When folk meets orchestral music

MANILA, Philippines - Noel Cabangon’s latest release Panaginip is undeniably heavily-influenced by legendary rock and roll icon Sting’s Live in Berlin concert, which featured the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

“I can say that Panaginip is very much inspired by that gig of Sting,” admits Noel. “In the album, you’ll hear tracks being backed by an orchestra. As a songwriter, on the other hand, I hope my original songs in the album live up to the brilliance and elegance of the songs of Sting. And, hopefully soon, I can do a concert with an orchestra, too. ”

The 15-track album has four songs arranged with an orchestra — his cover of Freddie Aguilar’s Bulag, Pipi at Bingi, and original songs like Sana Dumating Ka Na, Walang Katulad and Ikaw Na Sana, a duet with Soul Siren Nina.

Panaginip, released by Universal Records, features the esteemed folk singer dabbling into other music genres like jazz, pop, hip-hop and even bossa nova, and worked with some of the most revered musical arrangers Bob Aves, Fred Garcia, Ria Villena-Osorio, Simon Tan and Ito Rapadas.

Other noteworthy original songs include a collaboration with former Sugarfree frontman Ebe Dancel in Hulog Ka Ng Langit plus title track Panaginip, Dahan-Dahan, Bayani ng Bayan, Ngayon ang Bagong Simula, the haunting Awit ng Naghahanap and three longtime originals Sana Dumating Ka Na, Dahil Nariyan Ka and Umuulan sa Tag-Araw, Umaaraw sa Tag-ulan.

Asked about the story behind the title track, Noel shares, “A week after the Luneta hostage tragedy, Christopher and Maria Victoria Bernido were named 2010 Ramon Magsaysay awardees. It just goes to show that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel, and Panaginip reminds all of us that.”

Noel’s previous album Byahe, which received a Platinum record award, became a big hit because of his amazing covers of immortal Filipino classics.

“I am very lucky to be with a label that wants to help the local music industry by releasing new songs,” says Noel. “Indeed, I was encouraged by the label to come up with originals for this album, alongside some of the best-written classics that I have rendered in Panaginip.”

Noel admits that he really wanted to include the song Sangandaan, theme of the film classic Sister Stella L, and that he is thankful that the song made it to the album.

“I believe that, as a country, we are back from where we were 30 to 40 years ago. That’s the reason why I want Sangandaan in the album,” enthuses Noel. “Through Panaginip, I hope I can convey to everyone, especially the young, my dreams for our beloved Philippines.”

With the success of Byahe and the release of this new album, Noel believes that he has successfully expanded his market by tapping into the younger market. He humbly adds, “Well, you can just check my Facebook fanpage.” The page currently has about 25,000 fans.