Filipino Folk Goes International: Katakataka

Today, I'm featuring my country's Filipino Folk Songs. Singing folk songs is a mainstay in choral singing. In fact, it's through folk songs that choral groups all over the world find their commonality as well as their differences. It is the way through which we--singers, directors and composers--appreciate cultural diversity. In this blog, I aim to highlight this by featuring Filipino folk songs sung by non-Filipino choral groups from the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

Katakataka is a song about two friend's who started to joke around until one of them fell in love with the other. Below are the lyrics and translation courtesy of tagalog.com.

Here is a rendition of the song by the NTU CAC Choir.

Kataka-takang mahibang ang katulad ko sa iyo
It's remarkable for someone like me to fall for you

Biru-biro ang simula
Joking around at first

Ang wakas pala ay ano?
The ending is what?

Aayaw-ayaw pa ako
I profess not to want it

ngunit ’yan ay ’di totoo
but that isn't true

Dahil sa iyo
Because of you

puso kong ito’y binihag mo
this heart of mine you've captivated

Ala-ala ka maging gabi’t araw
Thinking of you day and night