Interpreted by Leopoldo Silos and his orchestra. Audio from a vintage phonograph recording published by Columbia records.
When the Spaniards came to the Philippines in the 16th century, they would change the long-held Islamic traditions and culture of the native Filipinos including their religion, government, economics, politics, society, music and dance.
The Spanish Missionaries brought with them a new religion that promised enlightenment, freedom and salvation. They abolished slavery and educated the natives. They capitalized art form like, music and dance to effectively evangelize that it stuck so strongly in the life of people and as manifested in nearly all dances that is labeled as 'Christian'.
Western European ways of life spread throughout the Islands. Along with them came European dances such as the balse (waltz), fandango, mazurka, polka, and the jota. The Filipinos welcomed these dances and, by adding native flare and style, made them their own.
