Noel Cabangon stages benefit concert for PETA

September 28, 2012, 8:00 PM

Music Museum

Greenhills Shopping Center

San Juan

Noel Cabangon in concert.

I guess that’s already enough for a blog entry. Kidding aside, singer/songwriter Noel Cabangon’s upcoming concert entitled Tuloy ang Byahe The Concert at the Music Museum happening this September 28, 2012 at 8:00 PM is not just a regular concert that will feature some of the greatest OPM hits sung by him. This music event will also be a fund raiser for the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA).

Noel Cabangon

Speaking of PETA, most people don’t know that Noel Cabangon is a member of PETA since the 1990’s and has been a music director and also composed music for some of the company’s productions. He is also married to PETA’s Executive Director Maria Gloriosa “Beng” Santos-Cabangon. So when I saw the press preview of Bona, it was no longer surprising to see Noel Cabangon among the audience. PETA is currently celebrating their 45^th year and they’ve established a PETA Endowment Fund that aims to raise 50 million pesos just in time for their 50^th anniversary five years from now. Proceeds of Noel Cabangon’s concert go to this fund. Joining Noel in this concert are Bamboo, Christian Bautista, Gloc-9 and other special guests.

I’ve always liked Noel’s music with the Panaginip album being my favorite among the three he has released so far under Universal Records. The other two are the double platinum selling Byahe and Tuloy ang Byahe which was just released a couple of months ago and now fast approaching gold status. 

Noel Cabangon and Kean Cipriano of Callalily

Another thing aside from the PETA connection that most people don’t know is Noel Cabangon’s collaboration with the Embassy of Israel. I’ve been their friend for just a few years but I’ve learned that the Embassy, specifically the Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Yaniv Revach considers Noel Cabangon as one of his favorite Filipino artists. Late last year, Israeli musician Tal Kravitz came back here for the fourth time and recorded a duet with Noel for a CD project by the Embassy. The two recorded Pagdating ng Panahon, a song originally done by Aiza Seguerra who is also one of Yaniv’s favorites. I asked Tal if he could say a few words about Noel and this is what he has to say:

"Last October, 2011, I had the great privilege of recording together with one of the Philippines angels, Mr. Noel Cabangon. 

Apart from the great talent, soothing voice and the guitar virtuosity, this wonderful musician is no less than a modest, humble, sensitive person with a beautiful smile and good eyes!

Tal Kravitz and Noel Cabangon

I do feel very lucky to have met this dear artist and friend!"

These nice words only prove that Noel’s music reaches out to a very diverse audience which are not limited only to Filipinos. And these listeners are in for a treat when they head over to the Music Museum for Noel Cabangon’s Tuloy ang Byahe The Concert. Noel Cabangon is being managed by Orion Entertainment. For inquiries and bookings, please call (0916) 414-0358 or e-mail olrac1023@gmail.com.

Ticket prices:

P2500

P1200

P500

For inquiries:

(0917) 518-3654

TicketWorld 891-9999

Noel Cabangon's Tuloy ang Byahe Listening Session

Noel Cabangon

After 2011’s Panaginip, Noel Cabangon’s goes back to re-introducing some of Filipino music’s treasures from the past years to today’s listeners as he releases his latest album Tuloy ang Byahe. This album, his third under Universal Records, is the thematic follow up to his double platinum seller and Awit Award winning album Byahe released back in 2009. Tuloy ang Byahe continues Noel Cabangon’s musical journey down memory lane via 16 well-loved OPM classics along with some interesting regional tunes personally handpicked by him.

Having an album with 16 tracks coming from someone like Noel Cabangon, known primarily as a folk/acoustic act, carries the risk of sounding monotonous. He avoids this by adding more variety, texture and color via the arrangements and inclusion of instruments, like the flugelhorn and harmonica that are not normally associated with an acoustic set up. The flugelhorn was used in a more laidback and relaxed version of Paano, originally sung by Dulce. The harmonica gave character to the bossa nova tinged Kahit Na, a Zsa Zsa Padilla original. Pumapatak ang Ulan (originally by the APO Hiking Society), on the other hand, was given the 6/8 time signature treatment reminiscent of Byahe’s Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika. Smokey Mountain’s biggest hit, Kailan underwent a minor change in the lyrics shifting the perspective of the song from an unrequited teenaged girl crush to a more mature and brooding male angle. The Visayan folk song Usahay and a new composition in Noel’s native Ilocano dialect Sika Laeng Iti Biag give the album a rural feel which is nicely complemented by Hotdog’s Manila, given the urban vibe by collaborator Gloc-9. Anak by Freddie Aguilar, Handog by Florante and Malayo Pa Ang Umaga by Rey Valera serve as poignant moments in this album. There are more tracks in this album that resonate clearly with the Filipino soul and Noel Cabangon’s renditions and updates don’t deviate much from the essence of these songs.

Noel Cabangon at Radio Republic’s Live at 2299

I’ve also had the chance to meet Noel Cabangon recently at Radio Republic when he performed for the station’s Live at 2299 program. Tuloy ang Byahe wasn’t released back then so he performed songs from his previous releases. After the program, I’ve had the great pleasure of discussing with him various aspects of the local music industry. It was an enriching experience hearing his views and insights regarding the industry considering that he is also the current president of Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP). Whenever I listen to his records (specifically his latest releases Byahe, Panaginip and the subsequent Christmas repackaged edition and now, Tuloy ang Byahe), I realize immediately how his music, whether his originals or covers, connect not just with Filipino listeners but also with foreigners residing here as well. And having the opportunity to talk with him also made me realize why he is one of the most respected persons in the music industry. I will not be surprised if Tuloy ang Byahe will continue reaping the same success and accolades that his previous album has achieved.

Noel Cabangon’s Tuloy ang Byahe, released by Universal Records is now available at record stores nationwide. Its carrier single Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka and the rest of the album is also available for download over at MyMusicStore Philippines.

Tuloy ang Byahe

Tracks:

1. Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka

2. Anak

3. Kahit Na

4. Kailan

5. Malayo Pa ang Umaga

6. Ikaw Lang ang Aking Mahal

7. Usahay

8. Huwag Mong Sabihin

9. Sika Laeng Iti Biag

10. Paano

11. Lagi Na Lang

12. Iduyan Mo

13. Pumapatak ang Ulan

14. Manila with Gloc-9

15. Joey’s Theme (Umaga na Naman)

16. Handog