To cover the health care needs of UAE embassy officials and personnel, I was assigned for a month-long duty in Kabul, Afghanistan, where never in my wildest dream I thought I will ever be. I tried all possible means to combat boredom: read (finishes a book in just two days); exercise (two hours on treadmill every day); rearrange stuff in the clinic and in my room; chat with the doctors, police personnel, cleaners, cook, embassy officials—anyone worth talking to. Still, days ran so slow in Kabul. I terribly missed my wife and kids.
Luckily, I had my laptop loaded with movies, some worthwhile articles suited for reading, and MP3s, including a lot of Nora Aunor songs to which I listened attentively. I was mesmerized by the beauty and elegance of Nora Aunor’s voice, which made me listen to her songs again and again.
Her renditions of old songs like “Bakit Mahal Kita,” “Lihim Kitang Mahal,” and “Buhat” transported me back in time 25 years ago when my mom simply could not wait for the Superstar show to begin on Channel 9, to which all my aunts and some of our neighbors were also glued, anticipating Nora’s every song numbers.
Her “Kapantay ay Langit” [listen to the song] is simply the best. (Even Pilita Corrales’s version is no match to it!) “Ikaw ay Akin,” “Ikaw,” “Dandansoy” could take even the most fretful baby to sleep.
“Never, Never, Never” is enunciated perfectly that anyone could be misled that the artist is a native English singer.
“Ay ay Kalisud” is another classic Nora—simple yet very unique.
Her “Maalaala Mo Kaya” cannot be compared to what MMK has been using as a theme song.
“Di Mo Ba Nadarama” could be compared to “Mr. Dreamboy” era. May ganito rin palang mga kanta si Nora!
“Paru-parong Bukid,” “Sarung Banggi,” “Sinisinta Kita” are folk songs sung so softly but full of life.
“Bakit May Kahapon Pa” showcases her artistry as a singer, the lyrics telling her own story. Tumitindig ang balahibo ko sa kanta na ’to!
The Philippines is so fortunate to have a Nora Aunor—The Singer, The Actress. Her Talent is World Class.
Nora, given a chance to record songs of our present crop of talented composers—the likes of Ryan Cayabyab, Vehnee Saturno, Rey Valera, Danny Tan, Louie Ocampo, Ohgie Alcasid, etc.—will surely breath life anew to OPM. After all, Nora sold albums after albums during the height of her recording career. I do believe, however, that Nora Aunor’s talent as a singer has yet to reach its highest potential.
Nora’s voice is so captivating that she makes one listen to her songs more and more. I believe Nora could sing praise songs even more powerfully. How I wish Nora sang some of my favorite praise songs by female artists like Hillsong (“I Will Never Be the Same Again,” “Made Me Glad,” “Through It all”), Amy Grant (“I Can Only Imagine”), Natalie Grant (“Held”), and Sandy Patti (“How Great Thou Art”).
I pray that God will use Nora in a very moving way, and that she will likewise find Him more intimately.
From the Original Nora Aunor Yahoogroup
Nora Aunor's "Kapantay ay Langit"
Video uploaded on You Tube by Superstarstruck
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