Music of Mindoro
Folk song - is a song transferred from one generation to another without knowing who the composer was. The song contains the different aspects about the people, places, beliefs, values, and their ambitions, or dreams.
Mindoro
The word Mindoro comes from a word "Mina de Oro" which means the place has lots of gold or rich with gold deposits. Ma-I is the first name of Mindoro. But when Asian coutries like China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Arabia came to bring in their merchandise during the 10th century, the place was completely changed into Mindoro.
The island of Mindoro is situatued 25 miles north of Luzon. Mindoro is divided into two region, the Oriental and Occidental according to Republic Act No. 305. This place is included in Region IV or Southern Tagalog. The capital city of Oriental Mindoro is Calapan, while Occidental Mindoro is Mamburao.
At present, people living in Mindoro are christianized Filipinos, lowlanders, and several ethnic groups. They believed that only the Mangyans are the only ethnic group inhabiting the area.
At present, the Buhid tribe of North Mindoro are always mistaken as Mangyans. But it is in Southern part of Mindoro where the true Mangyans are found.
At present, the Buhid tribe of North Mindoro are always mistaken as Mangyans. But it is in Southern part of Mindoro where the true Mangyans are found.
The word Hanunoo is not the name of the tribe itself. But the word was added to emphasize that they are the true Mangyans.
Hanunoo Mangyan
Hanunoo Mangyans are nomadic. They have no permanent residence. They transfer to a place where there are plenty of food to eat.
History tells that they retreated to the mountains when the Philippines was christianized. They were called Dumuong or Damuong which means they arrived by banca.
Like any of the ethnic tribes, they seem to be an alien in their own native land. Their ancestral lands were gradually occupied by selfish and greedy Filipinos and foreigners. For this reason, their land ownership were ultimately lessened to a meager portion. The only hope is for them to go back to their ancestral lands and live a peaceful life.
The Hanunoo Mangyans are generally peaceful and generous, which was greatly abused by Filipinos and foreigners.
Although their lives became miserable, they were able to keep or sustain their art and culture. Some like their "script" writings which is similar to the Sanskrit of India, was preserved.
Ambahan
Characteristics
The Ambahan is a lyrical chant song of the pure Mangyans. It is composed of seven syllables in one line that rhyme. The number of lines found in several Ambahan ranges from three to 134. There is no specific tone style or instrument used as accompaniment.
The aim of Ambahan is to show the uniqueness of chanting. This depends in the way the music is delivered or presented. If ever a Mangyan likes an Ambahan, it is rewritten in a bamboo tube called "Luka" to remember the song every now and then.
Contents of Ambahan
The Ambahan has social and practical uses:
1. To the parents - for continuous guidance to their children
2. To the youth - to express their love to a person
3. To the elders - to share their rich experiences of life.
4. To the society - to maintain the correct habits, beliefs, and ceremonies, and rituals of their ethnic group.
5. Everyday use - for entertainment either historical or depending on the occasion.
Examples of Ambahan
| Hinton yi waydi asan | What is the matter with you |
| Pagbuyong sa Sandulan | That you are so much upset |
| Ga may langit nagbaan | Like the Heavens coming down |
| Ga may banwa nalagaman | As if the whole sky collapsed |
| Kahawan panga-wan | even rain will stop someday |
| Uran ud may labangan | but rain doesn't own a house |
| Kalungan paga-anyan | A storm will not last all time |
| Amyan ud may buyangan | But storm has no place like you |
| Sangdan way towo ngaran | Are you not a human? Man? |
| Ti ga daye migbalkan | Doesn't man always go back |
| Satales balsigan | To his dwelling place his home? |
Usually, if a Manyan discovers one beautiful Ambahan, he inscribes it to a bamboo so that this can be taken cared for, taught and passed on to the next generation. Even if some Mangyans cannot read Ambahan script, they can understand if for this is being recited since their childhood.
Hanunoo ambalan reproduced from a luka.
(Pfeifer William - Music in the Philippines) 1975
This is an example of ambalan (Portuna 1974) which is curved into luka according to Mangyan script.
The meaning of the script is:
| Kan pan dong anahawan | Natayak sa sakbawan |
| My umbrella from a palm | I left it at Sakbwan |
| Binayaan dap binayaan | Sinagugma di maan |
| Neglecting it without thought | I went back got it again |
| Nakadnog dagmok uran | Tida kang pandong daan |
| Who I heard the flash of rain | There it is, the one I sought |
Instruments of Mindoro
1. Gitgit - an instrument with 3 or 4 strings. It has a wooden body. The hair of a person is used as strings for the bow.
2. Batiwtiw - an instrument made from a bamboo. The strings are tied at both ends. At the center of the instrument there is fret. The strings are plucked and the sound is "tiw-tiw."
3. Kinaban - called a jaws harp which is made from a bamboo.
4. Kudlong - a zither made from a bamboo with two strings.
Ensemble Instrument of Mindoro
1. Buray-dipay
A kind of a rattle made from "bean pod" together with other instruments like kalutang (two wood sticks).
2. Kalutang Ensemble
Several pairs of wood nailed at both ends with intervals of 2,3, and 4 and produces harmony. This ensemble is used for hiking.
3. Agung Ensemble
Made up of two gongs played by two males sitting on the floor. One plays at the rear of the gong while the other one plays at the embossed portion of the gong. A stick with a cotton pad at the end of the stick is used to strike the gong. Both players used the duple time.
4. Kalutang
Two big wooden sticks.
5. Lantoy
Flutes that maybe blown by mouth or nose.
