Folk Music: Atin Cu Pung Singsing, Usahay, Ti ayat

• Study notes for Folk Music Quiz

Atin Cu Pung Singsing (Pampanga)

• There is no known official composer
• Dates back to the 18th or 19th century
• It is a Spanish/Mexican-influenced folk song
• A woman loses an inherited ring and is desperate to get it back
• The song is about Kapampangan revolutionaries
• It is in F Major, with a 3/4 meter, strophic form, and AAAA rhyme scheme
• Sounds like "ako ay may lobo" and features piano

Usahay (Cebu)

• Means "minsan"
• The classic version was composed by Gregorio Labja
• The modernized version was composed by Jessie Saclo
• The song is about a person dreaming of someone they admire, and in the dream, they love each other
• It is in Bb Major, with a 3/4 time signature and ABAB rhyme scheme
• Has an oldish Filipino song vibe

Ti ayat ti maysa Nga Ubing (Ilocos)

• Composed by Bukros Singers
• It contrasts young man’s love with an old man’s love
• It includes age-gap relationships and migration struggles
• It is in D Major, with a 4/4 time signature and AAAA rhyme scheme

Si Filemon (Cebu)

• Composed by Yoyoy Villame
• Focuses on the harsh realities of Filipinos in agriculture or fisherfolk communities
• Symbolizes the resilience of Filipinos who find happiness in difficult circumstances
• It is in A Minor, with a 4/4 time signature and AAAA rhyme scheme

Sarung Banggi (Bicol)

• Composed by Potencio Gregorio
• Bicol’s signature love ballad and a popular folk song
• Translates to "one night," about an enchanted evening encounter between lovers
• It is in F Minor, with a 3/4 time signature and ABAB rhyme scheme
• Has a waltz tone

“La flor de Manila” Sampaguita (Manila)

• Composed by Dolores Paterno
• Draws parallels between the flower's purity and the deep love of Filipinos
• Reflects the flower's fleeting beauty
• Conveys beauty in simplicity, and the depth of feeling of music
• A confluence of Spanish music and Filipino sentiment
• It is in C Major, with a 2/4 signature and ABC form
• Features solely piano or orchestra

Pamulinawen (Ilocos)

• From Ilocos Norte
• Has no known composer
• It is an Ilocano folk song about courtship and love
• A man expresses deep affection for a woman with a hardened heart named Pamulinawen
• It is in C Major, with a 2/4 time signature and ABAB form

Malinac Nay Labi (Pangasinan)

• Composed by Jay T. Nilo
• Translated to "Peaceful Night" in English
• Evokes calm and peaceful feelings
• It is a lullaby or serenade
• It is in G Major, with a 4/4 time signature and AAA form
• A filipino serenade, includes only acoustic sounds