Mahal na Likha Songs from the Philippines
Fiona De Vos
Introduction
This album—this music—is about love. Love for a partner, love for family and friends, love for one’s native land, divine love. Love that pulses softly within every being—so gentle and yet so powerful. Love that connects all, unites all, gives life to all. Pure, deep, unconditional Love.
Some of the songs in this album belong to a class of love songs known as the Kundiman. Kundiman stems from the phrase kung hindi man or “should it not be so.” As an art song, it has a special characteristic form, which generally starts in a minor key, lending it an air of melancholy, and then transmutes into a major key, expressing the other side of the coin, the joy of love and hope. One finds within the Kundiman both longing and bliss, both suffering and comfort, both heartache and love.
In the late 19th century, at a time when the Philippines was fighting for freedom from Spain’s colonial rule, when Filipino revolutionaries could not openly express what was burning in their hearts, the Kundiman served as a vehicle for expressing love for one’s motherland.
Mahal na Likha (Beloved Creation): Songs from the Philippines
Now, more than a century later, as we live in a world where national, cultural and other boundaries are falling away, may we all find and experience freedom from separation. May we, through a revolution of love, realize who we truly are. May Love be awakened in all beings. Boundless, all-encompassing, all-pervading Love.
Malinak La’y LabiMusic: Julian Velasco | Arrangement: Aries Caces | Text: Julian Velasco | Translation: Rhodora dela Peña and Fiona De Vos
Malinak la’y labiOras la’y mareenMapalpalna’y dagemKatekep to’y linaewSamit da’y kugip koBinangonan kon tampolLapu’d say limgas moSikan sika’y amamayoen
Lalo la bilayNo sika la’y nanengnengNapunas lan aminSo ermen ya akbibitenNo nanonotan koLa’y samit da’y ugalimAg ta ka nalingwananAngga’d kauyos na bilay
Deep is the nightThe hour, quietGentle is the windInfused with dewSweet is my dreamAt once, I aroseBecause of your purityI will hold you with utmost care
My lifeWhen it’s you I seeAll grief I bearIs wiped awayWhen I rememberThe sweetness of your waysI will never forget youUntil life ends
Iyo Kailan Pa ManMusic: Angel M. Peña | Text: Levi Celerio | Translation: Fiona De Vos
Sa alaala ko’y nagbabalikAng araw ng ating pag-ibigBuhay nati’y panaginipSa gilid ng munting batis
Ang mga labi mong sakdal tamisAy may pangakong hanggang langit:»Mamahalin kong lagi’y ikawSa ginhawa’t hapis«
Ngunit nagdaan ang arawSumpa mo’y nalimotNaghihintay sa kalungkutanAng puso ko, Irog
Nahan ang tanging pagmamahalBakit dagling nataposKailan ko muling makakamtanTunay mong pag-irog
Ang buhay kong namamanglawAy nais nang pumanawKung hindi ka kaulayawLangit ko’y walang tanglaw
Kung babalik ka, HirangAt ako’y lalapitanPusong iyo nang minsanAy iyo kailan pa man
It comes back to memoryThe days of our loveOur life was a dreamBy the small spring
Your lips that were so sweetHad a promise to the heavens:»You’re the one I will always loveIn comfort and in distress«
But the days passedYour vow has been forgottenMy heart is waitingIn sadness, my Love
Where is the special loveWhy did it end so soonWhen will I feelYour true love once more
My life in lonelinessWants to end nowIf you’re not here with meMy sky has no light
If you would only come back, my LoveAnd come close to meMy heart that was once yoursIs yours forever
Ang pagsintang dalisayAy di mamamatay
Pure loveWill never die
NahanMusic: Ernani J. Cuenco | Text: Levi Celerio | Translation: Fiona De Vos
Di ba sabi mo’y kay ganda ng lahatKulay rosas pa ang mga bulaklakTila sa akin ay ayaw kang magtapat’Yan ba ang sabi mong pag-ibig ay wagas
Ang iyong ngiti dati ay kay tamisPag ikaw at ako ay nagkakalapitNahan ang yakap mong dati ay mahigpitAt ang ligaya kong matamis mong halik
Didn’t you say everything was so beautifulAnd the flowers were the color of rosesIt seems you don’t want to tell me the truthIs that what you once said, that love is pure
Your smile used to be so sweetWhen you and I came close to each otherWhere is your embrace that used to be tightAnd my joy that was your sweet kiss
Jocelynang Baliwag ›Kundiman of the Revolution‹Music: Anonymous | Arrangement: Fiona De Vos | Text: Anonymous | Translation: Fiona De Vos
Pinopoong sinta niring kaluluwaNakakawangis mo’y mabangong sampagaDalisay sa linis, dakila sa gandaMatimyas na bukal ng madlang ligaya
Edeng maligayang kinaluluklukanNg galak at tuwang katamis-tamisanTala kang maningning na ang matunghaya’yMasamyong bulaklak agad sumisikal
Revered beloved of this soulYou resemble fragrant jasminesImmaculate in its purity, great in its beautyGenuine spring of all joy
Happy Eden that is the seat of honorOf joy and happiness of utmost sweetnessYou are a radiant star, whose gaze makesSweet-smelling flowers grow at once
KundimanMusic: Francisco Santiago | Text: Deogracias A. Rosario | Translation: Fiona De Vos
Ako’y anak ng dalitaAt tigib ng luhaAng naritong humihibikNa bigyan ng awaBuksan mo ang langitAt kusa mong pakingganAng aking ligaligSaka pagdaramdam
Ay kung hindi ka mahahabagSa lungkot kong dinaranasPuso’t diwang nabibihagSa libing masasadlakMagtanong ka kung di tunaySa kislap ng mga talaMagtanong ka rin sa ulapNg taglay kong dalita
Sa dilim ng gabingAking nilalamayTanging larawan moAng nagiging ilawKung ikaw ay mahimbingSa gitna ng dilimAy iyong ihulogPuso mo sa akin
Ang iyong ihulogBuhay, pag-asa, pag-asa
I’m a child of miseryAnd overflowing with tearsThe one pleading hereTo be given mercyOpen the heavensAnd listen intentlyTo my troublesAnd feelings
Oh, if you won’t feel any compassionFor the sadness I’m going throughCaptivated heart and soulWould fall into the graveAsk if it’s not trueAsk the twinkle of the starsAlso ask the cloudsOf the misery I have
In the darkness of the nightOn which I’m keeping vigilOnly your imageIs my lightIf you would fall in deep sleepIn the midst of the darknessOh, let your heartFall down to me
Let it fall to meLife, hope, hope
Dahil sa Isang BulaklakMusic: Leopoldo Silos | Text: Levi Celerio | Translation: Fiona De Vos
Dahil sa isang bulaklakSumilang ang pag-ibigBawa’t tibok ng kanyang pusoAy luha at paghihirapPuso’y sadyang nagtiisNagdusa sa pag-ibigDi magbabago kailanmanAng pagmamahal’Yan ang pag-ibigDahil sa isang bulaklak
Because of a flowerLove was bornEach beat of its heartIs a teardrop and sufferingThe heart consciously enduredSuffered in loveThis devotionWill never changeThat’s loveBecause of a flower
Ugoy ng DuyanMusic: Lucio San Pedro | Text: Levi Celerio | Translation: Fiona De Vos
Sana’y di nagmaliw ang dati kong arawNang munti pang bata sa piling ni NanayNais ko’y maulit ang awit ni Inang mahalAwit ng pag-ibig habang ako’y nasa duyan
Sa aking pagtulog na labis ang himbingAng bantay ko’y tala, ang tanod ko’y bituinSa piling ni Nanay, langit ang buhayPuso kong may dusa’y sabik sa ugoy ng duyan
Ibig kong matulog sa dating duyan ko, Inang
I wish the old days hadn’t endedWhen I was a small child, by Mom’s sideI wish I could hear my beloved mother’s song againHer song of love while I was in the cradle
In my very deep sleepThe stars guard and watch over meWith Mom, life was heavenMy suffering heart longs for the rocking of the cradle
I would love to sleep in my old cradle, Mom
Madaling-ArawMusic: Francisco Santiago | Arrangement: Armin Egger | Text: Jose Corazon de Jesus | Translation: Fiona De Vos
Irog ko’y dinggin ang tibok ng pusoSana’y damdamin hirap ng sumuyoManong itunghay ang matang mapungayNa siyang tanging ilaw ng buhay kong papanaw
Sa gitna ng kadimlan magmadaling-araw kaAt ako ay lawitan ng habag at pagsintaKung ako’y mamamatay sa lungkot nyaring buhayLumapit ka lang, lumapit ka lang, at mabubuhay
At kung magkagayon, MutyaMapalad na ang buhay koMagdaranas ako ng t’wa nang dahil sa iyoMadaling-araw ka, Sinta, liwanag ko’t tanglawHalina, irog ko, at mahalin mo ako
Mutya’y mapalad na ang buhay koNang dahilan sa ganda moLiwayway ng puso ko’t tanglawHalina, irog ko, at mahalin mo ako
Manungaw ka, Liyag, ilaw ko’t pangarapAt madaling-araw na!
My beloved, listen to the beating of my heartI wish you’d understand the hardship of courtingPlease raise your peaceful eyesWhich are the only light of my life that’s ending
In the middle of the darkness, dawn upon meAnd grant me compassion and loveIf I should die of this life’s sorrowCome to me, just come to me, and I would live again
And if that should happen, Beloved,My life would then be fortunateI would feel joy because of youYou are dawn, Beloved, my light and illuminationCome, my dearest, and love me
Beloved, my life would now be fortunateBecause of your beautyDawn and light of my heartCome, my dearest, and love me
Look out of the window, Darling, my light and dreamAs it is now dawn!
Mutya ng PasigMusic: Nicanor Abelardo | Text: Deogracias A. Rosario | Translation: Fiona De Vos
Kung gabing ang buwanSa langit ay nakadungawTila ginigising ng habagatSa kanyang pagtulog sa tubigAng isang larawang puti at busilakNa lugay ang buhok na animoy agosIto ang Mutya ng PasigIto ang Mutya ng Pasig
Sa kanyang pagsiklot sa maputing bulaKasabay ang awit, kasabay ang tula
»Dati akong paralumanSa kaharian ng pag-ibigAng pag-ibig ng mamatayNaglaho rin ang kaharianAng lakas ko ay nalipatSa puso’t dibdib ng lahatKung nais ninyong ako’y mabuhayPag-ibig ko’y inyong ibigay«
»Kung nais ninyong ako’y mabuhayPag-ibig ko’y muling ibigay«
When at night, the moonIn the sky is watchingSeemingly being awakened by the west windFrom its sleep in the waterAn image, white and immaculate,With hair hanging loose like flowing waterThis is the Pearl of the PasigThis is the Pearl of the Pasig
Tossing about in the white foamIn unison with the song, with the poem
»I was once a museIn the kingdom of loveWhen love diedThe kingdom also disappearedMy power movedTo the hearts and bosoms of everyoneIf you want me to liveGive my love«
»If you want me to liveGive my love again«
Kung Batid Mo LamangMusic: Restie Umali | Text: Levi Celerio | Translation: Fiona De Vos
Kung batid mo lamang, naaalala kaSa lahat ng araw habang nag-iisaSa pagmamahal ko ay di ka mangangambaAt magtitiwala ka sa pagsinta
Kung batid mo lamang, ang dusa kong taglaySa patak ng luha na di mo lang alamDi ko sasapitin ang magdanas ng lumbayAt maaawa ka kung batid mo lamang
If only you knew, you are in my thoughtsOn all days, when I’m aloneIn my love, you would have nothing to fearAnd you would have faith in my devotion
If only you knew my sufferingIn the drops of tears, of which you are unawareI would not be experiencing this sadnessAnd you would have pity, if only you knew
PakiusapMusic: Francisco Santiago | Text: Jose Corazon de Jesus | Translation: Fiona De Vos
Natutulog ka manIrog kong matimtimanTunghayan mo man lamangAng nagpapaalam
Dahan-dahan, MutyaBuksan mo ang bintanaTanawin mo’t kahabaganAng sa ’yo’y nagmamahal
Kung sakali ma’t salatSa yama’t pangarapMay isang sumpang wagasAng aking paglingap
Pakiusap ko sa ’yoKaawaan mo akoKahit mamatayPag-ibig ko’y minsan lamang
Iniibig kitaMagpakailan pa man
You may be asleepMy prudent belovedBut if you could only lookAt the one who’s leaving
Gently, BelovedOpen the windowLook and have pityOn the one who loves you
Should I be lackingIn wealth and dreamsStill I sincerely vowTo care for you
I plead youTo have pity on meEven in deathMy love happens only once
I love youFor eternity
Bituing MarikitMusic: Nicanor Abelardo | Arrangement: Armin Egger | Text: Servando de los Angeles | Translation: Fiona De Vos
Bituing Marikit sa gabi ng buhayAng bawa’t kislap mo’y ligaya ang taglayYaring aking palad iyong patnubayanAt kahit na sinag ako’y bahaginan
Natanim sa puso ko yaong isang pag-ibigNa pinakasasamba sa loob ng dibdibSa iyong luningning laging nasasabikIkaw ang pangarap, Bituing Marikit
Lapitan mo ako, hali na, BituinAting pag-isahin ang mga damdaminAng sabik kong diwa’y huwag mong uhawinSa batis ng iyong wagas na paggiliw
Beautiful Star in the evening of lifeYour every twinkle carries joyGuide this destiny of mineAnd share with me even just a ray of light
This one love has been planted in my heartThat I most adore deep within my breastI always long for your shining lightYou are my dream, Beautiful Star
Come close to me, come, my StarLet’s make our feelings oneDon’t make my longing soul thirstyIn the spring of your pure love
AcknowledgementsThank you…
Michael Hecht for being a great producer, coach, advisor, composer and more, and for everything you’ve taught me, not just musically but also in matters of business and life in general.
Lisa Punz for the masterful video production, and for your many valuable contributions, your artistic and business talents, knowledge and ideas.
Aries Caces for the wonderful piano playing, arranging and coaching.
Armin Egger for the beautiful guitar playing and arranging.
Anna Maurer for being a wonderful stylist, and for helping me reconnect with my locker unkompliziert (easy-going uncomplicated) and feminine side.
Chiara Martyka for your beautiful art and insights.
Martin Lifka for the great photography.
Katharina Henríquez for the lovely violin playing.
Werner Lager for the excellent mastering.
Jakob Flosdorff, Pavol Kutik, Fatima Gerendas Obiols and Patrick Walter for the great work.
Everyone mentioned above for everything that you have contributed to this project, for your dedication to your craft, attention to detail, eye for aesthetics, energy, sense of humor, and kindness, which have made this project a joy to do and a rich learning experience.
Rhodora dela Peña for helping me with the Pangasinan translation and pronunciation.
Gina, Janson, Kim, Okāsan (Yasuko), Giordano, Chika, Sandra, Kuya Ome, Ate Shirley, Melly, and all my beloved friends for your love, friendship and support.
Riki for the love, friendship and encouragement, for the sheet music, and for giving me wonderful opportunities to sing.
Kuya JR, Elvira, Raphael, Romano, Mary, Iah, Alfred, Ma, Da, Kuya Bay, Nin Jona, Jen, Mommy Dors, Daddy Rit, Puccini, Lola, Tito Tom, Tita Roce, Tito Val, Tita Carina, and the rest of my greater family for your love and support, and for being there no matter what.
Jaan for the love and inspiration, for everything you’ve taught me, and for the deep soul connection.
Fre for your love, support and understanding, for being a great husband, my best friend, my rock and anchor, for being with me through thick and thin, and for everything.
Vocals and Arrangements: Fiona De VosPiano and Arrangements: Aries CacesGuitar and Arrangements: Armin EggerViolin: Katharina Henríquez
Produced by: Fiona De Vos and Michael HechtRecorded, Mixed and Mastered by: Michael Hecht, Werner LagerProduction Assistants: Jakob Flosdorff, Pavol KutikEditing: Fatima Gerendas Obiols, Patrick WalterGraphic Design and Artwork: Chiara I. MartykaPhotography: Martin LifkaStyling and Make-up Artist: Anna MaurerVideo Production: Lisa Punz/Frog Queen Media
℗+© 2018 Fiona De Vos. All Rights Reserved.
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