Flores de Mayo is an annual Filipino tradition held every May. Literally meaning, “flowers of May,” floral offerings, singing of praises, and praying of novenas are done to honor the blessed Virgin Mary.

The UPCE archive have several field recordings of Flores de Mayo songs collected through the Ethnomusicological Survey of the Philippines project led by Dr. Jose Maceda in the 1960’s-1970’s. One of which is “Halina,” recorded by Marialita Tamanio Yraola in Taal, Batangas in 1971.

Here is an excerpt of “Halina”, sung by Mrs. Conchita Ilagan in 1971.

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