Salidumay: The Fading Echoes of Cordilleran Courtship”

This posting is related to my previous posting on the Kundiman- Philippines Love songs from theTagalog Regions

In the highlands of Northern Luzon, where the air is cool and the mountains guard centuries of tradition, a song lingers in the memory of the Cordillera people. This song is called Salidumay.

Salidumay is not just a melody—it is a courtship song, a gentle exchange between young men and women, echoing through the rice terraces and valleys during gatherings. Passed down through generations, Salidumay carried with it the values of love, respect, and community harmony. Today, however, this once vibrant tradition is rarely sung, and when it is, it is often performed in translations or in staged cultural festivals, instead of being naturally lived in the villages.

The Origins of Salidumay

The word “Salidumay” itself does not have a direct translation. It is more of a refrain or musical expression, similar to “la la la” in modern music, but deeply rooted in indigenous chants. The song has many versions depending on the tribe—Kankanaey, Ifugao, Bontoc, or Tingguian—and each version carries unique verses, yet all of them revolve around themes of courtship, love, and sometimes even playful teasing.

Young men would sing Salidumay to express admiration to women, and in return, the women would respond with their own verses—accepting, rejecting, or teasing back. It was more than romance: it was an oral tradition of wit, respect, and cultural pride.

The Role in Cordilleran Life

Long before radios and modern music, villagers gathered during community celebrations, weddings, or harvest feasts. Amidst dancing and drinking tapey (rice wine), the voices of young men and women would rise in call-and-response form.

The man would sing his admiration:

praising the woman’s beauty,

admiring her family’s honor,

or promising loyalty.

The woman, on the other hand, had equal power in the song—her reply could gently reject the suitor, test his sincerity, or accept his courtship.

Through this exchange, courtship was never forceful but respectful. It allowed space for laughter, poetry, and honesty.

The Music and Meaning

The melody of Salidumay is distinct: slow, repetitive, almost hypnotic. It reflects the rhythm of mountain life—steady, calm, and enduring.

The lyrics, though simple, are layered with meaning. For example, a line about “a flower blooming on the mountainside” could symbolize a young woman’s beauty and purity. A verse about “crossing rivers” could signify a man’s willingness to overcome obstacles for love.

The repetition of “Salidumay” serves as a chorus that binds the singers and listeners together, like a heartbeat shared by the community.

Why It Is Fading Today

In today’s fast-paced world, the younger generation of Cordillerans are more exposed to modern pop, K-pop, and Western love songs. Salidumay is often only heard during cultural shows, school programs, or tourist presentations.

The natural setting—where villagers once sang it spontaneously under the moonlight—has slowly faded. Many elders say that the essence of Salidumay is being lost, because when sung on stage, it becomes performance instead of genuine emotion.

Yet, some communities are reviving it by teaching children in schools, including it in heritage festivals, and even blending it with modern instruments while keeping the original melody alive.

Why It Matters to All Filipinos

Even if you are not from the Cordillera, Salidumay carries lessons for all Filipinos:

Respectful Courtship – It shows us that love can be expressed through words, music, and sincerity—not just through flashy gestures.

Cultural Identity – Every region in the Philippines has its own version of folk songs. Keeping Salidumay alive helps us protect our shared cultural soul.

Community Connection – Singing together binds people. Unlike modern love songs heard alone through earphones, Salidumay was sung with and for others.

A Living Heritage

Imagine standing on the edge of the Banaue Rice Terraces, as the sun sets behind the mountains. A group of elders begins to sing:

“Salidumay… salidumay diway…”

The haunting, beautiful refrain fills the air. Younger voices join in. Suddenly, it is not just a song—it is a thread connecting past and present, ancestors and descendants, love and memory.

Salidumay may be rarely sung today, but as long as someone remembers its melody, its spirit lives on.

Meanwhile here are some well-known Visayan love songs from the Philippines:

• Matud Nila: A popular and classic Visayan love song.
• Dandansoy: A traditional Visayan folk song that explores themes of love and separation, often interpreted as a woman bidding farewell to her lover.
• Balay ni Mayang: A well-liked Cebuano love song, described as a romantic ballad.
• Usahay: A well-known Visayan love song that's been featured on shows like "The Voice Teens Philippines".
• Imoha Ra Akong Kasingkasing: Another popular love song by Von Saw and Aine Abella. 

Traditional forms

• In Cebuano, the traditional form of Visayan love songs is called Balitao (or Balitaw).
• The Balitao traditionally involves a debate, often centered on love and courtship, between a man and a woman while they dance to music played on instruments like the subing (a native flute) or sista (a guitar made of coconut shell).
• In Hiligaynon, a dialect of Visayan, folk songs (including love songs) are also sometimes referred to as Balitao, and includes the sentimental song "Walang Angay".
• Hiligaynon also has a unique folk song called Composo, a soft melody ballad that tells stories of love and other incidents. 

Contemporary Visayan love songs

Modern Visayan pop (Vispop) also features love songs. Some examples mentioned include:

• Padayon by John Cadelina.
• Gugme by Willfreedo.
• Labyu Langga.
• Intergalactic Gugma.
• Kung Siya Man by TJ Monterde, which is described as a romantic ballad about letting go.