Cabangon’s second ‘Byahe’ is bright and breezy

CABANGON. Takes stock of his blessings.

“TULOY ang Byahe,” the second volume of Noel Cabangon’s “Road Trip” series, has a cheerier and more optimistic outlook—even in its lovelorn songs. This time, Cabangon’s 16-track repertoire brims with romantic whimsy and grateful optimism as he takes stock of his blessings.

He explains this in the album’s liner notes: “Ito’y mga awiting nagbigay sa atin ng inspirasyon para umibig at magpasalamat.” This cheery and romantic mind set is best exemplified by Cabangon’s delightful remake of Smokey Mountain’s “Kailan,” reconfigured as an ode to romantic rediscovery. He also recaptures the inherent warmth conveyed by “Lagi Na Lang” and its original interpreter, Leah Navarro.

The collection’s other charmers include covers of Apo Hiking Society’s frisky “Pumapatak Na Naman Ang Ulan,” Dulce’s jazzed-up “Paano,” Basil Valdez’s soaring “Iduyan Mo,” and “Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka,” VST & Co.’s zippy “Ikaw Lang Ang Aking Mahal,” and the ong-and-rap tribute to Hotdog’s “Manila,” featuring Gloc 9.

Cabangon introduces a lightly wistful take on Gregorio Labja’s enduring Visayan folk song, “Usahay,” then collaborates with Pete Lacaba in “Huwag Mong Sabihin,” a stirring and smoldering adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 109” aka “Never Say That I Was False of Heart.” —Talk about timelessness and innovation!