Throughout Bukas Palad’s 21-year history, the group has worked with a host of Filipino artists, and the experience has been most rewarding. We have performed many times with the likes of Basil Valdez, Dulce, and Nolyn Cabahug in various concerts, and have sung back-ups in recordings with Ariel Rivera, Anna Fegi, Roselle Nava, and Karylle, among others. Jim Paredes has invited us to sing in several of his commercial jingles, and Ryan Cayabyab had once called on us to guest in his weekly show. Jose Mari Chan, The CompanY, and the Bolipata brothers have agreed to guest in our concerts, while Cooky Chua, Jett Pangan, Regine Velasquez and Lea Salonga have accepted our invitation to sing our songs.
There are many others yet with whom we have shared a recording booth or concert stage with, but the one artist with whom Bukas Palad has enjoyed the most opportunities for collaboration must have to be Noel Cabangon. Noel has recorded in two of our albums, interpreting SA TINGIN MO (Let Your praises Be Heard, 2003) and SANLIBONG BUHAY (God of Silence, 2005). We have sung back-ups in some of his recordings, and he has immortalized a couple of songs written or arranged by Bukas Palad members for the Jesuit Music Ministry. Noel has guested in several BP shows singing our original songs, and once, while watching him perform at 70s Bistro, he invited us to perform on stage. Noel and Bukas Palad have also appeared together in the MTV of PAGHAHANDOG.
This year, we collaborate once more with Noel contributing to Bukas Palad’s latest album, his song, BIYAHENG LANGIT.
Based on Chapter 25 of Leviticus, BIYAHENG LANGIT speaks of celebrating the Jubilee year—announcing through a blast on an instrument made from a ram’s horn, the recovery of every household’s absent members, the return of land to its former owners, the emancipation of slaves, and the remittance of all debts. Noel writes:
“Ipagbunyi ang taong mapagpalaya, patunugin ang tambuli ng galak
Gawing banal ang sansinukuban sa kagandahang-loob Niyang dumatal
“Bayan, buong siglang ipahayag ang pagparito ng Diyos nating dakila
Pag-ibayuhin ang ginhawang dulot ng balitang mapagpalaya”
I had the privilege of arranging Noel’s song while interpreting with my ears the spirit behind the verses that had inspired the composer. Yes, I wanted a celebratory feel and so opted for a track that people could certainly groove to. However, I was avoiding sounding danceable but flippant. To me, while the song speaks of jubilation for God’s love, it has a seeming “protest” feel to it:
“Kalagan ang lahat ng mga bihag ang inusig ng makapangyarihan
Buong bayan ng Diyos ay palayain sa mga bisig ng gahaman
“Sumulong tayo sa lupang pangako at kapit-bisig tayong maglakbay
Katarungan ni Yahweh, itaguyod laban sa panlilinlang
Puksain ang ugat ng pagkabulag at durugin ang mga tanikala
Ipahayag na ngayon ay mamamayani, kagandahang-loob ng Diyos”
I do not know if dance-rock is a legitimate musical genre, but that’s the sound I was aiming for. Add to that some synthesizers plus the choral voices of Bukas Palad, and there you have the cacophony of sound that occupied my head while working on the song.
Two weeks ago, I bumped into Noel at the studio while he was working on yet another song. He asked me about my treatment of his song. Unable to describe it, I simply offered him one word: SECRET.
It is a challenge collaborating with one of the most successful songwriters of this generation, especially since I know Noel has dedicated his art and life to causes with a purpose. He is a board member of Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC), and is involved in the campaigns of World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and Global Call to Action Against Poverty.
The opportunity of working with a man of this caliber is quite rewarding.
BIYAHENG LANGIT
Disc: Inspirational
Music and lyrics: Noel Cabangon
Instrumental and vocal arrangment: Norman Agatep
Featuring Bukas Palad on vocals with descant by Candice Cabutihan-Cipullo
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
TRACK 11#: NO BETTER REST (Xavier's Theme)
Those who have made a spiritual connection with such songs as PILGRIM’S THEME, ALL SHALL BE WELL, EMPTY SPACE or FAR GREATER LOVE, may find themselves being touched once more by yet another collaboration from Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ and Fr. Johnny Go, SJ. Bukas Palad is soon to release through its album, HINDI KITA MALILIMUTAN, the song NO BETTER REST (XAVIER’S THEME) from the two Jesuits.
I believe this shall be the third version of NO BETTER REST. Maybe 10 years ago, I was approached by Fr. Mano to arrange the original version, which was going to be the soundtrack of a scene in a documentary Fr. Johnny was producing on the life of St. Francis Xavier. Cholo Mallillin was invited to interpret the track.
Even then, it was easy to be mesmerized by the song’s stirring melody and poignant story. I was directed to mimic through music, the sound of an epic voyage—a journey aboard a mighty vessel that would traverse the calm seas and weather the toughest storms. And why not? NO BETTER REST captures the thoughts and desires of Xavier as he crosses the globe and dares the waves to seek out the poor and sick and to spend his time in ministering to their needs. Yet while occupied all day with such incessant labors, he would spend the greater part of the night in prayer:
“Give a sign, what’s on your mind
And I’ll leave my world behind
If you bid me so, wherever I go
I’ll find you there I know
Always before me you go
Both near and far, there you are
My one bright shining star
Well here I am at your command
Lead be my your hand.”
Years after the documentary was produced, another version of the song was created, this time as arranged by good friend Gino Torres and interpreted by alumni of Xavier School in Greenhills, Marvin Ong and Carlo Tanseco. Once again, through new voices, the story of Xavier would be narrated—his travels to the East, and how despite the difficulties that beset him, he would leave behind him a flourishing church wherever he went, guided by the hand of God:
“For even through the darkest night you’ll be my light
And there upon the strangest tongue I know I’ll hear your song
In every stranger’s gaze I will see your face
And I’ll go on ‘til every race falls into your embrace.”
Another year, another version. Childhood friend and multi-awarded arranger Marvin Querido was chosen to lend his touch to NO BETTER REST, which Bukas Palad has recorded this year for our latest album. We were young boys still when Marvin and I learned to play the keyboards and were coached by our respective mentors to begin arranging music; even then, Marvin proved to be a far more talented musician. Late last year, I slipped him a note briefing him on the song, but in truth, the note carried the same brief handed to me 10 years ago. This time, however, we encouraged Marvin to push the big voyage feel with rich strings and brasses, and to make more pronounced the song’s ebb and tide, its crescendos and decrescendos. No less than BP tenor, Reggie Regala, was challenged to interpret the track.
On August 25, BP shall be performing NO BETTER REST during our album launch of HINDI KITA MALILIMUTAN. Again, we shall hear Fr. Manoling’s and Fr. Johnny’s moving song. But certainly, no matter how many times Xavier’s story is told and retold, its message of intense faith and consuming love for God remains forever relevant.
“For there’s no better rest in this restless world
Than to hear and do your word.”
NO BETTER REST (XAVIER’S THEME)
Disc: Inspirational
Music: Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ
Lyrics: Fr. Johnny Go, SJ
Instrumental arrangement: Marvin Querido
Vocal Arrangement: Palan Reyes
Featuring Reggie Regala on vocals with the Bukas Palad
I believe this shall be the third version of NO BETTER REST. Maybe 10 years ago, I was approached by Fr. Mano to arrange the original version, which was going to be the soundtrack of a scene in a documentary Fr. Johnny was producing on the life of St. Francis Xavier. Cholo Mallillin was invited to interpret the track.
Even then, it was easy to be mesmerized by the song’s stirring melody and poignant story. I was directed to mimic through music, the sound of an epic voyage—a journey aboard a mighty vessel that would traverse the calm seas and weather the toughest storms. And why not? NO BETTER REST captures the thoughts and desires of Xavier as he crosses the globe and dares the waves to seek out the poor and sick and to spend his time in ministering to their needs. Yet while occupied all day with such incessant labors, he would spend the greater part of the night in prayer:
“Give a sign, what’s on your mind
And I’ll leave my world behind
If you bid me so, wherever I go
I’ll find you there I know
Always before me you go
Both near and far, there you are
My one bright shining star
Well here I am at your command
Lead be my your hand.”
Years after the documentary was produced, another version of the song was created, this time as arranged by good friend Gino Torres and interpreted by alumni of Xavier School in Greenhills, Marvin Ong and Carlo Tanseco. Once again, through new voices, the story of Xavier would be narrated—his travels to the East, and how despite the difficulties that beset him, he would leave behind him a flourishing church wherever he went, guided by the hand of God:
“For even through the darkest night you’ll be my light
And there upon the strangest tongue I know I’ll hear your song
In every stranger’s gaze I will see your face
And I’ll go on ‘til every race falls into your embrace.”
Another year, another version. Childhood friend and multi-awarded arranger Marvin Querido was chosen to lend his touch to NO BETTER REST, which Bukas Palad has recorded this year for our latest album. We were young boys still when Marvin and I learned to play the keyboards and were coached by our respective mentors to begin arranging music; even then, Marvin proved to be a far more talented musician. Late last year, I slipped him a note briefing him on the song, but in truth, the note carried the same brief handed to me 10 years ago. This time, however, we encouraged Marvin to push the big voyage feel with rich strings and brasses, and to make more pronounced the song’s ebb and tide, its crescendos and decrescendos. No less than BP tenor, Reggie Regala, was challenged to interpret the track.
On August 25, BP shall be performing NO BETTER REST during our album launch of HINDI KITA MALILIMUTAN. Again, we shall hear Fr. Manoling’s and Fr. Johnny’s moving song. But certainly, no matter how many times Xavier’s story is told and retold, its message of intense faith and consuming love for God remains forever relevant.
“For there’s no better rest in this restless world
Than to hear and do your word.”
NO BETTER REST (XAVIER’S THEME)
Disc: Inspirational
Music: Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ
Lyrics: Fr. Johnny Go, SJ
Instrumental arrangement: Marvin Querido
Vocal Arrangement: Palan Reyes
Featuring Reggie Regala on vocals with the Bukas Palad
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