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In a time when love songs often lean towards grand gestures or heartbreak anthems, one band is reviving a tradition long forgotten—harana. Meet PAHAM, a rising OPM band with a sound they proudly call “harana-pop.”
Harana is a traditional Filipino practice of courtship that involves a young man serenading his love interest, often at night. The act usually includes the man, sometimes accompanied by friends or a musical group, singing romantic songs outside the woman’s home to express his affection and win her heart.
Bringing harana into the modern era
“We want to bring back the traditional serenade,” says James, lead guitarist of PAHAM. “But we also want to give it a modern twist so that even while we’re serenading, different generations can still relate.”
Their self-titled debut album, Paham, is a collection of 12 tracks inspired by personal experiences and the emotions they want to share with their listeners.
“We want people to feel different emotions—but positive emotions,” they emphasize.
One of their favorite tracks, “Gunita,” embodies this message perfectly. “It’s about giving assurance to your partner—that no matter what happens, he will always choose you,” one of the members shares.
Composed of Kian, James, Simon, Yuan, and Ryen, PAHAM is a group of students and music enthusiasts bound by their love for OPM and deep Tagalog words. Their name, which means “wise men” in ancient Tagalog, reflects their appreciation for Filipino culture and language.
Originally classmates and churchmates, they found each other through music, with drummer Ryen joining after watching one of their gigs.
With their music deeply rooted in romance, it’s no surprise that PAHAM considers themselves “lover boys.” In fact, most of them have personally serenaded their partners.
“Harana all the way,” they say in unison.
This makes their music the perfect soundtrack for Valentine’s Day. Their sound blends old-school romance with modern production, making it an ideal choice for couples who want to relive the magic of traditional courtship.
Despite being a young band, PAHAM dreams of playing in front of a massive crowd. Their influences range from Dilaw and The Juans to The 1975 and Rex Orange County—all artists known for deep connection with audiences.
As for dream collaborations? “Internationally, Rex Orange County and Daniel Caesar. Locally, it would be amazing to work with Regine Velasquez and Jaya,” they share.
But for now, they focus on inviting everyone to listen to their music.
“Stream our album Paham on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Follow us at Paham Official on IG and TikTok, and Paham on Facebook,” they concluded. — Angelica Villanueva
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Credit belongs to: www.manilastandard.net
