Mla Bulletin online | Noel Cabangon’s new album speaks of his journey as songwriter and singer

By CRISPINA MARTINEZ-BELEN
November 15, 2009, 4:10pm

The title of his latest album, “Byahe,” speaks well of himself. “Byahe,” which means “trip,” describes Noel Cabangon’s journey as a songwriter and singer. As a young kid, Noel was shy, and then he metamorphosed into an outspoken advocate for the welfare of the less privileged, especially those who belong to the lowest rung of society. Another part of his advocacy was for the environment.

He knows that there is power in songs – so he uses it to express his advocacies. And it is for this reason that he has been invited to perform in several cause-oriented concerts abroad, notably in Europe. Through a group called Buklod in 1987, he has released three advocacy albums called “Bukid at Buhay,” an album which speaks of the lives, struggles and aspirations of the Filipino peasants; “Tatsulok,” an album on human rights; and “Sa Kandungan ng Kalikasan,” an advocacy album on the environment.

Noel described his songs in “Byahe” as “cross-over” or “middle of the road.”

“The songs were chosen from a list I submitted to the producer,” Noel said. “And I made a demo before I left abroad. When I came back, I was given the go-signal to record the songs.”

He added that “I chose those songs which fit my style, and there were touches which we introduced so that the young generation could appreciate it. In fact, the songs were also a tribute to our great songwriters.”

“Byahe” features the following songs: “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko” (originally popularized by Sharon Cuneta), “Tuloy Pa Rin” (Neocolours), “Binibini” (Rainmakers), “Ang Aking Awitin” (Bong Gabriel), “Di Na Natuto” (Gary Valenciano), “Ang Buhay Nga Naman” (Noel wrote it as theme song for the movie “Ded Na Si Lolo”), “Kanlungan” with Aia De Leon of Imago, “Dito Sa Kanto” with Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar, “Kung Kailangan Mo Ako” (Rey Valera), “Ipagpatawad Mo” (VST & Company), “Pag-ibig” (APO Hiking Society), “Pinay” (Florante), “Tao” (Sampaguita), “Pagbabalik” (Astri), and “Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika” (Hajji Alejandro).

Noel is one of the most travelled singers of the country. He has already toured most of the countries in central Europe and performed for the Filipinos and the Europeans in the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, France and Belgium.

In 2002, Noel, with the Jubilee South Network, was invited to perform at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil. As an advocate for the anti-debt campaign of the Southern countries, Noel performed together with artists from Africa and South America. And then at the World Social Forum in Mumbai, India in 2004. Noel also attended a workshop on the relevance of music on the theme “Another World is Possible,” where he met with several artists from other countries. The forum led to the production of a collaboration album called “Arts In Resistance.”

Source : http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/229622/noel-cabangon-s-new-album-speaks-his-journey-songwriter-and-singer