Musicians were entertaining visitors to the House of the Philippines cottage in Balboa Park today. Many of those walking through the International Cottages paused to listen.
I learned the beautiful string music was being created by members of CTFLC Rondalla, a local group organized in 2021 by the CTFLC (Council for Teaching Filipino Language and Culture).
According to a flyer that I was handed, the Rondolla is the Philippines’ original ensemble. It is composed of stringed instruments played with a plectrum (pick)…of Hispanic origin since the early Filipinos who made their first instruments patterned these after the guitars which the Spaniards brought with them to the Philippines……