hellorolo

Dahil Sa Iyo

My dad shared this with me over the holiday, and it got me curious and excited about delving more into Filipino culture (which I’m learning I actually know little of).

It’s the introduction video from the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) Gala on May 17, 2009.

I love the music and voiceover that accompany the footage on screen; it’s all very nostalgic, even if it’s of a time several decades before me. The video opens with a 1961 performance of “Dahil Sa Iyo” by Nat King Cole at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila. Jerry Vale also follows Nat King Cole with a cover of the song’s English Translation, “Because of You.”

“Dahil Sa Iyo,” composed by Miguel “Mike” Velarde Jr. in 1938 with lyrics by Dominador Santiago, is one of the most popular examples of Kundiman (and a big favorite of the “Iron Butterfly” Imelda Marcos), a genre of traditional Filipino love songs. It was originally composed for the film Bituing Marikit, Sampaguita Pictures first full-length film (which I’m having trouble finding on video, as I’d love to watch it!). It has since then been covered by many artists, even reaching the U.S. and receiving an English adaptation by Tom Spinosa that became a hit in the mid 60s.

“Dahil Sa Iyo” (Original Tagalog)

Dahil Sa’yo
Sa buhay ko’y labis
Ang hirap at pasakit, ng pusong umiibig
Mandin wala ng langit
At ng lumigaya, hinango mo sa dusa
Tanging ikaw sinta, ang aking pag-asa.

Dahil sa iyo, nais kong mabuhay
Dahil sa iyo, hanggang mamatay
Dapat mong tantuin, wala ng ibang giliw
Puso ko’y tanungin, ikaw at ikaw rin

Dahil sa iyo, ako’y lumigaya
Pagmamahal, ay alayan ka
Kung tunay man ako, ay alipinin mo
Ang lahat ng ito, dahil sa iyo

English Translation

Because of you, there’s a joy in living
Because of you, ‘till death (you) must realize
In my heart I know there is only you

And ask my heart, you’ll know that this is true
Long have I endured in my life
The pain and sorrows from love arise
Then you came and redeemed me, my dear,
My only hope in my darkest fears

Because of you, I found happiness
That to you I offer this love that is so blessed
Though indeed I may be a slave for loving you so true
It matters not to me, ‘cause everything’s because of you

In my head, I can just imagine the song in some epic (maybe…) love story. I hope I can find proper use for the song in one of my projects this semester. A nice orchestral arrangement was done by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra that sounds so cinematic to me.

“It was good to be young then. When life was simpler. When the music was good. And love was in the air.”

Going back to FASO, the intro video displays clips from a variety of old Filipino films that appear much more appealing to me than most of the nation’s current releases. I haven’t seen many contemporary mainstream Filipino films (aside from the indies that reach the U.S. festival circuit, namely Adela, Serbis, and the Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros, as well as the decades older Insiang), so I’m doing a bit of prejudging… but I can’t say the new releases excite me. That said, I’m not going to reject modern Filipino Cinema completely. It’s history (age?) attracts me and what shows in theaters today is certainly a part of that.

The FASO video also has a live performance recording of Eartha Kitt singing “Waray, Waray” but I don’t know much yet to post here.

A somewhat related sidenote… What immediately grabbed my attention upon first viewing was Nat King Cole singing “Dahil Sai Yo.” And it sounded so classy, moody, romantic. I’m not just saying that because it’s Nat King Cole, but I must admit, when I first heard the song my thoughts immediately jumped to his Spanish songs featured in Wong Kar Wai’s In the Mood for Love. I’ll let the song, and it’s use speak for itself :) Indiewire has an interview with Wong Kar Wai, where he cites the presence of Filipino musicians and Latin influences in the Hong Kong music scene during the 60s.

*Another note… I’d really like to learn more about the song if anyone else has more info. Most of the info I found was from wikipedia and youtube pages. There seems to be some contradictory information online, so my apologies for any errors. I’m learning!