Ruben Tagalog

Filipino actor and musician

Ruben Tagalog (October 17, 1922 – March 5, 1985) was a Filipino actor and musician, famous for his works in the kundiman style. He was also one of the founders of the singing group Mabuhay Singers. He is known as the Father of Kundiman. He was a member of the US Army during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.

He first caught the attention of radio listeners in the 1940s when he hosted his own radio program, Harana ni Ruben Tagalog. His baritone voice filled his songs "Ramona", "O Ilaw", Sayang, Azucena, and Nasaan Ka Ngayon with emotion. He revived danzas and balitaws like Nahan Kaya Ikaw, Bakit Ka Lumuluha, Barong Tagalog, Dalagang Pilipina, and Caprichosa. He was the first artist to record Bayan Ko and Ang Pasko ay Sumapit. Tagalog is also known for Harana or serenade songs such as Dungawin Mo, Hirang and Kay Lungkot Nitong Hatinggabi. In spite of his last name being "Tagalog", he was born in the city of Iloilo in the Visayas and thus was a speaker of Hiligaynon or Ilonggo. He released at least two albums in the Cebuano language: Ruben Tagalog Sings Visayan Songs and a duet album with Cebuana singer Nora Hermosa called Duet in Visayan. In the early 1950s, he became the first to popularise the Tagalog version of the 1933 Visayan Christmas carol "Kasadya Ning Taknaa" as "Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit". The Tagalog lyrics were written by Levi Celerio. He is also famous for performing Panahon 'tang Nagdaan, a kundiman composed by Ambrosio del Rosario.

He died on March 5, 1985, in Orange County, California. He is laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial in California.

Today, after Ruben's death, his legacy is also known as the Philippines Father Of Kundiman or Hari ng Kundiman (King of Kundiman) and the King of Ballads.

Year Title DirectorProduction Company 1955 Sintu Sinto Artemio B. Tecson Deegar Pictures, Freedom Pictures

His posthumous songs were featured on Yesterday and Remember When on DZMM every Sunday, and also featured on Moonlight Serenade every weekdays the following mornings on DZMM. DWIZ882 radio show 'Bella Filipina' (heard every Sunday evening) honored Ruben Tagalog's centennial for the entire month of October 2022, and continues to air his recordings of balitaws, danzas and novelties.