Kundiman is a classic form of Filipino love song that had been existed since the early 19th century. Kundiman, the singer who expresses undying love for his beloved is actually singing for love of country. The term Kundiman comes from the Tagalog phrase “kung hindi man” or “if it were not so.” Written in the Tagalog language, these folksongs were subtly patriotic but typically disguised as love songs. Its musical structure was formalised by Filipino composers such as Francisco Santiago and Nicanor Abelardo; they sought poetry for their lyrics, blending verse and music in equal parts. Santiago regarded the Kundiman art song as something “that expresses the lofty sentiment of love, and even heroism in a melancholy mood.” Given the cross-fertilization of Spanish and Filipino cultures in the 19th century. Kundiman was the traditional means of serenade in the Philippines.
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