Farm worker plays carols with family harp

Farm worker Paul Costaños sets himself apart from other carolers by plucking strings of a harp to play classic Christmas songs.

At the start of December, the 46-year-old Costaños, travels from Cebu City to towns to serenade households with Christmas melodies.

By 6 a.m., he boards a jeepney carrying his five-kilo harp to head to towns like Liloan in northern Cebu where he plays old favorites like Silent Night.

As the sun sets, Costaños goes to work for a farm owner in Opon in Mactan.

“Playing the harp is “very inspiring,” said this native of Naga city.

“It’s mentioned in the Bible that King David played the harp. That’s what interested me to learn it,” said Costaños, who’s been playing the instrument for 17 years.

He learned to play from his eldest brother, who also learned the craft of making harps from an old neighbor in Naga city, south Cebu. Since then, the skill has been passed on to other family members.

“I thought of caroling with the harp because it’s unique and it has a very Christmas-y feeling,” he said of the heavenly images the silvery notes evoke.

Costaños also sells made-to-order harps at P10,000 a piece depending on the size and materials used.

“Kung dili ko mo-suroy dili man pud mi mahalinan (If I don’t travel, I can’t sell my harps),” he said.

By sheer perseverance Costañaos attracted some customers to take interest in his caroling and learn how to play and buy harps for themselves.

As to whether he wants his children to support and continue his harp-playing, Costaños said he’s leaving it to them to decide.

For now, the farm worker said it’s more than a a source of extra income for his family.

“The harp is the legacy my brother left us before he died,” Costaños told Cebu Daily News.