‘Taste of Kundiman’

One morning while having a breakfast of oatmeal, cheese sandwich and coffee, my mind was virtually blank thinking what topic to write about, so to refresh myself I played some Filipino classics—our very own Kundiman songs– in a CD player.

While listening to these soft and very romantic melodies, I couldn’t help being nostalgic, pondering on the richness of our culture. That afternoon, when I met veteran journalist Jojo Taduran for a routine tete-a-tete over some cups of hot coffee at the Scarborough Town Centre’s food court, our conversation eventually veered on discussing the beauty of the immortal Kundiman music.

I told Jojo that it’s about time the Filipino community groups in Canada promoted these Kundiman songs through their various civic programs and festivals.

I said, “ What about having a “Taste of Kundiman’ project launched in the community? “I don’t see any reason why the Filipino community leaders could not set it afloat, after all, they’ve successfully started recently a very a laudable project, the “Taste of Manila”, a street festival showcasing the best Filipino culture and cuisine.

No doubt with the participation of the Philippine Embassy, the GMA and the ABS-CBN TV networks, plus the all-out support of our kababayans, now numbering about 200,000, living in Toronto and its suburbs, a project like a ‘Taste of Kundiman’ will also be a big success.

Well, Jojo readily agreed, saying, “ We have to revive and promote these Filipino classics specially for the sake of the new generation of Filipinos who seldom hear the beauty of the Kundiman songs.”

Though, we are thousands of miles away from the Philippines, listening to these songs will surely connect us to our native land. Living this stressful life— working hard to death, working all our lives in this adopted country, what more could be a better respite than hearing these Filipino classic songs?

Aside from relaxing us, these Pinoy classics help us in bringing back the good, nostalgic and simple life back home.

Well, listening to these Kundiman love songs, surely we can feel romantic again, inescapably reminiscing our beloved life’s partner, the courtships and the ups and downs of falling in love with someone and even remembering the unrequited love with somebody whom we loved before.

How could we ever forget “Bituin Marikit” and “ Anak Dalita” by Nicanor Abelardo;”Mike Velarde’s “Dahil Sa Iyo”; Dr. Francisco Santiago’s “Pakiusap” and “Mutya ng Pasig” and the songs sung by Ric Manrique Jr. “ Tanging Diyos Lamang Ang Nakakaalam”, Diomedes Maturan’s Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig” and “ Lumang Simbahan” by Larry Miranda.

We have to play these Kundiman songs more often in our homes so that our children who have grown up in Canada–not even hearing a single note of these great Pinoy classics–will have a chance to listen and appreciate these songs, thereby realizing that this kind of musical genre is part and parcel of their being.

Thanks to the new technology because if we feel like listening to these Kundiman songs not only to make our day but also to get the feeling of “being home again”, we could simply search the song’s title at the YouTube, then in an instant the music is there ready to be played.

We don’t have to go to a record bar to buy the CDs and play these Kundiman songs; these Pinoy classics are just right at your fingertips, so to speak.

Well, see you in the launching of the “Taste of Kundiman “ project in the Little Manila in Bathurst next year—and we’ll all enjoy listening to these Filipino love songs.

Mga kababayans, see you all there!