KUNDIMAN NG LUHA (Love Song of Tears)

Kundiman ng Luha (Kundiman of Tears) is one of the most poignant works of Nicanor Abelardo, with lyrics by the celebrated poet Jose Corazon de Jesus. Composed in 1924, the song embodies the height of the kundiman art form—melding poetic lyricism with Abelardo’s rich, expressive harmonies. Its theme of sorrow and unfulfilled longing is captured in the imagery of tears, symbolizing both personal grief and the depth of emotional sacrifice in love. Through its haunting melody and poetic text, Kundiman ng Luha stands as a masterpiece of Filipino art song, reflecting the union of music and poetry that defines the kundiman tradition.