Soloist with soul

NOEL Cabangon recalls his struggling days as a newbie singer, enduring numerous rejections. ARNOLD ALMACEN

Since my good friend Noel Cabangon missed my nth debut bash, he sent me tickets to his concert.   “Pambawi sa absence ko,” he said. How sweet.

I enjoyed watching “Noel Cabangon Sings Your Playlist” at Teatrino Greenhills with my pal Bo Cerrudo last Thursday.

The place was jam-packed. The show’s concept allowed the audience to request songs from a set list of OPM and foreign titles.

Good things are worth repeating so Noel will do an encore on Nov. 14, 8 p.m., in the same venue.

When Noel strums his guitar, he makes you feel like he is caressing your heart. His singing style makes an old song sound new. Bravo to the soloist who’s got soul!

What’s the most requested song in your concert?

“Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok Ko.”

What are your do’s and don’ts before a show?

I try to get enough sleep. I rehearse at home. I do some exercises to strengthen my breathing because singing is all about breathing. I’ve realized that it’s better not to rehearse extensively the day before a concert to preserve my voice. I try to relax.

What song can’t you sing?

Any metal rock song.

When you look back at your struggling days, what do you remember most?

It was raining one day, and I had my umbrella in one hand and my guitar in the other. When I was about to cross the street, a speeding car hit a puddle on the road and I got drenched. I also got rejected a lot in auditions. But I remember my first gig in 1982. I was a reliever for another folk singer at Crown’s Delight Pub at Fiesta Carnival. I was 18 years old then. That was a big break.

If you could sing only one song in your life, what would it be?

“Moon River.”

Are great singers born not made?

A good singing voice is a gift but proper training is also necessary.

What’s your song for yourself these days?

“The Secret of Life” by James Taylor.

What are the coming projects of OPM?

We have a project with Bactidol from Dec. 12 to 14, “#PalakasinAngOPM.” We are waiting for the executive order on Linggo ng Musikang Filipino. I hope it will be granted so we can promote OPM all over the country. We also look forward to the congressional hearings for the OPM development bill.

How would you like to be remembered?

As a simple musician.

Dance belle

American music artist Erika Jayne will release her latest single, “You Make Me Wanna Dance,” on Oct. 24. The song comes with a   music video shot in the streets of Manila. The dance tune is a collaboration of musicians from the United States and Asia. Her “You Make Me Wanna Dance” Asian promo tour will kick off in December.

Put on your dancing shoes and let the Christmas revelry begin!

Personal

Thanks to Tita Shirley, Miss Anna   and Irene of   Halili Cruz School of Ballet (Quezon Avenue) for making me and my Michael Jackson group   feel at home in their state-of-the-art dance studio. Second semester is from Nov. 8 to March 13, 2015. (For inquiries: 0917-8880102)

Unleash   your inner ballerina!