Noel Cabangon’s ‘Byahe’ tour kicks off tonight in Baguio

Noel Cabangon

I immensely enjoyed bonding with “friendship” Noel Cabangon (“friendship” is how we call each other) at our “wine sesh” in Planet Grapes.

We never run out of things to talk about. Noel is quite a storyteller, onstage and off. He’s the kind of friend who gives you “eureka” moments, just the way his songs make you see things in a different light.

The singer is raring to spread positive vibes through his music in his “Byahe Hits the Road” tour, which kicks off at The Manor in Baguio at 7 p.m. tonight (for tickets, call 0917-8158032). Next stops are La Union, Pampanga, Batangas, Camarines Norte, Cebu, Bohol and Bacolod.

Noel conquered the mainstream via his award-winning “Byahe” albums. In his nationwide tour, he not only champions original Filipino music, but also focuses on other facets of Filipino culture, such as food, heritage sites, and oral and written traditions.

Join Noel’s “road trip” and let his music drive your “bad trip” away.

Here’s my chat with Noel:

What song do you listen to when you are sad or mad? I usually listen to Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” or Bach’s “Suite Nos. 1 and 5” when I feel sad. I also discovered Cindy Lauper’s album, “At Last.” It is nice to doze off in melancholy with that type of music. And when I’m angry, I listen to rock music—from The Doors to U2. Sometimes, I even listen to heavy metal.

What’s the greatest OPM song of all time? I don’t think there’s one OPM tune that could claim to be the greatest of all time. The creations of songwriting icons like George Canseco, Willy Cruz, Ryan Cayabyab, Gary Granada, Gerry Paraiso, Asin, Apo, the Juan dela Cruz Band, among others, were landmarks that defined what has become OPM.

What are your “rituals” before a concert? I used to soak in a hot shower before a performance. For a concert, I try to keep in shape, but I don’t overdo the physical and vocal exercises. Cooking also keeps me relaxed.

What’s your take on lip-synching? Lip-synching is very entertaining when impersonators do it. But it’s a no-no for me as a singer.

What’s the creative process that you go through when you compose a song? I listen to classical music and jazz, and I go back to my musical roots, which is folk music. Now, I enjoy writing the lyrics first before the music.

Others seem to find it easy to do, but it isn’t. You need to wait for that moment, the drive to sit down and begin writing. But, it’s easier when you’re commissioned to write with a given theme or peg.

Will you sing songs in the native dialect of the provinces where you will perform? I have a couple of Ilocano songs that I will perform during my kickoff in Baguio. I have also recorded “Usahay,” a Visayan love song, which I will surely perform in the Visayas.

If your life story were to be made into a song, what would the title be? “Paglalakbay.” Everything is in this title—from infancy to the present. All the things I’ve gone through in my journey will be included.