Noel Cabangon began his musical career at the young age of 10. Coming from … Read Full Bio ↴Noel Cabangon began his musical career at the young age of 10. Coming from a modest family in Rosario, La Union, Noel learned to play the guitar using one that he would borrow from a neighbour. Though shy and insecure, he was often entered into singing contests in their small town. Visiting guests were often treated to a song or two from the young Noel, who tried to run away from performing.

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.

Paano
Noel Cabangon Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Paano kung wala ka na
Paano ba ang mag isa
Mula ng makasama ka
Kung paano'y limot ko na

Paano ang pag ibig ko
Kung di rin lang laan sayo
Ang buhay ng ating mundo

Di ko alam kung paano

Bago ka lumisan sana'y maturuan mo
Na iwasan ang bawat nakasanayan ko
At limutin na ang maghintay lagi sayo
Paano ba ito

O kay daming bagay na hindi ko na alam
Tulad ng lumuha at sayo ay magdamdam
Dahil naniwalang labis mo akong mahal
Laman ng bawat mong dasal

Paanong aking gagawin
Kung di mo na ako pansin
Kung ito'y panaginip din
Paano ba ang magising

Bago ka lumisan sanay maturuan mo
Na iwasan ang bawat nakasanayan ko
At limutin na ang maghintay lagi sayo
Paano ba ito

O kay daming bagay na hindi ko na alam
Tulad ng lumuha at sayo ay magdamdam
Dahil naniwalang labis mo akong mahal
Laman ng bawat mong dasal

Paano ba aking mahal
Paano ba mahal

Overall Meaning

Noel Cabangon's song "Paano" is a heart-wrenching ballad about loss and how to cope with it. The song speaks about the feeling of emptiness and loneliness after losing someone you deeply care about. The lyrics suggest that life is difficult to navigate after losing a loved one, and it can be hard to face the future without them. The song also touches on the concept of unrequited love, where the singer wonders what good is it to love someone who cannot love you back.

When the person he loves leaves, the singer becomes unsure of how to deal with the loss, as he feels he has lost his purpose in life. The lyrics also suggest that the person he lost was deeply ingrained in his routines and habits, and he now must learn how to let go of everything that reminds him of her. The song expresses a desire to forget and move on, but the singer realizes that it is easier said than done. The repeated line "Paano ba ito" encapsulates the song's central theme of how to cope with the aftermath of loss.

Overall, "Paano" is a poignant and relatable song that beautifully captures the mixed feelings of loss, regret, and acceptance. It touches the heartstrings of many people who have experienced a similar situation.

Line by Line Meaning

Paano kung wala ka na
What would happen if you weren't here anymore?

Paano ba ang mag isa
How could I live alone without you?

Mula ng makasama ka
Ever since I've been with you,

Kung paano'y limot ko na
I've forgotten how to live without you.

Paano ang pag ibig ko
What would happen to my love for you?

Kung di rin lang laan sayo
If it's unrequited,

Ang buhay ng ating mundo
I don't know how the world would go on,

Di ko alam kung paano
I don't know how it would survive.

Bago ka lumisan sana'y maturuan mo
Before you leave, please teach me

Na iwasan ang bawat nakasanayan ko
To break my habits of always waiting for you

At limutin na ang maghintay lagi sayo
And forget about waiting for you all the time