Zorilla and the Grand Opera House.
Moviehouses also sprouted in the provinces which had electricity.
 Early part of 1912-Harry Brown and Edward Meyer Gross, whose stage play La
Vida de Rizal (The Life of Rizal) had been a commercial success, collaborated and
produced the first local full-length film, Rizal-Bracken. To ensure the film's success,
Brown, acting as director, engaged his wife, Tetay Molina, to play the role of
Josephine Bracken.

 August 24, 1912-Albert Yearsley, manager of Oriental Film Company and owner of
Empire and Majestic Theatre, decided to produce his own Rizal film. He beat the
Brown-Gross team when he showed his film to the screening body at Grand Opera
House a day before the Brown-Gross film was released.
 Between 1910-1915-Numerous foreign-owned film companies established their
firms in the Philippines. This ensured steady film production.

The imposition of taxes on film was another development. In the process, short films
ceased to be the format and the age of feature films soon flourished. They became the
source of entertainment, as new and sophisticated film equipment arrived from the West.
Commercial film from Hollywood and Europe were manufactured with prescribed formulas
and geared for mass consumption by an expanding American market.

 1917 Jose Nepomuceno, the Father of Philippine Movies, together with his brother,
organized the film studio Malayan Movies.

Englishmen Albert Yearsley and Edward Meyer Gross, constructed the Majestic and
Zorilla theatres along the narrow lane of Azcarraga (now C. M. Recto Ave.). Yearsley did
the lengthy motion picture The Life and Death of the Great Filipino Martyr, Dr. Jose Rizal,
in which the role of Leonor Rivera was portrayed by the first Filipina lead star, Tetay
Molina.
Filipino film pioneer Jose Nepomuceno

 1919-Nepomuceno directed the film version of Hermogenes Ilagan and Leon

Ignacio's zarzuela entitled Dalagang Bukid (Country Maiden), which starred Atang
de la Rama.

 1920-Fire swept the place and the outfit was forced to sell its equipment. Faustino
Lichauco started filming Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow but stopped filming
halfway, Claudio Briones and Ricardo Marcelino c quarreled on the set of Piping
Saksi (Mute Witness) that resulted in the shelving of the film. Vicente Salumbides
revived filmmaking in Miracles of Love which starred Hermogenes llagan. Jose
Nepomuceno made two other films Ang Tatlong Hambog and the Miracles of
Antipolo. These pictures were made already with talkies.
 1927 - Manuel Silos made a 16 mm silent film called Tres Sangganos (The Three
Tramps).
 1930-Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) was hailed as Nepomuceno's masterpiece.
 1932 - The first sound movie of Nepomuceno was Punyal na Guinte (Golden
Dagger), adapted from the novel of Antonio Sempio. 1937 - Pedro Vera of
Sampaguita Pictures started filming Bituing Marikit and Madaling Araw.

 1938-Don Ramon Araneta founded Excelsior Pictures and filmed Ang Maya. 1939-
Doña Narcisa "Sisang" de Leon founded LVN and produced the film Giliw Ko,
directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa. Punit na Bandila was also filmed by
Nepomuceno.

 At the end of 1939, other films were shown. Among these were Gregorio
Fernandez's Azahar at Kabaong, Ramon Estrella's Bayan at Pag-ibig, Gerardo
"Gerry De Leon's Bahay Kubo, and Lamberto Avellana's Sakay. The growth of films
gave birth to new stars which included Rosa del Rosario, Carmen Rosales, Elsa
Oria, Lucita Goyena, Rosario Romero, Mila del Sol, Rogelio de la Rosa, Angel
Esmeralda, Fernando Poe, Sr., and Rudy Concepcion.
 1953-The National Media Production Center (NMPC) was created to produce and
disseminate international and educational films. Larry Alcala made an animation
film.
 1958-Lamberto Avellana's El Legado (The Legislator) won the Conde de Foxa
Award in the Certamen International de Cine Documental Ibero-Americano y
Filipino in Bilbao, Spain. Then, after two years, he capped the same award with
his film La Campana de Baler (The Bell of Baler).
 1961-The Grey Menace filmed in 1955 was cited in West Germany's Asian Film
Week. This film was directed by Jesse Ramos and produced by the Department of
Agriculture.
 1963- Brave Little Island, a short film about Corregidor, won a Certificate of
Acceptance in the San Francisco Film Festival.
 1964-Soul of Fortress and Mangandingay won the Rotary Award for Service to
Mankind in the Asian Film Festival.
 1969-Avellana's The Survivor was awarded the Prix D' Honneur in Cambodia. This
film was a re-enactment of the life of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo..
 1971- The Land of the Sun Returning, a color documentary film, garnered the
Golden Award in the United States.
 1973-Kasaysayan ng Lahi (Story of a Race) became the Philippine entry in the 5th
International Cinema Festival in USSR.
 1980s - a number of award-giving bodies started to entail tracks of the Film
Academy for Motion Pictures, Arts, and Sciences (FAMAS). Michael Parsons, an
American residing in the Philippines, and Virgilio Aviado were honored as pioneers
of experimental filmmaking in the Philippines.
 Currently, the Movie Television Review and Classification Board ( MTRCB), classifies
motion pictures and television shows according to the suitability of content to the
audience.
GP (General Patronage) - Admission is open to all ages.

PG (Parental Guidance open) - Admission is open to persons below 15 yrs. old but must
be accompanied by an adult.

PG-15 (Parental Guidance) - Admission is open only to 15 years of age and above.

R-18 (restricted) - Admission is open only to adults 18 yrs. old and above.

X-Movie or show is not for public viewing.