President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s inaugural tomorrow at the Quirino Grandstand will not only feature international pop star Charice Pempengco singing the National Anthem, but also present “Bagong Pilipinas,” a song specially written for the ceremony by Ogie Alcasid and Noel Cabangon.
“Bagong Pilipinas” is a collaborative work—likewise for the first time—between the two singer-songwriters, who had actively campaigned for Aquino.
Alcasid had earlier written another song, “Hindi Ka Nag-iisa,” which became the theme music in a video featuring dozens of celebrities who donated their time and presence to endorse Aquino.
All-star cast
Cabangon had also offered to perform, for free, one of his own compositions, “Ako ay Isang Mabuting Pilipino,” at Aquino’s campaign sorties.
At the Quirino Grandstand, Alcasid and Cabangon will perform “Bagong Pilipinas” with an all-star cast of fellow artists, which include Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, Jed Madela, Christian Bautista, Nina, Jim Paredes, Mae Paner (a.k.a. Juana Change), the UP Madrigal Singers and La Salle Green Hills’ Kundirana.
Cabangon told the Inquirer via e-mail that it was Alcasid who broached the idea to work together on the song.
“A few days after the May 10 elections, I texted Ogie a congratulatory message because our presidential bet was on his way to victory,” Cabangon recalled. “Ogie replied, and then asked if I could help him write a song to celebrate Noy’s victory.”
Cabangon recounted that he said yes right away; he and Alcasid also agreed that the song should be a call for unity among Filipinos.
At 6 p.m. on the same day they talked, the songwriters met in Alcasid’s house and went to work.
“Ogie already had a melody and lyrics for the first stanza. Then we tossed around some ideas for the second stanza. Ogie had also written the chorus part but we needed more lines and an additional melody. A couple of hours later, we finished the song and recorded the demo.”
Ryan Cayabyab came in to help in the arrangement.
It was only then that Alcasid reportedly said he would talk to Aquino if they could perform the song at the latter’s inaugural.
What was it like collaborating with a pop artist like Alcasid?
“We have different styles on how we write, like in the use of language,” said Cabangon. “But I had a good experience.”
Cabangon believes they have a good song in their hands, even if they had considered going over it again for possible revisions and polishing. “But that was it,” he said. “I was in Geneva when Ogie broke the news to the media that we are performing the song at the inaugural.”
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