Songs with social relevance

MANILA, Philippines - Who would have thought that singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon, one of the more prominent music artists in the folk and acoustic genres, merely used to borrow guitar from his neighbor so he could perform in his nightly gigs?

Noel doesn’t hide that interesting, albeit little-known trivia about himself. When he started pinch-hitting for musicians and folk singers at Crown’s Delight, the now-defunct folk house in Cubao, Noel disclosed he would simply borrow his neighbor’s guitar.

Today, however, Noel has come a long way. From being a shy barrio boy in La Union, he has conquered the local music scene with his socially relevant songs that have made a mark to those who appreciate his music. He has undoubtedly made a name for himself in a niche genre that even established artists fear to tread.

Noel grew up listening to folk music in La Union, where most of his relatives and neighbors encouraged him to sing. Self-taught to play the guitar at 10, he was given his own instrument by his parents when he turned 18.

In Baguio, where he went to college at St. Louis University, Noel performed at Solibao, a modest watering hole beside Burnham Park. When he eventually came to Manila, Noel did regular gigs at Far West in Kamuning, My Father’s Moustache in Malate, Hobbit House and Elk’s Club.

“Kung saan-saan na ‘ko napadpad,” Noel allows. “But when I saw the need to really understand music and learn it, I took up classical guitar lessons at the UP Conservatory of Music under Gerry Duran of Acoustic Jive.”

When punk and new wave were the popular trend in the early ‘80s, Noel dauntlessly entered the music scene with his folk-rock group, Buklod, which recorded songs reflecting social, political and cultural issues. Their albums espouse their varied advocacies, from the environment to human rights causes.

“Even if pop was the more popular genre at that time, there were folk houses around where artists got to sing relevant songs,” Noel points out. “Activism was at its most intense moment then and Freddie Aguilar, Banyuhay ni Heber (Bartolome) and Asin were at the forefront of folk music.”

Noel became a household name with the song Kanlungan, the melodic ode that was used for a TV commercial of an American burger chain. The said tune, which he collaborated with Rom Dongeto, also made him a mainstream alternative artist.

As a solo performer, Noel captured a steadily growing following in his nightly stints. To date, he has released six solo albums — four of which with the Jesuit Music Ministry under Ateneo’s Jesuit Communications Foundation, Himig Nating Pag-ibig with an independent label and the latest with Universal Records.

“I am such a late-bloomer,” Noel beams. “At 45, I was able to get a recording deal with a major music label. Universal’s A&R (artist and repertoire) manager, Ito Rapadas, sent me a message on Facebook if I was interested to do a project with them. Everything simply fell into place. I’m so thankful for being given a chance.”

Noel’s newest CD, Biyahe, contains all OPM tunes, including two of his original compositions — Dito sa Kanto (with Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar) and Ang Buhay Nga (with Aia de Leon of Imago). The carrier track is the Sharon Cuneta original, Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok Ko. The album became No.1 in Music One’s charts for 20 weeks, has been certified gold and is still selling.

As a performer, Noel has been to places he never even imagined going to — Brazil, Kenya, India, Central Europe, Scandinavia, Singapore, Thailand and the US.

His music also found its way into the movies. Ang Buhay nga Naman was the theme of the independent film, Ded na si Lolo, the Philippine entry in the foreign language film category of the 2010 Academy Awards.

On May 18 and 25, Noel brings his music to the upscale Makati crowd as he takes centerstage at Merk’s Bar and Bistro, owned by jazz prince Richard Merk and wife Roni Tapia.

For his two-night show, Noel will render pop tunes by James Taylor, Sting, Simon and Garfunkel, Seal, U2 and Tracy Chapman, as well as his original compositions and the OPM revivals from his latest album.

“I’ve performed several times at Merk’s and in each show, I had a very good reception,” Noel offers.

The singer-songwriter has been married for 20 years now to former theater artist Beng Santos-Cabangon, executive director of PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association). They have a 17-year-old son, Gabriel, an incoming freshman at the Ateneo de Manila University. The young Cabangon, according to his dad, has displayed his penchant for music, singing and composing songs even at such an early age.

Apart from doing nightly gigs, Noel writes commercial jingles “to pay the bills and send my son to school.” To explore more of his creative side, he recently accepted the offer to write a weekly opinion column called Musika sa Kanto for Abante.

Noel is also part owner of Conspiracy, a music bar and lounge in Visayas Ave., Quezon City, where he performs on Wednesday nights. The other owners are fellow artists Joey Ayala, Gary Granada, Cynthia Alexander and Bayang Barrios.

With nearly 20 years of making beautiful melodies tucked under his belt, Noel expresses his desire to write more socially relevant songs that will be remembered by many generations to come.

“I don’t shoot up like a star, I’m just in the middle,” Noel says. “I use music not just to make money but to bring enlightening messages to the people. I hope to do that for many more years.”