Novelty singer-comedian: Max Surban finally gets “recognized” in his hometown

Max Surban, regarded as one of the country’s novelty music greats, said that he has collected various distinctions for his albums, hits and contributions as a whole to the music scene in Manila and even in other places outside the country where he had been invited to perform. But the singer, who has also been touted as “King of Visayan Song,” revealed that never had he received any recognition in his own hometown here in Cebu throughout his decades-long singing career.

Not until the fitting and long-overdue award he received last Saturday, March 15, during the “Halad sa Kinaiyang Sugbuanon” evening affair held at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), that recognized his contribution to the promotion of Cebuano music and the arts.

 “This is my first-ever award in Cebu, that’s why I’m really thankful to Dr. Dodong Gullas for his kindness and all those who came to watch and enjoy the show,” the 60-something Surban told the audience in the packed CICC after a rousing six-song performance.   

Surban rocked the venue at CICC with his well-loved songs like “Gihidlaw na Intawon Ako (Mitulo Na)” that even had many young people in the audience singing along to the lyrics. In between numbers, raucous laughter greeted Surban’s amusing stories, which were told in his trademark cheeky humor—from his being a budding singer “na taga-bukid” who entered various amateur contents; to how his music was banned during the Martial Law because of its alleged “double entendre” meaning; to his escapades with the Bol-anon novelty music legend who became his constant buddy and “kumpare”—the late Yoyoy Villame—while trying to make it in Manila.

Surban was one of the five outstanding Cebuanos feted during the “Halad sa Kinaiyang Sugbuanon,” which was also a first-of-its-kind cultural and musical presentation spearheaded by the Ang Tipiganan ug Handuman sa Kanta ug Kinaiyang Sugbuanon Foundation, Inc. of Dr. Jose “Dodong” R. Gullas.

Also bestowed during the event were posthumous awards for esteemed Cebuano composers Domingo “Minggoy” Lopez (“Rosas Pandan,” “Kamingaw sa Payag,” “Kagahapon ug Karon,” etc.), Prof. Manuel “Maning” Velez (“Lawiswis Kawayan,” “Makabibihag ang Rosas,” “Kabukiran”) and Dr. Francisco Maningo (“Luyo sa Dag-um,” “Hilit sa Damgo,” “Handumon Ko, Gugma Ko,” etc.), which were received by family members. Martial arts expert and Eskrido (a combination of Eskrima, Jiu-Jitsu and Judo) creator Ciriaco “Cacoy” Canete, who at 89 years old still looks fit, came to personally accept his award.

Some of the classics by Lopez, Velez and Maningo were poignantly interpreted by local recording artists Novo Bono, Jr., Al Comendador, and the “original diva of Cebu,” Erlinda Dajao-Sayson. Compositions of the late Vicente Rubi and Ben Zubiri, awardees of last year’s “Halad sa Sugbuanong Honi,” another pet project of Dr. Gullas, were also performed.

Mariano Concepcion, a Balikbayan from New York, was particularly touched, revealing in an interview that he was a former neighbor to Ben Zubiri and a son of Vicente Rubi in Ramos Street. He said that Iyo Carpio (AKA Zubiri) composed “Matud Nila” using the piano in his lolo’s sala so much so “the show brought back many wonderful memories of my childhood.”

It was a nostalgic trip down memory lane, he said, having not heard these songs for a long time now. “Dr. Gullas has a big heart for doing ‘Kinaiyang Sugbuanon.’ [Watching the show] made me feel proud to be a Cebuano,” Concepcion said.

Award-winning UV Chorale also churned out well-applauded number after number, while the “re-introduction” of pamalaye, kulilisi sa hari and harana by some University of the Visayas students noticeably drew cheers, visibly delighted the younger audiences, whose experiences of these age-old traditions were probably nil and their knowledge no longer first-hand.

According to Ted Patrick Boglosa, a student from Silliman University in Dumaguete City who was able to attend the event upon the invitation of a friend, “The show made me think about the beauty of the tradition of the musicality in Cebu and had me appreciate it even more. Being young and Ilonggo, watching the show was more of a feel-the-song thing rather than understanding it word per word. You can always see, feel, and absorb what they mean through the music.” -- NMT