LULAY: Philippine Folk Dance

A few among those Philippine dances which can be classified as a "national" folk dance. This dance is also available in versions from Ilo-ilo, Mindoro, Laguna and Leyte.

The version from Leyte appeared in the book "MGA AMBAHAN" (1906) by the famous Waray writer Vicente de Veyra.

All versions of the Lulay use the same "basic" melody. The melody first appeared in the book "Bajo los Cocoteros" (Under the Coconut Trees?). It ranks among the popular love songs in the country at the close of the 19th century. It was also published in Madrid by Graciano Lopez-Jaena (from Ilo-ilo, ring any bell?) in Aires Felipinas (Philippine Airs).

The most popular version of the Lulay song is probably the one from the Tagalog region which runs:

Anong laking hirap kung pakaiisipin
Ang gawang umibig sa babaeng mahinhin
Lumuluhod ka na'y 'di ka pa mandin pansin
Sa hirap ikaw'y kanyang susubukin.

Another Tagalog version from Laguna have this for the first stanza:

Sa silong ng langit nitong bayang sinta
Ang mga dalaga ay mahinhi't maganda
Kung susuyuin mo ay magtapat kang talaga
At iibigan ka magpawalang-hanggan.

The Waray version is used as a melody for the Balitaw where dancers sing and dance respective parts in a joust of "siday" done to the tradition of the Amoracion oe Ismaylingay, the following line sung by a male "mag-ismaylingon" was recorded in Samar:

Kamakakukuri hinin akon kabutang
Sugad hin natungtung hinin anud nga batang
Waray sasabuta inin akon kapalaran
Kun hain mga bungto ako sasampigan

The Lulay is also sung in Bicolano as part of their 'pastores' traditional music. National Artist for Dance Ramon Obusan recorded one version using the Lulay music in the Christmas shepher dance called "Pastores Maliliput" from Maliliput town in Albay.

Two Lulay dance versions are found in the island of Panay alone. One version is the Lulay dance from Bingawan, Ilo-ilo. Another version (or excerpt) of the Lulay is found in the "Salidsid" dance also from Ilo-ilo. The seventh figure of the "Salidsid" is the Lulay.

During the American occupation some folksongs were translated to English, the Lulay was published but was entitled "Boanerges Serenade". The first stanza goes:

I was poorly born on the top of the mountains
Caressed by the motherly love of the lighting
Playing with the wonderful fire of the lightning
Thrilling, thrilling kiss of love is always mine

Its Filipino language text was entitled "Harana ni Boanerges":

Ako'y ipnanganak sa tuktok ng bundok
Kalaro-laro ko'y kulog na matutunog
Dinuyan ko'y ulap sa papawiring bughaw
Halik ng kidlat ang siyang kaulayaw.




Watch out for my upcoming videos of the following dances:
Tinikling
Itik-itik
Kuratsa Samarnon
Lugkat
Lukay
An Marol
Surtido Samareño
Ismayling (Amoracion/Amoral)
An Lubi
An Lab-asero
Costurera
Maramyon (Leyte version)
Paspe
Ginabato
Pantomina de Samar
Salampati
Ti Yadut
Lavezares
Jota han Kalipay
La Jota Samareña
Kuradang
An Ulitawo
Bagol
Kadang
Ingkoy-ingkoy (Samar version)
Pastores (Samar version)
Estudiantina (Capul version)
Mazurka Capuleña
Panderetas (Tanza, Ilo-ilo version)
Engañosa (Pandangyado Mayor)
Pandangyado Cariñosa (Samar)
Pandagyado Buraweño
Pag-aring (Basey, Samar)
Jota Paloana (La Jota Navarra)
Paso Doble (Parañaque version)
Polka Tagala
Culebra (Bulacan)
Jota Cabangan
Jota Rizal
Jota Ibanag
Chotis Dingreña (Ilocano)
Sangkayao
Pangkilad
Flaggey Libon (T'boli)
Madal Tahu
Karal Kafi (Bilaan)
Ati-ati sa Bukid (Cuyo, Palawan)
Bendayan (Tchunggas)
Kadal Onuk (T'boli Bird Dance)
Karatong (excerpt)
Inday na Kunday (Southern Leyte)
Likod-likod
Gapus-gapusay
Man-manok
Sohten (Subanen)
Khinlesung
Pangalitawo
Madrileña
Takiling
Minandagit
Inahaw
Dugso
Siring
Sarungkay
Balisangkad
Tugatak
Dagit-dagit
Jota Moncadeña
Surtido Boronganon
Tachok
Chalijok
Ballangbang
Karasaguyon
Polka Lapis
Apoc
Pangalay
Paunjalay
Silong sa Ganding
Kandalamat sa Gandingan
Ipat (Demo)
Maong a Lalong
Palu-palo
Pawakan (Sabong)
Pinanyuwan
Buhay sa Bukid
Pakkong
Buling-buling Pandacan
Tacon y Punta Danza
Telipe

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[rolo1123]

Spain occupied both the Philippines(400+ years) and Mexico probably hundreds more. If there is any commonality between Mexico and Philippines it's because of the Spaniards. Music like this which uses the Rodalla guitars were partly influenced by the Spaniards.

[Saiaopinoi]

Philippines was under Spain for only 333 years. That figure is very easy to memorize. I don't understand why many people make a mistake on this.

[Asoingles2007]

Lots of Mexican influence on this one.

[Saiaopinoi]

I am not convinced. Who influenced whom?

[JPRittle]

my mexican friend said that the exact tune of this song is actually a traditional folk song from mexico not the philippines.

its basically a spanish song sung in filipino dialect. i would hardly classify it as a folk song then.

[Saiaopinoi]

Ok. That's an interesting find. Both of us need to redefine 'folk song'. This music is actually just an intro to a "folk" song entitled "Bajo Los Cocoteros". What is the title of that Mexican counterpart? BTW, both Mexico and Philippines were Spanish colonies in the past that's why, it's not surprising to know that.

[LAPUbutsekikMAG]

333 years of whipping and hardships and swallowing the Catholic Religion that's colonization...LAPULAPU...rebe­led against it and finally Jose Rizal in cohots with the Americans finally got rid of the Barbarian Colonizers which left us half and half with genes...culture etc... we like it or not, is not

the point - It is HISTORY made...we had no

control of IT...Just Enjoy the DANCE..

[everybodylovesasian]

Forgive me if I misinterpreted your comment, but you realize Spanish isn't indigenous to Mexico, right? This song probably came to the Philippines from Mexico, and is just about as much traditional in Mexico as it is in the Philippines, since both Mexican culture and Philippine cultures have been predominantly influenced by Spain.

[cLumSyme10]

@akinJR yes youre probably right because Philippines was under Spains colony for 333 years!!and mexico i think hundreds of years also..thats why philippines, mexico, and spain.. are never too far in cultures..because one influenced another..

[TotallyAnimeLover]

It's not Mexican, it's Spanish influence, I guess.

[ivanism25]

visit this site, for you to download the mp4 version of this video. enjoy

[Kenneth1944]

I'm an American, I've seen the Mexican dances. This looks traditional Philippine to me as an outsider. I love watching both the Spanish/Mexican styles, and the Philippine/Asian style.

[akinJR]

And the link between the two countries seems to be Spain. hmmm.....

[akinJR]

That's what I always wondered. I thought it would be the Spaniards.