Noel Cabangon

The title of his latest album, “Byahe,” speaks well of himself. “Byahe,” which means “trip,” describes Noel Cabangon’s journey as a songwriter and singer. As a young kid, Noel was shy, and then he metamorphosed into an outspoken advocate for the welfare of the less privileged, especially those who belong to the lowest rung of society. Another part of his advocacy was for the environment.

He knows that there is power in songs – so he uses it to express his advocacies. And it is for this reason that he has been invited to perform in several cause-oriented concerts abroad, notably in Europe. Through a group called Buklod in 1987, he has released three advocacy albums called “Bukid at Buhay,” an album which speaks of the lives, struggles and aspirations of the Filipino peasants; “Tatsulok,” an album on human rights; and “Sa Kandungan ng Kalikasan,” an advocacy album on the environment.

Noel described his songs in “Byahe” as “cross-over” or “middle of the road.”    

“The songs were chosen from a list I submitted to the producer,” Noel said. “And I made a demo before I left abroad. When I came back, I was given the go-signal to record the songs.”   

He added that “I chose those songs which fit my style, and there were touches which we introduced so that the young generation could appreciate it. In fact, the songs were also a tribute to our great songwriters.”

“Byahe” features the following songs: “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko” (originally popularized by Sharon Cuneta), “Tuloy Pa Rin” (Neocolours), “Binibini” (Rainmakers), “Ang Aking Awitin” (Bong Gabriel), “Di Na Natuto” (Gary Valenciano), “Ang Buhay Nga Naman” (Noel wrote it as theme song for the movie “Ded Na Si Lolo”), “Kanlungan” with Aia De Leon of Imago, “Dito Sa Kanto” with Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar, “Kung Kailangan Mo Ako” (Rey Valera), “Ipagpatawad Mo” (VST & Company), “Pag-ibig” (APO Hiking Society), “Pinay” (Florante), “Tao” (Sampaguita), “Pagbabalik” (Astri), and “Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika” (Hajji Alejandro).

Noel is one of the most travelled singers of the country. He has already toured most of the countries in central Europe and performed for the Filipinos and the Europeans in the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, France and Belgium.

In 2002, Noel, with the Jubilee South Network, was invited to perform at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil. As an advocate for the anti-debt campaign of the Southern countries, Noel performed together with artists from Africa and South America. And then at the World Social Forum in Mumbai, India in 2004. Noel also attended a workshop on the relevance of music on the theme “Another World is Possible,” where he met with several artists from other countries. The forum led to the production of a collaboration album called “Arts In Resistance.”

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Kitkat is working hard to recover lost savings

Comedian Kitkat has been working hard ever since she discovered her savings and hard-earned possessions (like some jewelry) were gone, along with her ex-boyfriend who also used to be her accountant. This guy he hauled to court and now has a warrant of arrest but he couldn’t be found anymore, “nagtago na siya ng husto,” Kitkat said during a recent press conference for the September birthday celebrants of Star Magic talents.

“I trusted him so much, ipinagkatiwala ko ang lahat sa kanya, di ko alam na isinusugal na ang pera ko. High roller pala siya sa mga casino.” They were together for six years, according to Kitkat. She described him as not good-looking but “maalaga” that’s why she fell for him. “I found out na wala na akong pera when I needed P1-million for down payment sa bibilhin ko sanang bahay. At first, he was trying to discourage me, but when I insisted, doon ko na nalaman na wala na palang laman ang bank account ko. At nagdatingan na rin ng bills ko sa mga credit cards.”

Kitkat went through hell during her discovery of the real color of her former love partner.

But she has moved on and is slowly recovering from that nightmare. It was big help when she and Karylle won P400,000 in GMA-7’s “Pinoy Bingo.” From that time on, “nakakabangon na ako, I slowly settled my financial obligations, like my car’s amortization, etc. It was really a very traumatic experience for me,” she stressed. It hurt her even more because she is the bread winner of her family. “But I’m happy to be so,” she said. “Kaya ngayon, lahat ng projects tinatanggap ko, kumita lang.”

Soraya Rey Banas in real life, Kitkat was discovered in a comedy bar after which she became a regular stand-up comedian-singer at Punchline, Laffline and Metro Bar. She was last seen on TV in “Maid in Heaven” and “Most Requested Song.” Kitkat is grateful to ABS-CBN for giving her the chance to work with Claudine Barretto and Kristine Hermosa among other top caliber stars. She worked with Claudine in “Iisa Pa Lamang” and with Kristine in “Maruja” and “Dahil May Isang Ikaw.”

Kitkat turned 25 last Sept. 23 and she was so happy that her supposed to be simple birthday celebration became a big one when her friends Melissa Ricks and Empress Schuck threw a surprise party for her. Her birthday wish was to have more projects and that her grandmother’s life be prolonged. She dreams of playing a “sexy kontrabida” in one of her next projects.

Priscilla Meirelles

If she stands out among the beautiful ladies, it’s because Priscilla Meirelles is a former Miss Earth. As such she has captivated print and TV media with glamour pictorials for glossy magazine covers. She has also done some print ads and she has been chosen to endorse various beauty and fashion products. She has judged the Miss Earth Pageant for three consecutive years. She is also a dancing aficionada and she won the Grand Winner on “Shall We Dance” last year in the Beauty Queen edition. Recently, Priscilla co-hosted in “This is Life” on Studio 23. She turned 26 last Sept. 5.

RJ Jimenez

RJ Jimenez was one of the first batch of scholars of “Pinoy Dream Academy.” After his stint in PDA, he started to focus in songwriting where he was able to compose the original theme song for Star Magic’s “Abt Ur Luv.” RJ is definitely busy with a series of performances in and out of the country. He is also set to perform at the Top 5 Orchard Towers in Singapore, Bacolod and all over Metro Manila. He has also launched his self-titled album and hopefully he will launch a follow-up album next year. He has also done some acting, as a friend of Billy Joe Crawford in “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” Unknown to many, RJ graduated from UST with a degree in Electrical and Communications Engineering. He turned 26 last Sept. 17.

The other Star Magic artists who celebrated their birth anniversaries recently were: Joyce So and John Manalo (Sept. 6), John James Dy (Sept. 13), Robi Domingo and Nene Tamayo (Sept. 27), Noemi Oineza and Marion dela Cruz (Oct. 7), Maliksi Morales and Elmer Felix (Oct. 9), Rodjun Cruz and Nash Aguas (Oct. 10), Saicy Aguila (Oct. 12), Vina Morales and Sam Concepcion (Oct. 17), Thara Jordana (Oct. 20), Pica Lozano (Oct. 21), Matt Evans (Oct. 22), Andre Garcia (Oct. 23), Manuel Chua and Regine Angeles (Oct. 29).

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Nov. 16 go to Bocaue Councilor Rondelle “RDL” de Leon, Gen. Mario Espina, Cindy Lilles-Maceda, Chuck Perez, Mary Anne Cuevas, Chola Yu, Joseph Liao, Ester de Leon, Agnes Reyes, Jennifer Gonzalez, Elizabeth Racelis, Mark Maristela, US-based Haydee Lagana-Talampas, Jerbie Santos, Dong Kim, Tristan Reese S. Eusebio and Fundador Soriano.