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.

Tuyo Na'ng Damdamin
Noel Cabangon Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Minsan kahit na pilitin mong uminit ang damdamin
Di siya susunod, at di maglalambing
Minsan di mo na mapigil mapansin
Na talagang wala nang naiiwan na pagmamahal

At kahit na anong gawin
Di mo na mapilit at madaya
Aminin sa sarili mo

Na wala ka nang mabubuga

Parang 'sang kandila na nagdadala
Ng ilaw at liwanag
Nauubos rin sa magdamag

Minsan di mo na mapigil mapansin
Na talagang wala nang naiiwan na pagmamahal

(Repeat Refrain)

Pilitin ma'y tuyo na'ng damdamin

Tuyo na'ng damdamin (repeat 4x)

Overall Meaning

Noel Cabangon’s “Tuyo Na’ng Damdamin” is a heart-wrenching ode to unrequited love, conveying the feeling of hopelessness that comes with the realization that a love that once burned so brightly has now fizzled out. The opening lyrics, “Minsan kahit na pilitin mong uminit ang damdamin, di siya susunod, at di maglalambing” translates to “Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to ignite your feelings, they don’t reciprocate, and they won’t be affectionate.” The song describes a familiar feeling of wanting someone so badly but knowing that they don’t feel the same way.

The song’s melancholic tone is further expressed through the lines “At kahit na anong gawin, Di mo na mapilit at madaya, Aminin sa sarili mo, Na wala ka nang mabubuga,” which can be translated to, “And no matter what you do, You can’t force it, and you know you’re depleted of love.” The sense of helplessness and acceptance of the harsh truth of unrequited love makes this song relatable for many people who have gone through similar heartbreaks.

Overall, Noel Cabangon’s “Tuyo Na’ng Damdamin” serves as a poetic reminder that sometimes, despite our best efforts, love may not work out the way we want it to, and it is important to accept that and move forward.

Line by Line Meaning

Minsan kahit na pilitin mong uminit ang damdamin
Sometimes, despite your efforts to kindle your emotions,

Di siya susunod, at di maglalambing
they won't respond and won't show affection

Minsan di mo na mapigil mapansin
Sometimes, you can't help but notice

Na talagang wala nang naiiwan na pagmamahal
that there's really no love left

At kahit na anong gawin
And no matter what you do

Di mo na mapilit at madaya
You can't force or deceive anymore

Aminin sa sarili mo
Admit to yourself

Na wala ka nang mabubuga
That you have nothing left to give

Parang 'sang kandila na nagdadala
Like a candle that carries

Ng ilaw at liwanag
Light and brightness

Nauubos rin sa magdamag
It will eventually run out through the night