prep talk

Wedding songs are the ultimate feel-good love songs. And since we Filipinos are a gifted lot in the romance and music departments, one can only expect the best when it comes to some of the most popular OPM wedding songs. Try recalling the words in George Canseco's "Ngayon at Kailanman" and "Ikaw" or Ryan Cayabyab's "Tunay na Ligaya" and you would understand what we mean. There is poetry in each line, sincerity in every word.

But good Filipino wedding love songs come out few and far in between. We don't recall hearing a new OPM wedding song in recent years. That is why when we learned that a particular wedding song stood out during the run of "Pag-ibig sa Bayan" - a musicale based on the life of Senator "Nene" Pimentel and his wife Bing in the Martial Law era -- we got curious.

Since we missed the musical play during its four-day run at the Meralco Theatre, we researched to find out more about it. We learned that the senator's wife wrote its libretto. We also learned that Mrs. Pimentel also wrote two other love songs especially for her daughter's wedding back in 2003. Eager to hear these songs, we took the chance and emailed the good senator's office in the hope of getting hold of his wife for an interview. We thought the idea was pretty far-fetched having to send our correspondence to an official senate email account. But to our surprise, Ruby Villanueva, the senator's Executive Assistant got in touch with us soon after and our meeting with the lady songwriter went underway.

Merienda Cena in Marikina

Since most of the interviews we've done for this column in the past were mostly thru email or text (for one-liner responses), we were very anxious as to how our first face-to-face interview would turn out. Our meeting, after all, is with the wife of a prominent political figure who stood for his principles back in the Martial Law days up until the recent 20th EDSA Anniversary celebration.

When we arrived at the Pimentel residence in Marikina, we were personally welcomed by Mrs. Bing Pimentel and immediately felt at ease with her warm, motherly demeanor. We sat and casually talked about her family life, her songs and her hands-on involvement during her daughter's wedding.

Over delicious pancit and ginatan prepared by her lovely daughter-in-law, we listened to the soundtrack of the said musicale. We listened intently to the fourth track called "Sa Harap ng Diyos," a duet by lead actors Marco Sison and Jane Diaz (playing the young Nene & Bing) as the soon-to-weds exchange wedding vows. With the songwriter's permission, we share with you the tune and its lyrics:

Kay tagal kong hinintay ang araw na ito
Ipapangako ko sa harap ng Diyos
Ikaw at ikaw lang ang mamahalin
Ikaw at ikaw lang ang iibigin
Sa harap ng Diyos, nangangako ako
Sa hirap at ginhawa tayo'y magkaisa

Tanggapin mo ang puso ko, higit pa doon ang buhay ko
Kahit ano'ng mangyari, ikaw and mahal ko
Kay tagal kong hinintay ang araw na ito
Mahal kita, ito'y alam mo
Ang buhay ko'y iyo, tanggapin mo
Sa harap ng Diyos nangangako ako
Ikaw at ikaw lamang ang mamahalin

Kay tagal kong hinintay ang araw na ito
Ipinapangako ko sa harap ng Diyos
Ikaw at ikaw lang ang mamahalin
Ikaw at ikaw lang ang iibigin
Sa harap ng Diyos (sa harap ng Diyos), nangangako ako (Pangako ko)
Sa hirap at ginhawa, tayo'y magka-isa

Ikaw ang mahal ko (Irog ko), Ikaw ang buhay ko (Buhay ko)
Nangangako ako, inuulit ko
Mahal kita (Sinta ko), asahan mo ako (Asahan mo)
Magsasama habang buhay...
Mahal ko

What is amazing is that the senator's wife neither reads nor writes notes. She doesn't even play any musical instruments. Her most essential gadget is a recorder in order to record the words and melody when inspiration hits her. She has written songs sung by Jose Mari Chan, Rico J. Puno, Freddie Aguilar and even Nora Aunor.

Another noteworthy song she has penned is “Stapel Verliefd (Madly in Love)”. She wrote the tune as an engagement gift for her daughter Lorraine and partner Alain who hails from Belgium. Tita Bing said the song is special because it brings back memories of her and the senator during the early years of their courtship. The song was interpreted by Bimbo Cerrudo and included in the wedding CDs that were given away during the couple's wedding. What we find really interesting is that the song seamlessly weaved three different languages (Belgian, English and Filipino) into one memorable pop ballad. Listen to the song and read the words (song used with permission) as it pays homage to the heritage of the couple making it truly tailor-made for them:

When I saw you from where I stood
I know instantly you'll be part of my life
First glances, sweet talks
Whisper of goodbyes
A handshake, a magnet to my heart
I don't know when, I don't know how
But I am stapel verliefd - madly in love
Taimtim na umiibig sa iyo
Buhay di kaya kung wala sa piling mo

Stapel verliefd - madly in love
Miracle in life happens to you
You never get a chance to be what you want
But when you're madly in love
You paint the picture of your life
Set your heart on fire
Hand in hand walk with your love

Stapel verliefd - madly in love
Kung ito ang pag-ibig
Sana habang buhay ganito ako
I don't know when, I don't know how
But I am staple verliefd - madly in love

Truly, Mrs. Lourdes "Bing" dela Llana Pimentel is a rare talent we truly admire. How we wish that these two wedding songs, along with her other works, would be released soon to be heard by more Filipinos.

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prep talkback: Send comments and queries to P.O. Box 233, Greenhills, San Juan City 1502 or email: mail@WeddingsAtWork.com.

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