Filipino Folk Goes International: Iddem-Dem Mallida

Singkreis Porcia was founded in 1956. Members come from the communities of Upper Carinthia. They come from different professions, some of them are into music as a profession. The choir has developed more intensively and is now one of the well-known choirs in Austria. They have performed in many countries around the world, represented at prestigious festivals in various concerts in Austria and been repeatedly invited by domestic and foreign radio and television stations to participate in live performances and archival footage.
 
Via Singkreis Porcia (roughly translated in Google Translate)

When I came to Austria with Novo to participate in one of the world's prestigious choir festival and competition in Spittal an der Drau, the Singkreis Porcia performed in a welcome concert wherein they sang the various folk songs from the country of origin of the different participating choirs. In this concert, they sang Iddem-Dem Mallida as representative of the Philippine choir. I've sung this song with a different choir and so I was really excited to hear their rendition of this song. They sounded good and in fact, their approach to the song came out as classical--smooth, harmonious, polyphonic singing at best. Admittedly, the song wasn't suppose to be sung that way. Nevertheless, I feature this song and this rendition for the sole purpose of saying thank you and for giving their best to sing a Filipino folk song that many Filipino choirs have sung. 


Here is a video of their rendition captured in my own meek digital camera. The picture isn't that good but you could hear their singing which is more important. Iddem-Dem Malida is an Itneg Tribal Chant, arranged by Elmo Makil. It's origin I believe is the Mountain Province of Northern Philippines. Here is Singkreis Porcia singing Iddem-Dem Mallida.

Lyrics (based on the musical score)

Iddem-dem mallida, inabacmidaida
Iddem-dem mallida
Yomayom agdagdagi yomayom
Iddem-dem mallida, inabacmidaida
Dong dong ay sidongilay insallidumay
Ilailalay, Ilailalay
Yomayom agdagdagi yomayom
Iddem-dem mallida, inabacmidaida
Iddem-dem maillida

Filipino Folk Goes International: Bahay Kubo

Here’s to reminiscing one of the most sung Filipino Folk Songs--Bahay Kubo. In fact, it’s a song kids use at play. What’s amusing is watching and listen to an all-boys choir sing this song with their own peculiar accent. But wait...they’re not Filipino! That is why it’s even more interesting. Watch and enjoy these adorable angels sing one of the Philippines’ popular folk song.

Bahay Kubo English Translation (Nipa Hut)

Bahay kubo, kahit munti Our Nipa Hut, even though it’s small
Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari. We have various plants found in our garden
Singkamas at talong, Jicama (Mexican turnip) and eggplant,
sigarilyas at mani Winged beans and peanuts
Sitaw, bataw, patani. String beans, lablab beans, lima beans

Kundol, patola, upo't kalabasa Wax gourd, loofah, bottle gourd and squash
At saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa, And also radish, mustard
sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya Onions, tomatoes, garlic and ginger
sa paligid-ligid ay puro linga. The area is filled with sesame seeds

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

 

A Memorable Folk Song (Thanks to Mom!)

Folk songs present the character and beauty of one's culture. In choral singing, folk songs are entitled as one of many categories in music festivals and choral competitions. Furthermore, choral competitions open the door to cultural exchange in the form of swapping and/or trading folk songs among the different choirs.

Rosas Pandan is one of the Filipino folk songs that's been around the world. When you go to YouTube for example, I've seen many non-Filipino choirs sing this song--choirs from Europe, the USA, and Asia. It's upbeat and catchy tone gives the audience a "wow" experience. It's final notes are sang in a grandiose blend of polyphonic harmony.

Personally, this song is special to me because of the one person whose love for singing has influenced and touched my life--my mom! My mom loves this song that every time I sing this with the choir, she's all smiles like her day has brighten up more than any other day. My mom was a singer before she got married. She told me that Rosas Pandan was one of the songs she used to sing in a competition. And she won that competition, so the song--apart from being enjoyable on its own--truly holds a special place in my mom's heart.

Cheers to mom and to all the mothers in the world! Here is Rosas Pandan.

CEBUANO VERSION:                                      ENGLISH TRANSLATION: (from this blog)
Ania si Rosas Pandan                                           Here is Rosas Pandan
Gikan pa intawon sa kabukiran                             Just arrived from the mountains
Kaninyo makiguban-uban                                     To be with all of you
Sa gisaulog nga kalingawan                                   To celebrate the fiesta

Balitaw day akong puhunan                                  This song is my livelihood
Maoy kabilin sa akong ginikanan                          An inheritance from my parents
Awit nga labing kara-an                                        A most ancient song
Nga garbo ning atong kabungturan                       The pride of our hill country

Dika ding dika ding dika ding                               Dika ding dika ding dika ding
Ayay sa atong balitaw                                          Hey!, our song
Manindot pa ug sayaw                                         Is still nice to dance to
Daw yamog ang kabugnaw                                  Like fog on a cold day

Dika dong dika dong dika dong                           Dika dong dika dong dika dong
Ayay usab si Dodong                                           Hey!, also the young man
Nagtan-aw kang Inday                                        He's looking at the young lady
Nagtabisay ang laway                                          His drool is falling

Ayayay ayayay ayayay                                         Ayayay ayayay ayayay
Aya-ay sa akong balitaw                                      Hey!, my song
Kanindot ba mosayaw                                          Is it nice to dance to
Daw yamog ang kabugnaw                                  Like fog on a cold day

Tigadong tigadong tigadong                                 Tigadong tigadong tigadong
Ayay usab si Dodong                                          Hey!, also the young man
Nagtan-aw kang Inday                                       He's looking at the young lady
Nagtabisay ang laway                                         His drool is falling

Hats Off to Africa!

In 2009, I had the rare opportunity to be with Novo on a concert and choral competition tour in Europe. While taking advantage of the appreciating the different culture and atmosphere of another country, there is one that I’ll always treasure: acquiring friendships with other choral groups. I’ve met choral groups from different countries around the world--Asia, Europe, North and South America. The next two blogs is a show of my gratitude to two choral groups we’ve met in Spittal ander Drau, Austria. This choral group garnered the first place in the folk song category. While it is true that this category is one of the Philippines’ strong suit, I simply need to bow down to this choral group for bagging it. What’s great about it though was that they thought that we would win the first prize. Without further adieu, I’m pleased to share in this blog the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Choir and this was their winning performance.

Don't even ask me for the lyrics. Just listening and watching them speaks for itself. Congrats my friends from NMMU!