Features
IIRR and Sisters of Mary to Celebrate the Revival of Harana in the Philippines
Over 40 years ago in the Philippines, the Harana Kings were witnesses and active participants in the traditional Filipino form of courtship, Harana. On February 6, 2010 at the Yen Center in Biga, Silang, Cavite, the Harana Kings will revive this custom at a special performance for partners and friends of the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR). Also performing will be the Boys’ Choir from the Sisters of Mary School in Silang.
IIRR and the Sisters of Mary School have collaborated in a special effort to educate the students at Sisters of Mary in bio-intensive gardening, a small-scale agricultural technique formulated by IIRR. The students at Sisters of Mary have demonstrated advanced academic promise, but come from families where education comes at a steep price for their disadvantaged families. The sisters take proper care of the youth by providing them with balanced meals, proper clothing and housing, medical and dental services, and a quality high school education.
The featured performers at HARANA: timeless lyrics, beautiful melodies, endless love… are Celestino Aniel, Romeo Bergunio, Felipe Alonzo, and Florante Aguilar. The intimate sound of the haranista’s guitar will complement the sweetness of the Spanish-influenced songs combined with the poetry and lyricism of the Tagalog language.
Audience members will also have the special opportunity to witness this unique performance that will be filmed as part of a documentary to be submitted by the Philippines to the Cannes Film Festival in France.
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