Harana

Harana Recital Project What is harana? Harana in a literal translation is basically to serenade. But this does not mean in the classical sense of a serenade piece, but the act itself of serenading. For this recital project, I wanted to go back to my roots both as a Filipino and as a musician. As a Filipino, harana had always been there as a concept of courtship (quite cheesy nowadays, but there is still something about it that’s timeless and innocent and nostalgic), and as a musician, I felt that we were haranistas. In my opinion, musicians are haranistas in the way that we court the audience into listening to the music. For this video, I wanted to know what fellow Filipinos thought about harana and its impact. I want to thank my friends and family for giving me their time and thoughts for this project and video. This wouldn't be possible without you. Thank you so much! Also, forgive my terrible editing skills. (This is why I'm a musician.) Songs in the video: Ben&Ben - Araw Araw string quartet cover Maalaala Mo Kaya cover

There are 3 main steps that are to be taken in a harana courtship. The first is the panawagan or the introduction. The haranista would select a set of songs for the first step, songs that introduce himself to her and politely asking her to open her window. The woman would wait after the second song to open the window. Sometimes, she may not respond and if the haranista was persistent, the singing would go on until the break of dawn. The panawag is deemed successful if she opens the window and the haranista is invited inside the house. Pieces in the video: Bach Violin Sonata no.1, Fugue O ilaw - Filipino folk song

This is where the man declares his admiration for the woman and her beauty and virtues. Some of the songs are Ibig Kong Magtapat Sa Iyo Paraluman (I wish to propose to you, my muse), Lihim ng Pagibig (My Secret Love), etc. In this case, Araw-Araw (Every Day). Pieces in the video: Conus - Violin Concerto in E Minor, 2nd movement Lourna Mydes Quinto, violin Ben&Ben - Araw Araw Arranged by Lourna Mydes Quinto for string quartet Lourna Mydes Quinto, violin 1 Petpairin Luenpaen, violin 2 Theerasit Saelim, viola Netchanok Jinjakkaew, cello

Panagutan (Response) is when the lady being serenaded to, replies back to the courter in song. If she is unsure, she may sing Ang Tangi Kong Pagibig (My Only True Love), where the first line goes “Ang tangi kong pagibig ay minsang lamanga” (True love for me is rare). If she accepts, she will sing the song Maala-ala Mo Kaya with the lyrics, “O kay sarap mabuhay, lalo na’t may lambingan” (Oh how sweet it is to live, more so in the presence of love and affection). Pieces in the video: Franck - Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major, 4th movements Lourna Mydes Quinto, violin Vincent Cheung, piano (YouTube accompaniment) Maalaala Mo Kaya Lourna Mydes Quinto, violin