RUBEN TAGALOG, handsome troubadour of the stage, screen and radio-television who’s been dubbed unofficially the “king of kundiman” for many years, takes you out serenading on a moondrenched night. Imagine yourself now as Ruben- the erudite serenader with a styling that’s smooth as silk, relaxed and easy-going-singing to your lady fair at the window. It is a sure bet that your heart’s desire will be entranced by your “harana” (serenading). And as a reward to your plaintive vocalization and guitar-strumming, expect a dainty smile and winking of the eye from that precious someone with the sunburnt face and arms…homespun courage and honest native ideals. O ILAW – Ruben gets our “harana” off to a good start with a familiar song that’s being sang on the hills and plains all over the Philippine countryside. KAY LUNGKOT NITONG HATING-GABI – Not a single star in heaven, our troubadour laments, not even a moon, and he is sad. “Would you peer out of hiding and fill my heart with joy and happiness” he sings. AWIT KO’Y DINGGIN - Fearful lest the woman at the window should go back to the warmth and comfort of her bambbo bed, our troubadour begs that she opens her window a little bit wider and listen, please, a little longer. MUTYA NIYARING PUSO – Ruben does a bit of confessing here as he sings lustily to his sweetheart whom you can almost picture now, looking out of the window, with her soft, dark tresses forming a protective cape ‘round her shoulders. DI KA NA NAAWA – Our troubadour begs for mercy if he has, at one time or another caused her so much sorrow with his long absence. NATUTULOG KA NA BA, SINTA? – And as the night begins to lower and the night birds slowly disappear, Ruben continues his serenade with fervent guitar strokes and a quivering voice that says, “I love you, yes I do.” HARANA NG PUSO – Here is a song straight from the hear, so full of meaning and import. Our “haranista” is filled with sincere devotion to his fair lady and promises to give her a good harvest and a “bahay kubo” (nipa hut) by a hillside teeming with sweet watermelons. SA GITNA NG DILIM - “ In the middle of the night” so the lyric goes, “I a;ways sing to you.” Wods such as these have survived the years and become an integral part of Philippine serenading. DUNGAWIN MO HIRANG – Another favorite song for serenading, full of deep longing. Whenever the sun goes down, the country lads serenade their loved ones with their venerable guitars. ANG AWIT KO, IROG – Ruben is full of lachrymose now as he takes a deep breath, watching the lovelight glimmering in his woman’s eyes, hoping for a meaningful sign. PARALUMAN – Guitar intro accentuates the tender feelings of our serenader, making him bolder and bolder every minute. The maiden, now fully awakened and radiant with the thoughts of a newborn romance, casts a meaningful eye on the man and his guitar. UMAGA NA PALA – Dawn breaks, and the serenading stops…but there is a promise of another day. A day of glorious serenading.