Try as he may to avoid performing in public, however, music and his love for it inevitably drew him to the stage. In 1982, beginning in little known folk houses and bars to underground watering holes, Noel steadily made a name for himself in the local music scene.
In the year 1987, Noel, Rene Boncocan, and Rom Dongeto formed the group Buklod. Buklod was more than just a music group, with their albums oriented toward social, political, and cultural issues. The group came out with three albums -- "Bukid at Buhay," "Tatsulok," and "Sa Kandungan ng Kalikasan,” – each album espousing the advocacies of the group from the plight of the peasant farmers, to the protection of human rights, and to the conservation of the environment.
When the group disbanded, Noel set out on his own, playing at music bars and singing at private events. The years saw the creation of a loyal following that sought him out, wherever he played. He also began recording his solo albums. To date he has released 6 solo albums, 4 of which were produced by the Jesuit Music Ministry, 1 by Ballyhoo Records, and the latest by Universal Records.
Noel has also performed around and out of the country, doing concerts and performances in france, belgium, germany, switzerland, while his many advocacies have brought him to brazil, india, kenya, thailand, and hong kong, among others.
Over the years Noel has written songs for the causes he believes in and matters close to his heart. He has also written songs for other artists. Some of his songs have also found their way into movies, the most recent of which was “Ang Buhay Nga Naman” for the indie film by Soxie Topacio, “Ded Na Si Lolo.” “Ded Na Si Lolo” is also the Philippine entry into the 2010 Academy Awards.
Noel has also dabbled in theatre, as musical director, composer, or actor. He also teaches at the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), imparting his years of experience in workshops aimed at educating the younger generations on the importance of theatre.
Noel has had a long journey from being the shy boy who used to run from the audience, to the performer who never fails to awe and mesmerise his audience with his soulful voice and heartfelt music.
With almost 20 years of being a performer, and an untold number of years as a lover of music, Noel is still doing what he does best – writing music, and singing about the things that matter most to him. Years from now there is no doubt that Noel will still be doing these, and doing them well.
Binibini
Noel Cabangon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ika'y panaginip ko
Panaganip ng kathang dakila
Nitong pag-iisip ko
Ang katulad mo raw ay birhen
Sa abang altar ng punong pag-ibig
O kay ganda
O kay gandang mag-alay sa 'yo
Alaala at isip at pagod
Sa yo'y binigay ko raw
Binibini ang aking dalangi't dasal
Dininig mo raw
Wika mo raw ay iingatan ka
Magpakailanman ang purong pag-ibig
O kay ganda
O kay ganda mag-alay sa 'yo
O kay ganda okay gandang mag-alay sa 'yo
O kay ganda okay gandang mag-alay sa 'yo
O kay ganda okay gandang mag-alay sa 'yo
Sabihin mo na magkatotoo kaya
Sagot mo para nang sinadya
Pagsapit ng magandang umaga
Ako'y bumalikwas din
Panaginip naglaho't natunaw
Nguni't nar'yan ka pa rin
Paraluman ikaw ay akin
Sa bisang lakas ng purong pag-ibig
O kay ganda
O kay ganda okay gandang mag-alay sa 'yo
O kay ganda okay gandang mag-alay sa 'yo
O kay ganda okay gandang mag-alay sa 'yo
O kay ganda okay gandang mag-alay sa 'yo
Mag-alay sa'yo mag-alay sa'yo mag-alay sa'yo
The lyrics of Noel Cabangon's "Binibini" are about a woman who is so beautiful that the singer considers her a dream, a great work of fiction. He likens her to a virgin at an altar of love, and he feels privileged to be able to offer gifts to her. He speaks of giving her his memories, mind, and energy, all of which she recognizes and will cherish. He says that she has promised to protect him and that she is full of pure love.
The song reveals a dichotomy between reality and fantasy, between the actual presence of a lover and the dream of what could be. The singer's dream shows him his ideal woman, a vision of both purity and love, while reality brings him back to a world where the object of his desire might return his affection or shatter his hopes. The song is a beautiful expression of a person's internal desire to love and be loved.
Line by Line Meaning
Binibini sa aking pagtulog
In my dreams, you are the lady I see
Ika'y panaginip ko
You are the dream that I have
Panaganip ng kathang dakila
A noble dream that came out of my imagination
Nitong pag-iisip ko
As I think of you
Ang katulad mo raw ay birhen
You are like a virgin
Sa abang altar ng punong pag-ibig
At the humble altar of a full-grown love
O kay ganda
Oh, how beautiful you are
O kay gandang mag-alay sa 'yo
Oh, how beautiful to offer myself to you
Alaala at isip at pagod
Memories, thoughts, and exhaustion
Sa yo'y binigay ko raw
I gave them to you
Binibini ang aking dalangi't dasal
My hope and prayer, lady
Dininig mo raw
I heard that you heard them
Wika mo raw ay iingatan ka
You said you will take care of me
Magpakailanman ang purong pag-ibig
Forever a pure love
Sabihin mo na magkatotoo kaya
Tell me if it will come true
Sagot mo para nang sinadya
Your answer seems deliberate
Pagsapit ng magandang umaga
When a beautiful morning comes
Ako'y bumalikwas din
I will also rise
Panaginip naglaho't natunaw
A dream vanished and disappeared
Nguni't nar'yan ka pa rin
But you remain there
Paraluman ikaw ay akin
You are my muse
Sa bisang lakas ng purong pag-ibig
With the strength of a pure love
Mag-alay sa'yo mag-alay sa'yo mag-alay sa'yo
Offer myself to you, offer myself to you, offer myself to you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Josefa Meikle
on Paano
'Bought your CD the last time I was in Manila, Your rendition of Paano is so jazzy, just magic!