Harana

 
Harana is an old Filipino courtship tradition of serenading women. It is mostly practiced in rural areas and small towns. The man, usually accompanied by his close friends, goes to the house of the woman he is courting and plays music and sings love songs to her.

 
Origin
The harana shows strong Spanish influences, as the rhythm of the songs usually performed for the serenade are derived from the Spanish tango or habanera, albeit the tempo for harana songs are much slower.

Variations
A variation of the harana is called tapat, which is practiced in small towns in Ilocos. This variant involves the usual serenading by the man, but the lady also answers in song. The reply usually hints that the man has to court her for a long time. The man counters with an even more passionate song, and the exchange continues until the pair come to an understanding. Similar to this is the Maranao tubad-tubad, where the repartee is in verse rather than in song.

Traditional harana songs
Although any song can be used for a harana, there are some that are popular for the specific purpose of serenading. Examples of these songs are "Walay Angay", "Ay Kalisud", "No Duaduaem Pay", "Silayan", "Alaala Kita", Bituing Marikit", and "O Ilaw".

Uso pa ba ang harana
Marahil ikaw ay nagtataka
Sino ba 'tong mukhang gago
Nagkandarapa sa pagkanta
At nasisintunado sa kaba

Meron pang dalang mga rosas
Suot nama'y maong na kupas
At nariyan pa ang barkada
Nakaporma, naka-barong
Sa awiting daig pa ang minus one at sing-along

Puno ang langit ng bituin
At kay lamig pa ng hangin
Sa 'yong tingin ako'y nababaliw, giliw
At sa awitin kong ito sana'y maibigan mo
Ibubuhos ko ang buong puso ko
Sa isang munting harana...
Para sa 'yo

Hindi ba't parang isang sine
Isang pelikulang romantiko
Hindi ba't ikaw ang bidang artista
At ako ang 'yong leading man
Sa istoryang nagwawakas
Sa pag-ibig na wagas

Puno ang langit ng bituin
At kay lamig pa ng hangin
Sa 'yong tingin ako'y nababaliw, giliw
At sa awitin kong ito sana'y maibigan mo
Ibubuhos ko ang buong puso ko
Sa isang munting harana...
Para sa 'yo

ENGLISH  :

do people still serenate?
i know that your wondering
who's this guy looking like an idiot
wasting his time into singing
singing a song down starirs.

he even brought roses
wearing a really old jean
with his friends
posing and wearing their barong
with a song that beats all minus one and sing alongs

the sky's full of stars
and the wind is cold
when i look at you i always go crazy
and with this song i hope you'll love it
i will shower you with all my love
with this little serenate
just for u

isnt this just like in the movies
a romantic movie
arent you the main character
and im the leading man
in the end of the movie
will finally be together

the sky's full of stars
and the wind is cold
when i look at you i always go crazy
and with this song i hope you'll love it
i will shower you with all my love
with this little serenate
just for u