Cabangon repeats concert for Peta

After successfully crossing over to the mainstream four years ago, singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon has never been busier. Aside from regular club gigs, the 48-year-old musician also does more television appearances and promotional work these days.

All his work has been paying off quite nicely. His latest album from Universal Records, the all-revivals “Tuloy ang Byahe,” recently went gold, having sold 7,500 copies.

Last September, the former member of the indie folk-rock group Buklod performed in his first sold-out concert at the Music Museum, also titled “Tuloy ang Byahe.” It was mounted to help the Philippine Educational Theater Association (Peta) Endowment Fund campaign, “50@50.”

He gave Inquirer this short interview via e-mail:

Positive response to the show prompted Peta to stage a two-day repeat concert dubbed “Tuloy ang Byahe Ngayong Pasko” at the Peta Theater Center in Quezon City on Dec. 13 and 14. Cabangon, who was born on Christmas Day, will perform his own compositions, classic OPM songs, and holiday numbers as well.

Your last concert was sold-out. Are you nervous about this repeat?

I was very happy about the show last September at the Music Museum. It was my first sold-out show in a relatively bigger venue. Although the repeat will be in a still smaller place, I feel pressured since it’s going to be for two nights. Also, the PETA Theater is an intimate place, so audience interaction will be a challenge.

Are you looking at the Big Dome for the future?

Smart Araneta Coliseum is huge I don’t think I have a large enough audience to fill it. If ever, it has to be thought out and planned very, very carefully.

What can your fans look forward to this time? Will they finally see you dance?

Hahaha! Parehong kaliwa ang mga paa ko (I have two left feet)!

My special guests are different: I’ll have Ogie Alcasid, Aiza Seguerra and Gloc-9. I’m really excited about singing APO songs with Jim Paredes and Boboy Garovillo. I’m also looking forward to having a string section to accompany me.

And of course, there will be Christmas songs in the repertoire, from my albums “Panaginip” and “Noel.”

Do you have a favorite Christmas song?

“The First Noel,” hehehe! I wish I had composed “Pasko na Sinta Ko,” a simple yet beautiful song.

What’s your most memorable Christmas experience?

My birthday is on Christmas Day, kaya iisa na lang ang regalo (so I get just one gift). The most memorable one was 19 years ago, when my son was born, also on Christmas Day! It was such a fun celebration because we had a new baby. Now he’s all grown up!

What’s the best gift you can give this Christmas?

Making people happy with my music; making Peta happy for its continuing effort to build the endowment fund (which hopes to raise P50 million in time for its 50th anniversary in 2017).