A song for Duterte

MANILA, Philippines – Artists like singer-songwriters don’t perform only for themselves or for music lovers. They perform for those whose eyes need to see reality, no matter how harsh. And it doesn’t matter if you’re Juan dela Cruz or President Rody Duterte.

Because of this, Noel Cabangon came up with socially-relevant songs like Tatsulok, which is about violence and the yawning gap between rich and the poor.

Rom Dongeto, Noel's co-member in Buklod, wrote the song in 1989, when former president Cory Aquino’s government wrestled with coup d’etats and human rights problems. Today, 27 years after, Noel says Duterte’s government is plagued by similar ills. So he’s dedicating the song to the highest official of the land.

The singer-songwriter is a staunch supporter of former president Noynoy Aquino. Noel performed in Aquino’s inauguration as president in 2010. He joined fellow artists who serenaded Duterte’s predecessor when he returned to his Times street home as private citizen.

“Tatsulok is relevant because it talks about injustice and other problems we’re facing. The extrajudicial killings affect the poor,” Noel comments on today’s headlines.

He laments at the way those suspected of having anything to do with drugs are treated.

Noel thinks these actions violate a person’s right to life.

“No one, not even the state, can take it from you. That’s what laws that promote justice are for. Taking another’s life becomes a form of vengeance.  It doesn’t solve the problem,” he adds.

The Universal Records artist is that vocal about the right to life, and keeping the fifth commandment — “Thou shall not kill” — because within him beats the heart of a Jesuit Communications (Jescom) artist and a Youth Marian Crusade member .

It was Jescom that opened many doors for Noel when it released his songs many years ago. Now, it’s payback time for him as Noel has decided to plough back all his royalties for the new album Sa ‘Yo Lamang (Universal Records) to Jescom.

The Jescom Foundation board member chose a mix of love songs, inspirational music and socially-relevant tracks for the album.

The title song is composed by Jesuit priest Manoling Francisco. Noel’s Inang Pilipinas and After the Deluge are a call to help the country by voting wisely and helping each other after typhoon Yolanda, respectively.

All work and no play makes Noel a dull boy. So he’s headlining Traffic Jam, a concert filled with songs you’d want to listen to when you’re bored and caught smack in the middle of — yes, a traffic jam.

Proceeds of the shows, set Sept. 16 at the Music Museum, Greenhills and Oct. 21 at PETA Theater in Quezon City (both a Friday), will help defray actor-director Soxy Topacio’s medical expenses.

“When we’re stuck in traffic, we want to ease boredom and turn the radio on to listen to all kinds of music,” Noel explains.

He promises a repertoire of happy music and unique arrangements, with a brass section thrown in for good measure.

Ogie Alcasid, Rico Blanco and Aicelle Santos will have spot numbers.

Noel himself makes every moment of a music lover’s life count with songs that give a new twist to well-loved melodies.

His take on Rey Valera’s hit, Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok Ko, was so different, young people thought Noel himself wrote the original version.

“I reinterpret the song and veer away from the original. This way, I add to my repertoire,” Noel explains.

Going out of the box makes Noel as relevant as ever in this age of stiff competition from new artists.

“May bumibili pa naman ng albums ko,” he smiles.

Millennials listen to his work via Spotify and iTunes. Their elders, meanwhile, can always turn to CDs.

Besides, people will always listen to songs that engage them in ways they’ve never seen or heard before. Music lovers will lap up songs that make them sing along or look at things in a different light.

That’s what Noel wants his songs to be. That’s how his songs continue to strike a chord, years after he wrote them for a different generation.