RFM Himig Mindanao
Man does not live by bread alone according to Gospel
of Peanuts. But may I add bread, butter and yes music. Why really not. Leonardo da Vinci, the greatest genius of all
time was not only a handsome but possessed fine voice. God indeed is kind that He has it packaged
when he created man without we ever knowing it. It might be that some received
handful and the rest by ganta depending on how we develop and repackaged it.
Talent? That’s the bottom line and
probably reason why music would remain forever in the hearts of all men of
different persuasion, color and culture.
Filipinos are not that far in so far as music is
closest in our hearts. Why really not when Filipinos are that creative,
passionate and musical people in the world.
Witness how our artists have carved their niche in the world of
entertainment. And walay paborpabor, here’s my Himig
Mindanao, this writer’s baby actually produced very recently.
Try getting one. It’s not only a
good collector’s item. Most importantly, a musical journey towards
peace in Mindanao and the rest of the country.
I do know because music like writing has been there for the past four decades
and counting. Did God not anyway enjoined us “That as much as possible as it
depends to us, we should live at peace with everyone (Rom.12.18). Within
ourselves, people, nation, environment and with God, if I may add. It could
also be payback time, as you plant you
will also reap. What’s the use anyway
possessing talent but you can’t translate it in simple economic development
never mind meager or who knows as He may wish. Anyway, the important thing is
life should move on hopefully now in different but higher exciting level.
Himig Mindanao is a compilation of thirteen
(13) songs original compositions. The songs were mostly composed in Agusan del
Sur in the early 90’s. Unlike Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental where civil strife
mellowed down in those years, Agusan del Sur was still reeling from the impact
of sporadic gunfight between the rebels and the government forces what with
hostilities engaged by the two warring groups in Mt. Diwata Range, San Andres
Bukid, Bunawan and some other areas declared as no man’s land resulting to
several casualties from both sides.
My assignment too in the river towns
of San Luis, Loreto, La Paz Mindanao
and some area at that time. I had that memorable incident recalled in my song
“Kalikasan Masdan”: “Sinong ‘di mababahala sa nangyayari daing ng Kalikasan ay
nakakabingi. Pagmasdan n’yo putol na mga kahoy naging balakid sa bituka ng
ilog,” I wrote.
Similar experience was observed when
I was transferred as Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer (MARO) handling
Kalilangan Integrated Development Area (KALIDA), 16,000 hectares agricultural
enclave including the area given to Pinatubo settlers nearby, carved out from
43,000 hectares Military reservation in San Vicente Ferrer, Kalilangan,
Bukidnon. One afternoon while hiking, I
discovered several hundreds of hot logs neatly arranged amidst the forest in
Dominorog. The sight practically made me sick. What further made me revolting;
however, was the inability of DENR people in confiscating the loot from mother
nature’s despite earlier notice. The reason is explainable, fear of reprisal
from unscrupulous loggers. That prompted me to apply for possible deputization
from Task Force Macajalar, an NGO watching and protecting watershed. But later
I dropped my application after learning that a priest in the area who locally
heads the Task Force flee away the night before I went to see him. The reason I
was told by the boy in the convent-there were armed men who forcibly
gatecrashed the convent undoubtedly going after the priest’s head; thus,
driving away the poor priest to another parish nearby.
I believe such incident was more of
a blessing or I would have not reached
this far publicly launching this Himig Mindanao had I forced the issue. Now
that the arena is even with the momentum obviously in me, I’m engaging a new
similar battle as all of you are this time through my Himig Mindanao. And why
not when the battle is definitely worth fighting for.
In a nutshell, Himig Mindanao here
is used as a metaphor for different events taking place in the island from
agrarian reform to peace and order situation, environmental concerns to human
right violation and other related social issues. In effect, treating those
cacophony of sounds into delightful integrated repertoire using insight and
creative juice that is Himig Mindanao. In sum, this project calls for peace-
for environment, with others, oneself and most importantly, God. The choice is ours. Make it therefore yours the better choice and
we’ll live at peace in the lifetime. Vol. 1 Vocals was just very recently
produced. Text 09067745567 for advance copy as I’m still negotiating display
centers for possible future display of this project. You probably like reading my column but
promise your day will never be the same again listening to my music. Promise.
Prepare then yourself to a trip
towards peace with God in “Duyog Kaniya”-“Kay ang tanan Iyang gihigugma.
Unsa pa man ang imong gikabalaka. Busa angayang maghigugmaay na ug padayon
pagsubay sa dalan Niya,” I enjoined in that song. We get nothing out of civil
strife as history avers what with millions of victims caught in the crossfires.
Allowing us to reflect on our option is what Himig Mindanao does best. We did.
But look on the result. Chaos instead of harmony, division instead of unity and
killing instead of preserving life itself.
Are we learning from our past
mistakes, rectified it or made it an orgy of creating more? Learn the call for
peace and get the lesson from damage of “Maguindanao Massacre” and the longing
of a son to a father who has not returned since he went on mission in San
Miguel, Surigao del Sur in “Mindanao” As a gesture of such perpetual waiting
said son continues holding his father’s birthday and would probably stop only
when his father returns home safely. But when? Or if you wish, emphatize with
the victims of civil strife-the innocent children like “Eli”, an infant
rocked in the cradle in Sampaguita, Veruela. He was the youngest in the family
of ten orphaned by civil strife. Understand the plight of ordinary farmer and
worker in “Magsasaka” and “Manggagawa”. No matter what, they are
still our heroes as their industry provides us food and other basic needs. Against
all adversities, continue holding on and rise up everytime you fall and pick
those pits and pieces up living life to the fullest.
We have already proven our worth
toppling down dictatorship for good restoring democracy as in EDSA. We too
dismantled the military bases with the hope of not seeing anymore the control
of aliens. As the lines in “Tulad Ng
Ibon” says “Ngayon na nga sana
Above all and this everybody will
agree, nothing really is impossible with God. Regardless where you stand and
what ideology you are fighting for, the essential simply remains. As The Little
Prince would say – what is important is invisible to the eyes. Play you own
game but observe the proper rules. When everything turns the other way around
unexpectedly, be ready to be reconciled with God, yourself and country. They’re
all what we’ve got. That’s what Pagsuyo
is urging us. Life is only lived once and we don’t have any business extending
it. Learn to value it as in Buhay.
We can by all means why not. Need to say more. Good cheer! Uban ta sa paglawig.
Notes On Himig Mindanao and Concert Repertoire
A. OPENING
1
. Dakilang Maylikha Sa Ngalan Ng Ama /The Lord’s Prayer/ I Believe/The
Prayer (Alternate)– I only heard
this song once in a radio by Freddie Aguilar and since then I wasted no time
arranging it. The timeless message of the song is simply plausible and could
easily relate with audience and I feel it is the most suited opening number in
an album and concert specially for Himig Mindanao.
2 Pambansang Awit – originally in Key of F but I have transposed to
make the necessary balance for SATB voice. The arranger of the song as I have
it on my file is not indicated. I’m recommending this arrangement because it is
very easy to learn.
3 Bayan ko/Mindanao – This
popular song completes Part I of opening numbers. Arrangement is by Prof. Lina
Abrio (RIP). The arrangement is typical Abrio – balanced, simple and powerful.
I was his last student in piano and just missed one (1) meeting before his
untimely death in 2000. Mindanao is my banner
song and portion of which was added to Bayan ko as an adlib to provide local
color.
B.
Preliminary/Vocalization (Classics)
The Prayer, Nessum Dorma, Gira Con Me, Time to Say
Goodbye, Too Much Love will Kill You, When the children cry, Live Like Horses, Go The Distance, OPM- Masdan
Ang Kapaligiran, Haring Ibon, Sana’y Walang Wakas, Hanggang, Kailangan Ko’y
Ikaw, Standard- Bee Gees Medley, Forever medley . . .
C. Himig Mindanao
preferably with Video Graphics & footages
4 Duyog Na – A song for
people empowerment inspired by the beauty of Kalatungan
Range and Mt. Kitanglad
5 Manggagawa – a tribute to all workers specially
the laborers, farmers to be steadfast in their work and taking care very well
their health, one of their most prized possession given by God.
6 Tulad ng Ibon – a
reflection on the comparison between a bird and man showing that their
similarity in many aspect specially their longing for freedom. A kulasisi left
hanging by the window brought all the way from La Paz Subic
still caught many Filipinos captive.
7 Magsasaka – first song written when I was
assigned as MARO in Veruela, one of the rivertown in Agusan del Sur. This
composition won 3rd Prize in 1991 National Songwriting Contest
sponsored by DAR Central Office. The award inspired me to write more songs thus
completing my Himig Mindanao album.
8 Maguindanao Massacre – (Dedicated to Maguindanao Massacre victims,one
of whom was once my colleague in Mindanao
Gold Star Daily, local Tabloid based in CDO
I wrote a column “Rainbow”. I transfer
to Sunstar CDO however with “Mindaview” since Jan. 2010. You can read my column by
logging on rfmaulionhimigmindanaoblogsite at Sunstar.com.ph).
Buluan is where I graduated in elem. in 1970. And so far her peace was blown
into bits and piece than when the province suffered that infamous Maguindanao
Massacre of Nov. 2009 killing 57 innocent people including 34 journalists.
9. Mindanao -is the
summary of my impression gathered from experience and those directly suffering
from the continuing hostility in Agusan del Sur late 80’s to early 90’s.
Particulary in Bunawan, San Luis, Veruela and the rest of the rivertowns.
10 Pagsuyo – was
deliberately treated kundiman’s way. The song tells the story of two lovers,
the man wanting to be reconciled to his erstwhile sweetheart who because he had
been living underground before People Power in EDSA I tried in swooning back
her heart qualifying that what happened in the past is merely a stage they have
to pass through that somewhere out there still lies bright future for them. A
metaphor for the country where freedom was regained after the harrowing
experience under dictatorship.
11 Mang Andres – is
Andres Bonifacio, one of Philippine hero representing the working class.
Admittedly, this song was the hardest among the compositions in Himig Mindanao.
Among others, I conducted research on the life of Bonifacio (at Medina,
Municipal Library at Misamis Oriental) on top of making relevant music of the
past (rondalla) using banduria. But the result is worth the effort as many
listeners confide that this work is one of what they like best.
12. Kalikasan/Masdan – a song born out of disgust over unsightly rare
traffic jam in Agusan del Sur River – countless logs clogging in the river.
This bad experience was further aggravated by similar scene showing hundred of
logs neatly filed inside Dominirog forest in Bukidnon early 90’s. Masdan of
course is Asin’s Masdan ang Kapaligiran, actually the first social
protest song against destruction of environment. I have it remixed here with
Kalikasan as descant to highlight amazing drama of destruction going on
unabated more than two decades later.
13 Ale Maria Maganda – a
song dedicated to all women. She could be your mother, friend, wife or lover. The
gospel portrays her as important historical figure dear to Jesus. The awakening
I had from the reading of Holy Blood and
Holy Grail and Da Vinci Code resulted to this composition. Guess who is she?
15. Eli, Eli – was the youngest among ten children orphaned by
on-going hostility. He was rocked in a cradle when I arrived in Sampaguita, a
barrio in Veruela, Agusan del Sur. Forsaken like Christ on the cross crying
Eli, Eli Sabachtani for My God, My God, why have you forsaken me, Eli was left
to the care of his uncle just like the rest of his sisters and brothers in the
cold orphaned and don’t know what the
future has in store for him. In the world of hostility, Eli simply represents
the great majority of the excesses on the
continuing hostility between military and perceived enemies.
16
Buhay – stresses
the importance life. It is not ours to spend, but God’s. We’re just here to
share His love to each one. This work was written with Renenio Cagang of XU,
CDO and Kemberly Jul Luna of MSU-ITT, Iligan City
17
RFM March – is originally
an Alma Mater song for Malitbog
Agriculture School Romblon Agricultural
College
19 Magtulungan Tayo – This
Tagalog adaptation of The Greatest Love of All was included as fitting
closing song for Himig Mindanao. The message calling for unity, helping one
another tells it all.
20 The Lord’s Prayer…I Believe
– finally sealed Himig Mindanao what with Christ himself enjoining all us to
love one another as much as possible delivering us from evil in whatever form
it manifests.
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