Large-scale dramatic genre originating in the Baroque, based on a text of religious or serious character, performed by solo voices, chorus and orchestra; similar to opera but without scenery, costumes or action.

The song of merriment in folk and popular Filipino cultures. It is in moderately fast to fast duple meter. Most of Filipino Christmas carols use this musical form.

A song in moderately fast triple meter that often praises or celebrates a desirable quality, object, nature, person, trait or custom

The scheme of organization that determines the basic structure of a composition, comparable to an architect’s ground plan.

A song of devotion to country, beloved, child, the Virgin Mary, or a lofty cause. It is always in triple meter with a moderately slow to slow tempo

Lyric song for solo voice with orchestral accompaniment, generally expressing intense emotion; found in opera, cantata, and oratorio.

An ancient type of song that has a triple meter and a rhythmic pattern that accents the second beat. Its melody is traditionally chanted, using a scale that is native to Filipino folk culture

Regularly spaced pulsation-durations which are relatively easy to count and convenient to follow

Vocal genre for solo singers, chorus and instrumentalists based on a lyric or dramatic poetic narrative. It generally consists of several movements including recitatives, arias and ensemble numbers.