Back to our roots in a musical way

MANILA, Philippines - “Leron, Leron Sinta.   Buko ng papaya…” while the song elicits from the older generation fond memories of growing up in more innocent times the ditty will probably result in blank stares from the youth of today.   Let’s face it… the younger generation has been weaned on a steady diet of High School Musical and Miley Cyrus with a dash of the current popular cartoon’s often nonsensical theme music.

 “These songs are traditional play songs that today’s youth are no longer are familiar with…  Playstation, Hannah Montana and Gameboys have succeeded in making even our children’s memories global,” says Irene Araneta.  

Araneta is the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Young Musicians Development Organization (YMDO), a non-profit organization whose main objective is to support young Filipino musicians and nurture the Philippine symphonic band tradition.  The fruit of their efforts is the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band — a group of young, talented and highly trained musicians from various regions of the Philippines.  They act as ambassadors tasked with preserving our national musical heritage through their performances.

According to Maja Olivares-Co, executive director of the YMDO Board of Trustees, “Only 30 percent of our own PYSB kids knew some of the songs in parts only whereas the rest were unfamiliar.”

Leron Leron Sinta, Dandansoy and Sarungbanggi are not just classic songs from a bygone era.    The songs are called play songs, precisely because the rhythmic and often repetitive lyrics of the songs would lead or accompany children at play. Imagine the days of our mothers and fathers, when children would play tumbang preso and piko in the streets while singing these upbeat tunes.

These songs speak of the experience of an older generation of Filipinos whose grandchildren are now more familiar with the pop songs and experience of another culture — whether American or Korean pop.   This has resulted in a “beyond MTV” generation that while technically savvy and globally aware has lost their precious connection to the traditions and practices that distinguishes the Filipino culture.

“There will be a real loss of Pinoy identity if there is no continuity of community memory,” laments Irene.

The LARO concert and demo CD was born — featuring the traditional Filipino play songs in modern musical arrangements.

The kids of the PYSB will now have a chance to perform these classic “play” songs to a wider audience, in the upcoming concert LARO! Child’s Play at the CCP on Nov. 27, 6 p.m. at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.)       

Traditional children’s songs like the playful Sitsiritsit and the jaunty Tongtongtongtong Pakitong, among others, will be presented in a fresh, modern way in genres more familiar to today’s youth — like pop, rock, jazz and even reggae.  The concert will be hosted by Cherie Gil and will feature Andrew Fernando, Sarah Geronimo, Charlie Green and Sylvia La Torre.

Filipino designers including Ivy Almario, Ed Calma, Joey Yupangco, Jonathan Matti, Sonia Olivares, Ricky Toledo, Chito Vijandre, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Joey Yupangco and Maja Olivares-Co have pledged their originally designed children’s furniture pieces which will be auctioned off at the event.  It is a perfect blend of music and the arts in a fun night for a good cause.

The concert will be recorded live and produced into a full 10-track CD that will be made available to the public.

LARO! Child’s Play at the CCP is presented by Cultural Center of the Philippines.

For tickets, call 0927-3910762.