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.

Tuloy Pa Rin
Noel Cabangon Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Sa wari ko’y
Lumipas na ang kadiliman ng araw
Dahan-dahan pang gumigising
At ngayo’y babawi na

Muntik na
Nasanay ako sa ‘king pag-iisa
Kaya nang iwanan ang

Bakas ng kahapon ko

Tuloy pa rin ang awit ng buhay ko
Nagbago man ang hugis ng puso mo
Handa na ‘kong hamunin ang aking mundo
‘Pagkat tuloy pa rin

Kung minsan ay hinahanap
Pang alaala ng iyong halik (alaala ng ‘yong halik)
Inaamin ko na kay tagal pa
Bago malilimutan ito

Kay hirap nang maulit muli
Ang naiwan nating pag-ibig (alam ko na ‘yan)
Tanggap na at natututo pang
Harapin ang katotohanang ito

Tuloy pa rin ang awit ng buhay ko
Nagbago man ang hugis ng puso mo
Handa na ‘kong hamunin ang aking mundo
‘Pagkat tuloy pa rin

Muntik na
Nasanay ako sa ‘king pag-iisa
Kaya nang iwanan
Ang bakas ng kahapon ko

Tuloy pa rin ang awit ng buhay ko
Nagbago man ang hugis ng puso mo
Handa na ‘kong hamunin ang aking mundo
‘Pagkat tuloy pa rin
Tuloy pa rin ang awit ng buhay ko
Nagbago man ang hugis ng puso mo
Handa na ‘kong hamunin ang aking mundo
‘Pagkat tuloy pa rin
Tuloy pa rin ang awit ng buhay ko (tuloy pa rin)
Nagbago man ang hugis ng puso mo (hugis ng mundo mo)
Handa na ‘kong hamunin ang aking mundo (hamunin)
‘Pagkat tuloy pa rin (tuloy pa rin)
Tuloy pa rin ang awit ng buhay ko
Nagbago man ang hugis ng puso mo
Handa na ‘kong hamunin ang aking mundo
‘Pagkat tuloy pa rin
Tuloy pa rin ang awit ng buhay ko (tuloy pa rin)
Nagbago man ang hugis ng puso mo (oh.hoh.)
Handa na ‘kong hamunin ang aking mundo (handang harapin ang mundo)
‘Pagkat tuloy pa rin
Tuloy pa rin ang awit ng buhay ko
Nagbago man ang hugis ng puso mo

Handa na ‘kong hamunin ang aking mundo
‘Pagkat tuloy pa rin

Overall Meaning

In Noel Cabangon's song Tuloy Pa Rin, the singer reflects on his life and how he has overcome the darkness of the past. He sings that the darkness has passed, and the day is slowly waking up, and he is now ready to move on. He admits that he almost got used to being alone, which made it easier for him to leave behind the memories of the past.

The song talks about the changes in the shape of his heart due to the changes in his life. He sings that he is ready to conquer his world, despite all the changes, and the melody of his life will continue to play on. Cabangon mentions how he sometimes longs for memories of his lover and their kiss, which he knows will take time to forget completely. He acknowledges that it is challenging to relive the love they once shared, but he has learned to accept it and face the truth while moving forward.

In summary, Noel Cabangon's Tuloy Pa Rin is a song about moving on from the past and looking forward to the future while acknowledging the changes and challenges that come with it. It reminds us that, despite the hurdles and transitions, our song of life will continue to play.

Line by Line Meaning

Sa wari ko’y Lumipas na ang kadiliman ng araw Dahan-dahan pang gumigising At ngayo’y babawi na
As I see it, the darkness of the day has passed slowly awakening and now I will recover

Muntik na Nasanay ako sa ‘king pag-iisa Kaya nang iwanan ang Bakas ng kahapon ko
Almost, I got used to being alone so now I'm leaving behind the traces of my past

Tuloy pa rin ang awit ng buhay ko Nagbago man ang hugis ng puso mo Handa na ‘kong hamunin ang aking mundo ‘Pagkat tuloy pa rin
The song of my life continues, even though the shape of your heart has changed, I am ready to face my world because I'm moving forward

Kung minsan ay hinahanap Pang alaala ng iyong halik (alaala ng ‘yong halik) Inaamin ko na kay tagal pa Bago malilimutan ito
Sometimes I search for the memory of your kiss (the memory of your kiss) I admit it will be a while before I forget it

Kay hirap nang maulit muli Ang naiwan nating pag-ibig (alam ko na ‘yan) Tanggap na at natututo pang Harapin ang katotohanang ito
It's hard to repeat the love we left behind (I know that) I accept it and am still learning to face this reality

Muntik na Nasanay ako sa ‘king pag-iisa Kaya nang iwanan Ang bakas ng kahapon ko
Almost, I got used to being alone so now I'm leaving behind the traces of my past

Tuloy pa rin ang awit ng buhay ko (tuloy pa rin) Nagbago man ang hugis ng puso mo (hugis ng mundo mo) Handa na ‘kong hamunin ang aking mundo (hamunin) ‘Pagkat tuloy pa rin (tuloy pa rin)
The song of my life continues (continues) even though the shape of your heart has changed (the shape of your world) I am ready to face my world (face it) because I'm moving forward (still moving forward)

Tuloy pa rin ang awit ng buhay ko (tuloy pa rin) Nagbago man ang hugis ng puso mo (oh.hoh.) Handa na ‘kong hamunin ang aking mundo (handang harapin ang mundo) ‘Pagkat tuloy pa rin
The song of my life continues (continues) even though the shape of your heart has changed (oh.hoh.) I am ready to face my world (ready to face the world) because I'm moving forward (still moving forward)

Contributed by Ethan P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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