Tuesday, July 26, 2016

CXXVI. Sylvia La Torre: Twelve Favorite Kundimans

The kundiman is often referred to as the “quintessential Filipino art song.” Dating to the second half of the 19th century, kundimans were love songs originally used for serenading. The form flourished however in the 1920's and the 1930's, when the best composers of the day set the works of their contemporary Tagalog poets to music. The resulting songs then became broadly published as sheet music and were performed both publicly by popular stars of the Manila stage and by ordinary people accompanying themselves on guitars or pianos in their homes.

Born in 1933, Sylvia La Torre began her singing career in Manila as a child shortly before World War II. After Liberation, she was amongst the regular peprformers at the Manila Grand Opera House. She then became a student at the Conservatory of Music of the University of Santo Tomas. In the 1950's and the 1960's, she became renowned as the "Queen of Kundiman" on the basis of several outstanding recordings that she made for Villar Records.

On those recordings, she was accompanied not just by guitar or piano, but, as the original composers intended or scored for, by a Western-style classical string ensemble, often with piano obbligato, and which on several of the tracks was joined by a traditional Filipino rondalla (plucked string band consisting of bandurrias, lauds, octavinas, guitars, and double bass). This resulted in a full, rich orchestral mix that not only complemented Ms. La Torre's perfectly-pitched soprano voice and clear Tagalog diction very well but also sounded unmistakably "Filipino."


The twelve best of these kundiman recordings were subsequently remastered, repackaged, and reissued as a CD album by Synergy Music, which had since acquired the Villar back catalogue. This collection includes the best-known of the genre such as "Nasaan Ka, Irog," "Madaling Araw," "Mutya ng Pasig," and "Bituing Marikit," as well as more obscure but no less outstanding examples as "Pahiwatig," "Tampuhan," and "Paglingap."

The texts of all twelve kundimans have now been translated into English by Janine Liao (http://janineliao.webs.com/), a singer-songwriter and current Musicology undergraduate at the University of the Philippines, who also provided transcriptions of the original Tagalog texts. In addition, she researched the authorship and recording history of each work. All this information as well as the complete texts and translations are now presented here, for easy reference (and singing along) while listening to the CD. 

©2011 Leo D. Cloma. All Rights Reserved.

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1. NASAAN KA IROG

NASAAN KA IROG
Titik (mula sa orihinal na Espanyol ni Narciso Asistio) isinalin ni Jose Corazon de Jesus (1896-1932)
Tugtugin ni Nicanor Abelardo (1893-1934)
Isinulat noong 1923
Isinaplaka ni Sylvia La Torre noong 1952

Nasaan ka, Irog?
Nasaan ka, Irog at dagling naparam ang iyong paggiliw
Di baga sumpa mong ako'y mamahalin?
Iyong itatangi, iyong itatangi magpahanggang libing
Subali't nasaan ang gayong pagtingin?
Nasaan ka, Irog at nagtitiis mong ako'y mangulila
At hanap-hanapin ikaw sa ala-ala
Nasaan ang sabi mong ako'y iyong ligaya't ngayong nalulungkot,
ngayong nalulungkot ay di ka makita
Irog ko'y tandaan!
Kung ako man ay iyong ngayo'y siniphayo
Mga sumpa't lambing pinaram mong buo
Ang lahat sa buhay ko ay hindi maglalaho
at magsisilbing bakas ng nagdaan tang pagsuyo
Nasaan ka, Irog?
Nasaan ka, Irog?

WHERE ARE YOU, MY LOVE

Words (from the original Spanish by Narciso Asistio) translated by Jose Corazon de Jesus (1896-1932)
Music by Nicanor Abelardo (1893-1934)
Composed in 1923
Recorded by Sylvia La Torre in 1952

Where are you, my love?
Where are you my love that your love has quickly passed away
Did you not vow that you will love me?
That you would cherish me, and cherish me unto the grave
But now where is that affection
Where are you, beloved, that you can suffer me to be forlorn
And to look for you in memory
Where are the words you said, that I am your joy but now despairing
Now despairing and I cannot see you
My beloved, remember this!
If now you have caused me grief
Your vows and your tenderness you’ve taken away wholly
All of my life will not disappear
And will serve as a memory of our past love
Where are you, my love?
Where are you, my love?

2. AKO'Y ISANG IBONG SAWI

AKO'Y ISANG IBONG SAWI
Titik ni Jose Corazon de Jesus (1896-1932)
Tugtugin ni Juan M. Buencamino (1899~)
(Hindi tiyak kung kailan isinulat)
Isinaplaka ni Sylvia La Torre noong 1953

Ako'y isang ibong sawi
Na hindi na makalipad
At sa puso'y ma'y sugat
Wala pang lumingap

Inabot ng hating gabi
Sa madilim na paglipad Saan kaya ngayon
Ang aking pugad
Sa mata mo’y may isang langit ng pangarap

Sa puso mo’y mayrong kang pugad ng paglingap
Kung ako’y mamamatay
Sa kapighatian

Sa puso mo lamang muli pang mabubuhay
Ibig kong mamugad sa puso mo irog
Sa puso mo lamang diyan ako mabubuhay


I AM AN UNFORTUNATE BIRD
Words by Jose Corazon de Jesus (1896-1932)
Music by Juan M. Buencamino (1899~)
(Date of composition uncertain)
Recorded by Sylvia La Torre in 1953

I am an unfortunate bird
That can no longer fly
With a wound in my heart
And no one who cares

Midnight came
In dark flight
I wonder where it is now,
My nest

In your eyes there is a heaven of dreams
In your heart there is a nest of care
If I will die
In grief

In your heart alone will I ever live
I would love to nest in your heart, o beloved

In your heart alone will I live

3. MADALING ARAW

MADALING ARAW
Titik ni Jose Corazon de Jesus (1896-1932)
Tugtugin ni Francisco Santiago (1889-1947)
Isinulat noong dekada 1920
(Hindi tiyak kung kailan isinaplaka ni Sylvia La Torre)

Irog ko’y dinggin
Ang tibok ng puso
Sana'y damdamin
Hirap ng sumuyo
Manong itunghay
Ang matang mapungay
na siyang tanging ilaw
ng buhay kong papanaw

Sa gitna ng kadimlan,
Magmadaling araw ka
At ako ay lawitan ng habag
At pagsinta

Kung ako'y mamamatay sa lungkot,
Niyaring buhay
Lumapit ka lang, lumapit ka lang
At mabubuhay

At kung magkagayon, mutya
Mapalad na ang buhay ko
Magdaranas ako ng tuwa ng dahil sa iyo

Madaling araw ka sinta
Liwanag ko't tanglaw
Halina Irog ko
At mahalin mo ako

Manungaw ka liyag
Ilaw ko't pangarap
at madaling araw na

DAWN
Words by Jose Corazon de Jesus (1896-1932)
Music by Francisco Santiago (1889-1947)
Composed in the 1920’s
(Date of recording by Sylvia La Torre uncertain)

Beloved please hear
The throb of my heart
I hope you’ll feel
The anguish of being in love
Please look
With your tender eyes
Which is the only light
Of my vanishing life

In the midst of darkness
Be like the dawn
And extend unto me mercy
And love

If I will die because the sadness
Of this life
Come to me, come to me
And I will live

And if that happens, my love
My life will become fateful
I will experience joy because of you

You are the dawn, my love
My light and my guide
Come, beloved
And love me

Look out, o love
My light and my dream
It’s already dawn

4. NASAAN ANG AKING PUSO

NASAAN ANG AKING PUSO
Titik at Tugtugin ni Nicanor Abelardo (1893-1934)
Isinulat noong 1930
Isinaplaka ni Sylvia La Torre noong 1968

Ako'y may isang pusong pinakamamahal
Dugo niyang dumadaloy
Ang nagbibigay buhay
Ngunit sa isang sandaling
Ako ay walang malay,
Ang puso'y di makita't
Tibok ay naparam, Ay

Maanong maawa
Maanong mahabag
Na isauli ang puso na kinuha's sukat
Kung alam ko lamang
Na iyong pag-iingatan
Ay kunin mong pati na'ng buhay ko
Mahalin mo sana lamang

Na isauli ang puso na kinuha't sukat

Na iyong pag-iingatan
Ay kunin mong pati na'ng buhay ko
Mahalin mo sana lamang

Kung dahil sa iyo'y walang kailangan ang mamatay

WHERE IS MY HEART
Words and Music by Nicanor Abelardo (1893-1934)
Composed in 1930
Recorded by Sylvia La Torre in 1968

I have one heart that I dearly love
His blood flows
And gives life
But in one moment
I lost consciousness
I couldn't see my heart
The throbbing stopped, Oh

Please have mercy
Please be compassionate
As to return the heart you took
If I only knew
That you would take care of it
Then take all even my life
Just to love me in return

Return the heart you took

That you would take care of it
Then take all even my life
Just to love me in return

If because of you death has no need

5. ANO KAYA ANG KAPALARAN?

ANO KAYA ANG KAPALARAN?
Titik at Tugtugin ni Francisco Santiago (1889-1947)
Isinulat noong 1939
Isinaplaka ni Sylvia La Torre 1955

Dito sa mundo ay walang kasing tamis
Gaya ng umawit ng sariling himig
Bawat taginting ang wika'y pag-ibig
Siyang humahabi ng pusong nagiliw

Gaya ng umawit ng sariling himig
Bawat taginting ang wika'y pag-ibig
Siyang humahabi ng pusong nagiliw

Dito sa mundo ay walang kasing tamis
Gaya ng umawit ng sariling himig
Bawat taginting ang wika'y pag-ibig
Siyang humahabi ng pusong nagiliw

Mahirap nga palang umirog
Sinta'y dalhin-dalhing may lunos
Araw gabi ang puso
Ang tibok ay siphayo

Ano kaya ang kapalaran
Ng aba't imbing lagay
Asahan mo't di palad
Kakamtan mo'y saklap

Ah! Ah! 

Araw gabi'y ang puso
Ang tibok ay siphayo

Ah! Ah!

Ng aba't imbing lagay
Asahan mo't di palad
Kakamtan mo'y saklap

Ah!

Kakamtan mo'y saklap


WHAT IS FATE?
Words and Music by Francisco Santiago (1889-1947)
Composed in 1939
Recorded by Sylvia La Torre in 1955

In this world there is nothing else as sweet
As to sing one's own melody
Every sound speaks of love
Which weaves the fond heart

In this world there is nothing else as sweet
As to sing one's own melody
Every sound speaks of love

Which weaves the fond heart

O yes, it's hard to fall in love
Love is soon miserable
Day and night the heart
Beats frustration

What would be the fate
Of my poor and humble state
Expect misfortune

Pain is all you gain

Ah! Ah!

Day and night the heart
Beats frustration

Ah! Ah!

Of my poor and humble state
Expect misfortune

Pain is all you gain

Ah!
Pain is all you gain

6. PAKIUSAP

PAKIUSAP
Titik ni Jose Corazon de Jesus (1896-1932)
Tugtugin ni Francisco Santiago (1889-1947)
Isinulat noong 1921
Isinaplaka ni Sylvia La Torre noong 1952

Natutulog ka man
Irog kong matimtiman
Tunghayan mo man lamang
Ang nagpapaalam
Dahan-dahan, mutya
Buksan mo ang bintana
Tanawin mo't kahabagan
Ang sa iyo'y nagmamahal

Kung sakali ma't salat sa yama't pangarap
May isang sumpang wagas, ang aking paglingap
Pakiusap ko sa iyo
Kaawaan mo ako
Kahit mamatay pag-ibig koý minsan lamang

Pakiusap ko sa iyo
Kaawaan mo ako

Kaawaan mo ako
Kahit mamatay
Pag-ibig ko'y minsan lamang

Iniibig kita
Magpakailanpaman

PLEA
Words by Jose Corazon de Jesus (1896-1932)
Music by Francisco Santiago (1889-1947)
Composed in 1921
Recorded by Sylvia La Torre in 1952

Even if you are sleeping
My beautiful beloved
Just a glance
For the one saying goodbye
Slowly, my love
Open your window
Look and have mercy
At the one who loves you

If ever I am poor of wealth and dreams
I have one pure vow, which is my love
I plead you
Have mercy on me
Even if I die, my love is only once

I plead you
Have mercy on me

Have mercy on me
Even if I die,
I have only one love

I love you 
Forever

7. AY! KALISUD

AY! KALISUD
Titik (isinalin mula sa orihinal na Hiligaynon) ni Jose Corazon de Jesus (1896-1932)
Tugtugin isinaayos ni Jovita Fuentes (1895-1978)
Ang areglo na ito ay isinulat noong 1919
Isinaplaka ni Sylvia La Torre noong 1954

Ay! Ay, kay lungkot
Kay lungkot nang binayaan
Gabi't araw
Ay ikaw ang tinatangisan
Ay! Ay, naku
Kay sawi kong kapalaran
Wala na
Wala na yaring kaligayahan

Ay Mutyang sinta
Nahan kaya ikaw baga
At ako'y lingapin, ang nabilanggo sa dusa
Buti pang mamatay
Tuluyang mamatay
At nang di ko na damdamin pa
Yaring sawing pagsinta

Ay Mutyang sinta
Nahan kaya ikaw baga
At ako'y lingapin, ang nabilanggo sa dusa
Buti pang mamatay
Tuluyang mamatay
At nang di ko na damdamin pa
Yaring sawing pagsinta

AH! MISERY
Words (translated from the original Hiligaynon) by Jose Corazon de Jesus (1896-1932)
Music arranged by Jovita Fuentes (1895-1978)
This arrangement composed in 1919
Recorded by Sylvia in 1954

Ah, misery
Misery of the abandoned
Night and day
I weep for you
Oh! Oh, no
My hopeless fate
No more,
I have no more joy

O Darling love
Where are you
And embrace me, the prisoner of sorrow
It is better to die
Much better to die
So that I shall no longer experience
This unfortunate love

O Darling love
Where are you
And embrace me, the prisoner of sorrow
It is better to die
Much better to die
So that I shall no longer experience
This unfortunate love

8. BITUING MARIKIT

BITUING MARIKIT
Titik ni Servando de los Angeles
Tugtugin ni Nicanor Abelardo (1893-1934)
Isinulat noong 1926
Isinaplaka ni Sylvia La Torre noong 1952

Bituing marikit sa gabi ng buhay
Ang bawat kislap mo'y ligaya ang taglay
Yaring aking palad iyong patnubayan
At kahit na sinag, ako'y bahaginan

Natanim sa puso ko yaong isang pag-ibig
Na pinakasasamba sa loob ng dibdib
Sa iyong luningning, laging nasasabik
Ikaw ang pangarap, Bituing marikit

Lapitan mo ako, halina Bituin!
At ating pag-isahin ang mga damdamin
Ang sabik kong diwa'y huwag mong uhawin
Sa batis ng iyong wagas na paggiliw

Ang sabik kong diwa'y huwag mong uhawin
Sa batis ng iyong wagas na paggiliw

BEAUTIFUL STAR
Words by Servando de los Angeles
Music by Nicanor Abelardo (1893-1934)
Composed in 1926
Recorded by Sylvia La Torre in 1952

Beautiful Star in the night of life
Your every twinkle brings joy
Guide my fate
And even just a ray, please spare me

A love has been planted in my heart
Which I worship the most inside my heart
Your brilliance, I always long for
You are who I dream of, Beautiful Star

Draw closer, come Star
And let us unite our feelings
My yearning spirit, please don't let it thirst
In the stream of your perfect affection

My yearning spirit, please don't let it thirst
In the stream of your perfect affection

9. PAGLINGAP

PAGLINGAP
Titik ni Jose Corazon de Jesus (1896-1932)
Tugtugin ni Juan M. Buencamino (1899~)
(Hindi tiyak kung kailan isinulat)
Isinaplaka ni Sylvia La Torre noong 1952

Sa gitna ng kadimlan
May isang kawawa
Kaluluwang aping-api
Wala nang kumalinga

May sugat ang puso
Ang dibdib pa ay luksa
At kaunting paglingap
Ang tapat na pithaya

Iyan ako, Mutya ko
Ngayo'y lumuluha
Sana'y iyong lingapin
Bigyan ng awa, ay!

Masdan mo ang mata
At wala nang ilaw
Ang mga labi ko'y
Namutla nang tunay

Maging kahit saglit
Lingapin mo lamang
Babalik sa aking puso
Ang dugong pumanaw
Sa iyong paglingap
Ay mabubuhay

Ang paglingap mong bigay
Ay siyang buhay

ATTENTION
Words by: Jose Corazon de Jesus (1896-1932)
Music by: Juan M. Buencamino (1899~)
(Date of composition uncertain)
Recorded by Sylvia La Torre in 1952

In the midst of darkness
There is a wretch
An oppressed soul
With no one who takes care of it

With a wounded heart
And a grieving chest
And only a tiny amount of attention
Is its honest desire

That is me, my love
Now crying
I hope you would give attention to me
Giver mercy, oh!

Behold my eyes
There is no more light
My lips
Are truly pale

Even for just a while
Give me your care
And to my heart will return
The blood that died
In your care and attention
I will live

The care that you'll give
Is my life

10. MUTYA NG PASIG

MUTYA NG PASIG
Titik ni Deogracias del Rosario
Tugtugin ni Nicanor Abelardo (1893-1934)
Isinulat noong 1926
Isinaplaka ni Sylvia La Torre noong 1952

Kung gabing ang buwan
sa langit ay nakadungaw
Tila ginigising ng habagat
sa kanyang pagtulog sa tubig
Ang isang larawang puti at busilak
Na lugay ang buhok sa animo'y agos
Ito ang Mutya ng Pasig
Ito ang Mutya ng Pasig

Sa kanyang pagsikot
sa maputing bula
Kasabay ang awit
Kasabay ang tula

Dati akong Paraluman
Sa kaharian ng pag-ibig
Ang pag-ibig nang mamatay
Naglaho rin ang kaharian

Ang lakas ko ay nalipat
Sa puso't dibdib ng lahat
Kung nais ninyong ako'y mabuhay
Pag-ibig ko'y inyong ibigay

Kung nais ninyong ako'y mabuhay
Pag-ibig ko'y inyong ibigay

MUSE OF PASIG
Words by Deogracias del Rosario
Music by Nicanor Abelardo (1893-1934)
Composed in 1926
Recorded by Sylvia La Torre in 1952

If in the night the moon
Is looking at the sky
With the south wind seemingly waking
her from slumber in the water
An image of white and pure
With loose hair like unto flowing water
This is the Muse of Pasig
This is the Muse of Pasig

In her circling
In the white bubbles
With song
And with poetry

I was once a Muse
In the kingdom of love
When love died,
The kingdom also disappeared

My strength was moved
To the hearts of everyone
If you would want me to live
Then my love, please give

My strength was moved
To the hearts of everyone
If you would want me to live
Then my love, please give

If you would want me to live
Then my love, please give

11. TAMPUHAN

TAMPUHAN
Titik ni Jose Corazon de Jesus (1896-1932)
Tugtugin ni Leon Ignacio (1882-1967)
(Hindi tiyak kung kailan isinulat; hindi rin tiyak kung kailan isinaplaka ni Sylvia La Torre)

Bakit ka nga ba anyong naninimdim
At ayaw kang ngumiti sa suyo ko’t paglalambing
Nababakas sa mukha mo, o irog
Mayrong kang damdamin

May tampo kang lihim
Sa dilidili ko't damdamin sa pag-ibig
Hindi nararapat ang ikaw ay mahapis
Huwag ka na lamang sa aki’y magalit

Pagka’t ikaw lamang ang aking nilalangit
Irog, Irog,
hindi kita malilimot

Irog, Irog

Ako’y yong patatawarin
Hirang, Hirang
Halina’t huwag mong pagtampuhan

At ating pagsaluhan ang tamis ng kabuhayan
Iwaksi sa damdamin ang tampuhan

LOVER’S QUARREL
Words by Jose Corazon de Jesus (1896-1932)
Music by Leon Ignacio (1882-1967)
(Dates of composition and of recording by Sylvia La Torre both uncertain)

Why do you look sore displeased
That you cannot even smile at my affections and tenderness?
It is seen on your face, o love
You have ill-feelings

You have a hidden resentment
In my contemplation and feelings about love
It is not right for you to be anguished
Don’t be angry at me anymore

For you alone are my heaven
Beloved, beloved
I cannot forget you

Beloved, beloved

Forgive me
Darling, darling
Come and don’t sulk

And let us share the sweetness of life
In our hearts end this lover’s quarrel

12. PAHIWATIG

PAHIWATIG
Titik at Tugtugin ni Nicanor Abelardo (1893-1934)
(Hindi tiyak kung kailan isinulat)
Isinaplaka ni Sylvia La Torre noong 1952

Paha't kong puso
Sa wikang pag-ibig
Tumitibok nang
Hindi ko malirip
Ito'y ligaya
Kaya o sakit?
Ang idudulot sa abang dibdib

Bunga ng katamisan
Ang dulot ko at alay
Puso ko'y nauuhaw
Sa tanging diwang
Magmamahal

Datapuwa't oo'y di bibitiwan
Sa dila ang mahirapan
Kung iyong mapagtiisan
Iyong lubos ang kaligayahan

Kung iyong mapagtiisan
Iyong lubos ang kaligayahan

HINT
Words and Music by Nicanor Abelardo (1893-1934)
(Date of composition uncertain)
Recorded by Sylvia La Torre in 1952

My heart is wise
In the language of love
It beats
Things I do not understand
Could it be joy
Or could it be pain?
That will cause unto my poor heart

The fruit of sweetness
Is what I have and offer
My heart thirsts
For the one spirit
That loves

But I will not let go of my yes
Even if my tongue suffers
If you will suffer me
My joy is wholly yours

If you will suffer me
My joy is wholly yours

Originally published on 11 December 2011.  All English translations by Janine Liao. Copyright ©2011 by Armonico Corporation. The moral rights of Janine Liao to be identified as the author of these translations and of Armonico Corporation to be identified as the copyright holder have been asserted.

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