Music To Her Ears

With sophisticated social proceedings typical of subdued Filipino society, gallant gentlemen once wooed their women with sweet songs

A typical courtship in modern Metro Manila might feature texting as much as any other smartphone-loving Asian city, but its older predecessor plays out much more like the romantic music videos today’s youth peruse eagerly on YouTube.

Still in practice a few generations ago, the Filipino ritual of harana takes its rhythm from Spanish habanera dance music, and its roots from the traditionally restrained response of a coy Filipina towards her beau.

In an undeniably passionate scene, a man will ready himself and his guitar at night under the bedroom window of the woman he desires, accompanied by a number of friends and professional musicians, called haranistas, for support. Using a customary set of songs, the troubadour then serenades his ladylove for the entire neighbourhood to hear, bolstered by his entourage.