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: Paru-Parong Bukid

Paru-Parong Bukid (Eng Trans. Butterfly Field) is one of the more popular folk song in the Philippines that was successfully made into a classic “kundiman” (musical) movie eponymously titled – Paru-Parong Bukid. The movie was produced by Sampaguita Pictures in 1938 top-billed by renowned “kundiman” actor Rudy Concepcion and his favorite on-screen love interest, Rosario Moreno.  via All Philippines

A fellow faculty member told me this joke.
Faculty: Knock! Knock!
Me: Who’s there?
Faculty: Butterfly.
Me. Butterfly who?
Faculty: B-U-TT-E-R  F-L-Y, Butterfly! (repeat 3x) Beeeee-U-TT-ER  F-L-Y, Butterfly!

Not funny isn’t it? Try singing the line to the tune of Paru-Parong Bukid. Listen to the video below as an American Choir sings and interprets this song.

PARU-PARUNG BUKID SONG LYRICS (Learn more)

Paruparong bukid na lilipad-lipad               
Sa gitna ng daan papagapagaspas           
Isang bara ang tapis
Isang dangkal ang manggas
Ang sayang de kola
Isang piyesa ang sayad


May payneta pa siya — uy!
May suklay pa man din — uy!
Nagwas de-ohetes ang palalabasin
Haharap sa altar at mananalamin
At saka lalakad nang pakendeng-kendeng.

Now try singing it, using only one word: Butterfly. Ready? Go! B-U-TT-E-R  F-L-Y, Butterfly... ;-D

Choral Singing Crosses Barriers

As I was looking for a Filipino folksong in YouTube, I couldn’t find a nice version of the song. (I’ll reveal this song in another blog.) Anyway, after searching long and hard for the song, I stumbled upon another folk song--a Latvian folksong.

And then it hit me...I remember this one quite well. This song symbolizes two firsts for me: my first trip abroad and my first... I’ll let the video explain to you the second. But for your reference, here are the lyrics and it’s translation. It’s a touching song...I hope the young man still gets to marry the maiden promised to her. ;-)

Put Vejini
                   
Put, vejini, dzen laivinu,           Blow wind, drive my boat,
Aizdzen mani Kurzeme.         Drive me to Kurzeme.
Kurzemniece man solija         A woman from Kurzeme promised me
Sav' meitinu malejin’.              Her daughter as a bride.
Solit sola, bet nedeva,            She promised, but didn’t fill the promise,
Teic man’ lielu dzerajin'.         Calling me a drunkard.
Teic man’ lielu dzerajinu,        She called me a drunkard
Kumelina skrejejin’.                And a horse racer.
Kuru krogu es izdzeru,          Where is the tavern in which I drank too much,
Kam noskreju kumelin'?        Whose horse did I run down?
Pats par savu naudu dzeru,   I drink for my own money,
Pats skrej' savu kumelin’       And ride my own horse.
Put vejini, dzen laivinu           Blow wind, drive my boat,
Aizdzen mani Kurzeme.       Drive me to Kurzeme.
(Translation cited from this resource.)

The one who bowed is none other than yours truly. :-D Incidentally, it is the most memorable solo performance I’ve ever done. I remember singing this song in Preveza, Greece. Ah, the memories of Greece are coming back...forever to be cherished.

The choir and I met other choirs mostly from Europe. There was a choir there from Latvia. We sang "Put Vejini" and luckily, they were quite appreciative of our singing. It just goes to show how universal choral singing can be. Choral singing can cross barriers in time and space. It also brings unity and friendship to people from different countries all over the world. 

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!