The Greatest Gift of Love

When I was still with the choir, we were learning some new songs to sing for the mass. One of them was a song entitled "Sa Iyong Mga Yapak." When we were working on our harmony, I seem to remember our choirmaster telling us to feel and understand every word that we sing. Taking that suggestion to heart, we began singing the song and while the sopranos (I being one of them) were singing the words, I almost choked and found myself wanting to cry. It's like a revelation at that time that the song that I'm singing refers to the loving act of our Lord Jesus Christ as he suffered and died for our sins. It's a good thing that there were eight of us in the soprano section and so, my stopping at mid-song wasn't too obvious. Since then, whenever we sing this song during the mass, I try my best to hold back the tears for a few minutes so that the beauty of the song and it's reflective words may touch those people hearing mass. I knew then that this song is truly perfect for Lenten Season. But I'd take it a step further that this song truly reflects Jesus' everyday sacrifice to us whenever he changes the host and the wine into his body and blood. This is one of my favorite and most loved Filipino Sacred Music. Here I share it with you in the spirit of the Lenten Season and in thanksgiving for God's marvelous gift of love and mercy.

By the way, the English translation is a rough one. Pardon my efforts if I have not completely captured the essence of the song. I hope that you'd be touched by the song itself.

SA IYONG MGA YAPAK                                         English Translation

Landas na kay tinik sa Iyo'y inilaan                              A path filled with thorns was intended for You

Bawa't hakbang nito'y dusa't hirap ang laman               Every step is filled with suffering and anguish

Sa kalooban ng Ama nagpasakop kang ganap             You submitted to the Father’s will fully

Buhay Mo O Hesus ang siyang alay na sapat               Your life, O Jesus, was the only offering that’s enough

Laban sa agos ng mundo,                                            Against the grain of the world,

Lumakad ka sa landas Mo                                          You walked the path only you have chosen

Laban sa lakad ng mundo,                                           Against the trend of the world,

Landas na sa 'ki'y nais Mo                                          You walked the path you wished that I would take

Sa Iyong mga yapak, ako ay tatahak                           I will walk in Your footsteps,

Kahit tigib ng luha ang nilakaran Mong landas              Even though the path You trod is full of tears

Pasakit man at dusa dulot ng mundo'y kamtan              Even if the world may bring me pain and suffering

Bawat bakas ng Iyong mga yapak                               Every trace of Your footsteps

Bawat hakbang Mo'y aking susundan                          Every step You take, I shall take it too

Kay hirap Mang gawin kalooban Mo'y tupdin             Though it’s hard to do Thy will completely

Pinili kong sundan bakas ng 'Yong mga hakbang          I choose to follow the path treaded by your footsteps

Ang buhay ko'y laan sa Iyo kailanpaman                     My life I give fully to Thee forevermore

Maglilingkod sa'Yo Panginoon hanggang wakas           I shall serve you, O God, to the end

Filipino Folk Goes International: Paru-Parong Bukid

Paru-Parong Bukid (Eng Trans. Butterfly Field) is one of the more popular folk song in the Philippines that was successfully made into a classic “kundiman” (musical) movie eponymously titled – Paru-Parong Bukid. The movie was produced by Sampaguita Pictures in 1938 top-billed by renowned “kundiman” actor Rudy Concepcion and his favorite on-screen love interest, Rosario Moreno.  via All Philippines

A fellow faculty member told me this joke.
Faculty: Knock! Knock!
Me: Who’s there?
Faculty: Butterfly.
Me. Butterfly who?
Faculty: B-U-TT-E-R  F-L-Y, Butterfly! (repeat 3x) Beeeee-U-TT-ER  F-L-Y, Butterfly!

Not funny isn’t it? Try singing the line to the tune of Paru-Parong Bukid. Listen to the video below as an American Choir sings and interprets this song.

PARU-PARUNG BUKID SONG LYRICS (Learn more)

Paruparong bukid na lilipad-lipad               
Sa gitna ng daan papagapagaspas           
Isang bara ang tapis
Isang dangkal ang manggas
Ang sayang de kola
Isang piyesa ang sayad


May payneta pa siya — uy!
May suklay pa man din — uy!
Nagwas de-ohetes ang palalabasin
Haharap sa altar at mananalamin
At saka lalakad nang pakendeng-kendeng.

Now try singing it, using only one word: Butterfly. Ready? Go! B-U-TT-E-R  F-L-Y, Butterfly... ;-D

Filipino Folk Goes International: Bahay Kubo

Here’s to reminiscing one of the most sung Filipino Folk Songs--Bahay Kubo. In fact, it’s a song kids use at play. What’s amusing is watching and listen to an all-boys choir sing this song with their own peculiar accent. But wait...they’re not Filipino! That is why it’s even more interesting. Watch and enjoy these adorable angels sing one of the Philippines’ popular folk song.

Bahay Kubo English Translation (Nipa Hut)

Bahay kubo, kahit munti Our Nipa Hut, even though it’s small
Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari. We have various plants found in our garden
Singkamas at talong, Jicama (Mexican turnip) and eggplant,
sigarilyas at mani Winged beans and peanuts
Sitaw, bataw, patani. String beans, lablab beans, lima beans

Kundol, patola, upo't kalabasa Wax gourd, loofah, bottle gourd and squash
At saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa, And also radish, mustard
sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya Onions, tomatoes, garlic and ginger
sa paligid-ligid ay puro linga. The area is filled with sesame seeds

Filipino Folk Goes International: Katakataka

Today, I'm featuring my country's Filipino Folk Songs. Singing folk songs is a mainstay in choral singing. In fact, it's through folk songs that choral groups all over the world find their commonality as well as their differences. It is the way through which we--singers, directors and composers--appreciate cultural diversity. In this blog, I aim to highlight this by featuring Filipino folk songs sung by non-Filipino choral groups from the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

Katakataka is a song about two friend's who started to joke around until one of them fell in love with the other. Below are the lyrics and translation courtesy of tagalog.com.

Here is a rendition of the song by the NTU CAC Choir.

Kataka-takang mahibang ang katulad ko sa iyo
It's remarkable for someone like me to fall for you

Biru-biro ang simula
Joking around at first

Ang wakas pala ay ano?
The ending is what?

Aayaw-ayaw pa ako
I profess not to want it

ngunit ’yan ay ’di totoo
but that isn't true

Dahil sa iyo
Because of you

puso kong ito’y binihag mo
this heart of mine you've captivated

Ala-ala ka maging gabi’t araw
Thinking of you day and night

 

A Memorable Folk Song (Thanks to Mom!)

Folk songs present the character and beauty of one's culture. In choral singing, folk songs are entitled as one of many categories in music festivals and choral competitions. Furthermore, choral competitions open the door to cultural exchange in the form of swapping and/or trading folk songs among the different choirs.

Rosas Pandan is one of the Filipino folk songs that's been around the world. When you go to YouTube for example, I've seen many non-Filipino choirs sing this song--choirs from Europe, the USA, and Asia. It's upbeat and catchy tone gives the audience a "wow" experience. It's final notes are sang in a grandiose blend of polyphonic harmony.

Personally, this song is special to me because of the one person whose love for singing has influenced and touched my life--my mom! My mom loves this song that every time I sing this with the choir, she's all smiles like her day has brighten up more than any other day. My mom was a singer before she got married. She told me that Rosas Pandan was one of the songs she used to sing in a competition. And she won that competition, so the song--apart from being enjoyable on its own--truly holds a special place in my mom's heart.

Cheers to mom and to all the mothers in the world! Here is Rosas Pandan.

CEBUANO VERSION:                                      ENGLISH TRANSLATION: (from this blog)
Ania si Rosas Pandan                                           Here is Rosas Pandan
Gikan pa intawon sa kabukiran                             Just arrived from the mountains
Kaninyo makiguban-uban                                     To be with all of you
Sa gisaulog nga kalingawan                                   To celebrate the fiesta

Balitaw day akong puhunan                                  This song is my livelihood
Maoy kabilin sa akong ginikanan                          An inheritance from my parents
Awit nga labing kara-an                                        A most ancient song
Nga garbo ning atong kabungturan                       The pride of our hill country

Dika ding dika ding dika ding                               Dika ding dika ding dika ding
Ayay sa atong balitaw                                          Hey!, our song
Manindot pa ug sayaw                                         Is still nice to dance to
Daw yamog ang kabugnaw                                  Like fog on a cold day

Dika dong dika dong dika dong                           Dika dong dika dong dika dong
Ayay usab si Dodong                                           Hey!, also the young man
Nagtan-aw kang Inday                                        He's looking at the young lady
Nagtabisay ang laway                                          His drool is falling

Ayayay ayayay ayayay                                         Ayayay ayayay ayayay
Aya-ay sa akong balitaw                                      Hey!, my song
Kanindot ba mosayaw                                          Is it nice to dance to
Daw yamog ang kabugnaw                                  Like fog on a cold day

Tigadong tigadong tigadong                                 Tigadong tigadong tigadong
Ayay usab si Dodong                                          Hey!, also the young man
Nagtan-aw kang Inday                                       He's looking at the young lady
Nagtabisay ang laway                                         His drool is falling

Sing, Dance, Move and Groove

It's kinda late. I got home late. I start work early and I realize...I haven't written my blog for the day! I don't even have a draft, a definite plan. Here I am trying to figure out what to share with you today. I think of a song that I used to sing with Novo...or what about songs from the other choirs we've met on tours...but what song will I feature today? What choir?

And then while browsing on Youtube, I remember another favorite Filipino choral group. This one of many groups I've come to know and grow fond of when I joined Novo: the University of the East Chorale.

Now, next question: What song? Hmm...there are a lot of choices. I figured it should be a song in which they sang beautifully...and grove to the beat...what could that be? Ah, Mas Que Nada!



O aria aio opa opa opa
O OOOO aria aio opa opa

Mais que nada
Sai da minha frente
Que eu quero passar

Pois o samba esta animado
A que eu quero e samba
 
Este samba que a mistura de maracatu
E smaba de preto velho, samba de preto du

Mais que nada
Um samba come este tao legal
Voce nao vai querer que eu cheque no final

O aria aio opa opa
O OOOO aria ail opa opa opa

I like this video because I get to see their choirmaster sway and dance while conducting. Really! It's one of the reasons why I like watching this choir.