Castelo composes song for Q.C.

MANILA, Philippines – Dedicated to “the city of my birth,” veteran singer Anthony Castelo (photo) has composed and recorded a song that highlights the merits of living in Quezon City.

“Except for the time I lived briefly in the US, I have never lived anywhere else,” Anthony says.

Anthony’s love for the city has inspired him to write the song, Enjoy sa QC, which is being released in time for the closing of the 75th anniversary of the city’s foundation this month. Anthony recently presented the recording to Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte and Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Upbeat in tempo, the song is his tribute to the city that nurtured him from childhood. A former city councilor, Anthony grew up in what is now known as the Morato-Timog area. He recalls that in the ‘60s, Tomas Morato Ave. was known as Sampaloc Ave. as the stretch was dotted with huge sampaloc trees.

Anthony’s grandfather, Oscar Castelo, the former city attorney, was appointed by Pres. Sergio Osmeña as city mayor in 1945 in the effort to rebuild the city after World War II. Anthony grew up in the family compound in what is now the corner of Morato and Scout Fuentebella St. His father, lawyer Milo Castelo, was a former police chief also of Quezon City.

Anthony, who was acclaimed King of Romantic Songs with a string of hits (Balatkayo, Nang Dahil Sa Pag-ibig, Hahanapin Ko, Kaibigan) to his credit, similarly attended schools located in Quezon City: St. Joseph’s College (elementary), Trinity College, formerly known as Capitol City College (high school) and University of the Philippines (college).

Here are excerpts of his tribute song to Quezon City:

Enjoy sa Q.C.!

(Words and Music: Anthony Castelo)

Enjoy kami sa Q.C.

Future perfect dito

Magana na, maunlad pa

Dito ang metro centro

Enjoy kami sa Q.C.!

Malinis at mahangin

Dito kami ay tunay na

May puso at damdamin

Yes we’re full of

Love and joy

Enjoy kami

Sa Q.C.!

Enjoy kami sa Q.C.!

Ok ang business dito

Kay kuya at kay ate

Ay marami ang trabaho