Isang Taong Lumipas and other lyrical gems of Joey Reyes

I binged on a lot of Christmas music these past weeks. That means that lots of times, I was also listening to lyrics written by Jose Javier Reyes. After all, he was responsible for the words of Kumukutikutitap, Paskong Walang Hanggan, Anong Gagawin Mo Ngayong Pasko and Isang Taong Lumipas.

Yes, I mean the same multi-awardee Jose Javier Reyes. The screenwriter for Oro, Plata, Mata, Hotshots, Sana Maulit Muli, 4 Sisters and a Wedding, and Girlfriend for Hire. The director of May Minamahal, Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo, Pare Ko, Kung Ako Na Lang Sana, Till My Heartaches End. The occasional actor, Shake Rattle & Roll. Television writer, Palibhasa Lalaki. And the professor for film at the College of Saint Benilde.

Now, I want to add that he also happens to be an extraordinarily gifted lyricist. As in for theater, Katy, the musical about bodabil legend Katy de la Cruz with the song Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako. For pop tunes, he did Iisa Pa Lamang, a monster hit by Joey Albert, with music by Danny Tan. And then those Christmas songs with music composed by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab.

It does not come as a surprise that very few people know Reyes also writes songs. I checked his Wikipedia page and it does not even mention his music credits. This is really a pity. I honestly believe that as an art, music is superior to film. Just think, a film can take two hours to make the audience feel its message, but a song can do a story complete with feelings for the listeners in three minutes. Reyes’ lyrics do that.

It is unfortunate but lyricists get short shrift everywhere. When a song is mentioned, the focus is always on the melodist. This is fine for instrumental works, Fur Elise by Beethoven or Ballade for Adeline by Richard Clayderman or Songbird by Kenny G.

But Climb Every Mountain by Richard Rodgers will not be Climb Every Mountain without Oscar Hammerstein II. And can you imagine Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story without the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim?

This holds true all the time. Just as Mike Velarde’s Dahil Sa ‘Yo will not be Dahil Sa ‘Yo without Dominador Santiago or Lucio San Pedro’s Ugoy ng Duyan will not be Ugoy ng Duyan without Levi Celerio.

And while Cayabyab’s pretty melodies certainly sparkle with Christmas cheer, it is because of the lyrics by Reyes that the songs have become Christmas classics.

That is the reason why I open and end my Christmas music listening time with Isang Taong Lumipas. There are versions by the San Miguel Chorale and Orchestra, the Ateneo Chamber Singers and The CompanY. I cannot think of another song that so captures the nostalgia, the merriment and even the sadness that comes when family and friends get together every year during Christmastime.

That is also why I want to share those oh-so-real and oh-so-affecting words by Reyes now that we have said goodbye to another Christmas, to another year and welcomed a new one.

“Heto na naman tayo muling nagkasama/ taun-taon na lamang tayo’s nagkikita/ at kahit di nagkakausap nang anong tagal pa/ ‘pag nagkaharap-harap ang saya-saya.

“May ilan sa atin na hindi makakarating/ at may ilan pa sa kanilang ‘di na makapipiling/ ngunit kahit wala sila ay parang nandiyan pa rin/ dahil sila ay nandid’iyan sa puso natin.

“Isang taong lumipas/ isang taong dumaan/ may tumaba, may pumayat, may nagtampuhan/ may nagkabati, may nagsama’t hiwalayan/ kaya ang dami-dami nating kuwentuhan.

“Isang taong lumipas/ isang taong dumaan/ may nadagdag sa atin/ mayroon ding nabawasan/ ngunit sa dinami ng mga taong pinagsamahan/ tuwing Pasko tayo at tayo pa rin lamang.”