This thesis is, first, an overarching work designed to advance statistical primary data pertaining to the subject of the Hispanic diatonic harp used in the Philippines, and particularly, a genre found in Cebuano speaking regions of the Central Visayas.

Split in its parts, Chapter 1 is a description of the Island of Cebu and certain musical genres encountered during the research period. The focus of the second chapter especially is on Filipino harp history with introductory material pertaining to the transference of the Hispanic harp from Europe to Latin America and then to its adaptation in the Philippines. A portion of this chapter broaches the subject of syncretic assimilation by Filipinos of Euro-Western musical and liturgical styles.

The third chapter is an organological comparison contrasting different Bisayan and Ilocano harps to delineate regional similarities and differences. In addition there are general comparisons made to Euro-Hispanic and Latin American harps found in secondary documentation. Statistical data comparing measurements of sixty-four Filipino harps is presented in the text with supplemental charts and graphs in the addendum.

Chapter four involves the construction of a Bisayan harp using data gathered during a one-month period on the island of Bohol. The gist of the text is a simplified description of procedures for making the harp. It is not meant to be highly technical and one should not look at the chapter as a step-by-step, or do-it-yourself guide to harp making.

The conclusion given in chapter five deals with a summary of subjects covered in the thesis, including personal theoretical assertions and problematic deviations in data.