Patriotism and a love of music as part of our cultural heritage wafted through the air during the recent media conference of the Philippine Opera Company (POC) at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

The occasion served to announce “Ang Bagong Harana,” sequel to the successful 2008 “Harana,” a compendium of Filipino songs (and dances) which went on to tour the Visayas and Palawan, and even Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

“Ang Bagong Harana” will be staged at the RCBC Plaza Theater in Makati City on Sept. 29-30, 8 p.m., and Oct. 1, 3:30 and 8 p.m.

The harana is a cherished Filipino tradition (now dead, I think) in which a barrio swain, accompanied by his friends and a guitarist compadre, would serenade a girl he is wooing.

According to my choirmaster, the veteran composer Jerry A. Dadap, recalling his youth in Southern Leyte, if the young lady being courted didn’t like the singing, she would throw a bucketful of urine at the men! Aruy.

For the POC’s purposes, however, the harana can mean any well-loved Filipino love song or even OPM (Original Pilipino Music), given a new arrangement, interpreted in resplendent native costumes and, reaching out to the youth, encouraging love of country and its glorious musical heritage.

“Ang Bagong Harana” will feature the compositions of Nicanor Abelardo, Francisco Santiago, Constancio C. de Guzman, José Estella, National Artist Antonio Molina, Felipe P. de Leon, Ernani Cuenco and Levi Celerio; Restie Umali, George Canseco, Willy Cruz and Ryan Cayabyab.

To perform the songs are Al Gatmaitan, Marvin Gayramon, Karla Gutierrez, Lawrence Jatayna, Charley Magalit, Aizel Prietos, Nazer Salcedo, Jack Salud, Marian Santiago, Janine Santos, Floyd Tena and Jurgen Unterberg.

During the presscon, the ensemble interpreted time-honored art and folk songs such as “Sa Kabukiran,” “Manang Biday,” “Pubring Alindahaw,” “Ati Cu Pung Singsing” and “Sarungbanggi.”

These were capped by a rather solemn, choral-operatic version of Freddie Aguilar’s “Anak.”

“More than just a selection of well-loved Filipino songs,” said director Floy Quintos, “our Harana is a love letter to the nation, our history, our ideals, our lost past… it is breaking down geographical barriers to find out what unites us.”

Soprano Gutierrez, artistic director of POC, said there is now a new generation which appreciates opera and Philippine music. “There is a market for classical music. We would like to update… to revive the zarzuela, everything.”

Tenor Salcedo, a familiar figure in operatic and musical productions, observed that the show “represents who we are. We are not a successful country if we don’t know our past.”

Baritone Jatayna noted that other countries go back to their roots, like the Germans with their lieder and the French with their chanson. “We want to develop in the youth love of country.”

Baritone Jack Salud was more succinct: “Here is my culture and I am proud of it.”