MUSIC OF THE

LOWLANDS OF LUZON 3
PHILIPPINE MUSIC DURING THE AMERICAN AND JAPANESE PERIODS
BY: CRIZZELE JOY M. LIGTAS
 OVERVIEW
The lesson is an overview on the proliferation of
musical genres, forms and ensembles of the
Lowlands of Luzon during the American and
Japanese periods. Through the lesson, one will
discover what forms and genres of music survived
during the American and Japanese periods in the
Philippines and how they expressed the feelings of
the people towards each other and the
environment, their history and religious beliefs.
OVERVIEW
 AMERICAN PERIOD (1898 - 1941)

Thecolonial sovereignty of the

Spaniards over the Philippines was
handed down to the Americans in 1898
by virtue of the agreement called
Treaty of Paris.
 AMERICAN PERIOD (1898 - 1941)

The first known law affecting the Philippine

Public School System was Article 74 of the
Philippine Commission which provided formal
training for teachers. The American educational
system have greatly influenced the Philippine
system of music education with the treatment
of music as part of a broad pattern of liberal
education. American textbooks and song books
were used.
 AMERICAN PERIOD (1898 - 1941)

The radio, phonograph and movies helped disseminate

world culture. American singing through the jazz
invaded the country. Nevertheless, the spirit of
nationalism triggered by the Spanish revolution, pushed
Filipino composers to use the native folk songs for their
thematic materials. With the establishment of
conservatories ( school for music education), formal
education in music started. Under a program of
specialization was the training program for professionals
which transcriber, conductor, researcher, musicologist,
arranger, theorist, essayist and critic.
 VOCAL MUSIC
Zarzuela
In the Philippines, the Zarzuela/Sarswela is a
play with songs and dances usually written in
prose, containing from one to five acts,
depicting the vagaries of romantic love among
idealized Filipino characters, and often
incorporating contemporary social, political,
economic or cultural issues for relevance and
interest.
 AMERICAN PERIOD (1898 - 1941)

EXAMPLES OF ZARZUELAS
1.Minda Mora (Minda, the Moro girl) - Juan Hernanadez
2. Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Bayan (Love of Country) -
Pascual Poblete
3. Tanikalang Ginto (Chain of Gold) - Juan Abad
4. Walang sugat (No wound) - Severino Reyes
JAPANESE OCCUPATION PERIOD
(1942 - 1945)
The Japanese tried to use education as a means to
realize their Co-Prosperity Sphere (Philippines, Burma,
China, Indo-China, Malaysia, Netherlands, Indies, Siam)
which miserably failed. Their desire to propagate
Nihongo as the common language was a dismal failure.
This was the darkest period in the history of the
Philippines. The Japanese wanted only Oriental ways
for the people. This gave the Filipinos no other choice
but to revert to their traditional ways of entertainment
- opera, musical plays and drama although a few
appreciated Japanese music.
 COMPOSITION
Ang Maya (Jose A. Estella)
Bituing Marikit (Nicanor Abelardo
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
1.SYMPHONIC BAND
- Philippine Band Music has become
essential part of the Filipinos life
- Freed hundreds of outstanding
musicians, and partially through this
musical medium the Filipino musical
talent developed during the
American governance
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
1.SYMPHONIC BAND
- Consists of a group of instruments
composed of brass, woodwind and
percussion instruments, as in a brass
band, jazz or dance band and symphonic
band
 SOCIAL FUNCTIONS
Music for recreation
Social Commentary and Patriotism
Thank You!!!!