Philippines Music

Noel Cabangon has been in the underground music industry for several years already but became a household name when his hit sing “Kanlungan” went commercial. The song was an instant hit - and was used for a lot of television advertisements. But some people still don’t know much about the man behind the touching lyrics and melody.

Noel Cabangon is an active Greenpeace volunteer since 1996,  and actively campaigns for clean energy as the Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior comes to Asia for its Clean Energy Revolution Tour.

Undoubtedly one of the most successful Filipino singers of all time, Lea Salonga (Maria Ligaya Carmen Imutan Salonga-Chien) has achieved worldwide success that other singers can only dream of. Lea is well-known for her portrayal of Kim in Miss Saigon, as well as Eponine. She is also the first Asian to play the said role in Broadway. She is also the first to win an Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, and Theatre World Awards for a single role.

On January 10, 2004, she married Robert Chien, and has a daughter named Beverly Nicole who was born on May 16, 2006. Below are two videos, one of Lea Salonga singing Sun and Moon in Miss Saigon, and another one where she sings Don’t Cry for me Argentina live.

Marifil Nina Girado was born on November 1, 1980 and is more popularly known as Nina. Often dubbed as the Philippine’s Soul Siren, she has released 4 albums to date and is known for her vocal belting. Most people often remark that she looks like Mariah Carey and her vocal ability to sing in whistle register (C3-G7) often adds to the description.

Known as the Philippine’s Queen of Soul, Jaya is a Philippine singer with African-American ancestry. Born Maria Luisa Ramsey, she started as a backup dancer for her mother Elizabeth Ramsey, a comedienne-singer. Jaya is now one of the hosts of SOP, a noontime show she co-hosts with Regine Velasquez, Kyla, and Ogie Alcasid.

South Border is one of the popular Philippine bands that have released love songs that were played on almost every radio station. But as good things are not always meant to last, South Border has gone through its share of ups and downs. Having replaced members more often than they release albums, Jay Durias is the only original member that has stayed and has continued to create music that thrills its fans.

A band based in Cebu, Philippines, Urbandub has been around the music scene since mid-2000 and their first album was released the following year entitled Birth. Urbandub tries to be unique and ultimately, original, and is known for constant experimentation, layered and textured guitars, and great vocals.

This video, Power to Unite, was directed by Louie Ignacio and also recently won in the prestigious New York Festivals last February 1. The said music video won a Gold Medal Award under the entertainment category. The music video was produced and the song composed by Elvira Go of the National Bible Quiz, Inc., with Rene Martinez performing the song and Charo Unite providing the melody. This is also the first time for a Filipino to win in the entertainment category in the New York Festivals.

Before I Let You Go is a very lonely song about a person reminiscing the good old days when they were still together with their loved one. Unfortunately, things have to end and they must part ways. It’s a song saying how one feels losing someone you love, and things you wish you had done and said when you were still together, but everything is too late.

One of the most influential alternative rock bands in the Philippines along with The Eraserheads, Rivermaya has several well-known singles such as Ulan, 214, Himala, Kisap Mata, If, You’ll Be Safe Here, and many others.

The band was formed in 1993 and has evolved from playing simple rock music to hard rock, acoustic, pop, and other variations. They have also recently released work in Singapore, Thailand, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia and have garnered the attention of fans throughout Southeast Asia.

Michael V. (Beethoven Bunagan in real life) is a popular singer, actor, and comedian. He has several regular shows like Eat Bulaga, a noontime show wherein he is one of the co-hosts, and Bubble Gang, a gag show along with Ogie Alcasid that has been airing for more than a decade already. The video below is a comedic one featuring himself as he sings the song entitled Hindi Ako Bakla (I’m not Gay), but the video proves otherwise.