New Nora Aunor CD Brings Back Beatiful Music . . .
by Ellen Alejano

It was late afternoon yesterday. I was at work and talking to my husband on the phone. “Is there a CD mail in the letter box?” I asked. Hubby replied, “Don’t know, I just got in and I haven’t checked.” I said, “Then go outside and have a look, will you? (Oops, sorry I forgot to say “Please.”) If the CD is there, then save it quickly from the scorching heat (it’s hot Oz summer here, folks, and late afternoon sun can be a bit unforgiving).” That was a lame excuse, I know, but can you blame me? I was just excited to know if I will finally be able to listen to that “priceless” CD of Ate Guy when I come home. Hubby got back on the line and said, “Yes, here it is—fresh from the oven.” Funny but true, it must be really hot inside that mailbox . . . just like inside the oven.

You guessed it right. I came home last night and the first thing I picked up was the CD mail. Inside was the signed copy of Ate Guy’s new CD album Habang Panahon. Precious! After reading the sweet note from dear Cece, I popped the CD into my PC. Instantly, the family room was filled with the all too familiar golden melodious voice, singing what else but the first cut “Habang Panahon.” From the first note, I was hooked. My nine-year-old daughter who was doing her homework at that time remarked, “I don’t understand what she’s saying but I like her singing.”(Hmmm . . . teach her more Tagalog words, Mom!) Then I heard someone said, “Nice voice!” Was that my husband? If I have to say this, my husband very seldom gives compliment and when he does, there’s almost always the “but” argument added to the end of it. So those words (without the “but”), well that’s true and honest compliment. I’ll take it wholeheartedly on behalf of Ate Guy, thank you very much!

I finished listening to all the songs. The whole time I sat glued to the computer chair. I soooo love the new CD. There are 10 original songs composed by husband-and-wife team of Bodjie Dasig and Odette Quesada. They provided the nice blend of backup vocals too. Each song is beautiful with pleasant tune and meaningful, easy-to-recall lyrics. The arrangement and the mix are refreshing. Even the Christmas song titled, what else, “Pasko” has a happy, catchy jingle beat. Ballad, jazzy, upbeat, pop (whatever!), Ate Guy sung with the perfect voice. Minus high notes and high-strung interpretation, the CD is truly music to the ears, soothing and affecting. Ate Guy’s voice remains brilliant through the years. It projects the right emotion (it helps to be a great actress too, doesn’t it?). Like vintage wine, her voice has matured with smooth texture that cuts through sharply but amazingly painless.

It is not easy to pick favorites from the CD. I like “Habang Panahon,” “Ganyan Nga Ba?” and “Sa Iyo Pa Rin” the first time I heard them. The other songs got better as I listened to them over and over. Excellent pieces! My little girl is now able to sing “Starlight” (at least she gets the meaning of this one). My eldest daughter thought that the jazzy “Friends” is cool.

This new Nora CD is a wish come true. I hope that more Pinoys (and all Noranians, of course) will have the chance to listen to it. Through beautiful music, Ate Guy will ease her way to the hearts of the Filipinos, once more . . . like in the old times.

Thank you, Tony V., for making it happen.

Thank you, Mr. Bodjie and Ms. Odette, for writing the lovely songs and letting our dear Nora sing them from the heart, as always . . .

P.S. To my dear friend Cece, super thank you talaga. Luvya Sis.

From the Nora Aunor Yahoogroup, posted on February 3, 2009