PAG-IBIG KO VOL.1 is a quiet but profound statement of Filipino American identity through sound.
Irabbagast Records
Matthew Muñeses – Saxophone; Riza Printup – Harp
Saxophonist Matthew Muñeses continues his exploration of Filipino musical traditions with PAG-IBIG KO VOL.1 a duo album featuring harpist Riza Printup. Released on Jon Irabagon’s Irabbagast Records, the recording primarily showcases kundiman, a traditional Filipino love song form characterized by its minor-to-major key progression, while also including other Filipino love songs with different musical structures but similarly rich emotional content.
Muñeses’ third album as a leader, PAG-IBIG KO VOL.1 (‘My Love’ in Tagalog), continues his exploration of Filipino heritage, a path he first charted with his 2022 release, NOLI ME TÁNGERE. While that album featured a quintet interpreting works by 19th-century writer and national hero José Rizal, this new album takes a more intimate approach. Pairing saxophone with harp, Muñeses embraces a stripped-down setting that highlights the music’s vulnerability and warmth.
“When I think about love songs from other cultures,” Muñeses explains, “the lyrics often rely on allegory and analogy. Kundiman, on the other hand, are much more direct with their sentiments. They don’t hold back—songs say things like, ‘I love you,‘ ’You’re as beautiful as [this], ’or ‘You make me feel [this]. ’I immediately knew these songs would be beautiful to play with harp.”
Muñeses and Printup, who first crossed paths over a decade ago at a Filipino jazz event, share both musical and cultural connections, making Printup an ideal collaborator. While Muñeses grew up with OPM (Original Pilipino Music)—a genre encompassing everything from kundiman and ballads to pop, rock, folk, and modern genres like hip hop and electronic music—it wasn’t until recently that he fully immersed himself in the world of kundiman. On the other hand, Printup has long been familiar with the style, having grown up with it. Her deep-rooted understanding of the repertoire brings an added layer of authenticity to the project.
The album opens with ‘Dahil Sa Iyo,’ a beloved piece by Miguel Velarde Jr., known for his numerous classic Filipino songs. This particular track has been sung in English by Nat King Cole and Jerry Vale. The setlist also features ‘Kundiman Ni Rizal’ and ‘Canto de María Clara,’ both of which were explored in Muñeses ’previous album NOLI ME TÁNGERE—a tribute to the 19th-century Filipino national hero José Rizal. Additional works by revered Filipino composers like Constancio de Guzman, Ernani Cuenco, Nicanor Abelardo, and Dolores Paterno round out the collection. While these names may not be widely known outside the Philippines, they are foundational figures in the development of kundiman and other traditional Filipino music forms.
The interplay between Muñeses ’saxophone and Printup’s harp is mesmerizing. Where a duo with piano might offer more rhythmic drive, harp brings a unique fluidity. “Harp is a very delicate percussive instrument,” Muñeses notes. “There are elements of rebound and recoil to the sound, so weaving through time felt very different. A lot of my compositions tend to be intense and driving, so this was almost the polar opposite.”
Kundiman, which emerged in the late 19th and early 20th century, carries echoes of the Philippines’ Spanish colonial past. Originally used for love serenades, the form evolved to
embody deeper patriotic sentiments after José Rizal referenced it in his 1887 novel “Noli Me Tángere.” For Muñeses and Printup, both first-generation Filipino Americans, exploring this musical tradition represents more than an artistic choice—it’s a profound connection to their cultural identity and heritage.
In his liner notes, Muñeses reflects on his experience as a Filipino American: “In an era when anti-Asian sentiment has been on the rise in the United States, I’ve felt torn between being grateful to live here and angry at the injustices that have been perpetrated… I have also been encouraged to take pride in a heritage that gives me a unique perspective on what the ‘American dream ’represents to non-natives.”
PAG-IBIG KO VOL.1 works as both a love letter and a reclamation of cultural heritage. Muñeses and Printup approach these songs with respect, creating an intimate conversation between saxophone and harp where both voices matter equally. It’s a pretty record that emphasizes the beauty of the original melodies themselves. There’s something genuinely moving about how this duo brings these traditional Filipino pieces to life through their thoughtful, measured interplay – letting the songs speak largely for themselves. PAG-IBIG KO VOL.1 is a quiet but profound statement of Filipino American identity through sound.
