Rosas Pandan is a Philippine folk song composed by Domingo "Minggoy" Lopez (1912-1981). It's form is that of a "balitaw" -- a humorous/romantic musical dialogue in 3/4 time and minor key. Here's a nice classical guitar arrangement: And a mandolin orchestra version, sounding much like a rondalla (Spanish/Philippine plucked string orchestra with 14-string bandurrias!) Rosas Pandan has enjoyed a surge in popularity in choral world via Hernandez's SATB arrangement. Here is the Philippine Madrigal Singers' performance -- probably the definitive choral performers of Rosas Pandan. Don't miss the sweet descant at 1:42: I've dropped Hernandez's arrangement in the box. Shall we?
