Here's the Story Behind 'Harana' and Why Parokya ni Edgar Covered It
Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda recalled the time he first heard "Harana," which would become one of the group's signature hits. He was at a party in college and the Ateneo tough guy of that time was singing it.
Miranda said he couldn't believe how a badass could sing such a tender love song about a professing love under the stars, beneath a cool breeze. They just had to record it. The song would endear the 90s rock super group to the ladies and would become the anthem of many high school and college sweethearts of that era.
"Iba yung appeal, nung time ng rock and roll, biglang itong bad boy na nagbabanda kumanta ng Harana," Miranda told journalist Jing Castaneda's YouTube channel.
"Nung time na yun, ang ingay ng mga banda e. We were sa batch ng E-heads, Siakol and Rivermaya. First single namin si Buloy which talked about suicide. Rock and roll talaga. Naglabas kami ng Harana which I think endeared Parokya to the masses more.
Harana was based on a true story
Also in the roundtable were the songwriter of "Harana," Eric Yaptangco and two men who sang it before Parokya, Cholo Mallillin and Chito Miranda.
Yaptangco and his college crew would always help a torpe member of the barkada to profess love to his girl. There was a script: the "I love you" will be said in a romantic spot. Friends singing love songs would set the mood and the Romeo of the day will sing a few verses, no matter if it's off-key.
Three declarations of love later, Yaptangco felt it was time for an original. Based on their past experiences, he wrote "Harana" in two hours. "Yung lyrics nun, true-to-life."
"One evening, sinulat ko lang yung mga nangyayari. Naka-porma, naka-barong, nasisintunado sa kaba," he said.
Yaptangco said it was important for the guy to sing the harana or serenade, even if out of tune. "Kailangan galing sa puso. Maski hindi maganda, maski hindi perfect pagkakakanta, kailangan kakanta pa din."