Original Pilipino Music Rises Again with Noel Cabangon's "Panaginip"

In an age of covers and revivals, local artists has been struggling to create something new and fresh. Maybe because of the fact that foreign music is currently the fad of this generation and it dominates the airwaves. But despite all the hindrances, one artist stands tall holding up his brave face.

Noel Cabangon, OPM living legend is now back once again with a new album under Universal Records. But unlike his last album "Byahe", Noel is taking the shot of releasing an album with more original tracks. "Panaginip" consists of 15 tracks with 4 covers and 11 original compositions by Noel himself. The album was recorded at Sound Creation with notable arrangers Bob Aves, Fred Garcia, Ria Villena-Osorio, Simon Tan and Ito Rapadas.

So why "Panaginip"? “Dahil lahat ng kanta ay nagmumula sa imahinasyon", Cabangon replied. "Ang mga awit ay tula, ang mga tula ay awit. Ang mga awit ay likha ng malayang panaginip. Ang panaginip ay likha ng malayang isip. Ang pag-iimagine ay malaya, wala namang nagbabawal sa iyo.”

Cabangon also expresses his thoughts about the popularity of covers than originals in local industry. “It’s a bit risky, kasi sa panahon ngayon ‘in’ pa rin ang covers”, says Cabangon. “Byahe was an overwhelming success because the advantage was it had very familiar songs. But Universal Records is behind me. It is called Panaginip because it’s a challenge for a songwriter is for his creation to be heard. Kailangan tayo gumawa ng originals. We have to move forward and write more songs. For the songs in this album, hinahanap ko yung elegance ng mga hit songs. As songwriters, we need to challenge ourselves into creating a brilliant concept and to become brilliant songwriters na di natin makita sa mga new songs, walang sophistication and elegance. We should try to write lyrics that are poetic without becoming too deep. We need to challenge our listeners. Kailangan makadagdag na rin tayo to the rich anthology ng Philippine music.”

Album includes song collaborations with former Sugarfree frontman Ebe Dancel (“Hulog Ka ng Langit”) and Diamond soul siren Nina (“Ikaw Na Sana”). Additional tracks include the title track “Panaginip”, as well as “Dahan Dahan”, “Bayani ng Bayan”, “Ngayon ang Bagong Simula”, the hip-hop flavored “Walang Katulad” and the haunting “Awit ng Naghahanap”, a heart-wrenching tune inspired by victims of political killings. Of course three longtime original songs from Noel Cabangon are also included in the album (“Sana Dumating Ka na”, “Dahil Nariyan Ka” and the '80s inspired “Umuulan sa Tag-araw, Umaaraw sa Tag-Ulan”).

The rest of the album is composed of four cover tracks but all proudly Filipino made like “Bulag, Pipi, Bingi” (Grand prize song of the 2nd Metropop Music Festival, originally performed by Freddie Aguilar), the Heber Bartolome classic “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy”, “Tag-Ulan” by Lolita and The Boys and the Pete Lacaba/Ding Achacoso-written “Sangandaan”, which gained attention from the Mike De Leon classic film "Sister Stella L".

“This album encapsulates my dreams for my country, my fellowmen and my friends,” says Cabangon. “It’s one big challenge to do well primarily on original songs but this is one of the challenges that is worth working hard for, para mabigyan buhay ang bayan.”