Continuity and Change: Hispanic Musical Influence in the Philippines

Abstract

Hispanic musical influences marked a significant change in the Music History of the Filipino people. This paper traces various music forms, styles, and cultural significance during the Pre-Hispanic period defining the traditional purpose, musical elements, and usage in cultural context. It also discusses the concept of Spanish acculturated musical forms with issues embedded on the infusion and imposition of Spanish music into traditional music for the spread of Christianity. This paper also assesses the changes in music from the 16th to the late 18th century, particularly on modes of transmission and continuing developments of some indigenous traditions with the assimilated forms of music brought by the Spaniards and the music that survived until the 21 st century Filipino musical performances.