TRACK #12: BIYAHENG LANGIT

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