Basil returns with the Filipino classics

They say it was perfect timing that played a big role in the making of The Filipino Classics. This is Basil Valdez’s first studio album in nine years and features the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra (SMPO) arranged and conducted by Ryan Cayabyab. The right timing indeed brought these elements together, but since the results proved to be so magical I prefer to think of it as serendipity, a moment when all the right factors unite to create something unforgettable.

Basil’s last album was Alaala, which had compositions by the late Gerry Paraiso. He wanted to do another. He has pretty much done everything and succeeded in them during his over 30 years in the music business. His list of hit originals is one of the longest ever. Ngayon at Kailanman, Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan, You, Hindi Kita Malilimutan and others. He wanted to do the album with Ryan Cayabyab. They worked together in memorable songs like Nais Ko and Iduyan Mo, plus the prayer album Salmo from 13 years ago.

Viva Records executive producer Vic del Rosario Jr., for whom Basil made all of his recordings, also wanted a new Basil album and was prepared to go all out for the project, more so with Cayabyab as arranger. Then if Ryan were at the helm, it might also be nice to have the San Miguel Philharmonic of which he is conductor, arranger and director. With that combination and the prospect of a high level of artistry, it was clear the album would have to be a collection of classic Filipino songs, much like what Ryan and the SMPO did with its Great Filipino Songs CD. This time around though it would have Basil singing the songs.

Ryan and the orchestra were a busy lot but somewhere in 2005 in between their own projects, time was found for Ryan to arrange songs for Basil and for SMPO to record the music. Early this year, Basil finally went into the studio and in between concert jaunts overseas finally finished his vocals. The Filipino Classics was released with much funfare last Nov. 15 with a live performance by Basil with the SMPO conducted by Ryan at the Atrium of Shangri-La Mall. The show fulfilled a lot of dreams and showcased some of the best Filipino songs ever written.

I liken recording old songs to rescuing treasures from the junk shop. While a sweet sentiment, there’s really no truth to Wordsworth’s quote of "the music in my heart I bore long after it was heard no more." Songs need to be heard to be appreciated and for us to delight in the pleasures they bring. I dread to think that some of the songs in Basil’s album would have been relegated to the graveyard because nobody made the effort to record them again. Just think, Bituing Marikit was composed by Nicanor Abelardo and Servando de los Angeles in 1926. But there were more versions recorded of The Way You Look Tonight, which is of the same age, by Filipino artists these past few years.

Aside from Bituing Marikit, The Filipino Classics also includes Diyos Lamang ang Nakakaalam, Babalik Ka Rin, Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak, Kung Nagsasayaw Kita, Madaling Araw, Sa Ugoy ng Duyan, Bakas ng Lumipas, Sapagka’t Kami ay Tao Lamang, Lagi Kitang Naaalala, Bayan Ko and Mahiwaga.

I feel so much pride while listening to these songs and I think of the blood, sweat and tears that literally went into composing them. I think of the searing patriotism of poet Jose Corazon de Jesus writing the lyrics of Bayan Ko for Constancio de Guzman and of Madaling Araw for Francisco Santiago. I think of Tony Maiquez and Levi Celerio challenging convention by justifying adultery with Sapagka’t Kami ay Tao Lamang. I think of National Artists Celerio and Lucio San Pedro on a ship from the US filled with so much longing to see the Philippines again as they collaborated on Sa Ugoy ng Duyan.

I will not cease to marvel at how much expression the creators were able to convey with the music and the beautiful Tagalog lyrics of these songs and I am glad Basil, Ryan, plus the SMPO, producer Rudy Lozano and engineer Eric Payumo all gave their best to come up with an album worthy of these masterpieces.