MAPEH 7
MODULE
MODULE#1 MUSIC
A. INTRODUCTION
The Philippines, an archipelago of 7,100 islands, is made up of 77 provinces grouped into 16
regions. The main groups include Luzon, the Visayan islands, and the Mindanao islands. Based
on religion, the population may be grouped into three broad categories: Christian groups,
indigenous religion groups, and Muslim groups. The Christian groups are the largest and are
concentrated in the lowlands of Luzon and the Visayan islands. Indigenous religion groups are
found in upland northern Luzon, Mindanao and Palawan. Muslim groups are concentrated in
Mindanao, the Sulu islands and southern Palawan.
Although, geographically, the Philippines belongs to the East, its music has been heavily
influenced by the West owing to 333 years of Spanish rule and 45 years of American
domination. Music in the highland and lowland hamlets where indigenous culture continues to
thrive has strong Asian elements. Spanish and American influences are highly evident in the
music of the urban areas. In discussing Philippine music, three main divisions are apparent: (1)
an old Asian influenced music referred to as the indigenous; (2) a religious and secular music
influenced by Spanish and European forms; and (3) an American/European inspired classical,
semi-classical, and popular music.
The Philippines has a rich folksong tradition which tells about the lives of the people.
Some of these songs have been handed down from generation to generation and are still being
sung today. Filipinos How is music a reflection of one’s society and culture?