Filipino Music

With more than 3 countries ruling the Philippine islands for over 377 years their music is a blend of Spanish, American and European.
The Republic of Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands located in South East Asia and has Manila as its capital. The Philippines descended from the Austronesian culture. But have been influenced by the 3 centuries of Spanish colonial rule and then by the Americans. Most of them are Roman Catholics and Philippine and English are two main languages.
The different islands have different music rhythms and use instruments made of brass, wood and bronze. In the southern islands a sophisticated music called kulintang exists where boss gongs are used to create the music.
In the northern islands music is played using gongs that are called gangsa and a bit different from the gongs used in the south. Here dance is the main hero and music is played to accompany it, so percussion is mainly what the gongs are here for. Lightly played drums accompany the gongs.
Among the indigenous styles the bamboo zither, the Kudayapi which is the stringed flute and nose flutes are also used. The Spanish influence brought in the guitar and the zarzuela, which soon became a part of the customs and traditions.
The Americans occupied Philippines from 1898 to 1935 and with them brought in R&B, rock n roll, folk and blues. Even after the Americans left, rock music has become an integral part and has made superstars of those who follow it like Regine Velasquez, Lea Salonga, Sharon Cuneta and Gary Valenciano.
In the 50s lyrics in tagalok were written in tune with the American rock n roll that resulted in Filipino rock. The Rocky Fellers were known to make the hit song Killer Joe that spiralled on the top of American charts.
Tagalok and English were also used together to create songs as people normally speak the two languages in their daily conversations. Hence the creation of Taglish was a hit.
Rock music soon became the voice piece for protestors and Aguilar’s BayanKo became some sought of an anthem during the revolution of 1986. Punk rock too developed during that time with bands like Urban Bandits, The Jerks, Betrayed and The Dawn.
Metal music also soon caught the rage in the country and were culminating with more and more bands getting on the metal track and the people of Philippine were enjoying the growing music scenario.
So there is an array of music that you can listen to from rock to OPM you can choose what you want. OPM was defined as Original Philippine Music that is still loved by the citizens and is kept alive in songs of rock and roll and metal till date. The local festivals bring back the music of the yore with percussion instruments so one gets a true feel of the music.
The music has grown to great heights in the Philippines as there are music universities that are renowned world over for their class and quality of music that they teach.