Music in the Philippines before Spaniards came?

Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the Philippines was already home to a rich and diverse musical tradition. The indigenous peoples of the Philippines had developed a variety of musical instruments, including the kulintang, a set of gongs; the gabbang, a xylophone; the suling, a bamboo flute; and the kudyapi, a lute. These instruments were used to accompany singing and dancing, and were often played at festivals and other social gatherings.

In addition to the traditional instruments, the indigenous peoples of the Philippines also developed a number of vocal forms, including the kundiman, a love song; the oyayi, a lullaby; and the bayok, a work song. These songs were often passed down from generation to generation, and reflected the cultural and social values of the indigenous peoples.

The arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century brought about significant changes to Philippine music. The Spaniards introduced new musical instruments, such as the guitar, the violin, and the piano. They also introduced new musical forms, such as the pasyon, a narrative poem about the life of Jesus Christ; the zarzuela, a musical drama; and the kundangan, a song of courtship.

The Spanish influence on Philippine music was significant, but it did not completely replace the indigenous musical traditions. Many indigenous instruments and musical forms continued to be used, and they were often combined with Spanish elements to create new and unique forms of music.

The result is a rich and diverse musical tradition that reflects the complex history and culture of the Philippines.