The soaps we used to love

Now available in the local stores is the album 60 Taon Ng Musika At Soap Opera. A product from ABS-CBN TV Production and Star Records, the 5 in 1 Special Collector’s Album is a compilation of theme songs from various soap series. You know soaps. They air at the same time daily. These are traditionally extended melodramas aimed at female viewers that have been a staple for TV networks everywhere for many years. The soap tag was born out of the fact that most sponsors of these series are soap products.

That means laundry, dishwasher and of course, bath soaps because the series targets primarily girls. They are supposed to wash clothes, dishes and take a bath.

The set costs P450, a bargain considering that there are 70 cuts. It also comes in a very attractive box made to look like a long-play album from old. But I am not about to give it Best Packaging honors. It lacks some things that would have made the collection and the way it was put together truly a milestone.

I want a history of soap operas as shown at ABS-CBN during the past 60 years. A short one will do. I want at least a photo and brief synopsis of the soaps whose themes are featured. And I want to know why there are actually no songs from soaps of 60 years ago included. What were those?

But all that is just nitpicking about things I want but which are not available or might jack up the cost of the album and make it unaffordable. Musicwise, this is a great compilation, a must for anybody who appreciates the many hours of romance, intrigues, suspense, etc. etc. that these soap operas brought and continue to bring to our homes. Besides, save for a few foreign cuts and the fact that there is not a single song by Ryan Cayabyab, it also spotlights some of the best songwriting efforts by Filipino composers these past years.

Plus some singers that we have not heard in a long time. Where is Carol Banawa? She was really good. Who was Kristel? I can’t seem to recall what she looks like. And Kyle Balili too? But forget all those. Because most of all, at a time when original Filipino music can use all the push it can get, this album is one great pitch.

Okay, so time now to listen and get into your remembering mode. Weren’t Kristine Hermosa and Jericho Rosales the perfect love team in Pangako Sa ‘yo? I wonder how many soap series Judy Ann Santos has done. What about Claudine Barretto? Who was really the bigger soap star? Wasn’t Malayo Pa Ang Umaga with the Rey Valera theme song the first Filipino mini series? Was it aired on ABS-CBN? Come to think of it, does it qualify as a soap? Wasn’t either Ana Liza or Flordeluna on ABS-CBN? Those soaps were really big. Okay, someday perhaps there will be a book, where I would be able to get the answers.

But for now, here are some of the songs you will find in 60 Taon ng Musika at Soap Opera: Esperanza by Andrei Ibarra; Mula Sa Puso by Roselle Nava; Kung Kailangan Mo Ako by Ara Mina from Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako; Saan Ka Man Naroroon by Desa; Pangako by Vina Morales from Pangako Sa ‘yo; I Love You Babe by Richard, Jeffrey, Bojo from Labs Ko Si Babes; Iingatan Ka by Carol Banawa from Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka; Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan by Argee Paredes from Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan; Sana’y Maghintay Ang Walang Hanggan by Zsa Zsa Padilla from Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay; Recuerdo De Amor by Jessa Zaragosa.

Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas also by Jessa; Langit Na Bituin also by Carol; Saan Darating Ang Umaga again by Vina; and Basta’t Kasama Ka by Josh Santana. It Might Be You by Erik Santos; Kailan Kaya by Sheryn Regis from Marina; Hiram by Sharon Cuneta; Mangarap Ka by Piolo Pascual; Super Krystala by Sheryn Regis from Krystala; Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin by Ella Mae Saison; and Mga Anghel Na Walang Langit by Kristel and honestly, plus many others.