Why Noel never gets tired of singing ‘Kanlungan’

Noel Cabangon

It’s nine days to go before Valentine’s Day. Do you know where your heart is? Whether Feb. 14 is going to be a red-hot or red-alert day for you, Noel Cabangon’s concert, “Himig ng Aking Pag-ibig,” has something your heart can relate to. Catch it on Feb. 13, 8 p.m. at Music Museum. Noel’s special guests include Jim Paredes, Buboy Garovillo, Shiela Valderama, Bea Lorenzo and Gab Cabangon.

Since I’m close to Noel, I teased him, “Friendship, why is your concert on Feb. 13? Isn’t that for ‘unofficial’ Valentine dates?”

He shot back, “Love chooses no day. Unofficial or official, one love fits all.”

Move over, Cupid. Let Noel’s love songs do the rest.

Here’s my chat with Noel:

What’s the most requested song in your gigs? “Kanlungan.” I will never get tired of singing it. Just like James Taylor never gets tired of singing “You’ve Got a Friend.” There was one evening that I sang it six times.

As you celebrated your 29th wedding anniversary recently, what were your realizations about marriage? That marriage isn’t that easy. Married couples should work for it to make it work … and make it last. Men should learn to value the “little things” that most men take for granted.

What can the audience expect from your V-Day concert? The idea is to show the different facets of love through songs, like romantic love, etc. I will perform surprise numbers with my special guests, especially those with Shiela and Bea. I will sing some classics for the first time.

What’s your fondest memory of Joey “Pepe” Smith? Pepe is a well-loved OPM icon. He was always fun and easy to get along with. I remember doing “bunong-braso” with him. He’s funny! We come from the same barangay (Kamuning) and high school alma mater, QCHS.

When do you turn into a fanboy? When I am with musicians we call “senyor,” like Pinoy rock legends Pepe Smith, Mike Hanopol and Wally Gonzales. I spent a lot just to watch Bob Dylan in Singapore last year. This April, the fanboy in me will watch Eric Clapton in Japan.

How do you feel that your son, Gab, is following in your footsteps, and what’s your advice to him? I am happy and proud that he’s pursuing his passion for music. Though he’s always reminded of the struggles of being a musician, he is growing up to be very persevering. He is becoming more creative.

My advice is that he should always strive to get better because, in this profession, you are measured by your creativity and performance.

What don’t people know about Noel Cabangon? That I am pursuing my new passion in singing classical music. It is hard and very challenging, but I’m learning a lot.

What’s the “himig ng iyong pag-ibig”? My song “Dahil Nariyan Ka,” which I wrote for my wife, Beng.

If you would compose an official Pinoy V-Day song, what would the title and some of the lines be? I’ll call it “Bakit Ba Ang Puso,” with lyrics that include lines like “Bakit ba ang puso ’pag umibig ay lubos ang ligaya? Kahit ’di pa sinasagot may pag-asam na ng pag-asa.”

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