Haranista of Nueva Ecija, Revive the Culture of Harana
Harana was an old form of courtship in the Philippines in which man or young man courted the woman he loves by serenading her or singing Kundiman (Filipino love songs and a traditional means of serenading a woman in the Philippines) outside her window at night.
Kundiman has a gentle rhythm and the lyrics are written in Filipino language or Tagalog.
The man who wooed the woman will sing a song while his companions, a friend or member of his family, are playing guitars, back-up vocals or bystander and the woman, of course, will look out at the window and listen to the song.
After many years had passed our culture has changed, we became progressive, we had electricity and the tradition was long gone. People in our generation may never see it or experience the traditional courtship because nobody practices it anymore and it’s a long story.
However, some years ago we heard and felt the culture of Harana and Kundiman in the Province of Nueva Ecija. Thanks to Haranista.
Through the endeavor of the Haranista of Nueva Ecija to revive the culture of Harana, we can still hear “panghaharana” (serenading) every night. Basically, we can hear them singing OPM (Original Pilipino music) song, Kundiman or any Tagalog love songs but not outside the women’s window at night but at the different AM or FM radio stations in the province, like DWNE 900Khz.
Some of the lists of Haranista’s favorite songs are Minamahal kita, Ikaw na Lamang, Ulilang Puso, Bituing Marikit, Ang Liwayway, Sapagka’t Mahal Kita.
Nowadays, even if we are living in modern society and culture, people in Nueva Ecija particularly adults and elderly people, even if they are living in the city or in a rural area, are fans and supporters of Harana programs. They said life became more meaningful and happy when they started to sing at the radio station and even if they are merely listening to it. That is why our Filipino culture is alive here in this province.
Harana at night is not just a new culture and tradition for Novo Ecijano but it is a part of their happy life.
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