Noel Cabangon concert proceeds to go to Soxie Topacio who is undergoing radiation therapy

Some singers come and go. Others, like singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon, hurdle the challenges of the digital age, younger musicians and others.

In fact, the Universal Records artist has just come up with an album of inspirational songs, Sa ‘Yo Lamang, which contains songs on faith, hope, and love.

This is because Noel treats his calling the way Olympians look at their talent: as a craft they need to develop all the way.

“You musn’t be laidback. I’m learning a lot of new songs.”

Noel himself is veering away from his acoustic style by getting a brass section to add more depth to his and his guests' performances in the concert Traffic Jam. It will take place this Friday, September 16, at Music Museum in Greenhills and October 21 at the PETA Theater in Quezon City.

Like Sa ‘Yo Lamang, where Noel donated all his royalties to Jesuit Communications (Jescom), which gambled on him and released his songs many years back, his Traffic Jam concert is a labor of love.

Noel and his guest performers Ogie Alcasid, Rico Blanco and Aicelle Santos are donating concert proceeds to ailing actor-director Soxie Topacio’s medical funds.

Soxie, a theatre, film and TV director, has been hospitalized recently due to sleep apnea and pneumonia. Doctors discovered a cancerous lump in his lungs and he's also diagnosed with SVC syndrome (superior vena cava syndrome, a condition caused by tumors or cancer in the chest area). Direk Soxie is now undergoing radiation therapy.



INSPIRATIONAL ALBUM. Noel has been discreet about revealing his spiritual side-- until now.

“Hindi lang halata,” he says with a smile. “But I was chosen to go on an immersion program in a seminary back in the province. I also joined the church choir and the Youth Marian Crusade.”

Figures why Noel composed songs like Panginoon, Inang Pilipinas (which talks of unity, justice and peace) and After the Deluge (about helping victims of typhoon Yolanda).

These and inspirational songs such as "Tanging Yaman," "Humayo’t Ihayag," "Sa ‘Yo Lamang" and others make up the track list of Noel’s latest album titled Sa ‘Yo Lamang.

He knows, like others do, that it is in giving time and talent that he receives so much more. The work of his hands is giving the sick, the depressed and the downtrodden hope and the promise of a better tomorrow.

He’s also learning from fellow musicians. The songs he listens to pay tribute to the music of today and yesterday: classical, jazz, rock, mellow, and indie.
Duran Duran, Al Jarreau, Earth Wind and Fire, Sting, and The Eagles put a smile on his face during those infamous traffic jams in the metro.

Noel reinvents songs the way a good actor leaves his comfort zone to take offbeat roles that show how far he can go.

“I adapt to new situations and the younger market,” he explains.

He gave a new take to the popular love song Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok Ko, and younger people mistook the Rey Valera song as Noel’s original work.

After Sa ‘Yo Lamang, he’s planning another album based consisting of 50 percent remakes, 50 percent original songs.

Then there’s the need for playing before a live audience, or, in performers’ parlance, having regular gigs.

“I started from scratch,” Noel recalls. “I was performing in bars.”

Noel things every musician, no matter how big he has become, should never forget his humble beginnings, when he moved heaven and earth to coax audience applause.

There’s still no substitute for live shows and the instant feedback it gives.
“Doon ka mahahasa. Mape-pwersa kang magdagdag sa repertoire mo para di ka ma-stuck sa isang style,” he says.

For the September 16 Traffic Jam concert of Noel Cabangon at the Music Museum, please contact Anj Heruela at 0927-3709581 for balcony tickets.