It
was a more innocent time, before texting and “Carlos Danger.” To woo fair ladies, young Filipino men would
sing harana love songs outside their homes, waking up most of the household in
the process. Sadly, the practice fell out of favor, but a young guitarist and
three old masters recreate the romantic sounds and spirit of old school
serenading in Benito Bautista’s Harana (trailer here), which screens
during this year’s Asian American International Film Festival.
Returning
for his father’s funeral after a long American sojourn, Florante Aguilar
suddenly found himself powerfully drawn to traditional forms of Filipino music,
especially the harana. Do not use the
word Latin to describe harana—it is a pure product of the Philippines. Nonetheless, it might sound somewhat akin to
the bossa or other Lartin-influenced styles to uncouth ears. Harana performance might not be quite as rare
these days as the documentary suggests.
After all, Filipino jazz singer Charmaine Clamor recorded a lovely set
of harana ballads just a few years ago.
Still, like a harana Alan Lomax, Aguilar starts off on a quest for real
deal, old school haranistas.
Eventually,
he found them in Felipe Alonzo, Celestino Aniel, and Romeo Bergunio. What begins as a series of informal jams,
blossoms Buena Vista Social Club style
into more formal performances, a proper tour, a recording session, and this very
same documentary. It was an opportunity
none of three gentlemen expected—that came just in time.
Viewers
will eventually pick-up a sense time might be short for at least one haranista,
but Bautista bends over backwards to avoid exploiting that fact for dramatic
impact. As a result, Harana has a rather slack narrative
structure, basically covering the “let’s get a band together” and “let’s put on
a show” bases.
Still,
the music is obviously the thing for Harana
and the ballads they sing are wonderfully lyrical and evocative. There is something especially touching about
the sight and sound of the three men of advanced years signing songs of young
love and eternal fidelity. By the way,
Aguilar certainly holds up his end. He
has loads of technique, but more importantly he has the perfect sensitivity to
accompany the haranistas.
