Reigniting a Filipino tradition and creating a space to showcase Louisian talents, the Saint Louis University (SLU) Talged Center staged its February special, “Uso Pa Ba ang Harana? A Valentine’s Day Jamming” on 11 February 2026 at the Talged Center, SLU Main Campus.
The featured performers, collectively known as B4, are first-year students from the SLU School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA). According to the group, B4 was formed because they all belong to the same block section; and since there are four members in the group, they decided to name their ensemble Block-4 (B4).
Justine S. Latawan, Talged Center Assistant, officially opened the activity by introducing B4 to the Louisian students present. She shared that the group members are regular visitors of the Talged Center and are often seen practicing singing and playing the guitar at the Performing Stairs.
She further explained that since the Talged Center has only been in existence for a year and a half, this was the first time they initiated this kind of activity. The goal was to create an engaging activity where students could join and jam together, especially with Valentine’s Day fast approaching.
‘Harana’ is a classic tradition of courtship, where a man serenades a woman by singing love songs as a symbol of admiration, sincerity, and respect. Although harana is not as commonly practiced today, it remains an important part of Filipino cultural and musical heritage.
For B4, however, they proved that everyone deserves to be serenaded. Through their heartfelt performance, they made the Louisian attendees feel appreciated and valued so they naturally joined the jamming session, enthusiastically singing along with the performers. The songs performed included “Harana” by Parokya ni Edgar, “Ako Na Lang” by Zia Quizon, “Kisame” by Rhodessa, “Pasalubong” by Ben&Ben and Moira Dela Torre, and “Pag-ibig ay Kanibalismo” by Fitterkarma.
Reintroducing harana served as a way of reviving a tradition that is slowly being forgotten, highlighting its significance in time for Valentine’s Day. Beyond the celebration, the activity aimed to strengthen community bonds, showing how a musical performance unites people, provides a platform and an instrument for students to expose their potentials, and encourages the time to pause and connect with one another.
The SLU Talged Center continues to be an open and safe space for all Louisians, welcoming students to visit, take a break from their daily routines, rest on its bean bag sofas, and enjoy a warm and inviting atmosphere. Even without Wi-Fi, the Talged Center offers a unique opportunity for students to disconnect from screens and genuinely connect with fellow Louisians who share the space. (Article by Mariam Qatarina R. Santos, UIO Intern | Photos by Kassandra Marie A. Lucero, UIO Intern)
