Photo by: Teddy Pelaez
NCCA Revives Kundiman Through New Album, Bringing Filipino Musical Heritage to a New Generation | MANILA, Philippines – Bringing the timeless melodies of Filipino love songs to a new generation, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has launched a new Kundiman album celebrating the country’s rich musical heritage and reaffirming the importance of preserving traditional Filipino music.
Photo by: Teddy Pelaez
The album was unveiled on November 5 at the historic Metropolitan Theater, featuring original compositions and fresh interpretations of Kundiman, the traditional Filipino art song known for its soulful melodies, emotional depth, and expressions of love, longing, and devotion.
The initiative forms part of DIWANG: Sagisag Kultura ng Filipinas, a cultural education program that seeks to strengthen awareness and appreciation of Filipino heritage through creative and educational initiatives.
Filipino Composers Give Kundiman a New Voice
The album traces its roots to a national cultural competition organized by the Philippine Cultural Education Program (PCEP) in partnership with the Department of Education. Filipino songwriters and artists submitted original compositions and arrangements, with selected entries developed into recorded tracks for the compilation.
“This album preserves our musical heritage for future generations,” said Joseph Cristobal, director of the Philippine Cultural Education Program. “It transforms traditional art songs into vibrant tools for national cultural education.”
The album launch brought together competition winners and guest vocalists for live performances of the featured compositions, accompanied by pianists and Rondalla performers.
Photo by: Teddy Pelaez
A Historic Stage for a Timeless Filipino Tradition
The Metropolitan Theater provided a fitting backdrop for the celebration of Kundiman. Designed by architect Juan M. Arellano and inaugurated in 1931, the Art Deco landmark has long been associated with Philippine performing arts and cultural expression.
“Bringing these historic melodies back to the Met honors our ancestors,” Cristobal said. “The venue connects our rich artistic past directly to our present showcase.”
Photo by: Teddy Pelaez
Bringing Kundiman Back to Schools and Communities
Beyond celebrating the album’s release, the initiative aims to make Kundiman more accessible to Filipino learners and younger audiences.
National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, who served as one of the competition judges, emphasized the importance of integrating traditional Filipino music into education and everyday life.
“Our goal is simple yet urgent,” Almario said. “We must keep classic Filipino music alive in our schools and daily lives.”
The NCCA plans to distribute the album to public schools nationwide, together with educational modules designed to support music instruction and encourage greater appreciation of Filipino musical traditions.
For Almario, Kundiman remains far more than a musical genre preserved in history books.
“Kundiman is not a forgotten art form,” he said. “It is the living, beating heart of Philippine musical identity.”
Through the album and its educational initiatives, the NCCA and its partners hope to inspire a new generation of Filipino musicians, educators, and listeners to rediscover Kundiman—not simply as a legacy of the past, but as a living tradition that continues to shape the country’s cultural identity.
