Ruben Tagalog

Ruben Tagalog
Born	(1922-10-17)October 17, 1922 La Paz, Iloilo City, Philippines
Origin	Philippines
Died	March 5, 1985(1985-03-05) (aged 62)
Genres	Kundiman, folk[1]
Occupation(s)	Actor, singer
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar

Ruben Tagalog (October 17, 1922 – March 5, 1985) was a Filipino actor and musician, famous for his works in the kundiman style. He was also one of the founders of the singing group Mabuhay Singers. He is known as the "Father of Kundiman". He was a member of the US Army during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.

Later career

He first caught the attention of radio listeners in the 1940s when he hosted his own radio program, Harana ni Ruben Tagalog. His baritone voice filled his songs "Ramona", "O Ilaw", "Sayang", "Azucena", and "Nasaan Ka Ngayon" with emotion. He revived danzas and balitaws like "Nahan Kaya Ikaw", "Bakit Ka Lumuluha", "Barong Tagalog", "Dalagang Pilipina", and "Caprichosa". He was the first artist to record "Bayan Ko" and "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit". Tagalog is also known for harana or serenade songs such as "Dungawin Mo, Hirang" and "Kay Lungkot Nitong Hatinggabi".^[2]

In spite of his last name being "Tagalog", he was born in the city of Iloilo in the Visayas^[3] and thus was a speaker of Hiligaynon or Ilonggo. He released at least two albums in the Cebuano language: Ruben Tagalog Sings Visayan Songs and a duet album with Cebuana singer Nora Hermosa called Duet in Visayan.

In the early 1950s, he became the first to popularise the Tagalog version of the 1933 Visayan Christmas carol "Kasadya Ning Taknaa" as "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit". The Tagalog lyrics were written by Levi Celerio. He is also known for performing "Panahon 'tang Nagdaan", a kundiman composed by Ambrosio del Rosario.

Death

He died on March 5, 1985, in Orange County, California. He is laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial in California.^{[citation needed]}

Legacy

After his death, he became to be known as the Philippines' "Father of Kundiman" or Hari ng Kundiman (King of Kundiman)^[4][5] and the "King of Ballads".^[6]

His posthumous songs were featured on Yesterday and Remember When on DZMM every Sunday, and also featured on Moonlight Serenade on weekday mornings on DZMM.^{[citation needed]}

The DWIZ882 radio show Bella Filipina (heard every Sunday evening) honored Ruben Tagalog's centennial for the entire month of October 2022, and continues to air his recordings of balitaws, danzas and novelties.^{[citation needed]}

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Director	Production Company
1955	Sintu-Sinto	Artemio B. Tecson	Deegar Pictures, Freedom Pictures

Awards

Year	Award Giving Body	Category	Nominated Work	Results
1969	Awit Awards	Male Recording Artist of the Year	—	Won[7]

References

1. "UST Writing Center, Mabuhay Singers Pay Tribute To Levi Celerio". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 16 June 2002. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
2. Varona, Rae Ann (5 February 2020). "Remembering Harana: A lost Filipino tradition of courtship through song —". Asian Journal News. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
3. San Diego Jr., Bayani (4 September 2005). "A not-so trivial pursuit". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
4. Sergio, Leo P. (1 April 1988). "The 'kundiman' in Philippine cinema". Manila Standard. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
5. Trinidad, Luis Maria (15 June 1963). Tagalog Brings Filipino Tears. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
6. "Pinoy Singer Set To Perform In New York International Music Festival". The Manila Times. 29 April 2005. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
7. "Mareco, Filipinas Records Take Lion Share of Philippine Awards". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 19 April 1969. Retrieved 22 February 2022.

External links

• Ruben Tagalog at IMDb