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.
Pag-Ibig
Noel Cabangon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ang munti mong mga kamay
Ika'y tuwang-tuwa
Panatag ang loob sa damdaming
Ika'y mahal
Noong nakilala mo ang una mong sinta
Umapaw ang saya at siya'y ibang-iba
Hindi mo malimutan kung kailan
Nagsimulang matuto kung paano magmahal
At di mo malimutan kung kailan mo natikman
Ang una mong halik
Yakap na napakahigpit
Pag-ibig na tunay hanggang langit
Nang tayo'y magkakilala ng hindi sinasadya
Ikaw lang napansin
Nahuli sa isang tingin
At sa pagbati mong napakalambing
Hindi ko malimutan kung kailan
Nagsimulang matutong ikaw lang ang mahalin
At di ko malimutan kung kailan ko natikman
Ang tamis ng iyong halik
Yakap na napakahigpit
Pag-ibig mong tunay hanggang langit
Hindi ko malimutan kung kailan
Nagsimulang matutong ikaw lang ang mahalin
At di ko malimutan kung kailan ko natikman
Ang tamis ng iyong halik
Yakap na napakahigpit
Pag-ibig mong tunay hanggang langit
Hindi ko malimutan kung kailan
Nagsimulang matutong ikaw lang ang mahalin
At di ko malimutan kung kailan ko natikman
Ang tamis ng iyong halik
Yakap na napakahigpit
Pag-ibig mong tunay hanggang langit
The song "Pag-ibig" by Noel Cabangon talks about the different stages of love and how it makes us feel. The first stanza talks about the earliest memory of love - where a child's small hands are held by their mother, making them feel loved and secure. It speaks of the purest form of love and how it brings joy and peace to a person. The second stanza transitions to the first romantic love, where everything is new and exciting. The lyrics describe how it makes us feel - overflowing with happiness and cherishing every moment. The chorus repeats three times, emphasizing the message of never forgetting the feeling of love in its purest form, and how it is truly a love that is meant to last forever, even all the way to the heavens.
Overall, the song reminds us that love comes in different forms, but it always brings joy, comfort, and warmth to our lives. It speaks of the various memories associated with love and how they stick with us for a lifetime. The lyrics are relatable, and the melody is calm and soothing, making it a perfect song to listen to during times of reflection.
Line by Line Meaning
Noong tangan ng nanay
When you were held by your mother's arms
Ang munti mong mga kamay
Your little hands
Ika'y tuwang-tuwa
You were filled with joy
Panatag ang loob sa damdaming
You felt secure in your emotions
Ika'y mahal
You were loved
Noong nakilala mo ang una mong sinta
When you met your first love
Umapaw ang saya at siya'y ibang-iba
Happiness overflowed and she/he was completely different
Sinasamsam ang bawat gunita
Remembering every memory
Hindi mo malimutan kung kailan
You will never forget when
Nagsimulang matuto kung paano magmahal
You started to learn how to love
At di mo malimutan kung kailan mo natikman
And you will never forget when you tasted
Ang una mong halik
Your first kiss
Yakap na napakahigpit
A tight embrace
Pag-ibig na tunay hanggang langit
True love that reaches to the sky
Nang tayo'y magkakilala ng hindi sinasadya
When we met unexpectedly
Ikaw lang napansin
You were the only one noticed
Nahuli sa isang tingin
Caught by just one glance
At sa pagbati mong napakalambing
And your very sweet greetings
Hindi ko malimutan kung kailan
I will never forget when
Nagsimulang matutong ikaw lang ang mahalin
I started to learn to love only you
At di ko malimutan kung kailan ko natikman
And I will never forget when I tasted
Ang tamis ng iyong halik
The sweetness of your kiss
Yakap na napakahigpit
A tight embrace
Pag-ibig mong tunay hanggang langit
True love that reaches to the sky
Hindi ko malimutan kung kailan
I will never forget when
Nagsimulang matutong ikaw lang ang mahalin
I started to learn to love only you
At di ko malimutan kung kailan ko natikman
And I will never forget when I tasted
Ang tamis ng iyong halik
The sweetness of your kiss
Yakap na napakahigpit
A tight embrace
Pag-ibig mong tunay hanggang langit
True love that reaches to the sky
Hindi ko malimutan kung kailan
I will never forget when
Nagsimulang matutong ikaw lang ang mahalin
I started to learn to love only you
At di ko malimutan kung kailan ko natikman
And I will never forget when I tasted
Ang tamis ng iyong halik
The sweetness of your kiss
Yakap na napakahigpit
A tight embrace
Pag-ibig mong tunay hanggang langit
True love that reaches to the sky
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!