Known for his acoustic songs and socially-relevant lyrics, singer/songwriter Noel Cabangon releases a new album “Sa ‘Yo Lamang: Papuri at Inspirasyon”, an acoustic versions of traditional church hymns and inspirational tracks produced by Universal Records and Jesuits Communications (JesCom).
“The idea of coming up with this album is my way of giving back to JesCom because they are the ones who gave my first album. This project, of course, is a tie-up with my home label, Universal Records” Cabangon said.
Collecting seven inspirational and gospel songs written by JesCom as interpreted by Cabangon, he also included three of his original compositions that have further serve this album a higher purpose—faith and love of country.
“The album being inspirational is not just about faith but also about love for the country. If you are going to listen to the other songs, especially the ‘Panalagin ng Pagbubukas Palad’, the song talks about offering without asking something in return. So even the religious songs from the Jesuits can also be interpreted not just praising but serving other people that also is an expression of faith,” Cabangon also added.
“Sa ‘Yo Lamang: Papuri at Inspirasyon” contains ten tracks that was carefully chosen by Cabangon together with the album producers. Acoustic remakes include “Tanging Yaman”, “Humayo’t Ihayag”, “Panalangin Ng Pagbubukas-palad”, “Huwag Kang Mangamba, “Sa ‘Yo Lamang, “Panunumpa” and “O Bayan Ng Diyos.”
“The songs of the Jesuits are the sweet ones and the love songs but can be used as reflection because the songs are based on gospels and teachings of the bible,” Cabangon shared.
However, three of his original compositions are the songs “After the Deluge” which Cabangon wrote as a tribute to the Typhoon Yolanda victims; “Panginoon”, a song that instills faith and love of country and the patriotic “Inang Pilipinas.”
In the album’s liner notes, Cabangon said “Alay ko ang album na ito sa JesCom bilang isang pagbabalik-biyaya. Mula noong ako’y kanilang kinupkop at nigyan ng pagkakataong mai-release ang aking mga awitin ay nagbukas ito ng maraming mga opurtinidad at pagkakataon.”
He also wrote, “Kaya ito ang aking handog, ‘Sa ‘Yo Lamang: Papuri at Inspirasyon’—mga awitin ng pagninilay at papuri sa Poong Maykapal. Mga awiting likha ng mga paring Heswita at ilan sa mga aking likha.”
Having been making music for about three decades and considered as one of local music’s prolific songwriters, the new album is his sixth recording under Universal Records. He debuted in 2009 with the multi-platinum record “Biyahe” and now available on vinyl format which includes the socially-relevant song “Kanlungan.”
Noel Cabangon’s “Sa ‘Yo Lamang: Papuri at Inspirasyon” is now available at all record bars nationwide. You may also download the full album on iTunes, Deezer, Spinnr and Amazon. For a quick album preview, check this out:
