This is one of the more definitive versions of the Tito Arevalo-Levi Celerio standard, and here we take the liberty to cull from Jon Red's art-film masterpiece, Astig(matism). His contemporaries are just as essential, of course, but in our book, it's this artist who sings his repertoire as if they're film epics.

Trust the Mabuhay Singers to win you over, whether singing fast or slow numbers.Ī list of timeless Filipino songs, especially the kundimans, wouldn't be complete without the highly expressive singer Ruben Tagalog. This one's a swinging version of a song that has become this group's signature. And it shows the power and eloquence of the great composer Nicanor Abelardo, whose music provides the bulk of Celeste's critically-acclaimed 1984 recording Koleksyon, which also features Ryan Cayabyab's beautiful piano accompaniment. Somehow it suits the rhythm of Downtown Manila, the BGC of their days. number and you'll also be reminded of a time your parents must now be nostalgic about. 'Katuwaan' would go well with a period film.Ģ. It's a joy to listen to, because it evokes a certain time and place-Manila in a less frantic era, but already on the brink of modernity. Her vibrant voice is what makes it distinct, and it's plain to hear in this recording. Sylvia La Torre is one of the great singers in Filipino music.

So here, a collection of kundimans, folk songs, and other distinctly Filipino genres, is SPOT.ph's playlist of Filipino classics. (SPOT.ph) Call it an Independence Day hangover, this throwback look at one part of Philippine heritage our rich, full-bodied original music (if we're prone to wine metaphors, it's because the music goes well with that too).

Philippine ethnic music download