wetsitales!
tunes!
wetsi
revisiting old filipino folk tunes and songs at the Wetsipon Workshop
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About
Wetsipon Workshop
Wetsipon Workshop is a learner led daughter - mother tandem, exploring curiously and creatively: Jade and Nina.
We started our journey as award-winning animation short filmmakers that retell Philippine folktales as pure as it was told.
wetsitales!
Arrangement
Performance
Analog & Digital Instruments
Voice
Sound
Learning Notes
OUR GOALS
Learn a folk tune in its pure form, then try to make a version.
With our current instruments including digital applications we will try to gather, collect and document these folk tunes. We will try to learn the original or ethnic instruments and how it was played.
Hoping to find the corridos, epikos and other storytelling ways our ancestors oral history was passed on to generations, we want to continue the tradition.
WETSIPON’S NOTES
Wetsitunes are versions of folk tunes that are done currently with digital apps. There is a pure version that is the song itself in the way it was once played. The modern version is the song played in a more modern genre like pop, rock or budots, etc.
wetsi
tunes!
When researching or going around trying to find the folktales of Wetsitales, we realize some stories come from songs. Epiko, Corrido, story telling thru, dance, theater, etc will always have the element of music and tunes. We got excited and asked/ sought opportunities to go listen if the community will still have remaining elders who would give a sample of the songs, unfortunately many of the elders would only have remembrance of experiencing the tunes during their childhood, or would not have archived recordings (or not currently) accessible.. Just like the collection of stories, we are embarking on collecting tunes the Wetsipon way. Hoping to listen and archive actual (full) songs and learning to play with instruments to make pure versions, or make digitized and covers of these tunes.
Embracing who we are, knowing what we have lost, preserving and appreciating what we still have so we would not continue to lose. Old is Gold. I hope in our own way we encourage the next generation to look back and appreciate our culture better.
The posts are like scrapbook entries as research, learning and having fun is a work in progress.
wetsi
tunes!
02
01
Isem
an ilocano love song
Mamayog
a maguindanao music
03
Katakataka
a tagalog love song
wetsi
tunes!
06
04
05
Dandansoy
a visayan love song
Planting Rice
a tagalog work song
A Pangasinan love song
wetsi
tunes!
08
07
Tunog Komedya
from obo, san miguel, catanduanes
Tunog Komedya
from don galo, paranaque
09
Turumba
a fiesta/ religious song from laguna
wetsi
tunes!
12
10
11
Bahay Kubo
a tagalog nursery song
Baile De Bakal
a community dance theme
Karakol ni Santa Marta
a devotee Dance theme from Pateros
wetsi
tunes!
14
13
Tunog Eat Bulaga
show tunes from a long running filipino television program
Panoloanan
a contemporary Manobo song
Isem
AN ILOCANO LOVE SONG
COMPOSER: Harry Corpuz
We realized the composer of this song just passed away this month (May 2024) We initially cannot include it as a Wetsitune when we were researching and realized it was not a folksong and may not be public domain. We will include his wonderful work with respect and as a send off to Mr. Corpuz.
WETSIPON’S NOTES
Isem is an Ilocano waltz I once heard when Daddy listened to it over and over. He told me it is a folk song. And I did my first Wetsitune that is this song in a modern rock and roll way. The song is about smiles and that a smile can mean so many things. Then we realized the song’s composer Harry Corpuz wrote it in 1924 and just died recently on May 13, 2024 it’s still copyright and not a folk song. I made a sad, slow version of the modern Isim (in memory of Mr. Corpuz) and a pure version of the song (I just did a modern version of the song before I did the pure version).
Isem
Isem a pakabiagak agur-uray dagitoy matak
Ngem isu't makaagas mangliwliwa toy kaunggak
Isem adu ti saw-en na
Adda isem a makagura
Adda isem a ray awen na ka
Ken isem a pammagusto kenka
Uray adda amin kaniak a rigat
Uray pay no agpupungtotak
Uray pay no agpaspasugnodak
No is'mennak riknak mapagmayat
Chorus:
Isem isem umisem ka man biag
Lawlawagam man toy barukong
Tay isem mo isu't mangay-ayo
Daytoy pusok napwan ti limdo
Mamayog
A MAGUINDANAO COURTSHIP MUSIC
This Mamayog inspired us to do Wetsitunes, we were lucky to be allowed to enroll in a workshop Tao Foundation’s Himig-at-Galaw-ng-Ninuno under the cultural master Guro Karatuan Kalanduyan. We were taught this Mamayog in Kutiyapi (a 2-stringed boat lute.) We know that there are a lot more cultures that are open to sharing their folkmusic. We are looking forward to enjoy more music of our ancestors.
WETSIPON’S NOTES
Mamayog is a Maguindanaoan folk song I once heard on the kutiyapi, that is a Maguindanaoan lute with one drone string and one melody string. My kutiyapi teacher Guro Karatuan Kalanduyan taught me parts of this song that are drills in a Zoom meeting (this lessons were also had notable students like musician Joey Ayala and ventriloquist Onie Carcamo.) Then I made this Wetsitune version of the song that also had a rock style like Isem. I also did a pure version that was printed into sheet music after I did the modern rock version. In both the pure and modern versions both have drills 1 to 4. I did a notes version of the song by writing the notes like E or G# before I did the Wetsitunes. The pure version is in E flat that is the traditional tuning of the kutiyapi.
In Binalig Scale : D (open string), E, F, A, B, C, E, F#, G#, B
Katakataka
A TAGALOG LOVE SONG
COMPOSER Dominador Santiago & Santiago S. Suarez
This song is seen in the movie "Victory Joe", 1946 with versions by Norma Blancaflor, Eva Eugenio, Pilita Corrales, Carmen Soriano and numerous choral groups.
Katakataka
Kataka-takang mahibang ang katulad ko sa iyo
Biro-biro ang simula ang wakas pala ay ano
Aayaw-ayaw nga ako ngunit 'yan ay 'di totoo
Dahil sa iyo puso kong ito'y binihag mo
Alaala ka maging gabi't araw
Alipinin mo'y walang kailangan
Marinig ko lang sa labi mo hirang
Na ako'y iibigin lagi habang buhay
Alaala ka maging gabi't araw
Alipinin mo'y walang kailangan
Marinig ko lang sa labi mo hirang
Na ako'y iibigin lagi habang buhay
Kataka-takang mahibang ang katulad ko sa iyo
Biro-biro ang simula ang wakas pala ay ano
Aayaw-ayaw nga ako ngunit 'yan ay 'di totoo
Dahil sa iyo puso kong ito'y binihag mo
Alaala ka maging gabi't araw
Alipinin mo'y walang kailangan
Marinig ko lang sa labi mo hirang
Na ako'y iibigin lagi habang buhay
Alaala ka maging gabi't araw
Alipinin mo'y walang kailangan
Marinig ko lang sa labi mo hirang
Na ako'y iibigin lagi habang buhay
WETSIPON’S NOTES
Katakataka is a song about courtship. We thought it was a folk song because it sounded so, and I did a Wetsitune of it that is energetic and has a 50s-early 60s rock outro, but later we realized it was a song from a 1940s movie!
Planting Rice/
Magtanim ay Di Biro
A TAGALOG WORK SONG
COMPOSER TRADITIONAL/ FELIPE DE LEON
A tribute to the farmers, this action song has been covered by numerous artists and choirs. The version that inspired us the most was interpreted by Luz Morales.
Magtanim ay Di Biro
Magtanim ay di biro
Maghapong nakayuko
Di man lang makaupo
Di man lang makatayo
Braso ko’y namamanhid
Baywang ko’y nangangawit.
Binti ko’y namimitig
Sa pagkababad sa tubig.
Sa umaga, paggising
Ang lahat, iisipin
Kung saan may patanim
May masarap na pagkain.
Halina, halina, mga kaliyag,
Tayo’y magsipag-unat-unat.
Magpanibago tayo ng lakas
Para sa araw ng bukas
(Bisig ko’y namamanhid
Baywang ko’y nangangawit.
Binti ko’y namimintig
Sa pagkababad sa tubig.)
Kay-pagkasawing-palad
Ng inianak sa hirap,
Ang bisig kung di iunat,
Di kumita ng pilak.
A PANGASINAN LOVE SONG
COMPOSER TRADITIONAL
Though song is about poultry (manok,) this song from Pangasinan tells about lovers who started apart then finding their happiness in the end.
Oalay Manoc Con Taraz
Oalay manoc con Taraz
Bagsit ya melamelag
Bagno manong-tungac
Siber, siber ed arap
Taraz, cuan cod Taraz
Antoy binarongan mod siac
Agtacamet benacbac
Denosan pinairap
Dandansoy
A VISAYAN LOVE SONG
COMPOSER TRADITIONAL
Dandansoy is a popular Visayan folk song, and is about a man named Dandansoy. It tells the story of a woman saying goodbyes to her lover who will go back to her hometown. The melody is also used as a lullaby.
Dandansoy
Dandansoy, bayaan ta ikaw
Pauli ako sa payao
Ugaling kung ikaw hidlawon
Ang payao imo lang lantawon.
Dandansoy, kung imo apason
Ugaling kung ikaw uhawon
Sa dalan magbubon-bubon.
Kumbento, diin ang cura?
Munisipyo, diin justicia?
Yari si dansoy makiha.
Makiha sa pag-higugma
Ang panyo mo kag panyo ko
Dal-a diri kay tambihon ko
Ugaling kung magkasilo
Bana ta ikaw, asawa mo ako.
Tunog Komedya
THEME MUSIC FOR A PLAY
IN OBO, SAN MIGUEL,CATANDUANES
COMPOSER TRADITIONAL
This Komedya music was taken from an excerpt from a Komedya in Barangay Obo, San Miguel Catanduanes. The footage was taken 12 years ago, researching further for composition and arrangement credit information.
Tunog Komedya
TUNE REFERENCE https://www.facebook.com/100077932082606/videos/3712376395667870/?_rdr
Descended from the Spanish comedia (play) our country has various versions of the komedya and is done by local communities. The story is simple good vs. evil often portraying Christians on the good side and non- Christians as bad to convince religious conversions to Roman Catholicism.
Tunog Komedya
THEME MUSIC FOR A PLAY
IN DON GALO, PARANAQUE
COMPOSER TRADITIONAL
A field recording during the Pasinaya last February 2024, became the inspiration and reference “Engkwentro Isang Komedya” excerpt from “Akropolis” by Jess Nazz Macatuggal, Komedia Don Galo.
Turumba
A FESTIVE RELIGIOUS THEME
FROM PAKIL, LAGUNA
COMPOSER TRADITIONAL
The Turumba is a traditional theme for the series of parade fiestas and this music accompanies the procession of the local Marian patron "The Lady of Turumba (Mahal na Ina ng Pitong Hapis) Seven Dolours of the Blessed Mother".
TUNE REFERENCE
A field recording of the Turumba procession the weekend of the canonical coronation last September 2023 became the inspiration and reference for this Wetsitunes.
Turumba, Turumba Mariangga
Matuwa tayo’t magsaya
Sumayaw ng Tu-Turumba
Puri sa Birhen Maria, Sa Birhen!
Turumba, Turumba sa Birhen
Matuwa tayo’t mag-aliw
Turumba’y ating sayawin
Puri sa ahal na Birhen, Sa Birhen!
Biyernes ng makita ka
Linggo ng i-ahon ka
Sumayaw ng Tu-Turumba
Puri sa Birhen Maria, Sa Birhen! (2x)
Turumba, Turumba sa Birhen
Turumba, Turumba sa Birhen
Turumba’y ating sayawin
Puri sa Mahal na Birhen! Sa Birhen!
TUNE REFERENCE
Field recordings of the “Baile De Bakal” Mass Dance competitions became the inspiration and reference for this Wetsitunes.
https://www.facebook.com/EchagueOfficial/videos/1477592452276048
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=469389878456644
Baile De Bakal
THEME MUSIC FOR COMMUNITY DANCE OF THE YOGADS IN ECHAGUE, ISABELA
COMPOSER TRADITIONAL
A Theme music for a community dance that depicts the Yogad bravery thru depiction of the colonization or Christian conversion struggle during the Spanish colonization.
Karakol ni Santa Marta
A DEVOTEE DANCE THEME
FROM PATEROS, RIZAL
COMPOSER TRADITIONAL
Also Callajera Ng Tipas or Pandangguhan. Devotees offer a prayer dance “Karakol” along the route of the procession (prusisyon) for Sta Marta (the best friends siblings of Jesus in the Bible -- along with Mary and Lazarus.) In Pateros, Metro Manila (formerly Rizal,) traditionally done with the people along the roads throw to the dancing crowd candies, cakes, bread, suman, and balut and red eggs, known as "pasubo" or offerings.
TUNE REFERENCE
A field recording of the Karakol https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1078921099622366
Other notable references:
The dance is a must see!
https://www.facebook.com/reel/450379454616717
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556577520716
https://www.dssm-srppateros.org/devotion/santa-marta
Karakol ni santa marta de pateros (Callajera ng tipas)
This music is also known as “O, Naraniag a bulan” an Ilocano Folk Tune
No inka nanglipaten
Karim kaniak nagibusen
Samsam-itek ni patay
O bulan ket aklunem
Nanglaylay ti ayatko
Inka kadin palasbangen
Un-unnoyko, darasem nga ikeddeng
No inka nanglipaten
Karim kaniak naumagen
Samsam-itek ni patay
O bulan ket aklunem
Nanglaylay ti ayatko
Inka kadin palasbangen
Un-unnoyko, darasem nga ikeddeng
Un-unnoyko, darasem nga ikeddeng
LYRICS
O, Naraniag a bulan
O naraniag a bulan
Un-unnoyko indengam
Dayta naslag a silawmo
Dika kad ipaidam
O naraniag a bulan
Sangsangitko indengam
Toy nasipnget a lubongko
Inka kad silawan
Tapno diak mayyaw-awan
LYRICS
Bahay-kubo, kahit munti
Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari
Singkamas at talong
Sigarilyas at mani
Sitaw, bataw, patani
Kundol, patola, upo't kalabasa
At tsaka mayro'n pang
Labanos, mustasa
Sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya
Sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga
Bahay Kubo
A TAGALOG NURSERY SONG
COMPOSER TRADITIONAL
Bahay Kubo is a Tagalog-language folk song from the lowlands of Luzon, Philippines. It enumerates healthy and fresh vegetables that can be planted in a garden around the home.
Panoloanan
A CONTEMPORARY MANOBO MUSIC BY INDIGENOUS CULTURAL ARTISTS
COMPOSER BOB ALI
Panoloanan is about a place where the tribe can catch fish at night. We were inspired by a youtube performance of the Anak to Manama Artist.
TUNE REFERENCE
A performance recording of Anak To Manama Artist https://youtu.be/ghCxbY0po3E?si=S1fSbM5pQKRmCX3v
CREDITS
Wetsitunes Digital Version of Eat Bulaga
A Theme music for a noontime show
Composer Marvic Sotto
Wetsitunes Digital Version of Mayor Jose Manalo
A Theme music for a segment skit in Eat Bulaga
Lyrics by Eat Bulaga
Music Traditional
Eat Bulaga Tunes
Though not a folk tune, this theme's reach and effect to Filipinos have been ingrained deep into the Filipino culture. Eat Bulaga! The longest running Philippine Television Show since 1979, had gone thru a lot and pushes to reach 50 in a few years' time, multiple network changes, co-host changes, management changes and they even had the "glitch" moment to have been simultaneously showing in 2 versions in 2 stations!
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