Album Notes

This album is a collection of 18 Filipino art songs for classical guitar and tenor, based on the kundiman, love songs and serenades, and regional folk songs. New settings and arrangements by composer-guitarist Michael Dadap.

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Brief translations or summaries of the songs

1. Kay Lungkot Nitong Hating Gabi
(How Sad Is This Midnight)
Music by: Ignacio Suarez
Lyrics by: Levi Celerio

How sad is this midnight.
The stars and the moon are not shining
This is why I feel so lonesome
In this darkness, I feel my fate is doomed
However if you will just show your
face by the window, my whole life will
brighten again.

2. Unsaon Ko?
(What will I Do?)
Music by: Ki-ot-Jerry A. Dadap
Lyrics by: Ki-ot

What will I do to find happiness?
I know that you despise my existence.
My wounded heart cries for your love.

3. Nasaan ka Irog?
(Where Are You Beloved?)
Music by: Nicanor Abelardo
Lyrics by: Narciso S. Asistio

Where are you beloved?
Where are those promises of caring, and
tenderness?
But remember this my love
Although you have forsaken me
Although you have forgotten your promise
of a tender love
Nothing will change in my life.
The memories of our past love will
forever linger in my heart.

4. Walang Paalam
(Without saying Goodbye)
Music by: Michael A. Dadap
Lyrics by: Nelson Navarro

I woke one dark morning
The spot where you laid was cold
You must have been long gone
You left without saying goodbye
You have left me while
I was in deep slumber
Dreaming and hoping you still love me
The memories of our love hurt
I don’t understand why you left
I could not even ask you why
You left without saying goodbye
But you have awakened a heart
Enslaved by your cruel love
Thank you for leaving without saying goodbye
My heart is free.

5. Mimingawon ka man Iday
(You’ll Miss Me, Iday)
Waray-Waray Folksong

You will miss me Iday!
And that’s for sure.
You have no mercy to our friendship
You abandoned this heart that truly loves you.
But when I’m long gone,
You’ll surely miss me Iday.

6. Sapagkat Mahal Kita
(Because I Love You)
Music by: Felipe Padilla de Leon
Lyrics by: Eduardo P. de Leon

My love, you are my life.
My heart belongs to no one but you.
And because of you,
The world is full of life
Everyone has a song
This I promise to you
I will love you forever.

7. Usahay
(There Are Moments)
Words and Music by
Nitoy Gonzales

I dream that you and I are lovers
But why do I always dream of you
in times of my loneliness.

There are moments my heart wishes that
I should not have been born into this world
Because you are mocking the true love that
I dream and I feel in my heart.

8. Bol-anon
(Man From Bohol)
Visayan Folk Song

If you’re looking for a husband Inday
Make sure you choose a “Bol-anon”
“Bol-anons” are good lovers, gentle and
forever faithful You’ll be so lucky if your
wish comes true.
But always be careful Inday
No matter how much you like him
Try to ignore him specially the playboy
He will stop at nothing to persuade you
to succumb to his charm.

9. Pasaylo-a Ako
(Forgive Me)
Visayan Serenade

Forgive me if I made a mistake
Because of my love for you
My heart is drowning in sorrow
Don’t make me suffer
To see you suffering with
Someone else
Heaven knows
You are the only one I adore.

10. Kahibulungan
(Deep Mystery)
Visayan Serenade

I feel something deeply mysterious
A maddening love for you
Is born in my heart


11. Nag-adto Ako sa Sapa
(I went by the Brook)
Hiligaynon Folk Song

I went by the brook
I saw frogs praying, and reciting the “Rosary”
The altar? A used basin
The icons? Snails

12. No Duaduaem Pay
(If You Still Doubt)
Ilokano Folk Song

If you still doubt my love for you
It is clear how much you hate me
Then, tell me how you feel about me
So that I may begin to forget you
I shall forget you but only when I’m dead
To forget you now, that is impossible
Grant me your love and don’t let me suffer
For you and you alone, are the one I love

Ti Ayat ti Maysa nga Ubing
(The Love of a Little Child)
Ilokano Folk Song

The love of a little child is sweeter than jasmine,
Just like a flower that just bloomed in April
The love of an old man, especially a senile one,
Is bitter that it makes one vomit
Therefore, O grandfather, find a widow
With white hair and no teeth like you
Think about the love of a little child
Especially one who does not have a caretaker

13. Sarung Banggi
(One Evening)
Music by: Potenciano B. Gregorio, Sr.

One evening as I lay in bed
I heard the lonely tweet of a bird
I thought I was dreaming
But soon I recognized your voice
I opened my eyes and arose
In the darkness, I looked all around
When I gazed upward
I saw your radiant face
In the darkness, I saw you
Swiftly, my sad heart found happiness
Even for such a brief vision,
I will never forget until eternity

14. Sinisinta Kita/Neneng
(I Love You/ Neneng)
Music by: Constancio De Guzman
Lyrics by: C. De Guzman/Levi Celerio

When my love abandons me
Who should I call?
Of course! It’s Neneng, my sweetheart
But Alas!
You’re so far away from my side
It doesn’t matter whether you’re
far or near
I will find you, I’ll be there
So you won’t complain that
I don’t love you
Many times I said I love you
But you keep silent
You think I’m only kidding
The” tikling” bird and ten “kanduro”
birds are my witnesses
They will tell you that
If you will not love me back
My heart will explode.

15. Anak ng Dalita
(Child of Misfortune)
Music By: Francisco Santiago
Lyrics by: Diogracias A. Rosario

I am a child of misfortune
Asking for your mercy and understanding
So you will hear the sorrow and pain
In my heart
I stay awake
Through the dark nights
Your face is my light
I only hope that in your deep slumber
You’ll give your heart to me.

16. Kundiman ng Lahi
(Song of Heritage)
Music by: Bonifacio Abdon
Lyrics by: Pat Mariano

Beneath the rising sun of the orient seas
I long to see the land that I love to be free

17. Huling Pagsamo
(Last Plea)
Music by: Michael A. Dadap
Lyrics by: Francisco Baylon & Michael Dadap

My country, don’t you see?
Our people are suffering
My country, don’t you have pity?
Your civil rights are mocked.
My country, are you not worried?
Your freedom is at stake?

Oh my beloved country
Land of hope and love
Nourished by the blood of
Our heroes with vision and purpose
But why do you neglect your basic duty?
Protect your rights. Justice must prevail

This is my last plea to you.

18. Tulog Na
(Go To Sleep)
(From: Ampalaya, The Musical Play)
Music & Lyrics by: Michael A. Dadap

Go to sleep my love one
Come here by my side
The evening is so quiet
So peaceful
Look at the stars
They’re so beautiful twinkling in the sky
Listen to what they say
Go to sleep, go to sleep