Cebuano Music
Part 1
Demographics, Brief history of locale, Culture, Music and
Influences to today’s music
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Cebu Province is located at the center of the Visayan
Islands.
It lies to the east of Negros Island; to the west
of Leyte and Bohol Islands. Cebu is a long narrow island
stretching 225 kilometers from north to south, surrounded
by 167 neighboring, smaller islands, which include Mactan,
Bantayan, Malapascua, Olango and the Camotes Islands.
Demographics
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At the time of the global scramble for exotic spices in the
East, Portuguese navigator sailing for Spain, Ferdinand
Magellan, came upon Cebu on April 7, 1521.
The island is known as the site of Ferdinand
Magellan's death in the Battle of Mactan. Magellan had
joined forces with Spanish soldiers and was leading them
against Lapu-Lapu, a Visayan chieftain. There
are memorials to both men on the island in Lapu-Lapu City.
Brief History of Locale
Cebuano culture is traditionally characterized as a blend
of Japanese people, Malay and tradition with influences
from Asian culture and the United States. The majority of its
population are Roman Catholic and there are also some
followers of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and among others.
 The patron of Cebu is the Santo Niño de Cebu. According to
historical accounts, the Santo Niño was given by the
Portuguese sea captain and explorer Ferdinand Magellan to
the wife of the chief, Rajah Humabon as a gift to celebrate
their alliance. That act is depicted in Cebu’s largest, most
popular cultural event, the Sinulog where street-dancing and
loud drum beats preceded by a holy Mass is the main
attraction.
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Culture
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Cebuano literature, as much as most literature of the
Philippines, started with fables and legends of the early
people in the Philippines and colonial period, right down to
the Mexican (Viceroyalty of New Spain)
and Spanish influences. Although existence of a prehispanic writing system in Luzon is attested, there is proof
that baybayin was widespread in the Visayas. Most of the
literature produced during that period was oral. They were
documented by the Spanish Jesuit Fr. Ignatio Francisco
Alzinal. During the Spanish colonial period, the religious
theme was predominant. Novenas and gozos, most notably
the Bato Balani for the Santo Niño.
Culture (literature)
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Off-theater, there were open-air plays staged in Visayan
villages as well as neighborhood performances of the
Cebuano balitao. Then, one must also consider that,
beginning with the Spanish period, the social calendar was
filled with religious festivities that created occasions for
musical performances. Hence, it was a standard for a town,
and even many barrios, to have a local orchestra or band.
In later years, Cebuano movies and radio programs also
stimulated the creativity of composers and performers.
Music